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Austin, TX
Best Italian (Restaurants)
(10 Overall Closest) |
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Andiamo |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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2521 Rutland Dr, Austin 78758 • 512-719-3377 |
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Description:
NORTH AUSTIN. At this charming, old-style restaurant, the personable owner makes frequent rounds of the dining room, chatting with guests, serving steaming plates of northern Italian food, and generally creating a memorable atmosphere. Outstanding main courses include gamberi Bocelli (shrimp and crab wrapped in prosciutto and served with a white wine sauce), vitello Sorrentina (veal with prosciutto, eggplant, fontina, and a touch of tomato sauce), and pollo con asparagi (chicken topped with fresh tomato, asparagus, and fontina). A multi-course chef's menu is available. |
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Asti Trattoria |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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408 E 43rd St, Austin 78751 • 512-451-1218 |
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Description:
NORTH AUSTIN. A sleek, upscale neighborhood restaurant, Asti attracts a diverse, fun crowd. Fans of fungi will most definitely want to sample the stuffed mushroom appetizers; each sizable cap is filled with a mix of goat cheese, ricotta, and pecorino-romano, then sprinkled with sage and drizzled with a few drops of truffle oil. Heavenly! Linguine with clams – perfectly al dente pasta, clams, and a garlicky white wine sauce – produces a similar reaction (deep and satisfied sighs). Try chocolate cannoli or amaretto semifreddo for dessert. |
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Bellagio Italian Bistro |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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6507 Jester Blvd Jester Village, Austin 78750 • 512-346-8228 |
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Description:
WEST AUSTIN. This elegant, tastefully decorated restaurant offers well-spaced, white cloth-topped tables and a classy bar area. All pastas are made in-house, and the chefs have a deft hand with seafood. Gamberetti Caponata (chilled shrimp with a flavorful eggplant-tomato-caper relish) is particularly good, as are mussels Genovese. Vongole Alfredo combines baby clams and a classic alfredo sauce over black pepper fettuccine. You'd be hard pressed to find a better pasta dish in Austin! |
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Brick Oven |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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1209 Red River St, Austin 78701 • 512-477-7006 |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. One of Austin's favorite pizza places, Brick Oven offers a handful of locations in the Austin area. Thanks to rustic ovens, the place turns out a wealth of delicious, wood-fired pizzas, not to mention pastas, calzones, and sandwiches. If you're in the market for a pie, consider portabello and prosciutto or garlic chicken and sundried tomato varieties. Or, fashion one yourself from their range of tasty toppings. Shrimp fettuccine, baked spinach ravioli, and bulging strombolis are also terrific options. |
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Carmelo's |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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504 E 5th St, Austin 78701 • 512-477-7497 |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. Located in an attractive historic building, Carmelo's is well-known for its elegant dining rooms, terrace, and bar, not to mention its dramatic tableside preparations of classics like steak Diane, fettuccine carbonara, and flambéed desserts. Start with crab and almond-stuffed artichoke bottoms, or try carpaccio with shaved parmesan, lemon and olive oil. Second-course pasta dishes range from lobster ravioli to fettuccine Luisa, a rich combination of crab, clams, shrimp, garlic, cream, and orvieto secco. Meats and seafood are grilled or broiled for optimal flavor. A great place for special occasions and large gatherings. |
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Enoteca Vespaio |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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1610 S Congress Ave, Austin 78704 • 512-441-7672 |
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Description:
SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE. Younger sibling of ever-popular Vespaio, this engaging cafe and wine bar offers more casual and affordable dining. Golden-hued and bursting with good food, the place draws folks throughout the day with its pastries and coffee and with savory fare like panini, pastas, pizzas, salads, and antipasti. Fresh, zesty ingredients enliven each dish and deliver great flavor at reasonable prices. Terrific wines and plenty of make-it-at-home grocery items round out the options. An awesome Sunday brunch is another perk. |
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La Traviata |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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314 Congress Ave, Austin 78701 • 512-479-8131 |
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Description:
CONGRESS AVENUE. Most people have a certain mental image of what a little trattoria in Italy should look like. With its stone walls, wooden floors, authentic food, and personable staff, La Traviata comes mighty close to satisfying everybody's preconceived ideas. Standout dishes include duck confit with fig sauce and potato-fennel gratin, and tender calamari with spicy tomato sauce. Familiar favorites like spaghetti Bolognese and chicken parmesan are excellent options as well. Save room for profiteroles or tiramisu. |
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Romeo's |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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1500 Barton Springs Rd, Austin 78704 • 512-476-1090 |
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Description:
BARTON SPRINGS DISTRICT. This cozy little restaurant is a favorite among Austinites when they crave authentic Italian food at reasonable prices. The menu features something to please every palate, including vegetarian and low-fat choices and traditional Italian favorites like chicken parmesan. Try a luscious raspberry bellini for dessert. The courteous staff and warm ambiance make Romeo's the perfect place for a romantic rendezvous. |
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Siena |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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6203 N Capital of Texas Hwy Bldg B, Austin 78731 • 512-349-7667 |
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Description:
NORTH AUSTIN. Siena has all the hallmarks of a private Italian estate: a tiled roof, numerous cozy rooms, fireplaces, and a rustically elegant decor that's conducive to relaxed evenings of fine dining. Mussels prepared with white wine, sambuca, butter and garlic make an excellent starter. Main courses are varied and display an appealing complexity, as seen in portobello-topped chicken on prosciutto with lemon-butter sauce, or pappardelle with chianti-braised wild boar. Desserts exhibit similar careful preparation, as the chocolate torte served with crème anglaise and grappa-soaked cherries indicates. |
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Vespaio |
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(Restaurants - Italian) |
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1610 S Congress Ave, Austin 78704 • 512-441-6100 |
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Description:
SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE. Austin has several very good, upscale Italian restaurants, and Vespaio is right at the top of the list. The garden out back provides a bounty of heirloom tomatoes that are showcased in dishes like a lovely salad caprese – a simple combination of fresh mozzarella, homegrown tomatoes, and just-picked basil with a drizzle of olive oil. The roasted portobello served on a toasty polenta round is a revelation, and seafood lovers should opt for saffron risotto, studded with scallops, crab, shrimp, and mascarpone. About 40 wines are available by the glass, and reservations are essential if you plan to dine any time after 6pm. Next door is the more casual wine bar and cafe, Enoteca. Reservations not accepted Friday or Saturday nights. |
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