By 
This post was originally published in May 2019. It was last updated in October 2023.
Pasta!! My favorite dish! What a better way to enjoy pasta than one of the top metro areas of the US? Although Los Angeles doesn’t have the same massive amount of Italian population as other cities like New York or Chicago, the options for a good handmade pasta are plentiful.
I’ve been to Italy twice and that was a long time ago, so I can’t really compare my experience of eating pasta in Italy with eating pasta in LA now that I have a more developed palette. However, like most people who love Italian food, eating pasta in my household was always a tradition. When I spent summers in Brazil, after our swimming lessons, my sister and I would run straight to the kitchen completely famished eager to eat Spaghetti and meatballs. Delicious is a big understatement – to this day, I can still remember the joy and the pleasure of eating pasta as a kid.
If there’s one thing that you learn in a big American metro area like Los Angeles, it’s that there are different types of Italian restaurants. In Madrid, and I think the rest of the Europe, Italian restaurants fall into one category. In LA, there’s a whole plethora of restaurants for every occasion: hipster Italian, romantic expensive Italian, casual Italian, mega-expensive celebrity hotspot Italian, family-owned Italian and even food stands.
I have skipped many of the fancy expensive places that you probably have heard of. Living here, I’ve visited my fair share of Italians restaurants all over LA. I remember one time I really wanted to try out this new Italian restaurant in Santa Monica. I went when my dad was in town – his wine was mediocre and the pasta was decent at best. I was so disappointed. This just goes to show you that just because a restaurant is modern and trendy, there’s no guarantee of great food.
For the sake of my bank account and my schedule, this post took me months to elaborate. Some places I went by myself when I was free on the weekends while others I went with my dad when he was in town. Given the thoroughness of my posts, I wanted this list to be worth reading and bookmark on your phone! As I eat in more places in the future, I will add more places here.
When I intended to write this post, I was pleasantly surprised to find so many hidden Italian gems in this city, away from the boujee areas that you would normally go to. Another thing I learned, is that the best Italian restaurants are tucked away in the most unexpected places of the city!
By the way, you’ll see that I order a lot of meat sauces. When I’m at home and I make pasta for myself, I never add meat in my sauce. I’m lazy and I don’t eat a lot of meat except when I eat out or I’m back home in Spain where my mom makes the most delicious meat sauce. I don’t want to buy a whole ground beef package for myself!
It takes time to gather all the ingredients to really make a bomb-ass meat sauce. I wish it was as as easy to throw the meat in the pan, mix it with tomato alongside a few ingredients and expect to achieve the same meat sauce as you eat at restaurants. It takes technique to make a delicious Bolognese sauce.
Enjoy this post and make sure to not read it if you’re hungry!
Fabio’s Pasta
1301 Ocean Front Walk # 7, Venice, CA 90291
Located on the perennial Venice Beach boardwalk, Fabio’s Pasta is the epitome of a hole-in-the-wall. Run by Fabio, a born and raised Italian, Fabio’s Pasta’s mission is to bring high-quality affordable pasta to the US.
I remember going there in February and sitting down on a beautiful sunny day indulging in his delicious homemade pasta. The bolognese sauce was absolute heaven. Next time you’re on the Venice Beach boardwalk in need of a bite, head over to Fabio’s Pasta. Many people will scoff at the thought of finding good food in such a touristy spot, but Fabio defies all the naysayers. When I went there for the first time, he pointed to a group of Italians who were sitting and eating his pasta. “They love it”, he said.
The quality of the homemade sauces really speaks for itself. Plus, the pasta is handmade by a true Italian! Although there are many Italian restaurants in Venice, the vast majority aren’t actually run by Italians. When I asked Fabio if he was from Italy, he put his hand on his chest and proudly declared, “of course!”
Instagram @Fabiospasta
Felix Trattoria
1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Away from the hustle and bustle of Abbot Kinney, next to a residential street, sits Felix. With its inconspicuous facade, a tourist or an out of towner would not know that this is one of LA’s most prestigious Italian restaurants. At one point, Felix was considered one of the hardest restaurants to get a reservation at. The first time I went there was in 2019. I ordered the Tagliatelle and I was blown away by how good it was. Also in 2019, Jeff Bezos was photographed there with his lover Lauren Sanchez. Although a handful of other celebrities are known to frequent Felix, the star of Felix itself is celebrity chef Evan Funke. In late 2021, he opened a new restaurant in Hollywood called Mother Wolf, which intends to be a portal to Roman cuisine.
In 2022, I came back to Felix with my family. We ordered a margherita pizza and three different pastas to share: the Rigatoni All’Amatriciana, Cacio e Peppe and the Orecchiette. Out of the three, the latter was by far our favorite. The sausage sugo was spectacular. Too good for words.
However, I also appreciated the other pastas. The amalgamation of fresh, thick noodles and the nuances of each sauce, made for a memorable eating experience. The tomato sauce from the Amatriciana was so rich in every bite. The pepper from the Cacio and Pepe was so sharp and excellently executed. The noodles from this pasta were also my favorite: thick and fresh. To this day, I’m still thinking about the pastas.
The margarita pizza was the best pizza I’ve had in LA and probably the closest you’ll get to Italy. I don’t know what sort of witchcraft they did there, but it was above a 10. So good.
Thank you Felix for making my last family meal in LA a memorable one. Even though walk-ins are accepted, reservations are strongly encouraged.
Read my review of Mother Wolf here.
N10 Restaurant
8436 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Italian football star Alessandro del Piero is the founder of N10, an upscale Italian restaurant on 3rd street. When my family and I walked in, we were impressed by the contemporary and sleek design. There is even a section where a couch is placed facing a fireplace.
The three of us had the Tagliatelle Al Ragu All’antica. The whole dish was a 10/10. The meat was cooked to perfection and each bite was bursting with flavor. The tagliatelle pasta was also stellar. The overall dish was beautifully presented. You don’t need to be a food connoisseur to appreciate the quality of each ingredient, which is what N10 prides themselves on. I highly recommend N10 not only because of the food, but also for the atmosphere.
Cento Pasta Bar
4921 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Since 2015, Cento Pasta’s owner Chef Avner Levi served his pastas at Mignon Wine Bar in Downtown LA during the daytime. During these years, he also cooked pasta for the acclaimed restaurant Bestia. In December 2021, he opened his long awaited brick-and-mortar in the gentrifying West Adams neighborhood. Out of all the pastas on the menu, I really look forward to trying the Spicy Pomodoro and the Beet Pasta! For desserts, it seems like the tiramisu is a crowd favorite. The restaurant has an open kitchen layout and the design is very sleek and modern. It’s a casual atmosphere. You can either sit inside at the bar, or you can sit on the patio gazing at the beautiful tree with twinkling lights.
Antico Nuovo
4653 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Located between the border of Larchmont and Koreatown, Antico Nuovo draws inspiration from the Italian countryside, which is reflected in its food and wine. All the meats are cured in-house, which is why you’ll see a meat slicer and a wood-fired oven. The menu also features traditional simple handmade pastas, vegetables and fish dishes. If you go, don’t forget to order their honeycomb ice cream! This, alongside their focaccia bread, went viral during quarantine takeouts.
This dish has been one of our biggest successes for our rebranding/reincarnation to @anticonuovo___la
@anticonuovo___la
Piccola Luna Raviolis with Sweet Corn and Chanterelle Mushrooms 🍄 😋
Met Him At A Bar
801 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Every time I drive by this place in the afternoons, it’s packed! Met Him At A Bar is the sister restaurant of Met Her At A Bar, which is right across the street. While the latter is a great option for brunch, Met Him At A Bar only opens in the afternoons and their specialty is homemade pasta. The interior is very hip, casual and intimate — which will make for a great dinner. Whether you’re with friends or you want to go solo and sit at the bar, Met Him At a Bar hits the spot!
Downtown LA
Factory Kitchen
1300 Factory Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90013
In most Italian places in LA, you will find a pretty solid Spaghetti al Pomodoro, which is the classic Spaghetti and tomato sauce, but what sets the Factory Kitchen apart is their signature dish Mandilli Di Seta.
It’s basically a large sheet of rolled fresh pasta, thinner than a cannelloni and comes lightly coated with almond pesto sauce and grated cheese.
I can’t even explain how tender the pasta was. I love pesto sauce but this one was uniquely different and was an amazing discovery. The pasta was so silky and savory, enough to give you a foodgasm! Don’t let the photo make you think that it is a heavy dish – the sauce is very light yet creamy! There was lots of room for dessert afterwards!
It’s a definite must-order. I almost never go to Downtown LA given the hectic parking situation, but this is one of the very few places where you will find free parking. Factory Kitchen, like many other new businesses in this specific block, is located in an industrial warehouse ala Sex And The City.
Funculo (food stand)
724 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014-2936
Have you ever wanted to go to a place where you could just customize your own pasta? Your prayers have been heard!! This little gem is located in The Food Commissary in DTLA. Neil, the owner, who’s from Israel, is super nice and walks you through the process. It’s pretty easy: you pick your pasta, sauce and unlimited toppings. If it’s your first time, just ask Neil and he will give you the best recommendation.
He recommended the linguine pasta with pink vodka sauce and cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and parmesan cheese. The sauce was super rich and creamy and the homemade noodles were delicious. Neil said that after his place, of course, the best pasta you will find in LA is just a few blocks away at Bestia. He did the Italian chef kiss gesture when he mentioned Bestia, but he said it was pricey. The main motivation behind Funculo, is that he wanted to make high-quality pasta dishes affordable for everyone. I almost forgot to mention my order was $10.95!!! Not only was the pasta heavenly good but it was extremely filling.
Pura Vita
8274 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
320 S. Catalina Ave. Redondo Beach, CA 90277 (New location)
For the life of me, I could not believe that this place was vegan! Pura Vita is the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant and wine bar in the US. Since they have limited pasta options during brunch time, I promptly ordered the Spaghetti Pomodoro and I have to say that it ranks as one of the top 2 best pastas I’ve had in Los Angeles. The taste of the sauce was pretty close to the one my mom used to make when I lived in Spain. To say that I was completely mesmerized is a big understatement. The noodles were perfectly fresh and the almond ricotta it came with was also a big winner for me – how did they make it so creamy and flavorful? How?! And on top of that, vegan?! I wish they would let me know the sorcery behind this! Every bite was a taste of pasta heaven and my only regret was not to have added the meatballs. Pura Vita is on the smaller side and there aren’t a lot of tables, however, there is ample seating space available at the bar. The exposed brick-wall and the cozy atmosphere was very reminiscent of gastropubs in New York City.
Pura Vita is located on the busy stretch of Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood. If you blink you might miss it! There is ton of available parking on the residential streets.
If you want to enjoy delicious and hearty vegan plates in West Hollywood, Pura Vita awaits you! If you’re planning on going there for dinner, make reservations because that’s the time it gets the busiest!
Maccheroni Republic
332 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
The staff is entirely Italian. The latter sentence should be enough for you to drop everything and head straight to Downtown LA, but there’s more. Not only is the pasta freshly handmade every single day, but they use organic flour and semolina.
The servers are super polite and attentive. For cheese lovers, order the Rigatoni Pom’ Amore. You can thank me later! The quality in the sauce and the softness of the burrata that just melts in your mouth are unparalleled.
The outside seating is super relaxing with heat lamps that will make for a perfect al fresco dining experience. You’ll feel isolated from all the chaos of DTLA.
There’s a parking lot right next door, just a few feet away from the establishment. It’s $10, which is to be expected in DTLA. Don’t forget to take a photo next to the little red car!
Maccheroni Republic is right across the street from Grand Central Market, which brings me to my next place.
UNION
37 Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
Qurantine takeout
I went to Union in May 2020. I couldn’t dine in so I ordered takeout. The host, David, was super nice and walked me through the menu. Some pasta dishes are spicy and I’m not someone who tolerates spiciness very well, especially in my pasta. He gave me his best recommendation, which was the Torchetti, and he was kind enough to modify the pasta without the chilies.
The pasta was remarkably good! The amalgamation of the pork ragu, the rosemary, the ricotta cheese and the homemade pasta was magical. The ragu was tender and packed with flavor. I later learned that Union uses locally sourced ingredients, which really shows in the quality of the overall dish. The pasta was so good that I savored every bite as long as I could because I didn’t want to finish it! It was a solid 10/10. If you love Italian food and you want to treat yourself to a five-star meal, this is the place!
Bruce Kalman, one of the founders and ex-chef of Union, also opened up a pasta bar called Knead & Co in the famous Grand Central Market in Downtown LA.
Knead & Bead Pasta Bar at Grand Central Market
The owners of the place are Bruce Kalman from New Jersey, and Marie Petulla from Chicago. Both of them have pretty extensive backgrounds in Italian Cuisine since the beginning of their careers, which is why they partnered together and founded Union restaurant in Old Town Pasadena in 2014. Their enthusiasm for Italian food rightly prepared with locally-sourced ingredients in a welcoming, friendly atmosphere didn’t stop there. In early 2016, the duo expanded their love of food and created Knead & Co. Pasta Bar at one of LA’s oldest landmarks: Grand Central Market, founded in 1917.
The most popular dish is the classic spaghetti and meatballs. It was $16, a little steep but nothing too crazy. The pasta was just like your mother used to make! It immediately transported me back to my childhood upon the first bite and the portion was really big.
Everywhere I looked people were either hovering massive individual dishes, or sharing. If you’re famished, whatever you choose at Grand Central, you’ll be more than satisfied!
Silverlake
Speranza
2547 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles 90027
I already raved about this restaurant in a previous post. This place has been Silverlake’s best kept secret for many years. I went back a second time with my dad and it delivered the same amazing results as the first time I went by myself! My dad absolutely loved it and mind you, he’s not a pasta lover. Speranza is the perfect place for al fresco dining – you sit outdoors surrounded by trees and greenery with heat lamps – cozy blankets are also available in case you get cold. To read my full review of Speranza click here.
Osteria La Buca
5210 Melrose Ave. West Hollywood, CA 90038
Loved this place! The layout of the place consisted of ample two-story space and gorgeous high ceilings.
I ordered the Bucatini Carbonara, which is their most famous dish. I wasn’t super hungry so I struggled a little bit to finish it off because the portion was big. But if you’re someone who is obsessed with cheese, this is the dish for you! I like cheese, but I don’t tolerate it very well in large quantities. With this being said, the sauce was delightfully creamy and substantial in a good way, and the noodles were a pasta lover’s dream – super thick and perfectly al dente. Seriously, once you get into the habit of eating handmade pasta, eating dry pasta will seem lackluster.
The poached egg, the combination of pepper and cheese made the perfect modern rendition of a carbonara pasta. On my next visit, I will probably order the Bolognese pasta or the spaghetti and meatballs, which the waitress told me were the two other most popular dishes. As an added bonus, the celebrity sighting of Dominic Cooper from Mamma Mia enjoying his meal upstairs with two Paramount studio executives, made my day. Paramount Studios is located just a few feet away from Osteria La Buca.
If you’re in Hollywood and can’t get reservations at Jon and Vinny’s, Osteria La Buca is the best alternative. Angelini Osteria on Beverly is another favorite, but is more high-end and the pasta dishes are smaller and way more expensive. Moreover, the photos didn’t really draw my attention enough to try it out.
La Pergoletta Pasta Fresca
1802 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (Los Feliz)
2827 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (Echo Park)
Besides their exquisite fresh handmade pastas, this is one of the few sit-down places I’ve been to in LA that lets you customize your pasta with one of their gazillion sauce options, which are plenty to say the least. If you choose the raviolis, you can customize the filling as well!
Location: La Pergoletta is in the heart of Los Feliz, on the well-known Hillhurst avenue – a pedestrian-friendly avenue that boasts a cluster of hipster pubs, coffee shops, celebrity-frequented restaurants like Little Doms, Mustard Café, and other businesses. Randomly located on the corner of a strip mall right next door to a laundromat, I’m puzzled by this lesser-known Italian gem that only had 3 people dining in when I arrived on a Sunday afternoon. At any other restaurant in the area, you’d have seen a line of people waiting to get seated. I guess Angelenos are very diligent about Sunday brunches?! Note: this was written when they only had one location.
The Italian-theme décor will wrap you up completely and amp up your overall eating experience. The service was stellar – if it’s your first time, they will patiently guide you through the menu because there are waaaay too many options to customize your pasta!
I had the Fusili Pasta with the pesto sauce and, what can I say? They really knocked it out of the park! I love the vegan pesto sauce from Trader Joe’s but boy… this was pesto sauce to another level!! It was toothsome, super flavorful and tangy to the palate. This, combined with the mozzarella cheese and the freshness of the pasta were pure heaven in my mouth. The portion for one person was in the perfect range.
La Pergoletta has also been Italian-approved multiple times on Yelp with 5 star reviews by Italian expats praising La Pergoletta’s authenticity. Affordable, non-pretentious, welcoming environment and authentic Italian food. If you love pasta, La Pergoletta awaits you.
Jon & Vinny’s
412 N Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA (West Hollywood)
11938 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 (Brentwood)
4400 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (Windsor Hills) – This review was written before this location opened in 2022.
Ok ok, I know many of you will argue with me on this one. Yes, it’s pricey and many people find it overhyped and not authentic Italian. Jon & Vinny’s is Italian-inspired with a hipster flair, but their Fusilli with spicy Vodka sauce is one of the best pastas I’ve ever eaten, alongside their marinara braised meatballs with ricotta and garlic bread. Simply delicious. I’ve been to Jon and Vinny’s several times and I have ordered different pastas to explore the menu but one way or another, I always keep coming back to this one.
It’s hands-down my all-time favorite. Every time my dad comes to the city, I always make a point to come here. Unlike most restaurants listed here, you have to make a reservation at least two days in advance, and since they are jam-packed at all times, the service is always efficient and fast. I love sitting at the Chef’s with the heavenly smell of the open wood-fire oven and the cooks hastily spinning the pizza dough.
If it’s your first time, order the meatballs and the spicy fusilli vodka! Period.
If for some reason, you’re unable to get a reservation here, head over to their new location in Brentwood. It’s more spacious and bigger than the Fairfax one, but the latter is worth going for the ambiance. North Fairfax Avenue is the mecca of streetwear and skater culture, and if you live nearby or have ever driven through Fairfax, it’s a given that you will see young kids lined up at a store for the newest sneaker release. To end your meal with a good cup of coffee, head over to Coffax.
Eatalian Café, Gardena
15500 S Broadway, Gardena, 90248-22
When you hop in your car and you type the address on your GPS, it will say that this place is in Compton, therefore, like me, it will make you think twice before going. But don’t worry, this place is worth risking your life for. Just kidding!
Eatalian Café is located in the industrial area of Gardena. It’s a 4-minute drive once you exit the I-110S and it’s super easy to miss, so pay close attention to your GPS. There’s plenty of parking available right next door. The exterior is a little rough but as the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. Once you step inside, you will be pleasantly surprised: high ceilings and a big modern spacious area full of families enjoying their meals. This place adheres to the definition of hidden gem. Amazing service and amazing food. If it’s your first time and you’re not vegan, order the Tagliatelle with meat Ragu! For dessert, you have to go over to the bakery counter, where they offer up a wonderful assortment of tasty desserts like pastries, tiramisu and gelato. As soon as I heard the family behind me speaking Italian, and a large Argentinian family with their unmistakable Spanish dialect, I knew I had hit the jackpot. Because the owner, Antonio Pellini, is Italian, there were also many other Italians dining there.
My pasta was delicious. I finished everything on my plate to the point where I almost cleaned it! The sauce was excellent and had the perfect amount of meat and tomato, and the portion was ideal for one person. If you’re thinking of ordering a pizza, you might want to bring someone with you. They were huge and looked very tempting.
From my post: “Europe In LA: Restaurants, Cafes, Hotels And Places That Will Feel Like A European Vacation”.
Little Italy
638 S Beacon St, San Pedro, CA 90731
Most of you reading this will be shocked to know that LA has its own Little Italy. San Pedro has the 4th largest population of Italian-Americans in the US. This working-class city used to be the magnet of European immigrants back in the 1800’s, specifically Italians and Croatians. In 2018, Downtown San Pedro was commemorated with a Little Italy sign.
While this section of San Pedro bears no resemblance to Italy, you will find two restaurants that will make for an authentic Italian experience. For more information on Little Italy Los Angeles, visit the official website.
They DMed me on Instagram! This is what they said:
“Looking through your article I noticed that you said Long Beach has the 4th largest population of Italians in CA. Actually, it’s San Pedro that has the largest (approx 40,000) of Italian descent! That’s why San Pedro was chosen for Little Italy. There are many multi generational Italian families here!” – @LittleItalyOfLA
I also asked them about their favorite Italian restaurants in LA! With the exception of A1 Imported Groceries & Deli (since it’s not a restaurant), all the links to these places are down below. I cannot thank @LittleItalyOfLA enough for this list and for elevating this post to the next level! I’ve only been to Raffaello’s. FYI, all these places are located in San Pedro!
La Siciliana
347 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731
Raffaello Ristorante, San Pedro
400 S. Pacific Avenue (at 4th Street) San Pedro, California 90731
Don’t let the area of Raffaello fool you! I was a bit skeptical of this place but once I stepped in, it was like setting foot in Italy. I was warmly welcomed by the owner and his son. From what I could gleam online their names are Gino and Toni. The restaurant is family-style with old-school Italian décor. The register area, which had a few tables, was adjacent to two big rooms in which two different parties were taking place. Waiters rushed in and out of the kitchen with plates double the size of my head. People leaving were either in a food coma or with massive takeout containers.
The copious amount of food that people were having had me a little bit horrified. I think it’s partly because in some regions of Italy like Naples, people enjoy sharing big portions of food. The dishes at Rafaello Ristorante are meant to be shared. Once my dish came, Tony sprinkled the most generous amount of grated cheese I’ve ever seen at an Italian restaurant and even asked me if I wanted more. Those fancy places where the waiters gingerly serve a mini tablespoon of grated cheese can take a seat!
I was in the mood for a good meaty tomato sauce. The son recommended the bolognese sauce and with Rigatone instead of Spaghetti because it holds the meat much better. He also offered to serve me a half portion as opposed to the massive standard servings people were having.
This half portion was the perfect amount for one person – I ate ALL OF it. In regards to the pasta, OMG it was so good I even burned my tongue. Their meat sauce is within my top pasta sauces I’ve had to date here in LA. The meat had the perfect texture and the tomato sauce was bursting with flavor. Meat sauces are pretty hard to nail, and you know you’re eating at a good Italian place when the sauces are good. I know I said before that the meat sauce in Felix Trattoria was good, but if I had to pick a winner between the meat sauce from Felix and the meat sauce from Raffaello, the latter is the winner for sure. This is most likely because the meat sauce I had in Felix didn’t have tomato in it. You can’t really appreciate the meat sauce or the pasta in the photo but I promise you it was mind-blowing.
The best thing about my eating experience was the price: $9!!! What a bargain! Good luck trying to find a place with the same price-performance ratio as this one! I made sure to leave a very generous tip.
They offer you a complimentary Capresse salad as an antipasto. Knowing what was about to come, I only took two bites. It was good but a bit too salty for my taste.
Tony said that not all of the pasta was handmade, only the following: gnocci, canelone, lasagna and ravioli. However, he assured me that they import the rest of the pasta directly from Italy, so rest assured it’s not coming out of a carton box from the grocery store down the street. He was super attentive and checked on me the entire time despite the fact that the place was super busy with the two parties. The reviews mention how they make you feel super welcome and like family, and after my eating experience I can totally attest to this.
I have to say that this place was a total surprise. I kept postponing going there for weeks and weeks, thinking that my eating experience was going to be average, but the service and the food truly exceeded my expectations. What sets Raffaello Ristorante apart from any other Italian place in LA, besides being run by an Italian family, is that they host parties every few months with Italian musicians, and the crew sing Happy Birthday to you in Italian if it’s your birthday. I almost forgot to add that the desserts here are homemade. If you didn’t go to Italy like everyone on Instagram this summer, just come to Raffaello. With the décor, Gino and Tony speaking Italian over the bustling noise and the amazing authentic Italian food, your Instagram followers might just believe that you’re really in Naples.
Buono’s Pizzeria Authentic Italian Pizzeria
222 W 6th Street R-1, San Pedro, CA 90731
There is a second location in Long Beach.
La Bocca Felice
598-568 South Centre St, San Pedro, CA 90731
While I was walking through this part of San Pedro, I came across La Bocca Felice, a bustling Italian restaurant. Founded by Chef Nima Karimi in 2020, La Bocca Felice offers traditional Italian food, including seafood cuisine from all 20 regions of Italy. Iranian-born but raised in Norway, Nima said in an interview with randomlenghtnews.com that he’s been cooking Italian food for over 20 years. He used to be the chef at Avenue Italy in Palos Verdes and Matteo’s Pizza in San Pedro.
Besides their homemade pastas and pizzas, their tiramisu is also made on the premises.
Long Beach
Café Gazelle
191 La Verne Ave, Long Beach, CA
Best hole-in-the-wall gem in Long Beach! If you take a stroll on Second Street, you will see a handful of Italian restaurants, however, what sets Café Gazelle apart from the others is that it’s tucked away on a residential street off of Second Street.
Don’t let the tiny size fool you as it gets packed super quickly!! I went with my Dad at 5:00pm right when they opened and thank God we were seated right away! After our dinner, we took a leisurely stroll down on Second street and when we passed by Café Gazelle again, there was already a line.
What adds special charm to it is the size: there are only 6 tables so you will have an intimate dining experience.
When you go to the restroom, you will have to walk through the kitchen, where you will see a huge countertop with mounds of dough and a big pasta machine.
What should you order here? Linguini artichoke! Period. My dad ordered a different kind of pasta but it was not as delicious as mine, which was mind blowingly good: super flavorful and the portion was substantial. I can’t wait to go back just for this. If you decide to make the drive to Long beach, go to Café Gazelle and order this. I don’t know if the other dishes will live up to the hype but that linguini artichoke is worth the trip.
Note: You cannot share an entrée or split a dish.
My second favorite Italian restaurant in Long Beach is La Parolaccia Osteria, where the Pizzolo is actually from Italy! Outstanding quality and great prices. Vino E Cucina is more high-end, but they also offer amazing handmade pastas.
Fatto a Mano, The Pasta Shop
610 Torrance Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
I knew I had to add this place as soon as I found out that the owner, Marco Perella, was Italian. This no-frills, small pasta shop in the South Bay has been in business since 2019 and the reviews on Yelp pretty much speak for themselves: great quality, fresh ingredients, generous portions and amazing sauces that are made from scratch. Marco’s impressive resumé includes working as the Banquet Manager at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, as well as at other upscale, well-known hotels around California. He first began working as a pizza maker at the age of 13 in a local pizzeria outside of Milan. What an authentic gem this place is! Not only is the pasta handmade, but so are their desserts and pizza dough.
Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar
29575 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265
I decided to add Spruzzo on the list not just because it’s a good affordable option in Malibu, but because it’s also Lady Gaga’s go-to place for Italian! She lives in a multimillion-dollar mansion in Malibu. She could easily go to the star-studded Italian restaurant Giorgio Di Baldi in Santa Monica, yet she chooses to order her food from Spruzzo. After I saw the paparazzi pictures of her and her boyfriend leaving with armfuls of takeout bags and pizza containers, I knew this place deserved a spot on this list. She’s also a New Yorker of Italian descent, so you can rest assured that she’s well-versed in Italian food! Spruzzo boasts a beautiful upper-level patio dining area with fabulous panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean. I can’t think of a better dining experience!
Note: I called the restaurant and the host told me that the raviolis are made in-house. The spaghetti is also handmade but not on the premises.
Vicenti Ristorante
11930 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Established in 1997, Vicenti has become a local favorite in the Brentwood neighborhood. The vibe of the restaurant is upscale without being too fancy. The menu features traditional pastas, pizzas and the ever-present Italian antipastos. In 2020, Vicenti was featured on the list “The Best Italian Restaurants In America” by TheDailyMeal.com: “The thin-crust pizzas are some of the best around.” wrote the author, Dan Myers. Vicenti is not a hidden gem by any means but the authenticity and its accomplishment at standing the test of time are what makes this place like no other.
L’ANTICA PIZZERIA DA MICHELE
1534 N McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Hidden gem. Like, either you keep your eyes peeled as you’re driving by or you miss it in the blink of an eye. It’s tucked away on a quiet street in the bustling Hollywood and Highland area. The place has its origins in L’ANTICA PIZZERIA, a mainstay in Naples since 1870 and it’s also believed to be the world’s first pizzeria. The Naples location was even mentioned in the popular book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The LA team from L’ANTICA PIZZERIA DA MICHELE is led by pizzaiolo Michele Rubini, who was trained in Naples and brings the same essence to LA importing the same ingredients used at the original restaurant.
I added this place because although they specialize in pizzas, they also serve delicious handmade pasta dishes: pomodoro, cacio e pepe and a few more. The price point is expensive but hey, you don’t get to eat pasta of this caliber everyday.
The beautiful space was inspired by Italian courtyards where an outdoor blue-tiled pizza oven awaits you. The bar area features a really spacious living room with a fireplace that looks straight out Architectural Digest Magazine. There’s certainly a welcoming aura that you don’t see in that many places in LA, probably because of its secluded location, only known by true Italian connoisseurs. I cannot believe this calming Italian oasis is smack dab in the middle of the noisiest area of LA.
UOVO
Locations in Mid-Wilshire and Santa Monica
Their handmade pasta is flown in overnight from Bologna, Italy! The trip on the flight allows the pasta dough to rest, which yields better texture.
“Our journey to find the best pasta in Italy took us to Bologna, the epicenter of fresh pasta. Then the answer hit us, and it was to go in a direction no one has gone before. We needed to make the pasta there and overnight it here, so we built a kitchen and hired a team of experts in Bologna.” – Uovo.la
Colapasta
1241 Fifth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
“Colapasta proudly sources its raw ingredients from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, supporting the community and serving the freshest organic ingredients possible. Stefano De Lorenzo is a talented, Michelin star Italian Chef with decades of experience in the Los Angeles culinary arena. His amazing approach to sustainable food and farm-to-table menu creates an unparalleled dining experience.” Colapasta.com
OSPI
2025 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Meet the newest contender for Italian food in Venice!
“Ospi is the sophomore restaurant of Jackson Kalb & Melissa Saka, focused on Southern Italian cooking and way of life. The name derives from ospitante (“host” in Italian), with the expectation that guests will feel as comfortable at Ospi as they would at a friend’s dinner party.” ospivenice.com
Prince Of Venice
1087 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
In November 2020, the famous Prince Of Venice food truck opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Westwood.
“After four years of successful service with the food truck, Emanuele Filiberto has decided to bring a Prince of Venice fast-casual restaurant to Westwood, CA complete with a pasta laboratory where guests will be able to watch hand-crafted, authentic Italian pasta being made right before their eyes.” Princeofvenice.us
If you still want to spot a celebrity…
Pace Restaurant
2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Tucked away in the hills of Laurel Canyon lies Pace Restaurant, a true celebrity hotspot. Celebrities prefer this place because it’s a far more discreet alternative to Craig’s, which is always bustling with paparazzi. It’s also Kylie Jenner’s favorite Italian restaurant. Dua Lipa loves it too.
“Pace’s rustic menu features classic pasta dishes, original salads created with seasonal produce, to-die-for entrees, and inventive ciabatta-crust pizzas. Gendel handpicks his organic ingredients from local farmer’s markets twice a week so that “each morsel travels from the farm to your mouth in less than three days . . . and is infused with the care afforded by organic cultivation methods.” – Pacerestaurant.com
Other places:
Colori Kitchen : Small family-owned restaurant in DTLA. Hidden gem!
Have you been to any of these pasta places in LA?
