Start your meal with an appetizer like the crispy shrimp bruschetta or roasted octopus, and opt for scene-stealers like lamb ragù, pesto bucatini with whipped ricotta, or the pizza verde, made with spinach and kale. Sweeten the experience with an amaro colada made with rum, amaro, coconut cream, and pineapple, or a bergamot margarita. Reservations are encouraged.

Heights hangout Postino offers a variety of casual fare that will keep the conversation going, with paninis, charcuterie boards, and around a dozen different types of bruschetta to choose from. Get there before 5 p.m. to enjoy happy hour specials, which include $6 glasses of wine.

Using ingredients from its vegetable garden, Coltivare’s Italian fare is refreshingly inspired by the seasons and the Gulf Coast, with dishes like the shrimp and crab ravioli made with chives from its patio garden. For a burst of flavor, try the Brussels sprouts pizza, topped with golden beets, pickled shallots, chiles, coriander, and smoked gouda, or opt for the slow-cooked venison osso buco with root vegetables.

La Griglia’s home-y ambiance, complimentary pizza and bread appetizer, raw bar, and an assortment of Italian faves have made a fan out of many diners. Enjoy a bottle of wine and an appetizer for $32 at the seafood grill’s bar or patio area during happy hour.

An import from Arizona, North Italia’s Houston location is undeniably good, with a welcoming ambiance, wood-fired pizzas, craft cocktails made with fresh juices and herbs, and plenty of pasta. Access its engaging bartenders indoors and from the outdoor patio seating, with fun glimpses of pasta noodles being made in its kitchen. The Tuscan kale salad serves as a refreshing appetizer or entree, and the crispy chicken parmesan, plated with a side of rigatoni drenched in alfredo, is a classic. (Insider tip: You can ask for spicy alfredo if you’re looking for a little kick.)

A Houston institution for more than 35 years, Damian’s offers specialties like spaghetti with “Mama Mandola” meatballs, Grilled Chilean sea bass drizzled with white wine butter sauce, and veal marsala. Enjoy a six-course meal at the limited seating Chef’s Table for $95. Catching a show after dinner? For $5 per person, Damian’s offers a shuttle to and from the Wortham Center, Alley Theatre, Hobby Center, and Jones Hall.

This gourmet Tuscan restaurant’s inventive dishes pair well with its timeless charm and curated wine list. Wild boar pappardelle, the butternut squash cappellacci, and the sea urchin spaghetti with chilies can cure any pasta craving, while the chianti braised short ribs with polenta cacio e pepe is sure to please. There’s a dress code, so be sure to dress up for the occasion.

Slinging hearty portions of homemade pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches, and more since 1998, this Montrose mom-and-pop restaurant is known for its comforting Italian eats. Stop in for a classic hoagie, or stay awhile with a dish like rigatoni bolognese, the canestri alla funghi — a creamy mushroom pasta, or the dinner special offered Monday through Saturday.

This family-owned Italian establishment, which bred the national chain of the same name, features flavorful salads and stuffed pasta made fresh daily; hearty meats grilled over oak and pecan wood; and combinations like the grilled chicken “Bryan Texas,” which is topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil butter, then served with a side of fettuccine Alfredo. Leave room for a slice of dessert Rosa — a butter cake topped with pastry cream, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, and whipped cream.

With influences from both Naples and Milan, this high-end Italian restaurant delivers on occasion dining, with dishes like duck confit caramelli with black truffle, parmesan and mint; or its classic savory pappardelle bolognese with parmesan. You also can’t miss with the pan-seared Dover sole and classic meuniere sauce, or the filet mignon Tony’s way — with porcini mushroom, Fonda Bruno sauce, and roasted bone marrow.

Roberto Crescini brings more than 40 years of experience as a chef in Italy to this no-frills Houston locale located in a strip mall that attracts locals and visitors alike, including Guy Fieri for his show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Go for Fresco’s award-winning tagliatelle, made with a slow-braised Texas lamb sauce or the grilled Mediterranean octopus served with spaghetti.

Start small at this Bellaire mainstay with plates like the lemon risotto served with tender Gulf shrimp, asparagus, and roasted pinenuts, or the crispy arancini before building up to the main event, like its linguine with clams, wood-fired funghi pizza, or the fettuccine bolognese. Or, if you’re looking for a quick meal, grab the week’s pizza rapido lunch special, which comes with a personal-sized pie and a side salad.