Stecca Taverna

Kristin Simon

not only is the entire staff incredibly warm, italian and kind, but the food is incredible and the chef giorgio is the best. the steak was probably the best steak i’ve ever had and the appetizers and pasta are delicious. i’ve gone back time and time again and continue to make this my go to spot in town whether it’s for a coffee, lunch, dinner or aperitif.

Анна Зайцева

Taverna is incredible, and the service is top-notch. The staff is highly skilled, which you don’t see often in LA. As someone who has traveled extensively across Italy, I can honestly say this is authentic Italian cuisine. After nearly four years in Los Angeles, I’m so happy to have finally found true, delicious, and flawless Italian food.

Jillian Shaw

Shared a cozy meal with loved ones on a rainy day and felt transported to Italy. They kindly let us linger over our conversation and delightful pesto gnocchi, branzino, salmon, and a very memorable arugula salad.

Emily Lin

My boyfriend and I went this past Sunday, and it was such a great experience. Even without a reservation, the waiter was incredibly kind and still found us a table, setting it up beautifully. Our server was fantastic too. He explained the special menu with patience and repeated details kindly whenever we had questions. That made the whole evening feel relaxed and welcoming.  We ordered the Mushroom Soufflé (Timballo di Funghi) and Grilled Octopus (Polpo e Caponata). Both dishes were delicious — the soufflé was rich and satisfying, and the octopus was tender with great flavor.  The restaurant was busy, which shows how popular it is, but parking was easy and the interior had a nice atmosphere. Good food, excellent service, and a warm vibe make this place perfect for a date night, a family dinner, or a gathering with friends.

Matt Alba

Amazing food here! The service was excellent we came for Mother’s Day and couldn’t be happier we chose this place. Chef is from Italy and lives local came introduced himself and this place is going to do very well. I can’t wait to come back for a date night with my wife. Here are some photos of the amazing Mother’s Day celebration we had with 7 of us

LYNNE LEAR

The flavors, the ambiance, and the people create an experience you will want to back to enjoy again and again. The mushroom soufflé appetizer is a crowd pleaser as is the filet with a side of lemon pasta. Wow!

Ewelina Kervin

Stecca Taverna has breathed new life into the space once known as Sosta, and the transformation is nothing short of stunning. The remodel is beautifully done—warm, cozy, and inviting, with a refined charm that feels both fresh and familiar. Under the care of Giorgio, the Italian owner, Stecca Taverna delivers an authentic and heartfelt experience. In the mornings, the atmosphere is laid-back and vibrant, thanks to Hugo, who manages the coffee service with passion and precision. His coffee is exceptional and now my favorite in South Bay! One sip and I’m transported straight back to Italy. In the evenings, Stecca Taverna shifts gears into a full dinner service, offering a welcoming, intimate setting that’s perfect for a relaxed night out. The ambiance alone promises a memorable experience and the food is absolutely OUTSTANDING! Giorgio did an incredible job curating this menu! Chef’s kiss! Stecca Taverna is a wonderful new addition to the neighborhood—a place where old-world Italian warmth meets modern comfort. This will definitely be our regular spot!

David K

Formerly, Sosta, under new ownership of an amazing 1st generation Italian, Giorgio. He and his team have crafted a warm, inviting, new spot from the old habitations with a completely new menu, vibe and feeling of Italian hospitality.

Mia Germain

Chef Giorgio has masterfully transformed the former Sosta Cucina space into something truly special. Stecca Taverna feels like stepping through a hidden door straight into the heart of Liguria and Piemonte—without ever leaving the neighborhood. The ambiance is warm, intimate, and full of Italian charm, making it easy to linger and savor every moment. The wine list, focused exclusively on regional selections, is thoughtfully curated and incredibly well-priced. But it’s the food that truly transports: fresh, seasonal, and deeply satisfying dishes that reflect both tradition and innovation. Every plate we tried was executed with care and soul. We’re already planning our return—for a morning caffè, a golden-hour aperitivo, and of course, many more dinners in famiglia. Stecca Taverna is more than a restaurant—it’s a new neighborhood gem we’re proud to welcome with open abbracci.

matthew peters

This place means business! Awesome to have such an incredible Italian restaurant in the Beach Cities! The food is amazing, the service is great, and the space is so elegant. Like Sosta but better!

Stecca has quickly become our new favorite neighborhood spot! Delicious Italian food, friendly service & such a cozy atmosphere! We’re so excited to have such an amazing spot in Hermosa!

We got the lasagna and the seafood pasta. Everything was fresh and delicious. The service was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our food.

Our foodie friends raved about this place so we had to try! I think it’s the best Italian in the southbay, everything was so spectacular. Beautiful restaurant, love the outside seating. The starters were all delicious, my lemon pasta was to die for!! Lasagna, tagliatelle, linguine were 10/10. Don’t think you could go wrong with anything from Stecca Taverna Staff was very helpful and cared a lot about everyone

What a wonderful little Italian spot. Two thumbs up from my partner who's a New Yorker, so you know she takes her Italian food seriously. The restaurant is small and cute, reminiscent of something you'd find nestled in NYC. The food was delicious, and reasonably priced. We loved the lasagna. And the wine selection was great. We're so excited for this neighborhood spot.

This is hands down the best Italian cuisine in Los Angeles! My wife and I agreed that from now on, this will be our go-to spot. Every single dish we tried was a masterpiece – beautifully presented, perfectly cooked, and full of authentic flavor. The filet mignon, in particular, was absolutely outstanding – tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. The cozy atmosphere, warm service, and truly exceptional food make this place a rare gem. Highly recommend Stecca Taverna to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience!

Clarissa

We got the lasagna and the seafood pasta. Everything was fresh and delicious. The service was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our food.

R K

What a wonderful little Italian spot. Two thumbs up from my partner who's a New Yorker, so you know she takes her Italian food seriously. The restaurant is small and cute, reminiscent of something you'd find nestled in NYC. The food was delicious, and reasonably priced. We loved the lasagna. And the wine selection was great. We're so excited for this neighborhood spot.

Jenny Pankow

Stecca has quickly become our new favorite neighborhood spot! Delicious Italian food, friendly service & such a cozy atmosphere! We’re so excited to have such an amazing spot in Hermosa!

Mykyta Sokolov

This is hands down the best Italian cuisine in Los Angeles! My wife and I agreed that from now on, this will be our go-to spot. Every single dish we tried was a masterpiece – beautifully presented, perfectly cooked, and full of authentic flavor. The filet mignon, in particular, was absolutely outstanding – tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. The cozy atmosphere, warm service, and truly exceptional food make this place a rare gem. Highly recommend Stecca Taverna to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience!

Carly Sullivan

Our foodie friends raved about this place so we had to try! I think it’s the best Italian in the southbay, everything was so spectacular. Beautiful restaurant, love the outside seating. The starters were all delicious, my lemon pasta was to die for!! Lasagna, tagliatelle, linguine were 10/10. Don’t think you could go wrong with anything from Stecca Taverna Staff was very helpful and cared a lot about everyone

The food is good, fresh, quality ingredients. Just be sure to double check the prices on the bill because they will price it wrongly (a few dollars more) for at least one item. They probably think people won't check and it doesn't matter. Also, the waiter came to our table outside too often, it felt a bit intrusive.

Wonderful dinner with friends this evening. It’s not written on the menu, but any of the meat main courses and specials can be prepared gluten free for celiac. They made it easy to order and there were many different options for celiacs, a welcome surprise! Also they can substitute any of the pastas for gluten free spaghetti and make the pasta dishes safe for celiac. The porcini mushroom sauce was excellent! I would tell anyone substituting pasta to make sure to consider whether spaghetti is the right type of noodle for the dish you’re ordering. Also the cheese and fruit boards were very good and much more interesting than most charcuterie plates. The ambience and staff were very cozy and lovely. All together a great meal

maureen a

Wonderful dinner with friends this evening. It’s not written on the menu, but any of the meat main courses and specials can be prepared gluten free for celiac. They made it easy to order and there were many different options for celiacs, a welcome surprise! Also they can substitute any of the pastas for gluten free spaghetti and make the pasta dishes safe for celiac. The porcini mushroom sauce was excellent! I would tell anyone substituting pasta to make sure to consider whether spaghetti is the right type of noodle for the dish you’re ordering. Also the cheese and fruit boards were very good and much more interesting than most charcuterie plates. The ambience and staff were very cozy and lovely. All together a great meal

Diana Cristina

The food is good, fresh, quality ingredients. Just be sure to double check the prices on the bill because they will price it wrongly (a few dollars more) for at least one item. They probably think people won't check and it doesn't matter. Also, the waiter came to our table outside too often, it felt a bit intrusive.

I was really looking forward to trying Stecca Taverna, but left with mixed feelings. Food was not bad, pretty good, but not amazing (like I hoped), and not “100$ a person good”. Crudo is similar to the one in Love&Salt, but more expensive. Pasta was okayish, even UOVO I liked more. Their wine list is really good, but no cocktails. I liked mushrooms appetizer, and their tiramisu is probably in my top 3 tiramisu in Los Angeles. Overall at this price point I would rather go to Slay in Manhattan Beach or San Laurel (Spanish restaurant) in DTLA. The atmosphere is nice, but a bit cramped, and music was “beating” my ears. I feel like I was way more impressed at many other places. But that’s just me, try it for yourself. P.S. One thing that made me uncomfortable, even though the service was good, when the bill came (that was already pretty significant number) their pre-calculated tips suggestions only included above 20% afair, it was an absurd range of 25-35% or something like that. The server didn’t even spent 5 minutes total with us. As a European, I can’t imagine the reason for asking over 50$ tips from two quiet, low-maintenance guests.

Alyona

I was really looking forward to trying Stecca Taverna, but left with mixed feelings. Food was not bad, pretty good, but not amazing (like I hoped), and not “100$ a person good”. Crudo is similar to the one in Love&Salt, but more expensive. Pasta was okayish, even UOVO I liked more. Their wine list is really good, but no cocktails. I liked mushrooms appetizer, and their tiramisu is probably in my top 3 tiramisu in Los Angeles. Overall at this price point I would rather go to Slay in Manhattan Beach or San Laurel (Spanish restaurant) in DTLA. The atmosphere is nice, but a bit cramped, and music was “beating” my ears. I feel like I was way more impressed at many other places. But that’s just me, try it for yourself. P.S. One thing that made me uncomfortable, even though the service was good, when the bill came (that was already pretty significant number) their pre-calculated tips suggestions only included above 20% afair, it was an absurd range of 25-35% or something like that. The server didn’t even spent 5 minutes total with us. As a European, I can’t imagine the reason for asking over 50$ tips from two quiet, low-maintenance guests.

As "local foodies" we tried Stecca about a month ago. Put simply, $268 for two was highway robbery. The appetizer and salad were just acceptable. My wife’s Branzino was just “fine,” but my Ragu was a train wreck. When an Italian chef can’t manage a decent Ragu, no amount of Italian accent or hand-waving can cover the fact that my pasta was undercooked, cold, and swimming in a watery, flavorless sauce straight out of a supermarket can. Server was pleasant but we hardly had any interaction with him other than placing our orders and requesting that the VERY LOUD music to be turned down.

Fred Fardoost

As "local foodies" we tried Stecca about a month ago. Put simply, $268 for two was highway robbery. The appetizer and salad were just acceptable. My wife’s Branzino was just “fine,” but my Ragu was a train wreck. When an Italian chef can’t manage a decent Ragu, no amount of Italian accent or hand-waving can cover the fact that my pasta was undercooked, cold, and swimming in a watery, flavorless sauce straight out of a supermarket can. Server was pleasant but we hardly had any interaction with him other than placing our orders and requesting that the VERY LOUD music to be turned down.

I rarely write negative reviews, but this experience was so unprofessional that I feel obligated to warn others. I made a legitimate 8:30 PM reservation through Resy, which the restaurant itself offered. About an hour before the reservation, I began receiving multiple calls and texts from the restaurant pressuring me to arrive early, claiming they had “no more reservations” and repeatedly emphasizing that I needed to be on time or the kitchen would close. At first I assumed this was an automated message, but when I replied that I could come early, I received a casual “Super thank you” response with an emoji, which already set a strange and unprofessional tone. When my wife and I arrived, the restaurant was maybe 80% full, hardly on the brink of shutting down. Despite this, the service was rushed. We were clearly not holding anything up: food was still being delivered to tables that were seated after us, so there was no justification for the pressure we were feeling. The food itself was not good, but what made the experience truly unpleasant was the behavior of the staff. Bussers repeatedly cleared items from our table prematurely, including asking my wife if she was finished while her plate was half eaten and her fork was literally in her mouth mid-bite. Every clearing was accompanied by “no rush, no rush,” yet everything about the service communicated the exact opposite. Towards the tail end our meal, staff began bringing out cleaning supplies and actively cleaning the area around us (not tables, but hallways leading to bathrooms), filling the air with the smell of bleach while we were still seated and eating. This is completely unacceptable in any restaurant, let alone one that is still serving guests. We weren’t the last party there. On our way out, with one or two other tables remaining, I was genuinely shocked that the hostess didn’t acknowledge us at all. No goodbye. No thank you. Nothing. Overall, this was an awful, rushed, and deeply unprofessional experience from start to finish. I will never return, and I will absolutely advise anyone I know to avoid this place. A reservation should mean something, and diners should never be made to feel like an inconvenience for showing up when they were invited to.

Benjamin Horwitz

I rarely write negative reviews, but this experience was so unprofessional that I feel obligated to warn others. I made a legitimate 8:30 PM reservation through Resy, which the restaurant itself offered. About an hour before the reservation, I began receiving multiple calls and texts from the restaurant pressuring me to arrive early, claiming they had “no more reservations” and repeatedly emphasizing that I needed to be on time or the kitchen would close. At first I assumed this was an automated message, but when I replied that I could come early, I received a casual “Super thank you” response with an emoji, which already set a strange and unprofessional tone. When my wife and I arrived, the restaurant was maybe 80% full, hardly on the brink of shutting down. Despite this, the service was rushed. We were clearly not holding anything up: food was still being delivered to tables that were seated after us, so there was no justification for the pressure we were feeling. The food itself was not good, but what made the experience truly unpleasant was the behavior of the staff. Bussers repeatedly cleared items from our table prematurely, including asking my wife if she was finished while her plate was half eaten and her fork was literally in her mouth mid-bite. Every clearing was accompanied by “no rush, no rush,” yet everything about the service communicated the exact opposite. Towards the tail end our meal, staff began bringing out cleaning supplies and actively cleaning the area around us (not tables, but hallways leading to bathrooms), filling the air with the smell of bleach while we were still seated and eating. This is completely unacceptable in any restaurant, let alone one that is still serving guests. We weren’t the last party there. On our way out, with one or two other tables remaining, I was genuinely shocked that the hostess didn’t acknowledge us at all. No goodbye. No thank you. Nothing. Overall, this was an awful, rushed, and deeply unprofessional experience from start to finish. I will never return, and I will absolutely advise anyone I know to avoid this place. A reservation should mean something, and diners should never be made to feel like an inconvenience for showing up when they were invited to.