Il Girasole

Service was great. Food and drinks were amazing. The owner dropped by our table to check on us was a nice touch. Definitely make reservations because it gets busy. Will definitely recommend to try.

Got a late lunch (or early dinner) with my wife and 2 babies... Warm greeting from entrance and really nice waiter serving our table. Food was perfect, dishes were beautifully decorated! And the server Michael fantastically kind to us!

Very impressed by dinner here! We had walked by a few weeks ago and saw it was almost open and so glad to see it open now. First, Service was impeccable. Great to see staff who are as excited and knowledgeable about the food as the chef. The food was delicious and unique. The duck pappardelle was so so good, coiled like a rose and then stuffed with the duck and mushroom. Exciting and satisfying. The Caesar salad was beautiful too, grilled just right and dressed to perfection. Octopus was perfectly crispy and tender. The cod melted in the mouth. Chose tiramisu with some trepidation - just feel like it can be so tired and boring - but this was light, flavorful and unique. Honestly, this was a Michelin star experience without all the fuss and cost. Definitely go!

timothy marfori

10/10 amazing! My wife and I decided to come here to celebrate our anniversary and we were pleasantly surprised. It is modern Italian so don’t expect normal Olive Garden entrees haha. The visionary behind the restaurant has taken his take on Italian food where he grew up and elevated it with a modern twist. The food still comforts you like Italian food does but the modern take on it delights your taste buds and keeps you wanting more. The duck parpadelle was so incredible, arancini was delicious, lasagna was rich and decadent and the tiramisu was excellent. The owner himself brought us a Limoncello shot to celebrate. Thank you so much we will be back! If you are looking for a new date night spot and want a creative fresh take on Italian please go here you will not be disappointed!

Maryam Fallatah

Such a delicious experience! The fettuccine was good, but the raviolo on top of the steak was incredible — definitely the highlight of the meal. The flourless chocolate cake was insanely good, highly recommend it! The service was excellent and the steak was tender, juicy, and perfectly medium-rare… it literally melted in my mouth. The Spanish Octopus 🐙 was surprisingly delicious — tender, flavorful, and beautifully done! A dish I didn’t expect to love, but I absolutely did. My only note is that the steak was very small for the price ($69) — I expected a bigger portion. Other than that, everything tasted amazing.

Brian Sakaeda

Il Girasole was the perfect spot for our anniversary—it absolutely did not disappoint! The service was top-notch, and the wine list was excellent. The appetizers were not only delicious, but they were works of art! We started with the zesty, lemon-flavored Arancini, the incredibly fresh Crudo (made with fish flown in from Japan!), and the unique Polipo with its delicate squid ink crisps. Our entrées were the highlights: a deeply satisfying Pappardella Ripiena Di Anatra that featured perfect crispy duck confit, and the must-try Filetto Cacio E Pepe—a tender filet brilliantly wrapped in a cacio e pepe ravioli. For dessert, we indulged in the peach cheesecake and the beautifully presented Pavlova with dragon fruit.

Minnie Vu

We had the best experience at Il Girasole today. Both their brunch & lunch/dinner have amazing options. The Duck Pappardella was a work of art and absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to return again and again.

David Bivens

Il Girasole was brilliant. Friendly service, fantastic wine list, and everything we ate was delicious. We will be back.

Raf Babayan

Got a late lunch (or early dinner) with my wife and 2 babies... Warm greeting from entrance and really nice waiter serving our table. Food was perfect, dishes were beautifully decorated! And the server Michael fantastically kind to us!

Nohemi Aguilar

Service was great. Food and drinks were amazing. The owner dropped by our table to check on us was a nice touch. Definitely make reservations because it gets busy. Will definitely recommend to try.

Jose Ho

Great little find. I asked Yelp for best restaurants near me and this was one option. It wasn't that near, I was at work in the city of Orange. Picked it bad on the pictures of the space and food. Tend to like tasting as much as possible so ordered 5 appetizers to test out the kitchen. We enjoyed them all, some more than others but there was none we didn't enjoy. Attentive and friendly service. I'll definitely be coming back.

Von Mova

I went to this amazing restaurant on a first special date, because I know the owner, Antonio and his growth in the food industry for almost 20 years As we walked in, we were welcomed Saturday on our table Started with an amazing martini Then I told Antonio to surprise me with the dishes I should have and you sure did First, we started with beets salad, then an amazing octopus appetizer, we were done, surprised with an amazing spoon of caviar, I mean caviar, Then my mouth dropped as I tasted the lobster risotto as the surf followed by an amazing perfectly cooked fillet as turf We were totally stuffed with some of the best food I’ve ever had, and I was not surprised at all From the moment we walked in the staff was amazing from our server to his Assistant thank you everyone

Daniel Rodrigues

Very impressed by dinner here! We had walked by a few weeks ago and saw it was almost open and so glad to see it open now. First, Service was impeccable. Great to see staff who are as excited and knowledgeable about the food as the chef. The food was delicious and unique. The duck pappardelle was so so good, coiled like a rose and then stuffed with the duck and mushroom. Exciting and satisfying. The Caesar salad was beautiful too, grilled just right and dressed to perfection. Octopus was perfectly crispy and tender. The cod melted in the mouth. Chose tiramisu with some trepidation - just feel like it can be so tired and boring - but this was light, flavorful and unique. Honestly, this was a Michelin star experience without all the fuss and cost. Definitely go!

christine albritton

We had a wonderful experience at Il Girasole. The food was outstanding and the personable service and attention to detail made this a special evening. We shared Spanish octopus, parppadella with duck, gnocchi, halibut, filet minion, arancini and tiramisu. The octopus was cooked to perfection and served with a delicious romesco sauce. The parppadella was a large ribbon pasta surrounding confit duck topped with crackling skin. The gnocchi was light and filled with pesto and topped with a delicious Parmesan foam. A delicious reimagining of gnocchi with pesto. The arancini were very nicely prepared and the sauce they were served with was outstanding. I’m not a dessert person but was bowled over by the tiramisu. Not the usual soggy mess. It was mostly the mascarpone cream surrounding a small filling of lady finger soaked in Marsala and espresso. Beautifully presented. Even the amuse bouche was stunning to behold and delicious. The cocktails were interesting and nicely presented. The wine list is pretty comprehensive with many reasonably priced bottles. Can’t wait to return.

Wow, what an experience! From the moment we sat down at the bar and saw how beautiful it was, our evening was a perfect one. Our bartender Mark let us sample a couple wines before making our selection, gave us some helpful dining recommendations, and regularly checked in on us. Manager Antonio also checked in and told us how the restaurant came to be. But what really put the evening over the top was the food. Beautifully styled, timely delivered, and oh so tasty. You have to order the Duck Pappardella, which was amazing. Definitely go; this place is a hidden gem.

The stuffed gnocchi are amazing. I had lunch there with my family on Saturday. The atmosphere is playful yet classic, and so close to a wide range of small local shops spanning from gourmet food items to custom furniture. The lemon cookies after dinner were perfect, light, sweet, and just a touch of tang. The Italian owner Antonio is charming. We enjoyed hearing about his Michelin starred chef friends in Italy, and we loved talking about his home town, one of our favorites in Italy. We look forward to returning for a dinner.

Stella Han

I had an incredible experience here! The atmosphere is stunning, especially with the indoor Christmas lights creating such a cozy, pretty vibe. They have a great setup where you can choose between sitting inside or at the full bar outside. The food was outstanding—we started with the Crudo and the Burrata Prosciutto Salad, both of which were fresh and flavorful. For the main, the Duck Pasta was a standout. They have a huge variety of appetizers that all looked delicious. What really sets this place apart, though, is the service. The owner and the staff are some of the friendliest, most amazing people I’ve encountered. They made us feel so welcome. I would love to come back here and highly recommend it to anyone in the area! Roxy Marc and Antonio the owner are amazing!!!!

beagle 47

Yelp asks "what went well?" A more pointed question is what did not go well, the answer being not a single thing did not go perfectly. Service from the bar was spot-on: There when needed, not rushed or an intrusion, checking-in to ensure no happy-hour order desired was missed. Drinks were well-mixed, generously (but not overwhelmingly) poured. The food: modern fresh Italian with a clear, unique flair. Gnocchi, "rice balls" and pinsa all spot-on lovely, as are the many interesting menu selections. Feeling like the portions are small? Accept you are "gourmet dining" and order additional selections as this is the entire point - quality not quantity. Jazz music selections in the background add to an ambiance vibe which will carry you away to your "stepping out" place. If you're looking for big predictable portions this is not your spot. Leave the table for those seeking a unique, perfect (not predictable) dining experience. If the latter is you, this is the OC place. You won't be disappointed. Mangia mangia!

Joe V

OC is blessed with some of the best Italian restaurants in California, and this place stands out as one of the strongest examples of modern, innovative Italian cuisine in the area. This is not a red-sauce, old-school Italian spot. If you’re looking for oversized portions and classic comfort dishes, this probably isn’t your place. If you enjoy Italian flavors reimagined with modern techniques and presentation, you’ll feel right at home. Several dishes highlight that approach. Instead of traditional risotto, fragola is used as a base in some plates, offering a lighter but still rich alternative. The bison short rib appetizer delivers deep, slow-cooked flavor and is a great way to start the meal. One standout dish paired cacio e pepe ravioli served directly atop a filet, allowing the cheese sauce to melt and drip down onto the steak—indulgent, creative, and surprisingly balanced. Even elements like parmesan foam feel intentional rather than gimmicky. This is an excellent choice for a date night, special occasion, or dinner with people who appreciate elevated takes on familiar dishes. If you enjoy Italian cuisine but want to experience it pushed forward in thoughtful, delicious ways, this spot is an easy recommendation.

Had the beef filet and the duck for entrees. The filet was missing some seasoning like salt however it was cooked perfectly. The ravioli on top was delicious. The duck was cooked well however the flavors are so overpowering and didn't compliment each other. Would not recommend. Desert was a chef's kiss. Not sure what the name was but it was divine. I would come back for dessert and wine anytime.

Great dinner at this lovely Italian restaurant in SoCo. We were in 5 celebrating a birthday and had a great time with amazing food. We sat inside at a round table and ordered drinks. I got a spicy margarita but had tonreurun it as it wasn’t spicy at all. We ordered the arancini, the octopus and the Caesar. They were all well prepared and greatly presented. For mains I had the linguini with seafood. Tbh my food was ok. The sauce was a bit too oily for my taste and the seafood was a bit sparse. I think there were 4 mussels, 3 clams, one shrimp and a few calamari mixed in. My wife got the osso buco lasagna that was different. Tasted great and had a ton of meat in it. For dessert we had the tiramisu, the flourless chocolate and the cannolis all great. The pastry chef stopped by our table and we complimented her. Our server Irene was awesome. Very friendly. The chef also stopped by to serve our food which was a great touch.

Beautiful place with excellent attentive service. Food is prettily prepared though it could be more flavorful. The potato fondant in the duck breast is undercooked. And the duck breast while cooked perfectly could use some seasoning and spices. Recommend Caesar salad. We'll come to try other dishes.

Joseph G

Had the beef filet and the duck for entrees. The filet was missing some seasoning like salt however it was cooked perfectly. The ravioli on top was delicious. The duck was cooked well however the flavors are so overpowering and didn't compliment each other. Would not recommend. Desert was a chef's kiss. Not sure what the name was but it was divine. I would come back for dessert and wine anytime.

Shahram Mehraban

Great dinner at this lovely Italian restaurant in SoCo. We were in 5 celebrating a birthday and had a great time with amazing food. We sat inside at a round table and ordered drinks. I got a spicy margarita but had tonreurun it as it wasn’t spicy at all. We ordered the arancini, the octopus and the Caesar. They were all well prepared and greatly presented. For mains I had the linguini with seafood. Tbh my food was ok. The sauce was a bit too oily for my taste and the seafood was a bit sparse. I think there were 4 mussels, 3 clams, one shrimp and a few calamari mixed in. My wife got the osso buco lasagna that was different. Tasted great and had a ton of meat in it. For dessert we had the tiramisu, the flourless chocolate and the cannolis all great. The pastry chef stopped by our table and we complimented her. Our server Irene was awesome. Very friendly. The chef also stopped by to serve our food which was a great touch.

Quynh Dang

Beautiful place with excellent attentive service. Food is prettily prepared though it could be more flavorful. The potato fondant in the duck breast is undercooked. And the duck breast while cooked perfectly could use some seasoning and spices. Recommend Caesar salad. We'll come to try other dishes.

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Their prefix lunch stands out with its well-thought-out menu. The food is crafted with fresh ingredients and creative flavors. Though service is a bit slow, the restaurant’s ambiance is delightful, especially considering its charming location next to South Coast Plaza. Would be awesome if Happy Hour is incorporated in the near future.

I would give this place 3.5/5 stars but I rounded up because they were accommodating with our reservation request. We went during Friday evening and the place was packed already so make sure you make a reservation in advance. Though they do have bartop for walk ins and also a large outdoor covered and heated patio for those with dogs. Of note, they do serve complimentary amuse bouche in the beginning as well as lemon cookies for dessert. For starters we ordered the winter salad and arancini. The salad was nice and refreshing and all the ingredients worked well together. We ordered the arancini because everyone raved about it in the reviews but honestly it was nothing special. The zesty sauce it comes with made it better but I wouldn't order it again. The complimentary amuse bouche they serve is something very similar to the arancini anyways. For mains, we ordered the radiatori and lasagna. We had wanted to order the lobster risotto but they were out of lobster, though it took the server a while to let us know this before we swapped over to the lasagna. The radiatori was delicious and the homemade pasta was al dente. The lasagna fell short and was quite heavy, with a very strong meat flavor which my husband thought was a bit gamey. For desserts, they do give you complimentary lemon cookies which were nice and light. But we also ordered the pavlova and flourless chocolate cake. The pavlova was definitely a highlight of the meal as it's sweetness profile was nicely balanced with the tartness of the berries. The flourless chocolate cake was almost like chocolate mouse and quite heavy so I wouldn't suggest it unless you're a huge chocolate lover.

Alexis Kwok

I would give this place 3.5/5 stars but I rounded up because they were accommodating with our reservation request. We went during Friday evening and the place was packed already so make sure you make a reservation in advance. Though they do have bartop for walk ins and also a large outdoor covered and heated patio for those with dogs. Of note, they do serve complimentary amuse bouche in the beginning as well as lemon cookies for dessert. For starters we ordered the winter salad and arancini. The salad was nice and refreshing and all the ingredients worked well together. We ordered the arancini because everyone raved about it in the reviews but honestly it was nothing special. The zesty sauce it comes with made it better but I wouldn't order it again. The complimentary amuse bouche they serve is something very similar to the arancini anyways. For mains, we ordered the radiatori and lasagna. We had wanted to order the lobster risotto but they were out of lobster, though it took the server a while to let us know this before we swapped over to the lasagna. The radiatori was delicious and the homemade pasta was al dente. The lasagna fell short and was quite heavy, with a very strong meat flavor which my husband thought was a bit gamey. For desserts, they do give you complimentary lemon cookies which were nice and light. But we also ordered the pavlova and flourless chocolate cake. The pavlova was definitely a highlight of the meal as it's sweetness profile was nicely balanced with the tartness of the berries. The flourless chocolate cake was almost like chocolate mouse and quite heavy so I wouldn't suggest it unless you're a huge chocolate lover.

My First Visit Was On February 8, 2026. Was Greeted From Beginning To End! Server Alberto Was Very Knowledgeable About The Menu & Attentive!! Pasta & Everything Was Made Fresh!! Was Offered Fresh Cannoli's For The Birthday Month!

Lily Z

Came to Il Girasole (Costa Mesa) for my birthday after my dad heard buzz about the chef’s Michelin-style training. We called ahead for a reservation and I mentioned it was my birthday. During that call, the truffle tasting menu was discussed and we were told the menu was online. I’ll take responsibility for misreading one detail online (I initially thought the tasting menu was $95 instead of $195). However, what ultimately shocked us was learning (only when the check arrived) that the truffle tasting menu was actually $295 per person, bringing our total to about $650 for two. Price alone is not the issue. I would happily spend far more for an exceptional experience. Unfortunately, out of the 7–8 courses served, less than half were above par. Several dishes were simply average and not reflective of a premium tasting menu. Service also didn’t match the price point. It felt inattentive and lacked polish, and overall we didn’t feel well taken care of. Lastly, despite mentioning it was my birthday when reserving, there was no acknowledgment at all—no candle, no note, nothing. For a restaurant charging this level of pricing, the food, service, and overall experience should feel special. This did not.