Are you hungry for authentic Italian dishes? Whether you love classic spaghetti or traditional parmigiana, it's one of Florida's most popular cuisines. Use our guide and dine at some of the best Italian restaurants in Tallahassee.
Il Lusso
Delicious decisions await you at Il Lusso in the heart of downtown Tallahassee. This pick topped our list because of its impressive selection of premium steaks, chops, and seafood that is served with locally sourced ingredients. Get a plateful of handmade agnolotti pasta with rabbit or something a bit bolder, such as the charred octopus with crispy herbed potatoes.
If you're celebrating a special occasion, you'll discover an unrivaled dining experience at Il Lusso. Its dining room offers guests a more metropolitan feel than you'll find at most downtown establishments. Its long list of accolades includes a Golden Spoon Award from Florida Trend magazine, and it's one of the best restaurants in Florida to attend an event. Monthly "Bubbles" gatherings feature good company and some of the finest sparkling wines in the world.
- Location: 201 E. Park Ave., Tallahassee.
- Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Riccardo's Restaurant
With places like Riccardo's, you don't have to travel to Italy to sample the best flavors. This family-owned restaurant serves quality food that's also affordable. It's the perfect spot when you have hungry kids in tow, and there's plenty of parking for your luxurious new INFINITI Q60.
This local staple has been around since 1999, giving it plenty of time to perfect its menu. You'll love its long list of pizza, pasta, salads, subs, craft beer, and wine. The kids will gobble up the spaghetti and meatballs, and parents can try something scrumptious from the sea, such as linguine with red clams.
We have to mention Thursday night specials. This Italian eatery flip-flops its menu to German classics like wiener schnitzel, pork and sauerkraut, and beef rouladen once a week. Whenever you stop by, don't leave without getting a bite of the secret bread. Try it cheesy-garlic style or topped with fresh bruschetta and feta cheese.
- Location: 1950 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee.
- Lunch hours: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
- Dinner hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Mom and Dad's Italian Restaurant
Fill up on wholesome classics at Mom and Dad's. This top-notch restaurant has offered authentic dishes made from traditional recipes for more than 55 years. They're even the proud recipients of the OpenTable's 2020 Diners' Choice Award.
Find out what's cooking at Mom and Dad's, such as Italian favorites like fettuccine with a rich parmesan and cream sauce. We also love the Spaghetti a la Bruzzi with savory sauteed mushrooms and seafood lasagna with hearty chunks of crab and shrimp covered with a delectable three-cheese sauce.
- Location: 3421 Bannerman Road, Tallahassee.
- Hours: 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Tour of Italy Italian Kitchen
Next time you're craving delicious food and a family-friendly atmosphere, stop by the Tour of Italy. The talented chefs at this quaint Italian kitchen use only the best ingredients to make its from-scratch sauce, pizza dough, rolls, meatballs, and desserts.
Everything on the menu tastes just like homemade. You'll be sure to find something yummy, such as deep-fried veal parmigiana or stromboli stuffed full of pepperoni, sausage, and mozzarella cheese. Everyone loves Tour of Italy's gourmet and specialty pizzas, but if you can't decide on toppings, you can create your own pizza. Choose from a long list of specialty ingredients, such as prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta, and anchovies. You can also find a variety of vegetarian meals and take-home pastries at this pick.
- Location: 3805 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Village Pizza & Pasta
The Village Pizza & Pasta bakes its gourmet New York-style pies in brick ovens. They make their dough from scratch daily. It's thin, foldable, crispy, and hand-tossed. The pizzaiolos load each crust with fresh vegetables, fine quality meats, and flavorful cheeses. Choose your size from either the 10-inch baby all the way up to the 28-inch monster.
You can also get Sicilian thick crust at this family-owned and operated restaurant, plus other Italian delights, such as calzones, gyros, salads, and desserts. Try a hearty serving of Tuscan roasted vegetable ravioli if you're cutting down on meat. Just remember to ask for a handmade garlic roll — they're too good to pass up. Village Pizza also offers a nice selection of fine wines by the glass and specialty beers, plus a welcoming patio where you can sip your beverage.
- Location: 1400-33 Village Square Blvd., Tallahassee.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Little Italy
Little Italy has been a Tallahassee favorite since 1987. This family-owned haunt provides a selection of traditional Italian dishes with a cozy vibe. Its charming umbrella-covered patio is the perfect place to munch on a plate of linguine alla carbonara — piping hot pasta tossed with pancetta, eggs, cream, and freshly grated cheese.
Take an afternoon break and refuel with a lunch special. We recommend the grilled chicken Alfredo and the jumbo shrimp scampi. Both are bursting with the authentic flavors Italy is known for. There are also calzones, sandwiches, pizza, and a delicious kid's menu. Children 10 and under also get a free serving of spaghetti when you come in on a Monday. Go ahead and treat yourself and share a dish of spumoni featuring scoops of chocolate, pistachio, and cherry ice creams with an almond topping.
- Location: 111 S. Magnolia Drive, Tallahassee.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Well, buon appetito. INFINITI of Tallahassee brought you this list of the top Italian restaurants you need to visit in Tallahassee. What do you think of our picks? Did we miss your favorite place to fill up on pasta? Let us know. We want to share your experiences with other Florida residents.
