We were shopping at Fashion Island and got hungry. We decided to try Cucina Enoteca for the first time. We sat outside because it was such a beautiful day. Their outdoor space is stunning as well. Grilled Octopus - Beautiful presentation, but I didn't care for the texture. Together with the heirloom tomato, red onion, and cucumber was good though. Tagliatelle Bolognese - This was my favorite dish. It had veal, pork, and Parmesan. Wagyu Burger - My 5-year daughter enjoyed this burger. Parmesan Truffle Oil Fries - This was a big hit with everyone. A generous portion as a side and can be shared with the entire flavor. Just the right mixture of Parmesan and truffle oil. read more

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Booked a table for my son's birthday. No one came to greet us or bring water after we sat down. We waited over 5-10 minutes. The place was not busy at all. The table that sat down after us got greeted almost immediately and had the menu explained and order taken. Worst service. Got up and walked out. read more

Our first time here. It is located outside of Fashion Island Mall. There is plenty of parking. Reservations can be made on Open Table - highly recommended. The restaurant is big, clean, and has indoor and patio seating. In the patio area, there is a fireplace and heat lamps. Our server was friendly and attentive. My water cup was always filled. Our food was amazing. Everything was so yummy and flavorful. The portions are generous as well. We would definitely come back to try their other menu items. read more

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It's a beautiful large restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. I found the indoor table with large lounge like seats reflected the relaxed atmosphere. I ordered the kale pesto and my friends also ordered pasta dishes too. It took about 25 minutes during Friday lunch hour to receive our meals. Aside from the wait, the pasta was al dente and the dish tasted fresh without any heavy fattiness. It was a good serving size, not abundant like Cheesecake Factory but just enough. We finished our meal with the chocolate budino and passion fruit custard. The budino was so decadent, especially that layer of caramel. Then the custard was so sour that not even the white chocolate and whipped cream can balance it out. read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

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I came here for lunch during the week and it was very busy and packed. Service was super quick so if you needed a fast lunch in a nice restaurant, this would do the job. I ordered the beef mafaldine as the description sounded really good with braised beef, mushroom, kale and Parmesan. The beef was nice and tender but the sauce that was used was really tangy. It was so sour that I actually thought the dish had perhaps gone bad. The noodles were also too soft and I am one that does not like al dente. The staff was very nice and the restaurant was very clean. But from a food perspective, the food at the Newport Beach location was much better. read more

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Came on a Saturday night around 7pm and sat at the bar with no wait. Service was good and food was great! Got the mushroom pizza and the brandt beef brasato malfadine and both were so good. It was worth every penne! Would definitely come back. read more

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Great lunch with my sister.... Had a nearby appointment, so my sister and I came here for lunch. We split the beets and pasta. We LOVED the rigatoni bolognese, which wasn't on the menu, but we asked the waiter what was closest to that, and next thing you know, he got the chefs to make it for us. Beets were great with arugula and yogurt sauce. Rigatoni bolognese was great. This place doesn't have the best/freshest pasta I've had in OC, but their sauce and the lemon ricotta are amazing. Service was great and overly accommodating, and it's just a real cute place. We will be back. read more

CUCINA Enoteca - baby beet + yogurt - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

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I have eaten here a few times and have always enjoyed it. Reservations are easily made using OpenTable. I always have to order the fried squash blossoms, a must try! And last night we tried the rigatoni amatriciana (my least favorite pasta dish I've tried there) and the roasted jidori half chicken. The chicken was surprisingly delicious with a crispy skin and delicious accompanying sides- mascarpone polenta, roasted mushrooms and caramelized whole baby onions. For a cocktail, I tried the Isola Rosa with toasted coconut tequila, pineapple and hibiscus. Tasted too much like juice. So, last night was a bit of a hit and miss. but, I still enjoy trying new things and meeting friends for dinner at Cucina Enoteca. read more

CUCINA Enoteca - isola rosa - toasted coconut tequila + hibiscus + pineapple + lemon $15 - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

Finally tried this spot and we were impressed. Our server was totally chill and nice. The food exceeded expectations. Would definitely go back. Also, the vibe and decor were certainly to my liking. The pasta had homemade elements to it and the pizza was delectable. Her burger was also great. Also i apologize to the waiter for my gfs PDA :( read more

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Decent Italian spot at Irvine Spectrum. I had the mussels and they were great. Big portion, flavorful broth, and the bread was delicious. I like their $12 corkage if you buy a bottle from their in-house wine shop. That's a nice touch. Had a glass of their Prosecco this time and didn't love it. Kind of underwhelming. I'd come back for the mussels and a cocktail next time. read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Mussels - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

The squash blossoms were nicely fried with creamy cheesy filling with a nice sauce to brighten it up. The mushroom pizza was delicious- loved the caramelized onions. The brandt beef brasato mafaldine was excellent, hearty dish. The Brussels sprouts were crispy with delectable dipping sauce. Nice outdoor seating area. Good service. read more

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If I could give 3.5 stars I would because it's a cute place and the food is good but just misses the mark on being great! I also like their cocktails as well and the wine selection. We were able to come on Friday at 5:30 and be sat immediately which was great. They changed their menu and no longer have the short rib pappardelle! I was a wee bit sad about that but they did have the short rib mafaldine. I like the noodle and the flavors but the short rib was severely lacking. In the past dish, you really saw and tasted the short rib but it was so small in here and shredded you barely noticed it was in there. It was tasty but I was wanting more. The chopped salad is good because you get a plethora of different vegetables but I wish it had a little more dressing & had some toasted breadcrumbs on top with more cheese. The focaccia is made in house and was buttery, airy & had that crunch on the outside. I think the brussel sprouts need a different side like something with acid or vinegar. The hot sauce doesn't go with it. Overall, with a few tweaks to the dishes I think it could be great. read more

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I've eaten here numerous times. The pizza is delicious. I do wish they had more than one salad but at least it's a tasty salad. I took off one star because we chose this spot to celebrate a recent achievement and a toast was in order. Unfortunately it took forever to get our drinks. Our food arrived before our drinks! That was not ideal. The food did not disappoint though. Try the tiramisu-it's great. read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

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For a fine dining restaurant, I did not feel as impressed as I had hoped to be. The atmosphere was nice--we sat outside and the patio was lined with heaters. Dogs are allowed on the patio. Service was great--quick and friendly. However, the food disappointed me. Antipasti - giant meatball was just a meatball, nothing special. I felt the same sentiment about the parmesan truffle oil fries. The squash blossoms were a little too sweet for all of us. We were all excited for the burrata, and it was good, but nothing on the menu indicated that it was just a salad. Pizza - The soppressata pizza was overwhelming in flavor of the peppers, although those were only a component of the pizza. Pasta - the bolognese tasted overpoweringly of white wine. Maybe more salt would've helped? Dessert - the chocolate budino was essentially a souped up pudding. Overall, I felt that the menu poorly portrayed what a lot of the items were, and a lot of the flavors were overpoweringly strong in places they shouldn't have been. read more

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My mom and I were shopping at irvine spectrum and started craving Jtalian food so we stopped by this restaurant. The food here is so good and the portions are quite generous! We shared the roasted pear and burrata salad, the short rib pasta, and the mussels. My favorite was the pasta which was packed with meat, veggies, and flavor. The pasta shape itself was fun to eat and had a great chewy texture. Great flavor and not too salty. The salad was so good too! Very light and refreshing and a nice bite to eat as a palette cleanser between the heavier flavors of our entrees. We made a reservation for their patio seating so we got seated pretty quickly and our food also came out at a fast speed. Patio seating is quite dog friendly too and our puppy was able to happily dine with us. Definitely recommend trying if you're shopping at the spectrum or just craving italian food in general! read more

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Went here with coworkers, and everyone loved it! The vibe in here doesn't even feel like you're in Irvine. It's like being transported to Italy. Great date night atmosphere, despite being at Irvine Spectrum. Service is warm and welcoming. Although we waited a bit for our food, I will not dare complain, because every delicious bite was well worth it!! Come here when you have time for a leisurely meal and can savor. I got the rigatoni amatriciana + egg, and it's probably the best pasta dish I've ever eaten!! Others got the pepperoni pizza, shrimp puttanesca linguine, and short rib mafaldine. Not a crumb left! Run, don't walk. read more

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One of my favorite places for business lunches. The service is always outstanding and the food is delicious. I also like the ambiance because it's not too loud inside and you can hear each other talk. I always have to start with the Squash Blossom appetizer and the rest is awesome. read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

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This is one of my favorite spots at Irvine Spectrum for dining. The restaurant is beautiful inside and out. The outside patio is spacious, covered, and has lots of tables. When you first walk into the interior part, you will find a beautiful display of bottled wine and beyond that is a large dining area with beautiful floral seats. The service is friendly and helpful. I came here to celebrate a friend's birthday and the staff went above and beyond by presenting a hand written birthday card. The food was delicious. We enjoyed the pepperoni pizza, grilled octopus, and a family sized Italian salad. Everything was delicious read more

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The service was kindof slow. They were a bit busy but we waiting a bit too long between sitting and getting our drinks order in. We already had decided on entrees by the time the server came back to put in the drinks. The food came out pretty quickly. The ambience for the outdoor seating area was beautiful and romantic. The food is a bit pricey, so I couldn't give 4 stars. But the experience was really great. Much better than my previous review read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Sopressata pizza, rigatoni, brandt beef brasato mafaladine, shrimp puttanesca linguine and brussel sprouts to share - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

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came on a Saturday night. it was busy but could sit right away. haven't had Italian in a long time but we came to the right place. we ordered 3 dishes and all were great, especially their BIANCA pizza. it had lots of ingredients but they all complimented each other. we also ordered rigatoni amatriciana, a dish featuring a savory, spicy tomato sauce made with guanciale (cured pork cheek) although I didn't see too much of the pork cheek. last dish was tagliatelle bolognese. it contained veal and pork. that sold me already, I forgot the server's name. but he was friendly n awesome read more

CUCINA Enoteca - bianca pizza - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

Ate here while at the spectrum. Did not have a reservation but it was later in the evening. Sat outside which was very cute, inside also looked lovely. To drink I got the lavender 75 which was a bit strong but good and also had the garden gimlet which was tasty & unique. Had the tagliatelle bolognese which was amazing & the rigatoni amatriciana which was good. Service was very nice & fast too. Would definitely come here again! read more

Got the chopped salad this time and two pizzas but can't say we were really impressed with either of these dishes, particularly the pepperoni pizza had way too much sauce making it super soggy and floppy. Looked good, but taste was off. I'm surprised how such a simple pizza could be ruined to this level. Not much to say about the salad. Margherita pizza was ok. read more

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The food was sooooooo bomb here! We came here for lunch and there was no wait on a Sunday afternoon. The service was fast, kind and friendly. I didn't get chance to take pictures of the inside, but it was beautiful and big. You wouldn't have known it was a big open space from the outside looking in. Would definitely come back again. Thank you so much read more

CUCINA Enoteca - margherita pizza - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

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Been here several times so I can't believe I haven't left a review. It's a beautiful, large location with lots of seating both inside and outside. They're very friendly as soon as you arrive as well as during the service. Everyone is so pleasant and readily accessible. Everything here is delicious, but we almost always get the branzino since it's our favorite. read more

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We came here to celebrate my friend's birthday and we were glad we made a reservation since the place was very busy since it's Christmas season. The ambiance was very lively and felt like a Christmas market set up. The lights are very dim at night so it was hard to read the menu, I had to use my phone as a flashlight. Grilled octopus appetizer was very tasty and seasoning was perfect, a great palette starter. Burrata and Pear salad was very light, refreshing and delicious. Mushroom truffle oil pizza had a lot of umami, it tasted good. rigatoni amatriciana | guanciale + tomato + chili + red onion + pecorino was the only dish we didn't enjoy as much. We didn't really know what the ingredients were but it had this offal taste to it which I'm usually ok with but it tasted a bit too gamey. Lavender lemonade and the strawberry ginger beer drink were very sweet and yummy. Our server gave my friend a little chocolate dessert with a candle to celebrate her birthday which was a delicious treat. Overall the vibe and ambiance were great! read more

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Service: our server was great, she was attentive and helpful. Ambiance: it is too dark outside to see the menus!! I actually can't believe I needed my phone screen light to see it . The lighting is intimate with a nice ambiance but it needs to be a little brighter! Food: get the grilled octopus! I don't like stuff like this, but I would come back just for this appetizer. It's not too chewy like you'd expect, it's very good. The linguine pasta was okay, nothing special. My favorites were the pear and burrata salad, and the Italian chopped salad! Those were sooo good. My parents got the half chicken too, and that was incredible. Overall the food is great, definitely pricey, but I would definitely come back here! read more

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I recently visited Cucina Enoteca Irvine and tried the short rib mafaldine it was really good. I personally prefer my food with a bit of heat, so I asked for chili flakes, and that definitely elevated the dish. I also had a raspberry lemon drop, which was refreshing and well-balanced. I went over the weekend, and the patio area wasn't too busy, which made for a relaxed experience. Our waitress, Q, was very friendly and attentive without being overbearing she checked in just the right amount. I would definitely come back! read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

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Super good Italian restaurant showcasing the largest wine collection I have ever seen. The interior is huge and beautifully decorated, and there is plenty of outdoor seating too. I came for during OC restaurant week and the menu was good value. The margherita pizza was simple and tasty, and the burger was packed with flavor. Staff are very friendly and helpful, but food comes out pretty slowly even when it was not busy. read more

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Came here on a Saturday night for dinner with our friends. Luckily our friends were able to put our name on the waitlist so we didn't have to wait! I got the sea bass, which came with beluga lentils ($33). The sea bass was solid, but nothing exceptional (no special flavor and not very soft/tender). The lentils were way too salty and not enjoyable. My fiancé got the soppressata/fennel sausage/mozzarella/pepperoncini/red onion/roasted garlic pizza, the focaccia, and the stuffed squash blossom. The pizza had a good flavor, but the stuffed squash blossom was weird - the goat cheese was overpowering. read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Sea bass ($33) - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

This time they earned a 5. We decided to come here for the good food and the patio facing the open space at the Spectrum. Micah and Ariana were awesome. A little disappointed they were out of stock of the wine we wanted, but Micah found an alternate that paired very well with the food that Ariana helped us choose. I finally understand why the Margherita Pizza is a crowd favorite. I was initially apprehensive because it lacked protein so I added a grilled chicken skewer to the chopped Italian salad. Very glad we finally had it. Their made-in-house pizza crust is stellar and wood-fired to perfection. Truly. Oh, and the "Giant Meatball" - Save the tasty octopuses and get the meatball! read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Restaurant Week 2026 Menu - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

Our 'go to" Italian restaurant in South OC. The menu is extensive and any dish we have tried has not disappointed us. Service is great. Can be a tiller on the noisy side read more

I was excited to find this cute restaurant at the Irvine Spectrum and almost made it in time for happy hour from 3-6 pm. I would come back here for HH next time. The table service was slow and our waitress overcharged us. They were out of the crudo and something else I wanted to order. I did like my gluten-free shrimp pasta so I recommend that dish for sure read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

I came here to celebrate my cousins birthday and try this spot for the first time. I would say it was definitely packed and for good reason. We ordered a bunch of appetizers and main plates for us all to share. Here is a run down: Tempura fried stuffed squash blossom: Wow this was good. I was unsure about trying this, but after hearing it was one of the things they are most known for, we had to try it. It was so flavorful and the cheese just melts in your mouth. This was a GREAT way to start the meal. Whipped burrata: I liked the balance of sweet and salty here. The bread itself was good, but the berries added a sweet touch that I enjoyed. I am usually not a cheese person, but this had amazing flavor! Grilled octopus: I liked the thick pieces of octopus here. You can taste the crisp and char on it, which was good. I wish it came with more! Giant meatball: Honestly nothing too special here. It was exactly what I was expecting, but did not have as much flavor compared to the other dishes. Not sure I would get this one again. Roasted cauliflower: This one was in the same boat as the meatball for me. It did not have as much flavor as expected and tasted a bit bland for my taste. Would not order this again. Weiser farms melon: YUM! This plate was beautiful. I didn't even want to dig into it. It was also a great balance of flavors and the melons were fresh and sweet. Burnt brussels sprouts + ivan's hot sauce: I did enjoy the brussel sprouts. It was perfectly crisp and had a great texture without it being too burnt. I would say I would opt out for a different sauce if possible, as I usually go for a balsamic. Margherita pizza: I would say this is average for it being a pizza place. It did not come out hot and it did not have as much flavor as I would have thought. Not sure if I would get this again either. Tagliatelle bolognese: The flavor was good here, but it was a bit mushy for me. Not sure if it had to do with the pasta being a bit overcooked or a combination of that and the sauce. Short rib mafaldine: I really enjoyed this dish. It was filled with flavor and I loved the pasta itself. I feel like for short rib pasta that it could have used more short rib for the price, but would still get it again! Steak: This was cooked perfectly. It was tender and flavorful. The broccolini had a bit of spice to it and the mashed potatoes were fluffy and smooth. Although this was delicious, not sure I would pay $44 for the portion of this plate! Lavender Lemonade: I enjoyed this lavender lemonade. It was aesthetically pleasing to look at and it tasted just as good as it looked. I would say that I did enjoy this spot, but it seemed a bit pricey for the portions you are getting. We definitely got full off of the appetizers, but there were so many to choose from and they all sounded so delicious. I suggest going with a big group so that you can do the same as I did and just order a ton to try a bit of everything. read more

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I've been to the Newport location and had a positive experience, so we had to stop by the Spectrum location. We booked a reservation on a Tuesday night and were instantly seated. Our party order every appetizer on the menu, the margherita and pepperoni pizza, the shrimp pasta and bolognese pasta, and the 3 cake options (lemon cake, tiramisu, and chocolate mousse). Of all the items we ordered, the most memorable dishes were the grilled octopus, tempura fried stuffed squash blossom, focaccia, salmon ahi, the shrimp pasta, and the chocolate mousse. For drinks, I ordered the "no guilty" amalfi spritz beverage - this was very refreshing. Top tier service from our server, he walked us through the menu and we pretty much ordered based on his recommendations. Everyone loved all the dishes that we tried. Thank you for an amazing experience! read more

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My friend and I dropped in after a work event around 9pm on a Saturday and it was still pretty packed and busy! We grabbed seats at the bar and the service was pleasant and quick. I've actually been here a few times over the years and am happy to say that I have never had a bad experience. Is it the best Italian food ever? Not in my opinion. BUT it is still pretty good, in a great location, has nice ambiance, and friendly staff! read more

CUCINA Enoteca - Gluten Free Pesto Rosa Radiatore - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

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Enjoyed it this time as much as the last time I came here. I always struggle with the menu because for an Italian restaurant, there aren't many pasta options and I didn't want pizza. So, it led me to the Antipasti dishes. Ironically, I loved the beets. So fresh and so good. The truffle fries were a large order and hit the spot. The brussel sprouts were a bit unseasoned. The crisp was good, came with a sauce that helped from a flavor perspective, but some salt would have gone a long way. Overall, good time. Staff is always really attentive. Nice interior. Will go back again at some point. read more

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My friends and I dined at Cucina Enoteca at Irvine Spectrum . We loved the decor the wine area. The food was amazing iand our server. I believe his name started with an M was very nice. There is convenient parking nearby and there's other things to do like the movies and Holey Moley . If you aren't visiting the vine area, I would definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

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My friends and I were craving Italian food and decided tonight stop by Cucina Entoca at the spectrum. I got the pepperoni pizza that comes with hot honey and ricotta cheese and it was delicious! It's an upgrade to your traditional pepperoni pizza. I got a Shirley temple too which was good. We did order an appetizer such as the focaccia bread which was good! I would definitely come back and try other menu items. read more

CUCINA Enoteca - pepperoni pizza - Italian Near Me - Irvine, California

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Today was my first time trying this location. Previously I have been to the Cucina Enoteca in Newport Beach. I loved seeing that most of the decor is the same, with a few different details. I think this location may be smaller, but they have two fantastic patios, one is more sunny and one is more shady. It's lovely. Our server was fantastic. I was celebrating my birthday and was greeted with a card and she said happy birthday too. When I celebrated a birthday at the Newport Beach location, the card had a gift card for a free dessert inside (which this one sadly did not). It was slightly disappointing, but not a deal breaker. The food is what steals the show! So much flavor. I love the tempura fried squash blossoms. They're a must try! We also got the baby gem salad and it was huge! Also, the mushroom and goat cheese pizza was a dream. Everything is so fresh and flavorful! read more

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Wow! Came here a few days ago for dinner based on the reviews. But it seems that the reviews are from people that have never had authentic Italian food. And don't know the difference. This is is a overpriced Olive garden. Food seemed it had been sitting out before it was served to us. Zero flavor. The service wasn't. Kids running everywhere possibly causing an accident. $100+ later for bad food & service. Never again. read more