50 Best Italian Restaurants near Universal City

“Excellent food and Judy was an excellent host she put up with us Australians 🍺🍺😀😀😎“

“Didn’t even get a chance to take a photo of me and my boyfriend’s food because we were so hungry!!And lemme tell you we tore that shit up!! The garlic bread and the pizza was hella greasy but hella delicious 😂 you must seriously try it

Vegetarian options: Cheese pizza, garlic bread, side ceasar salad“

“Delicious authentic Roman cuisine …“

“Our family had an excellent meal at Mother Wolf last night. The pasta was out of this world and the Italian wine selection was great. The decor is very nice and conducive to an overall excellent experience.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, attentive without being intrusive, and genuinely passionate about the food they serve👍👍“

“Angelini Osteria totally lived up to the hype! We had a great dinner there that night and I can't wait to go back again soon. Let's start with the star of this show: uni pasta. Oh my gosh, it was divine! The uni was so fresh and creamy and the pasta itself was cooked just right. Every bite was an explosion of flavor. We also tried the baked lasagna and it was delightful. The layers were perfectly balanced and each bite was full of rich, savory flavors. Let's not forget dessert! We shared a few different things and they were all great. The tiramisu was fluffy and decadent and the chocolate mousse was rich and smooth. Overall, Angelini Osteria is definitely a must-try for Italian food lovers in Los Angeles. The food is incredible, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. We can't wait to come back and try more dishes on the menu!“

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

“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 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!“

“I don’t remember having pasta this good since I visited Italy back in 2014. I ordered the Tagliatelle, I loved how the noodles were so thin and the beef/sauce was just the right balance. The sfincione in bianco (focaccia) was amazing, reminded me of the one in Felix. Next time I’ll have to get a side of ricotta as a dip. For dessert, ended up getting the Tartino al Cioccolato - the textures were incredible and now is my all time favorite dessert. In my opinion, this is the best Italian restaurant in all of LA. Chef Funke really knows what he is doing. Can’t wait to go back and try more dishes!“

“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.“

“As a couple who has deemed themselves “Pasta Connoisseurs”, we love exploring and trying new Italian restaurants throughout Los Angeles. When it comes to Jemma Hollywood, it exceeded our expectations. Jemma Hollywood has everything that one is looking for in a restaurant from beautiful ambience and great customer service to amazing cocktails and delicious appetizers and pasta dishes. I highly recommend Jemma Hollywood for date nights and girls night outs because you will leave the restaurant filled with delicious food and happiness.“

“100% recommend. thank you“

“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.“

“Went to Chloe’s birthday party this past weekend and it was my first time trying Sogno Toscano’s food.

The catering was impressive. Everything looked so beautiful… and the flavor of the sandwiches was incredible…

All those cheeses and meat really got me!

I can’t wait to come to the restaurant and experience a full lunch and dining experience!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“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.“

“There was a lovely engagement last night in front of Prosecco’s . Young love, and she said, “Yes!”“

“Atmosphere was great! Service was fabulous. Drinks were tasty! Margarita Pizza lacked cheese but the Sweet Cheeks was amazing 🤩.“

“I’ve dined here both as a walk-in and with a reservation, and each time I was greeted with the warmest smile. This restaurant is so intentional—from its cozy neighborhood charm to the elevated, seasonal menu and the ambiance set by an amazing record player and vinyl collection. The staff went above and beyond, even sharing local stories that made us feel truly connected to the space. The food was absolutely delicious, and I really appreciated the thoughtful touch of nonalcoholic wine options. Highly recommend!“

“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.“

“Had such a lovely birthday dinner at this restaurant. It's a hidden gem for sure in Burbank. I had the shrimp scampi, the hubby had the lasagna and our son had a cheese pizza. They were all delish!!! The service and ambiance was great! Our first time but definitely won't be the last!!!“

“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.“

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

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

“This is easily the best Italian spot in town.
Kick off your meal with some delicious stuffed mushrooms or a crispy fritto misto—both unforgettable starters.
For your main, I highly recommend the Penne alla Vodka or the Linguini with Clams. If you're into pork dishes, don’t miss out on the Pork Chops Agro Dolce—they’re outstanding.
Just remember to leave a little room for dessert. Their New York cheesecake is incredible, and the tiramisu is the real deal—exactly like you'd find in Italy.
Overall, it’s a menu you’ll love from start to finish. Definitely worth a visit!“

“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.“

“This is a very popular place as it gets crowded even before normal dinner time. The semi-indoor/outdoor seating area is clean and relaxing.“

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

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

“We catered a Christmas dinner for 8 with Il Moro and all the food was delicious! We especially loved the melt-in-your-mouth short ribs, divine vegetables and pasta with olives dishes. We will definitely be back!“

“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.“

“Sooo yummy and good service!“

“Friendly Comfortable neighborhood spot“

“Why go 3000 miles away it’s just as good as Pat steaks and they got a roast pork sandwich too“

“Where do I start. Liz and Maggie are amazing. They made my family feel like some type of celebrity. I can’t state in this short paragraph how blown away I was by the service we received. THE BEST SERVICE, I’VE EVER RECEIVED. The drinks were excellent and the food was so good. I recommend the wagyu meatballs. The dessert was so tasty. You really can’t go wrong with anything you order here. The piano bar is a musical nice touch. I really appreciated the attention to detail on the decor of the restaurant when it came to the music. I’m so very excited and satisfied with Osteria Florence and I can’t wait to comeback again. 10 stars ⭐️ thank you Francesco 🙏🏽❤️“

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

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

“We came here for my partners birthday. The staff were very attentive and welcoming. We came early so they gave us the option of sitting at the bar to see service prep or the table. For starters, we got the Nancy trio-delicious! And the grilled octopus. The salad paired with the octopus was delicious. I'd say the grilled octopus was a bit too charred for us but still very tender. For pastas, we got the orecchiette and brown butter ravioli. Both were very good. The hanger steak was perfectly cooked medium rare with arugula. We got tiramisu for dessert and it was one of the best I've tried. Loved the crunchy and roasted hazelnuts on top. They even added a candle for the birthday boy! We had a great night. We would come back!“

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

“I love the food and service at this restaurant.“

“Our food was excellent! We had the Brussels sprouts, Pasta alla Norma, and the Cacio e Pepe. Great service, great food! Just a heads up that it’s very loud inside when it’s crowded. Fun, but not super conducive to conversation without speaking loudly.“

“Good fare at a fair price...“

“Delicious food and friendly atmosphere.We had a great time.Thank you.🙏🤗😇😋“

“I love this place. The owner is so nice. The staff is amazing. The food is always delicious. It feels like a family style restaurant. The owner is always recommending get suggestions for food options. And he is very passionate about his food. Every time I ate at this restaurant it has ALWAYS been an amazing experience. Thank you so much for sharing your food with us.“

“Manager Josh is amazing. I had a bad experience dining at Ospi already in terms of service, so after there were missing items in my order I was about ready to give up. I called in and when he took the phone he didn't hesitate, asked me for my address and drove over the food himself. He also threw in a kale salad for me as well. I will be coming back. Ospi team, you have a good one in Josh!“