50 Best Italian Restaurants near Lakewood

“First time here. Guess we picked a bad day to try it as it was exceptionally busy at 1.30 pm. We had to wait 40 minutes for three sandwiches. On the plus side the food was very good. The chicken philly sandwich was fresh and tasty. The server was very friendly and helpful 😃👍🏼“

“Excellent pizza texture,flavor,taste it taste delicious is the best...“

“Aliacci Pizza & Pasta is proof that sometimes the best food hides behind the most unassuming doors. There’s no fancy seating — just a plastic table outside and a chair or two inside — because honestly, they don’t need it. The food speaks louder than décor ever could. The Margherita pizza comes out bubbling, charred in just the right spots, loaded with fresh basil and ripe tomatoes that taste like summer. The cannoli is filled with a silky ricotta cream studded with chocolate chips, the shell crisp and dusted with sugar. Even the subs are massive, cheesy, and exactly what you crave when you want something hearty and old-school. The owners are warm, kind, and unmistakably Italian — you can taste that pride in every bite. This is the kind of mom-and-pop spot you guard like a secret but also want to shout about, because it’s just that good.“

“Mama Mia’s is my absolute go-to for any gathering, whether it’s a last-minute get-together or a planned event. The food is incredibly consistent in both flavor and quality, and my guests are always blown away when I tell them it’s from here. I love supporting local businesses, and Mama Mia's makes it easy to do so!“

“It's not a cheap date, but it's a nice one. Skip the famous Caesar salad that's not even an Italian thing. Wines are great, the pastas are good. Loud acoustics, high energy, tons of staff. Only one asked us if we wanted another glass of wine. It is a different setup, counter service and table service combo. Ordered and paid and tipped before we were even sat. Wine bar gave you tastings of any wines you wanted to try so that adds a lot to the experience.“

“非常棒的意大利风味，美味的意面和披萨“

“I love this place!! There food is absolutely amazing, as is their customer service! Recommend the mushrooms for an appetizer and bread pudding for dessert!!“

“Delicious food, fantastic staff. Love the specials and the killer desserts!“

“Food is always good. Entertainment is fantastic.“

“Second great meal. It’s a simple place but don’t let that fool you. The food is high-end freshly prepared. Great Neapolitan style pizzas. I had the pork osso buco over rustic mashed potatoes and spinich with a pan reduction sauce to die for. My wife had the (very large) chicken breast portobello over the potatoes and Spinich with another pan reduction sauce to die for. Shared half a huge salad. Nice glass of wine. Finished and people were waiting outside to get a table, happy to talk while waiting. It’s cash only so bring cash, or ATM inside.“

“Unbelievable experience! The entire time we felt like family and your can truly tell that the chef pours his heart and soul into his food. Tried the swordfish, pork chop, chicken and dumplings, and pasta… every dish was worthy of a Michelin star! Will definitely be back for more! Highly recommend Bar Becky!“

“Giuseppina is such a gem! My husband and I found out about her when she first started setting up shop around LB, but she really found a loyal community in Belmont Shore.

Having traveled to and lived in Italy, I can safely say her food is truly Italian made and the arancini are just like I had when in Italy. She is kind, hardworking, and simply wants everyone to enjoy her cooking. Hope to see her open her own restaurant someday!“

“Our favorite restaurant in Long Beach. We are in the area 3-4 times a year and always come back to enjoy the food and great service. My daughter has many allergies and they are always accommodating and happy to help! We appreciate the service and the welcome we receive with each visit!“

“Best food Round and the portions are awesome.“

“This is our favorite Italian restaurant! The food is outstanding and the service is excellent! The owners and staff treat you like family! Great place & highly recommend them!“

“Ambiance is perfect for all occasions, food is delicious with weekly specials! Martini Thursday is my fav!! Eat Italian here, you won’t be disappointed especially when you can take a stroll on the beach before/after. Cheers!“

“Great family experience for our huge group. They accommodated us in our own private room so we could visit without interrupting the rest of the diners.“

“Tarantella on 4th in Long Beach is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, it feels less like a restaurant and more like stepping into a vibrant art gallery—every corner is full of personality and creative energy. The food is on another level—freshly made daily, and you can truly taste the difference in every bite. It’s the kind of place where quality and care shine through in every dish. If you're looking to unwind, the outdoor patio is a hidden oasis—intimate, relaxing, and perfect for enjoying a great meal with friends or family. Owners Carlos & Megan have created something really special here: a warm, family-friendly spot with amazing food and genuinely excellent service that makes you feel right at home. Yes, parking in the area can be a bit of a challenge—but trust me, it’s absolutely worth the effort. Tarantula on 4th is one of those places you’ll keep coming back to!those places you’ll keep coming back to!“

“Mouthwatering and delicious food!!“

“Muy bueno el servicio la comida lo mejor“

“Awesome Place to Eat Italian food“

“Kristi, with a K, is the best.“

“I love this place!! There food is absolutely amazing, as is their customer service! Recommend the mushrooms for an appetizer and bread pudding for dessert!!“

“First time at Ellie's for brunch with my partner and we were immediately seated as it wasn't busy on a early Saturday atternoon. We chose indoor seating as it was a bit hot outdoors. However, outdoor seating is pretty ideal as well due to good amount of shade with umbrellas & heating lanterns on colder days.

Parking is all around Ellie's but didn't see a dedicated lot for the restaurant. We parked in a nearby residential street and walked over. Most parking around is tree with some parking that has parking meters.

Service here is decent but not overly the best. Our server took our order pretty quickly but food took a bit to come out despite the restaurant not being busy. Staff didn't check in on our table throughout the entire brunch which was displeasing.

1. Breakfast Pasta - First dish that came out presentation is decent for this dish. However, it didn't seem any special from any other pastas around. While the truffle & breadcrumbs was a nice extra touch to the pasta to provide more crunch to the bite, the pasta felt a bit bland compared to other pastas I've had. Not the best, but not the worse either. 6/10

2. Shrimp & Melon Salad - This dish took me by surprise, super refreshing, a mouthful of flavors, and big portions. The shrimp mixed with the various melons is surprisingly a perfect match for a palate cleanser. Highly recommend as this is perfect for a hot day. 10/10

3. Bruschetta Benedict - The standout dish of the meal. The poached egg on top of the bruschetta is perfect. Melts super easily, and mixes really well with the hollandaise & burrata sauce. Bite size and very much a shareable dish. 10/10

Ta have to say that having multiple bugs flying around the restaurant wasn't the best part of the meal as it kept flying over the food. Other than that & the average service, food is decent & would come back to try the other menu another time.“

“Really good service and food!!“

“Fabulous restaurant in an elegant old style European decor. really miss it now that I no longer live in Long Beach“

“Been enjoying everything since I was 5 great food and better service love it“

“love the food and service is great“

“Aren’t too many good places around Frederick but Ricci’s is in the top 5. Great food. Always fresh and delish! Best time to go is when Tristan (and his brother) and Roxanne are behind the bar. Good food great drinks, great time!!!“

“The tiramisu was amazing. The wait staff brought one for my cousins birthday.“

“Franco's is a wonderful place to go and support. The staff is always friendly, food is always great, and they are open for lunch on the weekend! Pizza is great. Sauce has a fantastic flavor, dough is fresh and cooked just right. All of the pasta dishes are done right, and the chicken parm is the best!“

“Food and service was great.“

“Great food and live entertainment🙃🙃“

“I haven’t been to Olive Garden in a long time because my past experiences honestly weren’t the best, but Kevin completely changed that! He was super friendly, attentive, and really helpful when answering my questions about the menu. Everything came out fast, and he made the whole experience feel welcoming and enjoyable. The food was just as good as I remembered too. Huge thanks to Kevin for making it such a great night! Will be coming back for those delicious breadsticks!“

“Been enjoying everything since I was 5 great food and better service love it“

“I ordered here for the first time yesterday. I’ve always picked up orders to deliver for customers and the food always smelled good. I finally gave it a try and I must say I’ll definitely be back lol.“

“The Best 30 years ago, and still the Best NOW!🤙“

“They have the most amazing Pizza awesome ribs the wings are so good the potato wedges are one of my favorite they're good with the wings and the ribs and the pizza their pastas are amazing their subs are amazing I would have to say that everything that I've gotten from here has been above satisfactory the workers are very courteous and I've never gotten any order wrong the delivery drivers are awesome you definitely need to check them out make sure to try the potato wedges and the ribs“

“Gorgeous! Love it already. Beautiful displays, plenty of specialty variety, lots of plant based brands, large fresh to go options, and I want to eat the bread cabinet.... Being the 365 line, the prices are more reasonable, similar to Sprouts. Granted I went to the Grand Opening but I hope the vibe, the friendliness, and the ample freshness continue. Will be dropping by again soon.“

“At the moment you come to this restaurant the waiters give you a great feeling. Very congenial team, it is a good restaurant to enjoy with buddies or with your date. delightful cooking, specialist chief cook and stuff, honest price and attentive service. Warmly recommended.“

“We stopped by Valentino's Pizza and wow… this place completely blew us away. The pizza was 1000% pure deliciousness, crispy, flavorful crust, perfectly balanced sauce, and just the right amount of toppings. Every bite hit.

The real test was my daughter she’s very picky and she absolutely loved it, which says everything. That alone makes this spot a win in my book. What really surprised me is that we’ve been to the Valentino’s in Santa Fe Springs, and honestly, it doesn’t even come close to this location. This one is on a whole different level.

From the taste to the texture, this is easily one of the best pizzas I’ve had. You can tell they take pride in what they’re making. The only downside? I just wish it was closer because we’d be here all the time.

Can’t wait to swing by again if you’re anywhere near Long Beach or Naples Island, this spot is a must 🍕🔥“

“I have been meaning to say thank so much for catering to people with allergies. I came in worried about eating out cause I can’t have gluten, and as it turns out I did not get sick because you guys were extremely careful with my order. Thank you so much. I will be coming back to order again some day when I am in town.“

“First time there, will definitely return. Very friendly service; the meatball sandwich was delicious, huge meatballs.“

“Worst Alfredo Sauce ever! Extremely disappointed. I'm not sure what happened to them, but I'm guessing they ran out. And someone tried to put some together quickly with milk and water. Because that's exactly what it tasted like. And so expensive too. Huge let down....“

“love the food and service is great“

“My family and I visited North Italia on May 25th, (yeah I'm late). We only waited about 15 minutes to be seated, and from that point on, everything was fantastic.

A huge thank you to our server, Nick, who was truly exceptional! Since it was our first time dining here, we asked for his suggestions, and his recommendations for our appetizers, entrees, drinks, and desserts was absolutely amazing. We were so impressed by his professionalism and attentive service; we couldn't have asked for a better experience.

At the end of our meal, the manager stopped by to check on us, and we made sure to let her know how much we enjoyed the food and how stellar Nick was. She was so appreciative of the feedback that she even gave us a coupon for a free dessert for our next visit. We will definitely be returning soon!“

“The food at Olive Garden was pretty good, but the real reason this visit stood out was our waitress, Catherine.

From the moment we sat down, she treated us with a level of kindness and genuine empathy that you rarely come across. It never felt like she was simply doing her job. You could tell she truly cared about making sure we had a great experience. She noticed the little things before we even had to ask, checked in at just the right times, and somehow made us feel like we were her only table even though the restaurant was busy.

Great service is about much more than getting orders right. It is about making people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. Catherine did exactly that. Her warmth and sincerity turned an ordinary dinner into something we will genuinely remember. People like her are the reason customers return.

The meal was enjoyable, but it is Catherine’s exceptional hospitality that we will be talking about long after we have forgotten what we ordered. She represents everything you hope for when you go out to eat. Olive Garden is incredibly fortunate to have someone with her level of professionalism, compassion, and dedication. It is hard to imagine anyone leaving her table without a smile.

Thank you, Catherine, for making our night so much better than we expected. You made us feel like guests instead of customers, and that is something that cannot be taught.“

“We were here a couple of weeks ago and had Jesus as a server..
I didn't think anyone could compare to him!
Well lo and behold... We're back again!
This time we had the pleasure of having ZULI as our server...
I just have to say, Jesus, you have competition!!
Zuli was excellent as well...
Thank you for the great service.“

“The restaurant has authentic Italian cuisine and atmosphere!“