Step into Austin’s most authentic slice of Italy, where wood-fired perfection meets traditional Neapolitan artistry. 🍕
DeSano’s Pizzeria Napoletana is a small but mighty pizza spot has transformed the way Austin thinks about authentic Italian dining through hand-selected ingredients imported weekly from the motherland.
The dining room showcases dramatic wood-burning ovens that create a theatrical pizza-making experience customers can’t find anywhere else in town.
How DeSano’s won local’s hearts
DeSano captured Austin’s attention with an unapologetic commitment to authenticity that most pizza joints wouldn’t dare attempt.
Owner Jimmy Fitzgerald stunned the local food scene when he imported not just ingredients, but four massive three-ton Italian wood-burning ovens that were literally blessed by Roman priests and named after saints – San Felice, San Gennaro, San Paolino, and San Matteo.
The restaurant follows the strict guidelines of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, meaning everything from the handpicked San Marzano tomatoes to the mozzarella di bufala arrives weekly via air freight from Napoli and Campania.
The magic happens when these premium ingredients meet ovens that reach 900 degrees and cook pizzas in just 75-80 seconds.
Local food critics and customers became instant converts after witnessing the open kitchen theater where master pizzamakers toss dough and create perfectly charred pies right before their eyes.
Word spread quickly through Austin’s foodie network that this wasn’t just another pizza joint – it was a legitimate Italian experience that transported diners straight to Naples for the price of lunch.
Food Highlights
- DeSano Pizza: The signature pie loaded with pepperoni and Italian sausage, featuring perfectly charred edges and a light, airy crust that showcases the restaurant’s mastery of traditional Neapolitan techniques while satisfying American appetites for hearty toppings.
- San Gennaro: An aromatic masterpiece combining Italian sausage, sweet peppadews, and caramelized onions on a crispy yet chewy crust with just the right amount of char, creating a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors.
- Il Maiale (“The Pig”): A meat lover’s dream featuring prosciutto cotto and pancetta that delivers rich, salty Italian flavors without overwhelming the delicate balance of San Marzano tomato sauce and imported mozzarella di bufala.
- Margherita D.O.P.: The ultimate test of any Neapolitan pizzeria, showcasing San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh basil, garlic, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, and pecorino romano in perfect harmony that lets each imported ingredient shine.
- Capricciosa: A traditional Italian favorite loaded with mushrooms, artichokes, prosciutto, garlic, scamorza, mozzarella di bufala, and pecorino romano that creates a complex flavor profile showcasing multiple textures and authentic Italian tastes.
- Diavola: Perfect for spice lovers, this fiery creation delivers authentic Italian heat that builds gradually while maintaining the delicate balance of premium ingredients that defines true Neapolitan pizza making.
Atmosphere at DeSano’s
The restaurant creates an authentic Italian pizzeria experience through its open, airy design featuring long wooden communal tables and benches that encourage family-style dining. 🔥
The dramatic centerpiece consists of four massive wood-burning ovens that dominate the space, creating an almost theatrical atmosphere where guests can watch master pizzamakers craft their orders.
The casual, no-frills environment focuses entirely on the pizza-making spectacle, with stacks of imported Italian ingredients visible throughout the space.
Paper towel rolls on every table and the smell of burning oak wood create an atmosphere that feels more like an authentic Italian workshop than a typical American restaurant.
Bottom Line
- Authentic Italian experience – The only Austin restaurant importing weekly ingredients from Naples and following strict Neapolitan pizza guidelines
- Theatrical dining – Watch master pizzamakers work their magic in dramatic wood-burning ovens blessed by Italian priests ⛪
- Uncompromising quality – Premium ingredients like mozzarella di bufala and San Marzano tomatoes create flavors you simply can’t find elsewhere
- Family-friendly atmosphere – Kids love watching the pizza-making process and staff often share dough for little ones to play with
- Quick service – Despite the artisanal approach, most pizzas emerge from 900-degree ovens in under 90 seconds 🎯
Address: 8000 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
📞 (512) 323-2426
🕐 Sun-Thu: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM