
Giacomo's Cibo e Vino
A cozy Italian gem near River Oaks, serving Venetian-style small plates and handcrafted pastas with exceptional service and a retro vibe.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A cozy Italian gem near River Oaks, serving Venetian-style small plates and handcrafted pastas with exceptional service and a retro vibe.
"This place easily serves one of the best Italian meals you will find in Houston!"
Make Reservations
Secure your table by making reservations in advance, especially for evening visits.
Ask for Staff Recommendations
Try unique dishes recommended by the knowledgeable staff for a truly memorable culinary journey.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Venetian-Style Small Plates
Indulge in a diverse array of Italian dishes, from handcrafted pastas to delectable small plates, showcasing authentic Venetian flavors.

Exceptional Service
Experience stellar service from friendly and knowledgeable staff like Jennifer and Mike, enhancing your memorable dining experience.

Cozy European Ambiance
Enjoy an authentic European dining experience in a cozy, retro-vibe setting, with a charming patio perfect for pleasant evenings.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make Reservations
Secure your table by making reservations in advance, especially for evening visits.
Ask for Staff Recommendations
Try unique dishes recommended by the knowledgeable staff for a truly memorable culinary journey.
Enjoy the Patio
Visit during good weather to experience the dog-friendly patio, a delightful spot for alfresco dining.
Desserts for a Cause
Don't miss the special seasonal desserts; proceeds often support charitable causes.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make Reservations
Secure your table by making reservations in advance, especially for evening visits.
Ask for Staff Recommendations
Try unique dishes recommended by the knowledgeable staff for a truly memorable culinary journey.
Enjoy the Patio
Visit during good weather to experience the dog-friendly patio, a delightful spot for alfresco dining.
Desserts for a Cause
Don't miss the special seasonal desserts; proceeds often support charitable causes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Giacomo's Cibo e Vino is widely praised for its authentic Italian cuisine and exceptional service, with many diners highlighting the delicious handcrafted pastas and knowledgeable staff. While the food consistently receives high marks, some reviews mention potential issues with noise levels and occasional inconsistencies in service, particularly regarding communication and attentiveness.
"Let me start by saying that the service from Jennifer was absolutely stellar! This was some of the best service I have ever had at any restaurant period! She knows the menu, she knows the food and her personality is wonderful, she is warm, and inviting, we absolutely enjoyed our experience so much more because of her. Now for the food, what I can say is the food was so damn delicious!! All of her recommendations were spot on! We had the meatball rigatoni, the half moon pesto goat cheese ravioli, Brussel sprout salad, scallop polenta, a pesto garlic bread that was to die for and for dessert we had the chocolate tart,delicious wine ……PEOPLE I can’t explain how scrumptious this dinner was. We will definitely be regulars! Enjoy!!♥️"
Michael Krista Moreno
"This is my favorite Italian restaurant. Everything I've tasted here is muah 💋 chef's kiss. I want to try everything they have. I've been here several times and want to keep coming back for more. The outside sitting is great if the weather is good, inside sitting is eh, parking is shit, but honestly I don't care because the food is all I need."
Weeza Ferrer
"Overall good food with one caveat - miscommunication with hostess. I still think it is one of the best Italian restaurants in Houston.
We were warmly greeted by an older gentleman outside after we parked. He kindly guided us through the gate and door, which I now realize was the back entrance. He asked if we preferred to dine inside or outside, and we chose to sit indoors. He then directed us inside, where we found a table and seated ourselves.
After a few minutes, a woman from across the room approached and asked if we needed a table for three. Her tone felt a bit brisk and not particularly welcoming, and her smile seemed somewhat forced as she walked away. It became clear afterward that we may have entered through the wrong entrance and unintentionally bypassed the usual check-in process. As it was our first visit, we were unfamiliar with the layout, and the setup made it difficult to identify where the main entrance or waiting area was. We were about to stand up and walk towards her to ask where we could sit but the server said it was okay to stay.
While I understand that it was a simple miscommunication, I do feel it could have been addressed with a bit more warmth and understanding. The interaction with the hostess did affect the atmosphere for me personally, although my husband wasn’t as bothered. We were there to celebrate our anniversary, and while the occasion itself was special, that initial experience left a less-than-ideal first impression.
Our server, Jennifer, was awesome. I would still go back for the food and her welcoming presence."
Giorelle Vitales
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially for evening visits, as the restaurant is often busy.
Yes, Giacomo's offers a dog-friendly patio that is perfect for enjoying a meal in good weather.
Diners rave about the handcrafted pastas like Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, pesto goat cheese ravioli, and the meatball rigatoni. Garlic bread is also a popular appetizer.
The restaurant has a cozy, retro vibe, with a pleasant patio. However, the interior can get noisy due to hard surfaces.
While not explicitly stated, the focus on fresh ingredients may allow for some flexibility. It's best to inquire directly with the staff.
No, the dress code is casual. You can comfortably dine in relaxed attire.
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Owner: Lynette HawkinsA beloved Italian neighborhood cafe and wine bar for the last 12 years, Giacomo’s would be nothing without its owner and chef, Lynette Hawkins. Hawkins, who grew up in Italy and owned La Mora Cucina Toscana for two decades before closing it to become a caregiver to her father, wanted customers at Giacomo’s to feel as if they were dining in her kitchen. Pastas are made by hand using a hand-cranked pasta maker.
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Hit up Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino, a neighborhood Italian classic with a dog-friendly patio. Despite being right off Westheimer in River Oaks, dining al fresco feels relatively peaceful thanks to a shroud of vines and a red umbrella canopy. Split a charcuterie board, mozzarella-stuffed radicchio, eggplant parmesan, and bowls of housemade or imported pastas Lady-and-the-Tramp style.
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Giacomo’s – Entrées: $15 to $35, $23 average – Lynette Hawkin’s comfortable, friendly spot near River Oaks has been easy to love since it opened in 2009. Affordably priced and featuring a big menu that includes plenty of well-rendered small plates of trattoria-style Italian dishes that often highlight Rome and Tuscany, including items like crostini with chicken livers and fine quality freshly made pastas – the best might be the tortelli di bietola, medium-sized ravioli filled with Swiss chard and soft goat cheese and topped with a sage leaves and melted butter – which are paired with a nicely assembled and extremely enticing 150-bottle or so mostly Italian wine list that has many tempting choices between $25 and $40 in a setting that is comfortable and coolly retro. Casual, welcoming, proficient and well-suited for Houston, this is a tough restaurant not to like.
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At this welcoming River Oaks Italian spot, chef Lynette Hawkins regularly outperforms more ostentatious restaurants that have come and gone. Devoted regulars enjoy smartly edited small plates like funghi sott’olio con carciofi marinate (roasted mushrooms and lemon-spiked artichokes topped with Parmigiano- Reggiano shavings); or the tortelli di bietola, a dish of delicate half-moon pasta stuffed with Swiss chard, ricotta and goat cheese in a sage-scented butter sauce. We were particularly taken with Frixos catch (named after local fish monger Frixos Chrisinis): grilled red snapper, dressed with a lemon caper sauce, atop arugula, shaved fennel, citrus and olives — a perfect hot-weather dish.
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Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino 3215 Westheimer: Giacomo’s operates in that useful space between casual and fine dining, which is especially good for parents wanting a night out when they don’t have a sitter. This Italian establishment is one of Houston’s underrated gems serving excellent pasta dishes, amazing vegetables and very good Italian wines. The tortelli di bietola (half moon ravioli stuffed with Swiss chard) is one of my favorite dishes in town and my daughter enjoys the tagliatelle alla Bolognese, which, like several of their pasta dishes, are available as half orders that are perfect for children.
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Chef Lynette Hawkins’ River Oaks restaurant Giacomo’s delights not just with its homemade pastas and comfort Italian food, but also with its thoughtfully curated wine list that goes beyond the big players of Italy. Giacomo’s showcases wines from 15 different regions in the country, including lesser-known spots like Sicily, Friuli, Umbria, Alto Adige, Emilia-Romagna and more, as well as stalwarts Piedmont and Tuscany. The list also has a whole page of orange wines, and notes when a selection is by a female winemaker or is made sustainably, organically or biodynamically.
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This friendly neighborhood cafe serves Italian dishes made from scratch with house-made pasta, meat, fish, and vegetable sides. Sure, there are lots of restaurants on Westheimer to choose from, but it’s the pet-friendly patio that’s earnt this one a place on this list of dog-friendly restaurants in Houston. What we love most is that every time someone orders their special seasonal dessert, they donate the proceeds to Rescued Pets Movement, an organization that rescues cats and dogs from being euthanized.
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Owner/chef Lynette Hawkins has succeeded in keeping her cozy Italian café both casual and high-quality since opening in 2009. Her small plates and accompanying small prices encourage you to order, experiment, and share (don’t miss the eggplant involtini), though the restaurant is perhaps best known for its exemplary spaghetti carbonara with guanciale and a farm-fresh egg. A progressive bottle list features plenty of biodynamic selections and spotlights Italy’s myriad female winemakers.
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They have a wide variety of dishes, and they offer takeaway and delivery options. In addition, they have outdoor seating for a casual catch-up with friends, a full bar with a TV, and plenty of lunch/brunch options available.It has some excellent pasta dishes, including the carbonara, puccini, girogioni, tagliatelle, and capellini. They also offer freshly made pasta dishes and some excellent fish and meat dishes.
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Giacomo’s is a classic neighborhood-style Italian Café that specializes in small plates of both the hot and cold variety designed to be shared. Every dish is prepared using the best local and imported natural ingredients available and made fresh each day. They focus on providing “big flavors” that give vegetables the opportunity to play the main character with the meats and seafood playing supporting roles.
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Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino is a charming Italian trattoria in the River Oaks area, known for its small plates and extensive wine list. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of Cicchetti (small bites), including Polpette (meatballs), Caponata (eggplant salad), and Arancini (rice balls). The Gnocchi alla Romana and Fettuccine Alfredo are also popular choices, offering traditional flavors and comforting dishes.
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Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino is a gem among dog-friendly restaurants, offering an inviting ambiance for both you and your furry friend. Their outdoor patio is a just the spot for pet lovers, providing a pet-friendly space where you can enjoy delicious Italian cuisine. One of the highlights is their seasonal dessert, Tiramisu, which not only tantalizes your taste buds but also supports Rescued Pets Movement.
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A cozy Italian cafe serving high-quality dishes in a casual, comfortable environment, Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino first came into operation back in 2009. The chef of this restaurant, Lynette Hawkins, serves small plates of inventive Italian delicacies at small prices, which encourages you to try different flavors and recipes. Their spaghetti carbonara with guanciale and egg is a favorite among her diners.
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With their famous saying “Take a sweet bite, save a sweet life”, Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino has a meaning in Italian (Giacomo’s food and wine). This restaurant hopes to accomplish their famous saying with all visitors. Giacomo’s is a casual, neighborhood Italian cafe and wine bar specializing in small plates of hot and cold antipasti for grazing, sharing, mixing, and matching in the style of Venetian.
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Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino (“food and wine” in Italian) serves local ingredients or special imports from Italy; all of which are natural. The menu is fairly regular with little changes except for a few seasonal specials that change throughout the seasons. Giacomo’s “specializes in small plates of hot and cold antipasti for grazing, sharing, mixing and matching” – and they mean that.
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Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino is an Italian restaurant in Houston with two large patios where dogs are welcome. Their best-seller is the grilled octopus, a tender and flavorful octopus grilled with lemon, olive oil, and herbs.Where: 3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston TX 77098 Opening Hours: Sunday – Monday CLOSED | Tuesday – Saturday: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
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Nothing says a good Wednesday night like sitting down to Gamberi Al Diavola and pasta carbonara like a bottle of literally anything on this amazing list, priced like a champ!. It’s so affordable and delicious — get there asap and fulfill your destiny!. Lynette Giacomo’s chef and owner has a great palate, and her taste is impeccable.
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3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098Phone: 713-522-1934 Visit Website. A post shared by Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino (@giacomoshouston). Teetering between Houston’s Upper Kirby and River Oaks neighborhoods, Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino is a neighborhood café and wine bar that serves Italian-inspired small plates in an artsy and casual setting.
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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (130 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (3.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 3215 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098-1001- Read more on Tripadvisor
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3215 Westheimer RdHouston, TX 77098(713) 522-1934 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Giacomo’s is a quirky Italian spot serving lunch and dinner, specializing in Venetian-style small plates.
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