Vespaio Restaurant

It was our first time at Vespaio, mine and my husband’s.. we found this place on a whim because I was craving shrimp pasta and their Grilled Shrimp Scampi didn’t disappoint!! We got burrata for appetizer and finished it off with a Hot Honey Pizza that was to die for! They were accommodating to our request of having it made without pork sausage and it still didn’t take away from the flavor!!! It almost made me wish I was an Austin resident to be able to have it more often 🙈 Great food, great place and what an amazing service! The attention to serve you, knowledgeable staff to guide you, loved everything about it! Can’t wait to visit again soon 😍❤️

Great food and service! Vespaio had a card sitting on our table in celebration of our recent marriage! The card was signed by staff members, and was a special touch to the level of hospitality. Food was incredible, and atmosphere was wonderful but it’s very dark/dim.

Such an amazing restaurant! The tartar is out of this world and all the pastas and beautiful. They have a wood fire oven for pizza as well. The kitchen sink ice cream is also fantastic!

It was our first time out to Vespaio with my husband and his parents. His parents birthday was the occasion (yes, both of them, a year apart!) and when we arrived there were birthday cards for them on the table signed by all the staff working there. It was such a lovely unique surprise! Our waiter was very enthusiastic and friendly. He was very knowledgeable of the menu and helped us decide on what to order. The food was excellent too! I ordered the lasagna and everyone else got pizzas. They gave us dessert on the house too for it being a birthday celebration! I will definitely be coming back with my own parents when they are in town. I definitely recommend this place for a special occasion with people you love!

I don’t know… maybe it’s just sentimental. I first came here about 10 years ago, walking down South Congress with my then-boyfriend (now husband ) when the most amazing smell drifted out the door. We ended up coming three times in 24 hours. Since then, every trip to ATX, this has been our spot. Every time, I get a little nervous that I’ve built it up too much in my head, but each time it's even better than I remember . This place feels like home, warmth and love. Please try it. Wiley & Tom in the bar make the best drinks! Service, food, everything is a 10 out of 10! Prosciutto pizza is a must!! I experiment on the pasta and each time it's amazing!

Came here for a friends birthday and I was blown away by the service and food! Everything was so yummy and I enjoyed our visit a lot.

One of the best Italian restaurants I've been to in a long time. My partner and I had split the pasta. We had the pappardelle bolognese and spaghetti cacio e pepe. This is a must go place. I ordered drinks and they were heavy handed. I had to get a side of pineapple juice. :) the dessert was awesome we had bread pudding. Im going to go back for sure. Im dying to try their ravioli. Our server was the best and the atmosphere was great.

My boyfriend and I adore this place! We came to celebrate our anniversary and had a warm welcome. They had a card set up for us which was so touching. They also gave us complimentary bubbles and best service (as always!). Their food was amazing as well. We’re so happy we spent this special day here!

hands down the best food i have EVER eaten. i am not one to finish everything on my plate, but quite literally did everything but lick the plate clean. started out with suppli & zuppa, then took it home with tagliatelle con funghi. WHEN I TELL YOU IT HAD ME SEEING STARS. 10/10. service was incredible. environment incredible. the staff went above and beyond for my partner and i's 1 year anniversary. finished off with some vanilla blueberry panna cotti & some complimentary champagne. i cant get over it. spectacular.

Very friendly service and the food was cooked to perfection! Not heavy at all yet the portions are very filling! I ordered shrimp scampi. Definitely has a spicy kick but nothing you can't handle if you like flavor. Also they have a full bar which I love because so many Italian spots stick to beer and wine. For dessert we had the peach ice cream cake! It was incredible and different. Also the views on Congress afterwards are insanely gorgeous. Parking right out front of the restaurant and no wait on a Monday night. Also kiddos to our server 'O' he went through ever single item on the menu and gave us his recommendation! We ordered based on his recommendations.

The oldest restaurant on Congress for a reason. This place stands the test of time. The food is hot, fresh, authentic and always delivered by the most professional, courteous weight staff. It's beautiful and romantic, but also loud and bustling if you're meeting friends. I'm decently sure the supply might be the most important dish in Austin. I would do some terrible things if faced with the option of doing them or losing the suppli forever. The pasta dishes are freshly made, and they even do risotto made on the spot which does take time but it's worth the wait. I appreciate that there's different size options so that if you want to share, drown your sorrows, or just get a taste to satisfy an urge, there's an option for all of it. Every time I'm here I'm here for hours, and the waiter never rushes us, they never get fed up and they're always full of knowledge. Just low-key high key love Vespaio!

Yummy, yummy!! The food was so tasty, but giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because my stomach was slightly upset and bubbly afterwards. I'm not sure if it was all the cheese or if it was the wine or if I overate, but the food was delicious. The ambience and service was great, but the wait for the food was kind of long! We didn't really mind because we sipped our wine and snacked on bread while waiting. Parking used to be free on South Congress, but now there are meters. Be prepared to pay for parking. Anyway, this spot is worth a try, but I'm interested if anyone else had a slight tummy ache afterwards lol

Quaint little place. Excellent service. Many people came to check on us including assistant manager and manager. Food was very tasteful. A good menu variety. We celebrated my husband's birthday and he got a birthday card and ice cream!

The wine was phenomenal and they have an awesome list! The food was good but a hit or miss depending what you order. The service was great and a very romantic date night kinda vibe! Great for dinner and well located to pop on over to continental club down the street after!

I had high hopes for this place, because I always walk past it and it seems high quality. The only positives to this were our waiter, Jordan, was nice and the suppli appetizer was good. Unfortunately, it was the best thing we ate all night. I'm not pleased when I pay over $60 a person and the best thing I ate all night was an appetizer. And this was after we sent back the calamari because it was over cooked and too tough. My Cacio e Pepe was hyped up by our waiter and lacked flavor, disappointed when the dish costs $27 and is apparently simple to make- for that price I expect some truffle or something expensive on it because I could make this at home. I only ate half and didn't even want the leftovers. My friend's bolognese was good but she wasn't pleased with the ratio of pasta to meat (too much meat). My other friend got (not pictured) Tagliatelle con fungi, which we all agreed was the most complex flavor out of all of our dishes. On top of that, we were talked to by the staff in a condescending manner on several occasions and waited nearly an hour for our entrées to come out. To put it in perspective, a couple sitting next to us, who was seated 20 min after us, were paying just as our entrees came out. The staff did not seem coordinated at all, we will not be back and I hope this review helps you before you go.

Service was amazing! First went to this restaurant 13 years ago and remembered having a really nice experience. We went for our anniversary recently and it was such a great wonderful dinner. All the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. We ordered a few different dishes to share. The beef carpaccio and the lobster ravioli were pretty tasty. The fried oyster mushrooms we would not order again. We will definitely be back!

Tiny cups for pits for the olives Amazing drink, the Variation Gorgeous decor They have rabbit on the menu. If you're eating rabbit, you might as well have your dog & house cat as well. I can't comprehend how someone can eat a rabbit. That's really an entire lack of compassion for animals. Leave the rabbits alone. That being said, the prices for drinks are reasonable given the elegance of the restaurant, and the older bartender named Tom/Thomas was lovely. He said he loves "tiny forks," and I do too. My drink was remarkably excellent & very smooth, and I'm very sensitive to alcohol taste-wise given that I typically make a strange face when drinking a cocktail. Not at all with this one. It was perfect. Tom made my mother a Cosmopolitan but with less alcohol than it usually has bc she doesn't like to drink too much. She liked her drink! The decor is very nice. There's bar countertop seating but behind it are tall one-on-one seats that are very romantic for couples or close friends. There's a large booth in the corner that can fit 5-8, maybe more, people - for a celebration or a big group of friends. We didn't see the restaurant side because we only came in for a drink while walking along the avenue. Stay away from the rabbits. Get one as a pet instead. Cheers :)

Absolutely in love with this Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of South Congress -- we've been here twice already for date night, and both the service and food have exceeded our expectations both times! We enjoyed the Lasagne Alla Bolognese so much that we had to get it again the second time around! This lasagne is both meaty with very tender sheets of spinach pasta and comes in a HUGE portion -- perfectly shareable between two people! The waiter even offered to cut it in half for us (see my picture) to make it easier to share beforehand. This time around, we also tried their Suppli appetizer (crispy risotto balls filled with different types of cheese) and I absolutely fell in love with the crispy crunch complimented by a soft and cheesy inside! I regret not ordering this the first time we came around haha. Prices were also very reasonable, especially considering the quantity and quality of the food. Needless to say, we'll definitely be back! :)

I am in awh of this place. Came here for my birthday with my family and we had a fabulous experience!!! Parking was surprisingly easy. The restaurant is small from the outside but with plenty of seating inside and outside. I would recommend having a reservation! The food was beautiful and absolutely delicious!!! The burrata was my favorite. The lasagna was huge and sooo good, it had a whole sausage link on top! My brother loved his steak and mashed potatoes and my mom thought the shrimp pasta was creamy and filling. We all had leftovers since the portions are huge. The chocolate mouse was super chocolatey, which I loved. I overall had an amazing experience and can't wait to come again!

Beautiful spot, great attention to detail. Fabulous wine selections and the carbonara will knock your socks off!

Delicious! Highly recommend the Tagliatelle con funghi, the perfect amount of truffle. Loved everything we tried.

We had the pleasure of coming last night for valentine's day. Our server was very kind. My only issue with the night was they forgot our salads and never acknowledged it. They also didn't have any flowers out or anything for valente at which is typical for restaurants on this holiday. We got the manicotti and the bolognese. While both great the manicotti was out of this world. seriously amazing. The restaurant is cozy and quaint! Hoping to come back when it's less busy.

Excellent experience at Vespaio! Service and food exceeded all expectations. Highly recommend the eggplant lasagna, steak and fries and the peach ice cream cake! Cannot wait to return. Our waitress was very attentive and gave excellent recommendations

We have been coming in here for years. Always a very nice experience. Tonight, we had the pleasure of meeting waiter Sam, who was very enthusiastic and obviously loves his job. He really made our night, as well as the other staff who obviously work as a team. 5 stars plus always for this restaurant. Highly recommend the lasagna and affogato! Thanks for a great evening !

Overall, we enjoyed our dinner here and the outstanding server we had. My friend picked the appetizer, lamb brisket bruschetta with goat cheese. I didn't think I'd like it but I was way wrong. Pleasantly surprised by the combination of goat cheese and the lamb. Loved it We ordered 2 small (primi) pastas and 1 regular pasta. My favorite one was the tagliatelle con funghi, very rich and creamy, but the best tasting out of the 3. Pappardelle bolognese came second, a bit salty. Bucatini is probably my favorite type of pasta, and I order it when I see it on a menu. My all time favorite was the bucatini alla'amatriciana at Italic that's now closed. I haven't been able to find something similar. The bucatini here at Vespiao didn't turn out to be it. It was very brothy, almost like asian noodle soup. Unfortunately, we didn't like the tiramisu and the affogato. I really wanted to like the affogato, but I think there was too much ice cream for the amount espresso.

Came on to add a couple more beautiful food photos from our recent visit here. Wonderful!

My friends and I were strolling down South Congress and decided to stop for dinner at Vespaio. We were seated outside immediately, which was nice considering that it was a bustling Friday night. Our waitress was lovely and everything we ordered was delicious, but the service was sooooo slow. Our appetizer didn't come out until our entrees were served (and by then we didn't really want it) and drink refills took 40 minutes. We started joking that our pasta must be coming directly from Italy because it really took forever. The food was amazing and we weren't in a hurry so it was all fine in the end. If you're looking for great Italian food in the South Congress area, Vespaio is a great choice, but I would think twice if you're on a tight schedule.

Vespaio is by far the best Italian Restaurant in Austin. The menu is always changing a little with delicious options so you can always try something new. Atmosphere & Staff are great. Highly recommend the beef carpaccio, duck dish, and clam linguine.

Great service! Amazing in-house pasta and sauces. Mussel appetizer is a must. Ambience is intimate in the restaurant area or laid back in the bar area, you choose.

When will yelp allow above ?? Vespaio is easily a favorite local food and drink spot! The atmosphere is cozy and classy. The food is always fresh and delicious. Drinks are always made special by the best of the best bartenders in this city, Shua and Tom. *ask for a specialty sip made by Shua themself. You'll thank me later. I love being able to watch the kitchen from almost every seat on the main dining floor. Watching the chefs make pizza in their beautiful pizza oven is hypnotic. The menu does change daily based on what can be sourced locally and freshest.

Vespaio was quite interesting. I don't know if it was the chain of events that occurred during our dinner that led to this rating, in addition to our meal. We had reservations and were seated promptly. To our dismay, we were seated next to a table that had a gentleman that was clearly speaking to a volume as if he was speaking out of a loud speaker. I looked at my friend puzzled, and as I looked at the table across from me, a family was laughing at my face because they had endured their ENTIRE DINNER listening to this nonsense and said to us "Godspeed." How management did not walk up to this table and ask him to lower his voice is beyond me. The restaurant in general had a VERY HIGH noise level, and on top of it, they had music playing in the background, which was muffled because Sergeant No Table Manners was overbearing it. We ordered the bruschetta as the appetizer, which took a VERY long time to come out and when we got it, it was literally 4 cracker size pieces of bread with burrata and tomatoes on top. My friend and I were finished within 5 minutes, popping these like candy. Flavor was delicious, but portion size was WAY TOO SMALL. We would have hoped for at least 3 pieces per person, considering the sizes of the bread. We ate the bruschetta too fast to take a photo. On to entrees! Cue the music...or shall I say "Sergeant No Table Manners." We clearly looked over at the table several times and they had ZERO self awareness of how loud they were. All surrounding tables would glance over from time to time. My friend ordered the Panzotti filled with Butternut Squash and I ordered the scallop entree. The waiter asked if we wanted the smaller or larger portion. When asked about sizing, he said we would be satisfied with the smaller because it was very filling. When we received our meals, we legit laughed out loud. My friend had 3 pieces of pasta and I had TWO, I repeat TWO MINI SCALLOPS with some thin pasta in the middle, which I thought was hiding at least a third scallop. I was wrong. What in the actual hell?! Fastest dinner we ever completed, we're still hungry and table neighbor was still talking at a volume 30. No matter how hungry you are, order the large portion and get 2! We were not pleased with the wait of the food and/or portion size. The food quality was exceptional, but we left hungry.

Vespaio Enoteca was one of the first restaurants I tried when I moved to Austin. I was very sad to hear it closed and decided it was time to visit its sibling restaurant Vespaio. Upon arrival, you notice the fun/unique vibe. Eccentric decor, candle lit tables, and pops of color used throughout the restaurant get you excited for what's to come. We started with the Crispy Dauphine Potatoes and the Caesar Salad. The crispy potato appetizer was delightful! Fluffy mashed potatoes, fried and crispy on the outside sit atop a zesty Dijon sauce. The Caesar salad was okay, nothing outstanding really. Our main course was the Braised Short Rib Risotto and the Lasagna. The risotto was the star of the evening. The braised wagyu short ribs were falling apart, we didn't even need a knife! The sharpness of the Chianti tomato sauce cut through the extreme creaminess of the risotto so nicely. I do wish the risotto was a little thicker. The lasagna was okay, we definitely have had better for cheaper. For $35, this was not the lasagna we were expecting. Service was great! Our waters & cocktails never ran dry. Loved our date night overall. I did feel like there was a hit and a miss at each course. We will be returning to try more of the menu to see if we can improve this review!

Vespaio was the first place I was taken on a fancy date in college. We should all be so lucky. Austin's original home for beautiful, fresh, handmade pasta and authentic Italian is just as delicious today as memory serves. Having served South Congress over 20 years, they know what works, so we can always return for our favorites and some of the very best selections of Italian and French wines by the glass. However, they also keep it fresh by serving a daily menu, offering unique seasonal items like the SMOKED Watermelon with grilled corn, basil, balsamic, ricotta, and a touch of habanero - a Texas/Italian miracle in your mouth! Wagyu beef carpaccio with toasted capers and aged Parmesan, always on top. In warmer months, they're blending peaches into vinaigrette on the spinach salad, adding a beautiful contrast with savory prosciutto and some soft funky cambozola cheese. But you should know the only way Italian earns its ratings with me is with handmade pasta, and Vespaio is best in class. Their filled pastas are my favorite, delicate, Al dente, incredibly complex little packages of joy within, always in a lovely sauce to complement & balance (not compete) without. Last time I think there were mushrooms, maybe ox. I ate in a hurry, and was sad when it was gone. Isn't that a little how every great meal should go?

I will continue coming back to Vespaio because the prices are fair and portion sizes are great. The meals here are just above average, every time. You feel like you're dining in an Italian restaurant, lay out is solid. Ambience is inviting with good wait staff to help. You'll never have to worry about water being unattended or empty plates on your table. The pictures speak for themselves, delicious.

With so many new restaurants in Austin, you might forget about the classics. Vespaio lived above and beyond the high expectations I have. My dad was in from out of town and he is really picky about wine and food. The server gave us an Italian cab recommendation that impressed him. We were attended too perfectly by her. And then the food just blew us away. We each tried different pasta dishes. I think out of the three, the cioppino with added spaghetti was the best. But all three were delicious. Its a reminder that sometimes a classic is still the best.

The service was great the staff was very attentive and never let our waters be more than halfway empty! The food was decent, and I got more fries here with my entree than I ever got at any other restaurant. The proportions are really big which helps to balance out the price. Honestly more than the food I loved how the place looked. The restaurant has a very open design so it feels very welcoming.

Vespaio @austinvespaio ATX Night 1 in Austin we had the most magical dinner at Vespaio. Our meal was so delicious that we returned for round 2 the second night. It was honestly up there with my top Italian restaurants. If you appreciate good, comforting and authentic, Italian food this is the place for you! Each dish had its own unique flavor. They have a rotating menu which changes nightly depending on what ingredients they have for the day. I absolutely loved this spot and highly recommend checking out if you're ever in the South Austin area. We ate the hanger steak w/ whipped potatoes and sautéed spinach, the seafood cioppino with fresh parpadelle pasta, the pork and beef lasagna, the zuppli (risotto and fontina cheese balls), caesar salad & sweet cream gelato with pink peppercorn biscotti for dessert! I still think about the lasagna because it was that good! 10/10 recommend

i think this is a solid place. it's a cute location right on south congress w a very intimate interior at night! i really really enjoyed the oysters for an app and the fungi pasta - YUM!!! I thought the burrata was good, but probably wouldn't opt for the carpaccio again. i feel like the flavor wasn't there and it just didn't taste fresh enough for me. the service was really great at first, but near the end we had to flag down our waitress since we were sitting around for a bit. if you're looking for a cute date night, this is a great choice - even for a few drinks!

Absolutely wonderful! We arrived around six. No open ressies so we opted to sit in the bar area. The bartender was wonderfully friendly. The atmosphere had the charm of an upscale pub or bistro. For apps we had the burrata butternut salad and beef carpaccio. Both were excellent. For our entree we had the cacio e Pepe, which was delicious. But the highlight of the entire evening was the mushroom tagliatelle. Omg. It was to die for. I was too busy moaning to snap a pic of that particular dish.

The service and ambiance of this place is amazing!! Loved the decor and the low light, definitely a vibe. The food was pretty good, we got the Pesche Crudo and the Lasagna. The crudo was delicious, super bright and tangy with the capers and chopped red onions. Went perfectly with the delicious toasted bread. Even their butter and bread was amazing. The Lasagna was pretty good, I would say a solid lasagna, but not the best I've ever had. I enjoyed the sausage they added on the top as it added a different and unique flavor. All in all, nothing wrong with it, but wish it was more of a stand out.

My partner booked a couples' double date at Vespaio, and I was so excited to try a new place that he had fond nostalgia for. Sadly, Vespaio goes down as the WORST restaurant I've been to since living in Austin, and one of the worst in a very long while. The food was OK. Our initial pasta dishes - the shrimp and funghi pasta were decent. Both my partner and I got the cioppino which was very overcooked and not the highest quality seafood. So... why 1 star? Appallingly bad service! First, the server (not our primary server) knocked over my glass of wine in delivering our pasta, getting wine on my hair, and my clothes and all over the table. I really didn't want to make a fuss, as he was super apologetic. I think we might have course corrected, except another server came by and said "looks like we spilled some wine?" In a tone like I SPILLED wine?? Ehhh no. I promptly corrected and said "no... it wasn't me. The server knocked over my glass". No comment. Then our primary server dropped a utensil in front of me to a hugely loud clang. No apologies. She also seemed very much in a rush to get us out of there. So when all is said and done, with such an epic spill especially on ME, normally, I would expect some form of comp or at least a reasonable amount of apologizing. NOPE NOPE NOPE. Our bill showed 100% off the first drink and then another one billed for my replacement. We definitely won't be back.

We had the most wonderful experience at Vespaio! Our waiter was incredible, the drinks her spot on and the food was incredible. We went family style with a few pastas and appetizers, and it hit the spot! Will def come back.

The vibe upon entry is quite welcoming and cozy. Once you head further inside though, the main dining area is LOUD. And I don't mean kitchen noises, rather really loud patrons who seemingly were shouting over each other to be heard. Our server literally had to yell in order to communicate with us - but still did a superb job. The one part that could have been better was the menu explanation... The server literally read through the listed ingredients for almost every item on the menu, which felt quite unnecessary - especially when it is being shouted at you. Upon seating, you get served complimentary bread and an Italian version of hummus - both a little cold but with soft pillowy texture. We were told that everything from the bread to the pasta is made fresh in house every morning. We thoroughly enjoyed tasting the freshness in our dishes: burrata, pansotti with butternut squash (our server correctly referred to this as a savory-sweet "dessert pasta"), and the spaghetti pomodoro and melanzane. Taste-wise, the pansotti was a winner, especially with the chunky walnut and sage sauce. The tiramisu was just ok... Nothing special in terms of taste or texture. I do have to point out that portion sizes are truly small. We wanted to do family style sharing, but it's hard to split 3 pieces of pasta. The small portions are a little too small. It is worth pointing out that this place is gobsmack in the middle of South Congress, making parking a nightmare. There is (limited) parking in the back, but we were not able to find a spot. Overall, not sure if I'd come back. I found the atmosphere and food at Mandolas to be more attune to "local" Italian.

We sat outside. Nice people watching, service was okay wine was okay. On the plus side there was bread service.

Food was okay but not at the level the servers came across as. In fact, Iv'e been at much better restaurants and the servers were more polite. Being from the east coast, and knowing good Italian, I thought I would try this place out. Food was okay but the server pushed us to order more. Sorry, but some people don't eat like gluttons. We ordered ample wine and food, but felt, per the waiter, it wasn't enough. It's just not what I want when I go to a restaurant, I want a nice experience. I felt like I was there as an amateur forced to order multiple menu items. Totally turned us off. And we were jammed in a table. Won't be back.

I know: they've been around since 1998. They're an Austin institution. The way I understand it is that there was a time when this was the best that Austin had to offer. And this is precisely why I wanted to give it a try. Ultimately, I was disappointed. There may have been a time in Austin when it was acceptable for the server to approach the table looking disheveled and to mispronounce words [I swear that she omitted at least one -- and I think more likely two -- syllables from the word "Castelvetrano."] There may have been a time when it was okay for every single antipasti dish to be served before any of the cocktails arrived at the table (despite the fact that the cocktails were ordered well in advance of the food.) Burrata -- by definition -- must have a creamy filling of stracciatella encased by a layer of fresh mozzarella. And ideally, it's imported from Puglia several times per week. It's maddening when a restaurant claims to serve burrata and then something completely outside of its definition is delivered to the table. (I fear that there are folks out there who *think* that they enjoy burrata when in reality, they may have never even had it. It's not their fault; the restaurants are being deceitful.) The menu at Vespaio changes daily and on the night of my visit, the menu description of their burrata indicated that it was filled with red pepper ricotta. I'm always on board to appreciate the variations that different restaurants and chefs can bring to a traditional dish but red pepper ricotta is definitely not stracciatella. Don't call it Burrata; just name it something else. I was hesitant to order it by my friends were excited about it so I acquiesced. There's a refrigerated case out front with all sorts of fresh antipasti items which can be ordered à la carte. This is a unique touch. All of the pasta was fresh and al dente. The Sourdough Bruschetta was nice. The mushrooms on my Tagliatelle con Funghi were tasty but the dish must have been sitting around for a while because the truffle crema had already congealed a film on top. There may still be some good things happening back in the kitchen but the front-of-house really needs to up their game with appearance, timing, and knowledge of the menu (and the cuisine in general.) Vespaio may have been all the rage twenty-five years ago but times are a-changing and they've got some serious work ahead of them if they wish to keep up with the creative and innovative food scene that's burgeoning all around them.

Austin, TX. This is our go to place for dinner in Austin. One night we had reservations, one night they found a table for us quickly without reservations. Most of my previous review comments are still relevant but I want to add that the halibut I ordered was probably the best I've ever had. The way it was spiced and cooked was just amazing. Would have been perfect except for the small portion. I'm not a polenta lover (At All) but this version was truly outstanding. Thought I'd try an old standard, lasagne, and it was way up in the higher range of lasagnes I've had in my life. The desserts are decadent gourmet artwork. Forget the diet and try one, or two. Great wine list and good selection of beer.

The staff and service at Vespaio Ristorante was fantastic. The food was simple, fresh, and delicious. Everything was lightly seasoned well and the ingredients were balanced and tasty. A healthy Italian meal. Everything was great, though we especially enjoyed the pizza and grilled zucchini. Excited to try their other pizzas and pastas in the future.

We visited Vespaio as my husband is always craving Italian, and I do love it too. They were very accommodating as we switched tables a few minutes into sitting down. We started with the burrata as an appetizer and it was fresh, bright, and the balsamic was so yummy too. I requested for extra balsamic to dip the bread in. Did I mention the bread they bring is super tasty? I do wish it was offered with something other than butter but that's just me being extra. I really enjoyed my Tagliatelle con Fungi, and my husband enjoyed his Carbonara too . Overall a little on the pricier side but you get delicious, quality, and fresh ingredients in the price. We will be back.

Y'all this is now my second favorite restaurant in Austin. I came here for my bf's birthday and damn it didn't disappoint. Staff was super sweet and had great recommendations. Shoutout to Elle! The food was like tradition Italian in the best way. Like super fresh and clean and had great flavor. Crispy calamari had great crunch and didn't feel heavy at all. The sauce tasted super fresh, I could drink it? What I did drink though... that mussel broth. So delicious and refreshing with the lemon and tomato... mussels also delicious. The carbonara was good, not too heavy. But the true beauty was the white pie. The special for the night. It had caramelized fennel, clams and idk but it was damn good. Got a chocolate mousse for my bf's bday and that was also fantastic, not too sweet and smooth af! If I had to describe the experience in a few words: fresh, refreshing, crisp. SO GOOD!

The ambiance was lovely. Dim lighting, intimate seating, and the restaurant was full. The food was delicious. I'm still thinking of those fried sweet potatoes. The service was amazing. My water was constantly refilled and the timing of getting food and drink was perfect.

Maybe the rave reviews & accolades are more about the meat dishes. The wine walls setting was cozy, the wine selection was really nice and varied, but of the two veg pastas we got: the cacio e pepe was good, the eggplant spaghetti was not - in both texture & flavor. Had been hoping for a notch or two better quality.

What an amazing experience. Took an early reservation and had Destiny as my server. She helped me craft an amazing meal of Caesar salad and half order of the ravioli. The bread was fresh and delicious and service was incredible. I can't wait to go back.

Ehh. This place falls under the plethora of my former go-to's before the pandemic that were pretty solid, but now are just not as good anymore. I mean back in the day these guys were always premium priced, but their quality was always pretty good and I loved their desserts too. They surprised me but I was a regular guest. I never really had a bad experience. Fast forward to my first visit there in a few years and it was busy, but this experience was just disappointing. Prices have spiked, they don't make those nice dessert cups anymore, the wine suggestions were great, the wine was very good. Service was solid. But the food - - poor execution, took too long, and my risotto comes out - cold. I'm like WTH? And it didn't really taste that great either. No cold risotto does BTW. My neighbors ordered a smaller dish of pasta, it came out very quick, but most importantly it was piping hot. I saw the steam coming off their plates. But this chicken + risotto dish - effin' cold. I was so bothered by the long wait, the lack of communication and updates, I didn't eat everything and just left. I didn't feel like complaining - just wanted to leave. They told me when I ordered it the dish would take longer, but it's like they made the dish and it sat there back on their kitchen counter for too long before bringing it to me. I think I waited at least 30 min for it. You pay a lot when you go here, and when someone talks up a dish - on how awesome it is (like this guy did) and it comes out 30 min later, no communication, and it's cold, I'm sorry but that's a real bummer. If I pay a premium price then I'd like to think my food comes out hot. I can deal with the long wait, but the dish wasn't that good at all. So after being a consistent customer here for over 10-12 years, I think we're done here. They are falling far below their normal expectations. It's unfortunate, but in the words of Roberto Durand - - "no mas".

I've lived in Austin for 11 years and have always heard amazing things about Vespaio. Never had the chance to dine in until today for a friend's birthday. We came in on a Tuesday evening a little after 8 pm. It was BUSY! No reservation, but lucky for us our party of 4 was seated right away. We were seated in a smaller secluded section up front by the windows that view out to the street of South Congress. If you have the choice I would recommend sitting in this area. It has such a romantic ambiance to it and it's very dark. Good people watching too. We started with the Calamari Fritte $19. Honestly I've had better, but it was bad. I have had their lasagna to go and knew that was amazing and filling, so my boyfriend and I decided to split the Lasagna Alla Bolognese $35. The pictures don't do it justice! It may look small on the plate, but it's oh so filling and yummy. Ask for extra bread for the table so you can make sure you get all that yummy sauce ;) our friends also split the special of the day which was the Risotto Del Giorno $47. Their portion sizes were huge for a split dish and absolutely divine with flavor. Paired with some glasses of wine since well you are surrounded by all the wines makes for a great meal. We finished off our dinner with a complimentary birthday dessert of delectible Tiramisu. It was so light and airy, but packed with just the right amount of flavor. I can't wait to come back and try more dishes! Our server Caitlin was also a gem.

This place was highly recommended which is why I'm surprised it was so disappointing. Service: Our server unfortunately didn't know much about the menu, couldn't pronounce the items let alone describe them. Also, after we ordered we waited 60 minutes for just 2 entrees and a side. Food: Please look at my picture of the zucchini. The tiny portion seemed like it was cooked in 5-mins by a 5-year old. The worst side I've had at a restaurant in months, served cold. The carbonara was fine. It was also served cold, the poached egg was almost hard-boiled, and was otherwise bland. The second dish (I think tagliatelle con fungi) was the best item, but still nothing to write home about. The focaccia bread to start was also served cold from a refrigerator, not even room temperature. That may have been intentional but I hope not. Overall, I likely won't be back. Very disappointed.

Food: incredible. Service: impeccable. Ambiance: warm and inviting. We had the risotto and lasagne and both need to be tried!

Food: 6/10 Service: 9/10 Ambiance: 8/10 It was fine to try somewhere we haven't been. Not worth recommending or going back to.