Floriana, a beloved Italian restaurant originally from Washington, DC and Wilmington, NC, plans to open its third location in Huntsville’s MidCity District in 2026. Known for its fresh handmade pastas and warm, community-centered spirit, Floriana aims to bring its authentic northern Italian recipes to the Rocket City’s culinary scene.

Floriana was founded in 1979 by Floriana Nestore and is celebrated for its scratch-made gnocchi, ravioli, and famous lasagna. Now led by Floriana’s son, Dino Tapper, and Jamie Branda, the restaurant will offer a menu featuring its best-loved dishes alongside new offerings like a raw bar and wood-fired pizzas.

“Floriana has always been about more than just great food—our goal is to make every guest feel at home,” said Jamie Branda.

The restaurant will occupy an 8,000-square-foot space at the NOLA Building, designed by Matheny Goldman, reflecting New Orleans’ Warehouse District style. This new location aims to serve as a visual anchor in MidCity’s dining and entertainment hub.

“Floriana’s arrival at MidCity is a testament to the district’s growing reputation as a destination for exceptional dining experiences,” said Max Grelier, co-founder of RCP Companies.

Details on Floriana’s opening date and special events will be announced as the grand opening approaches. For more information, visit florianarestaurant.com.

AI assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here (https://www.waaytv.com/site/ai.html) to see how WAAY uses AI.

MidCity

Dining and Cooking