Divino

"Owner and chef Goran Milic opened this charming ode to Florence in the Italian-loving neighborhood of Brentwood back in 1996, and it’s been a hit ever since. Milic trained over years of visiting Italy, gaining valuable advice from industry veterans. Now Divino is one of the area’s most reliable Italian restaurants, where gorgeous plates of caprese salad come before textbook pastas and tableside roast branzino. Don’t miss out on the stellar wine list, chock-full of Italian gems." - Matthew Kang, Eater Staff

"Tucked away on an unassuming corner of Brentwood Village, a little Italian osteria called Divino brims with the timeless charm of Florence, Italy. The restaurant, opened by Goran Milic in 1996, features a simple decor with an open view of the kitchen, wood paneling, stacked wine bottles, and white tablecloths. Since its debut, Milic’s long-lasting dedication to the community has established a true neighborhood gem in the Westside neighborhood. Divino’s ambience was influenced by the restaurants Milic frequented in Florence, and the menu covers flavors from the coast of the Adriatic, offering dishes like rigatoni al ragú, risotto all’ortolana, tagliata di carne, and branzino, among others. The essence of Italian cuisine at Divino lies in great ingredients, with a lengthy wine list predominantly from Italy. Early next year, Milic will open a speakeasy and events space called Upstairs on the second floor." - Olivia Bria

"Divino takes the top spot because it delivers on both atmosphere and food—a rare combination for the Westside. And unlike most restaurants in Brentwood, Divino is not uncomfortably quiet. You won't have to whisper across the table, nor will you be subjected to the sloshing sounds of a man chewing risotto next to you. This dark, nautical-themed trattoria is very much buzzing. Servers bump into your chair as they squeeze through the cramped, loud dining room, which might sound annoying in any other setting but feels refreshing in a Brentwood strip mall. Eating at Divino means you’re going “out-out” for dinner, and the food follows suit. We like the rigatoni with creamy chicken ragu, the silky beef carpaccio, and tagliatelle with monkfish that's delicious enough to take your mind off of the competitive (and metered) parking situation at Barrington Court." - sylvio martins, arden shore, brant cox

"Amidst all the Italian restaurants in Brentwood, Divino stands out as the best and liveliest. The pastas are genuinely recommendable, like a tagliatelle tossed in a tomato-monkfish sauce with lots of dill. Plus, it's dark, a little loud, and a waiter might accidentally bump into your chair as they navigate the cramped dining room. " - sylvio martins, brant cox, nikko duren

"When it comes to finding Italian food in Brentwood, you don’t have to look far, but Divino is our favorite because it delivers on both atmosphere and food—a rare combination for the sleepy neighborhood off the 405. At this dark, nautical-themed trattoria, servers bump into your chair as they squeeze through the cramped dining room and it's also really loud—all things that are usually annoying but feel refreshing in a strip mall on San Vicente. We like the rigatoni with creamy chicken ragu, the silky beef carpaccio, and tagliatelle with monkfish." - Brant Cox, Sylvio Martins