Best Italian Restaurants in Hollywood (90028)
6 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Essential Picks
#1
Da Barbara
9.1
An intimate, reservation-only Italian dining room where Chef Barbara Pollastrini serves a seasonal tasting-style menu of handmade pastas and refined secondi in an apartment-like space. Portions are composed and elegant rather than oversized, and the experience leans more toward a special-occasion dinner than a casual neighborhood meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliolini al Pomodoro, Polpettine di Barbara, Seasonal Gnocchi of the Day
What makes it special: Chef-driven, tasting-style Italian served in a tiny, home-like space.
Notable Picks
#2
Mother Wolf
8.8
Mother Wolf channels Roman trattoria cooking into a cinematic Hollywood dining room inside the historic Citizen News building. Handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and a deep Italian wine list draw both industry power players and food-obsessed locals. The room hums with energy most nights, making it one of the buzziest reservations in 90028.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonnarelli cacio e pepe, Rigatoni all’Amatriciana, Squash blossoms fritti
What makes it special: High-drama Roman cooking in a grand, buzzed-about Hollywood dining room.
8.4
The Hollywood outpost of Naples’ famed L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele brings long-fermented dough and blistered pies to a courtyard just off Hollywood Boulevard. Twin patios, an open pizza kitchen, and a long list of Italian wines make it feel equal parts neighborhood hang and destination for pizza fans. Expect a lively crowd before shows and on weekend nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita pizza, Diavola pizza, Cacio e pepe
What makes it special: A storied Neapolitan pizzeria transplanted into a busy Hollywood courtyard.
8.2
Jemma Hollywood brings a polished, Italian-American playbook—think garlic bread, crisp pizzas, and comforting pastas—to a stylish room just off Hollywood and Vine. It balances nostalgia with modern touches, making it a crowd-pleasing option for pre-show dinners or relaxed date nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Rigatoni, Margherita Pizza, Chicken Parmigiana
What makes it special: A modern take on classic red-sauce Italian with dialed-in pizzas and pastas.
8.1
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Live Music Showtime
Birthday & Celebration Central
Hollywood’s oldest Italian restaurant leans into old-school charm with red booths, checkered tablecloths, and singing servers backed by a live pianist. The food is straightforward and hearty, but the combination of history, atmosphere, and generous portions keeps generations of locals and visitors coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Aunt Angie's Original Lasagna, Chicken Lasagna with spinach and pink sauce, Spinach Lasagna with marinara
What makes it special: Decades-old Hollywood institution serving multiple house lasagnas with live piano.
8.0
A long-running Hollywood standby, Fabiolus Cucina serves a broad menu of pastas, pizzas, and classic secondi in a comfortable setting just off Sunset. It’s a reliable choice for pre-Pantages meals, casual dates, or relaxed family dinners where the focus is on familiar flavors over flash.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bolognese Fettuccine, Penne Vodka, Truffle Pizza
What makes it special: A theater-adjacent Italian staple with a deep pasta and pizza menu.