Powered By OpenTable: Restaurant Reservations. Right this way.
Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed

  • Caffe Pinguini

  • Online Reservations

Reserve at Caffe Pinguini

Date

mm/dd/yyyy

Time
Party Size
Caffe Pinguini
Caffe Pinguini

Caffe Pinguini Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Dining
  • Website: http://www.caffepinguini.com
  • Email: Tonecchia@hotmail.com
  • Phone: (310) 306-0117
  • Hours of Operation:
    Lunch: Tuesday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm; Dinner: Tuesday - Thursday: 6:00pm -10:00pm; Friday - Saturday: 6:00pm - 10:00pm; Sunday: 5:30pm - 9:30pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Executive Chef: Gerardo
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Beer, Delivery, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
  • Catering: We do different kinds of catering from buffet to a full dining experience.

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Culver Blvd
  • Parking: Valet
  • Parking Details: Choose of street or valet parking.
A word from Caffe Pinguini
Italian owners, Tony Cotrufo and Enrico Fiorentini, both hail from Rome and have been serving fresh authentic Italian cuisine at their Playa Del Rey location since 1997. They offer homemade pastas, an excellent wine list, outdoor seating and daily specials.…
Caffe Pinguini was recently awarded with the "Marchio Ospitalita" Italiana - Seal of Authenticity". The seal distinguishes those restaurants with the highest quality of Italian hospitality.Continued
Foodspotting photos
See all photos >
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
  • Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
  • Diners' Choice WinnerNeighborhood Gem
Diner Reviews
  • "Fresh made pasta and pizza, true Italian heritage and a romantic ambiance. This continues to be one of my favorite neighborhood gems! Great for a romantic occasion as well."
    Dined on 4/4/2014
  • "Upon entry, it's a little concerning but once your settled in and greeted by the waitstaff, becomes wonderful! The food was awesome, the wine list a little pricey but some good selections and for desert the tiramisu is incredible! A definite for me next time I'm in the area..."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "I took my wife and two friends here for her birthday. The food was great!! Service was paced perfectly, not rushed or to slow. I like eating outside here because it is quieter than inside. With the heaters you are comfortable. I would classify inside noise level as energetic. A great place for a special occasion or just a casual dinner. Again I love the food."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "Wonderful Italian food: appetizers, salads, main dishes and dessert were excellent. My Italian mother cooked authentic Italian food, and Penguini's was up to the test. The burretta and caprise appetizers were superb. The Chianti was delicious (finally a restaurant that provided a decent pour!) The pasta was perfectly aldente and the gelato was to die for. The pasta with eggplant and sauteed peppers was good. But not enough and were too soft, (should be aldente too!! I got the "not spicy" sauce which I preferred. The bread with olive oil was sublime. Problems: For a Sunday night, it was very crowded and noisy. Also, when making reservations, I said it was my husband's birthday, but that didn't get conveyed to the restaurant."
    Dined on 3/23/2014
  • "Excellent restaurant. Food was amazing and service was impeccable. Wine selection was above par and overall ambience was very nice. Outdoor seating is available too. Completely enjoyed our dining experience with our friends."
    Dined on 3/23/2014
  • "Great time with friends. Great food and service what else can you ask for?"
    Dined on 3/19/2014
  • "We came into an empty restaurant about 6:30 on a friday night. Nobody came by to get our drinks. I had to finally ask someone to come over and get our wine order. Then it took another long period to get someone to take our order. This is just poor service. The food was good. For a simple piece of salmon and sides of vegetable, which was on special, we were charged $32.50. Overall, unless you have to be playa del rey, there are better and cheaper restaurants, with better service."
    Dined on 3/14/2014
  • "Great food, wonderful service, and the right ambience. It was so comfortable that we were the last to leave!"
    Dined on 3/9/2014
  • "We had heard a lot about this place for years and finally decided to check it out. It was a busy Saturday night but didn't seem unreasonably busy. We were sat right away but no one came over to us for about 15 mins. When our waiter finally came over he asked us if we were drinking wine, we said no and he gave us a look, took our wine glasses away and left us alone for another 10 minutes. The food was tasty but not worth the super inflated prices. The crowd was mellow. The ambiance was nice. The location is cool but the food was overpriced and the service was just unfriendly."
    Dined on 3/8/2014
  • "Always a good meal with good friends in a great setting when I come to this little neighborhood gem. I have come 3x and sat at the same table on the patio, with the same tall, Italian waiter, and I find myself happier with this place more and more every visit. What a great find."
    Dined on 2/27/2014
  • "Second visit to Café Pinguini, again with work associates. Lovely for lunch. Very good food -- everything fresh and tasty; well plated. Service was a little slow at times -- especially at the end of the meal. Had a hard time getting coffee, dessert and the check. Lucky for us, we had given ourselves plenty of time for this Friday afternoon business lunch."
    Dined on 2/21/2014
  • "This was not my choice of restaurant and I knew nothing about it until the morning before. The location is cool, the food was excellent and the service was laid back but attentive - just how I like it, but not necessarily fast enough for some. The wild salmon was cooked perfectly and has a ton of good flavor, both of it's own and the seasoning. Ambiance was Italian enough without piling on the too much fake stuff. Overall a great find and I will definitely visit there again if I'm on the Westside."
    Dined on 2/19/2014
  • "Celebrating with group of seven for my husband's 70th birthday. I wanted quiet atmosphere and good food! They gave us a nice table by the window which I had requested and the food was great. Thanks Cafe Pinguini!!! Very enjoyable dinner!!"
    Dined on 2/18/2014
  • "Normally love this place, made reservations but it was a pre fixe menu for Valentines Day…Too many dishes with cream sauce with the exception of lobster."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "I must say I was hoping to find a neighborhood gem ... but, it was a little "meh". It was Valentine's evening, and I thought instead of playing it safe, to try something new. Everything was good, no real complaints, but nothing was amazing or notable. Sadly we were heavily coaxed into a $100+ bottle of mediocre wine, and the food, pasta and seafood, and sea bass, were "good", nothing special. App of burrata and such was "ok", tiramisu was good. I love food and don't mind spending, but when you do, you hope for something with a "wow", what a great dish! Food and service were just "good", not amazing by any standard. Almost 1.5 hours and $270 later, it was "ok", not memorable. I think I might have been happier at Mama D's for $40."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "The food was amazing as usual. However, it was a very busy night and the service was a bit off. The Tiramisu is to die for and worth the wait!"
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Serving portions were about double what we normally eat. Overall quality was generally ok, but the pasta had some hot spices not mentioned on the menu that ruined the taste of the linguine mare. Would never order pasta at this place."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Found Pinguini on the local web search for romantic dinners for Valentines. I noticed Pinguini right away and liked that they made mention to a romantic Valentines Dinner. Prices were within my Budget and wanted a nice place for My Bride and I. So I reserved a table was easy to use online reservations. Upon entering the Restaurant Valentines Eve was greeted right away and knew this was the place. While waiting to be seated Was given a glasses of wine to enjoy while we waited. I did not mind waiting. Was well worth the wait. The food was above my expectations. Every bite was delicious and we'll cooked and At right Temp. Thanks so much for making our First Valentines together memorable TRUCKER DENNY"
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "One of the best Italian restaurants in Los Angeles, this beach cities restaurant combines incredibly well prepared food with fantastic service. Ask to sit on their charming patio for a great time with friends or a romantic evening with someone special."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "The food, we've found, is always very delicious at Caffe Pinguini. The service this time was not so great. If the server came to the table to ask a question and one of the three of us answered, that answer was apparently the only answer that mattered because he would walk away without hearing from the other two. He seemed a bit put out having to serve us. Just saying."
    Dined on 2/13/2014
  • "My friend and I both got the homemade spaghetti and I have decided that I can appreciate homemade past more if it is some thinner form. And the treatment of the pasta's was OK but not special."
    Dined on 1/29/2014
  • "Thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to this great little restaurant. We have already mentioned it to friends and we will definitely be back. Great little spot."
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "10 minutes from LAX. Wonderful Italian menu. Friendly, efficient service. Food was excellent"
    Dined on 12/31/2013
  • "I am repeating myself. If you like great Italian food. This is the place."
    Dined on 12/11/2013
  • "We had dinner the night before Thanksgiving -- so it was quiet. This was perfect! We were able to enjoy each other's company before the craziness of the holidays. The food was very good, and the waiter was a gem. We will go back again, soon1"
    Dined on 11/27/2013
  • "This quaint little restaurant by the shore will not disappoint. Authentic food, great service and a beautifully quaint atmosphere. Try it out, you will not be disappointed."
    Dined on 11/15/2013
  • "We had a very enjoyable evening at the Caffe Pinguini. The service was very good!"
    Dined on 11/10/2013
  • "I come to Playa Vista twice a year and bring family to dinner outside at Pinquini. The food is fabulous: NY Strip au poivre, Chicken Parm, Raviolis, etc., lovely wines, and excellent service."
    Dined on 11/9/2013
  • "The first time the service was good/bad - we were expecting bad service-the food was outstanding! Knowing what we knew we went back for the food. The second time the service was awesome and the food was just good. 3 out of 5 steaks were sub par and the noodles were store bought. but this time our server was exceptional. who knew. This time (party of 5) we sat inside, it was so loud no one could hear much less hear them selves. We love that it is a small restuarant but it was so loud it pulls from the price and the experience."
    Dined on 11/1/2013
  • "I've been to Caffe Pinguini many times over the years, but last Friday night I was reminded again what a special place it is. Knowing that my daughter was only going to be in town for 48 hours, and that her two siblings had complicated weekend plans, we picked her up at 7:00 from LAX and made it to the restaurant on time for our 7:30 reservation. It felt like a holiday for all 5 of us the minute we arrived. We had a corner table, a leisurely meal, excellent food, and wonderful service. Sea bass and salmon were big hits, as was the the night's special ravioli. My husband also loved his asparagus soup, and at least four of us admit to enjoying dessert!"
    Dined on 10/18/2013
  • "Great restaurant - authentic Italian, not too expensive, food was very good, service perfect!"
    Dined on 10/12/2013
  • "We love this place. There is such a warmth here, a true Italian vibrancy from the staff. We've been coming for years, they always make us feel special. The food is always excellent and hot when it comes to your table! It's one of our favorite places."
    Dined on 10/11/2013
  • "This is my second time here, much better overall experience than my first time. Had the same table, same water, food was still good. I will come back again."
    Dined on 9/19/2013
  • "Never been disappointed. Excellent management, service and FOOD. Everytime I'm in LA I eat at Caffe Pinguini. DFS"
    Dined on 9/27/2013
  • "Mushroom risotto was great. Branzino was boring, a little dry. Salted caramel gelato not good quality."
    Dined on 9/13/2013
  • "The sea bass was cooked to perfection with a simple but wonderful lemon caper preparation. Just make sure you request a table not under one of the stereo speakers. We simply asked to be moved. The vegetables in the Penne Siciliana Arrabbiata couldn't have been more fresh. Great "prime" course. $24 corkage fee was a bit steep and frankly discourages locals. I would request they reconsider that pricing. Maybe only charge that high corkage on Saturday nights."
    Dined on 8/31/2013
  • "Eating in Caffe Pinguini is an amazing experience we feel like we are back eating in Tuscany. Their ingredients are the freshest..."
    Dined on 8/16/2013
More reviews ›
Send a Gift Card for Caffe Pinguini
Buy now and deliver it instantly by email, or print a beautiful card to give in person.
Buy one today! ›
Larger map ›
Smaller map ›
Diners' Choice Awards
  • Beach Cities Winners
  • Best Food
  • Italian
  • Neighborhood Gem
Learn more ›