Best Italian Restaurants in Austin

From classic red sauce, checkerboard tablecloth joints to refined menus with modern takes, Italian fare is well represented here, and we have 10 solid examples to prove it.

Top Italian-American Restaurants

For those seeking nostalgic comfort, white tablecloths, and classic oversized portions, these spots define the Italian-American experience in Central Texas.

Sammie’s Italian

Stepping into Sammie’s feels like walking onto a film set. With its dark wood, uniformed servers and oversized portions of veal parmigiana, it captures the high-gloss spirit of 1950s New York. It’s the ultimate destination for a celebratory "martini and meatballs" kind of night.

Reale’s Italian Cafe

If Sammie's is the glamour, Reale’s is the soul. Located in North Austin, this family-owned spot is where you go for cozy booths, checkered vibes and garlic knots that have a cult following. It’s unpretentious and feels like home.

Modern Italian and Seasonal Wine Bars

These restaurants represent the "New Austin" style: minimalist, wine-forward, and focused on seasonal small plates rather than traditional heavy entrees.

Birdie's

Technically a wine bar, but arguably the most influential "Italian-adjacent" spot in town. The menu changes constantly, but there is always a singular, meticulously crafted pasta dish on the menu that rivals anything in Italy. Birdie's is walk-in only, so expect a line of Austin's most stylish foodies.

Casa Bianca

This east side modern Italian concept that isn't afraid to break the rules, blending traditional pasta shapes with unexpected flavors and a heavy emphasis on high-quality seafood. Casa Bianca's rooftop bar makes it a prime "see and be seen" location.

Juniper

Taking its cues specifically from Northern Italy, Juniper’s aesthetic is as crisp as its flavors. Their Puffy Potatoes are a permanent menu fixture for a reason, offering a textural masterclass that sets the tone for a refined, contemporary meal.

Authentic Wood-Fired and Farm-to-Table Italian

Italy’s "Cucina Povera" philosophy—making the most of local ingredients—is alive and well in these Austin kitchens.

L’Oca d’Oro

Located in Mueller, L'Oca d'Oro showcases the best of "homemade". They make their own pasta, cheese and even their own liqueurs. The menu is a love letter to local farmers, resulting in dishes that feel deeply connected to the Texas landscape.

Red Ash Italia

Centered around a massive custom-built wood-burning grill, Red Ash is all about intensity. The smell of woodsmoke hits you at the door. While the steaks are phenomenal, the wood-roasted bone marrow and tagliolini with crab are the true stars of the show.

Intero

An East Austin gem that champions whole-animal Italian cooking. Intero's menu is rustic, sustainable, and incredibly creative. Because they use every part of the plant and animal, you’ll find unique dishes here you won't see anywhere else. Bonus: their in-house chocolate program is a mandatory finish to the meal.

Patrizi’s

Proving that world-class Italian doesn't require a tablecloth, Patrizi's food truck at The Vortex pulls their pasta fresh to order. Eating a bowl of cacio e pepe under the string lights of their outdoor patio remains the most "quintessential Austin" Italian experience you can have.

At a Glance: Finding Your Flavor

Craving more? From hidden taco trucks to the city’s best rooftop bars, we’ve mapped out the absolute best spots to grab a bite in ATX. Don't stop at Italian—your next favorite meal is just a click away.