The Best Italian Restaurants in Austin

Austin isn’t just the state capital of Texas, it’s a thriving city known for its academic institutions, live music, and amazing food. It’s home to some of the best barbecue, Tex-Mex, burgers, and more. But where are the people going when it comes to eating good Italian in this Lone Star city? We did some digging into our data and found the true tastemakers—the diners we know are going to the best Italian restaurants that Austin has to offer. Here’s where those people are eating pasta and pizza in ATX.

The OpenTable Team

13 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria, Siena Ristorante Toscana, It's Italian Cucina…
Price Range:	$$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Italian…
Neighborhoods:	Downtown, Northwest, South Austin…

Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria

$$$$

Italian

Downtown

4.7

1127 reviews

For Italian grub just like Mama used to make, Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria takes some beating. Located inside an historic building in downtown Austin, this family-run eatery offers a rustic yet elegant dining experience. All the classic Italian dishes people know and love are on the menu, as well as house specialties such as Pollo Scarpariello and Gnocchi Sorrentina. There’s an extensive selection of antipasti available throughout the day, as well as lunchtime offerings such as paninis and salads. Anyone who dines at Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria is treated to a selection of in-house breads.

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Siena Ristorante Toscana

$$$$

Italian

Northwest

4.7

2199 reviews

Many of Tuscany’s most famous culinary creations are given top billing at Siena Ristorante Toscana. Located just off Highway 360, this homely eatery is known locally for its huge selection of pizza and pasta. The fact that the executive chef and many of his team have worked in Tuscany makes this one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in the Austin area. One of the most popular dishes on the menu is a grilled pork tenderloin with mushroom and sage sauce. All the main pasta dishes from Tuscany also appear. For the most adventurous diner, Trota Con Scampi is a great option. A rainbow trout is coated with a walnut crust before being roasted and served with sauteed shrimp.

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It's Italian Cucina

$$$$

Italian

South Austin

4.7

658 reviews

It's Italian Cucina is a celebration of cuisine from the northern regions of Italy. As well as being home to a range of rustic Italian dishes, this intimate dining venue also boasts a Martini and wine bar. The style of service is laidback, and designed to replicate the classic family dining experience that is so popular throughout Italy. The menu is an eclectic affair, packed full of classic pasta dishes, seafood specialties, cured meats and cheeses. And an award-winning wine list is the icing on the cake. It's Italian Cucina is the perfect location for family events and romantic dinner dates — and many local residents believe it's the best Italian in Austin.

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Il Brutto

$$$$

Italian

East Austin

4.5

1188 reviews

Located on East 6th Street in downtown Austin, Il Brutto is the quintessential neighborhood Italian eatery. There are no frills or formalities here — just amazing, homestyle food. The style of service is laid-back to the point of sleepy but in a good way. Servers are just like part of the Il Brutto family, so diners often feel like they’re in someone’s home. The menu consists of classic pizzas and pasta dishes, as well as a few steaks and salads are thrown in for good measure. Pizza bases are cooked in a beautiful Neapolitan wood-burning oven. This not only delivers incredible aromas, it serves as an interesting focal point. For diners in search of the best Italian in Austin for wood-fired pizza, Il Brutto is a great option.

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Intero

$$$$

Italian

East Austin

4.8

1086 reviews

Intero Ristorante on East Cesar Chavez Street offers a fusion of classic and contemporary Italian cooking. Culinary creations in this stylish restaurant changes with the seasons, so nothing is ever predictable. The management prides itself on traceable and sustainable provenance. Ask where a steak or chicken breast came from, and the answer won’t take too long to arrive. The menu features all the classic pasta, risotto, seafood and steak dishes people expect from Italian eateries. But what makes this place truly unique is the artisan chocolate counter in the restaurant window. This is the perfect place to sample real Italian chocolate and truffles with a cup of traditional Italian coffee.

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ASTI Trattoria

$$$$

Italian

Midtown

4.7

1843 reviews

ASTI Trattoria in Austin’s historic Hyde Park captures the essence of the Italian dining experience. There’s a family, neighborhood feel to this eatery that transports diners back to the Tuscan hills. Dining is an altogether informal affair at lunchtime. Pizza, pasta, panini, and risotto take center stage, but a lot of diners settle for a coffee, a biscotti and some conversation. Things become a little more formal during the evenings, but only very slightly. The large antipasti plate is a firm favorite, as it gives families the opportunity to share the same dining experience. Other house specialties include Linguine & Littleneck Clams, Hay & Straw Fettuccine and Pan-Seared Chicken Breast Piccata. ASTI Trattoria might well be the best Italian in Austin for traditional Tuscan cuisine.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Cipollina

$$$$

Italian

Downtown

4.7

969 reviews

Diner ratings suggest Cipollina is one of the best Italian restaurants in Texas. The style of service is casual, but there’s still an air of elegance throughout this charming, neighborhood-style eatery. Wood-fired pizzas tend to be the most popular dishes on the menu, but there are also some much-loved sharing plates that fly out of the kitchen during dinner. The menu at Cipollina is minimalist, which ensures quality and speed of service. There are just eight items in the “Mains” section, which include Spinach Gnocchi Alfredo, Spaghetti and Meatballs and Pan-Seared Redfish. Located in the Clarksville area of Austin, Cipollina is a great little restaurant for big families.

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Juniper

$$$$

Italian

East Austin

4.7

2144 reviews

Juniper on East Cesar Chavez Street has taken Italian classics and given them a contemporary aesthetic that’s usually associated with French cuisine. Diners can expect all of the classic Italian dishes usually found in neighborhood eateries. But every dish looks like a work of art — something that wouldn’t look out of place hanging on the wall. In order to control quality and timings, the dinner menu is stripped back to just a handful of dishes in each category. For example, there are only seven pasta dishes, which include spaghetti with prosciutto and gnocchi made with apple and sage. What makes this place extra special, however, is the fact that all of the ingredients are sourced from local producers.

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Trattoria Lisina

$$$$

Italian

Driftwood

4.7

6563 reviews

Although this hidden gem is located on the outskirts of Austin, making the trip for lunch or dinner is well worth the hassle. For people looking for an authentic Italian ambiance, there are few better eateries in the Austin area. Everything about Trattoria Lisina screams rustic; from the food to the decor. The Mandola family wanted to create the quintessential family dining experience that is so popular in Italy. And they succeeded. Among the most popular main courses on the menu are Pollo Arrosto (chicken with a lemon herb sauce) and Costolleta alla Mela (pork chops with an apple cider sauce). It’s also worth mentioning that the house-made tiramisu has a huge fanbase in the local area.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

L'Oca d'Oro

$$$$

Italian

North Central

4.6

1264 reviews

The kitchen team at L’Oca d’Oro takes great pride in only sourcing fresh ingredients from local suppliers. And because there’s an emphasis on seasonality, the menu is constantly changing and evolving. Absolutely everything here is made from scratch in the kitchen, including all of the pasta and breads. Even the cheese comes from local suppliers. A beautiful dining space is always swathed in light during the day, thanks to huge windows towards the front of the property. But the real star of the show is the food. Brunch at L’Oca d’Oro is an event, which is often dominated by specialty “plates.” Among the very reasonably priced main courses are the gnocchi, polpette (meatballs) and chef’s specialty Yonder Way Pork Milanesa.

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The Backspace - Austin

$$$$

Pizzeria

Downtown

4.6

627 reviews

Located on the edge of Austin’s Warehouse District, The Backspace is a neighborhood Italian and Pizzeria with an identity all of its own. This stylish yet laidback eatery is dominated by a real wood-burning brick oven, which delivers fresh pizzas continually throughout the average day. This place looks and feels like a classic Italian bistro — which wouldn’t look out of place in central Rome. As well as a huge selection of gourmet pizzas, the menu boasts an extensive antipasti selection. For large groups looking for food and wine to share, The Backspace has everything. It’s also a great nightspot, thanks to a party atmosphere and a wine list that dwarfs the menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Red Ash Italia

$$$$

Italian

Downtown

4.8

2975 reviews

Hundreds of diners in Austin believe Red Ash Italia is the best Italian in Austin. While this is up for debate, there's no denying the fact that the food and service here is exceptional. Located in the Warehouse District of the city, Red Ash is a rustic eatery that serves rustic fare — but with a contemporary edge. The wines and beers here are produced locally, and many of the ingredients come from nearby farms, too. The menu is extensive, and includes antipasti, steak and salad sections. A wood-fired grill delivers beef steaks and pork chops of the highest quality. But the biggest attraction has to be the selection of house specialty pastas. Among the most popular are the Agnolotti "Piemontese Style" and the seafood spaghetti.

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Laurel

$$$$

Italian

Bee Caves / Lakeway / Lake Travis

4.1

29 reviews

Located in the resplendent Hotel Granduca Austin, this stylish restaurant is renowned for the elegant way it presents classically rustic Italian dishes. Visconti Ristorante offers an all-day service that starts with an extensive selection of breakfast favorites. But the dining room really comes to life at dinner. For a set price, diners can feast on three courses and a selection of pairings. Antipasti and salads feature prominently on the menu, but most diners are drawn to the signature dishes. Visconti Strip Steak and Salsa Verde Ribeye are among the most popular choices. As this eatery is located inside a premium hotel, the style of service is formal, and the ambiance is often subdued. But for romantic dinner dates and the best Italian food in Houston, there's no better place.

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The Best Italian Restaurants