QUICK SUMMARY
Vestavia Hills has a new sit-down Italian restaurant. Pazzo Italian opened the week of August 19, 2026 at 2516 Rocky Ridge Road, in the former Napoli Pizza space behind the water fountain. Owner Mohammed “Mo” Ezez brings 40 years of restaurant experience and a menu that runs from Rigatoni Bolognese and gnocchi to gelato flights and limoncello cake. It is the second Pazzo location in the Birmingham metro, joining Pazzo Big Slice Pizza in Hoover. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Good news for pasta lovers over the mountain. Vestavia Hills just added a true sit-down Italian restaurant to its dining scene, and it comes from an owner with four decades in the kitchen. Here is what to know about Pazzo Italian, and why steady restaurant growth like this keeps Vestavia one of the metro’s most wanted addresses.
What is Pazzo Italian?
Pazzo Italian is a new full-service Italian restaurant that started serving guests the week of August 19, 2026, as first reported by Bham Now. Owner Mohammed Ezez, known to his staff as “Mo,” has spent 40 years in the restaurant business. He says the menu will change from time to time, with daily specials to keep things fresh.
The menu already covers a lot of ground:
1. Pasta classics. Rigatoni Bolognese, which Mo says is the most popular dish so far, plus gnocchi and spaghetti and meatballs.
2. Beyond pasta. Chicken piccata, burrata salad, and a baked spinach and goat cheese souffle.
3. Desserts worth saving room for. A gelato flight, tiramisu, and limoncello cake.
This is the second Pazzo restaurant in the Birmingham metro. The first is Pazzo Big Slice Pizza on Montgomery Highway in Hoover.
Where is Pazzo Italian, and when is it open?
Pazzo Italian sits at 2516 Rocky Ridge Road, behind the water fountain in the former Napoli Pizza location. The Rocky Ridge corridor is one of Vestavia’s favorite neighborhood spots for local shops and casual dining, so the address puts Pazzo in easy reach for much of the city.
Hours: Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM for lunch and 4 PM to 9:30 PM for dinner. You can reach the restaurant at 205-326-7478.
House-hunting near Rocky Ridge or anywhere over the mountain? Call or text The Williams Group’s Birmingham line at 205-292-7142 or explore our Vestavia Hills community guide.
Why does a new restaurant matter for Vestavia Hills home owners?
Restaurants follow rooftops. When an experienced operator picks a spot like Rocky Ridge Road, it is a vote of confidence in the neighborhood around it. Vestavia Hills already draws families with top-ranked schools and quick access to downtown Birmingham. A growing list of walkable, local dining spots adds one more reason buyers keep the city at the top of their lists, and it helps nearby homes hold their value.
It has been a busy season for the area’s food scene. New spots keep landing across the metro, from Cahaba Heights to Hoover. If you are thinking about a move to the Birmingham suburbs, our relocating to Alabama guide is a great place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Pazzo Italian in Vestavia Hills?
Pazzo Italian is at 2516 Rocky Ridge Road in Vestavia Hills, in the former Napoli Pizza space behind the water fountain. The phone number is 205-326-7478.
When did Pazzo Italian open?
Pazzo Italian began serving the public the week of August 19, 2026. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 9:30 PM, and closed on Mondays.
What is on the menu at Pazzo Italian?
The menu includes Rigatoni Bolognese, gnocchi, chicken piccata, burrata salad, a baked spinach and goat cheese souffle, and desserts like a gelato flight, tiramisu, and limoncello cake. The owner plans rotating daily specials.
Is Pazzo Italian connected to Pazzo Big Slice Pizza in Hoover?
Yes. Pazzo Italian in Vestavia Hills is the second Pazzo restaurant in the Birmingham metro. The first is Pazzo Big Slice Pizza on Montgomery Highway in Hoover.
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