Visitors to San Antonio might expect to feast on nothing but Tex Mex and barbecue, but the city is home to a surprising number of excellent Italian restaurants as well. One of the most pleasant experiences is an evening stroll along the River Walk followed by a stop at one of the cozy little trattorias for a meal with a view. However, you don't have to be downtown to enjoy a good Italian meal. If you're staying with friends or family, you might be lucky enough to find yourself within walking distance to one of the city's friendly neighborhood eateries. There are many fun things to do in San Antonio.


Aldo's Ristorante Italiano

Aldo's Ristorante Italiano

© Aldo's Ristorante Italiano

With its unique location inside a former farmhouse, Aldo's Ristorante Italiano allows guests to experience the warm hospitality of a traditional Tuscan country home. The food is just as authentic as the atmosphere - the menu includes classic favorites such as Caprese salad, linguine with red or white clam sauce, and chicken Marsala. There are several vegetarian options, and gluten-free pasta is available upon request. In addition to the regular dining room, the restaurant offers two private dining areas that can be reserved for larger groups; one seats up to eight people and the other can accommodate up to 120.

22211 I-10 West #1101, San Antonio, TX 78257, Phone: 210-696-2536

Good to know: Best Time to Visit San Antonio


Aldino at the Vineyard

Aldino at the Vineyard

© Courtesy of mahara - Fotolia.com

Located in North Central San Antonio, Aldino at the Vineyard provides guests with traditional Italian food in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. The menu boasts plenty of classic favorites, including starters, soups and salads, pizzas and pastas, and a variety of both meat and vegetarian entrees. All of the desserts are personally created by the restaurant's award-winning pastry chef. Happy hour takes place at the bar between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and lasts all day long on Tuesdays. The restaurant is open every day from 11 a.m. until close, and a special brunch is held on Sundays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

1203 North Loop 1604 W at Blanco, San Antonio, TX 78258, Phone: 210-340-0000


Stella Public House

Stella Public House

© Stella Public House

Stella Public House is a modern rustic pizza place with what they call a farm-to-pizza concept – based on farm-to-table food practices and partnerships with local food producers. The star of Stella is an Italian Modena oven that uses oak and pecan wood to produce fabulous artisan pizzas with unique toppings such kale and sausage or pulled pork with peperoni and caramelized onion. The huge oven produces more than just pizzas – one of Stella’s most popular dishes is roasted chicken pot pie with flaky puff pastry filled with chicken, mushrooms, farm peas, and carrots. They also offer a selection of small shared plates, fresh salads, and house-made cheeses. Stella has more than 20 beers on tap rotating regularly, offering craft beer from all over the country. There is also a small but great selection of wines.

1414 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210, Phone: 210-277-7047

You are reading "20 Must-Try Italian Restaurants in San Antonio, Texas" & Fun trips close to me


Fratellos Deli

Fratellos Deli

© Fratellos Deli

Consisting of a restaurant, a marketplace, and a deli, Fratellos is a casual but charming restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is full of authentic Italian dishes such as Pappardelle Bolognese, Umbria sausage pizza, and Caprese salad. There are also a good number of both hot and cold sandwiches for guests to choose from, including a made-from-scratch hot meatball sub. The dessert menu boasts decadent treats like cannoli and tiramisu, and a small selection of wine and beer is also available. Take-out is available for all menu items, and the restaurant is also proud to offer catering for private events.

2503 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78215, Phone: 210-444-0277


Little Italy Restaurant

Little Italy Restaurant

© Courtesy of Peteers - Fotolia.com

With its intimate atmosphere and friendly service, Little Italy Restaurant an old-school Italian eatery that is perfectly suited to both date nights and family dinners. The authentic Italian food includes hot and cold appetizers, thin crust Napolitana pizzas, thick crust Sicilian pizzas, and a wide selection of chicken, veal, steak, eggplant, and seafood entrees. A variety of traditional pasta bowls and baked pasta dishes complete the menu. Lunch specials are offered Monday through Saturday, and the full bar allows diners to indulge in a glass of wine or a pint of beer.

824 Afterglow St, San Antonio, TX 78216, Phone: 210-349-2060


Luce Ristorante E Enoteca

Luce Ristorante E Enoteca

© Luce Ristorante E Enoteca

"Enoteca" is Italian for "wine library," and Luce Ristorante E Enoteca is a truly authentic Italian restaurant with an extensive wine list. In fact, bottles of wine cover every wall of the dining area. Owner and chef Joe Buonincontri has a proud Italian heritage, and many of the dishes served in the restaurant are prepared according to his traditional family recipes. The menu has everything you would expect to see in a traditional Italian restaurant, including antipasti, pizzas, pasta dishes, and meat entrees. Happy hour food and drink specials are available Monday to Saturday. Things to Do in San Antonio

11255 Huebner Rd #200, San Antonio, TX 78230, Phone: 210-561-9700


Paesanos 1604

Paesanos 1604

© Paesanos 1604

Paesanos 1604 is an upscale establishment that serves both traditional and contemporary Italian fare. The menu is seasonally inspired and subject to change, but it always features traditional favorites such as fettuccine Alfredo alongside more modern offerings like pork tenderloin served with spicy bourbon apple sauce. The wine list has an excellent selection of both domestic and imported beverages, and guests can enjoy their meal either inside the elegant dining room or outside on the spacious patio. Happy hour specials are available between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday and all day long on Sundays and Mondays.

3622 Paesanos Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78231, Phone: 210-493-1604


Piatti

Piatti

© Piatti

Located in the Alamo Quarry Market, Piatti has an open kitchen that gives it the feel of a traditional Italian trattoria. The menu has everything from starters to pasta dishes to meat entrees, and house specialties include handmade gnocchi and pizza cooked in a stone-hearth oven. Plenty of gluten-free options are available, and the restaurant is also proud to offer a "fit menu" that features healthier options such as zucchini pasta and grilled salmon salad. Piatti is open for lunch and dinner every day of the week except for Sunday, as well as the daily happy hour.

255 E. Basse Road, Suite 500, San Antonio, TX 78209, Phone: 210-832-0300


Pompeii Italian Grill

Pompeii Italian Grill

© Courtesy of FPWing - Fotolia.com

Thanks to its authentic Italian ambiance, Pompeii Italian Grill is a favorite of many locals who appreciate its Italian-American fare and its wallet-friendly prices. Pompeii is best known for its lasagna, but the restaurant offers excellent pizzas and pasta dishes as well. There are also a number of hearty dinner entrees to choose from, including chicken, veal, seafood, steak, and sausage. Happy hour is held every weekday with specials offered on select beers, wines, cocktails, and appetizers. Unlimited homemade bread is served with every meal, and the dessert menu includes items such as cannoli, tiramisu, and cheesecake.

16109 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247, Phone: 210-946-5518

Where to stay: San Antonio Hotels


Scuzzi's

Scuzzi's

© Courtesy of fahrwasser - Fotolia.com

Scuzzi's is a family-friendly Italian grill with an authentic atmosphere, and the menu includes everything from starters and flatbreads to hearty entrees and set three course dinner menus. Happy hour is held Sunday through Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m., and lunch guests can take advantage of the specials available every day of the week between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Other weekly specials include half price bottles of wine on Tuesday evenings, live music and half price cocktails on Wednesday evenings, and a unique reverse happy hour on Friday and Saturday mornings between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

4035 North Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78257, Phone: 210-493-8884


Sorrento Pizza & Restaurant

Sorrento Pizza & Restaurant

© Courtesy of Marzia Giacobbe - Fotolia.com

Locally owned and operated since 2001, Sorrento Pizza & Restaurant has an elegant but comfortable atmosphere and offers traditional Italian cuisine. The menu starts off with appetizers such as calamari and Caprese salad, and it goes on to include baked pasta dishes, chicken and veal entrees, and several seafood options. Three different sizes of pizza are also available; guests can build their own or choose one of the house specialties. Many dishes are prepared according to old family recipes, and all the food served is prepared fresh in-house. The restaurant serves both lunch and dinner every day of the week except for Sundays.

5146 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209, Phone: 210-824-0055

More ideas: Wedding Venues in San Antonio


Zocca Cuisine D'Italia

Zocca Cuisine D'Italia

© Zocca Cuisine D'Italia

Named in honor of a small rural town in northern Italy, Zocca Cuisine D'Italia is a modern Italian dining spot located right on the river. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week, and the menu includes traditional favorites such as tagliatelle with bolognese sauce as well as more contemporary dishes like the warm artichoke fondue. Zocca is also proud to host occasional special events such as holiday brunches, parade viewings, and champagne or wine tastings. Special lunch combos and fixed three course dinner menus are available every day of the week.

420 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205, Phone: 210-444-6070


Capparelli's On Main

Capparelli's On Main

© Capparelli's On Main

Occupying a convenient location right on Main Street, Capparelli's On Main has been a proud family tradition since 1964. Much of the food is lovingly prepared from scratch, including the pizza dough, the bread, the meatballs, and all of the sauces. Guests can choose from a wide selection of appetizers, salads, and entrees such as cheese ravioli, chicken alfredo lasagna, and linguine with baby clams. The menu also has a good assortment of sandwiches and pizzas, and several specials are available at lunchtime. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner seven days a week, and reservations are recommended for parties of six or more.

2524 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212, Phone: 210-735-5757


Guillermo's

Guillermo's

© Guillermo's

Conveniently located right downtown, Guillermo's is a casual counter-serve eatery with a cozy interior and a welcoming patio. The style of the restaurant makes it perfectly suited to both dining in and taking food to go, and customers can choose from a selection of pizzas, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and decadent desserts. There are several vegetarian pasta and pizza dishes to choose from, and meat lovers will be pleased by the hearty selection of burgers and wings. Guillermo's is open for both lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and it is open only during lunch hours on Sundays.

618 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215, Phone: 210-223-5587


Julian's New York Style Pizza

Julian's New York Style Pizza

© Julian's New York Style Pizza

Julian's New York Style Pizza is an eatery best known for its delicious thin crust pizzas, but the menu also offers a wide variety of other Italian favorites including appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, subs and sandwiches, and entrees. Everything is made from scratch, and when it comes to the pizzas and pastas, diners can choose from one of the house specialty options or choose their favorite toppings from an extensive selection. Julian's is open every day of the week for both lunch and dinner. Pizza by the slice is available during lunch hours for anyone looking for a quick and easy meal.

13444 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78216, Phone: 210-496-3500


La Focaccia Italian Grill

La Focaccia Italian Grill

© La Focaccia Italian Grill

Established in 1972, La Focaccia Italian Grill is a classic Italian restaurant with an extensive menu, an inviting ambiance, and a well-stocked full bar. Appetizers, soups, and traditional Italian salads start the menu off, but diners also have the option of filling up a plate at the salad bar. There are also plenty of entrees, including Mediterranean and Italian pasta dishes, steak, seafood, veal, chicken, and pizzas baked in a wood-fire oven. Daily lunch specials are offered every weekday, and you can reserve the space for private events in advance. Both indoor and outdoor dining are available.

800 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205, Phone: 210-223-5353


Luciano Ristorante Italiano

Luciano Ristorante Italiano

© Luciano Ristorante Italiano

The family-run Luciano Ristorante Italiano is the continuation of the multi-generational Luciano family tradition, which goes all the way back to a casual trattoria in a small town outside of Naples. The cuisine is all prepared by hand in the traditional way, using the freshest ingredients available and staying true to the family's original recipes. The menu begins with an excellent array of appetizers, soups, and salads. Groups of more than four people can indulge in one of the appetizer sampler platters. There is also an excellent selection of hand-tossed pizzas, pasta dishes, and entrees such as veal Parmesan and baked lobster tail.

849 E Commerce St #183, San Antonio, TX 78205, Phone: 210-226-7295


Paesanos Riverwalk

Paesanos Riverwalk

© Paesanos Riverwalk

Paesanos Riverwalk is an upscale Italian joint that offers outdoor dining in a picturesque setting. Guests can choose from a good number of starters, salads, pizzas, pasta dishes, and traditional Italian entrees. The long wine list has both foreign and domestic offerings, and the bar boasts a number of unique handcrafted cocktails. Other features of the menu include lunch specials and a good selection of both vegan and gluten-free options. Paesanos also hosts parade viewing events, and guests who wish to attend are encouraged to reserve their spot in advance.

111 W Crockett St #101, San Antonio, TX 78205, Phone: 210-227-2782


Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

© Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

Inspired by the city of Naples, Dough Pizzeria Napoletana is a neighborhood pizza joint with an authentically Italian atmosphere. The restaurant specializes in Neapolitan style pizza, but diners can also choose from a collection of cheese platters, appetizers, and salads. There is also always a small selection of seasonally-inspired dishes, and the restaurant is proud to let diners know that their fresh mozzarella and burrata cheeses are made in-house. The wine menu includes an excellent selection of sparkling, red, white, and rose wines, all of which are imported from Italy. Dough Pizzeria is open for both lunch and dinner seven days a week.

6989 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216, Phone: 210-979-6565


Tiu Steppi's Braun Road

Tiu Steppi's Braun Road

© Tiu Steppi's Braun Road

The owners of Tiu Steppi's Braun Road have a deep appreciation for authentic Italian food, fine wine, and craft beer, and this restaurant is their way of sharing these things with locals and visitors alike. The specialty hand-tossed pizzas, which are a highlight of the menu, come in both 12"and 16" sizes. Other menu offerings include antipasti, salads, and a selection of freshly made pasta dishes that are served with optional garlic knots. Take out is available for both lunch and dinner, and the restaurant is happy to offer bottles of wine and growlers of beer to go as well.

9910 West Loop #123, San Antonio, TX 78254, Phone: 210-688-9885


20 Must-Try Italian Restaurants in San Antonio, Texas & Fun things to do near me today: