It's nice to have a restaurant of this caliber in our small town. Great menu, great service, nice atmosphere.

My husband and I have been infrequent customers of La Piazza over the years and the food has always been very good. We have been in a few times recently and the food continues to be very good, especially the wood-fired pizzas and the fresh seafood offerings. The new owner is very friendly and greets you with a warm smile. He is active with guests and committed to a great customer experience. If you are looking for an authentic Italian restaurant in the east bay, we highly recommend La Piazza. read more

I don't understand how this restaurant has four stars. The food was very bland and the service was lacking. Our server was very friendly, but was the only person on shift that night and, therefore, was not very timely. Not really interested in returning, as nice as everyone was. read more

Honest food at honest prices, with friendly service. I really enjoy the Chicken Marsala, and every time I get it, it is as good as the last time. I really like the fact that the food is simple and there is no pretense about what they're offering. You want Spaghetti Bolognese they that's what you'll get: pasta with a great tomato meat sauce, which is how it should be. It' nice to find a place where every time you go you see the same staff, the same people in the kitchen and the owner: Charles. read more

We Love La Piazza!!!! They have a Great House Salad and their garlic bread is the best. My favorites are the Braised Lamb Shanks, the Calamari Steak, and the Blackened Salmon....All are FANTASTIC!!! They also have Specials that change daily and are very very TASTY!!! The restaurant itself has a very comfortable atmosphere and the wait staff is extremely friendly as is every other employee there. I especially enjoy it when the owner "Charles" is there because he is always friendly and greets you personally. So...if you are looking for a DELICIOUS meal, with friendly waiters and good ambience, La Piazza is the place to go. Brian Crader read more

This is my favorite italian restaurant of all time. The pizza and pasta are out of this world, the ambiance is good for a date and for a family dinner, and the waiters and chefs are nice. I am a regular, and never disappointed. read more

The place is really cute. I've been here several times. The food is good, not great. I especially like their Vongole. Salads are okay. Pizza - hit & miss. Service - Hit & Miss. The problem is that nothing is consistant. Sometimes the food is great, other times it sucks. Same with the service. When I go to a place, I expect great service & great food all the time - not just some of the time. Would I ever miss it if I never came back? NO read more

The server was great. The food was awful. Both my friend and I ordered the artichoke soup. What we got was a broth type green soup, no creamy artichokes or even artichokes hearts. I had the Penne Tre - Funghi mushroom pasta dish and I think they forgot to rinse off the mushrooms because it tasted like dirt. First time in a long time I didn't like two dishes. I felt kind of bad for leaving food on my plate. The bread was good, had to ask for oil to dip it in, hello it's an Italian restaurant right? read more

I love dining at La Piazza, and Charles (owner) treats everyone like family. The staff are all nice and friendly which makes it a wonderful experience. My disclaimer is that I've been dining at La Piazza for about 12 years, in fact I was there the night before my 2nd child was born (7:30 am the next day). Something told me not to drink that second glass of wine. :-) read more

Great food, great service, and friendly atmosphere! Been going here for over 10 years and NEVER had a bad meal! Their lasagna is superb, pizzas are brick oven good and their servers smile and are friendly. If you get the chance, sit at the counter and watch the food being prepared! They do it as an art form! Enjoy, and say "hi" to Charles. read more

We have been here a couple of times. The last time was pretty bad, and I hope it was an aberration. Although we got there early, plenty of time to get a table, service was slow and we waited a long time for our food. The carbonara was tasty, but not traditional. The sauce was simply light cream, no eggs or egg flavor whatsover, so it was really just pasta with bacon in cream sauce. The lamb shank was tender, but the sauce was just bland brown sauce, reminiscent of the hof brau across the street - same thing they put on their meat loaf. The polenta tasted "off" like the water to make it had something in it. Reminded me of what water tastes like during an algae bloom. The calamari steak was underdone. It was raw. Yet, no one checked, so I ate it anyway - hey I like sushi. Veggies were super bland. Prices are ok, but the atmosphere is very casual/coffee shopesque. People were lined up for tables after we were there for half an hour, but lots of dirty tables - no one cleaning them or getting the crowd seated. Weird. Wished we went to Casa Orinda. read more

La Piazza is hands down the best restaurant in Orinda, and one of the best in the Lamorinda area. Although I do tend to stick to the same thing since I am in love with the rigatoni with sausago and chili flakes, the entire menu is great. I have always had the pesto risotto numerous times and the meat lasagna is amazing as well. The caesar is delicious, with a light dressing instead of creamy! They are always busy, especially around 7 so try to beat the rush! The waitstaff are always socialable and extremely nice, quick service and always great quality food. The owner is always around and is also very friendly, especially to his regulars! I much prefer their pastas over pizza, and their seafood is great (try the Rigatoni and add shrimp!). No full bar, just beer and wine! It is our go-to restaurant. Delicious Italian! read more

We like this local place. I just wish they used fresh basil in the caprese and pasta I ordered (it was dried on every occasion I went there!!!). My pasta also used canned not fresh tomatoes in the summer. Just not as outstanding as the big crowd would lead you to believe. Nice atmosphere, read more

Four of us enjoyed a nice early dinner here after a late afternoon movie across the street (very convenient). Nice fresh salads, yummy pastas and good pizza. We had friendly and efficient service. Atmosphere was pleasant, noise level acceptable and the prices reasonable. We'll definitely return. read more

The wait was long for a table for two on a Friday night. We waited almost 30 minutes for a table, but once seated, service was friendly, inviting, and enjoyable. The food was delicious. Very flavorful and filling even though it may not look it when it first arrives. They do provide bread to hold you over before your food arrives - you can ask for olive oil/vinegar to dip it in, instead of butter. read more

Do It !!! This quaint Italian restaurant is wonderful. (I shouldn't be writing this, I don't want to contribute to longer waits..{:{D) Great food, great service and worth going out of your way for. Sit at the counter & watch them make the pasta and pizzas (brick oven). read more

Occaisional shortcuts taken on ingredients. Like the atmosphere. Mostly fresh and good.

I have been going to La Piazza for years. The food is delicious. The bread brought before the meal is always warm and fresh tasting. The staff is friendly and attentive. I especially love the spicy penne pasta and the spinach ravioli, but everything is great. The owner, Charles, is such a wonderful man. He is friendly, generous, and accommodating. I recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for delicious pasta, pizza, chicken, or fish. The wine selection is also quite lovely and well-priced like the food menu. Thanks Charles and La Piazza staff!! read more

Ate at La Piazza a couple of years ago and had a good meal. We were similarly pleased when we ate there again tonight. It's a good neighborhood place. Nothing really fancy, but our party of four thoroughly enjoyed our chicken marsala, calamari steak dish and a couple of pastas, as well as assorted appetizers and salads. The service is certainly efficient and friendly enough, though missing a couple of small touches here and there, such as our waitress neglecting to mention the specials to us or the host greeting us in a somewhat perfunctory but otherwise fine way when we first entered. But this is a place we'd probably go back to if in the area and certainly if seeing a film right across the street at the movie theater. By the way, the restaurant was just about full when we walked in at 6:30 p.m. on a Monday, and had thinned out considerably by the time we left. read more

La Piazza has always been a friend, reliable, and convenient restaurant. Although it has been open for many years and gone through many changes in staffing, the food has remained remarkably consistent and the servers are friendly and efficient. The owner, Charles, is frequently in the restaurant ensuring his staff is delivering the best service. Also, during the summer, the Caprese salad is remarkably simple, but delicious. As someone has said previously, they are always will to accomodate customer's requests. I like more spicey food and like more protien in my pasta then generally offerred. I can always order the Aribiatta with lots of chicken and extra heat. For those of you that are not big eaters, ask for a "to go" box and put half your pasta in the box at the beginning of your meal. It is delicious the next day. For a lighter dinner, we will enjoy a salad at the bar and split a pizza for an entree. Again, if you are looking for a fine Italian restaurant, this isn't going to meet your needs. But for a simple, fresh, quick meal - this is the place. read more

We have been coming to this restaurant since it first opened in 1994. This is a place where we eat very regularly, we have lots of choices around but these guys have it down. Excellent service, GREAT recipes, fresh ingredients, and simply a very friendly restaurant. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. read more

Antipasti mixto proportion is too heavy on the eggplant but overall a decent small town Italian restaurant

Not the greatest experience for my first time. We were seated right away and the server was helpful. My food, the lasagna, was only lukewarm and was nothing special even if it had been heated properly. With so many good options for Italian food in the Bay Area, I will not be back to this one. read more

This used to be our favorite dinner and movie place driving all the way from Benicia. Although it's the same menu supposedly, the service, energy and environment feels completely different. Employees were snacking in front of guests and on their phones at times. The focaccia Bread used to be dynamite and warm freshly baked-not the same at all now. Just disappointed in the changes. read more

I like this cozy restaurant in the midst of Orinda's business district. The serving staff is always helpful and courteous. The food is tasty and well prepared. I enjoy pizza and have always liked their duck sausage pizza. They have counter service as well as table service. The neighborhood's support of this restaurant is a testimonial to its quality and consistency. read more

Great atmosphere, caring owner, very consistent and the best Petrale Sole ever.

Last evening we ate there again after a couple of years. Service was good, food was good, wine was good (Ravenswood-Lodi). Always nice energy there. read more

I stopped at La Piazza on the way to SF, one night, while I was on my own. I had a delicious dinner for a reasonable place. We just came back for dinner with the family and everyone loved their meals. The kids split a yummy pizza made in their beautiful brick oven (heated by firewood). My wife loved her special (butternut squash lasagna) and I loved mine (smoked salmon risotto: delicious, perfectly cooked, nicely plated). Everything tasted fresh and like made from scratch. The only negative would be the tiny wine glasses, a real bum for reds. How can you enjoy you wine in those things? I just had an Italian beer. They still get a 5 star review in terms of value. We dined for $15 per person (plus tip). How can this be real? read more

This is the go-to restaurant for a nice night out in Orinda. The price is right for the quality, taste, and portion of the food. Great pastas and sauces! It can be very busy, so make sure you get a reservation. The staff has been very accommodating anytime we have shown up without one to try to squeeze us in. read more

I love this place, and we've been coming here for years. The staff is always so welcoming, and the food is very tasty. My favorites (as a vegetarian) are the penne a la vodka and the pizza, which they make in their own wood fired oven. So good! Plus they are very family friendly. Last time we were there they even let my two under-six year old kids make their own pizza. And they usually have a nice local beer available. read more

I've been going to La Piazza ever since it opened its a great restaurant, and one of the few successful restaurants in Orinda It's packed most nights of the week and is great if you want a light italian dinner Charles, the owner, is great. The service couldn't be friendlier. two thumbs up. read more

This is probably my favorite pasta spot! Every entry is mouth watering! My favorite has to be the pesto, and you cannot pass on the dessert! The panna cotta is a must have! Don't miss out, the friendly staff will give you excellent service and make your experience special! The new owner is welcoming and kind and is eager to meet his new clients. read more

This is some of the worst "food" - if not the worst - I've ever tried to eat. I couldn't finish the lasagna or pizza. The "lasagna " was so greasy it was running. The pizza was mediocre at best I would tell everyone to go somewhere else. If you have ever had good Italian food you would know the difference. Don't bother! read more

My wife and I stumbled upon this gem after taking in a movie at the wonderful Orinda Theater across the street (another gem to visit!). The decor was relaxed and slightly upscale. We really enjoyed the ability to be able to actually TALK to each other because the restaurant was wise enough to put in some sound damping drapery in the ceiling (a nice visual effect as well!). We sat in a table near the warm pizza oven and kept warm while we looked over the menu. The bread was fresh sour dough, large and thick cut. The menu had some wonderful choices and it was difficult to choose. When I visit a new place for me I almost always get angel hair with meat sauce. Sort of a benchmark before I order fancier fare. This was one of the BEST, most interesting sauces, that I've had lately. (I really like Stellines in San Francisco, on Gough). Great medium chunky texture, tasty bits of meat. Again, one of the best I've tasted. My wife's penne in spicy vodka sauce was "extraordinary" in her words. Another nice touch: the pasta are served in high-edged BOWLS. This keeps the dish very hot for almost the entire meal. While we didn't try their signature pizzas, you can bet we'll be going back again to do that! read more

I've been going there for a couple years now because of my mom, she seems to like the menu there. But all my experiences have been very unpleasant. The owner seems to be walking around the restaurant drunk, socializing with his every day 80 year old no life costumers. He was very rude to his employees specially his kitchen staff. It shocked me that he would do that in front of his costumers but I guess he thought it was ok since they were all Hispanic. Long story short the food is ok but I wouldn't pay $50 to go see people get yelled. There's a lot better places Orinda has to offer. read more

When we want delicious and steaming hot food, we come to La Piazza. We're always dining out and not opposed to driving to SF, Napa, Healdsburg, Los Gatos, and the area where we live is crawling with Mexican, Italian and California type restaurants. Having said that, Charles, the owner of La Piazza, needs to know his restaurant is the one we choose when we're not in the mood to take a chance. When we want delicious, steaming hot food, we always choose La Piazza. Often, we order the same dish, although I occasionally get brave and order a pizza or the lasagna. Not my hubby, he always orders the tutto mare with penne pasta. It's served in this huge bowl, full of large prawns, calamari, mussels and clams. He orders it with a white wine sauce with no salt. He's never been disappointed. When he orders this dish at other restaurants, after the meal, he always comments, "It's not as good as La Piazza." The sole picatta is great...served with penne pasta and fresh vegetables. Their greens with glazed walnuts and gorgonzola is tasty, too. I order it with grilled prawns wrapped in prosciutto. We come here by ourselves and often with friends and customers. Charles remembers us and always greets us warmly with a genuine hug. It's nice to have that neighborhood and family type atmosphere location that you can always count on for delicious food and great service. Keep in mind, we drive 25 minutes to get here bypassing all of our local eats. We average at least a monthly or two visit. We'll see you soon Charles. read more

The place across the street was closed "do let's try the Italian place" ambience was nice enough, wood fire pit Nice and warm on a rainy night . Guess you have to be a regular or know Charlie Because when he's not around his staff Including a lady Supervisor slacks off and doesn't seem to observe what's happening with service ???? As a former restaurant manager and trainer .. 1) not asked if I wanted to order a salad, antipasti ( loss to owner and tip)2) no check back to See if I wanted another beer ( loss to owner & tip) 3) no check on progress or if we needed anything ; loss of tip) 4) had the lasagna , flavor good but over Done with sauce !!! 5. Server not engaging ... blah! So , there you go ! Wanted to like the place ... why can't there be good food, service and price ? Is it sooo hard? Really $ 3.00 tip on a 50.00 check ; I tip for service and the experience .. I have many friends in the area , too bad read more

Nice small Italian restaurant right across the street from the Orinda Theater. Their food is consistently good and the staff is friendly. Try the Fior de Latte pizza with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. read more

Good food, very helpful waitress, but it took forever for the food to be served.

My favorite lamorinda restaurant. I love the wood-oven pizzas, and their pasta arrabiata -really hot and delicious, with savory chunks of spicy Italian sausage. We arrive at 5:10 for dinner, so as to get a good table. By 6pm, they're usually full. We also frequently order entrees for take-out - pizzas, pastas, everything is well-wrapped, and they include real grated parmagiana reggiano cheese! read more