Stecca has been open for about 8 months now and they have completely found their groove with the dinner service. You won't find better Italian in the South Bay - the head chef (and many of the staff) are born Italians sharing classic, generational recipes as a fine dining experience. Those gnocchi are the softest little pillows you'll ever taste. We tried the ossobuco on our last visit and were blown away. The owner's grandmother's art hangs on the walls, the wine list and recommendations are fantastic, and the design is fabulous down to the glassware. Earlier reviews may show complaints about service speed and attentiveness, but we've been going since they opened and can say they've now fully found their rhythm - the hospitality is impeccable. Can't recommend this place enough - especially if you want to wow your friends, (adult) family, or a date. Plus the coffee and pastries in the morning are fabulous too, such a lovely space to spend time in! read more

Stecca Taverna - Beef carpaccio with black truffle + timballo de funghi (both spectacular) - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

I would say the food here was great! My family was particularly impressed by the Rucola e Pere salad and the prosciutto e frutta, the melon and prosciutto combination was chefs kiss! The service to order or follow up was a little slow but it was rather busy inside, however, I will mention the supporting staff was on top of it clearing dishes, pouring water refills, refilling bread baskets! The ambiance was very vibey. I took my parents and aunt who is in town visiting, but this place might be better suited (during the evening) for a girls night out or date night. I'm giving a 3 star (would do 3.5 if I could, closer to 4) rating not because the food wasn't good, but rather as a person with celiac they were not super accommodating to their dishes. The response I got was mostly "we don't do that" which to be fair they completely have the right to do if they have a certain level of integrity for the food that they want to keep. I totally respect that, but perhaps placing that somewhere visible for customers to future plan would be super helpful. It's just a bit defeating to hear "we don't do that, we don't have that, we can't do it" over and over during a dinner. Other than that, if you have no issues with food, this is a great classic Italian cuisine spot. read more

this has easily become one of my all-time favorite restaurants in the South Bay. whether you want to dine alone or with your loved ones, Stecca Taverna is the perfect environment. the first time I tried Stecca Taverna was with a friend, and the food was amazing. the service is amazing and the staff is so attentive. I have now been twice and each time, I have been recommended the most amazing dishes! I still have yet to try everything on the menu but would immediately recommend the Timballo di Funghi, Ragu, Agnello, Crudo di Pinna Gialla, Vongole, Rucola e Pere, and Polpo e Caponata. grazie Chef Giorgio, Diego e Gianfranco. siete tutti brillanti e così gentili con me. come sempre, grazie mille e ci vediamo presto. read more

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This cute intimate restaurant brought me back to Italy. The attentive staff and the warm hospitality. They spent their time with each table to ensure they fully understood their options. Then the food came and every single thing was perfection. Had a great experience and highly recommend. read more

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Recently had dinner at Stecca Taverna in Hermosa Beach. For starters, we ordered the mushroom souffle (Timballo di Funghi) and grilled octopus (Polpo e Caponata). The mushroom souffle was very good, especially the sauce. The grilled octopus was cooked close to perfectly, but the accompaniment and presentation was just okay. For the mains, we ordered fettuccine with truffles and ribeye. The fettucine was terrific (... I'm a sucker for a simple pasta in a simple butter sauce with truffles). Likewise, the ribeye was delicious ... but I have to say that the potatoes that came with the ribeye were FANTASTIC!!! Perfectly crispy on the outside, while very hot and soft on the inside. Notably, returned a second time and ordered the gnocchi with truffles (Gnocchi al Tartufo). The gnocchi were delicious. Eventually, the chef/owner Giorgio came out to greet us. He was exceptionally gregarious and welcoming. I wish him all the best. read more

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Absolutely incredible! Beautiful atmosphere and amazing menu. The portions are perfect. You feel like you are Italy! read more

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Was incredibly sad to see Sosta Caffe go, but blessed to see Stecca Taverna! The menu is beautiful and straightforward, clearly curated for that Southern California beach vibe, with a touch of upscale sophistication. Each dish we ordered was delicious and fresh and the service was super attentive. It's definitely one of my fav places in Hermosa Beach atp. read more

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5 stars all around! This gem of an Italian restaurant is a delightful addition to the South Bay. The service is wonderful, and the menu is well thought out, with flavorful dishes that will leave your taste buds dancing. We had the Stecca Giardino salad, tuna tartare, beef carpaccio, and lobster gnocchi. The salad was one of the best I've had in a while -- light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. The tuna tartare was another standout with a unique flavor profile I really loved. The lobster gnocchi was good, but we'll probably try one of their more traditional pastas next time. And rest assured, there will definitely be a next time. We loved our first visit to Stecca Taverna! Bravo, Giorgio! read more

A slice of Europe in the South Bay. We are SO lucky to have Stecca. Immaculate service, casual elevated ambiance, and the most authentic Italian dishes we've had in LA, made with the freshest of ingredients. We love Stecca for cortados in the morning (very well done), long lunches with fresh air, fresh food, and cold wine, and for candle lit dinner dates w exquisite meals. It truly feels like you've stepped foot in Italy. read more

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This place has replaced Sosta Cocina and I was so thrilled to try, we've been wanting to stop by for a while. I really wanted to love this place, but it just didn't quite hit the mark for us. Love how they redecorated the space! Service was great, they accommodating our seating as our kids wanted to sit on the comfy booth type seating. Our server was very attentive and checked up on us frequently. They brought us bread a few times for the kids. Appetizers were great! We had the grilled octopus and yellowtail crudo. Both were excellent. The pastas however lacked flavor. Maybe we just ordered the wrong thing? We had the spaghetti vongole (clams) and the tagliatelle porcini (mushrooms). We eat out a lot when it comes to pasta (and my husband also makes his own fresh pasta and sauces from scratch too), so it was a little disappointing. We also ordered the prawns. It was good, just not great. The desserts however made up for it a little. We had the tiramisu and the chocolate amaretto cake. Both were flavorful and delicious. read more

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We went for Mother's Day lunch. They were serving the full dinner menu. We had 3 of the specials, gnocchi with lobster, whole branzino with vegetables and prosciutto with burrata. All were delicious. Also had the lasagna, frito misto and spaghetti with clams. Service was excellent. read more

My wife and I have become regulars at this amazing Italian restaurant -- it's honestly one of our favorite spots in the area! Every dish we've tried has been fantastic. The food is fresh and full of flavor, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff are always super friendly and attentive. The ribeye steak and filet mignon are absolutely outstanding -- cooked perfectly every single time. They also have a really nice wine selection, and it's such a pleasure to take a short walk along the promenade after dinner -- the whole area feels so nice and relaxing. Thank you for always making our evenings special -- we truly appreciate it! read more

Stecca Taverna - The vibe at the outdoor tables is great. - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

We went to dinner to celebrate our engagement at a new restaurant in town, which was the main reason we braved a rainy night to try it. Unfortunately, none of the staff acknowledged our engagement at all, which was disappointing given the occasion. The restaurant itself is extremely loud and cramped--you can barely hear the person sitting right in front of you. Because of the noise level, we couldn't relax or enjoy ourselves and felt like leaving as soon as we finished eating. The food was decent but not outstanding for the price. The veal and risotto were both overly salted, and the salad portion was surprisingly small. While the food wasn't bad, it didn't justify the cost. Overall, it was just an okay experience. For the prices they're charging, the staff could do much better with both service and atmosphere, especially for guests celebrating something special. read more

Stecca Taverna - Veal and gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

Inside is a bit cramped and the acoustics are overwhelming, could definitely use sound dampeners on the ceiling. But the food is excellent and the staff extremely welcoming. Siting outside is a nice reprieve from the noise. For dessert both the crème brullé and tiramisu were standouts. Wine selection is decent and the pasta served Al dente. Perfect for an intimate date or small group dinner. Will come again. read more

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Hands down the BEST restaurant in all of the South Bay. Stecca absolutely blew us away. From the moment we walked in, the cozy and intimate vibe made us feel like we'd stumbled into a little slice of Italy right here in Hermosa Beach. We ordered the lasagne and the ricotta limone pasta, and both were out of this world. The lasagne was rich, layered with depth and perfectly balanced flavors--comfort food elevated to something truly special. And the ricotta limone? Light, bright, and silky with just the right touch of lemon zest to keep every bite interesting. It's the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes and just savor. Service was warm and genuine--attentive without being overbearing. You can tell the team here really cares about the food and the experience. We'll absolutely be back! Thank you so much for such an amazing experience and we are happy to have you in Hermosa! read more

Stecca Taverna - Lasagne - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

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New restaurant that opened ~2 weeks ago! Service was prompt and friendly, staff constantly checks up on you for any of your needs (: The crostini with mozarella, proscuitto, and seasonal fruit (cantelope) is a must. Tomato focaccia was fluffy and flavorful. I forgot the names of the pastas but the anchovy pasta had a slight spicy kick and was perfectly al dente. The mushroom pasta is not too heavy with the sauce and has such a lovely mushroom flavor. Giorgio, the chef, is super sweet! Check out this spot next time you're at hermosa pier read more

Stecca Taverna - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

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The food was good, but the service was really poor. We spent over $700 and they rushed us out of there 15 minutes before our two hour "maximum time" read more

Incredible ambience and Italian-owned restaurant. Love the food and the vibe! The Brunello is stunning and so is the pasta that just made in-house. read more

Omg!!! Best italian food , authentic, simple , fresh and delicious. I am gluten intolerant and this was by far the best gluten free pasta I have ever had. The staff is so nice. This is our new favorite , a little piece of Italy in our neighborhood. read more

Stecca Taverna - Gluten free pasta with cream sauce and truffle - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

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I had a 7pm reservation and showed up at 705 and they gave my table away. Also, I called prior and the hostess said she would hold it. Now stuck with no place to eat. Will never go here. read more

Stecca is a beautifully designed and delicious restaurant- it gets five stars all around. We tried the specials - one was pear with burrata - wow wow. And I just love that there were real Italians (who were so warm and fun loving) running and working the place. This is now one of my favorite Italian restaurants. Try it! read more

Absolutely Fantastic Menu! Truly Traditional Italian. My family is from Sicily and it reminds me of my youth! I Always start with dessert FIRST, that way I always have room! read more

Stecca Taverna - Started with Panna cotta and ended with gelato and Italian Porto - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

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Absolutely Fabulous menu. My Family is from Sicily, and Stecca is Traditiona! Adoro! AND, I always start with dessert FIRST. That way I always have room. read more

Updated - I meant to put 3 stars not 2. Ambience - they did a nice job decorating the space and it's very cozy. Unfortunately they put three people at a tiny table really only meant for two and they were not attentive in ensuring we had cleared plates to make room for things. Service - our server was very kind and at first very attentive but he disappeared after serving our initial drinks so we didn't get to order until maybe 30-45 mins after sitting down. Strange. Food - we ordered the panzanella salad and the butternut squash ravioli. The salad was over dressed and too acidic, needed a bit more oil and salt to balance it. The bread was too heavily dressed rendering it soggy, which isn't ideal. The ravioli was okay, lacked flavor and needed salt. We shared the lemon pasta, the mushroom fettuccine and the pesto. The pasta was cooked well, the lemony pasta was pretty good but still felt something was missing. They were also cold which diminished the taste for us. I was also basically sitting back to back to the person at the table next to us, which was very awkward. I may return on a night that isn't so busy because the service was so spotty, and to try some other things. But overall this meal and experience was average, maybe slightly below, based on my expectations of what this price point and type of restaurant this is. read more

Went with my boyfriend this past Sunday, and it was a wonderful experience. We didn't have a reservation, but the waiter was so sweet -- she still got us seated and set up a lovely table right away. Our server was also amazing. He walked us through the special menu, patiently explaining and repeating things when we didn't fully understand -- which made everything feel relaxed and enjoyable. We ordered the Mushroom Soufflé (Timballo di Funghi) and Grilled Octopus (Polpo e Caponata). The mushroom soufflé was rich, earthy, and perfectly textured -- the kind of dish that feels both comforting and refined. The grilled octopus was tender and flavorful, accompanied by the vibrant caponata that added a sweet-tangy balance. Not to mention the rest of the food -- everything we tasted was delicious. The restaurant was packed, which says a lot about how good it is. Easy parking and a nice interior made the whole experience even better. The vibe feels perfect for a date night, a family dinner, or a gathering with friends. Highly recommend checking it out! read more

Stecca Taverna - photo with the owner - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

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Stecca is authentic, northern Italian cuisine-- a perfect blend of pastas, seafood, meats and cheeses paired with excellent authentic wines. Not to mention, the vibes of the restaurant will transport you to Italy. It can get very busy during popular times, so make a reservation and don't expect in your face, fast paced service like something you'd experience in LA proper. This is a more laid back, authentic Mediterranean pace of service, where the servers (shoutout to Juan!) will get to know you, whether it's your first or fourteenth visit. Also, some of the best gnocchi I've ever had. read more

Dinner was fabulous, service and ambiance were excellent. Love the comfortable velvet chairs. All in all we will be back! Everyone loved their meals. read more

Stecca Taverna - Charcuterie and the burrata tomato apps. Divine! - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

The question we always ask ourselves after trying a new restaurant (at least new to us) is... 'would we go back?' - At the moment the answer is 'maybe'. Why? We dined there with another couple this past Saturday night. The place was humming! Honestly it was too loud to have a decent conversation, but can't fault the establishment for that (except maybe installing some sound absorbing panels in the ceilings). We felt rushed from the start. Our server announced right when we sat down, that we must get our appetizer and entree orders in right away because 'the kitchen is slow tonight'. Fortunately we had all viewed the menu on line prior so we ordered while he was standing over us (somewhat impatiently). We ordered: Lasagne, 2 fruiti de mare pastas, pasta vongole, calamari & artichoke heart appetizer. We had only just poured the wine and bam the appetizer came and slightly before it was done the entrees arrived. So much for the 'slow kitchen'. As the dinner progressed, it became clear that the slow kitchen line was really to try and turn the table so as to get additional customers in. Having worked literally every job in higher-end restaurants when I was growing up, I knew how important it was to keep tables turning - but there's a balance between doing so overtly versus just providing prompt, but paced service. I hope Stecca reads this and makes the appropriate adjustments. The food? Appetizer was good, lasagne was excellent, seafood pasta good, vongole below average (dry, little-to-no sauce, 3 small clams). Afterwards, I felt bad that we really didn't have the opportunity to chat with our friends due to the rushed service and deafening loudness of the interior. IF we go back, we might choose a less busy weeknight, we'll see.... read more

Amazing dining experience. The chef is incredible, it feels like stepping into a local restaurant in Italy.

Unbelievably authentic Italian food with impeccable service!Ambience is great. Cool vibe would definitely go back again!

Stecca Taverna is definitely on the pricier side, but the quality of the food and the atmosphere make it worth the splurge. Every dish we tried was beautifully prepared and full of flavor--you can really taste the attention to detail and fresh ingredients. The ambiance is warm and elevated, perfect for a special night out. If you're looking for an experience where quality truly shines, Stecca delivers. read more

Stecca Taverna - Truffle Yellowtail - Italian Near Me - Hermosa Beach, California

Absolutely one of the best restaurants we've been to and we are foodies. The service was impeccable, I mean they were so attentive, but not intrusive. Highly recommend. Great date spot too. Ordered appetizers, main, dessert and cappuccino. All items were above expectations. Wine list reasonable. Can't wait to go back, seriously. read more

We were excited to try the restaurant that took over the space for Sosta Cucina. While the food was tasty (I had the fettuccine al limone), the amount served was less than the standard portion in ITALY (which is appropriate, but "small" in comparison to here). I paid $26 for the smallest portion of pasta I ever have been served. Spreading the pasta out doesn't count nor using a wide, flat noodle. The appetizer (burrata caprese) was $20 and also not worth it. The flavor was quite bland. The best thing we had was the bread! With regard to service, awful. A man came up to our table and started whispering the specials. No "hello" or introduction and we could barely hear him. My friend only heard the last item as she didn't even realize he was speaking to us. We didn't know if he was our server or what. When we were ordering and I started to ask about the two options I was torn between, I barely got the choices out and he said the fettuccine al limone and took my menu right out of my hands!!! I could not have asked additional questions if I wanted!! He never came back to ask if we needed anything else. My friend wanted to order a glass of wine and couldn't remember exactly the name but he took all menus and went to the machine to put in our order. (She asked for the menu as he started to walk away and he handed her a food menu, not the wine list.) She called him back and asked if he even heard her wine order and though he got the name correct, he was abrupt and dismissive. The busboy started to clean our table and left the fork I used on the table. When he was about to walk off, I asked if he could please take it. He did, but left sauce and a bit of pasta on the table. He did NOT come back to clean it up. When I saw him bus the table near us, I asked him to please wipe off our table. I should not have to ask for him to do that. We usually have dessert after a nice dinner, but skipped it (went somewhere else) just so we could leave. Food was okay, service was terrible. We eat out a lot. This will not be a place we return to given there are so many other fantastic places to eat in the South Bay. read more

Party of 4 arrived promptly for our 7pm reservation. We waited 15-20 minutes for the waiter to acknowledge us. We got his attention and called him over and ordered drinks. They arrived and he ran off before taking our orders. We waited about 20 minutes with empty drinks and had to get his attention again. We said something about waiting too long to order food and he said something like, "it's Friday night. What do you expect. I'm busy with many other customers.". Food arrived (not by him) at all the wrong destinations and we all swapped. There were a few other hiccups like appetizers being removed before being finished. The waiter was so rude and food was okay. read more

FABULOUS! It has the greatest lasagna I have ever tasted. It's a great space and a spectacular menu!

Wonderful new Italian restaurant!! This place is a gem. Authentic food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. We have dined here 3 or 4 times now and all the dishes were excellent. read more

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I rarely write negative reviews, but this experience was so unprofessional that I feel obligated to warn others. I made a legitimate 8:30 PM reservation through Resy, which the restaurant itself offered. About an hour before the reservation, I got multiple calls and texts from the restaurant pressuring me to arrive early, claiming they had "no more reservations" and repeatedly emphasizing that I needed to be on time or the kitchen would close. At first I assumed this was an automated message, but when I replied that I could come early, I received a casual "Super thank you" response with an emoji, which already set a strange and unprofessional tone. When my wife and I arrived, the restaurant was maybe 80% full, hardly on the brink of shutting down. In any case, the service was rushed and we felt it. We were clearly not holding anything up: food was still being delivered to tables that were seated after us, so there was no justification for the pressure we were feeling. The food itself was not good, but what made the experience truly unpleasant was the behavior of the staff. Bussers repeatedly cleared items from our table prematurely, including asking my wife if she was finished while her plate was half eaten and her fork was literally in her mouth mid-bite. Every attempt to clear the table was accompanied by "no rush, no rush," yet everything about the service communicated the exact opposite. Towards the tail end of our meal, staff began bringing out cleaning supplies and actively cleaning the area behind us (not tables, common areas and hallways leading to restrooms), filling the air with the smell of bleach while we were still seated and eating. This is completely unacceptable in any restaurant, let alone one that is still serving guests. We weren't even the last party there. On our way out, with only one or two other tables remaining, I was genuinely shocked that the hostess - who was standing right there - didn't acknowledge us at all. No goodbye. No thank you. Nothing. Overall, this was an awful, rushed, and deeply unprofessional experience from start to finish. I will never return, and I will absolutely advise anyone I know to avoid this place. A reservation should mean something, and diners should never be made to feel like an inconvenience for showing up when they were invited to. read more

I wish I could share with you we enjoyed the food at Stecca . Our reservation was for 6pm tonight . Requested and confirmed we had indoor seatings . Great! Looking forward to it until we received a text just now ( mind you without identifying who this message was from ) . I was informed rather rudely my reservation had been moved to 5pm due to the rain. What ? I texted back and asked who the text was from . No response . Perhaps whoever was texting should have identified himself / herself . Clearly I made the reservation for indoor seating . Would it not make sense you might wish to request politely to a customer who took the time to reserve an indoor table ? Obviously I am disappointed and rather surprised by the service. Well . I am sure the food is good . But again guess my date and I wouldn't know now would we ? read more

We visited this place first time after the best Italian restaurant in South Bay, "Sosta," closed. We were quite excited to try new restaurants. Unfortunately, we had terrible experiences. I never had. Really shocked. The only positive aspects were the receptionists, bass boy, bread, and olive oil. The menu's font and color are difficult to read at night. And what waiter doesn't know the wine list from the menu? I can't pronounce well because Italian, and I pointed, but he responded, "Oh, I can't read." We waited for drinks quite awhile, and two appetizers and a salad arrived all at once before brinks !!. We haven't had our drinks yet so I was watching the waiter to see if he noticed our drink, but he didn't, so I tried calling him, and he said, "Oh, it was white, right?" He forgot red wine. So we mentioned it. he definitely forgot our drinks. About foods , I can't believe they serviced this horrible foods with this price. The appetizers were pretty bad for the expensive price. Its boring taste, Fish is sooooo fishy and No fresh at all. I can make better to go to the farmers market. A pasta! Wow, it is also bad. I like al dente, but just so much al dente. The couples at the next table talked about the same thing. I can't believe who put the 5 stars. Don't waist your money and time. I recommend my friend "Sosta"before but new restaurant ( even can't remember the name ) I won't recommend anyone. I really miss a Sosta , amazing the Chef Luca Manderino and very knowledgeable waiter which sommelier. read more

We came in on a weekday night, and were greeted by welcoming staff. The menu sounded incredible and reminded me of things i loved from a recent trip to Italy. It did not dissapoint. Ambience is a great vibe and the food is AMAZING!! read more