Jaime AlfaroSearching for the best Italian restaurant in San Antonio means following the scent of roasted garlic and simmering marinara. You want that perfect plate of pasta that makes you close your eyes and savor every bite.
I love finding spots that serve rich, hearty dishes bursting with authentic flavor. So let me guide you through the top spots serving up incredible meals in our city right now. Grab a fork and dig into these delicious choices.
How much does Italian food cost in San Antonio?
Expect to pay between $10 for casual lunch specials and over $60 per person for premium fine dining plates.
| Dining Type | Average Cost |
| Casual/Budget Friendly | $9.99 – $25 per person |
| Mid-Range/Family Dining | $18 – $35 per plate |
| Upscale/Fine Dining | $35 – $60+ per person |
1. Mare E Monte Italian Restaurant
Website: https://www.mareemonte.com/
Address: 9390 Huebner Rd.
Contact: (210) 267-1233
Hours: Monday: Closed | Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM | Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM | Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
This spot bridges the gap between seafood and land proteins beautifully with their Adriatic culinary concept. Their in-house pastry chef creates custom flavors you can’t easily skip.
You’ll find incredible dishes pairing Texas shrimp with Maryland lump crab right off the bat. We recommend you try the handcrafted goat cheese meatballs made from beef and veal.
Their menu offers great dietary inclusivity, featuring clearly marked gluten-sensitive and vegetarian options.
I visited during a busy Friday rush, and the owner personally checked on our table. This high-touch hospitality makes the space feel like a true home.
The atmosphere gets quite loud and crowded during peak dining hours, though. You might also experience kitchen delays during major holidays or busy shifts.
Customer Reviews
This is my second time at this place and it is absolutely amazing, and the atmosphere is also quite charming. The food is authentic and the employees are super friendly. Our server, Bri, was super nice and attentive. She was very knowledgeable with everything on the menu and gave us some good recommendations on the appetizers and desserts. I already knew what I wanted for the meal because I had it last time, it was so good I wanted to order it again. I am looking forward to coming back again for the food and great dining experience.
- Priscilla Rodriguez | Google Review
Atmosphere was great, Christmas deco was outstanding. Owner or manager was fantastically friendly and was giving off a family vibe. Made us feel welcome. He checked on us through the night even with a packed house. He was adamant if we didn’t like anything he would make it right. Food was good and the cheese dripping onto the entree was a great touch! Waiter was friendly and kept checking to see if we were good. For a fairly new place they have the customer service down pat. We will definitely be back and enjoy this great place again.
- Juan Centeno | Google Review
2. NONNA Osteria – Downtown
Website: http://nonnasa.com/
Address: 401 S Alamo St
Contact: (210) 224-8800
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – Close
Exploring Northern Italian flavors is easy when you dine at NONNA Osteria. The menu centers around simple recipes meant for sharing and deep conversations.
Chef Luca Della Casa brings authentic culinary traditions to life with high-quality imported ingredients. He blends Italian staples with fresh Texas produce to create incredible plates.
Located in the historic Fairmount Hotel, you’ll notice a sophisticated vibe here that’s perfect for anyone scouting local wedding venues for future celebrations.
They also offer versatile dining spaces like the vibrant Osteria and the cozy Silenzio room. This setup provides specialized options for private events and large corporate groups.
Keep in mind that the kitchen shuts down all food service daily between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Snagging a table during prime dinner hours also proves difficult without an early reservation.
Customer Reviews
An exceptional Italian restaurant that warrants a visit. The wild boar bruschetta is a highlight, and the signature olive-based spread is a refreshing change of pace from traditional table bread service. The pasta dishes were phenomenal, each offering a unique and delicious experience. With a vast wine selection and a menu that highlights genuine culinary craft, it is well worth the trip.
- Galliano Marinelli | Google Review
Everything here is top notch. It was a late lunch so the restaurant was quiet with only a few other patrons at the other tables. The complimentary tapenade and bread was tasty and different from the oil and balsamic that is usually on the table. Our server Grace (and Brandon) were friendly and pleasant. Hubby had the fungi ravioli and I had ravioli zucca. Both were delicious and we would definitely order them again. For sure we will be back.
- Bonus Mom | Google Review
3. Aldino at The Vineyard
Website: https://www.aldinos.com/
Address: 1203 North Loop 1604 W at Blanco
Contact: (210) 340-0000; [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Sunday: Closed (Happy Hour: Monday – Thursday: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Saturday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Bold Tuscan flavors take center stage at Aldino at The Vineyard. The kitchen has served the community since 1992 and consistently delivers top-tier culinary technique.
They have an open-concept kitchen featuring a traditional wood-burning oven. Everything gets a specific smoky taste you simply can’t replicate with standard cooking equipment.
You can order unique fusion plates like the Pasta Ole mixed with jalapeños and cilantro. I spoke to a friend who praised their massive lunch menu and award-winning house-made cheesecake.
For drinks, their curated wine list features imported bottles designed to pair perfectly with every rustic dish.
Just be aware that their discounted happy hour prices are strictly restricted to the bar area. The lunch menu pricing also ends right at 3:00 PM, so you have to plan your visit carefully if you want to catch those specific afternoon deals.
Customer Reviews
Last night my husband and I stopped by this restaurant and decided to stay for happy hour. Enzo was our waiter and he was GREAT! We ordered two lemon drop martini’s and they were very good. We decided to just get appetizers for dinner. I ordered the calamari and my husband ordered the meatball. The food was very delicious and the portions are generous. The restaurant is beautiful and everyone that we encountered was very pleasant.
- Angie | Google Review
(Damian) Patient server, wonderful service, and such a pleasant atmosphere! From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and taken care of. The staff was attentive, friendly, and truly went above and beyond. Everything flowed smoothly, and the environment made the entire experience even better. Highly recommend!
- Christina Del Torro | Google Review
4. Paesanos Riverwalk
Website: https://www.paesanosriverwalk.com/
Address: 111 W Crockett St Suite 101
Contact: (210) 227-2782
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Serving local families for five generations, Paesanos Riverwalk has built a serious reputation for incredible food and consistency.
The kitchen here is famous for the legendary Shrimp Paesano that guests have loved for decades. But we also recommend sampling their gluten-free menu featuring dedicated cauliflower crust pizzas and penne dishes.
What makes this spot stand out is how you can choose to enjoy your meal while riding on a narrated river cruise. It sits on a cozy bend of the San Antonio River Walk, providing a gorgeous scenic view while you eat.
It’s a fantastic place to fuel up before strolling through nearby local markets to shop.
Before dining here, you should know the kitchen cooks with peanut oil, creating a severe limitation for nut allergies. The restaurant also adds mandatory surcharges if you substitute sauces or split a main course.
We also noticed that some legendary seafood plates come with explicit warnings about small bones and shells.
Customer Reviews
Great experience all around! Lorie, our server was outstanding! We shared a house salad, a bottle of wine and two entrées we combined together they were fantastic! Had the stuffed shells and the husband shrimp paesano. We shared half-and-half and it was a super great combination! Love the bread and dipping sauce, thanks Lorie for that! Too full to have dessert need to come back sometime just for that!
- vicki mcintire | Google Review
Nicole made our dining experience absolutely unforgettable! From the moment we arrived, Nicole greeted us with a warm smile and genuine hospitality. She was attentive without being intrusive, offered excellent recommendations, and ensured every detail was perfect. Her professionalism and friendly demeanor truly elevated our evening. Paesanos is lucky to have such a dedicated team member! We’ll definitely be back and will ask for Nicole again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding Service!
- Venessa Cruz | Google Review
5. La Sorrentina Italian Restaurant
Website: https://www.lasorrentinaitalianrestaurant.com/
Address: 3330 Culebra Rd
Contact: (210) 361-0184
Hours: Monday: Closed | Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
La Sorrentina Italian Restaurant has a kitchen run by a chef with over 35 years of traditional cooking experience. They focus heavily on Sorrento-style regional specialties that blow standard local pasta joints out of the water.
They execute high-end techniques like pan-searing and white wine lemon reductions in a completely casual setting. You have to try the Chicken Sorrentina, layered carefully with fresh eggplant and salty prosciutto.
The Rangel family has maintained this warm, home-style environment since taking over the operation in 2011. Every entrée automatically includes your choice of a house soup or salad to maximize value.
However, the physical dining space is quite small and intimate. This limited capacity makes walking in with a large group difficult without calling ahead. It feels like a hidden gem you want to keep entirely to yourself.
Customer Reviews
Unassuming Italian restaurant with less than 30 seats on Culebra. The great dining experience….. A big smile as we walked into the door, Great music selection with great audito quality, authentic taste on linguine Clams with white wine sauce, lasagna. The best restaurant in town.
- Nic | Google Review
Had dinner here with a friend on 11/2. It was a little hard to find as the restaurant is set back from the street. The food was excellent! I had the penne a la vodka that came with a salad. My friend had the ziti and the tortellini soup. Both meals were great and we each ended up taking food home. We split a tiramisu for dessert and it was light and delicious!
- J B | Google Review
