Best Italian Restaurants In Los Angeles
Italian food is a major staple of the vast array of culinary treats available in this immense metropolis. From all over the world, tourists come to Los Angeles to sample the flavors brought here by immigrants who have recreated their family recipes and made a business from their popularity in the new world. These restaurants include the best of these well established Italian families who came here and made a great family restaurant experience for us all to share. Manga!
Bestia
2121 E 7th Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 514-5724
www.bestiala.com
Formerly of Angelini Osteria, Executive Chef Ori Menashe and pastry chef Genevieve Gergis are the husband and wife team behind the hit restaurant Bestia. A multi-regional Italian restaurant set in the arts district of Downtown, Bestia has made a name for itself since it opened by offering everything from a special cocktail menu to affordable pastas, pizzas, and desserts. With a literal meaning of "Beast" in Italian, Bestia and Chef Ori are known for adding a personal touch to their food though, including baking their own bread for pizza dough, creating their own fresh pastas and much more.
Pizzeria Il Fico
310 S. Robertson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 271-3426
www.pizzeriailfico.com
Easily one of LA's best Italian restaurants, Pizzeria Il Fico is more than just a pizzeria. In fact, when you combine master Chef Nicola Mastronardi (of Brentwood's Vincenti Ristorante) and Head Chef Giuseppe Gentile, you get a menu offering affordable pizza and pasta options, as well as tasty salads, entree's and an inventive dessert list. The charming Italian eatery, which sits just south of West 3rd Street on Robertson Blvd., churns out favorites including a red & yellow beet & burrata salad, a cherry tomatoes and burrata pizza, a fig, gorgonzola and prosciutto pizza, as well as daily specials that are a must try.
Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 297-0100
www.osteriamozza.com
Once you've snagged a reservation at this LA favorite, you'll truly know what all the hype is about. Brought to us by Chef Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, this rustic Italian restaurant offers up antipasta options which are above and beyond the typical, as well as options like the crispy pig trotter, steamed mussels, tripe alla parmigiana and grilled octopus. You can make a meal from the mozzarella bar alone too. Burrata, smoked bufala and burricotta cheeses are presented with a variety of interesting ingredients such as Tsar Nicoulai Caviar, leeks and fett'unta, bacon and Cetara anchovies. Beware though, prices can be pretty high, but it's well worth it.
Osteria La Buca
5210 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 462-1900
www.osterialabuca.com
It may not be the newest Italian eatery on the block, but Osteria La Buca has been around for a reason. With a date-y type vibe and a charming setting to dine in, this affordable Larchmont restaurant serves its delicious fare for brunch, lunch and dinner to devoted patrons who keep this place crowded. With a core belief of creating great food that should never be elaborate or over the top, Osteria La Buca offers up "fresh, uncomplicated and well executed" items so that patrons can focus more on the great flavors. What's good here? Start your night off by delving into one of the restaurants unique cocktails, such as the Northerner, which comes complete with bourbon, amaro, nonino and orange bitters. For food, start with the burrata with nectarines and walnut vinegar is a must, but also try the crispy Brussels sprouts and the pork meatballs. A selection of pastas, pizzas, meat/fish dishes and more are available after that. Choose the short rib ravioli (a favorite) as well as any of the pizzas and you'll be in heaven.
Sotto
9575 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 277-0210
www.sottorestaurant.com
Known for their delicious Neapolitan pizza and= Italian fare, Sotto is the brainchild of Chefs Zach and Steve, who strive to deliver an "honest, market-driven menu of regionally-inspired Southern Italian dishes." What does that include? Think fresh housemade pastas, and pizza cooked in an authentic artisan wood burning oven. The oven was actually built on site by those who know it best: Neapolitan craftsman with techniques that were passed down in time. The goal once you enter upon this Century City favorite is to order a few dishes and share. Couple that with a terrific cocktail program and a great list of wines from Italy and California and you have the recipe for a truly mouthwatering experience.
Miceli's
3655 Cahuenga Blvd. W.
Universal City, CA 90068
(323) 851-3344
www.micelis.com
Tucked into a little corner of Universal City is one of the most renown Italian restaurants in Los Angeles. Micelie's celebrates 66 years in business serving great Italian food to an area just up the street from the Hollywood Bowl. Getting a table can be the biggest challenge, because it is always busy, but the reason why so many folks are clamoring to get a table is the food. The menu is sure to satisfy all the flavors of Italy. However, what most people mention after their visit is the singing waiters. Micelie's hires musical theater actors from the neighboring studios to serve the patrons, and they all sing for your supper. The performers are spectacular, don't miss it!
Ciao Cristina
14201 W. Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA91505.
(818) 563-2426
www.ciaoCristina.com
Venice, Italy inspired the menu from this favorite of the local studios. This little spot is well liked by the staff and celebrities from Warner Bros. and their many TV show audiences. It can be a challenge to get a table, but once you're in, you'll understand why the rave reviews are always about the food. Fresh from the kitchen are the flavors of Venetian cuisine. With crispy breads and bold sauces made from scratch, each entree is made to order on the spot from the freshest ingredients. With inspired food, fresh soups and sauces (not to mention an amazing selection of authentic desserts and Gelati) this is a restaurant that you'll come back to again and again to revisit the flavors of Italy.
Jon & Vinny's
412 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 334-3369
www.jonandvinnys.com
Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo's namesake restaurant became an instant hit since joining the Fairfax fray earlier this year. Locals and celebs (Kanye is a regular) keep coming back for the restaurant's expansive menu of classic and modern Italian fare. Pizzas and the house made pastas are crowd favorites but the polenta topped with bolognese is simply addictive. Book well in advance for dinner or head over for breakfast or lunch to avoid a "scene."
Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 297-0070
www.angeliniosteria.com
Tucked away in a quaint restaurant on Beverly Blvd in West Hollywood, longtime favorite Angeleini Osteria delights each and every patron of the restaurant with their delicious pastas and Italian fare. While it may not be truly inexpensive here, diners do have plenty of affordable options to choose from. Standout options here include their whole branzino, roasted in sea salt, aromatic herbs with sauteed mixed vegetables, as well as a farm raised Sonoma County Liberty breast of duck, with spinach and aged balsamic vinegar. The menu is varied though, so you'll have plenty to choose from including options like salads, scallops, an ahi tuna tartar, pastas (risotto, spaghetti, tortelli, Tagliolini, and more), as well as fish, and meat dishes.
Panzanella Ristorante
14928 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 784-4400
www.giancominodrago.com
One of nine uniquely named, locally owned and operated restaurants by the Drago family, this is one of the finest Italian family eateries in Los Angeles. The first location, Il Pastaio, was established in Beverly Hills over 25 years ago and several others have made names for themselves since, because of the standard of classic Italian fine dining and ambiance they offer. Fortunately, right here in Sherman Oaks is a treasure that must be included in our list from a family of restaurants that are famous for their Italian food. Local guests get the best of Beverly Hills style with Sherman Oaks prices.
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