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    Impero Italiano

    3.9 (438 reviews)
    ModeratePizza, Italian, Desserts
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Impero Italiano Takeout or Delivery

    Impero Italiano Photos

    Business Info

    IMPERO ITALIANO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Impero Italiano

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    Reviews With Photos

    Gordon L.

    Great place tucked away in a center off Memorial parkway in Houston. The staff speaks English and Italian. Wife and walked in and was greeted with smiles and hello. We were seated promptly. Drink orders followed, while we were looking at the menu and art work inside the restaurant. Wife ordered the Margarita Pizza and Ingot the Carbonara. Both were great. The basil and mozzarella both tasted fresh. The crust was nice and toasty with a nice rise to it. The Carbonara was nicely flavored with a nice amount of Parmesan cheese. The bacon and pancetta was not over powering the flavor in the dish. Wife and I shared a Tiramisu. I think I just found the best Tiramisu in Houston. The Mascarpone was light, fluffy and perfectly blended. The lady fingers were soft and fresh with a nicely flavored espresso. You gotta try this, recommend getting your own though.

    Dessert area
    Vickie P.

    The food was just ok. Nothing that we couldn't get anywhere else. I think the draw is the hype of the decor that they have. We went over the weekend and they were busy. The service was rushed and seems that a lot of the staff monitor the tables. Some of our party felt they were being urged to hurry up. Sorry but it is just the way it came across.

    Maradona Fiat
    Adriana A.

    First time visit...beautiful decor! It's like you stepped into a place in Italy Mrs Rossi at the front counter is just the sweetest, we had the Fiat500 (calamari) the marinara sauce was AH-mazing! Then we ordered the meat pizza absolutely delicious! That brick oven brought over from Italy definitely makes a difference! He had the chicken parm and it was also to die for! Definitely must try for an epic date night! The customer service is great they go above & beyond! A definite must try! Such a fun experience ! If you're a soccer fan it doesn't disappoint

    Chicken milanese
    Jacob D.

    You can't help but love this spot when you walk in. There's just a love for Italian kitsch here that's unmatched anywhere else in Houston. We sat in a table made to look like a fiat, unrivaled. The pictures won't do it justice how much the decor is doing for the experience. I thought the strong parts of the menu were the pizzas, great crust, cheese like you expect and topping combinations of all authenticities level and backgrounds. We could have honestly just shared a bunch of them and been happy. We did try the rest of the menu to be spotty in outcome. The gnocchi was another highlight, super flavorful and creamy, excellent texture as well. The Caesar salad was a miss, the dressing was very low quality and not traditional Caesar. Tiramisu was a nice little dessert at the end. However my wife's chicken parm wasn't what she was looking for. Chicken was easy to chew and the Alfredo pasta wasn't up to par as well. It's a fun restaurant and the pizzas are fantastic, 100% worth a visit!

    Woo K.

    If you like Neopolitan style pizza this is a good place. Super thin pizza. Flimsy. But good sauce and mozz ratio. Sauce to the pizza was slightly sweet and flavorful. Good crust. Make sure your partner orders something saucy so you can dip your crust into their sauce. Calamari was good. Light crust. Lightly seasoned. Not too oily. Pasta was good. I would come back for the pizza

    Ye J.

    Family owned Italian restaurant located in a shopping plaza at the corner of Kirkwood and Memorial. While I've had take out from here before, this is the first time we came in with friends for dinner service. The menu was interesting -- included a full page of House Rules. While their gnocchi is excellent, overall the food was hit or miss. Their Neapolitan pizza has good flavors, but the crust is very thin, making them very floppy. The Cesar salad and focaccia were underwhelming. The Cotoletta Milanese and fettuccine Alfredo (very rich but no flavor) looked sadder than Olive Garden's. Service is pretty minimal, and then came the audacity. The waiter looked straight at our party of four* (one baby and one toddler clearly under 6 don't count based on their own house rule) and slapped on a 20% large party fee. I'm not anti-20% tips at all, but forcing it with zero effort put such a bad taste in my mouth. Pricing is definitely on the higher end for a small joint too. We dropped $280 with no alcohol, and honestly got nothing close to the food quality or service you'd expect at this price point. So yeah. Won't be back.

    The telephone booth table.
    Kim R.

    Impero Italiano is a cute little restaurant with consistently good food and a friendly staff. From the moment we walked in, we felt like we were part of the family. The menu isn't huge, which actually makes it easier to decide. I think the menu may be somewhat seasonal, but don't quote me on that because I'm not 100% sure. They've recently gotten social media famous, so they are now taking reservations. **I remember when they used to be just a humble, local, family owned restaurant.** But don't worry, they haven't let the fame go to their heads. I think taking reservations cut down on people standing around and crowding the entrance area. It's not a huge restaurant that has a lot of space for groups to stand up front and wait. Even though I've been a few times, I do like to change up my order each time. Everything that I've tried so far has been good and has tasted homemade. One thing that I do get every time is the meatballs. They are so good. I'm not a fan of "Italian seasoning," whatever that is, and these meatballs don't taste like that Americanized crap. They are meaty, a really good size, and the sauce (gravy) on them tastes like it's begging you to sop it up with some of their fresh bread. YUM!

    Jason Z.

    I used to really like this spot; especially their gnocchi and traditional style pizza pies and would talk about it all the time with friends who live in this area. However, we went to dinner service recently with some good friends and some details about our dinner service rubbed me the wrong way. I never noticed previously until mentioned today but their menu had a full page of restaurant rules ranging from dress code to behavior of children in the restaurant. Fine. Your spot, your rules. They have a detail saying automatic tip will be included for parties of 6 or more excluding children under 6. We literally had 4 adults and 2 children (one of whom is a baby and the other is a three year old) and these guys auto charged and proudly explained the mandatory 20% they slapped on there at the end of our dinner service. Now, there is a difference between giving them a 20% tip on my own volition and being coerced into not confronting them about this in front of a larger party. I really dislike whenever restaurants tack on random add-on fees. I'm fine with the larger party tip limit since it's usually mentioned beforehand. Shame on you Impero for not even being able to follow your own rules that you had printed out proudly on your menu; this is not the way to run a family style restaurant if you can't even follow the rules that you created. It's not a honest mistake either, as counting to 6 is something any child can do, surely? Matthew, you were right! No bueno!

    Exterior
    Linda T.

    The vibe is there with adequate parking spaces in a shared parking lot with many other small businesses. It's in the same lot as Dollar Tree. Friendly service for a weekday lunch. I only got a pepperoni pizza from their lunch menu. It was good but not great. Tasted clean and good, that thin slice that you may get from NY, without it being greasy and giant. One person can easily eat it by themselves, along with the side salad that it comes with during lunch special. We were trying to not have left overs sitting in the car for hours so just shared one to try. I'll probably be back to try other food when I'm not running around. Curious with their extensive pasta menu and Italian desserts. Seems authentic here. For now, it's the vibe that would bring me back and okay food. Again, this review is my first impression. I usually like to try a place a few times before giving an extensive review. Will be back.

    If you enjoy your pizza at a temperature cooler than it is outside, then go here; otherwise avoid and go basically anywhere else.
    Erin S.

    If you enjoy eating pizza at a temperature cooler than it is outside, this is your place. When I got the crust was cold. I first thought that I had ordered a pizza I needed to cook myself. Nope. Ate one cold piece and tossed the rest. Complete waste.

    Inside
    Kasey Y.

    From the moment we walked in, everyone at Imperio Italiano was so sweet and welcoming -- truly such a warm atmosphere. We started off with the meatballs for an appetizer and ordered the fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp, lasagna, and minestrone soup for our mains. Overall, the food was okay -- not bad by any means, but it didn't quite wow me either. I was honestly a little let down given how great everything else about the restaurant was. That said, the service and overall vibe of the place definitely made the experience enjoyable. You can tell the staff genuinely care about making guests feel comfortable and happy. One thing I couldn't help but notice was how good the pizza looked at other tables -- so I'll definitely be back to try that next time!

    Dayan M.

    The food is amazing! Very authentic and served fast. The staff is friendly and very fluent in Italian, which is amazing. The restaurant is small but the atmosphere is nice. Very well decorated!

    Wesley S.

    You must have a way to call the restaurant and talk to someone. Your online ordering system is terrible. And when you call you can only speak to a recorded system. You're a small resultant and not getting hundreds of calls a day you should be able to answer a call and simple questions. We are not ordering from there and we really want to because it to complicated of a process.

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    2 months ago

    authentic, amazing Italian food. this place is not something that you see or can find these days.

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    What a fun time! Amazing food, amazing service, fairly priced and a super fun atmosphere! We will 100% be back.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Impero Italiano Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Impero Italiano

    Do they have a pizza making school or class? Heard it on FB ad. Can't find it on website.

    Yes we do have Pizza making Sxhool. In our website www.imperoitaliano.com upper tabs School you will see all info. Next class starts Jan. 26 2026. If you would like to enroll please send an email. info@imperoitaliano.com

    Are you dog friendly?

    No, but they do encourage you to bring some take out home for your dog

    Tiene la Verdadero spaghetti alfredo el real? Italiano

    Si, el real italiano

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Magdalena's Trattoria & Pizzeria

    4.5(137 reviews)
    10.2 miWest University

    A friend and I went for a late lunch, and had the most lovely experience!…read more The food was all absolutely wonderful, the service impeccable, the staff very gracious. We sat on the patio and even though we were there for two hours our server never missed a beat! We ordered a bottle of Prosecco to start and he was always there right before our wine glasses were empty to refill them, and then again to get us started on something else when the bottle was gone. Our waters were never empty, as soon as a plate was cleared it was gone, as we finished a slice of pizza he was there to serve our next. The food was all lovely: we had the insalata Bianca and the arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, we both agreed the arugula salad was our favorite, I'm not usually a fan of a salad with just arugula in it, but this was so good I'm going to go home and try to duplicate the dressing so I can make all the time! We then had the Rabiola and Salsiccia E Friarielli pizzas, both cooked perfectly, our server recommended the rabiola and so glad we got it! Finished off with great coffee and the chef brought us out these amazing little dark chocolate truffles and biscotti to go with it. Honestly, one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. I wish I lived here so I could go again soon! But I will definitely be back next time I am in Houston!

    Glad to see they have improved. Pluses…read more1. Nice outdoor patio 2. Pizza this time was crispy on the bottom (last time was soft) 3. Carbonara was hot and tasty not soggy and cool like last time 4. Trio gelato great, hazelnut our favorite because the texture was just right 5. Glass of muffatto dessert wine is delicious 6. Owner chef stopped by to say hi Areas to improve 1. Music is too loud for me and the selection is strange - rap, reggae, rave, etc - just turn off the music 2. Carbonara portion was small Great local spot and we will be back. Highly recommended and good value for good Italian.

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    Magdalena's Trattoria & Pizzeria - Every table at Magdalena's is set with care. Warm booths, candlelight, and fresh flowers perfect for date night or a special dinner.

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    Every table at Magdalena's is set with care. Warm booths, candlelight, and fresh flowers perfect for date night or a special dinner.

    Mimo - Risotto at the top and ragu penne at the bottom

    Mimo

    4.5(110 reviews)
    15.8 miEastwood

    Went here for a late dinner date and I cannot recommend it enough! The service was quick and easy…read more Our waiter was so helpful in going over the menu for us. We ordered two different pastas to try and fritters to start. The vibes were IT for both a date night or to have a chill night with a big group. I think the menu had a good variety in each course without it being overwhelming, I will be going back to try their large selection of wine and more of their dishes!

    Went here last night for an early Valentine's Day dinner. We use the InKind app and had picked up…read moresome gift cards from Costco, noticed this spot was on InKind, and decided to check it out -- really glad we did! First off, it's located in a cool little pocket on the East End inside Tlaquepaque Market. It looks a bit dark from the outside at night, but once you step in, it's warm and cozy. There's also plenty of parking, which is always a plus. My wife and I shared the pane along with their Valentine's Day prix fixe menu, which included an appetizer, salad, pasta, and dessert. The pane came out warm - perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.The starter was a scallop with pomegranate vinaigrette that was light, bright, and a great way to open up the palate. The salad (I think it was purple kale, but I forgot to ask) was fresh and well-balanced. For the main, we had a pasta dish topped with a ribeye meatball that featured a bold sauce with tons of flavor, and the meatball had a subtle kick to it. Dessert was a cherry gelato that was simple, refreshing, and the perfect way to end the meal. They also have a solid wine selection, which paired nicely with dinner. Service was great - our server Philip was clearly busy but still made sure to check on us regularly. Overall, this is a great East End date-night spot. They also have a spacious outdoor patio that feels like it was pulled straight out of an Italian backyard. We'll definitely be back.

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    Mimo - Interior

    Interior

    Mimo - Appetizer

    Appetizer

    Mimo - Outdoor dining area

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    Mia Bella Trattoria - Seafood Capellini

    Mia Bella Trattoria

    4.5(808 reviews)
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    We were well taken care of. Kara was our hostess and she was very tentative to all our needs. Her…read moresmile was with her the entire night. I appreciate the service she provided. I also met Nico and he was tentative as well. I plan on dining here more in the future and will gladly refer you to my family and friends. The food was very tasty and appeasing to the eye. We all took pictures of our plates. Thank you!

    Once upon a time I visited here for a lunch meeting…read more Last night we were out and about without the small human and decided to check it out. Suffice to say, we have this on our go back and keep trying the dishes list. Everything was excellent. Emilio, our server was great, the restaurant itself is open but cozy, and they dimmed the lighting as the sun went down and it was really nice. Our glasses stayed full, and the food was amazing. We got the mushroom pastry thing from the appetizers - perfection. The pastry itself was a knockout but the "sauce" was *chefs kiss*. It's something I already desperately want to recreate at home but know it won't get there, c'est la vie. Anyways, the specials sounded amazing but we settled for giving the regular menu a whirl. He had the seafood lasagna and I had the chicken piccata. Both were excellent. Their chicken piccata take is better than the standard version - highly recommend. Hubs said the lasagna was great too. All in all, we loved everything, can't wait to go back. I'd also rate Mia Bella extremely high on value - for service, food quality, and portion size they're very reasonable on cost.

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    Bar

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    Eggs bene

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    Ceasar salad (half)

    Bellissimo - Tiramisu

    Bellissimo

    4.5(82 reviews)
    12.6 miIndependence Heights

    WOW! Highly, highly recommended!!!…read more When we pulled in we were concerned due to neighborhood and exterior look of the restaurant ... Still gave a chance, and so glad we did! This food is amazing! One of the best Italian food we ever ate! Sauce, spice, time of the meat cook.. all perfection. Even it is 45 mins away from where we leave, we feel like we discovered our new Italian restaurant going forward.

    1 star I don't…read moreusually leave reviews like this, but this one felt necessary. The staff was kind and welcoming, so service wasn't the issue. The problem was the food did not match the high reviews at all. My wife's lasagna came out looking like a giant block of tofu. It didn't resemble lasagna, the pasta felt rubbery, and the meat didn't even look like ground beef. She didn't feel comfortable eating it. Her Greek salad also looked off, like a mix between a Caesar salad and something random with feta on top. I ordered the Chelidra Rossa because I love red snapper. What I got was definitely not red snapper. It tasted and broke apart like old tilapia that had been sitting for days. The dish also only came with one shrimp, which was disappointing. The pasta, vegetables, and mushrooms were bland and had no flavor. The bread was not fresh. When I asked for vinegar, they brought another oil mixture that wasn't what I asked for. The calamari came with a dried-out lemon that had clearly been sitting, and I had to ask for fresh slices. The pizza also didn't taste right, and the cheese had a grainy texture that didn't melt like normal pizza cheese. For what we paid, the quality didn't come close to matching the price. We ate maybe 10 percent of our food and left. I honestly don't understand how people are saying this place has fresh pasta and fresh ingredients. Based on our experience, it clearly did not. Real, honest reviews matter, and this was ours. I really wanted to like this place, but this just wasn't it. I won't be returning.

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    Bellissimo - Bellisimo (inside)

    Bellisimo (inside)

    Bellissimo - Pollo Alla Bellissimo

    Pollo Alla Bellissimo

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    Triola's Kitchen

    4.6(173 reviews)
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    Anddd I'm back at the best Italian food in Houston! This time we had the Parmesan crusted asparagus…read morewith lump crab. It was SO flavorful and the crisp of the asparagus went well with the soft lump crab. The Caesar salad is our fave so it was a no brainer. For the mains we had Chilean sea bass and grilled chicken Vincent. We split the entrees into two and y'all...It was SO much. One thing I love about this place is how generous the portions are. It's always plenty. Ok let's talk desserts. The cannolis. THE CANNOLIS HOLY MOLY. Yes I've been to Italy. Yes I've been to Little Italy and hopped all over other parts of New York City. Ive had all the cannolis. I've even made my own cannolis (yes I'm a baker). However, this cannoli. Chef Triola--I salute you. I'm still dreaming about this dessert. Wow. I don't know what else to say. We also had the Key lime pie and somehow the chocolate chip cookie crust with the tang from the lime works in harmony. It was incredible per usual. All I can say is, this restaurant continues to leave me happy and satisfied. The staff is consistently attentive. The chef is very involved and personally comes out to talk as if we are guests in his home. You can tell he genuinely enjoys cooking and truly cares about his customers. I would recommend this place to everyone. If you want good quality Italian food, this is it!!

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    Impero Italiano - pizza - Updated May 2026

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