I had such an amazing experience here! I've honestly never left a review before, but I felt like I had to after this experience. From the moment we walked in, the service was outstanding. Our host, Kaiya, was super welcoming and attentive. She had such a warm, positive energy, and my sons immediately took a liking to her. Truly one of the best hosts I've ever met. We started with the meatballs for an appetizer, and they were SO good perfectly cooked and full of flavor. For my entrée, I got the cacio e pepe, and I was honestly really surprised at how delicious it was. Simple dish, but done incredibly well. Our server was more than helpful. So kind and attentive and made sure we had everything we needed the whole time. The service overall was amazing, everything came out quickly, and the staff made us feel really taken care of. Definitely a place I'll be coming back! read more

I went with my husband and my son and we had a really great time. The staff were friendly and attentive to our needs. The place is cared for down to the smallest details, and the owners are genuinely attentive to their customers. The food is high quality, you absolutely have to try the fettuccine alla bolognese: they're the best I've ever eaten. We'll definitely be coming back, 100%! read more

Molo is the kind of find that manages to be both high-energy and incredibly intimate. The moment you walk in, you're wrapped in a warm, cozy ambiance that feels like a well-kept secret--though, judging by the fact that it is totally packed, the secret is definitely out. Despite the crowd, the atmosphere remains inviting rather than overwhelming. The service here is nothing short of psychic. It is remarkably attentive; you'll find that before you can even think to ask for a refill or an extra napkin, it's already on the table. The staff stays one step ahead, ensuring the evening flows perfectly without you ever needing to flag someone down. As for the menu, the food is truly to die for. Every dish hits the mark: * Risotto & Shrimp Gnocchi: Perfectly textured and rich in flavor. * Spaghetti and Meatballs: A classic elevated to its best possible version. * Salmon & Filet Mignon: Cooked with precision and high-quality sourcing. To round it all off, they boast an extensive wine list. Whether you are a connoisseur or just looking for a solid pairing, every selection is delicious and well-curated. Verdict: I cannot recommend Molo enough. If you can snag a table, do it--your palate will thank you. read more

Molo - Chandelier - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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DO NOT ORDER THE BIG T-BONE OR TOMAHAWK Steak . They previewed the raw steak for us to look at, and it looked good, the T-bone was very well marbled. We ordered it, and asked for it to be cooked medium/medium rare. It arrived well done and extremely dry and tasteless. some pieces were inedible and taken home for our dogs. They either did not know how to cook a large steak or did the switcharoo, but more likely both. The demonstrator steak was very pretty, not sure what steak they cooked for us. The bill came and the Tbone steak was over $450. This restaurant has no business so badly cooking such an expensive steak. Any legitimate steakhouse would have produced a much more flavorful and properly cooked steak and of course significantly better quality. This restaurant is very very busy, and very very noisy. if you want to avoid conversations with your tablemates and enjoy lots of other tables' ambient loud shouting, laughter, cackling and want to overpay for extremely mediocre italian, then this is the place for you. Not for me. Fool me once....... SHAME ON ME!!! read more

MOLO is a very intimate Romantic Italian restaurant . The ambiance gives you great opportunities to take some great photos lX Service is ok not good and not bad. Food was okay felt kind of bland The price point was mid to high but I think you just paying for the vibes tbh. read more

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We were celebrating a birthday and had most amazing time!!! Our food was delicious the branzino was spectacular!!! We had a beautiful bottle of wine and dessert. The service made the meal even better!!! Definitely on my list to come back to for Italian food in Newport Beach read more

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Hidden gem worth making the trip here! I'm so glad my co worker recommended and didn't gate keep her fave Italian restaurant. The atmosphere here is great with their sheltered outdoor seating you still get the perfect amount of sunlight, breeze and fresh air. Service was fast when we came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunch around noon. We didn't need reservations. We had the following: Clams 10/10 light refreshing and perfect amount of flavor Calamari 8/10 Penne all a vodka ; 8/10 it wasn't cooked enough the pasta but was very good read more

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I love the vibe of this place. The location is super cool and it definitely feels like a hidden gem in Newport Beach. We started with the garlic bread and it was absolutely delicious. I also ordered the bolognese and it was amazing, rich and full of flavor. Unfortunately, we also ordered the vodka pasta and it was not great at all. It tasted like bare noodles with zero flavor, which was really surprising. I am knocking it down a star for that dish. They also do not have their full liquor license yet, so the cocktails are not the best. the wine is so good though! However, the service was really good and the highlights were truly great. I loved the bolognese enough that I would come again, but I would definitely skip the vodka pasta. Overall, one eh dish doesn't ruin it for me! I would come back and try more without a doubt!! read more

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Terrible food. Service was ok. Ambiance is lovely. Too bad the food is so bad. I had chicken piccata that was absolutely awful. We c My husband had chicken Parmesan that tasted like it was from a frozen food section the grocery store. It's too bad. It's a lovely place with such a great setting, but the food read more

Why is no one talking about this place? Hidden behind the Lido area is this beautiful Italian gem that feels so warm and homey, it literally felt like walking into an Italian grandma's house. We got the cacio e pepe and the spicy vodka gnocchi, and WOW so fresh and delicious. The gnocchi could have used just a bit more sauce, but honestly, that's only because it was THAT good. Paired it with broccolini, but next time I'm definitely reserving a table on the patio and pairing it with some wine as well. We also tried a pizza, which was great and you can tell it was made from scratch but the pasta really steals the show. Our server was a cute Italian guy, was so endearing, and his accent honestly made the whole experience even more charming lol. This place is a hidden treasure don't sleep on it! read more

Molo - Spicy Vodka Gnocchi, Margarita Pizza, Broccolini, Cacio e Pepe - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I had such a great night at Molo with my family on Saturday night! My husband, friend, parents, and I all shared everything, and the meal couldn't have been better. We ordered the following: - fried calamari (so light and tasty. There were fried veggies mixed in too and everything was very flavorful) - caprese alla molo (the mozzarella knots were SO good. I also loved the peppers!) - linguini all"aragosta (sooo delicious and the lobster was great. Added the perfect flavor!) - cacio e Pepe (some of the best I've ever had, honestly. Even including pasta in Italy! It was so light and flavorful) - margarita pizza (simple and so good) - Nutella bread pudding (amazing. So so so so good!!!) We sat outside under the tented area and had a blast. The only downside was how loud it was. We all also had a bit of a hard time seeing the menu/each other because of the dark lighting, but that didn't bother us. Such a fun night and can't wait to go back!! read more

The food was great and the service was great. My concern and reason for deducting 2 stars had to do with the bread. $4 for 4 small pieces of bread or charging for bread at all seems a little excessive. Some of our favorite restaurants charge a bread table fee (Matros, Black Trumpet, etc.). However, they charge a one time fee, not the same fee for addition bread. Had we know this, we would not have asked for the second bread despite the long wait for our food. So long that the waiter had to apologize twice to us for the delay. We certainly would have sent the third tiny 4-piece mini loaf back since it was burnt. Seems petty to be nice-and-dimed on a $200 tab for a $4 mini loaf. read more

I live in the neighborhood and stopped by hoping to grab a quick dessert, but was turned away at the entrance and told I couldn't even enter the property without a reservation. I understand reservation policies for dining, but restricting access to the entire property--even for a quick visit--felt unnecessarily rigid and unwelcoming. As a local resident, this was especially disappointing. The interaction at the entrance also came across as dismissive rather than helpful. Not a great first impression for a place that's supposed to be about hospitality. Plenty of other spots nearby that are much more welcoming. read more

Even thought this place was not for me, I can appreciate a restaurant that has heart and is passionate about the food they are making. We went during the holiday time and the place was pretty busy. Luckily we were still able to get a reservation. The place has both covered outdoor and indoor seating. The place gives off an higher level casual dining experience. Great for date or just a place to dine with friends or family. Our server was very polite and was great about telling us about the menu if we had any questions. We ordered garlic bread, Caesar salad, ricotta and spinach ravioli, and a margarita pizza. The bread had the perfect amount of garlic and perhaps butter on it. You could taste all the elements of the raviolis which I feel you want. The ricotta and sauce blended well together. The Caesar salad was above basic. The pizza could have had more sauce for the amount of cheese they put on it. Everything overall was solids. It was not outstanding for me, but I could definitely tell attention to the ingredients in what they made was certainly there. I appreciated the cheeses they used were certainly specially picked to help bring their dishes unique character. While this was not my favorite place, I would certainly eat there again. Service 9/10 Food 6.5/10 Overall 7/10 read more

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I have debated many times whether or not I wanted to post this. However, coming here to dine was truly one of the most uncomfortable experiences I have had. I just want to share my experience. I came here with my boyfriend to celebrate his birthday, and it ended up being one of the most uncomfortable dining experiences I've had. We were seated outside and were the only Asian couple in that section, or maybe entire restaurant. It quickly became obvious that we were being treated differently. The servers were warm, attentive, and engaging with every other table, making conversation and checking in frequently but when it came to us, they were dismissive, cold, and barely interacted. We had to go out of our way to flag someone down just to get water and place our order, while other tables were being taken care of without having to ask. The contrast in service was not subtle. it was consistent throughout the entire meal. Because of this, we genuinely felt discriminated against. I don't use that term lightly, but the difference in how we were treated compared to everyone around us was hard to ignore and made the entire experience feel uncomfortable and disrespectful. To make matters worse, the food didn't live up to expectations. Given the price and reputation, it was underwhelming and not worth it. Overall, this was a disappointing and upsetting experience, especially for what was supposed to be a special occasion. I would not return, and I hope management takes this seriously and ensures all guests are treated with equal respect. read more

Delizioso! I can't praise Molo enough. From the entrance to their beautiful patio dining area, to their delicious, authentic food and charming waiters. It's a hidden gem. A colleague of mines found out that I go on a hunt for Italian food, so he highly recommended Molo. Needless to say he was dead on! It's a bit of a long drive for me, but I manage to revisit Molo at least 1s a month. My personal favorite is the lobster pasta and cannoli for dessert, and sometimes with espresso martini. Everyone I brought so far has had a great time and happy taste buds. SALUTI to Molo! read more

Molo - Lobster pasta. YUM! - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

walked in on a friday night and there was not much of a wait for a table inside. they had a good amount of parking nearby too. great wine selection and the menu had a lot of classic italian dishes. our server also made great recommendations. make sure to save room for dessert as the apple tart with vanilla ice cream was a standout! read more

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Molo offers a lovely dining experience with delicious Italian dishes, fresh ingredients, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The flavors felt authentic, the presentation was beautiful, and the service made the night even more enjoyable. Definitely a spot I'd return to. read more

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Had a really great experience here for a family birthday dinner for my mom. We had reservations (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!) on a Saturday night with a party of 9 (6 adults and 3 kids) and sat in the patio. When we first sat the restaurant there were many seats open but as the night went on the restaurant became very full with people queuing for a table. The service here was prompt, professional and organized even with a party our size and all the kids. Our waitress did a fantastic job. The ambiance of the patio on a warm September evening was perfect. The food came out fresh and not mind blowing but was good. I would say overall the restaurant is worth trying out. read more

Service was great and food was exceptional! My new favorite spot to grab Italian. Great date spot. read more

Molo - Menu - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Nice ambiance for a family and friend dinner get together! Just be mindful they usually want the whole party there before they seat you. Service was decent and garlic bread was okay but I highly recommend the seafood spaghetti pasta and risotto. We also tried the nutella bread pudding and tiramisu which were above average! read more

Molo - Cacio e Pepe, chicken piccata, risotto & seafood spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I went here for a valentines dinner. I totally would've understood if there was a wait or maybe service was slower than usual but this experience just wasn't the best. We were seated on plastic pull out chairs and a small table right next to the side walk. It was very distracting and just not what we were looking for. The server was kind, we got checked up on plenty. It was just the seating that wasn't the best. Food was fine. Just wished I was given a heads up that I would be seated outside near the public sidewalk read more

Molo - Where we were seated - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Service was by far the worst I've ever experienced. It was my birthday and I was celebrating it as a party of 6. Upon checking in the hostess at the front was so dismissive I didn't feel welcome at all not a smile or hello. Upon being seated the server was no better sadly he was also dismissive and unenthusiastic. I didn't want to spend another minute there so we left before we could order. If you're reading this review there are far better places to spend your occasion at that will make you feel welcome. read more

Molo is tucked away and feels like a secret spot only locals know about, but it's too good to gatekeep. The vibe is coastal and modern, and the space is beautiful inside and out. They didn't have a full liquor license yet when we went, but they did have wine and soju-based cocktails, which worked fine for a celebration. Food highlights: The Cacio e Pepe was creamy, peppery, and honestly perfect. Loved the calamari as well It's on the pricier side, but you're paying for the setting and the quality. I'd definitely come back for the pasta and the ambiance. Real hidden gem vibes. read more

Molo definitely had potential, but overall it fell short for me. We ordered the garlic bread, beef tartare, orecchiette salsiccia, and ravioli. The garlic bread was great, perfectly toasted and very flavorful. The beef tartare was just okay. It was overwhelmed by the avocado and thick toast, the tartare itself was decent with a little extra salt and pepper, but the main flavor was completely lost in all the extras. The orecchiette was slightly undercooked but the sauce was good,I wish there was more of it in the dish and the pasta/sausage ratio could've been better. The best dish by far was the ravioli. It was super flavorful and definitely the highlight of the meal. We were seated outside on the deck, which was really nice with the heat lamps. Inside looked nice but it was incredibly loud and crowded, even our waitress said it was a nice break on the ears to come outside. Service was okay, once we got our food our servers kind of disappeared until it was time for dessert and the check, which I couldn't really blame them for as the inside of the restaurant was obviously very busy. Overall, not a bad experience, but for the price point and location, I expected a bit more. read more

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We were running late to reservation and had to change it a few times and they were very accommodating. We had a group of 10 and had to be accommodated outside the restaurant, but it worked out very well as we had a couple of little ones with us. The food was all absolutely delicious, everything we ordered and I sampled off the plates of others was very well done. We all collectively said we can't wait to come back again. read more

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I really want to give 5-stars, but when the bill came, they charged $4 for coke refills. The price is not the issue, it is the fact that I have never been served a soda in a glass and been charged for a refill. The food was really good and the service Trinity provided was top notch. read more

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I loved Sabatino's so I really wanted to love this place too...but I didn't. The negative issues began with the noise. OMG! We literally could not hear one another talk. They have done some renovations, which is great, but removing walls means that noise travels like crazy. Granted we were there on a busy night, but it was so loud that we really didn't enjoy our visit much. I walked away with a head ache. The food had some highlights, and some lowlights. I will start with the best - my pesto pasta was really good. Rich and flavorful. Now for the not so good, $17 or $18 for an almost flavorless, small Caesar salad. The dressing had absolutely no kick to it. Don't waste money on it. You also don't get bread for free; we bought garlic bread for $9. It was ok, but not amazing. And once it started getting cold, it was really too hard to eat. The service was great and the owners make the rounds to chat with guests. That is a nice touch. Unfortunately, given the noise and food tastiness not really matching the high prices, I am not sure I will be back. read more

Molo - Pesto pasta was great. - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Very organized with reservations regarding large groups, given the amount of space they have. Both the inside and outside seating areas are beautiful and the heaters outside assure that you never get cold. I ordered an Aperol Spritz which wasn't too bitter. The food came out incredibly fast and tasted amazing. I ordered the Spaghetti alle Vongole which is essentially clams in a white wine sauce. The clams tasted so fresh and it was just the right serving size. Overall, the food was amazing and I had a great time celebrating with my friends. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Just tried this for me and my bf's 6th anniversary and we loved it. Definitely coming back. Service was amazing and felt very elegant and homie. The food was 1000/10 and they cook very fast. Love the ambience as well. We had the most knowledgeable and friendly waiter I wish I got his name. I'm looking forward to coming back:) read more

Molo - Fettuccine Pasta - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Visited Molo for the first time a few weeks ago and it definitely is a hidden gem! It was nice to hear the team speaking Italian when we checked in, so we knew we were in good hands! We were there to celebrate a birthday and we went all out with prosecco, appetizers, mains, desserts, and port. The stand outs were the arancini, cacio e pepe, and panna cotta. The only negative was how loud it was inside, truly to the point you couldn't have a conversation. Everyone in our party mentioned it several times and noted they were grateful as tables cleared out you could start to hear yourself think again. I am not sure if it is any better outside, but I would definitely request the patio next time. I'm looking forward to trying more of the menu on our next visit! read more

Molo - Cacio e pepe - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Prices would indicated that Milo is a fine restaurant. Sorry average at best. 2 pasta entrees--left 1/2 of mine. $10.00 for garlic bread? I've had much better! read more

Haven't been in since it was sold. It's always been that place where the warmth of the staff always made ya feel at home. WELL- it's even better. Wow what a great night. Lil loud but that's just folks having a great time!! Good food - great service! read more

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Fun and authentic little hidden gem. Lots of pizza and pasta options and even a 6lb steak as a special! I wasn't feeling that adventurous but to see all the specials brought out to be shown was a treat. The place does get busy so reservations are needed. Service was great, attentive without being overbearing or feeling rushed. Definitely going back to try other menu options! read more

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To say this place is charming doesn't do it justice. Molo oozes charm like a gigolo. This is a truly authentic European Trattoria located wharfside but without being overrun by two legged wharf rats. That's two beaches up the coast. There is a large plastic enclosed wrap around patio where the A-listers can see when the real and wannabe A-listers arrive. The only drawback to the outside patio is that while your neck heats up your pizza cools down. There is also a lovely inside dining room painted a soft Assisted Living green with soft lighting, a soft 80's Wave loop and whether it's the buzzin' patio or the romantic dining room either place you plop will quickly have you in the mood for good food. The Staff: Happy as puppies to see you and as warm as their heroic Garlic Bread. Bella was belllisima, helpful, humorous and totally professional. Valentino was efficient and worked every table like a Fund Raiser. The Bar: There is ample curated Wine List with fairly priced offerings. The options are many and there is always a Server nearby to assist with the perfect choice. Thankfully, there are no silly Mocktails, or creations reborn from a kid's Chemistry Set. Need a Beer? Nessun problema. Is Molo a serious Wine Bar with great food or a place for great food with a serious Wine List? It's both. Who's here? The Nouport Riche and the local hoodies. At 11:00 AM when it opens it's the Ladies who lunch that eventually gives way to the Golden Geezers, Uncles with their "Nieces", Whales and Guppies plus the rest of us all sharing something in common. A wonderful experience that will make you feel like you're dining at home in Rome. The Food: Order with your eyes closed as you cannot make a mistake here. Can't decide just ask Bella to bring it. The Rustic Italian Bread is baked on site and comes warm, crispy crusted with a soft crumb, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, and a mini cup of Red Bell Pepper Spread. If all you asked for was the Bread or a pile of the Garlic Bread fit for Hercules and a Caesar Salad you'd be full as a Tick. Speaking of the Caesar, in the Pantheon of memorable Caesar Salads this version certainly deserves a place at the table or, better, on the table. The fresh cold Romaine was cute to bite size. A few house made Croutons were judiciously distributed on the greenery at the last moment to preserve their crispiosity. Finally, the Salad is topped with a substantial tangle of wide ribbons of Parmesan Cheese. Fresh cracked Black Pepper and a light traditional Caesar dressing spooned on and mixed in. While it's enough for two I'd rather order it for two...for one. If we're grading this Caesar, it's easy to give it an A. The benchmark of any Italian restaurant is how they handle pasta (or barely handle it as is preferred). Is it the regal elegant rich and rewarding anchor of an Italian meal or does it simply come from a can and left on the counter for the housekeeper? Cacio e Pepe is currently ubiquitous all around town (thanks to Evan Funke), because it's easy to make and easier still to make hopelessly awful. The Spaghetti needs to resist your bite, but just a little bit. The Cheese and Pepper should be mixed to a paste before starchy pasta water is slowly added to bind the Sauce and make it velvety. This version is delicious, period. Kudos to the line cook who made it. Go to the head of the class. Spaghetti and Meatballs were stellar. The Pomodoro Passata (Pureed Tomato Sauce) was simply simple and to the point. The three ample Meatballs were appropriately fluffy if a Meatball can be fluffy. They can and these were. Finally, who can say no to a Canoli? Especially if they are freshly made in house? Here, the Canoli's bring back memories of what you used to get at Ferrara's in Little Italy, NYC, when the Nonna's ran the joint. Sweetened Ricotta piped into a Tuile with break your heart from joy. Both ends dipped into chopped Pistachios and a minimal drizzle of Chocolate make this the Boss of Italian Desserts. Molo fills a void in OC Dining. Really authentic wonderful Italian food. Molo has no low, so go now. read more

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i think this is my new favorite restaurant. i love the vibe inside and the people working are always great. the food is amazing, the wine is amazing, i just love it. read more

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Hidden gem ! Very authentic Italian cuisine. We loved the ambiance, food and service. Definitely coming back . read more

Molo - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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There are plenty of parking spaces. Before going into the restaurant, you'll have to make a stop where a security guard will ask where you're going. Then they'll direct you to Molo. We made reservations online and were seated pretty quickly. I ordered their Penne Alla Vodka and it comes with about 6 sausages. The sausages were spicy, but not too bad. The pasta was good with the sauce, but it wasn't too flavorful to me. Recommendation(s): - Penne Alla Vodka Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Stop by the guard to be directed where to go (you'll notice the stop as you go) - Restrooms available - Make reservations ahead of time - Plenty of parking spaces read more

Molo - Penne Alla Vodka - Italian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great customer service, but food lacks favor. Very disappointed food was blah! Nothing to rave about. Expensive for food that is not good.

The ambiance in the outdoor patio is wonderful. Someone needs to learn to cook. Went with a friend for lunch and ordered the eggplant Parmesan. The eggplant had been in the oven way too long. It was a dish of mush. Couldn't even tell what you were eating. I then wanted to add a meatball or maybe some cheese. I ordered a meatball The tiny meatball looked like it had been cooked in the microwave. Service was good. Worst lunch I've had in long time. I miss the previous restaurant. If this is typical of their food, I doubt they will be open long. read more