50 Best Italian Restaurants near Laguna Beach

“Had a great meal and wine with friends. We did have to ask for olive oil and vinegar after they brought us the wonderful rosemary bread, but hey, no biggie. Otherwise, service was great!!“

“Me gustó mucho el servicio atendieron rápido, personal amable y sirvieron muy rápido y sobre todo la comida muy rica thanks.“

“Disappointing....the waiter did not have it together at all. Too many incidents to list but it was not a pleasant experience. The high point was the food which was delicious but it was not the kind of meal that warranted a meal lasting over 2hrs due to a waiter being disorganized and disengaged with the guests.“

“This is the perfect neighborhood pizza place! I love that they cater to gluten-free and vegan diets with their cheeseless Vegana pizza. Although they don’t offer vegan cheese, they allow you to bring your own. The gluten-free crust is the best I've had. The owner is very accommodating, and the staff is wonderful. Highly recommend!“

“Love Neapolitan! Great service. Terrific selection. Our pizza was so tasty - crust and light sauce Yum! The Caprese Buratta was fresh and creamy. Fabulous, decadent dessert options. Very nice wine and beer list. Will return. Definitely recommend.“

“Clean and fast with plenty of out door seating. By from some of the best pizza I’ve had. If we’re ever in Laguna again I’ll be sure to stop!“

“Great food Great atmosphere“

“The food was excellent! I will definitely return.“

“Alessa's never disappoints! It's my favorite place to bring visiting guests for location, ambiance and service! The food and drinks were (as usual) wonderful! We tried a few of the specials as well as staples like Cacio e pepe and all we're very happy! Many thanks to Luis and the gals at the hosting desk :)“

“Just ate here today for the first time and the pizza was amazing!! I ordered the bbq chicken and my friend got pepperoni. The crust was insanely delicious and crispy! Cheese to toppings ratio was on point! The mozzarella cheese sticks were also very good! And to top it all off, the customer service was 💯!! Highly recommend!!“

“Second visit to Limoncello and want to say the food is excellent in every way. Last night I had Arugula salad (very lemony dressing), the Risotto (outstanding) and chocolate gelato which was VERY chocolate. Topped with a nice wine. All Excellent. As for atmosphere, lots of large parties there last night celebrating Christmas and birthdays so was quite noisy, but 'tis the season. Highly recommend Limoncello. Food and service are excellent and above average. Menu is extensive with very different and interesting options. If they would have served a shot of Limoncello after dinner I would have thought I was dining in Italy.“

“Wonderful family owned place! The most authentic Italian restaurant outside of Italy. At Il Farro food is prepared with attention and real LOVE. Everything from the appetizers to dessert were perfect. Every dish is made with true italian fresh and natural ingredients and is made by traditional recipes. The talented chef M. makes pastas and pizzas daily and they taste amazing. Also the house wine is a good selection. I suggest you to have their own valuable wine. Il Farro has a great management and staff too. We loved interacting with customers and guys who work in, they became like family for us. The qualified employees are friendly helpful and the restaurant is always clean. They do have enough seats and limited outdoor seating, but get a reservation in advance to make sure you have a place.Hands off, this is the best place to gather with friends or family! It has our ❤️s. We loved it.“

“So bummed we only now discovered this gem. Service was top shelf…….seriously outstanding. Food was really solid, the lasagna is the best around according to my wife. They also do the IG worthy pasta in the block of cheese. Not my best pics, but check them out.“

“Great meal. Christiana was friendly, attentive and had great suggestions. The steak and eggs was good… the steak had a slight gamey taste (kinda like lamb) but the flavor and tenderness were solid. The mushroom toast dish was amazing. Pizza was solid. French toast was just ok. Overall good experience.“

“The food was amazing!!! Simply fantastic. Well done @mommaDa“

“Took my cousin and her son to Jack's this evening. We all had never been, and being beach town residents, we gave it a try. Orange Roughy for me with the spinach and mash, Rainbow trout and Ravioli for remaining dishes. All outstanding! One dessert (pictured) which tastes even better than it looks. Waiters were punctual and fantastic. A great dining experience. Recommended 5 stars.“

“Amazing!

Looking to get dinner with my wife and I was hungry for Italian food, at a place where pizza isn’t their main dish. Theres no place around that we’ve been to that was amazing, so I turned to Google maps to find a new place, which is how we found Tutto Famiglia.
We headed down and it looked pretty bland front m the outside. The signage said “Italian Food” where the biz name would normally go, and the space was pretty small.
From the moment we got inspected de though, the service was very attentive, the place was pretty busy for a random Thursday night and the menu looked tasty.
My wife got the salmon and I the quattro Formagio pasta. Both were Delicious! They brought fresh bread while we waited for our minestrone soup and those both were perfect.
Service was on point with immediately removing dishes we were done with, food was hot and steamy, flavoring was better than what I could have possibly expected and I am so happy that we ventured out.

We will absolutely be returning and I’m so happy to have found this gem!!!“

“What a great place to eat, talk, and enjoy, food made fresh when ordered, the atmosphere reminded me of Sunday dinner, with family and friends. I would highly recommend this gem.“

“We LOVE Il Dolce! It's like coming home and being treated to a delicious meal. We've been coming here for ten years and every time is lovely. We ordered the funghi pizza and one of the pasta specials. Both were delicious! The service was warm, engaged, and efficient. We'll be back as soon as we're in town again!“

“The food & service were great“

“La comida es buenísima, atención de calidad, ambiente hermoso!“

“We had a beautiful meal and noise level has gone way down due to new elements on ceiling. The service was impeccable. Attentive but didn't rush us. I tried the spinach salad with added shrimp for first time as wanted something lighter. It was amazing with warm vinegar dressing. The salmon special was also excellent. Without asking our waiter brought out a tiramisu to share as noticed we were celebrating a birthday. This was probably the best tiramisu I've ever had including those in Italy!“

“Great food! Great service! Never disappoints!“

“Tasty, delicious food every time. They are consistent. I especially like their house salad with ranch dressing, free pizza bread, garlic bread, chicken parmigiana pasta with meat sauce. These are my faves here. I love their pizza too.“

“This is my favorite restaurant! I loved it back when it was on Bristol, but I have been back to the new Red Hill location twice now and it is even more of a special dining experience. Massimo has come out to explain the history of the wine and food and the sources of his ingredients. He tells wonderful stories with a great sense of humor, and his daughter who helps serve is also very knowledgeable and delightful. I feel transported and hosted in a way I have never experienced in a restaurant. The food is amazing. The fresh handmade pasta melts in your mouth. We have eaten every dessert and they are all spectacular. Every wine and appetizer we have tried has been extraordinary. I couldn't recommend this place more.“

“WOW. A brand new restaurant that is amazing.

Outstanding food and service. As good as it gets.

Way, way better than expected. This place is great anywhere and out of this world for Orange County.

When we walked through the entrance to the outside seating the owner greeted us in an Italian accent and helped us out with wine as soon as we sat down.

Our caprese salad was excellent, featuring house made mozzarella.

I had the lobster pasta, my wife had the chicken parm, and my daughter had pizza. All was top notch.

Our server was outstanding and knew the menu and the wine very, very well.

I am not a dessert guy, but theirs was excellent.

This place was very, very kid friendly with 50% of the tables having a kid or two under 8 and plenty of food that appealed to my 6 year-old.

Within reason, I could care less about price, but this place is an absolute steal compared to other OC restaurants.

I cannot think of any other restaurant in Orange County that I would rather eat at.

Well done Molo.

Parking: Unlimited parking.“

“The restaurant also has complimentary bread 🥖 with olive oil.“

“Absolutely amazing we like the Marguerite, Cheese and the PMS pepperoni mushroom and sausage Gluten-free the fabulous antipasto salad all so worth it. Just eat my leftovers 😍“

“Great vibes and crew. Food has great variety (large or small portions) and service is quick and efficient. I bring friends and family days and nights when we want frssh Italian meals away from home.“

“I had the spinach Ravioli, was really good. Went around 5 and wasn't busy. Close to my job. Had a well variety of choices.“

“Tasted Bricco Cucina & Wine Bar Caesar salad - dang it is way too salty the dressing and croutons 😟. First ever salty Caesar salad dressing and croutons, too disappointing and unhealthy.😞 I've informed Diane, our server of the way too saltiness of both Caesar Salad dressing and croutons and she reassured me that she will inform and let the owner know about it. I hope Diane advised the owner.“

“If you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience that feels like a slice of the Mediterranean, look no further than this charming Trattoria! From the moment we walked in, we were enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfectly complemented by a refreshing bottle of Vermentino Campo al Mare to kick off our evening. Fa Bene indeed! For our starter, we indulged in a delightful salad featuring wild arugula, endives, red onions, walnuts, and Reggiano cheese drizzled with balsamic dressing. Each bite was bursting with flavor and texture; it paired beautifully with the complementary tapenade and crostini—an excellent way to awaken our taste buds. Our server Jorge truly made the evening memorable with his attentive service. He guided us through the menu while ensuring our glasses were never empty. With fresh focaccia straight out of the oven and homemade pasta on offer, we knew we were in for a treat. The star of the night was undoubtedly the daily special of Strozzapreti—hand-twisted pasta that lives up to its intriguing name. Tossed in a rich Pomodoro sauce with fennel and pork sausage, each mouthful felt like pure bliss. It's easy to see why this dish has such an engaging backstory—it's both comforting and indulgent. Overall, this Trattoria is not just about great food; it's an experience worth celebrating! Whether you're dining with friends or planning a romantic evening out, this place promises fine wine, delicious dishes, and unforgettable memories. Buon Appetito!“

“This restaurant is a hidden gem. The food is incredible, the service is amazing, and we love the live piano music. There are so many restaurants in the area to choose from, but we find ourselves always choosing Luxe.“

“What a fabulous place. Went there to celebrate mutual birthdays with my BFF. I loved everything about this restaurant. Our bartender was fabulous, our meal, Branzino.. delicious, eye appealing, beautiful presentation and enough to split We met the owner who spent ample time with us as we asked questions about his journey opening the location, his background and the concept/vision for the restaurant and we met the GM. I loved the ambiance, open and welcoming and they have a mercado with authentic product. Next time I'm going to the pizza bar with some more birthday girls!“

“Our kids loved dining at Olive Garden when we lived in Lynnwood, WA. After moving to Irvine, CA, we go there regularly for the lunch special. The Irvine location is the best one in Orange County. The service is consistently excellent, making each visit a pleasant experience.

Our kids enjoy the kids’ menu and love dipping the signature breadsticks into the Zuppa Toscana and Chicken Gnocchi soups. They always say it’s so tasty.

I highly recommend it for a delightful family meal!“

“Great service, authentic Italian food“

“amazing food! fungi pasta was out of this world!“

“Celebrated our anniversary at Buona Forchetta Newport last night. The food was delicious and the staff were lovely and went out of their way to make it a special evening. The artichoke starter was so good! We ordered our mains from the specials list, both were fantastic. We can’t wait to go back and try the pizza!“

“Great food and prices. Especially the alcohol prices. your bill isn't half alcohol cost.“

“Been going here for over 30 years 😲. Tortellini Pesto is my family’s favorite. If we go even close we make a point of eating here, or will order a large catering pan full to take home to Riverside county Mark and Julie have created a great and memorable place to eat“

“The food was just okay. Eat here often and my medium rare steak was closer to medium well. The mushrooms had a bitter taste. The gluten free pasta was so overdone and mushy. Just not their best night. Plus service was really bad. Took 20 minutes to get our desert and it was the smallest piece of torte and even the waiter said he forgot to put it in. Just not good this time. Bummer!!“

“Really enjoyed a great breakfast here polite hostess and the food was absolutely delicious“

“A simple local neighborhood, family-run italian restaurant. Excellent A+ service. Warm bread was great, fresh green salad, and custom pizza. We were delighted with the warm welcome and yummy dishes. Will be back to try some more! Molto bene!“

“fromTexas the best pizza i ever had😎“

“The food is fantastic, the staff is attentive and Thursday nights they have a comedy show that was hilarious. Definitely coming back!“

“Karaoke ? night worth Peggie Perkins was a hoot. Not only is she a fun KJ, she's one heck of a singer in her own right. Is come in just to hear her sing!

Dietary restrictions: I'm Celiac and they were knowledgeable and courteous about helping navigate the menu.

Kid-friendliness: This is definitely a family place.

Wheelchair accessibility: From what I could tell it's very WC accessible.“

“DELICIOUS !!! food and wonderful people“

“Their wine dinners are incredible!“

“Mangia Bene is our "Go To" place to eat out. The food is always delicious, service is great, and the atmosphere is wonderful. My husband and I have never been disappointed with our dining experiences with Mangia Bene. The only problem is deciding what to order because it is all SOOO great!“

“Really love this restaurant! Last night was our second visit and every dish was excellent! The outstanding quality of the ingredients stands out in all of the preparations! We started with a peaches/burrata salad and it did not disappoint! Flavorful peaches, high quality burrata and beautiful greens! We had the mushroom risotto for the second time and...perfectly cooked and deep mushroom flavor! The tagliata was also perfectly cooked - al dente pasta in a rich and delicious sauce. And, the branzino (again second time) was over the top fabulous! Honestly a dish Lemon & Thyme does EXTREMELY well! The ambiance is absolutely lovely! Warm and comfortable and the service and staff could not be better! If you haven't been to Lemon & Thyme make a res and go! You won't be disappointed!

Dietary restrictions: Plenty of gluten free options!“