I visited Candelari's Italiano restaurant last month to celebrate Houston Restaurant Weeks for 2026. After being seated we were each presented with the HRW lunch menu that was priced at $25 for a 2 course meal. I chose the tomato basil soup to start with and then the penne rustica for the main dish. The soup arrived shortly after and it tasted fresh and rich with some basil added. I enjoyed it. Later the pasta dish arrived with Italian sausage and mushrooms mixed together with some tomato cream sauce and of course the penne pasta. It was a very good tasting and satisfying meal. Our table service was very good and we all agreed that it was a fine meal. read more

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This place was not a good experience for me. Walked in looking forward to a nice quiet HH and instead was greeted by a very pushy waiter that was pushing some expensive water on me. This guy went into a 5-10 lecture about how this expensive water was best for people in Texas heat to drink. I finally had to cut him off and tell him that I just wanted some free tap water with ice. Then I ordered a HH drink and the same guy tried to upsell me on a better bourbon and to get my drink smoked as it was the best experience. Again I had to cut him off and tell him that I was there to enjoy HH and so Zi wanted to just order a HH drink and some appetizer. The drink was good but the appetizer was over priced. I am not sure if I would return here as the food was average and over priced. And I hate going to restaurants that try to upsell me on stuff. read more

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Food was good. Service wasn't too bad. They were not very busy. I got the pizza and salad pretty quickly but everything was a bit rushed. I feel like when we go out on restaurant week it's probably the worse time to go because they get overwhelmed with people and never have any downtime. The pizza was good. Fresh and hot. I would probably come back to check out the happy hour for the pizza and wine deal (pictured in my photos) or the pasta. Shopping center Parking lot parking is a plus here. read more

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My sisters, niece and I stopped in for dinner, which was fine. Just fine. Everybody enjoyed their meals, but nothing truly phenomenal. I'm willing to visit again, just to see if it's just me or... read more

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What should have been a great night quickly turned into a multiple day nightmare. I recently moved from Houston and came back for a women's conference with my church. I was really looking forward to sitting down for a nice dinner with two of my girlfriends, so I intentionally chose this restaurant after seeing great reviews on Find Me Gluten Free. I reviewed the menu ahead of time and clearly communicated my gluten allergy with our server before ordering. After getting my drink and right before my meal came out, I was brought bread that I was told was gluten free. Later, another staff member came out and again mentioned gluten free bread, which immediately made me question what I had already eaten. When I asked for clarification, it turned out I had been given the wrong bread. (Took almost ten minutes for an answer, I knew something was wrong as I already started to bloat. Thankfully I had shared and only had eaten one slice.) I got sick. I tried to eat my meal the next day since I had it boxed up, but it was extremely bland and I couldn't even finish it. I do want to acknowledge that Adrian, our server, was great and very attentive. Andrea, one of the managers, was also kind in her approach. Bo was okay. But the way this situation was handled is where everything went downhill. When my friend initially spoke with management as I was in the bathroom she was told they are "not in the business of compensating meals." I ended up calling Naveen from "corporate", who said I would ultimately receive a refund and to text him the last 4 of my card number. During that same call, I was also told that people with gluten issues are usually more careful, which was frustrating to hear considering I had already taken multiple precautions. It has now been several days and I still have not received the refund. They did bring out a dessert I didn't ask for and a shot of tequila to help my stomach, but that does not fix being given the wrong food when you have a dietary restriction. At this point, it is not even about the $40. It is about accountability. If you are going to label your restaurant as gluten friendly, you need to take that seriously, because for some of us, it directly impacts our health. If issues happen it should be on the restaurant to remedy not for the guest to feel they did something wrong especially when I was more than understanding. I even asked to speak to Bo outside privately as I had previously not been there to the conversation. read more

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AMAZING. Our server Andres was absolutely fantastic. He treated all of us like royalty. Very attentive, friendly, and service oriented. Also the food was excellent, and for a good price. I will definitely come back. Just a perfect experience. read more

My last couple visits were great. The Lasagna, Bolognese Pasta and Thin Crust Mushroom n Sausage Pizza were all very delicious, well-seasoned, juicy and fresh. The lasagna and bolognese were doughy and nicely savory with great tomato sauces, cheeses and ground meat. I requested the lasagna to be given in either a bowl or dish, bc I don't like the skillets where they can come out too hot n too runny. The pizza was crispy with a great, coal-fired crust, just enough cheese, great sauce and great, tasty toppings. I don't usually get pork on pizza, but this was for sharing later. Great mushrooms and the ground sausage was very good with a spicy aroma to it, not just full of too much fennel like some Italian places. Great, welcoming, efficient service. read more

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Last time i was at Candelari's was before Covid. I had fond memories of good food and service. Sorry to say on this visit I was a bit underwhelmed. Tried hard to like it but the whole experience seemed off. My wife and I stopped in for a quick happy hour before a wine class at Total Wine next door. We asked to sit at the bar and studied the menu and had to ask if there was a happy hour menu. Our bartender seemed like a nice enough fellow but when asked to start off with ice water he proceeds to give us the hard sell on some fancy sparkling mineral water. He goes on and on how it's the best and we must try it. No. We explain we're there for a short time to go to a class next door. We're not table-side we're at the bar! Politely, we say no and ask for two old-fashions. We ask what bourbon or rye they use. Happy with the answer, the bartender adds "would you like to make them smoked old fashions?". No. "We mean the happy hour old fashion on the bar menu." He says, "oh the happy hour menu, that one is made with Jim Beam". I am worn out. We settle on a having a happy hour snack of calamari & shrimp and to our surprise what we got did not meet our expectations. It was tasty but disappointing for the price. If we ever go again i think it may be safer to grab the $25 deal for pizza and a bottle of wine. Kudos to the nice younger bartender that actually stopped to talk to us numerous times, refill our water, and close our $45 check. read more

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Presumptuous and entitled!! We eat here several times a month. Food is consistently good and service is adequate. Last night glass of wine did not arrive until well into the meal. What took me aback was a closer look at their tipping structure. Starts at 20%! Wow! Presumptuous. read more

Candelari's Italiano - 25% - Pizza Near Me - Houston, Texas

We had excellent service (Megan) and food when dining in the late afternoon on a recent Tuesday. The restaurant has nice ambience - patio looks delightful once it cools off. Enjoyed a cheese pizza (loaded with cheese) Tagliatelle Bolognese and Shrimp Bianca Cappellini. The meals were full of flavor, the shrimp were amazing (and large) and the bolognese hearty. Will definitely return to Candelari's and recommend it to others! read more

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Houston Restaurant Week review incoming ... This is the " neighborhood gem" for friends so my expectations were high. Sadly we were underwhelmed. Over stirred cocktails resulted in watery libations. Appetizers were fairly standard but entrees arrived before we could finish even half. The pasta was good quality & cooked well; sauces were rich but oddly tasteless. We were very excited for the chicken which appeared to be properly seasoned and even to have some char. However what we could see on the plate did not translate into something that we could taste in the food. I do not understand how the chicken could have absolutely no flavor whatsoever. When I walk into an Italian restaurant I expect to be assaulted with delicious smells from Nonna's kitchen. The smell of fresh baked pizza, sauces, just general deliciousness. There are no friendly and welcoming smells here - not in the restaurant and not on the plate. Even the herbs in the appetizers, entrées, and dessert were not properly picked. It is a sign that the little details make a dinner exceptional are just overlooked in the hustle and bustle. Service was nice. It would've been nicer if we had not observed servers clustered at the bar and having to wave down staff for assistance. read more

Pistachio Affogato, classic Italian dessert, made by drowning cold pistachio gelato in hot espresso. Excellent! Not on the menu. Just ask your server. read more

Candelari's Italiano - Pistachio Affogato - Pizza Near Me - Houston, Texas

great service and great food! loved it and will be going back. my server was super nice read more

Candelari's Italiano - Pappardelle Bolognese with Burrata - Pizza Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Here to let others know about the amazing experience I had at Candelari's on V day. We had sat at the bar instead of our table to have a more lively experience which we got. The bartenders are great and attentive despite how busy they are. I had ordered the ribeye and my partner ordered the woodfire pizza. Both were made exactly to order and tasted fab! The restaurant has a very welcoming feel and great decor. We both agreed that we will definitely be coming back for great food and service. read more

This restaurant made a serious mistake that resulted in my friend getting sick, and their response made the situation even more concerning. My friend clearly communicated that she has a gluten allergy. We specifically chose this restaurant because of its gluten-free options and even walked through the menu with our server to ensure everything was safe. She was served bread that we were told was gluten-free. After she had already eaten some of it, we were later brought a different bread labeled gluten-free--which immediately made us question what she had just eaten. That's when it became clear the original bread was not gluten-free. Shortly after, she became sick and had to leave the table. She wasn't even able to enjoy her meal. What was most disappointing was how management handled the situation. One manager stated they are "not in the business of comping meals," and another said there was nothing they could do--despite the fact that their mistake directly caused this. At one point, it was even implied that it was somehow her fault for staying. Offering free dessert in a situation involving a food allergy--after a guest has already gotten sick--felt dismissive rather than appropriate. Additionally, the way this situation was handled made us feel dismissed and not taken seriously. As the only Black guests in the restaurant, it was hard to ignore how quickly our concerns were minimized rather than addressed with care and accountability. Only after we left the restaurant and made multiple calls did management offer to compensate the meal. Accountability should not require that level of follow-up, especially in a situation involving a food allergy. This was not just an inconvenience; it was a preventable health issue. This experience disrupted more than just one meal--my friend became ill, had to cancel her evening plans, and is now leaving town tomorrow without having been able to enjoy her time as planned. Restaurants have a responsibility to take allergies seriously and to take accountability when mistakes happen. Unfortunately, that did not happen here. I would strongly caution anyone with food allergies to think twice before dining here. read more

We are from Louisiana and know good food. While in Houston we got lucky and found this great Italian restaurant. Now, every time we are in Houston we make it a point to go there for lunch or dinner. Sometimes twice in one week ! All of their food is on point ! Try it ! You will not be disappointed ! Mark & Sandra read more

We went to dinner here after a work event just to get a few apps to fill us up, we ordered calamari and shrimp and literally got 2 average, at best, sized fried shrimp, a few tiny calamari, and the rest basically crumbs. Nothing fancy at all, your average fried shrimp, and it was 18 dollars!!!!! Keep in mind you can get a full pasta dish/meal for 20-25 dollars. I asked the waiter if this was the normal amount and we were told yeah it's basically just two fried shrimp. At the end of the day it's not the end of the world, but felt like a literal scam. Our waiter was sweet and after the meal did offer to cover it but since we ate the 2 shrimp, we paid for it. I never leave negative reviews or say things at restaurants to complain, but we basically just ended up eating our other apps and then leaving because we were so annoyed. read more

Candelari's Italiano - Pizza Near Me - Houston, Texas

Ruben is our server when we come to Candelari's in Houston and the service, food and the staff are awesome!! If n Houston they won't disappoint! read more

10 out of 10. Pizza was so good and fresh. Our waitress Julia was really sweet and even though there was a little hiccup with out pizza, the manager Bo was so gracious and corrected it immediately. Loved and will return. read more

Candelari's Italiano - Pre valentine dinner - Pizza Near Me - Houston, Texas

The food and server Andres were amazing. Will definitely come again and try the Great pick for RESTAURANT WEEKS

When I'm craving Italian food, Candelari's is my go-to place. I appreciate the courteous and friendly service and timeliness as well. The interior has a warmth that is really inviting. The food is always tasty, such as the pizzas, meatballs and short rib ravioli. Though my favorite dish is the shrimp fettuccine alfredo! The sauce is perfect and smooth, while the pasta is soft and delicate. Prefect comfort food! read more

Candelari's Italiano - Pizza Near Me - Houston, Texas

We came here as a family of four on a Saturday evening around 6 pm. It looked like an almost full house but we were able to be seated quickly. The staff was very friendly and we were greeted several times. Our server was patient with us with ordering and keeping us updated on the progress of our entrees. We got the Salmone, Shrimp Bianca Cappellini and Alfredo Fettuccine with chicken for the kids to share with a side of seasonal grilled vegetables. Everything was so delicious! The salmon was cooked perfectly and was tender. The cappellini is a hearty dish with a lot of sauce so a bread/breadstick would have been nice to dip in but the grilled vegetables were a good addition to balance the meal. The kids also enjoyed their fettuccine & the chicken was cooked well. The dining area was spacious and we didn't feel too close to any other tables. We sat close to the restroom and bar which was fine. The women's restroom was clean. Overall, the food was delicious, service was great and it felt family friendly! read more

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We've eaten here many times as it's near home. But my gosh service has really gone downhill. Worst lunch there with my friend two weeks ago. Waiter was extremely rude answering questions we had about the lunch menu and kept disappearing for long periods of time, twice I had to ask the hostess to go find him so we could order and then when we wanted to pay. He did the same to the table next to us..to the point we were talking to total strangers about it. I asked the hostess if he was new and she said he had been there for a long while. I also asked to speak to a manager but he stepped out to run errands. No one offered to have him call me. Food was good as usual but the poor service ruined our lunch there so we won't be going back. read more

Our party of 3 dropped in for dinner. We stated with calamari and shrimp fritta, bruschetta, and arancini. The three appetizers tasted fine, but we had better bruschetta. For our main course, we had Pasta Primavera and a 12 inch wood fired pizza with Italian sausage, basil, and mozzarella. Pasta Primavera tasted great, but it could used more sauce. The pizza was disappointing. We didn't get that wood fired crust taste and the toppings were lacking. The lemoncillo cheesecake was good. Table service was excellent. Manager dropped by to check on us. Overall, our meal was ok. read more

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Cozy atmosphere and consistently delicious food! Love the King's sausage and the mozzarella sticks! Good service.

Pleasant Italian resturant with a soft atmosphere and well trained waitstaff. My disappointment was the limited menu of which was primarily aL la cart. My biggest disappointment was the lack of bread offered with the meal. The pasta primavera was tasty, but was on the dry side. Our other entriy was the crab meat ravioli which was creamy and very tasty. The only complaint here was the small portion. read more

Candlearis was so good. Christian was outstanding. Great Service and incredible food!!

The Tre Cavalli salad is my favorite here with chopped chicken and the pizzas are delicious as they s rest of the menu. Love the staff and atmosphere! read more

Candelari's Italiano - This is the Tre Cavali Salad, delicious! I love this salad and so much more! Staff, service and atmosphere is awesome for a tasteful bite! - Pizza Near Me - Houston, Texas

Christian took amazing care of me and my family. The entire restaurant over performed and exceeded our expectations. The food was amazing, service was special, and we can't wait for our next opportunity to come back. read more

Went to Candelari's this afternoon for a holiday lunch with two friends. I mentioned to our waitress that the lunch menu looked different from the online version. She told me that the menu items actually are the same -- but "we raised our prices -- and I guess they need to update the website." I ordered a "build your own" calzone. What arrived was tasty -- it just didn't include the ingredients I'd requested. It was a busy day for lunch, as the waitress pointed out several times. It just wasn't a great day to be a customer. read more

Really cozy bar and great food & wine choices. Comfortable & friendly staff. Great place to catch up with a friend at a bar. With so much competition in overall area, I don't find myself wanting to return too often. Main reason is that parking is not super user friendly especially if at busy time. Restaurant always seems really busy so sometimes don't want to compete with crowd. Great option for good Italian food! read more

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Christian G was awesome! The atmosphere was nice and the Trex pizza was so yummy! He was super attentive and funny

I come here sometimes for after work events. The staff seem kind, trying their best to be efficient. The main source seems to be to-go orders. Located right next to the med center, this makes sense. People want to grab and go and head home to the 'burbs I usually get the pizza, which is pretty fair. There large pizza is pretty huge in comparison to big box chains, which is a plus. It's that real pizza oven thin crust style pie. It seems like they really try and create a family-like styled environment. I noted some that look like regulars sitting cozy at the bar. I have ordered some of their pasta dishes to go in the past as well. Not to bad. I need to snap a pic next time! read more

Food, service, ambiance...everything about this place was amazing. While in town for a not so pleasant purpose, this place was a much needed bright spot. read more

Repeat customers for years and years. Sat down at the bar. waiting 20 minutes with no acknowledgement at all. Flagged the manager, who immediately launches into a dramatic explanation of why the bar is so busy. Waited another 10 minutes - Bar tender never glanced over at us. We left. read more

Been here twice. It's ok. The staff is very welcoming and wants to please. I like the curved booths. So why four stars? - I would like them to start the table with complimentary bread and olive oil - It's a little warm in there so the ice always melts too fast. Maybe fill glasses with more ice? - the food is ok, nothing fabulous. I will continue to dine there because my friends like it and they do have Splenda for my iced tea! I will try grilled veggies and the chicken next time. I want this place to wow me and let me give them five stars! I can see this being a romantic date night place. If they served bread and oil like Carrabba's! read more

Another great dinner. My husband, my daughter and I totally enjoyed our Easter dinner. We love Oscar and everyone makes us feel like family. Beautiful restaurant great ambience. read more

Adrian was amazing !! Excellent service and very friendly (: We really enjoyed the setting and the food was great!

In full disclosure, I am Italian and I rarely go out for Italian food I usually make it. We were truly disappointed over this meal. Let me start with the salad which actually might have been the best although the goat cheese was coated with breading which really didn't go with the restof the salad. The lasagna was tasteless, couldn't taste the ricotta and the sauce was not flavored well the linguine was supposed to be with shrimp but we put chicken in instead and that was just OK. The garlic cheese bread was drenched in oil as you can see from the picture. I truly wanted to like this dinner as it had been years since I've been here, but it was really disappointing read more

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Love the diavolo pizza! Cristian was an amazing server! I always come back for the atmosphere and good food