10 Tennessee Restaurants That Serve Pasta Like Italy Would Approve

Craving pasta that tastes like a plane ticket to Italy is not asking too much. Across Tennessee, a handful of kitchens twirl, toss, and simmer with the kind of precision Nonna would approve. You will find silky sauces, toothsome al dente bite, and heritage recipes upgraded with fresh Southern bounty. Keep reading, because these spots deliver bowls you will remember long after the last swipe of sauce.

1. Maggiano’s Little Italy

You come here hungry and leave blissfully full. Maggiano’s is the definition of classic comfort, where heaping bowls of rigatoni arrabbiata and fettuccine alfredo land at the table steaming and fragrant. The red-sauce glow, the garlic bread baskets, and that just-right al dente snap make every bite feel familiar.

Order family style to sample everything without regret. The servers keep the pace friendly, wine glasses topped, and portions generous enough for tomorrow’s lunch. Do not skip the chicken piccata alongside a simple spaghetti pomodoro for balance.

It is the kind of place you bring relatives, teammates, or your carb-craving heart. Expect satisfying, well-seasoned sauces and a nostalgic soundtrack of clinking plates and happy chatter.

2. V Modern Italian

V Modern Italian feels sleek yet soulful, a perfect stage for refined bowls of housemade tagliatelle and delicate agnolotti. The sauces are glossy and deeply layered, with restraint that whispers Italy rather than shouting trend. You will notice the precision in every garnish and the way textures line up perfectly.

Ask for a guided wine pairing. The sommelier steers you toward Italian bottles that lift each bite, highlighting peppery notes or bright cherry tones. Service is polished without being stiff, making special occasions feel easy.

Expect modern technique meeting grandmother wisdom. Pasta arrives properly salted, with sauce clinging rather than drowning. You leave feeling indulged and a little educated about how elegant simplicity wins.

3. Pelato

Pelato brings swagger to the pasta game, with bold flavors that pop from the first forkful. Think spicy rigatoni with a velvety, peppery kick and squid ink spaghetti dotted with tender seafood. Sauces are dialed in so every noodle shines, not buried.

The room buzzes with a contemporary vibe, a place where you come for dinner and end up lingering. Cocktails lean Italian, citrusy, and crisp, cutting through richness in all the right places. Staff knows the menu and happily nudges you toward winners.

Expect creativity anchored by technique. Portions satisfy without overwhelming, letting you try antipasti and dessert too. If you crave flair without losing authenticity, Pelato delivers confidently.

4. Luogo

Luogo embodies easy elegance, where pasta is treated with quiet respect. A glossy cacio e pepe lands with pepper blooming on the palate, while lobster ravioli swims in a restrained, aromatic sauce. You taste balance in every element and feel cared for by attentive staff.

The setting is polished but warm, perfect for date night or celebrating wins. Wines lean Italian and Old World, offering structure without overshadowing delicate pastas. Ask for recommendations and you will learn something new every time.

Portions are thoughtful, textures exacting, and seasoning precise. You will leave impressed by how simple ingredients sing. Luogo proves that restraint, when done right, feels downright luxurious.

5. PennePazze Nashville

PennePazze keeps things casual, fun, and seriously tasty. You pick the shape, sauce, and add-ons, then watch everything tossed hot in a wide pan. The pasta has that satisfying chew, while sauces like pesto and amatriciana taste fresh and honest.

It is approachable on price, so you can experiment without stress. Portions are generous and the energy upbeat, perfect for quick lunches or pre-concert bites. Grab a San Pellegrino, find a communal table, and dig in.

What stands out is the consistency. Even custom bowls arrive balanced, never soupy or bland. If you want customizable pasta with real Italian spirit, this spot becomes an easy weekly habit.

6. Valentino’s Ristorante

Valentino’s is the date-night classic, all candlelight and timeless recipes. Handmade tagliolini draped in butter and truffle feels decadent without going heavy. The tomato sauces lean clean and bright, letting basil and olive oil perfume the room.

Servers move with reassuring grace, topping off glasses and timing courses perfectly. The wine list is deep in Italian regions, a treat for anyone who loves Barolo or Brunello. Leave space for house-made gelato, creamy and fragrant.

This is where anniversaries feel special and weeknights feel elevated. Expect confident cooking, polished hospitality, and a soundtrack of contented sighs. You will remember the glow long after the last spoon of dessert.

7. iggy’s

iggy’s is tiny, focused, and bursting with intention. The chef coaxes depth from seasonal produce, then folds it into pastas that feel both rustic and precise. You might catch mafaldine with mushrooms and thyme, or ricotta gnudi shimmering in brown butter.

The menu shifts with what is best, so trust the server and order adventurously. Natural-leaning wines match the food’s clarity, and pours are described with enthusiasm. Plates arrive at a relaxed rhythm that encourages conversation.

Every bite feels considered. Sauces cling, herbs pop, and salt levels land perfectly. If you appreciate ingredient-first Italian cooking, iggy’s rewards curiosity and keeps you planning the next visit.

8. Moto

Moto brings a stylish pulse to modern Italian dining. Pastas push boundaries without losing their soul, like black campanelle hugging garlicky seafood or rich short rib mezzaluna. Sauces are deeply reduced and glossy, clinging to noodles just right.

The room hums with energy, ideal for groups or a celebratory night out. Cocktails skew inventive, while the wine list bridges Italian classics and adventurous picks. Service keeps things lively and well paced.

Expect bold flavors that still respect balance. Share a couple of pastas and a veggie plate to experience range. You leave full, happy, and pleasantly surprised by how inventive can still taste like home.

9. Pasta Galifi

Pasta Galifi feels like the neighborhood secret everyone shares anyway. Prices stay friendly while flavors run deep, from slow-simmered bolognese to a creamy carbonara with proper bite. You can taste patience in the sauces and pride in the plating.

The space is unpretentious and warm, with staff who recognize returning faces. Portions land generous, and there is always a daily special worth exploring. It is comfort food, executed with care and consistency.

If you want authentic without fuss, this is your spot. The pasta is reliably al dente, and seasoning sings. You leave satisfied, wallet intact, and already planning a follow-up visit with friends.

10. The Sicilian Butcher – Nashville / WeHo

The Sicilian Butcher champions bold, sun-soaked flavors. Handcrafted meatballs steal the show, but pasta plates punch just as hard, with tomato sauces that taste like ripe summer. You get generous basil, good olive oil, and that satisfying twirl-friendly texture.

The WeHo location buzzes with energy and friendly guidance at the counter. Build your board, pick sauces, and mix textures until your perfect combo appears. It is playful, hearty, and proudly Sicilian.

Expect southern Italian heat balanced with bright herbs and tangy cheeses. Portions are shareable, pricing fair, and the vibe easygoing. When cravings call for comfort with personality, this place answers loud and clear.