Huntsville’s origins in Alabama date back to 1805. It has gone through a few drastic changes along the way. Presently, it is quite the hub for performing arts. In fact, you can find a performing arts center a stone’s throw away from anywhere in the city. There are also a few local breweries that started up in the last decade. Italian restaurants in Huntsville are popular too. An interesting fact about Italian cuisine is that it changed significantly after the colonization of America and the subsequent introduction of new ingredients like potatoes and tomatoes. Within Italy, you’ll find that even northern and southern cuisines are different! However, both ensure the use of simple ingredients so as not to overwhelm the soul. Keep reading to find out about the best Italian restaurants in Huntsville, Alabama.
1. Terranova's Huntsville

The owners of Terranova pride themselves on providing the ultimate Italian experience. The establishment began in 2007 as a family-owned and family-friendly restaurant that makes its food from scratch. This includes everything from the sauce to the pasta, created only with the freshest locally grown ingredients. Make sure you try out the famous Lombardi seafood pasta and the calamari appetizer—which is considered to be the best in the area. The rosemary bread and scallopine are also excellent. The walls here have been decorated with original Italian antiques and memorabilia to really infuse the area with Italian culture.
Terranova's Huntsville
Address: 1420 Paramount Dr Ste A, Huntsville, AL 35806
Website: Terranova’s Huntsville
Opening hours: Tue - Thu & Sun: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9pm (closed on Mon)
2. Luciano
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Special starting Wednesday, Roasted Cornish Hen. Stuffed with a spinach, sun dried tomatoes & mozzarella stuffing. With a fresh vegetable sauté and mashed potatoes.
Posted by Luciano Huntsville on Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Luciano is a classically decorated restaurant. It has been decked in rich tones and warm furniture, and you have the pleasure to listen to live music as you eat your delectable meals. The place can accommodate groups of any size, and you can even request to hold special events here. It has three types of rooms. First is the garden room, which is a dining area with a Mediterranean feel. The second is Chez Savalle, where you can lose yourself to live music. The third is the terrace room, which is eerily reminiscent of a small Italian village. If none of these suits your fancy, you can choose to sit out on the patio, drink in hand, and take in the atmosphere.
Luciano
Address: 964 Airport Rd Ste 4, Huntsville, AL 35802
Website: Luciano
Opening hours: Mon: 5pm - 9pm; Tue - Fri: 11am - 9pm; Sat: 5pm - 10pm (closed on Sun)
3. Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

This Olive Garden is one of 850 restaurants in the chain around the country. The name was established in 1982 and quickly became one of the most well-known dining places in the country. It has a constantly expanding menu, which ensures that things are always fresh and interesting. The never-ending stuffed pasta is the real deal, as well as the make-your-own dish. The lunch specials are especially popular as they come in large portions at low prices. Indeed this is the best spot to take your family or date for dinner.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Address: 3730 University Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35816
Website: Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm
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4. Rafael's Italian Restaurant
Rafael’s Italian Restaurant is the place to go if you prefer a quiet atmosphere to enjoy your food. The eatery has two-for-one pizza specials available every day—a steal indeed! Its kitchen boasts fast preparation times but without compromising on the quality. In fact, Rafael’s is considered to be one of the best pizza joints in town. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a delivery service yet, but you can order takeaways. This family-oriented restaurant is also a great place to take your kids for a night out.
Rafael's Italian Restaurant
Address: 2246 Winchester Rd NE, Huntsville, AL 35811
Website: Rafael’s Italian Restaurant
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 11pm
5. Nick's Ristorante

Nick’s Ristorante was started in 2010 by Nick and Sherry Mikus after 40 years of traveling together. It’s an upscale restaurant with a more casual atmosphere. The place serves great steak, seafood, and northern Italian cuisine. On Monday and Tuesday nights, take advantage of Nick’s Neighborhood Night, which showcases a fine-dining setting but at budget prices. Do check out the website as the management is constantly advertising promotions. Please note that only guests over the age of 19 are permitted to come here.
Nick's Ristorante
Address: 10300 Bailey Cove Rd SE Ste 1, Huntsville, AL 35803
Website: Nick’s Ristorante
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 5pm - 11pm (closed on Sun - Mon)
6. Bravo
If you’re looking for big helpings of freshly made pizza, then make your way down to Bravo! Everything at this restaurant is praised by patrons—from the food to the atmosphere. Make sure you check out the shrimp Napoli, which is extremely crispy and flavorful. The salmon is perfectly blackened, the chicken marinated and cooked for just the right amount of time, and even the house salad is popular. The bartender is also famous for being able to make drinks on request with great skill. Happy hour is from 3:30 to 6:40 p.m. on weekdays, when you can enjoy five-dollar martinis. Note that it is ideal to book a table ahead of time due to the popularity of the place.
Bravo
Address: 401 The Bridge Street NW Ste 180, Huntsville, AL 35806
Website: Bravo
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
7. Venice Pizza

Venice Pizza is an older dive bar that will take you back in time 10 to 20 years. It’s considered to have the most authentic Italian food you can get in this part of town, and it’s also popular for having affordable prices. The place makes both Italian and New York-style pizzas loaded with toppings. If you want, you can even build your own pizza. The calzones are extremely popular, but don’t underestimate the size! You will probably have to take some home with you.
Venice Pizza
Address: 6610 Old Madison Pike NW, Huntsville, AL 35806
Website: Venice Pizza
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 10pm
8. Pane e Vino Pizzeria
Pane e Vino Pizzeria has a small space but is very comfortable without being cramped. The place also makes up for it with an open-air patio where you can sip drinks and enjoy the outdoors. The chefs here have a flair for making even the most common of dishes like mozzarella sticks perfect, which means that no meal is substandard. Further, they don’t let dietary restrictions stop them from making wonderful dishes, which is clearly seen in their gluten-free pizza. Make sure you try out the Caprese salad and the shrimp alfredo as well. Note that it’s better to make a reservation due to the popularity of this venue.
Pane e Vino Pizzeria
Address: 300 Church St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
Website: Pane e Vino Pizzeria
Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)
9. Tellini’s

Tellini’s is one of those few restaurants that make everything entirely from scratch. The pizza is freshly made, the ciabatta rolls are baked all day, and the cheesecake is made daily. The cooks take the simplest of ingredients but use them with complicated cooking methods to create the tastiest of dishes. The place started in 1996 as a way to reflect its neighborhood, as the Italians believe that the soul of the people is in their piazza and, subsequently, their food. If you don’t want to dine in, you can always choose to drive through and pick up your meals.
Tellini’s
Address: 1515 Perimeter Pkwy NW, Huntsville, AL 35806
Website: Tellini’s
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10:30am - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 10:30am - 10pm
10. Carrabba's Italian Grill
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Carrabba’s Italian Grill features food made from recipes that have been passed down through the family for generations. The place makes good use of a wood-burning grill to create signature dishes like Chicken Bryan, Pollo Rosa Maria, and its grilled steak. Make sure you also check out the cannoli cake. This restaurant is usually very busy, but even then the chefs take time to add personal touches to your meals. Thus, it’s considered by many to have the best service in town.
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Address: 2801 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
Website: Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
Enjoy Huntsville!
Whether you’re here for the food or for the sights, you’re sure to have your fill of fun. Do let us know what you think if you decide to check out any of these restaurants. Remember to bring some friends or your family along, because you know what they say—the more, the merrier!
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