Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Fountain Valley

Price: Moderate (3)Price: Expensive (4)

7 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Cucina Alessa Huntington Beach restaurant

1. Cucina Alessa Huntington Beach

4.5

Awesome(1053)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary italian • Huntington Beach

Booked 3 times today

Cucina Alessa Huntington Beach is a highly praised Italian restaurant, renowned for its authenticity and exceptional service. Many customers refer to the food as some of the best Italian they've ever had, even when compared to meals in Italy itself. Other key points from reviews include the restaurant's large selection of wines, well-balanced dishes, and impressive decor. While some note the restaurant can be loud and service can occasionally be slow, overwhelming sentiments revolve around the delicious food and excellent staff. From the lasagna to the tortellini prosciutto, every dish is deemed consistently delicious, making Cucina Alessa a must-visit for Italian cuisine lovers.

2. Il Dolce

4.9

Exceptional(436)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Costa Mesa

Booked 1 time today

Il Dolce is an exceptional Italian restaurant located in Orange County, known for its authentic Italian cuisine. Customers have consistently given positive reviews, praising the food, service, and ambiance. The customers note that the food tastes "wonderful", "delicious" and "authentic". Many reviewers highly recommend dishes like Carbonara, Prosciutto e Burrata, pizza diavola, and calamari, all of which they describe as "fantastic". It's also been mentioned that the pasta is homemade and light, and the bread is the most delicious you'll ever taste. Il Dolce is characterized as a hidden gem by numerous reviews and has been termed "the best Italian restaurant in Orange County" multiple times. Its warm and welcoming staff, delicious food, and pleasant ambiance make it a perfect place for all occasions.

A photo of Louie's by the Bay restaurant

3. Louie's by the Bay

4.7

Exceptional(1379)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Newport Beach

Booked 26 times today

Louie's by the Bay is a stellar choice for contemporary Italian cuisine. The restaurant's location is unique, right by the bay, boasting a spectacular view and a charming atmosphere. Patrons revel in the authentically Italian dishes such as lasagna and lobster ravioli, which have been described as "superb". The cuisine is consistently praised, with many comparing it favorably to the quality found in Italy itself. The staff's excellent service, combined with a selection of Italian wines, makes Louie's a must-visit destination. From intimate dinner to business events, the enthusiastic reviews are replete with appreciation for the fantastic food and ambiance offered by Louie's.

A photo of North Italia – Irvine restaurant

4. North Italia – Irvine

4.5

Awesome(5281)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary italian • Irvine

Booked 164 times today

North Italia – Irvine is a restaurant that truly embodies the richness of Italian cuisine. The restaurant's menu offers a diverse range of dishes from traditional pasta and entrées to unique Chef's Boards. Their hand-crafted meals such as the Roasted Salmon, Bolognese, Spaghetti & Meatballs, and a house specialty Strozzapreti, have been lauded for their authentic taste and great quality. Many reviewers have commended it as the "closest to real Italian food", citing the well-balanced flavors, and freshness of the ingredients. Its ambiance is often described as warm, busy, and perfect for both a casual date night or a lunch outing. A favorite among customers is the restaurant's unique dessert, the "Budino". With excellent service and a vibrant atmosphere, it's no wonder that North Italia – Irvine holds a special place for those seeking a genuine Italian dining experience.

5. Prego Restaurant

4.4

Awesome(1401)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary italian • Irvine

Booked 7 times today

Prego Restaurant, located in the heart of Orange County, is praised for its consistently good service and exquisite Italian cuisine. Highlights from the menu include the classic Margherita pizza, creamy lobster ravioli, savory sole piccata, and delightful chicken scallopine, all of which are highly recommended by visitors. For those who appreciate seafood, Prego doesn't disappoint, offering phenomenal dishes such as the Australian lamb chops and tiger shrimp pasta. The restaurant's beautiful and clean ambiance, coupled with its outstanding service, also contributes to its charm. Many reviewers call it their go-to place for Italian food and recommend Prego for an overall enjoyable dining experience.

6. The Alexander

3.9

Excellent(34)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Anaheim

Booked 11 times today

The Alexander is a highly revered Italian restaurant that exudes elegance and beauty. Patrons rave about the "delicious" and "outstanding" food, with special mention of their superb filet and chicken Marsala, indicative of a great Italian cuisine. Apart from the tantalizing meals, the restaurant offers personalized service with the owner himself often making appearances, further enhancing the warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff, particularly a waiter named Daniel, garners praise for their attention to detail. Even without a reference to its location, The Alexander is widely recognized as a "hidden gem" that succeeds in delivering an exceptional dining experience. Praises such as "the BEST PLACE" and "highly recommend" echo in numerous reviews.

A photo of Andrea at Pelican Hill restaurant

7. Andrea at Pelican Hill

4.5

Awesome(1894)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary italian • Newport Beach

The Resort at Pelican Hill invites diners on a weekend-long epicurean experience with the debut of the inaugural Italian Culinary Masters: Act I/Spring 2024 featuring GUCCI Osteria – the first ever U.S. outpost of the Michelin-starred restaurant in Beverly Hills, helmed by renowned Chef Mattia Agazzi and The Resort at Pelican Hill’s Director of Culinary Operations, Chef Kyung Soo Carroll. The Italian Culinary Masters will take place in the Resort’s beloved Andrea restaurant space, Friday, March 22 – Sunday, March 2024. Guests will delight in a multi-sensory dining experience with three 6-course dinners, one four-course lunch and one four-course brunch replete with cocktail/wine pairings curated by the Resort’s Beverage Manager & Sommelier Lorenzo Rocci.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.