The Best Italian Restaurants in L.A.

Cento Pasta Bar

921 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Located in L.A.’s historic West Adams neighborhood, Cento Pasta Bar is a renowned Michelin Guide restaurant by chef Avner Levi. Though it originally started off as a pasta pop-up, the permanent location has become a beloved staple, and you’ll find the chef’s counter consistently busy with foodies mingling over a bottle of orange wine. For a more intimate and cozy ambiance, request a table on the sandy, string-light-adorned patio. The Caesar salad—one of the best salads in Los Angeles—is coated in a generous topping of Parmesan cheese and flavorful breadcrumbs. The spicy pomodoro with creamy ricotta cheese is the most popular pasta dish for good reason. Don’t forget to save room for the banana tiramisu—you won’t regret it. Keep an eye out for the opening of Cento Raw Bar, chef Avner Levi’s newest concept coming toward the end of May 2025.

Colapasta

1241 5th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Colapasta is a small and charming Colapasta is a small and charming Santa Monica establishment that has gained a dedicated following of loyal patrons. Organic and locally sourced ingredients are used to make unique Italian dishes like the casunziei, a half-moon ravioli filled with red beets and cooked in a decadent brown butter sauce before being topped with crunchy poppy seeds. If you’re a fan of truffles, the moringa agnolotti is a must at this L.A. restaurant. Though they have a small selection of wines available by the glass, you can also bring your own bottle for a $10 corkage fee.

Stella West Hollywood

8899 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048

Michelin-recognized Stella is a two-story Art Deco gem with retro interiors designed by Wendy Haworth. Downstairs in the main dining area, candle-lit tables surround a glass-encased kitchen where chef Rob Gentile and his team craft pasta by hand. The Mozzarella Grigliata is a unique starter with fresh mozzarella over preserved lemon and anchovy, served on a crispy lemon leaf. The branzino carpaccio is a tableside delight that will entice any seafood lover, but when it comes to pasta, the Su Filindeu, dubbed the rarest pasta in the world, has a one-of-a-kind texture and comforting bone broth. For dessert, splurge on the Cassata Siciliana, a layered pistachio cake that is almost too pretty to eat. It’s open daily for dinner, plus brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Chi Spacca

6610 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Chi Spacca is a gourmet collaboration between restaurateur Joe Bastianich and chef Nancy Silverton. Inspired by Italian butcheries, Chi Spacca focuses on sustainably sourced meats and farmer’s market produce. Unlike most Italian joints in Los Angeles, pasta is not the start of the show at Chi Spacca. (Head next door to Michelin-starred Osteria Mozza for that, and to Pizzeria Mozza for pizza.) From grilled octopus to hanger steak to milk-roasted pork loin, the meat-heavy mains are seasoned to perfection with fresh herbs, intricate spices and house-made sauces. The savory pies are also a unique standout.

Angelini Osteria

7313 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Since 2001, Angelini Osteria, led by chef-owner Gino Angelini, has been a hub for Angelenos seeking consistent Italian cuisine in an elevated yet inviting fine dining setting. While the pastas are famous, spend some time checking out the starter section—antipasti highlights include the swordfish carpaccio, beef tenderloin tartare and roasted veal bone marrow. The prosciutto and melone is also worth the order when it’s in season. Though all of the pastas (and the iconic lasagna verde) are artfully made, the taglioni limone is the most popular, and you can even grab a jar of the signature sauce to-go inside the restaurant store. Angelini Osteria also offers a solid takeout operation.

Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura

347 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura is a Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Italian-born chef Mattia Agazzi. Located in the heart of Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive, chic, terrarium-like spice with tiled floors and lush greenery is the perfect place for pasta after a day of shopping. The Risotto Camouflaged as Pizza looks like an abstract painting and boasts the red, green and white colors of the Italian flag—plus, as the name lets on, it literally tastes like a pizza. If you’re a fan of Massimo Bottura, you’ll know that the tortellini is always a must-order at any of his restaurants, and Gucci Osteria is no exception.

L’antica Pizzeria da Michele

1534 N McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028

L’antica Pizzeria da Michele brings a true taste of Napoli to Los Angeles. The original pizzeria in Naples is actually called the “Sacred Temple of Pizza,” but even when dining in Southern California, guests are treated to the exact same recipe and ingredients they’d enjoy in Italy. The romantic patio features overhead string lights, a cozy brick fireplace and a small pizza bar. The Margherita is an obvious classic, but you can always double the decadence with extra Fior di Latte, or go all out with the luxe truffle pizza.

Ètra

737 N Western Ave Suite B, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Ètra, which opened at the end of 2023, is the more elevated and formal sister restaurant to casual Café Telegrama. This moody Melrose Hill restaurant puts a modern spin on Italian favorites created by co-owner and chef Evan Algorri. Warm red and orange tones set the scene while dim lighting curates a sense of anonymity for diners chatting over vino and pasta. Starters like the carne cruda and tuna tartare start the meal right, but pastas such as the bucatini alle vongole and spicy campanelle alla vodka steal the show. If you’ve still got room after the pasta, opt for the whole grilled branzino with a side of potato purée before ending with the rich sticky toffee cake.

Donna’s

1538 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Since opening in the summer of 2023, Donna’s has become one of the most popular Italian-American restaurants in East L.A. Both the menu and atmosphere at this Echo Park eatery pay homage to the classic Italian joints scattered across the East Coast, and the drinks are just as impressive as the food. Order the Donna’s spritz along with marinated, cheese-stuffed peppadew peppers before sharing the shrimp scampi and meatballs with the table. Though everything from the chicken parmesan to the mushroom risotto is excellent, the tiramisu is a must-order dessert.

Ospi

2025 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291

11677 San Vicente Blvd #200, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Ospi’s original location in Venice is a Westside institution worth braving traffic. The elegant yet minimalist dining room is always buzzing with beachgoers looking to cure their craving for the restaurant’s famous crispy provolone with vodka sauce. Though the pizzas are tasty, the pastas are what make a lasting impression, and no visit to Ospi, or any of its sister restaurants, is complete without the spicy rigatoni alla vodka. End the evening with the Nutella mousse and an espresso martini. In 2024, the owners also turned the former Jemma di Mare into an Ospi, offering a slightly more convenient and centrally-located option for Ospi fanatics.

Felix Trattoria

1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Felix Trattoria is an iconic Westside restaurant by chef Evan Funke and restaurateur Janet Zuccarini. Guests can enjoy watching the handmade pasta preparation right in front of them thanks to the giant glass windows that look directly into the kitchen, which sits in the center of the dining room. The puffy crust on each pizza will make your mouth water, with the Diavola and white quattro formaggi being two of the best. The trofie pasta is a pesto-forward delight, and the linguine al limone is full of zesty, citrusy flavor. Craving something with a bit more substance? The tagliatelle al ragù bolognese is a meaty classic made with total consistency.

Antico Nuovo

4653 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Antico Nuovo transports patrons to the Italian countryside with its traditional menu and classic Italian wine list. The communal tables create a cozy sense of home, while the open kitchen lets you watch as the chefs cook a variety of meats and veggies over the wood-fired grill. Since the menu changes seasonally, there are always new dishes to try, but the focaccia with olive oil and sea salt, tuna crudo and beef cheek pappardelle are regulars that never get old, as is the hand-churned ice cream and cannoli.

Florence Osteria & Piano Bar

8265 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048

Created by Francesco Zimone of L’antica Pizzeria da Michele, Florence Osteria & Piano Bar blends live entertainment with five-star service and dining. The cozy red-brick interior features a jazz piano where performers play nightly, while the covered back patio offers more space and privacy amongst an 85-year-old olive tree and sprigs of planted lavender. Sip wines from Tuscany while sharing a plate of oxtail-filled ravioli or truffle-topped fettuccine. The 32-ounce Fiorentina is the ultimate entrée for two.

Mother Wolf

1545 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Also from chef Evan Funke, Mother Wolf remains one of the hardest reservations to snag in Hollywood. The interior has a grandiose and European feel, featuring tall ceilings, marble accents and opera-inspired motifs and artwork. The Sirene spritz is refreshing and bubbly, but the wine list is out of this world, and you can’t go wrong with a glass of Lambrusco to kick things off. The menu is inspired by Roman cuisine, and the pizzas and pastas shine. The classic Margherita is simple but timeless, and the rigatoni is topped with crispy pieces of guanciale and a rich pomodoro red sauce.

Giorgio Baldi

114 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402 

Giorgio Baldi is a celebrity-loved Santa Monica hot spot that has been frequented by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Pierce Brosnan and Rihanna. Tucked behind a private wall of greenery, the romantic restaurant uses classic white tablecloths and twinkling lights to set the scene for renowned pastas by the sea. The asparagus ravioli is a must-order that features homemade ravioli stuffed with creamy ricotta cheese and asparagus. The sweet corn agnolotti and gnocchi al vostro gusto are also local favorites, but the lemony pan-fried Dover sole is an excellent entrée if you’re not in the mood for pasta. if you’re not in the mood for pasta. 

Bestia

2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, 90021

Between the hanging copper pots and exposed brick wall, downtown L.A.’s Bestia, in the Arts District, boasts a rustic and cozy ambiance reminiscent of a modern Italian kitchen. Created by chef Ori Menashe and his wife, Genevieve Gergis, Bestia serves up delicate wood-fired pizzas and innovative pastas. The sage and mortadella pizza has a complex and enticing flavor profile, and the squid ink spaghetti with lobster is delightfully balanced with spice and acidity. For dessert, end on a nostalgic note with the “coffee and donuts” or explore the seasonal crème fraîche panna cotta.