There’s something comforting about a good lasagna, a brick-oven pizza or a slice of tiramisu. Italian food has long been a staple in American homes, but sometimes it’s even better when someone else does the cooking.
That’s part of the appeal of Basilwood Kitchen, a new fast-casual Italian restaurant that recently opened in Edgewater. The locally owned neighborhood spot is putting an elevated spin on quick, approachable Italian food, with fresh pasta made daily, hand-stretched artisan pizzas, house-made breads and sauces, and Italian specialties available to take home.
Basilwood joins a strong lineup of Italian restaurants around Anne Arundel County, giving diners even more options whether they’re looking for a quick family dinner, an easy meal after a busy day or a more leisurely night out.
Basilwood Kitchen
Newly opened in Edgewater, Basilwood Kitchen is a locally owned fast-casual Italian restaurant focused on scratch-made food and quality ingredients. Its neo-Neapolitan pizzas are made with finely milled “00” flour, while pasta is extruded fresh daily from 100% semolina using traditional bronze dies. Guests can even watch the pasta-making process through a window into the kitchen. Menu highlights include chicken Parmesan, four-cheese pizza, Sunday gravy with rigatoni, braised beef and meatballs, and an Italian chopped salad. Basilwood also offers fresh pasta, house-made sauces and a curated selection of Italian specialties to take home.
Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen & Wine Bar
Offering dine-in, carryout and delivery through Grubhub and DoorDash, Carpaccio combines a sophisticated atmosphere with a comforting Italian menu. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak hours. The menu starts with antipasti such as fried or grilled calamari, truffle fries, meatballs, bruschetta and carpaccio di manzo. Diners can also choose from salads, soups and brick-oven pizzas, along with an extensive selection of pasta, risotto, seafood, veal, chicken and beef dishes. A lengthy drinks menu includes wine, whiskey, cocktails and dessert martinis.
InGrano Annapolis
Since opening its West Annapolis doors in January 2024, InGrano has quickly become a community favorite. Its polished menu and intimate atmosphere make it a natural date-night choice, with dishes ranging from crudo and its inventive lasagna dumplings to fresh pasta, pan-seared halibut, steaks, scallops and salmon Wellington. The beverage menu includes cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer and alcohol-free wine. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday for dinner and occasionally offers Sunday pop-ups.
La Posta Pizzeria
Located in Severna Park, La Posta leans into traditional Italian pizza-making, using imported Caputo “00” flour and San Marzano D.O.P. tomatoes. Its pizzas are hand-crafted and baked in a wood-burning oven that reaches more than 900 degrees. The menu includes more than a dozen pizzas, along with build-your-own options and classic Italian sandwiches available during lunch hours. La Posta also offers weekly wine specials and happy hour deals. The restaurant is closed Mondays.
Luna Blu Ristorante Italiano
Luna Blu offers both lunch and dinner, with menus featuring pizza, sandwiches, pasta, seafood and other Italian favorites. Dinner options range from baked brie, crab bruschetta and calamari to classic pasta dishes featuring spaghetti, tortellini and other favorites, along with salmon, rockfish and sea bass. Desserts provide a sweet finish, and a select carryout pizza menu is also available. Hours vary by day, so diners should check ahead before visiting.
Osteria 177
Located in downtown Annapolis, Osteria 177 aims to bring the flavors of the Italian coast to the heart of the city. Its menu features antipasti including prosciutto, carpaccio, burrata and grilled octopus, followed by a wide selection of pasta such as lasagna, linguine, rigatoni, gnocchi, cavatelli, pappardelle and fettuccine. Seafood and meat-focused entrées round out the menu. Dinner is served daily, with lunch available Fridays. Because hours can change, the restaurant recommends confirming closing times before visiting.
Positano Ristorante and Pizzeria
Inspired by the town of Positano on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, this West Annapolis restaurant brings Southern Italian flavors to the area. Guests can start with familiar favorites such as burrata, beef carpaccio, charcuterie, meatballs and fried calamari before moving on to pizza, pasta, gnocchi and other entrées. Dessert options include tiramisu, crème brûlée and affogato.
From long-standing favorites to newcomers like Basilwood Kitchen, there’s no shortage of ways to satisfy an Italian food craving in Anne Arundel County. Whether the plan calls for a date night, pizza with the family or fresh pasta to bring home, there’s likely a spot nearby ready to do the cooking.
Annapolis Moms Deal Drop | Aug. 27, 2026