9 Best Italian Restaurants in Galveston

Photo Credit: Mario’s Seawall Italian and Pizzeria

• Address: 628 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX
• Favorite menu item: Homemade baked lasagna with meat sauce, mini meatballs, and a four cheese blend.
• Price point: $$

Conveniently located near Stewart Beach,  Mario’s Seawall Italian Restaurant serves up some of the best Italian food on the island with a sweeping view. The traditional dining room has a friendly and old-world vibe, ideal for both family dinners and date nights.

Start with an Italian-style charcuterie board of Italian meats, olives, and cheeses before digging into the scrumptious dinner options like lobster ravioli, wood-fired pizza, and a Viva Galveston combo platter of shrimp parmesan, shrimp scampi, and shrimp fettuccine alfredo.

Mario’s Seawall is also known for its  Sunday brunch with a blend of traditional morning favorites and dishes with an Italian twist, like the Mozzarella Caprese Avocado Toast with tomatoes, basil, and an olive oil drizzle.

Trattoria La Vigna

• Address: 412 20th St, Galveston, TX
• Favorite menu item: Ravioli stuffed with spinach and homemade ricotta and topped with a mushroom cream sauce.
• Price point: $$$

If you’re looking for the best Italian food in Galveston,  Trattoria La Vigna should definitely be on the list. The upscale and modern dining room in Downtown Galveston is perfect for date nights.

The menu is set up in a traditional Italian format, with antipasto, a primi pasta course, and a secondi meat or fish dish. Bring a big appetite to start with a caprese or calamari fritti before ordering a spaghetti or risotto and ending with osso buco, shrimp scampi, or chicken piccata.

Riondo’s Ristorante

• Address: 2328 The Strand, Galveston, TX
• Favorite menu item: Gluten free zucchini zoodles tossed in olive oil with fresh basil, tomatoes, and parmesan.
• Price point: $$

Looking for Italian cuisine on The Strand?  Riondo’s Ristorante is a can’t-miss dining experience downtown. The restaurant has a contemporary upscale vibe and a popular happy hour Wednesday through Sunday.

Stop in for lunch to try the artisan pizzas—grilled chicken and artichokes top The Tuscan, while The Garden is loaded with mushrooms, eggplant, red onions, roasted red pepper, and mozzarella. The dinner menu is just as mouth-watering, with an Italian seafood mashup like crab-stuffed mushrooms or blackened diver scallops to start and entrees like Gulf Coast shrimp scampi and seafood ravioli pillows.

Mama Teresa’s Flying Pizza and Italian Restaurant

• Address: 416 21st St, Galveston, TX
• Favorite menu item: Mama Teresa Supreme pizza with bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, pepperoni, and bacon.
• Price point: $$

From hand-tossed pizzas to comforting pasta dishes to an array of salads, soups, and appetizers,  Mama Teresa’s brings a taste of Italy to Downtown Galveston. Located in the Postoffice District, the casual and family-friendly eatery is convenient to The Strand and the Port of Galveston.

While specialty pizzas are the shining star of the eatery, you don’t want to skip over the pasta menu, where your eyes might land on fun combos like the fettuccine bolognese or spaghetti carbonara. Don’t forget to save room for dessert — the white and dark chocolate mousse is a can’t-miss.

Mario’s Ristorante

• Address: 2202 61st St, Galveston, TX
• Favorite menu item: Blanca pizza topped with ricotta, alfredo, mozzarella, and spinach.
• Price point: $$

Not to be confused with Mario’s Seawall, Mario’s Ristorante is a whole different establishment on 61st Street with a long legacy on the island. Started by a pair of young Italian friends over 50 years ago, the restaurant still has a neighborly and relaxed feel.

Whether you’re in the mood for pizza or pasta, the menu here offers something to appease your taste buds. Try hand-tossed pies like the Mad Greek with feta, kalamata olives, and spinach, or the Vampire Slayer with grilled chicken breast and garlic. The pasta menu offers a build-your-own option to select your favorite noodle and sauce.

Russo’s New York Pizzeria

Photo Credit: Russo’s New York Pizzeria

• Address: 500 Seawall Blvd #300, Galveston, TX
• Favorite menu item: Truffle Burrata and Ricotta pizza with fresh basil, arugula, and an olive oil drizzle.
• Price point: $$

With dine in, take out, and delivery options,  Russo’s New York Pizzeria is a convenient spot to grab a slice on the Galveston Seawall near Stewart Beach. A small franchise chain primarily in Texas, Russo’s originated in Galveston in the 1970s before expanding to Houston and beyond.

The menu has everything from Tuscan and Greek salads to pasta and calzones, but the traditional Italian pizzas are the shining star. Go for the Mediterranean topped with spinach, feta, and black olives for a taste of Italy, or build your own for a truly custom meal.

Sapori

• Address: 7611 Stewart Rd, Galveston, TX
• Favorite menu item: Pollo al Limone, garlic and lemon infused grilled chicken with a bed of spaghetti in sauce.
• Price point: $$

Looking for delicious Italian restaurants in Galveston near the  West End? Sapori is a great option! Located just off the Seawall near Babe’s Beach, the casual eatery is away from the bustle of downtown Galveston and a quick hop from our West End vacation rentals.

Open for dinner only; this is the spot to try a specialty pasta like Manicotti di Pollo filled with ricotta, chicken, and walnuts or Cannelloni di Salsiccia with Italian sausage, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese.

Rosario’s Flying Pizza and Pub

• Address: 2121 The Strand, Galveston, TX
• Favorite menu item: Supreme pizza with sausage, pepperoni, olives, peppers, mushrooms, and onions.
• Price point: $$

A fun little spot to grab a slice and a drink on The Strand,  Rosario’s Flying Pizza and Pub is a casual and friendly eatery convenient to all the downtown attractions. The classic pizzeria menu offers wings and mozzarella sticks for appetizers, a few pasta and pie choices, and cheesecake for dessert.

When you’re picking your pizza, you can either opt for a single topping or go all in with the Meat topped with pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, and bacon or the classic Margherita with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.

Eat and Stay in Galveston

Can’t stop thinking about lasagna? It’s time to eat, and beach hop your way around the island.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, Sand ‘N Sea Properties has something for everyone, from cozy cottages for  romantic getaways to breezy beach houses for families and big groups.