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  5. Santa Monica

La Vecchia Cucina

4.8
4.8
1925 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
La Vecchia Cucina has been Santa Monica, California's finest neighborhood Italian restaurant since 1990, located by the blue Pacific on historic Main Street. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite, a full course dinner, an evening snack, or something in between, La Vecchia Cucina offers outstanding Italian cuisine, a great wine list, a luxurious selection of desserts, a full bar, great service and a relaxed atmosphere.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 26 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Pizzeria

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm

  • Phone number

    (310) 399-7979

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Executive chef

    Mark Mollica

  • Private party facilities

    Please contact us for more details about your private event.

  • Neighborhood

    Santa Monica

  • Cross street

    Ocean Park Blvd

  • Parking details

    City Metered Parking.

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 1,925 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

  1. Rody

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I ordered the Vitello piccata - the best I’ve had in years!!

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  2. ChezHaHa

    Los Angeles

    31 reviews

    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One almost hesitates to rave about this restaurant so we can get reservations in the future. Now that there is an outside eating patio that almost doubles the capacity, it seems safe to simply state this is some of the best Italian since Valentino closed. The chef's grandmother makes the lasagne still. Come early, it sells out. Justifiably. Something else one hesitates to share so there will still be some when we order. Oh well, secret is out.

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  3. sansui

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were a party of 7 including an infant. Our server, Cathy, was great! It was a nice dinner. We all enjoyed the food, the service, the place, and our server, Cathy, was super.

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  4. DMBlocker

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely evening. Amazing food. The lower rating on value to the dollar is an indictment on the crazy costs of dining out and not/not a criticism of La Vecchia Cucina. Mike and Cameron were gracious and engaging servers to be commended for their professionalism.

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  5. JSLJSLJSLJSLJSLSJSLJSLJS

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food; great service. 10/10 experience. Can't wait to return!

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  6. LAfoodlover

    Los Angeles

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful restaurant with a wonderful menu! I love the interiors and the huge menu made it very hard to choose what to eat. Everything sounded good and was good! Great place but the noise level was high. Didn’t matter to me but if you’re hard of hearing it’s not the best place. Would love to go back maybe just with my husband

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  7. SuzyQ

    Los Angeles

    33 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is one of our favorites and it never disappoints!!

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  8. GailP

    Los Angeles

    10 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall4food4service2ambience5
    I love La Vecchia and have been dining here for many years. The outdoor area since the pandemic is a great addition. Last night the restaurant was not very busy. Our server was nice and welcoming. We got glasses of wine and a salad to share. We had put in our full order at the same time as the salad. The entrees were taking forever, so we asked and were told the ticket got lost and they are going to comp the wine. (I think this was the manager who came with the news.) Nice gesture, but where was the server in not noticing it was taking a long time and taking the initiative to check into it? Again, it was not a busy night. We very much enjoyed the food, but at the end we were clearly done for a long time and again had to get up and ask for the check. The server was visible in the back sitting and folding napkins and finally caught our eye. I will certainly go back there again, but this time I was with a first time diner and it was not a great first impression on service for him. I was excited to bring him there and it lacked in service. Luckily, the food and ambience continues to be excellent!

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  9. DerekD

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I made reservations for a table of eight for my daughters graduation from Pepperdine. The restaurant actually called us twice to make sure that we were going to be there. The first time they called me at 10:15 at night in Chicago and told me I needed to leave a credit card deposit in case we don’t show up and will be charged $35 per person. I’m OK with that but I wasn’t happy about getting a call at 10:15 at night. Then the day off, they called me in the middle of my daughters graduation ceremony and, of course I answered, just to confirm that we were going to be there. I don’t know why this need to be done but oh well. The food was amazing. I would definitely recommend this place, I had the chicken Limon, and it was delicious. For dessert I have a Teramaso it was a very good size portion. I think for $15 it’s a little bit over price but it was definitely good. I would definitely go back if I’m in the area again.

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  10. VanessaB

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Real and awesome italian food, service fantastic!!

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  11. JeffM

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I haven't been here for a number of years and I'd forgotten how amazingly good all of their food is! We'll be back with all of our friends and family!!!

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall3food5service1ambience5
    I always have had a great experience here, unfortunately this time it was different, our waiter barely check on us. He was rude and got upset that we didn’t want to order alcoholic drinks.

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  13. ChuckT

    Orange County

    7 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3
    Food was acceptable, service also for the most part. But the third person in our party of three arrived after the first two, and they told her we had not arrived yet and she waited over 1/2 hour until we discovered she was waiting in the bar area. Not acceptable.

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place was amazing. The food was wonderful and the people there are great making the whole experience lovely.

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  15. ArtL

    Chicago

    18 reviews

    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Very good food Very good service A “go to” kind of place Parking tight so give yourself time

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  16. janet

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have been going to La Vecchia for 30 year sand the food is always wonderful. I highly recommend this restaurant.

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  17. Robbo

    Los Angeles

    54 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    54 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Wonderful menu choices. Our waiter, Juan Carlos was excellent!

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  18. Erick

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I thought everything was excellent from the service to the food to the ambiance.

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  19. drdon

    Los Angeles

    77 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    77 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great place to dine-inside or outdoors. The red sauces are always amazing.

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  20. Kelly

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    The food was delicious! This was the perfect place to take my family. We enjoyed our time together here!

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  21. KathleenL

    Hawaii

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great experience. Good service and very good food .Love the sea bass. My go to spot always a favorite.

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  22. DK1A

    Los Angeles

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Solid Italian food with stellar service. Complementary fresh pizza crust like bread was a welcome addition to the meal!

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  23. richardf

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    One of the best italian restaurants on the west side. I have been going to La Vecchia for 30 years, and now approaching 100 visits. Highly recommend

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  24. TheGolfManatee

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service is prompt and pleasing starting with the door greeting. the host saw i was struggling with some luggage and quickly found a place to sore it as i waited for my sister. seem the food is always yummy here. carpaccio, salads, oysters and pasta!! i always visit on my way to LAX.

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  25. Barb

    St. Louis

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Always a pleasure. Food is excellent. It was the first time I have been there with fewer guests.....only comment would be to make sure waiters continue to be enthused and attentive -

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  26. LeeK

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very good food and attentive service. Been there a lot of years and many of my friends had never been there and I have taken a lot of new fans there. Happy to see it was filled up on a Monday night.

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  27. Bobbyeatz

    Los Angeles

    17 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on April 18, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Our favorite neighborhood restaurant. Consistently good. A place we take out of town guests.

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  28. DeDR

    Los Angeles

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on April 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful time and celebration with dear friends! We enjoyed a fabulous bottle of champagne and the stuffed zucchini blossoms and beef carpaccio with arugula and capers . We shared the veal Marsala and our friends shared the rotolo a la brace. Divine! Service was FANTASTIC! Thanks La Vecchia for a special evening.

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  29. CharlesS

    Los Angeles

    91 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    91 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always good!! Worth the trek to Santa Monica and finding parking

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  30. Fernando

    Orange County

    340 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    340 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food, excellent service. Highly recommended.

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  31. ACP37

    Los Angeles

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and wine was fantastic, and the staff was especially courteous. We really enjoyed our dinner on the patio, and will definitely return. We ordered the lasagna and arrabiata - the noodles in both were just right - lasagna noodles were thinner than usual which made it less heavy and the arrabiata noodles were al dente. The sauces were equally delicious and well-balanced. For our main course, we shared the salmon with mashed potatoes, garlic spinach, and a mixed green salad. The salmon was cooked just right, moist and full of flavor. For dessert, small cappuccinos and berries with the lightest, loveliest Chantilly cream you've ever tasted; it was a perfect end to heavier meal.

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  32. McWett

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 13, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Sat at the bar as we were early for our dinner reservation. Enjoyed the bar atmosphere so much we had dinner at the bar. Food was delicious especially the Osso Bucco. Kevin was friendly and was kept busy.

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  33. ChefBene

    Los Angeles

    54 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    54 reviews

    Dined on April 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    THE BEST OF THE BEST: THE FOOD —WONDERFUL PRESENTATION, TERRIFIC AND FRESH TASTE, AND ALWAYS CONSISTENT! THE STAFF DEFINITELY KNOWS THE MEANING OF HOSPITALITY.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place. A bit expensive but definitely worth it.

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  35. Bernet26

    Los Angeles

    72 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    72 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were celebrating birthdays and had a lovely time! We shared appetizers. The rolled eggplant appetizer was scrumptious and enjoyed the arugula salad. And, the hot bread is the best in the city! Yum! We all enjoyed our main dishes - we are never disappointed here. I would recommend everyone who loves great Italian food to make a reservation. We ate inside, but next time I would eat outside. Every table has a heater and a light on the table. Very cozy!

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  36. OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All of the food we had was delicious. Homemade bread, Caesar salad, chicken fettuccini Alfredo, lamb Ragu and branzino was all soooo good. Great service as well

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  37. SugarATL

    Los Angeles

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From our waiter Michael, to Kevin the bartender to our favorite, Scotty the manager, there’s a reason we dine here every Friday night we can. Unreal staff matches the fantastic cuisine. Thanks to everyone who makes out weekends start off perfectly!

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  38. SilverFox

    Los Angeles

    28 reviews

    4.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on March 29, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience2
    A little noisy, but great food & acceptable service.

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  39. BradC

    Los Angeles

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always love La Vecchia! Amazing food, fantastic service great ambience… What more can you ask for?

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  40. LaurieR

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent. Service was attentive. Loved out door seating. Food was great. Overall amazing experience.

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FAQs

La Vecchia Cucina does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates. La Vecchia Cucina also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (310) 399-7979.

La Vecchia Cucina is rated 4.8 stars by 1925 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 26 times today
Google Map for La Vecchia Cucina

2654 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Ocean Park Blvd

  • Neighborhood

    Santa Monica

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:30 pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Pizzeria

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Parking details

    City Metered Parking.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Mark Mollica

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (310) 399-7979

  • Private party facilities

    Please contact us for more details about your private event.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
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