Best Date Night Italian Restaurants in Santa Monica
12 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
LA Puglia
Only authentic Pugliese restaurant in LA with ingredients sourced directly from Italy
Essential Picks
#1
LA Puglia
9.1
Award-winning Southern Italian restaurant specializing in authentic Pugliese cuisine with handmade pasta and traditional lasagna. Gambero Rosso International named it Restaurant of the Year for its commitment to regional authenticity.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Lasagna with Beef Ragu, Fresh Orecchiette with Braciole, Panzerotti Fried Pizza Pockets
What Makes it Special: Only authentic Pugliese restaurant in LA with ingredients sourced directly from Italy
Notable Picks
Family-run for over three decades, Giorgio Baldi is a celebrity-beloved Italian hideaway known for rich pastas and coastal romance just off PCH. Dim lighting, white tablecloths, and tightly packed tables create an old-world date-night feel that still draws Hollywood regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sweet corn agnolotti in white truffle sauce, Spaghetti bottarga, Langostine grigliate
What Makes it Special: Classic coastal Italian with decades of star-studded regulars.
#3
Capo
8.7
An intimate Italian hideaway where a Tuscan-style fireplace sets the stage for exceptional homemade pasta and grilled meats. Wine Spectator's Grand Award winner with museum-quality art and only 16 tables creates exclusivity perfect for special occasions.
Must-Try Dishes:
White Corn Ravioli with Truffles, Wood-Grilled Branzino, Osso Buco
What Makes it Special: Secret club ambiance with fireplace cooking and Grand Award wine list.
#4
Il Forno
8.6
Northern Italian trattoria where Chef Domenico Salvatore crafts thin-crust pizzas and homemade pastas in an open kitchen, with standout Ossobuco alla Milanese slow-braised to perfection. The family-style warmth and reliable quality have made this a local favorite for years, with GM Sorin greeting diners like old friends.
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
#5
Colapasta
8.5
Michelin Bib Gourmand winner where Chef Stefano De Lorenzo crafts handmade pasta at an open station, sourcing ingredients from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market. The intimate 30-seat space offers front-row seats to pasta artistry at remarkably fair prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Calamarata with Stracciatella, Handmade Tagliatelle, Daily Pasta Special
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized pasta made fresh daily at exceptional value.
8.5
Since 1990, brothers Mark and Anthony Mollica have served exceptional northern Italian home cooking in a buzzing dining room where strangers swap recommendations. The house-made burrata with heirloom tomatoes achieves perfection through simplicity, while Chef Mark's Sicilian family recipes deliver consistent quality year after year.
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
8.4
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Happy Hour Hotspots
Celebrating 45 years, this family-owned establishment features Chef Ernesto's legendary Spaghetti Della Casa, often called the best pasta dish locals have tasted. Tuxedo-clad servers provide old-school formal service in a romantic setting with mood lighting and outdoor patio dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spaghetti Della Casa, Tableside Caesar Salad, Gnocchi Sorrentina
What Makes it Special: Chef Ernesto's 30+ years cooking with love creates signature dishes like the famous Spaghetti Della Casa
#8
Uovo
8.3
This pasta bar flies handmade noodles overnight from Bologna, serving authentic regional Italian dishes at a counter surrounding the open kitchen. The no-reservations policy and quick service make it ideal for families seeking quality without formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe on Cheese Wheel, Traditional Bolognese, Carbonara
What Makes it Special: Fresh pasta flown daily from Bologna, Italy
#9
North Italia
8.3
Handcrafted Italian with daily chef's choice pizzas and fresh pasta made from scratch, offering sophisticated late-night dining until 11pm on weekends. The open kitchen and ocean breeze create an energetic atmosphere perfect for Santa Monica nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
White Truffle Pizza, The Pig Pizza, Daily Chef's Special Pizza
What Makes it Special: Daily rotating chef's pizza with seasonal ingredients
#10
Via Veneto
8.3
Since 2001, Fabrizio Bianconi's intimate 40-seat trattoria features homemade pastas and locally-sourced organic ingredients with celebrity following. The candlelit narrow space with chandeliers creates authentic Italian ambiance, while dishes like tuna tartare and sampling ravioli platters showcase refined technique.
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
#11
Ghisallo
8.3
Ocean Park neighborhood staple serving both New York-style slices by day and Neapolitan-esque whole pies at dinner. Chef Casey Lane works with renowned baker Jyan Horwitz to perfect naturally leavened dough, creating blistered crusts that support creative toppings like nduja sausage with fermented honey.
Must-Try Dishes:
Funghi & Truffle Pizza, Calabrian Sausage, Margherita Slice
What Makes it Special: Dual dough approach offering both NY slices and Neapolitan pies from artisan bakers
8.2
Chef Antonio Murè reimagines his original Piccolo concept with signature fig and potato tortelli alongside creative homemade pastas and fresh seafood. The charming back patio provides intimate neighborhood dining with specialty cocktails and an impressive wine selection focused on Italian varietals.
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