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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
4.7
Exceptional(690)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
Booked 5 times today
Mangia Bene Cucina, nestled in the heart of Laguna Niguel, offers a seafood dining experience that is both authentic and unforgettable. Renowned for its “perfectly cooked” Calamari Fritti, this restaurant captures the essence of Italian seafood cuisine with dishes that transport diners straight to the coastal regions of Italy. Guests rave about the Cioppino, describing it as a “must-go-to” for seafood aficionados. With a commitment to using fresh, quality ingredients, Mangia Bene Cucina delivers generous portions that satisfy even the most discerning palates. The vibrant atmosphere and exceptional service further enhance the dining experience, ensuring every visit is memorable.
A photo of North Italia – Irvine restaurant
4.5
Awesome(5491)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Irvine
Booked 165 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
4.8
Exceptional(76)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
Booked 6 times today
Nestled in the heart of Laguna Niguel, Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar is a gem of Contemporary Italian cuisine that delights locals and visitors alike. This family-owned restaurant is renowned for its "fantastic fresh Italian pasta dishes" and a menu that showcases the authenticity and creativity of Italian flavors. Patrons rave about the "delicious food, great service, good music and really fantastic ambiance" that Bricco offers. With homemade pasta and a variety of scrumptious dishes, including their "outstanding" Chicago style vegetarian pizza and decadent butter cake, every meal feels like a taste of Italy. Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday, further enhancing this charming dining experience.
A photo of Prego Restaurant restaurant
4.5
Awesome(1446)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary italian • Tustin
Booked 4 times today
Prego Restaurant, nestled in the vibrant locales of Irvine and Tustin, is a haven for seafood enthusiasts, celebrated for its authentic and high-quality offerings. Known far and wide, patrons rave about their seafood, with standout dishes like the Market Salmon and the Tuna Tartare. One delighted diner exclaimed, “The Salmon was delicious!” while another praised their “fantastic” lobster ravioli. Prego's commitment to excellence is evident in its meticulous preparation and presentation, making every seafood dish a culinary masterpiece. With accolades from the Restaurant Writers Association and the Wine and Food Society of Southern California, Prego promises an unforgettable seafood experience.
A photo of Andrea at Pelican Hill restaurant
4.1
Excellent(1893)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary italian • Newport Beach
Andrea at Pelican Hill is a beacon of exquisite Contemporary European cuisine, nestled in the picturesque Newport Beach. The restaurant offers a multi-sensory dining experience, elevating each dish to an art form. Guests frequently commend the “delicious and plentiful” food, noting the “outstanding service” that accompanies it. The venue is renowned for its special high-end offerings, such as the Italian Culinary Masters event, showcasing the brilliance of Chef Mattia Agazzi. Diners rave about the “exceptional” service and beautifully curated events, making Andrea a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic and sophisticated European flavors.
‘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
  • James
    Los Angeles •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Louie’s is a fantastic restaurant, whether for brunch or dinner. The service is always superb and the food, out of this world. They have an outstanding menu and it’s always hard to decide what to eat. So, my wife and I have to keep returning so we can sample everything on the menu. You can’t go wrong with Louie’s no matter the occasion. I haven’t even mentioned the bay view. There are too many good things when you visit the restaurant. You’ll have to make a reservation and experience it for yourself.
    More info
    Louie's by the BayPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Italian• Newport Beach
    4.7
  • AndyVIP
    Orange County •576 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We enjoyed a nice first dinner experience Il Girasole. We had the tasting menu which was overall very good. Service was friendly and knowledgable. The noise level inside was "energetic" even with a moderate crowd size, so diners should take that into consideration.
    More info
    Il GirasolePrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Costa Mesa
    4.5
  • KellyVIP
    California Central Coast •61 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    First time at this restaurant and we were very pleasantly surprised. We had the fried artichoke appetizer, it was good, wish the artichokes were crispier. We also had the seafood pasta and rigatoni with sausage, both were delicious, we ended our meal with a very good and crunchy cannoli. We’ll definitely go back.
    More info
    Mangia Bene CucinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel
    4.7
  • Sherry
    San Diego •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    As always, the pizza and salad were delicious. staff are very friendly and welcoming. However, the wings were not so good. The harissa sauce, not tasty at all. Won’t be ordering them again.
    More info
    Truly PizzaPrice: Moderate• Pizzeria• Dana Point / Monarch Beach
    4.8
  • Jaime
    Los Angeles •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    Prego is a beautiful restaurant. We had reservations at 4pm and we were greeted and seated right away. Edgar our waiter was tentative and polite. The food was quick to come out! We ordered the calamari, brisket pasta and shrimp diavola which was all delicious. We would recommend this place for a date night for two.
    More info
    Prego RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Italian• Tustin
    4.5
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