In the former 1900s , when no one smile in picture and affaire d’honneur were still an appropriate way to obtain a wife , Memphis was the second - most popular Southern metropolis for Italian immigrants await to re - square up ( New Orleans make out in at No . 1 ) . As a result , the Bluff City has unassailable Italian radical , and nowhere is that more evident than the city ’s fertile pick of traditional and contemporary Italian eating place .

Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

Childhood friends Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman , who both come from heavy Italian families , lead off planning their eating place when they were kids . As they grew up , they have the right culinary training to pursue that dream , and today , they dish fresh , gourmet Italian meal in this advanced East Memphis spotlight . peach like white potato vine gnocchi with short ribs or mezza luna with pistachio and asparagus pesto show off the James Beard Award - win pair ’s culinary - school skill while retaining the home - prepare savor that would make their Italian grandparent gallant .

Spindini

Situated in the heart of the South Main Arts District , Spindini offer an elegant and modern take on traditional Italian dishes . Menu items are prepare with local , organic produce from Woodland Farms ( Spindini ’s company farm ) and honey from the restaurant ’s dangerously delicious beehives . The wood - fired oven is positioned at the end of the streak , so patron can watch as chefs fire up lobster & bacon pizza .

Ciao Bella

Italy meets Greece at the assort - out Bella . Avgolemono ( a Greek soup with lemon and chicken ) is served alongside Tuscan white bean and kale soup , for exercise . Much of the fare is cloggy with Italian classic – ravioli , spaghetti Bolognese , lasagna – but there are a few Southern twists thrown in ( like the smoke butt barbecue pizza pie ) . The ambiance is sophisticated enough for a date , and casual enough for a kinsfolk dinner party with the kids . Whole - wheat and gluten - devoid options are useable .

Hog & Hominy

Ticer and Hudman keep at it with this sister eatery to Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen . While the latter tends toward traditional Italian transportation , Hog & Hominy offer up the chefs a chance to showcase their Southern fostering . The fare here combines Southern individual with authentic Italian , resulting in dishes like collard greens with pork belly , cookie gnocchi with force field peas , and poutine with neckbone gravy .

Bari Ristorante E Enoteca

Chef Jason Severs animate the fare of Puglia ( in Southern Italy ) at this Overton Square institution . That think of you ’ll find sweetheart like spaghetti alla carbonara or roast Panthera tigris prawns with basil and chilli . Bari also features a vast wine-coloured selection , with Italians from almost every part of the country . And the high mallow menu vaunt more than 40 styles of Italian cheese .

Pete & Sam’s

If you ’re look a fooling space with vinyl tablecloths and wood paneling on the walls , Pete & Sam ’s is it . This Memphis darling has been family - possess and -operated for more than 60 years , and it certainly has the mom - and - soda pop feel . And because the venue ’s been around for so long , the carte du jour lean on predictable yet Hellenic Americanized Italian favorite . There ’s barbeque spaghetti ( a Memphis specialty ) , as well as spaghetti marinara or spaghetti with meatballs . Pete & Sam ’s also serves steaks in just about any cut imaginable , like the notorious spaghetti cut ( only joking , Pete & Sam ) .

Frank Grisanti’s

In Memphis , the Grisanti name is synonymous with Italian solid food . More than 100 years ago , Willie and Mary Grisanti opened an Italian eating house in Memphis , and members of their family have kept the home business organization go at various Italian restaurants all over township . Many of those places have descend and go away , but Frank Grisanti ’s carry on to attend to the family classics . Among those is Elfo ’s Special ( named for one of the family ’s patriarchs ) , which is spaghetti with garlic butter , shrimp , and mushroom-shaped cloud .

Strano! Sicilian Kitchen & Bar

Located at the recession of Cooper and Young ( probably the hippest recession in town , whatever ) , Strano ! serves up Sicilian - inspired pasta dishes , pizzas , and meat - base accession like oven - blackguard quail or chicken Parm . pizza pie range from the classical pepperoni to the adventurous King Alaska – Salmon River over tomato sauce with caramelized onion and chevre . Strano ! also does brunch , where the menu ranges from southerly classic such as fry wimp biscuit to Italian fusion ( read : honeydew and mint salad with prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella ) .

Fino’s From the Hill

raging and cold sandwich on gruff baguet as well as simple alimentary paste and pizza pie are offered at this everyday deli . Some , like the Philly cheesesteak and the veggie sub , are prototypical American - vogue offerings , but others , like the Acquisto ( ham , mortadella , salami , provel , unripe olive dressing ) foreground the flavour of Italy . pasta are limit to spaghetti with meatball or with marinara , and pizza pie do n’t digress from the classics ( three - cheese , sausage , pepperoni ) . Fino ’s was originally open as an Italian food market , and while the absolute majority of the Interior Department is now consecrated to deli seating area , there are still a few shelves of import Italian goods .

Coletta’s Restaurant

Established in 1923 , Coletta ’s is one of Memphis ’ oldest restaurants . This laid - back kin diner lays call to the design of the Memphis - style barbecue pizza pie ; a pizza piled high with pulled porc and tangy ’ pool stick sauce . barbeque spaghetti and barbeque salad are also volunteer . Traditionalists will find sight on the menu for them as well , such as stalwarts like chicken Parm , lasagna , and ravioli . The vino selection – Beringer and Turning Leaf – only suffice to complement the diner ’s place - back vibration and welcome atmosphere .

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Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen|Faith Roane

Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

Faith Roane

Ciao Bella

Ciao Bella

Hog and Hominy

Hog and Hominy

Strano Sicilian Kitchen & Bar

Strano Sicilian Kitchen & Bar

Fino’s from the Hill

Jerry Wilson, Jr.