Lena RiveraAlamo City might be famous for its vibrant Tex-Mex, but the local Italian food scene is a hidden treasure waiting to be devoured.
To find the best pasta in San Antonio, I explored cozy trattorias and upscale dining rooms along the river to discover the most comforting plates of noodles. I don’t regret spending weeks twirling forks into rich carbonaras and pillowy gnocchi to share with you the absolute standout plates around town!
How much do pasta dishes cost in San Antonio?
Enjoying pasta in San Antonio generally ranges from $10 to $25 per plate, depending on the dining style and location.
| Dining Style | Price Range | Example Spots |
| Budget & Lunch Specials | $9.99 – $13.00 | Carrabba’s, The Pasta Kitchen |
| Casual Dining | $13.00 – $16.00 | Olive Garden |
| Mid-Range & Upscale | $16.00 – $25.00+ | Local Italian Grills |
1. Pazzo Pastaria
Website: https://pazzopastaria.com
Address: 13777 Nacogdoches Rd
Contact: 210-277-0663
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Pazzo Pastaria shines by serving fully house-made Italian food to create an undeniably authentic flavor profile in every single bite.
Their kitchen crafts fresh pasta daily, occasionally infusing the dough with playful ingredients like spinach or beets to produce vibrant colors and flavors. I love that almost everything from the bread to the sauces is made from scratch.
The rotating chalkboard menu keeps the offerings exciting, ensuring that frequent visitors always have a new comfort dish to try. Plus, they offer plenty of customization options so you can swap proteins or pasta types to fit your mood. It really feels like a hidden gem tucked away in the city.
But you should prepare for a bit of a wait because the dining room only holds about fifteen tables. This often leads to frustrating wait times of up to two hours during peak hours. Also, some diners have noticed the lasagna can be a bit firm on occasion.
Customer Reviews:
You Can Taste The Love
Our waiter, Adonte, was amazing and super knowledgeable! We were actually planning on eating at the deli but ended up in front of the pastaria. Best mistake of our lives. Pretty much everything is made in house and you can taste the love. The Italian sodas were delicious. We had the sausage bucatini, chicken alfredo, lasagna, and chicken parm all were some of the best pasta we’ve ever had. The pasta was so good that we almost forgot we also ordered garlic bread. 10/10 would come again.
- Mia June | Google Review
Amazing Service
Go here!!!! I promise you won’t be disappointed. The service and food are amazing. The pasta is made in house and the ingredients tasted fresh. ** adding – the reviews that are mad about not being sat in the last hour or long waits clearly have never worked in a smaller restaurant nor are they capable of understanding the policies are posted! Have some empathy for smaller businesses!! ❤️
- Kali W | Google Review
2. Mare E Monte Italian Restaurant
Website: https://www.mareemonte.com
Address: 9390 Huebner Rd.
Contact: 210-267-1233
Hours: 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
Mare E Monte Italian Restaurant captivates diners with its unique “sea and mountain” concept, which combines fresh seafood with land-based ingredients in one dish.
They infuse traditional Italian cuisine with vibrant Albanian influences, creating a flavor profile that stands out in the local scene. It’s a great spot for those looking for a mix of classic and adventurous plates.
The menu highlights an impressive selection, allowing guests to customize dishes like delicate lobster ravioli or rich squid ink pasta with additional proteins. Using premium items like truffle oil and San Marzano tomatoes elevates the whole experience.
On top of that, the hospitality is warm and attentive, making you feel like part of the family.
But keep in mind that the intimate space often results in crowded seating and extended wait times during busy periods. Professional reviews have also mentioned that the execution can be a little uneven when the kitchen is slammed.
Customer Reviews:
Perfectly Cooked
Absolutely loved this place! Prince was very welcoming. The food was authentic, fresh, and full of flavor — you can really taste the quality in every bite. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauces were rich without being heavy, and the service was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere felt cozy yet upscale, making it perfect for a date night or a nice dinner out. Definitely coming back!
- Ana Karen Cantu | Google Review
Absolutely Delicious
The atmosphere was cozy yet energetic. The owner or manager came up at the start and greeted us warmly. The food was absolutely delicious. I had the salmon and my partner had the pasta al Nero with shrimp. Moscato was amazing. The waitress Nadia was very friendly and had great recommendations.
- Molly Harwell | Google Review
3. Albi’s Vite Italian Kitchen
Website: https://www.albisvite.com
Address: 4979 NW Loop 410
Contact: 210-255-1757
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Albi’s Vite Italian Kitchen focuses heavily on fresh, made-from-scratch Italian comfort food that hits the spot when you crave something rich and familiar.
Their expansive menu features a robust selection of signature dishes, leaning heavily into savory seafood additions like lobster ravioli with vodka sauce. It’s a fantastic choice if you’re bringing the whole family along.
The generous portion sizes offer excellent value, ensuring almost everyone leaves with a box of leftovers for the next day. They even offer gluten-free and vegetarian options, so everyone in your group is covered. It’s a very reliable spot for a big night out with friends.
That being said, their pasta dishes sometimes arrive overly sauced, which can mask the delicate flavors of the noodles underneath. Also, some people feel the pricing is a bit high compared to the overall casual vibe of the place.
Customer Reviews:
Great Food And Service
Seen this place many times and finally decided to try it. So glad we did! Great food and service. Cute authentic atmosphere! The 2 waiters that were there were both friendly and helpful when we had questions about the menu. My only suggestion to the cook is maybe cut the delicious chicken before placing it on top of the pasta and alfredo to ease the customer from cutting it. But will be going here rather then Olive Garden.
- Lisa Wienckowski | Google Review
Did Not Disappoint
My husband and I went based off a recommendation from a friend. Did not disappoint! Robert was our server and he gave the best customer service. We got the sangria for red wine, Cesar salad and lobster bisque as a starter, then Alfredo carbonara and lobster ravioli. Everything had so much flavor, on top of amazing atmosphere. Each main entree was around $20 with large portions. Will definitely be coming back
- Sarah C | Google Review
4. Tre Trattoria
Website: https://www.tretrattoria.com
Address: 200 W. Jones Ave.
Contact: 210-805-0333
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Friday – Saturday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sunday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
I recently visited Tre Trattoria, and I have to say the scenic River Walk location inside the San Antonio Museum of Art is hard to beat. It’s an elegant yet casual environment that works perfectly for a romantic date night or a special celebration.
This spot, led by Chef Jason Dady, focuses on house-made pasta and handcrafted Italian cuisine that feels both rustic and creative. I loved watching the culinary team in the open kitchen while I waited for my meal.
The menu features fresh favorites like campanelle Bolognese and gnocchi with fontina fondue. Plus, the freshly pulled mozzarella is an absolute must-try.
However, the immense popularity of this picturesque spot frequently leads to intense crowding. During my visit, I noticed that the high demand can result in noticeably slow service when the patio is full. It’s worth the wait, but just be prepared for a slower pace than usual.
Customer Reviews:
Delicious Food
We visited Tre Trattoria for the first time to celebrate my Mom’s birthday. The ambience and atmosphere of the restaurant were incredible. Every food item we ordered was delicious! The golden beets were a favorite. My smoked Gouda white truffle pasta was so creamy and bursting with flavor. Our server Jade was so friendly and attentive, her recommendation really helped.
- Mel Johnson | Google Review
So Good And Flavorful
What a gorgeous little restaurant overlooking the Riverwalk paired with the best weather in San Antonio to date! The burrata and toast was absolutely delicious that between the four of us, we wiped the bowl clean. We had the off menu lasagna, gnocchi, bolognese, sun dried tomato pasta and Brussels sprouts. Everything was so good and flavorful. Walking around the area was nice as well with some historical sites nearby.
- Jessica Garza | Google Review
5. Guillermo’s
Website: https://guillermosdowntown.com
Address: 618 McCullough Avenue
Contact: 210-223-5587
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM, Friday, 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM, Saturday, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Guillermo’s takes a wildly fun approach to dining by offering a distinct “San Antonio-style Italian” concept. They playfully merge traditional staples with bold Texas flavors like jalapeños and fajita steak.
Operating successfully for over thirty years, this locally owned establishment has built a massive community following through its highly approachable and relaxed atmosphere.
Dining out on the relaxed patio feels like attending a great neighborhood block party, complete with generous portions and local charm.
They offer a huge variety beyond just pasta, including pizza and sandwiches, which is great for mixed groups. It’s a solid choice for a casual and affordable night out downtown.
Unfortunately, the fusion-heavy menu options can sometimes lack proper sauce consistency. Some diners have reported that dishes like the chicken alfredo can be a bit bland or inconsistently prepared. Also, service can be a bit sluggish even when the restaurant is not busy.
Customer Reviews:
Out Of This World
I’m almost hesitant to tell you how amazing this place is because it’s like a treasure I’ve found. Everything and everyone is incredible, the food the atmosphere the staff are perfection. Their happy hour is incredible as well and the drinks are good! I tried something different this time I usually have the lasagna which can be easily shared. Their bowtie pasta salad that comes with it is out of this world
- Abby Bombino | Google Review
Wonderful Choices
Evelyn was friendly and energetic when we arrived at Guillermo’s. We had the Tony’s special with bow tie pasta and italian ham and pepperoni and also the chicken avocado mango salad. Both wonderful choices and we enjoyed the views!
- Monica Saenz | Google Review
