Culaccino Italian Restaurant Bar

Culaccino Italian Restaurant Bar

104 E Main St, Franklin, TN 37064, United States

+1 615-435-3539

Italian restaurant
(802)
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About This Place

Nestled in the heart of Franklin, Tennessee, Culaccino Italian Restaurant & Bar offers an authentic and elevated Italian dining experience that beautifully balances rustic tradition with modern flair. This charming eatery, located at 104 E Main St, invites guests to indulge in a thoughtfully curated menu that celebrates the rich flavors of Italy with a refined American touch.

Culaccino’s kitchen crafts each dish with meticulous attention to detail, using fresh, seasonal ingredients to bring out layers of flavor that dance on the palate. The Bread Service alone sets the stage—a warm, crusty delight perfect for pairing with their extensive wine list or thoughtfully prepared cocktails from the bar. Guests often rave about the impeccable wine selection, which complements every meal, from the light Burrata Salad with its vibrant burst of winter citrus and pine nuts to the hearty Piedmontese Beef Tartare, richly flavored and elegantly balanced.

Lunch at Culaccino is an inviting journey through Italy’s diverse regional tastes. Standouts such as the Campanelle pasta tossed in cream, truffle butter, prosciutto di Parma, and parmigiano create a luscious, velvety bite, while the Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe—simple yet sophisticated—delivers a perfect harmony of pecorino cheese and cracked black pepper that warms the senses. For those seeking a more adventurous palate, the Octopus Appetizer showcases tender, charred seafood layered with smoky, Mediterranean-inspired notes, while the Asparagus Fritters offer a delightful crunch with fresh seasonal flavors.

The brunch menu is equally enticing, featuring dishes like the Wood Oven Frittata with maitake mushrooms and taleggio cheese—the kind of robust, satisfying fare that feels like a loving embrace on a leisurely morning. The Panettone French Toast, kissed with orange mascarpone and local maple syrup, offers a tender sweetness that's both comforting and refined.

What truly stands out at Culaccino is the dedication to guest experience. Patrons frequently commend the staff’s warmth and expertise, highlighting how allergy and dietary accommodations, such as gluten-free options, are handled with thoughtful care and knowledge—making everyone feel welcomed and cared for. The service is attentive yet unpretentious, with bartenders like RJ providing not only exceptional craft cocktails but also enthusiastic local insights, enriching each visit beyond the meal itself.

The cozy and elegant atmosphere of Culaccino makes it a perfect spot whether you are enjoying a lively night out at the bar or a relaxed, intimate dinner. Whether diving into the rich Veal Ravioli or savouring the delicate Cannelloni followed by a traditional Cannoli or creamy Tiramisu Tray, diners leave with a lasting impression of quality, authenticity, and heartfelt hospitality.

In essence, Culaccino Italian Restaurant & Bar is more than just a place to eat—it’s a sensory journey to Italy’s culinary soul right in Franklin, where every bite and sip is infused with passion and refined craftsmanship. For lovers of genuine Italian cuisine and warm, thoughtful service, Culaccino promises an exquisite, memorable dining experience that will surely bring you back for more.

Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Great cocktails Great dessert Great wine list
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Food Happy-hour drinks Small plates Spirits Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet
Atmosphere
Cosy Romantic Trendy Upmarket
Crowd
Groups Tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Paid parking lot Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 01:00 AM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 01:00 AM
  • Saturday
    09:30 AM - 01:00 AM
  • Sunday
    09:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Elizabeth La Ville
    1 month ago

    Bradly the manager was the absolute best and Charlie our waiter was friendly and attentive. We had a great visit and definitely plan on returning. Italian can be difficult to navigate with my gluten free mother but they knew exactly how to help her. We appreciated that so much.

  • Alex Cruz
    2 month ago

    Absolutely fabulous experience!! The wine was AMAZING! Bread & feta was delicious. Pasta was also INSANE!! RJ was one of the best bartenders I’ve ever had!! Alex was awesome too! Place was wonderful. RJ gave us local recommendations of the area & awesome food recs! Would highly recommend to anyone in the area. Open late! Sit at the bar for a fabulous time! Thanks guys!!

  • tori n
    2 month ago

    Went for lunch & overall a solid experience. Drinks were fabulous. Calamari was delicious - loved the fried lemon slices in the dish. It was a nice surprise. Pasta left something to be desired. Noodles were very thick and slightly under, and there was a lot of salt - probably from the peccorino. Could've used a squeeze of lemon to brighten it up. Risotto needed salt and less time in the pot, texture was almost too soft. Dessert was delicious- raspberry paired really nicely with the chocolate. It was on the dense side but wasn't too sweet. Great balance. Overall, great experience. Wait staff were very attentive and helpful. Looking forward to coming back.

  • Bambi Darnell
    2 month ago

    My best friend and I had lunch here today. It was excellent from start to finish . We had the meatballs and asparagus fritters for appetizers, the risotto and chicken thighs for entrees . Every single morsel of food was delicious. Our server was magnificent. The wine manager helped me with my selection and my wine was fabulous . We had an overall great experience .

  • Michael C
    3 month ago

    Food is made fresh daily! Absolutely loved the Campanelle, the pork shank was delicious! We really enjoyed the asparagus fritters. The tiramisu came highly recommended by Charlie our server but was 86'd, we went with the pumpkin budino which was fabulous!!

  • Craig Ritchie
    3 month ago

    Great place for an evening meal. We sat outside, enjoying the cool weather that is so unusual in early August. The bread and spread arrived pretty quickly. My wife liked the spread and I thought it was just ok (I would rather have plain butter). She ordered gnocchi and I the ravioli. The sausage with fennel in the gnocchi has incredible flavor. I was grateful that we share our food :) The ravioli was also great, less striking in flavor than the gnocchi but with an incredibly mellow and smooth flavor. Both dishes were great and I would have them again. Our waiter was prompt and knowledgeable about the menu. The time it took to get our food seemed very reasonable. This will be a revisit for us when we come back to Franklin.

  • Aubrey Schumaker
    4 month ago

    If you are Gluten Free.. you need to RUN to this restaurant. They serve by far the BEST GF pasta in the area. I have tried so many italian restaurants in Middle tennessee and the flavor and texture of the noodles were perfect. So tasty. I specifically got the Campanelle and oh my! So delicious. They also have an amazing flourless chocolate cake that is divine. Usually when I've ordered flourless cakes in the past, they're SO rich. I can maybe have two bites. This cake? I devoured by myself. Perfection. Also, we ordered their special fall old fashioned but unfortunately only had enough to make one instead of three.. well they came up with a special old fashioned for two of us and wow was it good! I highly recommend this place! Everyone is so friendly too!

  • Leslie B
    4 month ago

    What a gem in downtown Franklin! We absolutely loved our experience at this amazing Italian restaurant. From the craft cocktails to the appetizers, salads, entrees, and even the gelato—everything was perfection. The watermelon spinach salad was a standout, with the perfect blend of fresh summer flavors. The atmosphere was warm, stylish, and welcoming. It’s such a treat to have a place like this in downtown Franklin, and we already can’t wait to go back!

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