Do you love Italian food? I mean truly love it — not just the marinara and meatballs (delicious as they are), but the soul of it? The warmth, the welcome, the tradition in every bite? Then amici miei, you’re in for a treat.
Below are 12 incredible Italian restaurants scattered across Asheville and the breathtaking corners of Western North Carolina. But first, let’s honor the roots.
🍷 A Taste of Italy: From the Old World to the Blue Ridge
Italian food is not just a cuisine — it is a philosophy. A celebration of life, simplicity, and seasonal goodness. It dates back thousands of years, shaped by the Greeks, Romans, and Arab traders. In Italy, every region has its own flavor, its own story: creamy risottos from the north, spicy sauces from the south, and handmade pasta from the heart.
When Italians began immigrating to the U.S. in the late 1800s, they brought their food with them — but had to adapt. Out of this fusion came Italian-American classics: spaghetti and meatballs, veal parmigiana, and garlic bread. The result? A cuisine that retained its soul, even across an ocean.
And now, in the mountains of North Carolina, you’ll find not just imitators, but true artisans of Italian flavor — restaurants that understand both tradition and creativity. Let’s begin…
🍝 1. Luminosa
📍 20 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
🌐 luminosaavl.com
Nestled in downtown Asheville, Luminosa offers a refined, modern twist on traditional Italian cuisine. Fresh, house-made pasta. Regional wines. A dining room that’s warm, minimalist, and unmistakably European in ambiance.
Reviews:
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“Everything we ordered was phenomenal — house-made pasta, fresh seafood, rich flavors.”
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“Upscale but not intimidating. Service was warm, knowledgeable, and kind.”
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“A beautiful addition to Asheville’s fine dining scene. Highly recommend the gnocchi!”
🍕 2. Soprana Rooftop Cucina
📍 192 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
🌐 sopranarooftop.com
Perched above the city with panoramic views, Soprana is a love letter to Naples — wood-fired pizzas, fig and prosciutto combinations, and aperitifs that hit just right at sunset.
Reviews:
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“That fig and prosciutto pizza? Bellissimo. Wood-fired perfection.”
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“Great service, cool rooftop, beautiful views of downtown Asheville.”
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“Casual yet sophisticated — a must-visit.”
🍽 3. Bargello
📍 7 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 (inside Hotel Arras)
🌐 bargelloavl.com
A Mediterranean-Italian fusion spot with handmade pastas, global wines, and elevated plating. Think arancini with smoked mozzarella, lamb shoulder with harissa, and crudo to start.
Reviews:
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“The bucatini was heavenly — perfectly cooked, delicately sauced.”
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“Upscale vibe, but still warm and inviting. Great for date nights.”
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“You can tell the chef respects every ingredient.”
🖼 4. Piccolina (River Arts District, Asheville)
📍 375 Depot Street, Suite 101, Asheville, NC 28801
🌐 piccolinaavl.com
Tucked away in the artistic heart of Asheville, Piccolina serves soulful, seasonally inspired Italian fare in a cozy, creative space. Think nonna’s kitchen — if she studied at a modern culinary school.
Reviews:
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“I had the ricotta ravioli with brown butter sage. It was a religious experience.”
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“Charming, flavorful, and no fuss — exactly what Italian food should be.”
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“My new favorite spot in the River Arts District.”
🌄 5. ILDA
📍 489 W Main St, Sylva, NC 28779
🌐 ildarestaurant.com
Where Appalachian soul meets Italian spirit. Run by a Southern-Italian couple with deep culinary roots, ILDA is intimate, inventive, and unforgettable.
Reviews:
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“The carbonara with guanciale? A revelation.”
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“Sylva has a gem in ILDA. Small town, big flavor.”
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“I drove an hour just to eat here. Worth every mile.”
💎 6. Ristorante Paoletti
📍 440 Main St, Highlands, NC 28741
🌐 paoletti.com
Classic elegance. Dim lighting. Tuxedoed staff. This is old-world Italian fine dining — filetto di manzo, veal saltimbocca, and tiramisu that flirts with perfection.
Reviews:
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“This is where you go to impress — date night, anniversary, you name it.”
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“Truly an institution in Highlands. Everything is flawless.”
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“I dream about their linguine alle vongole.”
🧑🍳 7. Vescovo Neighborhood Eatery
📍 175 King St, Brevard, NC 28712
🌐 vescovoeatery.com
A neighborhood gem with rustic charm and fresh spins on Italian-American staples. Try the lasagna bolognese or shrimp scampi — generous portions, big flavor.
Reviews:
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“You can taste the love in every bite.”
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“Laid-back atmosphere with five-star food.”
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“The kind of place where you become a regular after one visit.”
🌿 8. Glass Onion
📍 18 N Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787
🌐 glassonionnc.com
Upscale but relaxed, this bistro-inspired Italian eatery uses locally sourced ingredients with Italian precision. The duck ravioli? Che meraviglia.
Reviews:
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“One of the best-kept secrets outside Asheville.”
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“Creative specials, killer wine list, impeccable service.”
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“Glass Onion is class in a small-town shell.”
🍷 9. Vale 243 Italian Ristorante
📍 243 Waynesville Plaza, Waynesville, NC 28786
🌐 vale243.com
A cozy, casual, chef-driven Italian restaurant with handmade pastas and sauces that sing. It feels like Sunday lunch at Nonna’s.
Reviews:
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“Fresh, comforting, and unpretentious — just like real Italian food should be.”
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“The mushroom ravioli changed my life.”
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“Service was warm, food came fast, and everything was divine.”
🍽 10. The Chef’s Table
📍 30 Church St, Waynesville, NC 28786
🌐 thechefstableofwaynesville.com
Upscale dining meets seasonal Italian creativity. A prix fixe menu that rotates, a wine cellar to impress your sommelier friends, and plating that belongs in a magazine.
Reviews:
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“Hands down the best meal I’ve had in WNC.”
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“The filet mignon was perfect, but don’t skip the pasta course.”
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“Intimate, sophisticated, unforgettable.”
🍝 11. Verri’s Italian Ristorante
📍 1800 Four Seasons Blvd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
🌐 verrisitalian.com
Family-owned, honest-to-goodness Italian cuisine. Think marinara that’s been simmering all day, meatballs the size of your fist, and garlic bread with a crunch.
Reviews:
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“Best lasagna I’ve had outside of Italy.”
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“Friendly staff, giant portions, and great for groups.”
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“This is the kind of food that brings people together.”
🔥 12. Abbiocco Pizzeria
📍 406 W State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
🌐 abbioccopizzeria.com
Neapolitan-style pizza with a local twist. House-made dough, imported tomatoes, wood-fired ovens, and toppings that walk the line between tradition and innovation.
Reviews:
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“The crust? Perfection. Charred edges, chewy center.”
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“A pizza pilgrimage worth making.”
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“The vibe is cool, the pizza is hot, and the wine is flowing.”
🎉 Let the WNC Italian Food Tour Begin!
We invite you to taste and see for yourself — Asheville and Western North Carolina are bursting with Italian culinary talent. From elegant rooftop dining to rustic pasta sanctuaries, you’ll find amore in every bite.
Bring your appetite. You’ll need it.
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