California’s Italian dining landscape spans famed Michelin-starred establishments, coastal trattorias, and vibrant neighborhood gems. Whether you’re searching for the most famous Italian restaurant in California, curious about popular Italian restaurant in California, or pinpointing the #1 Italian restaurant in California, this curated list—featuring California’s best Italian restaurants—delivers memorable flavors and ambiance. Descriptions include key phrases like most popular dishes in Italian restaurants to highlight culinary appeal.
List of Top 10 Italian Restaurants in California
1. Ambrogio by Acquerello (La Jolla) – Statewide Standout
Named the best Italian restaurant in California by 5 Reasons To Visit, Ambrogio is acclaimed for its seafood-forward, upscale Italian fare. Its ocean-view setting and seasonal menu—highlighting delicacies like handmade agnolotti and fresh seafood risotto—showcase the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants category. As the most famous Italian restaurant in California, it defines elegant, coastal refinement and consistently gains attention as a popular Italian restaurant in California.
2. Acquerello (San Francisco) – Two-Star Michelin Classic
Acquerello in Nob Hill holds two Michelin stars, making it one of the best Italian restaurants in California. Its exquisite tasting menus offer inventive preparations—foie gras raviolo, truffled corn custard—ranked among the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants by fine-dining lovers. With refined service and prix fixe experiences, Acquerello represents the #1 Italian restaurant in California for serious epicureans.
3. Osteria Mozza (Los Angeles) – Michelin-Starred Pasta Temple
Osteria Mozza in Hollywood earned a Michelin star soon after opening and remains one of California’s best Italian restaurants. Its mozzarella bar and pasta—like ricotta gnocchi and seasonal creations—are undeniably most popular dishes in Italian restaurants. A 5‑star Italian restaurant in California, it delivers consistent excellence and neighborhood acclaim.
4. Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura (Beverly Hills) – Fashionable Fine Dining
Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Mattia Agazzi, Gucci Osteria lives up to its reputation as one of California’s most famous Italian restaurants. With dishes like “Risotto Camouflaged as Pizza” and playful containers, it’s a popular Italian restaurant in California for foodies seeking creativity. Frequently rated among the top Italian restaurants in California, it’s a glam culinary destination.
5. Caruso’s (Montecito) – Coastal Luxury Near Santa Barbara
Located in Montecito’s Rosewood Resort, Caruso’s combines coastal ease with Italian finesse. A Michelin-starred venue with Forbes Five-Star recognition, diners flock for its seafood crudo, handmade pasta, and seasonal produce, hailed as most popular dishes in Italian restaurants. As a 5-star Italian restaurant in California, it offers relaxed elegance in a scenic setting.
6. Bello by Sandro Nardone (Newport Beach) – Michelin-Awarded OC Gem
Bello, chef Sandro Nardone’s Michelin-recognized Naples-style restaurant, is celebrated in Orange County. With truffle-rich Norcia pasta and house-made desserts, diners rank its menu among the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants. A standout best Italian restaurant in California, it’s known as a favorite popular Italian restaurant in California.
7. Flour + Water (San Francisco) – Pasta & Pizza Powerhouse
Flour + Water remains one of the best Italian restaurants in California, famed for artisanal pasta and wood-fired pizza. Cacio e pepe, seasonal pastas, and thin-crust pies are among the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants here. Its modern-rustic ambiance keeps it near the top of San Francisco dining lists.
8. Felix Trattoria (Venice, LA) – Pasta-Lab Innovation
Evan Funke’s Felix is renowned for its pasta lab and handmade delights, making it a standout best Italian restaurant in California. Signature dishes—rigatoni all’amatriciana, orecchiette, sfincione—are regularly called most popular dishes in Italian restaurants. A neighborhood favorite and culinary destination.
9. Antico Nuovo (Los Angeles, Koreatown) – Michelin Highlight
Antico Nuovo, listed among L.A.’s top 25 restaurants by The New York Times, shines for its premium desserts and casual-meets-elegant vibe. Classic antipasti and pasta remain crowd-pleasers. Positioned as a belonging in popular Italian restaurant in California, especially in Los Angeles.
10. Orsa & Winston (Downtown LA) – Japanese-Italian Fusion
Orsa & Winston is a rare Michelin-starred fusion of Japanese precision and Italian flair. Considered one of California’s best Italian restaurants for innovation, dishes like dashi-infused pastas and seasonal seafood straddle bath authentic and avant-garde. Its tasting menu structure earns frequent praise among those seeking creative most popular dishes in Italian restaurants.
🍝 California’s Italian Culinary Journey
From the most famous Italian restaurant in California like Ambrogio and Acquerello to coastal luxury (Caruso’s), Michelin excellence (Osteria Mozza, Gucci Osteria), and innovation (Orsa & Winston, Felix), the state offers a vast canvas of Italian flavors. Whether you want to try the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants, find the #1 Italian restaurant in California, or experience 5-star Italian dining, this top Italian restaurants in California list ensures a spectacular culinary adventure. Buon appetito!
