Best Italian Restaurants in Ladera Ranch

Price: Moderate (63)Price: Expensive (53)Price: Very Expensive (9)

23 restaurants available nearby

1. Ciao Pasta

4.7

Exceptional(1239)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 16 times today

Ciao Pasta, located in Orange County's San Juan Capistrano, is revered as one of the best Italian restaurants in the region. With a rich tapestry of reviews, it has earned a reputation for its authentic Italian cuisine that offers exquisite dishes including pizza, pasta, salad, fish, and meat. Its menu is loved for using fresh ingredients and serving consistently delicious food. Diners have loved the spaghetti Bolognese, Parmesan crusted halibut, and the salmon salad. Its authentic ambiance, complemented by a wonderful outdoor patio setting, friendly staff, and efficient service, adds to its charm. The restaurant is perfect for any occasion, ranging from a special dinner to a regular night out. The reasonably priced offerings are a plus for many. The wine list, featuring Italian wines, is also appreciated.

A photo of Domenico's on the Lake restaurant

2. Domenico's on the Lake

4.8

Exceptional(1140)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

Booked 9 times today

Located on Lake Mission Viejo, Domenico's on the Lake has been hailed as a favorite by numerous patrons for its exceptional Italian cuisine. Reviewers consistently praise the quality and deliciousness of the food, with mentions of well-presented dishes, house-made gnocchi, steak and lobster specials, and a varied menu that pleases diverse palettes. The ambiance and lakeside views of Domenico's are also highly commended, accentuating the authentic Italian experience. The professional service and friendly management receive equal applause, often labeled as attentive, personable, and efficient. Whether for a birthday, anniversary, brunch, or simply a good Italian meal in the neighborhood, Domenico's on the Lake ensures a memorable dining experience.

A photo of Mangia Bene Cucina restaurant

3. Mangia Bene Cucina

4.7

Exceptional(658)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 4 times today

Mangia Bene Cucina is a lauded Italian restaurant praised for its consistent quality in both food and service. Patrons find it exceptional enough to return to even after moving an hour away, attesting to its appeal for over twenty years. With favorites like the Mangia Bene Rigatoni, pear and Gorgonzola salad, and the Penne Campagnola with gluten free penne, it has been hailed by some as the best Italian food outside Italy. Despite some minor service issues, the overall dining experience has been deemed 'outstanding' and 'awesome'. The experience at Mangia Bene Cucina is so unforgettable that the customers are eager for return visits.

A photo of Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar restaurant

4. Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar

4.8

Exceptional(54)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 1 time today

Owners Jordan and Creig Mullikin love to eat delicious food, drink great wine and be treated like family. They want every bite, every sip, every visit to be delicious and a treat. Our goal is to serve you fresh, homemade, and thoughtful dishes focused on our family's heritage and our customers' needs to make everyone feel like family at our neighborhood spot which sports a modern yet vintage vibe. We have a large outdoor patio that is both heated and covered. One of the more popular things here at Bricco is our live music Friday's and Saturday's with very talented singers and performers.

A photo of Villa Roma Restaurant restaurant

5. Villa Roma Restaurant

4.5

Awesome(174)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Laguna Hills / Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

Booked 1 time today

Mother's Day - Sunday, May 12th Brunch Buffet 11am to 3pm Dinner Regular Menu 5pm to 8pm===============================Father's Day Sunday, June 16th open 12 to 8pm**************************************************Villa Roma is a unique restaurant combining Argentine and Italian flavorsLive ambiance music Friday & Saturday !

A photo of Delizie Ristorante & Bar restaurant

6. Delizie Ristorante & Bar

4.7

Exceptional(924)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Mission Viejo / Rancho Santa Margarita

Booked 7 times today

Delizie Ristorante & Bar is a beloved local gem offering authentic Italian cuisine in Mission Viejo. It has garnered outstanding customer reviews for its consistently excellent food, great service and friendly atmosphere. Customers have been visiting Delizie for years, affirming that the quality of cuisine and service have always been top-notch. The restaurant's fare has even been hailed as the "best, most authentic Italian fare in OC" with some dishes surpassing those tasted in Italy itself. More than a restaurant, Delizie Ristorante & Bar is a community favourite with great energy, a charming atmosphere, and an attentive team that makes every visit special.

7. Truly Pizza

4.8

Exceptional(262)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 74 times today

Truly Pizza has garnered rave reviews for its outstanding Pizzeria cuisine. Patrons laud the quality of the food, particularly noting the perfect light and crisp pizza crust, satisfying customers' diverse tastes. Some of the favorites mentioned in the reviews include the Wedge Salad, Pesto Turkey Sandwich and Crispy Pepperoni Pizza. Guests particularly commend the unique and tasteful ambiance, with an elegant setting reminiscent of the beautiful Amalfi coast. The dedication of the staff is also recognized, praised for their attentiveness and informative nature regarding the menu. Overall, Truly Pizza not only provides a taste of Italy's rich culinary legacy but also elevates the traditional pizzeria experience. The combination of delightful food and the captivating atmosphere guarantee guests' recurring visits.

A photo of Buona Forchetta San Clemente restaurant

8. Buona Forchetta San Clemente

4.7

Exceptional(173)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • San Clemente

Booked 25 times today

Experience a piece of the Buona Forchetta San Diego heritage through authentic Italian recipes that have been handed down through generations. Today, there are five locations around San Diego, with our sixth opening this month in San Clemente, CA. Buona Forchetta’s Italian wood-fired pizzas—with the perfectly soft-yet-crispy crusts—continue to garner awards including San Diego Magazine Best Pizza 2023 Critic’s Choice, Gambero Rosso Best Pizzeria, Gayot Best Italian Restaurant San Diego, OpenTable Diner’s Choice and more. Our handmade pasta dishes bursting with rich flavors, fresh seafood specialities and decadent desserts will all leave you craving more. All Buona Forchetta locations also offer gluten-free Italian options and rotating specials.

A photo of CUCINA enoteca - Irvine restaurant

9. CUCINA enoteca - Irvine

4.6

Exceptional(2686)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Irvine

Booked 46 times today

CUCINA enoteca in Irvine is highly regarded for its excellent Italian cuisine, receiving a multitude of glowing reviews from satisfied customers. Patrons have praised the restaurant for its high-value, delicious food, and exceptional service. According to a popular food critic, the restaurant provides a white-glove experience, with staff working in rhythmic harmony to create a memorable dining experience. Many cite the diverse menu, which includes a wide range of Italian staples from salad to pizza and pasta, as a significant highlight, praising the dishes for being perfectly prepared. As one review noted, "the Italian salad with a side of salmon was delicious and the salmon was done perfectly." This praise is echoed by other customers who affirm that the food and service are consistently excellent. The restaurant's ambiance is also often highlighted, with visitors mentioning it as a perfect spot for any occasion, from celebrations to casual gatherings. With its fresh, original food, good environment, and fair prices, CUCINA enoteca is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

A photo of Piccolino Ristorante restaurant

10. Piccolino Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(2029)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Irvine

Booked 11 times today

Piccolino Ristorante is a standout among the Italian restaurants in Orange County, consistently garnering praise for its authentic Italian cuisine. The reviewers' consensus is that this is a place to celebrate special occasions or indulge in a lavish meal. The array of dishes, from the swordfish entrée to the 8oz filet mignon with shrimp, impresses with their presentation and taste. The dining experience is heightened by notable staff like Tina and Terry, whose considerate service is frequently acknowledged. The restaurant also offers wonderful dessert options, such as the spumomi sorbet and cannoli. Further, the reviewer asserting that Piccolino’s may be the best Italian restaurant in Orange County and its rich history from a small establishment next to a supermarket to the fine dining venue it is today, demonstrates its continual commitment to excellence. Gaining a reputation as a neighborhood go-to, Piccolino Ristorante is highly recommended for those seeking delicious Italian food.

‘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.

Explore OpenTable

Ladera Ranch

Italian