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Name: La Traviata
Address: 314 Congress Ave, Austin, TX, 78701
Telephone: (512) 479-8131
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.01

La Traviata

314 Congress Ave, Austin, TX, 78701

(512) 479-8131
Store is closed

La Traviata Menu

Primi

Soup Of The Day

Roasted Bell Peppers

Zucchini Salad

Beef Carpaccio

Mista Salad

Caesar Salad

Roasted Beet Salad

Steamed Prince Island Mussels

Homemade Ravioli

Crispy Polenta

Prosciutto Di Parma

Soup Of The Day

Roasted Bell Peppers

Zucchini Salad

Beef Carpaccio

Mista Salad

Caesar Salad

Roasted Beet Salad

Steamed Prince Island Mussels

Homemade Ravioli

Crispy Polenta

Prosciutto Di Parma
Entrees - Pasta

Pasta Norma

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Calamari Puttanesca

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

Spaghetti Alla Bolognese

Rigatoni With Spicy Lamb Meatballs

Fettuccine Con Funghi

Pasta Norma

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Calamari Puttanesca

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara

Spaghetti Alla Bolognese

Rigatoni With Spicy Lamb Meatballs

Fettuccine Con Funghi
Pesce E Carne

Chicken Parmesan

Seared Atlantic Salmon

Cioppino Alla San Francisco

Duck Confit

Veal Picatta

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Chicken Parmesan

Seared Atlantic Salmon

Cioppino Alla San Francisco

Duck Confit

Veal Picatta

Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Healthy Meal suggestions for La Traviata

Primi

Soup Of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Bell Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zucchini Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Carpaccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mista Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Beet Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Prince Island Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Polenta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto Di Parma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup Of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Bell Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zucchini Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Carpaccio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mista Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Beet Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Prince Island Mussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Homemade Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Polenta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto Di Parma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees - Pasta

Pasta Norma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Puttanesca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Alla Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni With Spicy Lamb Meatballs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Con Funghi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta Norma [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Puttanesca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Alla Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni With Spicy Lamb Meatballs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Con Funghi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pesce E Carne

Chicken Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Atlantic Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cioppino Alla San Francisco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Duck Confit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Picatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Beef Tenderloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Atlantic Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cioppino Alla San Francisco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Duck Confit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Picatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Beef Tenderloin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Austin for healthy meals suggestion.

Pizza Hut ( 12636 Research Blvd )

Visit below restaurant in Austin for healthy meals suggestion.

Pizza Hut ( 12636 Research Blvd )

Write An Anonymous Review

Joseph B.

Great, great food. The best pasta I've had in Austin. This is a "must go and eat" restaurant. I had the carbonara, my wife had the calamari pasta and my daughter had the bolognese, all were perfect. My wife and daughter had the mussels for an appetizer, but looked more like a meal. I would give it a 5 star, but our server was, terrible. She seemed to not want to serve us and disinterested in us. I had to ask what the special was for the day. Then she said them so fast we didn't understand. She asked why I wanted to know of the specials. Wow. When we got our water, I asked for straws but she walked by three times without bringing them, so I asked another waiter and he brought them right away. She never appeared to refill our water and seemed to want to ignore us. The food was absolutely wonderful so we were very happy until we ordered dessert. We ordered a cake with hot chocolate over it. I guess it sat in the window so long the chocolate was cold and the waitress from the next area brought it to us. My wife ordered a cafe latte, but the cake came out before the coffee, so she couldn't enjoy both together. We asked the waitress for the coffee, and she said the bartender was making right now. I looked at the bartender and she was on the computer for five or more minutes before she made the latte. When the coffee finally arrived the cake was gone. When the waitress did come and check on our table it seemed she was rushing us by trying to take our plates while they still had food on them. She even rushed us on our dessert. she didn't bring any cheese for the pasta and she didn't bring cheese and grate it over the pasta she brought us a little dish that looked like Kraft in it. I ordered a salad, but she didn't present any fresh cracked pepper to go along with my salad. How can you enjoy your food that way? But I still give them a 4 because the food was that great. We'll go there again. We just hope the same waitress isn't waiting on us, if so we'll go elsewhere.
(4)
Minnie M.

I don't really give negative reviews or write one unless it is necessary. Service was terrible!! It took a long time on everything. Even the food was bad. Ordered the ravioli special, it was chewy and had a piece of sliced mushroom. My kids had chicken parmesan, chicken was dry and the pasta needs 2 more minutes to be aldente! Even my kids told me to write this review:((
(1)
Coral H.

It was a busy lunch time on a rainy day at SXSW. I had struck out on attending any sessions as they were all to capacity. I decided to treat myself to a nice meal and this restaurant did not disappoint. I sat at the bar since I was solo. The bartender was attentive. I had soup and a hanger steak salad. Both hit the spot.
(4)
Amy C.

Delicious food, cozy/ classy decor, and great service! Always start off with a bottle of the Barolo and a zucchini salad and the crispy Rosemary polenta.. which is to die for! Absolutely delicious. The pasta is always top notch. Last time I got one of the specials with a creamy lamb sauce and it was out of this world. If you are looking for a great Italian restaurant, this place is awesome!
(5)
Christopher D.

A good dining experience marred yet again by service providers who forget service. One of my wife's preferred restaurants (me? don't even think twice, just go to Vespaio) and tonight we had the good fortune to both be off early and catch dinner downtown. Why not La Traviata we thought. I wish we thought harder. We arrived at 5:30 to a less than half empty restaurant with no one at the bar. The hostess at the door was pleasant and we were immediately passed off to an uber cool host. I know he was uber cool since his jeans were dirty and he didn't smile. Good work if you can get it. He took us a table on the wall immediately next to two other tables, and stood in my way as I pulled my wife's chair out (yes, I do that sort of thing). Then after we were seated he said something about a reservation. No, I didn't make one; it was a spur of the moment thing and it's a Tuesday. When I said we didn't have one, he immediately asked us to move to a table along the aisle further in back. I said you're kidding right? Its the same table? No, you have to move; this is reserved. Ok; anything else besides the back? Um, yeah, in front. We ended up next to the door. Quaint. The host never said he was sorry for putting us at the wrong table (here's a lesson from Hosting 101 dude: "Do you have a reservation?" Its not as tough as asking "Do you want fries with that?" so you could probably do it if you wanted to.) and never came by again. He was rude. Our server was embarrassed and clearly dicey about having to wait on a table who'd gotten off to a rocky start, but he was fine, and dinner was okay. The food was good, but not worth the price and unfortunately the lack of warmth or concern ensures we won't be back again. You want really good Italian food with very pleasant service? Re-read paragraph 2
(2)
Shelley K.

I ate at La Traviata for a company lunch. I apparently have a sensative nose (others in my group did not recall the smell the day after our gathering). Similar to the South Lamar (and SoLa only) Alamo Drafthouse smell of dirty dishwater, that is what I smelled when I first walked into the restaurant. Had it been a personal lunch, I would have walked right back out. The smell of our food was great once it came out. So if you want to brave this place, order warm food early and you'll be set. The smell gets 0 stars - Gross. The food, however, was amazing and gets 6 out of 5 stars.
(3)
Carmen F.

I had the rigatoni with spicy lamb meatballs, which was pretty good. The pasta isn't made in house but it's not bad. It was pretty spicy for me (I have a pretty low tolerance) but I still enjoyed it. The olive oil that they serve with the bread was pretty good. It's a small place but the managed to sit my party of 7 well.
(4)
Cindy L.

What a great place to have a cozy dinner on a stormy Saturday night! The place was packed, yet we were seated immediately. We started with the zucchini and mista salads (perfect portions and very tasty) as well as the creamy parsnip soup. I chose the cioppino for my entrÃ©e, and I've decided it's the best in town. Tons of seafood, and the broth was spicy and full of flavor. My husband chose the pasta special - fettuccine topped with a short rib ragout. All of this delicious food washed down with a bottle of Barbera D'Asti! New favorite!
(5)
M K.

Just went to La Traviata for lunch. I ate at he bar since I was alone (wimper, wimper). My waitress/bartender was attentive and I went with one of the specials which was a ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach. I'm happy to say that the sauce (a roasted red pepper but more akin to a vodka sauce) was tasty although a tad salty and the stuffing in the ravioli was also tasty and fresh. My only disappointment was the ravioli myself. Admittedly I am harsh when I eat pasta from an Italian restaurant. It shouldn't be overly doughy or thick or over cooked. This was a little of all three. The dough to filling ratio was off and boy I would have liked a little more filling. That being said, overall it was a pleasant experience and I would go back to try some of their other dishes.
(4)
Justin G.

I've been to all of the top Italian places in Austin but somehow I had never been to La Traviata. I went for my birthday on Monday so it wasn't too packed. I'm not sure what it looks like closer to the weekend. After I tasted the food, I wondered why there wasn't a line out the door on every day of the week. We got the mussels to start. They didn't disappoint. It comes with one little piece of bread, but then the waiter brought some more bread so we could soak up all of the extra goodness. For the main course, I got the spaghetti carbonara, and let me tell you, it was everything I was hoping it would be. Creamy, savory and pasta-y. I have never tasted anything like it, and I can't wait to eat it again. Ever had an egg yolk on top of your pasta?! Didn't think so. Do it. Stop reading this and go do it. Tell them I sent you! Well, they probably won't remember me, so don't do that.
(5)
Dustin S.

Wow, a favorite of mine. Everything is good here. Live a little and go with whatever their daily chef special is! The bolognese is best in city and the polenta appetizer is amazing. Spicy shrimp, chicken parmesan ... the list goes on and on!
(5)
Sharon T.

Pretty classy date spot. The reviews don't lie--the Carbonara is an absolute winner and still tasty even the next day. Other impressive dishes were the Aglio e Olio and surprisingly I liked the plain old Pasta Norma as well. The waiter was polite and refreshed our bread promptly, and I was a little apprehensive of the service here based on a few yelp reviews past, which seemed like a hit or miss, but my visit was enjoyable. No free dessert for birthdays, which I feel like is always like a "nice restaurant, really?" but that's okay. Their cheesecake is definitely a must-try, and that's coming from someone who doesn't really prefer the mix of cream cheese and cake (but that's another story). Space is cozy and well-sized for a small restaurant, and the lines of hanging wine glasses looks pretty with the hanging lights. My only qualm is that the Carbonara is a tad oily. Don't put on chapstick or even lip gloss on before because you won't need it!
(4)
Fan Z.

Their carbonara alone warrants a five star review. We've also tried their Seared Atlantic Salmon, Fettucine con Funghi, and the Spicy Rigatoni with Lamb, all of which were also very good. The Panna Cotta we had for dessert was a miss--it was a denser texture than what we were used to, almost like what I'd imagine canned flan to taste like. That being said, after feeding me that delicious carbonara, they could feed me poop on a platter for dessert and I wouldn't care.
(5)
Melissa A.

I guess you have to come to La Triviata with a man if you want to get service. The last time I came, I came by myself to meet a female colleague. You would think while I waited for the second person in my party, I may have been offered a glass of water, or some bread? No, not even a warm glass of piss. A waitress never did come over and even acknowledge me. I finally did get a glass of water from the hostess and had my menu folded as I sat and waited to be greeted by my server. I should also note, they were not super busy and I did make eye contact several times with the person who appeared to be working my station. Of course, the waitress got bread, water, and told the specials to the two men who walked in 5 minutes after me and were sitting right next to me. When she started telling them the specials, I got up and left. I had been sitting over 10 minutes without being acknowleded. I know this because I checked my watch when I got there and right before I got up to leave. I had a very similar experience here a few years ago when I came with two female family members. It was like the server was waiting until our man arrive to acknowledge us. And we would have tipped well, if he would have been a decent server, but he treated us poorly and so of course, we did not tip well, which, I'm sure in his mind, means that hew was justified in giving us poor service. Really, this is a management problem. There should be certain standards for the waitstaff. Like greet your customer, even if they are in an incomplete party or (gasp!) a woman. Maybe within 2-3 minutes of them being seated. Offer something to drink. See if they want to hear the specials. I was looking for a place to go to lunch today and thought about coming to La Triviata, but I am meeting a female colleague and I don't want to risk us being treated poorly, so we will be going someplace else.
(1)
Jennifer K.

What a beautiful restaurant and menu! We ordered the 3 cheese ravioli in cream sauce and beef carpaccio with fried radicchio. Both were amazing! Unexpected flavors and combinations. Sure to please. Our main course was the rigatoni with spicy lamb meatballs! WOW! Great texture and taste! We will be back. It was a memorable evening for sure. Do be sure to make reservations and be prepared it is a small place the tables are close. But worth it!!!
(5)
Cassie W.

La Traviata is hands down my favorite Italian food in Austin. The restaurant is quaint and has a New Yorker vibe. The food is always fantastic! I usually order the Calamari Puttanesca and my husband always orders the carbonara-they never disappoint! The only pitfall of this restaurant is that, like most authentic Italian bistros, they only serve beer and wine. This can be slightly annoying for a self proclaimed alcoholic like myself! However, I am willing to overlook this detail in order to get down on some delicious Italian cuisine!
(5)
Pradeep R.

After going here for dinner, La Traviata has become one of my favourite Italian restaurants in Austin. The appetizer - Crispy Polenta was really good. For the main course, I had the spicy lamb meat ball, which too was very well done. Especially, the creamy marinara sauce. For the desert, we had a sampler, which was also good. The hosts were also kind enough to arrange a candle-lit desert for my friend's birthday, which was the reason we went there. Overall, this restaurant is a must visit in Austin and I will definitely return.
(5)
Nicole S.

This is a great date venue. The interior has an authentic Italian feel, is well-lit, and is a comfortable temperature. The staff are very warm and attentive. The food was amazing. I had the arugula and beet salad, and I honestly wish I could have it every day for lunch. The pecans tasted like pecan pie. I also had the lamb meatballs, which were just mildly spicy and very well-seasoned. Overall, my boyfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience here. Highly recommend!
(5)
Vicki G.

Ended up at La Traviata tonight because Manuel's had a one-hour wait at 6 pm. Yes, really. Well, it was Saturday. So, we opted to try La Traviata and eat at the bar. Surprisingly good! Loved the olive oil they use for bread-dipping -- very fruity. Caesar salads were EXCELLENT. Perfect. I ate every bite. For a main dish, I had the appetizer portion of the ravioli of the day, which was cheese-stuffed, with a tomato basil cream sauce. Do not let the description fool you. This was a divine dish -- I could taste some nutmeg in it, and who knows what else made it taste like some kind of exquisite warming yumminess? Oh, so good. Very rich. I only ate 3 of the 5. He ordered the pasta with calamari, capers, anchovies, etc. It was very good, very fresh. I think that something spicy would have jazzed it into high gear. All the food I saw looked delicious... people were taking pictures of everything. I would love to return, and I will.
(4)
Mike H.

Ate at the bar as it was soooo busy .. the Spaghetti Carbonara was some of the best I've had outside of Italy but the uncooked egg yolk on top sort of unnerved me. Don't forget: CLOSED SUNDAYS.
(4)
Aaron B.

I've been twice with my ex-girlfriend and have some mixed feelings now. The first time was five stars for sure! The service was great, the cioppinni and carbonara were extremely delicious, and the overall experience left us completely satisfied! However our second visit was only a three star experience :( The waitress wasn't as on top of things, the spaghetti with shrimp and white truffle sauce was meh. Seems like the menu is hit or miss.
(4)
Ashley M.

I have been here once so far. There was six of us going, so one of the people in our group made a reservation. Upon arrival all of us girls took the bench seat awhile our men sat across from us in chairs. We greeted by our waitress who pour us all some water and told us about the specials. We received some bread as well. The waitress was very nice and our waters were frequently being filled since we all drank a decent amount of it. The food itself was good. I tried my boyfriends pasta which was Rigatoni With Spicy Lamb Meatballs and I loved it. To be honest, all of the guys ordered this item and all of them enjoyed it. I even enjoyed it more than what I ordered (Spaghetti Alla Bolognese). The other two ladies ordered Spaghetti Alla Carbonara and were very happy with it. No one had a compliant about any of the meals. Desert was delicious as well.
(4)
Yunseok J.

I tried Spaghetti Alla Carbonara with Caesar Salad and these are good to eat. pretty fair price :-)
(4)
Trevor R.

Chilly interior and service, mediocre food for the price. My wife and I arrived at 7 on a Saturday without a reservation, and the host said they had a single no-show, so we could have the remaining table until 8:30. It was the first time I've ever been told something like that, but it worked for us since we were going to a movie after. (Incidentally, when we left around 8:15, they had plenty of open tables.) I then expected that service would be rushed, but it was anything but. We wait several minutes for a waitress, who apparently cannot offer more than a few words at a time, and wasn't one for pleasantries: Visit 1: "The specials are [blah]. I'll be right back to take your drink order." (She leaves for a few minutes.) Visit 2: "Will you be having wine?" Us: "No, thanks." (She takes our glasses and leaves for several minutes.) Visit 3: "Are you ready to order?" Us: "Yes." (We order.) (She takes our menus and leaves for several minutes.) Visit 4: "Do you want bread?" Us: "Yes, please." (She leaves again, etc.) While the interior certainly looks warm and cozy, there was an absurdly cold draft along all the tables against the wall across from the bar. We asked the waitress about it and she said they'd reduce the A/C. It was about 50 degrees outside, and we overheard another employee tell her the A/C wasn't even on. It was bizarre because we weren't near any vents or doors nearby, so I couldn't tell where it was coming from, and yet the candles were about to blow out on several tables. I ended up putting my coat back on, but the waitress never mentioned it again. We ordered 3 items, none of which were impressive: - The "Red and golden beet salad" should have been called "Arugula with some small beet cubes." Not terrible, but uninspiring and the beets were hardly featured. We had hoped for something closer to Insalata Caprese with beets. - Despite the other reviews, I think the only way the Carbonara will change your life is if it gives you a heart attack. It was light on nuance, super heavy on cream and pancetta. The menu mentioned lemon juice, implying the tiniest bit of lightness, but it was undetectable. - The Calamari Puttanesca was okay; I mainly ordered it because nothing else looked intriguing. I appreciated the capers and bit of spiciness, but the size of some of the calamari was a bit much for a landlubber like myself. We're talking pretty much a whole squid. Perhaps this restaurant could live up to earlier reviews with some revitalization of the tired menu, tired staff, and tired building.
(2)
Stacey T.

I didn't really know that Austin had any good Italian restaurants (save Vespaio and Boticelli's). HAZAA! La Traviata is added to the list. The restaurant is small, err, intimate and cozy. Very un-Texas and enjoyable. Low lighting, dark linens, creeky wood floors. There is a long bar suitable for drinking or eating at. When the small cafe tables fill up I think this is where people opt to eat. They have nightly specials--soup, ravioli, and meat/fish. I had the beet ravioli special and HOLY SH*T. It was complex without being rich, and I don't even know how that's possible. Beet filled pasta, gorgonzola, walnuts, and arugula. I nearly killed the whole thing. It was a beet lovers dream. My SO had the lamb rigatoni, which I would have ordered if I hadn't heard the special. The meatballs were a little smaller than I imagined but still good (and salty). He devoured the plate until clean. I would love to return to try a seafood dish. They had mussels and clams on the menu. I'd be curious about their desserts as well. Fresh bread and olive oil on the table--just like it's supposed to be. Beer and win (by the glass or bottle). The server made an excellent recommendation based on my dish. A simply lovely experience. Efficient too.
(4)
Chris T.

I loved this place. I reserved the window table for a date. The atmosphere is very romantic and the service was great. I liked the menu because you can eat cheap or splurge. The food was great. I can't remember but I got some kind of pasta. I will definitely be going back. The only downside which has nothing to do with the restaurant is parking can be kind of difficult.
(5)
Jana M.

I drove by and knew I wanted to eat here. The design and decor and intimacy reminds me of all my favorite Italian restaurants I left in NYC. It was everything I hoped for. We made a reservation, but you can get full service at the bar on a wait. It was small, but not so tight you felt you were sitting in your neighbor's lap. I started with the special bruschetta of the night, topped with mushrooms, olives, a dash of truffle oil ... just enough ... and served with an arugula salad. I had the carpaccio for dinner and it was unlike any I'd had before. And this girl loves some carpaccio. It was served with the traditional frisee, parmesan salad, but also a grilled radicchio. Oh. My Word. Mixing it all together was one of the best things I've ever eaten. I cannot wait to go back and have it again. So original, yet still focused on flavor pairings. I also had a couple glasses of their Montepulciano. I don't know the specific bottle; most Montepulciano's are easy reds. Theirs did not disappoint. And to top off the food, the service was great. Our waitress was attentive, but without hovering. I highly recommend. Everything was great.
(5)
Christina T.

I was visiting Austin for my friends wedding and stopped by here Friday night for dinner. It was delicious. I had one of the seafood dishes and was struck by how fresh it was considering I was in the middle of the flat lands. They had big, generous portions and a nice wine list to choose from. If you're in the area, stop in and try some Italian food. The decor is cute and the service is very prompt.
(4)
Liz K.

Meh, at best. The server could not recommend a wine and didn't even really seem to know what we were asking her about when we did ask for a recommendation. Cold bread with plain olive oil to start. BASIC menu with nothing special on it and no great specials. Bland pastas and boring salmon. Absolutely empty at 7pm and right downtown. I'll pay $$$$ for good Italian food and I can confidently say this place is OVERPRICED. Disappointing place to take out-of-towners. :-(
(2)
Gregory K.

The Cioppino is great. Just like I had in San Francisco years ago. The Profiteroles are not to be missed. They will make you slap your mama they are so good.
(5)
Moto R.

Small but cozy! The Puttanesca looks great too! Glad a stuck with my first choice Cioppini San Francisco.
(5)
Errol M.

I'm going to tell you exactly what I was thinking as I was dining at La Traviata on a Thursday night: If I hadn't spent my late twenties and thirties fucking people over for money, which forced me to redeem & reinvent myself in my forties, would I now be in my fifties sharing an exquisite Carpaccio, Carbonara, and Cioppino with Melissa A? Probably not. That's precisely why moments like these are as good as it gets.
(5)
Mary L.

Small Italian place in Austin. One of the better places we tried. Wait staff was friendly and helpful. The mozzeralla salad was great, the carrot soup was comforting, and I can almost still taste the spicy sausage pasta. We had dinner there twice because we knew we were getting a good thing. Not sure why some diners gave it low scores. As critical as I can be, I would be happen if this place was in LA.
(4)
Sheldon O.

Food was disappointing. Everyone I was with was pretty bummed. The pasta I ordered said it came with fried artichoke hearts. I think it had one in it and it was shredded up and fried. Definitely would pass on this one if I had to do it all over again. No body finished their meals. We all felt the same way. Over priced and over rated.
(2)
Erin F.

Oh DAMN. I just love this place. The ambiance puts me at ease...something about the simplicity just feels so agreeable. But I'm writing about the carbonara - this is the stuff to daydream about - this exquisite & fattening bowl of pasta is just the Greatest. Had it elsewhere this week and was so crestfallen that it didn't measure up, not even remotely. I won't make that mistake again, LT. (And I even have a thing about eggs - as in "get that friggin egg off my pasta" and yet not only do I NOT say that when ordering, I eat it as it comes. Almost every bite, even when I'm mentally halving the dish for 'later.' Later never comes.)
(4)
Meg N.

I have been to La Traviata now a few times, and it hasn't disappointed yet. I got a little spoiled when I studied abroad in Italy, so I am pretty picky about my Italian food. This is the best I have found since being back in Texas. The Spaghetti alla Carbonara is exactly as it should be, egg yolk and all. It is creamy and flavorful - each bite is better than the last, and I didn't want it to end. On my last visit, my boyfriend had their Spaghetti alla Bolognese - I snuck in a few bites. Although I will remain ever faithful to my Carbonara, I was surprised by how much flavor they were able to pack into that Bolognese. It was smoky and rich - definitely pleasing to the tastebuds. Definitely worth the price. Plan on making a reservation (the restaurant is rather small) and staying for some time to just enjoy the flavors and sip wine. The lighting is romantic, and I think it is the perfect place to take a date for a little romance.
(5)
Donna C.

Service. Very good, not perfect, but nearly so. Price. A bit on the high side, but for the food and service, not unreasonable. Food. Very good. Duck Confit and Spaghetti alla Carbonara were very good. The potatoes with the duck were not cooked quite enough. The Carbonara was excellent. Mista salad had an excellent blend of flavor; the casear salad had a homemade dressing with a bit too much anchovy. Overall. Very good. Would consider coming back if I'm in Austin again!
(5)
Kandi M.

My friends & I actually located this restaurant on Yelp while visiting ATX. The food was amazing! I ordered the fettuccine con funghi. Rich, but DELICIOUS!!! My friend ordered the Pasta Norma which I sampled. The food/ingredients were very fresh! The restaurant was booked due to reservations, but we were lucky to find seats at the bar. I can't remember our bartender/server's name, but she was very friendly.
(4)
Kelly W.

I honestly can't remember what I had exactly but I remember loving it. The people I was with really enjoyed their food too and the patio was great for people watching and wine.
(4)
Colin S.

La Traviata is delicious. While a little too pricey for a graduate student to frequent, I came here for a Friday dinner and was quite impressed by this small restaurant on Congress. The wait staff was able to seat us earlier than our actual reservation and was extremely attentive throughout the night. I got the Fettuccine con Funghi and was completely blown away by the flavor. It's probably one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. The fresh bread tasted great dipped in the sauce. My only complaint was the surprisingly loud noise level, which made it almost impossible to hear each other at times.
(4)
Shannon D.

So we're rolling back up from a day in San Antonio and my GPS says there's going to be serious traffic on I-35. Now, I decide I've got two options. I can sit in traffic on 35, or I can cut through downtown and catch the Loop to 183. But hey, I says to myself, I'm going to be driving right past a bunch of awesome food places and it's almost dinner time. So maybe, just maybe, we can work something out here. I pop open the Yelp app and toss the iPhone to the wife because I AM A CAREFUL DRIVER AND DO NOT USE THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING UNLIKE YOU YOU MONSTER and command her to find us dinner. "What's that Italian place we've been meaning to try? La Traviata?" Done and done. It's Saturday at 6pm and we roll in with no reservations. The staff? Totally helpful. They offer us a table til 7pm if we don't mind moving things along or we can belly up to the bar and eat there. None of the eye-rolling or making us feel like troublemakers when we roll up at the start of the dinner hour on a Saturday night like "Yo." Which they have a right to do, I totally respect what a pain in the ass people like me are. Anyway, the food. This is, shall we say, subtle Italian where it's more about flavors and textures than it is "MAMMA MIA! WE'RE JUST GONNA THROW A SHITLOAD OF CHEESE ON HERE AND YOUR TASTE-A BUDS-A WILL LIKE IT!" Italian, if you know what I mean. I got the Spaghetti alla Bolognese. They even snuck a little bacon in it. That is your pro-tip from yours truly. And it is tasty. I'm not saying pop in on a Saturday during the dinner hour with no reservations, because that's totally my move, but this place is totally worth eating at.
(4)
Lisa N.

The best italian food I've tasted so far in the US. Amazing food!!! I had the seafood spaghetti with white wine and garlic. Done to perfection and very good seafood. They don't have this on the menu but they were able to combine the San Francisco with spaghetti. So very good. Very very good. I do highly recommend this place. Great location and everything is great!
(5)
Phoebe N.

We were really excited to try La Traviata on our last trip to Austin. We made reservations for 6 at 8pm. When we got there shortly before 8 the entire staff of the restaurant seemed very frazzled. They sat us at the bar stating that they were just going to get our table ready. We looked around and noticed that there werent any tables even close to being done but decided to just sit and wait. After 15 minutes with no service at the bar, I was finally able to call over one of the waiters and ask for menus and waters. When they came back with waters and the menu they simply said that they were too busy to be behind the bar. After an additional 15 minutes, I finally got the attention of another waiter and asked to order a bottle of wine. Again I was told that they were too busy to be behind the bar but after 5 more minutes they took my wine order. We finally got seated after nearly an hour of waiting. The server never asked if we wanted another bottle of wine or got as bread to start off with. While the food was rather good the service was so disappointing that none of us would ever go back here. They also charge a $4 fee for sharing plates and are unable to split bills more than once.
(1)
Colleen K.

Best food in Austin! Perfect balance of flavors, nothing overpowering every ingredient compliments the rest with out trying to hard authentic and something to miss when I leave Austin. The food alone can compete with LA's best , but when you add the waitstaff (Nicole, Isaac & the cute male mgr who's name escapes me), it's a no brainer. Did I mention the prices are very reasonable? They made my trip. Only place in Austin that gets 5 stars. And I hear Martha Stuart is a fan so I feel validated. Great wine! Try the Malbec & chicken piccata. I will miss this place! So will my husband.
(5)
Adriana H.

Amazing food! We were impressed with everything we ordered. Will definitely go back. One of the best Italians in Austin for sure.
(5)
Mark W.

My wife and I dropped in after enjoying the Trail of Lights. Out first time and it won't be the last! The restaurant has an intimate atmosphere and the food was outstanding. My wife had Cioppino and I had the rigatoni with spicy lamb meatballs. Both were excellent. The Service was friendly and professional.
(4)
Don R.

We have been to Italy four times and this place reminded us of some of the the quaint atmospheres we experienced all over Italy. This small space felt very inviting and comfortable. The only thing that might be a problem is noise if the place was packed. We were there when about have the restaurant was empty. The food was equally inviting. I had the Calamari Puttenesca which was spicy, salty and full of flavor that this sauce is noted for. The Calamari was not chewy as some dishes can be. My wife that the Bolognese which was very good but made with ground meat. So many great bolognese sauces are made with beef that has been simmered until it just falls apart. This was a minor glitch because the flavor was wonderful and over came the texture issue. Andrea was our wonderful server and guided us to a nice bottle of medium priced, full bodied Barbera. I would return if ever in Austin again.
(4)
Johnny S.

Wow what a great place. The Prosciutto di Parma is killer!!
(5)
Matt L.

One of the gems of Austin, a quaint stop along the hurry of Congress in the heart of downtown. I have stopped here several times, and the food is consistently great. It's also a rock solid recommendation for out-of-town guests looking for an Austin treasure. I have taken or directed friends here and have never gotten a poor review. The chicken parmesan carries a light crispy breading, and a spaghetti portion with a slightly sweet sauce. One portion feeds two if you seek a lighter dinner. The spaghetti carbonara is another hit. Splendidly presented with fresh green onion strips atop, the nest-like portion is hard to eat for fear of destroying its beauty. A very reliable downtown stop with a cozy--if a little noisy--atmosphere. The small seating area means it can be difficult to get in, but don't let that slow you. I scored a table for 4 on a Friday night during SxSW as a walk-in. The table right of the door in the nook by the window is a special place, definitely date-worthy. Admirable service, fantastic food and a great atmosphere nestled along Congress. Check it out with my recommendation.
(5)
Sonia R.

I have never written a review but felt compelled to do so because this place was lacking in several areas. Our waitress had a smug look the entire time. No smile. Not very friendly. We asked her to make some wine suggestions and she acted bothered that we did. We ordered the prosciutto di Parma as an appetizer. The endive it was served on had a wilted texture. My Caesar salad was really good. My friend ordered a mista salad which was nothing more than some spring mix with hazelnuts on it, for 8 bucks! My carbonara was pretty good, nothing exceptional. My friend ordered the rigatoni. The sauce had a jarred taste and the lamb meatballs were dry and tough. My poor boyfriend had to order two dishes. He tried the hangar steak first. It was very well done and tasted more like roast beef than hangar steak. The polenta it came with was bland and gloppy. It was also served with some unidentifiable wilted greens that were greasy and not seasoned. He sent this back and opted for the bolognese. It was barely sauced. The sauce itself was like a thin broth with some ground meat in it. Pretty bland and boring. He gave up at this point as he NEVER sends anything back and was embarrassed to do it the first time, wasn't going to do it a second time. We ordered some desserts hoping something would be edible for my boyfriend. We got the chocolate torte, Italian pound cake, and tiramisu. The chocolate torte was dry and crumbly...fell apart when touched with the fork. The pound cake was hard and gritty...almost like a corn bread. The tiramisu was pretty good except they showered it heavily in hazelnuts. Overall for what we spent I will NEVER go back to this place. For the money go to Vespaio! They never disappoint.
(2)
Jessica P.

Came here with Manfriend while we were on a road trip and had stopped in Austin for a night. Ho-ly-Cow, the food here was fantastic! We had been warned that the wait would be really long, but we showed up shortly after 9pm and were able to get a table immediately (I find this is a good strategy in general for super busy/popular restaurants). I took the recommendations of other reviewers here and ordered the spaghetti alla carbonara, and it was everything I had hoped for. Creamy, rich, delicious. We also split two wonderful appetizers, the crispy polenta and the prosciutto di parma with endives. Again, wow! With the exception of a lousy wine recommendation from the waiter, it was the perfect meal. If you are in Austin and don't mind a long wait or a late dinner, this spot is a memorable dining experience.
(5)
Kat M.

I don't know if the hubby and I went on an off day, but we found the food and service to be subpar. We were really looking forward to eating here after a coworker of mine was raving about it. My lasagna was so inedible, I actually sent it back. This has not happen in years. My hubby, who is way less picky than me, also found it yuck. Chef Boyarde is much better. I sware. It was a gross, mushy mess. My hubby's pasta with cream sauce, peas and pancetta was mediocre. I could make much better at home. At least it was edible. They replaced my lasagna with an eggplant pasta. It was again subpar and I just left it on my plate. The hubby didn't want it either. The eggplant was hard and way undercooked. The only thing yummy was the bread. The waiter kind of gave me the creeps and was not gracious upon me sending the lasagna back. Needless to say, I will not be back.
(2)
Lexi E.

Perfect lasagna.
(4)
Tori M.

You would literally have to go outside of the US to find better Italian food! I absolutely love this place! I can't remember the name of my favorite dish, but its an amazing seafood ciopinno (maybe San Francisco something?). Anyway, every time I go, its better than I remember it!! Consistently great food! I do prefer to go on weeknights though because it tends to get a little crowded and noisy, but thats just a personal preference. If going on a weekend, remember to make reservations and enjoy! You won't regret going!
(5)
whit e.

I steered a dear friend over here for dinner the other evening over his reluctance, because he had previously had a mediocre meal there. They very soon redeemed themselves with their reliable Fettucine con Funghi (with mushrooms and truffle oil). If you enjoy truffle oil, you'd be hardly mistaken to just stop right there on the menu and order that. I ordered my old standard, the Carbonara. The carbonara is quite lovely with guanciale (or pancetta), green onions and a healthy portion of parmesean . It has a raw egg sitting in a cradle of pasta for mixing in. I find the egg artistic and daring, albeit gimmicky. I find the Fettucine con Funghi and Spaghetti al Carbonara so irresistible, that's all I order here. I will say, the Carbonara's charm fades as you get to about 3/4 through the dish, mostly because I think I'll be in the minority to say there is a bit too much guanciale (or is it pancetta?). As such, it's tempting to share it, but how could I realistically eat 3/4 of a shared dish?
(4)
Bruce N.

Great Italian food in downtown Austin. My wife and I have eaten here a few times. Fantastic Carbonara, just don't worry about the calories. Great service. It can really fill up fast in the evenings; so make a reservation even on weeknights.
(5)
jen f.

If I could give zero stars, I would. I had an experience with the General Manager Chris and a member of his waitstaff that will keep me happily away of this place forever. Our group grew from a party of 5 to a party of 12 and rather than offering any options of accommodating us - they simply said no. They absolutely refused to seat more than 5 people at the table that could easily seat 8. The rest of us could have sat at the bar together. They did appreciate my suggestions and accused me of verbally abusing his wait staff and threatened to call the police. I'll never return and rather than send the visiting people that I meet everyday and give recommendations to - to the restaurant like I did before, I will make certain to steer them away. These people do not have a customer service gene in there bodies and that guy Chris shouldn't be running a restaurant.
(1)
Pam G.

One word, carbonara. It is heavenly! My DH and I stopped in for dinner at La Traviata on a recent trip to Austin. We didn't have a reservation, but we were happy to sit at the bar for dinner. It's a cozy little spot and the bartender was extremely friendly. We had a beautiful bottle of champagne. We like to split multiple courses when we go out and they had no problem with that. The menu says that there is a $4 split plate charge, but they didn't charge us. Maybe that is because we told them we didn't need it split on separate plates or maybe it was because we bought a $130 bottle of wine?! We had the caesar salad to start. I don't remember anything about it, so I guess it was just an average caesar salad. Its either that or it was just so overshadowed by the carbonara. I literally considered going back again the next night for the carbonara again! That is saying a lot because I am rarely interested in eating the same thing 2 days in a row. The carbonara comes all piled up like a really tall birds nest with an egg yolk nestled in the top of the nest. The pasta is perfectly cooked and it is just creamy and delicious. There is no way I could go back here and order something different, and I do plan to go back the next time I am in Austin!
(4)
Caitlin M.

I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. We made a late reservation and our table was ready and waiting when we arrived. The staff was extremely attentive and friendly. One person in my party wasn't completely satisfied with his entree (mildly overcooked garlic - we're picky Italians) so they quickly replaced it with another, no questions asked. The second dish was fantastic, as were the other entrees at our table. The atmosphere was pleasant and we were able to talk easily. I'm pleased that I could take my out-of-town relatives to a lovely dinner with beautiful Austin streets as a backdrop.
(5)
Jen J.

So yummy. Best place in Austin for Italian. I love the polenta and all the salads are amazing. You can't go bad with any of the pastas.
(5)
Hiya C.

La Traviata is my #1 intimate date/dinner spot. It's nestled right into Congress and when you walk in you feel like you've stepped into a completely different atmosphere. It's perfect for conversation with a significant other or a group of girlfriends. I love the Chicken Parmesan and Fettucine Con Funghi. Most items on the menu are pretty delicious but the best part is the ambiance of the restaurant. It's just so romantic and wonderful.
(5)
Patrick F.

I haven't done a review in years... But I just had the Carbonara here and it was the jam. Lots of carbs, lots of Nara, awesome.
(5)
Ryan H.

We have had several excellent meals here. Lunch and then just recently dinner. Lunch has some excellent sandwiches and lunch portions that are not on the dinner menu. The dinner menu is filled with tasty Italian dishes. We had the homemade ravioli, mushroom fettuccine, chicken parm, and a spicy lamb meatballs and ziti. For lunch the ravioli is excellent and of course my favorite is the prosciutto panini. Desserts were excellent as well. Be prepared, the place is small and that has several implications, especially at dinner. They seem to book the dinner reservations in waves. So that everyone eats their meal at the same time. I think this works quite well and is pretty unique. Dinner reservations are a must on the weekends. With the small space, the tables are spaced tightly. Don't expect an intimate dinner, except for one or two special tables. And finally, since the space is small and the tables tight, it can become kind of loud. But it is loud from people just enjoying themselves and their company. I think it adds to the atmosphere, not detracts.
(5)
Ed D.

My wife didn't really understand why I wanted to go back here, until she tried my carbonara. Now she is hooked! It is amazing, the egg compliments the dish fantastically. I can't really say anything about any of the other entrees, because it would be impossible to get anything else after trying that dish. At our last visit we both had appetizers. My wife went with the steamed mussels. We have never had bad steamed mussels, and this was no exception. They were steamed nicely, and the sauce had a light spice to it that gave them just enough kick without overpowering them. I had the caprese salad (not on the menu, a special). The mozzarella was soft and the tomatoes were flavorful. It's a nice smaller restaurant, not a cavernous place with 75 tables. It's not particularly quiet because of the close quarters, but we don't have to yell at each other to be heard, even with a full restaurant. The service was pretty good, although with such a small place you almost expect them to take your time with you, have a conversation and just show more personal attention. I don't care either way as long as the carbonara keeps coming hot and fresh! I think it's a great place to go for a Friday night date or even a somewhat special occasion. A great place and perfect change of pace from the usual (ie, expensive) nice restaurants downtown!
(5)
Anastasia B.

I got salmon to go. The portion was too small. The dish itself was all about salmon, so you'd think that there would be a couple of substantial pieces.. I got robbed. And they're not very good at packaging their to-go stuff. It leaked and was just a mess. Cooked well.
(3)
Darla A.

I do not rave about a lot of restaurants, but I Loved, Loved, Loved this place. Very NY bistro meets be still my Italian heart I was in Cork & Company having drinks with an out of town friend in the mood for Italian food. I whipped out my iPhone and did a little Urbanspoon magic... 3 pizza places later... this popped up and just a few doors down. We were seated immediately. They use EVERY inch of seating in this place and it was getting packed. We had a nice, but small table next to the door at the window. I was glad to see the ledge, because we had to use it for the extra room. So worth it though. After perusing the menu and not sure what to get... specials were read to us. I heard sea bass... and I knew. Not sure what the other ones were, because sea bass was all I had to hear. Primi... we split the beef carpaccio with fried radicchio (Not sure why one would fry radicchio... but it was fab). OMG... it had truffle oil, thick pieces of shaved parmesan, toasted pinenuts and a mound of arugula. We also ordered one of the house salads (had gorgonzola in it) to split. Had we known there would have been so many greens with the carpaccio... it would have sufficed. All yummy. Not sure what I liked more, the sea bass or the carpaccio. The sea bass came with an array of veges, carrots, fiddlehead fern, swiss chard, finger potatoes (and some other stuff). Loved it. Perfectly cooked. Fantastic food, great use of in season produce and Texas products. The servers were friendly and courteous. This is really a must try restaurant, if you have not. The nice part... you can enjoy a walk down Congress and around the capitol and downtown after dinner.
(5)
Patrick J.

I will say that the pasta is amazing....but when you come in the front door you will immediately be pissed off with the way the tables are set up in the dinning room. You literally have 6 inches between you and the next set of strangers. Having a private meal here is impossible. This place does have one saving grace, the price is pretty reasonable, my girl friend and I walked put for less than 100$ and that included a bottle of wine, appetizer and desert.
(2)
Kelly B.

My new favorite place for pasta! It was so delicious!!! Must try the Spaghetti alla Carbonara.
(5)
Kristen B.

This was quite possibly the best restaurant I visited while in Austin for SXSW 2010. I had penne pasta with eggplant, tomatoes, and cheese. It was delightful. The place is fairly small, and it was was pretty packed, but service was friendly and speedy. I saw lots of desserts being delivered to nearby tables and they all looked divine, but unfortunately I didn't have any room left after polishing off my pasta! Maybe next time.
(4)
Stiv L.

this is a gem of a place on Congress. Doesn't really cater to the hipsters nor the stuffy old money crowd. It reminds me of bustling fairly quaint restaurants that are just beyond the reaches of financial districts like in San Francisco. Nice ambiance and service was satisfactory. But I think people really go here for the food. the Spaghetti alla Carbonara and Rigatoni with Spicy Lamb Meatballs are delicious. Pasta is fresh and the meatballs were delectable. I'd have to say the Carbonara here is the benchmark. Wine selection is broad and surprise...not insanely priced! Great expereince and solid - definitely worth going to again.
(4)
Michael L.

Stopped in on a Thursday night without a reservation and luckily they were able to accommodate our party. The restaurant has a nice feel...very inviting and a nice bar. In fairness, I did not sample any of the non-pasta entrees. But of the 3 pastas I did try, none of them impressed. The ravioli special was a simple cheese ravioli with a tomato cream sauce. The stuffing was light and fluffy and tasty, however the actual pasta was hardened and could have been mistaken for frozen. The second pasta was the Penne with Roasted Eggplant. Overall, it had a decent flavor, but too heavy on the garlic and way too heavy on the oil. Last pasta I tried was the Rigatoni with spicy lamb meatballs. This dish had the best flavors, but the spiciness of the meatball overpowered the lamb. However, the meatballs were a nice consistency and the flavors pretty good. This was the winner of the 3. I sampled 2 appetizers. The Beet and Arugula Salad and the Polenta. The Polenta was quite tasty....a creamy, yet salty, Gorgonzola sauce over a brick of Polenta. Good flavors...well done! The beet salad was fair. The beets were sparse and flavorless. A nice surprise was the bounty of fresh arugula, however it was dressed with an overly vinegary dressing. Also the nuts and goat cheese were sparse. This flavor combination of ingredients is normally a winner, but this salad fell flat. A couple of other things added to my underwhelming experience. Bread and wine. The bread was poor. An Italian restaurant should have good bread. End of story. They didn't 2) Wine. While the selections were priced fairly, it is a very limited list. Glassware is poor and the server poured the wine almost to the rim of the glass. Had the food delivered, I would have easily overlook the bread... the wine list.... the service. While nothing I sampled was off putting, everything but the Polenta was bland and uninspired. I understand this isn't necessarily fine dining or creative cuisine, however based on the Yelp reviews and Zagat reviews, I expected delicious, solid Italian food. They didn't deliver. I''ll give them another shot and try some of the other entrees. Hopefully this was just an off night.
(2)
Kaitlyn A.

Im going to go ahead and give the place 5 stars. I am from houston and came to auston to celebrate my birthday tuesday (oct 28th). Having read the comments i wanted to try it out and boy am i glad i did. It was small and cozy and the food oh gosh the food was incredible!! I definitely need to keep this place in mind. My only complaint was the service. The poor guy was the only server there. I as a waitress understand how much it sucks being in the weeds and having no one to help. Other than that everything was awesome!!!
(5)
Katherine P.

Great food! Great prices! Great ambiance! I'm just here for a convention and walked to this retrains from my hotel and I'm glad I did! If you like Italian give this place a try!
(5)
Christopher S.

This is the best Italian restaurant in Austin! I have been coming here for over 5 years. Last visit, the prosciutto di Parma, fettuccine con fungi, and rigatoni with spicy lamb meatballs are delicious.
(5)
Vara P.

This is a good place for vegetarians. I went with a group of 6. We had great service, and the food was good. It's not "the best", but it's good, and definitely on the more healthy side, which I appreciate. There were plenty of options for vegetarians, and we even managed to find an option for the vegan in our party. I had a penne pasta with eggplant and a tomato sauce. It was nice. Not too filling. For dessert I tried the tiramisu. It was fluffy, and had plenty of espresso. Other friends in the party tried the chocolate cake, and that sounded more wow than the tiramisu. Like most downtown Austin spots, the space is small, and the majority of the seating was for parties of 2 or 3. We went early, so we were easily accommodated, but this may not be the best spot for larger parties.
(4)
Michael O.

I have to give this place the illustrious 5 stars. Food was exceptional. We started with a Caesar salad a cup of soup. The Cesar salad was definitely better than average on a crisp wedge. The soup was a carrot and creme that was delicious. For our entrees we had the carbonara and rigatoni with spicy lamb meatballs. We skipped on desert because we were so full. Very hearty portions. If you're looking for good Italian is Austin, Carmelo's isn't the only place downtown. See if you can request the window table to take in downtown Congress Ave. Great for a date night or a decent gathering. It's a fairly small place with a quaint and relaxed vibe.
(5)
Larry E.

Best Bolognese and Carbonare I have had since I moved back to Austin. Every thing ls good but try these fires! Get there before 1115 as it is a small place and very plopular
(5)
Julia K.

Hands down favorite restaurant in Austin! We frequented La Traviata at least once a week for the last 5 years and since moving out of Austin recently, miss it dearly. We always order the Caesar salad, rigatoni, and carbonara...perfect date night with leftovers! Also love that they have the blood orange San Pellegrino. Prices are very affordable and the atmosphere is much less pretentious than most restaurants in Austin. Call for a reservation at least a day before and try to get the tables by the windows for great people watching on Congress. If there are no tables available, grab a seat at the bar - first come first serve! We've been through many different rounds of server turnover but the food is always delicious and La Traviata will be the first stop when we find ourselves back in Austin!
(5)
Katrina T.

The only reason I gave this place four stars is because their portion sizes are too small for my liking. The food is delicious, but I feel they are overpriced. I get the Pasta Norma everything, which is amazing. If their serving sizes were bigger, I would definitely give them five stars. The interior is very nice, and the staff always give great service.
(4)
Jenna V.

My husband so kindly took my mom and I here for dinner while she was in town. It was completely dead inside except for one older couple when we arrived. That meant our server was much more attentive, which is nice. I ordered the bolognese. The waiter let me know that it was going to be served with angel hair pasta instead of spaghetti, which I thought was odd. How does am Italian place not have spaghetti? I have to say that angel hair is not my favourite which didn't help when I got the dish. The sauce was very smokey tasting, which didn't overly appeal to my taste buds. I felt it was too overpowering of a taste, but that didn't mean it was a bad dish, just not my personal preference. I took a bite of the cheese ravioli which was quite tasty. This place was just okay for me. I think in this situation, I unfortunately ordered something that didn't happen to cater to my taste buds!
(3)
Cate C.

I love this cozy place. The ambience is perfect. I love their carbonara and zucchini salad. I love those dishes so much that I still haven't had a chance to try other items on the menu...
(5)
Leslie F.

Good Italian food can be hard to find. Look no further. This place is delicious! Great ambience, friendly service, and the spaghetti a la carbonara is fantastic!!
(5)
Joe L.

Came highly recommemded. Slow service, ok food...not great. I had the cioppino san francisco. Octopus and calamari was like rubber bands. Waiter was untrained. Beer was lukewarm served in a hot glass. Waiter said they were "very busy". Obviously he had not worked at a subway or a mcdonalds (but probably will)
(2)
Matt N.

This is a great little date-night spot. The mussels are delightful. I suggest them to anyone who comes here. The restaurant can get a bit crowded, but the food is good. Much better than many of the cut-rate Italian restaurants in Austin.
(4)
Erich D.

We read the reviews & thought we were getting a romantic quiet ambiance. There is no way you can get that when you are less than 2 feet between each table. The bread was stale, Caesar salad decent, ravioli over cooked and rigatoni was undercooked. Ice tea cup had to be asked to be filled 3 times. With so many great restaurants in Austin, go elsewhere.
(2)
W E.

Came here with an out-of-town relative and everyone was satisfied with the experience. I ordered the carbonara and it was great! Be aware that it does come with a raw egg cracked on top, but you can ask for the egg to be cooked in with the sauce if you want. The hazelnut chocolate torte was excellent for dessert. Seating was a bit tight. Our group of three was wedged in sort of an odd corner booth which was okay, but not optimal. Our waiter was attentive and the food came out reasonably quickly. I would come to this restaurant again if I were in the mood for slightly fancy Italian food.
(4)
Cindy B.

Very cute Italian bistro in downtown Austin! Had a craving for Italian food (pasta specifically) and glad I found this restaurant. Great decor and happy staff. Food is excellent and service was great! Would come back again!
(4)
Sarah M.

La Traviata was a delight. It is nestled in downtown Austin, and the ambiance alone was lovely. Exposed brick walls and chandeliers make this a great choice for date night, girls' night with wine, or 'I really want to eat some tasty pasta at an adorable locale by myself' night. No one can hate La Traviata-it is adorable and delicious. My husband and I were seated at a table for two near the wall and swiftly received water and were able to place drink orders. Our appetizer selection was the Prosciutto di Parma. The prosciutto itself was nice, but the Belgian endive was more bitter than I care for. However, you can skip ordering an appetizer since the bread brought to the table is warm and partnered with olive oil. Delish. My spouse ordered the infamous Spaghetti alla Carbonara and I opted for the Fettucine con Funghi. Spoiler: my husband won dinner that night. The Carbonara ( i had two bites of it...he was far more generous with that morsel than I might have been:)), and it was an incredibly flavorful, delicious dish. He said that is was rich-it was heavy indeed. And the two bites that I had made me want to grab the bowl, run out of the restaurant, and finish the rest solo. But I did not. #classylady My choice was very tasty! I anticipated that the dish would have a creamier sauce. it resembled a 'stew' more than a Fettucini Alfredo. It was very flavorful, and I would order it again. Maybe. Let's be honest-I would actually very much like to order the Spaghetti alla Carbonara. Everyday. We ended the evening with the ricotta cheesecake. Lemon-y deliciousness. All in all, a great evening at a restaurant with charming atmosphere, a varied and DELICIOUS menu, and decent prices.
(4)
Deanna C.

Seriously the best Italian food I've ever had. I was never a fan of chicken parmesan but this place completely changed my mind. Make sure to make reservations they get booked up quickly!
(5)
Fabs C.

Amazing! Try the spaghetti carbonara, it is hands one of the best I have had. The group I was with loved it and I recommend it to everyone and they always report back that they would go back!!
(5)
Mark E.

Went for my bday last Saturday. Crowded! Good for them. Got seats at the bar. Bartender was very engaging and polite. Ordered the bolognese and carbonara. I've had both that were really good in in other places. Both were better! Wine was good too. Excellent place. Really crowded but I guess that tells you something. I'd go back tonight!
(5)
Z F.

Food over all was pretty good, chicken parm and Caesar salad I recommend the spaghetti was not all that. If you do after 7 and don't have reservation don't expect to get a table. Literally 6:45 showed up then 20 mins later place was PACKED, so only come if you have reservation!
(4)
Anthony D.

La Traviata is underrated in my opinion. When folks in Austin think of Italian, they unfortunately jump right to Big Brother V on South Congress. The pasta at Traviata is always made to perfection, and creates an excellent value ! The wine list could use a refresh, the room is definitely old school Austin, but Traviata is great for any occasion to dine out in Austin. Highly recommend La Traviata
(4)
Kimberly P.

In town for a race and looking for pasta near my hotel. Backspace was the first place that came up on Yelp, but they don't serve pasta. Next try was La Traviata, which was very good. I was interested in the rigatoni with spicy lamb meatballs, but the menu description said it included a bit of cream sauce. I mention this to the bartender/server, since I don't want dairy the night before the race, and he says no problem. They made the dish without the cream sauce and it was delicious! The price was $16, about what you'd pay for standard pasta at a chain restaurant, but so much tastier.
(4)
Cynthia C.

Came here on Saturday night for a mini-celebration with the husband. MUST: GET RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE. lucky for me, husband made 8pm reservations a few days before b/c when we sat down to eat.... the restaurant filled up fast & more than a few parties had walked in & walked out due to lack of tables (even at 9pm) Make sure to give yourself and extra 15mins to find parking & walk to the restaurant. Congress is crowded in the evenings! Atmosphere: crowded... simple, elegant decorations. there's also a full bartop where walk-ins can dine. Dress: like most of Austin, they don't discriminate if you come in wearing casual street wear, but you won't feel out of place if you decide to doll up Food: Bread & olive oil brought to the table- don't waste your stomach space on this. bread was dry & hard. olive oil was OK- no seasoning added to it (no parm. or balsamic vinegar or herbs, so pretty bland) We ordered the prosciutto di parma. Thin slices of prosciutto ontop of endives + thinly sliced scallions + parmesan + truffle oil; olives on the side. Not the best prosciutto I've ever had, but it was decent. Presented well & very compatible flavors. Comes with 7 of them... so you'll have to fight for the last one :D Spaghetti alla Carbonara- you can read all the reviews that others have written... because I agree with them all. DELICIOUS. full of FLAVOR. EXTRA CREAMY. not for the health-conscious. if you have high cholesterol, stay away. BUT SO WORTH IT. Spaghetti alla Bolognese- I decided to venture out of my norm of Carbonara to see what else La Traviata has to offer. The bolognese was very good- flavorful, hearty with lots of meat sauce. but after having a bite of my husband's Carbonara... I really couldn't concentrate on this one b/c I kept thinking how I wanted another bite of the Carbonara. Value: Portions were very filling for both dishes. We didn't have room for dessert. Freshly made spaghetti in both dishes gives extra value/bonus points--- for $15/dish, it blows Olive Garden and any other Chain Italian place out of the water. Overall: For the pasta, I'll be back. Can't vouch for other dishes, but I've been back again & again for the Carbonara. And probably will be... as long as my doctor OK's it.
(4)
A T.

The Caprese Salad should have been served chilled. The tomato was too ripe and mushy with no crispness. A major flaw is the chopped basil. I suspected they did this to hide the freshness of the basil, but it's hard to hide it from the taste buds. Caprese Salads are representative of the Italian flag colors and to see the green chopped into tiny bits was sad. A whole slice of mozzarella, tomato, and a whole leaf basil all chilled is how this should be served. Freshness is the key to this dish.
(3)
Ari O.

I came here awhile back, so I don't know if a lot has changed since, but I loved it when I went. Reminds me of NY. Small and cute. Loved it! I got the chicken parmesan and the hubby got veal piccata. Both were excellent! It was if they melted in our mouths. Teeth were not a necessary thing that evening. I'd love to go back soon to see if they still got it.
(5)
Julianna S.

This place is not bad. I'd recommend eating at the bar if possible as the service tends to be better there. Last time I was there I did not sit at the bar. The waitstaff did not appear to know anything about the winelist - several waitresses stood reading a bottle if wine to figure out where it was from, before I asked to just read it myself. I ended up bussing my dishes over to the bar myself because my table was filing up with used/empty dishes. They sent our appetizer to the wrong table - whatever it happens. They held several conversations about it at our table with each other and us. That was not necessary. I prefer when waitstaff attend to my table to provide service. Holding their on convos about my order that someone else is eating really did not constitute "service", but gave me a good chuckle. Maybe they had there B team out that Saturday eve. They could probably use a station for the menus and glasses. The setup they have is very awkward for the waitstaff and doesn't add to the athmosphere. They have menus set out on chairs tucked under the bar, blocking the waitresses reach of the glasses. It caused one of the gals to break a glass. She came over and apologized for that. We went there for a company party one time and they special made the salmon for me dairy-free. I received the best service I've had here in that group setting. I've been here 5+ times over the years. Nowadays I always order the mussels and the pasta aglio e olio with shrimp. (These are the dishes that the waitstaff say they can serve dairy-free.) The mussels were a little chewy last time but the flavor was still nice. The pasta was same as every other time - hot and filling. Shrimp are cooked properly. They add some breadcrumbs on too to make it a little crunchy. Pasta served al dente. They're not in Open Table, but you can call ahead. I tried doing that last time I went and they never returned my call so my reservation wasn't taken and I ended it with a less than awesome table with very kind but not spectacular service. I'd generally prefer to eat at home, but if I can't muster the energy, this is a fine spot for food. I'm sure I'll stop in again, hopefully for a quick bite at the bar next time.
(3)
Margot V.

We have been to every restaurant on Congress and somehow missed this one.. Wow! We had to wait so we ordered a Cappacino. It was creamy and perfectly brewed. We were seated right next to the bar and it was a little tight but the food made up for it. We split a pizza and pasta dish that the waiter recommended.. Delicious.. I love home slice but this was Italian pizza.. Just enough cheese and garlic.. We will be back!!
(5)
Michael R.

Great Italian! Food was great, imaginative meno, capacious with fried radicchio was awesome. Reasonably priced. Noisy though...
(4)
Aarti P.

I love Italian food, this place delivers exceptional Italian food. The crispy polenta and gorgonzola starter made me a believer, in that using stinky cheese the right way creates a delectable sauce. You will want to mop up every last drop with the polenta and then bread. The first time we went, there were 4 of us, each ordered a different entree. Every dish was delicious. There are very few places in Austin that we get perfectly cooked pasta. Here they get it, al dente. I'm addicted!! The Spaghetti Carbonara is out of this world. It is the dish that keeps me going back for more. It has a perfect balance of creamy richness, mild onion flavour imparted from the green onion and a touch of zesty lemon. Being vegetarian, it is also a treat to have choices. Most of their pastas can be tweaked to become veggie. The starters and entrees are so delicious that we have yet to have had room to indulge in the desserts. Next time!! The space is beautiful. Comfortable, cosy with a great lively buzz. When alone, their full service bar is a nice spot to grab a meal, have a chat with the friendly bar staff and possibly get introduced to a wine that you never knew existed. I'll be back :)
(5)
Anastacia M.

We came here last week and just sort of stopped by without making reservations. They actually found is a table in about 10 minutes. They were so awesome to do that. We were seated and the waitress was very nice. The inside of the restaurant was quite beautiful. It had a romantic feeling to it. We ordered some beer and then my fiance had the Cioppino alla San Francisco (seafood stew) and I had the Fettuccine con Funghi (add some shrimp). The pasta tasted fresh. Unfortunately I have to give my dish 3.5 stars and the same with the seafood stew. I'm giving them 4 stars overall beacuse last time I ordered their Spaghetti alla Carbonara and its hands down their best dish. Their steamed mussels are also nice to try as an appetizer.
(4)
John O.

Raiding my score best Italian food in Texas! Great wine list, I had the Spaghetti bolognese , the wife muscles and my daughter Fetucinni , plus the mozzarella was fantastic .... go here
(5)
D M.

The service was great-- very polite and friendly. The food was amazing. The ravioli was the best, and the Fettuccine Con Funghi was great as well. I would LOVE this place if there wasn't a fee for splitting a meal. I usually don't share meals; I have a big appetite, but my friend and her sister do it all the time. This is the first place I go to that does that. Not cool. I also understood that they would only split a check no more than once or if they do split it between more people they would charge you? ...something like that... I just don't see why they need to overcharge customers for simple tasks? I will come back, but I'll be sure to bring cash.
(3)
Claudia C.

Quick service and good food... Perfect place for lunch... The customer service is superb! I had the daily special and it was more than what I expected...
(4)
Cory K.

A lot of people think this place is overrated, but what I like about La Traviata is that the menu is simple, the foods are prepared traditionally using great ingredients, and the flavors are spot on. I've never been wowed by anything extravagant or innovative here, but that's not what they're about. This restaurant creates a comfortable environment that fades away to allow you to enjoy the pleasure of sharing good food with friends.
(4)
Tiziana C.

Being born and raised in Italy, it is often difficult to judge Italian food in the States. But I must say La Traviata is pretty darn close. I was surprised to find Penne Alla Norma, which is a typical Sicilian dish. It was pretty good but it lacked a major component: ricotta salata. The Carbornara was pretty good with its own interesting take on it - yolk on top. I wish the pancetta was a little softer and not so crispy. I was also happy hat the food wasn't smothered with garlic.
(4)
Huy N.

La Traviata is an Italian restaurant in downtown Austin. It is one of many italian restaurants in Austin. As well as one of the many actually in the downtown area. What stands out about them is they are one of the top 2 best italian restaurants I ever been too. The other is Olive and June. I ordered the Spaghetti alla Bolognese and my friend ordered the Fettuccine con Funghi. Both were pretty amazing and we cleared our plates. The prices here are very affordable especially for the downtown area. This is a great place to go to for a great meal and to able to go to the bars downtown afterwards.
(5)
Sandi B.

Amazing!!! Everything was unbelievable and the waiters recommendation was spot on. Small and attentive staff.
(5)
Julie Y.

I went here for my birthday, and the pasta was amazing!!! I had the Spaghetti Alla Carbonara and for dessert I had some kind of chocolate and ice cream, cream puff contraption. I really loveddddd the pasta. I am a HUGE fan of Italian food. However, the dessert was a little too flowy, and I felt like they didn't really put that much effort into it. The ambience is incredibly romantic and cozy. I hope to visit again!
(4)
Jennifer B.

Started with the delicious Cesaer salad and then finished off with their wonderful three cheese ravioli in a creamy truffle sauce. Delicious and rich! I know their ravioli selections change each day. Hoping to be back on truffle cream sauce night!
(4)
Adrienne P.

This was my second time eating here and it was excellent! It was date night, so my gf went all out. We started with the Prince island Mussels and I gotta say, they're a must. She ordered the hangar steak with polenta and damn I wish I'd done the same. I ordered the rigatoni with lamb meatballs, which was great, but paled in comparison to her steak. We finished off with the Panna Cotta, my first choice, her last, and while the texture and flavor was amazing, they finished it off with some orange liqueur(?) reminding us of a "dreamsicle". Everything was excellent, staff was great, the maÃ®tre d sat us down without a reservation, and the ambience truly is amazing. Would def recommend for a date night, or when you're trying to impress in-laws.
(4)
Shelby D.

Not wheelchair friendly! Attempted to go here with my brother who is in a wheelchair. The aisles are too small to fit a wheelchair down, and when we asked for a table by the door we were denied because the tables were reserved for a date...despite the fact that there were over 10 tables available. Just a bit ridiculous if you ask me! Most restaurants we visit are far more accommodating, like La Taverna down the street!
(1)
Heather F.

There are several reasons why La Traviata is a great place to get Italian food in Austin. For one thing we don't have a lot of great Italian in our town though there are some standouts, La Traviata being one of them. La Traviata is really beautiful, with exposed brick walls and a small, intimate tables. This would be a great date place or just a great place to come enjoy some pasta and a glass of wine at the bar. One of the main reasons why La Traviata is great is because of its owner and Chef Marion Gilcrist. All of her dishes on the menu are of her own creation, and she takes care in what ingredients go into each dish, looking to source locally as much as she can. The world of cooking and chefs is very male dominated, and Chef Gilcrist is aware of this which is why when you glance into the kitchen of La Traviata you will find that everybody who prepares the food from the head chef to the sous chef is female, something that she has always purposely done. Go Marion! The pasta dishes use a lot of cream, including the traditional stuff like spaghetti bolognese so be aware of that though it makes them taste so good. Since this is fine dining and not the Olive Garden you don't get free salad with your dinner, nor can you pay $3 to add a salad on. If you want salad with your pasta you will have to pay full price for a normal sized salad so just be aware of that. You do get complimentary bread before your meal with olive oil. Dinners run mid-range pricing from $13-$20 each. Parking is street parking.
(4)
Suzanne W.

We celebrated a friend's birthday here and everyone was happy. The roasted beet salad is delicious and fresh tasting. I ordered the mushroom fettucine and loved it. Others had the carbonara and spaghetti. The wine list is extensive but won't break the bank. The atmosphere is charming and warm. This is Austin at it's best.
(5)
Sarah B.

Absolutely incredible food. Incredible. We got five or six dishes and ate them family style and they were all so good. I am not a huge fan of just getting one dish and sticking with it, and thankfully my friends are not either! We got the Carbanara which was rich, and satisfying and the bacon was crispy and I loved it. We also got the Veal Piccatta which was creamy, yet had a great citrus taste to break through the richness. The Chicken Parmesan was cooked perfectly and whatever they bread it with was exceptional. Not a huge fan of gigantic reviews, so I will leave it at this. Definitely recommend 10/10.
(4)
Ray H.

Really solid food. Try the steak salad with truffle dressing. You won't be sorry.
(4)
Mark X.

I'm just gonna go ahead and give this place five stars. First off, it's this small and cozy place on congress between 3rd and 4th. The second my friend and I walked in, we gasped because we didn't expect it to be so nice. We got a seat at the window right next to the streets, which was another plus. The waitress was really friendly and she introduced us to the specials. My friend and I started off with some wine and bread. Their bread was really good. It got me all hungry and I was craving more food. I really wanted pasta today so I was looking into that. After 10 minutes of intense inner debate, I finally decided on the Spaghetti alla Carbonara. Let me quote the description on their menu: "Spaghetti tossed with pancetta, onion, cream, and lemon, topped with a local farm fresh egg yolk." That sounds delicious right? Well it friggin was! The dish was really nicely plated as you can see in my picture. I mixed the egg yolk into the spaghetti and also the sauce. I died a little when I took my first bite. So good! My friend tried it too and she also had a foodgasm. It was rich but wasn't overly heavy at the same time. The pancetta was great and the onions added freshness to the entrÃ©e. They gave us huge portions for a nice Italian restaurant they are! I was surprised and very satisfied. I will definitely come back and try more of their pasta! YUM!
(5)
Robert B.

Great place, nice feel and super food. Not a big place... Which is good. The Spaghetti bolognese is magnificent. Others talk about the chicken parmesan, lamb meatballs and Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. After several visits I have always been pleased. Alone, I sit at the bar and with a guest, try to get the front window to watch the street pass by.
(4)
Ling C.

A great Italian place in Austin, been here for multiple occasions: small birthday/celebratory dinners, date nights, girls night out. It's located downtown in a cute place with brick walls and chandeliers - the ambiance is intimate and classy, but no need to dress-up fancy. I recommend making reservations on weekends. The space is small, so I wouldn't go here with a large group (though they did seat a table of 10 for us once). Plus they only split checks once. Nearby parking can be tricky. Service is prompt and the dinner menu may seem limited, but the dishes are authentic and delicious. My favorite is the Rigatoni with Spicy Lamb Meatballs - sounds plain but the flavor and spice of the meatballs compliment the creamy sauce and I love the addition of pinenuts. Bread is served pre-meal so that's a plus in my book! Other recs: Fettuccine con Funghi Cioppino alla San Francisco Homemade Ravioli (appetizer) Can't wait to go here again on my next visit to Austin!
(4)
Kelly S.

I can get down with a good salad. And IMHO a good salad has delicious stuff on it. Like perfectly seared steak, truffle, shaved parmesan and roasted peppers. Sure, we were there to evaluate a new board member for this group I'm in... but I was quite happy to listen to the conversation while enjoying the beautiful salad presented. Everyone else's food looked outstanding as well -- the mussels, rigatoni and pasta norma -- and it arrived really quickly, despite what looked like a serious lunch rush. Our water glasses never dipped below half full and the server was kind enough to bring our friend some extra bread for all that good mussel juice. It's a on the spendy side for lunch but in line with a place you'd take a person you'd like to impress.
(4)
Dawn S.

Craving Italian? You're better off looking elsewhere. I will start off with the positive: this place is in a great location and the main courses were decent. That's really about all I have to say that is good about this place. My mom is visiting from out of town, so my man and I decided we would try a new place with her and Italian sounded like the right fit. So we landed here. They are open for until until 2:00 pm and we arrived at about 1:30 pm. The place was NOT packed by any means. We sat at a table that was super wobbly, which our server quickly fixed. We then proceeded to order our drinks as our server read us the specials. Our server seemed less than thrilled to be there, so I suppose she was nice enough. We ordered our food: my man ordered the spahgetti carbonara, my mom ordered the special which was stuffed spinach and feta ravioli and I ordered the penne pasta with spicy sausage. About 5 minutes later, we decided to order some *side* cesar salads. Our server brought our salads and then she said, "The food is coming out too." At this point, it seemed like she was trying to rush us out of there since it was now past 2:00 pm, the time when they should be closing up. The salads came on super small plates and the lettuce pieces were whole pieces of romaine. All 3 of us tried to cut the lettuce and it kept slipping all over the place - onto us and onto the table. The dressing was way too salty and our server didn't even offer us fresh ground pepper. We had to find a shaker and do it ourselves. We didn't even get one bit of salad when our meals were placed in front of us. My mom and I couldn't even finish our salads because the dressing was just way too salty. It was okay, but definately not the best I've ever had - not by a long shot. The dishes were hot, which was only one of the pluses about the visit. All 3 of us enjoyed the meals, but they were again, not the best we've ever had. Except for my man - he said it was the best spaghetti carbonara he's ever had. Mine was full of tomatoes and small meatballs which was tasty. I had a bit of my moms ravioli which was flavorful, but not over the moon. My man ordered a stella and when it came, there were black speckles floating all over the glass. He told our server (of which he actually had to take it up to the bar to her because I don't think she could of cared less about waiting on us after our food arrived) about the glass and she gave him a new one. When she brough it to the table, again, there were black speckles floating in it, although not as bad. She brought him yet a third and this time instead of putting in a special stella glass, she brought a pint glass. We finished our meals and our drinks. Our server brought the bill and it was $100. The *SIDE* cesar salads were actually regular cesar salads on the menu of which our server failed to mention. The salds were $8 a piece. EIGHT DOLLARS FOR 5 WHOLE PIECES OF ROMAINE ON A PLATE TOO SMALL FOR A SALAD WITH WAY TOO SALTY DRESSING? Give me a break. I though this was outrageous!! We paid our bill and left. I will never be coming back here especially with all of the other amazing restaurants that are already established here in Austin and all of the other ones that are arriving on a daily basis.
(2)
Paige W.

The environment is perfect for a romantic date night. Loved their food, and they were really good about getting our food out quick because we were in a rush.
(4)
Keith Z.

I have lived in Austin for about a year now and have been searching for really good italian food. Well tonight I finally found one worth calling my "to go too" italian restaurant. I have tried to go here before and they were completly booked, so this time we just walked in without reservations. The place is very small and it was completly full except one two top table. So we were able to sit there instead of the bar, and now after trying their food I would have no issue sitting at the bar of we couldn't get a table. The staff was very kind and was alway attentive to our needs. Never had to ask for a refill on my tea. We started with the palinta in a blue cheese sauce. We could of ate two of them it was so good. For dinner we both tried the carbonara. We have been looking for good carnonara and according to the reviews on yelp, this was a dish to try. We were not disappointed at all. It was amazing!!! It was nice and rich with great flavor. The best I habe had in austin austin by far. There was enough to even take some home for later. We were so full we could not even order desert. Well done!!! We finally found our place, now we will have to try other dishes.
(5)
Travis W.

I rate this restaurant more of a 3.5 because the food really is good but other factors bring it down. The restaurant is located on Congress Avenue in a tiny little building which gives a great romantic ambiance. The lighting is just right and the restaurant is quiet but the tables are very close together, so you may hear another conversation. Reservations are a must so for the best privacy, I would recommend asking for the corner booth at the very back of the restaurant. The look and feel of the restaurant is great until you need to use the restroom. The place looses all its romantic and classy feel as soon as you step into the restrooms. The food is surprisingly affordable for a downtown restaurant and it tastes amazing! You will not be let down by the food. It is simply amazing. The service is slow but be reminded that this place is not a rush in and rush out restaurant, however, the staff could be a little more attentive. Our waiter simply left to serve others and the manager ended up closing us out. Over all, I would recommend La Traviata to others who are patient and enjoy a good meal at a reasonable price.
(4)
Amanda P.

Five star ambiance, service, and wine; 3 star food. Listen to the servers' suggestions, because everything ours recommended was great. The polenta cake was excellent as others have mentioned, while the endive and prosciutto appetizer (our pick) was just ok. Stick with pasta dishes rather than meat and seafood; there was a clear division at our table as to who loved their meal and who was disappointed. I will be back for sure for more wine, polenta cake, and pasta.
(4)
Dawn G.

Stopped into La Traviata for lunch and couldn't decide between a couple of pastas so, as I often do, I just ordered both. Had the Capelilini with Shrimp and the Spaghetti Carbonara. Both were standard Italian fare - good but not great. The pasta portions are generous and they don't offer 1/2 sizes. Two people could split a dish and be satisfied. Service was friendly and the food arrived promptly. A solid three-stars for La Traviata.
(3)
Seth W.

I'm in Austin for a fun convention (where fun = nerdy academic fun, and not what anyone would probably recognize as "fun" outside our dorky circle) - but my wife wasn't as excited to come to Austin as she was to come last year when it was in New Orleans. Go figure. So I'm exploring the city on my own. My experience at La Traviata was "A-OK" as the rating says, which means I liked it fine. Too many people see a three star review and think that means it's bad. It wasn't bad! It just wasn't five stars (for me) (on this one-time visit) (as a function of the dishes I ordered only). All disclaimers aside, here are my thoughts: Ambience: was nice. Small (or cozy, depending on your perspective) and dim (or romantic), with a large bar area (at which I sat, since I was dining alone). Overall, it had a good feel. Not particularly "Italian" feeling, if that's what you're looking for... just nice. Service: I can only speak to my waitress and conjecture at the others. The others looked flustered and hurried and weren't super talky from what I saw (and they weren't really THAT busy). Buuuut, I was eavesdropping, not being served by them directly, so take that with a grain of salt. The bartendress, Ashley, was the one who served me, and she was quick, friendly, and easygoing, with some good suggestions on food (even other restaurants in the area a visitor might enjoy!) and no air of overhurry about her (although she was probably the busiest person in the place). Five stars for her. Food: I want to stress again that I can only speak to what I ate this one time around. People seem to like the place. For me, it was fine. Just... fine. I had the rosemary polenta for an appetizer, and it was pretty good! Probably the best thing I had. Although the sauce was super-strongly flavored with rosemary. I happen to like rosemary, so it worked out okay, but we're not talking subtle here, kids. More like a rosemary-flavored mallet to the face. For my main dish, I had the penne pasta with eggplant, basil, and a tomato sauce, topped with hardened ricotta (they call it pasta "norma" over there). The pasta was perfectly cooked al dente, and the eggplant was creamy and good. But the sauce was only okay. And I didn't love the tiny hard cubes of ricotta. The whole thing was a little bland, and I ended up asking a little sheepishly for red pepper flakes and parmesan to add a bit of flavor. Dessert was tiramisu, because I love it and have had it at just about every Italian restaurant I've ever eaten at. This one was very different: very little marscapone, not a lot of rum, or coffeee... it was really cake-y. Mostly just lady finger, it felt like, and toasted hazelnuts everywhere (which I generally like, but it didn't do anything for me here on my tiramisu). I was sad. I was craving something rich and soaked in rum and coffee, but this wasn't it. It was light and not-bad. Which still isn't technically good. Price: my appetizer + soda + dinner + dessert + coffee was about $40... very very reasonable. So I can't complain. And I didn't leave hungry. I ate everything (it's sort of my thing. Unless it's REALLY terrible). I might be swayed by the fact that my wife wasn't there with me to chatter and drink some wine and keep me company, but all-in-all it was really just an A-OK experience, and I probably wouldn't rush back there again. But really, if I'm in Austin, I should be at a BBQ place anyway, shouldn't I? =)
(3)
Alese M.

Amazing food I have never had spaghetti cabara that has tasted so good. Even being from Ny and eaten a lot of Italian food in my day, this is one of my top 5 Italian restaurants. But make sure you make a reservation if you go on the weekend.
(5)
Christina L.

I stumbled onto this place after checking yelp and I am so glad I decided to try it. The resteraunt has great atmosphere and the hospitality the staff shows their guests is second to none. Located on Congress just far enough from all the bars, La Traviata has a great selection of Italian favorite and a large selection of specials. Just when you think you have your mind made up for dinner the waiter comes along and tells you the specials and bam...your order is derailed. I decided on the cauliflower soup thickened with potatoes to start and the spaghetti bolognese. The waiter said people come from all over to try the bolognese and I can see why...it was so yummy. The noodles are homemade and the sauce is a great blend of creamy and meaty. Seriously, everything about this place is great, the service, the food and even the bread on the table. I can't wait to come back to Austin and eat here again.
(5)
Jen H.

I go there for lunch once a week if I can. Never had a bad thing. Ever. The soup is always amazing. The salad is fresh and well thought out. The pasta is divine. If they have mushroom ravioli on special, then, by God, order it. I get the specials often and hey are consistent and delicious. Lunch prices are reasonable. Dinner is more expensive. I love going for lunch because of the quality and price.
(5)
Jamie G.

Mmmm... Dream of the Carbonara. Not only because it was wonderful, but it was also free! Free because our order was wrong, but they left it for our table anyway after quickly correcting our order. Also devoured at the table were Bolognese, Fettuccine con Funghi, Calamari Puttanesca, and Seared Salmon. And since I only dine with those who share, I may honestly vouch that all dishes exceeded my expectations. Service was great... even with the wee order slip. Tables a little too teeny for all the carb bowls in your face, but an overall must try local Italian spot. Magnifico!
(4)
Mike S.

Nice atmosphere, good food, great service. La Traviata is a good Italian option if you're going to be downtown. We had a reservation for 6:30 on Fri for 4 so that we could eat before an 8:00 concert. It probably wasn't necessary to have a reservation as there were plenty of tables. La Traviata is comfortable, small restaurant with a nice feel. The wait staff was very friendly and courteous. We started with a the crispy polenta appetizer, which was fine but nothing special. At the waitress' suggestion, my son and I had the carbonara. I normally don't get carbonara because I generally don't like creamy sauces but it was very good and not dripping with creamy sauce. It's a huge amount and my son and I both ate only about half of the meal. My wife had the cioppino, which she said was very good. My daughter had the spaghetti aglio e olio. It was served with salmon as the special, which my daughter got. She said it was also very good. We also got a bottle of wine. The total bill was $140, not cheap but it didn't seem too bad for the good quality food, wine and service. La Traviata will be on our list when we're looking for a downtown dining option.
(3)
Matthew B.

The meal was good, but the customer service was lacking. My biggest gripe was their policy of "not splitting checks." Come on. This is the 21st century. Competition is cutthroat; you should make every accommodation possible to bring people into those doors. Bad form. Also, employees send abusive Yelp messages to you if you are remotely critical of policies. I've edited my stars, as a result.
(2)
T S.

Meh, seriously! MEH! The dÃ©cor is Meh, Parking downtown is awful, and the food and service wasn't all that! I ordered the calamari dish. It was loaded with calamari and had good flavor, but was overcooked & rubbery. My son ordered the spicy lamb meatball dish. The pasta was still very crunchy! Barely cooked- Not even close to al dente. LOL! He said he couldn't even taste any meat in the meatballs! LOL! Our server didn't return to check on us until she asked if we wanted dessert. Won't be going back! Not sure why its at the top on Yelp!
(1)
Wei C.

Their speghetti Bolognese is not following the traditional Italian recipe I believe, but it is surprisingly good. The place can also be crammed in busy hours.
(4)
Jeffrey S.

Excellent food, a bit pricey (but worth it), very nice wine selection (especially wines by the glass), but the service was a bit slow, which is why it gets 4 stars instead of 5. The lamb meatballs and spinach and cheese ravioli in bolognese sauce were both great!!
(4)
Tommy L.

Great place for a wonderful meal. Wait staff was excellent and the food was what we hoped it would be, great quality and presentations. We will be back.
(5)
Kris R.

Beautiful ambience, fantastic service, and amazing food. The SO and I came in around 8 on F1 weekend, and after glancing at the crowd, thought we'd be waiting at least 2 hours for a table. They, as well as every other restaurant in downtown Austin, were slammed. A friendly waiter informed us that he was about to seat some people from the bar and the we could grab their spots and eat there. The bartender was sweet, friendly, and happy to recommend dishes. She's a better woman than I am for putting on such a happy face with customers literally falling over each other to get in the restaurant. We had the spaghetti carbonara and the cheese ravioli. Both were outstanding. Some of the best Italian food in Austin, for sure. We will be back when the city returns to normal. Good riddance, F1 groupies.
(5)
Brittney C.

Hands down the best carbonara in town, super authentic. Other favorite items are the polenta fries and fresh in house pasta. It is a small spot so best for couples or groups of 4 or less and best to have a reservation, even for lunch.
(4)
Frankie C.

Well... Food was good'esk and our server was good'ish. Ambiance was ok, generally not a bad dinning experience. We had the carpaccio and it was.... good. We had the (and we were just going easy and basic) chicken Parmesan and it was good. Come here if every place that you really wanted to go was booked. You will not get less than a B meal.
(3)
Ted B.

Best Italian in town. The rigatoni is amazing!!!
(5)
Tim T.

This was a great place. Nice ambience, small - very attentive staff. The wines were really good. Crispy polenta was really good. We had Carbonara and Fettuccini with Mushrooms dishes. Both were fantastic. We did not have reservations but only had to wait at the Bar - tough life - for a table about fifteen minutes. Recommend reservations.
(5)
Ford S.

This an excellent Italian restaurant. You can taste the freshness in all of the ingredients. They know how to cook Italian food...not just follow a recipe.
(5)
Kit C.

Usually love the food here, but lately ... They seem to have fallen short. Service is just ok, kitchen is SUPER SLOW! Any restaurant in downtown Austin should be more sensitive to the workforce that has an hour lunch. Blow us off & blow your business! We tip generously when our meal is timely, great tasting, & service is FRIENDLY. Not so much when this criteria is not met. Just hope to put a bug in the management's ear...
(3)
Ronny C.

This will forever be my favorite duck confit and spaghetti bolognese. Food and service here is amazing, great wine selection as well. Uh-Mazing. Highly recommend coming here.
(5)
Jason G.

I went here for the first time a few days ago. I have been to Italy more than 20 times, so I like to think I know what good Italian food is. From my experience at La Traviata, I felt like I was at Olive Garden with an upscale decor. When I walked in, it did really feel like a trattoria in Italy, but the food and service left much to be admired. For one, the waiter got my order completely wrong (dear wait staff, please write things down rather than trying to convince your guests you are magicians). When I looked on the menu and saw carbonara that had cream in it, I instantly knew that the chef here was clueless about italian food. He can dress up a turd by serving it nicely with an egg yolk on top, but it is still a turd. Carbonara never has cream in it (my Italian Grandmother and any other one I've met will agree with me). I am glad this place is here because it is good "fake italian" food to cater to the naive Texan that wants to pretend that they are visiting Tuscany, but to anyone that reads this, I would urge you to go get comparable food at Olive Garden, just not with the same atmosphere. Also please tell your kitchen staff not to rinse the store bought pasta that you serve (because it was obvious it was not fresh or homemade)....all of the starch was rinsed off the noodles I was served and the sauce would not hold them. Maybe Texans think that having a pool of watery sauce in the bottom of the dish is a good thing? It reminded me of watery spaghetti that I was served on the cafeteria line in high school. I do not like to be rude, but this owner should really either make his/her restaurant serve authentic food or change the branding to relay to patrons not to expect it. The TL;DR....anyone thinking of going here, La Traviata is an expensive Olive Garden with better decor, you can get more for your money at other places in town.
(2)
Danielle M.

Very limited menu options. The soup special was good.
(2)
Colin B.

I am a huge fan of Gordon Ramsey's "Kitchen Nightmares". Both on his BBA and Fox shows he has a pattern: pick a restaurant with a giant menu, giant portions, inflated prices and frozen food and flip it. He installs a tiny menu, shrinks the portions and makes everything fresh, in house, using rustic, basic ingredients. The restaurant isn't flashy, it's about the food. I feel La Traviata was a result of Ramsey, a restaurant doing it right. Simply put the Carbonara will change your life. It is a perfect portion of pasta cooked to a beautiful al dente: not too crunchy, not too soft, just right. Frankly, I can't remember a pasta I have ever tasted that had that consistency. The sauce is a brilliant creamy parmesean sauce with pancetta and (I think) chopped fresh leaks. And to top it off -- and make it even more rich -- they dropped an egg yolk on top that melted in the pasta. Literally, I might go back tonight and have it again. It was brilliant, lovely, perfect, and at $13.50 has kicked every Italian experience I have had in the ass.
(5)
Louie G.

Had dinner here last night for Christmas Eve... WOW! First off, what a cool old building, and a beautiful setting. Exposed limestone walls, creaky old floors, beautiful crystal chandeliers, etc. We started off the evening by sharing a caesar salad... which was probably the best one I've ever had. The dressing was creamy and amazingly flavorful, and the salad was very traditional whole romaine leaves. What a fantastic start to a meal. The bread served was also quite yummy. For our entrees I got the spaghetti carbonara, and my partner got the lamb rigatoni. Both were absolutely amazing, and had such complex flavors. My carbonara was wickedly rich, so I took much of it home. The rigatoni was fantastic as well, very spicy. Just the way both pasta dishes unfolded with a symphony of flavors in your mouth was extraordinary. What makes this place earn such a high rating from me isn't just the food quality, but the food quantity, the service, and atmosphere as well. For entree prices mostly in the mid teens, you get a lot of food... and it's incredibly high quality. Most Italian food that tastes this good is about twice the price, and it isn't served in such a neat location, either. Despite the downtown location, great food, and beautiful restaurant, the places evades being snooty, too. I think that's largely due to the waitstaff... they're all very professional, without being stuffy. I really have no quibbles at all about this place, the entire experience was just fantastic.
(5)
John V.

Awful! Visiting friends in Austin . We are from San Francisco and love Italian food. This place was ridiculous. The servers favorite word was 'no' and her favorite phrase was ' we don't do that'. 4 of us all had appetizers and entrees and 2 bottles of wine. Could we have a 1/2 order of pasta ? No we don't do that. My friend had Cioppino, could she have a spoon larger than a tea spoon ? No we don't have that! I never experienced a more accommodating restaurant. Every Italian restaurant I have ever been will make a 1/2 order of pasta, they have Pasta spoons or large soup spoons. The server never smiled, never had anything pleasant to say. The standard response to questions about food ' it's all good'. No it isn't . Mediocre at best. Some Italian restaurants you get the crank old men as waiters, sort of the charm, but the food is great. Here the server had no charm and the food was average. We Spent $$$$, my friend is an excellent tipper. Never going back!
(1)
Tiffany H.

We went last night (a Monday), husband and two boys for a delicious Italian dinner. We had a delicious dinner and I want to go back, I really do, but it's so loud and so slow. We ate three baskets of bread (each one we had to ask for) while waiting for the salad to arrive. It's a very cramped restaurant and we were all constantly getting bumped and knocked by people walking by. The food is really, really good though, so if you can handle the noise and the wait, it's all yours. I had the amazing Cioppino, one boy had the mussels and the other had the famous Cabonara. Husband had the Spaghetti Bolognese, which did not rock his socks off.
(4)
Mike C.

We may be starting to get the hang of this Austin thing. We are still visitors here, not yet residents, and new cities are undiscovered country. You hope for good stuff but brace yourself for disappointment. We spend our days meeting with our astonishingly creative and intuitive architect, known in Yelp land as Kimberly K, or meeting with our confidence inspiring builder Wayne Jeansonne, or just standing on our new land with big goofy smiles. This takes up most of our day, so when we decide to go out to explore a bit of the city at night we tend to stay within walking distance of the hotel. We've had a couple of misfires (we won't be going back to Guerro's) but overall good experiences. This trip we hit the parlay. It was a beautiful evening. Cool but not cold, with a clear and starry sky. Perfect for walking and holding hands. And after a 20 minute stroll downtown, commenting on various cool things to see, we came to La Traviata. We'd made reservations earlier in the day and had been told they had one table left. The worst one, right in front of the door. Not a good omen, but we really wanted Italian food so we took it. When we walked in the aroma alone made us glad we came. That wonderful smell of good food and spices cooking. And then we found out a cancellation had landed us a table for two in the corner at the window. A great people watching spot. La Traviata is smallish, but cozy rather than cramped, with a long main room and mirrored walls that give a feeling of space in an otherwise small area. Our waitress was attentive and good and so happy her mood was contagious so that we found ourselves smiling along with her. She was very knowledgeable about the food and pronounced the dishes perfectly, always a good sign. Mistress Linda had the Lageder Pinot Grigio because she only likes wine that doesn't taste like wine, and I had the Latour Pinot Noir. Both were tasty and we'd have them again in a minute. And the food was quite simply great. Exactly what a Trattoria would serve. Not fussy, simply good ingredients perfectly prepared and presented, and delicious. Mistress Linda had the roasted Beets with Crostini and Texas goat cheese (which made her do the yummy sound all through it), and the appetizer mussels, and I had the Fettuccine con Funghi. When it arrived I had that wonderful dilemma where I'm torn between savoring each bite or just going face down and not stopping until I taste plate. I'm glad we were in the corner so people couldn't see me. Portobello and Crimini mushrooms, artichokes, pasta and a very light sauce with just enough truffle oil to complement the mushrooms without overpowering them. And the Mussels were perfectly cooked. Every one opened and every one smoky sweet. Mistress Linda let me try one but then kept the rest for herself. Cozy atmosphere, outstanding service, and delicious, perfectly cooked Italian food. The kind of dinner you hope for when exploring a new city. And afterward we strolled back, up Congress and onto Sixth, stopped in BD Rileys for a drink and made a new friend. The kind of night you remember for no other reason than it was just right. We really might be getting the hang of this Austin thing.
(5)
Clay H.

Stopped by without a reservation and had to sit at the bar. Small but nice place in downtown Austin. Bartender covered the specials with extreme details that i didn't expect. I ordered the Fettuccine and my wife ordered the duck. There was a special Fettuccine that day that differed from the Fettuccine on the menu. The bartender was able to explain in detail what the difference was. I was really impressed. I went with that was on the menu and so happy I did. It was incredible. I can easily say it was the best Italian food I've ever had. The duck was equally good. I'm not a duck person but the seasoning and flavor was exceptional. The staff adding in making this a 5 star review. The food was outstanding.
(5)
Lauren L.

So good. As soon as I came in, the server sat me at the bar since I asked to take food to go. I ordered the Mista Salad and the food came out pretty quickly with bread and utensils. This salad was seriously so delicious. The dressing was light and consistent, and there were just enough nuts and cheese on top. Thumbs up.
(5)
Sirsha C.

Love this place for lunch. Pretty quick service and the food is great.
(4)
D A.

I seriously cannot understand how this restaurant has an average 4 star rating. I went to La Traviata on Friday and was disappointed to say the least. However, like many yelpers have stated, the interior is charming and quaint. It reminded me of a little italian restaurant like the ones I used to frequent while living in Chicago. Unfortunately, that is the only good thing I have to say about this place. Things that sucked list: 1. Pasta was chewy. not "al dente". 2. Seems like many thinks on menu have truffle oil to compensate for lack of flavor in meat. I mean, like 6 dishes with truffle. Like carpaccio for example. Meat alone was flavorless. add pungent flavor like truffle, meat has truffle flavor. Like how anything you add to tofu, makes tofu taste like whatever you added. Btw- I freaking LOVE truffles. The chef there is just too truffle happy. 3. Drinks took forever to come out. 4. Husband had spaghetti Bolognese, pasta chewy and sauce was SO bland! 5. Hubby also had garlic soup. Bland and watery. 6. Friend had Linguine with TRUFFLE and shrooms. I'm expecting cremini, shitake and the like. No...button mushrooms. "What???" You ask. Yes. I asked the same question myself. So, I will not be returning to La Traviata. So sad, because it's so damn cute. Because I am a restaurant snob and have lived in 3 major cities in the US, I can only ascertain that you people who gave this place many more stars than they deserve just have plain, straight up bad taste. Go here if you have an unsophisticated palate, you probably wouldn't know the difference. It's not gross, it's just not good. Also- food did not look like the pics on the yelp page. Rant over.
(2)
Jamie R.

Party on a plate! We enjoyed our individual orders of pillowy pasta, spaghetti in meat sauce, some kind of soup which disappeared over there across the table before any of the rest of us could get a good look. And the recommended Cab, of course. There's a Bistro atmosphere about the bustle and chatter here that's endearing. It's additionally comforting that the lighting is indirect and kind of pinkish gold. Makes us old (fallen?) girls' look our best while we eat.
(5)
Omar T.

Every plate we received was more than excellent. Even the salad, they brought out huge pieces of lettuce, which seemed a little silly, but with the dressing and cutting of the huge lettuce leaves, the salad itself was amazing. This place is very recommendable to go eat somewhere nice, maybe with a date, or just to go eat somewhere that makes you feel nice and fancy. Although it does get a little crowded during lunch time, which I experienced, and other people are sitting right next to you. Although, I didn't mind. Maybe other might mind. Overall, this place was fantastic at their service, excellent food (I actually got full), and a nice small place to go dine downtown.
(5)
Doug F.

This is one of those charming, Italian restaurants downtown that provides an intimate experience and quality food (and believe me, Austin needs more Italian restaurants like this downtown!). I have walked by this place it seems forever, because it located near one of my favorite areas downtown. I felt each time La Traviata beckoning me to come in as I was walking to some other destination. I would catch a glimpse now and then of La Traviata as I searched for elusive parking spaces on Congress Ave. Even in the daytime, I could not help but notice La Traviata patiently waiting to come alive once the evening arrives. The presence of an esteemed restaurant like this cannot be ignored, it's like trading glances with that attractive co-worker now and then who is also single. After trading looks one too many times, it was time to make my move, dammit! An old friend was coming in to town, and wanted to meet for dinner. I knew exactly where to go. La Traviata did not disappoint. There is a historic feel when you enter the establishment, and the tall windows and outside awning facing the street would have you believe you could be dining at a family-owned Italian restaurant in New York City. Except substitute the ornate ceramic tile floor with wood planks to give it a Texas flavor :) The food was great. I had the seafood combo dish with pasta added. Service was courteous and prompt, not crowded at all on a weeknight. The dessert treat was an orange flavored cheesecake, I highly recommend it! I wanted my friend visiting from out of town to hear some live music, and right across the street from La Traviata is The Elephant room, which capped off a delightful evening. The location of this restaurant is great because you can walk to so many fun places nearby. Sampling some great wine before dinner at Cork & Co is only a few doors away, and a great place to meet up before dining at La Traviata. So if you have any friends coming to visit from out of town, I have provided a perfect evening plan to visit La Traviata for a complete Austin downtown experience, so you don't have any excuses now to skip trying this wonderful restaurant!
(4)
Kevin M.

I will definitely go back. There were a few specials, but this was the first time here so we went some standard menu items. I had the rigatoni with lamb meatballs. The sauce had a lot of flavor without being too much. Also had the spaghetti carbonara with egg yolk. If you are not ready for the yolk sitting on top it may freak you out, but take your knife, cut the yolk and let it drip into the carbonara, you will be happy you did. This is a top three pick for Italian food in Austin.
(4)
Rik W.

Ate at La Trav last night, and the food was good as always, in fact the best part of the restaurant (which,after all, is what we go there for). I always have a good meal there. The service is generally good, but sometimes a bit disinterested. My only real complaint is the meager wine list that in no way measures up to the ambience or the quality of the food. All of the wines for less than $70 are pedestrian at best (and overpriced), mostly inexpensive versions of classic wines. And to call a $40 bottle (around $15 retail) a "super Tuscan" borders on fraudulent--the term "super Tuscan" indicates not only a grape blend not found in Italian DOC or DOCG wines, but something of substantially higher quality (and more expensive) than a simple IGT table wine, which this wine is. And it was a 2011 vintage! Nothing bottled that young can possibly qualify as a super Tuscan. The major issue with the wine list, however, is that nearly all of the wines were 2011 or 2010 vintages, which means that hardly any of them are even drinkable yet aside from the light reds such as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. You can buy many very good Italian reds from 2007-2009 at most Austin wine stores, but apparently the folks at La Trav can't find them. I still like La Traviata for the excellent food, but if you like wine you may want to try Vino Vino for much better wines at lower prices.
(4)
Nicolle S.

They had me at Chicken Picatta. I order the same thing every time I go for lunch. I love the sauce and the delicious, tender chicken just melts in your mouth. Their veggies are steamed to perfection and the flavor is just perfect. It's a little pricey for a lunch-time meal, but I will on occasion pay for the tastiness. It's worth it.
(4)
Mani B.

This place is really good. Delicious wine (as far as I was concerned) and the food was so much better than I was expecting. Again, I have to admit my company paid for this so my value perception could be off. However, I would love to eat here again.
(4)
Dawn G.

We've been several times over the years but a recent visit was my favorite. We were seated at a table for two just inside the door and overlooking Congress street which had a very romantic feel. I love this particular seat though the other tables seem squished together and offer less appeal. We had fantastic ravioli, a good seafood stew, and other Italian delights. All in all, I cannot remember exactly what we had, but I knew that the place deserved more opportunities for us to dine there. We will be back (and ask for the same table).
(4)
Jack A.

Outstanding service. When the waitress misunderstood our order and brought the wrong dish, they comped the error. It was a salmon dish that turned out to be better than anything else we ordered. Then they brought the right dish in five minutes. Don't miss the cauliflower soup either. Wines aren't great and that's why I gave 4/5. Service and price are spot on--great place.
(4)
Eva P.

I went here last night with a friend of mine. We both agreed it was some of the WORST service we have ever experienced. The waitress hardly paid attention to us, brought our bread late, brought our wine late, brought our appetizer (which should have been served cold) warm, and kind of mealy, and only asked to refill my water at the very end of the meal. The place was my no means full. Why such bad service? Then I noticed, our waitress was sitting at the bar eating a pizza, mindlessly talking to her friend, and not at all looking around to see if her tables needed anything. Add to all of this, the air con seemed to barely be working. It was BOILING in this restaurant. I was all dressed up to go out, but by the time we left La Traviata I looked like I had been sitting in a sauna at the gym. The actual meals we received were fairly decent, though extremely overprice for what they were. However, we got items that were highly regarded on yelp, so I can't speak for their other dishes. That said, my stomach HURTS today. No doubt from the food being in such a warm environment. DO NOT EAT HERE!!! I paid more than $90 to sit in a steam room, get ignored by our waitress, eat food I could get at just about any other fairly decent Italian joint in town, and get the runs because the food had obviously not been kept at a proper temperature. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!
(2)
R P.

Went here for a date and had a great meal with a nice atmosphere. Wine list was decent enough for the setting. I'll be honest, don't remember the name of my dish and it's not on the daily menu, but was basically linquine with clams and scallops. I had great service from start to finish, seemed like most of the staff was on it. Both my date and I have worked in fine dining establishments and were quite pleased. Finally, favorite part of the meal is that they had possibly the best tiramisu I've ever had. Waiting for an excuse to go back for a long, leisurely meal.
(4)
Hannah P.

This is a great place for so many reasons. Great location, great food, and great service. Spaghetti Carbonara. It almost sings. In fact it does sing. It softly sings a sweet, savory lullaby pushing me into a food coma where I dream of (what else) spaghetti carbonara. I have never had this dish quite as exquisitely as I have at La Traviata. It is perfection. Served simple, it is presented as an elegant nest of angel hair pasta with a perfectly placed egg in the center. It will make you drool. If I'm ever craving a pasta dish I head straight down congress to La Traviata, it's a no brainer. I can honestly say I've been there 10+ times and I've never tried anything else, but I'm sure the rest of the menu is to par. The only reason I'm rating 4/5 stars is because there is something lacking in the ambiance. I can't tell if it's the lighting or the lack of sound but it's something that bothers me every time. Either way, the food wins. I would eat their spaghetti cabonara anywhere, anytime!!! Baci Baci.
(4)
Kristina V.

So the very first day I moved to Austin, my family and I ate at this place as a sort of "farewell dinner". We absolutely made a great choice. This place is very quaint and reminds me a lot of a New York loft apartment. The setting is very intimate and the coziness of it makes it the perfect spot for a date night. The service is very good (our waitress was incredibly friendly), and the food is delicious! They give you decent portions for a reasonable price as well. May I reccommend the ravioli? It's soooo good. All in all, it was a great restaurant to kick-start my new life in Austin. Will definitely be returning!
(3)
J.D. C.

Best Italian I've had in Austin, hands down. I've tried Vespaio, Quattro Gatti, North, Andiamo, and this is the one I keep coming back to. The Carbonara is chub-inducing. The chicken parm is perfectly cooked and delicious. Great for date night. For some great jazz take them to The Elephant Room across the street afterwards.
(5)
Austin J.

Hey, that was some tasty Italian! Are we still in Austin? I thought we specialize in Tex-Mex and BBQ, not Italian. Well, the fine folks at La Traviata beg to differ. What a better location for a quaint little romantic Italian restaurant then smack dab off Congress and 3rd. It's restaurants Like Traviata on Congress that keep my hopes alive for a revitalized downtown Congress scene. Menu is quite heavy on the pastas, but duh, it IS Italian food. No pizza here, though, so don't get your hopes up. Salads were delicious, and the wine selection was plentiful enough. Wine can add up here, however, if you don't buy by the bottle. Cheapest reds were $9 a glass. The pasta dishes seem a TAD simplistic for my taste..... I had the special which consisted of shrimp and spaghetti tossed in a lightly creamy marinara with cayenne pepper. Was so tasty, but could have used some roasted peppers to accentuate the spicy taste they were going for. Despite this, the slightly creamy marinara is absolutely delectable. The setting was great, and the food was good. Thank you La Traviata, for renewing my confidence in Austin Italian food.
(4)
Eiizabeth M.

Cannot rave enough about La Traviata. It's amazing, unpretentious, hearty and perfect. My boyfriend and I go several times a month, and I have never had something off the menu that I wouldn't rave about. Raviolis are amazing. Every kind. Spicy lamb meatballs are delicious. Chicken parmigiana is flawless. Profiteroles and tiramisu are delicious. Large portions with no sacrifice in quality or ingredients. It is definitely in my top 3 Austin restaurants.
(5)
Lucia M.

Went for lunch and ordered Chicken Picatta. The chicken was not fully cooked.
(2)
Ryan L.

Probably the best Italian that I have ever had. Service was a little hit and miss but the food was exceptional. I ordered the chicken parmesan. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the portion was more than enough to share. I will definitely be returning. By the way, you may want to schedule a reservation if you plan on going, the dining room can get a little crowded.
(5)
Lee M.

'Tis the season to try to slow down a bit, enjoy time with family, friends and acquaintences and try some new things. Well folks, 'say hello to my little friend'; La Traviata! Last Saturday night saw the Mrs. and I heading out on the town for a rare date night. Since I had been single mindedly focussed on other seasonal duties, I had put in ZERO effort in deciding where I was taking my date. This normally irritates her to no end (and deservedly so!), but we quickly agreed on Italian fare. But which one? This is where Yelp (and you all!) come in to help save my bacon! With the help of the iPhone app, I quickly had enough quality information to; 1.) ditched our 'stand-by' Italian fav on Barton Springs (it has slipped to 2.5 stars as prices have increased + value & quality have slipped), 2.) decided our new adventure would be at La Traviata (w/ a solid 4 star rating!), 3.) called ahead to find out that there was a table for available NOW for the next 2 hours = BOO-YA! 4.) Booked the reservation - be there in 10 mins! For the Primi with our wine, we had the Prosciutto.The layer of belgian endives served as little 'boats' in which you could wrap your prosciutto, shaved parmesean, olives, a sliver of scallions and truffle oil for taste = a mini lettuce wrap if you will. Their presentation was interesting and fun and one that we both enjoyed with our wine as we watched people on the street from our cozy window table for two. For the entree, I chose the Carbonara - strictly because it was SO strongly recommended by Michelle C. (..."this carbonara changed carbonara for me forever".) and Colin B. (..."this carbonara will change your life"!) - and they would be right. Since I do not have words to describe - see their reviews for better descriptions. I had no idea that I could change my life thru carbonara for only $14.50. This IS the dish my partner will have next time we are back here. For this meal, the Mrs. had the Fettuccine con Funghi ($16.00), and while is was delish - sadly, it did not change her life. Her dish consisted of fettuccine with portobello & crimini mushrooms, spinach, fried artichokes, shaved parmesan and truffle oil. Due to the generous portion of both primi & entrees, there just was no room for a salad - and we were glad we did not over do it. So did the carbonara change my life? Why, Yes, IT DID!! I now have a new FAV Italian Restaurant in Austin and it is La Traviata! All in all, a wonderful meal, and experience - with the exception of the waiter who was very impatient (because this place is small) - hence the fallen star - but I'll be ready for this next time.
(4)
John L.

Fabulous food without the abnormal American size portions. The fresh preparations and seasonings were extraordinary. Making things even better was the outstanding wait staff who always appeared at the exact right time. Don't forget desert as they too are all freshly prepared and the profiteroles were to die for!
(5)
Mercedes G.

I was having a hard time finding excellent Italian in Texas until I came to La Traviata. La Traviata serves dishes of the absolute highest quality. The aromatic herbs, expressive textures, and fresh sauces help round out your Italian experience. I was looking for a delicious dinner near the Elephant Room and found this Yelp reviewed restaurant and was lucky to find a table, since I was visiting Austin on a low key weekend. Try to make a reservation if you can. The staff here is very thoughtful and attentive. Their is bread terribly fresh and brought to your table seconds later and their house Merlot is very rich.
(5)
Andrea P.

Wow. Some of the best Italian I've had in this city. And I lived in Boston, so I know my Italian. I got the Cioppino (Fisherman's Stew), which was delectable. I literally (yes, I know the meaning of the word "literally" and yes, I am using it correctly here) almost cried. There were tears in the corners of my eyes. My nose started to tickle and sting. Good food does that to me. It can be a little embarrassing. $19.50 for a large bowl of tasty, brothy soup with lots of fish, mussels, clams, calamari etc. In addition, there was a...lemon? cream? sauce? (can't remember exactly) that they artfully spread over a large piece of fish which was a perfect compliment to the dish. I was definitely full and felt that the price was more than fair for the quality and quantity of food. My friend got the Fall Risotto. I had a bite and was floored. It was *good*, and I usually steer away from risotto. Our server was efficient and friendly; kept our glasses full and checked in on us, but was never bothersome. I liked the atmosphere; others might not. It was very convivial with the tables pushed closely together and the air filled with loud, boisterous conversation from other tables. I love this kind of dining; you end up feeling like everyone one in the restaurant is part of one big extended-family feast. So why only four stars (not that that's bad)? I was not a fan of the prices of their appetizers and wine. My other friend got a mixed greens salad with bleu cheese listed on the appetizer list. It was a very small salad, and yet it cost $7.50. I'm big on the simplicity of Italian dishes, but with only two ingredients and the size of the salad, I thought the price was high. Their other appetizers were similarly simple yet highly priced. Additionally, on the wine list, the wines start at $8 a glass. You oenophiles are probably polishing your monocles and sniffing pedantically ("Harrumph, no GOOD wine can be had for less than $8 a glass, peasant"), but I was disappointed that I could not enjoy wine with my meal at a lesser price. Also, there is a $4 split-plate fee. I did some internet research on split-plate fees, and though I initially felt that this was a bit of a grasping move on the restaurant's part, through my research, I can see the validity of a split-plate fee. Still, it didn't leave the best impression, and I felt that I had to steal bites of my friends meals when I was sure my waitress was in the bathroom. Not a pleasant feeling, especially with Italian food, which to my mind is all about sharing. In conclusion: AMAZING ENTREES, good service, great atmosphere. Just wish I could have enjoyed it with better priced appetizers and wine. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Urwhatuea T.

I feel like 3 stars might be a little generous. 2-1/2 stars really. We weren't impressed at all. I ordered the Pasta Norma. It was just too spicy for me to eat a lot of. My other half had the chicken parmesan, and it was just the opposite. So bland it tasted like child's food, or food for the elderly. I wanted to mix the two sauces to make one that would taste good. I liked the flavor of my salad, not too oily, with the toasted pine nuts. But it required work. Whole romaine leaves with a butter knife to cut it with on a small plate. Too awkward. I think I would've enjoyed this salad a lot more if it hadn't been such a pain in the butt to prepare each bite. (I don't mind cutting it, if you give me a bigger plate!) Cute space, but crowded and small, not all that comfortable. Just nothing special. Count this among the ever-growing list of newer overpriced Austin restaurants of low to middling quality.
(3)
Gayatri P.

The food was outstanding! Tried a seasonal cauliflower soup (who blends cauliflower), but it was seriously amazing! Went with my sister-inlaw and we both spent far too much time trying to figure out how anyone could make cauliflower soup taste so good. Besides that, I had a salad with salmon; she tried a pasta dish, and they were both very good. We went a little on the later side, trying to beat the lunch crowd. Not completely successful. But they still managed to get us seated quickly and the food didn't take long either. As the governator said, "Eye'll be baack".
(4)
Joe S.

Great food! We had the Carbonara pasta and spicy lamb meatballs. Both meals were excelent! The only down side were that the tables were so close together.
(4)
Tracie D.

The bolognese seriously rocked my socks off. Brian almost made me fall madly in love with him he treated us so well. Love it!
(5)
Barb B.

Yummo, just thinking about my dinner at La Traviata makes me feel warm and fuzzy and happy inside!!! Austin is such a great food town. Amazing Italian food that I only wish we had in Denver. The atmosphere was great, it was small, intimate, and very Italian inside. I kind of felt like i was in Little Italy in New York. I had the Chicken Parmesan which was delicious, and the portion was enormous. So even though it's kind of spendy I actually felt like I got a good value. I would definitely return the next time I'm in Austin.
(4)
Sarah W.

The food was good but a bit expensive. However the problem was that when we went to sign the credit card receipt, we discovered they had already included a 20% gratuity. It was during Formula 1 so we assume that they are hoping the foreigners aren't paying attention. When we expressed our dissatisfaction about the extra charge (since it isn't a gratuity if they don't let you decide to add it), we were told that it is noted on the menu and that if they don't charge the gratuity, the wait staff don't get paid enough. Since the state of Texas only requires restaurants to pay $2.15 per hour, they have to get the money up front. Huh? If the boss decides not to pay you well, look for another job. My husband asked to talk to a manager but the waiter was so ugly about it, we left and told them we will not be back.
(1)
Lucille H.

This is where I eat Italian when I don't want to play around. I am always tempted to try the carbonara but their bolognese is my all time favorite and I love their caesar salad. I love to come alone for lunch on a chilly winter day and sit by the bar with wine, bolognese, a book and plenty of bread. Es La vida!
(5)
Rocky A.

Update: Consistency may be defined as "the ability to maintain a particular standard or repeat with minimal variation" but in a restaurant it's oh so much more important than that definition would appear. It's also not easy to achieve; how many times have you enjoyed a restaurant only to come back again and wonder what happened? Well, that wasn't the case here we're thrilled to report. We had the chance to go back to La Traviata last night for their New Year's Eve prix fixe dinner and it indeed was as consistently great as our last visit! Truly great food, wonderful friends and a view of downtown and Congress Avenue alive with New Year's Eve partygoers. Today is 1/1/11, make one of your resolutions a visit to La Traviata. After all, it will probably be the easiest to not break and the most enjoyable one on the list!
(5)
Jessica M.

Good Italian food is hard to come by. And my boyfriend and I reeeeally love Italian food. La Traviata though, sadly does not make the cut. The establishment is nice, very well lit and we got a nice seat right by the window. The service was impeccable. As for the food, everything that was put in front of me seemed sloppy and too easy, something I could make at home, except maybe better. We started off with the mushroom and cheese bruschetta. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. It was strictly mushrooms and cheese on toasted bread, there was no flavor or spices or anything of the sort. For our entrees, I had the penne pasta dish, and my boyfriend had the fettuccine with mushrooms. Both of us were disappointed, none of the ingredients seemed overly fresh or tasteful. All in all, we agreed we could make the dishes at home at probably half the price, which is not something you even want to consider when dining out. Though the food was mediocre, the service was flawless. Our server was very on point and very informative. With these two things in mind, I probably would have given the restaurant three stars, except for the price of the wine. The wine list is not extensive at all, it's quite small, and very overpriced, especially compared to the reasonable food prices. There were hardly any bottles under $40. This, combined with the sub par food, does not make me want to return to the establishment.
(2)
Ruhi D.

We've only had two dates, is it too soon to say I'm in love? With the Spaghetti alla Carbonara that is. I never would have thought to put a raw egg on top of spaghetti but it is 100%, bona fide, seriously delicious. Hands down the best meal I've had in the last 3 months. La Traviata is small so it can get kind of noisy when it's busy, especially if a particularly loud party is seated next to you, and I mean rightnexttoyou. Seriously, this place is small. But I like that. It's charming and cozy and the staff has been nothing but friendly both times I've been.
(4)
Erica H.

"Tom Cruise makes great spaghetti carbonara" is one of those pop culture factoids that is forever burned into my brain, taking up valuable space that could be devoted to things like remembering Chester A. Arthur's greatest achievements...or the whereabouts of my cane and monocle. But I digress. When I bite into La Traviata's killer carbonara, any unappetizing Cruise associations that haunted me upon ordering are vanquished by a delicious, Xenu-strength force field of pasta, cheese, eggs and pancetta. Now if only they had a couch to jump on...
(5)
T P.

Scrumptious. Get the cioppino they do not skimp on the seafood.
(5)
Michelle C.

For months now, Carla C. has been talking some big talk about how she knew where to acquire the best carbonara in town. I've been known to crave this delectable dish, so of course I needed to investigate this rather audacious claim. We waited a while till the weather grew cooler, then Carla pronounced it Carbonara Time. As I battled to find free parking on the appointed day (I have a strong aversion to paying for parking, particularly when the closest lot to the restaurant costs $10 for the privilege of occupying a space for an hour or two), I groused that THIS was why I didn't like eating dinner downtown. But as we entered the restaurant, my irritation dissipated almost instantly. La Traviata is small and packed, but it has an elegant, cozy feel to it that is utterly charming. We snagged a small table in one of the nooks near a street window, under a sparkling chandelier. Service was prompt and affable, and we chatted as we enjoyed a basket of bread with olive oil and a lovely bottle of wine...until the arrival of our carbonaras rendered us mute. Truly the most perfect carbonara I've ever had the pleasure of encountering, this specimen was composed of perfectly al dente pasta, gently piled and sprinkled with bread crumbs, then lovingly topped with a nest of slivered scallions and a farm fresh egg that was simply stunning in its simplicity. The sauce was surprisingly light - perhaps with a touch of lemon? - balancing out the rich pancetta and steering the entire dish away from the heaviness that I often encounter in a carbonara. I swooned with my first bite, and am still swooning, days later. This carbonara changed carbonara for me forever. The setback for this outstanding dish? Just $14. I've paid far more for far less. You can bet that if anyone suggests dining downtown at La Traviata again, I'll be the first in the car.
(5)
Aga W.

Fresh local ingredients and great veg choices. Their daily salad is really worth it. Only tried them for lunch.
(4)
Erin P.

Best pasta i've had in Austin, simply said. The Beef Carpaccio is definitely my favorite first course, but their salads, ravioli, and crispy polenta are also great. My go-to is the Spaghetti alla Carbonara (everyone else is correct, it is life-changing pasta!). Even though it's not as peppery as a traditional carbonara, and has a lot of cream, it's wonderful comfort food and has been perfectly prepared 9/10 times I've ordered it. The Spaghetti alla Bolognese is also very good, and all the specials I've tried (scallops, duck, lamb) have been well executed. I always receive wonderful service (request Ryan!) and they have a nice wine selection for such a small list. Their cute ambience makes this a great first date spot, with the Elephant Room right across the street to end your night.
(5)
Brad M.

Best carbonara i have ever had! The place is a little small and since your downtown parking is an issue, but who cares. They have great service and great food. What more could you possibly want?
(5)
Chris S.

Came here in November with my sister, sister's boyfriend, and brother. I should have ordered the Carbonara. Service was great and worth the price.
(5)
Lauren C.

The short: Do it! The homemade mushroom ravioli (with white truffle cream sauce and green peas) special is simply exquisite!! wow. For every mushroom and fresh pasta lover out there, I really hope they make this a permament fixture to their menu. The extended version: Apparently mowing down a plate of pasta on a 90 degree day in the height of the gluten-free era isn't on the top of peoples lists. This worked out great for me and my dining companion since the restaurant was practically empty at 7:30 and we were seated immediately. Wanting our pasta fix, we ordered the spaghetti bolognese and mushroom ravioli special(see description above). The portions were delightfully smaller than most local Italian eateries as were the prices. The bolognese was ok, but by the end we were both fighting over the last bite of the delightfully scrumptious, perfectly al dente, homemade melt-in-your-mouth ravioli (again, see above) and noticed the servers had a plate of their own. They must know what's good. The service and food delivery were extremely efficient and Italian wines are priced right. I'd say try it during the week and you'll realize it's worth your wait on a busy Friday night . I'll be back for the ravioli and this time I'm not sharing!
(4)
Jaye B.

I finally made it to La Traviata, and I'm kind of cursing myself for not having gone sooner. There are times that I just want a good bowl of pasta and I just have never found a great place to get it. Until now! I just had the most perfect bowl of hooker sauce with squid!* I couldn't get over all of the flavors in the sauce, and how balanced they were. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and the portion was sizable, but not asinine. The service was great, and I really liked the space. It reminded me of a little European bistro or something, and didn't totally feel like I was in Austin. Now that I've finally tried La Traviata I know for sure I'll be back! * Calamari Puttanesca
(4)
Cayce P.

La Traviata is easily the best Italian food I have had outside of Italy. The service was great (not too pushy or buddy-buddy, but understated and there when you need them). I had the spaghetti bolognese and a bottle of pinot noir and I have never felt so satisfied in my life. It was almost better than sex. The restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Austin and offers a warm and intimate setting for a fine dining experience. The venue has a lot of character as it is located in an old (but renovated) building downtown. The lighting is soft, the decor is simple and elegant, which provides a sensual and indulgent atmosphere. I highly recommend you try this restaurant. You'll certainly pay more than you would at a cheap Italian chain, but it won't break the bank. It's extremely reasonable considering the food and ambiance. Best Italian in Austin!
(5)
Tara C.

La Traviata is one of our favorite restaurants in Austin. Great wine selection, fun atmosphere and delicious food! Try the spaghetti carbonara... best in town!
(5)
Gabriela H.

I went to eat here for lunch on a Wednesday... Their special was chicken Parmesan! I live in San Antonio, but I would be willing to take the drive to Austin to eat here.
(5)
Kim L.

I'm reviewing this from the experience of someone who came in a large group. For his birthday, my friend chose to have a dinner here. We had around 15 people in our party. He made a reservation a few days in advance and gave the staff his credit card information. My boyfriend and I work downtown and decided to hang around until dinner rather than going home... So we ended up getting to the restaurant a little early. While having a glass of wine at the bar we began to get concerned. There was no space for a party of our size at 8 p.m., the time we had a reservation for. Instead, we were given one table at a time and the rest of our party had to hang around, getting in the servers' ways but also trying to be social and make the best of it. Our whole party wasn't seated until after 9 p.m. And we never really got an explanation or an apology from the staff or manager, as best I could tell. Yes, we got a couple free appetizer sorts of plates, and yes, the food was delicious when we got it. At least it seemed so. My blood sugar was all sorts of messed up by the long delayed dinner. They didn't separate checks, but that's pretty common it seems. I'm just glad I got cash so I got out of there the fasted under the guise of acting as an advance party to meet the people meeting us for drinks. (Because our party was running late, of course, after dinner our hour late dinner.) The whole ordeal was so exhausting that many people had to call it a night. Very sad that what could have been a great start to a night out, well, very much wasn't. Edit: Also, for the record, we weren't the 15-top that annoyed Lindsay J. We were all a bit young maybe (early to mid 20s) but very well behaved.
(2)
J R.

The food was great. The place is so small that it is WAY too loud to enjoy a romantic evening. Would not go back for dinner. Very slow in table turnover. So cramped it was uncomfortable to get up go to the Restroom.
(3)
Jessica T.

One Word.......Delicious. I will come back here and recommend this wonderful place to everyone I know. Always impressed with the service and the food. It reminds me of the restaurants at home in San Francisco love the atmosphere.
(5)
Michael D.

Great atmosphere, descent prices, good service, good food...I will be back!
(4)
Eat'n Out E.

They were snobbish rude, and controlling. Not friendly at all Their needs were more important than the customers. If one asks for something, they were not at all accommodating. Their menu was OK, but not large.
(1)
Scott b.

Wow, all I can say is Chipino! Sit at the bar, have some wine and get the carpaccio salad and then split the Chipino with your date. Last time my wife and I were there we had the salad and then split the soup, money. While we were their these two cats opened a bid dog bottle of wine and shared with us, normally wouldn't do this but this bottle was from the 1700's, just kidding it was probably 3 years old but I didn't care. When I ever want to gain brownie points I take my wife here, this place is nothing short of spectacular.
(5)
Lindsay J.

I don't know, you guys. As cliche as this saying is on Yelp, I'm going to say it anyway: I REALLY wanted to like this place. I really did. It's convenient to the Paramount Theatre, which is always a plus, as my husband and I frequent the summer film series each year. It's romantically-lit (always a huge bonus in my book). And, they serve mussels! Here's the problem: the mussels were the best part of the whole experience, and they were just the appetizer. There was a 15-top seated in the back section of the tiny restaurant, and they were beyond obnoxious: screaming laughter, standing on chairs, playing lude charades games. Now, don't get me wrong, these are all things that I might do, in the comfort of my living room. But in a quaint little bistro setting? The couple that came in and was seated after us actually got up and left after about 30 seconds because they weren't comfortable with the noise. I was shocked that the waitstaff/management did absolutely nothing and let this table ruin everyone else's dining experience. We stayed, mostly because we were starving, and it was late. And the food? Decent, but nothing amazing. I had the lamb meatballs with rigatoni, and to be honest, the sauce sort of tasted like something out of a jar. The toasted angel food cake was almost rock hard, and I should have sent it back. Again, laziness on my part and I should have taken it upon myself to ask for a manager. I felt as though the staff should have done something about the obviously intoxicated table after some point, or at least offered to comp an item on our tab. I would've enjoyed the whole evening much more, had I been able to experience La Traviata for what it's meant to be: an adorable little bistro in the heart of downtown.
(2)
Iftikhar K.

As many others have said, this is an excellent Italian Restaurant, with a great location and atmosphere. We arrived on a Friday night without a reservation. The place was full, but there was a spot open at the bar which we took advantage of. The food is very reasonably priced and portions are big. My chicken parmesan was excellent as was Rabia's seafood plate.
(4)
Sara R.

The food and service are good, but they do NOT have a full bar. This needs to be corrected on yelp!
(3)
Wendy W.

A $14 hanger steak salad with an ex-coworker. (Don't normally spend that much at lunch but he picked it and I don't eat pasta). The steak was perfectly cooked - in that it was juicy bright pink in the middle. Generous Parmesan shavings, a hint of truffle oil, some fingerling potatoes lounging on the side by the cluster of chopped roasted red peppers. This salad is masterful.
(4)
Alice K.

My and my husband's favorite restaurant in Austin, hands down. Every dish is utterly excellent. They make the best and most authentic spaghetti carbonara in Austin. The service is perfect. My only problem is that it is super cramped.
(5)
Eric P.

La Traviata consistently delivers outstanding food. That should be the end of my review but it would be remiss to not embelish a little- Ravioli of the day - This is the only pasta they make in house, which is very consistent with alot of restaurants in Italy. Their raviolis are always melt in your mouth delicate. I love them best when they use subtle cheeses and herbs, with a broth like sauce. Perfecto! Bolognese - For me the mark of an outstanding bolognese is when the fat from the meat has just begun to carmilize, when just about all the vegetables and spices have melted away and are unrecognizable, when there is no clear distinction between sauce and liquid meat. You get the point, La Traviata does- consistently awesome. They would get that magical 5th star from me if they could increase table spacing so that I wouldn't have to control my ooh's and ahh's or listen to some of their less interesting customers conversations.
(4)
Jeanie L.

My son and I stopped by here on a recommendation from a local. We had just been at the bridge watching the bats, so we were both very causual. The staff was more than gracious and made us feel comfortable although there were some people very dressed up. We were told they were full for another two hours but we could be seated immediately at the bar. This was a Saturday. The food was amazing! My son had the spagetti carbonara which he said was the best pasta dish he has ever had. I had something con funghi. I can't recall the exact name. The dish was also delicious. It would have also been the best Italian I had ever had, but it was a touch too salty for me. Loved the atmosphere, food and staff! Highly recommended!
(4)
Benjamin C.

Definitely has the best bolognese in Austin. I've tried to replicate it at home but haven't been able to make anything nearly as tasty! Their polenta appetizer very good to start with. Probably the 2nd or 3rd best Italian restaurant in Austin.
(4)
Steve B.

Tasty and home made Italian goodness. I'm half Italian, and both parents cook well enough to put many lesser Italian restaurants to shame, so when I pick an Italian place, I am pretty darn critical. Took a dear friend here Friday night for his birthday, and we had a pleasant, flavorful and well-served dinner, with no wait for a table. That's one of the things I like about this place, even though they seem to be busy, they can usual sneak in a deuce or a four-top with little waiting time, even on a Friday night. I started with a Mista salad which was an orgy of mixed greens, crunchy nuts & shaved pecorino romano which inspired a very clean plate. Friend had fresh ravioli for an appetizer, and the lasagna of the evening (which was Bolognese) for his entree, pronouncing both delicious. As an entree I had a mound of al dente cappelini tossed with sauteed greens, mussels and prosciutto and it was fabulous. A spicy Cabernet complemented the dinner well, and dinner for two with appetizers, 4 drinks and coffee came to just under $95. Not inexpensive, but worth it. Capable, competent friendly service, a good special recommendation and a pleasant chance to chat with my buddy and celebrate another year orbiting the sun in a cool Austin food emporium.
(4)
Tori T.

I love love LOVE La Traviata. Obviously, it's just a few doors down from us at Cork so, we eat there often. It's seriously one of my TOP 3 places to eat in Austin though! The food is consistently great and so is the service! It's cozy and just the absolute best "date night" restaurant. I think I have ordered the spaghetti bolognese the last 4 times but, last night I branched out and tried the chicken parm and OMG! so so soooooo good. If you plan to go I would suggest the spaghetti bolognese and if you have a friend with you split the chicken parm. The portion was large with two chicken breast on top. Highly recommended and 5 stars !!!!!
(5)
Jay P.

For some reason, this place always reminds me of NYC. Small and atmospheric - The pasta Carbonara is rock solid, which is a good base-line test for any Italian eatery in my book.
(4)
Liz B.

Perfect date spot. Our server was charming, attentive and professional. She made sure we instantly had everything we needed without being the least bit obtrusive. She made great recommendations on the wine and the 4 cheese ravioli appetizer with the quail and mushrooms. The duck confit was the most tender meat I've ever experienced and was perfectly prepared, absolutely delicious, beautifully plated, and came with equally wonderful sides: fennel and potato gratin and haricots verts. The profiteroles we had for dessert were divine. It was a really lovely evening. We'll be back!
(5)
Brent W.

Probably the best meal I had the entire time in Austin...and it was Italian ffs, go figure. The Salmon was absolutely fantastic, very lightly breaded in some sort of panko-esque breadcrumb and accompanied with a decadent sauce; perfectly cooked, this was a true winner. Easy recommendation if you're looking to break away from traditional Texas fare.
(4)
Lyn M.

Hands down - my favorite restaurant in all of Austin. Marion (sp?) Gilchrist is an artist! She has created this wonderfully intimate place which, even on the noisiest nights, feels comfy and cozy. Although it's an Italian restaurant, the feel is very "French Bistro." Long bar, friendly staff, great menu. When dining with friends - I think any seat in the restaurant will do. For something intimate? Call ahead and request the table for two in the window. It's quiet there - while the rest of the restaurant can be a bit noisy. But food is all about merriment, isn't it? I've had the Osso Bucco, the Pasta Norma (yay Eggplant), and the Carbonara (er, heartattackonaplate) are awesome. Do yourself a favor and start with the crispy polenta with warm gorgonzola sauce, and finish with profiteroles. And at the VERY beginning - wait for your table two doors down at Cork & Company. Get a nice wine flight, enjoy the beginning of your night.. you're in for a treat.. so start with one! Bon Apetit!
(5)
Taylor T.

The food is always excellent here, as it the service. Definitely going to continue patronizing them! Try the pasta con fungi. it is hearty enough for a meat lover! Also, the pasta carbonera is fabulous. Enjoy!
(4)
Michelle G.

Can you give a rating of zero stars? That is what this place deserves. The only reason I am a member is to rate this horrible "Italian" restaurant. I first tried the Lasagna which was awful and had to be sent back. It had no tomato sauce and was just noodles filled with crappy cheese and fatty tasteless meat. It was gross! The second meal was no better but was eaten anyway. The chicken parm. was a dried piece of fried chicken with a can of luke warm crushed tomatoes. It was missing the seasoning and love that traditional Italian cooking has. I should know...I am from a proud Italian family! Olive Garden would have been a better choice and a whole lot cheaper. I don't know how they can charge the amount they do for the worst Italian food I have ever eaten. Needless to say I will never be back! If you want a great Italian restaurant in Austin go to Enoteca!
(1)
Tiffany Y.

Our cool neighbors brought us to this warm, charming restaurant in downtown Austin. Most of the food was fabulous (a little hiccup with my favorite dessert, creme brulee), and the service impeccable. I gave it 5 stars because if I weren't already taken, I'd marry the risotto. Need I say more?
(5)
Veronica G.

Polenta is hands down best appetizer in Austin! Didn't like bolognese, and don't have a great selection of wines. Like the cozy atmosphere!
(3)
Kevin N.

I've had pretty consistently good situations arise at La Traviata, and I've been pleasantly surprised some, too: this smallish, narrow throwback trattoria has not only stayed true to formula (at least given my experience over a number of years here), but has managed to create a thriving, if somewhat understated vibe. It's not a place that I seek out regularly, but when I have, even on some special occasions, it's been right on the money. I've tended toward the spaghetti bolgonese, a heaping mound of pasta that comes forth with an intended challenge to conquer, and the dessert lover has made proverbial mincemeat out of the chicken parmesean on ample occasion. As I recall the tiramisu was tasty, but these are the types of assertions that are best confirmed. Because it's better to be full. And full of all the joys that comfy yet casually resplendent dining may afford you.
(4)
Heather D.

MmMmm Delish! very impressive :) I'm Italian, so good Italian is hard to come by, so i found this place to be a delight! JUST wish they had cannoli's, DAMN them for not having good ol' cannoli's! But fantastic pasta!
(4)
Mitzie P.

This place has awesome food! More sauce and less pasta than the average Italian and great ambiance. It is a little high on the decibel level so bring your voice though ;)
(5)
Megan P.

It was good, but not amazing. I was surprised they closed so early, so watch that if you are heading there. Service was good, mainly I was disapointed because the muscles didn't taste very fresh. The tiramisu was yummy though!
(3)
Sean O.

3 nights out of 6 - I'm not saying you have to eat here that many times, but it's what I did. So I have a pretty good handle on what's going on. Everything I ate - all 3 nights - was perfect. If you like the idea of locally sourced food, the owner is doing as much of that as she can. If you like puttanesca, their calamari puttanesca is outrageously good. (I had it twice!) Tiramisu? Theirs has a bit of crushed hazelnut garnish that takes this dessert to a new dimension while staying true to its authentic roots. Feathery light with a deep, rich flavor and a nutty crunch. If they're serving any of their local heirloom tomatoes... OMG, order them. I had a caprese with a ricotta/mozzarella combo (borchatta?) that was the best I've ever had. The previous night the tomatoes were part of a composed bibb lettuce salad with gorgonzola - again, sublime. A beef carpaccio with arugula, shaved parmesan and, interestingly, a wedge of deep fried radicchio was a winner. The whole presentation gave the dish more of a "salad" feel and texture - not an easy trick when serving raw beef! The wine list is curated and easy to like and the staff couldn't be friendlier. If you're looking to walk in with 12 of your best friends (some of them tanked) and expect to grab a table... well, not so much - but they take rezzies and can easily handle walk-ins... flying solo? Eat at the bar. nuf said.
(4)
Chris H.

Went one recent weekday night. The place was half full. It was relatively quiet. The service was very good. They knew when to give space and when to come by the table. I had the bolognese. It was good, but not great. I also had an angel food cake dessert that was okay. I'd probably go back, but I'm not in a hurry to do so.
(3)
tracy j.

We loved this restaurant...the service, atmosphere, menu selection and food! Dined at this wonderful, almost hidden away spot for the first time on 6/3/11 and decided this is one of our favorites! For starters we had the tomato caprese salad which was very well done and always one of my favorite appetizers to order! We were told that they grow their own tomatoes and we could tell! My husband had the mista salad along with the beef tenderloin and he thought it was superb! Being a vegetarian, I had many options to pick from, which I loved about this place. I opted for the baby spinach and radicchio salad along with the crispy polenta. Both were phenomenal! Can't wait to dine there again!!!
(5)
Cerenity C.

I had a great experience here. My friend and I went during lunch and arrived just in time to beat a large lunch rush. I had the daily special Chicken Parmigiana and my friend had a penne pasta with eggplant concoction. I don't remember the name of her dish but we both enjoyed our meals.
(4)
lee a.

I've had dinner here twice now. I'm a big fan of duck confit so I ordered it on my first visit. The meat was dry to the point of being brittle. How this was achieved I've no idea as the duck is cooked in its own fat and is ordinarily moist and delicious. The only reason I returned (2 years later) was out of an obligation to attend a party. All I can say about the second visit was that the food was good but the service was as bad as the crisp dried duck from the previous visit. It felt like our table inconvenienced our server by even showing up on a weeknight. To sum it up, last visit La Triviata. Promise.
(2)
Natalie D.

Very cute, very cozy (bordering on cramped when crowded) little Italian restaurant downtown. They take (but don't require) reservations which I think is awesome. On weekends and during prime dining hours, it can get packed and those reservations are handy. Go early (or on a week day) and you shouldn't have a problem. Their daily specials sound sooooo tasty but I can't get their mushroom fettuccine out of my head - I've been craving it since I last had it...and I don't even really like mushrooms. But it is sooooo good. A little heavy on the noodles for me (i'm not a huge fettuccine fan either...how did I end up ordering this dish?!?!), but I just pushed the extra noodles aside and got up every one of those mushrooms. Mmmm! Most entrees run in the $15 to $20 range; appetizers, salads, desserts in the $6 to $10 range. We had a lovely dinner (with lovely service) including two salads, two entrees, dessert, a bottle of wine, tax and tip for ~$115. Not my favorite Italian place in town, but definitely high on the list. If you are looking for Italian downtown, I would say head to La Traviata.
(4)
Bobby S.

Love this place. Great setting and fantastic food. Only reason that I am not giving it five stars is because the food isn't really unique. Just darn good.
(4)
c t.

Cute spot close to the ACC. Service was great. The mushroom fettucine was really tasty, but a little too rich for me - though my waiter had warned me. I'd definitely go back to try the bolognese.
(4)
diane c.

I have posted recently about Italian restaurant but nothing gets as good as La Traviata!! This place is my absolute favorite Italian restaurant in Austin. I am going to have to say that no one can touch their Chicken Parmesan. I know that is a classic, plain dish to pick from, but no one does it like they do! The sauce they use their is AMAZING and I can never get enough!! It is a small restaurant and if a couple of tables are nosy then you can bet you will hear it but what does it matter when the food is delicious?!? The staff their is always friendly, but I do recommend making reservations for the evening, because we have tried walking up in the evening and they do tend to have long wait times. My husband's favorite is Duck Confit. Another friendly tidbit is that their menu changes for lunch.
(5)
Madolyn M.

I came here for lunch on a weekday last week, and left unimpressed. Coming in a hurry, I had a panini -- prosciutto with olive tapanade and roasted red peppers in oil -- that was, needless to say, extraordinarily salty and oily. The dishes that the rest of my party ordered did not fare much better either. The chopped salad was smothered in dressing, and the pasta dishes were off balance. I would like to note that I love simple Italian, so when a restaurant fails to impress in this category, I might be a bit more critical than usual.
(2)
Diana M.

Ate here before going to a show at Antones, great food, good service, awesome atmosphere. Great place for a date. The window seating reminds me of Lady and the Tramp. The cheese ravioli appetizer was the special of the day and it was mouthwatering. The place is small so there is typically a wait at peak times but if you time it right its well worth it.
(4)
Ben P.

La Traviata reminds me of some of those small, crowded places in Brooklyn. I've been several times over the past couple of years and really enjoyed the food and found the service tends to be good. There are a couple of things to keep in mind, first, it can be very busy and as it is a fairly small, you should make a reservation to be sure to get a seat. (When you do, ask for a table by the window. You get a little more elbow room and the view of Congress is nice.) Second thing to remember, the acoustics of the place make it very noisy. Not a great option for a quiet romantic dinner. But if you are out for a bottle of wine and some simple, rustic Italian food, it is great. The last point, the prices are a bit high, with dinner for two and wine running at around $100 with either antipasti or something sweet at the end. I am not sure what kind of appetite the people who commented about serving sizes had as I find the portions to be on the generous side, with maybe the ravoli being the exception. Wine list is great, not too long but with a good with mostly a cross section of Italian reds and whites and a few other wines to round out the selection. Now, here's something I hate to admit, the pasta Bolognese is amazing. I know, going to a nice Italian resturant and ordering Bolognese sauce is almost a sin. But the other side of that coin is that if they can do the basics well, the rest often follows. And La Traviata's Bolognese is great, almost exactly like you would find in a Marcella Hazan recipe. I've enjoyed several of their other items and often find their specials to be worth trying.
(4)
Kathy K.

La Traviata is fabulously creative and classic all at the same time. The rigatoni with lamb meatballs is to die for and the endive with prosciutto, kalamata olives and shaved Parmesan is a must have. Make a reservation or risk missing out.
(5)
Pam R.

Lost a star becausef the waitress was a dingbat. Ordered San Pelligrino, never got it. Finally asked for a glass of water. Thought that might trigger the memory of San Pellegrino....Alas...NO! Hubby had rigatoni with lamb meatballs-yum. I had the best carbonara I have ever had and I make one that is 5 star! - yum yum. Expect to sit with your neighboring table, - the place is really tiny but you get to hear your neighbors try to one up each others stories LOL!. Get a different waitress (NOT server #20) and get past the tight arrangements and the food is great
(4)
shannon c.

One of my local favs...I work 30 paces away and it's a favorite at lunchtime. If you go for dinner, get the Fried Radicchio app. and anything on the menu would be great. Anytime friends/family come into town and we want a break from Mex/BBQ, I take them here and everyone loves it! I always get the Spaghetti Carbonara or the Spaghetti Bolognese. I'm not usually a fan of spaghetti in general unless it's angel hair, but it's damn good here. Also, they have profiteroles! My friend Peter ordered the fungi something dish (mushroom dish) and my girlfriend who hates mushrooms even had to say it was yummy!
(4)
S V.

If you asked me to describe this place - I'd say "eh, whatever" and no, I wouldn't really put it on my list of recommended restaurants. While they are different from the Olive Garden type of cheesy affairs, they by no means come close to achieving the real Italian, authentic taste and that to me is a huge letdown.
(2)
Peter S.

A friend and I had plans to go enjoy some jazz and drinks at the Elephant Room last Saturday night. Walking down congress we passed a restaurant that smelled amazing. We both noticed it immeadiately, but only stopped to take a breath in and kept on our way to the Elephant Room. As it turns out, the Elephant Room doesn't open until 8PM on the weekends, so this gave us great opportunity to go taste the food that smelled so wonderful. As we didn't have reservations, we opted to sit at the bar. The staff was very attentive and we had cocktails quickly. I was planning on ordering off the menu, until I heard the specials, all of which sounded delicious. I went with the sausage and mushroom stuffed ravioli and it was fantastic. Great food, atmosphere, and staff are reasons why I love La Traviata and would recommend it to anyone. If you do not want to sit at the bar, be sure to call and make reservations in advance.
(4)
David A.

My friend took me here for lunch today. What a nice place for lunch! I had the garlic cream soup with a misto salad and a LOT of fresh bread. Really fantastic meal. The salad was significant and I was very satisfied with both the soup and salad offerings. My friend had the Calamari on Pasta in a red sauce and it was very good as well. Very good downtown lunch spot. The only reason that I gave this four stars instead of five is that it has a small number of tables and there were people waiting around for seating when we were done eating.
(4)
Julie M.

Wow! This place was awesome. After not knowing where to go, we decided to try La Triviata based on Yelp reviews (thank you!) and we were impressed. The prices were decent (~$15-20 for most entrees) and the food and service were excellent. We ate at the bar since we did not have a reservation and took the bartender's recommendation for our whole meal. Starter: Tomato basil soup, it was just ok. Nothing special. Main: We had the homemade ravioli and the carbonara which were out of this world!!! It's been a week since we left Austin and we are still telling friends about the meal. The pastas were presented simply and elegantly and were prepared al dente. The carbonara was wonderful and not overly creamy or soupy like it is served so often in the US, it was shaped like a nest with a local farm-fresh egg yolk on top and had crispy pancetta. Mmmmmm, wish I could eat it again now. Dessert: For dessert we had the ice cream puffs with homemade chocolate sauce. The sauce was very good but we would have preferred the puff pastries filled with whipping cream instead of ice cream as the puff pasty texture was a little hard with the ice cream inside. Enjoy!
(5)
Jena P.

Yum. *Very small place. Sat at the bar and had a wonderful time. wine was delish and the food was good ! I will go back and I hardly say that.
(5)
Rachel F.

Very good homemade ravioli. The roasted tomato basil soup was only average.
(4)
TW f.

We have had La Traviata on our short list of restaurants to try for a while. We live in downtown Austin, and so on Monday afternoon after we got finished with our happy hour, we walked over to La Traviata and made reservations for Thursday at 8pm, and also for the only round table positioned by the window at the front of the restaurant. I have a thing about being seated by the windows and will always jump at the opportunity to be seated by the window(s) in any restaurant if there are any. Thursday came and all 4 of us anticipated a great evening of fine dining on delectable foods, comforting ambiance, and being seated at the best table in the house by the window. We walked in to the restaurant at exactly 8pm and to our disappointment, our table was occupied. These folks were also just getting served their salads, so apparently they only recently got seated. I asked the guy who came to seat us (he was also the bartender) what was up with our table being occupied, when we reserved it when we made our reservations on Monday. He did not have a good answer for us, neither did the waitress who confirmed our reservation in the book, and saw that we had indeed reserved that table. I was really ticked about this whole ordeal, I might have had steam coming out of my head at that moment. My husband kept telling me to let it go, but I refused to let them off that easy. After we were seated at another (not as great) table, and after we ordered our appetizers, I asked to speak with the manager. The waitress seeing how upset I was, came back shortly with a peace offering of an appetizer plate - "Prosciutto di Parma." She said it was on the house & apologized profusely for the table mix up, while handing me the manager's business card. After such a gracious & humble apology, La Traviata had definitely redeemed themselves. They were again back in my good graces, and I could now look forward to having a great dining experience. The Prosciutto di Parma appetizer was absolutely delectable. Superb balance of flavors, using top quality ingredients of shaved Parmesan & prosciutto, on beds of Belgian endive, drizzled with truffle oil. Yum!! Shortly after we were digging into this amazing appetizer, our waitress again came back with two vodka watermelon cocktails for the ladies, (me and my girlfriend) and again said it was on the house. Wow! I was already impressed with the appetizer peace offering, but they really outdid themselves now with these extra cocktails for the ladies. Quite impressive, to say the least. With such exemplary customer service, La Traviata had definitely won me over again. They really proved to us that they were truly sorry for the table mix up. My husband and I had the caprese as an appetizer. The tomatoes were very fresh and so was the mozzarella. However in my opinion it lacked flavor. A sprinkling of fresh basil, oregano, & maybe some garlic infused olive oil might have improved this appetizer dish. Our friends had the Roasted Beets with Crostini and Texas Goat Cheese and they thoroughly enjoyed it. For entrees, both my husband and I had the beef tenderloin, and although it was served on a bed of pasta instead of the creamy polenta described on the menu, it was still quite savory & delicious. My tenderloin was cooked perfectly, just the way I asked for it, and the gorgonzola sauce was a delicious accompaniment. My girlfriend had the Cioppino alla San Francisco, and after polishing that off in no time, she she gave it a perfect 10. Her boyfriend had the Chicken Parmesan and he also gave his dish a perfect 10. We decided we had to go all the way and try the desserts too. We ordered the tiramisu & the cheesecake to share between the four of us. Both were absolutely divine. For sure I thought the evening would end up a disaster with me giving only 2 stars after I saw our reserved table occupied when we first walked in. However, this had the much happier ending I would have hoped for. In the end, we had a very positive dining experience at La Traviata, both in excellent customer service, and with all of the delectable, tasty, foods they serve. We will definitely be back. Hopefully I'll get to sit at my favorite table next time. :-)
(5)
Kari H.

I was disappointed in my experience here. We went on a Friday night around 8:30 and there was an hour and 45 minute wait. I have no problem waiting this long if the food is good, but my companion wanted to eat at the bar. The service was good, nothing to complain about. The bruchetta appetizer was a little bit different of a take - I was kind of surprised that there were two pieces of toast on a bed of baby greens for $8. For the main course, we ordered the scallops and the blue crab capellini. The scallops was with a bed of couscous, which was very dry. The scallops themselves were cooked well, but were not nearly the size you would find at McCormick & Schmick's and there were only three of them. I tasted the capellini and I thought it was dry as well without very much creativity. Dessert was a chocolate torte that was rich and loaded with hazelnuts - very tasty. All in all, I still have to give up to Vespaio for Italian in Austin. If you're going to spend money for a good meal go there. And for the seafood, go to McCormick's.
(3)
spamela l.

Having never been to Austin, I was delighted by the amazing restaurants. We stumbled upon this great place while "yelping" for something close with pasta. We couldn't have asked for more. We sat at the bar and the bartender was really sweet and knowledgable about the selection of wines. I ordered the penne with eggplant, absolutely delicious! A totally charming place with great food!!
(5)
laurie c.

In my past 6 years in Austin, La Traviata has stood out among my favorites. We even spent a New Year's Eve meal here. It's that good. Everything we've had here has been wonderful and I really, really like the atmosphere. It reminds me of the many "little Italy" restaurants in Boston or NYC. I don't think it's overpriced, especially considering where they are located. I do not think this would be a good place to take kids though it seems many reviewers thought differently. Sitting at the bar is also a fun, although different, date night. A lively place with excellent food.
(5)
Steve A.

In Austin for a business meeting and checked out Yelp. Due to high ratings tried this very nice local place. It lived up to the ratings. Very nice! The Cesar salad was presented well with great flavor. The Chioppino was great. The best part was that the seafood was not over cooked. A clue to a great chef. Well worth trying. It's a small place so be sure to get reservations.
(5)
Rudy H.

Intimate atmosphere and fresh dinner options. Really romantic. Make reservations.
(5)
Matt S.

It amazes me that this place is getting good reviews. I have never sent an entree back because it was so bad until I ate here. Once my second entree came out it was cold and lacked any flavor. I am half Italian so growing up I have had my fair share of great homemade Italian food. In all fairness this place has a quaint cozy atmosphere in a great location, but as far as the cuisine goes it is well below average.
(1)
Courtney J.

Can't handle the 1 hour and 45 minute wait at Vespaio?* Then, reserve a seat at La Traviata... Now! For once, I'm not going to tell you what to order because everything I've eaten at La Traviata has given my taste buds some serious Italian loving. Rather than food bits, I'd like to approach La Trav's atmosphere. Loud, aromatic, and glowing are the first three words that come to mind. After a failed attempt to have dinner at Vespaio, a friend and I showed up at La Trav's doorstep salivating. The problem? It was Friday night at about 7:45pm, and there was not a seat in the house that wasn't already taken or reserved. The solution? Two barstools. I have to admit that this was not quite the vision my little black dress had in mind for the evening dining arrangements. And so, I climbed up onto the barstool, looped my purse strap onto the bar hook, and asked the bartender for a wine suggestion. He quickly gave me two options, and I ordered a red which he said was "very popular in Italy right now." We ordered a mozzarella and heirloom tomato bruschetta, and soon I'd forgotten the preconceived ideals of the evening. The bartender smiled. The room filled with chatter. By the time dinner was over, I was laughing and loving every moment of what had turned out to be a wonderful evening. (*Vespaio does not accept weekend evening reservations.)
(4)
Dave R.

Having just written a scathing review of Quattro Gatti (disgusting) I feel obligated to write a review for these guys just a few blocks down Congress. Consistently tasty food. Good service, quiet ambiance. Nothing mind blowing but good for the price and setting.
(4)
Jeff B.

Fantastic Italian food and a very nice busy, yet cozy atmosphere. The food was very flavorful and the service attentive. We had a very good soup and salad, two nice spaghetti dishes, and desert. I would definitely dine here again.
(4)
Kristen L.

Absolutely phenomenal food. The carpaccio was SO flavorful and fresh and whatever sea salt they are putting on it is to die for, quite possibly the best carpaccio I have ever had. They also have a fried endive on the plate that was amazing. The fettucine con funghi was absolutely fabulous. Al dente noodles in a creamy mushroom sauce that's not heavy at all with mushrooms, artichoke hearts and spinache. The panna cotta was delicious too, as well as the orange cheesecake. This is by far the best place I have eaten at while in Austin and would go back if I had more time. I will be back La Traviata, get your carpaccio ready!
(5)
nicole b.

Delicious! For lunch, I ordered calamari puttanesca ($13) and roasted celery soup ($6) - both very good.
(5)
David W.

4 stars? Really? I went here on a recent work trip and not a single person at our table enjoyed our meal. Actually, one person enjoyed the sauce on the lobster ravioli special, but that was it. I had the chicken parmesean and with no exageration, the sauce literally tasted like chef boy-r-dee. The other meals at the table were also bland. Overall, Id say the pre meal bread was the best part of the meal. Only because it wasnt McDonalds and the ambiance was nice, Ill give it two stars.
(2)
Nicholas G.

One of the worst experiences we've had at a restaurant in a long time, and we didn't even get to order food or a drink! It was our first time there, and we won't be back. When you walk in, there's absolutely no ambiance at all. No music, and come to think about it, no people either. It was nearly 8 o'clock on a Saturday night and you could hear every conversation going on in the restaurant. We had made a reservation for 5, but when we arrived we were told the reservation was only for four. The hostess seemed extremely put out by this, even though nearly every table in the restaurant was vacant. She finally mustered the energy to pull another chair up to a table that was nearly hanging out into the entryway. The place is way too cluttered with tables, especially considering there was nobody there. The waiter then arrived with a snippy attitude. We asked, "do you have a full bar?" He replied, "NOPE". I then asked what beers he had, and he replied with three beers, I don't remember the names as we were so off put by his tone. I asked, "you only have three beers?", to which he said, "YEP!". At that point, my wife and our friend decided to leave before the rest of our party even showed up. Saturday nights are too precious to put up with assholes at a restaurant when you're there to enjoy yourself. We went to 2nd Bar & Kitchen just up the street where our tab ended up being nearly $400, money which would have gone to La Traviata had it not been such a horrible experience from the second we walked in the door. We obviously didn't try any food, so I can't say if it's any good. All I can tell you is that there are too many places within a block of this place that are WAY better, and that treat you like they want your business. We won't be back for the food. 2nd Bar & Kitchen is amazing tho, comparably priced, way better atmosphere, and probably better food. Long waits over there, but worth it.
(1)
C D.

I have recommended this quaint little Italian Restaurant to all kinds of people - friends trying to patch up a relationship, business associates, family. But after today, I don't think I will. I ordered a bowl of soup to go, picked it up and paid my $6.50 plus tip. When I got back to my office, I realized they only packed a cup of soup - not a bowl. When I called them about it, the explanation was, "Sorry about that, the portion we serve as our bowl is equivalent to the small styrofoam cup you were given and that's the price - $6.00 for the soup and 50 cents for the to-go charge. Sorry about that". Well, I'm sorry about that too. Sorry that I won't be returning or referring again.
(1)
Mark T.

We went for lunch with a family group of about 10 people, and everyone enjoyed the experience. Food and wine prices were reasonable, good food, good service, nice atmosphere - highly recommended.
(4)
Megan L.

The food was pretty decently priced and the atmosphere was great! The staff was so friendly! The tomato basil sauce was amazing! Everything tasted fresh to me and I really enjoyed it. It's a great date spot!
(4)
Rod G.

Great time here for dinner while visiting Austin. Enjoyed it so much we stopped by for lunch our last day in town.
(5)
Lawrence L.

best spaghetti carbonara i've ever had. it was creamy, it was warm, it didn't congeal, the noodles didn't clump, the egg was perfect and the yolk tasted so goldenly delicious. utterly amazing. if my wife hadn't literally restrained me from ordering another helping i would have. we ordered dessert afterward but i don't remember what we ordered b/c the carbonara was that good.
(5)
David L.

Italian food for foodies... Simple, authentic Italian food, executed well.. I went to La Traviata for lunch yesterday. I made a reservation for two, (near the window as suggested in a previous yelp review) but it seemed unnecessary as we were the only guests in the place.. I hear its more of a dinner place anyway..So we were promptly seated, by a friendly, welcoming staff. As an appetizer, my date and I split a salad special. It was arugula, with roasted baby beets, blue cheese, pistachio, tossed in an onion vinaigrette. mmmmmmm...... For entree I had the spaghetti carbonara, and my date had the soup. She said the soup was good, but the carbonara was great, prepared traditionally with a raw egg yolk on top.. What surprised me, was that the pasta was more enjoyable than the sauce, which is definitely not a complaint.. The price was not unreasonable for the quality of the food. All in all, we had a good time, the food was good, and I would certainly like to try this place for dinner.
(4)
Ice Cream Truck I.

Excellent Italian restaurant. I was in town for business and dog-tired. This restaurant did the trick on a very cold rainy February evening. The restaurant was friendly, handsome, and professional without being pretentious. Confident and classy. The food was without exception delicious and fresh. The vegetarian options are sufficient. It was completely comfortable. I wish this restaurant were in my home town of San Francisco. It is centrally located, on Congress Street, and there are very affordable lots nearby. Clean, warm, comfortable! And absolutely delicious food! The restaurant is on the samll side, though, so large groups may be difficult.
(4)
Kristi W.

I like this place but I've only been a couple of times. The place reminds me of a restuarant you might find in NYC or perhaps in Rome even. The food and wine was good. The restuarant is beautiful - long and narrow. But I just learned they do no happy hour at all. Nothing at all? Not even a drink special? Come on! Get over yourself already.
(3)
Dominique S.

This place is really good. It can get really crowded at night and the tables are set up a little strange but I think that's for lack of space. I came for a late lunch and we were seated right away. The service here is excellent, I ordered the Chicken Parmigiana, the special, it came with two big pieces of chicken and spaghetti. I was a little disappointed in the amount of sauce, it was spread on the plate and not the pasta itself but I'm very much into "drowning" my pasta with sauce. It could have had a little more flavor but I think that might be the lack of sauce talking. The breaded chicken breasts were great! Our waitress was awesome and even brought us to go cups for our ice tea. I will definitely be coming back here.
(4)
Matt S.

I agree with Isabelle, the Cioppino is a great dish and combined with the atmosphere and the location it is worth it. Prices weren't cheap, but it really is a nice place for dinner. Lots of happy people laughing and talking. Not stuffy at all, more festive in my opinion..
(4)
Kacy H.

This is a small intimate restaurant where I had the best steak I've ever had in my life. It was cooked so perfectly, and was insanely tender. The wine was great, and the waitstaff rocked. But then again to the people that think they weren't great, I'm not a fan of a wait person squatting next to my table pretending they're my best friend. It's a great place!!!!!!
(5)
Becky W.

I'm tempted to go with four stars because the space is a little cramped, but I love La Traviata so much that I'm going to go with five big ones. I've been here for lunch several times and I am really impressed with the place. The atmosphere is nice and cozy (a little too cozy) but the food is amazing. I'm all about simple, delicious food and this place hits the mark everytime. I could mainline the rigatoni it's so good. The pasta is what handmade pasta should be and the sauces are off the meter. Claustrophobes might want to avoid this place because the tables are a wee bit tight. My sister and I had lunch here one day and right when I was about to ask her about her a-hole boss, she gave me a serious "be quiet" look because two of her snitchy coworkers were sitting about two inches away from us at the adjacent table! It's a little like dealing with a close talker, but the food is worth it.
(5)
Seiji C.

spicy shrimp "pasta" was the special. tasted pretty much like spaghetti with some shrimp on top. for $19. way overpriced. the olive oil was delicious, and everything else was passable. another in the exporting decor/ambiance/prices of nice coastal restaurants, without the corresponding quality.
(3)
Beth P.

I am not sure if this place should have 3 or 4 stars, so I am erring on the generous side. I also came with a large group (why do we do this in such a tiny place??? Oh, right, location!) The person arranging dinner asked us all to show up 10 minutes early, and most of us waited outside until our actual reservation time. When we went in, we sort of awkwardly hung around in the way, bumping into tables and waiters and each other. The wait staff was actually really cool about it. Once our table was ready, maybe 15 minutes later, we did have room for everyone. I think the food was decent, but you definitely pay more for the convenience of being right next to wherever you want to go next. There were a few odd things. I get thirsty. My water glass was empty after about 20 minutes and was never refilled in the 2 hours we were there. I drank the ice as it melted. I know I could have asked, but I was sort of fascinated that when the waiters came by to bring stuff, they never refilled anyone's. With the big group, they told us all the specials as one giant group... which meant that at least half of us couldn't hear, and had to ask to have it repeated at our end. A couple of orders were wrong, which happens with big groups, but when it was pointed out, the staff was just kind of like, "whatever" and since the people weren't that vocal, the staff didn't seem to do anything about it (later, we noticed the bill was adjusted for a few things, but they gave us no indication of that at the time.) The last strange thing is that they never came by to check that everything was ok. We were taking up half of the restaurant, so it's not like we could have been forgotten. Why the four stars, then? They did adjust a few things on the bill for the mistakes, and didn't add on at least a couple glasses of wine ($8-10 each.) With dinner for 16 downtown, with drinks and several desserts for $500 after tip, it's not so bad. Like others mentioned, they didn't split the check, and when we put several cards (with the breakdown for how much to each) they charged us all properly, though they came back and just left 3 of those padded black folders with two cards in each and made no attempt to get them to the right people. Just slightly odd now and then, but I definitely had a good night. I wouldn't suggest coming here, but if a friend invited me out again for a special event, I would be there.
(4)
Sjon U.

There are very few Italian restaurants that "feel" right. This one does. Of course, going on a Tuesday night might be why there was no overcrowding, and having a reservation meant no wait at all, but this restaurant was "multi bene." And the Duck Comfit with fig sauce was delightful. I will be going again, just not on a weekend night; I can see why it can get crowded, it is a bistro and not a cafeteria.
(5)
Jim C.

The polenta is just one ot those things that jumps out as "best in town". Same with the duck and the seafood stew. I've been three times and can't imagine it being better. This is my measuring stick for the other best upscale Itailian places in town, Vespaio's and Andiamo. Both are in many ways just as good but this remains my choice.
(5)
Kasper L.

Definitely one of my favorite places in Austin. The food has been exceptional both times I visited. Do yourself a favor and stop by. Trust me. As of 2 trips, I've had almost all the appetizers, and they are all amazing. The standouts would have to be the crispy polenta, beef carpaccio (the fried radicchio was the best shit ever), ravioli, and the mussels. I basically just mentioned half the apps, but this place is freaking good. For entrees, I had the duck confit which was excellent. I had the bolognese previously, but wasn't too enamored by it. It was good, but not great like all the other things I tried. Dessert was the tiramisu that was a great way to end a meal. It felt light and creamy with a nice crunch from the toasted hazelnuts. I need to come back again to try the ricotta cheesecake and the hazelnut cake--if the tiramisu is any indication, those 2 must be heavenly.
(5)
Sonia T.

I thought we were going to Botticelli's on South Congress, and accidentally ended up here , which was my fault. I decided to go ahead and stay anyway, since we had made a reservation, and the reviews on yelp looked positive. The place is super cute, as you feel like you are walking into someone's home, it is dimly lit, and smelled delicious. Tables are fairly close together, and there is a small bar. We were greeted after a short wait, and decided on a bottle of white which was excellent. I wish I could remember the name, darn! I started with the mussels, as did my friends. They were okay, the broth was super thin, very salty, and just didn't have the taste that I like when I have mussels. I had the spaghetti which was decent, but still could have had more flavor. My friend had the alfredo which was really good. Perhaps I didn't order more exciting dishes, but I just wasn't blown away. Great service, decent food, cute atmosphere, great wine.
(3)
Kristy P.

Small, quaint, casual little Italian place on Congress - great for date night. I have only been here once, but it was excellent. The food was great and our server did a good job, despite the table next to us given him a really hard time about everything - it was SX, so the crazys were in town. Since it's pretty small, I'd recommend making reservations. They are open pretty late so it's even a good spot for a night cap.
(4)
Mary L.

It's small, quaint, and dimly lit as we walked in and greeted right away by the hostess. You can easily seat 60 people if you include the bar area and on this night, it was almost full to capacity so I highly recommend making reservations before you go. As we waited for my cousin to arrive, we ordered a couple of glasses of Malbec at $11/glass which I think is a reasonable price for what we got - sweet and subtle to the palate. For starters we had the Steamed Prince Island Mussels (white wine, garlic, fresh parsley) and the Crispy Polenta (rosemary polenta served w/ Italian gorgonzola sauce) which if there is any wonder what to try you MUST get the polenta. It is perfectly fried to a nice, crunchy crisp. Review after review talked about how amazing the Spaghetti alla Carbonara is and while there almost every other plate being brought out was this one so how could I not try it to? Um, yes please!! The presentation was perfect with the egg yolk sitting right atop. As I pierced my fork into the mound of pasta it unraveled and filled my plate to the brim. The sauce was just as I like it - creamy consistency - with perfectly scattered pancetta in the dish. I asked for shrimp to be added for a small up charge. The next time I am in Austin and in the mood for Italian, I'll definitely stop back in.
(4)
Nicky L.

Quite possibly the best bowl of pasta I've had in Austin. The pasta carbonara is out of this world and they give you so much! My pasta lasted me for 3 meals! They give you a lot of pancetta too. My only gripe is that this place is tiny so you should make reservations if you have more than 2 people, otherwise you'd have to wait for a long time!
(5)
Ashley V.

This place is adorable. I can't believe on a Friday night that it wasn't packed. We called at 5:30 and got a reservation for 6:30. We ordered the specials caprese salad with the gooiest mozzarella I've ever seen, it was fantastic. My friend ordered spicy shrimp in a marinara cream sauce, loaded with shrimp. I ordered the 3 cheese butternut squash ravioli with pork ragu and spinach... It was delicious!! Service was great. I will be coming back. Would be GREAT for a fancy date night! And the prices are legit! Our specials were $18 and enough for two meals!
(5)
Sarah C.

La Traviatta is terrific. My party and I made a reservation at Trulucks through Open Table, and it turns out they had a private event that evening, so we had to scramble to change our plans. I called La Traviatta around 8:45 to ask what they had, and they told me I'd be seated to later than 9:30 - we showed up at 9, planning to hang at the bar, but to our delight and surprise, we were seated immediately! That was the great kickoff to an excellent meal. For an appetizer, I got the mussels. Very generous portion (shared by 4)with a divine white wine garlic sauce. My entire table got pasta as their entrees - and half got the mushroom pasta. Blew me away from the first bite - I had to block my husband's fork away from my plate. The pasta had truffle oil, a variety of mushrooms, and was so creamy despite having no cream. All in all, a memorable meal that didn't break the bank. Go eat here.
(4)
Dario S.

The Rigatoni with lamb meatballs is F**K**G.......THE BOMB!!!!!!!! I think the place could use a few more appetizers and come down on there prices a wee bit for the portion sizes. U mostly have to pay to park somewhere nearby cause of the location :-( It can also feel a little to Snobish at times with some of the "TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL" patrons at surrounding tables.
(3)
Anthony I.

Food = good. Price = crap. Why, oh why are places like this crowded? A bowl of fettucine with tomato sauce and mushrooms should not ever cost $9. I assumed I'd be getting a massive bowl -- this was the amount I serve my 3-year-old. Around the table was even worse. Chicken marsala, calimari, etc. all tasted good and cost at least twice as much as they should. We're talking $15 lunch that leaves you hungry one hour later. Nothing else to say about it.
(2)
Prachi D.

Alas...not too happy with my recent experience at all. Being a vegetarian, I don't expect a mountain of choices at an upscale Italian eatery like this one, but I also expect more than one veg dish on the menu! Also - I find it very annoying when restaurants do not update their online menus. I fully expected to order a butternut squash risotto with black pepper mascarpone last weekend (listed online) - but upon arrival found that it was "seasonal". I don't like mushrooms (I know, I know what kind of vegetarian doesn't eat mushrooms??), but still there was nothing else to choose from, and I did not feel like negotiating my own dish that night with the waitress. So salad it was. They need to be a lot more progressive with their choices. Vegetarian Friendly: 1/5
(1)
Scott E.

pretty good food, my wife had the ravoli which was a amazing but i had the pasta in the meat sauce with lamb and meat mixed it, it was just ok something was missing and the sauce was lacking something....maybe next time i would get something else and would give more stars
(3)
Laura S.

We dined Thursday night around 7:45pm. I read the reviews and I had the Spaghetti alla Carbonara. WOW! My husband got the chicken parm - which was very good - but he was jealous! I have to say, the Spaghetti alla Carbonara was 'to die for'! I've never had anything quite like it and it was delicious! The service was excellent. We shared the mexican ice cream with locally grown pears and peaches for dessert- the perfect ending to the meal! Light and full of flavor. We will definitely be back again!
(5)
Sarah G.

If the name weren't already taken, this place should call itself Hairy Situations. I went for lunch today and there was a hair in my soup AND one in my salad! Hairnets, people! Stat!
(1)
Karen T.

Really nice mushroom pasta dish (can't remember the name). Portion was modest which was perfect for me. Service was "meh" that night but it didn't bother me since the food was good.
(4)
carla c.

Huh? I haven't written a review of La Traviata before? OK, here you go. I have loved the Spaghetti A La Carbonara at La Traviata for years. I had not had it for at least a couple, and I couldn't be sorrier that I waited so long. I dined with Michelle C. and Chris this evening with the intention of having the Carbonara again. I had bragged on it, and was nervous that it would fail to meet braggadocio standards. When it arrived, the perfect nest of pasta and pancetta, adorned with slivers of scallions and topped with a raw egg yolk, it was like a perfect picture. I tried to wait for the appropriate photos to be taken (those food bloggers) but had to dig in and mix in the yolk with the pasta. The result was perfection, creamy, salty, yum with perfectly cooked al dente pasta. To die for. Seriously good food. And, our reserved table was ready precisely at 8:00, our reserved time, and the service was attentive, friendly, and helpful. Love it.
(5)
Jill J.

Love.It . The size, service and (most importantly) the food here make this place my favorite restaurant in Austin. First of all, it's small. You need reservations for dinner but it is worth it. The size contributes to a great, intimate atmosphere (as opposed to the mass production of larger places). The waiters only have a few tables to take care of, so they make sure you have everything you need. I've eaten at the bar several times (when I didn't have a reservation) and there's nothing lacking there as far as service. Now. Let's talk food. I though I wouldn't be able to get over the crispy rosemary polenta in gorgonzola sauce but then I tried the freshly made ravioli. They were both a little heavy for appetizers but so incredibly delicious that it is well worth it. We love the Cioppino, which, as the menu indicates, sticks very close its San Francisco roots and lasagna seems at times too good to be true. The menu is seasonal and several items (lasagna, ravioli) are "du jour" creations. The deserts are also incredible. The tiramisu is unbelievably light and the gelato and granita is fresh. The best, though, is the orange ricotta cheesecake. Not exactly a ricotta pie but de.licious.
(5)
Ryan F.

This is a response to the user who left the two star review and kept using the words "hubby" and "yummy" and spelled the word swear "SWARE". Need I say more...
(5)
Natalie P.

I don't remember what I ordered, but I liked it and I esp liked how pretty it was. :) My favorite thing here was the cozy atmosphere.
(3)
Rob W.

We just had a wonderful breakfast here. The service was quite good, as was the food. I will definitely be going back.
(4)
Chris B.

Coming from the food obsessed city of San Francisco, my fiancee and I decided to put Austin to the test and sample the local Italian fare. Overall, we found La Traviata to be quite good. The atmosphere was very urban, and although the restaurant can get a little loud when crowded, it didn't distract from the overall experience. The wine list is decent for both whites and reds, and the pasta dishes we tried held up well to their San Francisco equivalents. Bonus points if you're a wine lover like me and want to have a post-dinner glass or two... La Traviata is two doors away from Cork!
(4)
Skyler S.

A group of friends and I stopped in to La Traviata on New Years Eve and sat at the bar. While the menu for the evening was slightly different than their standard fare, everything we had was excellent. The meatball soup was fantastic, very savory with some crunchy bread on top for texture. I also had the arugula and grapefruit salad which was excellent. The bitterness of the arugula, sweetness of the grapefruit and salty percorino romano cheese balanced well. For my entree I had fettuccini dish with crimini mushroom, fried artichokes and truffle oil. It was the highlight of the meal. Complex flavors, great textures, everything I was looking for. The pasta was great quality and cooked perfectly. Pretty good wine selection but THERE IS NO FULL BAR contrary to what this page says. The girls we were with were a bit upset but that. Overall, great for a nice dinner out, the restaurant is a bit cramped though.
(4)
Willis R.

This is the best Italian joint in the city. You cannot go wrong here. You will enjoy this meal. In fact this is probably the best eatery in town. Sorry Fonda San Miguel, please don't hate me.
(5)
Stacey M.

you left santa fe found in austin years later bolognese still rocks
(4)
Shane M.

Never have I been disappointed with the food or service at La Traviata.I like the fact if a table is not ready there is a comfortable place to sit down and have a drink. They tend to have very good specials and the prices are reasonable. Parking isn't ideal but is what to be expected for downtown.
(5)
Isabelle K.

The only dish I like is Cioppino. Every time I went there because I miss Cioppino. It's like another restaurant Vespaio to me.
(4)
Aaron B.

I'd give this place 4.5 stars if I could. The rigatoni with lamb meetballs was simply fantastic. The lasanga was excellent. The only thing keeping this from a 5 star review was the antipasti (mediocre mozzerela, ok peppers, decent anchovie, but the size of the portion was much too small and the whole thing was rather bland).
(4)
Mandee K.

Great place, great food. I got the spaghetti alla carbonara which comes with an egg and I added chicken. It was delicious! I could hardly put a dent in my dish - such a big portion size. The crispy polenta appetizer was a bit salty in the sauce but it's presentation and crisp were quite good. The atmosphere was super cute and I really liked the small size and vibe. It was packed - so always get a reservation! The wait staff was kind but slow, which may just be that Italian home kitchen vibe. Overall good experience and I'll definitely be going back!
(4)
Taylor W.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. I've been coming here since 2005. In fact, I come here every time I visit Austin. Does that tell you how good it is? First of all, if you want to eat here for goodness sake make a reservation. LT is tiny. You may be able to swing a spot at the bar, but don't count on it. Next, the food. EVERYTHING is good people. I've had the salmon and the steak. Killer. You must must must try the duck or the lamb pasta. Life changing. Oh, and the meal starts out with amazingly fresh bread and super high quality olive oil. YUM! The wine list isn't huge, but it has something for everyone. Finally, the location and vibe are on point. Everyone likes South Congress, amirite? LT is old school Italian, but in a somewhat modern way. It has been the same since I started coming here, over ten years ago! A must try in Austin (with a reservation, remember?)
(5)
Deniz V.

After consulting the yelp reviews, it seemed the Spaghetti alla Carbonara was the dish to get here and it was indeed fantastic. Super rich, creamy and filling with great flavor and the egg yolk on top looks great and makes it even richer and tastier. Pretty filling as well. The ambiance of the place is decent and its in a nice location right on congress close to lots of wine and cocktail bars if you're in the mood for a pre or post dinner drink. Service was friendly and knowledgeable from our server, and the place was surprisingly empty during SXSW for dinner. My wife's spaghetti bolognese was good as well, but had a strong smoky flavor to the meat in the sauce which I liked, but don't think she cared for, so keep that in mind maybe if you get that. All in all, I enjoyed it and would go back for the Carbonara on a splurge day geared towards fatty creamy pasta goodness.
(4)
Nate K.

I LOVE this place!! My mother is an amazing Italian chef... and this place hits the spot when I can't make the 4 hour drive for home cooked comfort food. I've been here a dozen times and the service is always on point, the facility has a feel very similar to a small Brooklyn type establishment with old hard wood floors and dim yet classy lighting. The Crispy Polenta is THE BEST (still trying to figure out what's in that dang sauce!) and there ravioli specials (change daily) never disappoint. Last night I tried their Carbonara and HOLY CANOLI... so good. It's my new favorite Italian dish... EVER. Seriously. Great wine selection, friendly servers, reservation AND walk in and great bar service... this 14 year Austin staple is a favorite or mine and will soon be yours too!!
(5)
Joseph N.

We had a wonderful dinner here last night! The Ravioli was made in house and had that perfect crunch to it! We were able to enjoy our dinner with a bottle of Pinot Noir from our personal collection...corkage fee was a little pricey but why not! ($35) Service was polite and inviting.... we'll see ya'll again soon! Cheers!
(5)

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Address : 314 Congress Ave
Austin, TX, 78701
Phone (512) 479-8131
Website https://www.latraviatatx.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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La Traviata

314 Congress Ave, Austin, TX, 78701

La Traviata Menu

Primi

Entrees - Pasta

Pesce E Carne

Healthy Meal suggestions for La Traviata

Primi

Entrees - Pasta

Pesce E Carne

Joseph B.

Minnie M.

Coral H.

Amy C.

Christopher D.

Shelley K.

Carmen F.

Cindy L.

M K.

Justin G.

Dustin S.

Sharon T.

Fan Z.

Melissa A.

Jennifer K.

Cassie W.

Pradeep R.

Nicole S.

Vicki G.

Mike H.

Aaron B.

Ashley M.

Yunseok J.

Trevor R.

Stacey T.

Chris T.

Jana M.

Christina T.

Liz K.

Gregory K.

Moto R.

Errol M.

Mary L.

Sheldon O.

Erin F.

Meg N.

Donna C.

Kandi M.

Kelly W.

Colin S.

Shannon D.

Lisa N.

Phoebe N.

Colleen K.

Adriana H.

Mark W.

Don R.

Johnny S.

Matt L.

Sonia R.

Jessica P.

Kat M.

Lexi E.

Tori M.

whit e.

Bruce N.

jen f.

Pam G.

Caitlin M.

Jen J.

Hiya C.

Patrick F.

Ryan H.

Ed D.

Anastasia B.

Darla A.

Patrick J.

Kelly B.

Kristen B.