Italian Restaurants in Orange County, California: The Best of the Best

Orange County is lush with variety, individuality and choices, especially when it comes to food. But Italian food? GOOD Italian food? That is hard to find almost anywhere, aside from Italy, of course. These are my top 5 Italian restaurants in Orange County.

1. The first on my list is DEFINITELY Villa Nova. This restaurant was originally located on the Sunset Strip, and served many famous faces such as Bing Crosby, Charlie Chaplin, Dean Martin, and John Wayne, to name a few. It was at Villa Nova that Joe DiMaggio brought Marilyn Monroe on a blind date! After it tragically burned down in 1995, it moved to Newport Beach to settle.

Villa Nova has an amazing piano bar, providing almost non-stop entertainment every night. Their wine list is extremely extensive with over 800 different brands! Villa Nova offers seating with a view of the beautiful Pacific ocean, but those seats must be reserved in advance. The outside of this place is breath-taking, but the inside is even more beautiful!

The gnocchi is exquisite, and the Fettuccine Della Casa is by far my FAVORITE dish. The service is wonderful!

2. Number two on my list is the Anaheim White House. Yeah, it sounds VERY Italian, right? ;) This old-fashioned suburban home turned Italian restaurant is just minutes from Disney Land, but you feel like you are in an entirely different world completely.

Wine-wise, the Tuscan Chiantis is absolutely delightful, but I urge you to try out a few before you decide, as their wine list is phenomenal. This place is one of THE MOST beautiful restaurants I have ever seen or heard of, and has 8 different dining rooms!

The service is outstanding, the staff is friendly, the food is delicious. Try out the calamari steak or the veal piccata, both are my favorites!

3. The third Italian restaurant on my list is Maggiano's Little Italy. Located cozily in Costa Mesa, this restaurant looks extremely Italian, with their generous portions and red and white checkered table cloths. The Parmesan garlic bread is to-die-for, along with their Tuscan style mussels and manicotti. The tira misu is divine, a good meal finisher!

The baked ziti and sausage has to be my favorite meal here, and their martinis are made perfectly.

4. The fourth restaurant on my list is definitely Antonello Ristorante. Nestled in Santa Ana, this restaurant is perfect for customers of every variety. Couples are escorted into private, cozy little romantic booths with pillows!

Their portions are MORE than generous, and my favorite meal to get at Antonello's is the crab-stuffed ravioli, with a light tomato-cream sauce, also served with half a lobster and jumbo shrimp. A must-try for anyone who likes shellfish as much as I do.

Chef Franco Barone is another culinary genius, creating each dish with care. The artwork on the walls, the instrumental music, everything here is perfect. And the service is amazing! I've never had a better waiter.

5. Last on my list, but definitely not least, is Il Fargo. Another Newport Beach favorite, everything on the menu is made exquisitely and delicious. The prices are amazingly low, especially considering their very generous portions! Located right next to the beach, the view outside and in are both gorgeous.

Their margarita pizzas are the best you will ever try! Heavenly, delicious and topped with fresh ingredients. The service is outstanding and the staff are extremely attentive and friendly.

The only drawback is the tricky parking, but that's what you get when you go to a restaurant right next to the beach.