Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Orange County

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Orange County? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Il Dolce

5.0

5 (461)

$31 to $50

Italian

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Known for using only natural, fresh ingredients, Il Dolce specializes in Italian cuisine. Along with a variety of pastas, salads, patrons can select from a number of pizza menu options. Inspired by authentic pies made in Naples, each pizza at Il Dolce is prepared in a wood-fire oven, giving it an authentic, smoky flavor.Family owned and operated, this award-winning restaurant provides a cozy, comfortable environment where pizza enthusiasts can watch their pies being prepared. Guests dining at Il Dolce can also enjoy a glass of wine, beer or a cocktail. Dessert items along with a special gluten-free menu are also available.

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great find! Wonderful food and service . We will be back for sure!

Da Bianca Trattoria

4.9

4.9 (1939)

$30 and under

Italian

Orange

About the restaurant

For over 35 years, Da Bianca Trattoria has earned a reputation as a beloved local restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine. Founded by Bianca Cangelosi Bavand, Da Bianca was a dream come true for the Sicilian native. Her inspiration and the secret to the restaurant's continued success is serving simple food using only the freshest ingredients-- just like the food she served her family. Daughter Marjan Bavand Dunn continues the family legacy of welcoming our neighbors, as they celebrate milestones, meet friends and share family dinners.

Top review

TrishaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Always delicious, always worth the evening out, can’t wait for next time. We love to try a new special and have never been disappointed..

Latte Da Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (226)

$30 and under

Italian

Anaheim Hills

About the restaurant

Homemade Pastas Imported Italian Delicatessens Fresh fish & meats daily Beautiful Ambiance

Top review

SallyVIP

Dined on Jun 16, 2025

Our second time here and our meals were very good, and the staff was very attentive. The only downside was the seating; the two tables fitted together in the back by the fly zapper wasn't ideal. We had a reservation, and there were several tables open that could have been fitted together to accommodate us.

Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar

4.8

4.8 (97)

$30 and under

Italian

Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

vicki

Dined 3 days ago

The homemade pasta and fresh sauces were amazing! The entertainment was also awesome such a great vibe.

Molo

4.8

4.8 (370)

$31 to $50

Italian

Newport Beach

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 3 days ago

lets keep this place a secret .....great food and service

Antonello Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (1738)

$50 and over

Italian

Santa Ana

About the restaurant

At Antonello Ristorante, we transport you to not just another place, but to another time. As you walk into Antonello's Main Dining Room, a typical scene from the streets of Bistango, Italy comes alive.

Top review

StephenVIP

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Our favorite Italian restaurant in Orange County! Outstanding food and service!

Vitaly Caffe

4.9

4.9 (79)

$31 to $50

Italian

Costa Mesa

About the restaurant

Welcome to our Italian restaurant, where the essence of Italy comes to life in every dish! We pride ourselves on crafting homemade Pasta, Pinsa Pizza, Piadina Sandwiches from scratch. From a wide-array of coffees, pastry and breakfast in the morning, to the very freshest, authentic Italian food and Artisan gelato throughout the day and night. Come and relax in our courtyard and enjoy our Italian wines and beers. We can't wait to serve you from breakfast through dinner, making us your go-to destination.
Please note: We accept reservations for diners only. Coffee or Gelato/Desserts are available on a walk-in basis.
Join us for a delicious Italian experience!

Top review

Daniel

Dined on May 11, 2025

Fantastic brunch, everything was delicious! Amazing coffee, this place is a go to. Authentic italian cafe vibe and cuisine. A little bit of ACTUAL Italy in Costa Mesa.

Jack's Restaurant/Bar

4.9

4.9 (1146)

$31 to $50

Italian

Dana Point / Monarch Beach

About the restaurant

Jack's Restaurant and Bar is an Italian restaurant located in Dana Point, California. The restaurant features a casual, family-friendly dining atmosphere and a full bar.

Jack's Restaurant and Bar serves dinner seven days a week starting at 4pm. Jack's Restaurant and Bar offers a variety of Italian & Seafood Specialties, Free-Range Chicken, Roman Style Pizza, Vegan & Gluten-Free Menus, and Desserts.

Private Dining Room available for groups up to 40. Catering Menus also available.

Top review

PattyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Enjoyed our waiter, food and celebrating our anniversary.

Discover more

Popular dish

Jack's Salad

Buona Forchetta San Clemente

4.8

4.8 (350)

$30 and under

Italian

San Clemente

About the restaurant

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 in San Clemente (plus a recent seventh in Newport Beach). 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.

Top review

John

Dined 4 days ago

Pizza was great, calimari was outstanding! Will return soon.

Ini Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (212)

$30 and under

Italian

Fountain Valley

About the restaurant

Leave your assumptions at the door and come experience our Japanese-Italian interpretation through unique culinary offerings, hospitality, and fine-casual ambiance. A restaurant by Kei Concepts.

Top review

Victoria

Dined 5 days ago

Love the experience food was good server was very nice. Would definitely come back here again.

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