Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Speranza

    3.8 (690 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed 5:30 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Speranza Takeout or Delivery

    Speranza Photos

    Business Info

    SPERANZA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Speranza

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Tiny bread $6

    This spot used to be so great, but the pricing no longer matches what you get now. It's disappointing to see so many places cutting corners while still raising their prices.

    Lasagne don't recommend
    Kevin S.

    Intimate location but pasta was disappointing. Did enjoy the complimentary bread which was fresh and warm. The lasagna was very small and bland. So was the pesto with potatoes. I felt the linguine with clams was what I can only describe as watered down. Service was attentive but I would skip the food.

    Neko A.

    Ahí tuna was solid but a little too tough for me .The aesthetic of the restaurant is great but the the lighting in restrooms are a little scary. It's a nice place to go to with friends and family if you're feeling some fish or pasta.(didn't have any of the steaks/beef)

    Squid ink pasta
    Lina M.

    This place was unattractive- I am not sure what was off with it but I wouldn't wana go back here. The service was weirdly unfriendly, though you could tell that she had a fake smile. The sitting was tight, appetizer portions small, and overall I wasn't a big fan of anything I tried. We observed that they prioritized the delivery app orders, to the actual customer orders who were dining in like us. Some of our food came cold or lukewarm. I tried the prosciutto with melon , the artichoke and the bruschetta. I only like the bruschetta but I can make it myself too . The pastas were ok, I had the squid ink pasta with squid inside. It was so inky, my whole mouth and teeth were turned to black lol I enjoyed it but if you are considering to stay appropriate looking , don't order that . I also tried a bit of the lobster risotto ( I'm a big fan of both lobster and Risotto , but didn't like this dish - was bland and flavorless) Tried mushroom risotto - this was very tasty And the shrimp and asparagus pasta was tasty too . I didn't like the chocolate mouse or the tiramisu. Overall , nothing I would go back for . Parking is street , and the restaurant is hidden from outside without any signage

    Burrata, bread
    Bethany M.

    Very mixed experience. First, the good: nice ambiance (all/the majority of their seating is covered and outdoors), the tables for larger parties are spacious and well appointed (blankets and plentiful heaters). The food was pleasant enough - the squid ink risotto had the right texture and flavor, although the clams were a bit of a challenge to deal with (no bowl for the shells, no extra napkins for the black-ink-stained hands, etc.). Which brings me to the "bad" part of the night: the service. First of all, at this price point, while you might think it's charming/rustic to leave a bucket full of cutlery/paper napkins on the tables for self-service, you (the restaurant) should make an effort to make certain it's replenished appropriately, and that silverware is replaced as needed between courses. There was no effort to reset the table between the appetizers and the entrees, or to bus it. We had stacks of dishes piled up at various points, and our server could have cared less about that. She was not rude, but she was maybe something even worse - indifferent. When the much-vaunted 18-percent-that's-not-a-gratuity-padded check came to the table, our group was confused about whether we were expected to tip on top of it, but since we couldn't locate our server to inquire, we weren't encouraged to pile another 20 percent on top of +$450 of additional charges (yes, the food is overpriced for what it is, as the photos demonstrate - the portion sizes, other than on the pasta dishes, leave a lot to be desired; but hey, that's L.A. for you). Last but not least: we tried to inquire before dinner whether we were allowed to bring a bottle for a corkage fee, but we couldn't get through to a live person on the phone. When we showed up for our reservation and asked at that time, the host barked at us "NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR BEVERAGE!" Okay, we were just asking, sir. No need to be harsh about it. Many restaurants do allow corkage - this one does not. It would be great if they would put that info on their website, ahem.

    Cotoletta alla Milanese
    Dylan H.

    Very quiet but romantic. Rock hard benches, they do provide blankets to sit on though. Service was friendly. Food was authentic but pasta was a bit hard, garlic bread was vile. Great desert. Bit pricy for what it was.

    Menu

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Violet B.
    13
    44
    63

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of James
    0
    11
    14

    5 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of K F.
    0
    10
    4

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Service is always great, yummy pastas & cute ambiance. Mar Terra pasta is my go to each time.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    A local favorite. The bread is everything. The patio is nice and the service was great.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of C I.
    0
    1
    0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Great pasta!!! Butter is so good!!! Wish they would give more bread. Love the silver lake area

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cassandra H.
    74
    221
    515

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Awakened S.
    46
    222
    435

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Arpy L.
    14
    158
    39

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sara A.
    221
    98
    3

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 18

    Speranza Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Speranza

    Are they back to indoor dining? And by indoor I mean the patio?

    Yes! They are back to dine in now.

    Do they offer Gift Certificates?

    yes

    How much is the corkage fee?

    They don't allow for byob anymore! Confirmed 1/15/18!

    Is it BYOB and is there a corkage fee if so?

    No longer byob!

    Do they have Gluten free options?

    Yes they gave gluten free pasta there as well!!! Delish as well!!!!

    View All 6 Questions

    You might also consider

    Maccheroni Republic

    Maccheroni Republic

    4.4
    (4.6k reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    I LOVE their Bianchi & Neri, seriously the best pasta dish they offer. I am a big fan of thin…read morespaghetti, the black noodles are because of squid ink. It is tossed with shrimp, mushrooms, and roasted pancetta, all in a rich creamy bisque. Our party of 5 all ordered this and we never regret it (about $25 per plate). We also ordered a seasonal dish called Paccheri Nero Di Polpo featuring squid ink paccheri pasta cut to resemble calamari and served with cooked octopus ragù. They serve free bread as you wait and you can help yourself to olive oil, vinegar, and/or their chili oil. Can't go wrong with an order of calamari. Their meat balls were tasty and more sausage forward.

    Maccheroni Republic - Life is full of pasta-bilities!…read more So if you know anything about me, you know that I love pasta more than just about anything. While I can only officially claim about 12% Italian heritage, I'm 100% down for Italian food, especially homemade pasta, any day of the week. I'm spending this week in Little Tokyo for a conference, and while Japanese food is also absolutely my jam, when Maccheroni Republic slid into my Yelp feed, I knew that I had to hoof it over there immediately after we broke for the day. I saw the front of the building, and my heart sank because it looked closed, but then I noted the sign that indicated that the entrance is on the right side of the building through the courtyard. Thank goodness! I strutted through the courtyard, and observed about 15 people waiting for tables. Unbothered, I went up to the host stand and chatted with the stylish maitre'd - Dino - who indicated that he could have a table for me in 7-10 minutes. I proceeded to wait and I watched how he deftly sat the other waiting parties in order without difficulty or notes. To the untrained eye, it might have looked a little chaotic, but Dino absolutely knew what he was doing. About 15 minutes later, Dino sat me at a corner deuce in the inside dining room where I had a nice view of everything. Angel efficiently took my order and did a very good job of overseeing my table as well as about nine others. The dining room is so cute and homey, and the patio is a welcome respite from the bustle and business of downtown. Since I was "da sola" or on my own, I just tried the shrimp cakes and I ordered the Rigatoni all Norma which is one of of my go to pasta dishes since I don't eat much meat. Incidentally, this dish is named after Norma, the famous 19th-century opera composed by Catanese native Vincenzo Bellini. According to legend, a famous Sicilian playwright, Nino Martoglio, tried the pasta and was so overwhelmed by its perfection that he exclaimed, "Chista è 'na vera Norma!" ("This is a true Norma!"), comparing the culinary masterpiece to the musical one. So says Wikipedia anyway. The shrimp cakes were delivered quickly by a sweet food runner who kindly checked on me periodically during my dinner. The four shrimp cakes were accompanied by sauteed onions which paired really nicely with the crispy cakes that were brightened with a spritz from the fresh lemon wedge. She also brought a basket with four slices of Italian bread which I enjoyed with the EVOO and Balsamic that were on the table. My Watermelon Ciao was also so good. It was sweetly tart and such a nice treat on a Monday! Not long after I polished off the shrimp cakes, the rigatoni was delivered and dusted with a generous layer of parmigiana. The little fresh mozzarella pearls glistened on the top of the pasta and slowly melted and oozed into the sauce as I stirred it up. Yum! The rigatoni were al dente and delicious, and they were perfectly sauced. Of course, the eggplant was perfectly cooked as well, I only wish there had been a few more pieces of it - although by the time I ate the last noodle, I was so full! Alas, I had no room for dessert, but I intend to bring some of my conference colleagues back for a meal before the end of the week because it was THAT GOOD. I also loved that this place is NOT pretentious at all. There were all sorts of folks enjoying their food here from medical professionals in scrubs to college kids in shorts and t-shirts, and I was also very casually attired, but I was treated well and welcomed with graciousness and delicious food! Mille grazie Maccheroni Republic, Dino, Angel and everyone at this wonderfully lowkey yet fabulous trattoria.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    MASCARPONE FLAN
    MASCARPONE FLAN
    Scallops with squid ink risotto

    See all

    Scallops with squid ink risotto
    Cento Pasta Bar

    Cento Pasta Bar

    4.4
    (1.2k reviews)
    6.6 mi
    $$$

    Charming laidback outdoor courtyard setting nestled in trees and a lively kitchen-view, counter…read moreseating inside. The menu is inviting with plenty of great options without being overwhelming. Less is more. But let's talk art (culinary, that is). The dishes certainly deserve main features. To start "the best Caesar salad in LA" and I quote which was certainly true. Grilled octopus charred on the inside and juicy at the center. Spicy pomodoro is perfectly al dente and a well-balanced sauce. But, my favorite-- the agnolotti! Wow, melt in your mouth! The flavor profiles of corn, crème fraiche, and old bay were delicious. My only wish -- larger serving of this (smallest pasta serving on the menu). To complete it, banana pudding tiramisu -- delicious too with a firm center and oozy outside. Atala was wonderful and very sweet. Recommendation: come with a group of at least 4 to try more on the menu -- the large plates (branzino and ribeye) looked excellent! Definitely a worthwhile visit.

    Cento is located a little in the cut, but definitely worth seeking out…read more I came for dinner and we had some really outstanding dishes. Of the things we ordered, I really loved the farro salad ($22?) best. Refreshing pomegranate seeds are mixed with the farro and give the salad an added crunch. The farro sits on a bed of dill infused crème fraiche. It is a deliciously refreshing salad and the perfect complement to any meal. For pastas, the sweet corn agnolotti ($28) was so light and fun. The little pockets of agnolotti is stuffed with corn and swims in a savory broth anchored by crème fraiche. It's giving summer and I'm absolutely here for it. Cento's dining space is quaint, so make sure to make a resy.

    Photos
    The kitchen view from our seats
    The kitchen view from our seats
    Spicy Pomodoro
    Spicy Pomodoro
    Beef Tartare

    See all

    Beef Tartare
    Bestia

    Bestia

    4.3
    (8.4k reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$$

    This was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. The Cheap Sunglasses cocktail was nice…read more The housemaid buttermilk ricotta with grilled bread was sublime. The prosciutto and arugula salad was without equal. The Cavatelli alla Norcina was so good I thought I died and went to heaven. We ordered one of each dessert and they were all good. But the Vin Dolce Chiffon Cake, sauteed apricots & cherries and vanilla-mascarpone whipped cream, rules over them all.

    I ate at Bestia several years ago, before COVID, and I still think about that dinner today. I had…read moreflown from New York during a dreary stretch, and landing in sunny Los Angeles felt like arriving on another planet. California offered an immediate rush of light, space, and possibility. My memory is that when I turned my phone back on at LAX, my friend messaged to say he'd gotten us the hookup at Bestia. That dinner belongs to a chapter in which I spent considerable time in California and felt energized by the contrast with New York. My friend is highly discerning, with impeccable taste in food, design, and culture. He notices details most people miss, so when a place impresses him, I pay attention. From the moment I saw his message, I knew the reservation meant something. Even before we entered, Bestia's character was evident. Faded lettering crossed the corrugated metal facade, while brick walls and old loading doors preserved the warehouse's industrial history. Inside, enormous windows and garage doors brought light into a room shaped by glass, exposed ductwork, and warm amber pendants. When I fantasize about living in a loft, many of the attributes I picture are here, especially the incredible windows and connection to the street. Inside the restaurant, the dining room achieved a combination I rarely encounter. It had the table density and collective buzz of a great New York restaurant, but within a large, design-forward space closer in scale to something found in Chicago. New York creates energy through tight rooms, while Chicago excels at ambitious spaces with strong architectural identities. Bestia captured both advantages and made its considerable footprint feel alive and unified. We sat shoulder to shoulder at a pale stone counter facing the open kitchen. Golden era hip hop was playing, and A Tribe Called Quest still rings a very specific bell. I ordered the squid ink pasta, and it was exquisite, with enough depth and precision to command attention amid everything happening around us. We also spotted an unmistakably A-list celebrity, whom I will leave unnamed, making the night feel quintessentially Los Angeles. During that period, I often stayed at the Ace Hotel downtown, and the Arts District felt vibrant, raw, and full of possibility. The proximity to Skid Row could be deeply jarring, with severe hardship existing beside ambitious development and expensive restaurants. That contrast kept the neighborhood from feeling like a neat story of urban renewal, even as Bestia seemed to anchor its evolution. The warehouses and loading docks gave the area a character that no new development could convincingly recreate. Nearby, I also remember the American Apparel complex during its demise and the rise of impossibly cool Los Angeles designer John Elliott. His Escobar sweatpants and Villain hoodie helped define the kit of that moment; loyalists will understand. Los Angeles is a fickle city, drawn toward whatever is new and shiny, which makes Bestia's longevity especially impressive. Scene without substance is plastic, and Bestia earned its electricity through exceptional cooking, assured service, and a remarkable space; if I lived in Los Angeles, this would be one of the places I'd rely on whenever I wanted to impress someone. This is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in the world.

    Photos
    Bar area!!
    Bar area!!
    "Coffee and Donuts"
    "Coffee and Donuts"
    Squid Ink Spaghetti

    See all

    Squid Ink Spaghetti
    PASTA e PASTA by Allegro

    PASTA e PASTA by Allegro

    4.4
    (1.8k reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    So shocked I hadn't heard about this place sooner but if you love pasta and don't want to spend $30…read moreon every dish this is the place to go! Loved that it had some classic dishes and some fusion ones as well. Came on a Friday night and joined the waitlist but only had to wait about 10 minutes! There was complimentary bread and a side salad that came with the entrees, and the bread was warm and delicious... We ordered the two Allegro specials on the menu-- Uni pasta and Bolognese. For appetizers we went with the server's recommendation; chicken gizzard confit. Chicken gizzard confit was mind blowing. As someone who enjoys things like gizzard, these were cooked in a way I had never had before and it was delicious. The uni pasta was sooo rich, creamy, and flavorful. 10/10 I would recommend it. The bolognese was good too it was super complex compared to the ordinary bolognese and had eggplants as well. Overall, the ambience was great and experience was amazing. Service was also very good and attentive. Super great spot for a date night or just a casual dinner with friends!

    Location did not do this restaurant justice! Inside Honda Plaza, all the way at the very end of an…read moreold aged boring plaza, Pasta e Pasta has a somewhat cartoon character signage. Once step inside, the decoration, the vibe totally changed. It's a dark hue with humbling yet elegant setting with a bar table and I almost felt like a dining in the cave ambiance. The menu was not complicated and only focused on pasta, but there are so many choices to my liking! The squid ink, the mentai cream, the uni sauce, and the garlic butter sauce. We ended up settling with Creamy Crab Gratin, mentai cream pasta, the Pescatore Bianca (seafood spaghetti), and Tarako Spaghetti (Cod roe and squid garlic butter sauce). -Crab Gratin is really creamy and cheesy. I just didn't quite get why there are a few pieces of penne pasta inside. But overall tasted good! -All pasta comes with bread and salad. The salad is really fresh and serve mostly lettuce and cherry tomato, which is how I like it. The dressing is not the ranch creamy kind, more cloudy vinaigrette based, also to my liking. -Seafood spaghetti came with a variety of seafood, shrimp, squid ring, mussels, clams, etc. The portion is huge. -Mentai cream pasta: delicious! I think if I order uni pasta, it'll be the same cream base sauce but with uni and $6 bucks more. I'm happy with my choice. The whole dish is consistent, creamy with a slight kick from the mentai, slices of mushrooms and shredded seaweeds on the top. Delish! -Tarako Spaghetti: I took a small bite and appreciated the strong taste of garlic butter in the sauce. -All 3 pasta are served with the thin spaghetti like angel hair. Service is ok, we asked for water refill and the response was polite. Dirty dishes were taken away timely. If I had more time, I would definitely come back for a second visit. A place like this deserves to be in a more upscale block on the street. Btw, parking inside the plaza is not free even though it's just a strip mall. Expect about $8 bucks for dinner parking. It's gated entrance. If you get lucky, you can park on the street and pay the meter.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    PASTA e PASTA by Allegro
    PASTA e PASTA by Allegro

    See all

    Donna's

    Donna's

    4.3
    (708 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$

    Food, incredible. Drinks, amazing. Service, always on point!…read more Always worth the hype when we come to Donna's. Had a booth this time and were one of the first people into the restaurant. Pro tip: the 5pm reservation never disappoints. Street parking was not bad either. Definitely a good date night spot!

    Wow, I was surprised at how busy this place was on a Wednesday night. We had 5:45 pm reservations…read moreand when we got here the places was FULL. I feel the seating was a little tight in certain areas put they did make clear walking paths. Traffic to get here was horrible but we got lucky and found a non-metered spot about a block away as soon as we arrived in the area. For apps, we ordered the garlic bread and meatballs. The garlic bread was different. It was a sourdough loaf with oozing garlic butter inside but was only toasted whole so overall ate very soft and I missed the typically toastiness I get with most garlic bread. The flavor was still very good, especially dipping it into the marinera that accompanied the meatballs. For entrees and sides, we ordered the lasagna, the eggplant tortellini, the chicken parmesan and the broccolini. I can only say they really like their parmesan here. I'm not the biggest fan so I brushed a lot of it off. The tortellini was the star of the show for me and I think it was partially because all the other dishes were marinera + parmesan so it gave a nice break in the flavor profile. Something to consider when ordering next time. The chicken parmesan was delicious. I found the lasagna to be okay and would pass on the broccolini next time (to be fair, I got rid of all the cheese so that probably change the flavor profile they were going for).

    Photos
    Bar area.
    Bar area.
    Vodka pasta
    Vodka pasta
    Broccolini

    See all

    Broccolini
    Mother Wolf

    Mother Wolf

    4.0
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$$$

    Food was absolutely amazing. Quality of the noodles and the pizza were impeccable, and the cooks…read morehave it down to a science. The highlight was the zucchini blossoms, their special. I recommend the arrabbiata, the oxtail ragu, and the amatriciana.

    Mother Wolf continues to set the standard for Italian dining in Los Angeles…read more The service was nothing short of phenomenal. Andrés was an absolute professional--his knowledge of the menu was outstanding, and his recommendations made the entire experience even better. He was attentive, personable, and clearly passionate about ensuring every guest had an exceptional meal. The food was spectacular. Every dish was cooked to perfection, and every bite transports you straight to Rome--except with much more comfortable seating (IYKYK). The quality of the ingredients and attention to detail are evident in every course. And don't skip dessert--the dessert menu is absolutely top-tier and the perfect ending to an unforgettable meal. The ambiance ties everything together perfectly. The music creates an energetic, upbeat atmosphere that's ideal whether you're kicking off a night out or winding down after a fun-filled day. It strikes the perfect balance between elegant and lively. Mother Wolf isn't just a restaurant--it's an experience. Between the incredible food, impeccable service from Andrés, and vibrant atmosphere, it's easy to see why it's one of the best dining destinations in Los Angeles.

    Photos
    Open kitchen
    Open kitchen
    Polpette Di Coda (Oxtail Meatballs)
    Polpette Di Coda (Oxtail Meatballs)
    Croquettes, least memorable of the night for me but good!

    See all

    Croquettes, least memorable of the night for me but good!

    Speranza - italian - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...