I didn't know what to expect when I went to gusto with friends and was deeply impressed when we left. We started with the garlic focaccia, meatballs, and fried calamari... the meatballs were so soft and flavorful, the focaccia was the right kind of fluffy and had whole, soft pieces of garlic, they went really well together. Unfortunately, the fried calamari seemed to have a ton of pieces of fried dough under a layer of calamari which was quite disappointing. For the main, my friends got lasagna and bolognese, which they both liked. I got the quiet and absolutely loved it. It was stuffed with some flavorful, creamy(?), greens and the sauce was a yummy accompaniment - my absolute favorite meal that night. Service was quick and our server was so helpful. I would definitely go there again and highly recommend Gusto. read more

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Gusto has been consistently great for over 12 years. The daily specials make having dinner or happy hour here even better. I love half price rose night on Thursday! read more

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Stopped by Gusto just for a cocktail, but I'm already looking forward to coming back for lunch or dinner. The food that passed by looked and smelled absolutely incredible. I ordered the Flight of the Bumblebee--a gin-based drink with honey--and it was delicious and perfectly balanced. Can't wait to try more! read more

Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Flight of Bumblebee - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Took my employees for lunch on Monday. Neighborhood restaurant, that my wife and I usually go to for dinner. Quiet at lunchtime, at least on this Monday. Friendly server and sadly, I asked his name and then promptly forgot what he said. Sorry. Food was delicious and service was great. Focaccia bread never disappoints. I had chicken Parmesan, which was fantastic, sitting on top of some really tasty green beans. My employees had pasta dishes that they said were very good. Atmosphere is nice. Parking can be a challenge. Not inexpensive, but I think the prices are reasonable for the setting, service, and food. read more

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The steak tagliata here with chimichuri is amazing!!! This is a great place for a date or special occasion.

Service and atmosphere were great. Pretty patio with a neighborhood vibe. The food was just okay for the price however. The meatballs were certainly the best thing, but overall it's upscale Italian food prices for just average flavor and portion sizes. Being on In-Kind for payment was a plus though! read more

Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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such a pretty little restaurant. Warm and inviting... great for a romantic date or catchup with a friend. prices are quite reasonable. We split a margarita pizza and indulged in the delicious green beans / verts... pizza was crispy and flavorful. only negative was our server... perhaps she was having a bad day, but geesh. leave the frown downtown. she was completely disinterested and even didn't follow our request to split that last glass of wine, but brought us one each. Funny how a server's attitude can completely derail a good time. read more

I've passed by gusto many times but finally gave it a try this weekend! The restaurant is super cozy with an intimate ambiance. We ordered the focaccia bread, spicy carbonara, Caesar salad, and tiramisu all to share. They were nice enough to split our orders into separate plates since we said we were sharing everything. I was surprised at how fresh everything tasted. The bread was soft and pillowy with a little bit of crunch. The carbonara pasta tasted super fresh and the sauce had the right amount of kick. The tiramisu was a highlight since it was more like ice cream. A great place for a date night or after dinner drinks. read more

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Tried Gusto for dinner and had a wonderful experience! Didnt have to wait for a table even without a reservation on a Friday night which was great. The wine by the glass was pretty affordable, but the food was a bit pricey (25+ for an entree). However the lasagna was worth the price - it was so delicious! Couldn't get enough of the tomato sauce Also tried the saffron risotto which was pretty good but I thought could use a bit more flavor and spice. Overall would recommend for a special occasion if you are looking for a nice italian spot read more

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The tl;Dr: Gusto pleasantly surprised me! It's definitely worth a visit, particularly during happy hour. Even though Gusto is a drive away (a few miles north on MoPac) we braved the cold winter weather and made the trip. Actually roads were empty due to the small amount of snow on the ground And I'm glad we did! We arrived right at opening (which is when happy hour starts) and we're greeted and seated right away. Overall the service was friendly and not overbearing. We started w/ the Piatto Grande, a board of 3 cheeses, 3 meats, some giardinera, honey, olives & crackers. The cheeses were semi hard, and I think I enjoyed the cow's milk most. But I do have a soft spot for gorgonzola too, and with a little bit of the truffle laden salami was a decadent treat. The giardinera also added a welcome vinegar kick to counteract the rich cheeses. One drawback: I would have preferred bread to crackers. Next we had the spec & pear pizza. Initially we were looking for something with marinara sauce, but our server convinced us to try the spec & pear, citing it as a fan favorite. And we were glad she did! The pizza was cooked to perfection, honestly in the running for best crust I've tried in Austin. Light, airy, crispy. There were just enough toppings to make sure the crust didn't give way, but to provide a nice burst of flavor. I wouldn't call this a "fresh" tasting pie, but rather more "rich & comforting". Creamy, a little sweet, but mostly savory. I would get this again! Since everything else had been so good, I decided on dessert as well. The tiramisu semifreddo kept with the theme of the day: rich & delicious Every so often, you'd but into an espresso soaked lady finger, a pleasant surprise combined with the ice cream and chocolate. read more

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If you're looking for an upscale vibe but with entrees that are good but nothing out of this world, it's a really good spot for this. Service is really good, with great waiting staff! We got the 3 cheese plate that I would highly recommend, I'm personally not a huge cheese guy but was really impressed especially with the local honey and homemade berry spread that went with the cheeses. Also, I like how they were not traditionally simple cheeses like a Mild cheddar or plain Parmesan. Although expensive, you were paying for quality cheese, five stars. My fiancee really enjoyed her aperol spritz which was in a pretty large glass and was strong! As for our main dishes, we both had the Alla Crema. It was pretty good and all tasted very much homemade/scratch which is good considering the higher prices for the portion sizes. I wasn't blown away by the flavor but it was decent. I think the biggest thing is the higher pricing here without your socks really been blown off on the entrees, albeit I've only had one so maybe other dishes do! Overall, came out spending $133 with one mixed drink, a cheese board, and two entrees. A little steep for Italian in my opinion. Given the higher price point, I would only see myself coming back for the happy hour prices which are solid, half off on the cheeseboard and great deals on drinks! I'm also a little more bias on Italian as well since I grew up my entire life in New Jersey around a lot of super good yet reasonable priced Italian food. read more

Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Presentation was much nicer than this I couldn't hold back to try before taking a photo. Three cheese plate. - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Had a wonderful dinner here last night. Awesome vibe from the patio and the food and service was 10/10. We will be back!

Great service wirh excellent food. Good spot to eat in Central Austin. A little pricey, but worth it

10/12/25, the male waiter this was extremely rude, not only to me but to my companion. I arrived around 11:35 am and there was one lady at the bar, and an elderly man I helped opening the door and a couple with a baby. The waiter came by and I asked for the reservation, very rude said they did not have any reservations and did not ask if I needed a table. Five minutes later, my friend arrived and he was twice as rude as previously and left hanging by the entrance. We will NOT return there. We ended up having lunch cross the street. Service real bad. read more

Was in town for my neice's engagement party. She picked Gusto's for this event and it was great. The ambiance is similar to some Bronx style eateries where you know the food is going to be great as soon as you walk in- the aromas emanating from the kitchen are a dead giveaway! My sister-in-law (mother of the bride), pre ordered several appetizers so they would come out immediately while we were perusing the menu, ordering drinks and getting acquainted with the groom's family. The antipasto boards and the roasted Brussels sprouts were delicious. Then came the entrees- I ordered the pasta with clams; you could taste the wine I. The butter sauce and it was perfectly seasoned and balanced. The little clams were tasty and tender, and there were lots of them crowning the home made noodles. My neice wanted to try the risotto, which she said was delicious. The groom ordered the quail- I couldn't ask him how it was but there was nothing left on his plate- a sure sign that it was great. My two nephews both had the pasta bolognese and they had a bet going on as to whether or not Anthony would get sauce on his nice, button down white shirt! Those boys dug into their pasta bolognese with gusto (haha) and yes the white shirt did show evidence of a meal well enjoyed! Further down the line were my brother and sister-in-law, the grooms brother and sister-in-law and the grooms parents...I don't know what they had but we had good fun at the kids table . Then it was time for dessert. My sister-in-law ordered the entire dish of tiramisu. It came out in a beautiful ceramic dish and was served to all the guests, along with coffee americano, decaf, cappuccinos, espressos and dessert wines. This was such a good time and the great service added to the enjoyment. read more

Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Pasta bolognese - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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A Truly Unforgettable "Big" Birthday Celebration at Gusto With Amber's help, I had an unforgettable "big" birthday celebration at Gusto in November 2024. I sent a personal thank-you email right after the event but realized I hadn't shared my experience publicly, so I wanted to ensure I did! Amber went above and beyond to make the evening an OUTSTANDING experience--from the thoughtful planning and preparation to the impeccable service and, of course, the exceptional food. Everything exceeded my expectations. Initially, I was concerned about selecting the right main course options for such a large group, but Amber's guidance was spot-on. She helped me choose the perfect Antipasti and Insalata options (the Fritto Misto was a standout), and then assisted in narrowing down the three main course choices--Lasagna, Alla Crema, and Texas Redfish. She even offered vegetarian options for the Lasagna and Alla Crema, ensuring that all my guests had something they could enjoy. Every single person found a dish they loved and truly enjoyed their meal. Amber was also a "partner in crime" when other members of my party wanted to surprise me with a singing telegram. :) I can't thank Amber enough for her attention to detail and for making everything run smoothly. Analise, our main server, was also phenomenal. As meetup event organizers, many of us have dined at many Austin restaurants and encountered our fair share of servers. But Analise truly stood out. She handled our large group with grace and efficiency, attending to every request without being intrusive. Her timing was flawless, and her attentiveness made everyone feel well taken care of--something rare and special in the restaurant industry. My guests complimented the service and the overall experience. I can't thank Amber and the entire Gusto team enough for making my birthday celebration such a memorable occasion. There's a reason our group has returned to your restaurant several times already, and we'll definitely be back with more friends in the future. Their hospitality and service are unmatched! read more

The moment I wake up Before I put on my makeup I say a little prayer for you... I woke up, said a prayer, put in my makeup and went to brunch with me ladies and I was NOT disappointed!! The service, drinks, food, atmosphere where GREAT. It's such a small beautiful Italian restaurant tucked away in the heart of Austin. I dropped my fork by accident and immediately the manager appeared next to me with a replacement...I didn't even realized he seen me my blooper. Our waitress was so amazing and constantly checked in on us, even when it was closed to closing and we didn't notice she never rushed us and they took our photo. Def check this place out you will enjoy not only the delicious food and beverages but they really know how to treat their customers. Also tried the brussel sprouts and order them!!! read more

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I had the best time celebrating with a meal here last night. It's hard to find a good Gluten Free pasta but the Alla Norma was incredible. The service was great and helped turn gluten free pizza crust into a side of bread. The dessert was delicious as well. Overall great experience. read more

Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Alla Norma & GF pizza crust made into bread - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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It's time for patio weather! Enjoyed a few dishes here - lasagna, Bianco pizza, and cheese plate. Service is so friendly and she gave advice on a bottle of wine to pick out. Everything comes out tasty and fresh. I really liked the flavors on the pizza - artichoke had a good taste and texture. Pizza is easily shareable. read more

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I came in for Restaurant week in September with two other people. *Warning, for those who don't know me or my reviews, as a former Sicilian resident, Italian cuisine must be 'this high to ride this ride' to convince me it warrants 5 stars* Let's get to it - First (s) Burrata Caprese Burrata cheese is mozzarella that's formed into a thin pouch and then filled with soft, stringy curd and cream called stracciatella just for folks who don't know. This burrata had the expected buttery flavor which paired well with the beefsteak's mild base. Peach Panzenella This peach panzanella salad was a delicious bread salad featuring fresh peaches and a light vinaigrette. Not only was this salad light but it was also tangy. Second(s) Crispy Sardine Bruschetta Bruschetta is a crispy small, sliced baguette topped with vegetables, fish or meat to serve as an appetizer. It consists of a toasted baguette slice, rubbed with olive and fresh garlic, and topped with chopped and seasoned tomatoes. The bruschetta served here places a twist on what many deem as a classic by topping it with Nuri sardines preserved in oil and chutney. This appetizer is one of my favorites as it is made with very simple ingredients, one mighty sauce and an explosion of flavors. The sweet and spicy flavor of the chutney paired with the saltiness of the fish rendered the dish both sweet and savory. Tuna Crudo This raw tuna dish was dressed with capers and fennel and provided heaps of flavor. The evoo was robust and had a bitterness reminiscent of cardoons and mustard greens. Third (s) Summer Risotto This risotto brought forth a rich sweetness derived from the Parmesan and charred sweet corn. However, it was not too rich which makes this ideal for a summer main course. Gulf Red Snapper This snapper had a mild, slightly sweet taste (as expected). The braised raised root vegetables for this dish were made fragrant with edible flowers. Drinks Berry Smash This was made with Tito's vodka, muddled lemon & basil, luxardo cherry and ginger ale. This drink (for me) was a cross between a martini and an old fashion. The service provided was efficient. Overall, this was a good sampling of what the spot has to offer. $176.00 before tip read more

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Service was AMAZING. We went here for a birthday lunch and got a beautiful table in the corner booth. The food was amazing. We had the chicken Parmesan and the Bolognese and both were delicious. read more

Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We sat on the patio this beautiful evening, great atmosphere. Service was awesome and the recommendations made were worth it! I ordered the Caesar salad and Salliccio pizza -- so good, my partner had the alla crema which he will have next time as well! 10/10 -- we will be back soon! :) read more

Came for wine and appetizers for our first time here! Ambience was a nice surprise and nice twists on the recipes. Service was great! Will come back again!! read more

Food - the food was presented very well & delicious! Service - they were very kind and accommodating. Ambiance - very romantic low lighting / perfect for date nights read more

The charcuterie board was outstanding and delicious. The host and waiter were very hospitable and the restaurant is a great size to be intimate and not overcrowded. We enjoyed the ambient music and wall art. We will definitely be back, thank you! read more

Spacious restaurant with indoor, bar and outside seating. I ordered to go and sat at the bar, the dark haired bartender was very attentive, nice and helpful. I got a party platter with veggies, meat & fruits for a house NYE party and added some delicious and fresh focaccia bread and bolognese pasta. Everything was packed well and traveled easy for my 25 min drive home. I can't wait to come back and dine in. read more

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Gusto was a cozy intimate dining experience that was ultimately underwhelming in the food itself. The service was outstanding! The food however was bland and extremely expensive. I ordered the ravioli without meat and while it looked phenomenal, it left me unsatisfied both in terms of quantity and taste. read more

Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

Ordered take out-- pasta was $25 and the portion was TINY (like a 4x4 container). When we opened it, it smelt so bad that we couldn't even bring ourselves to eat it. read more

Cameron, Since you weren't there, let me tell you what actually happened. I walked in and the hostess informed me 'no dogs.' Even though my animal had a service vest on, she did NOT ask about the service. I asked her specifically about service animals inside the building and her reply was no animals inside, service animals or not: company policy was NO animals inside. That is entirely different than no pets or service animals only. Not sure what other people have been told This same story, but no mention of ADA rules happened. My dinner companion can attest to that. Could your MOD point me out of a crowd? read more

Oh yeah, if you're an Italian food lover, you will like this place for sure! We visited for lunch, it has nice and comfortable atmosphere, staff was very attentive and polite, food was served without any delays. The price for food is reasonable, but I thought price for wine could have been a bit cheaper. (not a big deal, I got beer instead!). My husband ordered chicken parmigiana which was SO tender and delicious, I got meatball spaghetti which was also very tasty! read more

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I absolutely love this spot!!! I've been here for a few different occasions - birthday dinner, quick late night drinks and snacks at the bar, happy hour - Gusto can do it all! Family-run spot with a scratch kitchen and incredible Italian wine list that's pretty much consistently knocking it out of the park. You can get reservations on OpenTable (recommended) and they have small parking lots on both sides or street parking behind the strip. The patio is covered with fans and both the interior and exterior have a nice ambiance. I've always had great service (and immediately befriended the bartenders) and really enjoy coming here to visit. Ladies - this is THE perfect happy hour!!! Do not miss!!!!! read more

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Big fan of this spot, not only because it's within walking distance from the house.... but the staff and food is always delectable. The lasagna and meatballs pair perfectly with their Peach Bellini! Actually, everything pairs well with the Peach Bellini! It's a must get. They have an adorable outside patio perfect for getting your Nom Nom's on. Whole Branzino is my next stop on their menu. I suggest coming with a group, and posting outside on their comfy couches, enjoy some good company and a bottle of wine. Can't go wrong here! read more

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I went during restaurant week so it was a good deal. The meatballs were absolutely amazing. The best thing there by far. The cannoli was really good too but the pasta was okay but the pizza was really good. The dough was awesome. The peach dessert reminded me of Greek yogurt and I wish the caprese came with bread or something but it was delicious. The atmosphere is really nice and the service was really good. Very nice and answered all of our questions. read more

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My first time eating here at this restaurant and I was really impressed. The food tasted fresh and was prepared to perfection. The staff were very friendly and cordial. Love the vibe. I will definitely be back to try other dishes. read more

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Went back this past Saturday for a Triple Bday Dinner for a party of 16. Was the perfect choice for this gathering.. All around amazing service, great food, cocktails, well paired wines.. Didn't take photos of everything some samples below. Some highlights: -Focaccia is excellent -Fritto Misto has fried olives (olive lovers rejoiced) -Marinara sauce is very tasty -Salted Caramel Budino spoonfuls were followed by elation -Flourless chocolate torte is decadent My only 1 sadness was the double espresso I was served, it was luke warm and bitter, to fix this I was quickly offered a replacement which I declined so they graciously removed it from the bill and apologised. I mean if that is not service I do not know what is. Thanks Gusto for making it a memorable bday celebration. read more

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Tried Gusto for the first time Friday night. We made reservations for 6 pm, inside. I like that you can reserve outdoor or indoor based on preference. Their COVID precautions were good- a lot of social distancing between tables and I felt very comfortable. My friend ordered a wine flight, which is a cool concept. It's $20 and you can pick three of your choice and mix and match between red, white and rose (they are 3 oz pours). I ordered a dirty martini and it was made very well. I really like the mix of apps and entrees plus small plates and sides so whether you feel like ordering shareables or a meal you are covered. SO MUCH sounded delicious but we ended up getting the crab cakes, caprese salad, focaccia bread, green beans (sorry haricot verts) and brussel sprouts. RUN, don't walk, to those green beans and brussel sprouts. SO GOOD. The green beans were crunchy and perfect and garlicky and shalloty. Brussels were crisp and vinegary. The caprese salad had a twist wth pesto and burrata instead of basil and mozzarella and I approve, it was delicious. I wish you got slightly more tomatoes for the portion though. I tried my friends crab cakes and they seemed good enough- they were big too and served with greens. And finally the focaccia bread is a steal for $5- delicious and served with roasted garlic and perfectly seasoned olives. We enjoyed everything and can't wait to try more. Our waitress, while pleasant, was very inattentive and that was the only drawback. I appreciate she respected we wanted a slow leisurely meal but a couple times I'm pretty sure she forgot about us and someone else had to get things we needed. They do have a happy hour and different themed nights - like Thursday's is 50% off bottles of rosé ALL DAY. Will DEFINITELY go back to try more food to get a better idea of consistency and if service is better will knock it up 5 stars!! read more

Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Martini! - Italian Near Me - Austin, Texas

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My vegetarian friend likes this restaurant. We started with the nicely baked Focaccia with warm olives. She ordered the Alla Crema substituting mushrooms for pancetta.. I ordered the Lasagna with marinara so she could have a bite. The Alla Crema was a tasty dish but the Lasagna was not. There was something amiss. The lasagna noodles seemed soggy for lack of a better word. There was no distinction between the cheese texture and the pasta at all. If the dish was purposely made this way I would not order it again. I don't think the bolognese sauce could even have saved it. I love lasagna and was deeply disappointed The atmosphere is wonderful and the staff were more than accommodating. read more

Tried Gustos for Austin Restaurant week. I tried their 4-course dinner and it was decent. The appetizers were the crispy sardine bruschetta and peach panzanella. My sister did order the alternatives. The main course was Lockhart quail and dessert was key lime budino. I tried her tuna crudo - it was a bit salty, but her gulf red snapper was quite good. The timing of the courses were a tad bit more spaced out than I would have preferred, our dinner took 2.5 hrs to complete. Otherwise it was a decent meal. read more

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We had such an amazing dinner here! Everything we ordered was fantastic and brought me back to Italy - it was very authentic. We had the focaccia, meatballs to start and for entrees we had the special pasta, a spaghetti all'arrabiata, frutti di mare, funghi pizza and red snapper. Everyone loved their dishes and I'd order everything the same again. Our server Tara was very knowledgeable with menu selections including the wine, and very attentive. All the staff we encountered were very friendly. We had a nice dimly lit cozy booth in the back which felt more private. If you're a party of 2 or 4 - try to request it. So happy to have found an authentic Italian restaurant in Austin and I can't wait to try out their newly opened Mediterranean restaurant Gracia next door. read more

I loved this place! I really just wanted a simple pasta dish and they were able to accommodate me with an off-the-menu request. My mom got mussels (she was annoyed bread wasn't included but we got the focaccia which was soooo perfect for sharing), we got the Misto salad which was good!, and my mom got a glass of wine that she seemed to enjoy. The ambiance was awesome (there was inside and outside), server was personable and kind, in fact all the staff that I came across was really nice. I am SO glad that we came here for our last night in Austin because it was the best meal that we had here! read more