Caffe Pinguini

Italian restaurant · Playa del Rey

Caffe Pinguini

Italian restaurant · Playa del Rey

6935 Pacific Ave, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293

Highlights

Nestled in charming Playa Del Rey, this candlelit trattoria serves up classic Italian favorites, including homemade pastas and a cozy heated patio.

6935 Pacific Ave, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293 Get directions

caffepinguini.com

@caffe_pinguini

$30–50 · Menu

Reserve

@eater

"Caffe Pinguini is emblematic of its home in Playa Del Rey, a beachside community so laidback one might mistake it for “sleepy.” But there is a lot of life in Pinguini, an Italian restaurant that has been slinging pastas to locals and tourists by the beach since 1998. Regulars know to not leave without the tortellini in brodo on colder nights — tri-colored cheese tortellini pooled with vegetables and ground pork sausage in a richly rendered chicken broth. Pastas range from the classic penne alla vodka to orecchiette with porcini mushrooms and sausage. Pizzas, salads, and secondi dishes like veal or chicken Parmigiana round out the menu; the well-heated patio is a nice place to sit if the warm, homey dining room is full." - Matthew Kang, Eater Staff

The Best Italian Restaurants in Los Angeles

View Postcard for Caffe Pinguini

Gina Marie Krieger

Google

Not only is the pasta to die for but the fish, meat, and complimentary fresh hot bread are delicious! One of my favorite restaurants and owners, Tony and Mary, you’re the best. Many more great memories to come. Ciao Grazie

Christina Gray

Google

I had a reservation and was seating immediately. The place was very crowded, cramped, and loud though. I ordered the Vodka Pasta, and it tasted very good (nothing special though.) I also ordered the Caesar Salad and it was the best one I’ve tasted in my life. For dessert I had the Pineapple Sorbetto and it did not disappoint. The food tasted very fresh and authentic. I would go back.

nurse dianne

Google

Great Italian food, awesome, friendly service staff, great atmosphere. Eat indoors or on the outdoor patio. Very close to the beach. I don't know what it's called, but the serve a hollowed of frozen lemon filled with lemon gelato/ sorbet as dessert,omg!! Best dessert ever. All the dishes we ordered were great. I had fettuccine with meat sauce. 2 in group were raving about the fish,said it was the best ever.

Tom Pak

Google

Delicious authentic Italian food. We enjoyed everything from the appetizers to the entrees, and the desserts as well. The service was fantastic, our server was very attentive. It was our first time here, and I am glad that we found Caffe Pinguini. We'll be back!

Jeffrey Bender

Google

Drove up with my daughter, who lives in LONG BEACH 🏖️, and met my parents (and their friends who live in REDONDO ⛱️ Beach) and Very Much Enjoyed the food, and the whole experience at ur Place! It was a celebration of two birthdays, and a Good Time was had by All ! The Daughter who lives in LONG BEACH ⛱️, will definitely be back SOON, with her Boyfriend 🤩! Sincerely, Jeff Bender (Birthday 🎂🥳 Boy, of 65,Lol!)

Amy “FabulousFoodie”

Google

Here I am AGAIN! Caffe Pinguini has quickly become my favorite Italian restaurant here in LA! Love the service, atmosphere, food and let’s not forget the amazing wines the serve! Here’s a peek at dinner tonight…highly recommend BOTH dishes!

Rob Mo (BADC0FFE)

Google

One of our favorite places to go for a nice local dinner. This place is spectacular! We make it a point to come here fairly often. Service is great, food is amazing, and the location is very nice. Definitely come have a meal here and you will enjoy yourself! I always forget to take pictures of the nice setup and great dishes. Be I did take a picture of our wine.

Natalie Ruvalcaba

Google

Opens at 5pm (on fridays) and usually gets busy about an hour after opening. We had a bit of everything they had suggested since it was our first time there and frankly it was not what we expected. Over all the service was great, the staff was attentive & friendly but Unfortunately the food was not worth what we paid. The noodles were quite chewy, slightly under cooked even, tossed in a dried tomato paste like "sauce" with no garnish or "fresh ingredient" taste. We ordered two types of soups of which both tasted of the same broth, definitely not of fresh chicken broth but of generic carton grocery store broth. I would however recommend the pizza with peppers, mushrooms & sausage and a salad which actually tasted house-made fresh to order. Wine selection was great but the dessert could have been better for the price.