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A bowl of linguine, mussels, and clams that’s sprinkled with chile.
Find your perfect bowl of pasta at one of Houston’s many Italian restaurants.
Jenn Duncan

24 Essential Italian Restaurants in Houston

Wood-fired pizzas, saucy meatballs, and heaping truffle pasta dishes abound at these local Italian establishments

by Brittany Britto Garley and Megha McSwain Updated
View as Map
Find your perfect bowl of pasta at one of Houston’s many Italian restaurants.
| Jenn Duncan
by Brittany Britto Garley and Megha McSwain Updated

When in need of a little comfort, Italian food almost always offers an easy solution. A bowl of spaghetti and meatballs in a soppable, savory red sauce or a plate full of rich carbonara with a side of warm, herb-crusted foccacia is often enough to provide satisfaction. Thankfully, when it comes to Italian, Houston’s got range, and with an influx of new Italian restaurants, there are even more options to explore. Here are 24 Italian restaurants in Houston that should be on your radar.

This map has been updated to add Triola’s Kitchen and D’Amico to give you even more options.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Triola's Kitchen

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This Heights Italian restaurant might have opened earlier this year, but it’s a restaurant with a rich history. Owner Frank Triola follows in his grandfather Frank Azzarelli’s footsteps (the chef reportedly opened the first Italian restaurant in Houston in the 1940s), serving up saucy plates of pasta, including a decadent seafood lasagna, crispy calamari, and a classic take on spaghetti and meatballs. Don’t forget to bring your favorite bottle of wine — Triola’s is BYOB with no corkage fee.

4606 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009
(832) 390-4745
(832) 390-4745

Also featured in:

Trattoria Sofia

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Start your meal with an appetizer like the crispy shrimp bruschetta, roasted octopus, or the earthy and refreshing beet salad. Then, move on to scene-stealers like lamb ragù with campanelle, 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.

911 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 804-0429
(713) 804-0429
A white bowl of cacio e pepe pasta against white marble table top.
Cacio e pepe at Trattoria Sofia is a fine choice.
Jenn Duncan

Also featured in:

Coltivare

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Using ingredients from its vegetable garden, Coltivare’s Italian fare is refreshingly inspired by the seasons and the Gulf Coast, with dishes like wild Gulf snapper served with okra confit, sofrito, and fingerling potatoes, and the fettuccini and shrimp made with local corn, tomatoes, basil. Pizzas are a highlight of the menu too. Try a pie topped with slow-cooked pork, local peppers, caramelized onions, chiles, toma cheese, white sauce, and fennel pollen that packs a punch of fresh flavor. The black pepper spaghetti, made with parmesan and olive oil, has a cult-like following.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 203-7890
(832) 203-7890

Also featured in:

Passerella

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This Italian restaurant from Gr8 Plate Hospitality, which opened on the Boardwalk at Towne Lake in Cypress, now has an inner loop locale, too. Find dishes like stuffed flounder with smoked lemon butter and pizzas prepared in the restaurant’s live-fire, four-deck Italian stone pizza oven. Don’t overload on savory foods, though — the 10-layer dessert lasagna, made with cream cheese, brown sugar, pecans, and vanilla sauce, is a sight to see and devour.

6011 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 242-8151
(713) 242-8151
A bowl of spaghetti and meatballs surrounded by glasses of wine and other dishes.
Visit Passerella’s newest location on Washington Avenue for Italian classics.
Dylan McEwan

Rosalie Italian Soul

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This restaurant from celeb chef Chris Cosentino is tucked inside Downtown hotel C. Baldwin and is every bit as attractive as the trendy boutique hotel. Cosentino draws inspiration for the menu from the recipes of his great-grandmother, named Rosalie, and the result is a modern approach to traditional plates like arancini with pesto aioli, calamari with pickled peppers, spinach and ricotta manicotti, and whole chicken parmesan.

Baldwin Hotel, 400 Dallas St C, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 351-5790
(713) 351-5790

Also featured in:

Potente

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Just steps away from Minute Maid Park, chef Danny Trace creates an Italian dining escape at Potente. Under elegant chandeliers, this elegant restaurant serves up homemade pasta on white-clothed tables alongside top-notch steaks and wild-caught seafood dishes using produce chosen by Trace and his team at the Houston Farmers Market. Try the spaghetti al tartufo nero — this fancy spin on cacio e pepe includes black truffles, shaved tableside, and was named one of the best pastas in the country by Food Network.

1515 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-1515
(713) 237-1515

Also featured in:

Pastore

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Underbelly Hospitality’s newest restaurant focuses on coastal Italian cuisine, with a light, bright aesthetic and a coastal-inspired color palette that’s a fitting backdrop for vibrant seafood dishes like squid ink linguine, swordfish amatriciana, and a standout clam pizza that channels New England.

1180 Dunlavy St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77019
(346) 867-1905
(346) 867-1905
A bowl of Pastore’s chicken sausage ravioli topped with microgreens.
The chicken sausage ravioli at Pastore is a beautiful entree.
Duc Hoang

Also featured in:

Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

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The River Oaks outpost of this popular Woodlands restaurant is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Bedecked with chandeliers, and with a large, dedicated bar and lounge area with live music, Zanti is the kind of place you’ll want to have a long, leisurely meal. Share a lobster pizza with your dining companions, and then keep a plate of the black truffle tagliolini all to yourself.

1958 W Gray St Suite 101, Houston, TX 77019
(281) 845-4990
(281) 845-4990
a bowl of pappardelle al ragu di ossobucco.
Go for the pasta, stay for the vibe at Zanti Cucina.
Zanti Cucina

Also featured in:

il Bracco

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This Dallas-based restaurant’s local location in Uptown’s Post Oak area offers a spirited bar scene, with a modern menu of Italian eats like Sicilian crudo, burrata salad, and Italian beef served with au jus. Also, find an intriguing list of pastas, all made fresh in-house.

1705-A Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 532-9950
(713) 532-9950
Il Bracco’s plates of whipped ricotta, Caesar salad, cacio e pepe, crispy artichoke, and meatballs.
Though hailing from Dallas, this Italian restaurant has been a welcomed addition to the Houston area.
Il Bracco

Also featured in:

Ostia

Copy Link

This neighborhood spot has staples like cacio e pepe and carbonara down pat — they don’t even list them on the menu. Order from memory, or if craving one of chef-owner Travis McShane’s creations, browse the ever-changing menu, which includes Mediterranean fare and favorites like the crispy roasted half-lemon chicken that’s perfect for sharing. Don’t forget the fresh-baked focaccia bread, served warm, and drizzled with olive oil and herbs.

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 324-9288
(713) 324-9288

Also featured in:

Marmo

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Stop into this Italian chophouse for its tender Tuscan fried chicken, light and flavorful blue crab bruschetta, a bolognese with a hint of sweetness, and hand-cut grilled steaks with just the right amount of char. Stay for the live music held throughout the week, and be sure to end the experience with a bowl of creamy tiramisu that’s worth every bite.

888 Westheimer Rd Suite 109, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 626-3400
(832) 626-3400
A plethora of Marmo’s steak offerings.
Marmo offers an array of pastas, steaks, and more.
Kirsten Gilliam

Also featured in:

Damian's Cucina Italiana

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A Houston institution for 40 years, Damian’s offers a warm and inviting space to enjoy specialties like spaghetti with “Mama Mandola” meatballs, Grilled Chilean sea bass drizzled with white wine butter sauce, and veal marsala. Catching a show Downtown after dinner? Damian’s offers a shuttle to and from the Wortham Center, Alley Theatre, Hobby Center, and Jones Hall.

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-0439
(713) 522-0439

Also featured in:

Da Marco

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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.

1520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 807-8857
(713) 807-8857

Also featured in:

Dante's River Oaks

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An intimate alternative to some of the larger establishments in town, newcomer Dante’s offers a stylish and cozy place to dine. Salads highlight the various Italian regions, while mains include a number of proteins and pasta dishes like pappardelle bolognese and rigatoni cacio e pepe. The menu is further complemented by a large selection of Italian wines, which owner Brian Doke has collected for years, and tasty spins on the classic gin and tonic cocktail. The small-batch gelato here, which has come in flavors like dill and a rosemary-dark chocolate-pistachio, is also a must-try.

4340 Westheimer Rd #150, Houston, TX 77027
(832) 997-4220
(832) 997-4220
Dante’s cocktail and a plate of pasta with meat and red sauce.
Dante’s gets intimate dining and pasta down pat.
Dante’s River Oaks

Also featured in:

Paulie's

Copy Link

Slinging hearty portions of homemade pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches, and more since 1998, this Montrose mom-and-pop cafe is known for its comforting and affordable Italian eats. Stop in for a classic hoagie, or stay awhile with a dish like the canestri alla funghi, a creamy mushroom pasta. Pro-tip for groups: Order the half portions of multiple pastas, and share.

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 807-7271
(713) 807-7271

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Lulu's

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A River Oaks gem from the team behind Armando’s, located in the same retail strip, Lulu’s offers delicious Italian staples, including a bolognese made with slow-braised beef tip, and crispy fried calamari, accompanied by a sweet balsamic glaze and banana peppers. A focaccia fanatic? Try the restaurant’s $5 bread service, which offers freshly baked focaccia slices and mini loaves served with whipped honey and olive oil.

2518 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 590-7350
(713) 590-7350
A plate of carbonara pasta topped with a country egg.
The carbonara at Lulu’s in River Oaks.
Kirsten Gilliam

Also featured in:

Bari

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A new addition to River Oaks District, Bari brings style and substance with its sceney space and bountiful menu of quintessential Italian dishes. Indulge in the Torre Bari, a head-turning seafood tower built with oysters, mussels, clams, prawns, Maine lobster, jumbo lump crabmeat, and a crudo of the day, before moving on to a housemade pasta like the tagliatelle carbonara or a hand-tossed pizza with mozzarella from the Amalfi region.

4444 Westheimer Rd suite a175, Houston, TX 77027
(832) 415-9222
(832) 415-9222

Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

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Seat yourself on Giacomo’s laid-back patio, and choose from dozens of affordable and flavorful dishes, like ratatouille, carbonara (sans cream), pasta e fagioli, and the pappardelle al telefono, made with garlic, oil, and tomatoes. The wine selections are even more plentiful, with a variety of white, red, and orange selections, and champagne options by the glass or the bottle. Reservations are recommended for indoor dining, but leave your cash at home: Only credit cards are accepted.

3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-1934
(713) 522-1934

Also featured in:

Carrabba's - The Original On Kirby

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This family-owned 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.

3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-3131
(713) 522-3131
the grilled chicken “Bryan Texas,” topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil butter with a side of fettuccine Alfredo.
Carrabba’s original location on Kirby dishes out a variety of Italian fan favorites, including the grilled chicken “Bryan Texas,” which is topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil butter.
Carrabbas

Also featured in:

Amore

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Truffle-lovers take note: Amore features an entire truffle section on its menu, including such decadences as the foie gras tortellini, the egg souffle with jamon iberico, and Adriatic sea bass — all prepared with black truffles. If pizza is more your speed, try the Romana pie with anchovies or the burrata with prosciutto and egg, cooked in the restaurant’s wood-burning oven.

3310 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 485-0033
(713) 485-0033

Also featured in:

Tony's

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With influences from both Naples and Milan, this high-end, time-honored Italian restaurant delivers on special occasion dining, with dishes like the squash-filled pansoti, and the 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.

3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046
(713) 622-6778
(713) 622-6778

Also featured in:

D'Amico's Italian Market Cafe

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Stop into this Rice Village gem for hearty Italian cuisine, with sandwiches like sausage and peppers subs and meat-filled hoagies, wood-fired pizzas, and homemade pasta dishes, like the crawfish ravioli, which is stuffed with ricotta and romano cheeses, poblano peppers, garlic, and onion, and topped with a crema rosa sauce. Stop by for lunch between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when lunch-sized portions of pasta come with a side salad for $10 to $11.

5510 Morningside Dr Suite . 140, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 526-3400
(713) 526-3400

Roma

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This Rice Village hideaway is the quintessential date night destination. Dine on the patio, illuminated with string lighting, or opt for something more intimate inside. Either way, you’ll find top notch service, interesting wines, and Italian standouts like lasagna, carbonara, bolognese, and chocolate cannolis.

2347 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 664-7581
(713) 664-7581

Also featured in:

B.B. Italia

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Located in Sugar Land’s Town Center, this Berg Hospitality restaurant offers a large menu of classic Italian offerings in an upbeat, family-friendly environment. Start with the focaccia service, which is presented with a variety of oils and spreads, and then choose from classic entrees like rigatoni with vodka sauce, spaghetti pomodoro, and a whopping 20-layer lasagna.

16250 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479
(713) 424-7876
(713) 424-7876

Also featured in:

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Triola's Kitchen

4606 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009

This Heights Italian restaurant might have opened earlier this year, but it’s a restaurant with a rich history. Owner Frank Triola follows in his grandfather Frank Azzarelli’s footsteps (the chef reportedly opened the first Italian restaurant in Houston in the 1940s), serving up saucy plates of pasta, including a decadent seafood lasagna, crispy calamari, and a classic take on spaghetti and meatballs. Don’t forget to bring your favorite bottle of wine — Triola’s is BYOB with no corkage fee.

4606 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009
(832) 390-4745
(832) 390-4745

Trattoria Sofia

911 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008

Start your meal with an appetizer like the crispy shrimp bruschetta, roasted octopus, or the earthy and refreshing beet salad. Then, move on to scene-stealers like lamb ragù with campanelle, 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.

911 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 804-0429
(713) 804-0429
A white bowl of cacio e pepe pasta against white marble table top.
Cacio e pepe at Trattoria Sofia is a fine choice.
Jenn Duncan

Coltivare

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

Using ingredients from its vegetable garden, Coltivare’s Italian fare is refreshingly inspired by the seasons and the Gulf Coast, with dishes like wild Gulf snapper served with okra confit, sofrito, and fingerling potatoes, and the fettuccini and shrimp made with local corn, tomatoes, basil. Pizzas are a highlight of the menu too. Try a pie topped with slow-cooked pork, local peppers, caramelized onions, chiles, toma cheese, white sauce, and fennel pollen that packs a punch of fresh flavor. The black pepper spaghetti, made with parmesan and olive oil, has a cult-like following.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 203-7890
(832) 203-7890

Passerella

6011 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

This Italian restaurant from Gr8 Plate Hospitality, which opened on the Boardwalk at Towne Lake in Cypress, now has an inner loop locale, too. Find dishes like stuffed flounder with smoked lemon butter and pizzas prepared in the restaurant’s live-fire, four-deck Italian stone pizza oven. Don’t overload on savory foods, though — the 10-layer dessert lasagna, made with cream cheese, brown sugar, pecans, and vanilla sauce, is a sight to see and devour.

6011 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 242-8151
(713) 242-8151
A bowl of spaghetti and meatballs surrounded by glasses of wine and other dishes.
Visit Passerella’s newest location on Washington Avenue for Italian classics.
Dylan McEwan

Rosalie Italian Soul

Baldwin Hotel, 400 Dallas St C, Houston, TX 77002

This restaurant from celeb chef Chris Cosentino is tucked inside Downtown hotel C. Baldwin and is every bit as attractive as the trendy boutique hotel. Cosentino draws inspiration for the menu from the recipes of his great-grandmother, named Rosalie, and the result is a modern approach to traditional plates like arancini with pesto aioli, calamari with pickled peppers, spinach and ricotta manicotti, and whole chicken parmesan.

Baldwin Hotel, 400 Dallas St C, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 351-5790
(713) 351-5790

Potente

1515 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Just steps away from Minute Maid Park, chef Danny Trace creates an Italian dining escape at Potente. Under elegant chandeliers, this elegant restaurant serves up homemade pasta on white-clothed tables alongside top-notch steaks and wild-caught seafood dishes using produce chosen by Trace and his team at the Houston Farmers Market. Try the spaghetti al tartufo nero — this fancy spin on cacio e pepe includes black truffles, shaved tableside, and was named one of the best pastas in the country by Food Network.

1515 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 237-1515
(713) 237-1515

Pastore

1180 Dunlavy St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77019

Underbelly Hospitality’s newest restaurant focuses on coastal Italian cuisine, with a light, bright aesthetic and a coastal-inspired color palette that’s a fitting backdrop for vibrant seafood dishes like squid ink linguine, swordfish amatriciana, and a standout clam pizza that channels New England.

1180 Dunlavy St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77019
(346) 867-1905
(346) 867-1905
A bowl of Pastore’s chicken sausage ravioli topped with microgreens.
The chicken sausage ravioli at Pastore is a beautiful entree.
Duc Hoang

Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

1958 W Gray St Suite 101, Houston, TX 77019

The River Oaks outpost of this popular Woodlands restaurant is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Bedecked with chandeliers, and with a large, dedicated bar and lounge area with live music, Zanti is the kind of place you’ll want to have a long, leisurely meal. Share a lobster pizza with your dining companions, and then keep a plate of the black truffle tagliolini all to yourself.

1958 W Gray St Suite 101, Houston, TX 77019
(281) 845-4990
(281) 845-4990
a bowl of pappardelle al ragu di ossobucco.
Go for the pasta, stay for the vibe at Zanti Cucina.
Zanti Cucina

il Bracco

1705-A Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

This Dallas-based restaurant’s local location in Uptown’s Post Oak area offers a spirited bar scene, with a modern menu of Italian eats like Sicilian crudo, burrata salad, and Italian beef served with au jus. Also, find an intriguing list of pastas, all made fresh in-house.

1705-A Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 532-9950
(713) 532-9950
Il Bracco’s plates of whipped ricotta, Caesar salad, cacio e pepe, crispy artichoke, and meatballs.
Though hailing from Dallas, this Italian restaurant has been a welcomed addition to the Houston area.
Il Bracco

Ostia

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

This neighborhood spot has staples like cacio e pepe and carbonara down pat — they don’t even list them on the menu. Order from memory, or if craving one of chef-owner Travis McShane’s creations, browse the ever-changing menu, which includes Mediterranean fare and favorites like the crispy roasted half-lemon chicken that’s perfect for sharing. Don’t forget the fresh-baked focaccia bread, served warm, and drizzled with olive oil and herbs.

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 324-9288
(713) 324-9288

Marmo

888 Westheimer Rd Suite 109, Houston, TX 77006

Stop into this Italian chophouse for its tender Tuscan fried chicken, light and flavorful blue crab bruschetta, a bolognese with a hint of sweetness, and hand-cut grilled steaks with just the right amount of char. Stay for the live music held throughout the week, and be sure to end the experience with a bowl of creamy tiramisu that’s worth every bite.

888 Westheimer Rd Suite 109, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 626-3400
(832) 626-3400
A plethora of Marmo’s steak offerings.
Marmo offers an array of pastas, steaks, and more.
Kirsten Gilliam

Damian's Cucina Italiana

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

A Houston institution for 40 years, Damian’s offers a warm and inviting space to enjoy specialties like spaghetti with “Mama Mandola” meatballs, Grilled Chilean sea bass drizzled with white wine butter sauce, and veal marsala. Catching a show Downtown after dinner? Damian’s offers a shuttle to and from the Wortham Center, Alley Theatre, Hobby Center, and Jones Hall.

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-0439
(713) 522-0439

Da Marco

1520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

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.

1520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 807-8857
(713) 807-8857

Dante's River Oaks

4340 Westheimer Rd #150, Houston, TX 77027

An intimate alternative to some of the larger establishments in town, newcomer Dante’s offers a stylish and cozy place to dine. Salads highlight the various Italian regions, while mains include a number of proteins and pasta dishes like pappardelle bolognese and rigatoni cacio e pepe. The menu is further complemented by a large selection of Italian wines, which owner Brian Doke has collected for years, and tasty spins on the classic gin and tonic cocktail. The small-batch gelato here, which has come in flavors like dill and a rosemary-dark chocolate-pistachio, is also a must-try.

4340 Westheimer Rd #150, Houston, TX 77027
(832) 997-4220
(832) 997-4220
Dante’s cocktail and a plate of pasta with meat and red sauce.
Dante’s gets intimate dining and pasta down pat.
Dante’s River Oaks

Paulie's

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Slinging hearty portions of homemade pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches, and more since 1998, this Montrose mom-and-pop cafe is known for its comforting and affordable Italian eats. Stop in for a classic hoagie, or stay awhile with a dish like the canestri alla funghi, a creamy mushroom pasta. Pro-tip for groups: Order the half portions of multiple pastas, and share.

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 807-7271
(713) 807-7271

Related Maps

Lulu's

2518 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77019

A River Oaks gem from the team behind Armando’s, located in the same retail strip, Lulu’s offers delicious Italian staples, including a bolognese made with slow-braised beef tip, and crispy fried calamari, accompanied by a sweet balsamic glaze and banana peppers. A focaccia fanatic? Try the restaurant’s $5 bread service, which offers freshly baked focaccia slices and mini loaves served with whipped honey and olive oil.

2518 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 590-7350
(713) 590-7350
A plate of carbonara pasta topped with a country egg.
The carbonara at Lulu’s in River Oaks.
Kirsten Gilliam

Bari

4444 Westheimer Rd suite a175, Houston, TX 77027

A new addition to River Oaks District, Bari brings style and substance with its sceney space and bountiful menu of quintessential Italian dishes. Indulge in the Torre Bari, a head-turning seafood tower built with oysters, mussels, clams, prawns, Maine lobster, jumbo lump crabmeat, and a crudo of the day, before moving on to a housemade pasta like the tagliatelle carbonara or a hand-tossed pizza with mozzarella from the Amalfi region.

4444 Westheimer Rd suite a175, Houston, TX 77027
(832) 415-9222
(832) 415-9222

Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Seat yourself on Giacomo’s laid-back patio, and choose from dozens of affordable and flavorful dishes, like ratatouille, carbonara (sans cream), pasta e fagioli, and the pappardelle al telefono, made with garlic, oil, and tomatoes. The wine selections are even more plentiful, with a variety of white, red, and orange selections, and champagne options by the glass or the bottle. Reservations are recommended for indoor dining, but leave your cash at home: Only credit cards are accepted.

3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-1934
(713) 522-1934

Carrabba's - The Original On Kirby

3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098

This family-owned 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.

3115 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 522-3131
(713) 522-3131
the grilled chicken “Bryan Texas,” topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil butter with a side of fettuccine Alfredo.
Carrabba’s original location on Kirby dishes out a variety of Italian fan favorites, including the grilled chicken “Bryan Texas,” which is topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil butter.
Carrabbas

Amore

3310 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Truffle-lovers take note: Amore features an entire truffle section on its menu, including such decadences as the foie gras tortellini, the egg souffle with jamon iberico, and Adriatic sea bass — all prepared with black truffles. If pizza is more your speed, try the Romana pie with anchovies or the burrata with prosciutto and egg, cooked in the restaurant’s wood-burning oven.

3310 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 485-0033
(713) 485-0033

Tony's

3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046

With influences from both Naples and Milan, this high-end, time-honored Italian restaurant delivers on special occasion dining, with dishes like the squash-filled pansoti, and the 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.

3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046
(713) 622-6778
(713) 622-6778

D'Amico's Italian Market Cafe

5510 Morningside Dr Suite . 140, Houston, TX 77005

Stop into this Rice Village gem for hearty Italian cuisine, with sandwiches like sausage and peppers subs and meat-filled hoagies, wood-fired pizzas, and homemade pasta dishes, like the crawfish ravioli, which is stuffed with ricotta and romano cheeses, poblano peppers, garlic, and onion, and topped with a crema rosa sauce. Stop by for lunch between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when lunch-sized portions of pasta come with a side salad for $10 to $11.

5510 Morningside Dr Suite . 140, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 526-3400
(713) 526-3400

Roma

2347 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005

This Rice Village hideaway is the quintessential date night destination. Dine on the patio, illuminated with string lighting, or opt for something more intimate inside. Either way, you’ll find top notch service, interesting wines, and Italian standouts like lasagna, carbonara, bolognese, and chocolate cannolis.

2347 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 664-7581
(713) 664-7581

B.B. Italia

16250 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Located in Sugar Land’s Town Center, this Berg Hospitality restaurant offers a large menu of classic Italian offerings in an upbeat, family-friendly environment. Start with the focaccia service, which is presented with a variety of oils and spreads, and then choose from classic entrees like rigatoni with vodka sauce, spaghetti pomodoro, and a whopping 20-layer lasagna.

16250 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479
(713) 424-7876
(713) 424-7876

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