Donna's
Restaurant · Greater Echo Park Elysian
1538 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Highlights
Italian American comfort food, pasta, cocktails, and retro vibes
Italian American comfort food, pasta, cocktails, and retro vibes
"Going to Donna's is a total serotonin bump. This red sauce Italian joint from the people behind Bar Flores and Lowboy will make you—and the other diners having friend hangs, family gatherings, and tiramisu dates—happy. Bask in the room’s dinner-party energy, slosh back icy martinis in a booth, and down chicken parm and lasagna bolognese like a person with a medical degree told you they’d cure a bad day (they will). Reservations are released daily, 14 days in advance at 10am. Without a rez, try walking when they open at 5:30pm, as a large portion of the dining room is set aside for walk-ins. Otherwise, expect to wait an hour-plus for a table." - brant cox, sylvio martins
"This neighborhood red sauce joint in Echo Park is working hard to channel retro glamour without necessarily being a special occasion destination. You’ll see gold curtains in the entryway, gaudy wallpaper dotted with fruit trees, and pinwheel-shaped lasagna on practically every table. If those details sound a touch over the top for a Thursday night, that’s kind of the point. But nothing about Donna’s feels cheesy in practice. It’s run by the team behind Bar Flores and Lowboy, which means the cocktails are unsurprisingly incredible. The Italian American staples may not be reinventing any wheels, but they’re not dull. Come for a martini and well-made chicken parm the next time you’re in a bad mood. Reservations are released daily, 14 days in advance at 10am. Without a rez, try walking when they open at 5:30pm, as a large portion of the dining room is set aside for walk-ins. Otherwise, expect to wait an hour-plus for a table." - jess basser sanders, brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore
"Arguably one of the best red sauce joints around, Donna’s in Echo Park doesn’t make you choose between a good time and a great meal. Groups crowd into leather booths and use their outdoor voices to discuss friend-group gossip. Complimentary limoncello shots flow like water. And the Italian American comfort food is just as considered as the nostalgia-core backdrop. So if you’re in the mood to take down a plate of chicken parm in a loud room covered in teal floral wallpaper, a night at Donna’s will make you very happy. Reservations are released daily, 14 days in advance at 10am. Without a rez, try walking when they open at 5:30pm, as a large portion of the dining room is set aside for walk-ins. Otherwise, expect to wait an hour-plus for a table." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"Donna’s brings a taste of East Coast red sauce joints to the heart of Echo Park. Opened by the team behind adjacent Lowboy and Bar Flores. Wallpaper dotted with fruit illustrations covers the walls, contrasting with the scalloped bar and deep green paint. The menu offers modern takes on homey Italian cooking, like chicken Parmesan, meatballs, and polenta. Save room for dessert, which includes options like tiramisu, Tuscan carrot cake, and cannolis." - Rebecca Roland
"Verdict: This red sauce Italian joint from the people behind Bar Flores and Lowboy will make you—and the other diners having friend hangs and tiramisu dates—fall into a deep nostalgic trance. Bask in the room’s dinner-party energy, slosh back icy martinis in a booth, and down chicken parm and lasagna bolognese like a person with a medical degree told you they’d cure a bad day. Reservations are released daily, 14 days in advance at 10am. Without a rez, try walking when they open at 5:30pm, as a large portion of the dining room is set aside for walk-ins. Otherwise, expect to wait an hour-plus for a table." - brant cox, sylvio martins
