13 Best Italian Restaurants in Austin, Texas
If you’ve ever wanted to try some delicious, authentic Italian food, but never had the chance to take the trip yourself, this is the list for you. We’ve gathered the tastiest Italian restaurants located all around Austin, Texas for you to try.
There are 13 listed here, hopefully enough to find one nearest you. From food trucks to classy establishments, there’s a restaurant for every aesthetic, to help you get your Italian food fix.
List of the 13 Best Italian Restaurants in Austin
- Andiamo Ristorante
- Taverna
- Enoteca Vespaio
- Juliet Italian Kitchen
- Red Ash
- Juniper
- Numero28
- ARTIPASTA
- North Italia
- Sammie’s Italian
- The Heel of the Boot
- Mandola’s Italian Kitchen
- Maggiano’s Little Italy
Here we’ve curated a detailed list of Italian restaurants that bring some goodness to our Texas soil. With options from all around Austin, we’re here to help you pick your favorite restaurant near you.
1 – Andiamo Ristorante
Address: 325, 2521 Rutland Dr Austin, TX 78758
Established in 2004, Andiamo Ristorante boasts some of the finest Italian food in Austin. They’re open from 5pm – 9pm, Monday – Saturday, making it the perfect place for a date, or post-work dinner. They also hold many special events, such as monthly wine dinners and more recently, a New Year’s Eve dinner. Be sure to book reservations on their website to experience some of the best Italian food in Austin.
2 – Taverna
Address: 258 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
With multiple locations around Austin, Taverna boasts authentic dishes from Northern Italy for the Austin community. Check out their downtown location for a chic city brunch. Although they specialize in Italian, they also serve some nontraditional dishes. Be sure to try their New Orleans style beignets when you visit. The combination of these cuisines makes it a hot Italian spot in Austin, Texas.
3 – Enoteca Vespaio
Address: 1610 S Congress Ave S, Austin, TX 78704
Located in the heart of South Congress is Enoteca Vespaio. This picturesque restaurant is classy and rustic, a perfect fit in the neighborhood. While you’re here, be sure to try some of the boutique wines from their list, curated to perfectly fit your cuisine. Afterward, take a stroll through the always-delightful South Congress. The interior and neighborhood make it the perfect place for a nice dinner date, or a celebratory meal with friends.
4 – Juliet Italian Kitchen
Address: 1500 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
If you’re in the Zilker area, be sure to check out Juliet Italian Kitchen. This restaurant is meaningful to the history of Austin, making it all the better. Juliet’s is located where Romeo’s, a now-closed institution, was located on Austin’s original restaurant row. The restaurant prides itself on creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for its customers, one step away from an Italian home.
5 – Red Ash
Address: Colorado Tower, 303 Colorado St #200, Austin, TX 78701
The namesake of Red Ash, and the star of their show, is their custom-built wood-burning grill, oven, and plancha. The red ash is released from the fire, giving the restaurant their name and elevating their delicious dishes. While you’re here, be sure to check out their seafood menu. It is also perfectly accompanied by their wine list, which includes wine from all over the world
6 – Juniper
Address: 2400 E Cesar Chavez St #304, Austin, TX 78702
If the atmosphere has a large impact on your dining choices, check out Juniper. Lots of thought and work were put into the interior of the restaurant, and it definitely shows. This Italian spot is classy and modern on the inside, oozing sophistication in the heart of East Austin. This restaurant aims to merge Texas flavors with Northern Italian traditions, using local ingredients to curate their dishes.
7 – Numero28
Address: 452 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
Numero28 is an absolutely adorable Italian restaurant located in the 2nd street district of Austin. If you’re still not quite comfortable with eating indoors during their pandemic, their picture-perfect patio will do just the trick. Equipped with patio umbrellas and a garden, it, in other words, attempts to mimic the aesthetic of outdoor dining in Italy. This restaurant boasts their Southern Italian cuisine, with a strong Sicilian flair.
8 – ARTIPASTA
Address: 7800 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745
Have you ever heard of an authentic, Italian food truck? Enter ARTIPASTA. Located in the Thicket Food Park on South First, ARTIPASTA serves up the delicious Italian dishes you know and love, without the time commitment of a sit-down restaurant. Thus, it is the perfect place to fulfill your Italian food craving, or embrace the Austin food truck culture.
9 – North Italia
Address: 11506 Century Oaks Terrace Suite 124, Austin, TX 78758
If you find yourself often at the Domain, surely check out North Italia. Its classy interior, combined with the shopping atmosphere at the Domain, makes it the perfect spot to stop for brunch or wine with your friends. My favorite here is definitely the pizza, but recently I’ve also been loving their caesar salads. Whatever you get, it’s hard to go wrong at North Italia.
10 – Sammie’s Italian
Address: 807 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
With dim lighting and picture-lined walls, Sammie’s Italian screams are cozy and comfy. Their slogan reads, “A little taste of Old Italy in Austin, Texas,” and I certainly agree. Everything about this place is traditional and regal, from the exterior to their menus. Another thing that is totally authentic – is their delicious Italian cuisine.
11 – The Heel of the Boot
Address: 610 N Interstate Hwy 35 C, Austin, TX 78701
Obviously, this restaurant name is a nod to Italy’s iconic shape. Specifically, however, it’s referring to a region called Puglia. Located on the Southeastern coast of Italy, the authentic Pugliese experience was thus brought to Austin, Texas. Consequently, it’s now owned by two Italian natives who have a passion for sharing the authentic cuisine of the region with the Austin community.
12 – Mandola’s Italian Kitchen
Address: 4700 W Guadalupe St #12, Austin, TX 78751
If you’re located around the University area of Austin, check out Mandola’s Italian Kitchen. This restaurant is one of my personal favorites. For example, I absolutely adore the cozy interior, equipped with colorful lights and photos. One of my favorite things about it, however, is the gelato stand. It makes it so easy and accessible to grab a bite of dessert after a delicious meal.
13 – Maggiano’s Little Italy
Address: 10910 Domain Dr, Austin, TX 78758
Another personal favorite of mine is Maggiano’s Little Italy. The interior is traditional and classy, making it the perfect place for a romantic dinner out. However, one of the best parts about this Italian spot is the deal on its menu. Bring home a full-size classic pasta for only $5. The portions for this aren’t very shy either, making it the perfect spot to bring home some leftovers. Specifically, my favorite thing to order is their classic spaghetti.