A very fancy smanchy Italian place with legit al dente pasta. I had the pre fix for two and was able to experience a few of their staples. Grandma's lasagna was great! I would trust their grandma with my life. Service was impeccable and the viewable kitchen was a perk. Tomato caprese was delicious and I should've gotten scallops! Disappointed with tiramisu. It tasted previously frozen and thawed out as the cake was wet with water instead of khalua or coffee. read more

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You will have to park in a parking deck as it is off the main city street. We were seated very quickly For 8:00 on a Friday night. BlackBerry mocktail and mushroom ravioli was delicious but portion was very small. Tiramisu was delicious read more

We went on a Saturday evening with a couple friends of ours and had a reservation. We were seated right away and our server was friendly and popped by to get our drink order while we waited for our friends. They were very busy and to be honest, looked to be understaffed so I will not fault our server at all for being MIA. We did the three course meal and everyone ordered different combinations of items. The meatballs looked great, I ordered a salad. Everyone ordered different pasta and I think the lasagna was the biggest hit. Every cocktail was incredible and I would go back and sit at the bar any time. read more

Aria - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Our waitress was racist to our friend who is Asian. Ridiculous. Over priced food, wasn't very good, tiramisu was more of a sugary pudding with half of a lady finger. Would not recommend and especially not for that price point. read more

Had reservations at Aria for my best friend who will be going out of the country for a while, so it was a going away dinner. It was a party of 6. Traffic was terrible getting there due to the protest going on however the hostesses were very understanding and helpful. The ambiance is really nice. It was wasn't noisy nor too busy. We were seated and greeted by Lucky. He gave us complimentary bread. We all ordered and he provided amazing suggestions. Being pescatarian I got the saffron fusilli. We didn't wait long and the food was being brought to us. When looking at it, it didn't seem like a lot but it was actually just enough to have you full. The food was soo flavorful. I'm not a fan of tomatoes at all and I ate them all. That's how good they were. The food was cooked to perfection. Lucky made sure to constantly come and check up on us. But wait it gets better, we were able to just get to know him as a server and he showed us some awesome magic tricks that to this day we're all stick shocked about it. Lucky really made the experience worth more than 5 stars and I'll def be back and I'll be asking for Lucky as my server. read more

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Great menu, including half a dozen appetizers listed as $5 for happy hour (with purchase of adult beverage). Caramelized gnocchi was delicious. I opted for chefs special, lobster panzenella, came with a ton of lobster. Super fresh and flavorful. Service at the bar was on point. Only in town for 3 nights and I'll probably go back to try something else on the menu, even though there's a ton of restaurants in the area. read more

Went to Aria for restaurant week and all I have to say is 10/10. The four cheese dip went CRAZY and the chicken parm and cheesecake were so yummy. We sat upstairs and the vibes were so good and our server was delightful. We all around and the best time and I will be back again read more

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We had reservations for the opera and wanted to go to Aria for convenience. Upon arriving we were greeted by the hostess and she gladly accommodated our reservations to sit in the upper level. Our waiter was professional, attentive, and personable. The food was amazing. The carmelized gnocchi is one of the best, I will never forget. We had lamb shank, the meatballs special and tiramisu with MASCARPONE was delicious. I'll definitely go back and this establishment may be one of my favorite Italian restaurants in town. read more

The Easter Meal from Aria was such a steal! Braised lamb shank, roasted veggies, and mashed potatoes for $18/person. The lamb fell right off the bone and the veggies were seasoned perfectly. They even delivered it for free and the food was still hot. read more

Aria - Easter meal - Braised Lamb Shank - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I saw this spot had great reviews and maybe I went on an off night, but the reviews weren't on par with my experience. I dined at the bar and enjoyed the Kale salad immensely. The mussels were decent. I recommend getting the pasta to accompany them. They didn't have any cabs or chianti nor were there any dinner specials that evening. I wasn't pleased enough to recommend. The staff were all smiling and friendly and the ambiance was nice. read more

Excellent service and food was top notch. Atmosphere was amazing outstanding! Excellent place for family and birthday celebrations!

If you have a gluten allergy don't try it. No gluten free pasta. When you ask them to alter main dishes to accommodate your allergy They'll advise there are no substitutions. I asked to speak to a manager, and discovered the waitress was a saint and doing her best. Clearly she had marching orders. The manager was horrific and all but told me to leave and they could accommodate nothing. I live in charlotte and eat high end food regularly. I've never written a bad review and have never been more disgusted than with this restaurant or this woman. I will Never return. Left and went to capital grille and it was outstanding. read more

After scouring dozens of restaurants and hundreds of reviews, my partner and I decided on Aria for our anniversary dinner. That was a mistake, and I'm sad to write a bad review because we looked forward to this dinner for many weeks. They had free bread, olive oil, and a small bean dish, which was good. The ambiance was very loud, almost rowdy, but I can't fault them for their patrons' behavior. We ordered the tuna tartar- the quality of meat and the presentation were lovely but it was entirely flavorless. We ordered the lobster pasta dish, expecting it to be marginally less underwhelming, but again were disappointed. Truly no flavor. It was surprising and bizarre. Let me reiterate-- it was as if the kitchen just completely ran out of any seasoning. We spoke to the manager about it and he said, "Interesting." Again, very unexpected for what is considered an upscale establishment. Our server asked why we'd only eaten a few bites of each dish and we explained the shocking lack of flavor. He seemed to quietly mirror our sentiment. We were prepared to pay for the meal, as it seemed unlikely that the restaurant was able to comp. Our server returned and let us know we did not need to pay for the meal which was really the only positive surprise we experienced while there. We were grateful and offered to return the food to demonstrate that our complaints were in good faith. (We did tip our server for what would have been gratuity for the price of the meal.) My partner and I love food and fine dining, and offer our feedback respectfully in the hopes that it helps potential customers and perhaps give Aria some insight into some areas that could be improved. read more

Forgot how great this place is as it's been ages since I have dinned there. We were a party of six last night. Everything was top notch. The food was delicious and our waiter Enzo was phenomenal. Will start free quitting again. read more

Aria was one the best restaurants I've been to! The waiter/host was extremely knowledgeable. The environment was cozy and warm. The food was awesome! I'd recommend to anyone! read more

Aria - Grilled 8oz. Prime Filet Mignon - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Have only eaten here once because of distance from where I live but the food was eclectic, beautifully plated and tasty. We were allowed to speak to the head chef in the kitchen area and were very impressed. On my radar for another visit soon. read more

Can't believe it took me this long to try this place. Beautiful decor and vibe inside. Their wine liSt is extensive, but Chianti is probably your best choice as far as Italian wine The soup is an excellent choice for an app when it's freezing outside, it will definitely warm you right up! The main dishes were excellent as well, the roasted trout was fresh and the gnocchi with shrimp is hand-made goodness! And for dessert, there was only one choice for me - Tiramisu - although I am sure all of their other dessert choices might have been just as declines. Our server was great and we felt very welcomed. Definitely recommended for a date night spot or out for a great warm meal with a few friends. read more

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We went Friday night for dinner....excellent service and excellent food. I had the carbonara with grilled chicken and my husband had the chicken parmigiana...for desert I had gelato and he had a chocolate cake with candied orange. I was amazed at how quickly our food came. Great dinner. Will definitely visit when in the Charlotte area again! read more

I recently had dinner here with 3 other couples prior to a show at the Belk theater. The restaurant is conveniently located near the theater as well as the parking garage. We had reservations for an early dinner around 5 pm, hardly anyone there and yet within the hour the restaurant was packed The restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere and our waiter was friendly and attentive and answered our questions we had about the menu. He poured water in tall glasses for us, readily took any other beverage orders. Interesting to note that the individual glasses of Chianti came in 1/2 filled short beverage tumblers and not typical red wine glasses . Bread came to the table, was very delicious along with a tall bottle of Evoo plus some small dishes of a tasty white bean condiment. The menu features a variety of appetizers, several salads, a tomato basil soup, variety of pizzas, pasta dishes, other entrees to include chicken, lamb, beef and fish and seafood.. Desserts such as mascarpone cheese cake, cannoli and tiramisu were on the menu Prices moderate, portions adequate, food came out hot, plated nicely, and most was tasty and delicious. We all enjoyed our food. My dinner was good but not exceptional in my opinion .Some of my dining mates also felt the same way about their dinners too. One dining mate enjoyed her Caesar salad, plenty of dressing on it. I had the heirloom tomato caprese appetizer. Plated, a wedge of soft delicious mozzarella surrounded by a thin smear of basil pesto , (wished more of that) , along with small cubes of red tomatoes. My dining mate had one of the appetizer specials of the night, sliced duck breast over focaccia with peaches and a savory sauce. . He said it was very tasty. 3 of of us ordered the chefs version of chicken cacciatore, a very popular menu item.. We were able to substitute for the polenta it was normally served over. One substituted with pasta, mine with extra veges instead of the mascarpone polenta which the 3rd diner had. Plated were 2 pieces of chicken nicely positioned on the plate. It was nice to see a piece of chicken with a bone instead of boneless chicken breast. The chicken was tasty and nicely seasoned. My extra veges were mostly soupy stewed tomatoes . My dining mate said polenta was ok. The sauce was described with olives, capers and cremini mushrooms. The big green olives with pits were there, one or two mushrooms in each order on our plates; so for mushroom lovers a disappointment. Other entrees our dining mates ordered were Grandma's lasagna, very much enjoyed, sliced lamb with gnocchi- tender lamb but heavy gnocchi however lamb enjoyed, Pappardelle Rosso pasta which was noted as excellent, 2 orders of chicken parmesan also very much enjoyed. One dining mate asked for his sauce on the side, so changes or substitutes readily done to please the diner. For dessert, the canolli was not enjoyed, the shell so tough it could not be cut with a fork, the filling very good. The waiter was notified and mentioned others had the same complaint. The mascarpone cheesecake was very delicious. The coffee was also very good. All in all it was a very enjoyable dining experience for us all. We would probably return and try ordering different dinners next time. read more

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The bar area was nice to be seated for a cocktail before dinner. We arrived half hour early and 2 open seats were available. The bar tenders are nice and attentive, even on a Friday night when it appeared most were just leaving work. For dinner we started with the Fritto Misto and it was good. The Grandma B's Lasagna was the best lasagna we've had. The Pasta al Nero is a nice entrée for someone who wants pasta without feeling guilty. It's very delicious! The wine menu is large! It's a nice small comfortable space for an intimate dinner. Added plus, they valet park and validate when you park at the BOA building (not even a block away). Super easy walk. read more

I have been to Aria a couple times before for dinner, but never for lunch. Stopped in for a workday lunch and while the food was decent the service was not. Our server came by and screwed up the order, then we got a new server who was better. The room manager was involved and came by twice to check on us and double check our order. We were a party of two who each ordered a main course and a non alcoholic beverage. Not difficult stuff here. When you have 3 staff members at your table repeatedly, it's hard to have a conversation with the person you came with. I had the Margherita pizza and she had the salmon burger. Both were tasty, but it ruined the mood when the wait staff can't get it together! read more

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We went here on a busy Friday night. We were seated quickly and our server Evan was awesome! Engaging, knowledgeable, and super friendly. The expresso martinis and appetizers were fantastic! Our entrees arrived promptly and were superb! I highly recommend dining here! read more

Me and a friend came here for restaurant week. She was running late but they still seated me and didn't bother me too much about when she would get there. Service was okay nothing spectacular. Once my friend came they brought out the bread and took our orders. The bread and olive oil was great, as expected in any Italian restaurant. It also came with seasoned cannelloni beans and I noticed the server putting olive oil in it for a table nearby but not ours. I ordered the mussels, short rib and chocolate cake. The mussels were in a sauce that was very rich and tasted like only heavy cream and garlic. I still enjoyed them. The short rib was great. The chocolate cake shouldn't be advertised as a cake at all and was rather a mousse but it was really good. read more

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SO IMPRESSED!!! We've been looking for a high end, yet affordable date night Italian restaurant and we FOUND IT! In an Uptown Charlotte that is inundated with steakhouses, Aria is a gem. We went on a Friday evening, there is a complimentary valet beginning at 6pm or you can have your parking validated for the Bank of America garage. Service was spectacular and we felt very special. Every Friday and Saturday Night they feature a 3 for $30 - 3 course menu which was such a deal! Everything is handmade (pasta, sauce, organic greens) you can just taste the quality we will be back so soon. The menu has so many great things to try. Be back soon! read more

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I dined at this restaurant recently with friends, and I'm a regular patron. The majority of the dishes are exceptional, and the service is as good as it can be given the circumstances. read more

I didn't have the best experience this time. I went for a birthday dinner and we had to wait entirely too long to be served. We sat down at 8:30 which was our reservation time, however did not even get our food order taken until 9:30. Luckily we had enough conversation and some drinks to pass the time however I do find that unsettling. The wine I had was delicious. It was Remo Farina Ripasso. I had the gnocchi which was a little bland I was disappointed with that. The seating upstairs is extremely tight and I got bumped a few times by the servers having to get through to the other tables. The ambiance was nice but if I had to celebrate anything I wouldn't go back there. They do have complimentary valet which is a plus. read more

Aria - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

We came here during 2021 Queen's Feast. When we arrived we were given a menu that was different than the one advertised online. We made our selections and added an appetizer. We had the bruschetta which was a very unique take on bruschetta. The bread was slathered with ricotta and topped with a tomato jam and hazelnuts. It was very unique but tasted nothing like any bruschetta I had ever had. I wouldn't order it again. Next I had the caramelized gnocchi which melted in my mouth. It was delicious and was a generous portion. I would love to come back just to have it again. I ordered the braised lamb shank for my meal. It was unseasoned and tasteless. It was very tender but had no taste. Our waiter and service wasn't very good either. We sat with empty soda and water glasses for quite a while because he was being so attentive to the table next to us but ignoring us. I was really disappointed in this dining experience because I've been to Aria before for a Yelp Elite event that was amazing. Maybe my expectations were just too high. I will not be returning to this restaurant even if it was for restaurant week. read more

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We had a restaurant week dinner last night and I was very disappointed in the items I selected. The kale caesar salad was bitter and coated with a poor vinegar taste. My lamb shank had little meat but still good flavor. On the other hand the lamb shank my wife received was a little larger but still not much larger than mine. Our server was very good but the noise level was very high and it was hard to carry on a conversation with my wife across the table. In all I may try them again after restaurant week. read more

Convenient when staying uptown Charlotte. Quality fresh pasta and the fennel sausage was exceptional, broccoli rabe cooked so well - not bitter and perfect with the sausage, parm and pasta. It was busy but service was perfectly attentive. read more

Aria - Orecchiette with Sausage - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Lucky is the BEST waiter. He made my night as I went to dinner here for my birthday. Everything was amazing & the BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI is to die for. The best ravioli I have ever had. read more

Aria - Grilled Eggplant, Caesar Salad, Caramelized Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

If I could give this restaurant more than 5 stars, I would. My friend and I were welcomed warmly by a nice gentleman who quickly led us to our table. Evan, our server, was polite, professional, and went above and beyond when my friend told him that she had a sore throat. He offered to bring her warm water with lemon, which obviously wasn't on the menu. Being vegetarian, I asked Evan if the spaghetti carbonara was a good option, and he offered to remove an ingredient to ensure that I could eat it. My friend ordered trout. The food arrived in no time and was perfectly cooked. Excellent food and service. read more

Came here with a small group for a birthday dinner! All servers wore masks and tables were spread apart fairly well. Our server seemed to be an amazing person but unfortunately, not a wonderful server. Service seemed relatively slow for how empty the restaurant was, and we had to re-order our drinks a few times as she kept forgetting to put them in. The gnocchi appetizer was okay and the spaghetti entree was also average. Portion sizes seemed a little small for an Italian restaurant. The atmosphere was quiet and relaxing though. The overall experience was very underwhelming so I do not plan on returning! read more

Amazing entrees and appetizers, but I left the restaurant feeling... agitated. The service was decent, but when our food was brought to our table (my husband ordered spaghetti and meatballs and I ordered a steak) the man automatically placed the steak in front of my husband. Slightly annoying, but whatever. I said "that's actually for me" and he laughed and proceeded to (maybe jokingly) ask if my husband would like to switch with me because it's embarrassing. What the hell? Women can't eat steak?? Men can't eat spaghetti and meatballs? Makes zero sense. I had a bad taste in my mouth as I was trying to enjoy my steak. Like I said, amazing food but I just can't get behind the blatant rudeness we had to experience. It's 2021, do better. read more

Aria is one of the best Italian date spots uptown in my opinion. Especially now that Cichetti is temporarily closed. Great seating plan with tables not too close together. Also, some more private tables if you ask for that. The food is excellent, and the service extremely professional. In my opinion, it hits all the marks. read more

This was my third time dining at Aria. Today they Aria were running a 3 for $30 special. You could pick one appetizer, one entree, and a dessert. Such a great deal and everything came out amazing! I got the calamari as an appetizer, lasagna, and tiramisu. Nicely socially distanced seating as well. read more

Aria - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Went to Aria for Queen's Feast. Service was great, as was the ambience. And the food was mostly on point. My fennel sausage orecchiette was without defect. Everything from the pepper, to the handmade pasta, to the broccoli rabe was prepared perfectly. The same can be said for my eggplant parmigiana appetizer. As to the meal as a whole, there were only two minor issues, unfortunately both part of my daughter's meal - the basil gelato's texture was gritty, perhaps overturned; and the penne all vodka was just okay, as in average Italian fare ok. Also, there was no one available for valet off of College St, as the site promised. Not a huge deal with the adjoining Bank of America garage, but still a bit annoying. read more

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What a shame that in this day and age a restaurant doesn't have a single vegetarian pizza, entree or secondi on their menu - how exclusionary read more

You can't beat $5 apps! Me and my girls stopped here for attending an event at the Spectrum center. The $5 deal is only applicable at the bar which fit is perfectly because we were able to get in and out. The service was great also. See Cat at the bar! Best app was the pizza followed by Brussels. read more

Aria - $5 apps - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I agree with the other reviewers who felt the food didn't have much flavor. The location is good if you have plans in Uptown and want to grab a drink or the $5 bar food after 5pm before going out or to a show, but I don't recommend this place if you are a foodie. I had the arugula walnut salad and the crispy chicken parmigiana. Both dishes lacked flavor. Service was good though. Our server was very sweet and accommodating. read more

I've been here a few times over the years and they never disappoint! The food and specialty drinks are always amazing and the staff is well trained and professional. read more

Aria - Skip The Wine cocktail - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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