Italian Restaurants near Universal City

“I loved this place so much their food was amazing and their chocolate chip cookies delicious I don’t know if you guys might remember on March 2, 2024 around 5-6pm there were a bunch of orange shirted students and the place inside it so beautiful.“

“To be honest we had pizza as well as pasta here and both were delicious, it was not just tasty but with good price. Not sure why i am seeing very low ratings for this place.If you’re in universal and want to go for something which is good in taste then it’s a must try place.Vegetarian options: Vegetarian options available“

“This is a 5+++, as you would be hard-pressed to find a more creative, flavorful and truly life-changing pasta meal than at Cento. The Spicy Pomodoro Pasta may be the singularly most delicious pasta dish on earth. The lamb meatballs… to die for. The grilled octopus, OMG. Pasta will never be the same for you. The beet spaghetti? Just ask Luca… it becomes part of you. Highly recommended.“

“We had a reservation and were seated immediately upon arrival. The restaurant was crowded but not too noisy, everyone was enjoying themselves. The server was amazing and offered menu suggestions. I forgot the name of our appetizer but it was delicious! I danced at the table the whole meal because I enjoyed every part of it. Definitely lived up to expectations and I'd be back.“

“The most authentic Philadelphia style steak sandwich in LA! I grew up in Phila, but in the 35 years I’ve lived in LA, I never found a place that could duplicate that perfect Jim’s Steaks style…not until South Philly Experience launched their food truck 14 years ago! So delicious! Then, sadly, they disappeared a few years ago. That’s why I freaked out yesterday when I found out that they now have this permanent location! They ship in the Amoroso rolls to make the perfect Philly steak sandwich. Jonathan did his homework to cook them properly. He gets that shred on the grill just right. They have Whiz (of course) and their “pizza steak” nails the South Street style exactly. Huge portions, quick service. And they have peanut chews and Herr’s potato chips. BEST Philly steak sandwich outside of Philly! Go now!!“

“Absolutely amazing service and amazing food! Our cocktails were made perfectly, and they definitely had a nice kick. Nothing makes me more upset than when they charge you a ton of money and measure out your booze, this is not that place! The restaurant has cool vibes and a unique modern / classic decor. If you're looking for a smaller non-chain steakhouse that does things right this is the place for you!Special shout out to Patrick the sommelier! Talk about a guy that's good at his job, knows the wines, and doesn't miss a beat... this is the guy. To top that off he has a great personality and made our evening all that much more special! Thank you Patrick and team Fia, you guys are doing a great job. Keep up the good work!!!“

“Had a wonderful time. Great wine choices. Food was superb, but a little pricey. Definitely can find same quality of food for less in LA, but I still highly recommend this fun and happening restaurant. If you like great food, great wine, and LA hip restaurants...this place should be on your hit list.“

“Where do I begin? The reception by the lovely group of charismatic hostesses... Our amazing waiter Gregory?…The warm greeting from manager, Josh? It was all an overwhelming dining experience from start to finish.A round of Prosecco followed by a Rosso pizza was a complete surprise The occasion was my mother’s birthday (which I never disclosed to them), and she has never felt so well taken care of in her 75 years! The lamb chops perfectly cooked over fire, hefty salad perfectly seasoned and dressed, fresh pastas perfectly timed and desserts to die for.When the smoke cleared and we were ready to go, mom and pops insisted on finding Josh for a big hug and warm thank you.This post/ review is a late one as Josh is no longer there, but I’d like to express how thankful we were and give the restaurant and team the best review we can. We have been back since and our experience has been the same!!! Thanks a million, Mateo and Dania“

“It's always such a fun time at GCF! They have an awesome selection of wines and our very knowledgeable on all of them. The food is absolutely amazing and the staff is always one of a kind. Ian and his team always make it memorable experience and this is by fat the best wine bar in LA!“

“Located just a 15-minute walk from the Ahmanson Theatre, Maccheroni Republic is a wonderful find. The outdoor seating area is inviting, and the service is top-notch. We enjoyed the Burrata appetizer and indulged in two pasta dishes: Bianchi Neri and Pom'Amore, both of which were absolutely delicious. A perfect pre-show dining spot with great ambiance and even better food.“

“We always love visiting Propaganda and this time was no different. The 4 Formaggi & Funghi is my new favorite pizza. This time we tried the boozy pandoro dessert and even 5 days later I'm still thinking of it. Can't wait to go back!“

“This is the best vegan Italian food I've ever had. Caprese salad got the flavors and textures exactly right. Calzone was delicious, and the cacio e pepe was exactly right. Tiramisu was a lovely end to the meal. Since going vegan almost 20 years ago I have never had this kind of authentic food done so well. Atttentive service too.“

“I came around 6pm. The place was busy. I was told wait will be 40 minutes, luckily they gave me the small table right away.I got the special Margherita, it was excellent.There are 2 Margheritas, one uses regular mazorella the other one uses fresh buffalo mazorella. I had the special one. It was glorious.“

“This was my first time at Dante’s and it was the best experience I’ve had at a restaurant in a while. The food and drinks were amazing and the service was exceptional. My server Kathy was amazing, she had this radiant energy that just brightened up my day. I appreciated her checking in on my table to make sure everything was good while making some good conversation to make sure I enjoyed my experience. I highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area.“

“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!“

“I went here for my birthday and everything was delicious. We got the focaccia, whipped ricotta, & Cesar for starters. Everything was light but delicious. For the main we had the ragu pappardelle, the lemon pasta & branzino. My partner doesn’t really love branzino but he thought it was delicious. We couldn’t leave without the strawberry ice cream. That was the star of the night because we’ve never had a gelato like it!“

“Good was great, service was amazing. Waiter described everything to us and the atmosphere is cute and semi romantic. Overall I always have a good experience. I also love the macaroons there. Always enjoy taking a box home with me.Parking: Valet or street parking, they do not have a parking lotWheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. My brother is in a power wheelchair and they always accommodate.“

“We have been going to Horses ever since they opened since it’s right in our neighborhood. The most friendly staff with a big shout out to Amanda. The most amazing craft cocktails and absolutely delicious food. I think we’ve almost tried everything on the menu and have not been disappointed once. Can be hard to get a reservation, but we usually get there at 5:15 and are able to sit at the bar with no problem.“

“Great slices and great customer service. Might be the best crust in LA. I heard they use something like 27 different flours or something wild. Whatever it is, the attention to detail really shines through. You can tell it’s special just looking at it, but biting in, it’s obviously special. Incredible flavor throughout. Can’t wait to try the rest of the menu. I’m even tempted to try some of the vegan stuff ??‍♂️“

“My daughter recommended this place so we gave it a try. There was only a handful of people there… it was a Tuesday. We sat in the outdoor area. We ordered two different veggie pizzas and bread sticks (kinda pricey). There wasn’t much to choose from on the menu. The food was more like an appetizer size serving but It was delicious. I have nothing negative to say about the taste of the food or the atmosphere.However, the parking was insane. We parked directly at the curb next to the entrance of the outdoor eating area. It’s metered parking. We had to add coins every 15 minutes… it only allowed 15 minutes before it capped out ?. I’ve read others say it was an hour meter, well it wasn’t the day we visited. I set a timer on my phone (a ticket would have ruined my day).It was a nice restaurant. I experienced it once but I’m sure I won’t come again.“

“Best salad that I've had in years. Food was fresh and served by staff that really cared about us and our experience. The atmosphere was relaxed, clean, and welcoming.Vegetarian options: Large selection of vegetarian options. Staff was also happy to make other dishes, like call zone, vegetarian for us.“

“A Jazz infused Italian gem ! Visited on March 23rd and sat outside in the patio for an early dinner .This restaurant offers Italian dining with an unforgettable ambiance of live Jazz music ! The cozy ambiance paired with great dishes and soulful tunes makes it a must visit for any food and music lover!!“

“This is our fourth time here since opened. We love it and even brought some first timers. Just a couple of things, the rigatoni was not as spicy as usual, the chicken parmesan seemed a little small and $45 for corkage is a little high my feeling.“

“Do you want the best Italian sandwich in LA? Well guess what?! You have found it. You will not be disappointed. There is literally no way to feel sad while eating one of these sandwiches. I put Sandwich Day into my calendar and look forward to it like I'm going on vacation. This is also the greatest cross section of Angelenos in one space. The dorky, the svelte, blue collar, white collar, guys in suits who are definitely committing some sort of financial fraud and the police who will someday arrest them. It's a family owned business with kind, hardworking folks behind the counter. Go. Eat. And have the best day ever!“

“Location was great, on the walk of fame and parking wasn't too bad. Service was awesome, very kind and sweet! Ambiance aswell great!!! And food was absolutely amazing, one of the best italian food i've ever had! would absolutely recommend!“

“We flew in from Australia. Attentive staff, waitress and maitre'd. Extensive wine menu to cater all palates. The food was absolutely delectable. The signature dishes were the highlights including spicy big tuna cones and salmon pizza with the ever crisp dough. A must try is the Singapore style black pepper Branzino.Will definitely come again.“

“An outstanding evening - great food, excellent, informative & fun Server (Thanks, Maria!). Nice vibe. Cozy space. Counter is fun. AND - who would have ever imagined we'd try “Orange Wine” (don't be a chicken like me - it's actually a whole new experience) ?. Really nice.“

“Ummm wow just amazing across the board. We were able to sample quite a bit. One of the outstanding treats was the grilled brussel sprouts. The margarita pizza was classic, but tasted a cut above, I think it's their sauce. The Caesar salad is big, and boy I ate all of mine. It had a perfect balance. Try the deep fried porta Bella mushrooms with their creamy dipping sauce, you might pass out it's so good.Next time I need a desert from their French tarts and macaroons in the glass case.“

“I can't say enough about the food, service and extremely professional staff. There were 6 in our party and the server didn't miss a beat. Such a memorable evening. The food and wine, exceptional. If you want to impress friends, family and/or clients, dine here.“

“I moved here a few months ago and found this spot searching for pasta. I absolutely love it. It’s now my fourth or fifth time & I cannot get enough. The service is SUPERB (Emily is lovely) and the food is to die for, I will always come back for more! (Sorry the photo is dark, but the arabiatta is amazing)“

“I like this place because it has no frills. My friend and I ordered the cheese/onion pizza. My friend is from St Luis. She knows pizza. She said this was the best pizza she's had. I thought it was fabulous also. We shared a rib eye. She likes it medium. I like it rare. They cut it for us and cooked each separately. Calamari - delicious. We had tons of left overs too. The staff was friendly, accommodating and responsive, very yummy place to dine.“

“Delicious evening. Many extra courses in the tasting menu, lots of extra black truffles on many dishes. Both of the servers were super knowledgeable and friendly. The table next to us was a loud couple with a dude on his phone a lot and that was the single negative part of our evening. An amazing birthday experience. Thanks, guys!“

“I'm just going to start off with if you don't eat pizza go anyway just for the atmosphere. Today I had the pleasure of dining at 786° pizza. The food was simply outstanding. The crust was perfectly crispy. The cheese was gooey and flavorful and the toppings were fresh and delicious but what really set the pizza place apart was the incredible hospitality of the people who worked there chef Mari chef Chris and chef Lesli. from the moment we walked in we were greeted with warm, smiles and friendly conversation. The staff went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed, and that our dining experience was exceptional. I cannot say enough good things about this pizza place. The food was exceptional. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and the staff are some of the most hospitable people I've ever encountered. chef Mari chef Chris and Leslie made our experience one of a kind. I will definitely be returning to this amazing pizza place in the future and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a delicious meal and a welcoming atmosphere.“

“Our experience at this restaurant was top notch. The food was excellent, but the service was perfect. They were so nice and accommodating. It was literally the best restaurant for kids, even though they don't have a children's menu! They offered half portions of pasta for our kids, and made a special "plain" dish for my picker eater. They also were very patient and helpful in dealing with a food allergy. Casual dress was just fine, although the interior and the food feel "fancy." The location is extremely convenient (just around the corner) if you are staying at the SLS hotel. Highly recommended.“

“Excellent food! Service is usually very good, but our last visit was extremely rushed. It made for an unpleasant experience. If they want guests to leave by 10 they should not except reservations after 8:30 PM. People should not be forced to eat fast at high prices.“

“Are you willing to work for your food? Are you willing to wait in a long line? If the answer is yes then please take the time to try Apollonia's. Their hours are strange and they are cash only in the restaurant but it's worth it.This is best thin slice pizza I have had in California. They also have incredible Detroit style slices. The pepperoni vodka slice is a must try.Very little parking.Parking: Very little parking. Small lot that is always full.“

“Everything here is delicious! We had the meatballs, shrimp scampi with polenta, fusilli alla vodka, and of course the tiramisu for dessert. Our server Michael was attentive and had some great recommendations. This place really lived up to the hype - I would like to return to try everything on the menu…“

“Absolutely fabulous! The beef tartare was superb. I had the black truffle risotto and there is nothing better than that on the menu in my personal opinion, rich, creamy, earthy, simply delicious. My mom had the crab pasta which was so complex, but the lumps of crab added such a lovely ocean flavor to every bite. Our server was incredible! She was so attentive and kind and patient with us. But the best part of the meal was the tiramisu, not your typical tiramisu but the chocolate record decoration made the whole evening. Also the cocktails were worth every penny, expertly crafted and unique.“

“We came on a Friday for lunch and it was nice and quiet. The staff are friendly and nice. The bread was complimentary and came out warm. Delicious Diavola Pizza was delicious. The spicy kick was well balanced with the sweetness of the honey. The crust was not floppy or soggy, but soft with a slight crunch. The gnocchi was soft. My husband liked the pine nuts in the pesto sauce. Branzino: This was my favorite dish. The sea bass was nice and light. The capers and lemon complimented the fish nicely. The asparagus was cooked perfectly. The potatoes were good and some had a nice crisp. Blanca Dessert was okay. I liked the chocolate and crunch of the cookie crust, but it was mostly cream. Definitely a great place to try with reasonable prices!“

“LOVE the torta Nona. They said they needed more business and I've tried posting on social media/tagging them but don't respond/share/maximize the word of mouth. Hoping they find ways to draw in that business! We're missing out if we don't have them on this block! Only gave it four Stars for atmosphere because it's on a busy street and it's pretty difficult to cross either on foot or in a car.“

“If Italian restaurants in Italy can have a gluten free pasta option then so can Bacetti. Time to get with the 21st century. Other than that, the atmosphere was amazing, as was the wine by the glass selection. Don’t bother trying to find street parking though, go straight for the valet—I wasted 10 minutes thinking I’d find something. Gratuity of 20% is included in your bill but expect average LA service that will provide service at their convenience.“

“Funke in West Hollywood offers a delightful dining experience with excellent service. Eleanor, the sommelier, impressed with her Italian expertise, we were a group of first generation Italians so it was nice. The food, especially the rigatoni amatriciana and cacio e pepe, was outstanding, though the gnocchi was a bit mushy. The restaurant boasts an excellent vibe, a testament to its creator, the mastermind behind Mother Wolf. Perfect for indulging in a variety of pasta dishes and enjoying a memorable evening out. Oh yea and the fior di zucca were absolutely phenomenal.“

“The restaurant is located on the second floor of Nerano in Beverly Hills (you have to take an elevator up to the second floor through Nerano). This gives the spot kind of a fun speakeasy feel to it. When you get out of the elevator, you walk into a beautifully designed / decorated, cozy, albeit slightly quirky space. It's not large (I think the capacity is 34). Came here for a food event, which I did a review for separately, but this experience in particular was grabbing a drink at the bar. (I did think the food was delicious though and urge folks to come here and give this place a try. I know I want to come back and try more menu items.) The bar is beautifully designed and organized. I found myself perusing and mentally cataloguing the whiskeys as I always do when I go to new restaurants. But this place looked like a place that has fun cocktails. So I ordered The George Michael. The drinks here are really interactive, and the bartenders are super enthusiastic to the point that it's infectious. My drink in particular had some bowls that floated up and you had to catch it with a paddle. Flavor wise it was like espresso martini with a peanut butter twist to it. All in all this place is a great place to grab drinks and/or food. Lots of fun. There's a lot of street parking nearby, but it could get challenging especially during the weekends. I came in the middle of the week and was able to find parking about a block away.“

“Everything was good here the appetizer meatball was the best! Linguine with clams was OK not great and the tiramisu was OK and the salad was very good and the wine was great. I would recommend this place. It's cute and the food is good.“

“I’ve visited the WeHo location but tried the Silverlake one and was NOT disappointed.The Cacio e Pepe pizza is one of the best pizzas I’ve had in my life. (Although, I have not been to Italy)I think about that Parmesan creama often lol.But I literally drove an hour to have this pizza.The server was attentive, gave thoughtful (and delicious) recommendations, and made for a great experience.Note: Parking sucks - but where does it not in LA? I found a spot on the street but there is also metered parking as well.TL;DR - Exceptional pizza and good service. True S tier pizza.“

“Casual but nice. Service and staff are very kind and knowledgeable. Recommended wine based on my preferences.Food was very good but I think they put cream in the carbonara… and a poached egg on top. I’ve seen this at other LA restaurants- not sure why it’s a thing.Good portion sizes.“

“Food 5/5Ambiance 5/5Service 5/5The pizza was super delicious! I also go the Caesar salad. The pizza was really thin and had a lot of toppings and flavor. I got the white clam and it wasn’t too fishy. It was super delicious and tasted great with the extra lemon on top and the red peppers. I also got the sausage and pepperoni. It was also amazing and had a lot of flavor. would definitely recommend price for a large slice of pizza.“

“Absolutely one of the best Italian restaurants (if not the best) in LA. Not a “scene”...just a beautiful, traditional environment that feels very upper east side NYC. Unbelievably delicious food and the service was out of this world. Definitely a little pricey (similar to NYC prices) but worth it, in my opinion. No “influencers”, no “wannabes”, just fine dining with fine people. Will be back again next time I'm on the west coast and will recommend to all of my family and friends. We were there on Saturday night so it was a little bit noisy but that would be my only issue - if u would even call it that. Personally, I like a restaurant to have atmosphere and a little life. But if u want a quiet evening, I'm guessing don't go on a Saturday night. But I loved it. Thanks for a wonderful evening.“

“This place is kind of a hole in the wall location in West LA. I found it when I used to go to the gym next door to them. But, the service and food are great. I always sit at the bar, and the bartender is always very friendly and professional.“

“A very pretty friend and I decided to try Bestia on a Thursday at 5pm. After arriving and entering an outdoor patio that leads into the indoor seating, we couldn't help notice the bright blue wall, nicely trimmed tree, outdoor string lights all coming together to make a quiet eating experience but my pretty woman friend wanted us to experience the inside. Inside was livelier, more people, closely positioned tables,and an open kitchen facing the eating area. Cool modern music that's not too loud. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful. We ordered the coconut red chili oil scallops garnished with herbs and a slice of strawberry. I was pleased with the combination of flavors. Then we shared the bone marrow pasta, which was packed with savory flavors and interesting soft textures. It was delicious. Of course, we had to try the herb ceasar salad everyone raves about when talking about Bestia, and the hype is all true. We then shared a marguarita pizza and let me say this, despite the overly salted tomato sauce, the napolitano style crust elevated the rest of the pizza ingredients. I had old sunglasses: a tequila blanco cocktail with sweet citrus flavors all well balanced, I couldn't just have 1. My pretty friend had unsweetened ice tea, which was refreshing with a subtle fruit flavor. For dessert, we shared the chocolate dessert with a crispy sweet and salty crust that complimented the rich thick chocolate mouse that was just the right amount of sweet. It's the kind of place you take an attractive friend you really, really like. Recommend you plan at least a couple of weeks ahead to get a table because this place has a big following.“