Raleigh, a leading light of the American South, did you know that your most popular search query around food in Raleigh is ‘Italian Restaurants’ ? Don’t worry, it threw me for a loop as well.
Fortunately you do not need to look far to find good Italian food in Raleigh. Here are three of our favorites:
Gravy – For those that did not grow up in an Italian household, ‘Gravy’ refers to the sauce that is used on pretty much everything. At Gravy the gravy starts with excellant local tomatoes and herbs, and is just superb! The menu features very good simple pasta dishes-not overdone. basically, what you get is excellent food and great atmosphere in a downtown Raleigh location.
Caffe Luna - Located inside a gorgeous historic building in downtown Raleigh, Caffé Luna has been cooking traditional Italian cuisine with a Tuscan flair to the Triangle for over ten years! Some of the dishes that should not be missed include artisan bread, and the tortellini w/mushroom sauce. Portions are very generous here, you could easily split an entree and be satisfied.
Vivace – a contemporary Italian restaurant featuring a hip indoor/outdoor bar, fantastic patio, and warm dining room adjacent to an open kitchen. The chef prepares fresh local ingredients with Italian techniques while the bar pours a cocktail menu based on homemade limonciello and an extensive wine list comprised of the finest Italian selections. Although crowded, the bar area usually has better food service than the dining room. The bar staff are attentive and food arrives promptly.