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    Pasta Viva

    4.0 (175 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    PASTA VIVA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Pasta Viva

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    Alejandra F.

    Very good and delicious place, i try the pesto sandwich and the pistacho gelato and i just felt in love with them i bet they have other delicious things but those blow my mind, The place was packed and is little so I don't suggest it for big groups but it's a perfect plan to go and gravel something here for any outdoors activity. Also they are very fast, I noticed a bunch of people in the staff so the wait is not bad. The price may vary of course but honestly i think they have a fair price for everything in their menu.

    Kelsey S.

    Pasta Viva is one of Irvine's most unique pasta spots, known for their fresh-made pasta and iconic cheese-wheel pasta experience. The atmosphere was cozy, the pasta was made fresh, and watching the dishes come together made the whole dining experience feel extra special. It's definitely a spot that's perfect for sharing different plates and trying something new. What we tried The Gladiator Pasta: 9/10 The pasta was rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The cheese-wheel preparation made it such a fun experience. The Godfather Pasta: 8.5/10 A delicious and comforting pasta dish with a great balance of flavors. Definitely a perfect choice if you're looking for something hearty. Caesar Salad: 8/10 Fresh, crisp, and the perfect side to balance out the rich pasta dishes. The Finale Chocolate Pasta: 9/10 Such a unique dessert experience! The chocolate pasta was sweet, perfectly chewy, and the perfect way to end the meal. The staff is also incredible helpful and welcoming. The portions are great :)

    john g.

    Quaint spot in a strip mall - parking was easy on a Sunday afternoon. There was a line inside and every table was full - all great signs. The menu was pretty simple and I had seen the cheese bowl/wheel on my social feeds so we were anxious to try it out. I ordered the protein bowl while my daughter chose the alfredo bowl. The dishes were ready fairly quickly and we devoured them. We both enjoyed our dishes and the only reason I didn't give them 5 stars was because the portion could've been bigger. That' said the pasta, my meatballs and the sauces tasted incredibly fresh - felt like we were back in Italy. Highly recommend!

    Dreamer
    Andrew L.

    This place is truly a hidden gem in Irvine. They make fresh and delicious delicious pasta tossed in a cheese wheel. Food: The menu offers a wide selection of pastas dishes and sandwiches. My favorite item is the Dreamer, which is pasta with prosciutto in a creamy and cheesy alfredo sauce and topped with pistachios. It's absolutely delicious. The No Regrets pasta is delicious as well. It's a chicken alfredo pasta. Service: The employees are very friendly and the food comes quickly. Ambiance: I like the decor inside but the indoor seating is a bit limited. Pasta Viva is truly an amazing restaurant that offers fresh and delicious pasta dishes. I come here about once or twice a week.

    Dave L.

    Okay, so this place is addictive. After a few times eating their The Dreamer, you begin to crave it again and again. This is on the top of our list of places to get dinner or go to lunch. The pasta is so fresh and delicious. If you follow me, or have read my reviews you know I am extremely picky about the taste and quality of the food. Then, you will understand, if I say a place is addictive, then it is really good. Their pasta is home made, their sauces are fresh and made to order. Five stars perfection near the airport.

    Lorena G.

    Pretty damn good! Watching the pasta being made fresh right in front of you and tossed in a giant cheese wheel was such a cool experience. The flavor was incredible and definitely lived up to the hype! I ordered the meatball bowl and it was unbelievably creamy and delicious. At first it looked like a small portion, but it was actually super filling. The atmosphere was great too -- while I was waiting for my food, everyone around me kept talking about how amazing everything was. That always says a lot! I'll definitely be back to try the desserts, especially the tiramisu!

    Entrance to this great little fresh Italian spot.
    Michael H.

    Another great time at pasta viva. Food is so fresh! Cannot even describe it other than fabulous!!!! Service again, heartfelt and like your Italian eatery next door. They always have great music playing in the background. Completely open and just generally great place to eat.

    Anthony M.

    Been wanting to try this spot, finally had a chance to. It's located in a plaza with a lot of food options and plenty of parking. Inside is very modern, and the staff was super friendly and helpful. I was taking a while to decide, and they checked in on me a couple of times to make sure I was good, which I appreciated. They offer a make-your-own pasta option, but I went with the set option, the mushroom and chicken pasta. The pasta is handmade, and the fresh pasta was really good. They mix it in a cheese wheel right in front of you, which was a nice touch, the flavors came together really well and blended nicely with the cheese. Overall it was very flavorful and well balanced. The cheese wasn't overpowering at all. Great experience and I'd definitely come back.

    The Dreamer (AlfredoProsciutto) Pasta
    Jonathan L.

    Located in a busy plaza, we went during lunch and service was really quick and everyone was very welcoming. Everything here is a little pricy but the pasta is tossed in a big cheese wheel and everything came out delicious. We tried the Gladiator, a marinara base, and the Dreamer, an alfredo base. Both very yummy, would definitely get again. The only thing I didn't like was the drinks. They have their own flavors in house but most of them weren't working and the water tasted a little funky. Other than that definitely a solid place for quick pasta!

    Counter
    Elly P.

    Food: - The Gladiator (Bolognese Meatballs) Pasta: noodle consistency was good, however there is only one choice for noodles. Meatballs were standard, not the most flavorful. The dish had too much liquid, perhaps they didn't drain the water from the noodles. It was difficult to taste the cheese flavor from the cheese wheel with the addition of the parmesan cheese. - Basil Babe (PestoChicken) Pasta no chicken: good pesto flavor, but dish had too much liquid making the pasta soggy over time - Plain cheese pasta: cheese flavor was stronger, but salty Ambiance: - Order at the counter and wait for order - Cheese wheel is more for show than addition of flavor

    Madeline S.

    My friends and I are calling this place Club Pasta Viva, because they basically have club music in the evening, but we were totally here for it. Theres a very fun and happy vibe. We went for our first time on a Wednesday evening around 6:30pm and it was busy (I guess that's what happens when you go viral on TikTok)! The staff were hustling! It's an open air kitchen and you could see them getting to work, and they still had a smile on their faces. There's kiosks for ordering, and when it got really busy someone on their line would jump up to the cash register. I was worried this place would be just internet hype, but my friends and I all agree that it was actually really delicious. Their Alfredo especially...[insert happy Italian word here]. No one had a dish they did not enjoy. We will be back for sure!

    The Dreamer (AlfredoProsciutto) Pasta
    Gerina O.

    I wanted to like this place, I really did. You order at a kiosk in the restaurant which was fairly easy. The food here is a little expensive and the portions aren't large for pasta. I got the Dreamer bowl - Alfredo and prosciutto. And my food was salty, not just a little but unbearably so. And the worst part was that my pasta was cold. I watched them make it, do the cheese wheel and everything. They handed it to me and I started to eat right away, and it was already cold. The velvet upholstery looks nice in pictures but the seats are all pretty dirty even though the place is pretty new. I hate to leave a bad review, but my meal was pretty much inedible.

    Kimberly C.

    Pasta Viva looked very promising when I walked in. The concept is interesting, the space is clean and inviting, and I was genuinely excited to try it. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the expectations. There was only one pasta option available, and the pasta itself reminded me more of Chinese egg noodles than traditional Italian pasta. One positive is that it didn't feel heavy at all, but the biggest issue was the lack of flavor. The pasta sauce was extremely watery and didn't bring much flavor to the dish. The meatball was also disappointing. It had a good texture, but it tasted like it had little to no seasoning. Combined with the watery sauce, the dish felt very bland overall. I also tried some of the soft drink options, and honestly none of them were particularly enjoyable. They didn't add much to the experience and weren't something I'd order again. I really wanted to like this place because the first impression was strong and the concept has potential. Unfortunately, the food just didn't deliver for me. The pasta lacked flavor, the sauce was watery, and the meatball needed significantly more seasoning. I can appreciate that the meal felt light, but flavor is ultimately what brings me back to a restaurant. I wanted to love it, but I can't honestly recommend it based on my experience.

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    Pasta Viva Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pasta Viva

    Fat Of The Land

    Fat Of The Land

    4.8
    (422 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Free parking

    This intimate tapas restaurant really blew me away. Reservations are recommended due to the small…read moresize, but my friend and I came in on a weeknight at opening and were able to be seated. Our server was very warm and helpful. For two of us we ordered one heavier dish and 3 on the lighter side and I actually left pretty stuffed. The menu is always evolving so I'd love to return, but for this visit we started with the bread and ham butter. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the ham butter imparted so much flavor. My favorite item that we ordered was the Galician Octopus. The thin slices were perfectly executed and the flavors underneath packed a punch. I would pass on the Gambas al Ajillo. While the shrimp were large, I found myself wishing that they had some char. The Summer Squash Salad was a perfect complement to the other dishes. I found the squash ribbons to be unique, the dressing to be light and fresh, and the inclusion of small bits of cheese to impart just the right amount of saltiness to the dish. Because we were celebrating my birthday, they gave us a complimentary slice of the basque cheesecake with a candle in it. Typically I'm not a big fan of this type of cheesecake, but theirs was wonderful and we ate the whole thing. I'm always appreciative when a restaurant does a little something extra for a special occasion. Extra props to our server because she noticed the gift that my friend brought for me and took it upon herself to inquire about the occasion and bring the dessert. It's those little touches that mean a lot.

    Finally got to try Fat of the Land and they didn't disappoint. Located in the heart of Santa Ana -…read moreit's an intimate bar/restaurant with a friendly staff. Parking can also be found behind and on the side of the restaurant. Things tried: - Bread + Ham Butter: I didn't know what to expect - it started off just ok and grew on me after a few bites. Of the items tried this was my least favorite. - Apple Pear Frisée Salad: Loved this salad! Super refreshing and perfectly dressed. The balance of lettuce, pears and apples with the ham.. it just hit the spot. This is something I'd get again. - Galician Octopus - Another winner of a dish! Perfectly prepared octopus and the sauce - it was a party in my mouth. A definite must try! - Braised Mushroom: I was on the fence about this one but my friend picked it. It was surprisingly good. You mix in the onsen egg and it just works. - Rack of Pork - this is another winner of a dish! I will say it tastes even better as a left over. The pork was perfectly seasoned and oh so yummy! - bosque cheesecake: nice and creamy cheesecake and a nice way to wrap up a meal. I'm not a drinker, but they had an assortment of wines and beers. My friend quite enjoyed the beer our waiter recommended. All in all a fun dining experience - one I'd definitely repeat. And if you visit and are in doubt on what to try - definitely ask your server - they make great recs here.

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    Fat Of The Land
    Fat Of The Land
    Fat Of The Land

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    CasaDamí

    CasaDamí

    4.2
    (144 reviews)
    6.7 mi
    $$$$

    I made reservations at Casa Dami to celebrate my daughter's birthday, and overall, it turned into a…read morereally memorable experience. When booking, I had the option of dining , chef's table, or patio seating. I specifically chose the dining since my daughter loves creating content, and the indoor ambiance is absolutely beautiful for photos. The hostess seated us on the patio, and I mentioned that I had selected dining. I was told that seating is based on first availability, which was a little disappointing, especially since the restaurant is right on the water and by 7:30 PM it was getting pretty chilly. While they do have heaters outside, sitting in gusty winds with the smell of gas (especially after a fresh trip to the hairdresser!) just wasn't ideal. My daughter went back to the car to grab a blanket. Thankfully, the hostess noticed my discomfort and came back shortly after saying, "Donna, we have another table further down that's out of the wind and under a heat lamp." That small gesture made a big difference, and honestly, that's when the experience started to turn around. From there, things only got better. When our entrées arrived, our waiter Nick realized we had never received our appetizers. Without hesitation, he assured us he would make it right, and he absolutely did. He brought out a selection of cheeses for us to sample, which led to us ordering a caviar bump paired with champagne (highly recommend!). To top it all off, he surprised my daughter with olive cake and fresh berries to celebrate her birthday. Such a thoughtful touch. If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Not just because the food was amazing, but because of the attention to detail and how seriously they take the overall dining experience. Parking is available in a nearby garage, and they validate the first 90 minutes, which is a nice bonus.

    I had this place bookmarked on Yelp since November when it was all dressed up for the holidays. The…read morepictures of the interior looked beautiful and the food looked great. Yesterday, I came here for my birthday lunch with my mom after she made a reservation, and honestly, I wish we had just gone somewhere else. We sat down right at our 1:00 reservation and then waited 35 minutes just to get a drink menu. Not food. Not to order. Just the menu for drinks. After we finally ordered, the champagne showed up about 20 minutes later. It was served in wine glasses, which feels like basic wine bar knowledge, but apparently not here. When we asked to switch them to champagne glasses, the waiter brought out smaller wine glasses. Not exactly good etiquette for a place that leans so heavily on its bar concept. The whipped ricotta appetizer came out even later, around the 65 minute mark. As an appetizer. It was fine, probably the best thing we had, but "fine" after that kind of wait is not a positive. From there, everything just dragged. It took almost an hour for my mom's meatballs to come out, and when they did, they were raw. Not slightly underdone. Fully pink in the middle. She sent them back and was so turned off she didn't even want to eat anything else. I ordered a salad and specifically asked for light dressing. What I got was the opposite. It was drenched in a thick, heavy dressing that made the whole thing borderline inedible and the lettuce soggy. After our food, I tried to order drip coffee, which they didn't have, so I settled for an Americano. I asked for warm cream, which I've had done at plenty of places, and somehow it came out clotted. If you know anything about coffee, that shouldn't happen. At this point, we had been there for over two and a half hours. For a salad, an appetizer, and four raw meatballs. The server was very nice and doing his best with being busy. BUT, the overall operation felt completely disorganized and untrained. We weren't the only ones either. The couple next to us was also complaining after waiting 40 minutes just to order breakfast items. To make it even better, parking is only comped for 90 minutes. So because of their slow service, we ended up paying for parking on top of overpriced, underwhelming food. What should have been a 45 minute lunch turned into a 2.5 hour ordeal. The bathroom also wasn't clean either time I went, which pretty much sums up the lack of attention to detail across the board. The only slightly redeeming part was the crème brûlée, which was... fine. Not amazing. Just fine. It's a pretty space. I'll give them that. But that's about where the positives end. The food is not good, the timing is unacceptable, and the whole experience feels like Instagram style over quality and substance. Definitely not worth the money, and not somewhere I'd ever go back to.

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    Bar
    Bar
    CasaDamí
    Vivid Warm filter

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    Vivid Warm filter
    Brussels Bistro

    Brussels Bistro

    4.2
    (990 reviews)
    10.8 mi
    $$$

    Came here on a Saturday night for their EDM night. At 10:30 the place is converted into a lounge…read morefor dancing and it gets poppin. I liked it a lot, especially the tech house, I think all of the DJs that come here do tech house only. The only thing I didn't like was the people who make their way into the audience but then they just stand there and don't dance. If you are going to push your way towards the front and disrupt everyone's flow and rhythm just to stand there and take up space, that's very annoying. Go stand in the back if you aren't going to dance.

    Service 10 Ambiance…read more10 Beer Options 10 Food 1-2 (Fries best part) Long time customer. Laguna Beach native. Don't know if it was just an off day/night the food was underwhelming. The escargot a favorite of ours. Re-used shells ok whatever but at least put a bigger piece of meat in there. The shells were filled with oil and some greens but the meat of the "escargot " was a little bit bigger than a pea! The fresh bread was great. Salad Endive - ehh chunks of ham??? Couldn't parent it better or just cheap meat? Steak was very tough. I had to spit a part out bc of the sinew. Then the frozen garlic butter hockey puck!! How do you expect people to put this or use this when it's frozen solid? The meat isn't hot enough to melt it. Overall you need to do better. Won't be coming back anytime soon unfortunately!

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    Brussels Bistro
    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Garlic Shrimp
    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Garlic Shrimp
    Burger

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    Burger
    Somni

    Somni

    4.9
    (54 reviews)
    41.0 mi
    $$$$

    Every visit here is an unforgettable experience. From the food and service to the overall…read moreatmosphere, everything reflects an exceptional level of quality. The service team is incredibly professional, attentive, and detail-oriented. With plenty of staff available, they are always paying attention to guests and making sure everyone feels well taken care of. Every dish is full of surprises, with amazing flavors and beautiful presentation. The restaurant itself is elegant, clean, and comfortable, and combined with the outstanding service, it creates a dining experience that is truly worth recommending. This is definitely a place I would love to come back to again.

    One of very few elite dining spots in the heart of LA. Only 14 seatings per night so you can…read moreimagine how difficult securing a reservation could be. Still cannot believe we were able to join the small community of people that had the honor to experience the artistry of chef Aitor Zabala and his remarkable team. Somni presents a 24-course, carefully curated tasting menu. Only one seating per night and dinner usually runs about four hours long. Doors open right at 7:30 pm and you are seated in the garden where you will receive a welcome drink (Tokyo fizz which is a Japanese sake/yuzu cocktail) and about 6 small bites that range from sweet to savory. This allows us to sit and relax for about 20 minutes before being escorted into the main dining hall. Dinner is served from a counter top so you have the opportunity to watch each dish come to creation. I personally love this interaction. You are served about 12 main courses expertly composed with Iberico pork, Dungeness crab, mussels, Chutoro and Bone marrow, beef tartare, and fresh garden herbs & botanical elements. My top FAVORITES were the Shiso puff tartare (Best dish hands down), Gazpacho blanco, and the Iberico pork. Very filling. Finally, dinner concludes with tea/coffee and 6 small bites of fruity gel, choc donut, and sorbet. Each course captivates your senses with its vibrant presentation, alluring aromatics, complex textures, and remarkable depth of flavors. Every bite was unique and lingered beautifully on the palate. Would love to come back again. Curious to try their fall and winter menu. Without a doubt, Somni is deserving of each of their stars

    Photos
    @endoedibles on Instagram 12/7/24
 
 "Cow and her milk"
    @endoedibles on Instagram 12/7/24 "Cow and her milk"
    Margarita Pizza
    Margarita Pizza
    Engawa fish fin

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    Pasta Viva - italian - Updated July 2026

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