50 Best Italian Restaurants near South Gate

“Great food, great atmosphere, great host, great hospitality, great presentation 💯“

“Went here last night with some friends who raved about this place, and it did not disappoint! We asked our server, Mickey, to bring us her favorites, with wines chosen by Rachel, our sommelier. The quality of the food, wine pairings and service rank among the best I've experienced -- and I say that having dined at Central in Lima, Peru (#1 restaurant in South America and #2 in the world) in 2022. An amazing meal!!“

“Are you kidding me it’s always good“

“I'll start with the 2 negatives to get them out of the way, because this place was otherwise absolutely fantastic. Also, I highlight the cons first to show this isn't a sponsored review, but after just typing that out I realize that's something propaganda about PROPAGANDA might say. I digress. Acoustically, there is not much sound dampening, and girl, does the sound bounce off the walls. I wanted to book outside but the weather was iffy. Also, while service was knowledgeable, friendly, and inviting, we sat for a long while after we finished our food, so if you have a concert to go to after, let them know when booking a table. And speaking of booking a table: do that! This place is an absolute gem and I can't wait to return. It took me back to Italy (so maybe the long wait after we were done eating was intentional; that's VERY much the style of dining I enjoyed in Italy only because I expected that going into my travels). The wine selection was well curated and the Spritz made me reminisce. THE FOOD THOUGH. Everything we ate was absolutely STELLAR. The Kale Caesar was refreshing. The squash blossoms had the perfect amount of three-seconds-until-overfried doneness: a "living life on the edge" worth living for. The pairing of the chestnut honey with the La Tur: impeccable. The mustard paired with the mortadella: mouthwatering. The rosemary on the almonds: I'm still thinking about it the next day. And the olives as well as the salt on the whipped butter with the focaccia were finished up nicely with acidity from the glass of verdicchio. And while the name of it escapes me: the pizza with the Italian sausage, mushroom, and taleggio was simply divine. (We added truffle honey that I only wish was slightly more truffley - my only food-related critique!) We polished off dinner with a shared dessert, a spumoni bomba that was refreshing and flavorful. 10/10 food. Not only was the cooking on-point, the freshness of all the ingredients really was apparent. Bravo.“

“This Lilttle Italian store is the best!! Their torpedo sandwiches are a classic for years!. They have the best meatball and cheese sub around. Their cheese, deli and bread selection is excellent. This is a must try spot and make sure you take enough $$ because you are for sure find plenty of deliciousness you will want to take home.“

“Incredible food. I mean absolutely delicious. Caesar salad was one of the best I've ever had, Vodka sauce on the pasta was delicious. We also had the baby artichokes (yum!) and the Burrata salad. I'll gladly eat them all again. 100/10. All pasta made in hose too! My server was so knowledgeable on the wines and let me taste a few until I found the perfect one for my meal-made me feel so welcome. This place is definitely going on the short list of favorite restaurants in downtown.“

“100% recommend. thank you“

“A wonderful local place run by people who used to work at some high class places decided to run their own business. The sauces are great. They have specials all the time. I'm shocked how the prices are still low. Crowded even on a Wednesday.
You will not be disappointed.“

“Amazing delicious food and love the ambiance. The servers were awesome!!“

“best pastas ever!!! And the tiramisu was fabulous“

“Donna's presented itself as a cozy neighborhood spot specializing in classic American-Italian red sauce cuisine. Parking proved a slight challenge, requiring a brief search in the vicinity. The restaurant itself was intimate, with a warm and inviting atmosphere created by exposed brick, soft lighting, and a general sense of comfortable bustle. The service stood out for its friendliness and attentiveness, with the server being knowledgeable and helpful throughout the meal.
The garlic bread was a highlight, featuring a crispy crust and a soft, flavorful interior generously infused with garlic butter. The calamari was well-prepared, tender and crispy, complemented by a distinctive squid ink aioli. Among the pasta dishes, the vodka pasta offered a creamy and well-balanced tomato sauce, while the spicy sausage pasta provided a welcome kick of heat with flavorful crumbled sausage.
The chicken Parm was a standout dish, with a juicy chicken cutlet coated in a perfectly crispy breading, topped with a vibrant tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. Surprisingly, the chopped salad, with its mix of vegetables and salami in a tangy dressing, was enjoyable despite a usual preference against vegetables. The broccolini, simply dressed with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs, was also a tasty side. The artichoke hearts wrapped in anchovy offered a bolder, saltier flavor.
The beverage choices included a well-made Old Fashioned and a sweeter Cherry Cherry.
While the overall experience was positive, the limited parking and the single shared restroom are worth noting.
In conclusion, Donna's provides a satisfying taste of classic American-Italian comfort food in a warm and charming setting. The standout dishes and excellent service outweigh the minor inconveniences, making it a worthwhile visit for those seeking traditional red sauce fare in a cozy neighborhood environment.“

“My husband and I loved this place! The best Italian sandwiches we have had in a while. We even liked it better than the viral All’antico Vinaio. We also got the tiramisu at the end, and after going to Italy this past summer this was the closest and best to the real deal. Also got a latte and their coffee is also amazing. If you are in the area definitely give this place a try.“

“Good Clean Fun isn’t just a wine bar, it’s a Downtown institution. Ian and his team have cultivated something truly special: a space that consistently delivers exceptional natural wines, beautifully fresh food, and an atmosphere that feels effortlessly joyful.

What sets GCF apart is its reliability in delight. I’ve celebrated birthdays here, lingered on date nights, raised toasts at farewell parties, attended themed Good Clean Fun events, and each visit has been a masterclass in hospitality. The wine is always exciting and thoughtfully curated, the food is bright, seasonal, and satisfying, and the energy? Unfailingly warm and convivial.

Ian’s passion for what he does is infectious. He’s not just pouring wine , he’s telling stories, sharing discoveries, and creating community. It’s this blend of curiosity and care that keeps the experience fresh while always feeling like home.

Thank you GCF, for being my go-to for great wine, great company, and creating greater memories.“

“Great place and very welcoming staff. Food was delicious and very Italian. Highly recommended.“

“I've never been there but i have to say i love what they doing and hopefully we'll get to know each other and taste the beautiful pasta dishes“

“It's delicious. The price is also right.“

“I would describe De La Nonna as an elevated pizza restaurant. As with most pizza joints, they serve up beer, salad and pizza, but this not your standard fare.

Start off with a craft beer, wine, or a fancy cocktail (or mocktail). Lots of choices to be had.

For starters, we ordered the market salad which had a fantastically light tangerine(?) dressing. The dressing on the ceaser salad was a bit heavy, but it was still tasty.

The eggplant caponata appeared to have been lightly fried and coated in a sweet and savory sauce. Very good.

As for the pizzas, all were insanely good. Each was like a pillowy soft deep dish pizza and they all came with the best crispy edges.

IMO the roasted mushroom pizza was the best — and I'm not a fan of mushrooms.

Prices are a bit higher than you would find at a typical pizza place, but again, these are not your typical pizzas. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere, chill.

Dietary restrictions: They were able to accommodate customers with celiacs.“

“Great Food, Great Service...“

“😋Delicious Italian Homemade Food“

“Food was amazing, spot on. Great comfortable service. Really nice experience!“

“My mother and step dad brought us here as a special treat. It's one of thier favorite places in LA and we had never been. We very much enjoyed how special the building was and the attempt to keep it and the music true to its original era. The food was good, but the service could have been better. Our waiter definitely had his favorite tables, and it showed.“

“Muy bueno el servicio la comida lo mejor“

“Hands down this was the BEST sit down meal we have had on our 3 1/2 week USA holiday (San Fran, Las Vegas, Anaheim and LA) My son and I had the Braised Short ribs with garlic mashed potato, carrots and a red wine gravy. My wife had Garlic Shrimp and pasta. All our meals were top notch. Definitely recommend eating here.“

“the pizza is ausome been going to Angelo's pizza many years ago and it still the same“

“The food is INCREDIBLE and the products are beyond amazing!!!“

“Great folks, diverse clientele and awesome food!!“

“Excellent restaurant italien authentique au cœur de LA downtown. Délicieux !!!“

“It’s a modest place in a small strip mall that I’ve been visiting since I was a teenager. Franco’s is a good place to enjoy fine Italian food. I really enjoyed the “Franco’s Special” stuffed chicken breast. Service is great, prices are reasonable. Plenty of free parking too.“

“Whether you get it to go or dine-in. ALWAYS amazing! Chef always makes you feel at home. My absolute favorite Italian Restaurant. P.S. every picture has been a different occasion 😋“

“What a fantastic discovery. I was craving calzones and used to have a spot in Los Feliz which I would go out of my way for. After trying a few places which fell short of the mark in South Bay, I almost gave up on finding authentic Italian food locally. The search was worth it as this is now going to be one of my forever places to come on a regular basis. From the calzone, to the pizza, salads and even the Cannoli Siciliani Pistacchio, everything has been nothing short of amazing. To top it off, it’s family run and they are all the sweetest and most warm people I’ve encountered at any local restaurant. If you haven’t tried them yet, you need to stop by.“

“The food was great had the Chicken Parmesano, the chicken was tender and the sauce that was on it was delicious and light. Came with mashed potatoes, sautéed carrots, and broccoli. The vegetables were tender but needed more flavor. The mashed potatoes were done well and had a lot of flavor. Dont know if we were there too early but there was only one server, don't get me wrong he was great but he did need help. Overall I would dine here again.“

“Pssing through. Hilton Hotel in Montebello said tgey had the best pizza around. Very true. Loved the New York.“

“Muy buen servicio Comida deliciosa…“

“😋👍good food .and friendly staff“

“Awesome Place to Eat Italian food“

“Good food. Reasonable prices. No frills, hole in the wall kind of place. Good take out place. (Read: the lighting was really bad, decor seemed makeshift). You go there for the food and price, not for a date or an experience. Kind of surprised that this place has perfect 5 stars, so hope this review is a fairer representation of the place.“

“Love just place people and food“

“My wife and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary at Barrio in City Terrace last night, and it was nothing short of amazing! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, setting the perfect mood for a special evening.

The food was absolutely incredible—each dish was crafted with care, full of rich flavors, and beautifully presented. Every bite was a delight, and you could truly taste the passion behind the cooking.

The service was outstanding—attentive, friendly, and made us feel like valued guests. The staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable experience.

We will definitely be back and highly recommend Barrio to anyone looking for top-notch Italian cuisine in a cozy, welcoming setting. Thank you for making our anniversary so special!“

“何を食べても美味しいよ“

“Food and service was great.“

“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....“

“So we were waiting for a table and decided to sit at the bar and have a couple of drinks. The ambiance was nice. Service in the beginning at the bar was not, however... Waited about 8-10 min (someone did say they would be with us but then proceeded to go to the back and move around the bar checking on other patrons). My husband decided to get up and grab us a menu. Finally Dan (1 of the 4 bartenders/barbacks asked us what we wanted). He was lovely, attentive, and had wonderful suggestions. He made a fabulous old-fashioned and pomegranate mule. We at the ricotta cavatelli, spicy broccolini, and heirloom tomato burrata. The food was delicious (one of the best meals we have had in a while, the flavors were perfect 👌.“

“Food was delicious. Our waitress was covering way to many tables for any one person could possibly handle. Not her fault i am sure that was management's decision. The wait wasn't bad to get in or to get our food. The only issue was our overworked waitress.“

“Happy atmosphere! Good selection of food“

“Muy bueno recomendable todo mundo es bienvenido“

“Family-style Italian restaurant. We got the meatballs, hamachi crudo, spaghetti pomodoro, rigatoni, the New York strip, and asparagus. I would order the meatballs, spaghetti pomodoro, and New York strip again. The hamachi crudo and rigatoni were both unique but not my favorites after more than a few bites. The asparagus was a little too undercooked for my taste.

Theres a small indoor area and a few outdoor tables in an enclosed area. There's not a full bar, but they have wine and a few beers and nonalcoholic drinks.

We had reservations on a very busy night due to a gallery opening nearby, so they were about 15 minutes behind on schedule. They immediately offered us a glass of wine because of this. Service was 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!!!“

“Excellent service, great food, too bad there wasn't extra room in the parking area.😊😊“