Houston, TX
For Italian in Houston, the local food press points to Da Marco, Coppa Osteria, and Coltivare. Picks from The Infatuation, updated July 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in The Infatuation. Updated July 2026.
Da Marco · Montrose
A discreet, curtain-shrouded Montrose institution where regulars ask for truffles shaved tableside. The kitchen turns out Venetian-style fried calf's liver and ravioli cacio e pepe with guanciale, served by a floor of agile veteran servers who keep the room running smoothly through a long dinner.
Coppa Osteria · Rice Village
A white-tablecloth Rice Village room with candlesticks and a romantic feel, known for fritto misto and a bolognese built on a sauce simmered overnight. The setting suits a date or a slower dinner spent working through pasta and a bottle of wine.
Coltivare · The Heights
A Heights garden-patio spot under a fig tree, splitting the difference between wood-fired pizza and pasta. The cacio e pepe and a pizza loaded with spicy, slow-roasted pork are the reasons to go, and much of the produce comes from the restaurant's own backyard garden.
Giacomo's Cibo e Vino · River Oaks
A kitschy River Oaks room with a dog-friendly patio, running a long menu of cheese-stuffed vegetables, handmade pastas, and a deep list of Italian wine by the bottle. It works for a casual weekday plate as easily as a longer weekend dinner with friends.
Milton's · Rice Village
A reservations-only Rice Village room built around pasta craftsmanship, down to details like cresta di gallo ringed by a parmesan foam. The focused menu and small format make it a spot for diners who want to pay close attention to what is on the plate.
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