Best Italian Restaurants in Echo Park
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Donna's
TikTok-famous red sauce joint that actually delivers on the hype
Notable Picks
#1
Donna's
8.4
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Trendy Table Hotspots
This lively red-sauce joint channels retro East Coast glamour with gold curtains, gaudy fruit-tree wallpaper, and pinwheel lasagna on practically every table. From the team behind Bar Flores and Lowboy, Donna's serves elevated Italian-American classics with California ingredients and incredible cocktails, creating a buzzing atmosphere where garlic bread achieves legendary status and chicken parm earns genuine applause.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garlic Bread with Parmesan, Spicy Fusilli alla Vodka, Chicken Parmigiana
What Makes it Special: TikTok-famous red sauce joint that actually delivers on the hype
8.4
Since 2004, this cozy bakery-cafe specializes in authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza with 2-inch thick cornmeal crust, made by Chicago-born chef Rob Rowe using organic, locally-sourced ingredients. The family-owned restaurant offers both deep-dish and thin-crust options with vegan alternatives, requiring 45-minute wait times for proper deep-dish preparation but delivering hearty, cheese-laden results worth the patience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sweet Italian Sausage & Mushroom Deep Dish, California Veggie Deep Dish, Warm Croissant Bread Pudding
What Makes it Special: LA's authentic Chicago deep-dish destination with fresh-baked cornmeal crust daily
#3
Pizza Buona
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Since 1959, this Echo Park original has served authentic family recipes in an unchanged atmosphere where three generations work side-by-side. The cornmeal-crusted pies spend extra time in well-seasoned Chicago pans, while housemade sausage and hand-crushed tomatoes deliver old-school Italian satisfaction that's kept locals coming back for over 60 years.
Must-Try Dishes:
Special Pizza with Sausage & Pepperoni, Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Echo Park's original 1959 pizzeria with recipes unchanged for 65+ years
Worthy Picks
7.9
This Roman-inspired trattoria opened in 2021 with chef Joel Stovall (formerly Orsa & Winston) leading a sprawling menu of antipasti, housemade pasta, and wood-fired pizzas. The California-chic space feels like a posh '70s ski lodge with natural Italian wines and rustic dishes, though execution can be uneven—the iconic focaccia ebraica remains consistently excellent while other items fluctuate in quality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Focaccia Ebraica with Honey Butter, Strozzapreti Cacio e Pepe, Suppli Cacio e Pepe
What Makes it Special: Architecturally stunning Roman trattoria with family-style prix fixe for large groups