Cafe Paradiso

Cafe Paradiso is a top-notch neighborhood restaurant. I visited with two friends, and we all loved what we ordered. The soup was homemade and the bread was authentic, crusty Italian. One of my friends could not get of enough of the balsamic vinegar. The owner (I think) checks in with each table and pitches in on service when needed. It is within a few blocks of Whole Foods, Starbucks, Wilshire, Casa Escobar, Sonny's etc so you can easily meet up with friends beforehand or stroll to an afterdinner drink or coffee. Free parking in the back (enter via the alley between 24th and Chelsea). I am from the east coast and have had more than enough Italian food, but this place gets it so right, I plan to visit regularly in the future. Pros: authentic, fresh Italian; free parking more

I have lived in Santa Monica for over 10 years, and this is the first restaurant that I've been to that I've experienced authentic Italian food. My absolute favorite dish is the fafalle with salmon, sun dried tomatoes and fresh baby artichokes in a pink vodka sauce. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves salmon!! The atmosphere is very cozy and inviting, and the owners always welcome you with open arms. I usually go with a group of friends, but it is also a great date place. Lately I have also been going for lunch and I really love the salads, especially the steak salad, and they have the absolute best balsamic vinaigrette dressing (they should sell their salad dressing). I love this place and can't wait to go back. Pros: Parking in the back more

This place is amazing! We moved in around the corner last year, and this restaurant makes me happy to live in the neighborhood. The owner and/or his wife are there almost every night to welcome you with authentic Italian hospitality--they'll even humor you and speak Italian with you (no matter how bad you are!). This place is the definition of warm, inviting, and unpretentious--not somewhere to see and be seen, but definitely somewhere to eat amazing food! Real Italian food foodies will not be disappointed. The soups are made from scratch and are always delicious, usually topped with home-made croutons. The pastas are basic but absolutely delicious, and taste just like something you would have in Italy. The wine list is small but very well suited to the menu, and the friendly owner is always there to make a good suggestion. Definitely order dessert, or at the very least, a coffee (the biscotti are to die for!). I absolutely love this place and go there as much as possible! Pros: Excellent pasta, amazing service, opportunity to practice Italian! Cons: The sometimes empty dining room makes me worry this amazing spot may go out of business if more people don't appreciate it! more

Cafe Paradiso is an amazing restaurant. After my first time in there (about 9 months ago), I was an instant regular. Not only is the food amazing, but the service makes me feel like I'm at a friend's house for dinner. I know when I go in I will get a superb meal, tailored to my weird eating habits, but also a hug! This is the first time I have written a review on here, and trust me, it's very well deserved. Once you go in, you will keep wanting to go back. Pros: Great service, wonderful food Cons: Can get pricey more

I love this little restaurant. The food is so good, the atmosphere is comfortable and the service is friendly and helpful. The arugula salad with shrimp and white beans is my favorite. Also tried the pumpkin ravioli, amazing! The tuscan bean soup is really good for a cold night. They have great daily specials and the prices are affordable. I love it! It's easy to get to, plenty of street parking, and good Irish pub down the street afterwards to go out with friends. Away from the overcrowded Promenade! more

This little elegant restaurant postioned between Chelsea and 24th St. on Wilshire, proved to be a very pleasant surprise. The restaurant which is owned by one of the previous owners of La Finestra in Tarzana, CA, truly has something for everyone. The menu which offers mostly classic italian fare from all over Italy, seems in my experience, to have nothing less then great on it. For starters, I loved the classic Tuscan Ribollita, a fantastic Florentine soup, and I also loved the Mussels in tomato Brodo. For an entree, I had pink tomato sauce with Chicken that was to die for. But if there is nothing on the menu that truly appeals to you (Which is doubtfull!), The staff is incredibly accomodating and seems to be able to whip up anything you can imagine. Because the restaurant is small and warm, it offers an alternate to a lot of the trendy italian restaurants in town that are very loud, this is an intimate restaurant with a familar atmosphere. Just when it seemed like for great Italian fare in Los Angeles you had to settle for a pretentious room that makes it impossible to hear the conversation at the table, a restaurant like Cafe Paradiso, stands in a class all its own. Pros: Quiet and Intimate room, free parking in back and great food at an excellent value Cons: Difficult to locate from the street, sits between Chelsea and 24th street more

My family ate at Cafe Paradiso last week for the first time and it was a great experience. The owner, Mario, is an excellent host and chef and will prepare anything you'd like even if you don't see it on the menu. The food was delicious. I've traveled extensively in Italy and Mario's food is absolutely authentic classic Italian. The portions are large and are an excellent value for the price. The room has a lovely atmosphere and is is large enough so you're not seated too close to your "neighbor". This little gem in Santa Monica may not be in the trendiest part of town but is definitely worth trying. It's one of our family's new favorites! Pros: Fresh food cooked to order, Great Atmosphere, Classic Italian Preparation more

Tucked between the WaMu and a liquor store, Cafe Paradiso is unassuming along the famous Wilshire Blvd. In a town where people go out to be seen and not do a hell of a lot of eating, it's no wonder Cafe Paradiso flies under the radar. I discovered Cafe Paradiso in early 06, shortly after they opened and at the time, the owners were letting folks bring their own wine, with no corkage fee. They also let us create any type of dish we wanted, if we asked nicely. I dined there three times in the span of two months and never had a bad meal there. The food quality is very high and the dishes are extremely creative with a Mediterranean/Italian flair. Everything from their appetizers to desserts truly satisfy even the most discerning diner. Between my friends and I going for "family style" meals, I can honestly say I've sampled just about everything they make and will stand by the claim that they don't make a bad dish. The service is friendly and laid-back. The decor is warm and reminds me of the cafes I lounged in when I visited Tuscany. The walls and lighting create a warm and homey atmosphere, lending itself to a relaxed vibe. Not sure if they've gotten a liquor license by now (I had to move away from LA in mid-06) but with the liquor store just next-door and the absence of a corkage-fee, BYOB was never a problem. Perfect for date night or dinner with friends. Staff is very accommodating and prices are absolutely super-reasonable. Pay them a visit- you won't regret it! Pros: Location, parking, value, quality of service and food, variety of menu, flexibility of chefs Cons: They don't serve breakfast! more