La Traviata Reviews

recommend reserving! had to wait a bit, sat at bar, ok, service good there, in front of bar employees working so hard! each of us 2 had a pasta dish, both good. smallish restaurant and menu, but better that hugh ones of lower quality!

La Traviata was the best reviewed Italian restaurant within walking distance of our hotel. We called at 5:00 and asked if we needed a reservation and was told that it was recommended. We asked if 5:30 was available and was told yes. We arrived at 5:27 and the door was locked. Didn't know they don't open until 5:30. We were the only ones there. Someone unlocked the door after a few minutes of standing in the cold weather and we were seated away from the front door as requested. We found it interesting that for the huge bar and obvious wines available, the waitress didn't ask if we wanted wine. We ordered the Polenta for an appetizer. It is very small, (for $9) not really enough to share but we did...we may have ordered more than one if we'd been informed how small they were. The Polenta was excellent, the best part being the sauce it was served upon. The Caesar Salad was excellent. Lots of fresh parmesan cheese. The bread is warm and good. I ordered the Calamari Puttanesca and it was good, not great. A friend ordered Chicken Parmesan and said it was really good. My other friend ordered the Fettuccine Con Funghi and didn't like it at all...she ended up eating half of the Chicken Parmesan because it was so big. By the time we left, the restaurant was full, so you probably do need a reservation for later times. Great atmosphere (old hardwood floors, great lighting, neat old bar & antiques) but I agree with other reviewers that the staff wasn't rude but certainly not friendly or attentive. My water glass sat empty for most of my meal.

Very nice meal. Spicy calamari. Small place with excellent wait staff that never interrupted our conversations. It was like they anticipated our requests and delivered without notice. Choc cake desert fabulous! So was a take on caprese salad with capers. Lots of good looking guys eating there. Good wine choices too. Could sit at bar and eat solo while feeling involved, which a few where. Such a nice and friendly place. I'll go back.

Nice Atmosphere and good Italian food but the glasses of wine were too pricy, the service at least our waitress was not friendly at all. The bread costs extra. They mixed up our checks and had to get it fixed. They billed me twice. This place sucks

Why does the best food, in this case Italian, have to come with the worst service. The service was slow, and the wait staff was inattentive, dismissive, argumentative, and sarcastic. The food was excellent, but I won't return for the abuse. Austin TX has too many other foodie options.

We had a wonderful dinner at La Traviata last night. Cioppino and rigatoni with lamb meat balls. Both dinners delicious, great service, a really nice glass of wine (which I cannot remember). I highly recommend it.

We are always searching for authentic Italian wherever we travel! This was a nice selection, as it presented with a small but varied menu and a great wine selection that included many Italian based wines that are not usual in other establishments. Each of us ordered something different, and then passed our plates to get tastes of all the good stuff! We were especially happy with the pasta of the day (bolognese), all of the salads, and the seafood selections! Will return on our next visit to Austin and give it another try.

Stopped in early on a cold evening. Seated promptly and a server was right there. The wine selection was okay and the pour was generous. This was the good part. The bread and oil were average at best. The misto salad was good, but the heirloom tomato caprese salad at $11.50 was supermarket mozzarella with cherry tomatoes. The entrees , fettuccine with mushrooms and the ravioli special were nothing special. Worst of all, the restaurant was relatively empty and we were rushed. I was not quite finished when the wine glasses and my wife's plate were removed and we were asked if we wanted dessert. $84.00 plus tip, 45 minutes and we were back on the cold street. Don't bother.

Well located on Congress near 3rd Street, this restaurant has a pleasant ambience,good enough service but ordinary Italian-American food leaving little to remember.Prices are fair.

This small restaurant was packed on a Thursday night but accommodated us without a reservation. My wife had an excellent bolognese while enjoyed the duck confit. The food, atmosphere, and reasonable prices made for an very enjoyable night.

Happened to come across this place in the paper and decided to give it a try- where have I been?! It is nestled on Congress and has several parking lots nearby. We chose to visit on ROT Rally weekend, so we also had dinner with a view! The exposed brick walls and rough wood floors lend to a old world charm, but there is nothing old world about the menu. A delicious, fresh take on the Beef Carpaccio and Spaghetti alla Carbonara made me do a happy dance. Love spaghetti alla carbonara but so many restaurants weigh it down with loads of oil or cream. This had a light touch and the egg yolk gave the dish the perfect creaminess. We also tried the rigatoni and the specialty ravioli, both wonderful. The wine menu was thoughtfully selected and priced well. Overall, I loved the place. I will try it again before I give it the last star, but it's a great start.

Very good and authentic Italian food, with great presentation in a central location. The service staff was excellent and the atmosphere of the restaurant added to the experience. The dessert was just good; otherwise this would have been five stars. You might want to consider making reservations because it fills up fast.

Very good dinner - veal piccata and a spinach/potato bisque. Appreciated the prompt, personable service of the bartender, Tiffany. Only negative was asking for a table(just me) and being told by the server that they were all taken even though there were at least a couple open tables for two while I was there. So, sat at the bar - but not a fan of having dinner from a high chair.

I had a craving for a bowl Bolognese and a salad and Chianti, salad made wrong and not enough acid, wine had turned, sauce tasted scorched and should have been called nutmeg sauce. Won’t be back, I rarely write bad reviews but it was really pretty bad, sorry!

We first discovered La Traviata years ago on a visit to Austin and have tried to return on each visit. This is a small venue on Congress that makes me feel that I am in NYC at one of the small Italian restaurants downtown. The food and service has always been excellent. The pasta is homemade and my wife still raves about the carbonara. The wines are not expensive and we have found this a fun place to eat.

La Traviata is a great dining experience. I love the historic building with its exposed brick walls, low lighting, great service and really well-done Italian fare. Excellent for date night or a small group (4 or less), and right in the center of downtown. Call ahead as they do book up. You canusually walk in and sit at the bar too. Great cocktails, wine list, try it!

Had a business lunch at La Traviata, which is uniformly excellent. It's also very popular with Austin's downtown business/legal community and so it's usually packed and because it's small reservations are a good idea. I had a carrot/squash soup to start that was great along with a spinach/apple/gorgonzola salad. My dining companions had grilled salmon, chicken piccata, and spaghetti bolognese, all of which were super. I've been to La Traviata frequently over the past ten years and it never disappoints. All of the pasta dishes are marvelous just not on my diet at the moment. Great choice in a city that doesn't have many great Italian restaurants.

A wonderful, relatively small Italian eatery. The staff was outstanding, the service was wonderful and the food was great. We had 3 different pasta dishes which are prepared and served with great skill. I could not have been happier with my experience.

Had dinner there on Valentine's Day. They only had a special menu because of Valentine's Day but we had a wonderful mushroom soup, salmon and raviolli's for dinner. Would liked to have had opportunity to see the regular menu but the meal was great. The staff were very friendly and helpful with information about the food choices.

My fiancé and I dined here in August to celebrate our engagement! We came for dinner and really enjoyed the food and the setting. The lighting is romantic and having been to Italy before, the vibe was great! He orders the house ravioli and I had the carbonara. We really enjoyed both dishes! They came out hot and well prepared and they tasted like what I ate when I was in Italy, which I loved! My only complaint was I wished there had been some bread service as we waited for our food. We didn't have a very long wait for food, but bread is always a nice touch at a more expensive place. The wine list is great too and the view of the city is wonderful. We had a romantic seat right by the window and I loved it! Such a great place!

With all the trendy restaurants in Austin now it was nice to go were I could hear my clients speak, enjoy a great lunch and have fabulous service. Will be going again next time I return.

Great authentic Italian restaurant! From service to food, this gem deserves 5 stars. All staff is friendly and our waitress Emma was great. We got the rigatoni pasta with spicy lamb meatballs, bread, oil & olives and the procuitto app. All were fantastic! I am happy we decided to eat here!

Over four days in Austin we ate at La Traviata two times. Our first meal was lunch on a cold rainy day. The piping hot delicious Celery/Potato soup warmed us up in palate and spirits. The Italian bread was the real deal, just like we ate in Rome. Lunch was so good we returned for dinner the next evening with friends. Everyone in our dinner party enjoyed their meals and wine at La Traviata.

This attractive smaller restaurant on Lower Congress has a creative menu of well-prepared, highly flavorful main dishes and pasta. Our group of four chose pasta, and all of us were highly satisfied with the food, service and wine. Only drawback: very loud.

While visitiing family in Austin we took out a group of 8 on a Monday evening and enjoyed a fantastic evening of good food and friendship. Ages ranged from 12 to 66 with tastes of equal variety. Every dish was consistenly tastey, substantial, and economical. I had the Chiopinni which was recommended to me over the Calamari by the Cantina Zaccagnini with was also very nice at a fair price.

La Traviata, Austin was a very pleasant surprise. This cozy, casual bistro, with friendly and attentive service, was just what two north easterners longing for Italian comfort food needed. While the offerings we ordered were not particularly adventurous (Linguine Aglia Olio with shrimp, and Pasta Norma... Penne with a tomato based sauce, eggplant and assorted herbs and spices, each was executed beautifully. The pasta in my aglia olio dish was cooked perfectly, and the shrimp had that fresh "snap". My wife thought the Pasta Norma was delicious. Our appetizers were simple salads prepared with arugala, orange slices and goat cheese, (which was easy to push aside if you're not a cheese fan). The wine list was far more than adequate. All in all, I would recommend this restaurant without hesitation.

I brought my girlfriend here to ask her out. Great little Italian place, I got the raviolis where were awesome. Cute place and nice staff, I was a little on edge because I wanted everything to be right, great choice.

Went to La Traviata for my birthday and was not disappointed. Two in our party had the Cioppino and we were both very pleased - fresh and plentiful mussels, clams, calamari, shrimp, fish in a robust and flavorful broth - I loved it. Our party also had the ravioli of the day which cauliflower and 4 cheese which was homemade and well received. The Bolognese was delicious with a hint of cream. Fettucine al funghi found to be flavorful. Service was attentive and we had no problem with the loudness of the restaurant. Would recommend La Traviata and will definitely come back.

Last month my lovely travel companion and I found ourselves in downtown Austin on a Friday evening without a dinner reservation. After walking in a couple of places and being told the wait was an hour or more, we passed La Traviata on Congress Avenue and decided to give it a try. Opening the front door, we were embraced by a wonderful smell of garlic, tomato, basil simmering somewhere, not overpowering, just a reassuring promise of something good. We were greeted by Scottie, a charming young man who said, "give a minute and I'll make work". He rushed about and in minutes we were seated. The menu is complete, Italian classics mixed with interesting innovations of the chef. Our dinner was great, service was prompt, friendly and knowledgable. Their wine list is complete and includes a couple of excellent choices by the glass. Scottie made a point to pop by once to make sure we were happy. If you find yourself in downtown Austin with an appetite, LaTraviata is the place, ask for Scottie!

This was our first visit to La Traviata since they reopened in the new location. The food is still devine. We had their two signature dishes- Carbonara and Bolognese- and both were exactly as remembered, delicious. The Calamari as an appetizer was also very good, although it would have been nicer with a Red Sauce. Unfortunately, we were seated next to an extremely loud table of two couples. We realize that the restaurant has little control over this but it made our meal very uncomfortable.

Converted former bar/restaurant where they kept the old bar, a wonderfully crafted wooden structure that takes up a lot of room in this otherwise very small space, but adds character. I was in Austin for the Formula 1 weekend and Fan Fest, and found this place while shopping at the next door Patagonia store. Very busy, reservations a must unless you are comfortable with eating at the bar. Despite the crowd, the staff was very efficient while working from the small kitchen to keep everyone serviced. Food was excellent and they have a very decent wine list to choose from. Prices were a strong $$$.

My husband and I have been to Italy, Spain, Portugal, and other countries as well and La Traviata reminded us of being in Europe. Our server, John, was very friendly and attentive without being intrusive. We started out with the mussels which were cooked to perfection in a perfect white wine sauce and crispy baguette bread to soak up the sauce. The starter salad was just as delicious as it sounded when John explained it. I had the Spaghetti Aglio e’ Olio and my husband had the Spaghetti alla Bolognese. Both dishes were delectable with the pasta cooked perfectly al dente, which is how we both like it, and just the right amount of sauce as to not overpower the tasty pasta. For dessert, we had the panna cotta and again, we were not disappointed. Throughout our meal, we enjoyed a bottle of wine at a pretty reasonable price ($40), considering the area and what some other restaurants were charging. Our total bill was about $140, which for us is very reasonable for a delicious meal in the heart of Austin and with the feel like you are in an Italian bistro. The restaurant itself is not large at all, which gives it the perfect ambiance for a romantic dinner. The tables are situated pretty close together; however, that is how the restaurants are designed in Italy. We will definitely visit La Traviata again next time we are in Austin.

You must go here. Awesome food. So tasty and in a great location, Downtown. Food was cooked fresh and was so tasty! 10/10

I have never been disappointed by La Traviata. The service is always excellent. The food is consistently wonderful and it price is right. There are other options in the area. However, they are overpriced for the value in my opinion. It does get crowded at lunchtime so go early. ENJOY!

Went on a Saturday night with reservations. Seated right away and service was attentive all night. Small but very nice place.Only downside was the noise level. Pretty hard to have conversations. Had the appetizer special which was prosciutto with burrata and asparagus. Then had the spaghetti carbonara. Both were excellent! Generous portions. If you want Italian in Texas, this place is right up there.

Surprised to find a farm-to-table restaurant with sophisticated choices and homemade pastas. Everything - the salads, pasta dishes and salmon we selected were enjoyable and well-prepared.

We had arrived late at our hotel located near Congress Bridge and just stumbled on La Traviata. It was a pleasant accident that we found it. The restaurant is located in a beautiful old stone building along Congress. The interior is similar to small modern trattoria that you might find in parts of Italy. The staff was great and seated us quickly even though they had to clear a table for us after the evening rush. There was a wide selection of Italian items to chose from and they all sounded great. My wife had a roasted beet salad that may not have been very Italian but was well executed and tasty. I had the soup of the day which was a potato and garlic soup and hit the spot. My wife had the Pasta Norma and I had the Rigatoni with Spicy Lamb Meatballs. The pasta was cook perfectly. Both were excellent. They have a small but reasonably priced wine menu. Oddly only a limited number of Italian wines on the list.

I had a delicious italian meal here. The service was good and there was a good ambiance. Prices were reasonable. I got a seat immediately even though most were taken.

Handmade pastas were expertly prepared. Salads/appetizers were great as well but the star of the meal were the pastas.

Came here on a Thursday evening...two adult couples, no kids. Nice atmosphere and excellent service--attentive but not intrusive. Each of us had a different entree; some pasta, some fish, some meat. Sauces not overbearing. Presentation good and preparation done superbly. Each one of us were very satisfied with our meal. Cost very reasonable. On the list to return every time we're in Austin. Downtown location.

I don't know why this restaurant isn't rated much higher than what it is. Our daughter and son-in-law took us here on one of our visits to Austin. We love Italian food and anything that we can get that comes close to when we were in Italy rates high with me. The food was wonderful, the service was wonderful. It's location is great and the atmosphere is sweet. When we visit Austin, we ask to go back to La Traviata.

We went there for a company dinner, a larger party of about 10 people. Service was really friendly and very pro-active. The interior is nicely designed and not too noisy. The menu is limited and offers well known Italian dishes. The food is well presented, the portions are large enough and everything is very tasty. There is also a good selection of wines and desserts. A must visit if you're looking for good food at a fair price in the middle of Austin.

I wouldn't say I was disappointed with my dinner but it wasn't anything special. The bread was cold, flavorless, and a bit stale. Not the best way to start off a meal. I will say the pasta was cooked just right and the sauce was good. I guess I just expected more from a restaurant in downtown Austin.

Never have I ever been to a restaurant where u had to pay for bread. The wine poor was pathetic at best. The food was mediocre, veal picata was not breaded & the sauce on the chicken Parmesan was like tomato soup . There are too many places to eat.

The food here is excellent.. Locally owned by chef... Delicious everything... Best Italian food in Austin along with great desserts

We had the special squash stuffed ravioli with and the rigatoni with spicy lamb meatballs and a Caesar salad. The restaurant was quite crowded and we did not have a reservation. We ended up sitting at the bar which was fine. They have a great wine selection. Christina was a great server and bartender. FYI - They only serve beer and wine. They do not serve bread with dinner.

Stopped in on a rainy night for dinner while staying at the big hotel down the block. There were only 3 or 4 other tables seated, and the service was excellent; attentive but not obtrusive. The polenta app was delicious, with an extremely tasty sauce. The bolognese was simply awesome. Very flavorful and not too heavy. Everything was well presented. Paired with two glasses of a very nice merlot, the tab came to a very reasonable $54 plus tip. If I didn't live 1500 miles away, I'd eat here often!

I've been to La Traviata when I come to Austin for business a few times now and it never disappoints. We ordered the Mussels, the homemade ravioli special (mushroom, some of the best I've ever had), a caprese salad, and prosciutto for appetizers. For dinner, we went with the Fettuccini con Funghi (devoured in mere minutes), Cioppino Alla San Francisco (such good sauce and bountiful seafood) and Chicken Parmesan (delicious but nothing special). Overall the waitstaff was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive while the food was truly outstanding. Coming from New York, I like to think I know good Italian food when I see it and La Traviata delivers in the highest fashion.

We have been coming to La Traviata for three years and each time we enjoy our meals, the ambiance and the service. We took some out of town guests who are very particular about Italian food here on Saturday and the restaurant was as good as always. Two of us had the spaghetti bolognese - my wife's favorite dish - and it was outstanding! I had the carbonara and our last member had the chicken. All were wonderful. The chocolate cake was just as good and we had a Nebbiolo wine to compliment it all. Wonderful, wonderful😃

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.

We really had a wonderful meal. For an appetizer we had the crispy polenta. Can not say enough good things about it. My wife had the petite steak with fingerling potatoes. It was perfect. The presentation was very attractive for both our meals. I had the chicken parmesan. It was outstanding. The portions were very hearty. We did order the bread as well. That was a little disappointing. My only negative in the whole experience. Our waiter was very attentive, but not bothersome. This was our favorite restaurant on our visit to Austin. The price for the food was very fair. Would highly recommend.

I had dinner at La Traviata and liked it. I was solo, so I at the the bar. The restaurant was pretty full so there was a nice buzz to the place. I had the soup special (lentil minestrone) was was very good and the chicken parmesan, also good. Since I was on my own I appreciated the fast service but I hadn't finished my soup before my dinner arrived - I don't like that! The chicken was very tasty but the roasted tomato sauce on the accompanying spaghetti was a bit bland. Would I go back? Sure. Rush back? Well....

While on a visit to Austin a group of friends and I stumbled upon La Traviata. We knew it was a winner, because it was packed with locals during lunch. We had to eat at the bar. The atmosphere reminded me of some of the bistros in Italy, small and intimate. Our server was cordial and recommended a wine to go with our selection. It was perfect! The food was fresh and delectably seasoned. I wish we had discovered La Traviata early in our stay, so that we could have gone again.

the food is special and the atmosphere bistro.However the acoustics make converstaion difficult. the do not have alchol other than wine and beer. Get the chicken parmasian;it is unique Also the veal picatta is tender and tasty with large capers. the service is good

We arrived and immediately I regretted coming to this restaurant. On a week night, the noise level was so loud that we could not talk unless we shouted to each other (and ours was a party of 3 not 8 or 10 at a large table). The waitstaff was attentive at first then disappeared. The wine we ordered took 15 minutes to arrive (yes I timed it). I was wondering if they had to butcher the beef for the carpaccio as it took longer than the wine. All we could basically do was stare at each other since conversation was out of the question. Food was decent but nothing i would call outstanding. Go here if you and your spouse are fighting as nobody will be able to tell!

The restaurant is pretty small so reservations are needed around prime times. I had the ravioli which was supposed to be homemade. The pasta was not tender like fresh homemade pasta should be. Very mediocre. I believe they only have wine which was a bummer if you don't drink wine. It was also somewhat expensive. Would not recommend this place.

What a wonderful experience. Our server was amazing, as was the wine. The pasta was some of the best i have had, coming from New York this is high praise. Would recommend it for anyone looking for a fabulous Italian meal.. no alcohol served wine and beer only...

After fighting the crowds for a late night dinner when we arrived, we decided to do an earlier dinner the next night and ended up at La Traviata. La Traviata has a great, quaint atmosphere. The hostess was also our waitress and she was fantastic. Very attentive and took care of everything we needed. I had veal, husband had the spicy lamb meatballs. Both were delicious. We ended with the chocolate tarte (brownie) which was heavenly.

I have food allergies and I rank restaurants on how they can make my food in a way that is tasty and not bland. In an Italian restaurant being allergic to garlic and onion limits your options! They were able to make a special plate for me that was full of flavor and looked great. Staff was very friendly and great atmosphere...will definitely go back!

La Traviata is a lovely little restaurant in downtown Austin. The atmosphere was inviting and I could see people were enjoying the food and each other in the tables around us-- and it wasn't too noisy even when full. We had an amazing and memorable meal there. The best ravioli I've ever had. Ever! We had some difficulty finding the restaurant because it is in the middle of the block and not well lit and parking was not easy there, but when you are in Austin, do make the effort to find this lovely restaurant.

We were here for the weekend. The food was very good. I had chicken parmesan and a Caesar salad. Both were excellent. The table we were in was cramped and right in a major walkway through the restaurant. The tiramisu was excellent, it was done of the best I have ever had in MY or other places.

We were fortunate to secure a table without reservations when the door opened on a Wednesday evening. All the tables were free at that moment and we were surprised to hear that all the other tables were reserved! Sure enough, as we enjoyed our meal, guests blew in and soon the entire place was occupied! HINT: Reservations are suggested! Claire gave us friendly, attentive service-- very professional and helpful. Both the menu and the wine list was quite diverse. Our choices did not disappoint! The fettuccine con funghi was full of well seasoned and lightly sautéed mushrooms and served with a very light tomato base sauce which did not overpower the dish. For something different, the Duck Confit was prepared well with very crisp skin as was the polenta, not the usual creamy texture. The semi dry red Albera wine was a nice compliment to both dishes. The portions were just right-- satisfying without the "bursting" feeling after many meals. We had no room for dessert, but the coffee was rich and smooth! For a special meal in a simple, pleasant atmosphere, La Traviata is an excellent choice.

I went twice and enjoyed it both times. The atmosphere is great, the service swift and pleasant, and the prices about right.

When we are downtown during the week around lunch this is always one of the first places we think about to eat. Service is always exceptional, the kitchen is generally pretty quick and the food is delicious. Today I had my usual Bolognese ($14) and it was as usual divine, it is the best Bolognese in Austin by far. For those who would like to try this award winning dish but don't want to brave downtown, you can also get the same dish at 68 Degree Kitchen on Lake Austin Blvd. The other dish ordered today were Pomodoro ($12) as a main and it got devoured amid praise for how good it was. Angelcake ($8) for desert looked quite good, but I didn't sample it.

We were in town for a festival and kept walking by this small Italian restaurant and finally found time to stop and eat. It was delicious from the caprese and ravioli starters to the special of the day pasta and perfectly cooked salmon. The wine list was excellent and the wait staff was informative and attentive. We will return.

My family and I visited La Traviata this past Monday. We loved the atmosphere as soon as we walked in. We had exceptional service by Lee. He was extremely friendly and very helpful. My husband was craving a particular sauce for his pasta that was not on the menu, their service was so great that Lee was able to ask their chef to make exactly what my husband wanted. I ordered the pasta carbonara the pasta was cooked to perfection and the sauce exquisite. When our food arrived not only was the presentation very nice but it was delicious. I am a super fan of Italian food being from New York and I can honestly say that I cannot wait to go back.

My group of four really enjoyed our meal at La Traviata. We went on a busy Friday night. The restaurant is not very large. Fortunately we had called ahead and had reservations. I would say the atmosphere was "vibrant". My husband, who wears hearing aids, would say it was "noisy". We would both agree at times it was hard to hear the other two at our table. My daughter and I shared the special of the day salad, which was fresh and flavorful. We then split an order of Spaghetti Aglio e’ Olio, which was tossed with arugula, toasted garlic, extra virgin olive oil, white wine and scallions. We also added shrimp. Both the pasta and the shrimp were perfectly cooked. The sauce was light and flavorful. The wine selection was nice too. We had great service, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

This was one of the few restaurants we could find open on Christmas eve. Bread with nice olive oil came with our drinks. Appetizers were sufficient for the women in our party. The men opted for ravioli and the lamb meatballs, both of which were perfectly executed. No need for dessert or appetizer for me, I was stuffed after the meatballs. Service was courteous and attentive. Decor tasteful and elegant.

Spicey lamb meatballs, perfect sauce. Great service. Nice salad too. Soup was just ok. Wife had calamari. Also very good.

This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Austin. Small, cozy and fun. The food is great. The chef here truly seems to care about her dishes.

At the suggestion of friends, we had dinner at La Traviata on Saturday evening. We had made reservations - we were a party of five - and our table was waiting for us when we arrived. This restaurant has a very good wine list. The food and service were good - but nothing exceptional. What really turned us off about this place was our inability to carry on a conversation in a normal tone of voice. This place is extremely loud. The next time I am in Austin and looking for fine Italian dining, I suspect I will look elsewhere.

La Traviata is one of the best Italian dining experiences in Austin. The pasta is made in house and to die for! The Bolognese, Lasagna are standouts. The seating is tight but comfortable, the wine list extensive and fairly priced.

Friday night, out on the town, we decided to try La Traviata. Greeting was nice, table (and the whole restaurant) was chilly, but especially under the ceiling fan. Ambiance was very nice, except it was odd for Mexican/Latin music to be playing (Guantanamera three times during dinner). Menu was nice with varied offerings and the prices are fair. Bread was offered as an appetizer ($4 for 4 slices) and came out cold in the middle. The olive oil was bland...as was the bread. Not worth $4. My veal was tasty at first, but ended up high on the salty scale. Kale was the vegetable on the plate between the veal and the mashed potato...too chewy. The other dish we ordered, salmon, was fine, but a little salty. Wait staff was efficient, but not overly kind or attentive. I will seek a different place next visit...but La Traviata has a lot of potential...warm it up, play different music, be lighter on the salt and serve warm bread gratis rather than charge for it. Best wishes!

This was a great find in Austin. Terrific Italian food. I ordered the beet salad and Chicken Parmiagiana which were both delicious and not ridiculous Texas size portions. The service was very good and friendly. The atmosphere was very nice and quaint.

Absolutely tasty and authentic, I thoroughly enjoyed by meal here. The food and atmosphere were simple, rustic, and perfect. I had one free night while in town for a conference and this was the perfect place to go. Intimate and welcoming; I felt like I was back in Tuscany. And the food was SO GOOD! Great place for a special evening.

We got the last table available with no reservations at 8:30p on a Saturday night. Bread for the table was burnt but the middle was soft and good. I had the pasta special that I should have split with my daughter, quite a large portion. The large ravioli were too al dente for me (no tenderness) but the flavor was nice. Husband had the veggie lasagna special and he said it was bland. We’ll try a different restaurant next time we’re in Austin.

The host was rather aloof, the waitress didn't really seem to care & it also seemed like they wanted to usher us out as soon as possible. Food was mediocre at best & there was a very limited selection of drinks unless you wanted wine. I would not recommend this restaurant.

My BFF and I took a bestie trip recently and were walking around looking for a steakhouse for dinner when we came across La Traviata. It looked cute and cozy inside, so we decided to give it a shot - so glad we did! From the apps to the entree and wine, this is a great place for a nice, intimate dinner.

Just got back from 3 weeks in Italy and this place reminded me of the best meals we had on our trip. Had salad special, ingredients very fresh and flavorful (moz, tomato and arugula). Ravioli of day was mushroom and cheese in truffle cream sauce; very good. Tiramisu was topped with roasted hazelnuts and was top notch. Located just north of river on Congress in the downtown area.

While touring 6th Streets eclectic mix of live music, we needed an oasis from the noise and heat. We found it in La Traviata, where we were rejuvenated with excellent wine, and delicious food. Did I mention the choice of desserts and coffee? Yum.

Easygoing and atmospheric Italian restaurant. I sat at the bar and had a pasta and a glass of wine. The Pasta alla Norma was really tasty and very authentic. There's a great selection of wines, even if they are on the expensive side. This was my second visit and I would definitely go back.

La Traviata has the best Pasta Dishes in Austin. The Carbonara dish is fantastic. The Service is Friendly, Efficient and Knowledgeable. Dishes are prepared to order and the pasta is made fresh daily. Wine selections pair nicely with the main course. Try the desserts if you have any room after the Main Course. The portions are healthy.

If it's on your list, don't skip it, and if it's not on your list, add it! Phenomenal food, attentive staff, and wonderful wine list. I had the Petite Beef Tenderloin salad for lunch, and would have it every day it was so good!

Service is usually good at La Traviata, and most of the menu choices are well prepared. Wednesday lunch special (chicken parmesan) is especially good. Chairs are not especially comfortable but are typical of a traditional downtown bistro.

Cool vibe in a smaller place in DT Austin. The food was fine, a little overpriced but for a Sunday night supper it was fine. We had a couple of pasta dishes neither of which was memorable but for the atmosphere and coziness it was alright.

Very small place with cozy feel. Menu is very limited. Portions are good, flavor is good, service good. Not really Italian—per see, but okay. Duck very salty, Ravioli was rich, three cheese.

I am typically one who mops the plate with bread wishing I had more...but La Traviata over whelmed both the ceasar salad and pasta entrees with so muh sauce I was scraping / tapping it off. The dressing and tomato/cream sauce flavors were good but waaaay too much of it. Bread was nothing special. Service was attentive and friendly. First meal in Austin we don't wish to repeat.

This place is very casual so I was a little worried on how good the cuisine could be but immediately we were surprised. The food is so delicious plus fresh and the simple menu has you wanting to choose everything! The serves also was wonderful. If you are looking for a downtown authentic Italian experience, this place is well worth your time!

What a lovely intimate Italian bistro. Nicely updated with a huge bar, wood floors, nice appropriate lighting and a focus on the food. We ordered the mushroom linguine (fettuccine con fungi) and pasta with pancetta (spaghetti a la carbonara). I thought the latter was more balanced and tasty. Started with the today's selection ravioli and it was yummy too. Very laid back experience with attentive waitstaff in an upscale pretty place. The piped music is nice too. The accept reservations, bonus! In a town that can focus on pizza, this is just what I wanted.

We turned up having booked a table for 3 and they had down as a table for 2. We were greeted with a totally inflexible response, offered to eat at the bar or wait an hour and 45 mins. The waiter was rude and failed to offer a drink at the bar buying himself 10-15mins to work out what to do. Amateur customer service to say the least. Fortunately in Austin there many restaurants to choose from, my request to anyone reading this, avoid this one.

Really good. Mista salad was slightly overdressed or the lettuce had been sitting in dressing just a bit too long as the leaves were just slightly soggy, but overall the dinner was great. I sat at the bar and the bartender was very personable. I had the Mushroom Pasta (can't remember the exact name) -- great comfort food. Very tasty. Nice. Oh, the olive oil they are currently serving with bread is very good -- spicy finish!

We just arrived in town famished and wanted someplace near our hotel. La Traviata filled the bill. We were the first customer’s in at 5:30, but by the end of our meal, almost every table was filled. You pay for the bread as an appetizer. Both pasta dishes were great. Service was prompt.

We went into this place on a Sat. night and it was crowded and we thought it must be great. Not so. We spent 5 days in Austin and this was the least favorite restaurant of the trip. It is a cute place but the amount of food they serve and the price they charge is really high. We ordered a caprese salad... $12.50.. It was not large at all and we are talking 2 slices of cheese and maybe equivalent to a small tomato on it. What I also find strange is they charge $8.00 for bread and oil to dip it in. I have NEVER been to a resistant that would charge this much for italian bread. Most places include this... as well as a salad. The chicken parm i got was totally dried out and the sauce tasted like a version of canned macaroni sauce. It wasn't good. My husband got the spaghetti carbonara which was better than the chicken parm but still not great. Just was not enjoyable at all.

Location: Downtown Austin Parking: Street parking and lot parking Reservation: Smooth and easy by phone Hostess: Cheerful and welcoming. They have made a table near the window as requested. Service : Excellent Food: Excellent Dishes ordered: Soup of the day, Polenta,Meatballs with pasta, Duck confit,Vegetarian pasta. All the dishes were excellent Wine: Italian sparkling wine(Prosecco) was served in a Champagne flute We picked this Restaurant from the Internet after reading Travel Advisor and Yelp reviews and we were more than satisfied! I will definitely visit again!

We had a lovely dinner at La Traviata, it’s just a short walk from the JW Marriott. We enjoyed the atmosphere and excellent service. The bread was delicious and they have unusual salads on the menu. The Mista salad is especially good. I had the chicken Parmesan, which was fabulous.

We enjoyed our dinner at La Traviata. The caesar salad was delicious. The chicken parmesan was good, particularly the marinara sauce. The best part of the meal was the Hazelnut Torte with Amy's ice cream on the top. If you are looking for a good Italian restaurant downtown Austin, you should give La Traviata a try.

There are a lot of restaurants in Downtown Austin that you need a reservation for and I suggest you get one for La Traviata too, small place, perfect atmosphere, great food always the same and very nice staff. very popular on a Thursday - Saturday night. However...sometimes after 8p, you can slip in and get a good table or sit at the bar for a full service meal. Anything is good....really, the Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels and Beef Carpaccio with Fried Radicchio are a particular favorite to start and ALL the Pastas are terrific, my favorite is the Spaghetti alla Bolognese. Wine choices can be pricey, but they have economical options too and are well picked. Great place for a Dinner then a stroll down Congress, up to the Capital or a show at the Paramount or ACL.

Everything is a la carte here. The dishes themselves didn't seem too pricey ($18-25 range) but the extras add up. You'll pay $8 for a basket of bread if you want it. The wine is kind of expensive at around $10/glass. The salads were also extra but very creative. The food was very good. I went for the traditional chicken parmesan. The breading was great. The place is pretty small, so probably wouldn't be ideal for large groups. But great for smaller, more intimate groups.

A friend and I ate dinner here and tried the mussels and pasta, the mussels were the best I have had so far and I order them every time I see them on the menu everywhere I go. The mushroom pasta was the flat kind, more substantial than that thin spaghetti type and very filling. For dessert we had the profiteroles stuffed with chocolate and coffee ice cream topped with the perfect thick hot chocolate sauce. The wine was delicious, I had Chardonay and Port to finish up. All in all totally delightful, graciously served in a charming environment reminiscent of the many bistros I've visited in Europe. I would brave the traffic on I35 just to dine here again.

It's the little things here : - The ragù bolognese is veal/beef/pork, and has barely a whiff of tomato, not unlike the RealVersionThereof™ (i.e., in Bologna) - The wine list is long on inexpensive reds (again, a fairly common touch in northern italy) - The "fried polenta" is surprisingly light, as is the "gorgonzola sauce" it sits on (a light cream sauce. who knew that such a thing existed!) - The service is friendly, and doesn't push the expensive stuff on you I could go on, but I'll stop here. The bottom line - this is the kind of place that you can find yourself coming back to, if only for a glass of wine, over and over again. Yet again, very Italian :-) Mind you, one non-Italian thing, the servings are AustinHuge™. Be warned :-)

Great food, great service, never disappoints. The pizza is wonderful and the service is always on point.

I expected based on the price and look of the restaurant that it would be higher quality. The best thing we had was the red wine. She actually recommended a nice wines. The Caesar Salad was hiliarious. 4 large Lettuce leaves with dressing on it. Come on, cut the salad properly. The dressing was okay, but it ended up being a lot of work to eat the salad. The pasta with the cream sauce was pretty good. The pasta with meat sauce was tasteless. Also wouldn't provide us larger serving spoons so we could share the pastas. They said they didn't have any? So we had to use teaspoons. Overall, I expect more if I am paying $20 a plate.

We returned to La Traviata Saturday night, having dined there several years before while in Austin. It was every bit as good as we remembered. Reasonable prices, excellent service and wonderful food. I had the Veal Scaloppini, my wife had mussels, our daughter enjoyed the ravioli and her husband the special lamb lasagna. Every meal was very good. Our server, Melyssa, was pleasant and attentive. La Traviata is highly recommended as a place to dine in Austin.

We went for lunch today and expected to wait but we were seated immediately. The food was proportioned perfectly for lunch. My companion and I loved our lunches! If I had more time in Austin, I would like to go to this restaurant for dinner. The waiter even suggested where we should go for Texas barbeque and recommended other area restaurants. Austin is loaded with good restaurants!!

My wife and I had dinner - the menu included old standards (e.g. carbonara, picatta, etc.) that were pretty to look at as well as some novel items. The wine list is not extensive but you should be able to find something you like at a reasonable price. My wife had a housemade ravioli appetizer (4 cheeses, a hint of lemon to the sauce for brightness) that was tasty followed by a duck confit with a fig and fennel sauce that was outstanding (although the potatoes in the gratin were undercooked). I had their roast beet salad with buratta, arugula and Marcona almonds - with bread it could have been a nice meal on a very hot day. I followed that with veal piccatta - pretty standard-thinly slice veal (thank you for not breading it and frying it) with a lemon butter and caper sauce. Very tasty but also not as exciting as my wife's duck confit! We split the profitaroles - perfect size. The server was knowledgeable and attentive. The restaurant has a rustic decor and the wall mirror behind the bar makes the space seem much brighter and larger than it really is. My main complaint is how loud the restaurant is. I was unable to hear much of what my wife was saying. If all you want is good food to scarf down and run, this would be OK. If you want a nice meal and to dine in a civilized fashion to enjoy good food, wine and pleasant conversation, you might need to go elsewhere (or bring a megaphone).

The concierge guided us to this location with the promise of an authentic Italian date night. So not the case. No warmth from the staff. Felt like they were trying to get you back out of the door as soon as you arrived. Smiles, eye contact, and a greeting would have been nice. As for the date night promise, another miss. The volume was so loud my husband and I could not even carry on a conversation. The food was adequate, but not true Italian. My dish had a massive amount of almost raw sliced garlic. I love garlic, however it needs to be cooked to mellow the taste. Our family lived in Italy for over 3 years, I know true Italian food. I would suggest going out for a steak or Tex Mex instead.

I stumbled upon LA TRAVIATA on a walk in downtown Austin. It's really not hidden but very subdued looking outside. Once inside you will immediately be greeted by a friendly staff person. It's not a large place but they try to accommodate. I was asked if I wanted a table or to sit at the bar...I said table and a lady quickly cleaned and set up a vacant one. Upon the recommendation of the young lady who waited on me, I ordered the Caesar salad and a pasta dish The Caesar was good.but the pasta was super delicious. My server and the entire staff are attentive and gracious. You feel like you are eating in a friends home. Anyway, I recommend this delightful restaurant. It is on Congress Street so very close to many major hotels.

Went there on New Years Eve. Great Italian food cooked right - pasta was awesome. Desserts were superb and delicious.

My wife and I ate dinner at this restaurant earlier this month and we both really enjoyed all aspects of our dining experience. We were graciously welcomed at 5:30 P.M. when this restaurant opened on the Saturday night we visited. We opted for an early dinner because we were headed over to a show within easy walking distance that evening. Our server was particularly helpful and attentive. We both had mista salads that were fresh and well prepared. My wife had Spaghetti Alla Bolognese that she thought was particularly tasty. I had a dish that I was unfamiliar with(Calamari Puttanesca) that was delicious. The entree portions were very reasonable and I thought most reasonable in price. We ate at a table next to the front window and the restaurant was packed by the time we concluded our meal but we never felt pressured to finish up our dinner. La Traviata proved to be an ideal choice for dinner prior to the show we attended that night.

What really upset me and I will not go back because of it is simple this: why would you add an automatic gratuity to a check that the total includes the amount of tax. So the spanish bartneder/maitre'd/server/manager, in other words the one man band was not looking after the establishment nor the customer but his own interest. The food is decent but since they do not have a heat lamp [where the plated dishes, sit waiting for the servers to pick them up] all food came out luke warm. Flavors are good and I like the way the mound the pasta. Ingredients are good and fresh. There is nothing iconic about the place that I can say, you must visit for X Good location, but lighting is not good as everyone looks paler than they are. If it was not for service and the greediness of the maitre d' it is a good place to have a bowl of pasta and more.

I know that BBQ is king in Austin but after 10 days in the US sometimes you crave a change. This was our last night in town and we found this restaurant walking to the ACL. Very nice dining room and a welcoming team. We didn't have a booking but we were looked after even though they became very busy, it was Hallowe'en night. I'd describe the menu as a US take on traditional Italian food. My bolognese was not a typical ragu that you'd receive in Tuscany but it was very tasty and well presented. My wife enjoyed a Chicken Parmesan which she described as beautiful and delicious. We washed our food down with a bottle of pleasant prosecco at $40 and finished with blackberry granita with vanilla ice cream. In summary really nice environment, pleasant staff and good food. Enjoy.

My lady and I ate here on a Thursday night before a show at the Paramount. The restaurant is about four blocks away from the parking garage and theater so it is an easy walk if you are going to dinner before the show. We did not have a reservation but we should have. We were lucky to get a table and only secured one because a party of two had cancelled their reservation before we arrived. They will serve you a full menu at the bar, which is first come, first served but if you want a table for dinner I recommend a reservation. The interior is nice and cozy and the wood floors and original rock wall add to the ambiance. The service was fast and very friendly. The food was outstanding. The carbonara was the best I've had since we were in Italy. My fiancé had an excellent mushroom ravioli (which was the daily special). We also split a salad and she had the tiramisu for dessert. All the food was excellent! We really enjoyed the taste and presentation of each dish. They had an excellent wine list and have a few beers (in the bottle not on tap). There is not a full bar for those who are wondering. If you like good Italian food, in a cozy setting then I highly recommend this place. It is obvious that they care about the quality of their food and service.

Location near hotels, but seating is not extensive. Lunch specials are very reasonable. Food is good.

Returned to Austin after 6 years and came across La Traviata. Was able to get a Sunday two top and then the amazing experience began. First, the atmosphere was perfect for downtown Austin and server was Texas friendly. Ordered a bottle of red wine and then some primi including the mussels and ravioli. Hearing our raves, the owner/chef Marion came over and insisted we try the carbonara (amazing) and then we let her select our entrees and had the veal picatta. After dessert and two hours of wonderful dining we left insisting we would let everyone know about our experience, so here it is!

I love Italian food and this place will not disappoint. I have lived in Austin for the last 15 years and this has been my favorite Italian restaurant. The others so far do not compare. It is located in the heart of downtown on Congress Ave. The place has the feel of an intimate NYC restaurant, a sanctuary from the bustle outside. The service is very professional, not too overbearing but quite attentive. The food and wine list are consistently excellent and the reason I love his place.

4 dinners with wine and beer for around $100.00. I had the calimari, anchovie and black olive pasta. Others had the mushroom pasta with various types of shroom. The chicken parm was two large boneless breast and the other dinner mate had spagehitti with red sauce. First time I have had to pay for bread, but worth the $4.00.

Birthday Get-away @ the Kimber Modern. Vince Gill concert...that should be enough right? Oh no. All things memorable are noted by the addition of good food. La Traviata was as top notch as we could have hoped. The wine - Italian and excellent. The food - spectacular. A place on the covered sidewalk where we could have spent hours. Oh wait...we did! We were there 2 hours of pleasure, conversation and sipping while eating.

Had the pasta Norma and it was great. The restaurant was full so we planned to sit at the bar, within minutes a table opened up and the staff moved us so quickly. We ordered and had our drinks and food within about 10 minutes.

We met at La Traviata for a family celebration. Though the restaurant is rather small we had reservations and they comfortably accommodated all ten of us. The menu is primarily Southern Italian with a contemporary twist. Probably not like Mama would have made it, but very enjoyable to modern palates. The service was great and the food was amazing. We had several young children with us and they absolutely cleaned their plates – a true testimony to the chef. The bar is beer and wine only and the offerings of appetizers aren’t very sharable. But the house made pasta and the wonderful desserts more than made up for it. Try the Angel Food Cake, normally not a favorite of mine, but theirs truly is heavenly.

Excellent food and service would go back. A bit noisy however at dinner time. Ordered chicken Milanese and focaccia bread.

Great food, nice decor, great service. Parking is close by and that's a plus in this area - although you do have to pay for it in the lot across the street.

My party of five had a wonderful meal, but I was shocked to see an item "warm bread" on the menu for $8 under appetizers. Really? We passed on this item, and our entrees and desserts were delicious, but I wonder how this establishment justifies charging $8 for bread when almost every other Italian restaurant at which I have eaten offers it for free.

I have to say I had an excellent experience at this restaurant and the food was excellent. The carrot soup was a little unusual and might have done with a little more seasoning but the carbonara was outstanding. I personally will return but my dining companion probably will not. Both his original choices were sold out and he wasn't told until the waiter had been back to the kitchen twice. He then asked for cheese on his ravioli and the waiter forgot to get it until after he had finished. Then he took a salad as his entree and it came out ahead of our entrees. The manager finally came and apologized. I feel when something goes wrong - like not having the first entree and then not having the second one the waiter should be extra attentive to the guest. In this case it was almost the opposite. An opportunity for improvement I would say.

Had lunch at La Traviata and it was very good. Their crispy polenta is excellent a highly recommended. I also had the spaghetti bolognese and it was very good. Highly recommended.

I've been going to La Traviata for years and have always been impressed with the food and service and last night was no exception. We always start with the Crispy Polenta, which is to die for. Be sure to ask for extra Gorgonzola sauce! They have recently updated the decor there. A more modern look, that looks great.

One my favorites is now extremely questionable, late dinner with spouse and the place was empty, ordered a favorite pasta and a bottle of red, new wine list sucks, our Zin sour and metallic, pasta came very slow, only another table of 4 In house, pasta came without some of the normal flavors and our waitress doned an attitude of annoyance when we questioned the dish and asked for some parmisian, my wife had a brief exchange with the alufe manager. Both our waitress and the manager had the attitude that they could care less if we dinned with them or not. Sad evening.

Dinner at La Traviata was made memorable by the arugula and beet salad. This simple salad, which also included candied pecans and a most delicious local goat cheese, was the star of the meal. I also had the mushroom pasta which was enjoyable. I agree with others that the service was not top notch, but came home from my vacation and immediately purchased the ingredients to make the salad, so glad that I visited this restaurant.

Chose this restaurant after reading reviews on Trip Advisor and how right they were. Top restaurant. Good location, varied menu and excellent service. Will certainly return one day.

We came across this little Italian gem when we were looking for a quick lunch spot. The service was very good and extremely prompt. So many good things on the menu to choose from that we wanted to try them all. Very tasty pastas, soups, salads. We will go back next time in Austin!

We were a party of 6, ranging from ages 7-60's. The atmosphere is great, the wine is very good, and the dinner delicious. I can't remember the Italian name of the dish I had, but it featured seafood, and was delicious. After an enjoyable dinner, we did some walking and sightseeing in the area, then wondered back to La Traviata for another glass of wine and dessert. Downtown Austin has many, many restaurants - we would not have returned if we hadn't enjoyed it. Food was cooked perfectly, and we couldn't have asked for a better server.

Great food, especially the spaghetti carbonara. Nice ambience, a small place - reminds me of Italian restaurants in Little Italy NYC. The polenta appetizer was excellent

The Ravioli was very good (I recommend it). Our waitress was very attentive. The tables in the restaurant are very crowded together which happened to be good for us. We didn't have a reservation but got the last table.

What a great time we had here. This is a friendly, modern and beautiful restaurant. Our food was spectacular! I had the Spaghetti a la Bolognese and my friend had Homemade Ravioli which that night was four-cheese with a cream sauce. Both were absolutely delicious. Everything is made in-house and it shows. It's fresh, light and delicately seasoned—no heavy hand with the garlic. I still dream about my meal! For dessert we shared the Chocolate Hazelnut Torte which was light, chocolately but not excessively sweet—the perfect end to a perfect meal! Our server was friendly, very helpful and professional.

We expected a lot more than we got for the Dollar. My Best Girl had the Ravioli, but was chewy and overall it came across as too rich. My Chicken Parm was a ridiculous thin sliver of overlooked meat in a thick batter. The roasted tomato sauce was ok, but the meat was so dissapointing. Sorry to hit them, but I paid a lot and got very little for our $

I actually had dinner at this restaurant two nights in a row. Guests wanted Italian. 1st night had the mostaccoli w lamb meatballs. Was excellent! Great sauce. Paired with a Pinot. Server was very friendly and on top of things! Second night was the spaghetti bolognese. I had them jack up the spicyness! Was also excellent. In addition, this restaurant is a small place, with great atmosphere.

My wife treated me to a lovely birthday dinner here and we were impressed. Apps were outstanding as were the the Carbonara entrees we both ordered. Very flavorful and the pasta was “al dente”, just as I remember it in Italy. Service was attentive, not overbearing. The only disappointment was the cappuccino at the end of the meal. Overall, I recommend this place for a nice meal out!

The food was excellent served by a very friendly staff. Yes, been back a few times...it's that good.

It seems that Austin is quite a convention town, so regardless of whether it's a weekday or weekend, the potential is there for this restaurant to be quite busy. We went for a business dinner on a Tuesday night, and at the end of a conference, so we thought it would not necessarily be busy, but I think that the end of the conference also coincided with the start of another one. We had no trouble getting reservations, but the service was a bit on the slow side. In the restaurant's defense, I think that it might have been faster had we been better prepared. When the server came to take our orders, we had just exchanged the usual business pleasantries and no one had examined their menus yet, so the server promised to return. The delay was rather lengthy. Then when she asked for wine orders, no one had picked one yet, and apparently she assumed that meant that we were not going to have any, but she immediately collected everyone's wine glass. The other possibility was that the restaurant was so busy that they were short on red wine glasses. At any rate, the result was that by the time the table did order a bottle of wine, it was quite slow in coming, and I suspect that they had no red wine glasses in which to serve it. The food was quite good. The bread is rather expensive, being $8 for bread that I normally expect to be complimentary, and honestly, it was nothing really out of the ordinary, being served with olive oil or butter, just like any other restaurant. It was slightly warm, but not that exciting. Other than that, the prices were pretty reasonable for the quality of the food. Our entrees were served hot (which is always a question mark when a restaurant gets busy), and everyone was pleased with what they got. I had the mushroom fettucine, and enjoyed it a lot. For dessert, we got the profiteroles, on the basis of seeing a couple at the next table being so enamored with theirs that they were still scraping up the chocolate sauce from the plate after the profiterole was gone. Ours was delicious as well, being liberally covered in dark chocolate sauce, but I was pleasantly surprised that the toasted angel food cake was almost the better dessert of the two. At least after a bite of each dessert, I kept switching decisions on which was the better choice. My conclusion is that you should not be fooled by the thought that the angel food dessert will be uninteresting, because I am considering toasting an angel food cake for my next dinner party. :) Conclusion from our experience: make reservations, even if it's a weekday, because I think the potential is there for it be busy on any day. If at all possible, peruse the menu ahead of time and be prepared with your order, because if you send your server away, it might be a while before you see him/her again. And if you plan to have the wine, don't let them take away your wine glasses, because you might not get them back for a while. :) But be prepared for a delightful meal, nevertheless!

While strolling along Congress I peered into the window of this charming little restaurant with a warm atmosphere due to the stone wall mixed with wood floors and romantic chandeliers. The creative menu convinced me to make a reservation and I am delighted I did. I enjoyed a cucumber salad while my picky son slurped up every last drop of his roasted eggplant soup (special). I can recommend the spaghetti aglio e olio with salmon, which was cooked just al dente with generous chunks of garlic, parsley and some kind of grass (maybe wheat grass?). If I am ever in Austin again I will dine nowhere else.

The meal was enjoyable and the restaurant was busy but I didn't feel the vibe. If you relish Italian cuisine I think you will enjoy it.

In town for the holidays with my family. Stopped here for lunch. A must for great Italian food. Had bolognese and chicken parmesan. Wine selection is outstanding. Flavors are out of this world.

This was a last minute Friday night decision, so not getting a reservation was not a surprise, but we went early to ensure we would get the lone "walk in table". We did. It's the worst table in the house. Since all but one other table was taken, I asked for a different table. Sorry, reserved. 1 hour later, no additional tables had been filled, so strike one. All I wanted was a cocktail and an appetizer followed by a great Austin style Italian dish and a glass of wine. I had my heart set on it. No alcohol, beer and wine only - said our not rude but less than friendly waitress. Strike two. There were so many items on the menu I wanted, it was hard to decide. I chose duck and Larry chose, what was hailed as their "best and most popular dish", spaghetti a la carbonara. Redemption and another strike. My duck was absolutely amazing. Incredible. I can not say enough good things about every single thing on my plate and the exceptional way it tasted together. 5 stars and I rarely, if ever give 5 stars. The carbonara, on the other hand was flat. Not bad, but nothing to rave about or go back to get again. Bummer. So, we will make reservations next time and we will request a table we want. Given their history with us, we will get it. If we don't, it will be the final strike. We will try a couple other items on the menu - if at least 1 is anywhere near the duck, we will be back as regulars, if not, well......and finally, we will just have to plan to have our cocktail and appetizer somewhere first! Bottom line, jury is still out.

Best service in Austin and we have had some great servers all week. Food was fresh, delicious, robust and simply magnificent. Well executed menu and vision.

I wanted to love this place, but it fell short for me. The service was friendly, but we seemed to have switched servers half way through without explanation. We started with the Caesar salad and bread (extra charge, which would’ve been fine if it were worth it.) The bread was just ok. Very hard crust, softer interior, and a decent sourdough flavor. The Caesar had good flavor, but was whole pieces of romaine, which is never my favorite. It ends up being too much crunchy interior and not enough leaf for my preference. For our entrees we chose the seafood cioppino and the carbonara. The seafood in the cioppino was rubbery and over cooked, and the broth had no depth and tasted very fishy- not in a good way. The carbonara is a tricky dish to get right! While their sauce was a good consistency, it lacked salt (big time) and was not near as rich as I wanted it to be. It was disappointingly bland. The green onions they garnished it with ended up overpowering the delicate flavor of the pancetta. To be fair, we have had cioppino in San Francisco and carbonara in Italy this year, so maybe we had high expectations?? We did appreciate the unique and fairly priced wine list, the good happy hour specials- $10 off bottles, and we loved the look of the restaurant (very elegant!)

I was in the area for the recent F1 race. We made our way downtown on a busy Saturday night. The wait was an hour but they agreed to call us when the table was ready. The food we had was the best Italian ever. Locally source, farm fresh etc. I had the chicken parm and it was delicious. You must go here. Btw the wine was excellent.

We had a lovely evening meal, despite the fact that the Crispy Polenta starter was forgotten...never mind. As other guests have indicated, the service approach can appear a little frosty, but after a little warming up it all ran smoothly. Nice spot.

If you want really great Spaghetti Bolognese in the ATX, come on down to Congress Avenue and step inside La Traviata. It won't disappoint!

The family thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at La Traviata. Everyone's meal was beautifully prepared and delectable. We enjoyed the spaghetti alla carbonara, the caesar and mista salads, chicken parmesan, and fettuccini con funghi. The alfredo on my spaghetti carbonara was thick, flavorful and perfectly seasoned to compliment the pancetta. We finished the dinner with the chocolate hazelnut torte and sponge cake. Truly amazing food! Our waiter, Scott, was very attentive and warm. He made the evening truly perfect! The restaurant is small and cozy. We enjoyed the quiet and friendly atmosphere of this wonderful bistro.

After travels all over the country including Little Italy in New York, I am completely impressed with our dining experience last night at La Traviata in Austin, Texas. When I called to make a reservation for our first visit last evening, Enrique went out of his way to "welcome us" and told me that he would set aside a romantic table for my wife and myself. The Caesar Salad was the best we have ever enjoyed at a restaurant! The presentation of the Salad and Entree's, Salmon and a specially prepared Fettuccine were absolutely "amazing" with a flavor that we have never experienced in dining. We had a delicious red wine with dinner and our Dessert was a toasted Angel Food Cake melted with butter and fruit. Enrique checked in with us throughout dinner and our dinner bill was extremely reasonable. If you want an amazing Italian dining experience, I commend with Bravos La Traviata!

The service was perfect. We were able to taste a few wines before buying a bottle. We split a salad and the rigatoni special. It was a perfect amount for lunch. Everything was delicious. Just truly a lovely experience. Thank you La Traviata!

Excellent carbonara. Nice dessert selection. Fast and friendly service. Prices not too bad considering it is a bit upscale.

We went here for happy hour, which was great, but ended up staying for dinner. We split a small pizza and the pasta special. Both were wonderful. You also got wine at the happy hour for 1/2 off the bottle. We had great service in both the bar and restaurant. We heard the brunch was great here. We will be back.

Wife and I had good meal here this week. Good, not great, food. Tastes of both veal and pasta were OK, tender but not overly flavorful. Setting a bit tight - you had better hope you like your neighbors since tables are close. Wine list a bit small, particularly in the white wine area.

It has been several years since I have been here, I have always loved the spaghetti bolognese so I was so happy to see it was still a staple on the menu. Unfortunately it was not as impressive as it used to be. Plus, the olive oil they served us with the bread tasted like a "pure" or blended olive oil, it was so bland, then we asked for freshly grated parmigiano reggiano and it tasted like it had been in a refrigerator for weeks. I love this place and I love the ambiance, but I will wait until there is a new chef, there are just too many good options in austin to settle for mediocre.

Really good authentic food, superb location in the centre of town and great friendly and knowledgable service. Would revisit without hesitation.

This is a small place by American standards probably with about 40 covers. The light was perfect, the menu contained on just 2 sides of paper and the service was attentive without being suffocating. The menu was so impressive we struggled to decide what to choose from on each section of the menu, particularly as other diners' dishes were arriving and looking tempting too. I perhaps should have tested the chef's skills more than the carpaccio did but my wife's beet and goat cheese salad was lovely. The bolognese sauce made with three types of meat was probably the best rage I have ever tasted (including some in Bologna itself). Hat's off for that! The wine list was reassuringly good and a 2008 Greo Colline Lucchesi was a great accompaniment to our meal. All this on a chilly Monday evening in early January. Certainly no evidence of taking a breather after the holidays here. If and when we go back to Ausitn we'll certainly return. Thanks

Had an anniversary dinner here in July 2015. The service was very good and attentive. The food was good but not the best Italian I've ever had. Not sure if I would go back if I was in the Austin area but I don't regret eating there either. Just so-so.

Very good food, atmosphere and service! The recommendation came from a very nice young man at a shop as the best Italian food in the area we were staying and boy was he right!

My husband and I had dinner at La Traviata July 27, 2017 We were on a little vacation. We were seated promptly at the perfect little table in the front window. Our attentive, friendly server Piper got us started with a refreshing glass of Arneis, the featured wine. We split the beet salad and enjoyed every bite. We both ordered pasta that was memorable! I devoured my fettuccine with funghi and my husband loved the spicey rigatoni with lamb meatballs. We were told this was the best Italian food in Austin and we would certainly recommend it .

I had the seafood, and it was delicious I added pasta so it was way too much for me to eat but there was so much Seafood it was so delicious!

Good service. Tried the three cheeses ravioli with greens and lamb (had better). If you are not a fan of lamb then you'll hate it. Spaghetti and salmon in their menu were good.

We toddled into La Traviata after our visit to Swifts Attic (across the street) and were treated to the most amazing array of italian wines & dishes - all while sitting at the bar - there was a gang of 6 of us and the bartender handled us with amazing grace & aplomb. Plus he was cute as all get out (eye candy never hurts any situation) Here's what the collective group liked: Great wine selection (and we had a few wine snobs in our midst) Overall the pasta dishes were great - loved the ravioli of the day! Great overall restaurant atmosphere Centrally located but not too crowded

Went here only because the place was almost full while other places nearby were not. I had the Rigatoni with lamb meatballs - outstanding! Amazing taste, perfect food.

The appetizer (ravioli) and starter salad (special) were amazing! Dessert was also very good. The wine selection is good. Keep in mind they do not have a full bar means. Service was great. Gets a bit loud but you can still visit easily at your table. Building has lots of character.

Were visiting from out of town and wanted good italian food. Had an early dinner there and although were told we needed a reservation as we walked in, the place was empty, go figure. I ordered spaghetti bolognaise and what I got.... was pasta with crumbled up spicy sausage, not even a sauce. I couldn't even eat it. My husband took one bite of it and the sausage upset his stomach the rest of the night. The food was very overpriced I felt. Another member had chicken parm and the chicken was good but the pasta was undercooked.