Walking into Reale’s Italian Cafe to enjoy a genuine New York-Italian meal will likely land the diner with more than good food—but also a few good anecdotes, said owner Gino Reale, who has worked at the restaurant since he was a teen.
“We are a typical, passionate Italian family and you’ll probably be greeted by a Reale who’ll tell you a decent story about the old days,” Reale said. “Most of our customers will also talk about the times, especially with my father, throughout the years.”
Looking back
Reale’s father Robert, known to many as Bob, opened the restaurant in 1981, and it quickly became an Austin favorite, Reale said.
“One day, my dad came up with an idea to open a small pizzeria,” Reale said. “We had no idea what we were doing, but we worked together as a family and people loved it.”
What’s special about it?
Using family recipes, Reale’s Italian Cafe creates Italian food by way of New York, where Reale was born. The restaurant serves hand-tossed pizzas, pastas, seafood dishes, family platters and more.
“We are a true, authentic family restaurant where the recipes were handed down from our Italian great-grandparents,” Reale said. “It's a good family atmosphere with a beautiful bar full and Sinatra-style live music.”
- 13450 Research Blvd., Ste. 230, Austin
- www.realespizza.com
