Best Date Night Italian Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)
3 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
#1
Vespaio
8.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Outdoor Dining Oasis
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:
Wild boar pappardelle, Scallop salad with arugula, Branzino with lemon-caper sauce
What makes it special: High-volume, long-running Grand Ave Italian with reliably excellent handmade pasta.
8.3
A cozy Little Tokyo pasta house known for Japanese-Italian fusion sauces like mentaiko and uni cream. Portions are generous, the room is casual and kid-friendly, and the playful mash-ups make it a fun family stop after exploring the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mentaiko cream pasta, Uni pasta, Crab meat gratin
What makes it special: Japanese-Italian pasta sauces you won’t find elsewhere downtown.
8.1
A historic, family-run Italian deli dating back to 1929, famous for stacked hot sandwiches and old-school market vibes. The counter-service setup makes it easy for families to grab lunch or picnic-ready bites near Elysian Park.
Must-Try Dishes:
D.A. Special sandwich, Italian meatball hot sandwich, Cannoli
What makes it special: Nearly century-old LA Little Italy deli with iconic sandwiches.