This is my second time here. Menu varies throughout the year and always very interesting items. My only complaint is the serving sizes. For example, I love the meatball over polenta appetizer but there is such a small amount of polenta. And for the price, it would be nice to be have a little more pasta served with the entrees. I've never gotten a doggie bag here because the portions are small and after spending over $100 for 2, it would be nice to have a little bit of leftovers. That said, food is delicious and obviously all homemade. Cocktail selection is very unique, hip and good. Service is excellent and the servers really know their stuff! Service read more

Ilda - Sylva - Italian Near Me - Sylva, North Carolina

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This was my first time at Ilda and it was really good! We started with the grilled caesar salad which was my favorite thing! We also tried the mussels, mushroom fettuccine and a rabbit dish that I'm totally forgetting the name of. The rabbit dish was amazing but it had too much salt. The mushroom fettuccine on the other hand was lacking something, it didn't have that umami flavor to it. However, both were really good selections and you could tell that the pasta was handmade. As for the mussels they were good, but I probably wouldn't order them again. Our server was wonderful and the inside of Ilda is super cute! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends, but I think you need to make a reservation in advance. Also - give yourself some time to find parking ahead of time - they don't have a designated lot. read more

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A very charming and rustic Italian restaurant in the heart of the mountainous North Carolina terrain, Ilda stands out as one of those places that is worth visiting. Stepping inside, the interior doesn't immediately stand out as 'Italian' but rather has more of a cozy campfire cabin atmosphere that blends well perfectly with where the restaurant is located. Our server was attentive and excellent throughout the night keeping it fun and not stuffy. The Grilled Caesar Salad was awesome! The charred flavor really shines through and adds an extra layer to your traditional caesar. Plus, the traditional caesar elements (anchovies, cheese) had a great flavor and were more subtle compared to a traditional caesar. The umami-punch was more of a gradual increase versus all at once in your face. The Frito Mixto was great and I loved the black garlic aioli dipping sauce. The batter was healthy and crunchy, almost like a fish and chips batter-style. Karen's meatballs were to die for! Not only did the meatballs have a nice deep flavor and slight gritty texture (which I love), but the added polenta was a beautiful touch to a very classic dish. It served as the perfect blanket for the meatball and sauce. The Squid Ink Tortelloni was excellent and the crab flavor really came through. I enjoyed the overall seafood flavors and the bits of olives and pepperoncinis were a great acidic addition to create a more balanced bite. The local muchroom fettuccine was also amazing. The brown butter flavor is very prominent throughout and the mushrooms were delicious. These mushrooms even looked like meat (the stems were stringy similar to pulled pork) and tasted great. We ended the night with the Tiramisu which was good but not a huge highlight. The moonshine as their alcohol of choice to dip the cake in was nice, but I didn't really get an espresso flavor which for a tiramisu is core to its DNA. read more

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Visited again on this trip to Sylva since we had such a positive experience the late time. We came early on Fri around 5:30 and got the last table. It seems you really need a reservation to visit this place on a weekend. Ordered the Tuna & Blood Orange Carpaccio for a starter and Malfadine entree for myself and Pachieri for my bride. Once again, the food was outstanding. read more

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I have eaten at Ilda several times and I have enjoyed most things I have ordered. My favorite part of eating at Ilda is the unique takes they make so much so that I have ordered the same thing more than once and had different flavors. The service is always top notch, so attentive and friendly. The location is incredibly unique, it feels very homey and cozy. The bartenders are INCREDIBLE, they can make a very good drink and they typically use local ingredients I believe. I also cannot recommend the desserts enough! If nothing else I would recommend stopping in for dessert and a drink! read more

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Went to Ilda for my birthday while in Waynesville for a weekend. It was super yummy! Highly recommend!! Staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. Super cute and quaint inside. Highly recommend a reservation. read more

The food , drinks and service were excellent. We had :Caesar salad, Karen's meatballs( heavenly), Malfadine, mushroom fettuccine, Sylvin Ice for a cocktail, and for dessert , Tiramisu. All of their dishes have a twist , which takes an ordinary dish into something wonderful. Would highly recommend eating here!!! read more

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Loved this restaurant! Such a cute vibe inside. Made a last minute reservation (10 mins before) and were seated in 5 minutes. Staff was very friendly. Our server was so sweet! Street parking and parking lots available. The best Caesar salad I've ever had! Loved it so much. My friends and I all split dishes and the kitchen split them for us. Very thoughtful! All of the food was delicious. No complaints at all! Would order everything again. Drinks were good and homemade limoncello was really yummy. My friend is a tiramisu connoisseur and she rates this one a 9/10 (very high for her)! No gluten free pasta available tonight, they were out. read more

Ilda - Sylva - Tiramisu (with a birthday candle!) - Italian Near Me - Sylva, North Carolina

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Wow, what a treat hidden in the mountains of NC. We were visiting friends and took a little drive to Ilda for dinner one evening since it is one of their favorite restaurants. It is now one of my favorite restaurants but I across the country! Nooo! I had the Sakura reign and it was so subtle in regards to how strong it is. I really tasted the plum and the jasmine in this one. The grilled Caesar I was hesitant since I'm not an anchovies fan, but it was so good! The frito mixto was a little bready, but we still destroyed it. Karen's meatballs! Amazing texture and flavor. The star though was the polenta under the meatballs. I was scraping that bowl clean. My main was the local mushroom fettuccine and it is one of the best pasta dishes I've had a while. It was earthy and buttery with a good amount of mushrooms in the bowl. It's a must order. The tiramisu was the final boss since we were so full. I didn't get much espresso flavor, it was almost more on the amaretto side. It was really good though regardless. Everyone was so nice, our server was spectacular, and the vibes/ music were the best. read more

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Tiny little place with bar occupying much space. Strange offerings, ordered sphagetti, it tasted strange made with veal. Servings small, cost large. read more

The food is outstanding. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly and gave us enough space to connect with each other but never left us wondering where they were. Phenomenal wine and cocktails. I love the old funky windows and stained glass and low lighting. Very romantic. We enjoyed our meal and look forward to our next visit!! read more

Ilda has an inviting, warm atmosphere and excellent customer service. We had pre dinner cocktails that were delicious, the meatballs served on the creamiest polenta (or grits depending on your terminology) and a mushroom pasta and was divine. We sat at the bar which offered much to look at and great conversation (and service) with the bar tender, Ryan. I am not local and consider this on par with international cuisine. read more

So much potential here. Had reservations for Saturday night. Only had to wait a short while before getting seated. Love the ambience and the layout of the place. Definitely want to come back and try during the summer months to take advantage of the great patio. Drinks were tasty. Drink menu had a good cocktail variety. Ordered the Gray Eagle and the charcoal was a really cool twist. As for food, we got the Arancini, which was heavenly. We ordered strictly vegetarian, and that was the perfect starter for us. I ordered the rigatoni which was delicious. My problem with it was the portion size. I felt like for $24, it was not a hearty entree. The value wasn't there. Taste-wise it is a must order though - especially for vegetarians. My friend ordered the risotto and it was so salty that she couldn't even finish it. The saltiness and sourness of the lemon made it a terrible dish. I was also not a fan of the balsamic vinegar dip for the bread. Would have rather olive oil and spices instead or some sort of sauce. Definitely planning to give this place another try though. We didn't have dessert and next time I'd like to try a meat dish. Lots of potential here...just was overshadowed but some of the other places we tried. read more

Ilda - Sylva - Risotto and rigatoni - Italian Near Me - Sylva, North Carolina

This is by far my favorite place in Sylva and WNC for cocktails and food. Just the atmosphere, vibes, and bartender make it worth it! I absolutely love the Forgiato but literally any cocktail will be amazing. Everyone is very friendly and accommodating. The menu changes seasonally but is always good and I do recommend reservations! read more

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ILDA is the Treasurer of North Carolina! High level of High Art of Dinning !!!! Me and my Husband very appreciate Atmosphere and Quality and this our Happy Place in every aspect! They have very Unique Bar - Art of Lemonchella specially Created by ANTOINE and both Bartenders ANTOINE and RUAN makes YOU feel sincerely Welcome ! read more

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We hired Ilda to cater our wedding and they did not disappoint!! They exceeded our expectations and we are so thankful to them for making our day extra special. The food was excellent, chef set up a very cool grilling station right beside the party tent and it was so much fun to see him prepare the food right beside us. The entire team was attentive, courteous and fun. If you're hosting an event in Sylva, highly recommend trusting Ilda with the food and service read more

My husband and I celebrated my birthday here two weeks ago when visiting. What I liked: 1. Atmosphere and staff are extremely nice. Our waitress was super sweet and was very attentive even though she was the only one working the patio that night. 6 2 top tables and one large party table. She kept her cool for sure!! 2. Vibe was vibing!! Lots of locals seem to frequent there as each time I looked up, I heard one ask how their kids were. 3. I can't believe I'm saying this but the bathroom was SUPER cute!! And the candle they had in there was to die for. So there was only one thing that I didn't love and it was my dish. I got the dish with lamb in it and it was not that good to me. My husband loved his meal. The meatballs are excellent though. So overall I give it three stars because of the food and there was not an extensive menu with more options. read more

We visited Ilda for Mothers Day 2025. I can't express the exceptional level of hospitality I experienced here. Antione at the front was so friendly and welcoming and lovely. It felt like we'd been invited into his home for a meal. Our server Jalil had such a kindness about him and was amazing. He talked us through what to order and helped us craft a perfect meal. The food was incredible. The ceviche was amazing along with the pork chop, and the rabbit pasta. We had the tiramisu to finish out which was also perfect. Antione brought us a little taste of the house made lemoncello to wrap it all up. The cocktails were also terrific. I cannot stress enough how wonderful the service is here. We will definitely be back, it just feels nice to be here. read more

We have been to Ilda twice now and each time has been pretty good. I do like that they make updates to the menu giving you new options to try.It's great to see an Italian restaurant making fresh pasta in a small town like Sylva. We have never sat inside but the outside dining has always been great plus if you sit outside you can bring your dogs. We started off with drinks and I of course had to go with the Ilda Old Fashioned which was very good. My wife has has now tried a couple of their signature drinks and she enjoyed both of them. We also have now tried a number of the appetizers like the Burratta, Karen's Meatballs, and Gnoccho Frito. The Gnoccho Frito was not exactly what I was expecting but it was very good and different. The Meatballs were also good but a little pricey $16 for the number you get. From the 2 times we have been I have tried 2 different entrees ( well I guess 3 but I'll get to that). The first time I had the Squid Ink Conchiglioni which comes with Octopus Sugo, Capers, and Calabrian Chili Crumbs. Now I'm not a huge fan of Octopus but I still enjoyed it. I'm also a sucker for Squid Ink Seafood Pasta. My second time there I got the Fettuccine which was also good. I liked that in came with ham as a protein as well and was cream based. My mom in law loved the Fettuccine so I ended up switching it with her Mushroom Risotto which is saying a lot because I normally would never order anything with out meat or seafood in it but was shocked by how good it is. We also tried a number of their deserts like the Olive Oil Cake, Panna Cotta which his Berries, Balsamic, and Sorghum, and the Tiramisu which was my favorite. Really my only critiques with be that for the price the serving sizes are on the smaller side but that's normally how it is with fresh made pasta. I also wise that had some option to maybe add a protein to some the the dishes. Like a chicken or seafood. All and all service has always been great and we will for sure be back. read more

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We really enjoyed our dining experience at Ilda, we sat inside and while cozy, the decor is eclectic and the music was great, both my daughters commented how "hip" it was. Our server was professional, knowledgeable and very attentive, we were very pleased with the service. We had the ham and pastry appetizer (forgot the actual name) it comes with espresso butter and that was a real "Ratatouille moment" for me, perhaps the perfect bite! I had the Osso Bucco, a new item on the menu and it was tender and juicy. My wife had the trout with mussels and shrimp and she loved it. My daughters had pasta dishes and they were excellent. The wine list (all Italian) is small but perfectly paired for the cuisine, we had a Verdiccio that was amazing. We couldn't have hoped for a better night to catch up with our WCU student. This place is so good, I look forward to visiting the next 4 years! read more

Ilda of Sylva was a great setting to celebrate our daughter's birthday. The setting was just right from the live edge table, to the lighting and great music. Our wait staff were very attentive and did everything to make the night an experience to remember. We started out with expertly crafted cocktails that included the Pesca Nera, the Siena Sun and the Il Capitano. Each had unique and complex flavors that we each raves about. the Il Capitano was like having three different flavored cocktails in one as the frozen cube melted and transformed the flavor of the cocktail. This was unexpected, but showcases the artistry of the Ilda mixologist. We also ordered Karen's meatballs served over creamiest polenta. The appetizer was so good we wanted to lick the bowl, but we didn't. For our entrees we made a pact to order different dishes. We ordered the Mushroom Risotto, the Rigatoni with Nasturtium and the Spaghetti All Amatriciana. We passed each dish around and were pleasantly surprised to find each to be better than the previous. Our conclusions were incredibly fresh ingredients , prepared with care and full of great taste. Although we were full, we decided to indulge in the tiramisu and the banana brûlée. Each were very good, but the tiramisu with moonshine is not to be missed. An added bonus was a round of their homemade limoncello. Perfection! We enjoyed a memorable meal and great evening celebrating our daughter. read more

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Okay, there is much to like about Ilda. The people are nice and friendly. The food is very tasty. There is indoor and outdoor seating beside a stream. However, our family dined there yesterday evening around 5:00 p.m. Saturday (drove in from Waynesville). Start-to-finish, it took a full TWO HOURS. It took twenty minutes just to get water. We didn't even have desert. Our food came out one dinner at-a-time, then wait, then another, then wait, then another. After asking, they mentioned that they were "short staffed." I can appreciate that. But never an apology from anyone. Nothing gratis. It was literally painful to sit through the longest dining experience I have ever had. No plans to return. read more

Adding to the trend of fantastic food and drinks - we had fettuccine and hubby rigatoni with old-fashioned drinks; their classic meatballs and finish with a delicious limoncello- totally awesome- thank you read more

Ilda - Sylva - Angie and hubby Steve. His daughter Emily and boyfriend Lloyd - Italian Near Me - Sylva, North Carolina

Superb food. We had their homemade pasta and sautéed Sea Bass. Excellent service. Nice ambiance, but loud from customers conversations and bar. Still very much worth the visit!. read more

Too good!!! You hear great things about this restaurant and it more than lives up to its name. They don't just combine ingredients without purpose. Everything compliments the dishes. I would highly suggest trying Ilda!! The service and food are transformative!! read more

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Food was ok, restaurant cute, staff interesting. Very salty food. They make everything on site which is good but husband's pork chop was dry and my rabbit was very salty. The salad was bland except the overwhelming arugula read more

It's very cute and has a lot of potential. We liked the Caesar salad. The other food we had was like not pleasant to eat? Like way too salty (tuna and mushroom fettuccini). Was bummed because it really is a cute place. The prices don't match the quality. read more

I heard great things about this place , finally made it in . Top notch food and drinks . Im very picky with Italian food, growing up in an Italian family with the best homemade Italian . The meatballs were excellent , made with pork , lamb and beef . Loved the polenta mixed in . The drinks were also very fresh and excellent , We will be back for sure . Excellent service and setting . read more

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The food and ambiance really stands out in such a small town, but the service is lacking to the point that is makes wanting to return difficult. Certain servers seem to have more issues than others (for instance, everyone with our server was at the restaurant waiting for food well after all other sections had left). Despite this, the pasta is hand cut and sauces will blow your mind. read more

When my wife recommended we try Ilda in Sylva, NC, we looked at the menu and while the prices are what one would expect for fine dining, I was concerned with that thing that's happened too many times where you expect fine dining and end up with mediocre food and service and end up pissed off because it wasn't worth it. I'm happy to say that our gamble paid off and that is NOT THE CASE with Ilda. As a commercial airline pilot I've flown all over the world over the 40 years I've been working and have eaten everywhere from Vietnam to Buenos Aires, from Dubai to Rome and the fact is that Ilda stands out as one of the best restaurants I've ever experienced -- and it's in SYLVA, NC! My wife and have foolishly not chanced it in the four years it's been open because - well, we just didn't know. Last night we walked in and while we couldn't get a table (I suggest you have a reservation!), but thankfully there were seats at the bar. We were greeted by Ryan and Antoine who provided outstanding cocktails, service, and conversation. The menu is awesome so as usual, we over ate, but everything we tasted was perfect. We had Karen's Meatballs as an appetizer which will be hard not to order when we return. We split a Grilled Caesar which had Anchovy Breadcrumbs that were packed with flavor, and we ordered the Mafaldini and Local Mushroom Fettuccine as entrees. Everything, and I mean everything - again the service, the atmosphere, the conversation, and the food were excellent. Unfortunately there was no belly room left for desert, though next time we go I'd like to try the Tiramisu which is highly recommended. All I can say is that Ilda is not what I'd expect to find in Sylva, NC. It is truly on par with any of the best food I've experienced in Italy. If you don't go it gives us a better chance of getting a table next time. read more

Delightfully surprising upscale dining in the mountains with a great story behind it. They have a professional mixologist and wow did the artisanal cocktails taste and creativity reflect that! Genius! The server was good but new and through no fault of his own, he wasn't very knowledgeable of the menu. Our experience has been that when you dine at an establishment like this, the chef has the servers taste much of the menu and familiarize them with lesser known items such as an obscure pasta, had to keep going back to ask questions. My husband got the lamb bolognese which he enjoyed but couldn't taste the lamb, as well as an outstanding Cesar salad if you like anchovies and I ordered the "local pesto " on a special shaped pasta (all pasta made in house) with lions mane mushrooms and it was divine! Having eaten lions mane just sautés in a pan, it really didn't need to be covered up with a pesto. but it was delicious nonetheless the less. The missing star is for the extremely uncomfortable chairs. I know they don't want people to camp out all night but Jesus , Mary and Joseph give us a cushion! Felt worse than pews at church. Although it was not inexpensive, I would definitely go back as the elevated flavors were very much worth it and linen napkins ! read more

I was visiting from California. Cute little place and the food is phenomenal! We shared plates of several courses and it was exquisite if I do say so properly to the definition. Too hungry and delicious to take photos of the main course as but here is dessert which was also 5/5 Please visit when in town! read more

Ilda - Sylva - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Sylva, North Carolina

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We were able to walk-in and get a table immediately without a reservation at about 5pm on a Friday night. Servers were very attentive and helpful with making our dinner selections. The best grilled romaine Caesar salad I have ever had! Cocktails are out of this world - I had the masquerade, a charred pineapple mezcal concoction, and it was fabulous. read more

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Great food. Unique. Barrata with strawberries and asparagus drizzled with balsamic glaze and served with pork rinds. So odd but so Gooood! Highly recommend read more

Ilda - Sylva - Barrata pork rinds strawberries asparagus balsamic glaze - Italian Near Me - Sylva, North Carolina

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Jalil was one of the best servers I've ever had! The food, the drinks, the prices- all so good!! Can't wait to return on our next trip to Sylva read more

The absolute best meal I have had in a very long time. Staff is wonderful. Taste buds exploded.

Loved this local Sylva gem. The pasta and wine was delicious. Our server was prompt and attentive. Dessert was equally impressive as well.

The food is delicious and unique. The drinks are amazing and very creative. The atmosphere is very nice and cozy. The service is good.

Horrible policies at this place, my partner came in at 4pm because the door was wide open. Asked for a piece of Tiramisu to go. The staff told her they don't open till 5pm even though the doors were wide open. So they said to come back later. She comes back at 5 and they told her they "DON'T do to-go orders, you must sit down and order at least a drink" my girl friend is forced to order a soda, sit there after waiting that whole hour. Anyone that has worked in food services Knows this is ridiculous, it's not like they made the tiramisu that hour, it was sitting in a fridge at 4pm. #boycottIlda read more

Ilda - Sylva - Raviolis and cashew crème sauce made by ME - Italian Near Me - Sylva, North Carolina

Fantastic food even better service. Food was simple but excellent, fresh, seasonally appropriate, and a steal for the quality. We were incredibly well taken care of. Our server was thoughtful and attentive without being intrusive and enhanced our dining experience tremendously. Cody made this a regular spot for us. read more