Being a huge fan of Italian food, I’ve always looked for undiscovered restaurants that serve real, tasty food. Texas, which is well-known for its Tex-Mex and BBQ, may not immediately spring to mind when one thinks of Italian cuisine, but to my amazement, there are some amazing restaurants located throughout the state that offer cuisine on par with that of Italy. I’ve had the pleasure of finding a few places where lovers of Italian cuisine may savor hearty classics with a modern twist, from spaghetti heaven to hidden pizza havens.
Pasta Perfection at Trattoria Lisina (Driftwood, Texas)
Trattoria
Lisina is a hidden gem located in Driftwood, just outside of Austin. The experience
at this quaint trattoria will take you right to Italy. The spaghetti alla vodka I
ordered was delicious, and the cozy, rustic setting instantly makes you want
something extra. The pasta was obviously made fresh in-house because it was rich,
creamy, and somewhat spicy. Every bite melted in my mouth. It was the ideal choice
to pair it with their homemade focaccia because it was fragrant, soft, and went well
with the spaghetti. The finest aspect? The entire meal has the ideal Italian
countryside vibe as it is enjoyed on the lovely patio with a view of the charming
vineyards.
The Secret Pizza Haven: Javi’s Pizzeria (Dallas,
Texas)
Javi’s Pizzeria is a little-known pizza place that has
some of the best pies I’ve ever eaten, so if you’re in Dallas and in the
mood for something very authentic, go no farther. You won’t find award-winning
Italian pizza at Javi’s, which is tucked away in a little strip mall, but once
you enter, you’ll see why it’s a local favorite. The crispy, thin crust,
fresh mozzarella, tart tomato sauce, and basil on their Margherita pizza, which I
ordered, was a little piece of heaven. The quality of the components was just
remarkable. When I bit into the fresh mozzarella, it virtually squeaked! To my
astonishment, their wood-fired oven produced pizza perfection by adding just the
proper amount of burn to the dough without overpowering the taste.
Hidden Gem for Risotto: Ristorante Cavour (San Antonio, Texas)
In
the center of San Antonio, Ristorante Cavour feels like a hidden Italian haven. This
charming tiny restaurant gracefully brings a sense of Italy to life, despite the
city’s reputation for Tex-Mex and lively Mexican cuisine. Their risotto alla
Milanese was the restaurant’s highlight; it was the ideal comfort food, creamy
and scented with saffron. Every grain of rice in the perfectly cooked risotto was
soft but yet had a little bite. The meal was as near to dining in a Tuscan villa as
I could get without traveling outside of Texas, especially when paired with a glass
of Italian red wine.
Bolognese Bliss at Sienna Italian Trattoria (Frisco, Texas)
One
of those hidden gems in Frisco is Sienna Italian Trattoria, which serves food on par
with any upscale Italian restaurant. The Bolognese, a thick and rich meat sauce that
has been expertly cooked and served over homemade pappardelle, is one of the
menu’s highlights. This meal had an amazing depth of flavor, with each bite of
the sauce delivering a harmony of richness from the pig and beef and a touch of
sweetness from the tomatoes. I couldn’t get enough of it; it was a dish that
perfectly captured the tastes of classic Italian cookery.
A Sweet Finish: Dolci (Houston, Texas)
Dolci, a quaint small
dessert shop in Houston, has some of the most authentic Italian sweets I’ve
tasted outside of Italy. An Italian lunch wouldn’t be complete without
something sweet. With layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a rich mascarpone
filling, their tiramisu is a veritable masterpiece. The quantity size is just
right—enough to satisfy without seeming overpowering—and the flavor is expertly
balanced, neither too sweet nor too bitter.
Even though Texas might not be your first choice for Italian cuisine, it’s evident from these undiscovered locations that the Lone Star State has some of the most delicious and genuine Italian food in the world. These restaurants are showcasing Texas’s hidden culinary gems by delivering authentic and loving classic Italian fare, like pasta, pizza, and risotto. For a taste of Italy that is well worth the exploration, make sure to stop by these locations the next time you’re in the state.