A staple since opening nearly 15 years ago, Nashville native Tandy Wilson’s Southern riff on rustic Italian fare made him the first Nashville chef to take home a James Beard Award. The belly ham pizza, Sunday supper’s meatball special, and talented pastry chef Rebekah Turshen’s desserts are all crucial when dining at City House.

Nicky’s is a hands-on affair — all the charcuterie, pasta, bitters, infusions, and shrubs are made in-house here. They’ve even got an herb garden that helps add some extra oomph to their dishes. Not that it’s needed — while the coal-fired pizza is definitely a thing, dishes like corn and scallop spaghetti, three cheese ravioli, and cavatelli bolognese are absolute showstoppers. Be sure to wind up the meal with one of Nicky’s house-spun gelatos or sorbets.

The Nashville outpost of this upscale New York-based Italian restaurant lives up to its reputation with both flawless service and exquisitely presented dishes. Start with the calamari picante, then move onto one of the pasta dishes, like the goat cheese ravioli or fettuccini with Parmesan cream sauce. The filet is another standout for those avoiding pasta. Finish with the warm brioche budino with grappa-soaked raisins — just think of it as a digestif.

Ask any local about their top three favorite Italian joints around town, and this Gulch date night contender consistently sweeps the list. And it’s no surprise — one look at the sleek midcentury modern decor, discreet wraparound booths, and warm candlelit glow practically clinches its spot on those lists. But the black spaghetti with lobster ragu and Heritage pork chop (with FatBack bacon) on the menu are proof that Moto has just as much substance as it has style.

Though they relocated from West End to Hayes Street, this Midtown staple has been serving up Italian classics to hungry locals for over 25 years. Think homemade lasagne with wild boar bolognese, bucatini, and cioppino. Need the narrow down the list? Valentino’s also offers a prix fixe menu with four courses for $55, as well as an upgraded version for $65.

Visitors can load up on fresh burrata, heaps of fettuccine with meatballs, and deep-dish timpano at this restaurant/market hybrid. Post-carb-feast served either indoors or on the covered patio, diners can enjoy a glass of wine or beer while perusing the Italian market.

The brainchild of chef Gerard Craft, Pastaria serves up some seriously craveable carbs from its bright and airy outpost in the OneC1ty complex. Watch as dishes like cacio e pepe, garganelli, and pistachio ravioli pile out fresh from the open kitchen. The grab-and-go gelato counter by the door is a nice touch, for a post-pasta sweet treat.

After 27 years in Manhattan, Giovanni Ristorante found its way to Nashville and firmly planted its flag near Midtown with a snappy bi-level space, and soon followed it up with a counterpart in Belle Meade. Murano glass chandeliers, Venetian plaster, and a Hermes (yes, that Hermes) upholstered bar provide some visual eye candy while plates like pappardelle alla Norcia with black truffles and tagliatelle with veal tempt the taste buds.

Chef Daniel Maggipinto has been charming guests at this Sylvan Park eatery with his grandmother’s (the titular Nonna) traditional recipes for years. Starters like arancini and a hearty Tuscan bean soup segue smoothly into mains like mussels served fra diavolo or apulia-style with a saffron-tomato broth. There’s also a build-your-own pasta plate option featuring rigatoni, gnocchi, and risotto with an abundance of sauces, meats, veggies, and cheeses for topping.

While it’s nice to stop by on a weeknight for a beautifully plated pasta dish by executive chef Nick Pellegrino, Fridays and Saturdays get pretty lit at this Berry Hill Italian spot. One seating is offered from 7 to 10 p.m. and features a family-style meal of various antipasti, pasta dishes, vegetables, and mains like chicken piccata or shrimp scarpiello. Copious glasses of wine turn the atmosphere up a touch and give guests the liquid courage to get up and bust some moves.