50 Best Italian Restaurants near South Pasadena

“Always good food. Always a good time.“

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

“BEST PIZZA IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA“

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

“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.“

“Food was better than I expected!! We ordered tuna belly, sooo delicious😋 I was looking forward the Foccacia, it did not disappoint. The bread was so air and light. The pizza was exceptional. Their Italian beer was crisp. I will be definitely returning.“

“Amazing Avocado roast poached egg Amazing staff manager follow up to make sure meal was perfect amazing ambiance great location natural light“

“What a discovery!!! Trattoria Daly is great! In fact it's a real "find" in Lincoln Heights-- just east of downtown but totally convenient. So nice to be in a non-corporate friendly setting in a restaurant run by great people who care about their customers and are proud of what they offer. This neighborhood gem will attract foodies and friends and harkens the beginning of a mini-restaurant row near downtown, Keck Hospital, Dodger Stadium, among other neighborhoods in various directions. The owners were for many years part of the team at Pacific Dining Car-- these guys are well acquainted with high end service and food. What they've established in the past six months, is a friendly local spot with top quality food and service-- for unbelievably reasonable prices. The bill of fare is Italian-- excellent starters, super pastas, and entree's like rib-eye steak, salmon. You can also do a simple pizza night-- or make it a special occasion. I've spent a LOT of time in Italy, and I'm picky about Italian food. This is an excellent kitchen! The general atmosphere is like a "discovery" of that little off the beaten track gem. But word must have gotten out-- when we dined there on a Sunday night, the place was hopping! The visible to the house skilled kitchen was keeping up with the crowd of happy diners. Two decades of Pacific Dining Car (which didn't survive covid) made these guys the pros they are. You shouldn't have to "sell a kidney" to eat well-- and this place is proof. They are in process and waiting for their liquor license -- but you can bring your own vino-- (or pick up something at the Smart & Final down the street.) It's great to see professionals who are really good guys stir up the right ingredients-- warmth, welcome, excellent food, and outstanding service, and ample evidence that the American dream is still alive. Can't wait to go back!“

“This is authentic down to the sexy owner Francesco with the beautiful accent. He made the heck out of my cappuccino with a hint of house made vanilla and cinnamon. He deftly stirred and measured all the while answering my questions just so I could hear him speak.
I also got the fritatta with zucchini and other delicious veggies. O.g! Do, savory and fluffy. They have so many items on the menu from pastas to decadent desserts and they even have imported Italian sparkling water and still. If you wanna feel transported to a country and romanticize what your taste buds are experiencing, this is the place for you. There is some seating outside and you can people watch but the star of all of this is incredible food just the way his beloved Grandmother made.“

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

“ottimo posto ho portato degli amici ieri sera ed anche loro sono rimasti molto soddisfatti lo consiglio personale molto molto gentile disponibile e le schiacciate favolose riempite Bene e buonissime 🤩“

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

“Are you kidding me it’s always good“

“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!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻“

“Every single thing is delicious. Trying to hit the whole bingo card 🤩 Also Micheal, best server 🥇“

“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.“

“100% recommend. thank you“

“Went before attending a show at the Orpheum since it was within walking distance. Wasn't sure what to expect, but once inside and has the place got crowded. It was a nice vibe and food was good. Not a big fan of sitting on stools as the limited amount of tables were taken. Highly recommended however as it's far better value than going to some overpriced restaurant in downtown LA. Servers were nice.“

“The food was delicious and beautifully presented, with rich flavors and carefully prepared dishes that matched the upscale atmosphere perfectly. The cocktails were also expertly crafted, smooth, and enjoyable throughout the night.
Live entertainment added a fantastic energy to the space, making the experience feel lively and unique without losing its sophistication. Service was attentive, professional, and ensured everything went smoothly from start to finish.“

“The best old-school southern Italian food right in Los Feliz/Los Angeles. Wonderful staff and Tony will always say hi and sometimes give you a free dessert. 🤩 ❤️“

“Stumbled on this place while I was sucked into the reel vortex in the middle of the night on my 11-year Veganversary. The next day, we drove 40+ miles into LA and had the most amazing vegan meal, from appetizers to dessert. They have a full traditional menu as well as a full vegan menu. Welcoming and energetic vibe. Outstanding fun and friendly service (ask for Aria!) Food was highest quality and INSANELY delicious. Even parking is easy in the lot next door. Can’t wait to go back. It is a pleasure to support these guys. Highly recommended.“

“Few places in Los Angeles have friendly
top notch service and great food. This place has both. The staff is incredibly great from front of house to back of house. I’ve been twice and both times have been top tier. The pasta is some of the best the city has to offer. This is my new favorite Italian joint. Great wine, pasta and an impeccable staff. I love Spina!“

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

“Great food Great service will visit again“

“I had a great time at De La Nonna - Arts District. The restaurant had a lively and welcoming atmosphere that made the experience feel relaxed and enjoyable from the moment I arrived. The food was fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care, with each dish bringing something memorable to the table. The staff was friendly and attentive, helping create a smooth and comfortable dining experience. By the end of the meal, I felt completely satisfied and appreciated the warm energy of the place.“

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

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

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

“Pizza was fantastic!!! Rivaled Chicago!“

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

“Great food at good prices“

“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. 👍🏼👍🏼“

“We are so lucky to have this cafe here in Pasadena! I've tried the carbonara, puttanesca, sandwiches, foccacia, and fried zucchini blossom, and it's all been delicious. Their homemade bread is incredible and is the star of their amazing sandwiches. For fellow lovers of bittersweet Italian sodas, they stock chinotto here, as well a couple small bitter sodas! On top of how good the food is, the service is very warm and friendly. You can tell it's a family business run with a lot of love. Can't recommend it highly enough, and I'm looking forward to going back and trying even more of the menu.“

“We had an amazing experience at Good Clean Fun! We reserved the patio for a small work event. The space was so nice. The food was delicious. I loved the pizzas, honestly some of the best I've had. Their wine selection is great, and they make a great Hugo Spritz.

Also, I have to shoutout Hunter! She was an incredible server. She was so kind, attentive, and flexible when our plans changed.

I wish I lived in LA just to be able to come here regularly! I'm looking forward to coming back whenever I visit.“

“Excellent customer service and food!“

“GREAT HOMESTYLE ITALIAN FOOD BEEN GOING THERE SINCE ELEMENTARY AND THE FOOD JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER THANK U TONY FOR BEING PART OF 4 GENERATIONS OF FAMILY EATING UR FOOD“

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

“Great food in a sketchy area. Between people yelling at me out of cars, aggressive barking dogs, and semi trucks blowing through stop signs, I didn’t feel particularly safe.

However, the pasta at Barrio is incredible. The vodka rigatoni with ground sausage was absolutely perfect and adding burrata only made it more so. You get a ton of burrata for the $5 add-on price and it was probably the best I’ve ever tasted. The pesto pasta was okay, I’m not the biggest pesto fan and it tasted like a mouthful of grass to me. The bread appetizer wasn’t worth it, the bread wasn’t warm and didn’t appear to be freshly baked.“

“Ambiance and service are on top tier level. Service was above and beyond and the experience was great. Everyone that shows up is either a return customer or a neighboring colleague. For only being there for a couple of hours I would definitely recommend this place to anyone that’s a traveler or local. We had wings and pizza. The best for a late night drink and wind down.“

“5 rating Vegan Delicious Pizza!! Slices, full pies, caesar salad, garlic knots, all house-made ingredients. cashew-based cheese. loved it!! As of October 2022, opened for 8 mos.“

“Muy buen servicio Comida deliciosa…“

“Curbside pickup First time“

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

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

“One of our favorite spots to eat a delicious meal. My husband and I love the Polenta Grigliata alla Crema di Funghi, the seafood squid ink pasta and the branzino. It's a cute place (wether sitting inside the restaurant or dining out al fresco. It can be very busy and sometimes loud inside ( most likely because of engaging conversations fueled by great food). Try to make a reservation.“

“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 😋“

“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!“

“It was delicious and my waiter was awesome.“

“Muy bueno recomendable todo mundo es bienvenido“

“Hidden gem in Glendale. Perfect for hosting events for a large group of 40+. Marina was great to work with. Very responsive and helpful with ironing out the details. The staff were also very attentive the night of the event. Food was good and there’s free parking across the street, at the parking structure (entrance on Artsakh). And as a cherry on top, no corkage fee for wine or beer. Will definitely be back! Thanks for a memorable dinner, Cécile!“