It is a romantic and beautifully authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of the historic area of Galveston. The food was incredible! All homemade pasta. Delicious sauces. Authentic preparation. And a simple menu, not pages and pages of dishes like other places. The wait staff were friendly, professional, accommodating, helpful, and made the dining experience that much more pleasant. We will definitely be returning! read more

Excellent. Easy five stars. The best way to ensure high quality and consistency is to have the owner and head chef present in the restaurant. Chef Pina came to our table to make sure everything was up to her very high standards. We had white bean soup, which was phenomenal, the recipe is vegan, only four ingredients according to Chef Pina but tastes so rich and delicious you would think it was based on a hearty bone broth. Crisp Caesar salad lightly dressed, eggplant Parmesan, tender and delicious, and the veal osso bucco, which to me is always a measure of how a less expensive cut of meat can be (and was) transformed into something utterly delectable. A light and creamy panna cotta with a tart mixed berry topping for desert, very delicate and not too sweet. We chose a crisp sparkling Prosecco from the extensive wine list to accompany a truly memorable meal. The restaurant is attractively decorated despite a slightly awkward layout due to the historic nature of the building it is housed in. Prices are in line with the stellar quality of the food, and our service was excellent. Oh yeah, the bread and oil are as good as everyone says. Special occasion or midweek lunch your dining dollars will be very well spent at Trattoria La Vigna. read more

Social media and ArtWalk guided us to the Trattoria. Someone posted a very fetching octopus and crisp vegetable salad on Facebook and being an enthusiastic lover of octopus, I knew we needed to check this appetizer out. I made reservations for 9:00 p.m. because some ArtWalks apparently work up hefty appetites in folks and our usual go-to places get filled up. When your're hungry, you don't want to hear about a 30 minute+ wait time. Arriving at the appointed hour, we were greeted warmly and seated promptly. Cordial service and efficiency were on display throughout our meal. Dan and I got the Mediterranean style octopus appetizer and it was stellar. The octopus was tender, the vegetables complementary, and the dressing and seasoning made this a decidedly winning dish. Azar got the zuppa di pesce which is a generous portion of delicious seafood in a flavorful broth. I decided to go vegetarian for my main and opted for the cannelini bean soup. Sounds simple, right? It was anything but - its great depth of flavor and creaminess put it over the top. Highly recommend. Dan, being the salad king, got the house salad and that was the only misstep. It was a bit over dressed and not very interesting. Poor boy. I am not the Salad Queen, so I'm probably not as sympathetic as I should be. My feeling is that you're in an Italian restaurant run by an Italian -- why get a house salad when there are so many other choices? That said, I know he'd counter by saying that their house salad should be on par with everything else. I can't disagree. Bottomline: Trattoria La Vigna is one of the best Italian restaurants on the Island. If you haven't been, make a reservation and prepare to be delighted. read more

We did not have a good experience here because the service was so bad. Our waitress pretty much ignored us. We finally had to flag her down to get our check because we were anxious to leave after waiting forever for service. I finally got up and brought her my credit card and she acted very put out and was rude. Never again!! We will never go back. read more

Why 4 stars? Because this was a great place for a big family dinner. --- --- --- When researching food for our recent trip to Galveston, this was at the top of the list because Italian is a favorite cuisine destination when we are getting together with the in-laws, and it had great reviews, so I was excited to check it out. We arrived with a party of 8, and while I'd called earlier in the afternoon to inquire about a reservation, they said it wouldn't be needed, so I mentioned we would see them in about 30 minutes. When we arrived, our 8-top was all set up, so I guess this was just more of an unofficial reservation, in the end. We started off with some calamari and it really hit the spot for me. 5-stars. For my main course, I came *this* close to ordering the chicken parm, but I made a last minute pivot to the seafood risotto. I definitely enjoyed the dish, but can't quite bring this to a 5-star rating because it was a tad on the bland side. 4-stars. I also will add that the side salad was pretty awful. It was basically just spinach-y lettuce with some oil. This was easily my least favorite part of the meal, but fortunately it was the only real miss. We got some fettuccine alfredo for our son and it was so good, I wished I'd ordered it for myself! The accompanying meatballs left a bit to be desired, but the alfredo was no-doubt 5-stars. I tried my father-in-law's chicken parm. I enjoyed it, but was happy I ordered seafood risotto. From the time we arrived at the restaurant, to when our food came out, it was about an hour. I'm not sure if this was because of our large party or if we just caught them on a slow day, but it was a little surprising. With that being said, we were hopeful that this was just because everything is made fresh and with some love behind it, and we felt like that ended up being the case. Fun meal - thanks TLV! read more

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Delicious! That's how I would describe Trattoria La Vigna. For lunch last week, I ordered from the lunch menu the Chicken Cacciatore entree for $21. Oddly enough it's not on the dinner menu and according to our waitress too time consuming to make at night! Interesting, First to arrive was a complimentary basket of warm bread that was oh so good. Next was a side salad that was full of fresh greens and even included a piece of orange that made this such a nice start to a fine meal. Finally the entree appeared and it looked so good. In a big bowl there was grilled chicken breast meat, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olives all bathed in a nice tasting tomato sauce and of course some linguini. Oh yes, this was very good tasting as the veggies were fresh. It was very satisfying to eat and those olives were bursting with flavor. The table service was very good too on a slow lunch day. I understand evenings get busy and reservations are recommended. I want to come back then and try dinner. Parking is street only. They have 2 dining rooms inside and offer an extensive wine list. There is an outdoor patio in the back. read more

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I can't believe the food I was served, especially for the price, at this supposed fine establishment. It was a pasta primavera that was so salty we couldn't eat it. So we asked that it be done over. We suspected that all they did was rinse it off and send it back to the table because it was so bland it was terrible. But being to nice to call them out I paid and left. By the time I got home, 30 minutes later, and went to put it in the refrigerator.....look at the picture and video! my suspicion was confirmed. I contacted management via their website and asked them to contact me they didn't. read more

My mom requested Italian on our girls trip and this delivered! The location and inside was really nondescript but the food delivered. The bread service and olive oil/spice mix was a delicious way to start our meal. We love a good house Italian salad and their house salad was light and fresh. All of their bread and pasta is made in house and that is apparent with the quality of the food. I got the bolognese which was very good. My mom got the eggplant parm which came with a side of pasta well sized. I ended the meal with a decaf cappuccino! Overall, we had a great time! Service was attentive and helpful. read more

Trattoria La Vigna - Tagliatelle alla Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Came here to celebrate a friend's accomplishment since she highly recommended this spot. As soon as we sat down, they brought out complimentary bread and olive oil--so good. My boyfriend and I shared the Zuppa di Pesce and it did not disappoint, super flavorful and delicious. Parking can be a bit tricky if you don't want to pay the $11-$12 for the lot next door. Be prepared to walk a few minutes if you opt for street parking. read more

Trattoria La Vigna - Zuppa di Pesce - Italian Near Me - Galveston, Texas

We love this place..delightful old building; white linen tablecloths. Tin ceilings; service is impeccable. Wine and cocktail list is great. The food is fresh and tasty . Made to order and comes out immediately as prepared. I had the house salad. They have one dressing house prepared Italian . Special note: I am allergic to seafood which I informed our server. Dressing is prepared with a seafood derivative so I was serviced olive oil to which I added salt pepper Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Desserts are homemade and a must have!. This is a gem! read more

Trattoria La Vigna never disappoints. Fresh pasta, outstanding veal parm. I've never had a bad dish! It's off the beaten path so a little easier to walk-in and get seated, but reservations are recommended. They also have a small "secret" patio that is dog friendly! You can enter it from the parking lot on the side of the building. Looking forward to our next meal! read more

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Dinner here was great! This place is a small cozy Italian restaurant that serves all of the classic Italian dishes. The service is also above average, and all the staff members were incredibly helpful! They accommodated our large group with ease and kindness The veal marsala was great! Super big portions and very flavorful. Also enjoyed the chocolate cheesecake- it wasn't too sweet and it was sooo creamy! The food is more on the pricey side, but well worth it. The inside is also very elegant, from the table setting to the art work on the walls. read more

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Was craving Italian food and was recommended this spot by a fellow friend! Started off with their house salad that was definitely too oily but the lettuce was crisp and I enjoyed it. They also offer bread and oil but I wish they notified us that it would be charged. The Calamari Fritti had a nice light batter. The Lasagna and Bolognese had a good amount of meat and and the pasta itself was cooked just right, I would put a bit more salt on it, I think they have it on the tableside. Overall, 7/10. read more

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Fresh ingredients and made from scratch flavors shine through the authentic Italian recipes. We have enjoyed multiple menu items over our visits to this delightful slice of nonna heaven. We have savored every aroma, taste, and texture from salad, fried calamari, ravioli, scallopini, and campagnola with various sauces and proteins. The wine offerings are numerous, and the music accompaniment elevates the experience. The servers are friendly and efficient orchestrating table service with professionalism and grace. We highly recommend that you ask questions and let your server know what you like, or dislike. They will assist you in your ideal choices, which has been our experiences. Some days you want something with hearty comfort and some days you want a lighter meal. You can find something for any preference. If you don't have room for dessert, order the tiramisu; it's nice and light. If you're up for a hearty dessert, get the cheesecake. What ever you decide on, ENJOY! read more

Trattoria La Vigna - Food menu extensive wine selection is available. - Italian Near Me - Galveston, Texas

I came back a year later and I stand by my original review, rating it a 3.5-4 stars/5 stars. Service is friendly and attentive, and we, as a party of two, could walk in on a Saturday night without a reservation. The ambiance is nice -- our server lit a tea light candle for our table! I really enjoyed the homemade bread and fresh side salads. This time around I ordered a chicken piccata and my partner once again ordered the ravioli di pesce. Both were extremely salty this time around. The food was still flavorful and fresh, but just too salty for my liking. read more

Absolutely loved my experience here! Had the salmon gnocchi plate. It was very delicious and filling. Service was great and the atmosphere was nice and inviting. Also had the lemon cheesecake, which was very light and mildly sweet. I wasn't the biggest fan but that's probably because I was expecting something much sweeter. Nonetheless, I wouldn't definitely come back and try out another dessert on the menu! read more

Trattoria La Vigna - Italian Near Me - Galveston, Texas

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Past is fresh and hand made daily! Restaurant is not fancy but it's nice. Service is very slow so don't be in a hurry. Beer and wine only. read more

This is the place for traditional Italian cuisine in Galveston! I particularly look forward to the complimentary bread and house olive oil dip at trattoria. This was my first time trying campagnola, and they have plenty of authentic dishes you might not find at other restaurants. The texture of the pasta is always great, no matter what dish you order. Service is excellent and efficient. read more

Trattoria La Vigna - Veal Campagnola - Italian Near Me - Galveston, Texas

A dinner at Trattoria La Vigna is like a dinner in Italy! My dined here recently while in Galveston to celebrate her birthday. The staff was so nice and made sure we had a most special time there. Chef Pina, the owner is always in the kitchen and graciously allowed me to snap a few pictures of her hard at work. When you dine here, you are like family and she welcomes you with authentic dishes from her family. We enjoyed the calamari, light and crisp, yet delicate. And the Mediterranean style octopus is wonderful. I enjoyed a wonderful seafood pasta dish and my loved the spaghetti. Chef Pina treated my wife to a lovely birthday dessert which we shared just after I gave her her birthday present, she was so sweet and wished her a happy day. Galveston has a lot to offer, plenty of good dining but if you want authentic Italian food I highly recommend Trattoria La Vigna! And it's much cheaper than a trip to Italy. :) read more

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Trattoria La Vigna remains one of our favorites for their authentic Italian fare. From the time you enter and Sal greets to to the fabulous food prepared by Pina , it's like being in a small bistro in Little Italy in Manhattan . As close as it gets if you are not in Italy . Have a special request ... just ask , Pina welcomes the opportunity to show her culinary prowess ! Thanks for making Galveston your home ! read more

Went on a Saturday lunch, made reservations but didn't need it. The complimentary bread was great. Had the calamari appetizer and it was cooked to perfection, melted in your mouth. I had the veal marsala. The sauce and noodles were great, great flavor. The "veal" was very tough tasked more like a round steak at veal prices. My wife has the crab ravioli. The flavors were great as was the shrimp. However the sauce was broken. Not a big deal but for 50$ we expected better. All and all we would go back and try different things, just not for an anniversary dinner. read more

Trattoria La Vigna - Menu - Italian Near Me - Galveston, Texas

This was some of the best pasta we have ever had. The flavors were amazing. We had spaghetti and added meatballs and ravioli with mushroom sauce. Both were fabulous. We were given bread and salads with our meals. We will definitely be back. The service was great and the atmosphere was romantic. read more

Trattoria La Vigna - Spaghetti alla Contadina - Italian Near Me - Galveston, Texas

We lived the food so much we went twice to dinner on our 4 day trip! The atmosphere is nice casual---sundresses, polo shirts, etc. we felt underdressed in jean shorts and tee but no one said anything. The chicken piccato with linguine noodles are the best noodles we have ever had---Lasagna was great too! There is no kids menu however they can make any noodle and sauce for kids. Our 10yr old daughter had chicken fettuccini alfredo (twice) and loved it--the cost was $18. All meals include a house salad homemade bread with oil. We tried the tiramisu and vanilla cheesecake for dessert which were good but nothing extraordinary like the meals. We would visit Galveston again just to eat here!!!!! read more

We came in with such high expectations which is probably not the best way to start an evening out at a restaurant... we went in and it smelled delicious. Maybe that night the kitchen was off? The staff off? I don't know . We had reservations and were seated a teeny tiny table in a corner that was not an adequate size for more than two people...it was too small for our party so they ended up seating us elsewhere. There were a lot of other empty tables, it was a bit of a head scratcher. After being reseated we ordered. We go to Italy frequently so yes, we can be a bit picky. We know the difference between good mozzarella and cheaper... Ordered the caprese salad which I wish I had a picture of.. sliced mozzarella (not buffalo or burrata) five tomato's (which were the best part of our meal, very flavorful) and a teeny sprinkle of some basil I think with just the tiniest sprinkle of the balsamic glaze. Well we love balsamic and would have wanted to have more drizzled on. The waitress never came back to ask us if things were ok... strange. Other nice restaurants the staff come back and say "how's the food, can I get you anything else?" Nope never happened to the bitter end when it was too late to rectify. For the main course we ordered the salmon with zucchini. Our son ordered the bolognese... The salmon came out way undercooked and the veggies were not even warm. The flavor was good but the salmon was inedible anywhere near the middle so at least a third of it was not safely heated to an adequate temperature. The veggies would have been excellent had they been hot. The waitress never came back around yet again to ask near the beginning when we could have asked for them to heat it up. Instead at the end when she came to clear table we told her that we couldn't eat a large portion of the salmon because it was raw. They offered us a dessert but it really was not a fabulous time. The bolognese was ok, didn't have a ton of flavor because my son added a lot of salt. Again, the flavors were mainly spot on and the food needed more time cooking but without a server who is on point, it all goes downhill. So much for high expectations. read more

Amazing food. Family run business. Nice people, good service, and we love the home feel. DELICIOUS FOOD! Best Italian restaurant on the island. read more

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Was there again this last Monday evening. Authentic digs, just as I recall. Lengthy and very reasonably priced wine list. Lasagna was quite notable. Seafood ravioli and lemon cheesecake were exceptional. However, table service was curt, and borderline arrogant. Not sure what that was about. Maybe in need of a Dale Carnegie course..? IDK read more

Pasta is all hand made, and fresh. Best I've ever had. My husband loves the chicken piccata. I like to try something different every time and have never been disappointed. read more

Absolutely the best food on the island yesterday I had the blue crab raviolis with the king size shrimps, and the Italian dressing on the salad the rosemary bread topped it off with the lemon cream cheesecake absolutely fabulous and the waiter joel is the best. I really enjoy going here fantastic. It's kind of a special Evening. You would say that to eat there. It's definitely worth the money. It is absolutely fabulous. Highly recommended. read more

Very good food. All food, pasta and bread made in house. We had large portions and took it home for dinner! You have to try it.

The food was fantastic and the waitstaff was very accommodating. The pasta is fresh made, and the marinara sauce was very well done (not sweet like too many tomato sauces in Texas). Being a transplant from New York, it is very exciting to find such quality Italian food here. We'll definitely be back. read more

The Food is some of the best on the island. Excellent service & comfortable dining. Great restaurant!

Food was amazing. Would definitely recommend the mushroom spinach raviolis. Just ask for extra bread to dip in the sauce, fantastic! read more

Trattoria La Vigna - Italian Near Me - Galveston, Texas

What a fantastic place!! The food is always fresh and delicious and the service is always perfect!!! The atmosphere is amazing as well!!

Everything here is hand made. From the salad dressing, bread, noodles, sauces. All handmade. The bread was delicious. We had veal Marsala and lasagna. They were both solid meals. read more

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We went for restaurant week and it was $45 for three courses, so it was a pretty good deal. I had the Eggplant appetizer which were like mini eggplant Parmesans, the fresh pasta with shrimp, and cake. My favorite thing was the eggplant and also liked the texture of the fresh pasta. I like this place as the ambience is always pretty nice and it's usually not that crowded. There are several good Italian options in Galveston, but I would recommend trying this place read more

Trattoria La Vigna - Eggplant Rolentini - Italian Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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My first time at Trattoria but it definitely won't be my last. One of my all-time favorite Italian restaurants. I ordered Lemon Chicken, Caesar Salad, and a side order meatball. The meal came with bread and oil with herb dip. For dessert, I had chocolate cheesecake. My friend had the same except got Tirimasu for dessert. The meal was DELICIOUS! The lemon chicken was so tender and moist I could cut it with a fork. The lemon sauce was thin but so good! By time I was halfway thru my entree, the sauce had permeated the pasta perfectly! Pasta was perfect. The bread was crunchy and the oil and herbs were delightful. My meatball was perfection! The sauce was so good I kept eating it like it was ice cream after the meat ball was gone. And finally, dessert. Absolutely delicious. You can't go wrong here. Would highly recommend. read more

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Excellent quality food and top notch service. My wife had the lasagne and I had the chicken piccata. Both were very tasty and fresh! We sat by the windows with a street view overlooking the oleanders which was nice. Bring a sweater as it was a little chilly. read more

Service excellent. Food even better. We had a spinach mushroom ravioli dish, crazy good and the veal Marcella excellent also. I will return read more

The real deal. Having come from the North East, where red sauce parlors were once bountiful, finding decent Italian food in Texas seems to be more of a challenge. This place is not only the real deal, but goes beyond expectations. We've travelled here just to eat. Go figure, as they say in Jersey. It is that good. read more

Great place! Food and service were wonderful! Waitress made perfect wine suggestions.