Top 20 Italian Restaurants in Dallas Texas
While you may think Dallas’ cuisine is mainly just Tex Mex and American cuisine, it is actually quite diverse, allowing the intrepid eater to discover foods from across the globe, including from Italy as explained at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. This article will look to list the top 20 Italian restaurants in Dallas, Texas.
- PaneVino Osteria
Tucked into an Addison strip mall, PaneVino Osteria is a welcome respite from the nearby glut of restaurant chains according to RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. In its unpretentious space, find excellent wines, scratch-made rigatoni in spicy pork ragu, and lobster fra Diavolo over fettuccini.
- 400 Gradi
Since opening his original location in Melbourne, Australia, in 2008, founder and chef Johnny Di Francesco has worked to ensure his Italian food is as authentic as possible. The restaurant made its U.S. debut in 2019 in downtown Dallas, and while the pizza is certainly a focus of the menu, there is so much more to indulge in here.
- Cane Rosso
From its beginning as a mobile pizza operation to multiple locations across the DFW metroplex, Cane Rosso restaurants continue to evolve and make bellies happy as articulated at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. From handmade dough and mozzarella made in-house daily for its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas to fresh pasta, authentic Italian desserts, wines, cocktails, local brews, and unique takes on a classic, traditional Italian dishes, everyone is sure to find something they enjoy.
- Carbone’s
This Highland Park eatery is an upscale iteration of the quintessential Italian American corner store. The menu comprises simple yet exceptional dishes that will have you saying, “delizioso!” after one bite. Staples include spaghetti meatballs, tortellini vodka, and linguine with shrimp scampi. Top off dinner with a glass of Italian vino or a classic cannolo.
- Kenny’s Italian Kitchen
Get the feel of Little Italy in Dallas. In addition to the ice-cold Grey Goose vodka on tap, this Addison Italian eatery entices diners with delicious and reasonably-priced baked ziti, chicken marsala, linguini with clams, and more.
- Adelmo’s Ristorante
As per RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com, Adelmo Banchetti started his career in the food and beverage world at the age of 16. His work took him around the world, and in 1989, he and his wife Eliza opened Adelmo’s Ristorante More than 30 years later, they still offer cuisine inspired by various Italian and Mediterranean regions.
- CiboDivino Marketplace
With a name that translates to “divine food,” CiboDivino’s Sylvan Thirty location was modeled after an authentic Italian market where patrons gather to share food, wine, and conversation. Large windows and an urban farmhouse design give the space a light, airy feel.
- Roman Cucina
No-frills Italian fare is the name of the game at this North Dallas favorite, where a plate of chicken parmigiana is priced at less than $15 as captured at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Feeling like a little splurge? Consider the langostino a Fuoco, or lobster in a spicy tomato-cream sauce.
- The Charles
Looking for an eclectic and eccentric Italian dining experience? The Charles is your place, with fabulous interior design, a wood-fired grill, fantastic people-watching, and house-made pasta. Along with aspects of traditional Italian fare incorporated into the menu, you’ll find unusual dishes such as charred octopus, lemon ricotta gnudi, and pork blade chop.
- Palmieri Café
This cafe boasts authentic Italian coffee, pastries, and gelato—all made from scratch. Inspired by the specialty coffee shops of his native southern Italy, owner Corrado Palmieri gives Dallas a true taste of his hometown.
- Campisi’s
With all the new Italian spots opening up, don’t forget to revisit this Dallas dining icon that has been serving Italian fare since 1946. Hit the original location on Mockingbird Lane for cheese-topped garlic bread, shrimp scampi, and homemade ravioli in red sauce covered at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com.
- Eataly
Eataly is an Italian lover’s dream come true. Located in NorthPark Centre, the 46,000-square-foot, three-story space encompasses 10,000 local and Italian products, three restaurants, and a cooking school. On the main floor, you’ll find La Pizza and La Pasta, which focuses on authentic Neapolitan pizza and pasta. You’ll also find Il Pastaio, a pasta and wine bar. Customers can order fresh pasta and watch chefs make it.
- Dolce Riviera
How to transport yourself immediately to Italy? Just visit Dolce Riviera in the Harwood District near Victory Park. The blue and white color scheme paired with the luscious greenery enclosed patio and outdoor lounge described at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com is sure to bring you resort-style vibes just like those in Italy. Enjoy homemade pasta and a glass of vino for the perfect Buona Notte.
- Taverna
Restaurateur Alberto Lombardi opened the first outpost of this now-chain risotteria in Dallas, where it’s remained a Knox-Henderson favorite ever since. Risotto is, of course, an excellent option here, get the bowl topped with burrata and crispy prosciutto. There’s also a long list of gluten-free options.
- Il Bracco
Nestled among fancy shops like Kendra Scott and Bachendorf’s in Preston Centre is Il Bracco, the perfect place to lunch with the ladies and enjoy a glass of Champagne or rosé while indulging in homemade pasta and other Italian fares. The crispy baby artichokes ($17) with olive aioli and fresh-squeezed lemon is a perfect start to a meal and is the most popular appetizer at Il Bracco.
- Terilli’s
Part of Dallas’s dining landscape since 1985, Terilli’s was forced to relocate from its original home after a devastating 2010 fire, as discussed at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. The restaurant rose from the ashes in 2012 and has since served its classic Caesar salad and shrimp scampi to hordes of adoring diners.
- La Stella Cucina Verace
This restaurant is led by executive chef Luigi Iannuario, and the menu offers comforting recipes with a modern twist from regions across Italy. Start your culinary journey here with an antipasto (appetizer) like the Che Burrata ($19) with Sicilian sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, leek, and garlic chips. For the first course, try the Spartacus ($54) made with imported pasta from Gragnano Napoli, fresh lobster, herbs, and tomatoes.
- Nonna
The first restaurant of chef Julian Barsotti’s dining empire, Nonna has served some of Highland Park’s finest Italian fare since 2006 as revealed at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. Stunning entrees like white clam pizza, tortellini di ricotta, and Gulf red snapper with roasted squash, chickpeas, and salsa verde.
- Lucia
At one time, getting a reservation here was nearly impossible, but Lucia has more availability now thanks to its relocation to a larger space around the corner from the original. The restaurant still epitomizes everything romantic about Old World Italian food, only on a slightly larger scale. The menu, consisting of antipasti, primi, secondi, and dolci, changes frequently and allows you to explore new items with each visit.
- Sfuzzi
A favorite Dallas restaurant from the ‘80s, early ‘90s, and some of the 2010s makes like a cat with nine lives by coming back one more time. Bask in the red-light interiors (so ‘80s) but enjoy the chicken parmesan sans breadcrumbs — it’s made with a parmesan cheese crust (so now, and so gluten-free).
These are some of the best Italian restaurants in Dallas, Texas, with more on this topic, and much more, to be found over at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com.