Food and Drink

An uptown Charlotte wine bar is closing soon. Here’s what’s taking its place

Great news, pasta lovers — a new Italian dining concept is coming to uptown Charlotte.

Italo officially opens Tuesday, May 19, promising handmade pasta, focaccia and other Italian classics in a cozy setting reminiscent of “a Sunday dinner at your grandmother’s table,” according to a news release sent to CharlotteFive.

A high-angle view shows an assortment of Italian appetizers spread across a white marble table. The spread includes a whole round focaccia, a plate of prosciutto and mozzarella, fried calamari with a grilled lemon, and a fresh green salad with shaved parmesan. A bottle of Peroni beer and a glass of red wine sit among the dishes, creating an inviting lunch scene.
Italo, a new pasta house and wine bar, will replace Cicchetti in uptown Charlotte. elementum studio llc The Plaid Penguin
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It will set up shop at the corner of East Trade and North College Streets in the heart of the city. The space is currently home to Cicchetti, an Italian tapas and wine bar slated to close at the end of the week, owners said.

A sister concept to Aria Tuscan Grill, the Venetian-style wine bar offered a curated selection of wines from across the globe, plus a full bar, cocktails and beer, CharlotteFive previously reported.

Now, the team behind Italo’s — who also own Aria — is reimagining the space.

An overhead, close-up shot features three distinct Italian dishes served on patterned ceramic plates. To the left, a bowl holds golden potato gnocchi tossed with dark leafy kale and olives, while a smaller blue floral dish contains toasted, cheesy ravioli. A whole grilled fish with charred lemon sits on a red floral platter in the lower right, partially obscured by a glass of red wine in the foreground.
Handmade pasta and focaccia are on the menu at Italo. elementum studio llc The Plaid Penguin
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“The idea was to create an intimate pasta house for Uptown Charlotte — something that feels both classic and new,” veteran restaurateur Pierre Bader, who co-owns the eatery with Briana Cohen, said in the release.

“We’re excited to introduce a dining experience that’s rooted in tradition with timeless dishes but offers a new perspective for the neighborhood.”

At Italo, customers will find both single and family-style servings of classic Italian dishes. Think: cacio e pepe, risotto, gnocchi and wagyu filets, according to an online menu.

A bartender in a dark shirt is captured in a shallow-focus shot, meticulously twisting a lemon peel over a golden-colored cocktail. The bar counter in the foreground is lined with plates of appetizers, including focaccia and a meat and cheese platter. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the craft of the drink preparation within a dimly lit, sophisticated bar environment.
The beverage program at Italo includes classic cocktails, plus a variety of Italian-focused wines. elementum studio llc The Plaid Penguin

Other menu highlights include:

  • Spaghettoni Cacio e Pepe: Pecorino romano, cracked black pepper
  • Lumache: Braised Wagyu short rib ragu, red wine, sweet onions, tomato, ricotta salata
  • Linguini Vongole: Littleneck clams, basil pesto
  • Scampi: Skull Island tiger prawns, fresh garlic, rosemary, butter, EVOO
  • Piccata: Grilled spatchcocked Mediterranean branzino, capers, lemon, garlic

For the wine lovers, Italo’s beverage program will include a variety of Italian-focused wines — 30 to 40 bottles — all available by the glass. You’ll find classic cocktails, too.

Italo will be open for dinner service Tuesday-Saturday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

This vibrant bird’s-eye view captures a full dinner table laden with various Italian specialties including pasta, grilled fish, and colorful cocktails. Centered on a red-and-white floral platter is a large, herb-crusted whole fish accompanied by bowls of pesto linguine with clams and fusilli with tomato and mozzarella. The composition is lively and warm, emphasizing a shared dining experience with a variety of textures and colors.
A spread of classic Italian dishes at Italo in uptown Charlotte. elementum studio llc The Plaid Penguin

Italo

Location: 100 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Menu

Cuisine: Classic Italian

Instagram: @italocharlotte

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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 11:41 AM.

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Profile Image of Tanasia Kenney
Tanasia Kenney
Sun Herald
Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.
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