The Resy Guide to Great Italian Restaurants in Atlanta

With its checkered tablecloths and cozy ambiance, this Candler Park hot spot could easily pass for the kind of neighborhood red sauce establishment many of us might remember fondly. But here, chefs Eric Brooks and Jacob Armando use that nostalgic imprint as a jumping-off point for all manner of innovative and irreverent riffs on classic Italian-American fare, like crisp polenta bites playing with crème fraîche, trout roe, and sturgeon caviar; or snapper crudo with sorrel, cucumber and strawberry vinegar. Pastas are exceptional and equally fun (peep the fettuccine ‘carbonara’ with Sungold tomatoes) as is the signature tiramisu, best enjoyed with a bottle (or two) from the restaurant’s remarkable (and eminently accessible) wine list, or a glass of Amaro. As befitting a treasured neighborhood spot, most tables are reserved for walk-ins, but let a Notify (or even better, a Priority Notify) be your best friend.

With a seasonally revolving menu reflecting local availability from vegetables to seafood, Lyla Lila showcases southern European fare with flair. Chef Craig Richards has created amped-up versions of favorites like crispy duck lasagna with a cocoa béchamel, and flower and herb pappardelle with a beef cheek-fig ragù. The drink menu is robust (hello, 42 pages!), but you can’t go wrong kicking the night off with a bubbly apéritif like the Sunrise Strategy before moving on to one of the many bottles available from Italian winemaking regions like Piedmont or Tuscany. And don’t miss a glass of Lambrusco, because when Lambrusco by-the-glass is an option, opt in.  

What happens when you combine your favorite neighborhood bar with uniquely innovative Italian-American dishes? BoccaLupo happens. With a very “secret’s out” vibe about it despite opening 10 years ago, this Inman Park spot packs them in every night. Maybe it’s because chef Bruce Logue offers a fresh daily menu while maintaining best-sellers like squid ink spaghetti, 20-yolk tagliatelle, and chicken Parmesan. Or maybe it’s because the daily pasta tasting menu allows you to choose your own dining adventure, with the opportunity to try the tasting menu and add apps and pasta dishes without limitations. Or maybe because it’s both the perfect spot for Tuesday at the bar (with a mezcal Negroni or a vesper martini!) and Saturday date night. It’s likely that all are true. Just make sure you keep your party small; the restaurant can only accommodate parties up to six.  

Sotto Sotto is an Inman Park staple for a reason. The elevated yet approachable white-linen atmosphere instantly transports you to an Italian ristorante that consistently delivers on the classic dishes by keeping them simple and fresh. Start with a Negroni at the bar while you wait for your table, then enjoy a tasting of premier estate-bottled olive oils and the best risotto ai funghi (mushroom risotto) in Atlanta. If you’re looking for a meatier entrée, the oak-roasted center-cut veal chop with wild mushrooms is a great choice. And when the weather is nice, enjoy your meal and wine outdoors in the courtyard to truly feel like you’ve escaped to the old world.  

About as iconic an Italian restaurant as you’ll find anywhere, Nino’s has been taking care of its Morningside clientèle since 1968, with the restaurant now run by founder Antonio Noviello’s daughter, Alessandra. It’s a remarkable, properly old-school space, with double-draped tablecloths, leather booths, exposed brick walls, and stucco archways, and a menu of soulful, labor-intensive dishes to comfort and delight — pasta chitarra festooned with plump shrimp and heady with aromatic lemon and Calabrese pepper, say, or a classic veal saltimbocca with the salty bite of prosciutto and the kick of marsala wine. There’s also a pretty new bar for pre- or post-dinner spritzes and cocktails, and be reminded that it’s cashless.

Whatever you eat here, make sure you save room for gelato. The gelato artigianale, like hazelnut Nutella swirl or pistachio, is handmade daily and worth ordering in multiple scoops. But before you dive head-first into dessert, try lunch or dinner in Novo Cucina’s elegant atmosphere in the heart of Dunwoody, where friendly service pairs with a menu full of favorites. For lunch, try the crudo e rucola panino with Parma prosciutto, arugula, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes. For dinner, the ricotta, prosciutto, and spinach ravioli tossed in brown butter, sage, and aged balsamic is a staff and diner favorite. Or pick from the long list of artisanal pizzas — you really can’t go wrong here.  

Pizza is pizza, right? Wrong. Pizza doesn’t get much better in Atlanta than Fritti’s authentic, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, which is prepared using traditional artisanal methods. In short, it’s really good, and with over 20 pizzas to choose from, you’re going to need a bigger table — or more people in your reservation party so you can sample it all. Order crowd-pleasers like the margherita and quattro stagioni (cotto ham, artichokes, mushrooms, olives), a Bianca (white pizza), or something different like the ananas e gorgonzola, with gorgonzola cheese, fresh pineapple, and 12-year-old balsamic. Don’t forget an Aperol spritz, a beer, or a glass of wine to pair with your pie.  

Casa Nuova offers farm-to-table Italian from the Fundora family farm, just steps away from your table at the Alpharetta location. The extensive menu offers something for everyone, from Italian classics to new favorites. And whether you’re in the mood for a fresh-from-the-garden caprese salad, cannelloni Florentina, veal alla marsala, or you’re just popping in for homemade gelato and cannoli, you’re sure to be treated like family. Pro tip: Every Monday is wine night, where a special section of wines is offered for just $20 per bottle.  

Named after an Italian city in the famed Emilia-Romagna region, Modena is serving up fresh northern Italian dishes near downtown Marietta. Inspired by many years of living and traveling throughout Italy, owners Andrew and Maritza Kearton serve a fresh take on traditional classics. You’ll find the original caprese recipe, featuring chopped tomatoes and basil, drizzled with EVOO and balsamic. Fresh squid ink ravioli is filled with Maine lobster, ricotta, and mozzarella, and served with grilled tiger shrimp in a white wine sauce. Pizza is baked in a Pavesi oven imported from Modena, Italy. And la dolce vita can truly be found on the dessert menu, with delights like affogato al café and the coppa passione, which features signature Modena cream mouse with strawberries aged in Italian maraschino liqueur. Yum.