Perbacco Reviews

I frequent this restaurant for business lunches. It is reasonably priced, everything is delicious and the staff couldn't be more welcoming.

We were in town for one night and wanted some Italian... although this was not recommended by the hotel... we stumbled across it. The place was very busy due to the Houston Symphony show going on that evening... and apparently this is a popular place to eat before the show. We had to wait about 20 mins for a table... and what actually almost led us to leave was they asked if we were going to the show, and we stated no... a couple that came in after us said yes, so they took their order while we all waited for tables so theirs could be ready when they sat down....... WE were tempted to tell them we were in a hurry too... just because we were not going to the show does not mean we should have to wait extra.... but we waited for the table because of the good reviews and the hope it would be worth it. I will say the reviews that talk about the bread and oil are so true... it is amazing! The best I have ever had... the Caesar salad is a true Caesar in that it has anchovies in it... and the flavor was good. MY wife had a shrimp and risotto special, and although not as creamy as she prefers, it was still very good. I had shrimp and penne pasta, which was very good as well. The chocolate cake was very good as well... just wish they had not sold out of cannolis so we could have tried them as well. Once the place emptied out they were very friendly and attentive... and very nice servers and staff.... all in all, we would go back for sure.

Just last night my family and I ate here after seeing "A Christmas Carol" at the Alley Theatre. We only had to walk a couple of blocks to the location on Milam. The atmosphere is excellent, the food is reasonable and very good, and I don't think you could beat the service. There were seven of us at the table, and we could carry on a lively conversation without having to raise our voices. The place is small and intimate, and I would definitely recommend calling for reservations ahead.

We were out-of-town couples meeting in Houston for the weekend. We strolled the theater district and were unexcited about the restaurants in the center, especially given their prices. On the way back to our hotel, we passed by Perbacco, which didn't open for another 30-minutes. We asked to look at the menu and they invited us in to be seated. I don't remember the entree prices, but would say they were in the $15 to $20 range. What a great evening we had, starting off with this little find -- a charming restaurant with friendly and excellent service and excellent food.

We eat at Perbacco just about every time we go to the Symphony and sometimes before a show at the Alley, so we go about 6 to 8 times a year. Antonio is great. He knows us by name. My husband and I often split the Cannelloni with a salad and bottle of wine. Sometimes though we get the specials. The food is always delicious and if you are going to a show, the service is quick. Recently, my husband had the grilled beef tenderloin and it was cooked perfectly. The chef is Antonio's brother. Antonio often has new wines to try, but generally not a big, varied or fancy wine list. If you know what you like it is reasonable. It is a small place, so I recommend making a reservation if you are going early before a show. After 7:30....you can have the place to yourself. Only open for dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, is the perfect place to hit about 8:00 if you want a quiet dinner.

This place is small but mighty! The atmosphere was great and the food was wonderful! The service is excellent as well. The entire staff was very attentive to our needs. It is located right in the theater district. Just a short walk to Jones Hall, Wortham Center or the Hobby Center.

If you blink, you will miss this restaurant on the back side of Jones Hall. This was an impromptu visit without a reservation but they were able to accommodate without a reservation an hour before the show started. The staff and service were excellent. The portions are generous . I will definitely go back. BTW, the food arrived and there was plenty of time to enjoy the meal and still make the show on time.

We had dinner here on our first night in Houston. The restaurant was packed with customers and the staff seemed very proficient at expediting diners who were going to the theater. I had one of the specials that evening which was shrimp in a marinara sauce over linguine. The food was good and came out very quickly. The servers were friendly and were very accommodating.

Perbacco is my little piece of Europe in Downtown Houston. I was a weekly regular there when I was working in downtown and now that I had to move to the Energy Corridor, I miss the place dearly !!!! They are friendly, the food is homemade, they customize anything you want (I have my special meal everytime - healthy chicken piccata simply grilled with lemon on a bed of arugula and a side of carrots...Ask for the Serge special...), it is healthy, they have the best expresso in town (not the ubiquitous socks juice branded Starbucks), in short, it is THE place to eat for lunch in downtown Houston, full stop.

While wandering through the theatre district we stumbled on this little gem for lunch. My son had the spaghetti bolognese, my husband has the chicken caesar salad entree and I had cheese raviloi w/a brandy cream sauce. My pasta was PERFECT! Taste and portion was just right. We were pleasantly suprised. I enjoyed a glass of chardonnay as well that quite nice. I would definitely visit Perbaco again the next time we're in Houston.

The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because of the lack of parking. The night we went it was pouring down rain and we spent 15 minutes driving around in circles before we ended up just parking in the garage for Jones hall. We got soaked running across the street but when we got inside, they handed us a bunch of cloth napkins to dry off with! That was the beginning of a wonderful evening. We had a group of 8 people and the owner herself helped take care of us. The menu was plentiful but we were told if we didn't see what we wanted, to let her know and as long as they had the ingredients, they would make it. I had the ravioli topped with crab meat which was delicious! Everyone enjoyed the food and they have a very good wine selection. I felt like family by the time we left and even got a hug from the owner on the way out! I don't go downtown very often, but I will definitely go back to Perbacco!❤

We ate at Perbacco before a Symphony performance. I made reservations by email and phone call a month in advance for 6 at 6:30PM for two evenings. A day before the first date I had one guest not able to join us- I called Perbacco to adjust the number- they had no reservation listed for that evening yet had the Oct date (?) but said "ok" So I confirmed 5 for 6:30PM. We arrived at 6:25 and 6:30 They acted rudely to my guests who arrived at 6:25 and delayed every possible service, ignored our trying to get water, order wine, the meal order, dessert, etc.... very odd, at one point they said "you are late" -?- We had chosen this restaurant in the past and really enjoyed it. Not sure what happened. It could be they have preferential treatment- we were with a frequent customer the first few times - and watched them serve gratiously others that last evening:The food was good, the service rude, we were definitely not welcomed- still unsure why. In the future: We will be eating elsewhere before the Symphony.

This downtown restaurant close to the Theater Under the Stars caters to the business luncheon crowd during the day but offers dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Service was excellent and very personal. Warm crusty bread that made your mouth water. Grand-daughter wanted Fettuccine Alfredo even though it was not on the menu and they made it. Eggplant parmigiana was baked-not fried (tasty and Healthy). Other dishes were superb. Prices were very reasonable.

This little gem is just across the street from Jones Hall which makes it the perfect pre-theater dining location. Service was excellent!! The owner is very "hands-on" and visited with each table to make certain everyone felt welcomed and taken care of. The menu offers great options for pasta, fish and meat. I ordered the Cavatelli with sausage, which I enjoyed very much. If I could change anything about this restaurant it would be to offer a full bar (currently only wine is available) and make the portions a little bit bigger.

Friendly service, attractive, small corner space. Many preparations are the same, but they will prepare your food any way you like. Wine choices abound and if you don't see what you think you'd like; ask. Lots of wines are not on the list.

We have eaten here before the theater many times. It is our go to place downtown. The food is always delicious and portion sizes are good. We have tried dishes from pastas and salads to mains. Always a wonderful experience! The prices are reasonable and every time we come it is busy so we always make reservations. Sadly it is only open for dinner on weekends.

Great place ... intimate and modern (enough). But the food was a little on the lazy side. I'm hoping it was just a bad night, but restaurants -- especially when the owners are there working the tables -- really shouldn't have bad nights!

Had lunch today at Perbacco. It had been several years since I last ate here, but it's good to know that some things don't change. I had the Mahi with Arugula and it was outstanding. The dish was simply prepared, grilled fish topped with fresh arugula. The fish was cooked perfectly and the salad before the meal along with the arugula were fresh. A nice simple meal for lunch. Perfect.

A colleague introduced me to this place and it is great! Great food and service and there are also healthier options available if you don't want a traditional Italian dish. Lunchtime can get crowded so I often opt for a late lunch visit.

Loved the atmosphere and the dish I chose was excellent. The service was very fast and good. I will certainly return.

A group of six of us were in downtown Houston attending a convention and discovered this wonderful gem of a restaurant. Everyone was pleased with their food but all of us found the service exceptional. The linguini with shrimp and pesto was exceptional.

We ate both a lunch and a dinner here last week, and each time the food was delicious, light and very very fresh. Reasonably priced as well, with a good wine list. A family place, family pictures on the walls, and the owner's brother is the chef. The owner is clearly in charge and fastidious about what happens in HIS place--the sign over the entrance to the kitchen says it all: Do It My Way!

Perbacco is a great casual choice for excellent Italian food before a show in the Theater District. Located across the SE corner of Jones Hall, it is an easy walk to any venue. Three blocks from Jones Hall. We had a group of ten. I made a reservation and the hostess asked what time the show started to make sure we could eat and pay in time to walk over to the Hobby Center. Cassie, our server, provided excellent menu and wine recommendations. Service was great and the entrees were enjoyed by the entire table. Entrees come with a small side salad. Next time I will order an appetizer. Can't say enough good things about the food AND service. This is a great option for dinner before a show!

We were downtown for the bridal extravaganza and we were hungry after a lot of walking all day. Decided Italian would be good. We decided to try Perbacco and I am so glad that we did! The food was fresh, hot and delicious. The bread and especially the oil to dip the bread in was delicious. The owner and manager were friendly and extremely willing to accommodate our special request for an item not on the menu. I was a little disappointed in the feta vinagrette salad dressing. It wasn't as flavorful as I expected it to be. I had the Ravioli with the shrimp/scallops and it was very good. Another had the gnocchi and she said it was amazing! We will definitely return. The only problem was finding a place to park! I mainly gave this a 4 due to the salad.

It is a nice space near Jones Hall, and the service is both efficient and friendly but the best part of the meal was the bread and herb olive oil they brought out shortly after we were seated.. I had the veal which at $18 would have been a bargin if it had had any taste. It came with a medley of vegetables and was proceeded by a small salad. My spouse's.pasta was in a watery sauce and she presumed it had been microwaved. Perhaps this restaurant is better at lunch but dinner was a bust despite the good service. It is not expensive and if the food were better I assume given the location this would be a very popular spot. We will not return to see if they have other dishes that are better.

On an infrequent trip to downtown Houston at lunchtime, this bustling, owner-operated restaurant was a good find for lunch.

This is our second trip to Perbacco. The food is tremendous, based on the four meals that we have eaten. This trip we tried the CAPRESE Tomatoes and Mozzarella (again). Tomatoes that taste like tomatoes is always a plus. The mozzarella was creamy and soft and the olive oil and basil were just perfect. My wife had the RAVIOLI WITH CRAB ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and topped with a lot of crab and I had the CREPES DI POLLO Stuffed w/ chicken and mushroom in a cream sauce. Both dishes and the appetizers were exceptional. The only reason I did not give five stars was the length of time it took to pay. I think our server forgot about us and we had to look up the owner to get a check. Once we gave him our credit card, our ticket got lost, again and I had to go up to the cashier to sign. We had a show to catch (as did the majority of the patrons), but still no excuse for the very long wait to pay.

The food is very fresh and served in a minimalist environment. Clean and bright interior. Portions were just right. Very courteous waitstaff.

Both visits were for dinner prior to a show at Jones Hall. The location is very convenient. The first visit, in February, we discovered Perbacco by accident and with not much time before the show. Food was very good and service very accomodating considering the time. Prices are very reaonable as the food is good. We were excited to have made such a good discovery. The second was Friday, May 10th. Strange color in the prosciutto; lettuce in the salad was mushy; shell pieces (or...?) in the shrimp dish. Owner was overheard apologizing to diners at another table. Just an off nght? Or are they slipping, as so many restaurants do when people have been doing the same thing for a long time and relations among key staff may be a factor? Interesting wine list and prices are ok, though our choice the second visit was not available. Might require us to be daring to try a third time.

Really enjoyed going back there... it is still consistant both in service and food quality... no glitch no bad surprise and at a reasonable price! You can go there blind! No risk whatsoever but book in advance...

Real Italian food, meaning like eating in Italy. I ordered linguini with clams. Absolutely delicious. Pasta al dente, clams on the shell, simple, fresh, delicious. Cozy atmosphere, great service. Worth the drive.

Best Italian Restaurant in town.. Russell is a dream! We ate salad, pasta with scampis. Everything was perfect. Pasta was al dente! Great!

The place is full of people, especially between 12-1pm (the best indicator of the good quality :) ). Really tasty Italian food. Very hospitable personnel.

Everything you want in a nice dinner...ambience, great food, excellent service, and a reasonable price! We all had different meals and all were fresh and tasty.

We had a magnificent dinner at Perbacco! The owner, Vittorio, made the night even more special when he visited at our table. The food was amazing, and the recommended wine was wonderful!

Wonderful Italian food, charming host and close to the theaters. The portions are not huge but very satisfying. Not a huge menu but there should be something for everyone. They were also open to making to order. Casual, very high ceilinged room with large pictures of the owners family on the walls.

This visit was magnificent! As Germans we know the Italien kitchen very well and this place is awesome! Usually they close at 9pm, but we left this place one our later. Nice staff, very friendly holders. We will come back!!

Everything is superb here from location, view of sunset, fresh bread, service, selection, taste and price.

We had heard some nice comments so decided to try Perbacco before the POPS Concert. Small neighborhood restaurant with outstanding service and food. Friendly, neighborly atmosphere. My wife's lasagna was tasty, my lamb chops were great. Prices were very reasonable. I'm glad that I made reservations since they were booked solid through the evening. We'll be back.

I can't recall the name of the evening's featured dish, but I'll call it Bellissima." A mild arribiatta sauce with shrimp, scallops and lobster with a wine pairing that was perfect. Great conversation with nearby patrons of the symphony topped it off. The one question we were asked by other diners, "Who told you about this place?" If you enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in a classic, simple atmosphere, keep this to yourself and surprise your friends. To the staff: Grazie, Grazie

If you are looking for quality and good service, this is not the place. The flavor is good, but they forgot the pasta in my dish! The tiramisu tasted like it was from the fridge and the coffee was burned.

Exceptional in every way except the limited evenings open for dinner. This is my go-to place when I stay late working in the building want to have dinner with other professionals. Better food than more expensive nearby restaurants. Much superior service.

Too much food.Pizza is good

The food was good, service good and it's so convenient to have a quick meal and go see a show. We will be back!

The foods was amazingly excellent. The service was so weird. At first the waiter was very attenttive. We ordered dinner and a bottle of wine. He served the wine and told us about the specials. When we did not order the specials, but rather something else off the menu, he seemed perturbed. From that moment on the service went downhill. He would just walk by our table and almost threw our salads on the table. We had to ask a busboy for salad dressing as none was served and we could not get the waiter to come back to our table. Then our entrees were basically thrown onto our table. At this point I became embarrassed that I had brought my boyfriend here for an early Valentine dinner. The service ruined the evening.

I lived a year in Italy and so I'm relatively fussy about my Italian food. What a treat to stumble into Perbacco last week. The owner was patient and kind around my rusty Italian, and even suggested to my husband to have the gnocchi with gorgonzola (the gnocchi on the menu was listed with tomato sauce), which was out of this world. It's my husband's favorite dish and we've never had better. My risotto with seafood was likewise fabulous, and was made just how I like it. Can't recommend this restaurant enough, from the warmth to the excellent food. A definite win.

We picked this restaurant for our dinner before going to see the American in Paris in the nearby Hobby Center. My wife had an off the menu risotto and I picked also off the menu linguine. My fish was very good, no complaints, while the risotto was simply ok. Wine selection is adequate and reasonably priced. The highlight of the evening were desserts, I had one of best tiramisu outside Italy, and my wife's zabaglione was excellent as well. Overall, very good Italian restaurant in Houston. Great service!

My group decided on Perbacco for lunch. The space is modern in soft tonal blues and white, with big light filled windows overlooking the downtown Houston streets. My starter was a garden salad with a very very light vinaigrette kissed with chunks of feta. Delicious! My entree was beef filled cannelloni topped with an amazing tomato sauce paired with steaming hot melted mozzarella cheese. The service was fast and prompt and reasonably priced. I will return.

In the middle of the Houston Theatre District and perfect for pre-show dinners. The service was exceptional. Pasta was prefect and very authentic. Small, not posh but very elegant. One of the best Italian restaurants we've tried in the US. We'll be back.

This is a fast work lunch spot, or a we are going to a play, show or symphony spot. But it is also a sit, have a bottle, some pasta and deserts as long as you want spot. Well done classic Italian food. Good wine that may or not be on the list.

Great place ! Pasta is great, all our dishes were cooked to our liking. Great wine . I know all my friends go during the lunch hour since they work downtown. We went for dinner and loved it. Must go back to try more of their menu. I had The chef’s special, others had the sea bass and others the gnocchi with salsa boloñesa.

We went pre dynamo game. There were lots of folks heading to the symphony and such too. Nice atmosphere and staff is so friendly and attentive. Hubby and I tried the specials. I got the lamb chops and grilled veggies. Both were cooked to perfection! He got the seafood special: lobster, shrimp and scallops in a spicy marinara sauce. Excellent! We finished with cappuccinos and a zabiogne. Don't think that is spelled right. Basically a strawberry custard. Excellent! So was the cappuccino. We will definitely be back!

This is a favorite place of mine for a good dinner, reasonably priced, and located well in downtown Houston. It is not large, so you need to make your reservation in plenty of time.

We went before the symphony and loved it. The food was excellent Italian, and the prices were very reasonable. The service was friendly and impeccable too. I highly recommend this restaurant, but don’t try to go without a reservation. It’s a very small restaurant and fills up because of its excellence.

Perbacco is the best Italian secret in Houston. It seems most people stumble upon it by accident when in theater district looking for a convenient eatery, but it’s truly worth the drive from anywhere in town. I love the penne al bacco and the lasagna. Parking can be a hassle if you don’t know Houston. My recommendation is to park in Discovery Green Park and then take the greenlink /orangelink to theater district and the walk is just a couple of blocks from there. The greenlink is totally free to use and covers you from 9-6 pm every 5 minutes or so, and from 6-midnight on the orange link. They bought offer convenient pick ups and drops at Theater district. Do yourself a favor and make reservations or you might not get a seat. This place is small and fills up fast!

A small resto within Hstn Theatre District, where many theatre-goers dine before the show. Make reservation after 19.30 so you can eat in a relax atmosphere with less-busy staff and receive full-attention (not that they wouldn't during busy hour). The chef is from southern Italy. The food is very good— the way you'd eat at an Italian home in Italy. Tender-cooked mussels, simple but tasty Verdure Mista, fresh burrata (could be served in a more complex presentation), a few pasta dishes cooked al dente in delicious sauce, tender filet, and plenty of good Italian wine that didn't break the bank. Everything is served in good portion. This isn't a snooty place but down-to-earth with civilized customer. The food won't blow you away but is the kind that happify your mind, emotion, and tummy. What more can you ask for? All our friends are extremely happy with it. To park, on-street parking is free after 18.00. Or use parking garage dotted around the area. After dinner, stroll over to Market Square or Main Street for after dinner drinks and actions.

We walked in fairly early so they were able to accommodate us without a reservation, but this is not a large place so I'd call ahead next time. Food and service were superb, price reasonable. I got a dish with a lot of seafood and my husband got gnocci, both selections excellent. We also got the tiramisu to share and it was wonderful!! If you are wanting Italian fare in the downtown area of Houston, THIS IS YOUR PLACE.

We had a 5:30 reservation for a 7:30 show at the Alley Theater. When I mentioned to the hostess we were here for a pre-theater dinner. Her response was, "Everyone is." So friendly! And yet, I had to ask for the check twice and finally went up to the counter to pay up, only to discover an extra charge on our bill that she removed. The bill was hand-written and difficult to read. I had to ask for assistance in reading it. We did not have time to spare in getting to the theater, which is, thankfully, minutes away. The food is fine for your basic Italian dishes. They are very large and worth sharing, if that's allowed. Strangely, the menu states that half-portions are the same price as full portions. This was our first time in the area. We'll look for alternative pre-theater dinner spots in the future.

We arrived around 6:00pm as we had theater tickets. We had no reservations! The place was packed but they put us in a tiny table for 3 in the rear with a view of the outside. It was great! I felt I was back in one of those packed, tiny restaurants in Italy - the ones that are often the best places in town known by the locals. Food and service was excellent. Go ahead and try the bread and dipping sauce---it's worth the extra carbs and calories. The wine was good and great value. Dessert and espresso also good. You will not be disappointed.

Food was good, not great. Atmosphere is nice. It's a convenient location for theatre district. Service was fine.

This may possibly be the best meal I've eaten. The food was fresh and simple but the flavors exploded! I ordered the salmon and it was cooked perfectly. The owner treated us like the only people in the restaurant which added to the experience. They can individualize your meal with a smile. When asking about the dessert he stayed he knew just what we wanted and brought us the most amazing Mascarpone dessert with lemon and berries. The whole evening made you feel as if you were in a small village in Italy. A must do on any return trips.

This restaurant is one of our favorites. The food is amazing, never fails to satisfy our taste buds. Two totally different atmosphere's between lunch and dinner. If you're wanting an intimate and relaxing dinner, this is the place for you. Lunch time is busy and loud with all the business peeps talking due to the smaller room size. The dining room is on the smaller side 20 tables maybe? not sure so don't hold me to that. Vittorio, the owner, will make whatever you like if there's something you're craving that's not on the menu. Or if your meal's not exactly what you wanted, he'll make adjustments for you. You won't be disappointed!

Be sure to make a reservation. Had dinner here before Houston philharmonic concert. we ordered chicken, shrimp , and egg plant parm dishes. Everything was excellent. The wait time was minimal. the service impeccable.

The food is excellent and if you'd like something that's not on the menu, talk to the owner who tries to talk to everyone having a meal. He might be able to make a unique dish for you. This is a warm cozy family owned authentic Italian restaurant with reasonable prices and is located in the Theater District. We go there when in town for the theater.

From Vittorio we immediately felt at home. Homemade Italian dishes, perfectly cooked pasta and super sympathy of Vittorio himself. Prosecco, linguine alla pescatore and we immediately felt in Italy. Passateci!

Actually, it's now called "Perbacco" and it's the best real Italian place in town!

going there for years when I worked in Pennzoil Tower... Really enjoy the food,simple but straight to the point... Always tasty and efficient service... Exactly what you need for lunch and usually costs around $15 i.e. reasonable and great quality/price ratio!

I ordered a risotto that was the daily special and it was undercooked as were the vegetables in it. This was a business lunch however and what my coworkers ordered looked better so I may give them another try in the future in case this was a one off.

Parking was a pain, but the dining was so worth it. The wine and food were wonderful. I had the linguine pescatore. The tiramisu was amazing! The service was great and the owner very friendly. Will definitely be back! Highly recommend.

Best lasagna in Houston coupled with the very best service in a perfect location in the theater district.

I recently stumbled across this new (relatively, I think) Italian restaurant, and while I am not a huge fan of heavy Italian except on special occasions, this place does Italian lunch fare just right! For starters, they are efficient which is especially important since it's in a small location which tends to be crowded for lunch. They mean business when it comes to quickly taking your order and getting you seated. So be ready and perhaps even preview the menu and daily specials (posted at the door). For a first timer, it felt just a bit too hurried, but I get it. How else do you successfully move a large crowd through in a short time frame? The ambience is cool (with regard to colors) and artsy which makes for a simple yet chic environment. It almost seemed a TV show or movie scene might be set there. Nothing overdone just clean and cool....perfect for a quick lunch. That's the other thing. We were worried about getting back to the office on time, but even with just over an hour, we were in, seated, and served with time to spare. The food was very good as well. There is a side salad which comes with every order (or so it seemed). So we each enjoyed that. For our entrees, two of us enjoyed the trout (special), and the other two had the alfredo (from the menu). Everyone remarked how tasty each dish was. The lunch portions were generous as well. I recommended it the very next week, so needless to say I'll be returning. Good to have great options in downtown Houston!

This a a small gem in the heart of the Houston theatre district. Fresh and flavorful! Great service too. Reservations a must on show nights!

With a six burner range and tight quarters the chef/owner has been turning out hand-crafted meals since 1991. The menu changes daily but is grounded in the traditions of Capri. At the end of day if nothing appeals ( it should ) you can get a special order of what you choose ( within reason.). I had my lasagna topped with home-made pulpi ( meatballs ) not on the menu. The tiramisu is a must try. Only beer and wine here but it dosen’t seem to bother anyone. Crowded at lunch and pre-theater so make a reservation and enjoy

Visited Perbacco with some business associates recently for lunch. It is the order at the counter kind of place, which is nice if you are looking for a quick lunch. Service was good and fast! I had the spaghetti and meatballs, which was not that great considering it is supposed to be an Italian restaurant. My associates said their food was good, but they didn't have anything with red sauce. Price was very reasonable. Good location, good price, but order something other than red sauce and I suppose it would not be that bad.

You won’t be disappointed making a trip here for dinner. We found it on the internet as on of Houston’s most underrated restaurants and we agree. Owner was working the tables and making kind conversation. Food was delicious and price was appropriate. We’ll be back.

Great owner operated restaurant. Good food and reasonably priced . It is a little challenging to make reservations. They take reservations only by phone and the phone is frequently answered by voicemail and the voicemail says you have to talk with someone to make a reservation. Kind of hard to do when a live person does not answer the phone . I called during hours they were open . On my 5th try I reached a live human being and made a reservation. The food is really good and the restaurant is an easy walk to Jones Hall, Alley theatre, wortham and even Hobby Center.

I have enjoyed Perbacco many time at lunch, and a few times at dinner, usually before the theatre. The value proposition at this restaurant is extremely high. The dishes are dependably delicious and the service is consistently top notch and the price very reasonable. The atmosphere? Pleasant but utilitarian. But if you are hungry for well prepared Italian at a modest price you will find none better in Houston.

Just OK. Everything was doused in garlic. Service was pretty lousy even though it wasn't busy at all. Very reasonable prices. Disappointing wine choices. If you're going to a performance in the downtown cultural district, dining options are limited. This is a good one but keep expectations in check.

We picked the restaurant for a pre theatre dinner and it was so close to the Hobby Centre it was perfect! We took an uber into Houston from Seabrook and then walked to the theatre. Its a simple restaurant specialising in authentic Italian trattoria style food in an urban setting! They only open certain nights just for the theatre otherwise its lunch only. We both chose pasta dishes which were freshly prepared and simply delicious! The hosts were welcoming and stopped to chat and were more than accommodating with my dairy allergy. I can't tell you how many 'Italian' restaurants cannot cook a Vongole! The one I had was the best I've had in a long while in a restaurant! It is perfect for pre theatre and we are booking for our next theatre trip already as they do get booked up for popular shows.

Great atmosphere, reasonable prices and impeccable food. A true taste of Italy! From appetizers to dessert, all was beyond delicious!

This place great for a quiet evening people watching. You are surrounded by huge windows. The service here is awesome. Selection of Italian dishes are with great variety and if you don't see what you want they will cook it for you.

The food was excellent. We all had a different entre and all were excellent. I had the salmon with mint. Great cooked perfectly. The wine was good and not expensive.

Close your eyes and smell the incredible scent of garlic roasting in olive oil. Listen to the mellow music and pinch yourself to realize you are in Houston, not northern Italy. The owner of this restaurant is ever-present--walking the floor--chatting with guests. He is attentive, charming and assures that his team provides the highest quality experience to everyone! We couldn't believe the freshness of every dish. Loved the roasted eggplant with marinara sauce. The Salmon with olive oil and capers was incredible. The vegetable sides were done to perfection. The house wine was delicious. And the owner made a special dessert for us of marcapone cheese, wine, and lemon zest on fresh berries that was to die for! We were very fortunate that we visited on an evening when there was no theater or special events downtown. No problem getting a table. But apparently this is THE place to dine before and after theater, so be sure to make reservations if it is a busy night in downtown Houston. You will have an incredible experience. One that could only be topped in Florence or Milan! The owner explained that his mother taught him the most important message--"play the same music, only change the words." His recipes have an incredible "same music" foundation of olive oil and garlic and he masterfully pairs this with fresh fish, vegetables, breads, and sides.

My family and I needed a place to dine before the show. My daughter suggested this place because of its good reviews. We did not make any reservation because it was a last minute decision. We were supposed to go to another place but one vetoed it out. When we got there, I was just glad that there was one table left in one corner for us! Their lasagna was perfect! It came with a salad. The salmon came with steamed vegetables and was perfectly cooked. Bread was in abundance. Service was quick. They visit your table several times to check on you. We were all pleased with the food. We'll be back!

This restaurant is in a great location across from Jones Hall and for the location the price is good. However it is a small space, and is very cramped inside. The service was slow, and our food was very average. They did get us out in time for the symphony, which we appreciated.

Was not much feeling of Italy here in modern company building. Not a nice cosy venue. Ice cold beer glasses with Peroni a pluss. Food was bang average. Caprese & lasagne i tried. Friendly staff.

Great dinner in downtown Houston. Walked to the restaurant from the Magnolia Hotel, the atmosphere was casual, but fun. The décor included wonderful photos on the wall of the owner's family, the restaurant was very bright and welcoming. Located right in the heart of the Houston Theatre District. Food was excellent, service was very good. We spoke to the owner after dinner, and had wonderful conversation about his restaurant and Houston. Great place, would go again.

Perbacco looked to me from the outside like a swank restaurant (I don't get out much?) When we were greeted inside and told that our shorts and sneakers were ok attire despite the other patrons wearing dress clothes, I felt at home. I felt even more at home when the woman who took our orders said that they could make anything on the menu any way that we wanted it - and they did! And she got every order - even the custom orders - correct. The food was delicious including the bread and herbed olive oil. The prices were much less than I expected. It was an all-around treat to eat and spend time with friends here!

We wanted Italian for dinner and we ended up at Perbacco. It´s close to our hotel and it is a real Italian restaurant. The restaurant looks bright and fresh and has big old black-and-white photo´s on the walls. It was busy and we had the last available table. We got water and bread & butter. To our surprise the bread was freshly baked. The menu had the Italian name first and underneath the English translation. I like that, it gives a hint it's a real Italian. We had Proscuitto e melone and Lasagna with some wine. Delicious! And we loved the espresso macchiato. The first real one on this USA trip. When we finished the Lasagna the Italian owner cleared our table and we started to talk. The black-and-white photos on the wall are his own family photo's from Capri. That made it extra special. We've been here only once, but if we lived in Houston, we would become regulars. I'm sure everything that's on the menu is delicious and real Italian. Nothing can beat a real Italian restaurant. Thank you Vittorio for a wonderful experience.

Never disappoints.

after weeks of Texan and Mexican food it was absolutely delightful to have dinner at Perbacco's. The bread, olive oil dip, salad, fish and Italian dessert were absolutely great Italian cuisine. Traditional Italian family business is such a contrast to computerized and chilled standard American restaurants.

My wife and I frequent the theatre district several times a year but mostly have chosen restaurants closer to the Wortham to dine prior to the opera. Last Saturday we decided to try this little gem just a couple of blocks away. It's a small, quaint place that reminded us of our trip to Italy a couple of years ago. Great service, outstanding cuisine, and very reasonbly priced. Next time you're in the theater district, try Perbacco for yourself; you'll be glad you did.

I am Italian living in Houston since a while. This restaurant, owned by Vittorio, native of Capri is a little gem in the Downtown district. You can't miss his pasta "cozze e vongole" and the perfectly marinated red peppers, zucchini & carrots as a starter. The place is quite small and gets crowded every working day at lunch. The only drawback is that at dinners it's open just On Thursday, Friday and Saturday... If there are customers by 7pm..

Very delicious! A hidden gem in the heart of downtown. I had spaghetti marina. My entree came with salad and bread!

If you want to have an quiet intimate dining experience at a reasonable price smack dab in the middle of the theater district... you can't go wrong at Perbacco.... I love the high ceilings... it makes it feel bigger than it is ... the food is also quite delicious with a varied menu... misto verdure antipasto was amaze-balls..;)

Best if going w/more than 4 people. Servings are huge! Sit and eat in the kitchen.

We wanted Italian before the theater and Perbacco exceeded our expectations. We ordered the chef's special which was shrimp, scallops, and lobster in a light tomato sauce over linguini. It was fabulous! We compared it to some dishes we had had in Italy and Perbacco won! We tried the desserts which we good but did not outshine the entrees. The small restaurant was booked to capacity in a Friday night so make reservations. We will definitely return.

We found Perbacco by accident. One evening the restaurant to which we had reservations made an error which left us without a table for dinner. Walking back to Jones Hall we passed Perbacco, walked-in, and explained what happened - they made room for us and welcomed us. Perbacco serves great Italian food – we have never been disappointed. The menu does change slightly based upon the kitchen’s ingredients for the day. Our favorites are Lasagna Al Forno, Gnocchi, Fettuccini Pescatore, and the Vitella Al Marsala. We also appreciate their selection of Italian wines. Perbacco is situated within a one to three block walk from Jones Hall, The Alley Theater, Bayou Music Center, and others. It has been three years since we found this culinary delight, we have tried other local restaurants, yet we keep coming back to Perbacco.

I am italian, i had a dinner during my stay in Houston. It is a real italian restaurant, real italian food and top quality, price aligned with italian Trattoria back home. No frills no fake ingredients, homemade quality and italian hospitality. Feels like my mum's kitchen. It s a must in Houston if you love italian top quality and atmosphere. Thanks to chef Vittorio and his team

I had the special-- penne with shrimp, capers, black olives, cauliflower, and a bit of tomato sauce. It was wonderful! I love that the meal was not a bit of toppings on a whole heap of pasta. It was more toppings than pasta. The menu is a bit limited, but everything looked/sounded great.

Love this place!! It is a small, locally-owned Italian restaurant that is super cute and great for date night or dinner with a small group of friends. The staff was very accommodating and super friendly. The wine and food were excellent. I would definitely eat here again!

We had dinner in this restaurant because we wanted to change the type of food. We found this restaurant in downtown not far from our hotel. Good appetizer and excellent first courses. The owner is nice and told us a lot about American life. Nice atmosphere. To return.

I went to Houston this past week on business and my wife travelled with me. We walked over to Perbacco and had a delicious dinner. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The entrees were excellent and we enjoyed a very taste piece of tiramisu. An excellent choice for downtown dining

Good location in theatre district, across from Jones Hall. A perfect pre-stage dinner place. Need reservation for Friday and Saturday evening at around 6pm when the area theaters have performances. Food is excellent. They may cook something special if nothing on the menu suits you.

Loved this place. Food was delious, service was great. A bit pricey but worth it. Parking was a pain so take a cab. Tiramisu was amazing ( i dont normally even like it but thiers is amazing). Real food - a must try!