There’s something special about walking into a little Italian market and suddenly forgetting what you came to buy. Maybe it’s the smell of freshly baked bread, the rows of colorful pasta boxes, or a display of cheeses you’ve never heard of but immediately want to try. Whatever it is, these places have a way of turning an ordinary shopping trip into a delicious adventure.
You don’t have to book a flight to Italy to experience a little of that magic. Tucked away in Tennessee’s busy cities and quieter towns are family-run delis, cozy bakeries, and specialty shops filled with Italian favorites. Some serve homemade ravioli and creamy gelato, while others stock imported ingredients that are hard to find at regular grocery stores.
Whether you’re planning an Italian dinner or simply craving a really good cannoli, these seven Tennessee spots are worth exploring. Just don’t expect to leave empty-handed.
1. Lucchesi’s Ravioli & Pasta Company, Memphis
Ravioli gets top billing in the name, and that tells you where this Memphis shop puts its heart. You come for pasta, then wonder how a meatball sub snuck into your bag.
Lucchesi’s works as an Italian market with a split personality, in the best way. Half of it feeds you right now, and half of it feeds you later.
On the eat-now side, you’ll find sandwiches and salads you can enjoy on-site. The homemade meatball sub gets plenty of love, and the meatballs are the reason why.
Soups and salads round things out nicely. Tomato basil soup and a seared tuna salad make lighter choices when you plan to shop afterward.
Now for the eat-later side, which is where the trouble starts. The shop stocks take-out, ready-to-heat entrees that turn a busy weeknight into an Italian dinner.
Lasagna sits among the favorites, along with pizza, pasta, and sauces. Some fans with real Italy experience call the prepared pasta the closest thing to homemade they’ve found.
That’s high praise for a meal you warm up in your own kitchen. It also means you can skip the boiling, stirring, and flour on the counter.
Gluten-free noodles are on hand too, which is great news for anyone avoiding wheat. A full vegetarian menu also means meat-free eaters won’t feel left out.
Service moves fast, so a quick bite fits easily into a lunch break. Solo diners seem right at home here, which makes it an easy midday escape.
You’ll also find outdoor seating, and dogs are welcome outside. Your pup can sit with you while you guard your sandwich from those hopeful eyes.
Catering is available too, so your next party could taste a lot like Rome.
2. Formaggi, Sparta
Cheese from around the world has landed in Sparta, a small Upper Cumberland town of fewer than 6,000 people. The shop’s name means cheeses in Italian, so it tells you exactly what’s coming.
Formaggi sits on East Bockman Way, a historic street in town. It’s a fun surprise to find imported Italian goods this far from any big city.
Cheese leads the show, with specialty options from many countries. Italy gets plenty of shelf space, which feels only fair given the name on the door.
Burrata is often on hand, and that soft, creamy center is pure joy. Cultured butter from Italy is another find that makes plain toast feel fancy.
Italian meats share the spotlight with the cheese. Put them together and you’re halfway to a charcuterie board that could impress your pickiest cousin.
Need help building that board? The shop offers custom items for charcuterie and pairings, so you don’t have to guess what goes with what.
Fresh bread, spreads, and pasta fill out the shelves. You’ll also spot balsamic vinegars and olive oils for drizzling, dipping, and showing off.
Many items come from DeLallo, a well-known name in Italian foods. That makes it easier to stock your pantry with products you can trust.
Hungry right now? Fresh-made Italian sandwiches are ready to fix that problem quickly.
Then there’s the gelato, made in house. Grabbing a scoop after a sandwich just feels like the correct Italian decision.
A visit here tends to be quick, which works well on a road trip. You can pop in, load up, and get back on the highway with snacks secured.
Tennessee small towns keep their own schedules, and this one is worth the planning.
3. Bruno’s Italian Deli and Market, Columbia
Remember pastina, those tiny star-shaped noodles from childhood? Plenty of grocery stores dropped them, but this Columbia deli keeps the imported kind on its shelves.
That alone could earn Bruno’s a spot on your weekend plans. Nostalgia in a box is hard to beat.
Bruno’s runs as both a deli and a mini market. You can eat in, take your food to go, or arrange no-contact delivery when the couch wins.
Sandwiches are a big draw, built fresh with specialty fillings. They make a solid lunch before you start poking around the shelves.
The deli case deserves a slow look. Marinated mushrooms and olives sit ready to turn a plain dinner into an antipasto spread.
Dessert lovers, you’re covered too. House-made desserts include cannoli, and those crisp shells tend to vanish fast.
The grocery side carries Italian imported shelf foods. Stock up on pantry staples and you’ll feel like you shopped a corner market in Italy.
Reheatable dinners also wait for you to take home. That’s a smart move for nights when cooking from scratch sounds like a chore.
The staff behind the counter are known for being helpful and patient with questions. If an item looks unfamiliar, ask, and you’ll likely leave with a new favorite.
Bruno’s also welcomes guests from the LGBTQ+ community and offers a gender-neutral restroom. It’s a friendly place where anyone can feel comfortable grabbing lunch.
Parking is easy, with a free lot, free street parking, and even a free garage nearby. Your biggest problem will be fitting the groceries in the trunk.
Columbia sits in Middle Tennessee, an easy drive south of Nashville. Make the trip, and grab some pastina for your inner kid.
4. Savarino’s Market, Columbia
Sfogliatella is a mouthful to say and an even better mouthful to eat. At Savarino’s, it shares a bakery case with cannoli and biscotti.
Yes, Columbia gets two spots on this list. Clearly, this Middle Tennessee town takes its Italian food seriously.
Savarino’s sits on a neighborhood street west of downtown. It works as an Italian bakery and deli, with handmade sandwiches and fresh pasta.
Start with the pastry case, because it’s hard to look anywhere else. Those classic Italian treats look almost too nice to eat, though you’ll manage.
Cannoli are a menu highlight here. Sfogliatella brings flaky layers, and biscotti are perfect for dunking in your morning coffee.
Then check the fridges, where things get practical. Ready-to-go meals, pasta sauces, and freshly made pasta wait for your dinner plans.
Here’s a clever twist: the shop sells many of the same quality ingredients it uses. That means you can try making those dishes and desserts at home.
Will yours turn out as good? Maybe not on the first try, but you’ll have fun testing it.
Prices land in a friendly range, roughly ten to twenty dollars a person. That makes lunch plus a pastry an easy yes.
A visit here tends to be quick, which suits a busy day. Grab a sandwich, pick a dessert, and you’re on your way.
Just know there’s no delivery, so you’ll need to stop by. Takeout is the move, and parking is free in the lot or on the street.
Hours shift through the week, so plan ahead.
5. Little Hats Italian Market Cool Springs, Franklin
The name nods to cappelletti, pasta shaped like little hats. Funny enough, the branded hats sold here come in regular adult sizes.
That playful spirit fits this Franklin spot nicely. It’s an Italian market and restaurant rolled into one lively space.
The restaurant side serves gourmet sandwiches and house-made pasta. The menu also covers pizza, from a simple cheese pie to one loaded with meats.
Craving something crispy? Arancini and crispy ravioli make great starters to share, or to keep for yourself.
Comfort food fans can go for chicken Parmesan or eggplant Parmesan. There’s also Chicago beef, a sandwich that keeps things interesting.
A fun heads-up about the traditional sandwich: it may arrive as two. Pace yourself, or plan on leftovers.
Now, about that market. A small grocery inside stocks specialty items geared toward Italian recipes.
You can pick up imported dry goods, meats, and pastas. There’s a deli too, plus homemade Italian specialties to bring home.
Pre-made meals are also available, ready to pop in your oven. Dinner tonight just got a lot easier.
Families have plenty to like here. There’s a kids’ menu, changing tables, and vegan and vegetarian options available
Groups fit in well, and service moves fast. Outdoor seating gives you a nice option on pleasant Tennessee evenings.
Friday and Saturday evenings get the busiest. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are much calmer if you want room to shop.
Cool Springs sits in Williamson County, a busy shopping area in Franklin. This stop gives your errand day a tasty Italian detour.
6. Little Hats Italian market, Gallatin
Got a drive-through craving for Italian? This Gallatin location offers a drive-through, which is rare for a market stocked with imported goods.
It’s the second Little Hats on this list, and it brings its own perks. Think of it as the Sumner County cousin with extra convenience.
Gallatin sits northeast of Nashville, and this shop is an easy stop. It runs as an Italian eatery and market under one roof.
The menu features house-made pasta and sandwiches. Pizzas come in a wood-fired style, so expect a crust with some character.
Portions are known for being large. Bring a friend, or prepare to carry a box home with pride.
Counter service keeps things simple and relaxed. You order, find a spot, and wait for something delicious.
The market area is where planning a dinner party starts. Imported Italian items line the shelves, with a good variety of pasta and sauces.
Need something specific for a special recipe at home? This market is known for carrying the items that make Italian cooking come together.
Browsing is half the fun, thanks to plenty of interesting finds. You may come in for sauce and leave with three things you can’t pronounce.
Families fit right in, and kids are welcome. Service also gets strong marks for being friendly and on top of things.
The schedule is refreshingly simple. It’s open daily from 11 AM to 8 PM, no calendar math required.
Parking is free and usually plentiful. That leaves you more energy for the important stuff, like choosing a pasta shape.
7. Coco’s Italian Market, Restaurant & Catering, Nashville
A bocce court sits outside this West Nashville spot, which feels like a very Italian flex. Inside, the shelves get stocked with help from an owner who travels to Italy three times a year.
Coco’s combines a restaurant, a market, and catering. Italian imagery fills the room, so the mood starts before you even order.
The market carries a wide range of imported foods. Olive oils, sauces, pasta, breads, meats, and cheeses fill the space.
A deli counter slices meats and cheeses fresh. That’s your shortcut to the snack board of your dreams.
Prepared meals are ready to take home too. So are homemade candy and desserts, which might not survive the car ride.
The restaurant side brings plenty of comfort. Lasagna Bolognese, eggplant Parmesan, and cheese ravioli all appear on the menu.
Other highlights include fettuccine and meatballs, Penne Al Fresco, and Tortellini Elliston. Fried cheese ravioli makes a fun starter for the table.
Breakfast fans, pay attention. Mateo’s Breakfast Lasagna exists, and it might change how you view mornings.
For dessert, tiramisu and cannoli lead the lineup. Coffee here also earns praise, making it a good pairing for something sweet.
Families will find high chairs, a kids’ menu, and changing tables. A full vegetarian menu and a braille menu add even more welcome.
Dogs can join you outside, and reservations are accepted. Free Wi-Fi helps if you want to linger over your pasta.
This Tennessee shop makes a sweet final stop on your Italian tour. Bring a friend, play some bocce, and pretend Rome is just down the street.
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