IL Bambino

"Bambino is an Italian-American restaurant in East Austin that’s well-suited for a snack and a drink after an afternoon of climbing at Austin Bouldering Project next door. The pizza (their specialty) is excellent—if a little pricey—with very chewy crust,  perfectly charred edges, and high-quality toppings. And if this place was nothing but pizza and a patio, we’d probably like it even more. The rest of the menu is where we’ve had some issues—like cocktails arriving half-filled or smashburgers presented without any smash. We wouldn’t go out of our way for a special dinner here, but we also wouldn’t be upset to find ourselves here at Happy Hour enjoying half-priced pizzas and a frozen blood orange Negroni on the spacious patio. Food Rundown photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Cocktails These all sound very fun on paper, but don’t have the execution of a dedicated cocktail bar. We liked the “Cherry Coke” Manhattan, but it mostly just tastes like a standard Manhattan. We’d probably stick to the frozen cocktails and wine. Mozzarella Sticks These are seasoned and fried well, but served with a cacio e pepe ranch that’s missing the buttermilk bite we like from the classic stuff. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Smashed Cukes & Ceci Salad If any of the cucumbers in this salad were actually smashed, it must have been from a very wimpy hand. It’s very refreshing though, if a bit small. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Pizza They’re about 13 inches and range from $18-25, putting them on the pricey end for a small pie. Stylistically, they’re Neapolitan-leaning, but a little thicker and heartier, with some excellent bite in the crust. A few of ours have arrived a little undersauced, but we’ve been a fan of most of these. Try the Little Stinker—topped with a bunch of different mushrooms, cheeses, and some kale—or get the margherita if you’re a purist and want to start with a classic." - Nicolai McCrary

IL Bambino is a charming restaurant in an unexpected part of town. Despite its secluded location, the atmosphere is inviting and warm – perfect for a meal filled with conversation. On our recent visit, we had the Fettucine with Shrimp and a Pepperoni Pizza with Garlic and Pineapple. The food was exquisite, a testament to their authentic Italian flavor. IL Bambino is a great spot for special occasions, such as the graduation celebration we recently attended. We left full of food and great memories and definitely plan on returning soon.