Magdalena’s Trattoria & Pizzeria

Visited on 1/10/26 for our first time and had a wonderful dining experience. The chef/owner greeted us at check-in and was incredibly friendly and welcoming. After being seated, our waiter greeted us promptly. The food was flavorful and served hot, which we really appreciated. The dessert was also excellent. We will definitely be back!

From start to finish, this was an absolutely exceptional dining experience! The service was spectacular, the dishes were nothing short of phenomenal, and every detail felt thoughtful and intentional. Each plate was beautifully prepared and bursting with flavor—clearly crafted with passion and expertise! Chef Nicholas was incredibly attentive, personable, and genuinely invested in making sure every guest felt welcome and delighted. Huge thanks to Cindy, our wonderful server, who was warm, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout. Both their presence and care elevated the entire experience and made it feel truly memorable and extra special! Everything exceeded expectations — absolutely amazing experience! Highly recommend and can’t wait to return!!

Magdalena has quickly become one of our favorite restaurants in Houston. We ordered the branzino, and it was honestly the best we’ve ever had, and we order branzino a lot. It was even better than the one we had in Rome, which is saying something. Perfectly cooked, beautifully seasoned, and unforgettable. The pizza was another highlight. Our pizza-obsessed 4-year-old declared Magdalena his favorite restaurant because the pizza was “that good,” which might be the highest praise of all. Desserts were just as impressive — the tiramisu and the ice cream were absolutely mouth-watering and the perfect finish to an already incredible meal. What truly sets this place apart is the warmth and talent of the owner, Nicolas. He stopped by our table multiple times, made us feel genuinely welcome, and it’s clear how much pride he takes in every dish. He speaks more than four languages, is an exceptional chef, and brings a personal touch you rarely see anymore. The ambience is fantastic, the pricing is very fair for the quality, and the entire experience was just excellent from start to finish. We can’t wait to come back!

I am definitely coming back. My wife and I are always looking for great food, especially Italian. This is one of my top picks. The plates were so delicious. The pizza was light and a mouthful at the same time. The chicken carbonara with the light sauce was just perfect, with a hint of sausage to finish off the dish. The service was excellent; everyone was smiling, and there was a gentleman who was very helpful and welcoming to all who passed by. He must have been either the chef or the owner. Either way, he made it feel very much like home.

We have recently moved back to Houston from Paris & have been looking for a local Italian restaurant to become our "local favorite" (for us and our 9 year olds) & we found it! Magdalena's will definitely be a place we come back to regularly. The pasta & pizza dough are all handmade (the flour is imported from Italy). The service is attentive without being suffocating. The owner came by all the tables to check in.. it was so nice!