Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Raleigh

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Raleigh? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Encore Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (156)

$31 to $50

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Now Accepting Reservations For July 9th and beyond,
The crew from Northside Bistro are now going to provide some amazing Italian cuisine, Top notch Steaks, and delightful seafood. Expect to see some of the great cooks and friendly staff you expect at Northside along with some great new team members we are excited to introduce to the area.
Chef John and his team are excited to bring you some takes on classic Italian cuisine along with some expected twists and turns to keep things current and we will always hunt for the highest quality ingredients we can find. Service promises to be warm and inviting never taking our focus off the details that matter while still keeping it fun and light hearted.
The decor here at Encore is a polished but comfy, the environment will create great energy and a sense of community but still provide some romantic corners for a Romantic evening with loved ones.
Carol and John are so excited to bring their second offering to the North Raleigh area!

Top review

Troy

Dined 4 days ago

It was a great, wonderful ambience and service. Reminds me of a little elegant nook in Tampa FL

cafe tiramisu

4.9

4.9 (1675)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, Cafe Tiramisu offers a menu full of authentic Northern Italian cuisine. The family-owned and operated restaurant is decorated sparingly and the dining room is a cozy, relaxing environment. Cafe Tiramisu has a full bar but specializes in wine with an extensive wine selection both by the glass and by the bottle.

Try the ravioli or the shrimp dip to start out your meal at Cafe Tiramisu. Choose from Italian classics like the lasagna or the marsala. The menu includes plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. Choose one of the restaurant's sides for your entree like the fried eggplant or the sauteed spinach.

Top review

Robert

Dined 3 days ago

As usual, our experience with Cafe Tiramisu was outstanding. Excellent wine, food, desert, and staff. Can't say enough good things about them.

Bella Monica

4.8

4.8 (3691)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Bella Monica – A Beloved Italian Trattoria in Raleigh

Since 2000, Bella Monica has been a neighborhood gem, serving authentic Neapolitan cuisine with warm hospitality. Owned by Chef Corbett and Julie Monica, our locally owned trattoria is an extension of Nana’s table, where guests become family.

Our menu features thin-crust flatbreads, housemade pastas, fresh NC seafood, and locally sourced meats, crafted with San Marzano tomatoes and the freshest ingredients. Pair your meal with a selection from our all-Italian, Wine Spectator 2007-2025 award-winning wine list, and don’t leave without trying the best cannoli in Raleigh!

Recognized with Diners’ Choice Awards for being charming, intimate, and perfect for special occasions, Bella Monica is where Raleigh gathers to enjoy great food, local art, and a lively atmosphere. Mangia bene!

Top review

Barry

Dined 3 days ago

Eggplant Rollatini was the best Italian meal my wife says she has ever eaten! She raved about this from the first bite to the last and we've eaten Italian food all over the country and in Rome, Milan, Venice, Sienna and Florence. I was not that hungry and had a small pepperoni pizza which was excellent. We would visit Bella Monica whenever we are near Raleigh again.

Caffe Luna

4.8

4.8 (2593)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Situated in a beautiful historic building in downtown Raleigh, Caffé Luna has been bringing authentic Italian cuisine with a Tuscan flair to the Triangle for over two decades.

Top review

Gary

Dined on May 27, 2025

Caffe Luna never disappoints. We celebrated my wife’s 60th birthday dinner with the kids. The service was great and the food was outstanding as always!

Colletta - Cary, NC

4.7

4.7 (1806)

$30 and under

Italian

Cary

About the restaurant

Seasonal changes, outstanding ingredients and a made-from-scratch philosophy guide Chef 's menu of house-made focaccia and pasta, antipastis, made-to-order wood-fired pizzas, and piatti. The chef curated dinner and dessert menus, pair with the well balanced wine and beverage program. Located at Fenton in Cary, NC, this casual yet polished family-style Italian restaurant features 120 indoor dining seats, 60 seats outdoors on the semi-covered patio, and a 12-seat bar.

Top review

Ravi

Dined 1 day ago

Delicious food, excellent service, and a welcoming ambiance. A location that makes you want to return time and time again

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Amalia's Authentic Italian Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (875)

$50 and over

Italian

Wake Forest

About the restaurant

Amalia Fumelli is the inspiration behind Amalia’s Authentic Italian Restaurant. She was born in Italy in 1932, and grew up on a farm. As she grew up, she took an interest in cooking and learned everything about the Italian kitchen from her mother and grandmother. For countless hours each day, Amalia began making hand-made pasta with her rolling pin on an old, wooden table. After many years, she had mastered her pasta creations through her skilled handiwork, precise cutting skills, and the amount of love she put into her work.

Over time, Amalia has passed all of her secrets and knowledge about food along to her children and grandchildren. One grandchild in particular, Filippo Fanfani, gained a passion for the art of cooking through her guidance. As a child, he spent all his days at his grandmother’s house preparing meals for his family. The two have a strong bond, that began with their conjoining love of creating meals that are enjoyable for everyone.

Top review

Benjamin

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful experience - food was great, but the service was fantastic.

Cucciolo Terrazza Raleigh

4.6

4.6 (794)

$31 to $50

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Cucciolo Terrazza, named Best New Restaurant 2022 by Raleigh Magazine, serves simple and delicious Italian food using the highest quality ingredients in an upscale, yet friendly and casual environment. We will always strive to provide the best service possible through genuine care for our Guests.

Top review

Deborah

Dined 6 days ago

First time here - we will be back . Went for brunch - food was great . Being the only patrons, the service was a bit lacking - that was the only negative

Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar

4.7

4.7 (3124)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar, a locally owned Italian restaurant that has been named one of Raleigh's best by Raleigh Magazine. Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, minutes from the Raleigh Convention Center, Mulino offers an authentic dining experience that showcases the rich flavors and traditions of Italy. Guests can enjoy classic Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients, perfectly paired with wines from Italy & beyond.

Mulino’s inviting atmosphere includes cozy indoor seating & a beautiful outdoor patio, available on a first-come basis. Mulino can accommodate parties from 2 to 250 guests. For groups of 12 or more, a special large-party menu is available to enhance your dining experience.

Parking is available at 209 N. Dawson Street, 329 N McDowell Street, and streetwise along Lane Street.

We look forward to welcoming you to Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar, where every meal is crafted with passion and every guest is treated like family.

Top review

Cassandra

Dined 6 days ago

Mulino is a great spot for Italian! Their patio is great, highly recommend!

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Anthony's La Piazza Prime - Downtown Raleigh

4.3

4.3 (82)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Anthony's La Piazza is a family-owned and operated Italian restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. The restaurant brand has been serving the community for over 20 years. Anthony's La Piazza is known for its delicious food, friendly service, and warm atmosphere. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Italian dishes, including pasta, pizza, seafood, and steaks. Anthony's La Piazza also has a full bar and a wine list. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Anthony's also has an elegant lounge open late nights Thursday through Saturday. We are located on the first floor of the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown in the Glenwood South district.

Top review

TrishVIP

Dined 6 days ago

My husband and I love this place. Nobody makes veal as good as they do. We take all our visitors here.

Leo's Italian Social - Park West Village

4.5

4.5 (494)

$30 and under

Italian

Morrisville

About the restaurant

Leo's Italian Social in Morrisville, NC located at Park West Village is a vibrant dining spot known for its lively atmosphere and diverse menu. Highlights include: Happy Hour: Enjoy $3 off appetizers and pizzas, Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm. Brunch: Delight in a weekend brunch available until 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Ambiance: Features a welcoming outside patio and private dining options, perfect for gatherings. Entertainment: Live music adds to the energetic vibe. Cuisine: Offers a rich selection of fresh pasta, seafood, and steak, paired with an extensive wine and cocktail list. A perfect destination for food lovers and social gatherings!

Top review

Diane

Dined on May 18, 2025

We were a party of three who dined mostly on apps and cocktails as we enjoyed our table on the patio. The service was fast and friendly and the food was delicious. What could be better on a beautiful Sunday afternoon?!

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