50 Best Italian Restaurants near South Pasadena

“Bravo Chef Bruno makes fabulous food.. Excellent service 🤩“

“Always good food. Always a good time.“

“BEST PIZZA IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA“

“The little plates are yummy. I love the pita bread that came with the hummus (Salatim plate). The other plates were good also. I loved the bread pudding (I think it's better than the best cake). What I like the most about Bacari, besides the beautiful ambiance, is the friendliest staff.“

“The food was very tasty, will be back next time“

“Are you kidding me it’s always good“

“I had a wonderful time at Propaganda Wine Bar. The food was excellent and well made. I forgot my waiters name but he was so sweet and attentive to me and my friend. The music was good, and overall great experience. Thank you to all the staff!“

“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.“

“One of the best hidden gems in LA. I stumbled into this wine bar out of curiosity, and it quickly became one of my favorite places in the city—and now I’m a regular.
The wine selection is outstanding: an ever-changing, thoughtful assortment that goes beyond the usual bottles you’ll find elsewhere. Whether you’re a wine nerd or just getting into it, this is a place where you can discover something new every time.
What really makes it special is the staff. They’re not just knowledgeable—they genuinely care about sharing that knowledge in a welcoming, down-to-earth way. Ian, the owner, is incredible. He’s the reason I know anything about neutral wine now. His passion is contagious, and he’s always happy to break things down or suggest something based on your taste.
Whether you're looking to expand your palate or just enjoy a glass in a great atmosphere, this place delivers every time.“

“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!!“

“Overall good and front desk was awesome. There a pool party on Sunday we were not prepared for. That notice should be shared in multiple ways. We had an negative experience with one of the wait staff at the restaurant. Knowledgeable, efficient snd did't care if we were there. Bartender was also standoffish and ignored requests for cocktails. The lower lever bartender stepped up at one point and he was awesome.“

“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.“

“Was super happy with our dinner at Hippo. Every dish was delicious. The brussel sprouts and cauliflower starters had excellent flavors. All the pastas we tried had incredible depth of flavor without being overly heavy or greasy. The hippo rolls and table focaccia were excellent and the chicken thighs were to die for. Only thing that was lackluster was the passion fruit gelato. Fun vibe, lots of seating, and great service!“

“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.“

“Friendly Comfortable neighborhood spot“

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

“Try to stop by every time we stay in Glendale. Good food and very reasonable prices. Service is beyond excellent.“

“One of the best I’ve had “out” in a very long time.“

“My Daughter & I had dinner here tonight… the food was PHENOMENAL!!! Great Friendly Service too!! What a treat to sit at the bar & watch everything looking delicious coming out of the kitchen window!!! Thank you for such a great Saturday night treat for an out of town Momma visiting her daughter!! I’ll beg her to come everytime I’m in town, and be very Jealous that she gets to come whenever she wants!!! EVERYTHING was BEYOND DELICIOUS!! Bravo!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻“

“Had to stop by my favorite Italian grubbin in the heart of Old Town Pasadena all the way from Boise. This was my 3rd time and each time just keeps getting better; definitely the bigger the party, the better. We paid $225 for 4 pasta entrees, 3 appetizers, & 2 glasses of wine for a party of 6. I’ve learned to like my pastas al dente after having them here. The meatballs are banging, the wine-pairing was delightful. Our service was attentive and pleasant; the vibe is always vibrant and homey. Highly recommended.“

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

“ABSOLUTELY THE MOST AMAZING CUISINE I HAVE HAD IN LOS ANGELES .. or anywhere I been lately for that matter COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEFS … . I’m
SOOOO IN LOVE with this place I am mad I don’t live in LA ..I’m from Vancouver CANADA .. visiting LA for the first time , Let me tell you . I had the octopus ( that was off a side menu that might have been their daily specials ) as a starter and I ate it soooo slowly cus I was in HEAVEN with every single bite I took .. I didn’t want to finish it but couldn’t wait to take another bite .. the flavours were so amazing and cooked to perfection. Next up I had the Ravioli Verdi di Spinaci e Ricotta
and omg again… OUTSTANDING cooked Al dente as I love it and although I was full after that.. I stayed and gave myself some time to digest my food cus I wasn’t leaving without having the crème brûlée .. and I’m glad I did cus it was phenomenal . I wanted to try everything on the menu .. Andrea is a culinary GENIUS . Shoutouts to Pablo ,Sara for being so welcoming and the rest of the amazing staff . I can’t wait to eat here again .. ?????
HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE ..

Thank me later

With love
Cecilia“

“All around great experience! Good food, great service, good music! If only I lived closer…“

“Absolutely stunning place. Came here for my birthday for drinks and dancing. Be aware they charge a $25 cover fee per person even if you’re not having dinner. The live music is such a vibe and dancing here is so much fun. Just be prepared to spend some money if you’re staying for drinks as they are not cheap. The whole place feels like you’ve been transported back in time and it’s amazing that everyone dresses to the nines. Would love to come back and have dinner here sometime“

“Amazing smoothies and bowls! Yummmmy! Cute shop with food and gift items as well!“

“Best Italian food I’ve ever had!“

“Great Food, Great Service...“

“Love love love this place. We’ve been coming here for 19 years and highly recommend. Great food, wine and ambiance.“

“Carson was amazing and looked after our birthday group super well. Super funny and charming :) Most people loved their food, my vegan option was ok but honestly a bit bland. But for a big group with mixed dietary requirements this was a solid spot.“

“Great food at good prices“

“Excellent place! Very authentic, interesting choices. I didn't choose this restaurant for vegan, but was delighted with a mushroom pasta dish from that portion of the menu. Tasted a meat dish & a seafood 1 from family members; also excellent. Particularly liked short ribs ragu & the bread was terrific! Good moderate priced wines. Friendly service; will go back.“

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

“Our server was awesome... her recommendations were spot on! the food surpassed our expectations! exceptional...The ambiance was relaxing for a Friday night and perfect for our friend's birthday celebration. thank you for making it so special. Very happy party of 4 enjoyed dinner at Marina!“

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

“Great food Great service will visit again“

“They treat you like family. The food is incredibly great.“

“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.“

“Old-school charm and service, elegant dining, live jazz piano at the bar. Been coming here for years and it’s still a super treat. 👍🏼👍🏼“

“Excellent customer service and food!“

“Wish I had taken photos of our food but it wouldn't have done it much justice. Pizza is delicious - every single bite. Had wings and Ceaser Salad. Service is hit and miss. I've dined here several times and two nights ago the bouncer was giving hella odd vibes. Food is worth it though lol.“

“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 😋“

“Muy buen servicio Comida deliciosa…“

“It was delicious and my waiter was awesome.“

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

“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!“

“Very welcoming family owned restaurant, offering great quality authentic Italian food.“

“☆☆☆☆☆ Chianti, Branzino, Gamberoni All'Agio New Caledonian Prawns 😋“