Food and Drink

Explore 7+ Italian restaurants and pasta spots around Charlotte

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles focus on Italian cuisine's growth in Charlotte, highlighting new restaurant openings and Italian menu offerings. Each article describes establishments that blend traditional and modern Italian culinary styles.

The iconic red building in Lake Norman now houses Zeko's Village Italian Restaurant, offering a range of signature pizzas and pasta dishes.

Meanwhile, Fontana di Vino opened in SouthPark, promising a mix of classic Italian recipes with modern creativity, like their porchetta chop for two.

Little Mama's earns praise for its pasta, with penne alla vodka being a standout choice; it has two locations in Charlotte.

Finally, Finale Pizza brings New York-style pizza to Charlotte with an emphasis on crispiness and a handmade pasta selection.

Little Mama’s serves freshly made pasta. By Tonya Price

NO. 1: THIS NORTH CAROLINA RESTAURANT RANKS NO. 1 IN THE STATE FOR PASTA. WHY FANS LOVE IT

Here’s what to know about the top-ranked restaurant. | Published October 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Haberdish’s Quiche Du Jour.

NO. 2: FROM AFFOGATO TO ZEPPOLI, THE A-Z GUIDE TO THE BEST FOOD AT CHARLOTTE RESTAURANTS

Charlotte’s food culture offers a wide variety of influences, which translates into dining experiences worth checking out. | Published November 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Andre James

NO. 3: ANOTHER NEW YORK-STYLE PIZZA RESTAURANT WITH HANDMADE PASTA OFFICIALLY OPEN IN CHARLOTTE

Craving a crispy slice of New York-style pizza? Here’s a look at the new pizza and pasta restaurant open in Ballantyne. | Published December 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

An Italian-themed coffee chain founded by a Florida couple is expanding to the Carolinas with this Lake Norman drive-through store shown under construction on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 4: ITALIAN-THEMED COFFEE CHAIN EXPANDS TO THE CAROLINAS WITH LAKE NORMAN DRIVE-THRU STORE

Workers using a concrete mixer were busy building the store on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 | Published February 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Owner Sam Leo is shown outside Zeko’s Village Italian Family Restaurant in Catawba County near Denver NC and Lake Norman on Thursday, April 17, 2025. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 5: ICONIC RED BUILDING IN LAKE NORMAN NOW HOME TO AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE

On the menu, you’ll find a few of the family-run restaurant’s home-cooked specialties, along with NY-style pizzas. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

Fontana di Vino is now open near DTR SouthPark.

NO. 6: NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT TAKES OVER WELL-KNOWN RESTAURANT SPACE IN SOUTHPARK

Look for a blend of traditional flavors and modern creativity with pasta, prime steaks, seafood and more. | Published May 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Fontana di Vino’s Spaghetti Pomodoro.

NO. 7: NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN CHARLOTTE ALREADY HAS A LAKE NORMAN LOCATION COMING

As it did in Charlotte, Fontana di Vino is moving into another space that’s highly recognizable to diners — this time, in Davidson. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.