Mona Italian Restaurant in Houston, TX: Your Guide to Authentic Italian Dining

Mona Introduce

Welcome to Mona, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Downtown Houston, Texas. For anyone in the Houston region searching for an authentic Italian dining experience, Mona offers a unique blend of classic flavors and a casual, inviting atmosphere. Located conveniently at 800 Capitol St, Mona is much more than just a place to eat; it's a destination for lovers of fine Italian food, from rich, savory pasta dishes to fresh, crisp salads. Whether you're a local resident or just visiting the Houston area, this guide will provide you with all the essential information about what makes Mona a must-visit Italian restaurant.

Mona prides itself on creating a menu that is both delicious and accessible. The approach to food here is centered on quality, fresh ingredients, and the ability for guests to create their own perfect meal. With a range of options that cater to every palate, including a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free choices, Mona ensures that everyone can find something to love. From a quick lunch on a busy workday to a relaxing dinner, the restaurant's commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience is clear in every dish.

The restaurant's focus on simple, yet elegant, food has earned it a loyal following. The menu features a selection of traditional Italian favorites, alongside innovative dishes that showcase the chef's creativity. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about Mona, from its convenient location and wide range of services to the special features that set it apart from other Italian restaurants in Texas.

Location and Accessibility

Mona is conveniently situated at 800 Capitol St Suite T308, Houston, TX 77002, USA. Located in the bustling Downtown Houston area, it’s an ideal spot for anyone working or exploring the city. The restaurant is easily accessible by public transport and car, with free street parking available nearby. Its location in a food court within the Bank of America building makes it a popular choice for lunch, offering a casual and quick dining experience for those with busy schedules.

Accessibility is a key priority at Mona. The restaurant offers a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that all guests can enter and enjoy their meal comfortably. The presence of a wheelchair-accessible parking lot and restroom further enhances the convenience for guests with mobility needs. The ample seating, which is also wheelchair-accessible, provides a comfortable dining environment for everyone.

The restaurant’s Downtown Houston location also makes it a great spot for a dinner out before heading to a show or event in the city. Its central position and easy accessibility make it a go-to for both locals and visitors. The casual and cozy atmosphere is a welcoming change from the often-hectic pace of city life, providing a peaceful escape to enjoy a delicious meal.

Services Offered

Dine-In: Enjoy a relaxed meal in the restaurant's casual and cozy atmosphere with comfortable seating.
Delivery and Takeout: For those who prefer to enjoy their meal at home or at the office, Mona offers both delivery and takeout services.
No-Contact Delivery and Curbside Pickup: In a world where convenience and safety are paramount, Mona provides no-contact delivery and curbside pickup options for a hassle-free experience.
Catering: Perfect for office lunches, parties, and events, Mona offers a full catering menu with a wide range of options, from salads and pastas to large platters that can feed a crowd.

Features and Highlights

Customizable Dishes: A major highlight of Mona is the "Build Your Own" concept. Customers can create their own perfect pasta, panini, or salad, choosing from a variety of fresh ingredients, sauces, and proteins.
Diverse Menu: Mona isn't just an Italian restaurant; it also offers a variety of other options, functioning as a beer hall, salad shop, sandwich shop, and wine bar. The menu features a wide array of choices, from traditional pasta and paninis to refreshing salads and small plates.
Dietary Accommodations: The menu includes a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options, making it a great choice for those with specific dietary needs.
Beverage Selection: In addition to a full menu of food, Mona offers a selection of alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, to complement your meal. They also have a variety of non-alcoholic options, such as iced tea, coffee, and sparkling water.
Family-Friendly: With a good-for-kids atmosphere and a dedicated kids' menu, Mona is a great spot for family dining. The casual and friendly environment makes it welcoming for guests of all ages.

Contact Information

To make a reservation, inquire about catering, or place an order for pickup or delivery, you can contact Mona using the information below.

Address: 800 Capitol St Suite T308, Houston, TX 77002, USA

Phone: (713) 485-5158

What is Worth Choosing?

Mona stands out among other Italian restaurants in Texas for several reasons, but its dedication to quality and a personalized dining experience is what truly sets it apart. The ability to build your own dish is a game-changer, allowing you to tailor your meal to your exact preferences. The vegetarian pasta, for example, is a popular choice for those looking for a flavorful meatless option. The generous portion sizes ensure you leave feeling satisfied, and the affordable prices make it an excellent value for the quality of food you receive.

The catering service is another aspect that is well worth choosing. Whether you're planning a corporate event or a private gathering, the catering menu offers a variety of delicious and convenient options. From large pans of Chicken Alfredo Pasta to a selection of fresh salads like the Caprese Salad, Mona’s catering is designed to make your event a success.

While the concept of customizing your meal is a huge plus, it's also worth noting the delicious prepared dishes on the menu. The Meatball Arrabiata and Pesto Chicken Alfredo pastas are fan favorites, known for their rich flavors and comforting warmth. For those who prefer sandwiches, the classic Club Panini or the flavorful Meatball Panini are excellent choices.

The atmosphere at Mona is also a key reason to visit. It’s casual, cozy, and family-friendly, making it a perfect spot for any occasion. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch during the week or having a leisurely dinner with friends, the welcoming environment enhances the dining experience. The staff is known for being friendly and helpful, ensuring that your visit is pleasant from start to finish.

In conclusion, Mona offers a fantastic Italian dining experience that combines high-quality food, a friendly atmosphere, and exceptional service. From its convenient Downtown Houston location to its customizable menu and excellent catering services, it provides everything you could ask for in a local Italian restaurant.

Mona Vibe

BUILD DISH
Extra 3 Ingredients $2.00
Extra Pasta $2.50
No Meat $10.90
Sausage $14.85

BUILD YOUR OWN DISH
Build Your Own Panini $10.90
Build Your Own Pasta $10.90
Build Your Own Salad $10.90
Chicken $14.85
Meatballs $14.80
Sausage $14.85
Sicilia Large $188.00

CATERING
Caesar Salad (Large) $69.00
Caesar Salad (Medium) $58.00
Caesar Salad (Small) $42.00
Caprese Salad (Large) $88.00
Caprese Salad (Medium) $65.00
Caprese Salad (Small) $48.00
Chicken Alfredo Pasta (Large) $192.00
Chicken Alfredo Pasta (Medium) $148.00
Chicken Alfredo Pasta (Small) $110.00
Iced Tea (Gallon) $9.99
Sicilia Salad (Large) $88.00
Sicilia Salad (Medium) $65.00
Sicilia Salad (Small) $48.00
Vegetarian Pasta (Large) $165.00
Vegetarian Pasta (Medium) $125.00
Vegetarian Pasta (Small) $85.00
Venice (Large) $69.00
Venice (Medium) $58.00
Venice (Small) $42.00

CHEF LUNCH
Shrimp $7.00
Shrimp $1.50 $1.50
Special $17.50

DRINKS
Bottled Water $1.50
Coke $1.95
Dr Pepper $1.95
France Water $2.80
Lemon Ice Tea $2.50
Pellegrino $2.90
Drink
San Pellegrino $3.00
Topo Chico $2.90

Lunch Dinner Menu
Shrimp $5.00

PANINI
Ceasardina $14.30
Club $10.90
Florence $10.90
Meatball $14.85
Rosso $15.20
Veggie $10.90

PASTA
Cacio E Peppe $10.90
Strozepretti pasta, butter, black cracked pepper, parmesan cheese.
Meatball Arrabiata $14.85
Rigatoni, Red bell peppers, Black olives, Tomatoes, Garlic, Arrabiatta sauce (spicy), Meatballs and a touch of pesto.
Mona $14.30
Mushroom $12.30
Pesto Chicken Afredo $13.85
Fettuccini Pasta, Alfredo Sauce, Pesto Chicken and Fresh Shaved Parmesan.
Vegetarian $10.90

SALAD
Caesar $10.90
Caprese $16.30
Roma $10.90
Spinach, Red Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Feta Cheese, Croutons, Garlic, Black Olives and Balsamic Vinaigrette,
Royal $16.30
Sicilia $10.90
Venice $10.90

Mona Details

Service options
Curbside pickup
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Coffee
Comfort food
Quick bite
Salad bar
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy

Crowd
Family-friendly

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
Kids' menu

Parking
Free street parking

Mona Photos

Mona Location

Mona

Texas Harris County Houston Central Business District Capitol Street

800 Capitol St Suite T308, Houston, TX 77002, USA

Mona Reviews

An average rating of ★4.2 from 71 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

It's a nice food outlet, famous for its pasta dishes, located underground at Bank of America building. I ordered vegetarian pasta, somehow I didn't enjoy much. It's in food court with plenty of sitting space.
July 15 · Atul Shrivastava
Good pasta option but you can mess up your meal if you don't know what you're doing. The concept is easy, pick a pasta, pick what you want, add extras and eat. However, if you don't know what goes with what you can make a total mess. That's not their fault, but just be careful. The bowel is large enough to fill you up and not that expensive. However, the chicken was meh. It's cooked and then kept heated, so when I ordered it, it was dry. Maybe I ordered too late in the day, maybe it's a heating element setting, either way just be aware of that.
July 29 · Rodrigo Cabral-Pereira
You know when there’s a long line and a bit of a wait at an eatery, it’s going to be great! While I ate a salad, my companions feasted on pasta. What stood out consistently throughout every bite was the freshness and good ingredients. The customer service was great too! I had picked a salad that doesn’t originally come with protein and wanted to add some, but to be honest, didn’t want to bring that up and inconvenience the staff. However, while checking out they actually stopped to check if I wanted to add anything, which I thought was very sweet.
June 20 · Albana Ochaeta
This was my first time dining at "Mona." I arrived around 4:15 pm. Upon arriving, there was a maintenance man who was waiting for an employee to let him into their backroom. After a while, I walked up to the counter and hollered, Hello. No answer, no person. Shortly after, an employee came walking up to us and opened the side door (along with the maintenance man) into the backroom. I'm assuming that the employee had probably gone to the restroom, being that it was slow at this time. After having read the Menu, I decided to order the Pasta. You also have a choice of a Sandwich or Salad. On the Pasta, I was given the choice of either a regular Tagliatelle Pasta or a Spinach Tagliatelle Pasta. I chose the Spinach. Now here's the confusing part; according to the employee, I was allowed to add 5 "Farm Fresh Ingredients," for free. The Menu here, is the, "Build Your Own," for $10.90. I have to admit, this is a fantastic concept! However, I noticed on the Menu board that, for 6, "Farm Fresh Ingredients," (which is only 1 more ingredient) it's $4.°° Extra. A bit steep for 1 extra ingredient that isn't a meat item. But, I went for it. So the 6, "Farm Fresh Ingredients," I chose to add to my Spinach noodles were, 1) Spinach Leaves, 2) Mushrooms, 3) Green Bell Peppers, 4) Black Olives, 5) Diced Tomatoes, and for my 6th) Onions. I didn't realize when I asked if they had Onions, that they were sautéed (a.k.a: Caramelized Onions). All of my ingredients were place in a skillet. I had a choice of sauce, to which I chose, the Mushroom Cream Sauce. The employee then sautéed all the ingredients on a portable burner. For an additional $4.°°, you can add a Meat of your choice. I went with the Chicken. This was in a warming tray. After all the ingredients were cooked through; it was poured into a deep plastic bowl and then topped with the slices of Grilled Chicken. Finally, a tight lid was placed on and it was ready to go. Now then, I have 4 drawbacks. 1) One of the Seasonings on the Grilled Chicken was a bit strong. It's the sweet Seasoning that's used to make Sweet Italian Sausage. Sadly, a Seasoning I'm not fond of. 2) There's no Fountain Drinks. Just a small selection of can sodas or bottles of types of Waters. Each 12 oz. can of Soda is $1.95 each. So if you're like me and 12oz's is not going to be enough for the entire meal; it adds up quickly. I bought 4, just to play it safe. They do however have, Self-serve Lemonade, Sweet and Unsweetened Tea. 3) They don't provide any type of a Dessert You know, like small assortment of Cannoli's, Cuccidati, Tiramisu, Zeppole, or perhaps a type of cookie like, Amaretti Cookies, Italian Rainbow Cookies, Anginetti Cookies or Italian Ricotta Cookies. However, my favorite would be a variety of Gelato. And 4) No employee should be working alone. Accidents can and do happen. What would happen if she slipped and fell in the backroom and was unconscious? Overall... despite the delay of service at the beginning; the employee was friendly, helpful, and atentative to my needs. The quality of the food was fresh, hot and delicious (minus that one Seasoning). Appearance... clean, organized and well stocked. To clear up the location (as I was using the Google Map), this location is actually located in the Understory Food Hall, part of the Tunnel System. You can enter this food hall via the Bank of America Tower building. In the Lobby, just go down 1 floor and enjoy.
March 07 · Fernando Farraro
Just got Chicken Pesto Alfredo with Truffle oil from the Lunchdrop at work. It was delicious! I ate it all so I don't have pics...sorry! Lol! I got 50% for the first time trying Lunchdrop, so it was a good deal.
May 20 · Wendy Beckham