• Florida's capital city, Tallahassee, is in North Florida, far away from the tourist meccas of Central and South Florida. While certainly lacking in the Italian dining options available in areas like Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and the Tampa Bay metroplex, there are still some high quality options available. In addition to national chains like Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden and Carraba's, Tallahassee has several locally owned restaurants serving Italian-inspired cuisine.
  
  

Bella Bella

• This locally-owned restaurant in midtown serves Italian-inspired cuisine along with fresh seafood. The eclectic interior features hand painted wall murals and tables made from items like old doors. The restaurant often features several nightly specials utilizing seasonal ingredients and locally caught seafood. In addition to the dining room, Bella Bella also has a "Midtown Vino Room" with a bar and high-top seating area featuring a large craft beer selection.
  
  

Z. Bardhi's

• Z. Bardhi's occupies a small cottage overlooking a lake near the entrance to the Killearn Lakes subdivision. The pergola covered patio features nice views of the nearby lake and a shady area to enjoy a meal on a warm North Florida evening. The menu features traditional trattoria fare, pizzas, steaks and seafood. Z. Bardhi's is about 20 to 25 minutes north of downtown,
  
  

Riccardo's

• Riccardo's is located in a small strip center in Northeast Tallahassee and serves Italian fare in a simple casual setting. It's popular with families and the walls feature classic shots of Lucille Ball and " I Love Lucy." The menu features classic American-Italian fare like pizza, calzones, spaghetti and lasagna. "German Night" on Thursdays features Wiener Schnitzel and other popular German fare.
  
  

MoMo's

• MoMo's has two locations in Tallahassee. One is near the Florida State University campus, while the other is in the Market Square Area near Killearn. Both serve New York style pizza and boast one of the largest craft and imported beer selections in the area. The Market Square location has a larger menu with calzones, grilled portabella caps, lasagna and wings. This location is popular with families and sports teams; it has a large patio area, ample seating areas for large groups and a game room.