Believe the hype on this one — Sammie’s is an incredible special occasion restaurant serving Italian classics to rave reviews. Landmark dishes include the Sammie’s Lasagna, Chicken Parmigiana and Spaghetti with Meatballs, a family recipe from Chef Nick. It can be difficult to get a reservation ahead of time, but we recommend checking their website day-of or arriving early when the eatery opens at 5 p.m. to snag a last minute spot.

Open for 25 years, Vespaio is a South Congress mainstay serving flavorful dishes made from locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. At Vespaio, chefs handle all of the butchery in house and hand make the pastas. They also bake their own bread, make their own cheese and craft their own desserts. The building was once a Western wear shop and a grocery, and today, the space still fills up with longtime fans of the delectable Italian fare.

Thanks to their gorgeous outdoor seating options and moody indoor dining room, Olive & June is a wonderful place for a romantic date night or intimate meal with friends. The pastas are made by hand daily, prepared with fresh ingredients and served with dynamic accompaniments. Their Italian wine selection is robust, and the restaurant hosts a premier happy hour with half-price beer, select wine and cocktails available for guests.

Executive Chef John Carver is bringing handmade pastas, prime meats and fresh seafood to the table at Red Ash, where reservations are hard to come by, but worth the effort to secure. The eatery holds a custom-built wood-burning grill and oven, which notably influences the menu in items like the Wood Roasted Beef Bone Marrow and Wild Red Snapper A La Plancha. The pasta is made in-house daily and offered in many inspired varieties, including the Frutti De Mare and Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese.

L’Oca d’Oro is Mueller’s neighborhood Italian restaurant, known for its fantastic food and sustainable sourcing practices. Co-owner and Chef Fiore Tedesco spent time working at Franklin Barbecue and Bufalina before bringing his talents to L’Oca d’Oro. The eatery hosts many events, inviting locals to partake in a wonderful meal while connecting with one another.

Some of the best pasta in Austin is being served from an Italian food truck outside The Vortex. Patrizi’s, which now also boasts a brick-and-mortar on Cuernavaca, is a crowd-pleasing answer to the question, “What’s for dinner?” Their fettuccine pasta is made with semolina flour and local eggs, elevating Cacio E Pepe, Pomodoro, Carbonara Alexandra and other pasta dishes to new heights. Matt and Nic Patrizi are paying homage to their family roots with this Italian destination in Austin.

Head to Juniper for a curated culinary experience from owner Nic Yanes and Executive Chef and Culinary Director Mike Warnock. The Prix Fixe menu, available for $85 with an optional wine pairing available for $55, features housemade pasta and bread, along with amazing sweets. There’s also an A La Carte menu for those who prefer to choose their own courses.

For a quick and casual, but still tasty Italian food experience, head to Mandola’s Italian Kitchen, which has multiple locations across town. They’ve got all the classics — Spaghetti and Meatballs, Eggplant Parmigiana and Gnocchi with Bolognese to name a few — and their daily features are worth a try as well. Order at the counter and you’ll notice plenty of scrumptious Italian desserts to add to your meal. Mandola’s is also a great option for take-out!

Burnet Road is home to many wonderful eateries, and Gusto Italian Kitchen is a top spot thanks to its Italian classics. The weekly specials include 25% off all bottles of wine on Monday nights, half-off all pizzas on Tuesday nights and 50% off all bottles of rosé all day on Thursdays. We also love Gusto’s family-style takeout to make a weeknight dinner much simpler.

Il Brutto is the cool Italian spot on the block, giving guests a taste of authentic cuisine in a stylish space. Executive Chef Ering Halilaj was raised in Italy, which influences the range of dishes available on the menu. Il Brutto’s extensive offerings include fresh pasta and pizza baked in a Neapolitan wood-burning brick oven, as well as an amazing beverage program. There’s even a couple gluten-free pasta options available for those who need it.