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Italian dishes from Heel of the Boot.
The Heel of the Boot

17 Charming Italian Restaurants in Austin

Red sauces, meatballs, and plenty of pastas

by Erin Russell Updated
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Italian dishes from Heel of the Boot.
| The Heel of the Boot
by Erin Russell Updated

Italian food in Austin comes in many iterations, from fresh, springy pasta to certified Neapolitan pizza to Italian-American red sauce joints. From longtime local favorites to newcomers on the scene, here are the top Italian restaurants in the city.

Those looking for chewy handmade pasta shouldn’t skip the food trucks — both Patrizi’s and Artipasta make fresh pasta ready for a variety of sauces. In the mood for pizza? Bufalina and Bufalina Due Due offers Neapolitan-style pies alongside an exceptional natural wine list. Looking for meat dishes? Red Ash’s strength is a massive wood-burning grill, while Intero has tender meats like wagyu short ribs.

For the full pasta experience, check out Eater’s must-try pasta destinations (which span Italian and non-Italian restaurants) and best macaroni and cheeses.

With updates by Nadia Chaudhury.

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Andiamo Ristorante

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Hidden in a strip mall this North Burnet restaurant serves rich Italian dishes like gnocchi in brown butter sauce, veal, polenta, and more. Try not to fill up on the fantastic homemade bread. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

325, 2521 Rutland Dr, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 719-3377
(512) 719-3377

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Olive & June

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The Bryker Woods restaurant’s emphasis is on handmade pastas like the campanelle, ravioli, and bucatini. Pair dishes with a glass of wine from the diverse wine list and enjoy on the adorable patio. The restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3411 Glenview Ave, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 467-9898
(512) 467-9898

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Asti Trattoria

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This longtime Hyde Park restaurant has a sampling of all the Italian favorites, from polpette to pizza to handmade pasta to risotto. Asti has a great casually elegant atmosphere and a breezy patio. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

408 E 43rd St C, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-1218
(512) 451-1218

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L'Oca d'Oro

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This beautiful Mueller restaurant offers locally sourced dishes like super-fresh mozzarella, sourdough focaccia, malfaldine with smoked short ribs, and grilled fish, along with wine and cocktails. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1900 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
(737) 212-1876
(737) 212-1876

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Patrizi's

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Handmade pastas anchor this Italian truck’s menu, with dishes like Karah’s diavolo, a lemon, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and chile mix that is topped with an egg yolk. Beef and pork meatballs, roasted vegetables, and other sides round out the menu. There’s a second location out in Austin Lake Hills. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 522-4834
(512) 522-4834

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Cipollina

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This restaurant in the heart of Clarksville focuses on Italian cuisine with an Austin twist. For lunch, try a meatball sandwich. For dinner, opt for a crispy thin-crust pizza or the bolognese, made with brisket, bacon, tomato, and tagliatelle, topped with grana padano. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1213 W Lynn St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-5211
(512) 477-5211

Sammie's Italian

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This Jersey-proud red sauce downtown joint from local hospitality group McGuire Moorman Lambert offers Italian-American classics in an upscale atmosphere. Look for dishes like chicken parmigiana, spaghetti and meatballs, and smothered pork chops. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

807 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 474-2054
(512) 474-2054
Food on dishes on a table.
Dishes from Sammie’s.
Bethany Ochs

Red Ash Italia

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Locally sourced meats and an assortment of seafood are roasted to perfection on the downtown restaurant’s custom-built wood-burning grill and oven. Red Ash offers a variety of handmade pastas, too. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Colorado Tower, 303 Colorado St #200, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 379-2906
(512) 379-2906

Numero 28

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The downtown restaurant is a casual stop for pizzas, both white and with red sauce, as well as pasta, lunch paninis, and desserts. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

452 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-5510
(512) 494-5510

Il Brutto

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The East Austin restaurant boasts a classic Italian menu with fresh salads, meat and cheese appetizers, wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and creative decadent desserts. The twinkle-lit outdoor patio is the perfect backdrop for any occasion. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1601 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 580-8779
(512) 580-8779

Bufalina

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For over a decade, Bufalina has been Austin’s go-to for Neapolitan pizza, from classic margherita to creations like the Franco Pepe pie with anchovies and black olives, along with newer pastas courtesy of chef Grae Nonas (famously of Italian pop-up Le Cowboy) Don’t miss the extensive list of natural wine. There’s this location in East Austin and a second one up in Brentwood with chef Matt Lester. To-go orders for Brentwood only can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2215 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

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Juniper

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Taking its cues from Northern Italian cuisine, the East Austin restaurant serves Italian favorites in a sleek, modern setting. There are only prix fixe and tasting menus available. Grab a spot at the chef’s counter for dinner and a show. Don’t miss the focaccia or the delicate pasta dishes. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2400 E Cesar Chavez St #304, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 220-9421
(512) 220-9421

Also featured in:

The Heel of the Boot

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Located at both locations of Wanderlust Wine Company (this one in Govalle and the other in downtown), the truck focuses on cuisine from Puglia, in the south of Italy. That means orecchiette with nduja chorizo. To-go and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

at Wanderlust Wine Collective, 702 Shady Ln, Austin, TX 78702
(737) 224-3114
(737) 224-3114

Intero

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The East Austin restaurant strives for zero waste, which means using all parts of ingredients in cooking. The menu includes handmade pasta like a ravioli with smoked duck confit, risotto with grilled quail, and lots of seasonal local vegetable plates. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2612 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 105, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 599-4052
(512) 599-4052

Also featured in:

Vespaio

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Italian restaurant Vespaio has been a staple on South Congress for over 20 years, with pastas, breads, and desserts all made in-house. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1610 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-7672
(512) 441-7672

Also featured in:

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Artipasta

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Opened by immigrants from the city of Mantova in the Lombardy region of Italy, the Italian food truck offers some of the most true-to-Italy dishes in Austin. Try pasta dishes like the indulgently rich lasagne or casarecce with sage and almond pesto. There’s a second location up in the Linc that only offers pickup and deliveries. To-go orders can be placed online or over the phone; there are DoorDash deliveries; and there are outdoor dining areas.

7800 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 228-7489
(512) 228-7489

Also featured in:

Trattoria Lisina

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This family-owned Hill Country restaurant serves Italian favorites based on recipes generations old. The vineyard surroundings recall the Italian countryside and make for a great getaway. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

13308 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
(512) 894-3111
(512) 894-3111

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Andiamo Ristorante

325, 2521 Rutland Dr, Austin, TX 78758

Hidden in a strip mall this North Burnet restaurant serves rich Italian dishes like gnocchi in brown butter sauce, veal, polenta, and more. Try not to fill up on the fantastic homemade bread. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

325, 2521 Rutland Dr, Austin, TX 78758
(512) 719-3377
(512) 719-3377

Olive & June

3411 Glenview Ave, Austin, TX 78703

The Bryker Woods restaurant’s emphasis is on handmade pastas like the campanelle, ravioli, and bucatini. Pair dishes with a glass of wine from the diverse wine list and enjoy on the adorable patio. The restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3411 Glenview Ave, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 467-9898
(512) 467-9898

Asti Trattoria

408 E 43rd St C, Austin, TX 78751

This longtime Hyde Park restaurant has a sampling of all the Italian favorites, from polpette to pizza to handmade pasta to risotto. Asti has a great casually elegant atmosphere and a breezy patio. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

408 E 43rd St C, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-1218
(512) 451-1218

L'Oca d'Oro

1900 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723

This beautiful Mueller restaurant offers locally sourced dishes like super-fresh mozzarella, sourdough focaccia, malfaldine with smoked short ribs, and grilled fish, along with wine and cocktails. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1900 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723
(737) 212-1876
(737) 212-1876

Patrizi's

2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

Handmade pastas anchor this Italian truck’s menu, with dishes like Karah’s diavolo, a lemon, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and chile mix that is topped with an egg yolk. Beef and pork meatballs, roasted vegetables, and other sides round out the menu. There’s a second location out in Austin Lake Hills. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 522-4834
(512) 522-4834

Cipollina

1213 W Lynn St, Austin, TX 78703

This restaurant in the heart of Clarksville focuses on Italian cuisine with an Austin twist. For lunch, try a meatball sandwich. For dinner, opt for a crispy thin-crust pizza or the bolognese, made with brisket, bacon, tomato, and tagliatelle, topped with grana padano. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1213 W Lynn St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 477-5211
(512) 477-5211

Sammie's Italian

807 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703

This Jersey-proud red sauce downtown joint from local hospitality group McGuire Moorman Lambert offers Italian-American classics in an upscale atmosphere. Look for dishes like chicken parmigiana, spaghetti and meatballs, and smothered pork chops. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

807 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 474-2054
(512) 474-2054
Food on dishes on a table.
Dishes from Sammie’s.
Bethany Ochs

Red Ash Italia

Colorado Tower, 303 Colorado St #200, Austin, TX 78701

Locally sourced meats and an assortment of seafood are roasted to perfection on the downtown restaurant’s custom-built wood-burning grill and oven. Red Ash offers a variety of handmade pastas, too. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Colorado Tower, 303 Colorado St #200, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 379-2906
(512) 379-2906

Numero 28

452 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701

The downtown restaurant is a casual stop for pizzas, both white and with red sauce, as well as pasta, lunch paninis, and desserts. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

452 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-5510
(512) 494-5510

Il Brutto

1601 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

The East Austin restaurant boasts a classic Italian menu with fresh salads, meat and cheese appetizers, wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and creative decadent desserts. The twinkle-lit outdoor patio is the perfect backdrop for any occasion. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1601 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 580-8779
(512) 580-8779

Bufalina

2215 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

For over a decade, Bufalina has been Austin’s go-to for Neapolitan pizza, from classic margherita to creations like the Franco Pepe pie with anchovies and black olives, along with newer pastas courtesy of chef Grae Nonas (famously of Italian pop-up Le Cowboy) Don’t miss the extensive list of natural wine. There’s this location in East Austin and a second one up in Brentwood with chef Matt Lester. To-go orders for Brentwood only can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2215 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

Juniper

2400 E Cesar Chavez St #304, Austin, TX 78702

Taking its cues from Northern Italian cuisine, the East Austin restaurant serves Italian favorites in a sleek, modern setting. There are only prix fixe and tasting menus available. Grab a spot at the chef’s counter for dinner and a show. Don’t miss the focaccia or the delicate pasta dishes. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2400 E Cesar Chavez St #304, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 220-9421
(512) 220-9421

The Heel of the Boot

at Wanderlust Wine Collective, 702 Shady Ln, Austin, TX 78702

Located at both locations of Wanderlust Wine Company (this one in Govalle and the other in downtown), the truck focuses on cuisine from Puglia, in the south of Italy. That means orecchiette with nduja chorizo. To-go and delivery orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

at Wanderlust Wine Collective, 702 Shady Ln, Austin, TX 78702
(737) 224-3114
(737) 224-3114

Intero

2612 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 105, Austin, TX 78702

The East Austin restaurant strives for zero waste, which means using all parts of ingredients in cooking. The menu includes handmade pasta like a ravioli with smoked duck confit, risotto with grilled quail, and lots of seasonal local vegetable plates. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2612 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 105, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 599-4052
(512) 599-4052

Vespaio

1610 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Italian restaurant Vespaio has been a staple on South Congress for over 20 years, with pastas, breads, and desserts all made in-house. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1610 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-7672
(512) 441-7672

Related Maps

Artipasta

7800 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745

Opened by immigrants from the city of Mantova in the Lombardy region of Italy, the Italian food truck offers some of the most true-to-Italy dishes in Austin. Try pasta dishes like the indulgently rich lasagne or casarecce with sage and almond pesto. There’s a second location up in the Linc that only offers pickup and deliveries. To-go orders can be placed online or over the phone; there are DoorDash deliveries; and there are outdoor dining areas.

7800 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 228-7489
(512) 228-7489

Trattoria Lisina

13308 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619

This family-owned Hill Country restaurant serves Italian favorites based on recipes generations old. The vineyard surroundings recall the Italian countryside and make for a great getaway. To-go orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

13308 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
(512) 894-3111
(512) 894-3111

Related Maps