0 Followers
Vespaio
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Vespaio
8.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Outdoor Dining Oasis
A polished Grand Avenue staple serving Northern Italian–leaning pastas and mains in a big, comfortable dining room close to The Broad and Disney Hall. Handmade pasta is the draw, and the menu balances familiar family pleasers with seasonal specials, making it easy for mixed-age groups to find a favorite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wild boar pappardelle, Scallop salad with arugula, Branzino with lemon-caper sauce
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: High-volume, long-running Grand Ave Italian with reliably excellent handmade pasta.
Who should go: Families, theater-goers, and downtown groups.
When to visit: Pre-show dinner or relaxed weekend lunch.
What to order: Wild boar pappardelle, scallop salad, branzino.
Insider tip: Ask for patio seating early on warm evenings.
Vespaio
8.6
A polished Grand Avenue dining room that leans Italian with a clear Mediterranean backbone—seafood, bright herbs, and olive-oil generosity. Locals come for well-executed pastas and fish plates that feel special without being fussy, especially before or after a museum or concert hall stop. High review volume signals this place delivers reliably at scale.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wild boar pappardelle ragu, Branzino, Scallop salad with arugula
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A Bunker Hill anchor pairing luxe Italian technique with Mediterranean freshness.
Who should go: Museum-goers, arts crowds, and pasta-plus-seafood fans.
When to visit: Pre-show dinner or a leisurely weekend lunch.
What to order: Wild boar pappardelle, branzino, scallop salad.
Insider tip: Ask for patio seating when the arts district is buzzing.
Vespaio
8.4
An arts-district-adjacent Bunker Hill staple from the Ago group, Vespaio leans into refined, seasonal Italian cooking with a polished dining room and patio. Their lasagna stands out for clean layers, slow-cooked ragù depth, and a lighter hand with béchamel that keeps it balanced rather than heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Lasagna, Wild Boar Pasta, Scallop & Arugula Salad
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: High-volume, long-running DTLA Italian with a reliably excellent lasagna.
Who should go: Pasta lovers and downtown regulars.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner or pre-show on Grand.
What to order: House lasagna, wild boar pasta, seasonal antipasti
Insider tip: Grab a patio table at golden hour for quieter vibes.
Vespaio
8.3
Vibes:
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A Bunker Hill Italian anchor with a broad, comfortable patio that’s made for pre-show dinners and long lunches. The cooking leans classic-Mediterranean with a few luxe flourishes, and the space stays buzzy without being chaotic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragù, Branzino al Forno, Eggplant Parmigiana Scomposta
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A rare, expansive Grand Ave patio paired with dependable Italian comfort.
Who should go: Arts-district diners and pre-theater crowds.
When to visit: Weekend lunch or pre-performance dinner.
What to order: Wild boar pappardelle, branzino, eggplant parm.
Insider tip: Happy hour on the patio is the quietest window.
Vespaio
8.6
Elegant, Bunker Hill Italian with a broad, seasonal menu and a generous patio that welcomes dogs. Pastas and seafood are the anchors, with a polished dining room that draws pre-show and civic center crowds alike. Reliable execution plus strong review volume make it a go-to for downtown Italian done right.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle Boar, Fried Calamari, Wild Salmon
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A refined Italian kitchen paired with one of Bunker Hill’s best dog-friendly patios.
Who should go: Pre-show diners, downtown date nights, Italian comfort seekers
When to visit: Early dinner before performances or a sunny weekend lunch
What to order: Pappardelle boar, fried calamari, branzino or salmon
Insider tip: Ask for a patio table toward the quieter Grand Ave side.
Vespaio
8.7
A polished, theater-district Italian dining room with a big wine list and a menu that leans classic with Cal-Italian touches. Pastas and composed mains are the draw, and the pre-show energy keeps the room lively without losing its romantic edge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pappardelle Chianti-style wild boar ragù, Squid ink tagliolini, Eggplant parmigiana scomposta
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A grand, arts-corridor Italian spot built for pre-theater romance.
Who should go: Couples wanting a downtown occasion dinner.
When to visit: Before a Broad or Music Center show.
What to order: Wild boar pappardelle, squid-ink pasta, seasonal risotto.
Insider tip: Ask for patio seating at dusk for the best ambience.