This is your go-to staple restaurant on the hill. The food is excellent and consistent. Service is professional and prompt. Ambiance is classy and elegant. Always enjoy this spot!! read more

One of the best pizzas outside of Italy or New York. Several superb traditional Italian dishes and almost always a special on the menu that will blow your mind. The service is generally good and the servers are kind and helpful. The prosciutto pizza (I like to order it a little crispy) is superb. I also love the Paparedelle with boar sauce and the Strozapretti. They have several Italian wines, although the prices run high (for the wine moreso than the food). The desserts are all great. Very nice bar with piano regularly, and usually a game on the TV. I highly recommend a pizza, wine, and dessert while sitting at the bar. It's a go to for me in the area. read more

What a fantastic, quaint, delicious place. It's gorgeous inside and wonderfully decorated. Our server was beyond sweet and made fantastic recommendations all night. I ordered the branzino and hands down perfection. Got to try the lasagna which was delicious and the ravioli in brown butter and sage was so yummy. We were a party of nine and everybody had nothing but raving I'm reviews about this place. All of us agreed. We would definitely come back. I would definitely say this place is a must try!!! read more

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Primo Italia is one of our favorite go-to's. The menu has a lot of delicious options, we try to order something different each time. We ordered cocktails and decided to split an appetizer, salad, and a main entree. Pear and burrata salad was nice, just a little sweet. Seemed more like a dessert than salad. The octopus appetizer was grilled to perfection, not tough or chewy at all. The lemongrass puree was a nice complement to the dish. Glad we chose the butternut squash ravioli, the brown butter and sage sauce was creamy and buttery. Great live music. Although there are private dining rooms and a bar, seating is limited, so reservations are a must. As with many Italian or European fine dining restaurants, staff is predominantly all male except hostesses (nothing wrong with it), but our server could have been a little more warmer and welcoming. The only things he said to us was "are you ready to order now " and "would you like to order dessert", and checked back with us maybe once. At the same time he was being chatty and laughing with the folks at the table behind us. As someone in the service industry for decades, I pay attention to details, and still never tip less than 20% even if service is just ok or mediocre. read more

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Had a lovely dinner at Primo's last night. The atmosphere is vibrant and they were crowded on a Friday night. We sat in the back room and it was quiet and enjoyable. Bruce, our server, was very attentive and friendly. He was courteous and professional. A real pleasure. The food is outstanding. I had the most delicious butternut ravioli with pistachios and a brown sugar sauce - incredible. Others had the ragu and lasagna and everyone loved their choices. Full bar and nice choice of wines. Perfect date night, family night or girls night. read more

We came again to celebrate Valentine's Day with our friends and family in Primo... amazing food. Awesome service in an extremely pleasant venue, full of joy where servers are our friends and the chief and kitchen personnel artists... we love you all... don't miss this unique restaurant... you'll not regret it!!!! read more

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Primo is a very nice authentic Italian restaurant food here is amazing and the service here is great also if your in the area you should definitely check it out.. read more

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There was live music and excellent service. They have gluten free options but the pasta noodles they selected were meh. However everything else was good. read more

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We go to Primo Italia once a week. Juan is the best server EVER! Connor the pianist on Thursday and Saturday is unbelievable, he was a finalist on The Voice! The food is to die for! The Truffle pizza is a MUST and the all the pasta dishes are delicious. read more

Made reservations for four at 6:30 pm, and we're seated right away. A Torrance native, I was completely unaware of this hidden gem. It's swanky, with a huge window that casts a lot of natural light behind a grand piano. We happened to come when they had live music, a pianist and he played songs by the Beatles all night. They have a full bar and a good amount of booth seating and regular tables. It's not a big restaurant so I can see why some ppl complain about the wait. It seemed like a spot for business meetings and family dinners, a lot of the other patrons were in suits/business casual. Service was fast and attentive. The complimentary bread, butter, and blended olive spread was delicious. We ordered insalata trittata, which had a very nice vinaigrette dressing. Capricciosa pizza which had artichoke, mushroom, and prosciutto- the dough was divine, fluffy and not too dense. linguine vongole, which was slightly bland - I wish the garlic/white wine sauce was more overpowering (but the way they did it did seem more Italian). The butter squash ravioli was delicious and creamy. They have a huge variety of Italian wine, and we had a glass of a really lovely Cabernet Sauvignon. They also did a lemon drop martini really well, it tasted like spiked lemonade. Highly recommend the ricotta cheesecake and chocolate mousse/vanilla gelato for dessert. The cheesecake was both thick and light, with a hint of lemon. And the chocolate mousse was chocolate heaven. read more

Primo Italia - Ricotta cheesecake Chocolate mousse - Italian Near Me - Torrance, California

Incredible food- service - I feel like I'm in my mother's kitchen- the quality of the food is cooked to perfection- the service and attention is amazing- I highly recommend this restaurant for special occasions or any occasion- it's our favorite restaurant- read more

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Food is quite good. Service is usually spot on unless it is a very busy night. Ambiance is very pretty inside. A bit loud especially if you are seated by the piano. Nice place for date night or an evening out with friends. read more

Primo Italia in Torrance, CA is a highly-regarded Italian restaurant known for its authentic cuisine, stylish ambiance, and live music, often featuring the owner's Broadway-style singing. They are known for house-made pastas and high-quality ingredients used in dishes ranging from seafood to wood-fired pizzas. I had the pasta with black truffles and it was so good. I also tried the grilled brazino and it was delicious. The fish was perfectly cooked. The grilled octopus was very soft. The beef carpaccio simply melt in your mouth. We finnished with the pana cotta! Dinner was amazing. The ambiance is warm and lively. read more

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Absolute worst service I've ever had to experience. We had a reservation for 2 at 7pm we arrived 30 mins early and was able to be seated early. Upon being seated we ordered right away 20 mins have passed and we hadn't received anything but that was to expected 2 larger parties were seated about 20 mins after we were and some how received there appetizers and meals before we were even given the complimentary bread server name Bruce told me he was wondering himself what was happening well didn't take long to figure out this establishment would rather not have African American consumers and it only takes once to be treated that way I would highly advise anyone of color to stay far away from this restaurant. read more

One of my top 5 in the South Bay. Consistently good food (never go wrong with the Ravioli). Great Bartenders. Great Piano music.

Finally made it here and got to try this place. First they bring a loaf of warm rustic artisan bread that comes with butter and an olive tapenade. It was delicious! First I tried the polpettine. It was yummy. I liked it! Althought I think the meatballs might have been a bit over worked. Just a bit. For my meal, I had the Tagliatelle Alla Bolognese. It was heaven on a plate. I totally loved it. YUM! For dessert, I tried the ricotta cheesecake. I wasn't sure how this was going to be but.... WOW! It was bomb! I inhaled it! This place is small but totally ideal for a romantic date night and it is beautifully decorated for the holidays. read more

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This is based on an older dining experience. Tried the following items 1. Mary's chicken -crispy chicken, tastes good with the salty tangy flavor of the capers. A bit too oily 2. Salmon pesto -was a little bit dry. Could use more salty. Not a fan of the potatoes but the broccolini was good 3. Lasagna - Hearty and filling. Shared a plate but could've eaten the whole thing on my own. Would get this again. Parking was easier that I thought. There is a large parking lot on east side of the street Hawthorne and Via Valmonte. Easy to get into lot with the signal light whether you're coming north or southbound on Hawthorne read more

We recently hosted a dinner at Primos and used Rocco's room for +-30 people and were very pleased with everything . Grace was very helpful with the details, Mauritzio was a great server , and Decker helped with picking wines . The food was great , service was spot on and they even accommodated some last minute changes (salad substitute/ gluten free / nut free options) . I would highly recommend this restaurant/ room for your next special event . My only criticism was that there was a $75 per magnum corkage with a 2 bottle limit of bringing in outside wines. I thought this corkage was a little steep , I originally thought it was $35 per bottle ... But still 100% happy with the evening. Thank you Primos! read more

Primo Italia - Long table in Rocco's room - Italian Near Me - Torrance, California

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Came by Primo Italia for dinner and had a pretty good experience overall. The place has a warm, slightly old-school feel, and the service was steady throughout the night. We tried a few things: the Gnocchi alla Romana, Branzino con Carciofi, Pollo al Mattone, Panna Cotta, and the Torta di Formaggio.The branzino and the gnocchi were definitely the highlights -- both well-cooked and had good flavor without being heavy. The other dishes were solid and made for a nice, relaxed meal. If you're looking for a comfortable spot for Italian in the area, this is a dependable option. I'd come back for the gnocchi and branzino again. read more

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Thursday, 03/27/2025 Italian Restaurant We wanted to do something extraordinary for one of our colleagues and also celebrate Women's History month, so I suggested we dine at Primo Italia. I was the only one in the group who had been to the restaurant and wanted to share my incredible experiences with them. I was overjoyed that they truly enjoyed themselves. It was a triumphant evening! Everyone savored their entrees. Each dish was a masterpiece, a delight with each bite. The ambience was lively but not too loud, with a piano playing in the background as we laughed and conversed with each other. The service was just right. It was a perfect evening with friends and colleagues, filled with joy and inspiration. Our orders (see pictures) Appetizers: -Calamari Fritti -Charcuterie / Affettato di Salami Drinks: -Pear Martinis - Glass of Chardonnay/Napa - Glass of Red (full-bodied) Entrees: -Linguine con Vongole -Tagliatelle alla Bolognese -Primo Lasagne -Filetto di Manzo -Ossobuco di Agnello (Braised Lamb Shank) -Specials / Scallops with Asparagus Desserts: -Panna Cotta -Cannoli -Tiramisu -Chocolate Terrine I definitely recommend this restaurant again read more

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Unbelievable. We haven't had authentic Italian on this level since our two months living in Florence, Italy. This is the GOLD STANDARD of honest Italian cuisine. Well worth the 100 mile drive for this gem!! What we had and highly recommend: Linguini con le Vongole Gnocchi alla Romana Polpo alla Griglia Calamari Fritti Carpaccio di Manzo Papardelle con Cinghiale Pollo alla Parmigiana Filetto di Manzo Branzino con Carciofi read more

It's easy to drive right by this fine Italian restaurant just south of PCH on Hawthorne. Which makes it a hidden gem indeed! The atmosphere is exquisite, nice ambiance, attentive service, and oh, did I say they have excellent food to boot?! I forgot to take a pic, but the presentation is perfecto and the beef tenderloin, is, well, TENDER! Delish! Can't wait to go back and try more..def one of my new faves. read more

Mom didn't want to make a big deal of her 75th birthday. She simply wanted an intimate dinner with those she loves most. Easy enough, I asked what cuisine she felt like having to celebrate the occasion: "I haven't had Italian food for awhile..." I have a few recommended go-to's for that but wanted to try something new. And that's how my party of 8 ended up here. Tucked away near Rolling Hills, it's located alongside a few other businesses. It's a couple minutes' walk from the parking lot - no biggie. We walked in and were welcomed with music. (They had a really cool piano player jammin' it up in there.) We liked it, sure, but we were glad to be seated at the back where it was quiet and that we can converse with each other. My bad for not remembering our server's name, but off the bat, he was a cool cat! He was friendly and accommodating right at the very beginning. I started off with their Tame the Dragon cocktail which was refreshing. We all decided to share whatever starters we were gonna get. And off we go: CHARCUTERIE/AFFETTATO DI SALAMI: There was little to share with everyone but I did get a taste of the prosciutto combined with a bit cheese and honey. That was enough for me to simply taste the palate. CARCIOFI ALLA ROMANA: one of Mom's favorites: she loved it so much, we ordered a 2nd. Good sour level. The artichokes were cooked tender. Seasoning was just right. POLPO ALLA GRIGLIA: Everyone knows prepping octopus is hit and miss. It's a complete hit here. The grilled finish was perfect. There was no hint of toughness at all. Fresh as the ocean, seasoned perfect. GET THIS! INSALATA CAPRESE: A must have whenever I see it on any menu. This didn't disappoint. The savory and sour of the fresh tomatoes and balsamic vinegar were tamed and balanced so well by the subtle (but impressive!) flavor of the mozzarella. This didn't last very long, I almost ordered a 2nd! INSALA DI PERE E BURRATA: Another must whenever I see it on the menu. It's prepared a little special here, though. Just three ingredients: wine poached Asian pear, reduced balsamic and the cheese. Put them all together and an explosion of flavors dancing through your taste buds. It was excellent! PICCI TOSCANI CAN TARFURO NERO: My choice of main and it did not disappoint. It wasn't even about the shaved black truffles (although it did make a difference) but the pasta was cooked a perfect al dente. The sausage added flavor and texture. Really, it's the sauce that made each bite. *Insert chef's kiss here!* I got a small tastes of the ravioli as well as the filet mignon and they, too, were amazing. The profiterol was a great way to finish and cleanse the palates FOOD: 5. Not only were they all delish, they were aesthetically pleasing as well! SERVICE: 5. Our server was excellent!!! VALUE: 5. Pricey, but worth it. Even more so for this special occasion. PARKING: Street and private lot a few minutes' worth of walk away. OVERALL: 5. Mom even got a free birthday dessert! She was really happy, and her opinion is what mattered most - at least for that night. That said, we all left pretty satisfied, so we can all say it truly was a perfect evening. It is a bit of a drive from home, but I wouldn't mind the trek for another experience! Looking forward to that next run! read more

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Food is great and service is great. What a great choices for meat lovers, fish, lovers, and even vegetarians. Every time I've done there the waiter always makes great recommendations and I find you just can't go wrong with what they suggest. My only issue is sometimes the music is a little too loud so it's hard to have a conversation with other members in your party. read more

We have been dining here since Primo opened and love its cozy ambience. But, it also has an upscale vibe as you experience the professional service and heart-warming Italian cuisine that runs the gamut of various pasta and pizza dishes as well as excellent meat and fish selections from porterhouse steak, tomahawk pork chop, osso buco and branzino, all expertly prepared. Recently, we had a private event dinner for a surprise birthday party there, which was simply outstanding. The staff went over and beyond to deliver the finest meal and we were very grateful for their coordination and handling the details impeccably. The private room that was reserved for us was comfortable, yet elegant - it can be used for a family event or corporate. I would highly recommend Primo for a private event dining. Thanks to Grace, Bruce and the staff for a wonderful and memorable evening. read more

Authentic Italian food. Absolutely delicious and quite atmosphere. Service was exceptional thank you Maria

A last minute change of plans lead me here, and I was PLEASANTLY surprised! I was heading to J. Trani's, and the traffic was looking terrible. My friend and I opted to find a closer Italian restaurant, and this was the closest with great reviews! There was a lively energy in the room, from dates, to small groups, and even families with children. Long story short, the food was amazing! 5 STARS! My server was super attentive and shared his fav dishes! We started out with the calamari, which was fried to absolute perfection! The pesto for the bread felt a bit salty and overpowering. but maybe that's the authentic way to prepare it. For the entree, I got the Filetto di Manzo! I got the beef prepared medium well, and every bite was DELECTABLE! The sauce is flavorful, and I didn't need a to-go box becuase I ate it all up right then and there! My friend ordered the Branzino. I didn't care to go through the labor of eating a whole fish, but I did try a bite, and the fish was very well cooked. Perfect texture and infused with flavor, despite looking bland on the outside. For dessert, I ended with the cheesecake, which was perfect! The fruit puree on top was delectable, and I usually don't eat dessert. Glad I did! I absolutely plan on returning! Only downside is that the parking on the side of the street can be a bit dangerous. Cars were zooming by, and me having heels walking over the curb wasn't necessarily fun. Lol. But I will be back! read more

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I come here at least once a year every December. It's always a great time. Great atmosphere, amazing vibes, friendly staff. Plenty of seating. The food is tasty (normally I'm getting the filet mignon or the chicken). Their drink selection is very broad as well! This is a nice place for a date or just casual dinner. They even have a private room in the back for a large party if you need it. read more

I waited two weeks for a response from management before leaving this review, but unfortunately never heard back. I placed a takeout order and was told it would be ready in 20 minutes. I arrived shortly after and was told it would be another 10 minutes. Due to how crowded it was, I was asked to wait outside in the cold. I continued waiting well past the additional time and checked in multiple times, only to be told it was "almost ready." In total, I waited nearly an hour for a takeout order that was quoted at 20 minutes. When I finally had to leave to pick up children, I was rushed out the door with the order. Once I checked the bag, the steak was missing the peppercorn sauce, which is the entire reason this specific dish was ordered. I called the restaurant immediately and was told the order was correct (it wasn't), then given excuses about how busy they were. There was no apology, no attempt to fix the mistake, and no offer of compensation--just dismissal. I understand restaurants get busy. What's disappointing is the lack of communication, accountability, and basic customer service--especially for a $52 steak. I gave management time to respond privately before posting this, but received no reply. Very disappointing experience overall. read more

Numerous restaurants in the Palos Verdes area supported the slide recovery effort, with dining proceeds benefiting the cause. That was all the incentive we needed to visit, Primo Italia. On this Wednesday evening around 6:45 PM, the restaurant was bustling. Parking is available on the street or in the back parking lot, but street parking can be tricky--especially when it involves parallel parking on the busy Hawthorne Boulevard. Upon entering, we were greeted by the charming sound of a piano and live singing, creating a lovely ambiance. However, the lively atmosphere encouraged us to choose a quieter spot in the back room, perfect for catching up on our day. You will find a host upon entering the restaurant. The decor was warm and inviting, with an impressive display of wine bottles and glasses adding a touch of elegance. They also have a big bar with televisions in the main dining room. I saw several people enjoying themselves after a long day of work. The menu featured an enticing selection of Italian dishes, both from land and sea. We kicked off our meal with two appetizers that were simply delightful: Crostini Burrata and Gnocchi a la Romana--absolutely delicious on both fronts! The gnocchi preparation was different than I was accustomed to, see my picture. For our main courses, we each picked an entrée that spoke to us, and then we swapped plates to sample everything. We ordered four dishes, each satisfying in its own way. They handmake all the pasta elements inhouse. My personal favorites, ranked, were: 1) Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, 2) Bucatini alla Gricia, 3) Picci Toscani con Tartufo Nero, and 4) Ravioli ai Funghi. While dining in the back room meant a bit of a wait for our food, it was no issue as we enjoyed a lively family dinner. The staff was attentive, and Juan S. provided excellent recommendations and service. Overall, the experience was exceptional, and the food was truly enjoyable. We collectively rated our visit at 4.5 out of 5, but I tend to round down. Primo is sure to impress--"MANGIA, MANGIA!" read more

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Owner is full of himself ... sad cause service was amazing as was the food .. bummer that he came over to our table and told us off cause we were too loud as he sang ... Sad sad sad read more

Had dinner there last night. I had chicken parmigiana. Very bland and tasteless. The bread was good. Waiter was OK. Restaurant very loud and difficult to have a conversation with other couple we were with. I've had real parmesan cheese in Parma Italy and in places in the United States; this was a very poor imitation. Sorry to write this... read more

Primo is hands down our favorite restaurant - the food and server service is exceptional! We discovered Primo a few years before the pandemic so during COVID we must have ordered take out weekly then AND the restaurant was even on our short list of private room venues for my FIL's 90th. My intuition that the owners of the restaurant must be hands on was confirmed in a recent conversation I had with Lou, the owner. My husband and I had an outlier experience with our reservation and when I messaged the business with constructive feedback Lou contacted me because he is very invested in providing the best the customer experience for everyone. We sorted everything out and it was clear how genuine, sincere and passionate he is about his customers, the food and his staff who he gives a ton of credit to. Anyways, if you want amazing, authentic Italian food at a place that treats you like family, Primo's the place. And our order which we can't seem to branch out from is Linguine with clams, Tagliatelle alla Bolognese , Margherita pizza and the most unique "salad" Insalata di Pere e Burrata! When you are dining in, the Pear Martini followed by whatever delightful red wine our server suggests! I'm hungry now! read more

Had the best appetizers of my life here on Valentines day, service was nice and friendly despite the busy holiday.

Came here for a holiday event and was so amazed by the quality of food and the service. For appetizers we had the margherita pizza and calamari fritti. The calamari was crispy, well flavored and not chewy at all! The margherita pizza was one of the best pizzas I have ever eaten. The crust was on the thinner side which I enjoy, and the tomato sauce was so flavorful. We were also served pasta bolognese which was phenomenal. I think they make their own fresh pasta. They were perfectly al-dente and springy just the way I like it. Where this restaurant blew my mind was the entrees. I ordered the Branzino which was absolutely beautiful! The skin was well seasoned and the fish cooked perfectly with herbs and lemon inside it. The filet was superb as well, so tender with the most amazing green peppercorn sauce. My partner had the eggplant which he was raving about as well. I don't think you can go wrong! I will definitely be coming here for a date night in the future. Large events with people walking around can definitely be chaotic for restaurants, but Primo handled this excellently! Props to the owner Lou and all the staff especially Juan. Drinks were amazing and I would highly recommend the espresso martini. read more

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Came here for a company dinner! I got to try the bulk of the menu and we all had a good time with all the delicious food! There were first the appetizers, my favorite were the octopus and carpaccio! First time having carpaccio and the texture was amazing! The sauce was very fitting too. Then we had the pizza and squid and they were all so yummy! The pizza was so fresh and cheesy. I thought the salad was a bit on the sweeter side. The bolognese was wonderful, I could tell it was fresh pasta. The chicken Parmesan was very big and despite it being chicken breast, it was very tender and matched well with the tomato sauce and cheese. This place is good for a special occasion! read more

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We called to make a reservation since we were a party of 9. When we arrived there was no wait and we were seated right away. The restaurant is gorgeous, very pretty and picturesque. There was a wait to be asked for our drink orders. another wait to get our drinks and an even longer wait to take our food order. We had to continue to wait to get attention so we could order more drinks, then again for our dessert order, and finally the check. There is parking on the main street right outside the restaurant. There is also a parking lot. The food and proportions were great. it was just the wait time that took this rating from a 5 to a 4. read more

I made a reservation for dinner and requested a table in the back room because it was less noisey. when I arrived told the table was not available because there was a large party in the room. Hostess then offered myself and my companion another table which was against the wall in thefront. I said fine and would go outside for a couple of minutes and get my companion. The hostess said fine. When I came back which was no more than 5 minutes she said the table was no longer available and she had seated someone else who had just come in. I said I had a reservation and you had assigned me the table. she said the only table left was next to the hostess stand baically sort of take it or leave it. Thi is an outrageous action be the restaurant's hostess. Besides this review I plan to tell as many people as possible what happens when you make a reservation at this restaurant. read more

I didn't take any pictures of our food . We tried the lasagna doesn't look filling but the portion is just right . The pepperoni pizza was omg delicious on fire had a little spice to it , the clam linguine was also very tasty. We shared the chocolate terroni with ice cream dessert for three it was delicious . Our waiter was super helpful and knowledgeable on the food recommendations . The restaurant lighting was good , music was nice and volume was good . Plenty of parking. We were very pleased and definitely be returning. read more

Ordered the pesto gnocchi, mushroom ravioli and the zucchini appetizer, i recommend coming here if you want a cute date night or a nice dinner with friends. Food was really great! Ordered a tiramisu for dessert and it was probably the best I've ever had. Staff super friendly and checked on us frequently to make sure we were enjoying our time! read more

Primo Italia - -Gnocchi con Pesto -Ravioli ai Funghi - Italian Near Me - Torrance, California