
Love Italian? The Agenda does too. After weeks of Italian exploration, here’s the definitive list of the 5 best Italian restaurants in Charlotte.
Stagioni
Modern take on classic Italian dishes in an intimate Myers Park setting with an open kitchen
Must-order dishes: Start with the meatballs – local pork, parmesan, marinara and ciabatta ($10) and then go with the pepperoni and sausage pizza ($16).
Money:$$. Apps and small plates run about $10, pizzas about $15 and both pastas and entrees are around $30.
Fun fact: Pizzas are served with giant pair of scissors so you can cut it as you like. It’s fun.
Best for: Date night
Location and hours: Myers Park. 715 Providence Road. Monday – Thursday: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Mama Ricotta’s
Popular classic Italian restaurant in Midtown
Must-order dish: Penne alla vodka – penne pasta tossed with sautéed pancetta in a pepper vodka, spicy tomato cream sauce ($15). Also, you can’t go wrong with their lasagna – southern Italian-style lasagna made with layers of ground beef, veal, homemade sausage and a blend of three cheeses ($13).
Noteworthy: Pizza is a New Haven-style with a thin crust that’s crisp and bubbly, cooked in a true wood-burning oven that you can view from the bar.
Agenda pro tip: Mama’s does family-style pastas that feed approximately 2-3 people and are perfect for takeout.
Money: $$. Medium pizzas are $12.50 and pastas are about $15.
Best for: Family dinner or takeout
Location and hours: Midtown. 601 South Kings Drive. Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Mama’s pizzas are underrated

So tasty. Penne alla vodka, courtesy of Mam Ricatta’s