From inviting neighborhood spots to ambitious chef-driven concepts, Nashville’s newest Italian restaurants are proving there’s never been a better time to order another plate of pasta. Whether you’re craving handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, or a finely crafted spritz, these new restaurants are bringing new energy and plenty of flavor to Music City.
Indaco
1408 Adams St., Nashville | indacorestaurant.com
Indaco has become one of Germantown’s favorite neighborhood gathering places by pairing Italian tradition with a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant’s open kitchen, lively bar, and patio provide the backdrop for everything from a quick cocktail to a leisurely dinner anchored by handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza.
Indaco staff is particularly excited by its Aperitivo Hour, offered Monday through Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the bar. Inspired by Italy’s favorite pre-dinner ritual, the menu features small plates including Polenta Arancini, Stracciatella with grilled toast, and Little Gem Caesar salad, alongside Italian-inspired cocktails such as the Aperol Spritz and Italian Blonde, as well as wines from Tuscany and local beer.
The dinner menu continues with house-made pastas such as Lasagna Verde with pork and fennel ragù, Doppio Ravioli with black truffles and mascarpone, and squid-ink Orecchiette Nero with shrimp. Wood-fired branzino, chicken saltimbocca, and an 8-ounce bistecca round out the menu. Guests can even drop by for Sunday brunch.
PennePazze
820 4th Avenue N., Nashville | pennepazze.net
After building a following at its Charlotte Avenue restaurant since 2020, PennePazze is bringing its farm-to-table philosophy and menu built around fresh, handmade Italian cuisine to Germantown with its second Nashville location.
Founder Rony Stark found inspiration for his restaurant from his childhood spent cooking with his Italian mother. Their habit of making pasta and pizza from scratch became the spark for his restaurant, which is dedicated to tradition and hospitality.
At PennePazze, the pasta and signature pinsa are made in-house daily using fresh ingredients free from artificial ingredients, preservatives, and seed oils. Standout dishes include the Carbonara Pazza, Ragu & Funghi, Lasagna, and Gnocchi Crema di Gorgonzola. Guests also gravitate to the restaurant’s panini, served on PennePazze’s house-made pinsa dough.
Behind the bar, a recently introduced cocktail menu offers Italian-inspired creations, including the Tiramisu Espresso Martini, the Panna Cotta Cocktail, and the signature PennePazzee Cocktail.
Alla Vita
523 Houston St., Nashville | allavitanashville.com
Boka Restaurant Group has brought its acclaimed Italian concept, Alla Vita, to Wedgewood Houston, where award-winning Chef Lee Wolen has created a neighborhood restaurant centered on thoughtful, ingredient-driven Italian cooking.
Meaning “to life” in Italian, Alla Vita serves handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, Italian classics, and a curated wine and cocktail program in a warm, garden-inspired setting designed for gathering.
While the handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas are must-try items, the menu is special from top to bottom. Favorites include the kale Caesar with sourdough croutons and parmesan dressing, Bluefin Tuna Crudo with rhubarb, snap pea, and tarragon, and wood-fired meatballs.
Pasta highlights include Cacio e Pepe Ricotta Dumplings, Tagliatelle in a Beef Shank Ragu, and Spring Pea Cappelletti. Wood-fired pizzas range from San Daniele Prosciutto to Mushroom with black truffle.
Pastry Director Meghan McGarvey’s desserts include Funfetti Gelato, as well as classics like Tiramisu, Cannoli, and Dark Chocolate Blueberry Budino. Alla Vita partners with locals to bring exceptional ingredients and thoughtful technique to every dish.
The Sicilian Butcher
475 Gray St., Nashville | thesicilianbutcher.com
The Sicilian Butcher continues to grow its chef-driven approach to Italian food with an updated menu from Chefs Joey Maggiore and Omar Bernal. Known for its authentic Sicilian flavors and house-made pasta, the Gulch restaurant recently introduced new entrées, antipasti, pizzas, handcrafted beverages, and daily lunch and happy hour offerings that give guests more reasons to stop by.
New menu items include the Lasagna al Forno with 10 layers of fresh pasta and three-meat ragù, the Amalfi Gold featuring tagliatelle with jumbo shrimp and calamari, Ravioli Cacio e Pepe, Chicken alla Tomaso, Shrimp Fra Diavolo, and the East Coast Stuffed Pepper.
The restaurant also recently debuted house-made Sicilian Sodas made with San Pellegrino sparkling water and topped with sweet cream soft whip in flavors including strawberry, blood orange, pear, black cherry, and The Sicilian Almond Cream.
Festa di Pranzo, served daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offers a two-course lunch for $21, while the all-day Happy Hour features handcrafted cocktails, Sicilian tapas, pizzas, and the Vino for Two pairing, which includes a bottle of house wine and an artisanal cured meat and cheese board.
Guests can also stop by the bakery beginning at 8 a.m. for fresh pastries, authentic cannolis, gelato, and coffee.
Moto Moda
722A Merritt Ave., Nashville | motomodashop.com
Moto Moda combines New York-style pizza with vintage motorsports, bringing together Italian-inspired food and drinks with a curated collection of motorcycles and apparel.
Open daily for lunch and dinner, the restaurant features a menu by Executive Chef Wes Scoggins, whose naturally fermented pizza dough blends artisanal flours with a proprietary yeast strain cultivated from Tennessee wildflowers and Texas Hill Country, as well as a 900-year-old French starter, to create its signature three-day sourdough crust.
The menu includes classic and seasonal pizzas in addition to starters, salads, and desserts. Signature pizzas include the Redline, Highside, Calabria GT, and Verde Forza, while favorites like Cocktail Meatballs, Focaccia, and the Arugula & Artichoke salad round out the menu.
Save room for dessert, because Caprino Cheesecake or Tiramisu will meet you at the finish line.
The beverage program features custom cocktails, classic spritzes, Negronis, bourbon and tequila cocktails, and a list of wines and local beers. Happy Hour runs daily from 5 to 6 p.m. with half-price wine and beer, $10 cocktails, and $5 pizza slices.
V Modern Italian
820 Division St., Nashville | v.restaurant/nashville
V Modern Italian brings bold flavors, vibrant energy, and a contemporary take on Italian dining to The Gulch. Created to engage all five senses, the restaurant pairs house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and creative Italian dishes developed in collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Stefano Ciotti with handcrafted cocktails in a stylish 7,000-square-foot space.
There are velvet booths, cozy corners, a leafy patio, weekend brunches, and even DJ nights.
Fresh pasta is the core of the restaurant’s menu, with standouts including the Black Truffle Pipette, Ragù Bolognese, Lobster Ravioli, Vodka Rosa, and Scampi Moderni. Guests can begin with appetizers like the Limoncello Burrata, Focaccia Tartufata, or the Tutti Antipasti Tower.
Then they can choose from entrées including Chicken Parmigiana, Barolo Braised Short Rib, Branzino, or The Modern Ribeye.
With wood-fired pizzas, handcrafted cocktails, and a celebratory atmosphere, V Modern Italian delivers a high-energy interpretation of classic Italian dining.
Pelato, Franklin
1914 Galleria Blvd., Franklin | pelatorestaurant.com
Pelato, which has won over diners in Germantown and Charleston, has brought its Brooklyn Italian roots to Franklin.
Founded by Theresa Scotto, Anthony Scotto Jr., and Anthony Scotto III, the restaurant is a tribute to the recipes, traditions, and hospitality that have been part of the Scotto family since their ancestors emigrated from Italy to New York in 1905.
Their family story is woven throughout the menu. Grandmother Theresa’s Potato Croquettes remain a favorite, while the San Gennaro Zeppoles are still served in a paper bag, just as they always have been. In fact, Grandmother Theresa still visits the kitchen twice a month to make sure they’re prepared the right way.
The staff crafts house-made pasta daily, including gluten-free options designed to rival the originals. Signature dishes include Brooklyn-style Fried Calamari, Radiatore Vodka, Burnt Broccolini, Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, Panelle, Chicken Parmigiana, and the restaurant’s beloved Sunday Sauce spread.
Save room for house-made Gelato, Tiramisu, Rainbow Cookies, or Dark Chocolate Budino before finishing with one of Pelato’s playful cocktails, including the Limoncello Margarita or Espresso Frozen Martini.
Culaccino, Nashville Yards
900 Commerce St., Nashville | culaccinotn.com
Culaccino brings its modern Italian concept to Nashville Yards with a menu dedicated to tradition and focused on house-made pastas, wood-fired dishes, and familiar flavors.
The family-friendly restaurant aims to be an elevated but approachable gathering place, offering opportunities for everyday dining and special occasions.
The restaurant recently launched a lunch menu featuring house-made sandwiches including the Fried Mortadella, Meatball, Muffaletta, Porchetta, Chicken Parmigiano, Italian Sausage, and more.
Fresh pasta is the star of the menu, with dishes including Raviolo Al Uovo, Campanelle, and Cacio e Pepe, along with Mezze Luna made with roasted butternut squash, brown butter, sage, hazelnuts, and Parmigiano, and Gnocchi served with salumi bolognese, mascarpone, and basil.
Wood-fired pizzas, house-crafted appetizers, craft cocktails, and a global wine list complete the experience.
Prince St. Pizza
5056 Broadway, Suite B103, Nashville | princestreetpizza.com
Prince St. Pizza arrived in Tennessee in Summer 2026, opening its 16th store at Fifth + Broadway. Known for its Spicy Spring Sicilian slices and Neapolitan-style whole pies, the New York favorite brings its flavors to Nashville with handcrafted sauces and scratch-made dough.
To mimic the authentic New York City pizza experience, the restaurant prepares its dough using a custom water filtration system that replicates New York water.
Guests can order by the slice or whole pie for dine-in, takeout, or select delivery, with the restaurant serving until 1 a.m.
Signature pizzas include the Spicy Spring with Fra Diavolo sauce, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano, and The Naughty Pie with spicy vodka sauce, pepperoni, whipped ricotta, and Zab’s Hot Honey.
Other favorites include the Mercer Margherita grandma-style pie, the Green Machine with mushrooms, smoked mozzarella, whipped ricotta, pesto, and fresh garlic, and the Fancy Prince with fresh mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, basil, and extra-virgin olive oil. Many pizzas are also available in gluten-free versions, and there’s even a vegan option.
Dining and Cooking