Bacetti

Step into Bacetti and you’ll immediately understand why Echo Park locals flock here. The California-chic Italian restaurant shares a wall with the popular wine bar Tilda, and its wood-framed dining room channels serious vintage ski lodge energy. Worn wooden floors, low lighting, and curved banquettes filled with effortlessly cool neighborhood regulars create an atmosphere that feels decades old despite opening in 2021.

The menu takes a Roman-inspired approach to Italian small plates, pasta, and pizza. The clear winner is their pull-apart focaccia—a tall, round loaf that’s beautifully salty and flaky, topped with rosemary, olives, and sea salt. It’s the kind of bread that disappears from the table before you realize what happened. The rigatoni all’amatriciana also delivers, with tubes of pasta hiding pieces of guanciale in a pleasantly spicy tomato sauce.

This is a spot built for lingering over wine with friends. The sprawling indoor space handles groups easily, while the sidewalk patio makes for a picturesque evening. Between the photogenic setting and the people-watching opportunities, Bacetti works best when you approach it as a scene rather than a destination for ambitious Italian cooking. Split the focaccia, order a reasonably priced bottle, and enjoy the vibe.

For those who appreciate atmosphere as much as the meal itself, Bacetti offers a solid option in Echo Park. Come for the charming space and stay for the bread basket—just keep expectations measured and you’ll have a pleasant evening in one of LA’s most stylish neighborhood spots.