50 Best Italian Restaurants near Sunset Beach

“The staff here make you feel incredibly welcomed and are all extremely kind and helpful. A lovely woman helped me over the phone and didn't get frustrated with me over deciding what toppings I wanted. And once we arrived there , it felt like I had just walked into someone's home. It's a nice warm feeling type of restaurant that makes you feel like you're at home with family. The Large pizza we ordered is In my opinion, my favorite pizza yet. The ingredients taste fresh and light. I usually get super bloated after eating pizza but not this time. It was just incredibly delicious and I would totally come back here anytime.“

“I've been here so many times but today was the first time I had the pesto which was delicious. I never knew the ingredients for pesto after reading it I felt as if I could taste each ingredient. Everything here is so flavorful. Highly recommend“

“oh my gosh hands down favorite restaurant! Our server, Booker, was amazing and recommended dishes and was personable. Margherita pizza to die for, spinach ravioli absolutely amazing. I was a huge fan of their frozen tiramisu, my partner was not, plus the free cookies and hand wipes at the end is just an amazing touch to an already 10/10 experience.Parking: Parking is available in a back parking lot, but there's street parking thats paid as long as you can find it and don't go during heavy traffic hours“

“Casual pizza joint that sells roman style pizza slices. They advertise that one slide = 2 American sizes which is pretty spot on. We tried three different flavors . The dough had a nice char on it and the toppings were decent. They are able to retire the pizzas up fairly quick , on the day we got them it took just a few quick minutes for us to get an order in and then be handed a box of hot pizza. They have a few seating options both indoor and outdoor mostly high tops. And inside a long display case with all of their pizza options.“

“this place was AMAZING little small but it's a nice little spot. BUT! the food was absolutely delicious probably the best pastrami sandwich I've ever had and the pesto raviolis holy crap to freaking die for the lady at the counter was super nice and helpful and The food came out quick would Recommend all my friends and family and all food love to try immediately thankyou so much to all the staff for and amazing experience and amazing food“

“10 out of 10 I highly recommend and I can't wait to go again! ??I had the Burnia pizza & rughetta salad with a glass of sangiovese. It was about $50 before tip. I thought everything tasted amazing.Friendly note to definitely make a reservation because they were pretty full at 7:15 on a Thursday.Parking: There are about 5 parking spaces in the back or street parking so arrive early.Also make reservations.“

“Mango Habanero Pizza - secret menu pizza, bacon, ham, jalapeno, pineapple, mango habanero sauce on top afterwards. Got the XL and it was big,18" (their giant is 28"). Crust was made on the thinner side in a good way. Sweet and spicy good Hawaiian pizza that reminds me of Wingstop's mango habanero wings.“

“The food is SO GOOD!We came around 5:30pm on a Thursday, and there was no wait.The service was excellent and the food was amazing! Our eyes were bigger than our stomach, so we ordered more than enough food, but we had no regret!Highly recommend the bolognese pappardelle! Do not think of this pasta as of the regular bolognese pasta! It is not a red sauce based but cooked with a 200-year old family recipe! White sauce with ground meat and peas. It was divine! I would definitely order it again and again!The fungi pizza was also delicious! Came with six good sized slices. I loved the mixed mushrooms and the cheese! Good to share or enjoy on your own!Please do note that the restaurant serves pesto bread when you sit down. Be mindful of the large amount of food if you are not hungry hungry. We came hungry (normal hungry haha) but an anti plus two entrees filled us up quick, and we had to take about half of our food home.Three items plus two drinks came to be around $110 with taxes and tips. Given the quality and amount of food, it was well worth it! We will definitely come back!Oh so yes it is cash only. Bring cash or use the ATM inside :)Parking: Private lot at the street mall.“

“I have been meaning to eat here. I finally got it done at lunch today! Boy was I impressed. The menu! The service! The ambiance! The food! Our server, John, was both personable and knowledgeable. The menu is as impressive as any comparable place! Mona has a full suite of pizza ovens as well as delectable pastas, Rib eye steaks, (16 oz!), and, I was told by my luncheon companion, the eggplant parm was world class! Why did I wait so long to come to this magical Italian wonderland? It is also right next door to the best donut shop in Orange County. I ordered the beet soup and the happy hour portion of spaghetti bolognese. I think it is the best bolognese I have ever had and I am pretty old. Plenty of free parking, comfortable dining room, great personal service (thanks John!), the best Italian food I have eaten in Huntington Beach. Mona Lisa has it all!“

“The meals are delicious and bursting with flavor, especially Docs favorite and Milanese. We haven’t tried everything yet. The coffee is the best!The servers are beyond friendly and on top of making sure you have everything you need to make dining super enjoyable.We will definitely go there again and again!! Love it!“

“This restaurant is in my top 10 favorites with THE REEF and others. This restaurant definitely a five star restaurant, not 4.5. I drove 65 miles/1hr 10 minutes to come here because I heard great things about this restaurant, and what I heard was the truth. We came today on Easter. YELPERS, please reserve weeks ahead. Now the live band was awesome. The food was delicious. I had a great time. They have the main parking, Valet parking was $10 during my visit, they told me they also have extended parking across the street. When I entered, I was greeted at the door by staff. Delaney and the customer service staff were polite, friendly with all smiles. That's what customers love, with excellent customer service. So Delaney got us a table about 10 minutes wait, which was quick. And we got lucky because 4 others reserved, and me and 3 others waited 10 minutes, we got lucky. Customer service gets an A++. Our server was Danielle, she gets an A++. She took us to our table, 4 us if we're late from the other 4. Danielle took our orders, came back 5 times to make sure we were good. She refilled our glasses, and other servers did the same to make sure. I call it TEAM WORK. Now I went back n forth from the band, to the restroom, to my family's other table because we got there late, so I wasn't able to sit in their area. This place was crowded and every server that was moving trays were polite stopped and said "You're first" I've been to other restaurants where servers cut in front of customers. Not Spaghettini, everyone had a smile. This was my first time and I'll drive 65 miles again. By The Way, I used to work in food & beverages, used to work as a waiter at San Manuel Casino. So I know great customer service when I see it. Thank you Delaney and the front counter representatives. Thank you Danielle, Delaney and Thank you Spaghettini. This restaurant gets 5 stars.Parking: Free parking, valet parking and free parking across the street from the restaurant.“

“I'm generally not overly generous with 5 star reviews, but this place is a 5.Service: super attentive but not overbearing or in the way.Food: Bread excellent. Butter creamy and lightly seasoned.Soup, pasta fagioli and minestrone both outstanding.Salad was fresh and delicious with large shrimp.Chicken Marsala, tender and spot on.Owned by the same people as Black Trumpet which was a hard pass, but this place is a solid contender“

“We first dined here in the mid 2000's, the place was a bit small then, when I tasted the sauce (meat sauce/spaghetti), I was shocked to see it literally tasted just like our family's sauce that my mom had taught me to make (we are Italian of course), the food was so good, and I got to meet the original owner and chef, he spoke very broken English, but we discovered we were from the same part of Italy thus, the sauce! After that, we ordered one of their humungous pizzas for a party and it was so awesome! We moved away in 2004, but then I began working in the area in 2018 and went in to find his sons had taken over, and they had expanded by renting the unit next door! I told his son I used to eat there 15 years ago, and he welcomed me back, the pizza was just as great as I remembered, I have since taken friends there and the food is always the very best as well as the service, if I could give this restaurant 25 stars I would.Parking: Located in a strip mall next to a grocery store, but there is always tons of parking.“

“I am a lover of Italian food! Overall the place was good. Everything seemed fresh and had good flavor. We ordered the burrata appetizer, which was decent. I appreciated that they had 2 types of gluten free pasta. They made the other pastas in house. Worth a try if you are craving Italian food and are in the area.“

“Wow. I'm so beyond thrilled to have found this tiny little gem! The food is beyond delicious. Take a trip to flavortown and enjoy the ride hahahaha this place is insanely good. I got calamari and some penne russa (I think) with chicken and it came with a salad WHICH WAS ALSO SO DARN DELICIOUS. Everything was delicious. Everything was hot. The man who I believe was the owner gave me theeee best service I could ask for after a long day of work. The place looked so cute and cozy I wish I could've stayed and dined in. Found my new favorite Italian spot in Long Beach!! Thank you so much for the amazing food and service! I will definitely be back“

“One of the best Italian restaurant. One of Orange County’s hidden gem. Delicious Italian food, Good service and beautiful restaurant. We love it!!! I highly recommend them. My favorites are their bread, fettuccini Alfredo and best spaghetti bolognese . They also give you generous proportion. Really must try!!!Vegetarian options: There’s vegetarian choicesKid-friendliness: Kids will love the food“

“Cortinas was amazing, today was my first visit for lunch. I had the Pastrami Sandwich. The guests around me were really enjoying their sandwiches as well. At opening time, 11 AM, the line had about 8 parties waiting to get in and order.I was really delighted as everyone else. I'll go back with the family.“

“The service was great and the food was very good. My husband ordered the Penne pasta with sausage and enjoyed his meal. I ordered the linguine with shrimp and asparagus in a light cream sauce. It was not what I was expecting, and it was not light. It was tasty but too much for me. The lemon cake was light and so good! The only bummer is how jammed it is, I felt like I was having dinner with the family of four right next to us. And it was interesting that they brought their small dog in with them. We will go again and try other dishes!“

“My wife is from outside of Italy and her brother is one of the top chefs there. We are so picky with authentic Italian food and we were so impressed with the quality and taste of our dinner! Hands down the best Italian place we’ve found in Orange County! We are so excited to have found this place. Compliments to the chef. They know what they are doing!!!!!!“

“I absolutely love this place!! It is delicious! I love that they offer a soup or salad along with your meal. It makes it all worth it. I always walk out full and satisfied. My favorite is the rigatoni al pollo. They also have great martinis.“

“The Best Pizza in Town with Delicious WingsBig Rob's Pizzeria has become my go-to spot for pizza in town, and for good reason. Their pizzas are consistently delicious, with the perfect balance of cheese, sauce, and toppings on a crispy crust. Every bite is a delight, and I always find myself satisfied after enjoying a meal here.In addition to their fantastic pizza, Big Rob's also serves up some of the best wings in town. Whether you prefer them spicy or mild, their wings are always cooked to perfection and never fail to impress.The service at Big Rob's Pizzeria is also worth mentioning. The staff is friendly and attentive, making sure that every customer feels welcome and well taken care of.“

“The food and service are great! I love their house salad with pickled vegetables. The pasta is excellent and the Italian sausage is a little spicy and yummy. My boyfriend ordered the veil and enjoyed it (I wouldn't try it). The bread is amazing!! They get the bread from a local sandwich shop that is famous for their bread! Highly recommend.“

“SOLID pasta. Had the parpadelle vodka on my most recent visit but had others in the past and they were all great. I wouldn't mind if the prosciutto with the parpadelle wasnt crispy.The tables are quite small and you have to be ok with dining close quarters. Service was adequate and friendly. Wish they had a couple beers on tap but didnt take away much from the dining experience“

“Opted for italian and glad we did. Michaels never dissapoints. Excellent customer service, fabulous delicious cuisine, excellent wine and bubbly selection and dessert to die for. Heated patio which made for a comfty dining experience. I had the Linguini with Salmon off the limited menu and let me tell you, absolutely spectacular dish. Try it while is available. Paired that with some prosseco and yummy! Started with roasted veggies, highly highly reccommend, utter yummyness roasted to perfection. Crunchy, fresh and flavorful. Paired that with Calamari delight! Capped it off with an on the house Tiramissu (not sure if i spelled it right) in a glass. IF YOU DONT HAVE DESSERT, you must make an exception for this, my eyes literally rolled to the back of my head on the first taste! "I'll have what shes having" type of reaction! A must try. We paired that with vanilla bean ice cream, delicious. Top that off with excellent top of the line customer service. 5 stars!“

“My husband took me here to celebrate my birthday and he chose it because we were going to the Opera after to see La Traviata, so he wanted to make a theme night. The restaurant is small and quaint. They had live music. The decor is very simple, a bit rustic? But had some very pretty chandeliers. You must have reservations and must arrive on time. Our server was very polite and was quick at answering questions and making suggestions. I ordered the Chicken Milanese, and my husband had the Lasagna. Both were very delicious. We did not have any wine although it looked like they had a good selection and we opted for no dessert (good selection as well), as our meals were pretty good size. We both liked it and would go back. This restaurant has been open for 25 yrs.Parking: There is a public parking structure but it was a block away. Street parking is metered“

“We love this place. It’s our favorite italian restaurant for lunch ( more casual) or date night dinner. Amazing food and excellent service. We tried many dishes here and all of them were so tasty and would order again and again.We enjoy Italian food so we tried many restaurants but this one is the best or one of the best in the area.Small, cozy and romantic for dinner.Easy, fast and tasty for lunch.Very reasonably priced and staff is so friendly.“

“This place is a hidden gem for anyone who loves Argentinean cuisine. As a native of Argentina, I was blown away by the quality and authenticity of the dishes. The empanadas were crispy and flavorful, the panqueque con dulce de leche was heavenly, and the pizza with a Quilmes was the perfect combination. I felt like I was back in my home country, enjoying the best food ever. This is a place I will definitely return to and recommend to everyone. Don't miss it!“

“This is a great neighborhood gem. The menu is consistent if not adventurous. I've tried most things on the menu. My favorites are the veal Gorgonzola or veal Carciofi, and Braciola Neapolitana, thin sliced beef stuffed and rolled. Before your meal bread is served with a flavorful chimichuri sauce. There is a wine bar for more relaxed dining with music or the more formal restaurant side. The full menu is offered on both sides. The service is outstanding. If you want your “Cheers” moment, they remember your name when you come in.“

“Love this place!!! I live nearby and they do Free delivery within a 2 mile radius! Pizza is super bomb! I also tried their antipasto salad soooooo delish!! Support a local business instead of going to Domino's or Pizzahut. You won't regret it!!!“

“I am not a food truck fan in general. Maybe two or three times a year I go to one, but it was raining and cold and there was one at the front door so tonight was Food Truck Night, and an overcooked, overpriced burger with too many fries would be just fine.SO WHAT A THRILL TO DISCOVER ITALIA ON THE ROAD instead. The tastiest lasagna I have ever had, with a fresh salad I was too full to eat.The bread and chocolate chip canolis, which I did have time for, were good enough to write about. So I am. Wonderful dinner.Equally important if not more so, ANGELO and SOLENT, the Truck's partners in life and lasagna, were so kind and warm and genuine that my dinner experience soared to really special heightsThey are cover-model captivating, both of them; without a touch of conceit. The food tonight was exceptional, and my experience unparalleled , .in that great way when life occasionally makes the ordinary extraordinaryPeople worth knowing, food worth tasting, and a small business worth supporting. ITALIA ON THE ROAD.Dinner is served (see photo).Buon appetito.“

“Lucky to be staying just down the road from this place! I wouldn’t eat inside as it’s not the most atmospheric place but the pizza is FANTASTIC! I’ve had three take aways from there in the last month - only place to get pizza in this area! Go and get a cheese pizza - you won’t be disappointed!“

“I have been going here for years. Pizza is the best in town, the owner and staff are very nice people and it’s worth every penny because they make the most high caliber pizza that is made. There’s no skimping on toppings and the cheese is real cheese! I’m a very loyal customer and highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for the best pizza in town!“

“I grew up eating here and have never been disappointed. We had to move to AZ after living in Cali for 42 years. Any way my husband went out there and he asked if there was anything I wanted lol I sent him here. So if you are thinking of trying Paul’s do it I promise you won’t regret it.“

“Idk how long this location has been opened, but I just found out, while searching for uni pasta closer to me, that my favorite uni pasta has a 2nd location!!! ? Now I don't gotta drive all the way to Little Tokyo for it. This location is only about 20min (with no traffic ?) from me in the OC!!! Their uni pasta is the best & so is this other dish that my hubby ordered (forgot the name, but it's a bolognese beef stew kind of sauce...it was one of their special item). Also tried a couple of the other appetizers. Pretty good too. Fyi, we've only been their LT location so far. Can't wait to try this one out soon!“

“First time dining at this restaurant with my family and it was even better than what I expected! The service was excellent, the food was amazing and the prices were reasonable. Above all, what drove us to eat here was what it stands for their American patriotism.Coming from a military family,they had flags of military branches.The portions and authenticity of the food ,fugeet about it...Will be back soon “

“This place was delicious!!!The staff were friendly and both of our meals were amazing. The dinner salad that came with the meal i must have again!!! I know...I Said dinner salad but it was ?... It was super fresh and the Bleu Cheese dressing was on point! We will definitely be going back again.Definitely will have the eggplant Parmesan again but will be trying something different next time...“

“Marri's has been an institution in Long Beach for as long as I can remember. The "graffiti wall" is legendary, and I have memories of eating there a few times as a child. I was "reintroduced" to Marri's when a good friend reminded me of them nearly 30 years ago and my wife and I have been regulars ever since. The staff is always friendly, the portions are generous, and the price is more than reasonable. My wife, and several of our friends have sampled various pasta dishes, and we don't know if they're "authentic", but they're definitely amazong. As a lifelong TMMT fan, I've always been into pizza, and while I'll eat most any pizza -except those Mama Celeste ones made of paper plates and garbage - there are definitely tiers. If Pizza Hut is the equivalent of McDonalds, then Marri's is the pizza equivalent of Ruth's Chris without the price tag, or pretension. The dough isn't a cracker, or Brooklyn thin, but neither is it deep dish thick. A solid "hand-tossed" base that's just flavorful enough without being too much. Where a lotpizza is better the next day because the sauce has had time to age - Marri's sauce is perfect right out of the oven. They're toppings are fresh, flavorful, and plentiful. And, finally, they're marinara is thick, gooey, and generously heaped on top - if you're not an I like some pizza with my cheese person, like me, you won't need to worry about adding extra like you do in most places just to get adequate coverage. If you live in Long Beach, or are just visiting, and you've never been, do yourself a favor - Go see Shelly and Julio for a slice, or 12. And, if you have been there - IKYK ?“

“It was suggested we visit and I'm happy we did. While it was very busy with a wait on a Friday night the wait passed quickly. Upon sitting we were presented with focaccia and a delicious dressing to dip it in. The menu is a classic Italian menu. But the food was fresh, plentlyful and delicious. I look forward to returning to try some of the pizza that also looked delicious.“

“Great Pizza, great location if you don’t mind eating outside this place with your friend or taking it to go after a night out on the beach or bar hopping!!Price is alright , but what I do like about this place is the consistency, been coming here for about 5 years now and I always get what I expect! Nothing more, nothing less.“

“Always a delicious experience, whether you are ordering a sandwich or lunch special or buying some deli items out of the case - like an antipasta salad. YUM! It gets busy during lunch time, but the line moves quickly. Try the meatball sandwich.“

“Disneyland vacation and craving some Italian, Ruffino's nailed it. Little gem tucked in to a strip mall with a fun little pickup counter inside. We ordered pick up, so I can't comment on the internals but the food... man.Two Pizzas, a Calzone, and Spaghetti Bolognese. Check Ruffino's out.“

“Pizza was good, prices are incredibly inexpensive. We had Lg pepperoni, bell pepper, onions and 2 canned sodas. $18.00. They also advertise cheese burger potato wedges and soda for $7.99. I will try that next. The Host is very nice.“

“Good pizza! I like the cheese and the crust. Solid on the toppings too. I used to love getting their oven baked wings because they are good, but since they increased the price, the value doesn't match the extra cost. Service is hit or miss. Sometimes it's great, and other times, it seems like they'd rather be somewhere else.“

“I'm a resident of HB and it was my first time visiting this eatery. The entree I ordered was pleasant. It was the Pollo Bella Napoli. A simple chicken, eggplant and fresh tomato dish. I expected a different white wine sauce. But like I mentioned it was pleasant.The atmosphere of the restaurant is cute, cozy and well Italian themed. The host that greeted me was very nice and friendly.My server, Veronica, was the ONLY waitress working the entire room. They had more bussers and food deliverers. She tried her best to keep up with ALL the customers needs.Although it was very apparent that she catered more to the REGULARS who came in that night. And was EXTRA nice and friendly toward them.The highlight was David, the piano player. Super friendly and extremely talented! It's worth going just to listen to his music, maybe have an appetizer and a drink or two. His genre is very diverse... from Journey, to Sinatra., Dean Martin, Celine Dion, Chicago, Billy Joel, Elton John, Burt Bacharach , and Phantom of the Opera, to name a few. Kudos to him for creating the ambiance. Grazie David!“

“My favorite place to get Italian food! We got a reservation in advance and were seated right away. All of the dishes came out fresh and our server came by every so often to check up on us. Definitely recommend the vanilla soufflé, it was absolutely amazing.“

“This place is amazing the sandwiches are delicious. “I love the chicken Parmesan sandwich personally “. The cannolis are great, Wine prices are reasonable and really good selection,. The customer service is outstanding, all the individuals are very sweet and kind. I Highly recommend this hidden gem, The food is a true Italian experience.“

“Dined here this evening. We enjoyed some Cocktails to start then ordered Beef Tartare, Shrimp with Veg and Roasted Carrots. Entrees varied from Pasta to Ribeye steak and Burger. All delicious. The Carbonara needed more bacon but that was the only issue. Desserts were great. The Espresso wasn’t hot enough for my guest but overall we enjoyed the evening celebrating a birthday. Will recommend to my friends for sure. Would recommend a reservation as it was very busy by the time we left at 6.30 pm“

“Olive Garden is one of my favorite spots when I'm craving Italian food, especially for their all-you-can-eat salad, which is the best part, in my opinion. This location tends to get very busy during peak hours, so coming earlier is advisable. Making a reservation can also make your experience smoother. I definitely recommend it.“

“I just came back from Chicago a week ago, and this pizza is exactly like Chicago style pizza! Their pizza crust is crispy and has such a good flavor, their marinara sauce is very thick and rich as well. DONT GET ME STARTED ON THEIR WINGSSS, THE BEST IVE EVER HAD If your craving authentic Chicago style pizza, this is the place to go!! (Service was amazing as well!)“

“Wonderful service and out of this world Gnocchi (so good that I forgot to take a photo)!Very very cozy. If you struggle to hear in loud ambient settings, plan for their patio.Parking: Parking is challenge in this area so give yourself plenty of time!“