Osteria Mozza

There’s something magical about walking into Osteria Mozza on Melrose Avenue. Since opening in 2007, this Hancock Park institution has defined what Italian dining in Los Angeles can be—elegant without being stuffy, celebratory without feeling forced. The room exudes a timeless glamour, with the famous mozzarella bar taking center stage, offering the chance to catch a glimpse of legendary chef Nancy Silverton as she oversees her domain.

The pasta here is simply extraordinary. The orecchiette with sausage and Swiss chard has earned its legendary status—those chewy little ear-shaped noodles swimming in a silky, clingy sausage ragu that somehow manages to be both hearty and refined. Equally impressive is the ricotta and egg raviolo, a dramatic single dumpling that spills golden yolk into pools of nutty brown butter when cut open. For something simpler but no less impressive, the pici with sundried tomato sauce demonstrates why handmade pasta at this level makes you question every tomato sauce you’ve ever made at home.

The dining experience feels inherently special. Hosts will ask about your occasion—birthdays, anniversaries, or just a Tuesday that deserves something memorable. The wine list is encyclopedic, the service impeccable, and even the housemade burrata wrapped in delicate speck with crisp peas makes for an ideal start. For dessert, the rotating gelati and sorbetti are essential, particularly the pistachio when available.

This is the place for when you want to dress up, treat yourself, and remember why great restaurants matter. Grab a seat at the mozzarella bar with someone you adore, order more pasta than seems reasonable, and let Mozza work its magic. It’s a splurge, yes, but one that feels worth every penny when the plates land just right.