The culinary scene in Lake Norman has various chef-driven restaurants that bring people back every time. A popular choice for many people is Italian food. Whether you're craving a New York Style Pizza or seasonal Italian dishes, we got you covered with the eight best Italian restaurants in Lake Norman that will leave you wanting more!
1. Maola's Pizzeria & Restaurant
Maola's Pizzeria & Restaurant is a family-owned and operated establishment with over 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry. They are proud to offer a wide variety of pizza and Italian specialties. Located in Cornelius, their food is made with the finest ingredients and prepared fresh every day.
Specialty Dishes: Pesto Tortellini Pasta, Maola's Special Pie, Eggplant Rollatini
2. Brooklyn South Pizzeria
Brooklyn South Pizzeria is a family-friendly parlor in Cornelius with an extensive menu of classic, casual Italian offerings & New York-style pizzas. They pride themselves in offering many traditional family recipes with the finest natural cheeses, meats, vegetables, choice herbs, and spices. 2-time award-winning Italian Brooklyn South Pizzeria is known to have the finest and freshest pizza in the Lake Norman area.
Specialty Dishes: The "Brooklyn Bridge" Pizza, The Stuffed "Meatlover," "The New York Original"
3. Mandolino's Artisan Pizza
Mandolino's Artisan Pizza is a highly-anticipated second restaurant by the Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse folks in the heart of Davidson's Historic District. Executive Chef Bill Schutz has created a menu of carefully-sourced ingredients reflecting his Italian family heritage. The sheet pan pizza is scratch-made and brick-oven baked, a style historically known as "Grandma's Pizza."
Specialty Dishes: White Wedding Pizza, Buffalo Soldier Pizza, The Bonamassa Pizza
4. IL Bosco
IL Bosco is an Italian restaurant located in Historic Davidson offering seasonal Italian dishes & unique wines, plus desserts & espresso. Chef Joseph Hermann created seasonal menus, including regional antipasti, homemade pasta, and meat dishes, as well as daily seafood and dessert specials. The seasonal menus change frequently to exhibit fresh ingredients and recipes from throughout Italy.
Specialty Dishes: Quaglia Fritto, Gnocchi Neri, Pollo Valdostana
5. Antico Italian Restaurant
Antico Italian Restaurant is a cozy, laid-back fixture in Huntersville, offering pizza, traditional Italian specialties, and beer & wine. The restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes like pasta, veal, beef, chicken, and seafood. They are open Monday through Thursday for dinner only, Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner, and closed on Sundays.
Specialty Dishes: Rigatoni Antico, Vitello Martino, Lobster Ravioli Boscaiola
6. Inizio Pizza Napoletana
Inizio Pizza Napoletana is dedicated to the art and craft of authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, where all pizzas are of the highest quality, made with ingredients imported directly from Italy. With years of experience, they have a method of including naturally risen dough baked inside our wood-fired oven in under 90 seconds. Located across from Birkdale Village in Huntersville, this restaurant serves delicious desserts such as cannolis and gelato to accompany your dinner.
Specialty Dishes: Napoletana Pizza, Capricciosa Pizza, Bianca Pizza
7. Mama Mia Too
Mama Mia Too is a local Italian restaurant featuring familiar meat and pasta dishes at this informal option with a comfy ambiance. Owner Ralph Hanna started as a dishwasher in Italy to taking a leap of faith in founding Mama Mia located in the oldest standing building in Huntersville. With almost 40 years of experience in the industry, Ralph's dedication to maintaining the highest quality and freshness is reflected in the foods pricing, which strikes a balance between affordability and the incredible taste that keeps the customers coming back for more.
Speciality Dishes: Veal Piccata, Eggplant Parmesan, Ziti Vodka
8. Ferrucci's Old Tyme Italian Market
Ferrucci's Old Tyme Italian Market was created by Brooklyn natives and was established in 1999 as a haven for those who liked to cook and those who like to eat; more importantly, it was built to bring back a sense of the neighborhood family grocery store. The store is in Cornelius, with the aromas of pasta sauce, garlic, aged cheese, salamis, and the always-enticing smell of freshly baked crusty Italian bread. This market has focused on sourcing new and exciting products, ingredients, and services that put Ferrucci's in a league of its own.
Whether you are a Lake Norman local or visiting for the first time, you can't go wrong eating at these Italian restaurants! Make sure to take pictures and share your experience with us on social media @visitlakenorman!
