Lago spotlights the cuisine of Bellagio on Lake Como, Northern Italy and features the ultimate upscale restaurant experience with exceptional flavors and meticulous, friendly service since opening in '91. It’s a favorite of foodies, celebrities, locals and travelers. The freshest seasonal ingredients available from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market are served in traditional and innovative recipes, and pastas, focaccia, desserts and gelato are housemade daily. The popular bar offers Happy Hour nightly and distinctive Artisanal cocktails. Great patio with view of 3rd Street Promenade. Lago’s wine list has received an Award of Excellence from WINE SPECTATOR every year since 1995 and has over 400 selections from Italy and California. “Don’t miss the Ossobuco alla Milanese” - GOURMET. "There’s no better place to people-watch than at the outdoor patio” - FROMMERS. "Recommended" - MICHELIN. "Perfectly crafted pastas" – ZAGAT. "Best Italian Cuisine" – LOS ANGELES TIMES.

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41 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

(41 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 41 reviews

5 stars

(13)

4 stars

(13)

3 stars

(10)

2 stars

(3)

1 star

(2)

Food

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(14)
neighborhood gem(12)
special occasion(11)

good for groups(9)
great for outdoor dining(9)
notable wine list(9)

Locanda Del Lago Reviews List

Review 1 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Fabulous!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 6/10/2013

2012

Dined on 6/10/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"I've eaten here every time I'm in the area and its always been fantastic. Great staff, great wine list. Consistently great Italian food."

Dined on 6/10/2013

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion

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Review 2 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Note to Tail dinner was great

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 3/28/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"I've been here a few times over the years and have always enjoyed it. The seafood and pasta dishes I've tried were flavorful and perfectly cooked. My nephew once got some pizza which he really enjoyed but didnt' do much for me. However, recently went to a lamb nose-to-tail dinner and loved every single course and so did the 3 companions I was with. The management was very helpful and friendly. The bar was really hopping with a Italian American society meeting that night but didn't have to wait--also great happy hour prices! My only complaint is that it's pretty noisy. Will definitely go back."

Dined on 3/28/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, special occasion

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Review 3 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 6/02/2013

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The service was friendly and attentive. The food was mediocre. The menu was standard and unimaginative. Three of us had trout, which was dry and served with a boring sauce. The canoli was ok."

Dined on 6/02/2013

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Review 4 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Excellent!!!

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/17/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"My family and I wanted an Italian restaurant in Santa Monica for my sister's graduation. I found this restaurant online and used open table to book it. I put a special note in the open table reservation regarding my sister's graduation. We were a large party and were immediately seated on time. Staff is very friendly - makes you feel like family! One of the managers approached our table and asked about the graduation (picking that up from my open table note). The serve was extremely attentive (in a good way!) and the food was amazing! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone - especially for a special occassion!"

Dined on 5/17/2013

Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 5 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Our waiter was excellent.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2013

2009

Dined on 04/06/2013

2009

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Our waiter was excellent. His wine suggestion was perfect. The general manager was delightful and made us feel special. Our fish was perfect. A great balance of flavors."

Dined on 04/06/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Review 6 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

We go to this restaurant once

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/05/2013

2009

Dined on 04/05/2013

2009

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We go to this restaurant once or twice a month because the atmosphere is warm and cozy, the lighting romantic and the food is seasonal. The chef uses local produce from the Farmer's Market and they post from which vendor which is interesting. The food is Northern Italian,from around Lake Como and so focuses on fish dishes although their pasta, especially the Tagliatelle Bolognese and the Spinach Ravioli are lovely. We like the Burata with the figs as an appetizer and split that. Having a glass of the Ferrari-Carrano Chardonnay for us is a nice touch. The maitre d' and wait staff are always charming and attentive."

Dined on 04/05/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion

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Review 7 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

This was a great last minute

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2013

2006

Dined on 03/30/2013

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"This was a great last minute find! Fresh Pasta and the Osso Bucco was delicious."

Dined on 03/30/2013

2006

Special Features: great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot

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Review 8 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

I walked into the resturant

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2013

2010

Dined on 03/24/2013

2010

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"I walked into the resturant and the hostess said there was a 30 min wait. i walked out and made a reservation on open table and walked back in. they seated me within 2 mins, What kind of non sense is this?
i personally saw the manager a heavy set gentlemen greet two ladies that walked in about 5 mins after us with no reservation he sat them right down. WAIT wasent there a 30 min wait??When i spoke to the manager about this, he gave me some line about how busy they were and how he got the nod from the kitchen that they could handle more customers. HAHA this all happened with in 5 mins of us sitting down.The seafood spagetti was salty salty with 3 shrimps 2 clams and 2 mussels. some bay scallops and calamari. the vegi pizza was ok the serve"

Dined on 03/24/2013

2010

Special Features: late-night find

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Review 9 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Locanda does a very good job

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/23/2013

2005

Dined on 03/23/2013

2005

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Locanda does a very good job and provides a perfectly good dining experience. It is far better than the average fare on the Promenade. It is convenient, and Santa Monica has done a good job providing convenient parking at a fair price."

Dined on 03/23/2013

2005

Special Features: good for groups

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Review 10 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Had a lovely evening - 2/3

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/12/2013

2004

Dined on 03/12/2013

2004

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Had a lovely evening - 2/3 meals were wonderful. Waiter did not hear appetizer order - entrees arrived and had to go back to kitchen, wait for appie, then serve entreees again. Gnocchi came out cold. Osso Bucco was to die for! Would definitely go back."

Dined on 03/12/2013

2004

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Review 11 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

It was, alas, as expected

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/16/2013

2006

Dined on 03/16/2013

2006

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The service was slow from the moment the table (for 7 ) was inadequately set. We waited for a good half-hour for our main courses - which were uniformly mediocre. The manager, to his great credit, gave us - unexpectedly and unnecessarily - several desserts - all of which exceeded the quality of the appetizers and entrees. My advice, should you go there - and it's certainly not one of top ten Italian restaurants in Santa Monica - is to eat the superb desserts. Splendid."

Dined on 03/16/2013

2006

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Review 12 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Convenient promenade location

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/01/2013

2008

Dined on 03/01/2013

2008

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Convenient promenade location with good people watching if you sit outside. Wonderful food and very attentive staff. We had a good night here and would go back again."

Dined on 03/01/2013

2008

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 13 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

I went twice in one week!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/25/2013

2007

Dined on 02/25/2013

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"I went to this restaurant twice in one week as I was determined to see if my first wonderful experience was a fluke. It was not. I did have a different waiter who wasn't as terrific as my first, but he was still good. The food was terrific and I like that the manager made the rounds to check on the diners."

Dined on 02/25/2013

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining

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Review 14 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Lago is a KEEPER!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/16/2013

2010

Dined on 02/16/2013

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Excellent service, helpful staff - we needed to move our table due to a draft that my friend didn't want that was from a patio door nearby, and it was no problem for them to accommodate us, even though it was a busy night. Will be back!!"

Dined on 02/16/2013

2010

Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Review 15 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

We did not eat there. They

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/16/2013

2009

Dined on 02/16/2013

2009

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"We did not eat there. They did not accommodate our request for an outside table.They told us that it was because we made the reservation online.If we would have called they might have been able to accommodate us.The manager was not customer friendly."

Dined on 02/16/2013

2009

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Review 16 for Locanda Del Lago

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5