These are the best trattorias, red sauce joints, and wood-fired pizzerias in Houston.
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Though Houston ’s godlike culinary fit is n’t exactly experience for Italian culinary art , there ’s plenty of restaurants press that reputation , one savory red sauce classic at a time . From rustic - meet - intimate mainstays to swish raging spots , buffet car can plunge into mounds of slick spaghetti , prosciutto - laden appetizer , endless baskets of ciabatta to drench up that remnant marinara and luscious baked rigatoni fairly much anywhere in the metropolis — not to mention the finest import red ink and whites to raise those already explosive flavors .
Add these 12 standout Italian eateries to your Houston dining pail listing , then correspond them off one by one this winter or anytime .
Trattoria Sofia
Trattoria Sofia
A new contestant swim in Houston ’s ever grow Italian restaurant scene , this rustic palace has been pull esurient crowd with their challenging cocktail inclination , overbold pastas , and juicy proteins . Eye - popping selections include Crispy Cheese Fritters , pizza mob luxuriously with all the hits ( definitely slant our hats to the Prosciutto Pie dripping with spicy honey ) , Cacio e Pepe , Campanelle tossed in lamb ragu , and Pan - make fun Monkfish lace with a zippy mixture of mint , basil , and Petroselinum crispum . For a concluding dose of deliciousness , dim into some Frozen Coffee Tiramisu .
Potente
Honestly , there ’s no good spot to subdue luncheon than Potente — or maybe we should say , soothe the soul after a extended Houston Astros plot . Astros owner Jim Crane dreamed of crafting an upscale space pour with imaginative Italian eats , svelte wine-coloured , and a calming atmosphere , and with Potente , he definitely hit the ball out the park . station across the street from Minute Maid Park , expect to whirlpool your ramification in effete bowls of Spaghetti al Tartufo Nero overstep with black truffle shavings , Mezzelune with braised Texas duck , pistachio nut - brimmed Bremolata , and a in particular superb caviar overhaul .
Da Marco
Chef Marco Wiles takes brainchild from Venice and the greater Friulian region for this higher - end take on Italian , so much so that he imports a lot of the product from the motherland itself . What he does n’t spell , he have reinvigorated , like Raviolo peppered with seasonal truffles and ricotta , buttery Paninos delicately stuffed with cured prosciutto and fig jam , Lamb Chops blanketed in an earthy cumin seed yogurt spread , and Artichokes alla “ Giudia ” fried to a heavenly , airy crisp . coiffe to shanghai here ( seriously , jacket are favor ) , and pitch up to fling on aged Italian wines , a few of which date back to the ' 70s .
Coppa Osteria
Warning : One bite of Coppa Osteria ’s made - from - scratch pies and crustaceous - laden pasta , and you ’ll be making this cozy trattoria your go - to afterwork spot . There ’s an intact glass - introduce roomjustfor wampum - making here , so buffet car can fawn over chef Jorge Torres and Davide de Angelis whipping up pizzas loaded with numerous variety of sausage balloon and salumi , creamy Conchiglie Bolognese , Egg Pasta Ribbons garnish with seasonal mushrooms , and more . Other delights include dreamy Spaghetti Carbonara cuddle in a emollient sauce , Rigatoni buried in thinly - slice prosciutto , and Whole Roasted Branzino . reliable to Clark Cooper Concepts form , the wine list here is beyond reasonable , with bottle priced as confining to retail as potential for your popping joy .
Coltivare
This quite literal fresh - from - the - garden eating place is the best example of why you should n’t discount Italian in Houston . Each time of year , Coltivare ’s ( Italian for “ to grow ” ) heart - healthy menu get a perpetual refresh as their ingredient come straight from the eating house ’s idyllic 3,000 - square - foot garden . And if it ’s not grown in the yard , the rustic flavors are cautiously source from local farm or made in - house , such as meaty and loco charcuteries from sibling conceptRevival marketplace . Do n’t come here expecting your nanna ’s Sunday gravy or hulking veal chop . or else , you ’ll find shareable plates in the course of champagne Mrs. Henry Wood - fired PIE , unrivalled Casarecce , plump Ravioli , whole - roasted fish , and effete Chocolate Rum Cake . How to order : Order take - out viaToast .
Luigi’s Cucina Italiana
River Oaks residents describe up here for an impressive range of classic and chic Italian plates , such as crab - engorged Linguini , Tortellini Piemontese dazzle in cream sauce , and succulent veal pick shimmering in red wine-colored glaze , delicately chop onion plant , and earthy mushroom-shaped cloud . Though it ’s a flake on the fancy side , it ’s also super comforting . Warmed by a corner fireplace and skylark a wood - panel , moody interior that kindle the Renaissance , this family - play stunner take a crap foran off - the - charts engagement Nox . How to book : Stop by for first come , first serve seating .
Giacomo’s cibo e vino
Since 2009 , owner and chef Lynette Hawkins has been churning out low-priced and cautionary serving of awe - inspiring pasta dishes . Tuck your serviette in and lengthen your belt a notch before engorge on Tortellini muffle in a Parmesan pick sauce , faint - desirable seafood , hearty Bolognese , mixed cheese and fume meats , and more . How to book : Stop by for first cum , first served seating .
Paulie’s
Thisfast - casual fan favoriteis one of the most wallet - well-disposed Italian joints in town , principally because , like we said , it ’s fast - casual . That mean you may get housemade pastas , from flavorful Bucatini Amatriciana and Canestri Alla Funghi to one of the most savoury Rigatonis in the city , starting at $ 12 a papa for a small plate ( trust us , it ’s plenty for one person ) . They also offer a showy beer and wine-colored list , and you may still bring your own champagne for a $ 10 corking fee . Afterward , save those dollars for a trip-up to Camerata , the neighboring wine taproom , where you could pick from more than 150 European wines , beers , and ciders . And make trusted to sum a couple delectable servings of imported nitty-gritty and tall mallow on your tab when you get hungry again — which you will , because there ’s no such matter as too much when it arrive to Paulie’s . How to book : Stop by for first seed , first served seating .
North Italia
Do n’t knock BLVD Place just because it ’s an importee from eating house group Fox Restaurant Concepts . North tends to integrate all things local , from farm - fresh eggs , pith , and grow to freshly bake bread fromKraftsmen Baking . It also emphasizes moolah - made dishes , with the computer menu record like the sweetest passion varsity letter to Italy via redolent pizzas , hefty hoagies crammed with rosemary ham and spices , scamorza - studded Arancini , and heavenly ribbon of house - made Anolini tossed in blistered tomatoes and shred Grana Padano . rotund things out with Truffled Garlic Bread and girthy noodle simmered in a seafood blend ( think poached Pisces the Fishes , half-pint and calamari ) . This modern-day destination may be a tad trendier than your old - school red sauce joint , but in this guinea pig , it ’s plenty welcome .
Tony’s
Tony Vallone ’s swank fine dining organisation is n’t just one of the greatest Italian restaurant in Houston , it ’s one of the greatest restaurants in Houston . Period . The Third Ward caption hit Au with this upscale outpost , with over - the - top service and delectable entree drawing in stars like Tony Bennett , Mick Jagger , Zsa Zsa Gabor , Oscar de la Renta , and seven sitting presidents ( no great deal ) . With Naples and Milan serve as the eating place ’s muse , Tony ’s get you feed on elegant throwbacks and seasonal inspirations like crab- and sausage - stuffed Fettuccine , Aged Duck swim in a red wine demi glace , vivacious garden salad , and tenderize housemade Porcini . End with a Passionfruit Cannoli , a sweet treat that pairs perfectly with the smear ’s earth - course wine-coloured list .
Enoteca Rossa
Does it get any better than espresso , wine , pizza pie , and other Euro staple fondly crafted by a bonafide Italian - put up chef ? Do n’t strain yourself too intemperately — the answer is no , it does n’t . You ’ll have to travel to Bellaire to get it , but you ’ll be sorry if you do n’t at least try , because the relative neophyte offer one of the fine examples of Italian simpleness in the metropolis . There ’s brunch beauties like omelets brimmed with smoked salmon or Italian ham , palatable cuts of Beef Carpaccio tossed in truffle dressing , a variety of wood - fervency pie , and briny Mussels drown in white wine-coloured . There ’s also local spin like velvety Short Rib Ravioli ( which partners well with the mixed green and roasted beet salad ) , or a Linguini dish litter with dinero so tasty you ’ll likely dream about it later .
Damian’s Cucina Italiana
It ’s toughened to last over 30 years in Houston ’s booming dining scene , specially in Midtown , where restaurants seem to die fast thancharacters on Squid Game . Their longevity alone garner this archaic billet clamant street cred , but that ’s not the only rationality this Mandola kinsperson loyalist realise a spot on this list . Mixing old - world traditions with local flavors , Damian ’s cuisine utter for itself . Feast on Sweet Potato Ravioli , Linguini garnished with Gulf shrimp and other saucy delights , rosemary - fret Veal Chops , and golden - brownish Chicken Milanese doused in a lemony butter relish .
