Austin Restaurant Weeks returns through September 14, 2025, once again inviting locals to dine out for a cause. For two weeks, participating restaurants across the city offer prix-fixe menus at $25 for lunch and brunch, or $50 and $75 for dinner, with a portion of each meal donated to the Central Texas Food Bank. Specialty cocktails, wine, and beer also contribute, adding $1–$2 each. Since its launch in 2018, the event has raised nearly 2.9 million meals, turning Austin’s dining scene into a force for good.
“Central Texas Food Bank is proud to present Austin Restaurant Weeks 2025, where food lovers can indulge in special prix-fixe menus while making a difference in the fight against hunger,” said Sari Vatske, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank.
This year’s lineup features a standout group of Italian restaurants, each bringing its own style of cucina italiana to the table. Here’s where to eat if you want a taste of Italy while giving back.
Opened in 2023 by Lockley’s Flavor Hospitality Group, Gina’s has quickly become a downtown draw. Its $50 ARW menu features anchovy toast, shaved summer squash salad, slow-braised brisket, and tiramisù accented with lavender and pistachio crumble. Each course may be paired with a curated wine flight, including a Vin Santo from Chianti for dessert.
Set in a villa-style space on 360, Siena channels rustic Tuscan charm. For Restaurant Weeks, the menu highlights dishes like veal Milanese and fettuccine ai funghi, with lemon posset or chocolate mousse to finish.
With two lively locations, downtown and The Domain, North Italia continues to be a crowd favorite. ARW menus feature Sicilian meatballs, spicy rigatoni vodka, squid ink tonnarelli, and more, with both brunch and dinner available.
With outposts at Barton Springs, the Arboretum, and Georgetown, Juliet brings approachable Italian-American classics to multiple neighborhoods. Think lobster arancini, lasagna, branzino, and tiramisù across both lunch and dinner menus.
East Austin’s pizza from the L’Oca d’Oro team blends an 80s vibe with serious dough craft and careful sourcing. Expect easygoing, by-the-slice options and fun extras during ARW.
For a refined night out, It’s Italian Cucina delivers a luxurious $75 prix-fixe with dishes such as lobster ravioli, truffled risotto, and cacio e pepe. It’s a polished experience for those who like their Italian dining elegant.
A Mueller favorite, L’Oca d’Oro blends handmade pastas with seasonal Texas ingredients. Expect plates like bucatini with summer squash or rigatoni arrabbiata, alongside desserts such as peach cobbler and melon sorbet.
Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
A Burnet Road staple since 2012, Gusto has been reinvigorated under restaurateur Cameron Lockley. For ARW, the $50 menu begins with a pear and endive salad, followed by lamb osso bucco with goat cheese polenta, and a refreshing local melon granita. Optional $25 wine flights showcase Piedmont producers to complete the experience.
Casa Bianca brings a coastal point of view to Austin, focusing on seafood and handmade pastas in a stylish but welcoming atmosphere. Its Restaurant Weeks menu showcases the kitchen’s fresh, seafood-driven approach.
Farm-to-table ethos defines Intero, where local sourcing shapes every Italian-inspired dish. This east side spot pairs handmade pastas with seasonal produce, offering one of the most ingredient-driven Italian menus in the city.
Plan Your Table
Austin Restaurant Weeks makes it easy to enjoy great food while giving back. The Italian spots on this year’s list bring plenty of personality, from old-world comfort to modern twists, and every meal helps support the Central Texas Food Bank. Reservations are a must, so don’t wait until the last minute. Check the restaurants’ websites or scroll their Instagram feeds for menus, hours, and the latest updates before you book.
As Vatske summed it up, “Every meal enjoyed during Austin Restaurant Weeks directly contributes to feeding families and individuals in need across Central Texas." This September, every plate served is a step toward that goal.
