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A dish with a piece of eggplant parmigiana being garnished. — Eggplant parmigiana at Marmo is pure comfort on a plate.

The 24 Best Italian Restaurants in Houston

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

by Brittany Britto Garley Updated Mar 19, 2024, 3:38pm CDT

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Eggplant parmigiana at Marmo is pure comfort on a plate.

| Kirsten Gilliam

by Brittany Britto Garley Updated Mar 19, 2024, 3:38pm CDT

When in need of a little comfort food, Italian cuisine rarely disappoints. A bowl of spaghetti and meatballs in a luxurious, savory red sauce, or a platter of carbonara with warm, herb-crusted focaccia is enough to provide pure satisfaction. Thankfully, when it comes to Italian, Houston’s got range. With an influx of new Italian restaurant openings in the last few years, there are even more places to discover. Here are XXX Italian restaurants in Houston — both tried and truem and hot and new — that should be on your radar.

This map has been updated to include restaurants such as

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Triola's Kitchen

Despite being one of the city’s newer Italian restaurants, Triola’s Kitchen has 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.

4606 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009

Also featured in:

Houston’s Most Beloved BYOB Restaurants

Trattoria Sofia

This restaurant from the Berg Hospitality group is a rustic chic alternative to some of the more casual restaurants in the Heights area. Take to the dimly-lit dining room or the temperature-controlled patio for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with menu highlights including frito misto, pesto bucatini with whipped ricotta, pressed Italian meat paninis, and the pizza verde, made with spinach and kale.

911 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008

A white bowl of cacio e pepe pasta against white marble table top. — Cacio e pepe at Trattoria Sofia is a fine choice.

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Coltivare

Using ingredients from its onsite vegetable garden, Coltivare’s Italian fare is inspired by the seasons, and by the Gulf Coast. Dishes like wild Gulf snapper served with okra confit, sofrito, and fingerling potatoes; and fettuccini with shrimp and local corn, tomatoes, and basil are inventive. 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.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

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A post shared by Coltivare Pizza & Garden | Houston, Texas (@coltivarehtx)

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Lombardi Cucina

This Dallas-area restaurant recently opened an outpost in Uptown Park, and has quickly garnered interest from Houston diners for its must-see dining space and elegant menu of Italian classics. Start strong with a caprese salad and wagyu meatballs, and then choose from one of the many pasta varieties, including ravioli, risotto, and lasagna, among others. Visit during weekend brunch when entrees like Italian shakshuka and truffle eggs take center stage.

1101 Uptown Park Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by il Bracco Restaurant (@ilbraccopostoak)

Also featured in:

The 17 Best Houston Speakeasies to Spice Up Your Night

il Bracco

This Dallas-based restaurant has an outpost on Post Oak Boulevard in Uptown, and it’s every bit a scene as it is and fun. A modern menu of Italian eats features things like Sicilian crudo, burrata salad, and Italian beef served with au jus. Also, find a mouthwatering pasta list, all made fresh in-house.

1705-A Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

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.

Also featured in:

Tavola

A collaboration between Berg Hospitality and the Bastion Collection, Tavola puts the spotlight on Italian cuisine in a glamorous way, with a brasserie-style bar, enclosed patio, and an attractive dining room decorated in blush hues. At its helm is Milan-born chef Luca Di Benedetto who infuses dishes with southern flair, as in the pappardelle with Texas wild boar ragu. Eat, drink, and then choose an after-dinner digestif from the restaurant’s amaro cart.

1800 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056

A plate of risotto topped with lobster and caviar. — Risotto at Tavola gets a double dose of decadence, with lobster and caviar.

Also featured in:

Bari

Bari brings style and substance to River Oaks District with its alluring space at the center of the plaza 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 pasta made in-house, like the tagliatelle carbonara or a hand-tossed pizza with mozzarella from the Amalfi region.

4444 Westheimer Rd suite a175, Houston, TX 77027

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Rosalie Italian Soul

From celeb chef Chris Cosentino, Rosalie is tucked inside Downtown boutique hotel, the C. Baldwin. 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 fried ravioli with marinara, spinach manicotti, seafood scampi, and chicken cacciatore.

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

Rosalie’s dining room with globe light fixtures, plants, and pink banquette seating. — Rosalie, located inside the C. Baldwin Hotel, has a retro cool aesthetic.

Also featured in:

Potente

Just steps away from Minute Maid Park, chef Danny Trace creates an Italian dining escape at Potente. Bedecked with chandeliers, this elegant restaurant serves up housemade pastas, alongside top-notch steaks and wild-caught seafood dishes on white-clothed tables. Try the spaghetti al tartufo nero, a fancy spin on cacio e pepe that includes black truffles, shaved table side — and named one of the best pastas in the country by Food Network.

1515 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Also featured in:

Zanti Cucina Italiana - River Oaks

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

a bowl of pappardelle al ragu di ossobucco. — Go for the pasta, stay for the vibe at Zanti Cucina.

Also featured in:

18 Essential River Oaks Restaurants

Romano's Pizza

Romano’s gets a lot of hype for its New York-style slices, but the no-frills pizzeria is also known to have some of the best and heartiest Italian offerings in town. Handhelds like the meatball sub and two-cheese calzone are hard to resist, while the saucy baked ziti has a cult following.

1528 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

Ostia

This Montrose neighborhood gem is lauded for its aesthetically-appealing space, which includes a greenhouse-inspired dining room and patio, and a robust seasonal menu of pizzas and pastas. Helmed by chef-owner Travis McShane, current offerings include gnocchi with cherry tomato, corn, and parmigiano; bucatini carbonara; and a series of off-the-menu pasta plates reserved for those in the know. Don’t forget the fresh-baked focaccia bread, served warm, and drizzled with olive oil and herbs.

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

A white bowl with pasta carbonara, topped with cheese. — Ostia’s pasta carbonara is loaded with cheesy goodness.

Also featured in:

Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

Hunker down on Giacomo’s laid-back patio, and choose from dozens of flavorful Italian dishes that are easy on the pocketbook. Entrees include ratatouille, carbonara (sans cream), pasta e fagioli, and pappardelle al telefono, made with garlic, oil, and tomatoes. Wine selections are even more plentiful, with a variety of white, red, and orange selections, and champagne options by the glass or the bottle.

3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

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Lulu's

A River Oaks gem from the team behind Armando’s, located in the same retail strip, Lulu’s offers delicious Italian staples in a rustic space. Indulge in bolognese made with slow-braised beef tip, fried calamari with a sweet balsamic glaze and banana peppers, and the restaurant’s newly launched caviar service. 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

A plate of carbonara pasta topped with a country egg. — The carbonara at Lulu’s in River Oaks.

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Paulie's

Slinging hearty portions of homemade pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches, and more since 1998, this family-owned Montrose 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

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A post shared by Paulie’s (@pauliepetro)

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Da Marco

This time-honored Tuscan restaurant features inventive dishes that pair well with a well-curated wine list. Pastas like wild boar pappardelle, butternut squash cappellacci, and sea urchin spaghetti with chilies, are sure to cure pasta cravings big and small, and take a peek at one of its greatest hits: chianti-braised short ribs with polenta cacio e pepe.

1520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Also featured in:

Marmo

This Italian chophouse, located at the Montrose Collective, pairs Italian comfort food with hand-cut prime steaks, in a lively space. Start with Tuscan fried chicken or blue crab bruschetta before digging into the hearty veal bolognese. A pianist offers live music in the bar, so stick around for dessert — the tiramisu is worth every bite.

888 Westheimer Rd Suite 109, Houston, TX 77006

A plethora of Marmo’s steak offerings. — Marmo offers an array of pastas, steaks, and more.

Also featured in:

Damian's Cucina Italiana

A Houston institution for more than 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 complimentary shuttle service to and from the Wortham Center, Alley Theatre, Hobby Center, and Jones Hall.

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Damians Cucina Italiana (@damianscucinahouston)

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Carrabba’s - The Original On Kirby

This family-owned establishment, which bred the national chain of the same name, features 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

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.

Also featured in:

Amore

Truffle-lovers take note: Amore features an entire truffle section on its menu, spotlighting such decadences as the foie gras tortellini, 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

Tony's

With influences from both Naples and Milan, this iconic Houston restaurant delivers on special occasion dining with dishes like squash-filled pansoti, and classic savory pappardelle bolognese with parmesan. For a truly unforgettable food moment, get the salt-crusted snapper, a Gulf-caught red snapper that arrives to the table still flaming.

3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046

A large platter with a salted-crusted snapper. — The salted crusted snapper at Tony’s is a headturner.

Also featured in:

D'Amico's Italian Market Cafe

This casual Rice Village cafe serves as a suitable place to satisfy Italian food cravings in between exploring the area’s many shops and boutiques. Choose from sandwiches like spicy subs and meat-filled hoagies; wood-fired pizzas; and homemade pasta plates, like crawfish ravioli stuffed with ricotta and romano cheeses and poblano peppers, and topped with crema rosa sauce. Visit during lunch, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when lunch-sized portions of pasta come with a side salad for under $11.

5510 Morningside Dr Suite . 140, Houston, TX 77005

Roma

With its cozy dining room and outdoor patio illuminated with string lighting, Roma is a quintessential date night destination. The menu is a reflection of Italy’s 14 regions, with dishes like spaghetti aglio e olio, cacio e pepe, and Osso Buco, plus desserts like limoncello tarts and chocolate cannolis.

2347 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005

Various plates from Roma, with a glass of red wine. — Roma’s menu is reflective of Italy’s 14 regions.

Also featured in:

Brittany Britto Garley is an award-winning journalist and the editor of Eater Houston. She writes and oversees coverage of food and dining in the most diverse city in the country.

© 2024 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Triola's Kitchen

4606 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009

Despite being one of the city’s newer Italian restaurants, Triola’s Kitchen has 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.

Open in Google Maps

4606 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009

Visit Website

Trattoria Sofia

911 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008

This restaurant from the Berg Hospitality group is a rustic chic alternative to some of the more casual restaurants in the Heights area. Take to the dimly-lit dining room or the temperature-controlled patio for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with menu highlights including frito misto, pesto bucatini with whipped ricotta, pressed Italian meat paninis, and the pizza verde, made with spinach and kale.

911 W 11th St, Houston, TX 77008

Visit Website

A white bowl of cacio e pepe pasta against white marble table top. — Cacio e pepe at Trattoria Sofia is a fine choice.

Coltivare

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

Using ingredients from its onsite vegetable garden, Coltivare’s Italian fare is inspired by the seasons, and by the Gulf Coast. Dishes like wild Gulf snapper served with okra confit, sofrito, and fingerling potatoes; and fettuccini with shrimp and local corn, tomatoes, and basil are inventive. 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.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Coltivare Pizza & Garden | Houston, Texas (@coltivarehtx)

Lombardi Cucina

1101 Uptown Park Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056

This Dallas-area restaurant recently opened an outpost in Uptown Park, and has quickly garnered interest from Houston diners for its must-see dining space and elegant menu of Italian classics. Start strong with a caprese salad and wagyu meatballs, and then choose from one of the many pasta varieties, including ravioli, risotto, and lasagna, among others. Visit during weekend brunch when entrees like Italian shakshuka and truffle eggs take center stage.

Open in Google Maps

1101 Uptown Park Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by il Bracco Restaurant (@ilbraccopostoak)

il Bracco

1705-A Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

This Dallas-based restaurant has an outpost on Post Oak Boulevard in Uptown, and it’s every bit a scene as it is and fun. A modern menu of Italian eats features things like Sicilian crudo, burrata salad, and Italian beef served with au jus. Also, find a mouthwatering pasta list, all made fresh in-house.

Open in Google Maps

1705-A Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056

Visit Website

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.

Tavola

1800 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056

A collaboration between Berg Hospitality and the Bastion Collection, Tavola puts the spotlight on Italian cuisine in a glamorous way, with a brasserie-style bar, enclosed patio, and an attractive dining room decorated in blush hues. At its helm is Milan-born chef Luca Di Benedetto who infuses dishes with southern flair, as in the pappardelle with Texas wild boar ragu. Eat, drink, and then choose an after-dinner digestif from the restaurant’s amaro cart.

Open in Google Maps

1800 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056

Visit Website

A plate of risotto topped with lobster and caviar. — Risotto at Tavola gets a double dose of decadence, with lobster and caviar.

Bari

4444 Westheimer Rd suite a175, Houston, TX 77027

Bari brings style and substance to River Oaks District with its alluring space at the center of the plaza 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 pasta made in-house, like the tagliatelle carbonara or a hand-tossed pizza with mozzarella from the Amalfi region.

4444 Westheimer Rd suite a175, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Rosalie Italian Soul

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

From celeb chef Chris Cosentino, Rosalie is tucked inside Downtown boutique hotel, the C. Baldwin. 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 fried ravioli with marinara, spinach manicotti, seafood scampi, and chicken cacciatore.

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

Visit Website

Rosalie’s dining room with globe light fixtures, plants, and pink banquette seating. — Rosalie, located inside the C. Baldwin Hotel, has a retro cool aesthetic.

Potente

1515 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Just steps away from Minute Maid Park, chef Danny Trace creates an Italian dining escape at Potente. Bedecked with chandeliers, this elegant restaurant serves up housemade pastas, alongside top-notch steaks and wild-caught seafood dishes on white-clothed tables. Try the spaghetti al tartufo nero, a fancy spin on cacio e pepe that includes black truffles, shaved table side — and named one of the best pastas in the country by Food Network.

1515 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

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.

Open in Google Maps

1958 W Gray St Suite 101, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

a bowl of pappardelle al ragu di ossobucco. — Go for the pasta, stay for the vibe at Zanti Cucina.

Romano's Pizza

1528 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

Romano’s gets a lot of hype for its New York-style slices, but the no-frills pizzeria is also known to have some of the best and heartiest Italian offerings in town. Handhelds like the meatball sub and two-cheese calzone are hard to resist, while the saucy baked ziti has a cult following.

1528 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

Ostia

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

This Montrose neighborhood gem is lauded for its aesthetically-appealing space, which includes a greenhouse-inspired dining room and patio, and a robust seasonal menu of pizzas and pastas. Helmed by chef-owner Travis McShane, current offerings include gnocchi with cherry tomato, corn, and parmigiano; bucatini carbonara; and a series of off-the-menu pasta plates reserved for those in the know. Don’t forget the fresh-baked focaccia bread, served warm, and drizzled with olive oil and herbs.

2032 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

A white bowl with pasta carbonara, topped with cheese. — Ostia’s pasta carbonara is loaded with cheesy goodness.

Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Hunker down on Giacomo’s laid-back patio, and choose from dozens of flavorful Italian dishes that are easy on the pocketbook. Entrees include ratatouille, carbonara (sans cream), pasta e fagioli, and pappardelle al telefono, made with garlic, oil, and tomatoes. Wine selections are even more plentiful, with a variety of white, red, and orange selections, and champagne options by the glass or the bottle.

3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino (@giacomoshouston)

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 in a rustic space. Indulge in bolognese made with slow-braised beef tip, fried calamari with a sweet balsamic glaze and banana peppers, and the restaurant’s newly launched caviar service. 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

Visit Website

A plate of carbonara pasta topped with a country egg. — The carbonara at Lulu’s in River Oaks.

Paulie's

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

Slinging hearty portions of homemade pasta, salads, soups, sandwiches, and more since 1998, this family-owned Montrose 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

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paulie’s (@pauliepetro)

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Da Marco

1520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

This time-honored Tuscan restaurant features inventive dishes that pair well with a well-curated wine list. Pastas like wild boar pappardelle, butternut squash cappellacci, and sea urchin spaghetti with chilies, are sure to cure pasta cravings big and small, and take a peek at one of its greatest hits: chianti-braised short ribs with polenta cacio e pepe.

1520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Marmo

888 Westheimer Rd Suite 109, Houston, TX 77006

This Italian chophouse, located at the Montrose Collective, pairs Italian comfort food with hand-cut prime steaks, in a lively space. Start with Tuscan fried chicken or blue crab bruschetta before digging into the hearty veal bolognese. A pianist offers live music in the bar, so stick around for dessert — the tiramisu is worth every bite.

Open in Google Maps

888 Westheimer Rd Suite 109, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

A plethora of Marmo’s steak offerings. — Marmo offers an array of pastas, steaks, and more.

Damian's Cucina Italiana

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

A Houston institution for more than 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 complimentary shuttle service to and from the Wortham Center, Alley Theatre, Hobby Center, and Jones Hall.

3011 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Damians Cucina Italiana (@damianscucinahouston)

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 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

Visit Website

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.

Amore

3310 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Truffle-lovers take note: Amore features an entire truffle section on its menu, spotlighting such decadences as the foie gras tortellini, 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.

Open in Google Maps

3310 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Tony's

3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046

With influences from both Naples and Milan, this iconic Houston restaurant delivers on special occasion dining with dishes like squash-filled pansoti, and classic savory pappardelle bolognese with parmesan. For a truly unforgettable food moment, get the salt-crusted snapper, a Gulf-caught red snapper that arrives to the table still flaming.

3755 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77046

Visit Website

A large platter with a salted-crusted snapper. — The salted crusted snapper at Tony’s is a headturner.

D'Amico's Italian Market Cafe

5510 Morningside Dr Suite . 140, Houston, TX 77005

This casual Rice Village cafe serves as a suitable place to satisfy Italian food cravings in between exploring the area’s many shops and boutiques. Choose from sandwiches like spicy subs and meat-filled hoagies; wood-fired pizzas; and homemade pasta plates, like crawfish ravioli stuffed with ricotta and romano cheeses and poblano peppers, and topped with crema rosa sauce. Visit during lunch, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when lunch-sized portions of pasta come with a side salad for under $11.

5510 Morningside Dr Suite . 140, Houston, TX 77005

Visit Website

Roma

2347 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005

With its cozy dining room and outdoor patio illuminated with string lighting, Roma is a quintessential date night destination. The menu is a reflection of Italy’s 14 regions, with dishes like spaghetti aglio e olio, cacio e pepe, and Osso Buco, plus desserts like limoncello tarts and chocolate cannolis.

2347 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005

Visit Website

Various plates from Roma, with a glass of red wine. — Roma’s menu is reflective of Italy’s 14 regions.

Related Maps