Lapaba

4.0 (89 reviews)

Italian, Pasta Shops, Korean

Closed • 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

Updated 3 weeks ago

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Lapaba - My least favorite pasta of our 3 - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Lapaba - Seasonal Salad - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Grace F.

Came here for a girls' dinner on a Friday evening and managed to snag a 5:30pm reservation (reservations seem to go pretty quickly here). The space is beautiful inside, with lots of natural light and an elegant, modern atmosphere. I started with the Jeju Mule (soju, matcha, ginger). I was looking for something not too sweet, and it was refreshing, but honestly it didn't taste or feel like there was much alcohol in it. I'd probably just get a non-alcoholic drink next time. The food, however, was excellent. Burrata Con Crema (satsuma sweet potato, sweet soy, chili crisp) - 9/10 This was such a good combination of flavors and textures. The sweetness from the sweet potato paired perfectly with the savory soy and chili crisp. One of those dishes that immediately makes you want to recreate it at home. K Meatballs (bulgogi meatballs, milk bread, truffle tomato sauce) - 9/10 These were fantastic meatballs. Super tender, juicy, and well-seasoned. I didn't get a ton of bulgogi flavor specifically, but they were delicious regardless. The milk bread was fluffy and warm, and perfect for soaking up the tomato sauce. Seasonal Salad (spring peas, charred green garlic, Meyer lemon, peanuts) - 9/10 A simple but really well-executed salad. The peas were fresh and sweet, the lemon added brightness, and the peanuts brought great crunch and nuttiness. Radiatore & Galbi Jim (short rib ragu, shiitake, red wine) - 8.5/10 I had never seen this pasta shape before, and it was perfect for holding onto the rich short rib ragu. The short rib was incredibly tender and flavorful. A great dish overall. Agnolotti & Cheesy Corn (smoked scamorza, brown butter, thyme) - 9.5/10 My favorite dish of the night. I love cheesy corn at KBBQ, and this felt like a creative, elevated version transformed into a pasta. The sweetness of the corn, gooey cheese, and brown butter thyme sauce worked so well together. I'd come back just for this. The only thing that held the experience back a bit was the service. We arrived around 5:45pm, and the host immediately informed us that another reservation was coming in at 7:15pm and that we'd need to be finished by then. Later, she came back and said they were able to seat that party elsewhere, so we didn't actually need to rush after all. I understand they're busy and trying to manage reservations, especially since we arrived 15 minutes after our reservation time (which is still within their grace period), but the whole interaction felt a little awkward and could have been communicated more gracefully. What made it stranger was that all of our starters came out quickly, but there was a long wait before the pastas arrived. So if we had ended up needing more time at the table, it wasn't really because we were lingering. I wasn't sure if there was a kitchen delay or an order mix-up, but it definitely stood out. There were also a couple small service moments that felt off. At one point, plates were cleared while there was still some bread and salad left on them, and no one asked if we were finished first. Nothing major, but enough that I noticed. I wouldn't call the service bad, but more disconnected than anything. Maybe it was just an especially busy night or an off day. The food itself was absolutely worth the visit, though, and I'd happily come back to try more of the menu. If you're into Korean-Italian fusion and creative takes on familiar flavors in an elegant setting, Lapaba is definitely worth checking out!

Mary H.

Super underwhelmed despite having had high hopes for this spot. We arrived for our 6:15 reservation on a Friday a tad early but were able to be seated when we arrived at 6. Most of the seating is high top seating at the bar but it's a fun ambience. We were encouraged to order 3 appetizers and 3 pastas for 2 people. They claim the pastas are about 75% the size of a "normal" pasta dish so that you can try more. We opted for the chicken lollipops, k meatballs, and seasonal salad for the apps, and chose 2 pastas - the calamarata & kimchi, and the tonnarelli & lobster. We figured we could order more if desired. The appetizers came out altogether and quite quickly, which was nice. Sadly though, nothing really felt special. The food was also somewhat lukewarm. Nothing tasted inherently bad, I just never had that moment of "yummy!" Onto the pastas. The two pastas arrived nearly at the same time as one another. I enjoyed the texture of both pastas. But again, flavor and temperature were disappointing. We left somewhat full, not stuffed. We were originally going to order dessert but decided to skip and go down the street for cheaper (and likely better) instead. The food was underwhelming, and this coupled with the tiny portions made this a disappointment, especially at the price point. Service and vibe were the main redeeming qualities. We won't be returning but happy to check it off our lists.

Ron W.

At the edge of an edgy hood sits Lapaba taking up the whole corner. Drop the key fob off with the Valet for only $12 and duck inside. Two Hostees will check you out, check you in and confirm your reservation. The space is Euro-minimal, sleek and slick. The decor is as lean an #9 Spaghetti and as modern as Tokyo Central Train Station. White Subway tiles and brass accents, a snake-y marble bar contouring the curvy space, two four tops and a wide open kitchen that anchors the room. That's it. Speaking of the kitchen, this crew is all brass, bold and confident. The game plan is a serious mash up of Korean flavors, condiments, and spices layered over, around, and on House Made Pasta. The Chefs cut their teeth (and Tonnarelli) at Osteria Mozza. A dedicated Pasta Room sports a large window with a dangle of Pasta making implements worthy of Marcella Hazon's kitchen. Chef McKenna and Chef Matthew know their way around noodles and are making Nancy Silverton proud (and wealthier). A squadron of Black Shirted Line/Prep Cooks keep the water at a rolling boil and the K-Sauces at a simmer. A loop of BTS, Stray Kids and Twice fuel the energy without eclipsing diner's table chat. The vibe is pleasant and a good mix. Settle in and have a cocktail or two. It's Wine, Beer and Soju here but that leaves plenty of room to be playful and creative. They can mix up some fine signature drinks with just Matcha, Soju and Yuzo. You know, all the stuff you have laying around your pantry or haven't seen since your kid moved most of it to his locker at school. I decided to keep it simple. A Soju Yuzo Sour was all of that plus a splash of Simple Syrup to balance the acidity. Served short it was just what I (anybody) needed. The Staff: Ready, willing and helpful to interpret the menu and or nudge you in the right direction for dinner choices. Manny introduced himself. "I'm here to give you the spiel". "Spiel on", I replied and he did. Manny needed no urging. He promptly rolled out 15 minutes of A-material and K-Schtick while peppering his set with recommendations which were all spot on. The concept here is "family style". That could mean Grandma's tried and true comfort dishes or a full flat out food fight including a hail of dinner dishes depending on family dynamics. Here it's all civilized with the emphasis on shared plates of great food. Manny watched carefully during my dinner and timely coursed out a wonderful meal. First out were house special K-Meatballs. The kitchen showed some brass balls with this opening move. Delicious Bulgogi mixed with a little Milk Bread "Golf Balls" with a hint of Truffle and a sledge hammer of perfect Hot House Tomatoes reduced to a lovely thick sauce and ladled over my tender balls. (So to speak). Fried Chicken made an appearance. Half a dozen little Drumette Lollipops brushed with a sticky Sweet-ish Chili (Calabrian) Sauce. Enjoy them with the cup of Pickled Daikon Cubes and dip in the Yuzo Ranch. However, the Chicken was tasty but the skin quickly lost it's crisp-osity. I am used to Fried K-Chicken crackling crunchy enough to require replacing a few fillings or at least days of flossing. The Tteobokki (Rice Cakes) are usually chewy tubes. Not there. These little bite sized bits under a mantle of fresh grated Old and Young Pecorino Cheese (Cacio e Pepe style) were as soft as pillows or your Momma's Gnocchi. These should be offered by the bucket. The Little Gem Salad was a gem indeed. Stacked Leaves drizzled with Doenjang (a thick savory Soybean Paste similar to Miso) and several tablespoons of crisp Gim (Seaweed) standing in for Croutons and all topped with Shaved Parmesan Cheese. Lovely. The Garganelli & Pesto was made with Perilla, (from the Mint family), the freshest Sugar Snap Peas and Toasted Pine Nuts. This was re-imagined Pesto as fresh as an entitled Gen Z'er. The Bucatini Amatriciana had Roasted Guanciale lardons withut a speck of any fat. A deep rich dark long simmered Bean Sauce stood in for Crushed Tomatoes. Finally, a dusting of more Parmesan Cheese made this the most memorable dish I enjoyed at my memorable meal here. The Orrecchiete with House Made Fennel Sausage was poached from Osteria Mozza and every bit as good as the version you'll find there. A hat tip to Nancy Silverton. Finally, the Tonnarelli with Lobsta chunks took center stage. Mixed with Chili, Ginger and Lobsta Jus this dish was nothing short of terrific. Lapaba...come to Papa!

Christina A.

I had such high expectations and I was so disappointed. I don't like big portions but the portions here were tiny! And the pasta wasn't as good. I took a friend and spent $160 including tip and came out hungry. Also it was so hard to make reservations on open table but the restaurant was half empty. But it is a cute restaurant with mainly bar seating. It is a nice place to meet up for drinks, small plates and dessert. The dessert was really good. But I definitely wouldn't be back for dinner. There is valet behind the building but you have to walk around.

Jeremy J.

I really wanted to love this place but unfortunately I left feeling something to be desired. Mostly more food. I don't really enjoy when a server tells you how to order, especially when their recommendation is to order to share. And then the plates to share are smaller than what should be enough for one person at the same price point as a normal sized dish. I guess I would feel differently if the food was amazing but everything was kind of underwhelming. At least for me. The only positives for me were the service was fast and friendly, and the decor was nice. Other than that, I can't justify giving this place my money and leaving hungry. Sorry, Nancy.

Arthur E.

Fancy pasta bar vibes in Ktown. Went for a weekend dinner. They have valet (though I ubered to not deal with the parking situation). Had reservations and was seated at the bar right away. It wasn't crowded but almost every seat was taken. Drink-wise, there's beer, wine, soju and soju cocktails, and makgeolli. Food-wise - there's some appetizers, salads, and pastas. You order about 2-3 dishes per person and share. Ended up ordering a bottle of makgeolli, burrata con créma, little gem caesar, garganelli & pesto, radiatore & galbi jjim, and agnolotti & cheesy corn. Got our makgeolli, along the burrata and salad pretty quickly. The makgeolli was pretty good - more on the lighter (both flavor and texture) which made it pretty easy to drink. The burrata was neat with the sweet potato situation, but was a bit overpowered by the sauce. The caesar salad was good and had great texture with the tiny croutons. The pastas came out shortly after our dishes were done and replaced. The garganelli was cooked well but think the pesto was a little too light. The radiatore was great - meaty, hearty flavors without weighing you down. The agnolotti was also pretty good - good texture and flavor. For dessert, we ended up with the tiramisu-garu and pavlova. The tiramisu was really cold - almost gave ice cream cake vibes. The flavor had a bit of brisk ice tea to it (in a good way). The pavlova was fruity and light - pretty good as well. Overall - was a good time and good food. One caveat is that all the kimchi dishes do have shrimp in it - so if you are allergic, you'll have to avoid them. I may switch out a few dishes if I came around again (probably the burrata and garganelli) but wouldn't mind coming back!

Olivia L.

The fusion I didn't know I needed - Korean x Italian flavors just work so well together. The meal exceeded all expectations. - Burrata con crema: a strong start to our meal. I'm not a sweet potato person but I enjoyed my 2 small bites very much (the dish was tiny lol) - K meatballs: bulgogi meatballs, tasty and moist, loved the milk bread that came with it - Charred broccolini: pleasantly surprised by the bold flavor if this seemingly simple dish - Cacio e pepe rice cakes: this just makes so much sense! i'm so surprised i never thought of making this myself - Agnolotti & cheesy corn: it's obvious that corn agnolotti is having a moment in the food scene. this is a very nice iteration of the dish. - Bucatini & amatriciano: think jjajangmyun with guanciale. our faveeeee dish of the whole meal. Still thinking about it - Radiatore & galbi jjim: a very familiar flavor of short rib pasta, nothing too special. could've skipped this. *all of the dishes are in smaller portions We loved our server, impeccable service by Jeff. Truly a pasta bar, most of the seatings are at the bar top (great for date nights) with 2 high tops in the corner for larger groups. Disappointments: We ran a few minutes over the grace period, dm'ed on ig because there was no phone number to call, still couldn't get a hold of the restaurant so when we got there, our table was already given away and we had to get on the waitlist (1.5 hours wait). Please have a working phone or a reliable way for patrons to contact the restaurant. I wish the wine glasses weren't stemless glasses.

Sarah M.

Went to celebrate a birthday! Great ambiance and service for a place in koreatown but my expectations may have been too high for the food. The portions are smaller, but I prefered it as we were able to order lots of things and try a little bit of each. We ordered- Kimchi suppli - didnt love this as much, it would've been better with more cheese inside Fried chicken - this was pretty good! Cacio e pepe rice cake - would not order again, lacked the flavor I was expecting Radiatore&galbi Jjim - this was good, tasted like a ragu pasta I've tried somewhere else Agnolotto&cheese corn- this was definitely my favorite! I'd go back just for the agnolotto! Tiramisu - it was a bit too soggy for me, probably wouldn't order next time.

Michael G.

Cool concept and a great date night spot or to meet up with a group. We came on a Sunday night with a reservation. Majority of seating is at their bar area, with a few tables that could fit parties of 3-4. Everything was great and totally shareable. Between the 2 of us we tried: - market salad - hamachi crudo - kimchi suppli - k meatballs w/ milk bread - radiatore + galbi jjim - agnolotti + cheesy corn - orecchiette + sausage - pavlova (must try) My standout bites were the k meatballs, radiatore and pavlova. The meatballs and radiatore were familiar Italian flavors and just a rich flavor overall. The pavlova is a new dessert item and it was the perfect balance of freshness, sweet, and nuttiness from the black sesame. My only critique is the agnolotti was a bit too buttery for my liking and I was hoping for more cheesy flavors. I also wish the corn was incorporated into the sauce more. Great flavors and textures though. Cant wait to come back and try other items such as the fried chicken, burrata, and cacio e pepe rice cakes.

Brandon S.

Came on a friday night before rush hour with a reservation and was promptly seated at the bar, which takes up essentially the entire restaurant. (Hence name la pasta bar) I ordered k meatballs, chicken wings, agnolotti cheesy corn, radiatore, and orecchiette with sausage, and a tiramisu-garu. The k meatballs and chicken wings were really tasty starters. The k meatballs tasted like your typical bugolgi but with the texture and spices of italian meatballs. The chicken wings were cooked nicely and the sweet spicy sauce reminded me of korean fried chicken. The pastas were very much on the smaller side. The agnolotti cheesy corn was very very cheesy with hints of corn here and there depending on how much corn I picked up with the spoon. The orecchiette and sauage was on the saltier side but good texture. The radiatore was very delicious with a nice strong meaty ragu. I stuffed the ragu inside of the radiatore and it was a mini flavor bomb. Tiramisu-garu tasted like how it sounds. A mix of tiramisu and misugaru. Overall, decent food and better than what I was expecting. I was told the owners were the same as norikaya next door, which was horrendously bad and overhyped for handrolls. Luckily, this spot is actually worth visiting. Service was exceptional. If you were picking between lapaba and norikaya, skip norikaya and come here.

Jude K.

Interior is 10/10. Definitely pro-level design. Valet or street parking available. Mule: Solid and refreshing. Wine: Minimal list, but every bottle is a banger. Broccolini: Ssamjang sauce is a game changer. Super tasty. Crudo: Mid flavors with a clean cucumber finish. Pasta Breakdown: Galbijim Ragu: Very solid. Kimchi Calamarata: Sauce was a bit too aggressive. Corn Agnolotto: A little too sweet for me. THE MVP: K-Meatball & Bread. Literally melts in your mouth. Best dish of the night. Service: Good! Bottom Line: Go for the aesthetics, stay for the meatballs.

Jessica G.

This place has intrigued me long way before they even opened their door, then in the early opening days it's just too busy to even get a reservation especially as I was aiming for weekend. I finally gave up and picked a weekday dinner. Finding street parking would also test your luck certainly. The venue setting was interesting with one long marble-top counter table so you could tell small-size group would be more ideal. Thankfully the menu was quite brief so at least eased the decision making. Most of the were meant for sharing so you could try multiple dishes, but portion wise it's more on the smaller side. We got their Fried Chicken as starter, served with Calabrian Chili and somewhat reminded me of Thai Chili Sauce. It was good and I loved the idea of refreshing yuzu ranch dipping, making it distinctive but I would say the chicken itself was moderately good. The radiatore was cooked al dente and the wine flavor stood strong in the sauce. Generously served short rib ragu was lovely, but I got it when people said to not expect it to remind you of signature Korean flavor, which I certainly didn't mind knowing it's fusion anyway!

Elizabeth L.

Was excited to try this place once it opened. There are only 2 small tables over on the side and the rest is bar seating only. I loved the chic ambiance of the place and how lengthy the wraparound bar was. Service was amazing. The server was friendly, attentive and timely, and stopped to check on us and even made conversation with us after we had closed out and he was no longer obligated to. The rating is for the food, unfortunately. The servers here warn you that the pasta serving sizes are a little smaller than you'd expect and you're meant to order multiple entrees and apps in order to feel full. We ordered 2 apps and 2 pastas for 2 people. We got the fried chicken and the bulgogi meatballs. Even if they were both nearly $20 appetizers, I thought both were pretty solid. The fried chicken was well cooked and had a great sauce on it. I thought the yuzu ranch on the side was unnecessary. The bulgogi meatballs did have distinctive Korean flavors and the bread it came with was soft. The pasta which is the main entrees was where we fell short. We got the cheesy corn agnolotti and the radiatore galbi Jim. Both pastas were overly salty, but the radiatore extremely so, to the point where both my partner and I had to force ourselves to finish it. I could tell the agnolotti was handmade and loved the texture of the fresh pasta, but beyond that it was simply drowning in brown butter soup, not a good way. The texture of radiatore + the overly salty meat + sauce was just an overwhelming combo. I would have given this 4 stars but felt that if both of us found an entree to be so overly salty it is off-putting and hard to eat that's a pretty basic issue and a big markdown. Each entree was $25 for a smaller portion so we decided we didn't want to try a dessert priced at $14 after that. The apps and drinks are great though! Maybe it was just an off night.

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Kennedy Z.

26 days ago

Lapaba was amazing from start to finish. The restaurant is beautifully designed and the service and food are top notch. The menu is unique with fusion dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Plus they have valet!! We sampled a majority of the dishes & desserts at a 4 person dinner. Favorites included the yuja sour cocktail, burrata, Caesar salad, Agnolotti pasta, and the truffle ice cream (SO GOOD). read more

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Haynie A.

100

1 month ago

Loved lapaba. I actually really enjoyed every dish, ESPECIALLY the burrata appetizer. The server was super sweet also. The vibe of the place was nice, fairly noisy but not disruptive. I'm looking forward to going back. read more

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K J.

4 months ago

I live nearby and have been waiting for this to open. Went the other night and it's good. But I wish it was more of a straight Italian offering. The one thing Koreatown needs is its own Italian restaurant without a Korean flair. There are a lot of restaurants in Koreatown that do pastas with a Korean twist. We also have some of the best fried chicken in LA at other places in Koreatown so that was a miss for me. The meatballs were good, Broccolini great, pastas good. It's a great idea, great location and great prices. I would just add a few more traditional Italian dishes to the menu for those of us who live in the area and are craving something new. Ktown is full of really amazing Korean food and Dishes with a Korean twist. Sometimes it pays to stick to the classics. read more

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Pon S.

130

2 months ago

The restaurant was beautiful with bright lighting and stool counter top settings. The service was very sweet and informative about the menu. However, the menu portions are extremely tiny and not worth the significant pricing. read more

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Erica L.

2 months ago

I have mixed feelings about Lapaba. The food was pretty good overall, but the pacing felt off - everything came out at once. Given you sit at a shared counter it made the experience feel a bit cramped with multiple dishes and limited space. At this price point, it would have been nicer to have the dishes spaced out a bit. The server was inattentive, to say the least. Despite the restaurant being surprisingly empty for a weekend, there were very few interactions with our server and the few we did have were cold and slightly unwelcoming. One important note: I'm pretty sure my credit card was compromised when I used their 'scan-to-pay' option. Shortly afterwards, I started receiving fraud alerts on the card (which I hadn't used for months prior) because someone was attempting to make random online charges. I would have preferred to use the card reader, but our server was nowhere to be found after dropping the check on the counter and the hostess was politely asking us to move along and make room for the next guests. In the moment, 'scan & pay' seemed easiest, but I wouldn't recommend, as it has now become a huge inconvenience. In the end, I'm not marking Lapaba off my good-eats list, but certainly not rushing back any time soon. read more

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Gary Y.

Elite 26

3 months ago

Checked out KTown's new hot pasta bar ... and it was !!! It's an Italian/Korean fusion pasta. I'm not usually a huge fan of fusion food, but the food hit all the right notes. Pasta ... al dente, as it should be ... and the flavors with subtle familiar Korean flavors without overpowering & in the face with . A heads up, plates are smaller, but perfect for getting a tasting menu. My wife and I got 2 appetizers and 3 pastas. We paired them the Yuzu & Matcha cocktails. Yuzu was refreshing and better. Matcha one ... good ... didn't taste the alcohol ... then it hits later. Personally I like the taste of alcohol, wanted to try the old fashion, next time. Our favorite was the corn pasta. Very different take on a familiar taste and texture. Pasta was handmade in house (literally saw the person rolling the dough in front of us) and just a touch of natural sweetness coming from the corn. The burrata was very interesting paired with Korean sweet potato in a delicious way. The other dishes were good, but my expectations of Korean flavors were maybe wanting more, but thinking about it, not needed. It's not meant to be a kimchi pasta or rose tukbokki from a Korean cafe ... it's high-end comfort fusion. Will definitely go back with a clear palette and just enjoy the new flavors without judging. read more

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Helen S.

2 months ago

I wish I was leaving a better review because the food IS actually good - but the portion sizes are just so egregiously small. They recommended 2-3 apps and 2-3 pastas and all dishes are about $18-$30 on average so that would end up being a very pricy meal if you needed that much and to be honest you'd still probably be hungry. The burrata was very good for the 2 bites of it I had. The broccolini was okay, though I enjoyed the mint leaves. The agnolotti I think was very good but literally we got 7 tiny pieces so by the time I tasted it, it was over. The sausage pasta was slightly bigger and probably the best dish. We ended up having to eat again a few hours later. So - yes the food is good but no - it's not worth what you pay because you'll need a second dinner. Restaurant itself is very cute and vibey- all bar seating essentially. read more

Lapaba - The tiniest pasta portion you ever did see - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Kelly K.

122

2 months ago

This was a 3.5 for me. Look, the food is good but really felt like something I've had before. The Korean influence shines on the menu but not in the flavor of the dishes. The fried chicken & desserts were the real stars of the show. It's a really fun space and I have nothing bad to say about the service. I can definitely see this being a go-to before a show at the Wiltern read more

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Amanda E.

25 days ago

Got a last minute Saturday reservation and got in the car fast! I love the vibe of this place a great mix of authentic Koreatown and classic Nancy Silverton. Shout out to our server Tonka who made the dinner extra special. My faves were the appetizers: burrata on sweet potato& fried chicken. We ordered the lobster pasta, orrechette & the anglonotti. All yummy yet small. If i had to suggest one thing on the menu that is a don't miss: It would definitely be the truffle ice cream Wow. It's a splurge place and worth the experience. read more

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David D.

25 days ago

Nancy Silverton strikes again with another disappointing restaurant. The food was mediocre and service was incredibly disappointing. Wine glasses came out covered in wine. Waitress was nowhere to be found at any time of the meal. Order was incorrect. Plates practically thrown down at you. Supposedly Korean/Italian; but, beyond the bingsu you could barely tell there was any Korean influence. Would not recommend or visit again. Entire operation needs to be reevaluated. Rough. Do yourself a favor and avoid. read more

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Tiffany F.

3 months ago

Amazing service, really cool concept of Korean influenced Italian. Favorite dishes: - Cacio e Pepe rice cakes - cheesy mochi, akin to gnocchi - charred broccolini - delicious, served over whipped tofu, super creamy - garganelli & pesto - super fresh pesto - radiatore & galbi jjim - pasta with tender short rib - bing soo - shaved ice dessert with rice cakes - pavlova - wonderfully crisp and chewy meringue Will be going back soon!! read more

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Eny E.

2 months ago

The service was great and environment was nice. But, it's not for everyone's taste bud First, this meatball has weird sour taste. It was too herbal little weird taste for me. Second, the Gem salad was too salty and dressing was maybe samjang Lastly, the short rib pasta was also too salty and nothing special about korean italian flavor. It was no exciting flavor. read more

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Nova S.

3 months ago

Overall food rating: 3/5 The food was just fine - nothing bad, but nothing we're still thinking about either. None of the dishes made us want to keep going back for another bite. That said, we appreciated the freshness and texture of the pastas. We tried the short rib and the agnolotti. The short rib pasta was overwhelmingly salty, and the agnolotti leaned greasy, which made both dishes feel heavier than they needed to be. The Korean nuance was obvious and it was fun to experience both cuisines but unfortunately we left quite underwhelmed. Otherwise the atmosphere and the service was amazing! Super comfortable and casual - lovely for a quick little date night. read more

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Jen S.

3 months ago

Hmmmm where do I begin... First of all, great ambience. The place was very modern, loved how it was a open kitchen! The server we had was amazing! Super nice, although I wish he could have been a bit more attentive. But, it was a busy night, so I get he was busy attending to other guests as well. The food was mediocre. We ordered 3 appetizers, a caesar salad, meatball, and chicken wings, 2 pastas and 2 desserts. I get what they were trying to do with the Caesar salad.... but it wasn't good. They tried adding a korean twist by adding "dwenjang" but the taste was very off putting. The chicken wings and the meat balls were very dissapointing... can't really say much more about them. It took forever for the main pastas to come out, and when it did, I was so so underwhelmed with the taste. Maybe because I had eaten at Bestia not too long ago, the dishes were mediocre... the dessert we had: truffle ice cream and tiramisu was alright. read more

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Edgar R.

257

29 days ago

Wow!!! I was impressed with every bite. The service is extraordinary and that food magnificent. Highly recommend trying it out. Each pasta was so different but yet flavorful. Can't wait to go again and try the rest of the menu. Ambiance was very intimidate. Love that it's more exclusive to service with smaller scale. Good wine selection too. read more

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Tyler R.

3 months ago

Early dinner last night. Parking sucks in that part of KTown but we found a street spot a few blocks away. They have valet; I have no idea what it costs. Restaurant is cute, mostly a giant counter. Minimalist decoration, well lit. Waiter was nice and attentive. Wine, beer, and soju cocktails. Had a soju sour which was decent. Started with Caesar (nice dressing, good crunch). Kimchi suppli was a great bar snack (cheese stuffed fried rice ball with kimchi dipping sauce). Cacio e pepe rice cakes were underwhelming (only dish I wouldn't order again) with a tiny portion, not enough sauce, and not the most enticing texture. Garganelli and parilla pesto was great. As was the radiatore and galbi jjim. Big fan of the tiramisu desert. Mostly an Italian restaurant with hints of Korean flavor. Will definitely be back! read more

Lapaba - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Garganelli w parilla leaf pesto and radiatore w galbi jjim - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Andrew W.

584

6397

4 months ago

I've watched the development of Lapaba over the many months, wondering what was going on in that former dollar store, puzzled as they knocked that weird hole in the wall. After many long delays, it's open, the much-ballyhooed Korean-Italian fusion pasta bar with no less than Nancy Silverton's imprimatur. It's an almost insurmountable amount of hype to overcome. The interior is minimal, mainly just one long, serpentine marble counter of varying heights with some velveteen banquettes at the ends of the room. The walls are lined with long strands of thick ropes that at once recall both strands of pasta and the shimenawa ropes that adorn Shintō shrines. The menu is like the standard high-end Italian restaurant, but it eliminates the "secondi" -- the meat courses most Angelenos prefer to skip -- to focus on the "primi," the pasta dishes. But the pasta dishes are the same size as "primi" served as preludes to a main dish, not actually main course portions. Given the prices of $19 to $25, that may not sit well with everyone. The menu offers a selection of starters and two salads. The kimchi suppli was a Koreanized take on the Roman version of arancini, deep-fried rice balls with cheese, which were accompanied by an entirely unnecessary kimchi aïoli. (Suppli are ovular as opposed to the round Sicilian arancini.) The rice and aioli were supposedly colored red by the kimchi, but that was the only indication of the ingredient's presence; I got no hint of chili spice or fermented flavors. Otherwise, as a suppli, it was perfectly made. The "K meatballs" were standard Italian(-American) meatballs with bulgogi flavoring in the meat. The sweet-soy flavoring in the beef was a bit odd though not off-putting. Personally, I don't think the combination created anything better; it was a bit less than the sum of its parts. The meatballs also seemed a bit bready. The sauce was fantastic, though, as were the milk bread rolls that accompanied them -- I only wish there was one more to finish the remaining sauce. The two diners next to me ordered the Caesar salad made with doenjang, essentially the Korean equivalent to miso; when the server asked what they thought, their reply was a rather frosty, "It was okay." The first pasta I had was the orecchiette with sausage, spinach, and gochugaru, or Korean chili powder. This dish is essentially a clone of the orecchiette dish from Osteria Mozza, only with gochugaru replacing Calabrian chili flakes. It's a phenomenal dish, and my server told me the orecchiette are made there by hand. But does replacing one type of chili with another really make for fusion? If the spinach came from a farm in Mexico, would that make it Italian-Mexican fusion? Given that, I felt disappointed -- and, since the dish was small, I had room for another -- so I asked my server which she felt best fit the Korean-Italian goal. I ended up with their take on bucatini all'amatriciana, which is a mashup of that dish with the classic Sino-Korean dish black bean noodle dish jjajangmyeon. At last, this seemed to hit the fusion sweet spot: guanciale, both soft and crunchy, gave a smoky quality to the jjajang, and the firm bucatini was a much improved replacement for the often-overcooked, soggy noodles one gets in Korean restaurants. The cocktails are soju-based, which is a hard no for me: I don't drink cocktails made from real vodka, so why would I want them made from what is literally just watered-down (and very poor quality) vodka? The wine list was lackluster, with only one poor Prosecco representing the sparkling section. My server was excellent. She was attentive, helpful, engaged, but never intrusive, and was the best aspect of the meal. The service is top-flight; I wish the atmosphere was brought up to same level. At the prices Lapaba is charging, playing lite hip-hop and having servers in logo t-shirts feels rather shabby. Come on, even Domino's Pizza puts their employees in collared shirts. I had hoped Lapaba would be a bit more exciting, have a bit more of a "wow" factor. The only real "wow" I got was when I received my check. I'd try it again, mostly because it's close by me, and I can hopefully get a spot for one early on a weeknight. I think they need to work on the fusion concept, though -- or just settle for being a regular pasta restaurant. read more

Lapaba - Kimchi suppli - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Orecchiette with sausage - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Menu - 2/6/26 - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Bucatini all'amatriciana - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Riley L.

306

27 days ago

This place was AMAZING! Perfect date night for my two year anniversary I thought all of the dishes we got were amazing! Seated immediately and servers were so nice and attentive. I absolutely LOVE the burrata and sweet potato omg and the chicken wings are phenomenal! I don't fully understand anyone saying the milk bread tastes store bought?? It's so moist and airy at the same time. Also don't sleep on the drinks the yuzu sour is chefs kiss read more

Lapaba - Burrata sweet potato - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Gem Caesar - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Ragu - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Cacio e Pepe - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Kaity W.

28 days ago

Everything about lapaba was spot on! Perfect fusion of Italian and Korean ingredients and very thoughtful. Staff was so kind and it's so fun seeing the kitchen from the bar where you eat. Lighting on point, not too noisy, calm but buzzing read more

Lapaba - Amatriciana - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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David C.

2 months ago

my partner and I love this place, the food is made meticulously with attention to detail and you want to eat slow to really taste the menu offerings. Fresh pasta with korean and italian fused taste. Recommend the burrata with with the overcooked sweet potato, loved the caesar fusion salad with farmers market greens, the lobster pasta, jajang amatriciana and the kalbi jim pasta were our favs. shout out to MADDIE our server for positive energy. will be back and again. read more

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Joe J.

12 days ago

Food was pretty average among all the modern pasta bars around the area. You can get better food at cento pasta bar. Appetizers were nothing special. K meatball was just sweeter regular meatballs. Most of the pasta we ordered were overly salty. The jaijang pasta is basically regular jaijang sauce with pasta noodles. Half the size and double the price. Drinks were creative but tasted meh. Desert tiramisu was too wet and we ate about 1/3 and didn't want to finish. I guess it's not a terrible place but we would not go back and spend $130 per person on this. Disappointing read more

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Amy C.

3 months ago

Great fusion dishes marrying eastern and western flavors! My personal favorite was the sweet potato burrata dish. The chili oil really compliments the sweetness of the sweet potato. The texture of the dish also made it interesting - a bit crunchy (cooked sweet potato), soft, and buttery. I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the cocktails but the cocktails were delicious as well. I tried the Yakult mocktail 10/10! Service was great. Our server was attentive and patiently described each cocktail before ordering and the food as it came out. I would recommend this place for gatherings and dates as the restaurant wasn't too loud. I went with a group on Valentine's Day and it was fun sharing dishes and talking about the unique menu. read more

Lapaba - Jjampong and Perilla leaf pesto pasta - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Pavlova - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Perilla leaf pesto pasta - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Sweet potato chili oil burrata - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Jjampong pasta - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Cacio e pepe tteokbokki - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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sandy c.

105

2 months ago

We had a party of 11 and had to do the prix fixe menu. Lapaba was a breeze to coordinate our 95 dollar per person dinner. We had the Korean meatballs, Korean chicken wings, kimchi suppli, and broccolini to start. Caesar salad was refreshing and pastas were delicious. We loved the kalbi Jim radiatore, meaty and rich, perfectly cooked pasta. The agnolotti was fresh and bright with perilla and sugar snap peas. They let us split the dessert so we got to try the tiramisu and the pavlova. Inhaled it all with so much to take home and eat as leftovers. It was a great way to try a lot of items on their menu. Will need to go back and try the truffle soft serve! read more

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Jennifer A.

3 months ago

Nancy Silverton bravo! Loved everything!! Would definitely come back to try more stuff! read more

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Jason F.

104

2 months ago

Pretty disappointed given all the hype with this place. Portions were small and expensive, and the "Korean influence" was lacking - bit of an identity crisis going on here. Wouldn't come back. read more

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Tom W.

2 months ago

Beautiful place being led by beautiful people. MacKenna and Matt are great humans, leading an awesome team and making stellar food. Playful riffs on classics, along with adaptations that evoke memories of childhood flavors. Also some things that push you to the edge of "I didn't think it would work, but it does." Great date spot. read more

Lapaba - Garganelli with perilla infused pesto - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Amatriciana with homage to Jjajangmyeon - - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Radiatorre with galbi jjim - red wine lovers heaven dish - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Rice cakes Cacio e pepe - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Lapaba - Hamachi crudo- flavors channeling nangmyeon - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Hannah C.

1 month ago

The bar setup is very smart, allowing the servers to work efficiently without being tied to any one table. Food-wise, each dish had just the right touch of Korean flavor added thoughtfully, and we truly enjoyed every bite--it was very satisfying overall. My husband uses a wheelchair, but thanks to the attentive and caring staff, we had no difficulties at all. It turned out to be an early Mother's Day treat for me, and we had a truly pleasant evening with wonderful food and warm service. read more

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Robert K.

472

3 months ago

I love pasta and eating familiar Korean ingredients enhanced the experience. Portions are small so you can try many dishes. Definitely one of my new fave places! read more

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Sheila H.

2 months ago

I recently visited lapaba and had a really good experience overall. The food was good and well prepared. Wish they had more bold Korean flavors to the dish because it lacked a little personality. The service was friendly and attentive without being overwhelming. Nice new spot to relax and enjoy a meal without feeling rush. Dessert was the highlight of the meal read more

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Maggie K.

1 month ago

Get the fried chicken lollipops with yuzu ranch dressing along with the corn agnolotti and come back and thank me later. Incredible dining experience! read more

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Richard P.

2 months ago

Not happy. I was looking really forward to coming here and made a reservation a month in advance. I was impressed when I walked in. Big bar with an open kitchen and only two tables in the back. We sat at one of the tables and ordered. The portions were simply ridiculous. To put it in perspective you would have to order at least 5 of the same dish to pass for a serving size. One pasta dish had literally 5 noodles. We ordered 10 different plates to be shared and expensive soju and makgoli. Bill came out to $400 with tip. Went to Taco Bell right after. read more

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Ramzi J.

2 months ago

Unimpressed with the food. Nice interior design. Server didn't seem knowledgeable about any dish. We ordered 4 items, everything fell short. The bread served with the meatballs felt store-bought, hamachi crudo was forgettable, and the flavor profiles for both the corn and guanciale pastas was not well developed read more

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Keren M.

228

4 months ago

Went on their opening day. Staff were prepared and organized. They staggered their reservations nicely so that their intimate dining room was comfortable but still lively. The ambience and decorations were very clean and bright. Menu is made to be shared and so that you can try multiple dishes. Cocktails were on the sweeter side and light on the alcohol. Ordered 3 of the sides, 2 pastas, and 1 dessert for 2 people and would say that was a satisfying amount. It is a pasta bar with a Korean spin. While the Korean ingredients are there, the "korean" flavors are really subtle. The pasta was cooked to a nice al dente and the pairings with the proteins were ideal. The black truffle soft serve was a surprise, nice touch of sweet and fragrant to end the meal. A promising opening in the competitive KTOWN food scene. read more

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Lisa V.

2 months ago

Do better LaPaba. 1.5 hour reservations is one thing but when you're the ones bringing the food late that's on you and not the customer. Way to get annoyed with the customer when it's your mistake. Rushing us just to accommodate the next guest is unfair. This is what will drive you down the ground. Hopefully you will realize that each customer matters. The way you treat people will be a reflection of how long you survive. Successful restaurants survive because people feel valued. What a disappointment! read more

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Lance F.

4 months ago

This is an Italian Korean fusion restaurant that certainly leans more into the Korean side. Everything is pretty unique and well put together. We tried many dishes, and the top ones I'd recommend are the Agnolotto & Cheesy Corn, Orechiette & Sausage, meatballs, broccolini, and BTS ice cream. Service was great and the server was very well educated on the drinks and the dishes being served. The interior was very pretty and modern, and you can tell they put a lot of thought into it. But I have a couple critiques of the ambience that I hope can get ironed out during the soft opening. First and foremost was way too hot inside the restaurant. They turned the AC on but it didn't seem to be helping. They're going to have to fix this before the summer months or it will become a problem for many people. The other people we were with felt the same way. Second is the lighting in some areas of the restaurant is very dim. While not always a problem, the menu is small and in a really small font so it was hard for us to read. The server couldn't even read it. Overall i would 10/10 recommend. It is bringing a lot of livelihood to this neighborhood and I hope it can continue doing so! read more

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Jean C.

21 days ago

Don't know what the hype is all about. We tried every dish on the menu and only one was considered to be exceptional. Everything else was, meh read more

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Beverly-Anne M.

2 months ago

The food was exquisite the burrata made with sweet potato was out of this world.The meat balls were so light. The 3 pastas that I had were unforgettable The tiramisu just melted in my mouth and the Icecream delicious. This restaurant is a absolute must and you definitely will be going back read more

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Alex P.

3 months ago

Shady business they mess with the tip. The total amount with tip that I paid at the restaurant differed from what was finally billed to my card. They have no email or contact other than a phone number to reach out that no one answers. Everyone be vigilant and get a recipe and check your statements. read more

Business owner information

Jessica L.

Hi Alex,…

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Meli y.

181

1 month ago

fav new spot. truly special and thoughtful. solid wine list. great service. amazing pasta!

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Fredy S.

342

3 months ago

Dishes were good' definitely give these a try, service was incredible as well, I enjoyed the bar style seating and view of k-town right outside. read more

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Back

Page 2 of 3

558 S Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Koreatown, Wilshire Center
Directions
(213) 513-6426
Call Now

Hours

What time does Lapaba open?

Lapaba opens at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Lapaba close?

Lapaba is closed on Monday and Tuesday.Lapaba closes at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Lapaba closes at 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Tue ClosedWed-Thu, Sun 5:00 PM - 9:00 PMFri-Sat 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Payment methods

Does Lapaba take credit cards?

Yes, Lapaba takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Lapaba have catering options?

No, Lapaba does not have catering options.

Does Lapaba serve alcohol?

Yes, Lapaba serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Lapaba allow dogs?

No, Lapaba does not allow dogs.

Does Lapaba have TVs?

No, Lapaba does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Lapaba have bike parking?

Yes, Lapaba has bike parking.

Does Lapaba have outdoor seating?

No, Lapaba does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Lapaba have parking?

Yes, Lapaba has parking options. Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is Lapaba wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Lapaba is wheelchair accessible.

Does Lapaba have free WiFi?

Yes, Lapaba has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Located in the heart of Koreatown, Lapaba (a clever portmanteau of “La Pasta Bar”) is an ambitious culinary concept that brings together Italian pasta traditions and the bold, fermented flavors of Korean cuisine. Neither a traditional Italian restaurant nor a classic Korean eatery, Lapaba defines itself as an “Italian/Korean Pasta Bar,” exploring the harmony between two heritage-rich cultures. Led by chefs McKenna Lelah and Matthew Kim, the restaurant features an open-kitchen format and a dedicated pasta room, where dishes are crafted to feel both familiar and entirely unexpected.

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - Lapaba

Do you need reservations for party of 6?

Recommend to reserve for all party sizes, especially larger parties like 6 since seating is mostly bar and limited.

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Wheelchair accessible

Pasta e Pasta is one of my favorite Japanese Italian spots. The interior is super cute and I love…read morethe wine display in the restaurant. I also appreciate that every table comes with olive oil and vinegar. We ordered the mentai cream pasta and the uni pasta. The mentai pasta was packed with umami and the pasta itself was cooked perfectly al dente. The nori and mushrooms paired really well with the sauce as well. The uni pasta was just as good. The sauce was rich and creamy and the uni on top was fresh and buttery. The meal also comes with complimentary bread and salad. The salad was light and refreshing which helped balance out the richness of the pasta. The bread was simple but great for dipping in olive oil and vinegar. The service is always friendly and efficient. If you're a fan of Japanese Italian fusion, this place is definitely worth a visit. I honestly have nothing bad to say and can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!

Servers were super friendly immediately upon walking in. Luckily, there was no wait when we came…read moresince this spot is quite small. Servers were able to quickly take our order and food came out in less than 10-15 minutes. It's nice that they provide salad and bread as sides with each pasta order. I actually really liked their bread cause it had a nice toasted crisp on the outside and the butter melted perfectly on the inside. We got the uni pasta and the tomato cream sauce with shrimp and spinach, which were both good. They each had their own characteristics-- the uni was creamy while the tomato sauce definitely carried the other pasta. I'd definitely come back and hope to try the mentai cream pasta next!

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Shrimp and Spinach

Maccheroni Republic

4.4(4.6k reviews)

3.6 mi•Downtown

•$$

I came here for dinner, and it was really good. We started with the calamari, which was crispy and…read moredelicious. We also got a salad, which was fresh. The pasta was delicious as well. We got the Bianchi & Neri. The pasta was perfectly au dente, and the sauce was delicious. I thought the price was fair, and the ambiance of the restaurant was nice. Service was great, no complaints.

Plenty of reviews already but adding my two cents. Stopped in for bite after visiting the Bradbury…read moreBuilding (bucket list ). Started with the Burratina and Insulata Arugula. Both were good but enjoyed the Burratina more. Then we shared a plate of Cacio Pollo Pappardelle. Yum! Creamy rich with perfectly cooked pasta. We finished with a battle of the desserts: flan vs flourless cake. The cake was light and slightly bitter in a good way but the clear winner was the flan. The texture and flavor were fantastic. Highly recommend for the quality and value!

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Interior

MASCARPONE FLAN

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Scallops with squid ink risotto

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5 reviews that are not currently recommended

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UE C.

188

4 months ago

I recently visited this restaurant on the first day of their soft opening, and I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. Food: We ordered five pasta dishes and one order of meatballs as appetizers. Each dish was fresh and flavorful, showcasing the chef's attention to detail. Al ordered a selection of mocktails and cocktails, which were well-crafted and added a nice touch to our meal. Everything we tried was delicious, and I can't wait to return to sample more of the menu. Ambiance: The atmosphere was inviting, with a perfect blend of casual and elegant decor. It made for a comfortable dining experience, ideal for enjoying a meal with friends. Parking: As for parking, it can be a bit challenging in the area, but the restaurant offers valet parking for $12, which is a convenient option if you're dining in. Service: The service was commendable; our server was friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. Last call was around 9:45 PM, which I appreciated as it gave us ample time to enjoy our meal without feeling rushed. Overall, I had a great experience at this restaurant and am looking forward to returning soon to explore more of their menu options! read more

Jeena C.

Elite 26

146

3 months ago

I was really excited to try this place, but unfortunately the experience was disappointing. The portion sizes, prices, and overall flavor didn't live up to the hype. While I was told ahead of time that the portions were small, I didn't expect them to be that small--especially considering the price. We ordered four different dishes, and none of them stood out in terms of flavor or creativity. Nothing felt particularly unique or memorable. Since we didn't make a reservation, I expected there might be a wait on a Friday night. The host actually seated us right away, but told us we only had one hour because the restaurant was supposedly fully booked for the evening. We understood and thought that was fair given that we hadn't reserved a table. However, by the time we finished our meal and were about to leave, the restaurant was pretty empty . It was confusing to hear that they were fully booked while seeing so many empty tables. The time limit ended up feeling unnecessary and a bit rushed. Overall, the experience was unexpectedly unpleasant and didn't match the high expectations we had going in. read more

Tasha V.

Elite 24

336

174

125

3 months ago

UPDATE: Regarding the parking, the valet manager reached out to me and was able to explain there is a glitch in their system that if you have a Metropolis account prior to them parking your car in the structure (they have a contract with Metropolis) then you may automatically get charged before they can validate your car. Still waiting for the full resolution of this issue but glad they were responsive and receptive to making things right. Thanks! read more

Tom M.

3 months ago

From the mocktails and cocktails to dessert, Lapaba really impressed me. Their menu is fusion - east meets west. My personal favorite is the burrata as it was the perfect balance between sweet, savory, spicy, soft and crunchy. This is the perfect place to catch up with friends or date night! Exploring the menu will give you plenty to talk about. read more

Vanessa L.

3 months ago

This place was so good. Very intimate, and quiet spot. The service was exceptional, the staff was very nice and had great recommendations! We tried a lot of the dishes, they were small but very filling and perf to share read more

Lapaba - italian - Updated June 2026

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Al Dente

Fatto a Mano The Pasta Shop

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Ferrazzani's Pasta & Market

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5 Lapaba reviews that are not currently recommended

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

5 reviews that are not currently recommended

Lapaba - italian - Updated June 2026

Best of Los Angeles

People found Lapaba by searching for…

Trending Searches in Los Angeles, CA

Browse Nearby

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