Cafe Tiramisu

Cafe Tiramisu is a family-owned and operated restaurant with deep roots in Raleigh’s culinary history. Our story began with the beloved Piccolo Mondo, long celebrated for its authentic Northern Italian cuisine. With over 50 years of experience, DeMartino’s renowned culinary talent—paired with elegant décor—creates a refined yet welcoming Northern Italian dining experience.

For more than 30 years, Cafe Tiramisu has been a cherished presence in the North Ridge Shopping Center, offering a cozy, intimate setting with an outsized reputation. Guests are invited to indulge in our extensive menu of incredible dishes. Complement your meal with selections from our extensive wine list or enjoy your favorite cocktail at our full-service bar—whether before dinner or while savoring the full menu amid the bar’s unmatched neighborhood ambiance.

No evening is complete without dessert, especially our signature Tiramisu—the sweet finale that proudly bears the restaurant’s name. The DeMartino family first entered the restaurant business in 1976 with Piccolo Mondo, and while that legacy is fondly remembered, Cafe Tiramisu has established traditions of its own. Richard and Rodolfo DeMartino grew up in the restaurant, learning firsthand what it takes to run a successful dining establishment, and today their dedication shines through in every detail.

With a variety of dishes and rotating specials, Cafe Tiramisu is a place you’ll want to visit again and again. Reservations are recommended, as any given evening may find you dining alongside Raleigh’s finest and visitors from around the world. You don’t have to travel to Italy to experience true Northern Italian cuisine—our family recipes, passed down from the old country, bring Italy straight to your table.

We would be honored to welcome you any evening beginning at 5:30 PM.
See you soon!

Cafe Tiramisu
6196–1116 Falls of Neuse Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 790-1006

Richard DeMartino has learned a few lessons along the way in the restaurant business. He is reminded of one in particular every night when he goes into work at Cafe Tiramisu.

PHOTO BY DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY

“There are a few things you find out later in life,” he says. “You don’t name a restaurant for a dessert or food, because you always have to have it.”
As problems go, it’s a manageable one. Richard, his brother RD, and their father, Paolo, have owned Cafe Tiramisu since 1996. Their Northern Italian cuisine has been a local favorite ever since.
But long-time Raleigh diners have been loyal to the family dating back to 1976, when Paolo owned Piccolo Mondo. Richard was nine years old when he began washing dishes, before working his way up to busing and waiting tables. The family sold the business a couple of years before opening Cafe Tiramisu in the Northridge Shopping Center. Many of the veal and chicken recipes from Piccolo Mondo remain on Cafe Tiramisu’s menu.
Today, Richard and RD share kitchen duties, create new dishes, and operate the business. And Paolo? He will turn 88 this year. For many patrons, he’s still the star of the show. They come for the spinach fettuccine, but they love Paolo for his backstory. He was born in Italy, raised in Cairo, and met his wife in Cuba. He brings all of that to the restaurant each night.
“My father, he has a little bit of a temper,” DeMartino says with a laugh. “People love him, that whole attitude. He’s there every morning at 9:30am and he won’t leave until 10pm. He does his share of the kitchen.”
The DeMartinos have kept their philosophy simple through the years. Chef Paolo prepares the dishes he knows best, and they keep the tiramisu coming.
“You have to cater to what people like,” DeMartino says. “A lot of New Yorkers and (restaurateurs) who come to this town think, we’re going to teach these guys how to eat. We want to do what the customers want.”

Source: Mid Town Magzine