Vito Restaurant

5 Star Review 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Vito in Santa Monica exceeded our expectations! While traveling, we stumbled upon this gem and were lucky enough to meet the new owners. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was inviting and the service was impeccable. Enrique was absolutely amazing, going above and beyond to make our evening special. The food was divine, especially the gnocchi and the chicken Vito. And the desserts? We couldn't resist the triple chocolate fantasy cake, the moist carrot cake, and the decadent lemon white chocolate cake – each one a masterpiece! It was a true melt-in-your-mouth experience!! Even if you've already had dinner, you'll want to go to Vitos just for the desserts! We can't wait to come back again!

Such a amazing Italian resturant in the heart of Santa Monica. This place is delicious and had great service. All the pasta we had tasted fresh and we loved the table side salad option! We also finish the night off with a carrot cake dessert.

This was an impromptu stop for dinner and the place is the epitome of “Old School” Italian. Red naugahyde, dark wood, and low lighting are the hallmarks of this place. I actually like this vibe, but as I’ve mentioned before, we generally sit at the bar, and by 5pm on Monday the bar was full. My particular seat had a pole on the right and a lamp in front of me that was attached and so I felt quite squeezed. Also my bar stool was wobbly and lopsided. Other than that, the place seemed a little old and in need of a little sprucing but that makes sense, since it’s been there for 42 years. It is definitely a local favorite and you could tell. The service at the bar was excellent. JJ the bartender was attentive and knowledgeable. He gave us great suggestions on the extensive menu. We opted for roasted peppers and Calamari for apps. Both were amazing. We had the Cesar salad for 2 (they can’t make it tableside at the bar - but usually do) the Cesar was incredible. The dressing was light and very flavorful - just the way I like it 😍 My man had the cioppino which had great flavor and a lot of seafood. He did wish they had a crusty piece of Italian bread for dipping. They did have nice rolls but he would have preferred the prior. I had the filet with mushrooms and it was perfectly cooked, very tender and amazing flavor. Excellent! So, overall great great impromptu dinner. Highly recommend.

The service is very good, the atmosphere and music in the restaurant are great,everything is unexpectedly delicious, It's so delicious that I want to move closer to it😁😁

Highly recommended. No hipster vibe but a classy local establishment. I had no idea about this hidden gem. Great service , full bar, perfectly spaced seating They do not have a kid menu but they were able to make a small butter pasta dish for my young one We will be back for sure! #eatLocal #supportSmallBusiness

In 2022 my wife and I visited Los Angeles. My wife had done a lot of research regarding restaurants and decided to dine at Vito late one Saturday night. I’m so glad we did. The food was delicious and the ambience was perfect. I felt like I could turn around and see Humphrey Bogart or Frank Sinatra in the booth next to me. In fact, a year later in the summer of 2023, we decided to visit Los Angeles again with family. So of course we had to visit Vito once again, and it was absolutely delicious. I hope to go back again one day. Tip: Spaghetti Della Casa is the best pasta dish I have ever had! (And start your meal with the Caesar salad—don’t skip dessert either!)

This place is a hidden gem! If you’re wondering where you can find old-school customer service, AND food to match, Vito is the only place I've come across on the westside ever. Ample parking and no pretentiousness. Just that Italian family vibe of staff actually caring about your dining experience, with just enough tables to always feel important no matter where you sit. Everyone so nice. (Great wine selection, too!)

Old- school fine dining in an elegant setting, with experienced wait staff who provide impeccable service. Definitely feels like a special occasion kind of place, and the food is amazing. One guest we took there recently said it was the best meal he ever had. Very nice atmosphere, too.

Everything here is FANTASTIC! Love the food, service, ambiance, prices, and always enjoy going here!

Came here for a drink because our dinner reservation wasn't for another hour. We were very transparent about only getting drinks but were seated at a table as there were not enough bar seats. They did not have a drink menu, cocktails are about $18.95 and beer is $8.95 for anyone who needs to know. The server placed a plate of bruschetta on the table. We were very confused because we did not order any food and told the server twice that we were only there to drink. Never even got a menu, utensils, or plates. We, at that point, assumed it was complimentary. Then the female manager came over to berate us for not saying anything.

Since the new owners the food quality has gone down. Plus the owner was pretty snarky with my 80 year friend. Who's been a member of this establishment for over 30 years. I know she won't be going back, plus there's such better Italian food in and around the area. I wish them luck

I had heard about this place for years, and finally got a chance to check it out. Interior is very nice dark wood and dim lights. They have a back patio, but I'd stay away from it as it seems to be a work in progress. The service is top-notch, with very knowledgeable staff and super polite and well-dressed folks working there. The wine was excellent, and the food did not disappoint. I look forward to my next visit when I'm in the area.

Stepping into this place it reminds me of the old school Italian places I would go to growing up. White cloth tables and good vibes! The food, all insanely delicious! Deserts were over the top sweet! Ate the std meatball and spaghetti. Followed up with a cannoli. The place could be noisy but still it was close and a fun place. Service was great and Nicolas was superb with our table.

When we arrived the vibe here was very chill. I ordered the pasta was so good and I would recommend. Thank you guys for the perfect presentation of desserts!

Mediocre and overpriced sums it up. Service was good, but I should have sent my linguine pescatore back. It was cold and shellfish was embarrassingly overcooked. Plus, it was just ordinary. I've had this dish many times at other restaurants and it was just....ordinary! Nothing memorable. And certainly not justifying the premium price. Same pasta as anyplace else, and definitely not fresh. This place was a bummer. I left pissed. I should have checked the Yelp reviews first because I see the same complaints from over 8 years back! Responding to Owner's comments. We were with another couple so it was difficult, much less embarrassing, to send the food back, which arguably I should have done. But, your kitchen manager/expediter should have never let that dish leave the kitchen! There are too many good restaurants alone and considering that I wasted $160 on that dinner, I'm not inclined to try again.

ne of the best Italian restaurants on the westside serving tradition Italian food in a classic setting with fantastic food and service. Every employee takes pride in their jobs from the hostess greeting you to the busboys, waiters and bar tenders. We treated ourselves to some specials on a packed Sunday night which exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed the sandabs which were cooked to perfection as well as the lamb chops which were incredibly seasoned and prepared. The pastas are all wonderful and the Veal meatballs just incredible. Vitos Westside classic cooked the best Italian comfort food in town!

Every time I come here, I get the Spaghetti Della Casa and Medaglioni Al Cognac. The spaghetti is perfectly cooked with a generous amount of shrimp in a creamy tomato sauce. The steak is cooked a perfect medium rare and is so flavorful. If you have room for dessert, you must get the cococnut cake - it's so light, fluffy, and most with a hint of coconut. Most of the other items I've tried here were average though. The waiters are always so friendly and accommodating and make the restaurant have that homey feeling. Vito also offers a VIP card which gives you 30% off all food and wine purchases!

Always excellent service and food. Locals and out of town guests ask to go back. Caesar salad made from scratch at table is a must.

I'll start by saying my wife and I have been going to Vito's since it opened in 1980. Over the years we have had many great meals there and were always impressed with the food and the service. We moved out of the city 10 years ago and were not able to go there, but will be returning next month and are looking forward to another great meal.

I used to always come here for dinner and absolutely loved it but moved further away. I'm so happy I came back! Definitely miss Vito but the new owners have done a great job. We started on the back patio for the happy hour but decided against it because it's very sunny and unprotected out there and extremely dilapidated looking. Not nice at all. They really need to fix up that back patio or just get rid of it. Dinner was amazing. We started with the calamari which had a lovely sauce with it. Then he had the fettuccine salmon in a cream sauce which he loved and I had their homemade lasagna which was excellent! Perfect amount of all the ingredients. Then they rolled out the dessert options which was very fun! We got the cheesecake. Delicious! Very creamy! Carlos was our server and did a fantastic job! Raymond helped us with the wine choice and was exceptional. Very friendly staff which made it very nice! By the way, the wine choice was perfect. Thank you all and hope to see you soon! Oh, and my martini was perfect! And we love the cozy booths.

Delicious food. Excellent service. Dark-lit moody and romantic lighting and ambiance! 10/10 classic Italian restaurant

Food was excellent! Great quality ! I loved the ambiance because it's got this old timey fancy vibe. The service is really good waiters are all really nice

Sat in the outdoor patio as the restaurant was very busy. Very good service and the food was delicious. An old school Italian restaurant with a large menu and attentive service.

Such a cute little spot! I'd never heard of Vito before but my bff asked if I wanted to go to dinner with his Aunt and Uncle and I adore them, the type of people you wish were your own Aunt and Uncle or Mom and Dad for that matter - serious Couple Goals. I would have gone to eat anywhere to hang with them but when he told me Vito I of course looked up the place and was excited to try a new Italian spot. We had a 6p Sunday rezzie and sat outside. Indoors is definitely a vibe. If you're coming here on a date, inside may be the move. Old school, cozy, romantic darker vibes. I love old fashioned vibes, think Musso & Frank, Taylors, Dan Tanas but intimate with a calm energy. We started with the calamari and each of us had a Caesar salad. The bread and butter was warm, fresh and delish. My besties Aunt had the fish of the day special and it looked delish! His uncle, cousin and I all went Spaghetti Della Casa (Chopped Shrimp Sautéed with Shallots, Flamed with Cognac with a Touch of Cream and Tomato Sauce). Delish!!! My bff had a Carbonara. Dessert cart was serving!!! SO many options!!! I had a carrot cake and my bff had a cheesecake. Cappuccino was yummy! I didn't take any pics because I didn't want to be "that" dinner guest ;) I'll snap some the next time I return. Service was a bit discombobulated on our visit but it didn't ruin the experience. They dine here often and mentioned it isn't usually like this which is why I'd trust myself to recommend the spot and look forward to dining here again in the near future. Several large parties also showed up during the time we were here. The place definitely seems like a great option for a celebratory al fresco meal, fam bam time, solo dinner, GNO, and definitely a nice little date spot. Metered parking out-front.

Very understaffed then I was there with a large group of friends. One waiter took our orders after a 45 minute wait. I felt for him but the food was mediocre at best. My friends' chicken was tough. Our veal was dry. People did enjoy their desserts.

It was very quiet, and I was able to have a very good business meeting here. I am excited to come back here. The food was incredible and very well portioned in my opinion I can't wait to try more. Things service was very good as well. Everybody was very friendly, and it was authentic.

we had another excellent dinner at Vito's. it is an iconic restaurant on Ocean Park in Santa Monica. the atmosphere is very warm and cozy with comfortable leather booths. The top sirloin steak was mouth-wateringly delicious and very high quality. The Caesar salad made tableside is so incredibly good. I love the lamb chops and the sand dabs. also, the pasta is extremely popular. The martinis are perfection, crisp and ice cold. The waiters have been there for years and know how to give you a memorable experience. It is a truly great neighborhood restaurant with a cool vibe!!

Came here last Friday for date night and we absolutely loved it. We've been here several times before - all with great experiences. The food was truly delicious and our server was attentive and nice. Vito has a nice heated patio if you're worried about dining indoors, but if you're not concerned about sitting near other diners, then I would recommend sitting inside. The atmosphere and décor is lovely with an "old school" vibe. House Wine - 5/5 SO GOOD! Great pour. At $15/glass for "house" wine, it's kind of expensive but worth it. Carbonara - 5/5 DEVINE. I was supposed to share this with the hubby but after one bite, I told him it was all mine!! Definitely order this. It was perfection. Zuppa di Pesca aka Cioppino - 5/5 Tasty! Save some bread to dip into the broth. Coconut Cake - 4/5 Pretty good Tiramisu - 5/5 Mmmm!! Huge portion, too. This place isn't cheap but it's so good. Needless to say, I cannot wait to return for more carbonara!!

I loved Vito we stopped on our way home a random choice......the website needs work it doesn't do this place justice ! The Ambience of Vito is upscale old school elegant.... Which is not found too much anymore ... The service was top notch ..... We ate Calamari, Caesar Salad , Lasagna , Veal , Wine and Dessert all were delicious ...... I would definitely eat here again ...... the whole experience was fantastic!

I loved this restaurant!!! I have lived in the area for over 30 years and went this week for the first time. I regret that it took so long to give it a try. What a cute wonderful neighborhood gem. It is old school elegant and not pricey. I felt like I was in a New York Italian restaurant. The servers were so helpful and nice. I like that they are formally dressed and tables have white table cloths. It is fun and refreshing. Makes you feel special. Easy free metered parking after 6 on 28th street across from the restaurant. I enjoyed my Martini, Veal Milanese and carrot cake. I definitely will be back.

Wow, finally authentic Italian food in LA! I love the "old school" Italian feel of the restaurant which reminds me of the wonderful Italian restaurants we went to in Jersey and NY. Everything about Vito's was delicious from our delicious shrimp scampi to the filet mignon. I'm just sorry we did not have room for some of their delicious desserts... The service was also impeccable... We were greeted by Cynthia and Jason Reed, the owners, who really made us feel at home. Ernesto, our server, was also excellent and was making sure we had everything we needed. As the were many other things we wanted to get on the menu, we will be back and cannot wait to share this place with our friends.

Love Vito - for old fashioned Italian food it is great! It is our neighborhood go to - great service too!

Food, service and ambiance are all 5-star. One of the best restaurants I have eaten at. We felt like we had stepped back into the 40s. The waiters are in tuxedos and the Cesar salad is prepared table side. Beautiful restaurant inside and extensive wine list.

Came here to treat myself and try a new Italian place. I was intrigued since my dad's name is Vito and it has been here for decades. There was miscommunication with the waitstaff from the moment I sat down. I didn't receive a menu and had to ask for one after a few minutes of awkwardly sitting there. I also had to ask if I could order. They thought I was waiting on someone and was apologetic throughout the night. Everyone around me appeared to receive great service. One of my favorite Italian dishes are Amatriciana and Cannolis and they severely disappointed me. The Amatriciana is not made like an authentic Roman pasta. It was a normal red pasta sauce with bits of bacon (I was expecting cubes of pancetta). The cannolis tasted like whipped cream rather than the traditional ricotta. They also were drizzled with chocolate sauce where I was hoping for chocolate chips that I have seen traditionally. I wasn't expecting authentic Italian dishes but I was hoping it would taste like an Italian grandmothers home cooked meal. Overall I'm extremely disappointed by my experience and food at Vito's especially at the price point.

Such a amazing Italian resturant in the heart of Santa Monica. This place is delicious and had great service. All the pasta we had tasted fresh and we loved the table side salad option! We also finish the night off with a carrot cake dessert.

Came here for my girlfriends 22nd birthday. It was beyond incredible. Drinks 10/10 - try the espresso martini & make sure to ask for the dessert cart. The owners checked in on us & the waiters made sure we felt at home. If you are near by or celebrating definitely consider this spot. Also JJ at the bar is the man. Dude made better drinks than most of the top LA restaurants that I've been to.

I wanted to express how much we enjoyed our time at Vito's. The staff was incredibly friendly and made my entire family feel so welcome and happy. Plus, the food was absolutely delicious! From the Caesar salad being prepared right in front of us, to the appetizer shrimp, and the mouthwatering house pasta. We truly had an exceptional experience. Thank you so much, we will definitely be coming back!

Food was so tasty. No frills. Well presented Service was great Tuxedos are a nice touch. And the wine selection will challenge any self acclaimed expert Returning for my birthday!

Tried vito restaurant tonight for the first time and it didn't disappoint. The ambiance is magical. It feels like an old school Italian restaurant which it is. It was packed and now i know why. The service is excellent. They Treat you like you grew up with them. I thought everything was too good to be true, then the food came. We were a party of 6 and everyone's plate was empty within minutes. Not one complaint from any of us. How rare is that? The bar was fully stocked and looked really cool. That's probably why there weren't any empty seats. The desserts looked delicious but all of us were so full we didn't order any. If you're looking for an old school Italian joint, this is your place!

An old school treasure, beautifully decorated and serving up some of the most delicious, authentic, italian favorites in town. The restaurant exemplifies tradition, when you walk through the door. Servers wear elegant and impeccably fitted outfits, the tables have gorgeous, white table clothes and the food is bursting with flavor, served with freshness and pride. As a local, I have a loyalty card, and we are blessed to have Vito's in our neighborhood.

All i can say is WOW what a gem! How have I never been here? The restaurant itself is so cute, old school Italian with a great ambience. Great for a romantic date or birthday celebration. We were celebrating my daughter's birthday and could not have picked a better restaurant. Enrique was the best! Made us feel like we knew him for years and made the BEST caesar salad tableside that we have ever had. Food was absolutely delicious! Everyone at our table ordered something different and we all raved about our food. The desert cart was out of this world with so many choices it was hard to pick one so we ordered a bunch and shared and yum! Wish I would have taken a photo. The owners Cynthia and Jason were so warm and welcoming and came to our table several times to check on us. Cannot wait to go back! I highly recommend !!!!

The best food on the planet. Seriously!!! The pink sauce and the Caesar salad is unbelievable! Trace Hanock 25 years and still coming!

Love this place!!! Classy old school joint.... My favorite Italian food restaurant in Los Angeles.

Absolute gem! Excellent food and atmosphere. This place has incredible staff members and ownership. Everything is great...but the Caesar Salad made at your table is the best I've had. Job well done Vito's!!

Love the place The food is amazing. The service is outstanding. Very cozy old-school Italian restaurant I highly recommend this place for a classy, old-school dining experience

Idk what it is but I LOVE their spaghetti della casa. We've ordered many times for delivery but I look forward to eating in the restaurant soon.

I took my best friend Patricia here for her birthday dinner, Melisa and Sean welcomed us like family. Our server was kind and very knowledgeable guiding us through the menu. We had fantastic food and one of the nicest experiences I've had a very long time. Thank you again and I will tell everyone I know how wonderful you are. Daniel W. Pedersen

If you're looking for an authentic Italian experience in LA, Vito is a great choice. The old-school Italian ambiance is warm and inviting, making it feel like a true trattoria. The food is excellent, especially the Spaghetti de la Casa, which is a standout with its perfectly cooked pasta and flavorful sauce. The service is top-notch and adds to the overall charm of the place. Vito offers a special dining experience that's hard to find elsewhere in LA.

The best Caesar Salad and Chicken Parmesan in Los Angeles!! Our friend from Miami called and said we have to try it. Funny cause we already knew about Vito's for years which is what prompted my wife and I to make this review. Everyone is so nice and friendly. Incredible service. Highly recommend!!

This restaurant is overpriced and cramped. Do not come here thinking you will be taking leftovers home; in fact, you may want to order a second entree just to fill satiated. The place is very cramped, as it seems like a waiter was always bumping into me while I was waiting for my table. Even though I had reservations, I still had to wait to be seated; almost as if the restaurant was overtstaffed. Maybe that is why they charged so much for their food? On top of that, it seemed like the table that was reserved for my party who had reservations was an afterthought. they just added two chairs to the end of a booth. The place was also freezing cold as the air conditioning was on full blast. Only two of the desserts they had were homemade; the others were most likely made by another business.

First time visiting even though it's a few blocks from where I live. Thought the service was outstanding and the food we got was a 10/10. Had a veal parm, the gnocchi bolognese, pesto spaghetti and the Caesar cheffed up table side. Good portion size and you can tell the sauces were made by a legit nona. Will definitely be back.

Went to Vitos over the weekend for the first time. It's a nice old school family restaurant in a comfortable setting. The entire group had a very enjoyable time. We started with the Caesar salad made table side. For dinner, a couple of us had a sole filet special, cooked perfectly. Some others had variety of chicken and pasta dishes, all who enjoyed very much. From the desert cart, we got a mix of lemon, coconut, chocolate and lemon cakes, along with espressos. It was all delicious and the service was very good all throughout the evening. They were attentive but not pushy.

If I could only choose one restaurant to go to, whether a quiet Tuesday night or a Saturday celebration, it would be Vito. Old school Italian, fabulous food with a lot of choices, impeccable service, always attentive and very friendly. Lovely owners who always acknowledge you, thank you for coming, and make you feel special. It's my favorite restaurant in L.A.

My guys and I don't just eat anywhere. Vito knows how particular we are. And he know we mean business. Our last time in, this poor waiter spilled a full glass of wine on my wool suit. I had no problem with that. Why? The Spaghetti Della Casa. Try it, you'll understand. We're grown men, and the staff always treats us as such. We'd eat there every night if we had the money...

We came here for my fiance's birthday dinner and we had a wonderful time. This was the perfect restaurant for the occasion. I really enjoyed the old-fashioned ambiance and dim lighting. They sat us in a corner booth next to a window and it felt very intimate. The service here is top notch. The waiters are older and very professional. Our waiter told us what the specials were that night and also what wines by the glass were available. They pretty much have every type of major wine, but it wasn't listed on a menu. Only the wines by the bottle were. I ordered the napa cab. My fiance got their French chardonnay, which turned out to be an excellent and refreshing choice. The bread basket was also a nice touch. I had to stop myself from eating too much of it before my meal came. As for what we ordered, I really enjoyed my spaghetti della casa. I can see why it's a hit. My fiance got the linguine con cozze, which was also delicious and went great with his wine. I saw the waiters wheeling a cart full of a variety of home-made desserts. The options looked very rich and enticing, but we didn't order anything as we already had a birthday cake at home. I can't wait to try one of the desserts next time.

Great food, great service makes for a great meal. We love the calamari and chicken marsala here, can't go wrong. I guess pretty much everything is tasty here, haven't had anything we didn't like yet. Lol

Delicious food, old-world charm. The new owners have really honored the history of this place, and the menu and ambiance are still as wonderful as ever. I was also really surprised by the wine list, very impressive. We will be back!