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Raffaello Ristorante

4.7 (2.3k reviews)
ModerateItalian
Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

Raffaello Ristorante Photos

RAFFAELLO RISTORANTE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Raffaello Ristorante

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Tiramis Big Ladyfinger
Charlene S.

Amazing. Food is amazing, service is amazing, parking is easy. Wait was short. There's not much more for which to ask. Vegetarian review: mushroom ravioli. Very good. Sauce was a creamy pink sauce and they split the meal for us, so each person got 4 giant ravioli. Salad comes for free, as does a basket of bread and some roasted bell peppers and a few pieces of bruschetta. Parking was easy- along the street or in a parking log across the street (pay to park for both). Service was wonderful. Pleasant and attentive.

Tiramisu
Coco V.

I've gone here several times over the years. We've even had events here in the banquet rooms. The food is always great. I was here recently and we got a complimentary tiramisu because they initially gave me the wrong plate but quickly fixed it. That's great service. My one complaint is that in our last event, the bar tenders would not serve anyone in our party espresso martinis. We weren't given a reason other than they couldn't. I wasn't really happy with that because it didn't make sense. Anyway I'm sure I'll be back at some point:

Dining room
Janine D.

I joined friends here for lunch. We arrived as they opened for lunch service. We were warmly greeted and seated promptly. The wait staff were very attentive to our small group. A wide variety of dishes were ordered. I opted for the traditional Lasagna...and it did not disappoint! Entrees are served accompanied by fresh bread and a green salad. I enjoyed a delicious glass of the House Chianti with my meal. The restaurant filled up quickly as the noon hour approached. This is obviously a popular local restaurant. We were never rushed and were encouraged to enjoy our time together. Parking is metered, either on the street or in the large lot across the street. This is in a quaint section of the Historic Downtown District.

That smile says it all,you'll know everything you need about Raffaelo Ristorante the moment you see it.  Bellissima esperienza!
Chris G.

I've officially run out of positive superlatives for Raffaello Ristorante. For me, it delivers every single time. Walked in this past Saturday around 7:15 without a reservation, which, let's be honest, is a bold move at a place that's always buzzing. Immediately greeted with a big smile and a hug from Gino. He was apologetic that a table wasn't ready, but then offered our group a glass of wine while we waited. I mean... THAT is hospitality. No attitude, no rush, just genuine care for the guest experience. This place feels like family. The staff treats you like you belong there. On this night, Vittorio V. took great care of us, dialed in, attentive, and just a pleasure to interact with. Always good seeing Alex too, and one of the twins, Rafaello... or was it Gino? LOL. Let's talk food, because WOW. * Calamari Fritti - Lightly breaded, perfectly crisp. Tender inside with that ideal golden crunch, served with a bright marinara that brings just the right acidity. A must-order every time. * Pollo alla Parmigiana - Classic done right. The chicken was thin, perfectly breaded, topped with a rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella that had that beautiful stretch. Comfort food at its finest. * Gnocchi al Pomodoro - Pillowy soft gnocchi that practically melt in your mouth. The pomodoro sauce was fresh, vibrant, and simple in the best way, letting the quality of the ingredients shine. * Sand Dabs Filet - Delicate, flaky, and lightly pan-seared with a buttery finish with capers. Clean, fresh flavors that felt coastal and refined without being overworked. Bottom line, Raffaello Ristorante gets my highest praise. Eating here is always a treat, always consistent, and always leaves you walking out happier than when you walked in.

Calamari Fritti was good, lightly breaded.
Monica C.

Came here for my brother's birthday and we enjoyed ourselves; great service, appealing environment & descent food. My family liked their dishes, although if you like fresh pasta, you might want to consider to eat elsewhere if you're not particular on what you want in Italian cuisine. The appetizers were good, calamari and octopus salad delish! My spaghetti was ok, but everyone else seemed happy. The server is italian and was patient and helpful. We tipped 25% for the wonderful service and they sang happy birthday in Italian! Grazie!

complementary bread
Kati V.

What a hidden gem. I had no idea how amazing this place is! Family-owned, and it shows. This restaurant is exploding with passion in every respect. You can feel the energy when you walk in, and you can see how happy the employees are to be there. The food is as authentic as can be. Wow! It lives up to the Tuscan architecture, very nicely. The food is authentic, and the portions are very generous. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner and his beautiful family (because they all work there), hands down incredible hospitality.

Ravioli daragosta
Linda S.

Large place. Staff is nice and attentive. The food was amazing. There is a $7 charge for sharing which was ok for us since our kids wouldn't have been able to finish two separate pasta dishes. The portion sizes are large.

l a.

Amazing food. Big portions we brought 1/2 our dinner home. Nice ambianse. Owners are from Italy. What a gem. We will be back Thank You Tony

Amazing singer at a private event. 7/3/25
Lilah J.

The hubby and I were at Rafaello's for a private event catered by them. Located on 7th Street in San Pedro. It is in a bustling neighborhood of shops and restaurants. Parking is either metered on the street or limited spaces in lots or walk to structures a block or so away. Ambiance is classic Italian and we were located in the banquet room. Nice spread for a graduation party. Arugula salad, Caesar salad, pasta salad, Alfredo, garlic bread, chicken or fish. Everything was tasty and pasta were very good. Wait staff was amazing. This place is kind of out of my way so uncertain if I would be back as a visiting customer. Food and service was great though.

Italian lemon drop
D'juan C.

This place did not disappoint me at all. 1st thing we were seated very fast even though they were very busy.We were greeted by the waiter very fast and he was very friendly and accommodating. We did not see garlic bread on the menus but he said even tho it wasn't on the menu they could make us some, that was great service from Alessandro. The plates are huge enough to feed 2 or 3 people. The prices are really reasonable especially for the amount of food they give you. The restaurant is kind of small and intimate but definitely gets packed. The restaurant is on the noisy side but I don't mind that at all. I got the seafood pasta and my wife had the spaghetti and meatballs. Both dishes were amazing the pasta is so tender and the sauce's are so good. Me and the wife really enjoyed this restaurant the food and the vibe. We will definitely be back again with the entire family.

Van D.

Raffaello Ristorante offers a cozy ambience and reasonable prices. The menu is old-school, but the food is ample and nicely traditional. We were there on a busy night during the holiday season, so the service felt a bit rushed, but we appreciated the inviting atmosphere, good value, and generally helpful staff.

Salad with light vinaigrette
Barbara L.

It's a ten out of ten for me. My son said 9.5 because it was expensive (he's 9 lol). It was a party of 6 and we ordered 6 pastas. It was 249 which is not bad for the items we had (in my opinion). It was almost empty when we arrived about 5pm and was full by the time we left. Music is average. Lights dimmed up and down a few times during our visit but it wasn't bad or disruptive. Can seem a little bit on the uppity side but casual wear was normal. It seems like the owner or LONG time staff was there. He was greeting older customers with hugs and handshakes. Made it seem like a place people come to on a regular to feel like they are having home cooked meals. Definitely a place I'll visit again.

John C.

Coworker put me on to this spot and let me tell you... authentic is an understatement. The menu already had me convinced, but then the owner greeted us with that warm Italian accent and boom--straight vibes from the motherland. Charming little boulevard, packed house, service on point ... but the food? Pure Italy on a plate. Flavor, soul, everything. If you're hunting for the real deal Italian experience, this is it.

Gnocchi

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Raffaello Ristorante Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Raffaello Ristorante

Do they have gluten free option?

I believe they do, they seem to be very friendly and accommodating. To be double sure, please call them to discuss specific menu requests.

Do they take reservations?

Yes they do

Do they offer takeout orders?

Yes, most definitely.

Do lunch entrees include salad?

Yep

Is there a parking lot? Or only street parking?

There isn't a dedicated parking lot for them but a public parking lot available and street parking.

How do you make a reservation with this restaurant?

Reservations are only taken by calling the restaurant @ (310) 514-0900.

Are dogs allowed on outside patio?

I don't see any reason why they couldn't be on the outside patios. I can say this I didn't see any water bowls for dogs. But like I said I can't see why they wouldn't

Is this the same restaurant, that was/is on 4th St.?

Yes

Do they have intimate dining areas? Are there table cloths and cloth napkins? How elaborate and Italian is the wine list?

This is a family style restaurant. It's all good. Try it and you will not be disappointed. Great for special occasions. Terrific wait staff. Italian food is great. Great wine selection.

Is the gnocchi made on site?

I've been on nights where they inform you that it has been, but not always... which leads me to believe that there are SPECIAL nights that it is, but not always. Best to call and get feedback, everyone there is well informed and super friendly.

Do they allow dogs in stroller outside dining?

Sorry I do not know.

Do they still serve the bolognese sauce with sausage and pappardelle pasta?

When I tried to ordered bolognese in February 2021, they told me they do not serve this dish.

Are they still partnering for outdoor dining? with heaters?

Yes they are!

Are they re-opened for dine-in?

Yes. My friend went to pick up food last Sat, many people were dinning in.

Are reservations recommended on Friday nights?

Yes

Do you have a corkage fee?

Why wouldn't they? But they have some wonderful wines there. Call them and ask them for sure.

Do they have a private room for a party of at least 30 people?

Yes they do

Do they offer vegan options?

Yes there are things on the menu and you can also customized your order.

How is lunch?

They offer the same menu for both lunch and dinner. Their god and service is always great. Because there is a lot of local business' in the area, their lunch service is pretty busy. I believe they also offer the same specials for lunch as well.… Read more

Do you guys sell whole pizzas also?

No, they don't sell pizza!

View All 25 Questions

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4.4(654 reviews)
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It is rare that an eatery can surprise me, especially when I have known them for decades. But J…read moreTrani's Ristorante certainly did just that--- surprise me, in a good way. So I am a big food giver, it is how I show appreciation because when I want to thank someone, I want their belly to feel it. And this place has this really good Sunday Sauce plate, that I just know as their short rib plate. Like one time, I took it to a former colleague that I kinda wanted to make happy, cause of how they made me feel, and he warmed it up in the microwave. And it was not like microwaving fish, it was quite the opposite. Instead of pungent odor, the dish infused the small kitchenette with a wafting aroma, that almost felt like a morning after hug. It made everyone who wifed it, wonder who and what introduced good eats to another wise basic break-room. More broadly, I have never eaten anything at J Trani's that I have felt bad about buying. At least not that I can recall readily, which means that they have not seared a bad experience in my mind, which, is great flowers given to offer them considering that I have been coming to this place, time and again, for decades. Now the question becomes how they surprised me, when I know them to be a good spot consistently? So I called because I wanted to get a pizza for a guy I wanted to thank. And, they read me their pizza list and my bells, that signal positive experiences, went off. I heard sweet corn. And sweet corn is an ingredient I love by name. So I got the bacon and corn pizza, and also, I tried to explain the dish I wanted, remember I do not know it by Sunday Sauce. The person answering the phone, I forgot her name, explained that the Sunday sauce was their short rib plate. But instead of ordering there, I was like I'll just go so I can peruse the menu, Seconds later she called me back. I thought she was going to try to explain more to me, but I had made my mind up I wanted to see the menu. I was a smidge irked, I will not lie, I just did not want to continue the conversation after I had made my mind. So I picked up and she explained that she could text me the menu. And she did just that, the picture shows is the proof. Wow--- this was excellent service, not because they went the extra mile--- which they did- but because they centered my expectations, without me knowing it I had that expectation. They could have said, review the menu online, which I was not going to do. I was going to go and wait, which I could do, but it has its elements of a drag quotient. Instead, with the menu, in hand (well sort-of) was able to make the right choices for me. And She specifically told me that the order was going to take 25 minutes. This was the cherry tomato on top of the Burrata salad---- my whole experience was handled by the restaurant when I was not there. I got there and I had to wait a few minutes for my order to be packaged. As I waited, I heard a traditional mom and pop, and kid family unit discuss the choices the kid had made. The dad, I heard, say something like, I would have never, spoken to my dad like this when I was young, I do not want to here anymore from you. I heard this interaction, and kind of was glad because it gave me something to chew on (my thoughts). I wondered what the kid did and how I would handle the discipline? I also thought that some people still practice the stale or maybe fresh axiom of: Children should be seen not heard? The pizza was fantastic. I had a slice the next day for breakfast, and the bacon was crunch, the taste of corn was heavily present, and in short, it was a delicacy on my commute to work.

This spot has that quaint, local neighborhood vibe -- the kind of place where people gather with…read morefriends, hang out at the bar, and linger over drinks. My friends frequent it often and really enjoy it, so I had high hopes. For me, it was good... but not quite crave-worthy. The garlic bread was basic. Nothing bad about it, just nothing that made me think about it afterward. The truffle carbonara had solid flavor, but it was very rich -- a small portion was more than enough for me. The Caesar salad was fresh, though a little heavy on the pepper for my liking. The Chicken Madeira was good -- juicy chicken and a flavorful sauce, though it leaned slightly sweet. To be fair, I don't order Chicken Madeira often and I split it with a friend, so my knowledge on the dish is mediocre. Overall, everything else seemed solid. A few people at our table ordered the ribeye, and the swordfish and I have to admit -- it looked delicious. I'm not writing this place off. I'll definitely be back to try that ribeye.

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4.3(306 reviews)
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Brunch at Trani's Dockside Station is great. It is my favorite things about this place. Their lunch…read moreand dinner is great as well, but I am hooked on their brunch. I love their Cheesy Egg Toast which is cheddar cheese & grilled Sourdough for about 12$. Their Soft Shell Crab Benedict Arnold is served on a brioche bun, with mortadella, & béarnaise sauce. It is just amazing. For lunch we love the raw bar and always start with oysters and Peruvian scallops. They are super good. Their strawberry mixed greens salad is so great. They don't always have it, but most of the time they do. The place is so pretty. It is an old cannery with modern and adorable inside decoration. It is comfortable and super clean. The service is great. I don't know if they take reservations, I would call and ask. We go at odd times and have never had a problem.

If I eat at a place then leave when I'm done, and I'm still talking about how great the food is,…read morethat means a lot. Putting the location into maps was misleading. But you just keep going straight until you see it on your right. Parking isn't bad, a lot of space. From beginning to end, this place was amazing. Our server was super nice, very attentive, and patient. They recommended we order everything at once, and they'll properly roll out the food. Everything we had was super good. We had the miyagi oysters since they didn't have Kumamoto oysters that day. I'm not really a fan of huge oysters, I like the small kind. Honestly, every single thing that we had was amazing. I super appreciate our server for recommending things and giving her input on what to order. They change your silverware between appetizers and main course. Love it when they show that much care into allowing the opportunity for customers to have the best dining experience. Bathroom is super clean, 3 stalls, there's a hand washing area between the men's and women's, just in case you need it. This was one of the best dinners I've had in a long time. Easy 5/5, exceptional service, incredible food. Loved this place. I highly recommend.

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Sorrento's - Close-Up of the Spumoni Ice Cream Cake   06-03-2023

Sorrento's

4.0(624 reviews)
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While I was at CJ barbershop next door , I was a little hungry and my barber Nas recommended a…read morepizza from this place . I ordered all meat pizza the works , a little pricey but a good pizza a perfect pizza. It's all in the same shopping center . This is a family owned restaurant and Pedro is a super cool man. They have all kind of Italian food so come and get some

The restaurant has a to go/order at the counter side and a sit down and eat area on th other side…read more They serve pizza, sandwich's and entrees. I've been here a few times. I once was really into meatball sandwiches and I remember I ordered one from nearly all the places in town that had it an this place was one of the top ones I liked. I visited this place the other day and saw that they have daily specials Monday thru Friday. Friday was tuna and I wasn't really craving a meatball sandwich so I got the daily specials it's $13 for a small sandwich a small bag of chips and a can of soda. The small sandwich is actually a good size. I've also had their pizzas. The pies and slices are pretty big. They put a lot of cheese on them so if you like cheese, come here! I ate half a slice of two different joints and I was stuffed! The customer service is usually pretty friendly so I can't complain. I'll probably come back for their daily specials. Mondays are meatball so I might come back in a Monday.

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Sorrento's - Antipasto Salad is wonderful !

Antipasto Salad is wonderful !

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