Very nice Italian restaurant. A bit more formal than most, but very friendly and inviting. Great variety on the menu, excellent service and attention to detail. read more

Quality is always spot on, judge for yourself. Order any fish and if you don't like fish take a look at another's plate, perfectly executed every time, crispy skin succulent meat. Never a disappointment and the staff are very helpful! read more

We stopped during a road trip and had a very nice meal with great service. Ordered the halibut which was delicious. Also the risotto and scallops - very good. We sat outside and it was perfect weather. Indoor seating would have been loud for us, but others might enjoy. Recommend! read more

Wonderful atmosphere . Even more incredible food and service. I had the special for the evening which was a roasted duck and it was phenomenal. My husband had a pasta dish and was the best one that he's ever had. And our server Sawyer was very attentive and we highly recommend him. We will be back hopefully very soon! read more

Terrific service tonight, which is the norm. The food was good as always. I really enjoy their Arancini (fried risotto balls). I understand that this is a cut above dining but 7.50 for a draft is silly. read more

Went there tonight for first time to this new Italian restaurant; probably the best in the Chattanooga region. Coming from Brooklyn I am quite particular about Italian food. Started with some wine (happy hour - half price); fried ravioli with vodka tomato sauce. We ordered pork scaloppini (excellent), eggplant (2nd best ever. Our granddaughter had red snapper- which was less than expectation; at which time they brought salmon for her without cost or question. We also met one of the owners Dan and the manager who were both engaging and quite helpful. We will return! read more

Love this place but The food service was SLOW Tonight. Our waiter did his very best to make up for it and so did the host. We will be back chalking it up to just an off night. read more

We ate dinner there on Halloween. Ordered a 5 piece charcuterie board for an appetizer. In all honesty, we didn't love it. The pickled veggies, roasted garlic, and raspberry sauce did not go well with the cheese and meat. We love the boards at Wine Down, so next time we will only order it there. My husband had the meatballs which were good, but too much of the same thing. I had the rigatoni arrabbiata with sausage. It was delicious. Next time we visit, I will order the lobster risotto or some type of fish. Our server was very good, so overall a great experience. read more

Matthew, our server was awesome. The food was amazing. The bolognese sauce was to die for, the fried ravioli... hello it's fried stiff with cheese Matthew was super knowledgeable about the menu, the best food to order etc. Highly recommend him as a server! As a side note, my husband and I are new to Tennessee and do not have any affiliation with him whatsoever; just got lucky on an awesome server. Other than the girl at the front who wouldn't look at us or make eye contact with her crazy purple lips and like green nails, we have no complaints. Go get yourself some amazing grub!! read more

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This restaurant is one I will frequent. The food is good - the menu selection is varied and creative- service is extraordinary.

We have had many excellent dinners at Il Primo! The bar is fantastic and the food is better. The restaurant is fairly loud due to the design but they have made efforts to dampen the noise. read more

Wonderful Italian cuisine but you must have the lemonchello! The staff is very accommodating and made my birthday dinner wonderful!

I was treated to a Valentines dinner herr and was very pleased. From the service to the food the entire experience was worth it. It's an upscale Italian restaurant. The dim lights and the setting is worth it for a romantic evening. read more

Thrilled that IL Primo is in Cambridge Square. So awesome that Will is the Assistant Manager. He is a super nice guy and knows the business. Our waitress Ashley was the best. Love the atmosphere inside. The food is excellent as always. This location will be one of our favorites. Try it you will not be disappointed. read more

Great atmosphere, friendly and knowledgeable service. I went with my mom and sister. We each ordered different entrees. My filet was outstanding, the market fish was great, and the winter vegetable farrow was also great. We had reservations and were sat immediately. I would definitely recommend it for families or date nights. read more

This place rocks!!! The service was out standing and the food was great. You have to make a reservation, but easy using Yelp!!!

I went to Il Primo on Wine Wednesday. We chose the Cabernet, it was great! The server brings out bread with an olive oil based dip. I chose Chicken Marsala for my entree. It was all delicious!! read more

Wonderful dining experience! Food was superb! Great ambience, attentive, yet non obtrusive, wait staff. Convenient location and beautiful restaurant. So good I went back two nights later . For dinner or drinks this is a PERFECT destination. read more

There are two things I look for when I go out to eat, good service and a great menu. IL Primo met the mark on both accounts and it might have been even a little better than I expected. Four of us dined there for the first time and when I looked at the plates when we were done there was nothing left. Everyone enjoyed their meal very much. I like the service to be attentive to the customer, not just take an order and walk away. Our server was very pleasant and always came back to check to see if we needed anything. She also had a pleasant smile and made sure we understood what our meals were like. It made you feel like you were getting personal attention. We will return to try something different just because everything looked so good. Highly recommend! read more

Best restaurant in the Chattanooga/Ooltewah area hands down! I find myself eating here at least once a week, if not more. The chicken piccata is super tender and the lemon caper sauce is to die for. The butternut squash risotto with sea scallops is another incredible dish. The scallops are always cooked to perfection and I can't even begin to explain how incredible the risotto is. The service is always on point as well. Seriously cannot think of one single complaint, keep up the good work IL Primo! read more

My husband and I came in for dinner just a couple weeks after they opened. It was very busy, and we were glad we made a reservation. Service was good and attentive. We ordered a bottle of the Conundrum California red wine, which we are familiar with and it did not disappoint. We started with an appetizer of feta and spicy marinara with crostini. The sauce was fantastic!! I would definitely order that again, for the sauce alone (I'm definitely a sauce girl!!). Our entrées came with silence: my husband ordered the arugula with burrata and balsamic vinegar, and I ordered the Cesar with housemaid dressing and anchovy. Both salads were very good, although we would have liked a little bit more dressing. For dinner, my husband had the four cheese penne, which was the epitome of a grown-up version of mac & cheese. I would've found that a bit too heavy for my full entrée, but I had four or five bites and it was perfect. I ordered the salmon caponata. The salmon was perfectly cooked, medium rare with nice grill marks and crispness on the outside, but very tender on the inside. The eggplant caponata was a fabulous sauce and I nearly licked the plate clean. For dessert, we shared the tiramisu, of which every component is made in house. It was quite good, and one of the best tiramisu desserts that I have ever had. I look forward to coming back again soon. read more

I've never had a bad meal at the original Il Primo on Chattanooga's North Shore, and I've recommended it to many friends, but I think my first dinner at their new Cambridge Square location in Ooltewah was my favorite so far. The grilled amberjack was delicious and served with a wonderful medley of grilled vegetables. I selected spaghetti as my side (hold the marinara, please) and found that the hint of oil and juice on my plate from the veggies was just the right amount to season my pasta perfectly. The bread and dipping oil were SO tasty and way too tempting, but I managed to stop before completely wrecking my diet. I recommend their caprese salad but admit I skipped it this time because of everything else I intended to devour. Taylor, our server, was friendly, professional, and attentive (without hovering), allowing us to have a relaxed, most enjoyable family visit over dinner. I look forward to going back -- to both Il Primo locations! read more

Not only do we love the food here, we also come here for the amazing staff! We make a trip to Primo weekly and have created a great relationship with the manager as well as many bartenders and waitresses. We ask for David everytime we come, he is the absolute best! All the food is to die for and they have a great drink selection. Get the Burrata as an appetizer and any of the pasta/chicken for an entree. You won't be disappointed with any of it. Cannot recommend this place enough, go here if you have the chance!! read more

Meat in the lasagne was too salty and for a dry grilled chicken breast to go into my already $14 pasta dish was an additional $9. I don't mind paying for good food but this place was not it for me. read more

Exceptional Italian food, by far the best in the area. This place is high class all the way. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and went out his way to talk to the chef about a special request. Owner operator was in the lobby cordially greeting everyone that came in. You'll never leave disappointed. read more

Let's say this place is geared towards the people who like their food somewhat fancy and it is not for the average Joe. That means one the food costs a bit above average price two the portions size is a bit smaller. The service is great the food is very good . I got this Alaskan Halibut is tasted great with the relish type sauce that barely covered it but what the fish was not a fillet. The portion size was that of a large fish stick. It looked like it list a whole lot of weight swimming here from Alaska. Of course the special came with one side which made the over priced special somewhat more justified. My wife got lasagna Bolognese. It was decent sized and great tasting. Dessert was very good Drinks were par for the course. Over all this is your upscale joint great for hanging at the bar or getting a good to great tasting meal but you better order a appetizer or you might have to stop at some of other good food joints next door to make your stomach happy read more

So happy this is in ooltewah. Perfect date night restaurant. I suggest you make a reservation. The wait is always long because it's a great place. read more

Incredible atmosphere, easy to choose from menu! Highly recommend for a special occasion!

Great Italian restaurant. Great food, great atmosphere. Everything on the menu is delicious...never disappointed. If you like martinis, try the Limincello!!! read more

Came here for dinner st 5:30 pm- they were 'out of cioppino'. Left and got a pizza from Lupi's - much better!

I would give IL Primo 5 stars but for the noise. It is one of loudest restaurants we have been to. Now for the atmosphere and food, probably one of the best restaurants in Chattanooga. We have never had a bad meal or service. When we have guests from out of town, IL Primo is where we take them. read more

Excellent Italian food and classy atmosphere. Not your run of the mill Italian food. Unique and fresh and a wide variety. Excellent service as well. But not cheap, not even average prices. Pricey, but well worth it. Great place for a date or to bring visiting friends or relatives. Delicious. read more

Wonderful addition to the Cambridge Square/Ooltewah area. Food is always consistently delicious. Staff are friendly and attentive. Russell at the bar is awesome!! read more

First visit to Il Primo based on a recommendation. It was 8 on a Friday eve. Very busy. Bit of a wait but was seated at a lounge table to wait. My first impression was Ashley, who was quick to get me whatever I needed. She offered bread while waiting. She made me feel like it mattered I was there even though she knew she wouldn't be my server. She set a great first impression to the restaurant. I tipped her after the wait which she insisted I need not do. The wait wasn't long and we were seated with Christy. She was very friendly and professional. I ordered the burrata for appetizer. I liked it but I didn't love it. I would try something else next time. I had chicken picatta and a side of roasted brussel sprouts. The chicken was good but I expected great. The sprouts were overcooked for my taste but Christy happily offered an alternative and some polenta while that cooked. I would definitely go back and try more! read more

We absolutely Love Il Primo...so excited they are in Ooltewah now. Awesome food, staff and service!!

I have always wanted to try this place since I live close by on Hunter Road. We usually go to Tony's Italian Restaurant in downtown Chattanooga but wanted to stay close to home last night. We went to eat here to celebrate my 56th birthday and the place was packed which usually means the food and the experience will be amazing. Well, it was not. First off it took almost 15 mins for a waiter to come to our table after we were seated. We asked for water with lemon and got no lemon. We got bread and 20mins later the waiter shows up again to take our order which we waited another 20 mins for. My wife and I both ordered the Faroe Island Salmon and were disapointed that it was dry and had way to much sauce on it. My wife ordered a side of Broccoly and it was very soggy and overcooked/steamed. We did not ask for a replacement dish since we were so hungry and the wait would have added to our hunger. At the prices they are charching one would expect perfect service and food. It may be a while before we try this place again if we ever do so. read more