Atlanta knows how to eat well! 

From institutions such as Mary Mac's Tea Room, the Colonnade and the famed Varsity Drive-in to the trendiest new places on the scene, Atlanta offers a smorgasbord of exemplary dining establishments. 

Those within the Italian community, as well as others who enjoy partaking of Atlanta's Italian culinary delights, are well aware of some of the delicious options available.  AtlantaItalian.com is a guide to Italian food and more within and just outside the confines of Atlanta,  helping residents and visitors alike expand their horizons.

Whether you are in town for a convention, sporting or entertainment event or other occasion, or you're a longtime Atlantan in search of a great trattoria or pizzeria outside your own neighborhood, AtlantaItalian.com can help you locate a dining experience you will not soon forget!
Atlanta's Italian Food Scene

Dining

Atlanta:  Buckhead:
     Amalfi Cucina Buckhead offers the same fabulous pasta creations and pizza for which its Downtown Atlanta location is known, plus it accepts online orders, offering additional items including bistecca sliders, polpette sliders and pagnotielli caprese (fresh baked bread, fior di latte, arugula, chopped artichokes, Roma tomatoes and olive oil).
     Like its downtown counterpart, Amalfi Cucina & Mercato Buckhead welcomes private events of all sizes in its chic dining room and semi-private balcony.
  • St. Cecilia, Pinnacle Building, 3455 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, Tel:  (404) 554-9995

     Located in Buckhead's landmark 22-story Pinnacle Building, at the corner of Lenox and Peachtree roads, St. Cecilia, yet another concept originating from Atlanta chef-restaurateur Ford Fry, superbly "displays the Italian trademarks that have always stood the test of time but with versatile and local Southern ingredients."  Boasting ever-changing menus, St. Cecilia surprises diners by offering more than the obligatory calimari or lobster risotto.  Bill of fare highlights can include "fisherman's wife style"-bucatini with charred shrimp and chiles, olive oil poached halibut with prosciutto brodo and artichoke and striped bass with preserved lemons and ravigotta butter.
Atlanta:  Candler Park:
     This popular eatery near Candler Park presents tempting menu items such as pasta Puttanesca (hand-cut tagliatelle with bagna càud, San Marzano tomatoes and olives) and tilefish filet (served with Riverview Farms polenta, a surprising addition of Yuzu Kosho and grenolata).  Expansive selections of apertivi, wines and non-alcoholic libations are served as well.
Atlanta:  Downtown:
     Located in the shadow of famed architect John Portman's masterpiece skyscrapers, Amalfi Cucina & Mercato is in the very heart of Atlanta's downtown business district, making it convenient to numerous hotels, including the Westin Peachtree Plaza, Hyatt Regency, Marriott Marquis, Ritz-Carlton and boutique Ellis Hotel.
     From its blossom fritti and shrimp oreganata appetizers to pizza Neapolitana to entrées such as scottata salmon (seared salmon with artichokes, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, broccolini and white wine butter light cream sauce) and Amalfitano roasted pollo (herb-roasted chicken with Marsala glaze and herb and garlic potatoes), the diverse menu is tempting and satisfying throughout.
     Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcomed and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The restaurant is also available for corporate and other private dining events, Amalfi Cucina & Mercato Downtown features the Capri Room with its lovely painted ceiling and a balcony, accommodating up to fifty guests in stylish, evocative surroundings.
Atlanta:  Inman Park:
  • Bocca Lupo, 753 Edgewood Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307, Tel:  (404) 577-2332

     With chef/owner Bruce Logue at the helm, this exciting Inman Park establishment presents a delightfully varied menu.  "We specialize in handmade and extruded pasta dishes with an eye on seasonality and where it comes from," the restaurant declares. 
     Offering a creative bill of fare, items on the pasta and secondi lists include such unique dishes as goat cheese ravioli with peach, grilled broccolini and sweet pepper sugo and sorpresine with lump crab, corn, early tomatoes and butter croutons.
     Bocca Lupo's Italian-American innovation has earned high praise among a wide array of major publications, including The New York Times, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Southern Living, Atlanta Magazine and Garden & Gun, and its dedicated patrons keep coming back for more.
  • Sotto Sotto, 313 Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307, Tel:  (404) 523-6678

     Opened in 1999, Sotto Sotto has been named one of the twenty best Italian restaurants in the USA by the New York Post.  Led by chef-owner Riccardo Ullio, the acclaimed restaurant is part of the U Restaurant family that includes Novo Cucina and Fritti.  Exciting menu options include the tortelli di Michelangelo Buonarotti (a dish comprised of veal, chicken and pork ravioli with butter/sage sauce per 16th-century recipe from the Renaissance artist's letters), strozzapreti alla salsiccia (hand-made "priest stranglers" served with sweet sausage ragù) and costoletta di vitello (oak-crusted center-cut veal chops with wild mushrooms and natural jus).  Touting a primo all-Italian wine list -- "the deepest in the southeast" -- Sotto Sotto has received an award of excellence from Wine Spectator.
Atlanta:  Midtown:
  • Pasta da Pulcinella, 1100 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, Tel:  (404) 876-1114

     Formerly located on Peachtree Street, Pasta da Pulcinella is now located in a charming 1924 bungalow on West Peachtree, but the intimate ambience and oustanding cuisine, including the popular tortelli di mele (ravioli filled with Granny Smith apple, sausage and parmigiano and topped with browned butter and sage), remains unchanged under the direction of Chef Bibbiano.
Atlanta:  Ormewood Park/East Atlanta:
     Though boasting no frills, Little Azio uses quality ingredients to offer a varied, flavorful menu that includes everything from calamari Arimatica (crispy, fried calamari with peppers and spicy red sauce) to salads, panini and various pastas and choices of sauce.  Pizzas include a traditional margherita, the alluring giardini (vegetables with Feta) and the signature Azio (thin crust, house tomato sauce and mozzarella).  Little Azio is a better choice for budget-conscious families, and its location is two miles or less from Little Five Points, Zoo Atlanta, Grant Park, the Atlanta Beltline and Interstate 20.  AtlantaItalian.com publisher and editor Greg Freeman recalls a Little Azio experience:

     My first introduction to Little Azio was in  February 2022 at Little Azio's now-closed location at 1700 Northside Drive NW.  There, I joined my friend, lifelong Atlantan Ricky McKinnie, of the Grammy®-winning Blind Boys of Alabama, and some other gentlemen, including a local radio personality and pastor, for lunch.  We were later joined by the legendary gospel tenor Paul Beasley (1944-2023).  Most of the guys had pasta with Alfredo, and I opted for a custom pizza with chicken, spinach and Feta.  We all agreed the food was fantastic, and the staff was especially attentive and friendly, and I'm sure the staff was unaware of the notoritey of its guests.  Ricky, as I recall, ordered some extras to take home.  It was that good!
 

Atlanta:  Northeast/Emory:
  • Novo Cucina, 3078 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, Tel:  (678) 823-1150

     Continuing its commitment to deliver "an entirely new way to eat Italian," as begun at its Dunwoody location in 2015, Novo Cucina promises diners a fun, casual vibe where a contemporary atmosphere blends with traditional, quality food preparation.  Presenting a menu of fresh Italian and locally sourced dishes, Novo Cucina also offers regional entrées, an impressive list of boutique wines and house-made gelato.  The Briarcliff Road location, situated at the corner of Clairmont Road, is convenient to the Northeast Expressway (Interstate 85) and Emory University.  As of 10 May 2026, this location does not offer dine-in past 4:00 p.m., but to-go orders are accepted up until 9:00 p.m.
Metro Area:  DeKalb County:  Dunwoody:
  • Carbonara Trattoria, 5499 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338, Tel:  (678) 587-9100

     Offering an extensive menu containing Italian-American favorites, Carbonara Trattoria, under the direction of owner Rafik Cressaty and son, General Manager Patrick Cressaty, has become known for its chef's specials, as well as exciting dishes such as braised lamb shank (lamb braised in a red wine vegetable sauce with saffron risotto and grenolata), rigatoni Amatriciana (pancetta, onion, tomatoes and red pepper flakes served with rigatoni) and flounder Franchese (flounder with lemon and artichoke risotto).  The establishment has consistently garnered top awards over the years, and has secured its place as one of Metro Atlanta's best Italian dining destinations. 

  • Novo Cucina, 5592 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338, Tel:  (470) 275-3000

     "Following a speaking engagement in October 2021, I joined friends at this location for lunch, where we dined al fresco and had a great meal.  The panino pollo alla parmigiana is superb!," AtlantaItalian.com publisher and editor Greg Freeman shares.  "The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, and the service was excellent."  While many outstanding Italian restaurants abound, they are not all open for lunch.  Novo Cucina not only serves lunch, it offers more than a paltry semblance of its dinner menu, as can be the case with some restaurants.  The selection from which to choose is broad, ranging from artisanal pizza to mouth-watering panini to hearty pasta dishes.

Metro Area:  Fulton County:  Alpharetta:
  • Fiorenza, Agincourt,11500 Webb Bridge Way, Suite A7, Alpharetta, Georgia 30005, Tel:  (470) 359-6558
     Launched in June 2026 as a "Tuscan-inspired restaurant in Alpharetta," Fiorenza utilizes ingredients par excellence, including imported Italian flours and cheeses, to prepare house-made pastas, mesmerizing charcuterie boards, delightful meatballs and tantalizing sauces.  Chef Eugene Thompson, who has served as executive chef or sous chef at several notable Atlanta establishments, including Zakia, is poised to wow diners with coastal Tuscan delights such as spaghetti with shrimp and lobster, as well as a massive 32-ounce bistecca di Fiorentina (definitely a steak for two), which pairs nicely with one's choice of Chianti or Brunello.  Restaurateur Jessi Qilafi, who grew up in Firenze (Florence), states, "After more than 15 years working in restaurants across Italy, New York City, and the metro Atlanta area, I'm proud to bring the flavors I grew up with to Alpharetta." 

Metro Area:  Fulton County:  Sandy Springs:

      Established by best friends, business partners and former Buckhead Life Restaurant Group employees Chef Jamie Adams and Leonardo Moura, Il Giallo Osteria & Bar is the next best thing to Veni Vidi Vici, the beloved Midtown Atlanta Italian restaurant where the pair worked until its parent company shuttered the establishment in 2015.
     Il Giallo's bill of fare is inspired by Chef Adams' years of living and working in Italia.  With tempting antipasti and pizzas , delightful primi, which includes lasagna matti ("crazy lasagna") -- a dish filled with hand-pulled braised short rib, garlic and rosemary jus -- and distinguished secondi offerings, including pollo al mattone ("brick-roasted half chicken"), served with whipped root vegetables and broccolini, the Sandy Springs eatery is poised to appeal to the most discriminating diner.
     Located near Perimeter Mall, Il Giallo is just off Interstate 285 and minutes from GA 400, making it easily accessible to diners from both the northern suburbs and the city of Atlanta, including nearby Buckhead.
  • Pendolino, 4600 Roswell Road, Suite B-150, Sandy Springs, Georgia 30342, Tel:  (404) 937-3057

     Situated in the backyard of Chastain Park, Pendolino, led by restaurant veterans Kevin Maxey, chef and owner, and Josh Dague, chef de cuisine, derives its name from the weeping olive tree selection/variety, Olea europea 'Pendolino'. 
     The perfect setting for a meal before attending a fabulous event at the Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park, Pendolino is sure to please with menu items ranging from pastas such as mafaldine Bolognese (slow-cooked beef ragù, parmigiana) to secondi such as pollo al limone (chicken with artichokes and lemon-caper butter) and halibut piccata (lightly-floured, pan-fried halibut with butter beans, escarole, and lemon-caper butter).



Bistecca di Fiorentina at Fiorenza of Alpharetta
Going.com AD
AtlantaItalian.com can earn commissions from sales generated by affiliate ads, including links to Amazon products. Privacy Policy.
FloraBrava.com Distinquished Plants for Discerning Gardeners
. . . & More!


While Atlanta is lacking a distinctive ethnic enclave of Italians, often referred to as "Little Italy" in American cities such as New York and Philadelphia, there is most certainly a thriving and growing Italian community dispersed throughout the metropolitan area.  This is evidenced by a sizable number of restaurants, specialty businesses and other concerns owned by and/or catering to those of Italian heritage.

The Ciancia Italian Conversation Club shines as a beacon to Atlanta's Italian community and beyond, hosting various gatherings, promoting language and sponsoring the Atlanta Italian Film Festival.  The group is a great starting point for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in Atlanta's Italian culture or perhaps work on their language skills in anticipation of a trip abroad to Italia!
Italian Delis, Groceries & Markets


Atanta:  Buckhead:
  • Cucina Baci, 2295 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, Tel:  (404) 869-8003

     Cucina Baci is a "specialty restaurant and market, reminiscent of a New York City bodega."  Offering an expansive menu of entrées, pizzas and panini, the establishment is also a great source of cured meats, artisanal cheeses, pastas, sauces and a curated wine collection.  Patrons enjoy experiences such as wine tastings and cooking classes.  Cucina Baci even offers cooking classes for kids.
Atlanta:  Virginia-Highland:
     Opened in 2016 to share Napoli native Chef Luigi D'Arienzo's "innovative yet true-to-roots take on the Tuscan culinary tradition," Tuscany at Your Table offers daily menus including Italian-American favorites such as eggplant parmigiana and spaghetti with meatballs, as well as panini and a host of freshly sliced meats and cheeses, pasta, espresso, cappuccino, gelato, wines, balsamic vinegars and award-winning olive oils.  Additionally, Chef Luigi and wife, Meredith, an Atlanta native, offer fabulous experiences such as tours to the homeland, cooking classes and wine tastings.
Metro Atlanta:  Dunwoody:
     This family-run grocery offers a wide range of freshly baked breads, aged cheeses, spices, family recipe sauces, Italian wines, gift baskets and its famous fresh-pressed olive oil, originating from the LeVigne Estate in Umbria, Italia.

Home Furnishings
Atlanta:  West Midtown:

     Did you know Atlanta is home to a Natuzzi Italia S.p.A. (NYSE:  NTZ) retail showroom?  Inspired by the Mediterranean, the luxury furniture and décor offered by the Santeramo in Colle, Puglia, Italia-based company "blend designs, functions, materials and colors to create harmonious living."  Atlanta magazine described the showroom as "a tranquil oasis for the sleek, elegant, Mediterranenan-style furnishings that are the trademark of this 60-plus-year-old brand" (Dec. 13, 2023).


Metro Atlanta:  Kennesaw:

  • Natuzzi Editions, 840 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway, Suite 340, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144, Tel:  (678) 658-9157
     Natuzzi Editions offers lesser expensive lines, but is not to be dismissed. Quality, innovative design and uniqely Italian style are hallmarks of Natuzzi's offerings.  This location can be found just north of the city in Cobb County.

Metro Atlanta:  Norcross
  •  Italia Furniture, 6248 Dawson Boulevard, Norcross, Georgia 30093, Tel:  (770) 416-1356
     Situated along Dawson Boulevard, a frontage road just off Jimmy Carter Boulevard that runs adjacent to Interstate 85 not far from "Spaghetti Junction" (the I-85/I-285 interchange), Italia Furniture offers a showroom filled with top-of-the-line selections representing such cmpanies as ALF Italia, Eforma, Fiam, Flam et Luce and Incanto Italia.  In addition to offering custom orders and white glove delivery, Italia Furniture also "provides industry leading benefits and programs" for members of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), of which there is an Atlanta chapter comprised of very notable interior specialists.  Italia Furniture is the most comprehensive source of high-end Italian furniture brands in the Atlanta area.
A Memorial to Veni Vidi Vici
     Depending on whom one asks, Veni Vidi Vici might have set the official standard by which other Atlanta Italian restaurants were measured.  The restaurant -- opened in 1993 at 41 14th Street NE between West Peachtree and Spring streets in Midtown Atlanta's theatre district -- was so outstanding that past patrons still talk about the dining destination over a decade after its closing in 2015.
     Noted for its elegance and intimate feeling in spite of its abundance of space, the restaurant, with Chef Jamie Adams at the helm, appealed to a well-heeled crowd which enjoyed the traditional cucina rustica ("rustic cuisine"), sumptuous desserts and 100% Italian wine list.
     Indeed, Veni Vidi Vici exceeded its life expectancy in restaurant years.  After all, the restaurant business is tough, and extensive longevity is not always achieved no matter how great the food.  In Veni Vidi Vici's case, its parent company, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, simply desired to pursue other brands within its stable of eateries.  While Chef Adams and Leonardo Moura were afforded the opportunity to acquire the restaurant, they were unable to make it happen.  The best friends and eventual business partners wound up launching their own restaurant group, beginning with Il Giallo Osteria & Bar in Sandy Springs.  One era ended, and another one began. 
     As for the storied Midtown restaurant, one might ask if "Veni, Vidi, Vici" translates to "I came, I saw, I conquered" in Latin, what is the Latin translation for "I surrendered, anyway"?
     For a writer and digital publisher who has spent over twenty years writing and publishing about the history, people, arts, food, culture and other aspects of the American South, it might come as a surprise to some that I -- the self-proclaimed "Southern Guru" -- have chosen to publish such an eclectic array of websites, including AtlantaItalian.com.
     In my defense, Atlanta is one of the most important metropolises in the South, but I also love Atlanta because it is distinctly international.  One encounters other parts of the world by simply interacting with the city's diverse residents, dining at its ethnic restaurants and attending various events around the metropolitan area that celebrate other cultures...and America, for that matter.
     Indeed, I enjoy some turkey and dressing from Mary Mac's, as well as the fried chicken at the Colonnade, but I also like to feast on some pakoras and biryani at Chamblee's excellent Indian restaurant, Himalaya's, and the orange chicken and spring rolls at Chinese Dhaba in Norcross' Global Mall where, upon visiting, I am frequently the only individual who looks like me.
     It is little wonder that Atlanta, one of my favorite cities, and Italian cooking, one of my favorite cuisines, would merge in my mind and proceed onto one cohesive website where they beckon foodies and the merely hungry alike to get their grub on at one of the many wonderful Italian eateries throughout the city and its environs.  What can I say?  Welcome to AtlantaItalian.com!

Greg Freeman
Publisher & Editor
To potentially save hundreds of dollars annually on cell phone service, reach out to me directly at gregfreemanpublishing@outlook.com.  Best of all, your first month is free!  Greg Freeman
YouTube.com Sunlight and Shadows by Greg Freeman
Copyright 2025 - 2026