{"id":42497,"date":"2020-02-27T08:00:32","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T16:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=42497"},"modified":"2025-08-25T15:24:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T22:24:01","slug":"best-authentic-italian-restaurants-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/best-authentic-italian-restaurants-los-angeles\/","title":{"rendered":"THE BEST AUTHENTIC ITALIAN RESTAURANTS IN LOS ANGELES"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good Italian restaurants are abundant in Los Angeles but if you want excellent authentic Italian cuisine look no further – I’ve got you covered with this list of my top 11 favorites! <\/p>\n

I’m half Italian on my father’s side, my grandma is from Pollo del Colle, a small town near Bari and my grandpa is Palermo, Sicily so I grew up eating authentic Italian cuisine. I have also lived in Los Angeles off and on for many years so I’ve made it a priority to seek out the best Italian eateries across the city.<\/p>\n

Here are my favorite authentic Italian restaurants from Santa Monica to Hollywood. Buon Appetito! <\/p>\n

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DAN TANA’S, WEST HOLLYWOOD<\/h2>\n

\u200ePrice<\/strong>: $$$  Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Homemade Gnocchi <\/p>\n

Dan Tana’s<\/a> has been around since the 1960\u2019s and is one of the most iconic restaurants in Los Angeles. This spot offers delicious, authentic Italian food in an old school Hollywood setting. Dan Tana’s is open till 12:30am on Sunday and 1am every other night making it a popular late-night spot for celebrities and anyone looking to grab an excellent Italian meal after hours. One piece of advice ladies – avoid sitting at the bar which is known as a pick-up spot for high priced prostitutes! <\/p>\n

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Related Post: <\/strong>How To Hike The Hollywood Sign<\/a><\/div>\n

\"Spaghetti<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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IL PASTAIO, BEVERLY HILLS<\/h2>\n

Price<\/strong>: $$$  Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Agnolotti Homemade Ravioli<\/p>\n

Il Pastaio<\/a> is an upscale Italian restaurant in the heart of Beverly Hills owned by renowned chef Giacomino Drago. The food is amazing and they have a nice outdoor patio on Canon Drive that is perfect for people watching. Their clientele includes many high profile celebrities as well as dedicated regulars. <\/p>\n

\"gnocchi<\/p>\n

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LA SCALA, BEVERLY HILLS<\/h2>\n

Price<\/strong>: $$$   Suggested Dish<\/strong>: La Scala Original Chopped Salad<\/p>\n

La Scala<\/a> has been a staple in Beverly Hills for many years. La Scala is known for their chopped salads, homemade pastas, and celebrity patrons. My grandma actress Debbie Reynolds<\/a> loved their famous La Scala chopped salad and to this day it is my personal all-time favorite salad (hold the Italian salami). <\/div>\n
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LA SCALA TO GO, BRENTWOOD<\/h2>\n

Price<\/strong>: $$   Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Jean Leon Chopped Salad<\/p>\n

If you are in Santa Monica and don’t want to make the drive over to Beverly Hills La Scala<\/a> also has a second spin-off location in Brentwood. This location is a more low key and casual but still offers the same excellent authentic Italian food. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Italian<\/p>\n

PEPPONE RESTAURANT, BRENTWOOD<\/h2>\n

Price<\/strong>: $$$  Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Spinach or Mushroom Ravioli <\/p>\n

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Peppone Restaurant<\/a>, located in Brentwood, is a legendary, old-school Italian eatery with red-leather booths and Tiffany-style lamps, serving classic Italian dishes. The food here is excellent and the ambiance is even better. This is one of my favorite date night spots because I love the classic Italian, old-world, romantic vibe. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"wine<\/div>\n

BESTIA, DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES<\/h2>\n

Price<\/strong>: $$$   Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Cavatelli alla Norcina Dumplings <\/p>\n

Bestia<\/a> is a trendy, chef-driven multi-regional Italian restaurant in the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles. Run by the acclaimed husband and wife team Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis Bestia has received praise from the Los Angeles Times and LA Weekly.<\/div>\n
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This is the only restaurant on this list that I have never personally eaten at but I heard that Bestia is excellent, and I wanted to offer an option for authentic Italian food in downtown LA. <\/div>\n
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LOCANDA PORTOFINO, SANTA MONICA<\/h2>\n

Price<\/strong>: $$$   Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Penne alla Siciliana<\/p>\n

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Locanda Portofino<\/a>, located on popular Montana Ave, in Santa Monica offers a fusion of Northern and Southern Italian cuisine featuring local and organic produce.<\/div>\n
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From the street, this small restaurant is very unassuming as it is wedged into a tiny strip mall, but don’t let the outward appearance fool you – Locanda Portofino has been dubbed “one of the most authentic Italian restaurants on the westside.” One of my husband’s friends turned us on to this place and we love their delicious pasta and their extensive wine list. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"barata<\/div>\n
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IL CAPRICCIO, LOS FELIZ<\/h2>\n

Price<\/strong>: $$   Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Penne Arrabiata <\/p>\n

II Capriccio<\/a> is a lively family-run authentic Italian restaurant in the Los Feliz area. II Capriccio is the most casual of all the Italian restaurants on this list but it is usually bustling with locals who come for old-world pasta and other classic Italian eats!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"bruschetta\"<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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PIZZERIA MOZZA & OSTERIA MOZZA, HOLLYWOOD<\/h2>\n

Price<\/strong>: $$   Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Margherita Pizza or Funghi Misti<\/p>\n

Pizzeria Mozza<\/a>, located in Hollywood serves up mouth-watering pizza with amazing, thin, fluffy, yet crispy dough. All the ingredients are fresh and the atmosphere is vibrant with romantic mood lighting. Next door try Osteria Mozza<\/a>, their upscale sister restaurant which offers a wider array of authentic Italian dishes and an excellent wine list. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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TOSCANA, BRENTWOOD<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Price<\/strong>: $$$   Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Pappardelle al Funghi<\/div>\n
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Toscana<\/a> is an excellent authentic Italian restaurant in Brentwood, celebrating 29 years in business. This lively Italian eatery serves rustic Tuscan cuisine and a superb global wine list in a cozy, urbane space. Toscana is a great restaurant to dine at with family or friends and a great choice for a business dinner. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Italian<\/div>\n

CAPO, SANTA MONICA<\/h2>\n
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Price<\/strong>: $$$$   Suggested Dish<\/strong>: Main Lobster Risotto <\/div>\n
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Capo Restaurant<\/a>, located on Ocean Ave, in the heart of Santa Monica, offers a sophisticated setting to enjoy upscale, authentic Italian cuisine. Capo specializes in meats, seafood, and pasta dishes, along with an expansive wine selection. And the ambiance is romantic making it a great spot for date night!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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ITALIAN RESTAURANTS WRAP UP<\/h2>\n
I hope I have inspired you to eat at one of these amazing authentic Italian restaurants on your next visit to Los Angeles. All the restaurants on this list are upscale and usually very busy so be sure to book in advance. And if you can get a dinner reservation book a long lunch, with wine, of course, true Italian style! Salute! <\/div>\n
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Do you know of any amazing Italian restaurants in LA to add to this list? Please share tips or questions in the comments below. <\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

Want to share your travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Visit our Contribute Page<\/a> for guidelines and to submit your article.<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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