Now that we’re all started the new year right with the new diet and juice cleanses, it’s time to power up with some serious refueling! And is there any better way to indulge than a heaping bowl of fresh pasta, bread, cheese, and butter? I didn’t think so.
Scoot over spaghetti and meatballs, here are the 11 best Italian restaurants in Austin.
Table of Contents
Enoteca Ristorante
Considered one of Austin’s oldest and best Italian restaurants, Vespaio and Enoteca both serve fresh pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and decadent desserts. I prefer Enoteca’s bistro-inspired café menu versus the fancier conjoined sister restaurant, Vespaio.
What To Order: Zucchini fritti, pressed paninis, and Tagliatelle con Funghi.
1610 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-6100
Monday – Saturday 11am-10pm
Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm
Sunday Dinner 5:30-10pm
http://www.austinvespaio.com/
Patrizi’s
“Stop reading right now, just go there. Run, drive, warp yourself there as fast as you can. This is some of the most solid Italian food that I’ve tried in Austin. I hate when I go to an Italian place and I feel like the pasta is masked with over seasoning and too much sauce, it’s a food pet peeve of mine. That’s not the case here; there was the perfect amount of sauce to go with the deliciously cooked homemade pasta. Each of the dishes had it’s own unique flavors which is a testament to their chefs. Also, they killed it with the garlic bread. The entire experience was great and restored my faith in finding good Italian food here in town. If I was blindfolded you could have told me I was sitting on a hillside in Tuscany enjoying a local café.” – Kristy Owen, founder of 365 Things To Do Austin
What To Order: Any of the fresh pastas and garlic bread
The Vortex (Patio)
2307 Manor Road
Austin, Texas 78722
Monday – Sunday 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m
aRoma Italian Kitchen & Bar
Boldly displayed between the kitchen and dining room is an Italian-made Marra Forni wood-fired brick oven that is used to make the Neapolitan pizzas, a type of pizza this is a little more involved than your run-of-the-mill delivery pizza. The menu at aRoma also features a variety homemade pastas made from locally sourced ingredients — plus a wide variety of protein dishes, fresh salads, hand-crafted cocktails and an extensive wine list.
What To Order: Arugula & proscuitto neapolitan pizza, and the truffled cavatappi.
3403 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 900-8670
Monday 12:00 am – 2:00 pm, 4:00 – 10:00 pm
Tuesday – Saturday 4:00 – 10:00 pm
Sunday 4:00 – 10:00 pm, 10:30 pm – 12:00 am
http://aromaitalian.com/
Mandola’s Market
Inspired by the little corner shops in New York’s Italian neighborhoods, Damian Mandola opened up Mandola’s Italian Market. (Fun fact: he also co-founded Carrabba’s Italian Grill, which has 240 locations through the U.S.) Mandola’s is my go-to for Italian comfort food! The grocery section of Mandola’s is always fully stocked with housemade prepared foods and Italian pantry staples.
What To Order: Fried mozzarella, shrimp scampi, and spaghetti & meatballs.
4700 W Guadalupe St #12
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 419-9700
Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
http://mandolasmarket.com/
Olive & June
“My ideal Austin evening is to gather with friends over cocktails antipasti on Olive & June’s expansive patio. They make a flawless Negroni, and their other speciality cocktails highlight lesser-known Italian aperitifs, spirits, and housemade ingredients. Next, we transition onto their consistently excellent pastas. The Bucatini Amatriciana with tomato and guanciale fried to puffy goodness is my go-to. And don’t get me started on their beautifully executed and sophisticated seasonal desserts. Their dolci always delivers delight and elements of surprise.” – Gourmet Fury, food blogger & food photographer
What To Order: Bucatini Amatriciana, dolci, and negroni.
3411 Glenview Ave
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 467-9898
Sunday – Thursday 5:00 – 10:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday 5:00 – 11:00 pm
http://oliveandjune-austin.com/
Due Forni
Due Forni, meaning “two ovens,” utilizes a model of dual customized Napolitano brick ovens to create authentic Neopolitan and Roman style pizzas and meat, seafood and pasta entrees, as well as features a fine selection of charcuterie, cheese and wine.
What To Order: Polipo, fusilli spaccati, due forni, and chocolate pizza (pictured above).
106 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 391-9300
Sunday – Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
http://dueforni.com/
Andiamo
Andiamo Ristorante is the North Austin Italian bistro that serves only authentic Italian fare served in the traditional style. Dishes are inspired by seasonal ingredients like local mushrooms, veal and truffles, and owner Daniela Marcone’s own classic family recipes.
What To Order: Ravioli ai Funghi, Filetto alla Griglia, and Spaghetti alla Carbonara.
2521 Rutland Dr
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 719-3377
Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 9:30 pm
Saturday 5:00 – 9:30 pm
Sunday Closed
http://andiamoitaliano.com/
Winflo Osteria
Winflo Osteria is an Italian eatery offering classic Italian fare made simply, from locally sourced ingredients when possible. You can dine inside the 1922 craftsman style bungalow or outside, under the 300 year old live oak that shades the large terraced patio.
What To Order: Short rib canneloni, saltimbocca di pollo, or lamb osso buco.
1315 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 582-1027
Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 4:00 – 10:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 5:00 – 11:00 pm
http://winfloosteria.com/
Cipollina
“It’s crazy to think that Cipollina has been around for 14 years in the trendy Clarksville neighborhood, just across the street from the newly renovated Jeffrey’s (Jeff opened it back in the mid 70’s — he has some great stories!!). Cipollina changed up its menu earlier this year, focusing on traditional italian-american classics and more dining options, while still focused on locally sourcing food” – Ane, food blogger at Hungry Girl Austin
What To Order: Chicken meatballs, Tagliatelle con Funghi, and risotto.
1213 W Lynn St
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-5211
Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 10:30 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
http://www.cipollina-austin.com/
Quattro Gatti
“I convinced old co-workers, friends, and new co-workers to come with me whenever I was having a severe gnocchi craving. And then… I tried the pizza. And aside from wondering why I had never ventured beyond gnocchi, I was completely blown away by pizza perfection. I had to tell everyone. I had to share this hidden gem with my blogging buds.” – Kristin, food blogger at FoodFash
What To Order: Marinara pizza with mozzarella, and the gnocchi
908 N Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-3131
Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 1:00 – 11:00 pm
Sunday Closed
http://www.quattrogattiaustin.com/
NoRTH Italia
The Steeping Room and NoRTH Italia are my go-to brunch, happy hour, and dinner spot when I’m shopping at The Domain. Love the patata pizza with italian bacon, potato, farm eggs, garlic confit and basil!
What To Order: Crispy calamari, patata pizza, and strozzapreti.
11506 Century Oaks Terrace #124
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 339-4400
Monday – Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
http://www.northitaliarestaurant.com/
This guide is part of the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance 2015 City Guide. For more info about the Best Eats in Austin, check out our complete list of guides to delicious food in ATX!
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