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The mojito was very bad, and the ham was also very bad. The mojito seemed to be made with unfiltered water, and the carbonara had way too much oil in it. I had a reservation, but I had to wait for 40 minutes. I will never go to this restaurant again.
Food and ambiance were great. The gnocchi and meatballs were perfectly cooked and the sauce was delicious and savory. We also ordered the build your own charcuterie board. The meat and cheese were tasty but it was presented on a huge bed of romaine lettuce which seemed a bit odd to me. Service was quite slow as it seemed there were only two servers covering the fully booked restaurant. Will be back!
03/2026 If you're ever in the Laguna Beach area and looking for Italian food for lunch or dinner, this is the place to stop. My wife and I came here last year (2025) for dinner and were blown away by how good the food was. Everything is made fresh, and they use their own homemade pasta in their dishes. So when we came back in 2026, we made sure to bring my mom--her first time on the West Coast--and planned a stop here before heading to Santa Monica. The restaurant is very nicely decorated, and they also have bags of their homemade pasta available for purchase. We sat inside this time due to construction outside. Our server was excellent. She took our drink orders--my wife and mom had tea, and I had an Old Fashioned, which was made very well. She also brought us an appetizer of deep-fried olives stuffed with cheese. I'm not usually an olive fan, but these were surprisingly good and didn't have a strong olive taste, also ask for a side of tomato sauce makes them even better! My wife wanted a fish dish with pasta and a lemon sauce that she had twice before on our last visit. Although they didn't have the exact same fish, the kitchen was able to prepare it with a different one, and it tasted just as good as she remembered. My mom ordered the meatball sub, and I had the Bolognese with homemade pappardelle pasta. The meat sauce was excellent. My mom said the meatballs were the best she's ever had--she barely touched the bread because she just wanted to enjoy the meatballs themselves. We also picked up some of their fresh pasta to take home. It's incredibly easy to prepare--just drop it in hot water for 2-3 minutes depending on how you like it, much quicker than store-bought pasta. We'll definitely keep stopping here whenever we're in the area. Give it a try--you won't be disappointed.
We came here by accident .Loved the dishes. Ordered dishes to snd meatball huge sizes full of flavor . Then We ordered Calzone which was huge . loved mushroom pizza . Linguine with mussels and shrimp white wine sauce too good . White wine was good too .
Great Italian spot in downtown Laguna with a giant menu with lots of options. The table started off with a Caesar salad, which wasn't anything crazy, but the calamari was delicious and fresh-tasting; the table loved it. I got to try the veal, which was tender and with a wonderful sauce. The spinach was ok; I would have rather gotten it with a different side. The rest of the table tried the Chioppino, which I loved, and I tried the linguine with clams, which was delicious and packed with clams. I would get that next time. One letdown was the tiramisu; it wasn't what I expected but still ok. Would definitely come back
We needed a last minute dinner reservation for a group of 9 and options were pretty limited. Even though some of the recent reviews made us hesitate, we decided to give Alessa a try. Our experience was completely different from what we had read. Jesus, our waiter, was fantastic. Super attentive, quick, and made everything easy for our group. The food came out surprisingly fast for a table our size and everything was hot, flavorful, and generous in portion. No complaints there at all. Corkage is $25: we didn't bring a bottle this time, but we definitely will next time.
Food was authentic and full of flavor. If you want something light and summery highly recommend the carpaccio. The meatballs are a MUST HAVE (not your average meatball). They seated us quickly and our waiter was attentive to all our needs. Loved how cozy the atmosphere was. Felt like I was in an Italian person home.
I have so many mixed feelings about this place. We used to come here 10 years ago on an almost weekly cadence. We would sit at the bar and the food was really good. We just moved back to town, and we were excited to go back, but like many places, the little touches we loved have changed. I will start by saying the food is still pretty good. The menu is nice and big, but the presentation just falls flat. They have made sitting at the bar a little weird and uncomfortable. They added some items for decor on the end. Ostensibly to get more seating inside. But it makes it feel a bit awkward. We would sit there because we would always get good service. My biggest issue, and the reason for less stars is the service. We are very patient and since we like the place, even more so. But, we had to flag our server down for everything and even then it would take a long time to get attention. It just gets exhausting to have a conversation with friends while trying to keep flagging someone over and over. Our server was just too busy with too big of a section. We always have loved the cheese board. The selections are great, and the presentation used to be phenomenal. They would put little extras of peppers and fruit. Now it comes on a bed of lettuce. Nothing more. We also got some other dishes, and I forgot to get pics. I was probably too busy trying to flag our sever down. ;) The were all yummy, but the plates looked messy. The presentation wasn't great. The ambience is tight tables and can get noisy. But it feels cozy. I would give this place 3.75 stars if that was an option. We will be back. But, we will be longing for the days when they seemed to care a little bit more about the details.
Our server Nancy was amazing from start to finish, the way she took care of our table truly made our evening, the food was great too !
If you're looking for one of the best meals in Laguna Beach, Alessa Laguna Beach should absolutely be on your list. This place nails that sweet spot between authentic Italian and a fresh California twist. Everything tastes incredibly high quality, from the fish and meats to the cheese and vegetables they use to build each dish. You can tell they actually care about what's going on the plate. I've been here four times now and tried a variety of pastas and pizzas, and it's been consistently great every single time. At this point, it's easily become my go-to spot in the area. On top of the food, the service is genuinely impressive. It's a smaller, more intimate dining space, which means you're taken care of quickly and attentively without feeling rushed. What really makes it stand out is how much value you get. The pricing is surprisingly reasonable for the quality, and they've got a great wine selection to go with your meal. There's also a bar with stools if you want something more casual, plus a TV if you're trying to catch a game. Right in the heart of Laguna Beach, it's honestly hard to compare this place to others nearby once you've experienced it.
Honestly I'm so conflicted about this place. First, I'll start with the good. The food was pretty tasty. I had lobster ravioli and my wife and daughter split a gnocchi. Both dishes were tasty but I will say my lobster ravioli was super tiny, with only 5 raviolis and a sole shrimp in the middle. The bread and pesto /olive oil they start you with was also pretty good, so they've got that going for them. Now the not so good. I'm not so sure they wanted our business. We showed up at the podium and had to wait for someone to greet us. When they did it was a waitress and not a hostess. She seemed unaware or maybe just had things on her mind, or maybe we were a burden, no smile or anything. After leaving and then coming back she brought us to an outside table. The waiter was nice but again things seemed odd. We had no menus and he didn't seem bothered by that. So we just looked on our phones, no big deal. It took a bit to order but we were in no rush so again, no big deal. I think he stopped by once towards the end of the meal and saw my empty water. He then asked if I wanted it filled. Not annoying but I just ate at a different place the night before where your water was always topped off. It's just an interesting contrast in service. Overall I'd say the food is good and the service is only fair. I'm hoping it was just a one-off and will try again later to see if it was just my unlucky day. Laguna Beach is full of great places to eat and this could be one if it gets tightened up a bit.
Love the environment, very cozy smaller restaurant. Food was and service was great. Love the free bread appetizer with Pesti, delicious.
6 days ago
After checking out the Sawdust Festival, Jen and I walked downtown looking for a place for late lunch/early dinner. We finally decided to give Alessa a chance. It was a very humid out, so we opted to get a table inside. Unfortunately, sitting inside was not much of a relief. I assume they had no A/C. Jen opted for the Linguine Marechiaro and I chose the Baked Housemade Ziti. Jen liked her dish, but after seeing a documentary on octopus decided to give the ones in her dish to me, which I enjoyed. I found my pasta a bit tough and was a different spin on other baked ziti dishes I've had. However, the meatballs underneath the pasta were excellent. The service was a bit inconsistent. Not sure if they were understaffed but when ordering, our questions were met with short and mostly unresponsive answers and when closing the check, we had to request a to go box, then a second request for a carry out bag. I would have liked to give this place a higher rating, but feel 3/5 accurately grades our dining experience. read more
24 days ago
The mojito was very bad, and the ham was also very bad. The mojito seemed to be made with unfiltered water, and the carbonara had way too much oil in it. I had a reservation, but I had to wait for 40 minutes. I will never go to this restaurant again. read more
9 days ago
Food and ambiance were great. The gnocchi and meatballs were perfectly cooked and the sauce was delicious and savory. We also ordered the build your own charcuterie board. The meat and cheese were tasty but it was presented on a huge bed of romaine lettuce which seemed a bit odd to me. Service was quite slow as it seemed there were only two servers covering the fully booked restaurant. Will be back! read more
03/2026 If you're ever in the Laguna Beach area and looking for Italian food for lunch or dinner, this is the place to stop. My wife and I came here last year (2025) for dinner and were blown away by how good the food was. Everything is made fresh, and they use their own homemade pasta in their dishes. So when we came back in 2026, we made sure to bring my mom--her first time on the West Coast--and planned a stop here before heading to Santa Monica. The restaurant is very nicely decorated, and they also have bags of their homemade pasta available for purchase. We sat inside this time due to construction outside. Our server was excellent. She took our drink orders--my wife and mom had tea, and I had an Old Fashioned, which was made very well. She also brought us an appetizer of deep-fried olives stuffed with cheese. I'm not usually an olive fan, but these were surprisingly good and didn't have a strong olive taste, also ask for a side of tomato sauce makes them even better! My wife wanted a fish dish with pasta and a lemon sauce that she had twice before on our last visit. Although they didn't have the exact same fish, the kitchen was able to prepare it with a different one, and it tasted just as good as she remembered. My mom ordered the meatball sub, and I had the Bolognese with homemade pappardelle pasta. The meat sauce was excellent. My mom said the meatballs were the best she's ever had--she barely touched the bread because she just wanted to enjoy the meatballs themselves. We also picked up some of their fresh pasta to take home. It's incredibly easy to prepare--just drop it in hot water for 2-3 minutes depending on how you like it, much quicker than store-bought pasta. We'll definitely keep stopping here whenever we're in the area. Give it a try--you won't be disappointed. read more
8 days ago
Business owner information
Alessa L.
Hello Camilla! We're thrilled to hear about your wonderful experience…
6 months ago
We came here by accident .Loved the dishes. Ordered dishes to snd meatball huge sizes full of flavor . Then We ordered Calzone which was huge . loved mushroom pizza . Linguine with mussels and shrimp white wine sauce too good . White wine was good too . read more
3 months ago
Great Italian spot in downtown Laguna with a giant menu with lots of options. The table started off with a Caesar salad, which wasn't anything crazy, but the calamari was delicious and fresh-tasting; the table loved it. I got to try the veal, which was tender and with a wonderful sauce. The spinach was ok; I would have rather gotten it with a different side. The rest of the table tried the Chioppino, which I loved, and I tried the linguine with clams, which was delicious and packed with clams. I would get that next time. One letdown was the tiramisu; it wasn't what I expected but still ok. Would definitely come back read more
We needed a last minute dinner reservation for a group of 9 and options were pretty limited. Even though some of the recent reviews made us hesitate, we decided to give Alessa a try. Our experience was completely different from what we had read. Jesus, our waiter, was fantastic. Super attentive, quick, and made everything easy for our group. The food came out surprisingly fast for a table our size and everything was hot, flavorful, and generous in portion. No complaints there at all. Corkage is $25: we didn't bring a bottle this time, but we definitely will next time. read more
4 months ago
Food was authentic and full of flavor. If you want something light and summery highly recommend the carpaccio. The meatballs are a MUST HAVE (not your average meatball). They seated us quickly and our waiter was attentive to all our needs. Loved how cozy the atmosphere was. Felt like I was in an Italian person home. read more
I have so many mixed feelings about this place. We used to come here 10 years ago on an almost weekly cadence. We would sit at the bar and the food was really good. We just moved back to town, and we were excited to go back, but like many places, the little touches we loved have changed. I will start by saying the food is still pretty good. The menu is nice and big, but the presentation just falls flat. They have made sitting at the bar a little weird and uncomfortable. They added some items for decor on the end. Ostensibly to get more seating inside. But it makes it feel a bit awkward. We would sit there because we would always get good service. My biggest issue, and the reason for less stars is the service. We are very patient and since we like the place, even more so. But, we had to flag our server down for everything and even then it would take a long time to get attention. It just gets exhausting to have a conversation with friends while trying to keep flagging someone over and over. Our server was just too busy with too big of a section. We always have loved the cheese board. The selections are great, and the presentation used to be phenomenal. They would put little extras of peppers and fruit. Now it comes on a bed of lettuce. Nothing more. We also got some other dishes, and I forgot to get pics. I was probably too busy trying to flag our sever down. ;) The were all yummy, but the plates looked messy. The presentation wasn't great. The ambience is tight tables and can get noisy. But it feels cozy. I would give this place 3.75 stars if that was an option. We will be back. But, we will be longing for the days when they seemed to care a little bit more about the details. read more
5 months ago
Business owner information
Alessa L.
Hello Victor! Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We’re happy to…
2 months ago
Our server Nancy was amazing from start to finish, the way she took care of our table truly made our evening, the food was great too ! read more
4 days ago
2 months ago
2 months ago
5 months ago
If you're looking for one of the best meals in Laguna Beach, Alessa Laguna Beach should absolutely be on your list. This place nails that sweet spot between authentic Italian and a fresh California twist. Everything tastes incredibly high quality, from the fish and meats to the cheese and vegetables they use to build each dish. You can tell they actually care about what's going on the plate. I've been here four times now and tried a variety of pastas and pizzas, and it's been consistently great every single time. At this point, it's easily become my go-to spot in the area. On top of the food, the service is genuinely impressive. It's a smaller, more intimate dining space, which means you're taken care of quickly and attentively without feeling rushed. What really makes it stand out is how much value you get. The pricing is surprisingly reasonable for the quality, and they've got a great wine selection to go with your meal. There's also a bar with stools if you want something more casual, plus a TV if you're trying to catch a game. Right in the heart of Laguna Beach, it's honestly hard to compare this place to others nearby once you've experienced it. read more
Honestly I'm so conflicted about this place. First, I'll start with the good. The food was pretty tasty. I had lobster ravioli and my wife and daughter split a gnocchi. Both dishes were tasty but I will say my lobster ravioli was super tiny, with only 5 raviolis and a sole shrimp in the middle. The bread and pesto /olive oil they start you with was also pretty good, so they've got that going for them. Now the not so good. I'm not so sure they wanted our business. We showed up at the podium and had to wait for someone to greet us. When they did it was a waitress and not a hostess. She seemed unaware or maybe just had things on her mind, or maybe we were a burden, no smile or anything. After leaving and then coming back she brought us to an outside table. The waiter was nice but again things seemed odd. We had no menus and he didn't seem bothered by that. So we just looked on our phones, no big deal. It took a bit to order but we were in no rush so again, no big deal. I think he stopped by once towards the end of the meal and saw my empty water. He then asked if I wanted it filled. Not annoying but I just ate at a different place the night before where your water was always topped off. It's just an interesting contrast in service. Overall I'd say the food is good and the service is only fair. I'm hoping it was just a one-off and will try again later to see if it was just my unlucky day. Laguna Beach is full of great places to eat and this could be one if it gets tightened up a bit. read more
16 days ago
6 months ago
Love the environment, very cozy smaller restaurant. Food was and service was great. Love the free bread appetizer with Pesti, delicious. read more
7 months ago
Always great to come back! Zuca, new scampi liking ravioli, bolognese, fried crispy risotto arancini, brewed with pesto and some wonderful wine. Luis served us well both visits ! Chef never disappoints in this beautiful little spot in Laguna, steps from the beach. And his own pasta made locally as well! read more
Business owner information
Alessa L.
Hello Tim! Thank you for coming back! We’re so glad you enjoyed the…
Service was terrible... I wanted to give it a chance after them being rude the moment we arrived! Overcharged us for a meal, which We didn't even want to deal with anymore! The food is okay but overpriced with little amount! I won't recommend this restaurant as there are plenty around for less expensive or even better taste and better service!!! The ambiance was ok read more
Business owner information
Alessa L.
Hello Jus,…
5 months ago
I didn't like it--this isn't Italian pizza! There was hardly any cheese--in fact, there wasn't any at all--and the dough wasn't cooked through on the inside. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
We were seated at a reasonable amount of time. Our server was attentive, the seats were comfortable. Love the bread and dip, it was the best part before our appetizer or starters of zucchini ravioli arrived. Our different pasta platters were great & tasted delicious, and the fillet mignon was perfect! We were stuffed and it was our second time here. Will definitely come back and recommend this place! read more
8 months ago
2 months ago
5 months ago
Business owner information
Alessa L.
Hi Tianna! Thank you so much! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the fresh…
7 months ago
Came for drinks, got the Positano Sunset! Very strong. Good views (not of the ocean, sadly) and seating was fast. Edit: we also got a meatball. Just one! Apparently you can get as many number as you want. It was great!! Highly recommend. read more
Business owner information
Alessa L.
Hi Lydia! We're so glad you enjoyed the Positano Sunset and the quick…
Happened to be in Laguna beach spur of the moment with family and decided to dine at this place; a place we used to go to all the time but hadn't eaten at since before Covid. Luckily it was a Sunday night and not too crowded so we got in right away. We started off with Caesar salads which were in a light dressing and good but pretty standard. I had the limoncello pasta with salmon that was incredibly tasty although a bit more of a cream sauce than I expected, and the salmon was cooked perfectly. Other meals that were enjoyed at the table were the baked ziti, the lamb pappardelle, and pasta with mixed seafood. Everyone said their dishes were delicious and generously proportioned. Glad to see that this place hadn't changed much, and I will definitely be back- read more
I always like to plan before visiting a restaurant by checking out their menu on their website or Yelp. I noticed they had a lunch menu and found something I wanted to order. When I visited the restaurant, the server only gave us the dinner and drink menus, so I asked for the lunch menu. Our group enjoyed outdoor dining at the restaurant because the weather was nice and sunny. What we ordered: WILD TURKEY PANINI (Smoked turkey breast, Gouda, crispy bacon, organic Roma tomato, basil mayo, lettuce) - Available on the Lunch Menu. Advertised as the Best Italian Sandwich in Laguna Beach. Personally, I didn't think it was the best I've tried, but the portion was reasonably GENEROUS. CALAMARI FRITTI (Crispy fried calamari, Arrabbiata sauce) - A good shareable plate for the group. The portion was also GENEROUS, and the sauce complemented the calamari well. PESCATORE RISOTTO (Tiger shrimp, calamari, Manila clams, heirloom tomato, white wine reduction) - The size of the seafood was IMPRESIVE. They were big, and the collection of seafood almost covered the plate. However, I found the overall taste of this dish to be oversaucy. I believe it would be much better with half the amount of sauce. read more
Business owner information
Alessa L.
Hello Paul! It's good to know that you had a nice experience during…
1 year ago
You know those places that seem to have everything going for them? Great bones. Killer location. A patio kissed by the ocean air and haunted by the ghosts of pandemic-era outdoor dining. Alessa is one of those places. Half a block from the boardwalk in Laguna, it should be printing money and dishing out joy. It should be packed with locals clinking glasses and tourists discovering their new favorite Italian haunt. And maybe it is. But on the night I was there, it was something else entirely. We were welcomed with a warmth that felt real--the kind of smile and spark from the hostess that gives you hope. She seated us with grace, fired up the outdoor heater like a pro, and for a brief moment, it felt like we were in good hands. The menu reads like a love letter to Italian comfort food. Caesar salad, cioppino, pizzas with names like "Meat Lovers" that beckon you with the subtlety of a Vegas marquee. The Caesar arrived first and, to be fair, was damn near perfect. Crisp romaine, house-made croutons that crunched with confidence, and a dressing that actually dared to include anchovy flavor. A strong start. But then our server showed up--or rather, didn't show up. A man of few words, and even fewer expressions. Questions were met with vague gestures, thumbs-ups, and the blank stare of someone mentally clocked out. It became a running joke at the table. Communication was not his love language. The cioppino looked promising, brimming with seafood and possibility--but it was oversalted to the point of distraction. Less "rustic seaside stew," more "ocean's revenge." The bread, however? Sublime. Warm, soft, perfect for mopping up the memories of better meals. My pizza arrived looking like a magazine ad: golden crust, generous toppings, meatball halves perched proudly like sentries on a Neapolitan battlefield. And then I took a bite. Lukewarm. Not cold. Not hot. The kind of temperature that makes you wonder if the kitchen lost a bet. A culinary near-miss that stung, because the flavor was there. And then came the moment that sealed it: a busser, in full view of the entire deck, stacked a pile of dirty dishes three inches from my wife's head. Just set them on the railing like it was a dish pit and not the front of a restaurant. We exchanged a look--half disbelief, half surrender. We left with a thank-you from the same wonderful hostess who greeted us, and I couldn't help but feel bad for her. Because this place could be so much more. It has the location, the bones, even flashes of talent in the kitchen. But it's weighed down by apathy, missed chances, and a front-of-house that needs a jolt of life. Alessa, you could've been a contender. But in the end, you're just a pretty face with nothing much to say. read more
11 months ago
The location is nice and near the beach. The food was good. The service was not fantastic. The server greeted us twice- I guess he didn't remember coming to the table the first time? I don't like giving bad reviews for service unless it is due to rude behavior, but it really made the experience sub par for our first visit. We would go again because the calzone was yummy. read more
We went here for dinner after enjoying the summer art festivals. It was a beautiful night to enjoy dinner on the outside patio and the service was excellent. The food was excellent and the portions were large. I enjoyed a glass of wine to start. They serve very fresh bread and a pesto dipping sauce that was very good. I ordered the Pollo Limoncello on the waiter's recommendation. It did not disappoint. My friend had the Pasta Shells with Pesto and Shrimp and really enjoyed it. We both had at least half left over to take home. I look forward to returning to try another dish. read more
Business owner information
Alessa L.
Hi Laura! I’m so glad to know that you enjoyed your dinner at Alessa,…
1 year ago
Put it this way , I'm fine with subway and jersey mikes (13) for a good sandwich. But today I discovered this little restaurant by accident. On the lunch menu they offer different paninis, I chose the smoked turkey, WOW!! It's amazing , the bread is baked here in the morning , vegetables are fresh and the salad was perfect. $18.00....it is in Laguna beach but honestly the price in my opinion was very fair and priced right. The staff were on point and I'm leaving very satisfied. read more
8 months ago
Business owner information
Alessa L.
Hi David ! We love hearing this…
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More info about Alessa
234 Forest Ave
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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(949) 497-8222
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https://www.alessalaguna.com
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Ask the Community - Alessa
Do they allow dogs in the outdoor promenade seating area?
Yes. We saw several people with dogs, even one inside in a stroller.
Has anyone had a recent experience? It seems like this restaurant is having challenges (service, pricing, food quality, etc..) as they re-open. Have the kinks been worked out or should we go elsewhere?
We went last week, our 4th trip since visits in '15, '16 and '17. Possibly our best-tasting meal yet, and they were all great. Service was GREAT, and staff moved us & a few others inside (were seated outside) after some idiot was bragging to friends…
Free Parking close by?
No unfortunately. All of Laguna in metered parking or private company lots.
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