Italian in Houston

217 FM 1960 Bypass Road E. Humble/Kingwood

281-446-6111

Italiano's offers affordable Italian fare in the Kingwood/Humble area. Their specialties include veal marsala and lobster ravioli.

1 article

19th Street

300 - 700 Blocks of 19th St. Heights

713-869-5885

American, Cafe, Italian, Retail, Tex-Mex, Vietnamese

The Heights' main street for antiques, boutiques, art, dining, and more.

1 event 1 article

Amedeo's

22704 Loop 494 Humble/Kingwood

281-359-4451

Italian, Recommended

This has been one of the better restaurants in the Humble/Kingwood area for more than 20 years. The bar area is a comfortable place to unwind or grab a quick bite, while the expansive dining area is slightly more formal. The menu leans heavily toward Italy, but it also has many Continental influences. The grilled brie appetizer covered with a rosemary-blackberry sauce and the veal Portofino topped with shrimp and scallops are delightful.

Amerigo's Grille

25250 Grogan's Park Dr., The Woodlands Outside Houston

281-362-0808

Italian, Seafood, Recommended, Menu

This high-end Italian restaurant is decorated tastefully with oil paintings and floor-to-ceiling plate-glass windows that look out on a restful pine grove. The classic carpaccio, red snapper with lump crab meat and spicy seafood pastas are your best bets.

Antica Osteria

2311 Bissonnet Kirby-West U

713-521-1155

Italian, Restaurants, Recommended, Menu

Old-fashioned Italian food in a charming little cottage with a romantic atmosphere. For an intimate evening, reserve a table in the tiny bar, or ask for a table on the patio if the weather is right for dining al fresco. Delightful, sophisticated menu options include the duck breast sautéed in pepper and herbs, Fontina-stuffed chicken breast served with a light wine sauce and an antipasto dish of thinly-sliced and air-cured beef filet with greens and truffle oil.

2 articles

Antonio's Flying Pizza

2920 Hillcroft Galleria

713-783-6080

Italian, Pizza, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

For Italian-American classics like spaghetti and meatballs, sausage-and-pepper sandwiches, cheese pizzas and calzones, you can't beat Antonio's. It doesn't just look like an East Coast red-checkered tablecloth pizzeria, it really is one. Owner Antonio Rosa threw pizzas in Connecticut and New Jersey before he moved to Houston and opened Antonio's Flying Pizza in 1971.

2 articles

Arcodoro Ristorante Italiano

5000 Westheimer Galleria

713-621-6888

Italian, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Menu

Since 1988, Efisio Farris has been serving upscale Italian while introducing the city to the food of his homeland, Sardinia. The setting is Galleria chic, as are the patrons. Each of the striking dining rooms makes you feel like you're eating in a Tuscan village. The Sardinian specialties at Arcodoro are noted on the menu, like the sa fregola, or clam soup; the gnocchetti sardi al cinghiale, a ragu of wild boar; or the seadas al miele, puffed pastry stuffed with cheese covered in honey. A wood-burning oven is used for the pizzas and steaks. Traditional Italian pasta dishes round out the menu.

3 articles

Arthur Ave

1111 Studewood Heights

832-582-7146

Pizza, Pasta, Italian

Arthur Ave seeks to highlight and elevate classic Italian-American fare, lending it an air of sophistication that might feel at odds with its checkered-tablecloth past. While some of these endeavors sparkle and pop, others falter under the weight of their ambition. The re-tuned Caprese makes excellent use of pulled-to-order mozzarella, paring the milky-sweet and creamy cheese against the pop-rocks burst of basil-marinated tomatoes (peeled, for an added bit of subtle luxury) and delicately bitter arugula. It’s a gem of a dish, honoring the spirit of the original while updating and improving it at every turn. Likewise, the finely tuned eggplant parm pays so much attention to so many details that the plate winds up far more than the sum of its parts, and is likely the city’s best example of the dish. At the outer edges lies the crispy lasagna, whose refiguring of the classic might please some and pain others. For our money, it is overly focused on form, allowing the idea to trump reality. It’s an interesting concept, but one that would ring more clearly if it followed more of the rhythms offered by its original inspiration rather than looking for an entirely new beat. While the wine list doesn’t have either the focus or the panache of the one at sister restaurant Helen Greek Food and Wine, the cocktail menu makes up for it with charm and taste. In particular, the Ace High rings clear, bolstering a brace of herbal and bitter components with bright lemon and a fruity Lambrusco float. Expect the place to be noisy, the service friendly but slow.

2 articles

Arturo Boada Cuisine

6510 Del Monte Dr. Galleria

713-782-3011

Italian, Mediterranean, Critics' Pick, Best Of

In a sleepy side street in the Memorial Villages, Arturo Boada Cuisine is alive with the energy of a European bistro. Chef and owner Arturo Boada is a constant presence there, turning out his signature dishes like a creamy, tangy camarones henesy y hamaca - shrimp over plantains in a tangy sauce - and Italian pizzas with Spanish ingredients on top, like a carnitas pizza topped with asadero cheese and cilantro. The wine list is pricey but worth it; you'll want to split a bottle just to stay all night in the cozy space.

7 articles

Auntie Pasto's

5419 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire Inner Loop - SW

713-669-8658

Italian, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

Sinatra music bellows through this quaint corner cafe. Such a place could easily be found in the Little Italy section of New York, but this bistro overlooks Bellaire's Paseo Park. The menu is trendy enough to attract serious foodies. Hits include crawfish-jalapeño-cilantro fettuccine, as well as favorites like chicken Minelli, tossed with a creamy garlic sauce. And don't forgo the To Die For, a heavenly stack of ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone cheese, almond torte and seasonal berries.

2 articles

Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar

2800 Kirby Dr. Lower Shepherd-Kirby

713-386-6460

Italian, New American, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Menu

This little sister restaurant to RDG + Bar Annie is only one part of the Robert Del Grande empire here in West Ave: There's also a related pizzeria upstairs, Alto. As its name would suggest, the whiskey selection here is vast and the Manhattans are solidly constructed. There's a small, snack-based bar menu if you're just there for the whiskey and the view (both of the well-appointed interior and its well-heeled crowd), and you're best sticking to it instead of diving into the sloppy, overpriced main menu.

B.B. Italia Bistro

16250 City Walk, Sugar Land Outside Houston

(713) 424-7876

Italian

B.B. Italia Kitchen & Bar

14795 Memorial Dr. Memorial

281-531-0696

Italian

Bellissimo

1848 Airline Dr. Heights

832-618-1168

Eclectic, International, Italian, Critics' Pick, Menu, Slideshow

Bellissimo is the casual Heights-area trattoria with a tinge of taqueria, thanks to chef/owner Javier Machuca. After more than two decades spent cooking in Italian kitchens, Machuca now runs this family-friendly Italian-Mexican fusion restaurant to great acclaim. The restaurant outgrew its first space in less than a year, a fact attested to by the crowds that still flock to the larger location every night. Try the Pasta alla Bellissimo that's filled with grilled chicken, black beans, jalapeños and diced tomatoes over jalapeño-flavored fettucine or Machuca's twist on lasagna with a chile gray-like marinara sauce that's simply amazing.

3 articles

Big Humphrey's Pizza and Italian Restaurant

5627 Broadway St. Pearland

281-485-0392

American, Italian, Pizza, Tex-Mex, Recommended

Taking in Big Humphrey's King of the Hill ambience, customers might wonder about the food. But all they need to do is sit down and order. Jasper Vitale uses recipes left by his grandmother, who was born and raised in Sicily. They supplement Grandma's Italian dishes with good ol' American favorites, as if to concede that truckers do not live by the meatball alone. Those who want wine with their pasta will have to bring it themselves.

Birraporetti's

500 Louisiana Downtown/ Midtown

713-224-9494

Italian, Pizza, Music Venues, Recommended, Menu

The downtown location really packs 'em in, with tables so close together you can reach out and touch someone. The service is at its most erratic before the theater. At other times, you may enjoy decent if overpriced Italian food and a remarkably fine thin-crust pizza. It's nice that you can choose whichever kind of pasta you like and top it with your favorite sauce. Pleasant bar area with excellent happy-hour specials. And great chocolate mousse.

Bistecca Houston

224 Westheimer Montrose

832-804-8064

Italian, Steakhouse

Run, don’t walk, for Bistecca’s tremendous $24 prix fixe lunch special. It is only offered on Fridays, and while it is subject to change, rest assured it is a terrific value. A typical progression includes a small salad, full-sized entree featuring meat, a vegetable and a starch and ends with a dessert sampler. Don’t be surprised is this becomes part of the weekly routine. Dinner at Bistecca, though, is a much more iffy, expensive proposition. Entrées soar. Unfortunately, we’re referring to the prices, not the flavors. A $49, two-bone venison chop seemed rather small for the price. A $36 duck breast dish was soggy and limp. On the flip side, the $18 beef tartare prepared table side is a lot of fun. The server will mix flavorful ingredients, such as capers, fluffy grated egg and Worcestershire, into the beef and then give the diner who ordered it a taste. At that point, the diner can steer, asking for more of one ingredient or the other to be added. Even if there’s a dish that goes awry at Bistecca, there is no arguing that the service is exemplary. The staff is observant, helpful and quite congenial. Even if you aren’t impressed with the food on the first visit, you might very well give it another go just to see the staff again.

1 article

Black Walnut Cafe

16535 SW Freeway, Sugar Land Outside Houston

281-565-7800

American, Eclectic, International, Italian, New American, Recommended, Menu

Order at the counter from an extensive menu, then find a spot and read one of the free newspapers while you wait. Breakfasts include outstanding omelets, waffles and pancakes. Sandwiches to try are the rustic grilled cheese with cheddar, mozzarella and a slice of peppered bacon, and the pot roast. Salads are huge and include such favorites as the Asian tuna and the sirloin steak. Be sure to leave room for the desserts: bread pudding, chocolate cannoli and Italian cream cake.

Bocca Italian Kitchen

250 Assay Street Inner Loop - NE

(281) 741-0203

Italian

Bollo Woodfired Pizza

2202 A West Alabama Lower Shepherd-Kirby

713-677-0391

Pizza, Pasta, Italian, Menu, Slideshow

Bollo is a casual neighborhood spot churning out occasionally great, occasionally greatly disappointing Neapolitan pizzas. A bit of a novelty among Neapolitan specialists, Bollo also offers a full menu comprising small plates, salads and entrées. Unfortunately, most of these fail to deliver. With its assured sear and well-executed, wine-enriched sauce, the pork chop is a surprise standout among mostly lackluster non-pizza offerings. When the pies fare well, they fare quite well indeed, even if some suffer from overthought and overwrought combinations of toppings. Stick with the simpler pies, and you’ve got a good shot at almost great pizza. Like the pies, the service can be a bit spotty.

3 articles

Bombay Pizza Co.

914 Main St. Downtown/ Midtown

713-654-4444

Eclectic, Indian, Italian, Pizza, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

In a melting pot like Houston, a place like Bombay Pizza Co. — a downtown pizzeria that specializes in Indian toppings like saag paneer and chicken tikka masala — is almost a given. What isn't a given is that it would be good. It is very good. The thin-crust pizzas resemble giant rounds of naan topped with delicious specialties like Mitul's Masala with grilled chicken, chorizo and spicy potato gravy, or the Slumdog, which includes a spicy Bombay pizza sauce. The place delivers, too, and is great for to-go thanks to its convenient spot on the light-rail line.

18 articles

Buca Di Beppo

5192 Buffalo Speedway Kirby-West U

713-665-2822

Italian, Restaurants, Recommended, Best Of

Yes, it's loud and gimmicky, but they season the food well. The family-style servings, plus the mix of old favorites with moderately interesting dishes, guarantee something to make almost any palate happy. Finicky kiddies who like their food simple can have the spaghetti bolognese; grown-ups who prefer a little more complexity can try the lemon chicken. And your kids couldn't be any more welcome here, no matter how boisterous they may be. God knows nobody will be able to hear them over the din, anyway.

3 articles

Buon Appetito

2231 W. Holcombe Kirby-West U

713-665-4601

Italian, Restaurants, Recommended

This venerable two-story house features the hearty fare you would find in New York's Little Italy. There's nothing imaginative about these Sicilian-styled dishes, but they're flawlessly executed with premier ingredients. The veal is remarkably tender and succulent, and it's reasonably priced. There are good pastas and calamari and Italian wines by the glass, and for dessert, a superlative tiramisu. An accomplished guitar player provides entertainment on Saturday nights.

Candelari's Pizzeria

6002 Washington Ave. Heights

832-200-1474

Italian, Pizza, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

The crusts are crisp and the red sauce is outstanding, but at Candelari's it's the sausage that really rocks. If you order the create-your-own pizza with Candelari's Italian sausage, green peppers and half the usual amount of mozzarella, you will sink your teeth into the best sausage pizza in the city. The penne with Italian sausage and spaghetti with Italian sausage aren't bad, either.

1 article

Cane Rosso Montrose

4306 Yoakum Blvd Montrose

713-337-1155

Brunch, Italian, Pasta, Pizza, Sandwiches

Cane Rosso serves the most authentic Neapolitan style pizzas in Texas, cooked in our wood-fired ovens in less than 90 seconds at 900 degrees. Named "Best Pizza in Dallas" by D Magazine 5 years in a row, Cane Rosso also serves sandwiches, salads, pastas, and desserts, and also runs a charitable dog rescue group, Cane Rosso Rescue.

Capellini's - CLOSED

4721 N. Main Heights

713-869-3233

Italian, Restaurants, Recommended

Two brothers, Ignacio and Rodrigo Soriano, serve outstanding Italian food at this restaurant with a large outdoor patio. Fabulous calamari and a great artichoke dip make the perfect starters. The sausage-stuffed chicken breast and a traditional chicken marsala are everyday mainstays, and a homemade tiramisu makes a great ending.

Capri Pasta Pizza and More

25602 IH-45 N., Spring Outside Houston

281-298-0055

Italian, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Menu

There's no pizza at Capri Pasta Pizza and More, but no matter: The Italian restaurant's still got some of the best pasta in the Houston area (it's located in Spring). The gnocchi is where Capri shines, the little handmade potato dumplings brightened by a four-cheese sauce that's rich with gorgonzola. Lasagna, too, is a thing of beauty, with fine layers and a surprisingly light feel. Lunch specials are generous, but dinner is when Capri really gets rollicking, with BYOB-ers having a great time over huge plates of pasta and the cheesy but alluring strains of live music on the weekends.

1 article

Carmelo's Italian Restaurant

14795 Memorial Memorial

281-531-0696

Italian, Restaurants, Recommended

Carmelo's is a warm, elegant, upscale restaurant serving top-notch Italian cuisine in a wonderfully romantic setting. The Tower of Pisa salad, stacked with slices of tomato, avocado, onion and artichokes, is a piece of art unto itself. The veal and seafood offerings are exceptional. Many dishes are prepared tableside, such as the Caesar salad and the fettuccine carbonara. Plan your meal well, because the dessert cart, full of homemade goodies, is one of the best there is. The Italian cream cake puts others to shame.

4 articles

Carrabba's Italian Grill

1399 S. Voss Galleria

713-468-0868

Italian, Restaurants, Best Of, Readers' Choice

2 articles

Carrabba's Italian Grill

3115 Kirby Lower Shepherd-Kirby

713-522-3131

Italian, Pizza, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

This original location is one of only two Carrabba's that are still family-owned. Here is where the franchise began. Old-world service and good homemade Italian cooking still reign, with pasta, veal, chicken dishes and pizzas holding their own. Veal scaloppini prepared a piccata (lemon and capers) with marsala always pleases. The brick chicken also is good; half a chicken cooked with rosemary and garlic sauce, flattened by a weight.

3 articles

Carrabba's Italian Grill

11339 Katy Freeway Outside Houston

713-464-6595

Italian

Cavatore Italian Restaurant

2120 Ella Blvd. Heights

713-869-6622

Italian, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

Cavatore has had a long run near the corner of Ella and T.C. Jester. The building — a disassembled and site-rebuilt barn from the Texas hill country — tacks on 100 years of history, making for a place that feels like it's always been a part of the neighborhood. An open and airy expanse of worn wood and kitsch that has been home-away-from-home to families seeking a bit of Italian comfort since 1984, Cavatore is very much a neighborhood institution. It's the kind of place you went to with your parents, celebrating a school play or some other minor milestone. It's the place you take your kids because it's the place your parents took you. You might even bump into your parents; they still eat at Cavatore. The red-sauce-joint staples are fair to middling, but the table-side Caesar salad is worth a visit. Perked up with a firm dollop of Dijon mustard and spiked with fresh garlic and just a bit of Tabasco sauce, it's about as fine a version as you'll get, with the added perk of theater. Don't forget to try the Tortellini Con Panna, a dozen or so wrinkled buttons of pasta, lightly napped in a sauce far more elegant than the menu's "creamy Alfredo" promise, holding a loose and finely milled filling of minced veal. It's a deft and delightful dish. Skip dessert.

6 articles

Ciao Bello

5161 San Felipe St. Galleria

713-960-0333

Italian, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu

Ciao Bello is Tony Vallone's classic Italian eatery, where you won't find any foam, foie or fancy tasting menus. The food and atmosphere are more comfortable and homey than Vallone's lauded flagship restaurant, Tony's, but many diners flock to Ciao Bello for just that reason. There's a bar where guests can sit and watch football games while they eat, and though most of the dishes are what people would consider gourmet, the prices are such that a family can enjoy a meal out without breaking the bank. Whether you want pasta with bolognese sauce or something more unusual, Ciao Bello serves up some of the best in town.

10 articles

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Italian in Houston