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We made reservations to come here to celebrate one of our friend birthday. We parked at one of the parking lot nearby since it's that or street parking on Sunset. This place is almost like hidden so if you don't pay attention, you might miss it. We checked in at the host stand and she took us to go eat near the bar. This place is not that spacious and can feel compact inside. We started out with the Garlic bread and Caesar salad. I thought the garlic bread was okay but I wouldn't order it again. They have the cola in the glass bottle here. My friends ordered the chicken parmesan and lasagna rollatini. I got the linguini and clams for my dish. Our food didn't take long to come out. The portion of my dish is small and for the price, I don't believe it was worth it. I thought it was fine beside the portion size. My friends like their chicken parmesan and lasagna. Customer service was great with us and our waitress was attentive.
Came on a Monday as soon as it opened to put down my name since all reservations were booked up. Was able to secure a 6:00PM spot! I had heard great things about Donna's so I was ok with waiting. Our server was really nice, she let us know that this was meant to be family-style and that we should order 4-6 dishes for two people. We started off with the meatballs and garlic bread. The meatballs were great, came with a tomato sauce, no complaints here. The waitress had recommended we get the garlic bread to go with the meatballs since they came by themselves. The garlic bread was garlicky indeed, though I found the ends to be pretty hard. I wouldn't recommend it. We also tried their gnocchi and fusilli a la vodka for their pasta. The fusilli was great, I realized it wasn't your typical spicy vodka sauce since it didn't have that kick. It was a pretty light sauce, fusilli was cooked very well. The truffle gnocchi looked really good when we got it. The server said we should mix it up as per the chef and then the dish lost a bit of that good appeal, but it still tasted good! I'm a big fan of gnocchi and no complaints with Donna's. Overall their pastas were pretty good. I was really looking forward to trying their chicken parm. Everyone seems to rave about it so we had to make sure to get it. I thought the breading and everything around the chicken was great, but the chicken itself was pretty rubbery and chewy. I was pretty disappointed since the pasta had given me high hope for their chicken parm. Maybe it was an off night, but I would say that this was pretty disappointing and not worth the hype. To end the night we tried the panna cotta since the server said it was the staff favorite dessert. Again, pretty good, not mind blowing. My favorites were definitely their pastas, the fusilli specifically. Everything else was pretty much not memorable. Was able to find free street parking around the corner, though they also have a paid lot.
Donna's is elite. It's a lively, homey Italian restaurant offering a fun dining atmosphere, fantastic service, and top-tier food in Echo Park on Sunset Blvd. Reservations and ubering there is a must. Parking is pretty difficult. They have cute drinks and a wine menu. Definitely get a spritz, the one here is very refreshing. The menu has some great options. We got the garlic bread, caesar salad, spicy vodka pasta and the chicken parm. Hands down the best chicken parm I've had. It kind of ruined future chicken parms for me because nothing is going to top this. Caesar salad was very delicious too, super balanced, not weighed down by too much dressing and had a generous amount of cheese. I'd also put their garlic bread at the top, it's rich in flavor and the texture is spot on. The vibe inside is cozy and intimate, and our server took great care of us. Highly recommend Donna's if you haven't been!
Best pasta ever!!! The vodka pasta seriously still lives in my dreams. It was sooo creamy, flavorful, and addicting. It was easily my favorite thing we ordered! I would come back just for this pasta alone. The tiramisu was chef's kiss So light, creamy, and the perfect way to end the meal. I lovedddd everything! The garlic bread came out hot and fluffy, but I do wish it had a little more garlic butter. Still yummy though! The chicken parm was good, but I didn't think there was anything super special about the flavor. I'd probably skip it next time and just get more pasta... Also, the decor is SO sweet and charming! Every table had its own little vase of fresh flowers, which was such a cute touch and made the whole place feel cozy and intimate. Overall, such a cute spot with AMAZING pasta. The vodka pasta + tiramisu combo is a MUST!!! Parking is either street or at a near by lot; it wasn't too expensive though!
The fusilli alla vodka pasta is everything that lives up to its hype. It's creamy, it's flavorful, it's robust, and it's just so cozy. And of course, it's al dente. I'd come back just for this alone! The garlic bread is also good. The bread was hot and fresh. Surprisingly, I think it could use a little more flavor as the parmesan cheese and garlic alone does not make for a strong flavor profile despite its appearance. My husband enjoyed his chicken parm. We did not like the lasagna rotini as the smokey flavor was too overpowering. They offered a special which was the stuffed crab shells, I really wish we got that instead of the lasagna. We had to make a reservation well in advance. The day of, they closed for the day and moved our reservation about a month up. Luckily, we were still able to make it for the rescheduled date and we even got a complimentary slice of tiramisu for the inconvenience. Well worth the anticipation, some of the best tiramisu I've had! Ambiance is romantic with dim lighting and the place had a great aesthetic for modern cozy Italian dining. Service was also very good. Parking is definitely tricky especially on a weekend night. We ended up ubering so we wouldn't be late to our reservation time.
Food, incredible. Drinks, amazing. Service, always on point! Always worth the hype when we come to Donna's. Had a booth this time and were one of the first people into the restaurant. Pro tip: the 5pm reservation never disappoints. Street parking was not bad either. Definitely a good date night spot!
Donna's is inspired by the east coast with an emphasis on great red sauce. The menu reflects this and all of it is great. Make reservations or you will be waiting. You can walk in, but the wait is sometimes too long for me. Donna's is huge. It is just comfortable, spotless and a lot of fun. They have a full bar and you can eat there at the bar if you don't want to wait. The place is just adorable and the service is great, with nice staff who are helpful. They are fast to get to you once seated. The food is so great. We have eaten there and have taken out. We love all their food and their red sauce is the best. Their STUFFED PEPPERS with marinated peppadew peppers, taleggio cheese and the best roasted garlic are a great starter. We also love OLIVE OIL CAKE for desert. It is in a limoncello soak, market berries, and homemade whipped sour cream. Their mains are the best. We love their TOMATO RISOTTO which has blistered sungold tomatoes, ricotta salata and yummy pregano. Everything is great.
Wow..what an amazing place. The ambiance. The music. The staff...the food. I'm in heaven! This was an incredible experience. Top notch. What a great evening!!!! Everything was delicious!!
The food was good, but it wasn't blown away as I was expecting, especially considering how hard it is to get a reservation. I'd heard so much about the garlic bread, but I honestly thought it was just okay. We ordered the broccolini (which was very cheesy), the arugula salad (also very cheesy), the vodka pasta, chicken Parmesan, and the linguine with clams. The linguine was good, but I wish it had a little more seafood than just clams. I'd say the dishes I enjoyed the most were the chicken parmesan and the vodka pasta. The cocktails were actually really good, and I appreciated that they had spritz-style mocktails too. The restaurant itself is cute, cozy, and has a nice atmosphere. Overall, I'm glad I tried it, but I can't say it was necessarily worth the hype.
Really loved my time at Donna's. Came here for my sister's birthday dinner and it was amazing. The hostesses and our server were fantastic. Appreciated o how our server recommended some of her favorites on the menu. Definitely try the arugula salad if you want to change it up a bit from the usual Caesar salad. The garlic bread was a hit! It was a great mix of buttery on the inside and crispy on the outside. Chicken parm and fusilli was also sooo good! I'd recommend to do family style and share so you can try more of the menu items. The interior is very clean and beautiful. The lighting is a bit dim but it adds to the vibes of the restaurant. Will definitely come back!
Donnas was absolutely perfect! The ambiance reminds of if literal small Italy cafe vibes, very intimate. Our server Hannah was absolutely kind and sweet. Definitely would come back again! Garlic Bread (5/5) I honestly don't say this lightly, but this is probably the best garlic bread I have ever had in my entire life. The outside was crusty and crispy and the inside of the bread was to die for. Super soft and warm with oogey, gooey buttery-ness with each slice. There are small garlic pieces inside, but that's what explodes the bread with amazing flavor. If there's anything you need to get, it's the garlic bread for sure. Caesar Salad (5/5) Also an amazing starter! I love how each bit of lettuce was coated with cheese, so every single bite had some love in it. Croutons added a nice crunch for texture. Solid to begin your meals with. Chicken Parmesan (5/5) Size was large, so please come hungry! The chicken was breaded perfectly and the sauce wasn't too heavy at all. Everything paired so nicely with each other. Basil added a nice aromatic touch to the dish without overpowering it. Amazing meal.
An LA staple for a reason- long wait time/hard to get reservations, the service is great, and the ambiance is very LA influenced. Photo ops in every corner! I would suggest this place only for smaller parties because how little space there is inside. We got the garlic bread, calamari, vodka, lasagna, seafood lemon pasta, and pesto pork pasta ??? Not sure the name and the food was good! This place is most definitely for cheese lovers- everything had SO much cheese it was a bit overwhelming. Probably won't be back because of their limited selection of pastas- really wanted to see more variety but felt it was a little lacking and the pasta was just good, not great.
This has to be my new favorite LA restaurant. Every dish I had was amazing, even the dessert. I was pleasantly surprised by the chicken parmesan and linguini & clams pasta. The caesar salad was also made really well. The service was friendly and quick. It's a super cute vibe inside too! Parking can get tricky since it's all street parking, but not too bad.
Finally grabbed a reservation at Donna's and it did not disappoint! The vibe is cozy and perfect for dinner and casual drinks. Service was friendly and relaxed, but still attentive throughout the meal. The food leans Italian-ish with fresh, simple flavors, and everything we tried felt well executed and shareable. Portions are solid, and the menu has a good mix of lighter bites and more filling options. The wine and cocktails also hit the mark and round out the experience nicely. They offer complimentary limoncello at the end of the meal! read more
while i did enjoy this place, it didn't quite blow me away like a lot of people said it would. i can see why it's a classic in the area though. there's a certain aesthetic attached to dining at Donna's that's kinda hard to match. the service was pretty solid, very attentive. i had one server that was very polite and kinda and one that just kinda seemed like they were just trying to make it through their shift. we split a few different things: I'll start off by saying that the garlic bread was incredible and the best I've ever had. next we had the caesar salad which was also among the best I've ever had, though I don't get salads often. we finished food with lasagna. it was pretty decent, I wouldn't get it again but I'm also not big on lasagna. the cocktails were so good and really hit the spot! my favorite part about this place read more
4 months ago
After several visits to Donna's, I can finally give it the full review it deserves. This place is a gem. Everything we've tried has been excellent, and it's one of those rare restaurants where every dish feels like a hit. The Caesar salad is easily one of the best I've had. Every piece of lettuce is perfectly coated in dressing, the croutons are great, and the mountain of freshly grated cheese takes it over the top. The garlic bread is unreal. If you order the prawns, do yourself a favor and dip the bread into that buttery garlic sauce, spoon some extra sauce on top, and eat it while it's soaked. It's ridiculous. The Alla Vodka pasta is always a safe choice, rich and comforting without being too heavy. The lasagna came out with a beautifully crisp top straight from the oven and was packed with flavor. The potatoes were another surprise favorite--super crispy and served with a house-made aioli that made them impossible to stop eating. The chicken parm was excellent too: crispy, fresh, loaded with sauce, and exactly what you want from a classic Italian-American dish. The meal ended on a high note with complimentary limoncello shots from the house. For dessert, we had the tiramisu and panna cotta. The panna cotta had a subtle basil flavor that made it unique and memorable, while the tiramisu was honestly one of the best I've ever had--light, creamy, and perfectly balanced. Service was fantastic. The staff was friendly, funny, and genuinely welcoming. The funniest part of the night was that we accidentally booked a reservation at the Donna in New York instead of this restaurant. Even after our mistake, the host was incredibly kind and got us seated within about 15 minutes. One thing to note: pets are not allowed, except for service animals. Donna's has become one of my favorite spots. Great food, great service, and a fun atmosphere. I'll definitely keep coming back. read more
15 days ago
this place is really popular, you usually need to book a couple weeks in advance, which is ultimately what makes this place rank lower than it would otherwise on my list. i just don't find myself reserving donna's for special occasions which is what making a reservation weeks prior ultimately means for me. the arancini is a personal favorite! everything else was your standard american italian flair. they're consistent, i haven't really seen them put a bad plate out, and yet nothing really stands out from the menu. read more
10 months ago
My friend and I have been wanting to try Donna's for forever and finally got a reservation. Parking was a bit hard but there are small lots nearby that are pretty cheap (we paid like $1.80 for 2 hours) if you can't find street parking. We waited for about 5 minutes before we were seated. Our waiter was very friendly, helpful, and attentive. He gave us some recommendations and made sure we always had water. We ordered a lot because we wanted to try a bit of everything. Vodka Pasta: 10/10, they didn't have fusili shape when we came and I can't remember the name of ours but this was so good. It was savory but not too salty and the sauce was so well balanced. The pasta was perfectly al dente and we kept eating it even when we were too full. Fried Calamari: 9/10, very crispy and nicely seasoned. The sauces were fun and the squid ink aioli was an interesting flavor profile. Garlic Bread: 7/10, the garlic taste isn't that strong and it was more like a cheesy bread but still good. The outside was crispy but the inside was fluffy. Spaghetti and Meatballs: 7/10, Spaghetti was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce was pretty good. The meatballs were personally not our preference as it had an aftertaste we weren't fond of. Tonnato Caesar Salad: 6/10, a decent caesar salad, the tiny croutons were fun. It was however VERY salty. All our food leaned on the savory side and we were hoping this would be a fresh balance to it but it was just so salty we couldn't finish it with all our other food. Patata: 5/10, this was nothing special. Potatoes were decently roasted but there wasn't a lot of flavor besides salt. The calabrian chili aioli wasn't that strong flavor wise and sat underneath the potatoes. I wouldn't order this again. Tiramisu: 6/10, this was salty which is not something we expected. Our dishes all leaned salty and we were expecting this to be slightly sweet but it ended up being salty and we were just salted out. Zero Proof Spritz: 6/10, was a bit too sour for me. Cherry Cherry: 7/10, my friend found it okay. She wished the cherry flavor was a bit stronger. All in all we were mainly there to try the vodka pasta which did not disappoint. Some of the other dishes were hits or misses but the service and vibes were spectacular. I only hope it's not all super salty next time read more
Highly recommend making reservations to come here because even on a Monday night, I waited for 1.5 hours on the waitlist. Pretty solid meal but would not wait that long again. The inside is dark but lively. Big fan of the decor. Started with the famous garlic bread. This was a little disappointing because the crust was so hard it hurt the roof of my mouth. The arugula salad was simple but light and refreshing. The pastas were both excellent. You can tell they're homemade from the fun pasta shapes and the perfect texture. The fusilli alla vodka was one of the best I've had in LA. The campanelle was also rich and hearty. I liked that the side of chili sauce they give was actually really spicy. Overall, I would come back if I can snag a resy. read more
Calamari was good, the marinara and lemon were nice but they had some weird dark sauce on the side. Not sure why that was there. 4 stars. Rigatoni bolognese was very rich, the mole of Italian food. Really good for a few bites. 4.5 stars. Chicken parm was classic, plenty of really nice sweet tangy marinara, moist, well cooked chicken, and nice size. 5 stars. Donna's Dirty martini with vodka was good and the olives were delicious, maybe marinated or picked. Refreshing well balanced. 5 stars. Torn between tiramisu and espresso martini and made the wrong choice w the martinis. Had a gross cherry amaretto that ruined the r drink. One star on that. Service was good though and really liked the cute ambiance. I also liked that I was able to get a rez through email! Appreciated that. read more
If you have walked up sunset in the silver lake/echo park area you have probably walked by Donna's, a busy Italian restaurant. Decided to give this spot a try for my friend's birthday. We got the following: calamari (standard calamari not really crunchy), garlic bread with burrata (the garlic bread was one of stars of the night, the burrata on the side sounded good. But not really needed), chicken Parmesan (standard, nothing to write home about), truffle gnocchi (expected more flavor, a bit underwhelming), spaghetti with meatballs (the meatballs were flavorful), and fusilli alla vodka (star of the show, creamy and flavorful). Not pictured: Negroni (eh), old fashion (a bit spirit forward, but again eh), and cannolis (the strawberry was the best). Service was attentive, we got sat quickly as well. Parking may be difficult so plan on walking over. Overall, it is a standard Italian restaurant. For what you are paying for and the hype you expect more. read more
This place is hard to get a reservation, but it does offer limited walk-in availability. Was able to be seated after around 15 min on the waitlist walking in. Sat at the bar and was greeted by the best bartenders! Very welcoming and knowledgeable about not only the menu but also the drinks. He coursed out the dishes after we gave our entire order. Skip the chicken parm (it doesn't come with pasta?!) and started tasting a bit rubbery when cooled down. It is a huge portion though. Caesar salad was delish! One of the better ones I've had. Vodka pasta was perfectly al dente and my favorite of the night. Popular for a reason. Garlic bread was alright. Meatballs were succulent and flavorful, highly recommend. Skip the limoncello, it was way too sweet and disproportionately not-tart (for something that is supposed to be lemon). I almost tasted some artificial mint flavor?! Not pleasant, reminded me more of a cleaning product. Tiramisu had delicious mascarpone but the lady fingers were dry: 8.5/10 The cutest decor and ambient lighting, good noise level (not too loud), intimate and cozy. Well worth the hype! read more
Came for a walk in Friday night for a friends birthday dinner - it was approx a 2 hour wait so if you don't have a reservation, and aren't wanting to commit to that wait - this isn't your restaurant for the night. But if you have this knowledge and decide to wait - it is 100% worth it! The great news is... there's a lot of bars and restaurants around (both casual, sit down) that you can do to pass the time so that's what my friends and I decided to do! I put our name down at 7:36pm and we were seated around 9:20pm. After a few apps and drinks at the other nearby restaurants we were ready for the Donna's experience! For appetizers we went with the Cesar salad, stracciatella, meatballs, and garlic bread. For our pastas we went with the linguini & clams and fusilli alla vodka And we also ordered the patata side dish. The pastas were extremely fresh and had a good amount of sauce and flavor. On an individual level I'd say they're a bit on the medium/smaller side but since we were all sharing it felt like the perfect size. Definitely a good variety for every pasta lover out there. The real showstoppers to me were those appetizers!! The stracciatella was amazing - from the fresh peaches, tomato's, and crisp pink peppercorn every bite was heavenly. My favorite item here The Cesar salad was tasty and super cheesy with crispy fresh croutons. A must order and well loved at Donna's! The meatballs were a table favorite with my friends and really added a bit extra to our pasta dishes. Especially loved the garlic bread and its cheesy goodness. Comes in 4/5 thick slices and great with the stracciatella or your pasta dishes. If I could course it out in the future I would want it closer to the pasta dishes so I can eat them together. Patatas with the Calabrian chili aioli was definitely good and one of my favorite items in general when I see it on the menu We also had some GREAT drinks - I couldn't find them on the website but I went with the cherry sour drink. We also ordered an espresso martini, margarita, lemon drop. Our waiter was amazing and extremely lively! Great ambiance overall - only downside about the restaurant layout is there is only one single stall bathroom so if you have to go... you might be waiting a while or find yourself going next door. Not a dealbreaker but a good heads up if it's your first time dining here. For dessert we ordered the olive oil cake and cannolis. We were stuffed but these desserts were great and I hope to order their tiramisu next time! Truly a great experience and I'm already looking to book my next reservation back here. Great area to eat dinner at and I'm so happy my friends recommended we eat here! Til next time, Donna's!!! read more
I was able to make a reservation for Saturday at 5:30 p.m., and I definitely recommend making one. When I arrived, there was a line out the door for a table, but with the reservation I was able to walk in and was seated right away. Everyone working was so kind and attentive, which made the experience even better from the start. There is metered street parking available, as well as nearby parking lots if you prefer to pay. The Limoncello Drop was perfect. It was light, refreshing, and had just the right balance of flavor. The garlic bread was out of this world! There was a generous amount of cheese on top that paired perfectly with the bread. The inside was soft, buttery, and full of flavor, while the crust was crispy and perfectly baked. I would honestly come back just for the bread. The Fusili Alla Vodka was delicious with great flavor and a nice touch of spice. The Chicken Parmesan, on the other hand, was disappointing. The sauce just tasted like tomato, and it was lacking salt, making it overall bland. I wouldn't reorder the Chicken Parmesan, but the other dishes made up for it. We ended with the tiramisu, and it was absolutely incredible. It was served nice and cold, had the perfect amount of sweetness, and the cream on top had just a hint of saltiness that tied everything together beautifully. I will definitely be coming back, and next time I need to try the Caesar salad! read more
11 months ago
After years of having this place bookmarked I finally was able to visit Donna's. I've heard a lot of hype both good and bad about this place, but service and ambiance wise this place was amazing. Hanna was our server and she did an amazing job explaining the menu while always checking in with us. As for the food let's get into it: * Fried Calamari 8/10 - The Squid Ink Aioli sauce makes this dish standout. Wish it was a bit crispier, but great appetizer. * Shrimp Scampi 10/10 - By far the best dish of the night. The Shrimp was cooked/grilled perfectly, and the sauce which had garlic and white wine was amazing! Would recommend order a side of spaghetti noodles with this dish (won't regret it). * Chicken Parmesan 7.5/10 - I've had better, but I'd actually order it again. Good cheese to sauce ratio. * Lasagna 6/10 - Least favorite dish, wasn't terrible, but I could probably make it better at home. Overall a great experience, my only negative would be the parking situation, but that's LA for you. Would I go again? Absolutely! read more
Came to Donna's on a weekday because I thought the wait wouldn't be as long. For a party of three I waited around 90 minutes for a table Once seated, the service was prompt! My waitress was so sweet and helped provide recommendations. The ambiance was warm and intimate. I ordered the vodka and campanelle pasta. I loved the noodles! They were uniquely shaped I could tell they were fresh and house made. The garlic bread was definitely worth trying! It was thick, crisp, and had a tasty cheesy exterior. I also ordered the arugula salad, just to have some greens to balance out the meal. Overall Donna's is definitely a solid choice! While the wait it long, it's definitely worth trying! read more
Words can't explain how much I love this place! Anything you try is tasty and good quality. My favorites are Alla Vodka Pasta, Caesar Salad, Garlic bread, chicken Parmesan and branzino! Drinks are amazing too. Luckily, I was able to make reservations but they have some walk ins too!! read more
My friend and I went to Donna's during the week during a dodger game. So I'll start off by saying the parking is not the best, but there is a lot around the corner where you can pay for parking and any other given day parking would probably be easier than on a day where the Dodgers are playing. Now let's talk about the food. I'll start off by saying that we shared a lot of food and it was all delicious! from the garlic bread to the clam linguine to the chicken marsala, calamari, and the dessert. Everything was very delicious. Good portions. It was a lot of food for two people, but we managed to eat it. The service was great. There's no complain about anything when it comes to their service. we were seated at a smaller table when we got there and we asked to be moved to a bigger table and they accommodated us, which was really nice. Ambience very old-school Italian, but with a touch of I would like to say whimsy. It is a small restaurant so reservations are a must, very authentic very delicious. You do have to place your order all at once and the chef will pace out your entrées, which was nice. Definitely will come again if I can get another reservation. It took me about a month to finally get a reservation, but it was worth it. read more
2 months ago
My Kids took me to celebrate my birthday and the whole experience was amazing, the service was outstanding. The food is on another level of deliciousness! I do recommend making a reservation. The place is so charming, love the atmosphere. Oh and I even received a birthday hug ! read more
2 months ago
My friends & I had a wonderful time at Donna's in Echo Park! Everything we ate & drank was delicious! The Tonnato Caesar Salad was superb and the Fusilli Alla Vodka was out of this world! Excellent sauce!!! The Patata was soooooo good! Looking forward to coming back real soon!!! read more
2 months ago
Celebrated my husband and I's anniversary at Donna's and everything was AMAZING. We booked a reservation two weeks prior, so we didn't have to wait long. Once we sat, the ambiance was incredibly beautiful. Very dim lighting and cozy environment. Emerson was our server and let me say, 100/10 service! We got the garlic bread, fusilli alla vodka, and truffle gnocchi, which were all delicious!! read more
6 months ago
I celebrated my birthday with my sister here the other day. We shared the Tonnato Caesar Salad, Fried Calamari, Fusilli Alla Vodka and Chicken Marsala. We were both pretty hungry so we finished basically all of this. For the most part, everything was yummy and we really enjoyed the pasta. We didn't love the chicken marsala though. The chicken was super soft/tender but the soft was not a traditional mushroom flavor. It felt very heavy on the wine and sweet. We would definitely skip on this one next time. For dessert, we tried the Chocolate Torte. This was yummy, but VERY decadent. Probably better shared amongst more people than 2. read more
I absolutely loved this place! My daughter brought me here for my birthday, what better experience than dining at a restaurant that shares your name. Parking is definitely a challenge. There's a paid public lot around the corner, and street parking is pretty much nonexistent, so plan accordingly. The restaurant seats about 64 people, and reservations are highly recommended. We arrived right at opening (5 PM) and there was already a line outside, but luckily we were able to grab seats at the bar. Our bartender, Valentino, was amazing and made excellent recommendations. When I told him my name, he mentioned they don't get many "Donna's". In three years, I'm only the second! The garlic bread is a must, definitely start with that. Everything I ordered was delicious. I ended the night with an espresso martini and tiramisu, and the tiramisu was the best I've ever had; not overly soaked or too heavy on the coffee liqueur. The space is beautifully decorated, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere, perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night out. I will definitely be back! read more
I came here recently to celebrate my friend's birthday with a small group of friends. We made reservations well in advance which is highly recommended. The 4 of us were seated in a lovely booth in the corner. It was a warm, cozy, inviting space--dim lit, lively, and great vibes. Service was awesome! We loved our server who was super fun! We ordered the following: - Drinks: Limoncello Drop: delicious!! I could probably drink 10 of these LOL. It was so light and tasty! If you're a fan of lemon drops, get these. - Garlic Bread: delicious!! We all really enjoyed this. It comes out looking like an overwhelming hunk of sourdough bread but it's already pre-cut and was gobbled up within minutes. - Tonnato Caesar Salad: a bit overdressed in my opinion. It was good but a tad bit too salty and saucy for my personal taste. - Fusilli alla vodka: the BEST pasta of the night! I can see why this is one of their most popular pastas. Highly recommend this one! It was delicious and very balanced! Loved the spicy kick of the chili oil combined with the creamy whipped ricotta and pecorino romano. I would definitely get this again. - Truffle Ricotta Gnocchi: get this if you like truffle because it comes with lots of it! Yummy but a tad bit on the heavy/creamy side for me. I don't really enjoy the mouthfeel of gnocchi so it's probably just due to my own personal preference. I'm sure some people would love this dish! - Rigatoni Bolognese: Standard and good but didn't really stand out to me. Tasted like what you'd expect. I probably wouldn't get this again. - Dessert: we got the semifreddo which was pretty small but delicious! It came with a candle but we were a bit surprised to see that we were charged for it. It wasn't on the house although we were celebrating our friend's birthday. However, we did get complimentary shots of limoncello afterwards which was a nice gesture I suppose... Parking: VERY difficult. All of us had a really hard time finding parking. Some of us eventually found street parking several blocks away while others found a paid public lot which also had minimal spaces. There's a few public parking lots nearby but they are small and mostly full! I wish they had valet or better parking options! Overall, if you're looking for an intimate, cozy yet energetic space with great Italian food in the Echo Park area, Donna's is an excellent choice if you don't mind the parking situation! read more
3 months ago
2 months ago
First time at Donna's! Had been wanting to come here for a long time it was definitely worth it! Walked in on a Sunday evening, party of two and immediately got sat at the bar. Drinks, and food were amazing! Service was also great, definitely recommend. read more
I really liked the ambience here. It's a cute restaurant in a bustling area. I had the Donna's spritz, Fusilli à la vodka, Caesar salad, and chicken Parmesan. The spritz was just okay and I wouldn't order it again. The salad and vodka pasta were very good. I wasn't the biggest fan of the Chicken Parmesan. I'd try some other dishes if I came back, but would definitely get the vodka pasta again. The service was wonderful. read more
6 months ago
So delicious! Celebrated a birthday here; service and food were lovely. Everything was very delicious and the presentation was great, but not sure why it's difficult to pinpoint a favorite plate. The Caesar salad was amazing (just look at the cheese) and the spicy vodka pasta were delicious, but at the same time, I feel like I could go somewhere else to get something similar. read more
Came here for Valentine's Day and it was a great experience. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. Tried a few different items and everything was great. The garlic bread was the best I've ever had. This is definitely a great place to have a nice dinner. read more
3 months ago
First time coming to Donna's and it's easily become a new favorite. Amazing customer service and beautiful ambiance. I ordered the fusilli vodka pasta, garlic bread, and Moscato Sparkling Wine (best I've ever tasted). Will definitely be returning! read more
2 months ago
My favorite restaurant in LA! It's absolutely worth the wait. The food is incredible, the drinks are amazing, the service is wonderful and makes me feel like I'm getting the type of hospitality they create in The Bear. The restaurant is homey and beautiful. read more
I was really looking forward to trying this spot after seeing it all over social media. We waited about two hours after putting our name down, so the anticipation was high. Unfortunately, I walked away a little disappointed. The chicken parm and garlic bread were just okay not bad, but nothing special. The vodka pasta definitely lived up to the hype: rich, creamy, and delicious. And the cannolis were the real highlight especially the chocolate one. Sadly I did not get a picture of them. That said, the service and overall experience missed the mark. Our waiter never returned with our leftovers after offering to box them, and after waiting quite a while, we had to leave without them, which was frustrating, especially since more than half our plates were left behind. On top of that, the meal felt a bit pricey for what it was, and honestly, not worth the two-hour wait. The restaurant itself is cute, and we did have fun bar hopping down the street while waiting. I'm glad I tried it once, but I wouldn't go back. read more
1 year ago
Had the most stellar experience at Donna's!! If I were to mention any one thing about the food it is definitely TEXTURES! Every dish we got had the most sublime textures - will get into more detail soon. We started off with the garlic bread and caesar salad for our appetizers - I feel like most of the time bread is just bread, but holy this garlic bread was absolutely divine. First of all, it looks ADORABLE!! It has a beautifully crisp crust but the bread itself is super fluffy with a garlicky fragrance, came out nicely warm and toasty with a cloud of parmesan. On the other hand, the caesar salad was a mountain (!) of parmesan. Could be a little less generous on the cheese imo so the refreshingness of the greens can shine more, esp considering all the other dishes can be a bit rich and heavy, but nonetheless a decent salad. For our mains, we got the fusilli alla vodka pasta and chicken parm,both of which I'd highly recommend. The fusilli pasta was so tender and soaked in this velvety, slightly sweet but very savory tomato vodka sauce - probably one of the best vodka sauce pastas I've had. Now I'm not the biggest fan of chicken parms, but Donna's lowkey almost converted me because this chicken was super succulent and the cheese x tomato x basil really elevated the flavor. Breading was light as well, so maybe I'll give chicken parms a second chance. Finally we ended with the tiramisu, which is just a classic. Silky soft and moist - practically disappeared in seconds. A friend also ordered a glass of the Shawna, and she was super small but packed a punch, kind of reminded us of oriental medicine. Definitely an acquired taste. They also gave us these citrusy (nonalcoholic) shots after, which was also surprisingly yummy and a nice palate cleanser. Overall, they had lovely service and a cozy interior like a close relative's home (note: it can get a little loud at times since there's a lot of tables close together and is an intimate space). Would also make sure to have a reservation beforehand as they get pretty packed. Thank you Donna's for a lovely meal! read more
2 months ago
I came across Donna's yesterday after the lantern festival and it was an amazing experience. The food was amazing and the ambiance was great. An amazing date spot the food was 10/10, and I 100% recommend. Their service was also great. We had a server with glasses and came in around 8:30 pm and he was really good at explaining the menu and making us feel welcomed. read more
Donna was all the hype with little bites. An Italian blend of authenticity and flavor. Entrees and apps can be treated as family style but be aware the portions are small. Friendly and elegant service, quiet but dimly warmth ambiance. The Bread is so good, and lasagna and chicken parm are to try, and Sip some wine. read more
1 year ago
Super cute spot in the heart of Echo Park! It's a smaller restaurant but offers an intimate experience. The food was pretty good but definitely on the saltier side- I would go back for the drinks for sure though- they were all so good! Our server was also so attentive and kind as we were celebrating a friend's birthday. He offered us complimentary wine tasting and lemon drop shots. Overall a great experience and am excited to go back! read more
Donna's is now my favorite Italian restaurant! No question. Our server Rob did an amazing job taking care of us. We ordered practically the whole menu, I really suggest going with a bigger party because there are way too many good items on the menu! Apps: garlic bread, Cesar salad, patatas, and fried calamari. All of the apps were good but the stand out for me was the garlic bread, it had crispy edges and a really soft buttery inside. Amazing sourdough! Second favorite was the calamari bc the squid ink sauce. So good! Main: linguini & clams, fusilli alla vodka, chicken Parmesan, and lasagna rollatini. The main attraction for me was the fusilli alla vodka and chicken Parmesan. The pasta was made to perfection and the sauce and ricotta cheese just stayed on the noodles. Chefs kiss. But you can't go wrong with any of these dishes. Perfect for date night or casual dinner, the downside is parking. Good luck finding a spot! read more
7 months ago
Went to Donna's for the first time last night! Made a reservation on Resy and sat at the bar. The place was on the smaller side and had a cool vibe. The bartender was very nice. We got the GARLIC BREAD and the MEATBALLS to start and both were delicious!!! Then we had the FUSILLI ALLA VODKA and the LASAGNA ROLLATINI - also delicious!! Took the few remaining pieces of garlic bread and the rest of our pasta dishes home because we couldn't finish all the delicious food all at once - can't wait to reheat those leftovers!! read more
8 months ago
I have been wanting to go to Donna's for so long and it has been so hard to secure a reservation. We came on a Tuesday and came around 5pm and got a table for 4 by 6pm so that was amazing. The food was soooo good especially the tiramisu is was perfect. Drinks were amazing and the bread was soooo soft. The pasta was amazing and so was the chicken and the salad. I would definitely like to come back. The ambiance was great as well, lots of cute little dinners but busy and so cute. read more
2 months ago
Stopped by LA for vacation and I have to say Donna's is a solid 8/10. The service was great, friendly and attentive throughout our meal. The garlic bread looked amazing, but the taste was just okay. The pasta was good, although the portion was on the smaller side than I expected. Overall, the vibe was nice and it was a good experience, and I'd come back to try more items on the menu! read more
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Ask the Community - Donna's
How's the street parking situation?
Get there early. Usually drive around and find street parking. Hasn't been an issue.
Do they have vegan options?
I dont recall specific vegan items listed but perhaps you can read their menu online. I read it before I arrived and knew what I wanted to order. The pepoers, cesar salad…
Reservations needed for Bar seating?
So u need reservations for every seat..bur here is the trick...arrive at 5pm when they open. They can seat u
Is there gluten free pasta?
I don't recall any gluten free pasta on the small menu. Perhaps a quick call to the restaurant resolves the mystery or pull up the menu on line.…
Is it reservations only?
The website explicitly says they have tables for walk-ins. Also, reviews note waitlist can be long.
Do they have any vegan options?
My suggestions would be to modify the chopped salad by removing the salami and cheese. Same with the arugula salad you could just ask for no cheese. The marinated olives and seasonal giardiniera seem to be vegan as it is.
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Donna's - italian - Updated September 2026
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