Kozi Italian Kitchen

I had an overall great experience when I went the other day with a friend. The atmosphere of the restaurant was modern and upscale. It would be accessible for anyone with mobility issues or using a wheelchair, as there were no stairs out front. Our server was friendly and funny. He made it an enjoyable experience. The drink we originally wanted could not made due missing an ingredient, but he recommended a lemon drop and that was fantastic. Since they just opened, many menu items could not be ordered, but they still had a large selection available. There were many vegetarian options. The pasta portions were large and we had enough to take home for the next day. My friend had ordered chicken in her pasta and it was never added. Also I had ordered a different dessert than the one I received. Other than those two small mishaps, we enjoyed it immensely. We will definitely be back again soon!

We watched this place coming alive!
For months seen they were working on the building and was looking forward to what it was going to be. We were happy to see it was a Italian restaurant, not a Olive Garden but real authentic Italian!

We waited a little bit before going here because all new businesses have growing pains.
Reading prior reviews you start to think if you should try it.
But 3 of us went here.

DO NOT LET NEGATIVE REVIEWS STOP YOU FROM COMIMG!!

From the moment we walked in we felt welcomed!
You walk in and immediately see baked goods and Icecream. The young girl behind the counter asked if we wanted a sample. Wow it was so good!
When she seated us she told us what she has tried and she was very sweet and told us to tell her what we thought when we were done.

You have to try this FARM TO TABLE!! Nothing is frozen everything is fresh and made there.
The owners are from Italy, and have passion for this restaurant and it shows!!
The waitress we had Trish was amazing! She was so accommodating!! We were first timers and she was so patient and understanding! She recommended different meals that she had tried.
We even asked if there was anyway we could sample a couple of the sauces since we had been a few places we didn't like.

My husband loved the bolognese, my Mom liked the traditional and I absolutely loved the Alfredo!!
The Bolognese was filled with tons of meat!
The portions are HUGE!! Even the children's portions are big!
The meatballs are pure meat and not filled with fillers! You can taste the difference!
I ordered a side salad it was very good, enough for 2 to share!
The bread was so fresh you could tell it was homemade. The oil was not some bottle of oil from the grocery store it was imported and it was very good. The taste with the seasoning was perfect! They will bring some more oil if you need it.
We did get to meet the owners.
Husband and Wife both very nice and friendly!
Over all it was awesome!!
We were very happy with the service we received from Trish, she use to work at the Mayflower so many locals may know her.
They are open for coffee early mornings, my husband tried the espresso and he said it was so good.
Desserts were fresh and not too sweet very good!
Great dining experience from start to finish!
We will be back!
Thank you Kozi for the hospitality and awesome food!
(They do have a private room for parties and weddings, this place is elegant reminds us of a Vegas restaurant!)
Don't pass this up!!

Food is excellent. Music is pleasant and the live piano music is a real nice touch. Prices are good. Upscale look and atmosphere, you would not feel out of place if you dress up to come here. 9-4-21 update.. I can not recommend the Frita pizza, but the bread and dipping oil is awesome and salads are excellent

Most of the bad reviews are from people who don't understand that when a new place opens, its a little chaotic and the waiters and waitresses aren't going to have the menu memorized. Everyone has to get used to each other, it takes time. That being said: the food was wonderful and hot and a much larger portion than I could finish. The staff was very welcoming and polite! And its not expensive like people on here keep saying. Its Shelby expensive yes but I believe the prices are appropriate. I will definitely come back here again and potentially get takeout as well.

Absolutely top quality farm to table authentic Italian cuisine. The staff is super friendly and accommodating... one of my new favorites!

We ordered take out, and once we got home the bottom of the bag dropped out in our car. We called Kozi and they never hesitated to remake our food . We went to pick up our new order and it was hot . Food was great, customer service was good.

This place should be packed, the food is fantastic. Restaurant is high class decor with affordable prices! Super clean.

Great food, service and relaxing atmosphere for our party of six. Our waiter, Anthony, was outstanding.
Save room for dessert or get it to go.

Excellent food! The best Italian food that I have had in a long while. So fresh and wonderfully made. You will want to try this place when you can. So good.

New favorite restaurant in all of Cleveland County! The chicken was perfect, juicy and delicious. And their desserts are incredible. Staff was friendly and courteous, and eager to please.

Absolutely LOVED everything about Kozi. My hubby & I along with another couple ate there today. It is one of the VERY BEST Italian restaurants we have EVER ate at. The waiter was very knowledgeable about all the dishes to choose from & he gave good suggestions too. He was definitely on top of things & even gave us fresh bread with olive oil to go along with the food would took home. The atmosphere of the restaurant is phenomenal too. We'd give it way more than 5 stars if we could & we'll definitely be back just to try their awesome looking desserts & coffees. So come on out to this restaurant & give them your business because you won't be disappointed.

Excellent restaurant. My wife and I were very pleasantly surprised—this was delicious, authentic Italian food and several notches above what is usual. Menu has the usual favorites but also a whole array of inventive, interesting fine dining choices which I suspect would satisfy any Italian cuisine connoisseur. Fresh, from scratch items and very generous portions. Staff was friendly and attentive. The place was clean and sanitary. One of the owners checked in on us and truly was warm and appreciative of our patronage. We will definitely be coming back again and again and this is a must-try location for those who appreciate good food.

A great friend wanted to try someplace new for lunch, where we could dine in. She hadn't tried Kozi yet so I suggested we go. The restaurant is now able to serve at full capacity with a full menu. Our host and server were friendly and attentive. We started off with a bruschetta sampler (pictured). Then my friend ordered the popular Mona Lisa, while I enjoyed the Eggplant Parmigiana. Portions were very large, as usual. I highly recommend to anyone for great Italian food, and sinfully delicious desserts 🍨

So happy there is a place in Shelby to enjoy a fine dining experience. The atmosphere is very nice. The design and interior decor is simple yet inviting and the music sets the mood. The service is impeccable. Trish was a marvelous server and met all our needs. Very friendly folks and we loved the warm welcome. I definitely recommend if you are in the mood for some Italian food.

Beautiful. Service was great, food was absolutely amazing.. the balsamic dressing is fantastic, the owner makes it, it's delicious. Fettuccine Alfredo was perfect. Chicken parmesan was to die for. All kinds of amazing deserts. Portions are big, so go hungry. You also can get some nice wine or other mixed drinks. Go check Kozi Italian kitchen out. Now!!

The restaurant was great! It was the update that Shelby NC needed. The service was excellent, and the food was amazing!!!! I would give them 10 stars if I could! Going through the reviews I see some pretty low ratings. I live in Shelby and understand they are used to getting their food in 15 minutes or less, however the restaurants food is made fresh! Be patient. The restaurant was clean and well organized, the staff is new so they are learning the ropes!

We have been wanting to try Kozi since it opened a few months ago and we are SO glad we did! They were offering a limited menu due to Covid-19 but had brought back some things that were not on the menu. Our waiter was Devon. He was personable, upbeat, had fantastic recommendations, was quick and checked on us often! We were a little skeptical about the prices but you absolutely get what you pay for! The food is amazing, the portions are generous and the atmosphere is great. We ordered the Fried Ravioli, Della Nonna, and Chicken Parmesan. All of it was perfect!! Devon made it better by being a fantastic waiter. We will definitely go back!!

Such a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere! Staff are always pleasant, helpful, and patient.

My wife and I were going through Shelby in our way home and found Kozi by accident. Like the saying goes everything happens for a reason.

I grew up in an Italian family (On my mother's side), so I know great Italian food. I had Spaghetti and meatballs and my wife had the chicken parm.

Let me tell you, I asked is my grandmother in the kitchen cooking, because believe me the food was amazing.

The owners Ziko & Stella were two of the nicest people you would
would ever want to meet, and the atmosphere, and staff couldn't do
enough for us or be nicer people.

Everything is made fresh from scratch with all local ingredients and that includes the desserts, that were out of this world and the espresso was spot on.

We live about 3 hours away, but will definitely be making another trip the next time we're heading up to that area, which might be very soon.

This was a gem of a restaurant and is a must for anyone who wants great, fresh homemade food. Enjoy, its a great night out with family and friends. Or if you don't want to share, stop in by yourself. 😃

Best restaurant I've been to in Shelby. The food was good, served in generous portions. Desserts are top level. Ambiance is very nice and comfy. I didn't like the fact that they were not serving everything that shows in the menu. The food could have more of an authentic Italian flavor, even though it was good. Looking forward to go back.