Trattoria La Vigna

We were a group of six, and every single one of us was blown away by the food. The flavors were so rich and authentic—true Italian cuisine done right. All six dishes came out perfect, and not a single bite disappointed. They also had a great wine selection, which made the meal even more enjoyable. Highly recommend if you’re in Galveston and want something memorable!

We visit Galveston for July 4th each year and found this gem a few years ago. It is literally a "hidden" gem because you may not spot it just driving by. Everything is prepared from scratch. Our only "complaint" is that the complimentary white bread is toasted and is hard to dip in the oil. We asked for non-toasted and it was perfect. The portions are large, as usual at Italian restaurants. I tried the spaghetti with homemade sausage this time, and it was delicious. It looks like the restaurant is located at a Trolley stop. There is a parking lot across the street, but, we're afraid to park there in case we get towed - but there is plenty of paid street parking.

A wonderful restaurant with excellent staff. The owner puts her love into all of the dishes and the results are amazing!

A hidden gem of Galveston! The bread and oil is the best. We are obsessed with the pasta made in-house. It’s expensive, but the portions are good. Definitely worth it! The chocolate cheesecake is the perfect way to finish the meal. We cannot get enough of this place, and we will be back!

La Trattoria Bella delivers a true taste of Italy with its cozy atmosphere and authentic dishes. The homemade pasta is the star of the show — perfectly al dente and rich in flavor. The staff treat every guest like family, and the wine list complements the menu beautifully. The tiramisu is a must-try. Prices are reasonable for the quality, though parking can be tricky during peak hours. Pros: Authentic flavors, warm service, romantic setting. Cons: Limited parking, small dining area. Overall: ⭐ 9.5/10 — a perfect spot for date nights and comfort Italian food.

Absolutely amazing Italian food. Our group got lasagna, shrimp ravioli, and chicken Marsala. Followed by cappuccino and espresso. I have food allergies and they were able to make my shrimp and veggies with no butter. The shrimp were perfection!!

Had the most wonderful birthday dinner here. Our server Anastasia was gracious and gave excellent recommendations. The seafood risotto was divine and gorgeously presented. My husband enjoyed his crab ravioli. Also beautifully presented. Everything is scratch made in house. Don’t pass up the warm bread and herb oil. I plan on visiting every time I am in Galveston so I can work my way through the menu!

We were here for our anniversary. We came in early thank goodness because you really need to have a reservation for restaurant week and I completely spaced it! The owner came over to our table and chatted with us and let us know that she makes her gnocchi in house and WOW! That effort is worth it because her gnocchi was INCREDIBLE!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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. :)

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 !

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.

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.

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.

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

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!!!!!

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.

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.

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

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

We bade farewell to Galveston Restaurant week with dinner Saturday at Trattoria La Vigna. Overall, it was a very pleasant evening out as we were seated with little delay and service was friendly and efficient. Our three top table was my only quibble. It was awkwardly situated in a back corner and felt cramped. Dan baptized Azar with ice water... not intentionally, but because he was trying to navigate menus with scant room to do so. She graciously forgave him and we moved on! We had the calamari fritti as a non Galveston Restaurant week appetizer for the table. It was superb. Perfectly fried with a light, yet very flavorful coating, it included the tentacles which I always appreciate. The marinara sauce that came with it was great, but honestly it was delightful with just a few squeezes of lemon juice. Dan decided to order from the regular menu and had a Caesar salad (a shocking selection from Mr. Salad) and eggplant parmesan with pasta, I thought the salad was good but not especially distinguished, which doesn't matter because Mr. Salad was happy with it. The eggplant parmesan and pasta were first rate. Azar and I did the Restaurant week menu. We both had eggplant involtini for our appetizer, and she had the chicken entree while I opted for the shrimp with pappardelle. The eggplant involtini was quite good, but probably could have been a smaller portion since it was an appetizer. Our mains were also very generously sized so we both got to go bags. I haven't been to Italy (yet), but Azar has and I think she would vouch for the authenticity of La Vigna's food. We finished up the evening with chocolate cake from the Restaurant week menu for us, and cannoli for Dan. Cheers all around for the sweet stuff. Italian food is wonderful and so is Trattoria La Vigna. Galveston is fortunate to have many locally owned restaurants that serve delicious food from very talented chefs. Now get out there and eat!!

ate there for lunch recently. My order came out wrong..chicken instead of fish. by the time they remade my fried fish (15-20 min) my husband had already finished his. When it finally came it was warm and soggy. offer was to REHEAT it We have eaten here many times and very disappointed I contacted restaurant and never even received the courtesy of a reply BTW ..restaurant was mostly empty at the time

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Fantastic food and service. Homemade pasta. especially liked the calamari. True Italian

Simply amazing food and atmosphere. Plan to re-visit before we leave Galveston. I had the Grouper Piccata.. it was amazing .

The food & service was excellent. They made a special occasion even more special. I highly recommend them.

We went Saturday night. It was fabulous. Best Italian food in Galveston. Service was great. Loved the atmosphere too. Will definitely go back.

Delicious lunch at Trattoria La Vigna! There was no wait to get a table, the lunch portions were very generous. We had fresh baked bread and wonderfully dressed salads, then the entrees came out. The pasta was fresh made and light. Lasagna was big and beautiful! Pork Milanese was crispy and delicious. The standout was the chicken Alfredo, absolutely delicious. Service was courteous as well.

One of our favorite spots on the island !! Outstanding food and service !! Every visit is consistently amazing!! Everything is fresh and made with care !! Love their Lasagna , Lobster Ravioli ,and Chicken Parmesan. Don't skip the vanilla cheesecake... our favorite dessert in Galveston !!

This has become our NYE dinner tradition and it doesn't ever disappoint. The mussels appetizer, fresh pastas, and osso boco on risotto were all heavenly!! And the homemade, fresh filled cannolis are perfecto!! Service is always impeccable!!

The meal was amazing! Highly recommend. Very nice atmosphere! I had eggplant Parmesan and my husband has the pasta primavera. Both very good.

Trattoria is one of the best restaurants on Galveston island. I can tell the word is out as it is getting harder to get into on the spur of the moment. I can't get past the chicken parmigiana! I guarantee I will make another reservation after writing this review. The service is very personal as it is a smaller restaurant and we really love that. Their location is in a great location if you plan on spending time downtown/ on the strand. Give me time to make my reservation before you read this and call them!! Enjoy!

Pro tip: Off menu carbonara is the best! Staff and owner are welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!

This is our favorite restaurant in Galveston and even Houston! Love the food and wine. The pasta is made fresh as the sauces. We've been dining here for years. Brian is the server we ask for. He's great

Been here on a couple of occasions - I like the charming and quaint ambiance. There is lot or street parking nearby. The service is always very friendly! I tried the lobster ravioli, octopus, and antipasto salad. The ravioli was the special on that particular night and it was fantastic! The flavors were rich and well-balanced, and there was a hearty portion of lobster within each ravioli. Their wines are also good - I tried a Chianti and really enjoyed how it paired with my food options. Never made it to dessert here, but I will be back soon!

Pleasant setting with a good view of the kitchen upon arrival. Reservations are a must. Broad wine list. I had the veal scallopini. My test of an Italian restaurant is how they do veal and this place did not fail me. One of the best veals I've had. The sauce complimented the meat and pasta perfectly. My wife had the salmon special and she said her taste buds were in ecstasy. Galveston is not known for great restaurants but this place provides an excellent dining experience with superb food. Highly recommended when visiting the island.

I decided to take my family here after my white coat ceremony based on all the good reviews I've been hearing about this restaurant. They make their pasta in house which is one of the coolest features of this establishment! My favorite dishes were the Tagliatelle all bolognese and the special crusted cod pasta (I believe they do different specials on select nights that are not on the menu). I really enjoyed the texture of the noodles. Each dinner comes with a side salad and unlimited bread as well. The major downside of this restaurant were the super long wait times for our entrees. We were all getting pretty hangry even with the salad and bread holding us off. Also, this may sound weird but all of the leftovers tasted so much better on the second day. Great establishment and a cute little slice of Italy in Galveston! P.S. They can do "kid portions" for any younger children- just ask your waiter!!

Yes. Eat here! The food is fresh and delicious. The service is very good. One of my favorite Galveston restaurants. The lasagna is so good!

This is some of the best Italian food I have ever had. We just stopped in, not knowing anything about this place on the weekend a couple years ago and now we're back again for a cruise and decided we needed a fabulous free cruise dinner. I would definitely recommend this place you need to make reservations.

The place is done very nice , the food is absolutely great I had shrimp scampi my wife had spaghetti with bread and salad and finished with lemon cheesecake and our server was 1st class. I will definitely eat there again!!!

Party of three so excited to try this place after hearing great things about their food. Finally got the opportunity so I called ahead and asked if I needed a reservation and the person who answered asked a few questions and said we could be accommodated. After paying $11.50 for parking and a brief wait we were guided to the main dining room and asked where we wanted to sit. Then half of our party was asked for their drink order, but I was left off. As the hostess walked away, I attempted to call her back so that she could get my drink order and was yelled at by another server that the hostess does not take drink orders. I informed the server that she had indeed taken our order but left me off. So as they tried to further explain their voices were raised and it made for an awkward situation. Almost simultaneously another male server came to our table and said "You're gonna have to move" in such a crass manner. We were shocked by the lack of manners displayed by these servers at such of a nice restaurant . By then my party decided to leave and as we were walking out the same male server who told us to move asked why we were leaving so I told him that we were trying to have a relaxing evening and it was clearly not going to happen there. We did not like the way we were treated and that he was rude . He asked me how and I began to tell him then raised his voice asking me if I had ever been a server. He finally said "well you didn't even have a reservation " which I interpreted as that's what we get for making g one however I reminded him that I had called minutes before and was told it was ok. We were clearly getting no where so I left. I am a local and I love my island and will support local businesses. I believe in constructive criticism and I offered it because I was asked but he was loud and defensive. I know they have good reviews but I could not get past the lack of professionalism we were treated with. Do better.