10 Low-Key Italian Restaurants In California Locals Love
California hides some amazing Italian restaurants that only locals seem to know about. These spots serve up authentic dishes without the fuss or high prices of trendy places.
I’ve eaten my way through the state to find these secret Italian treasures where the pasta is made fresh daily and the owners still remember your name.
1. La Ciccia, San Francisco’s Sardinian Secret
This unassuming corner spot in Noe Valley will transport you straight to Sardinia faster than any plane ticket. Husband-wife team Massimiliano and Lorella run the joint with such passion you’d think they invited you to their home.
La Ciccia’s seafood pasta arrives swimming in an oil that would make your Italian grandmother weep with joy. The menu changes constantly based on what’s fresh, but if the baby octopus is available, order it immediately or live with that regret forever.
2. Sfizio, Oakland’s Pasta Paradise
Where have you been hiding, Sfizio? Tucked away in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood, this pasta-focused gem operates with the confidence of a place that doesn’t need to shout about itself.
Though relatively new to the scene, Sfizio has mastered the art of handmade pasta that strikes that perfect balance between tender and chewy. Their cacio e pepe would make a Roman blush, and the seasonal vegetable sides aren’t afterthoughts but co-stars on this delicious stage.
3. Luna Trattoria, Mendocino’s Coastal Italian Haven
Are you even ready for the magic happening inside this weathered coastal cottage? Luna Trattoria sits unassumingly along Mendocino’s foggy coastline, serving Italian comfort food that tastes like it traveled directly from an Italian grandmother’s kitchen.
The seafood risotto here contains whatever was caught that morning, transformed into creamy, oceanic perfection. Locals protect this place like a secret family recipe, slipping in for their weekly pasta fix while tourists walk right past, completely unaware of the culinary treasure they’re missing.
4. Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria, Geyserville’s Fiery Jewel
When God decided to bless wine country with perfect pizza, Diavola was born. Housed in a historic building in tiny Geyserville, this place makes pizza that would make Neapolitans question their life choices.
Chef Dino’s wood-fired creations emerge blistered and beautiful, topped with house-cured meats from the attached salumeria. The space feels like some magical Italian farmhouse that accidentally landed in Northern California, complete with communal tables where strangers become friends over shared pizza.
5. Colapasta, Santa Monica’s Pasta Pocket
Did you hear about the tiny pasta shop that’s smaller than most people’s living rooms? Colapasta hides in plain sight in Santa Monica, with just a handful of tables and a pasta-making operation that would impress any Italian nonna.
Chef Stefano keeps prices ridiculously reasonable for pasta this good. His pappardelle with wild boar ragu has caused several friends to actually tear up mid-bite.
The focaccia arrives warm, salty, and completely irresistible. The kind of bread that ruins your appetite but you don’t even care.
6. Piazza 1909, La Jolla’s Garden Trattoria
Somehow everyone misses this La Jolla gem hiding behind leafy trees in a converted craftsman house. Piazza 1909 serves Milanese-inspired cuisine on a patio so enchanting you’ll forget you’re in Southern California.
The risotto arrives perfectly al dente every single time, a feat that deserves a culinary medal. Family-owned and fiercely authentic, they refuse to Americanize anything
Ask for extra cheese on your pasta and prepare for a gentle Italian lecture on why you’re wrong. Trust them, they know better than you do.
7. Ciccia Osteria, San Diego’s Hidden Hillcrest Treasure
However did you live without knowing about this tiny Sardinian spot tucked into a Hillcrest side street? Ciccia Osteria operates out of what feels like someone’s cozy living room, with just a few tables and some of San Diego’s most authentic Italian food.
The handmade culurgiones (Sardinian stuffed pasta) come dressed simply in brown butter and sage, letting the craftsmanship speak for itself. Chef-owners Francesca and Mario work magic in their tiny kitchen, turning out regional specialties rarely seen outside Italy.
8. Ristorante Illando, San Diego’s Coastal Italian Secret
When was the last time you found a place where the owner still kisses regular customers on both cheeks? Ristorante Illando hides in plain sight near San Diego’s Liberty Station, an old-school Italian spot completely untouched by food trends or Instagram influence.
The seafood linguine arrives piled high with clams, mussels, and whatever looked good at the fish market that morning. Dark wood paneling, white tablecloths, and servers who’ve worked there for decades create an atmosphere that feels transported from another era.
No one here cares about your dietary restrictions, and that’s oddly refreshing.
9. Ippolito’s Trattoria, Sacramento’s Italian Time Capsule
Though hiding in plain sight since 1987, Ippolito’s remains Sacramento’s best-kept Italian secret. The dining room looks exactly as it did when it opened, red checkered tablecloths, Chianti bottles with candle wax drippings, and family photos covering every inch of the wall.
The massive portions of chicken parmesan arrive bubbling hot, covered in melty cheese that stretches for days. Old Italian men gather at the bar each afternoon, sipping espresso and arguing about politics while giving side-eye to newcomers.
The tiramisu recipe hasn’t changed in 35 years because perfection doesn’t need updating.
10. Mario’s Italian Deli, Glendale’s Sandwich Institution
Wait, is a deli really a restaurant? One bite of Mario’s legendary Italian sub will answer that question with a resounding yes. This Glendale institution has been stuffing sandwiches with imported meats and cheeses since 1961.
The godmother sandwich packs more flavor between two slices of bread than should be legally possible. Mario’s tiny grocery section stocks imported Italian products you can’t find elsewhere, from obscure pastas to regional cookies.
The place gets packed at lunch with a mix of construction workers, office employees, and film industry folks all waiting patiently for sandwich perfection.
