Tucked away in Columbia, Tennessee, Savarino’s Market has become a destination for anyone craving genuine Italian flavors in the heart of the South. This family-run bakery and deli serves up sandwiches, pasta, and pastries that taste like they were made in a New Jersey bodega or a Sicilian kitchen.
Welcome to Savarino’s Market in Columbia, Tennessee
Walking into Savarino’s Market at 314 W 11th Street feels like stepping into a different world. The aroma hits you first—freshly baked bread, simmering marinara sauce, and sweet pastries all mingling together in a way that instantly makes your stomach growl. The shop itself is cozy and compact, with shelves lined with imported Italian goods and a refrigerated case full of prepared meals ready to take home.
Owner Carmelo Savarino and his team have created something special in this small Tennessee town. Customers mention the warm, welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff who treat regulars like family.
The market opens at 10 AM every day of the week and stays busy through the afternoon. People come from Nashville and beyond, planning their trips around Savarino’s hours because they know it’s worth the drive.
Why Locals Say It Feels Like a Northeast Italian Bodega
The authenticity isn’t just about the food. It’s the way ingredients are displayed, the casual conversations at the counter, and the no-frills approach to serving quality meals. A second-generation Sicilian customer brought his extremely picky dad, who took one bite of the biscotti and immediately said they’d be coming back.
Everything from the olive loaf to the prepared dinners in the fridge reminds homesick northerners of what they left behind. That genuine Italian-American experience is rare in Tennessee, making Savarino’s a true gem.
The Sandwiches Everyone Comes For
Ask anyone what to get at Savarino’s, and sandwiches top the list every time. The Caprese sandwich draws repeat customers weekly, with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil on house-made bread. The meatball sub features tender, flavorful meatballs that practically melt in your mouth.
The Palermo sandwich has its own devoted fans who return specifically for that combination of flavors. Then there’s the Muffaletta, which people call the best they’ve ever had. The bread makes all the difference here, baked fresh daily with the perfect texture and chew.
Portions are generous without being overwhelming, and prices remain reasonable despite the quality ingredients. Whether hot or cold, these sandwiches deliver authentic Italian-American flavors that keep people coming back.
Fresh Bread, House-Made Pasta, and Old-World Recipes
Behind every great sandwich is great bread, and Savarino’s bakes theirs from scratch daily. Customers rave about the Asiago herb loaf and the olive bread, often buying two loaves because one simply isn’t enough. The focaccia has its own following, perfect for tearing apart and dipping in olive oil or using for sandwiches at home.
The house-made pasta selection includes penne, rigatoni, and other shapes, all available fresh or in prepared dishes.
Prepared meals like eggplant rollatini, chicken francese, manicotti, stuffed shells, and lasagna fill the refrigerated cases. These dishes follow old-world recipes that taste like someone’s Italian grandmother made them. You can grab dinner on your way home, confident it’ll be delicious.
Don’t Skip the Cannolis
Multiple reviewers specifically mention Savarino’s cannolis as the best they’ve had in years—or ever. These aren’t pre-filled tubes sitting in a case for hours. The shells stay crisp, and the filling gets piped in fresh when you order, ensuring that perfect texture combination of crunchy shell and smooth, sweet ricotta cream.
Beyond cannolis, the pastry case holds treasures like sfogliatella, eclairs, tiramisu, and rainbow cookies. The Italian cookies have that authentic, subtle sweetness rather than the overwhelming sugar-bomb approach of many American bakeries. Coconut macaroons, lemon zest cake drops, and various biscotti varieties round out the selection.
What to Order on Your First Visit
First-timers face a delicious dilemma: everything looks amazing. Start with a sandwich—the meatball sub or Caprese are safe bets that showcase what Savarino’s does best. Add a side of prepared pasta if you’re hungry, maybe the penne with marinara or rigatoni with pink sauce. Both come in generous portions with flavorful, authentic sauces.
Grab a loaf of bread to take home. The Asiago herb or olive varieties work perfectly for making your own sandwiches or serving with dinner. Don’t leave without at least one cannoli—seriously, reviewers keep mentioning them for good reason.
If you’re planning ahead, check out the refrigerated case for take-home meals. The lasagna, baked ziti, and chicken parm all freeze well and make excellent emergency dinners. First-time visitors often become weekly regulars once they taste what Savarino’s offers.
The challenge isn’t finding something good—it’s narrowing down your order to a reasonable amount. Pro tip: it’s nearly impossible, so just embrace it.
Why Savarino’s Is Worth the Drive
Columbia sits about 45 minutes south of Nashville, but customers regularly make the trip from all over Middle Tennessee and beyond. What makes people drive that far for a sandwich? Authenticity you can’t fake.
In a region where chain restaurants dominate and genuine Italian-American food is scarce, Savarino’s stands out as the real thing. Second and third-generation Italian-Americans bring their picky relatives and watch them light up with recognition. That kind of approval can’t be bought or faked.
Prices remain reasonable despite the quality, portions satisfy without waste, and the family atmosphere makes you feel welcome rather than rushed. Whether you’re homesick for northeastern Italian delis or simply want to taste what authentic Italian-American cooking should be, Savarino’s Market delivers. Plan your visit around their hours, bring an appetite, and prepare to become a regular.