Downtown Asheville’s favorite italian since 2012

Strada Italiano honors Chef Anthony Cerrato’s Italian heritage and hospitality with authentic, house-made pasta and regional Italian specialties that are prepared à la minute (aka cooked to order) in a cozy old world-style trattoria in downtown Asheville, NC. The adjoining Social Lounge at Strada is Asheville’s original rooftop cocktail bar, offering an alfresco dining experience. Whether you're craving the best Italian food in Asheville or looking for gluten-free Italian options, Strada offers something for everyone, crafted with high-quality, Italian imports and locally sourced ingredients and time-honored recipes.

Meet Anthony

A multi-generational restauranteur, Chef Anthony Cerrato has been a long-time culinary fixture serving the Asheville community. He’s a second-generation Italian-American, with family ties to Sicily, Puglia, Campagna, Tuscany, and the Piemonte regions of Italy. Born in New Jersey and moving to Asheville after graduating high school, Anthony trained in his father’s kitchens and at A-B Tech’s distinguished Culinary Arts and Hospitality program. He opened Strada Italiano and adjoining Social Lounge rooftop cocktail bar in 2012, bringing the first ever Feast of the Seven Fishes Italian-American holiday tradition to Asheville. In 2022, with his son Gabe Cerrato he opened Gemelli in West Asheville.

Gluten-Free & Allergy-Friendly Dining

Strada Italiano is proud to be a top allergy-friendly Italian restaurant in Asheville, offering a variety of gluten-free pasta alternatives, dairy-free options, and flavorful vegetarian and vegan Italian dishes. Our dedicated kitchen team carefully prepares each dish à la minute to accommodate special dietary needs while delivering the rich, authentic flavors of traditional Italian cuisine.

Our Commitment to sustainability

We’re proud to be a Certified Green Restaurant in Asheville, committed to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Since 2012, we annually meet certification levels set forth by the Green Restaurant Association, which provides a transparent way to measure a restaurant’s environmental accomplishments and provides a pathway for improvements. We prioritize eco-friendly operations, including composting, recycling, energy-efficient appliances, and sourcing from local farms. Our dedication to reducing our environmental footprint ensures that we provide the best Italian dining experience in Asheville while supporting a healthier planet.

Giving Back to Our Asheville Community

At Strada Italiano, we believe in supporting our local Asheville community. Through partnerships with local farmers, food banks, and many nonprofit organizations, we strive to give back by donating meals, participating in charity events, and sourcing our ingredients from sustainable local suppliers. We are proud to be a community-focused Italian restaurant in Asheville, dedicated to making a positive impact while serving the best authentic Italian cuisine in town.

Discover Gemelli

Strada’s sister restaurant, Gemelli (juh-MEL-lee), opened in 2022. It’s a type of twisty pasta whose name is derived from the Italian word for “twins,” and was inspired by owner Anthony Cerrato’s young twin daughters. The kitchen is helmed by Anthony’s son, Executive Chef Gabe Cerrato, and is an extension of their family’s Italian heritage and foodways. Located in a casual, European-inspired setting in West Asheville, Gemelli serves simple, flavorful Italian food prepared with house-made pasta and fresh, quality ingredients, and offers many gluten-free and diet-sensitive options. Join us for dinner or one of our monthly Wine By the Vines dinner series, which transports dinners to palate-pleasing destinations around the world.

Strada | noun /strà•da/