Any insider tips for Via Veneto?

$50 corkage limited to one bottle per reservation

What should I order at Via Veneto?

Tuna tartare, ravioli sampler, any fresh pasta special

When should I visit Via Veneto?

Reserve ahead for Friday/Saturday, arrive at opening for walk-ins

Who should go to Via Veneto?

Date nights and special occasions willing to spend for quality

Any insider tips for La Vecchia Cucina?

Parking behind the restaurant is a Santa Monica miracle

What should I order at La Vecchia Cucina?

Burrata salad, any pasta with bolognese, fried zucchini blossoms

When should I visit La Vecchia Cucina?

Saturday dinner rush for the buzzing atmosphere, weeknights for easier seating

Who should go to La Vecchia Cucina?

Locals seeking reliable quality and first-time visitors needing guidance

Any insider tips for Il Forno?

Park in the lot behind the building for easy access

What should I order at Il Forno?

Ossobuco, homemade pastas, any pizza from the wood oven

When should I visit Il Forno?

Weeknight dinner for walk-ins, weekend reservations recommended

Who should go to Il Forno?

Families and regulars seeking authentic Northern Italian comfort

Any insider tips for Piccolo Ristoranti?

Since 2020 under new ownership by Chef Antonio and Tony Black from Barrique Venice

What should I order at Piccolo Ristoranti?

Fig tortelli, black ink pasta, lamb sirloin, tiramisu

When should I visit Piccolo Ristoranti?

Back patio evenings when weather permits for romantic atmosphere

Who should go to Piccolo Ristoranti?

Adventurous diners seeking refined neighborhood Italian with modern touches

Best Date Night Italian Restaurants in Santa Monica (90405)

4 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated

Notable Picks

#1 Via Veneto

8.8

$$$$ Main Street

Vibes: Date Night Magic Trendy Table Hotspots Instagram Worthy Wonders Solo Dining Sanctuaries

Since 2001, this intimate trattoria delivers authentic Roman cuisine in a candlelit setting with museum-quality chandeliers. Chef Ruben Vasquez crafts seasonal dishes with imported Italian ingredients and local organic produce, while sommelier Simone guides diners through a carefully curated wine selection.

Must-Try Dishes: Tuna Tartare, Ravioli Sampler, Rigatoni with Truffle Meat Sauce

What makes it special: Owner Fabrizio's Rome-to-California journey creates fine dining without austere atmosphere beloved by celebrities

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#2 La Vecchia Cucina

8.3

$$ Main Street

Vibes: Family Friendly Favorites Date Night Magic Business Lunch Power Players

Established in 1990, this neighborhood institution serves traditional Italian cuisine in a warm, spacious dining room with both indoor and heated outdoor seating. Chef Mark's consistent execution of classic dishes and the attentive service from servers like Mike keep regulars returning for over three decades.

Must-Try Dishes: House-Made Burrata Salad, Rigatoni Bolognese, Fiore di Zucca Fritti

What makes it special: 35-year neighborhood institution with Sicilian family recipes and owners who create genuine community warmth

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#3 Il Forno

8.1

$$ Ocean Park

Vibes: Family Friendly Favorites Date Night Magic Comfort Food Classics Hidden Gems Heaven

Chef Domenico Salvatore's Northern Italian trattoria features an open kitchen where diners watch him roll fresh pasta dough and assemble thin-crust pizzas. GM Sorin Costache provides warm hospitality in this local favorite with dog-friendly patio seating and ample parking behind the building.

Must-Try Dishes: Ossobuco alla Milanese, Homemade Tagliolini, Thin-Crust Margherita Pizza

What makes it special: Open kitchen showcasing Chef Domenico's pasta-making and Ruth Reichl-praised home-away-from-home atmosphere

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#4 Piccolo Ristoranti

8.0

$$$ Sunset Park

Vibes: Date Night Magic Outdoor Dining Oasis Hidden Gems Heaven Girls Night Out Approved

Chef Antonio Murè reimagines his Venice original with seasonal Italian fare featuring handmade pastas and signature fig and potato tortelli. The back patio offers a greenery-filled escape from busy Lincoln Boulevard, creating an intimate neighborhood dining experience with craft cocktails.

Must-Try Dishes: Fig and Potato Tortelli, Squid Ink Pasta with Clams, Grilled Lamb Sirloin

What makes it special: Chef Antonio's signature dishes from his original Piccolo with creative seasonal twists and full bar

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