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Riva's Italian Restaurant

4.0 (866 reviews)
ModerateItalian
Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

Riva's Italian Restaurant Photos

Business Info

RIVA'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Riva's Italian Restaurant

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Salad
Valeria A.

Homey pasta place, very attentive staff nice for a casual dinner date! They serve great portions each plate. Delicious!

Capellini Carbanara
Jen S.

We really enjoyed trying this restaurant for holiday dinner. They don't take reservations so there is a bit of a wait to be seated but once you are at the table- service is friendly and prompt. And the pasta- it's fantastic! Parking is a bit tricky during the holidays, so patience is your friend.

Jessica W.

first time going went with 2 other people who have been going here awhile. ambiance was a small mom and pop shop. service was really bad. they got the drink orders and then left us hanging. we tried multiple times to get the attention of another staff to order our food but they didn't pay attention. our actual waiter walked by multiple times past our table and didn't check on us again. when we finally got someone they were flustered and in a hurry and asked what do you want with a condescending tone to them. the guy at the table handled the interaction. he told me that that is probably the owner and that's just his personality he's good people. i wasn't amused. the food was very basic. tasted like something you would make at home. waiting for something like that was very disappointing. the soup came after the main meal and awhile after the main meal was at the table instead of with the salad. another weird quirk of the order of how things were handled. overall i wasn't impressed and was confused why a place like this was beloved in town.

Italian margarita
Uzi J.

Cry me a Riva's! Riva's is hands down one of my favorite Italian spots in Houston. Their Alfredo has me in a chokehold every single time. I've tried it with chicken and shrimp and it's never missed. The place is cozy and feels like dinner with your big Italian family. Everyone is friendly, the vibes are warm, and the energy is pure comfort. The seasonal decorations are a whole event on their own. If you love pasta, this is your place. The drink menu leans toward wine and beer, but if you ask for a custom cocktail they'll make it happen. Try the Italian margarita for something different or the cosmopolitan if you want to see stars. Their drinks pack a punch in the best way. The fresh garlic bread baguettes are heavenly. Most meals come with lentil soup and a crisp garden salad before the main dish, which always hits the spot. They also have steak, chicken, and fish options served with a side bowl of your favorite pasta. Riva's is comfort food, good company, and good times all in one. I love me some Riva's. Side note: Their birthday surprises are wild and absolutely worth trying if you want to catch a friend off guard. I promise you'll have a good laugh.

Nina K.

Was excited to come here for a fun dinner and immediately regretted it. Upon arrival, the restaurant smelled dingy and off putting. We decided to try it anyways since so many people seem to like the place. We were sat at a 2 seater table that was nearly touching the table next to us. The server came out and didn't introduce himself or say hi whatsoever, just asked what we wanted 2 minutes after sitting down then walked away when we weren't ready. We each ordered an entree which included soup and salad to start. The soup portion is maybe 8 spoonfuls. Take a look at my pic, that's untouched and it was lukewarm when the restaurant had literally just opened 5 minutes before we arrived. The salad was meh. The garlic bread was good. For my main, I got the penne cream rosa. It was decent but a bit heavy on the cream - not balanced with tomato enough. We also got the chicken fransico which was tasty but kind of an odd dish on an Italian menu in my opinion with the poblano cream sauce and sautéed veggies on top. It almost reminded me of fajitas. I took a bite and it had a piece of bone in it which was surprising and unpleasant. The fettuccine Alfredo was abysmal. It was straight cream with no seasoning or flavor or cheesiness. Our server never checked on us and we had to catch his attention to ask for simple things. Overall, I wish I didn't come here. Really hope it doesn't destroy my stomach tonight. I threw away my leftovers from how terrible the experience was. Sure they have cute decor but at the end of the day, it's a restaurant and what matters is the food and service quality which were both poor.

Lasagna
Katarina C.

I love the atmosphere here! The owners are amazing & the service is always consistent. Christmas is a gem here due to the decor! Favorite menu items Shrimp scampi (yummy) Chicken piccata Penne cream Rosa

Chicken funchezzi and veggies
Stacey G.

Was pleasantly surprised by Riva's! Friendly staff and large menu to enjoy. The chicken funchezzi was super thin and crisp. Well cooked. Veggies on the side were good. Hubby had the cream penne with chicken and it was good. Big portions. Both plates came with soup and salad which honestly isn't needed but I get it. They were fine, but next time I would decline. Focus on the main meal. :).

Chicken Marsala

We had the absolute best experience at Rivas. The staff makes you feel right at home like you've been a regular for years. They serve you like you're their favorite relative coming by for a good meal that they made just for you. The value for the incredible food is something you don't find everywhere these days. You get a bowl of delicious lentil soup almost immediately after your drinks are served. Salad, bread and a side of pasta are served with most entrees. The portobello mushrooms we got for an app were so good. I highly recommend the Pollo San Pietro and the pesto pasta though everything we got was amazing. We will certainly be regulars here.

Prison food lentil soup
Sasha G.

I feel dooped by my fellow Yelpers who have this place more than 2 stars!! I can not imagine how anyone went to Rivas, tasted the food and possibly gave it a good review. I'm shocked, after reading that people used the words 'delicious and flavorful' !!! Yes, the decked out Christmas decos are cute and it must be why it draws in most of its new patrons, it was the reason why we visited. Besides that, everything is a thumbs down. Bathroom is dirty, smells bad and is in need of renovation. The waiters, although nice, since they have no assigned area, constantly take turns asking you if you're ready to order and since there is a dinig time limit it all feels rushed. The menu has only half of the items, as the regular menu, during the holiday season. The presentation of the food was unappealing. Garlic bread was burned, cold, absolutely had no butter or garlic taste and it was so hard to bite and chew. Soup came in a plain, white, plastic bowl. Filled only half way, looked like prison food you see on tv. We got mildly warm, unseasoned lentil soup. Then we got a plain jane salad with only 2 choices of salad dressing, ranch or Italian. It tasted like the chef salad I ate in school. Lastly the chicken from my entree was hard to chew and tasted processed, the shrimp tasted like it was frozen and the whole thing lacked flavor. The chicken marsala was overly sour and it could hardly be eaten without puckering. In all honestly SAVE YOUR MONEY, go to Olive Garden, you are better off saving money, time. Sad news Rivas!

Penne chicken pasta
Kendrick D.

Riva's is always a good choice. I love their pasta and their portion sizes. I had to take my food to go because kids under 14 aren't allowed and my son was with me, and although I did want to sit down and dine in I still enjoyed my meal when I made it home. The food is always good, and it's always enough to have leftovers if you're like me and like to wake up for a late night snack.

Capellini W/ meat sauce
Jose Alfonso S.

Nice intimate location w/great decor if your into the holiday themes. Food will not disappoint and they wait staff is wonderful considering how busy they are. Perfect parking lot and food courses is wonderful with plenty of choices! Definitely returning. Don't forget the salad, bread and fabulous lentil soup.

penne rosa with mushrooms

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8 months ago

The lentil soup is amazing as is the bread. I always get the veal parm but the lasagne is excellent as well. Best dirty martini in Houstin.

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Ask the Community - Riva's Italian Restaurant

Are they authentic made from scratch pasta place or trendy come eat for the vibe?

It's a Houston staple for decades! Very large portions, simply prepared but yummy. You go for the lovely owner, staff and patrons. They do put on a show in terms of decorations during Halloween and Christmas.

Do they take reservations? Not open for lunch but a lunch menu?

I believe you can for reservations and they open for brunch only on Sunday.

What is the dress code? Would athletic wear (Lullulemon) be acceptable?

Just about any dress is acceptable except nudity.

Do they really open at 11? Other websites suggest that they open at 5

Rivas opens at 5 pm from Monday to Saturday, on Sundays at 11:00am. Bon appetit!

Do they take reservations? I've seen mixed answers and tried calling multiple times but it just goes straight to voicemail!

I just called. They do not take reservations. It's first come first served but they aren't extreamly busy during COVID. They are closed between 2 and 5 each day except Saturday. I've never had a problem calling during their business hours.

When do they have the Christmas decorations up?

I've been inside a few times during COVID, but not eaten there. I think the question should be do they ever take the lights down. I hope not.

Are there any gluten-free options?

The menu doesn't give any options, but it truly is a local resultant. I'd call ahead...I bet they'd fix you any dish you'd like.

I've never been and some friends want to try it out; but tonight is Rockets playoff game!! Are there TV's to catch the game?

I'm sorry that I just received this question in my inbox. Yes there are TV's in the bar, but the answer comes too late!

Is there still a no kids policy here? I went in December and they turned us away bc we had my son with us.

Yes, they still have a "no kids" policy.

Good for kids?

Not good for kids. They have a sign on the door that says, "due to the mature environment, no children will be allowed" -- great place for date night or fun with friends!! Always have a blast here.

Is it noisy at dinner?

Yes it can be especially on the weekends when it's crowded

Does this restaurant take reservations?

Yes...and highly recommend you make one if going Fri or Sat night or on a day like Valentine's, Mother's Day, etc.

What time does it open for Sunday brunch?

11:30am

I'm trying to call the restaurant to make reservations for tomorrow evening, but the only phone number on file is going directly to voicemail saying the voicemail is full, is there another number I can call?

They do not accept reservations unfortunately... but they can usually get you in without a problem.

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Magdalena's Trattoria & Pizzeria - Our outdoor spread -- two wood-fired pizzas, a Robiola cheese board, antipasto, and Italian wine. The patio at its best.

Magdalena's Trattoria & Pizzeria

4.5(137 reviews)
2.5 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 - Center bar area

Center bar area

Magdalena's Trattoria & Pizzeria - Cheese tortellini in garlic butter sauce was delish! Such a perfect meal.

Cheese tortellini in garlic butter sauce was delish! Such a perfect meal.

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.

Mia Bella Trattoria - Seafood Capellini

Mia Bella Trattoria

4.5(808 reviews)
2.8 miGreenway
$$

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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Mia Bella Trattoria - Bar

Bar

Mia Bella Trattoria - Eggs bene

Eggs bene

Mia Bella Trattoria - Ceasar salad (half)

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Ceasar salad (half)

Impero Italiano - Margherita pizza

Impero Italiano

3.9(439 reviews)
12.0 miEnergy Corridor
$$

Idk why some folks are hootin n hollerin about the rules page on the menu- everything written there…read more isn't anything out of the ordinary and makes sense. Some of y'all are silly gooses Anyway, my friend and I came by on a Thursday night and it was pretty busy! The inside of the restaurant is decorated with so many Italian knick knacks which gives this place a cozy vibe. Instead of ordering an appetizer and an entree, my friend and I decided to order 3 things from the appetizer menu: Arancini Montanare Impepata Napoletana The arancini was delicious! The exterior/crust wasn't too thick and was fried nicely. As for the filling, it had cheese, beef, and tomato sauce- yum! I really enjoyed the montanare because it came with 3 different toppings. Not to mention, the bread was fantastic! All 3 were great but my favorite was the one with smoked provolone, anchovy, and the red chili on top (I believe that's what the red topping is). The Impepata Napoletana was another solid dish- loved the white wine sauce with garlic and pepper. Although it was a tad bit too salty for me, it paired nicely with the bread. For dessert, my friend got the pistachio gelato and I ordered the Tiramisu. Both were a great way to end dinner. Food was wonderful, our waiter was very friendly/welcoming, and the vibes were lovely. This spot is a gem!

Cute idea in theory. Booths are uncomfortable - seats too wide and tall to accommodate leg length…read moreand tables wobbly). Restaurant is kitschy with its decor. It is a family place - kids everywhere, climbing booths and kicking seats - not the staff's fault, but know that your kiddos will feel at home here. Staff was very apologetic but was unable to offer any of their specialty items due to understaffing or lack of availability of ingredients (server was unclear). Drove an hour and a half for nothing, it seems. Disappointing... What we did get was tasty, but it wasn't what I wanted and therefore did not redeem the trip. The cost was not worth it, in my opinion.

Photos
Impero Italiano
Impero Italiano - Broken Cannolo

Broken Cannolo

Impero Italiano - Seafood pasta

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Seafood pasta

North Italia

North Italia

4.2(2.6k reviews)
4.2 miGalleria/Uptown
$$

I'm not often wowed by Italian food in restaurants but North Italia is amazing! I find that a lot…read moreof restaurants don't put enough seasoning. Here everything was hot and fresh and flavorful. First off, get the Zucca chips. I could literally eat a whole basketful. I need to figure out what slicer and oil they use because I can never get mine this thin and crispy. We then Arugula and Avocado salad, which was light and refreshing. Then onto the Cacio e Pepe Arancini. Cacio e Pepe is my favorite pasta, so I was a little disappointed they don't have it on the menu as a dish itself, but the arancini was delicious! For mains, my husband had the salmon. We ordered it medium and it came more well done, however, it was perfectly crispy on the outside and still moist in the center. Very tasty. I had the ricotta cavatelli, which might be the best pasta I've ever had. The shrimp were so plump and fresh. There was plenty of crab throughout. And the flavor had the perfect amount of salt and spice. My husband, who isn't a pasta person loved it too. It's a nice open space and service was friendly. We will definitely return to try more things.

Had such a great experience at North Italia! The vibe was really nice..perfect for a casual but…read morestill a little elevated night out. I started with a cocktail, which was super refreshing and well-balanced. For food, I got the spicy vodka rigatoni and it did not disappoint. creamy, flavorful, with just the right amount of heat. I subbed the sausage for chicken. The garlic cheese bread was honestly a highlight...so good and perfect for sharing. We took the servers recommendation, and got a side of vodka sauce to go with the bread. I also had the Caesar salad, which was fresh, crisp, and a great balance to everything else. Everything came out tasting amazing and the service was great too. Definitely a spot I'd come back to!

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North Italia
North Italia
North Italia

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Bellissimo - Tiramisu

Bellissimo

4.5(82 reviews)
4.9 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.

Photos
Bellissimo - Bellisimo (inside)

Bellisimo (inside)

Bellissimo - Pollo Alla Bellissimo

Pollo Alla Bellissimo

Bellissimo - Dining area

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Dining area

Riva's Italian Restaurant - italian - Updated May 2026

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