The Most Delicious Italian in Santa Ana

Massimo's Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.4 (426) • $$

"I've been happily eating here for a million years. My brothers ate here, my son ate here. I've never had a bad meal here and I always get great service. Things I love: 1: lunch special2: side of meatballs3: antipasto salad- large- the red vinegar dressing is so good I could drink it. 4: sandwiches- all great! 5. i love love love the mushroom pastaThank you Massimo's for filling my memories with so many great moments! PS great place to catch a sporting event on tv"

Truffle Bistro

★★★★★ 4.6 (409) • $$

"It was my wife's bday and I like to typically find unique restaurants for fine dining. Because we have done other tapas places (i.e., Vaca), we wanted to try something new. After digging through Yelp, we stumbled on this gem called Truffle Bistro!!!I first started off by reserving a seat over the weekend. Because we eat early, we probably did not need reservations. But, you may never know. As I get older, i get grumpy and agitated when waiting for food. So I do reservations whenever possible. Anyway, for the price and portion, this place is one of the best Spanish style food in CA. It may not be as fancy as Vaca, but nonetheless it is highly underrated.Regarding the food, I mostly stuck with the Tapas portion of the menu. This includes the following:*Oxtail - a nice spread you put on your slice of bread. The waitress recommended this but so do I. * Seafood Paella - please note that this was not a tapas plate. For the record, my wife and I had really great paella in Spain before. In my opinion, their Paella is pretty good. The seafood is fresh and the rice is pretty flavorful. * truffle fries - as a warning, these darn things are so addicting. * Quail - this was alright. Maybe because we eat this often in Asian restaurants, there was no wow factor. But, i would still say this is solid.* Brussel sprouts - pretty good portion and it was roasted to my liking. Parking is free and the restaurant takes credit cards. The service is excellent. Because I had a surprise birthday cake for my wife that day, we did not get a chance to try out their desserts. So mark my words, we will be back!"

Il Barone Ristorante

★★★★☆ 4 (620) • $$

"It was my first time dining here. I was delighted by all. The ambiance was very warm and welcoming. The service also was top notch. I love food from Sicily. From appetizers to entrees, everything was delicious. I look forward to returning and I would highly recommend everyone to go."

Mangia Bene Cucina

★★★★☆ 3.8 (871) • $$

"One of our favorite things to do is sit at the bar for some well made drinks and good food. It's a sizeable bar and we can usually settle in no problem even on a weekend night. Everyone who works there is very personable and fun to talk to. I pretty much always get the Mange Bene salad with blackened chicken. I like it because they put a ton of stuff in it, not just lettuce. Also, their salmon dishes are solid and the pastas and pizzas are yummy."

Buon Gusto

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"We waited a short while since it was Friday evening. We were seated within 10 minutes. We sat on the patio. We were quickly greeted at the table with bread and water. We selected the Seafood Fettuccine and Chicken Parmigiana. Both meals came out quickly and were good sized portions. Both were delicious. We were checked on frequently. All the accompaniments were on the table already. Waters were kept full! Service with a smile. Took home portions of each since we got full part way through. Great for leftovers. We also ordered a lasagna to go. Both salad and lasagna was great also."

Domenicos on the Lake

★★★★☆ 4.2 (479) • $$

"Had a great first experience here! The staff was so welcoming and nice. Nikki was our server, and she was amazing! The food was delicious. I had the pasta with sausage and tomato cream sauce. They gave a lot of sausage! They give focaccia bread with your meal with a side of creamy balsamic. Amazing!I look forward to coming back and trying other dishes :)"

Gusto D' Oro Italian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.2 (353) • $$

"Quiet Italian restaurant located in a shopping strip.Casual ambience with good service. Pastas looked presentable, sauces were done pretty well and they didn't skimp on the protein. My risotto was a little watery but flavor was good. Complimentary focaccia was also pretty good, and they have olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Prices are $$ but for a good portion."

Otto’s Pizza Stix

★★★★★ 5 (9)

"Long time pizza stix consumer since my son since age 5 ( he is now 27), and husband was ? ..( wellll let's just say decades ). Our family has been Otto Pizza stix follower . Happy to see there is now a food truck Pepperoni is one of our favorites, in the past I think there where jalapeño or something of that kind . Not sure what flavours available now , I heard something bout cheese steak . Can't wait next time we are in LA area to search for Pizza Stix truck !! Maybe come down to LB Thursday eve food truck night once in a awhile ( on Broadway )."

A Slice Of New York Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.2 (560) • $$

"Located in the center of a an upscale strip mall lies this gem of a pizzeria. The decor is set mid modern with NY sports memorabilia aligning the walls, a tribute to Yankees, Giants, Mets and Jets.Sammy, the chef and owner, makes an incredible slice worthy to go toe to toe with the East coast brethrens. Wafer thin perfectly golden crust and whole milk moz. No matter the toppings, you will find it difficult to beat on the this side of the coast."

Romano Cucina

★★★★★ 4.8 (40)

"I went here last night with a very large group of people around 815 and they got us in no problem! Super nice staff and great service. I ordered the chicken Parmesan with the Roma sauce (pink sauce) and it was so good. Very large portion and I was able to take half home with me for another day. No one else had any complaints! Will go back and try Alfredo I am curious to see if it's good there."

BORJA'S Italian Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.5 (50) • $$

"This is genuinely one of the best italian food i've ever had and at the most affordable price, especially in Irvine! The service was amazing and our server was very attentive and kind. It is hidden in a lot full of office buildings, which is why I think this place is like a hidden gem! Highly recommend if you're craving pasta at a very affordable price!"

Taste of Italy

★★☆☆☆ 2 (15)

"I had the best spaghetti and meatballs from here. I was craving it for days and I am so glad I ordered from here. It didn't disappoint. Felt so nostalgic and comforting and I'm so freaking full. I don't think I was breathing either."

Romano Cucina

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$

"Cole aassisted us at the bar while we waited to be seated he gave a suggestions on some of the dishes that was his choice until our table was ready. Harrison was our server, and he was equally attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes. Definitely checked up on us in a timely manner. Everyone was attentive to attention to detail, checked upon us. All of the food was delicious and fresh. It was our anniversary so we appreciate you guys making it a wonderful experience..Needlesss to say there was a seating hiccup and they acknowledged it and moved with grace. We said no worries and all is well. Overall experience was great!"

Two Saucy Broads Pizza & Beer Parlor

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"The best pizza in northern OC. They're speedy, they're scrappy, they're trying harder, they smile harder, theres better toppings, they have a better beer selection, they're not selling some bs message about their cheese from tuscany then up-charging to Michelin-star prices, they're just a humble, rock-solid, local pie shop. Take my money.Fuckyea."

Biagio's Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (394) • $$

"Stopped by for a small Chef Salad and of course the house dressing. The garlicky dressing is addicting! Don't forget to order it. People stop in just for dressing!!"

Molo

★★★★☆ 4.4 (162)

"I really want to give 5-stars, but when the bill came, they charged $4 for coke refills. The price is not the issue, it is the fact that I have never been served a soda in a glass and been charged for a refill. The food was really good and the service Trinity provided was top notch."

Bollini’s il Forno

★★★★★ 4.6 (340) • $$

"Above and beyond truly! Note: smaller place, so if you have a bigger party, I'd recommend calling ahead. With a party of 2, I have had good luck of getting seated quickly! Very kind and fast staff -- you get welcomed with a plate of warm pesto flatbread (I overindulged in this!) and I felt like my drink was never empty! Fungi pizza was my favorite, with the New York pizza in close second! Fresh and delicious. I don't like carbonara usually -- this was the best carbonara I've ever had. Pasta is cooked perfectly and the sauce is very rich. Now a favorite Italian spot of mine that I really recommend."

Sgt. Pepperoni's Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"The Best Pizza around! Loved the crispy crust and all the various kinds of pizza available to purchase by slice at the cash register. We took this out and it was a perfect pairing to our Sunday night football! They even had an amazing vegan cheese option that was by far the best alternative I've ever had (way better than the standard cashew alternative cheese). You wouldn't even have know it wasn't real cheese! Pickup was easy- they give you a buzzer when waiting so you can know when to come up to the register to get your order. Gave me New York style vibes for sure!"

Doria's Haus of Pizza

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"If you want to feel like youre at home, not have to be overwhelmed by the bill and have really really good food, then come here. And if you dont come here, this locals friendly, huge pride of ownership restaurant will just fade away and that will be a shame..Must haves - Meatballs, Antipasto saladAnd order more pizza than you're going to eat. The fresh crust and topping are made to reheat (oven only!!!! micro is sacrilegious)Service was outstanding and quick, ambiance was inviting and relaxing and it was a modestly busy thursday night, 80% of the tables were full...Great stuff..."

Carolina's Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"Went to Carolina's on a Friday night (9pm) after getting their menu in the mail. From the outside it looked very unassuming but the inside is very warm and inviting! When we arrived there weren't too many folks but people steadily came in throughout our meal. Between two people we got: Carolina's Sampler (mozzarella sticks, wings, fried zucchini and calamari): everything was perfectly crispy and fried. Great app to start!-Cheese Tortellini: LOVED IT and big fan of the mushroom sauce -Pepperoni calzone: very cheese, bf loved it. It's very big so come hungry or ready to share!-Orange Italian cream soda: amazing. Going to have to try all the flavors now!Let me tell you, the portions were HUGE. We had enough leftovers for at least two additional meals. Great place to come if you're hungry or feeding a big group! The entire staff were attentive and friendly. They have late night hours on the weekend so were definitely adding this to our restaurant rotation :)"

Vitaly Caffé

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"If you are in a mood to catch up with a friend over coffee and some nicely made snacks, this is the place to be. Great Italian style caffe in The Camp. Nice evening ambience too with smaller areas in which to converse. Open fire pit adds really cosy feel heading into winter. You'll love it! The menu is pretty big considering the small space. You can have dinner, ice cream, Italian cookies and coffee, tea and other Italian style drinks.Service is decent. Their coffee is delicious specially cappuccino and latte. Ice cream just ok for my taste. Prices are reasonable. Not cheap but not expensive.Parking is a challenge if you go on weekend evening!"

Brio Italian Grille

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"I'm a fan of Brio Italian Grille! I've dined here a few times and left filled and happy each time. Parking is easy with the parking structure. From the structure, it's a quick walk (5 min max) to the restaurant. Our servers have always been consistent and quick. I appreciate that they have high chairs, plastic cups, and plastic utensils. My favorite items are:I have yet to enjoy their happy hour, which occurs on weekdays 3pm-6pm at their bar and outdoor patio. Truffle Garlic Toast with Ricotta (a favorite with my toddler)Calamari (a favorite with my toddler)Shrimp and eggplant appetizerGorgonzola Cream CampanelleGnocchi Cacio e PepeMy only reason for the 4-stars is that you need to check their utensils and plates to make sure they're completely clean. We've asked our server to replace a few items and he apologized. It can also get packed on the weekends with large parties celebrating birthdays. Once you get what you need, the food is great. The restaurant itself is spacious with plenty of tables."

Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4 (568) • $$

"I really enjoyed my experience at this restaurant! Would definitely come back. This restaurant is located in a small shopping center (other stores include Banana Republic, Williams Sonoma, and Fetneh Blake Concept, as well as many other eateries). It is within walking distance of Crystal Cove State Park. There is a pretty big parking lot but parking can be tough to find in the evening. My party of two arrived around 6:30 PM on a Saturday and we were immediately seated. You can also make a reservation if you want to be safe.The ambiance is fancy but not too fancy, which I thought was perfect. Service was good. Our waiter was friendly and attentive and provided great recommendations. Food was served very quickly. We were started off with complimentary bread and mushrooms. Before we were able to finish that, our dishes started to come out.For an appetizer, we got an apple and candied walnut salad (I don't know the name because it was recommended by our waiter). The kitchen was able to serve the salad on two plates so that my friend and I could share the salad. The kitchen was very, very generous with the candied walnuts. Perhaps a little too generous as the walnuts made up almost half of the salad, but I appreciate that they didn't skimp on it. The capellini checa, which was also recommended by our waiter, was sooo good and well-flavored. I highly recommend it! We added shrimp for $9 and were given six good-sized shrimps. Portion size was goods I ended up bringing home about a third of my plate.In short, I would definitely come back here."

Rafael's Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.4 (135) • $$

"Food was pretty good, just a little expensive for what it was.Pretty good ambiance, music was a little loud for conversation in some parts of the restaurant. Service was greatWould consider going again for a high class breakfast"

New York Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.6 (309) • $

"I love this pizza. It's saucy and cheesy and the slices are hugeeee! The service is super quick. And you can hit up the Yogurtland afterwards. The Ninja Turtles would eat here."

Pizza D'Oro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (773) • $$

"I've been coming to Pizza D'Oro for over 30 years, and it's still a favorite. They're known for their massive pizza slices, which are as good as they are huge. The crust is always on point--crispy and chewy in all the right ways--and the toppings never disappoint.Their lasagna deserves a mention too. It's flavorful, filling, and just solid comfort food. Portions here are generous, so you're definitely getting your money's worth.The vibe is casual and welcoming, and the staff has always been friendly. Whether you're grabbing a quick slice or sitting down for a full meal, it's just a good, reliable spot.If you're in the area, it's worth stopping by."

Salerno by Chef Pirozzi

★★★★☆ 3.9 (324) • $$

"Authentic Italian Food that really feels like home! What a honest staff ! My mom and husband dined here last night and had a great time and we left out bouquet of flowers behind without realizing. A true gentleman who works at Salerno's we did not catch his name but he went out of his way to return our flowers with a smile in the freezing cold! Thank you Salerno's for the incredible evening and Thank you to that honest worker who came to find us to return my mom's flowers!"

Stella's Italian

★★★★☆ 4 (735) • $$$

"Called to order pick up and Jamison was super nice with answering my questions and taking my order. The order (5x pizzas) were ready in 20 minutes. The portobello pizza was the favorite of the 3 pizzas I ordered. The pizzas were pretty good. However one of the pizzas were super burnt (dark/black) on the crust. It was still packed and given to me. I only found out after I came home and was disappointed at the quality control from the restaurant."

Romano Cucina

★★★★★ 4.5 (840) • $$

"Good food. Had the bruschetta. Came as 4 big pieces. Very yummy. Also had the lasagna which came with a side salad. Lots of leftovers."

Gina's Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.7 (396) • $$

"Always our families favorite pizza! We come from Seattle a couple times a year and we always look forward to Gina's! We always get take out. So I don't know what it's like to eat in the restaurant. Service is always friendly, pizzas have always been correct, fresh and hot, prices haven't changed much over the 10 years we have been coming. My favorite part about Gina's? They don't try to make their pizza "interesting" or "bougie" they just make traditional pies and they do them so good!! When you are craving pizza and you imagine what you want- cheesy, saucy, meats, Italian, on top of a perfectly thick crust- that's what they give you at Gina's."

Patagonia Empanadas

★★★★★ 4.5 (781) • $$

"This place was amazing! Inside seating is limited but there is outdoor seating under cover. I tried the sun dried tomato empanada and the chipotle chicken. Both very good. Brought home an assortment of other flavors including the Arab. My coworkers ordered the Arab as well as the spinach and cheese. Everyone really liked what they had. Some people tried the pasta. Lobster ravioli and gnocchi. They said it was tasty. I also brought home a giant Dulce de leche sandwich cookie. Would for sure get again but would love to try the thousand layers dessert. If you're in the area it's a must. The owner was so friendly and treated our group of 12 like family."

Franco's Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (565) • $$

"One word.....YUM. The service was great, and our dishes were delicious. The wine was paired nicely and the bottles well priced. Lots of menu options, but we all went with the nights specials. I'm looking forward to going back!"

Prego Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (611) • $$$

"Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Kelsey is an outstanding waitress -- so attentive and friendly. Can't wait to go back!"

Oliver's Osteria

★★★★☆ 4.2 (602) • $$$

"What a beautiful restaurant, it's got fun and trendy artwork on the walls . The customer service was amazing, Emiliano took his time explaining the different dishes and wine . We all ordered pasta dishes except for my husband he got the scallops OMG his was delicious!! Everything was but the scallops were over the top ! Can't wait to come back !"

Baci Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"We finally found a delicious and authentic Italian restaurant in OC!!! We tried so many different places and never quenched our craving for Italian cuisine like this spot. Our first time we ordered the Spaghetti Alla Saddie and Lobster Ravioli and my goodness these 2 dishes complement each other so well! Both were packed with flavors but not heavy. Definitely will be returning again in the near future and recommending our friends/family to this restaurant!"