Sammie’s

I was hesitant to try Sammie's given the mixed reviews. I lived in Italy for half a year so I have high expectations for Italian food. If you don't read any further than this paragraph - just know that as soon as I finished my first meal here I was already booking a table for my next visit.The vibes are unmatched and is perfect for a date night, special occasion dinner, or a girls night out. The moody lighting at dinner, close knit tables, and crowded walls with picture frames make it feel cozy yet elevated. I highly recommend starting with the Caesar salad, meatballs, and mozzarella sticks. I loved the lumache alla vodka- perfect amount of sauce and it was flavorful and the breadcrumbs added the perfect amount of crunch.For dessert I recommend the chocolate torte and the tiramisu (not pictured)!

We enjoyed a delicious birthday dinner at Sammie's Italian last week. The food and service were impeccable, the decor and ambiance most enjoyable. Now here's over and above part that makes the experience a 5+ star review: I booked the table online several weeks ago and mis-read the seating time as 6:45 when in fact I'd booked 5:45. We showed up an hour late and after the initial confusion we were happily guided to the nicest table in the completely packed restaurant. My error could've led to a quick burger at P. Terry's (nothing against). instead we were treated to a perfect night out at our new favorite Italian restaurant!

Nestled on the iconic 6th Street, Sammie's Italian transports you from the bustling streets of Austin straight to the warmth and charm of old Italy. With its inviting ambiance, impeccable service, and rich, comforting flavors, this spot is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine.After much internal debate (and several menu glances), I settled on the Caesar Salad alla Tommy and Campanelle Cacio e Pepe--though I must admit, the Texas Red Snapper and Chicken Piccata had me second-guessing my decision until the very last second. Let's be honest: decisions this difficult should come with a cocktail.The Caesar Salad was a revelation. You think you've had Caesar before? Think again. A slight drizzle of chili oil elevated it from a classic to a masterpiece--crisp, creamy, and with just the right amount of kick. Easily one of the best salads I've had in years. The Cacio e Pepe was a study in simplicity and technique--al dente pasta coated in a velvety, peppery cheese sauce that let the quality of the ingredients shine. When done right, this dish is proof that sometimes, less is more. Sammie's got it right.To wash it all down, I went for the Paulie's Walnut cocktail--a boozy, smoky, and slightly nutty concoction featuring Overproof Bourbon, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, Pecan Amaro, and a whisper of Laphroaig. This is the kind of drink that makes you want to slip into a leather booth, tell stories about "the old country," and pretend you own an olive farm in Tuscany.We sat outside, but a quick look inside revealed a space that felt like the perfect mix of an old-school NYC Italian restaurant and a refined cigar lounge--dim lighting, dark wood, and the kind of ambiance that makes you want to stay for hours. The warm, rustic decor, the lively yet intimate atmosphere, and the unbelievably welcoming staff made the experience even better. Our waitress wasn't just serving food--she was curating an evening. She took the already outstanding meal and infused it with warmth and familiarity, making the entire experience feel like home.Sammie's isn't just about food--it's about hospitality, nostalgia, and the joy of a well-cooked meal shared among friends. Whether you're looking for a romantic date night, a celebratory dinner, or just a place to indulge in expertly crafted Italian fare, this is the spot.Would I return? In a heartbeat. Would I finally try the Texas Red Snapper and Chicken Piccata? Absolutely. But that Cacio e Pepe might just have me in a pasta-induced chokehold forever. Highly recommended.

The food here was delicious but what made this place great was the service. I came here with my partner for our 4 year anniversary and they treated us so well. They got us a very private table and complimentary champagne. Wonderful waitress. The place was a bit dark - too dark to see my food and the restaurant was loud. It's part of its ambiance so I adjusted myself to them. I love west 6th so this place was great.

Came here for galentines and it did not disappoint. Service is always amazing, you always feel special every time you come here. We shared the caesar salad and calamari. I ordered the funghi mushroom pasta and oh my gosh. I am a mushroom LOVER and this pasta satisfied every craving. It was so creamy, mushroom-y, and the swiggly pasta was so chewy, cooked to al-dente. We even got 2 scoops of ice cream for free from our server and it was so so special. Im pretty sure we got chocolate and brown butter and wow i need to save more room for dessert next time. Only feedback i can give is the music was quite loud so it was hard to hear each other but other than that, it was an amazing experience!

This food is soooo good. The service is amazing. Definitely need to set a reservation to be seated, we went on a Saturday night and it was very busy. We went for a birthday and they gave us a dessert with a candle and said that they were out of cards. The ambiance is nice, but it is extremely dark in there it took my eyes a few minutes to adjust. The chicken parm is to die for! And the lasagna portion is huge, I've had leftovers for days!

Retracting my previous negative review. Was downtown and things were slow as I got there a bit early before the night started so I walked over to Sammie's to give it another try. I guess they do have a process of check in and don't want people to just sit at the bar, but this time they had a hostess and she greeted me nicely and it all went smoothly. The first time I went I think someone wasn't doing their job then they gave me an attitude so it started on the wrong foot.I'm happy I gave it another whirl. Coming from New Jersey for a little over the first quarter century of my life I'd like to think I know Italian Food. Sammie's didn't disappoint. The free breadsticks and bread was a nice touch. The calamari was phenomenal. Possibly the best I've ever had. The right amount of crunch and softness combined and Not in the least bit chewy. Good marinara sauce and large portion. The gnocchi was solid too. I want to try one of their pastas with bolognese that is topped with whipped ricotta and meatballs probably the next time.Sorry for my originally poor review. I had a good dining experience this time. Manga!

The parking lot is very small and was full so we parked on the street in front of and across from the restaurant. We had to pay for parking which was only about $5 for the night. We arrived for dinner around 930pm, and waited a while for a table. We ended up being seated at a booth and it was not accessible or comfortable at all especially for anyone with a larger body as the table and seats were bolted. We asked again for a table and we waited in the uncomfortable booth until the table nearest us was available. That took another ten minutes. We were finally sat at a comfortable table and began to look over the menus. Our waiter refilled our drinks often and asked if we were ready to order yet. I felt rushed after waiting so long just to be sat. I ordered a limoncello side car it was delicious, not to sweet not to strong. Our waiter was obviously annoyed with our table so I ordered my food as well. I ordered mozzarella sticks and Caesar salad for the table before our entrees. The appetizers came fast and were the best part of the meal. The mozzarella sticks were cooked perfectly with a great crust, cheese pull, and the sauces complimented them so well. The salad was so flavorful, and rich! Everything was fresh and seasoned well. It took a while for the entrees to come out. I was disappointed by the lasagna. It wasn't as seasoned or flavorful as the appetizers were. I felt like it needed hot sauce or something extra. They did have aqua panna water so that was a plus! I ordered the cheesecake for dessert and it was very good. Very sweet and has a different texture of traditional cheesecake with graham crackers. The restaurant is beautiful but very dimly lit. My friend with glasses had a hard time reading the menu. The music was great lots of hits and r&b! The bathroom is also beautifully decorated and has goodies for the gals and little candies. The hand soap smells great as well. We didn't end up l saving until 11:45 as the check took long to come as well. When I put my card in check, my waiter returned it shortly after. He then came to us as we were leaving to say he never charged our cards. So weird but we gave him our cards again. We finally paid and left. The vibe is definitely off in this place and with the staff. The food is mostly good as well as the drinks but I likely will not return

Finally made it out to Sammie's and it was absolutely amazing! I went with a bunch of friends and had a great dinner. The food was really good. We got their calamari and Caesar salad and the Caesar had a unique kick to it which made it so good. I got the vongole pasta and it was filled with clams. I usually don't eat much but ate the whole thing. My friend got the lasagna and I will be getting that next time. Our server was exceptional! Very attentive and personable. There's only a couple of minor complaints. The music was very loud and therefore everyone else was talking very loudly and it was hard to hear. I also got a cannoli for dessert and wished the shell was a bit crunchier rather than just hard. Overall, I would come back!

Food was delicious. Very packed inside (as it should be) and service was very personable. We got the mozzarella sticks, meatballs, vodka pasta, chicken parm, and bolognese. Can't wait to go back!