Social Profile: 
✔️Breakfast ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
… View more
Neighborhood Italian eatery offering homemade pasta & meat dishes, plus dessert, wine & cocktails.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1610 S Congress Ave S, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 441-6100
Website: http://vespaioristorante.com/
Menu Photos
Related Web Results
Vespaio Ristorante: Best Italian Restaurant | Austin, TX
Vespaio Ristorante located on South Congress in Austin, Texas has been welcoming guests to their dining room since 1998. The kitchen operates by preparing …
“This One Hurts”: Vespaio’s Patrons Say Goodbye – Texas Monthly
“This One Hurts”: An Austin Restaurant’s Patrons Say Goodbye. The … Vespaio restaurant photo collage. Illustration by Texas Monthly …
Austin’s Vespaio on South Congress closing after nearly 30 years
The Italian restaurant has operated on South Congress Avenue since 1998, long before the street became Austin’s centerpiece entertainment …
Reviews
Cindy Castillo
We had a spontaneous date night on a Thursday and hit up Vespaio after our favorite mezcal bar “El Chapulin” next door recommended it. We didn’t have a reservation and were initially told we could snatch a seat at the bar as it is first come first serve. We waited about 5 minutes before realizing it wasn’t going to be available anytime soon. We went back to the host and asked if we could be put down on the list for the next available table. It was going to be a 2 hour wait but we were going to hit up some stores to kill some time. Just as we were walking out the door, the host called us back to let us know that a cocktail table next to the bar was just now available and that it was open seating and we would have a server. Of course we took it!
As soon as sat down, they brought us some water and two menus. It was a bit loud but we could still make conversation without feeling like we were yelling. We were just overhearing everyone else’s conversations. Our server checked in and made some suggestions.
We ordered a Caesar salad and calamari to start which came out quickly. They split the Caesar salad into two plates which was a nice touch. The calamari was delicious, although I wish it was a little more crispy as it would fall apart as you grabbed it. The Caesar salad was okay, not anything special as I’ve had better.
We shared a pizza for our first plate and the server had recommended the hot honey pizza which was so good! It is brick oven baked and full of flavor and perfectly crispy. We ended up splitting the lasagna and it is massive! It was deliciously cheesy and the marinara was so flavorful! We both almost finished it and that is how good it is!
I definitely recommend making a reservation to avoid the wait and the noisey bar area with very tight walking space. I felt like people would walk by about 2 inches away from us and that’s how tight it is but for the convenience of not waiting it was worth it. Parking is street parking on south Congress but we were lucky to have found one about 2 blocks away. We enjoyed the walk to and from the restaurant so it wasn’t a problem.
Overall we enjoyed our dinner date and were fulfilled, literally and figuratively! We highly recommend this spot!
… moreAs soon as sat down, they brought us some water and two menus. It was a bit loud but we could still make conversation without feeling like we were yelling. We were just overhearing everyone else’s conversations. Our server checked in and made some suggestions.
We ordered a Caesar salad and calamari to start which came out quickly. They split the Caesar salad into two plates which was a nice touch. The calamari was delicious, although I wish it was a little more crispy as it would fall apart as you grabbed it. The Caesar salad was okay, not anything special as I’ve had better.
We shared a pizza for our first plate and the server had recommended the hot honey pizza which was so good! It is brick oven baked and full of flavor and perfectly crispy. We ended up splitting the lasagna and it is massive! It was deliciously cheesy and the marinara was so flavorful! We both almost finished it and that is how good it is!
I definitely recommend making a reservation to avoid the wait and the noisey bar area with very tight walking space. I felt like people would walk by about 2 inches away from us and that’s how tight it is but for the convenience of not waiting it was worth it. Parking is street parking on south Congress but we were lucky to have found one about 2 blocks away. We enjoyed the walk to and from the restaurant so it wasn’t a problem.
Overall we enjoyed our dinner date and were fulfilled, literally and figuratively! We highly recommend this spot!
Dana Marruffo
We bid farewell to Vespaio last night. Our server Daniel was the highlight of the meal. Witty, welcoming, kind and funny. He started there a year ago this month. I hope he lands at another wonderful restaurant where he can shine.
Food was beyond delicious and the company even better. A couple of footnotes from us being we’ve been here many times over the years – no white table clothes (which gives a soft touch) and it was exceptionally loud which we just don’t recall that ever being. It was packed to the rim. But we had our little corner in paradise. And Daniel was super attentive and knew his stuff. Ask for him if you can!
We started with split a Caesar salad – and those homemade croutons! Do NOT leave one behind whatever you do!
We also split a delicious bottle of 2019 Bourdeaux.
Shared grilled broccoli, pecorino with our primi of:
TAGLIATELLE CON FUNGHI & 1/2 order of BUTTERNUT SQUASH PANSOTTI
I may try to slip in to the bar side for a final happy hour before officially saying arrivederci.
… moreFood was beyond delicious and the company even better. A couple of footnotes from us being we’ve been here many times over the years – no white table clothes (which gives a soft touch) and it was exceptionally loud which we just don’t recall that ever being. It was packed to the rim. But we had our little corner in paradise. And Daniel was super attentive and knew his stuff. Ask for him if you can!
We started with split a Caesar salad – and those homemade croutons! Do NOT leave one behind whatever you do!
We also split a delicious bottle of 2019 Bourdeaux.
Shared grilled broccoli, pecorino with our primi of:
TAGLIATELLE CON FUNGHI & 1/2 order of BUTTERNUT SQUASH PANSOTTI
I may try to slip in to the bar side for a final happy hour before officially saying arrivederci.
Ashley Friedman
Vespaio was amazing! The Italian food was delicious, and the atmosphere was beautiful. It was a bit loud inside, but we were still able to have a great conversation. The desserts were incredible, and the espresso martini was perfect. The service was also fantastic — overall, a wonderful dining experience!
… moreAudrey Kato
Celebrated a birthday here and the table included a card! This was our first time here and the food was AMAZING. We started with the calamari which was lightly fried yet delicious. Our entrees included the Risotto with waygu, which was delicious, the Tagliatelle with a creamy, truffle sauce and the Pappardelle bolognese. All were flavored perfectly and the risotto was worth the wait as they make it to order. We then shared a lovely tiramisu. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in the Austin area.
… moreJake Kalani Wilson
If you’re looking for the ultimate Italian dining spot, this is your place. I took my girlfriend here for our anniversary, and Vespaio checked all the boxes. We had a super attentive waiter that recommended some great menu items, the ambience was beautiful with dark wood accents and wine lining the walls, and the food was amazing. I’d highly recommended the lasagna. Additionally, they even put out a happy anniversary card for us. It’s expensive but worth every penny.
… moreMarelia S
Had the best time, we were well attended to and the food was really good! We got the burrata for appetizer which was delicious and fresh and for the main we got pasta the bolognese and mushroom cream pasta. Both really good!! Of course we got dessert, chocolate pistachio mousse which was my favorite part of the meal because I have a big sweet tooth
… moreJeni Spring
It was more fancy than we thought – online says casual, but we were the only ones in jeans there. The servings were huge, I kinda wish the entrees all had a smaller option.
I don’t ~love~ being sat at a small 2 person table that is basically in a doorway and major walk thru area. It makes me super anxious having all the staff buzzing by me so close, and with such a little table we had to saueeze in to, it felt like we didnt matter. It was very loud with voices, yelling, laughing, clanking dishes.
… moreI don’t ~love~ being sat at a small 2 person table that is basically in a doorway and major walk thru area. It makes me super anxious having all the staff buzzing by me so close, and with such a little table we had to saueeze in to, it felt like we didnt matter. It was very loud with voices, yelling, laughing, clanking dishes.
Kyle San
Amazing atmosphere, service and food during F1 weekend. Loved all of it from starting to finish. Highly recommend the pasta and burrata.
… moreGlenn Roid
We’ve eaten here about 5 or 6 times over the last 15 years for special occasions and always loved it.
For my wife’s birthday we made a reservation for Saturday night. Great service, as usual. We shared an excellent Cesar Salad. We also shared the Pasta with White Clam Sauce and Lasagna for dinner.
The Pasta was terrific but I was a bit surprised to find it was a bit on the spicy side. Not terribly, but enough heat to taste and it did overwhelm the flavor a bit.
The Lasagna came with a link of sausage that was actually too spicy for either of us to eat. It was a huge portion and we only had a little as we’re not big eaters. It too had a bit of hot spice to it, that again was more noticeable than I would have preferred.
My wife had Lemon Cheesecake for dessert. It was really good and although I only had a taste, we both enjoyed it.
There was more than enough Lasagna for us both to have it for dinner the next night and it was good, but I’ve never eaten any Italian Cuisine before (except for a Fra Diavlo dish) that was so spicy.
The spicyness didn’t bother my wife. The dinner was very good but to me it would have been a better if it wasn’t quite as hot. As my wife, the Birthday Girl, was happy, the night was quite a success.
… moreFor my wife’s birthday we made a reservation for Saturday night. Great service, as usual. We shared an excellent Cesar Salad. We also shared the Pasta with White Clam Sauce and Lasagna for dinner.
The Pasta was terrific but I was a bit surprised to find it was a bit on the spicy side. Not terribly, but enough heat to taste and it did overwhelm the flavor a bit.
The Lasagna came with a link of sausage that was actually too spicy for either of us to eat. It was a huge portion and we only had a little as we’re not big eaters. It too had a bit of hot spice to it, that again was more noticeable than I would have preferred.
My wife had Lemon Cheesecake for dessert. It was really good and although I only had a taste, we both enjoyed it.
There was more than enough Lasagna for us both to have it for dinner the next night and it was good, but I’ve never eaten any Italian Cuisine before (except for a Fra Diavlo dish) that was so spicy.
The spicyness didn’t bother my wife. The dinner was very good but to me it would have been a better if it wasn’t quite as hot. As my wife, the Birthday Girl, was happy, the night was quite a success.
John Ashby
All I can say is OMG!!! Went last night for some eats and the food was off the charts! Bolognese, Mussels, Caico Pasta and the ravioli were fantastic! So sad this place is being shuttered. Thank you Daniel and team for a lifetime of memories!!
… more