As a broad category, Italian food is a perennial crowd-pleaser. In North Texas, we’re fortunate to have several restaurants that satisfy cravings for hand-tossed pizzas, housemade pastas, decadent cannoli, and every other conceivable classic. Whether you’re looking for a pile of noodles slathered in red sauce and served on a red-and-white checkered tablecloth with a candle crammed into a wicker-clad Chianti bottle or an elegant array of Mediterranean classics in a chic, Milan-inspired setting, top-notch Italian restaurants across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex abound.
From old-world favorites to Michelin-recommended spots to check off your bucket list, here are restaurants to consider when your taste buds deserve a Roman holiday.
Centrale Italia
Wood-fired pizza and housemade pasta are the hallmarks of this recently debuted casual restaurant in Preston Hollow. Fried burrata puts a new spin on mozzarella sticks, while Roasted Angry Mussels intrigue by name alone—and live up to expectations with a flavorful fennel-saffron broth. The Wise Guy pizza delivers the heat with calabrian chiles and a quartet of soppressata, capicola, prosciutto, and sausage. Polenta-crusted trout scallopini and rigatoni alla vodka with grilled shrimp bring seafood into the spotlight. 7859 Walnut Hill Ln., Ste. 150, Dallas, centraleitalia.com
Scilla
The newest Italian restaurant in town, located near Preston Center in the new 8111 Douglas office tower, this Duro Hospitality entry promises to live up to its siblings (rhe Charles, Sister, Mister Charles, Norman’s Japanese Grill, and many others). By focusing on coastal Italian, reminiscent of its namesake village in Calabria, Scilla emphasizes seafood in a relaxed-but-elegant setting reminiscent of charming, white-walled, curved-ceiling eateries along the Mediterranean Sea. Lobster arancini, Chutoro crudo, seafood towers, and a Spanish-inspired paella di mare join house-made pastas and wood-grilled options, including a whole red snapper. 8111 Douglas Ave., Dallas, scilla-coastal.com
Trattoria Bugatti
Chef Erin Willis brings authentic Italian recipes collected during her years abroad to the Love Field area in the delightfully updated, bright-and-airy space that once housed a beloved neighborhood favorite. (More about the O.G. Bugatti below.) Start with the Italian street-food staple, testaroli (semolina pancakes rolled with pecorino and basil pesto) or a decadent deep-fried pizzetta of the day. Discover the joys of genuine fettuccine Alfredo made without a drop of cream. Or try the deconstructed lasagna “Rotta” to taste each component in its simple purity. And absolutely make sure to save room for the equally authentic limoncello tiramisu with pistachio biscuits. 3850 W. Northwest Hwy. #1190, Dallas, trattoriabugatti.com
La Stella Cucina Verace
In the heart of the Dallas Arts District, steps from the I.M. Pei masterpiece Meyerson Symphony Center, La Stella Cucina Verace feels like a work of art. Sip on a classic Negroni while perusing the menu, packed with pasta, seafood, and indulgent meaty offerings. Showstopping choices include the 40-ounce Bisteca Alla Fiorentina served on a Himalayan salt block, and the porcini mushroom and truffle butter fettuccine with black truffle shaved tableside. If you’re short on time, La Stella is a great place to pop in for a pre-show drink. 2330 Flora St., Ste. 150, Dallas, lastellatx.com
Bugatti Ristorante
Long before the debut of Trattoria Bugatti earlier this year, the Bugatti family ran a classic Italian, white-tablecloth restaurant in the same space. Now in its 46th year, the original Bugatti has relocated to Farmer’s Branch, but the old-world favorites and Italian-American staples keep longtime fans coming back for more. Crab claws, cream of mushroom soup, linguini with clam sauce, chicken parm, and cappuccino pie top the list of dishes the regulars can’t live without. 1940 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy., Farmers Branch, bugattis.com
Princi Italia
With two locations in DFW, Princi Italia offers diners a taste of Tuscany with seasonal takes on Italian dishes. Try something new every day of the week with regular specials, including cioppino (shellfish stew) on Mondays, Parmesan-crusted Alaskan halibut on Wednesdays, and Italian sausage and meatball lasagna on Sundays. Or, grab a spicy alla vodka pizza with an arugula salad to-go for a little slice of Italy at home. Multiple locations, princiitalia.com
Ospi Dallas
The celebrated Venice, California-based eatery recently debuted its first-ever location outside the Golden State, taking over the longtime Meddlesome Moth in the Design District. The concept blends near-equal parts classic and modern Italian dishes on the menu. Top sellers include the Pepe-roni pizza, a clever take on the same-old, same-old with cacio e pepe sauce (with single-origin peppercorns, no less) in place of marinara. If red sauce is calling your name, however, the spicy rigatoni alla vodka and the chicken parmesan both make excellent use of Ospi’s famous vodka sauce. During the daily apertivo hour, you can snag a mini cocktail flight with small versions of a Negroni, espresso martini, and gin or vodka martini) to sip along with discounted pizzas and small bites. 1621 Oak Lawn Ave., Ste. B, Dallas, ospi.com
Piattello
Fort Worth’s chef Marcus Paslay branches adds Italian food to his portfolio of restaurants, and like his other spots around Cowtown, this one’s a knockout. Begin your meal with fried stuffed squash blossoms and the Duroc pork meatballs. Or skip right to the big plates with an amazing vegetale pizza made with ricotta cream, zucchini, Fresno chilies, heirloom tomatoes, and caramelized onions. Lobster ravioli with brandy, cream, and tarragon is also a standout. And during warm weather months, you can’t go wrong with a frozen aperol spritz to cool you down. 1621 Oak Lawn Ave., Ste. B, Dallas, ospi.com
Lombardi Cucina Italiana
The Lombardi family knows a thing or two about Italian cooking with multiple concepts under their restaurant group’s umbrella. Lombardi Cucina Italiana at the Star in Frisco presents Italy’s greatest hits in a hip, business casual setting. Tuscan-style, prosciutto-wrapped prawns, beef tenderloin tartare with shaved truffles, and grilled marinated octopus lead the list of starters (excellent with a smoked-rosemary-accented Italian gin and tonic, by the way). On the heartier side of the menu, wild boar pappardelle, oxtail ravioli, green fettuccine with sautéed lobster, and veal picatta represent a few of the sure things. 6655 Winning Circle Dr., Frisco, lombardicucina.com
Gemmelle
Fort Worth’s most famous celebrity chef, Tim Love, recreates his favorite vacation memories with a menu inspired by the vibrant colors and flavors of coastal Italy. The name translates to “twins,” a tribute to his two daughters. Attached to Love’s micro-resort, Hotel Otto, Gemelle is a fun, laid-back spot to grab dinner, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Try the daily crudo, one of the five weekly pastas made with vegetables from the Gemelle gardens, or heartier dishes such as garlic-and-mushroom-crusted beef tenderloin. Pizzas, available in either Detroit or New York style, are a big draw, especially the signature T’s with rabbit-rattlesnake sausage among the many meaty toppings.4400 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, gemelleftw.com
61 Osteria
This Fort Worth gem provides an upscale setting for traditional Italian dishes made with seasonal bounty from Texas farmers. You could make a meal from sharing multiple antipasti plates, like artichoke bruschetta with burrata; sausage and peppers on polenta; Mediterranean octopus carpaccio with salsa verde; and pork, veal, and brisket hearth meatballs. But the wild boar pappardelle and venison osso buco are both worth saving room for. 500 West 7th St., Fort Worth, 61osteria.com
Mister Charles
When the Michelin Guide made its first appearance in Texas, Mister Charles earned a distinction as a recommended restaurant, and fans of the luxurious Italian and French-inspired concept were hardly surprised. Start with a Highland Park Pharmacy Penicillin, a cocktail nod to the building’s former occupant. Then work your way from the Prime beef carpaccio to the spicy lumache arrabbiata with tomato conserva and broccolini; to fusilli with caviar and fontina; and finally to seared diver scallops with sunchokes, pomegranate seeds, and brown butter. 3219 Knox St. Ste. 170, Dallas, themistercharles.com
La Stella Italian Steakhouse & Music Lounge
After a splashy opening party and Black Friday debut, the second La Stella concept in Dallas deftly merges a classic steakhouse vibe with Italian mainstays. The black-and-gold, art deco-inspired Old Hollywood interiors set the stage for an elegant evening out. And speaking of stages, the Sophia Lounge features live music most nights, an ideal place to pre-game before dinner or end the meal with a nightcap and a little dancing. Take the complete dinner-and-a-show approach even further by ordering some dishes with tableside presentations: Jamón Ibérico, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, and the gnocchi cacio e pepe with truffles shaved atop. 14655 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas, lastellaitaliansteakhouse.com
Lucia
At Lucia, one of Dallas’ smallest restaurants, the menu changes often to showcase seasonality. The chef’s choice salumi, featuring house-cured meats, is a great start and is always on the menu. Pasta dishes could include something similar to lobster mushroom cappelletti, or rigatoni with Wagyu beef ragu, each showing off the chef’s top-tier pasta-making skills. Every morning at 9 a.m. reservations to Lucia open up for the 30 days, so plan ahead. A limited number of walk-in seats exist too, so if you’re in the neighborhood, it’s worth checking availability. 287 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas, luciadallas.com
The Charles
Known for putting a Texas spin on Italian design and cuisine, the Charles is one of the major reasons to visit the Dallas Design District for something other than a new settee. Bold flavors dance about in every dish, whether it’s bluefin tuna carpaccio with avocado and Fresno peppers; creamy polenta with sausage and pepper meatballs with creamy polenta; or wood-fired oysters with parsley and pepperoni. Attention to detail carries through everything, from the service to the wine pairings, making every visit special. 1632 Market Center Blvd., Dallas, thecharlesdallas.com
Via Triozzi
Via Triozzi gained a fast following when it opened in 2023. Diners flock to the Tuscan-inspired dining room for a seasonal menu influenced by various Italian regions. The house specialty lasagne al forno is a staple, and wonderful for groups to share when they want to save room for other dishes on the menu. Try the rigatoni alla ’Nduja and Nani Angie’s chicken cacciatore with a side of crispy potatoes. Work your way through the rest of the menu on subsequent visits—or bring more friends. 1806 Greenville Ave., Dallas, viatriozzi.com
Dolce Riviera
The resort-style decor at Dolce Riviera evokes a sense of sophisticated leisure, transporting diners to the sun-soaked coastlines featured in The White Lotus. With more than 400 wine labels, you can request the perfect pairing for everything from classic cacio e pepe to gnocchi al tartufo. The menu also features a collection of tinned fish, including littleneck clams, tuna belly, and octopus for a very European experience, also perfect with wine. 2950 North Harwood St., Dallas, dolceriviera.com
Palato Kitchen & Lounge
Views of Frisco’s Kaleidoscope Park, intimate lighting, and a tight menu of expertly prepared Italian favorites top the many reasons to visit Palato Kitchen & Lounge inside the Hall Park Hotel. The garlic pesto braid is a must-have for its buttery, flaky layers of fresh-from-the-oven goodness. Pizzas can be shared or hoarded, so proceed as you wish. The wild mushroom and thyme funghi pizza stands out among the offerings, as does the hearth-roasted rainbow trout. The Hall family is known for their wineries, so ask for proper pairings with each course, and you might discover a new favorite. 3220 Internet Blvd., Frisco, palatofrisco.com
Sister
This intimate Italian-inspired restaurant brings all the flavors of the Mediterranean to life. Request a table under the large tree in the dining room, order a cocktail, and prepare for a parade of delights. Piquillo pepper tahini dip, charred octopus, and veal and pork meatballs shine among the small plates, while clams vognole and wild “boarnaise” over rye malfadine genuinely showcase the pasta prowess in the kitchen. Ricotta cheesecake seals the deal. 2808 Greenville Ave., Dallas, sempresister.com
Sassetta
A jewel of a restaurant inside the Joule Hotel, Sassetta is even more popular now that it has relocated from its former home in the Design District. Request a solo seat by the window for prime Downtown people watching, or stop in with friends for small bites before a show at the nearby Majestic Theater. The four-cheese arancini and frito misto with calamari, rock shrimp, and seasonal vegetables pair well with a Sicilian Serenade cocktail. If you prefer a leisurely dinner, try a burnt-honey pizza with a side of housemade buttermilk ranch or the weekly featured pizza. Follow that with a plate of lobster spaghetti or a perfectly roasted brick chicken. 1530 Main St., Dallas, thejouledallas.com/sassetta
Knife Italian
Celebrity chef John Tesar combines two of his loves, steak and Italian food, at this restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas. Begin your evening with starters like “My Mother’s Baked Clams”; roasted Skull Island prawns; and gin-cured redfish tartare. Indulge wholly in a 32-ounce, 240-day-aged ribeye to experience the breadth of Tesar’s culinary talent and mastery of beef aging. Or opt for scampi-style lobster, pork milanese, or the current polenta version for a more traditional taste of Italy. 4150 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, knifeitalian.com
Kenny’s Italian Kitchen
Kenny’s Italian Kitchen feels reminiscent of the many restaurants in New York’s Little Italy neighborhood. Straightforward and unfussy, the food brings regulars back again and again. From lasagna and baked ziti to bone-in veal parmigiana and chicken scallopine, the menu honors the classics. And like other Kenny’s Restaurant Group concepts, the eatery is known for its martinis made with below-freezing Grey Goose vodka from a specially designed tap. 5100 Belt Line Rd., Ste. 764, Addison, kennysitalian.com…