We Chianti-ven Believe How Good These Italian Restaurants In Memphis Are!

Welcome to Memphis, Tennessee, most famous for being one of the most influential places for all things blues, soul, and rock n’ roll! This large city houses plenty of fun sights to see, from museums, the famous Beale Street, restaurants, bars, and more, Memphis is for all those looking to experience a variety of amazing places. 

While you’re out exploring the town and craving some darn good Italian food, then you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re looking for something more upscale or maybe a little more on the casual side, there’s a place in this guide of Italian restaurants in Memphis just for you!

With all that being said, if you’re in the market for an upcoming celebration or vacation to Memphis, you might be looking for a gift and GiftYa has got you covered! GiftYa is a website that has thousands of virtual gift cards that can be sent and received within minutes, (and sometimes with a little personalized message inside from the gift giver). 

Restaurants, local businesses, well known chain brands, and more are all available as gift cards on the GiftYa site or mobile app. It’s fast and easy to use, there’s no hassle and who doesn’t like to get a gift card to one of their favorite places?

Learn more about what GiftYa has to offer and get your very own GiftYa card here!

Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

Upscale innovative Italian cooking rooted in Southern tradition.

Making pasta from scratch everyday, super fresh for you! Image courtesy of the Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen Instagram page.

712 W Brookhaven Cir | Memphis | andrewmichaelitaliankitchen.com 

Andy Ticer and Micheal Hudman opened the aptly named Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen back in 2008 in order to provide creative Italian cooking that’s rooted in Southern tradition. They wanted to do something a little different than your average Italian restaurant, and these chef’s have been winning awards for their cooking ever since Andrew Miichael Italian Kitchen, their first restaurant, opened.

With tons of high acclaim from food critics and regular patrons of this dive, it’s no wonder why it’s on the top of our list! Using fresh and good quality ingredients, this restaurant takes preparing food seriously, wanting every flavor to be noticed with each bite.

Now if you haven’t been to Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen before you may not know about their Pasta Night Menu, which is a selection of all their very famous pastas with a variety of sauces and cocktails to match with. Make sure to look into when Pasta Night is, if you’re a big fan of dishes like Fettuccine Nero, Casonsei, Lasagna, and Rigatoni. While the regular dinner menu has options like a Charcuterie Board and Cornbread appetizers, with Scallops, Potato Gnocchi, Filet Mignon, and more to enjoy on a nice night out!

“I was visiting from out of town & my boyfriends sister had her graduation here! The pastas were yummy. We almost ordered every pasta there was on the menu. I really enjoyed everything!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Amerigo Italian Restaurant

A Memphis based chain that serves delicious Italian classics!

Layers upon layers upon layers at this Italian restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee! Image courtesy of the Amerigo Italian Restaurant Instagram page.

1239 Ridgeway Rd | Memphis | amerigo.net 

For over 20 years Amerigo Italian Restaurant has been a locally owned Memphis favorite. It has been a “Certificate of Excellence winner by TripAdvisor for the past five years,” and has been awarded by other publications for the last two decades. This place is perfect for any dining experience, whether it be a romantic night out, a fun family dining time, or celebrating some friends on their big accomplishment. Now with five other locations and one more coming soon, Amerigo Italian Restaurant is slowly expanding and making it so more people can try their excellent food!

One of the best things about Amerigo Italian Restaurant is their knowledgeable staff, which means not only are you going to have a delicious meal, but you’re also going to have great recommendations for a drink or sides to pair with your main course! Now depending on the time of day you go to Amerigo, you might get a different menu, as they have a brunch, lunch, dinner, early bird, dessert, and a drink menu! Here’s a little taste of each menu as treat before the next restaurant on the list:

• For brunch: French Toast and Italian Breakfast Bowl.
• For lunch: Pasta and Salad, Italian Club Panini, and Chicken Marsala. 
• For dinner: Cheese Fritters, Flame-Grilled Portobello Mushroom salad, and Smoked Chicken Ravioli.
• For the early birds: Tuscan Crab Cake and Five-Layer Lasagna.
• For desserts: Tiramisu, Pecan Butter Crunch Cake, and Key Lime Pie.
• And finally you can have by the glass Rosé, White, and Red wines are all available at thisItalian restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee!

“We were pleasantly surprised at how good our big group's trip to Amerigos was. Service was excellent, all the pasta dishes were tasty, the pizza was well worth the calories, and the smoked pork chop I had was different but on point. The desserts were awesome too. I'd go back!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Ciao Bella Italian Grill and Bar

Serving tasty classics alongside Greek specialties in this Italian restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee!

Herbs, spices, and marinara make for great spaghetti! Image courtesy of the Ciao Bella Instagram page.

565 Erin Dr | Memphis | ciaobellamemphis.com

For over 10 years, Ciao Bella Italian Grill and Bar, a modern and contemporary restaurant that specializes in salads, pasta, and Mediterranean delicacies. But one of the coolest things about Ciao Bella? The wood-fired pizza! They make sure that every menu item is prepared and cooked in the best ways in order to make a great dining experience for you! 

With a recently opened full service bar & lounge and built in private banquet rooms for any event you’d like to hold! You can enjoy your dinner either indoors or outdoors on their patio, either way you’re sure to have a great time!

With appetizers like Arancini Bolognese, Sausage & Peppers, and Caprese. Of course they also have a wide range of pastas, as that is one of their specialties, like Linguini Vongole, Beef Brisket Gnocchi, Smoked Chicken Ravioli, and classic Spaghetti & Meatballs! Entrees like Chicken Santorini, Chianti Braised Short Rib, and Pan-Sauteed Redfish, with a variety of calzones, flatbreads, and pizzas, you’re sure to find a dish (or multiple dishes) you love!

“Some of the best Italian food that has ever entered my mouth! The servers were completely nice and we never ate one thing that we did not like! Two thumbs up!” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Bari Ristorante e Enoteca

Hip and happening spot providing homemade modern Italian delights!

524 Cooper St | Memphis | barimemphis.com 

Bari Ristorante e Enoteca is here to offer something a little different to all those Italian food lovers, they are the only Southeastern Italian restaurant and wine bar! Chef Jason Severs is making a menu that reflects the regional cuisine of his family, from antipasto, homemade bread and pasta, and 50 Italian cheeses ready to be sampled! With options ranging from getting a multi-course meal to a simple one or two dish special, you’ll get the exact same fresh tasting foods no matter the size of your order! 

Since Bari Ristorante e Enoteca is recreating that authentic Italian experience, each dish on the menu is on the smaller side so you can order a multitude of things and try different tastes you might not have had before! You can expect dishes like Frittelle di Zucchini (fried zucchini and goat cheese fritters), Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Bronzino (whole grain Bronzino stuffed with fennel and orange), and Buccatini alla Salsiccia (bucatini with house made sausage ragu and pecorino romano)! 

Their menu tends to change, so make sure to take a look before you head over to Bari, so you know what to expect beforehand!

“Bartender rocked! The bread is quite good and there is plenty to be had. We ordered pasta and it was divine. Small portions, but delicious! Full house and younger atmosphere. I would return for the pasta alone.” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Catherine and Mary’s

Tuscan and Sicilian cuisine served at an “cool industrial” building with great vibes.

Pasta and pasta = delicious-ly good! Image courtesy of the Catherine & Mary’s Instagram page.

272 S Main St ste 105-a | Memphis | catherineandmarys.com 

Now you may have heard the names Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman from our very first restaurant on this list, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, and ever since their success with that, they have been creating restaurants all over Memphis and this one is no exception! Catherine and Mary’s is their first restaurant in downtown Memphis and it was opened in 2016. 

With a combination of their classic cooking style, grandmother’s cooking, Italian philosophy, and fresh quality Southern ingredients, this restaurant has everything you love about the Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen and amplifies it for even more to enjoy!

On their dinner menu there’s a bunch of dishes to love, including but not limited to, an Antipasti Platter (salumi, cheeses, house pickled vegetables, benne crackers), C&M Caesar Salad, Mafalde (pork stracotto, tomato, roasted garlic, parmesan), and Ribeye (creamer potato, carrot, stracciatella, mushroom verde). Catherine & Mary’s is here to satisfy your Italian craving needs with its great food complimented by its great service!

“Me and my girlfriend went on Valentine's Day. There wasn't a single thing wrong with it from the experience to the flavors to the service! The best meatballs I've ever had” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Tamboli's Pasta & Pizza

Fresh ingredients. Freshly made. And just so dang good!

Listen, carbs and cheese yeah? …yeahhh. Image courtesy of the Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza Instagram page.

1761 Madison Ave | Memphis | tambolis.com 

Now if you want to go to an Italian place with options upon options for everyone, then Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza might just be the place for you! Their number one goal is to “feed you well,” and with their locally sourced ingredients and products, you know that to be true, and you’re supporting local farmers, a win-win! 

At Tamoboli’s Pasta & Pizza their menu is quite literally full of items, so many in fact, that you don’t even know where to begin! So let’s give you just a taste of what you can expect when you head on down to this hot spot:

They have Daily Specials that change constantly and are always updated on the website, while their staple menu items are there to take in and appreciate even before you take your first bite! From Starters & Small Plate dishes like Garlic Parmesan Bread and a Side of Meatballs, with 14” Wood-Fired Pizzas like Vegan/Dairy-Free Cheese Pizza and classic Pepperoni, to Lemon pepper Fettuccine, Kid’s Butter Noodles, and a whole “pantry” of goodies, Tamboli’s Pasta & Pizza has it all!

“Visiting Memphis and looking for a fun spot to eat.  Tambolis fit the bill.  Staff was friendly and pizza and pasta were great.  High quality locally sourced ingredients made for great casual dining.” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Marciano Restaurant

Traditional Italian fare served in a “pub” setting makes for a great casual time out!

Well plated food always makes for a great plate! Image courtesy of the Marciano Restaurant Instagram page.

780 E Brookhaven Cir | Memphis | marcianorestaurantmemphis.com 

Marciano Restaurant has strived to only openly source premium ingredients that are key in making the best foods for their guests, and for 15 years they have succeeded in doing exactly that. This is for all those who want to experience “fine-dining” but in a more casual setting, and with their well plated foods mixed in with a cozy atmosphere, it makes for a vibe that is hard to replicate at any other Italian restaurant in Memphis. 

Chef Mortezza Gerani has taken his over 30 years of experience and applied it to the Marciano Restaurant menu with foods like the Caprese Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Bruschetta, Margherita Pizza, Arugula Salad, Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Parmigiano, Shrimp Scampi, Cheesecake, and a bunch of hand-crafted cocktails that pair nicely with any number of Marciano Restaurant dishes!

“Love this place! The food is unbelievable and the service personal and outstanding!!! I am hooked on the pesto. I will come back next time I am in Memphis, for sure.” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Ronnie Grisanti's

Carrying traditional Italian cooking through generations in this Memphis restaurant!

Overflowing with cheese and sauce. That’s what we love! Image courtesy of the Ronnie Grisanti’s Instagram page.

6150 Poplar Ave #122 | Memphis | ronniegrisanti.com 

The roots of the Grisanti’s culinary talents and tradition go back all the way to 1505 in a little Italian village called Valdottavo, and eventually throughout the years Judd Grisanti’s, the owner of Ronnie Grisanti’s, great grandfather emigrated to the United States back in 1909. Ever since then Judd has carried on the tradition of his family, making delicious authentic Italian food in this award winning restaurant. 

And the best part about this restaurant? The sheer amount of menus and food options, so you can have a ton of choices and come back for something different next time!

Ronnie Grisanti’s has a lunch, dinner, catering, bulk, and three separate drink menus for you to pursue through. So now that you know a glimpse of what to expect, let’s give you a taste of some of those dishes! Toasted Ravioli, Pane All’Aglio, Italian Cobb, Genova Pizza, Calamari Fritti, Lasagna, and a list of Reds, Whites, and Rosés that go so well with your meal at this hot spot!

“Always an awesome experience - food and service. It is difficult to get in so make reservations ahead of time. Food always fresh and hot. If ever there is an issue, they will ALWAYS work hard to fix it. Very enjoyable experience.” -Yelp Review

Although this restaurant doesn’t have a GiftYa gift card opportunity yet, check back soon, as new places are being added to the GiftYa website frequently!

Olive Garden

Family-friendly chain serving all you can eat breadsticks and a multitude of Italian favorites!

A dish so big you won’t know where to take your first bite! Image courtesy of the Olive Garden Instagram page.

5679 Poplar Ave Suite 1 | Memphis | olivegarden.com 

Now if none of these other local Italian restaurants in Memphis catch your eyes, why not go to an old classic? That’s right, we’re talking about Olive Garden! With over 900 locations all around the world this restaurant chain has been providing people a myriad of comfort foods ranging from their classic breadsticks to their never ending salad bowl, (and of course their wide selection of pastas and entree dishes are there too). It’s also a great place for a “classy-casual” dinner, nothing too fancy that you have to dress up in your finest clothes, but it provides an atmosphere where you can bring your family or friends with a nice shirt and dine on some good food!

Listing everything on the Olive Garden menu would take too long, as we said before, they have a ton of great food. So let’s just name a few dishes so you can get a little glimpse of the menu in case you haven’t been here before: Cheese Ravioli, Herb-Grilled Salmon, Eggplant Parmesan, Lasagna Classico, Chocolate Brownie Lasagna, Spinach Artichoke Dip, andSicilian Cheesecake With Strawberry Topping are all ready to go at this Memphis Olive Garden location!

“Olive Garden is the best for families for lunch with the soup and salad! We always go to the one on Poplar and are never disappointed.The staff is always accommodating and helpful. YUUUMMMYYY!” -Google Review

You can Purchase a GiftYa Gift Card to Olive Garden here!

So there you have it, those are some Italian restaurants in Memphis, Tennessee! Obviously there are so many great restaurants out there, so make sure while you’re in town to walk around, ask the locals what’s good and get to dining! Plenty of great food and great times to be had at these spots and more!