The food is insanely good. Freshly made meatballs, noodles, and sauce. It was perfection. I'll be dreaming about my pasta dish for the rest of my life. Restaurant was clean and great atmosphere. read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Spaghetti and Meatballs - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

Well I usually don't post this but I ended up paying extra for this restaurants mistakes. I am really disappointed with my experience at Mona Lisa in Kemah. I ordered a meal that arrived undercooked, so much so that the dough was still raw in the middle. It wasn't just slightly underdone it was doughy and inedible. I brought it to the staff's attention & I was told to order something else, and then I was charged for the replacement meal, which cost nearly twice as much as my original order. There was no discount, no adjustment, and no effort to make up for the mistake. In the end, we paid significantly more because the restaurant served an inedible meal. That's simply not acceptable. The one bright spot was our server. She was friendly, attentive, and did everything she could to help. This experience is in no way a reflection of her service she was wonderful. The issue was entirely with how the heck am I paying double for my meal that was wrong. Unfortunately, the lack of quality control and poor customer service in resolving the problem means I won't be returning. When a restaurant makes a mistake, customers shouldn't have to pay extra because of it. Oh and let me add that apparently we weren't the first person to complain about it & it look super long. read more

If you typically aren't one to read reviews, please, make an exception for this one. My wife, kids, and I had the distinct pleasure of sharing this incredible dining experience with the truly unbelievable staff at Monna Lisa Trattoria last night. Every interaction was memorable. Every bite, superb. We didn't want to leave - and the staff didn't want us to. From the Italian-sourced bread to the Burrata with prosciutto di Parma (everyone should live a little and try this) to the variety of homemade pastas to the multiple desserts and coffee we indulged in, we stumbled out of there upset that we had to leave. I told them as we left, we finally found somewhere in all of Houston we enjoyed more than our own food. And my wife is an incredible chef, so that is saying something, believe me. I'm never going anywhere else for true Italian cuisine. Those who work here, thank you so much. We were blown away by your kindness, understanding, your love for knowing multiple languages and how to make a restaurant feel like home in Italy. Thank you all so much. Wow. Nick, Suzette, Isabelle, and Evan Carter read more

This place continues to shine. The pasta is (obviously) made in-house by people who know how to make it, and every menu item -- be it a nightly special or a regular dish -- is special. Whether you sit indoors or out, you're in for a treat and exceptional customer service. On our most recent visit, I couldn't tell who was actually serving us. Both owners came to our table to ensure that everything was up to par (and it was). We also had a server who checked on us regularly. I've eaten Italian food in many different places, including Italy and NYC. This place -- with a little French infusion -- is among the best I've savored. I'm not sure why it's not listed by the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 Restaurants or nominated by the James Beard Foundation. But I intend to change that. read more

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For Italian food in Kemah, this is our go-to place. Everything is cooked fresh. The flavors are packed in. The portion sizes are not Americanized but yet you don't leave hungry. The menu has a decent range of dishes for every palette. They do have a small wine list but you can also bring your own and pay a $15 cork fee. The restaurant itself is small and decorated with various photos of Mona Lisa (the one in the bathroom is my favorite). The owners are Guglielmo and Fanny. He's Italian and she is French and are such a cute couple. Bottom line - Absolutely delicious food in a quaint restaurant that feels like home. Love it. We go often. Bon appétit, y'all. read more

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Thank you again for the amazing pasta. The spaghetti and fusilli bolognese were perfect for my son and I. The baguette bread was great with it. Thank you for the tour of the pizzeria! I love the decor and the I can't wait to try your Neapolitan style pizza. We continue to wish you and much success!!! read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

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I met a friend here on her suggestion. The hubs and I arrived early, so we walked in and was told that we could sit wherever we'd like. So we grabbed a table next to the wall. The staff was very nice, and informative. I had some sparking water and the hubs ordered a coffee. A warning about the coffee, its espresso based. I, love espresso, but my other half thinks it too bitter. He did drink it, but I could tell it wasn't his favorite, it tasted good to me. After my friend arrived, we ordered an appetizer followed by our lunch. Appetizer: Burrata and added the prosciutto de parma for a small up charge. It was served on a bed or Arugula. The burrata was very good and pared very nicely with the prosciutto. It was some of the best burrata that I've ever had. They also served bread on the side. Dinner: Me: Spaghetti and meatballs. Usually you get like 2 or 3 large meatball when you go places. They had small meatballs and they gave you plenty of them. Also the spaghetti was homemade. You can tell, thats for sure. It had a nice bite to it. I was very happy with my meal. Hubs: he had Lasagna and said it was really good. I tasted it and wasnt a fan, but I also dont like Italian sausage or Italian spice mix and it tasted like it had one of those things in it. And even in saying that, it was well made. They seem to take pride in what they serve. Its a nice little restaurant if you want some good Italian food down in Kemah. read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

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The most authentic Italian restaurant in the area the staff is very friendly and the owners care so much about the quality of the food. I would absolutely recommend this place. read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

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Cute little restaurant. Got the Bolognese and the Lasagna. I was able to appreciate the pasta in the bolognese more than lasagna. Both dishes satisfied the craving. Limited free street parking, but there's a really big paid parking lot across the street. Service was great! Very friendly and attentive staff. read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria is a charming little spot with so much personality. The decor alone was fun to take in, and the cozy atmosphere makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. I went with a group of six, and without even planning it, we all ordered different dishes. This was perfect because we all got to sample a little bit of everything. Every single bite was so good that I couldn't pick a favorite. When I eat out, I usually eat half and save the rest, but this was one of those meals I happily finished in one sitting. Our server, Noah, absolutely made the experience even better. He was sweet, attentive, happy to answer all our questions, and kept the bread coming until our bread loving selves were fully satisfied. We spent a long, leisurely evening enjoying each other's company and never once felt rushed. From start to finish, it was a wonderful dining experience. read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

Looooong wait, was told :15 min turned into an hour. Not on open table for reservations nor on their website. Got skipped for seating and left. read more

Another stop and EVERYTHING was perfect! We are pretty lucky to nap reservations and get a table when we're in the area. 100% recommend!! read more

This place is a hidden gem in Kemah, home made pasta , cheeses and wine imported from Italy , best Italian food in the area , highly recommend read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Tiramisu , only 6 ingredients - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

We loved the fresh salad and pasta with the warm bread and delicious tiramissu. We'll definitely be back. read more

The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because I feel they could use more help. I walked in and it took a while to get acknowledged. The inside was small and very hot, because of the open kitchen, so we were happy to sit outside. Our server, Noah, was amazing despite being pulled in so many directions. He was sweet and kind and very knowledgeable. The food was fresh and delicious and you could tell it was homemade. We will definitely return to try some of the other dishes! read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Spaghetti Carbonara and Maccheroni - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

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Great food and very friendly service from Franchesco. I heard about it from Google Reviews, and most certainly lives up to the many recommendations. read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

This was a very quaint place. Homemade pasta. Nice wines. One of the dishes as a bit salty. read more

The food was phenomenal, this place is truly a gem. The service was exceptional, and the atmosphere was beautiful. It was the perfect spot for our family of five. A must-visit! -thank you! read more

Food was amazing. We were so glad we had a reservation because it filled up quickly.

My wife and I had lunch here Saturday. We even lucked into a parking spot right in front of the restaurant, which was pleasantly unexpected. I had the Pasta alla Siciliana and she had the Pappardelle Bolognese. We both agreed that this was the best pasta we'd ever had, with perfect texture and nice flavor. We also shared the pavlova for dessert, which we quite enjoyed. Our server was helpful in selecting our dishes, and he and I'm-guessing the owner checked to ensure we enjoyed the food and had all we needed. The wait for the food was longer than expected, but not too bad. I had an iced tea and my wife had water to drink, and these were the negative aspects of our experience. The iced tea was from a bottle rather than fresh, and the water was unfiltered and tasted strongly of chlorine, and neither was good. We don't understand restaurants serving unfiltered water. Overall a good meal, and I expect that we will be back, though would make different choices for beverages. read more

My husband and I just visited Monna Lisa Trattoria, cozy little restaurant right down the Kemah Boardwalk. The place is beautifully decorated, and the waitress was super nice and welcoming. We started with eggplant parmigiana, the flavor of the sauce was so intense and the eggplant was almost sweet, it was spectacular. We ordered the lasagna and Pasta alla Siciliana. The lasagna was delicious, the pasta was great, the sauces on point, it's been a while since we've had a lasagna this good. Pasta alla Siciliana, with catch of the day: Pompano, cappers, Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes, pasta al dente, this was to die for. This is a new place in Kemah, I'm so glad we came to try it out, we will be back definitely. read more

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Amazing mom and pop place! Ask for the bread, it's absolutely amazing - crunchy on the outside and springy on the inside. We shared the lasagna and the carbonara. Both are fantastic and incredibly fresh. The pavlova was amazing as well! I'm really looking forward to coming back here and trying everything on the menu. We had cappuccinos after that were very rich and smooth. read more

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Pasta was amazing. Burrata was very fresh and we really enjoyed everything. The Italian sodas were very good also. Cannot wait to go back.

Everything was amazing! The food, service, ambience, was wonderful. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Reservations are a must. It's a small restaurant so plan ahead. read more

The staff were extremely nice. Noah provided us with excellent service and made sure our bread basket was never empty for long. The food was very delicious as they make their pasta from scratch, which you can see from the side window outside.Very charming hidden gem in Kemah, TX. I would definitely dine there again! read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Pesto & Straciatella - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

Food, service and atmosphere were perfect. You can tell that the food is homemade with love

Rox: We split the pesto bucatini and the carbonara. The pesto was the best restaurant pesto pasta I've ever had! They hand make the pasta and it is to die for! Mike: hand made pasta is amazing! Picked up a bottle of red from Fish and Chips next door and probably would out rank their pasta with anyone's! read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Pesto Bucatini (11/10), Carbonara (9/10) - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

Great food, great atmosphere, and great service. We'd go again. Dinner for the two of us with sodas and a coffee was ~$60. read more

Step 1, I got an Italian foreign exchange student. He hated absolutely anything we gave him to eat. He came here with an Italian friend and insisted we tried it. Part 2, we came here; and upon walking in we were instantly struck with magic and intriguidelity. I felt like I was in a Disney movie. The kitchen staff were happily preparing meals, we were greeted kindly, and the paintings were even smiling at us! I was waiting for Mickey Mouse and his friends to pop out and smile at us! Anyways, the decor was absolutely beautiful. Paintings, jars, checkered curtains, vines, wines, the whole thing. We got our food and I nearly fell out of my seat. The food was REASONABLY PRICED AND DELICIOUS? I didn't even know restaurants did that anymore! I need a separate paragraph for the restroom because.. holy smokes that's a nice restroom. I've been to 5 star hotels, airports, restaurants, and they have NEVER had a restroom as nice as this one. From a WOODEN TOILET SEAT, to the HIDDEN SECRET LIGHT SWITCH, I absolutely loved it. I will be coming back at least 7 more times this summer; I can't wait until this restaurant gets its Michelin star read more

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This brand new Italian restaurant opened 2 days ago. We went for lunch on a Friday. Cozy atmosphere. Loved the ambiance. Husband had egg plant and pasta and I had pasta with tomato sauce and cheese. We both loved their sauce which was mild, not too acidic. Service was great. Chef/owner came out to chat and see how we were enjoying our food. They are still waiting for their liquor license but have wine glasses and let you bring your own bottle. read more

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Very cute, great service, food portions are great and delicious. We have been a few times and like it every time read more

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Drove about 40 minutes for this restaurant and it definitely did not disappoint! This place is oozing in character and charm when you walk in, even the bathroom is cute! We were sat immediately and chose to sit outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. There aren't many tables inside so keep this in mind during the busier times. The owners are the most adorable young married couple and both are incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, ingredients, and the wine list. Told us that they make all their pasta from scratch and import a lot of their ingredients from Italy. You can absolutely taste the love and care they put into their dishes. I ordered the Gnocchi and it was the best I've ever had. They are a little firmer than what you might be used too but still amazing and that tomato sauce and cheese was incredible, you could taste the freshness in every bite. My mom got the special and forgive me for not remembering exactly what was in it but it was also amazing. Definitely worth the stop! read more

Well done team Monna Lisa well done! 1st time customer and U did not disappoint!! I would return and try another dish. Everyone seemed very happy and comfortable with everything! Maybe it's the wine? lol Clean nice and great food! read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Very secret! - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

The food is delicious! We had great service as well! The pasta is all homemade and yummy!

Had dinner here on a Sunday evening. The food was fantastic, good portions and very reasonable priced for hand made pasta! Great flavors and food and service was fantastic. Owner/chef came and checked on the table. I would gladly go back here! read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Pasta - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

The pasta was so delicious and it is made fresh! The service was amazing and the ambiance is cozy and inviting. read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Pesto and straciatella and lasagna. - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas

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Wonderful service and very tasty food. We finish our meal with Tiramisu which was perfect. I will definitely come back. read more

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Our family spent a couple of days at Kemah for the 4th of July holiday so we dined at local spots. I called MLT to ask for a dinner reservation for our party of 10 and they readily booked us. Nice, short walk from the Courtyard hotel. When we arrived our table was ready and we were immediately seated. This is a quaint little spot near the boardwalk that opened in March 2025. Noah provided exceptional service, answering questions, offering suggestions and efficiently delivering the various dishes we ordered. The food was fabulous from start to finish! The burrata was great with prosciutto on top of warm crisp slices of bread. Salads were fresh and nicely dressed. Pasta was perfectly done and sauces were tasty. It was nice to dine at a local spot instead of the chain restaurants on the boardwalk especially during the crowded holiday. We look forward to dining here again when we visit Kemah. read more

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My husband and I had lunch at Monna Lisa Trattoria today and it was fantastic! Honestly from the service, to the food to the atmosphere-it was a cultural experience. The food was light and fresh with minimal but high quality ingredients which I think Italy is all about. Highly recommend and will definitely be back! read more

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Food was absolutely amazing , everything down to the noodles are homemade . The environment is clean and the staff were friendly. If you're looking for authentic Italian food then you should check out Monna Lisa read more

Monna Lisa Trattoria - Italian Near Me - Kemah, Texas