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Welcome to Spazio Vino & Cucina
Welcome to Spazio Vino & Cucina, an authentic Roman hostaria located in Holly Springs, NC. Helmed by Chef Paolo from Rome, this charming eatery offers a delightful blend of traditional Italian cuisine, featuring standout dishes like their rich, homemade lasagna and light, airy Pinsa Romana pizzas. With seasonal menu changes and a commitment to quality ingredients—including rare truffles—Spazio ensures every visit is memorable. The warm, inviting atmosphere makes it perfect for special occasions or casual dining, while the attentive service from Barrett enhances the experience. Dive into their exceptional wine selections and cooking classes for a true Italian escapade right in your neighborhood.
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About
Spazio Vino & Cucina
Welcome to Spazio Vino & Cucina, a delightful escape nestled in the heart of Holly Springs, North Carolina. This intimate eatery, located at 128 Bass Lake Rd, has quickly become a beloved retreat for those yearning for authentic Italian flavors. With Chef Paolo at the helm, hailing from Rome, you’re guaranteed an experience that echoes the culinary artistry of Italy.
As soon as you step inside, the warm atmosphere welcomes you like an old friend. The friendly vibe, coupled with outstanding service from Barrett and the team, makes every visit special. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or simply indulging in a weeknight meal, Spazio feels like a home away from home. Just ask regulars like Shelli Smith, who dine here weekly, finding joy in every bite of the melt-in-your-mouth lasagna and the expertly crafted pizza with creamy burrata.
What sets Spazio apart is not just the food, but the quality of ingredients. Diners rave about the authenticity, with dishes like the traditional Bolognese lasagna and Pinsa Romana—a unique Roman-style pizza—that transports you straight to Italy. Phillip Clark's review captures the essence perfectly, highlighting the rich yet delicate flavors of the homemade dishes. The combination of imported ingredients and local produce reflects a commitment to excellence that resonates with every guest.
Spazio goes beyond mere dining; it’s an experience. The menu changes seasonally, enticing patrons to return and explore new flavors regularly. From truffle-infused delicacies to artisan beers sourced directly from Italy, every detail is thoughtfully curated. Events like wine dinners and cooking classes add another layer of charm to this gem of a restaurant, as highlighted by Peter Starkweather’s delightful event for his wife’s birthday.
At Spazio Vino & Cucina, you’re not just enjoying a meal; you’re participating in a love story told through culinary masterworks. If you're in Holly Springs and looking for an authentic taste of Italy, you owe it to yourself to experience Chef Paolo’s creations. With every visit, you’ll understand why loyal patrons deem it one of the best dining spots in the area. Bon appétit!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Authentic, chef Paolo is from Rome. Lasagna is the original recipe from Bologna. Barrett is eager to please and provides wonderful service. Quality ingredients. One of the few places you can get truffles. Truly one of the best pizzas I’ve had- crust is light airy, crispy, and no heavy gut bomb. Lamb is wonderful. Menu changes seasonally to keep you coming back. Cheers! ”
“ We're longtime fans of Spazio since they opened here in Holly Springs. What an awesome spot! They were kind enough to host our private event recently, dinner for 20 people, for my wife's birthday. Chef Paolo and Barrett made it a very special evening. Amazing food, wine and service. Great for special occasions or no occasion at all! Check out their wine dinners and cooking classes as well. Highly recommend! ”
“ Such a Great Spot! Paolo is an awesome chef and just a genuinely great guy. The vibe here is super friendly and laid-back—you really feel like you’re being welcomed into someone’s home. And the beer? Incredible. Real artisan stuff straight from Italy that you don’t find everywhere. It’s the perfect place to chill, have some amazing food, and enjoy something different. Highly recommend checking it out. Paolo’s the real deal! ”
“ My husband and I dine here weekly! The food, atmosphere, and service is incredible. If you want true authentic Italian cuisine and are in Holly Springs, you have to visit Spazio. From the pizza (with birrada- yumm!) to the - no lie - melt in your mouth lasagna, after dinning here you will most definitely be back! ”
“ SPAZIO is an exceptional traditional Roman Hostaria nestled right in the heart of Holly Springs; an absolute gem for anyone who appreciates authentic Italian cuisine and wine. We began with the Pinsa Romana, a Roman-style pizza featuring biologic tomato sauce, creamy burrata, fresh basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. It was outstanding; rustic, flavorful, and reminiscent of old-world Italy. A perfect start to the meal. For the main course, my wife ordered the Porchetta, a crackling-coated pork roast infused with garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and rosemary, served with salsa verde. It was masterfully prepared; crispy on the outside, tender inside, and surprisingly peppery without being overpowering. I chose the Lasagna, made with homemade pasta, beef and pork Bolognese, bechamel, and Parmigiano Reggiano. It was incredible; rich but not heavy, deeply flavorful, and undoubtedly one of the most authentic takes on lasagna outside of Italy. My wife even tried to trade dishes with me after a single bite! For dessert, the Tiramisu was fresh, house-made, and delicious; light, creamy, and perfectly balanced. I had the Panna Cotta, also made in-house, which was smooth, subtly sweet, and wonderfully refreshing. While the restaurant is a bit on the pricier side, it’s absolutely worth every penny. The quality of the ingredients; many of which are imported, shines through in every bite. Spazio Vino & Cucina offers a dining experience that feels like a true Italian escape, right here in North Carolina. Highly recommended! ”
“ This is our favorite restaurant in the area! Best Italian food I’ve had other than when I went to Italy! Chef Paulo puts his heart and soul into hand making every single meal with the freshest ingredients, hand selecting wines imported from Italy. It is smaller portions, but everything is relative...Americans are used to giant portions lol but I feel like these are very reasonable for a single adult serving, and priced fairly given the labor and quality of ingredients that goes into it. ”
“ Best Italian in the area by far. Amazing atmosphere, amazing service from Barrett. Personalized as well as Paolo, the executive chef, visited the table. The lasagna was to die for. I never get pork fillet but was fantastic with thin prosciutto on top. Affogato is spectacular. Cacio e Pepe and Panna Cotta were also amazing additions to this romantic birthday evening. I love hearing Dean Martin, Sinatra in the background while eating and drinking food sourced from Italy. Bought a to-go bottle of numbered, exclusive wine only Spazio sells. Will be back soon to try the rest of the menu!! ”
“ Well-appointed decor is modern, clean yet cozy and with ample outdoor seating for summer nights.The owner was careful to schedule reservations that night because they were down to only one server and one bus boy. We did have to be patient but service was still timely and Pietro was enthusiastic and helpful especially in having solid answers to our questions. I can't eat conventional wheat so I asked about their homemade pasta and was pleased to discover that they use wheat imported from Italy, which I can handle! Drinks were Negroni Spagliato and Limoncello Spritz (so refreshing); Bresaola appetizer; Ravioli special for him and the haddock special, cooked in tomatoes, olives and Cannelini beans for her, and tiramisu for both. The pasta (filled with ricotta, parmesan and lemon zest) was cooked perfectly al dente, the sauce balanced and the interior had a nice light citrus finish. The haddock was flaky and tender and beans were creamy. I just needed some bread to "simot" the sauce! I loved that the tiramisu was not overly sweet and the ladyfingers, while it soaked up all that rich espresso, still had some tooth (neither crunchy nor soggy). As other reviews note, the portions seem small, but I think that's because we've lost sense of what true portion sizes are supposed to be - we came away "comfort full". To note - there is no kids menu and there are no substitutions (the menu - it is what it is). Pricey (I blame inflation and the narrow margins of profit in the resto business) but unpretentious, our experience with the food thus far is that it lets the quality of the ingredients shine. Pietro is from Italy himself and his manner definitely ignited wanderlust to go to Italy! They also offer cooking classes. Looking forward to exploring more of the menu. ”