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Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Santa Ana

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7 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Prego Restaurant restaurant
1. Prego Restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1428)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Irvine
Booked 17 times today
Prego Restaurant, nestled between Irvine and Tustin, is a culinary gem renowned for its exceptional seafood offerings. The vibrant ambiance, reminiscent of old-world Italy, complements the exquisite seafood dishes crafted in the lively exhibition kitchen and corner Raw Bar. Diners rave about the "perfectly done salmon" and commend the "cod special" for its freshness and flavor, highlighting the restaurant’s commitment to quality. Awarded by prestigious organizations like the Restaurant Writers Association, Prego excels in delivering not only top-notch cuisine but also an unforgettable dining experience. Visitors consistently praise the seafood's authenticity and the skilled chefs, making it a must-visit for seafood lovers.
A photo of Il Girasole restaurant
2. Il Girasole
new
4.7
Exceptional(14)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary italian • Costa Mesa
Booked 29 times today
Il Girasole, now open at SOCO & The OC Mix in Costa Mesa, CA, brings a refined, modern Italian dining experience to Orange County. Named after the Italian word for "sunflower," the restaurant embraces a family-owned ethos, with a menu inspired by classic Italian flavors elevated through fresh, high-quality ingredients. Enjoy a variety of beautifully crafted dishes, from handmade pastas and creative flatbreads to thoughtfully curated seafood and meat selections. Each dish is prepared with a focus on authenticity and quality, delivering a dining experience that balances traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine.Highlights from the menu include unique offerings like King crab ravioli, pistachio-crusted ahi tuna, and handmade pasta with truffle enhancements. Il Girasole has quickly become a must-visit destination for both Italian food aficionados and those seeking an elegant yet welcoming dining environment in Costa Mesa.
A photo of The Alexander restaurant
3. The Alexander
3.8
Excellent(37)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary italian • Anaheim
A Fine Dining Experience..Step into a world of regality, royalty and splendor at The Alexander. Enjoy our especially curated dishes and handcrafted cocktails that exude brilliance and sophistication.
A photo of North Italia – Irvine restaurant
4. North Italia – Irvine
4.5
Awesome(5422)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Irvine
Booked 214 times today
At North, we focus on what we do best: Italian from scratch. Enjoy any of our handmade pastas and pizzas, created with seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors. Or, try a different signature dish, prepared with our fresh flavors from the garden, farm, and sea. We’ve hand crafted seasonal cocktails that pair great with our food, creating a real modern Italia experiences perfect for any occasion.
A photo of Louie's by the Bay restaurant
5. Louie's by the Bay
4.7
Exceptional(1438)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary italian • Newport Beach
Booked 51 times today
Louie's by the Bay in Newport Beach is not just a dining delight but a cocktail paradise as well. Nestled along the scenic Mariners Mile, this vibrant locale offers a cocktail bar that truly stands out due to its quality and ambiance. Guests rave about the cocktails, with one patron exclaiming, "Great food, cocktails, and atmosphere. Beautiful view of the bay and boats. Great visit." The bar scene here is lively and late-night, perfect for those seeking both a stunning view and exquisite drink options. Another review highlights, "Their famous margaritas went down way too easy!" making it clear that Louie’s by the Bay masters the art of mixology, ensuring every cocktail is a celebration of flavors. Whether you're winding down after a day or toasting a special occasion, Louie's cocktail bar ambiance combined with top-notch service makes it a must-visit spot in Newport Beach.
A photo of Il Dolce restaurant
6. Il Dolce
4.9
Exceptional(443)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary italian • Costa Mesa
Booked 1 time today
Il Dolce in Costa Mesa is a treasure trove for those craving authentic Italian pizza. This family-owned pizzeria captures the essence of Naples with each pizza baked in a traditional wood-fire oven, infusing pies with a distinct, smoky flavor that patrons rave about. Reviewers consistently praise its authenticity, with one diner exclaiming, “Honestly the food was amazing! We’ve been missing pizza from Italy, and this is by far the best pizza we have ate!” The restaurant's commitment to natural, fresh ingredients and its cozy, comfortable ambiance make it a must-visit for pizza enthusiasts. Whether it's the "best pizza" or the "home made bread," Il Dolce delivers an exceptional Italian dining experience right in the heart of Costa Mesa.
A photo of Cucina Alessa Huntington Beach restaurant
7. Cucina Alessa Huntington Beach
4.8
Exceptional(1069)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Huntington Beach
Booked 10 times today
Welcome to Cucina Alessa in Huntington Beach, a gem for those seeking authentic and contemporary Italian cuisine. This delightful restaurant thrives on bringing the essence of Italian hospitality right to your table with dishes that have guests raving about their experiences. Relish in homemade delicacies like "salsa verde," fresh fish, and the crowd-favorite tiramisu. Patrons consistently praise not only the food but the atmosphere and service, with one guest noting, "the food was freshly cooked and came out on time, my date and I loved the food so much" and another celebrating "the best Italian place we’ve found in Orange County!" Whether it's the "phenomenal" PENNE FUNGI E SALSICCE or the exquisite lobster ravioli rated 10/10, Cucina Alessa promises an unforgettable dining experience that keeps locals and newcomers alike returning for more.
‘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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Berkeley
    Los Angeles •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    We had an exceptional dining experience at North Italia! Our group of seven came here to celebrate my grandmother’s 85th birthday while family was visiting from out of town, and it could not have been more perfect. The service from Austin was absolutely wonderful—attentive, friendly, and made us feel so welcomed on such a special occasion. The food was beyond amazing. The white truffle garlic bread and meatballs are a must-have for appetizers—absolutely delicious! For the main course, I had the chicken parmesan, which was cooked to perfection, and we finished the night with the tiramisu, a light and tasty dessert that everyone enjoyed. The ambiance was warm and inviting, making it the perfect place to celebrate. My grandmother had a fantastic time and couldn’t stop raving about the experience. We will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend North Italia for both the food and the outstanding service!
    More info
    North Italia - CerritosPrice: Moderate• Italian• Cerritos
    •
    4.5
  • Carrie
    Orange County •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Wonderful evening at Louie’s again! Service is always awesome and food great too. Very cozy festive atmosphere for Christmas Eve. Thank you Team Louie’s!
    More info
    Louie's by the BayPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Italian• Newport Beach
    •
    4.7
  • HeidiVIP
    Orange County •23 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    We ate here for the first time tonight. Service was excellent! Food was fun and creative! Drinks were excellent too. We had a variety of tapas or small plates and main courses. The chicken main dish was the most tender chicken I’ve ever eaten! The fillet was also quite good. We finished our meal with the chocolate flourless cake. It was superb!
    More info
    Il GirasolePrice: Expensive• Italian• Costa Mesa
    •
    4.7
  • DianeVIP
    Orange County •14 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Food is always great, ambiance for the holiday was beautiful, the service impeccable and management as attentive as needed. A wonderful dining experience!
    More info
    Prego RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Italian• Irvine
    •
    4.6
  • KatherineVIP
    Nashville •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on May 7, 2024
    Beautiful venue - restaurant is a small, gorgeous back room in a bigger venue that can host large events. Service was and food were both great!
    More info
    The AlexanderPrice: Expensive• Italian• Anaheim
    •
    3.8

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