Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Torrance (90505)
7 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
8.9
Family-run since the early ’90s, Gaetano’s is the South Torrance benchmark for classic Italian-American comfort with scratch-made pastas, big portions, and a warm neighborhood feel. Locals use it for everything from birthdays to team dinners when they want reliable red-sauce favorites and friendlier prices than the Westside’s big-name spots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle with Chianti-braised short rib ragu, Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter, Pesto-crusted halibut
What makes it special: Long-running, family-owned Italian spot with scratch pastas and big portions.
#2
Primo Italia
8.7
Primo Italia is a polished, Southern Italian restaurant and cocktail bar where house-made pastas, tableside moments, and live music make it one of the area’s most sought-after date-night reservations. The kitchen leans rich and classic—think cacio e pepe, osso buco, and tiramisu—executed with more finesse than most neighborhood red-sauce joints.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonnarelli cacio e pepe, Wild boar pappardelle, Veal chop Milanese
What makes it special: Upscale Southern Italian cooking with live music and a moody bar.
8.4
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
The Torrance outpost of Lunasia is a bustling Cantonese dim sum hall where carts and order sheets bring out polished versions of har gow, siu mai, and baked buns all day. Locals use it for weekend family lunches and small celebrations when they want a more polished experience than the average strip-mall spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp har gow, Pork siu mai, Pan-fried turnip cake
What makes it special: Polished, high-volume dim sum with broader variety than neighborhood competitors.
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Trendy Table Hotspots
The Rolling Hills Plaza outpost of Mama D’s brings the brand’s crowd-pleasing pastas and pink-sauce plates to a busy South Torrance shopping center. Expect energetic service, garlic-heavy appetizers, and big, shareable bowls that make it a popular choice for family dinners before or after errands.
Must-Try Dishes:
Penne with pink vodka sauce, Cheese ravioli with marinara, Garlic knots with marinara
What makes it special: Lively, bigger-portion Italian with the brand’s signature pink-sauce pastas.
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Truxton's American Bistro updates the neighborhood grill idea with burgers, bowls, and shareable starters alongside a strong brunch and cocktail program. It’s a flexible option for business lunches, family dinners, and casual date nights when you want crowd-pleasing American dishes with a few global twists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Rib Grilled Cheese, Truxton's Burger, Weekend Benedict Specials
What makes it special: Modern neighborhood bistro balancing burgers, bowls, and a busy brunch.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Open for decades near Torrance Airport, Hank’s is a throwback Italian dining room serving lasagna, ravioli, and garlic bread in a setting that feels straight out of another era. It’s less about trendiness and more about comforting, familiar flavors that older South Bay diners and multi-generation families have leaned on for years.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked lasagna, Cheese ravioli with meat sauce, Garlic bread with melted cheese
What makes it special: Old-school Italian institution with retro vibes and classic baked pastas.
7.7
Misto Caffe & Bakery is a Hillside Village standby of more than two decades, offering cafe breakfasts, baked goods, and later-day Italian-leaning plates in a bistro-like setting. Weekend mornings bring a mix of omelets, Benedicts, and coffee on the vine-covered patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Filet Mignon Eggs Benedict, Vegetable Omelet with breakfast potatoes, Fresh-baked muffins and scones
What makes it special: Long-running cafe-bistro pairing breakfast plates with a leafy Hillside Village patio.