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Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Lake Forest

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5 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Mangia Bene Cucina restaurant
1. Mangia Bene Cucina
4.7
Exceptional(672)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
Booked 11 times today
Located in the scenic area of Laguna Niguel, CA, Mangia Bene Cucina has established itself as a beacon of Contemporary Italian cuisine since 1991. Guests rave about the "fabulous dinners" and the "best garlic bread ever," highlighting the authenticity and quality of the dishes served. Reviewers consistently mention the "friendly service" and the welcoming atmosphere, making every dining experience memorable. One patron exclaimed, "Everything was delicious and plentiful," underscoring the restaurant's commitment to both quality and quantity. With its vibrant and festive ambiance, Mangia Bene Cucina stands out as a culinary gem where tradition meets modern flair, ensuring that every visit is "always amazing." Whether it’s for a family dinner or a special occasion, this restaurant promises a top-tier Italian dining experience.
A photo of North Italia – Irvine restaurant
2. North Italia – Irvine
4.5
Awesome(5422)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Irvine
Booked 213 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 Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar restaurant
3. Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar
4.8
Exceptional(65)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
Booked 3 times today
Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar, nestled in the vibrant neighborhoods of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, is a beacon of Contemporary Italian cuisine that resonates with authenticity and culinary excellence. Patrons rave about the homemade pasta and pizzas, exclaiming, "The pasta is the best I've ever had" and the pizza "can't be beat." The dedication to quality is evident as everything on the menu is made fresh, capturing the essence of true Italian flavors in every dish. The restaurant offers a unique charm with its modern yet vintage vibe, enhanced by live music on weekends. As one diner put it, "This place is special," not just for its food but for the overall dining experience that makes every visitor feel like part of the family. Whether it's the warmly lit patio or the cozy indoor seating, Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar ensures a memorable meal that keeps guests returning.
A photo of Prego Restaurant restaurant
4. Prego Restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1428)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Irvine
Booked 18 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 Andrea at Pelican Hill restaurant
5. Andrea at Pelican Hill
4.1
Excellent(1896)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary italian • Newport Beach
The Resort at Pelican Hill invites diners on a weekend-long epicurean experience with the debut of the inaugural Italian Culinary Masters: Act I/Spring 2024 featuring GUCCI Osteria – the first ever U.S. outpost of the Michelin-starred restaurant in Beverly Hills, helmed by renowned Chef Mattia Agazzi and The Resort at Pelican Hill’s Director of Culinary Operations, Chef Kyung Soo Carroll. The Italian Culinary Masters will take place in the Resort’s beloved Andrea restaurant space, Friday, March 22 – Sunday, March 2024. Guests will delight in a multi-sensory dining experience with three 6-course dinners, one four-course lunch and one four-course brunch replete with cocktail/wine pairings curated by the Resort’s Beverage Manager & Sommelier Lorenzo Rocci.
‘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
  • 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
  • KirkVIP
    Los Angeles •9 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Mangia Bene is always excellent! Been coming 2x/month at least for thirty years: business meals, family celebrations, meetings with friends, and solo meals. Chris Karas is a wonderful owner, and all the managers are responsive and professional.
    More info
    Mangia Bene CucinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
    •
    4.7
  • Daniel
    Orange County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    Food is excellent as always. Truly pizza may truly have the best pizza in OC if not SoCal. Service is great. All the servers are so nice and accommodating. The price point is also fairly decent. Cocktails are good, and the ambience is very cozy.
    More info
    Truly PizzaPrice: Moderate• Pizzeria• Dana Point / Monarch Beach
    •
    4.8

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