Piccolo Santa Monica

This place is fantastic! What a little gem on Lincoln. The service is great with friendly service. The Pasta is homemade and AMAZING! High end meals at reasonable prices and great cocktails. Highly recommend this wonderful restaurant.

chose a random place to have dinner as we were tired from traveling and read great reviews so decided to come and try it out and boy it was so good i still think about the food till this day even though we were there about a month ago. we did get a parking fine after dinner as we weren’t familiar with the area so just watch out where you park

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE OWNER AND THE OWNER ONLY. If you are not him, please keep scrolling. It is my life's mission to find the best vodka pasta. You name the restaurant , I've had it. I've seen the best and the worst vodka pasta this planet has to offer, and sir, I think your staff has cracked the code. The sauce alone is so good I actually considered taking a balinese mud bath in it. Like my lockscreen rn? Quite literally a picture of your pasta. I cannot rest until I know I can have this pasta again. My days have been riddled with the anxiety of knowing this pasta is a special and not a menu item. I don't want to go back to the Elephante’s, Jon & Vinny's, and the Scopa's of the world thinking about what could have been :/ Please give this pasta the menu slot it so rightfully deserves.

The atmosphere is great, food is amazing. If you are near by, definitely stop and try!

Liv B

From start to finish, everything was phenomenal. The grilled calamari was the best l've ever had. The squid ink pasta, tagliatelle, truffle tortelli, and ribeye were all perfection beautifully cooked and incredibly flavorful. Desserts were equally impressive: the panna cotta, tronchetto, and tiramisu were all very good. The outdoor dining area has great ambience, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. Service was excellent ,attentive, friendly, and professional. A truly exceptional meal all around!

Taylor

What a 10/10 incredible experience. Our server Erin and the rest of the team were so kind and attentive, and every dish was insanely good with such unique and deep flavors. I had the Tortelli di Patate e Fichi — handmade potato and fig tortelli — and my partner had the Pici Guanciale e Cipolla, a rich, carbonara-style pasta that was the best garlic forward version he’s had. We also shared the Branzino alla Griglia, perfectly grilled sea bass with sautéed rapini and cherry tomatoes. It was light yet rich and the bell pepper pure gave it a hint of sweetness. When a guest nearby fell and we helped, the staff surprised us with a pasta to-go and the most divine tiramisu. That kind gesture, along with the chef’s artistry and the team’s genuine warmth has made us the biggest fans. We’ll definitely be back… many times. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Heather Rushton

Great Italian food on the West Coast is hard to find, at least for me after moving back from the East Coast. This restaurant completely changed my mind about West Coast Italian fare. I love this place and will recommend it to everyone. It’s tucked away off the beaten path in Santa Monica, with excellent service and food that truly delivers. I ordered the Pici Guanciale e Cipolla, and it was the best pasta I have ever had. Worth every penny. The prices are fair, but honestly, if it cost double, I would still have finished every bite. It felt like a little Italian grandma with a fiery attitude was in the back making it just for me. After a long day on the coast, it hit the spot. Everything is fresh and made from scratch in house. I can’t wait to go back. I shared a picture of an empty plate because it was that good!

gaither loewenstein

Outstanding small Italian restaurant with authentic cuisine, friendly and knowledgeable service and a nice romantic atmosphere. Highly recommended for date night.

Meagan McCall

Piccolo is one of the best restaurants on Lincoln for its delicious food, exquisite wines, and above-and-beyond friendly staff. The grilled octopus, grilled calamari, and linguini mare with the black in linguine are must-order dishes, and you really can’t go wrong with any of the wines. Kelsey is the best manager and always makes sure things go smoothly. The bartender is also brilliant and all of his cocktails are amazing. They have both romantic indoor and outdoor seating, and I always leave with a smile on my face.

gene Alex

Our dinner for four started promptly and on the right note. The hostess was friendly and gave us seating choices ,we sat inside. The high table was just the right height and the leather padded chairs were comfortable inside the noise level was perfect to have a normal conversation. we listened to specials from our multi talented waiters that was working the bar as well. the wine choices are vast and contain important Italian classics.We went with a Valpollachella wine which was amazing Appetizers were gorgeous and delicious. Beet carpaccio de Oro with Burrata , Jamon with red wine reduced pears with Burrata and radiccio mix, ricotta stuffed agnolotti with butter reduction and summer truffles shaved on top. That was a dream in a dish! For main course we had veal scaloppini ,very tender over mashed potatoes , and the New York Strip steak with peppercorn sauce !Absolutely perfect! For the end of our meal we ordered a small chocolate mouse tart over a crunchy hazelnut cooky . The dinner was amazing, and I would recommend you visiting Piccolo for a memorable dinner as a date or going with friends.

Leisha Jack

Cozy little restaurant, excellent authentic Italian food. The service was great. Simone our waiter (Italian) was knowledgeable and molto simpatico (lovely). Excellent wine list. Enjoy!

Sohm Kapila

Hope more people keep visiting this restaurant which is slightly off the beaten track in a way as not close to many other restaurants. We stumbled across it accidentally when looking for somewhere to just have some nice pasta and steak. Absolutely loved the food and the specials we tried. The barman Jonathan was also great, very experienced cocktail maker, and attentive to us (even though I wasn't drinking and kept asking many questions about the food)! He helped with our queries. Lovely service from the host at the door to Erin the server. We are really looking forward to coming back and trying some more dishes. Recommend: Lamb chops, carpaccio, Duck Ragu

Ethan Chan

Came here for my 5th year anniversary. Love the service and food. Seared scallops with truffle is amazing.

Chuck S

Had a great meal here, every dish was tasty and I got great service sitting at the bar. Cute place a little expensive but the food was so good. It definitely was worth it.

Andrea Mueller

This place is fantastic! What a little gem on Lincoln. The service is great with friendly service. The Pasta is homemade and AMAZING! High end meals at reasonable prices and great cocktails. Highly recommend this wonderful restaurant.

Daph Alex

chose a random place to have dinner as we were tired from traveling and read great reviews so decided to come and try it out and boy it was so good i still think about the food till this day even though we were there about a month ago. we did get a parking fine after dinner as we weren’t familiar with the area so just watch out where you park

T

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE OWNER AND THE OWNER ONLY. If you are not him, please keep scrolling. It is my life's mission to find the best vodka pasta. You name the restaurant , I've had it. I've seen the best and the worst vodka pasta this planet has to offer, and sir, I think your staff has cracked the code. The sauce alone is so good I actually considered taking a balinese mud bath in it. Like my lockscreen rn? Quite literally a picture of your pasta. I cannot rest until I know I can have this pasta again. My days have been riddled with the anxiety of knowing this pasta is a special and not a menu item. I don't want to go back to the Elephante’s, Jon & Vinny's, and the Scopa's of the world thinking about what could have been :/ Please give this pasta the menu slot it so rightfully deserves.

Karina Aneva

The atmosphere is great, food is amazing. If you are near by, definitely stop and try!

Lovely place with a nice outside, we eat grilled calamari, pasta melanzane and tiramisù. Everything was delicious, the pasta was perfectly cooked and very tasty. Very recommended.

Don’t walk, RUN to this restaurant. From one of the best salads I’ve ever had to the incredible ravioli, wow. Not to mention, the location is adorable and has a lovely patio and bar. The service was outstanding and made me feel right at home. I can’t wait to come back!!

I forgot to take any picture, I was too focused on eating those phenomenal dishes. Plin ravioli and beef carpaccio were unbelievably good, suggested wine amazing too. Personnel was kind and helpful, service was fast and precise with timing. 5 stars

Piccolo Café is a charming little Italian spot in Santa Monica . I came here on a whim and was blown away by the quality of the food. I had their truffle pasta, and the flavor was incredible—perfectly creamy and not overwhelming. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable for the quality. The staff is warm and attentive, and the cozy atmosphere makes it perfect for a date night or a quiet meal

One of my all time favorite haunts on the west side of LA for all around great food and vibes. Service is always excellent because they are such a neighborhood spot (lots of repeat customers which is always a great sign). And bonus for anyone that is gluten free - they make their own handmade gf pasta that made the gluten intolerant eaters in our party BEYOND happy. Thank you for always being so lovely piccolo team!

Emanuele Tomei

Lovely place with a nice outside, we eat grilled calamari, pasta melanzane and tiramisù. Everything was delicious, the pasta was perfectly cooked and very tasty. Very recommended.

Mai

One of my all time favorite haunts on the west side of LA for all around great food and vibes. Service is always excellent because they are such a neighborhood spot (lots of repeat customers which is always a great sign). And bonus for anyone that is gluten free - they make their own handmade gf pasta that made the gluten intolerant eaters in our party BEYOND happy. Thank you for always being so lovely piccolo team!

Tim

Piccolo Café is a charming little Italian spot in Santa Monica . I came here on a whim and was blown away by the quality of the food. I had their truffle pasta, and the flavor was incredible—perfectly creamy and not overwhelming. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable for the quality. The staff is warm and attentive, and the cozy atmosphere makes it perfect for a date night or a quiet meal

Diana Poulos

Don’t walk, RUN to this restaurant. From one of the best salads I’ve ever had to the incredible ravioli, wow. Not to mention, the location is adorable and has a lovely patio and bar. The service was outstanding and made me feel right at home. I can’t wait to come back!!

I went to Piccolo for the first time and overall had a fine experience. The atmosphere is nice and the service was great—our waiters were attentive and friendly. As for the food, I had the truffle ravioli and the ribeye steak, both house specials. The ravioli was good, but the steak was just okay. I didn’t love either dish enough to come back soon. It’s a decent spot, but not one I feel the need to revisit anytime soon.

Mariana Moraes

I went to Piccolo for the first time and overall had a fine experience. The atmosphere is nice and the service was great—our waiters were attentive and friendly. As for the food, I had the truffle ravioli and the ribeye steak, both house specials. The ravioli was good, but the steak was just okay. I didn’t love either dish enough to come back soon. It’s a decent spot, but not one I feel the need to revisit anytime soon.

Manish Butte

The backyard is dimly lit and there are candles on the table, creating a memorable atmosphere. Heat lamps were more than adequate. Not loud, and not packed cheek to jowl, so it's easy to have conversations here. Very few kids here. The food was great quality, well prepared, good portion sizes, served warm. The fare is upper tier, traditional Italian, with little to no innovation. There are a few vegetarian choices but that's not a strength here. For dessert we tried tiramisu, which was mostly cream and lacked flavor. We didn't see our server all that much and had to ask another for a refill of water. The location is right on busy Lincoln, which unfortunately does not have much for public transit. Great place for a romantic dinner or other special occasion. I would probably come back.