From chill neighborhood institutions to swanky new steakhouses and maximalist hotel escapes, Houston is home to several top-notch Italian restaurants. Whether you’re craving comforting classics, wood-fired pizzas, or ultra-luxe seafood, the best Italian restaurants in Houston have you covered.
Dig into traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas at a laid-back River Oaks favorite. Head to a chic Downtown hotspot for retro Italian American dishes served in a stunning, mid-century-inspired space. Visit a swanky spot in Montrose for fancy steaks and sophisticated takes on quintessential Italian comfort fare.
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Read on for a guide to the best Italian restaurants in Houston.
For refined Italian classics in an elegant space, try Lombardi Cucina Italiana (Westside)
Lombardi Cucina Italiana is where you go for refined Italian classics like handmade pastas starring local ingredients. Start with one of the elegant crudos or shareable starters like wagyu meatballs before moving on to standout pastas like classic lasagna, rigatoni alla vodka, and a lobster-topped Mediterranean spaghetti. Enjoy them in a stylish dining room decked with olive trees, and don’t miss the popular weekend brunch with dishes like truffle eggs.
For sophisticated dishes from an acclaimed chef, head to La Griglia (River Oaks)
La Griglia worked with James Beard Award-winning chef Mark Ladner to craft its sophisticated menu of Italian hits, ranging from wood-fired pizzas to exquisite pastas and luxe mains like lamb chops. Sit at the bar to sip on refreshing cocktails like a Sicilian sunrise, or grab a seat on the verdant patio for a full-on Italian feast. Impress your date (or anyone, really) with the pasta alla ruota for two (or four), with shaved winter black truffle prepared tableside.
For contemporary Italian dishes and a relaxed vibe, take a seat at Coppa Osteria (Rice Village)
Coppa Osteria is a Rice Village hotspot for its knockout Neapolitan-inspired pizzas, which you’ll spot on every table. Bring a crew to share pizzas and other menu favorites like fritto misto, cheese and charcuterie boards, and signature pastas like spaghetti carbonara. Bonus points for a large wraparound patio and deep, Italian-leaning cocktail list—try the barrel-aged negroni—that make this a neighborhood spot you’ll want to return to again and again.
For a sophisticated Italian chophouse, head to Marmo (Montrose)
Enjoy ultra-luxe steaks, handmade charcuterie, and hand-rolled pasta at Marmo, one of the best Italian restaurants in Houston. Along with sophisticated takes on quintessential Italian comfort foods like Tuscan fried chicken and veal bolognese, Marmo is also a top happy hour destination for its live piano music and drink and food specials. The swanky space with black-and-white marble accents and buttery leather banquettes make the Montrose space a special occasion favorite.
For wood-fired Italian favorites, reserve a seat at Zanti Cucina Italiana (River Oaks and The Woodlands)
If you’re looking for one of the best Italian restaurants in Houston, you’ve come to the right place. With its gleaming hardwood floors, glittering chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the River Oaks outpost is a must-book spot for its sophisticated, wood-fired Italian dishes. At both locations, try standout dishes like lobster pizza and black truffle tagliolini.
For classic Italian dishes in a glamorous setting, step into Bari Ristorante (River Oaks)
Head to Bari Ristorante in River Oaks for Italian classics in a stylish space, complete with walls made from Himalayan sea salt. The restaurant serves up everything from elegant seafood towers to hand-tossed pizzas and hearty housemade pastas like pappardelle bolognese and veal Milanese. Grab a table by the glass wall in the sophisticated dining room room for peak sunset views.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Houston near Minute Maid Park, check out Potente (Downtown)
Located adjacent to Minute Maid Park, Potente is a chic Italian restaurant from Houston Astros owner Jim Crane. The space goes all in on Italian glamor—think a marble-topped bar, crisp white tablecloths, and brass accents galore. Dig into the menu of high-end steaks and seafood along with standout housemade pastas—get the cacio e pepe with black truffles shaved tableside. Linger with a glass of wine from the Italian- and California-leaning list.
For old-school Italian dishes at a stylish hotel escape, head to Rosalie (Downtown)
Located inside the C. Baldwin Hotel, Rosalie brings stylish mid-century Italian vibes to Downtown. Expect a seasonal menu of red-sauce classics, all served in a maximalist dining room decked with Murano glass chandeliers, vintage-inspired wallpaper, and cascading greenery. Choose from traditional pizzas fired in a ceramic-tiled oven as well as elegant pastas and mains. Don’t miss the pitch-perfect wine list and playful cocktails, like Let’s Go Girls, a riff on the classic old fashioned.
For elegant dishes with a Southern twist, book a table at Tavola, one of the best Italian restaurants in Houston (Galleria/Uptown)
Acclaimed Bastion Collection and Berg Hospitality Group bring their MICHELIN-Starred pedigree to Tavola, one of the most romantic restaurants in Houston. Wrapped in blush tones, playful wallpaper, and brass accents, the restaurant is an ode to Italian Riviera glamor. Grab a seat in the cozy dining room to try classic Italian dishes with a Texas twist like a tagliatelle bolognese with beef brisket. Or sit at the brasserie-style bar to sip on spritzes that will transport you to the Amalfi Coast.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Houston, head to North Italia (Galleria/Uptown, Bellaire, and Woodlands)
With three locations in the Houston area, North Italia is where you go for top-notch pizzas and hearty pastas (including gluten-free options) served in a sleek and lively setting. The concept from James Beard Award semifinalist Sam Fox is also popular for its meat and cheese boards, Italian-leaning wine list, and stellar cocktails. Don’t miss the popular weekend brunch starring pizzas and pastas plus breakfast favorites like scrambles and toasts.
Get everything from classic Neapolitan pizzas to elegant pastas and top-notch steak and seafood at the best Italian restaurants in Houston. Whether you’re looking for a maximalist hotel escape or a laid-back neighborhood spot, you’re never far from a great Italian meal in Houston.
