Osteria La Buca

Tucked along Melrose Avenue near the sprawling Paramount Studios lot, Osteria La Buca defies what you might expect from a neighborhood Italian joint. With its striking brick exterior, glowing neon pizza sign, and soaring ceilings inside, this Hancock Park gem has the kind of effortless cool that makes you want to linger over another glass of wine while Tom Petty plays overhead.

The real star here is the pasta, all made in-house and truly exceptional. The bucatini carbonara has earned a reputation as one of the finest pasta dishes in Los Angeles—perfectly al dente noodles entwined with pancetta and crowned with a silky poached egg. The short rib ravioli runs a close second, though its richness begs to be shared around the table. If pizza calls to you, the guanciale version delivers with its spicy fresno chili kick.

What sets Osteria La Buca apart is its chameleon-like ability to suit any occasion. Drop by solo for a weekday lunch and enjoy the relaxed vibe without pretense. Return for an evening date and the space takes on a more romantic glow, yet tables remain easy to snag and the atmosphere stays refreshingly unpretentious. It works equally well for catching up with old friends or impressing visiting parents.

This is the rare neighborhood restaurant where the food genuinely rivals the convenience. While most local spots trade on familiarity over culinary excellence, Osteria La Buca delivers both—making it the kind of place worth crossing town for, even if you have a dozen Italian restaurants closer to home.