Photo: @hangryhumphrey on Instagram
While all your exes may not live in Texas, all of the best pasta sure does.
When you think of Austin, Texas, I’m sure you think of the basics.
Square dancing.
Lassos.
Cowboy hats, leather boots, and really nice people.
But what people often don’t realize is that Austin is an incredibly unique place, and probably one of the fastest growing cities in America.
While many of the characteristics of Austin tend to mimic some of the cities we have up here, like NYC, Boston, or even Portland, Maine, (think brunch and ax throwing), there are still lots of small town neighborhoods with the classic southern charm.
You really, truly get a sense of everything in this wonderful city in central Texas.
Which is why it didn’t really surprise me when I found out that Austin is home to some of the best Italian restaurants around.
And I mean wonderful.
These places are very close to authentic, and the locals go nuts over them.
It makes sense, really. Don’t get me wrong, Texas BBQ is wonderful, but sometimes you just have to stick to your roots and dig a fork into a massive plate of pasta.
Whenever I’m on vacation, I need to make it a point to eat Italian food (pasta) once that week.
But with that, unfortunately comes a few times where said vacation pasta tastes like absolute trash (looking at you, West Yellowstone Montana). Fortunately for you, I’ve compiled a list of a bunch of places in Austin, Texas that aren’t trash.
In fact, these places are so good, that you just might find yourself wondering if you’re actually near the Amalfi Coast, enjoying a nice authentic meal.
In any case, here are the best places to enjoy a huge bowl of pasta, right in the middle of Austin, Texas.
I’ve listed my top five favorite places below, and highlighted the runner ups in high quality Austin based pasta! Check all of those and more out below.
Red Ash
This place is special because it’s influenced by authentic culinary practices from both northern and southern Italy. The name, “red ash,” is derived from the red ashes that the star of the show, their wood fired oven, releases when cooking.
This place makes their own delectable pasta, which is always a plus.
Aside from homemade pasta, you can enjoy fresh seafood, locally sourced meat, and a nice glass of Italian wine from their extensive wine list.
It’s truly a must try when in Austin!
L'Oca D'Oro
Anyone know what this means?
Believe it or not, Oca D’Oro means “The Golden Goose” in Italian.
And these guys are the Golden Goose of Italian food in Austin, that’s for sure.
This Italian eatery was born as a fairy tale idea in Umbria in 2013. It moved through the iteration of a supper club, and then as their community oriented Italian restaurant, where it remains to this day.
Just like in Italy, they strive to get their food from the earth.
And as they say, “When you dine with us, you become—if only for an evening—part of a community of kindred spirits that is reviving the lost art of togetherness.”
Aside from wonderful food that they prepare fresh in house (yes, that means fresh pasta), they also have a Pasta Club subscription of many wonderfully unique pasta recipes. That way you can still have a taste of them, even once you leave Austin!
Il Brutto
“Il Brutto” means “The ugly” in Italian, which is a play off of the popular western film, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.”
This popular Austin restaurant focuses on serving fine Italian cuisine, featuring handmade pasta, small plates, Neapolitan pizza, and bread.
They have many popular pasta dishes, (and make a killer red sauce) as created by their native Italian executive chef. But their most famous dish is the Cacio e Pepe.
This great place is the perfect date night spot, so come here hungry and ready to eat and enjoy their high quality vino from their extensive wine list.
Enoteca Vespaio
Vespaio means “wasps nest” in Italian, which is fitting, because this place is always buzzing!
Enjoy a wonderful meal in their dining room and see it for yourself.
What other restaurants buy, Vespaio makes.
This includes the butchering, the cheese making, the break baking, and of course, the excellent pasta making.
Enoteca Vespaio has one of the most unique takes on authentic Italian food that I’ve ever seen, and they’ve simply nailed it.
You can guarantee that everything at this popular pasta spot is as fresh as you can get, including the wines, which are specifically chosen to compliment the delicious food that they make and serve.
Go on by and see what all the buzz is about!
Andiamo Ristorante
A mother’s dying wish for her daughter to visit Italy has resulted in one of Austin’s most prominent restaurants to date.
She fell in love with the culture and culinary aspects of the country, and stayed true to this upon her return. Her friend, and longtime owner of Andiamo, Daniela, moved out of state in 2018 and sold the restaurant to her. Since then, the two women have collaborated closely in creating a delicious and extensive authentic Italian menu.
With the help of executive chef Victor Ibarra, the restaurant has become a widely popular place for locals and tourists alike.
People dine here to enjoy the authentic Italian cuisine, especially the top-notch pasta dishes.
One of their best dishes is their spaghetti alla carbonara, which is to die for, and some of the best Italian food that this city has.
Make sure you check this place out on your next Austin excursion, I’ll be willing to bet you’ll immediately be wanting to go back.
The Runner Ups
These are some of the other great places for you to enjoy wonderful pasta in Austin, Texas.
I told you, there were tons of them!
Classic Italian fare can be found all around Austin, from the heart of South Congress Street all the way to North Austin.
Whether you visit some of my favorite restaurants listed above, or go to the ones below that I haven’t gotten the chance to visit yet, your pasta experience will surely be unmatched.
- Juliet Italian Kitchen – 1500 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
- Taverna Austin (Downtown Austin) – 258 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
- North Italia – 500 W 2nd St #120, Austin, TX 78701
- Mandola’s Italian Kitchen – 4700 W Guadalupe St #12, Austin, TX 78751
- Quattro Gatte Ristorante e Pizzeria – 908 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
- It’s Italian Cucina – 1500 S Lamar Blvd #110, Austin, TX 78704
- Artipasta – 7800 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78745
- Cannone Cucina Italiana – 1720 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
- Gino’s Vino Osteria – 1239 E 51st St, Austin, TX 78723 (in Mueller Regional Retail Center)
- Patrizi’s – 2307 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
- Asti Trattoria – 408 E 43rd St C, Austin, TX 78751
