29 Best Italian Restaurants in Santa Monica

“My wife and I went to the Grove in Los Angeles last night and we had dinner at "Sogno Toscana," an it was outstanding. It was perfect in every way; great food, great drinks, outstanding and friendly staff, beautiful location, etc. I love Italian food but I can't think of one Italian restaurant that I like, until "Sogno Toscano." The food was outstanding, and there was so much more we saw go by that we can't wait to go back and try. And the drinks were outstanding. I love martini's and they served the best martini I've ever had. Giacomo was our server and took great care of us. He's from Italy and "Sogno Toscana" brought him to America when they opened their New York restaurant, and now he's in LA for this new restaurant. Although very busy, the entire staff were very fun to be around, and most of them are Italian which is also great.“

“Beyond expectations! Best meal & service in at least 10 years. I’ll be back!“

“The food was really good. We got there around 5 and wanted 20 mins. The pasta was really good. Kids loved it because of its chewiness. The menu was small which made it really convenient to pick what you wanted. No confusion or indecisiveness m“

“Always a great experience and meal at Orto, strongly recommended!“

“Sooo yummy and good service!“

“Good fare at a fair price...“

“great venue. great customer service, excellent appetizers.“

“Loved the moodily lit ambience of Via Veneto (although lighting the wall candles they have on both walls would have made it even more stunning!), The food was great - only suggestion is that several dishes were WAY too salty. Other than that we loved Via Veneto and will be back - hopefully so experience their wall candles and less salt in their dishes!“

“We had the most delicious and delightful evening at Caffe Delfini last night. The restaurant itself is a charming and old school Italian restaurant. The menu is extensive and filler with classic dishes. The pastas are all homemade and delicious!! The owner is very personable and attentive. He made our evening even more enjoyable. All in all a great time at this little gem of a restaurant.“

“old school~ great food~ great host~ a treasure~“

“I recently visited this little Italian spot and was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is definitely on the smaller side with limited seating, but what it lacks in space it makes up for in flavor. The food was absolutely delicious and the prices were very affordable, which made the experience even better.“

“10/10 Recommend. When I’m in the area, I always gravitate to this spot. I love everything on the menu.“

“Very good food very nice Ambiance great service if you are in Los Angeles this is definitely a restaurant to put in your check list. Thank you, Luca and Valentina.“

“Best Pasta in Los Angeles!🤤😋🍝🍷“

“A friend and I visited Il Forno Trattoria last Saturday. After we left, my friend realised she had lost her grandmother's ring, of great sentimental value. We telephoned the restaurant even though it had already closed for the night, and the team immediately invited us back to search. When we arrived, the staff were cleaning up but had already started to look for the ring and helped us look through the restrooms and, kitchen. At least three or four employees actively helped, including providing gloves and helping us go through the trash to ensure it was lost in a restroom trash can. It was clear that everyone was genuinely concerned and willing to do whatever they could. Although the ring was not found, their professionalism, empathy, and willingness to stay late and actively help without question have left a lasting impression. I mustn’t forget the meal itself had been excellent: well‑prepared dishes, attentive yet unobtrusive service, and a well‑chosen wine list. Taken together with the staff’s extraordinary support, the experience showed Il Forno Trattoria at its best. It is the epitome of excellent service. Whether you are looking for quality Italian cuisine or a restaurant where the team truly cares about its guests, I cannot recommend Il Forno Trattoria highly enough.“

“I'm a huge fan of cheese, and was looking for an opportunity to try some new ones. They had a very bold Parmesan that wasn't overly salty. The 10 year aged cheddar melted in my mouth. The coconut Gouda from Holland was a surprise hit with the table. But my personal favorite was the french triple cream. I'm going to have to see if I can find some when I fly home.“

“We were treated here by one of my rich friends and honestly, that’s probably the only scenario where a place like this makes sense for treating the whole family out. My family has a very high bar for food. People say I’m picky, and I’m like, “Please… meet my mother.”

Service-wise, this place is flawless. The staff is charming, attentive, and somehow manages to make you feel both fancy and comfortable at the same time.

Since it’s family style, we shared practically everything and with a party of seven, those plates add up fast. By the time the table was full, the bill was basically giving luxury vacation energy.

Out of everything we tried, the Radiatori Braised Beef Ragu was the clear standout. Rich, comforting, and the kind of pasta that shuts everyone up at the table for a minute.

The Garlic Knot bread was good, though we weren’t big on the pieces with the garlic ends. After some research (and by research, I mean a heated family debate followed by frantic Googling), we realized that’s a pretty common thing in restaurants — just not our personal preference. Oh and the drinks were on point :)

Overall, a lovely, polished meal… definitely best enjoyed when someone else is picking up the tab.“

“It was fun! And pretty environment. Food was delicious“

“Incredibly fabulous food. Very professional wait staff. Can't thank Roberta and Elena enough. Thanks so much.“

“Great afternoon lunch with delicious food and wonderful service“

“Food, service and ambience were excellent, we love it !“

“Great customer service, very good espresso, tasty fresh pastries.“

“What a great variety of pizzas and salads. Tha pastas are exceptionally good. Great device and place to go with freinds. lots of parking to boot. Ive been here multiple times and plan on carrying on:) Will definitely them for catering very soon.“

“This rundown will ensure you enjoy the greatness of Capo. Start with the Filet Tartare accompanied by the grilled Ceaser. Move on to a split pasta plate of the Ragu and Corn Ravioli with truffles. Finish up with the Veal Scallopini while knocking back the last few sips of the incredible Grenache. Yes. I recommend Capo.“

“Best location to get a sandwich in Santa Monica. Quality of the food is outstanding, and the location is clean and comfortable.
The staff is obviously new to the job, would benefit from having a more experienced guidance, but overall it's my favorite dining spot in Santa Monica together with Hiho.“

“This hidden back patio is one of my favorite places in LA!

The food is delicious, I love their salads and pizza but come for their sandwiches every time. This time I got their meatball and my boyfriend had a slice of pepperoni pizza.

Stop by Jyna Issac’s on your way out for some fresh bread and pastry.“

“Brentwood has multiple Italian restaurants, but I keep going back to Rosti. It stands out by having free parking, a rewards program with points and with good deals via email, plus a large and diverse menu. The food is always fresh and delicious!“

“the service is phenomenal lovely atmosphere, very clean, cleanliness is the next thing to Godliness. the staff is friendly, the waitresses are really nice just all around lovely place the view is off the chain thank you penthouse for a lovely breakfast and God bless yours truly Michael and Jeannie.“

“Loved this place from the food to the service to the atmospheric it was great! I definitely recommend it.“