Ugo Trattoria

Overall a decent place for italian. The pastas were definitely better than the pizza we ordered. We did think the ravioli was a bit small. The Pasta seemed fresh and homemade. Pizza was thin and drenched in sauce making it very soggy and hard to eat. Not sure how authentic their house pizza really was. Flavors were great and pricing was on par with other restaurants. There was literally no one during the lunch hour so we were a little skeptical at first but happy we tried. Ambiance was warm, inviting, and clean. Service was fast and friendly.

I discovered an Italian restaurant in Santa Monica and it was an excellent experience. The atmosphere is charming, with that cozy Italian vibe, soft lighting, pleasant music, and a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. I had a very tasty spaghetti Bolognese with a rich sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. My wife ordered an Amalfi spaghetti, light, well-seasoned, and full of flavor. To drink, she chose a white Chardonnay, while I went with a cold Pilsner beer, the perfect combination for the evening. The service was attentive and quick, and the food was beautifully presented. A great place for a relaxed dinner for two or with friends.

Hidden among the shops, this is an excellent place to eat. Do not believe the 1 star reviews, they are mostly one isolated failure on behalf of the host or a very picky customer (for example some complain about the 20% extra charge which is the customary tip in the US). Fresh pasta, delicious lasagna and a hostess that accommodated our son's wish to have plain spaghetti with butter even if it was not on the menu. Go there with an open mind and you will enjoy it.

I really wanted to like this place. 😕 Food: mozzarella stick were cold on the inside. There was no problem taking it back but opted out of getting it remade. Pastas: the lobster ravioli with grilled chicken on top tasted like freezer food from Ralph's. It tasted like Jenny Craig meal plan. The other pasta was okey. We really wanted good Italian food and we left under whelmed. Service. Our services is friendly and fast and also kind. The atmosphere is also different from what I saw from the gallery. The location is good. On the strip of Santa Monica. I think this place is good for young taste buds when it comes to the pasta. Maybe we'll try the pizza one day since we saw pizza orders to go

I stopped by Ugo Trattoria in downtown Santa Monica on a Monday evening and had a great experience. I ordered the penne arrabbiata, which was surprisingly tasty despite being a simple pasta dish. The price was reasonable, making it a great value for money. The restaurant was quiet when I visited, but the service was still attentive and welcoming. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Ugo Trattoria for a delicious and affordable Italian meal.

We started with the calamari fritti and it was honestly so good—crispy, fresh, and the sauce was amazing. Portion size was perfect to share. The lasagna was great too, just the right size for one person and full of flavor. I had the Spaghetti Amalfi and the combo of shrimp and sauce was on point. The pizza was alright, kind of basic and cheesy. The tiramisu was a highlight—it comes in a chocolate cup you can actually eat, which made it really fun and different. The ambiance is casual and relaxed, calm overall with no loud noise or crowd, which made it super enjoyable. Only thing to keep in mind is that they close early, so don’t go too late. Prices are regular—nothing too expensive, nothing super cheap either. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared. Eric, the only staff member working at the time, was amazing—fast, attentive, and genuinely helpful. You could tell he was doing his best and it really showed. I’d definitely go back.

We randomly found this gem while walking in Santa Monica. The figo pizza was amazing with fresh mozzarella. My parents LOVED the bolognese sauce. It was so incredible they mentioned it was the best they had in years. The service was quick. Our waiter was polite and very kind. We will come back whenever we come back to Cali.

The food was good. The chicken in my pasta was not good; it was a bit chewy. We liked their cauliflower sides, and the gnocchi in four-cheese sauce were good. Also, the bread was good and fresh.

Great food and great ambience. The cappuccino was delicious! Ordered chicken pesto sandwiches and they were piping hot

Good was excellent ! We ordered the chicken pesto sandwich and the prosciutto panini's. We also ordered a couple of gelato's. Cafe hazelnut & vanilla chocolate chip Service was prompt and polite. Ambiance was quaint. Very chic.

Overall a decent place for italian. The pastas were definitely better than the pizza we ordered. We did think the ravioli was a bit small. The Pasta seemed fresh and homemade. Pizza was thin and drenched in sauce making it very soggy and hard to eat. Not sure how authentic their house pizza really was. Flavors were great and pricing was on par with other restaurants. There was literally no one during the lunch hour so we were a little skeptical at first but happy we tried. Ambiance was warm, inviting, and clean. Service was fast and friendly.

Nice little Italian place in the middle of the Third Street Promenade. It's clean and modern inside. There is a small patio too. It's located across from the Museum of Illusions. The service was fast and friendly. The server was good with water refills and checking in on us. We had a pitcher of White Sangria which was light and tastes good, yet not very strong. I had the Pappardelle Bolognese which was delicious. The pasta was homemade and fresh tasting. A good spot to check out if you're craving Italian on the promenade.

My daughter and I were hanging out in SM and I was in the mood for Italian food. There were a couple places we found but Ugo seemed quaint and the food looked good( couple was outside eating). They have several tables inside and 4 tables outside. The waitress was really sweet and helped us decided! My daughter got pizza and I had pasta. I had the colorful pasta (sorry can't remember the name) but it was delish. The price points are average. I enjoyed my meal and my drink! Average price point! Def recommend this place!

We started with the calamari fritti and it was honestly so good--crispy, fresh, and the sauce was amazing. Portion size was perfect to share. The lasagna was great too, just the right size for one person and full of flavor. I had the Spaghetti Amalfi and the combo of shrimp and sauce was on point. The pizza was alright, kind of basic and cheesy. The tiramisu was a highlight--it comes in a chocolate cup you can actually eat, which made it really fun and different. The ambiance is casual and relaxed, calm overall with no loud noise or crowd, which made it super enjoyable. Only thing to keep in mind is that they close early, so don't go too late. Prices are regular--nothing too expensive, nothing super cheap either. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared. Eric, the only staff member working at the time, was amazing--fast, attentive, and genuinely helpful. You could tell he was doing his best and it really showed. I'd definitely go back.

Cute little joint in downtown Santa Monica serving both pizza and pasta. The rigatoni with 4 cheeses was mixed in with a delicious zesty, citrusy sauce that complimented it so well, and the margarita was a classic. Delicious with a thin, airy crust. The interiors were small but well decorated. And we finished the meal off with a true Italian hot chocolate. The service, ambiance and food were all great, 10/10 recommend!

Excellent spot for fresh, flavorful fish. Portions were generous and the prices were very reasonable, which made it a great value. Service was friendly and the vibe was relaxed. I'd definitely go again.

Straightforward food including a solid chicken and pasta in a venue that, at least on a sunny spring day, is quite pleasant. Inside is pretty simple, literally a long rectangle, but it's decorated enough to be comfortable. 3.5 stars, but rounding up seems more appropriate than rounding down.

Great! My friends and I decided lasted minute to eat on Promenade and needed gluten-free options for one of our group (which they offer for pasta and other dishes). The interior was cute, and the outdoor seating was nice. There was only one waitress for the entire place, which made things a bit confusing--whether we should wait to be seated or just choose a spot ourselves. We were eventually told to sit wherever we liked. I had the pappardelle bolognese, which was good but didn't stand out. However, the tiramisu was delicious and left us craving more.

Ambiance 10/10 Food 10/10 Service was great Would come back here my family and kids loved it here

The next time you're visiting Santa Monica you have to stop by this cute and unsuspecting little Italian restaurant! Tucked away at the end of the boulevard is where you will find Ugo Trattoria. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, although limited, depending on the weather and your preferences. The staff is exceptionally friendly and can offer suggestions should you need. They have several different pasta dishes, appetizers, deserts, drinks, and pizzas to choose from. We ordered the Bolognese and Pesto pastas, both were amazingly delicious! Then ended our night with a cup of coffee and a hot chocolate. I wish I had left a little more room for desert because the tiramisu looked amazing, but we will have to save that for another visit. If you are in the mood for a good quality pasta then definitely give Ugo a try, you will be glad you did!

Amazing food !! It was really unexpected little Italian restaurant we loved it. Everything was great. Highly recommend this place.

I took a friend here today for our first time. I chose this place based on previous reviews. I have to say that we both agreed that this place knocked it out of the park! The food was absolutely spectacular. As good as any of the finest Italian restaurants that I have been to. We ordered parpadelle bolognese, fettuccine pescatera, a margharita pizza and gelato! We sat outside in order to people watch along the 3rd Street Promenade. So that made the ambience, along with the weather, just perfect! The service was exceptional! It was not rushed, nor was it slow. It was perfectly well timed! I highly recommend this place and sure hope they are successful with their future business. If I'm in the area in the future, I definitely will return!

Thoroughly enjoyed our meal!! Our event ended around 630pm on a Saturday and we just happened to walk by Ugo Trattoria. To our surprise, there was only 1 party at the time! As the dinner went on, 4 more parties came in. We got the Branzino, Gnocchi with Pesto, the Spaghetti Amalfi, and Tiramisu. The gnocchi and spaghetti was so fresh and spaghetti was cooked deliciously al dente. The portion of chopped shrimp was pretty generous and cooked perfectly, not chewy at all. The Branzino was cooked well and was served with roasted potatoes and broccoli. I have to shout out our server who was very attentive, kind, and truthful! He apparently described the Branzino being bigger than what we actually got (we did not notice since no photos were posted) but when the check came, he told us that he comped the Tiramisu to make up for the size discrepancy. He did not have to as we would have never known, but I really, REALLY appreciate his honesty and can't thank him enough. The tiramisu was one of the best ones we've had. What makes theirs unique is there's a chocolate shell around the tiramisu. GENIUS! We will definitely be back, the food was so delicious, and thank you again to the server!

This establishment being on the Santa Monica 3rd St Promenade should tell you something about the prices. If you don't mind paying a little more you are in for an absolute TREAT! Daniello (I hope I got your name correctly) was so polite and chatted with us for a bit about Rome & Savannah, GA. The food was fantastic. - Penne w/Pesto & Fettuccine Pescatore If you don't like crowds come here for lunch on a weekday but if busy is your thing the weekends will not disappoint, plus you're so close to the beach, so ambiance for sure. Not much else to say but I'd definitely come back.

5 stars for Gustavo's friendliness, kindness and his genuine smile. Chocolate gelato was good, espresso machiato too. Thank you G.

Decided to randomly stop here to have a lunch with a friend after an intense hot yoga together but the food was way above our expectation. I'm not a big fan of either gnocchi or thin crust wood fired pizzas but they were so good. Gnocchi had a good texture and the pesto was very fragrant and fresh. The pizza crust was crispy and yummy with a hint of honey. The service was great and the prices were very reasonable with both dishes being under $20.

Food was good, for which I would normally give a 4, but the service was so frustrating. I can understand that they may have been understaffed, and there was only one cook and one waiter. However, my friend and I were seated before a family of 4, and it took the waitress 15 minutes before taking our order. In between seating us and taking our order, she closed off two other tables, took the order for the family who came after us and served another table as well. It felt somewhat targets because I tried to be polite to call for her attention so that we could order, but it felt like I was getting ignored... We ordered the Chicken Parmigiana and the Paccheri con Quattro Formaggi. The paccheri was great and the sauce was amazing. The chicken in the chicken parmigiana was juicy and had a great crispy outside. However, I wish the spaghetti had maybe some fresh parmesan grated on top or variety in the sauce flavor. It felt very one dimension in terms of the taste.

I've eaten at this location several times. This visit I ordered the Ugo pizza & after the pistachio gelato & a STRONG Americano. Everything was great. The server's name was Casey. She was sweet & even though there were a lot of people in the resturant that afternoon she was on point. Thnaks!

I really enjoyed Ugo Trattoria, such a cute place on the promenade which good vibes, cute seats and interior. My friend and I came here for lunch at 12pm on a Sunday and there was no wait. The waitress was nice and the wait was as n I got the pizza gondola, which was fortunately a perfect one-person portion-- usually when I go to Italian restaurants I feel heavy or overly full afterward, but this portion was perfect and the food felt somewhat light! The cheese on the pizza was so creamy and to die for, the crust was chewy and delicious. Overall I really loved my order! My friend had the penne con pesto and she enjoyed it as well. I would love to come back to try spaghetti amalfi, ravioli, or gnocchi! Just one con was that an automatic tip of 20% was added-- saved me from calculations but just something to make note of.

We were walking the promenade and our kids saw the menu and wanted to stop in for dinner. It was a great meal with attentive service.

Let's start with why the loss of one star. It was the overall wait. We landed right in the middle of the afternoon rush and everything just took so much longer than it should have. But overall the food and service was great. We had brunch so we ate mostly off the brunch menu. The standout for me was their Italian omlette. The flavors in this with the grilled chicken make it the thing to come back to. We also had the lemon ricotta pancakes and French toast. Those were good as well but that omlette. The omlette came with potatoes, fruit and bread. Can't beat that for lunch. Overall it was a good experience but a two hour one due to the wait. Will come back again maybe during the week.

Professional staff needed. I was going to buy ice cream. They wouldn't let me sample it. I left, didn't make purchase. Was bewildered, how rudly business malfunctions

Just okay! If you truly love coffee this place is not for you; all the drinks are full of artificial syrup! I asked the "caffe Nutella" and I was expecting a mocha like with real Nutella in, but no; just full of syrup! I also tried the 3 layer mousse cake and it didn't taste authentic, also super full of artificial flavors!

Love this place! I believe they opened a couple months ago and I decided to check out their happy hour. Such amazing deals M-F 2:30-6:30pm! Pizza for only $11?! Count me in!! Decided to order: 1. Portobello fries - must get this one! So crunchy and goes so well with the sauce 2. Figo - pizza with dried fig, truffle honey, white cheeses; wasnt wowed by this one but the toppings were good! 3. Bread pasta bowl - pink sauce pasta with mushrooms; a bit ordinary as well but loved the presentation (and for the price it's so good too) Overall service was great even though there was only one waiter at the time and it got a bit busy! More on the casual side, so highly recommend you go here to check them out if you're walking around 3rd street. :)

We came here for dessert. The place was completely empty. No customers, no staff in sight. We stood there waiting until, finally, someone came out of the kitchen. She told us to sit wherever we wanted, but she seemed like she had no interest in serving us. She kept rushing us to order, even though I told her I needed a moment to look at the menu. When we finally ordered the tiramisu, she was so rude, like we were inconveniencing her. Honestly, by the time the dessert arrived, I had already lost my appetite. And then, before we even finished eating, she just dropped the payment terminal on the next table and walked back to the kitchen! I couldn't believe it. If this is how they treat customers, I doubt anyone would want to come back. If the owner sees this, please know that having friendly staff would really help your business!

Super clean and calm ambiance. Mature and patient servers, and the food is AUTHENTIC! I did not order anything (not a ton of vegan options as is the usual for Italian food) but my husband did and he said the food was just as good as the food we ate in actual Italy. I could smell the freshness of the pesto! Authentic, flavorful and rich. Hidden gem!

Delicious and moderately priced compared to everything on the promendade. Server was great! Supper attentive but not annoying. Food was delicious as well- that pesto! Yum! Just a heads up if you order soda it is by the can and they already add a 20% tip

Awesome lasagna. Beautiful presentation. Delicious! Great service too. Excellent ingredients. Legitimately good!

Excellent gnocchi! Sabina was our host and was really friendly and helpful! I felt like family eating here. Highly recommend coming here.

I really enjoy the sweet pastries but the service is horrible. Today a young lady saw me standing their and helped someone else and she then proceed to help another person. I had to tell her hello I've been waiting and you have not helped me!! Definitely wont be coming here especially when ur own culture treats u like shit!

Tanto Bene....delicious try the wine have the bread...it's all good. Had the pesto pene, so much goodness, did I mention the bread? Grazie Ugo :)

We just ordered the minestrone soup. It was basically just vegetable soup. The menu said it would come with potatoes inside of it but there was none. Only one person runs the entire restaurant which is concerning. Very poor service and bad food in general.

Mmmm! The spaghetti Amalfi is one of my favorite pastas in Los Angeles. It's sooo good! The bread is also one of the best I've had in LA. Both are most orders!

The food was decent but the service was just so-so. I also don't like they they had a forced gratuity of 20%!!!! for my family of five when it was never posted on their menu or mentioned to us. I don't like a forced tip because a server can do a crappy job and you get stuck giving them more than they deserve. I will say, I did like the location and the warm atmosphere, however I will not be going back because of it.

Great spot for happy hour on Third Street Promenade. We walked all over Venice and Santa Monica and were ready to eat. This place is small with a similarly small menu. Happy Hour begins at 2:30pm and is a good value. Five pizzas to choose from at $11 each, several appetizers and drinks around $8 each. We got there right at the start of happy hour - the lunch crowd was nonexistent and no one had arrived yet so while small, the establishment was empty. By the time we left, several additional tables were occupied. For an appetizer we ordered the panzerotti which had a bit too much potatoe and not enough cheese, served deep fried on a bed of mixed greens and with Tomatoe sauce for dipping. For the main course we shared the fig pizza with truffle and arugula. It was excellent. The crust is thin, Naples-style, and had a good bite. Our pizza came out quickly and was topped with fresh mozzarella, drizzled with truffle oil, sprinkled with dried fig slices, and we ordered it with the arugula on the side which came out lightly dressed with olive oil. We added chili pepper flakes to give it a bit more spice. All in all a good pizza and happy hour pricing can't be beat.

Happened to walk into this amazing restaurant off the promenade and I'm so glad I did! The food was incredible and service was out of this world. Thanks to Sabina for making it a spectacular night! I will be back - shaping up to be my new Italian go-to :)

Amazing! The food was delicious very tasty. My friend recommended me the restaurant and I went to check it out. Me and my family went to eat Saturday night when we arrived it was busy and I was expecting good food with a really bad service because the restaurant was almost full. Although the food was incredibly delicious my lasagne was hot on the outside and ice cold in the inside, the marinara was romm temperature and on top of that the food didn't come out all at once, the server did mention that I was still working and it was going to take a couple more minutes. Other than that everything was outstanding. It's a cute small restaurant with really good food, the service was unbelievable, the restaurant was almost full, and he was by himself I was a waitress before and I know how it is to work serving food. He was was quick, attentive, polite, friendly and always smiling, he had it all perfectly controlled, my water glass was never empty. I would recommend if you order the lasagne ask for it to be extra hot.

This was our first time here and I must say that Ugo Trattoria is a standout Italian restaurant in Santa Monica that offers delicious food, a charming atmosphere, and attentive service. Whether you're planning a romantic date night or a gathering with friends, this restaurant is a fantastic choice for an authentic Italian dining experience. Our waiter made the experience worthwhile. The shrimp pasta was outstanding!

Tammer was a standout in a sea of waiters -- we had the most pleasant dining experience due to his care and expertise. If you're ever on the promenade, Ugo is worth a visit both for the service and the offerings. And if you're not nearby, make the trip! You'll leave with nothing but good vibes and good food.

There used to be a Ugo's on Pico Blvd in WLA, years ago. And we went all the time. We happened to stumble upon this Ugo's and for nostalgic reasons we went in, hoping it was the same and as good as the one from years ago. We were not disappointed. The food was delicious, the service was quick and efficient and our server was lovely. It was quite early (before 6pm) so we had a fairly quiet dining experience. We ordered the calamari, the meatballs, the pasta bowl and pizza. Everything was superb! Nothing over seasoned or over breaded and their presentation of each dish was top notch. I wish we lived closer so I could return more often!

Calling all YELP ELITES! Please give this place a try and write a review. This small business needs to be shouted from the rooftops! Hands down best Italian food and feel on the West Coast. After a long afternoon on our feet and then at the Proof exhibit across the street at the 3rd Street Promenade, we just wanted to sit down, be served and eat good food. This place knew the assignment and knocked it out of the park. The mediterranean salad - the real deal, great balsamic on fresh ingredients and real olives. The Margherita pizza - it is Naples approved and one of the best outside of Italy - it's about the crust and sauce, addictive and not kidding, we went back later the same day for more. The Calamari had fried veggies with it and marinara that I could lick the bowl for. Because of this my friend was like "Ive gotta try their meatballs" So savory and soft with that wonderful marinara. More licking of dishware!!!! No affogato on the menu so the server said - no worry, I have gelato and espresso! OMG - best affogato Ive ever had! Put it on the menu sir! my friend ordered the tiramisu. I told her, "no ways, I'm too full." Well it was so good we HAD to finish it. Soaked ladyfingers encased in a chocolate shell. Topped it off with some chianti and it was the best Italian meal of my life. We loved it so much we told a couple that were standing near the outdoor seating looking at the menu that they will love it! We saw them later and they said they loved it and recommended another group to try it and that group was still there eating. One of the ladies in that group said "my new favorite place! My birthday is next week and Im coming back!" Service is friendly and efficient. Lovely people who need to be recognized for the work they do. Cmon YELPERS!!! Come eat!

This Italian spot in Santa Monica is the ultimate lunch destination. Their Neapolitan-style pizzas are simply phenomenal, with thin, crispy crusts and heavenly toppings that burst with flavor. The happy hour menu offers great deals on pizzas, pastas, drinks, and appetizers, making it an ideal choice for a midday meal. Don't miss out on their delicious tagliatelle bolognese, and be sure to try their amazing picante pizza for a spicy kick. Overall, this place is a must-visit for any pizza lover seeking delicious Italian food. The service is very friendly and quick, it has a very summery ambiance and lowkey vibe which we loved!!

Food and service (by Tamer) was excellent. Ate with my parents who are Italian and we were all impressed. The pizzas and pastas were all cooked very well and tasted delicious - it's very hard to find good Italian food that also tastes authentic. The location was great with indoor and outdoor seating. I highly recommend their service by Tamer (super friendly and attentive), the food (the chef Ramiro who cooks truly authentic food, coming from Italians), and the location is perfect. We will be back! Thank you Tamer and Ramiro for great food and service. Also dog friendly - another plus.

The pizza was bland, the salad was drenched in dressing and inedible, the service was mediocre. They did not want to compensate for the bad salad or offer birthday dessert either, which is fine, but I would never ever go back.

Great tasting food, and great service Casual ambiance right in the middle of 3rd street promenade

Our waiter Tamer was so amazing, the best server we've ever had. The food was delicious. They have gluten-free options. We had a pizza Margarita was very good and I had the gluten-free penne with pesto. I highly recommend this place.

Lovely food and service! Especially love the Chicken pesto panini and the chocolate cup tiramisu!