North Italia image

North Italia

Restaurant Bar Pizza restaurant Meal takeaway Italian restaurant Family restaurant Brunch restaurant Lunch restaurant Wine bar Southern italian restaurant Northern italian restaurant

One of the Most Revieweds in Irvine


Address

2957 Michelson Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

Website

www.northitalia.com

Contact

(949) 629-7060

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (3.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (22) great (16) time (15) service (12) pasta (11) restaurant (11) delicious (10) Italian (10) experience (10) recommend (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jane R. 1 year ago on Google
    We should wait for 25 min on duty. I recommend you to reserve before you go. I liked eggplant pizza(It was today's chef special). The taste was very good because of fresh delicious tomato sauce and chewy texture!! And pasta was also good!!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Robert 4 years ago on Google • 774 reviews
    Their takeout is never on time as stated online. Online says 40 minutes but you're easily waiting an additional 30 minutes. The hostess and manager was nice and explained that corporate needs to fix the online portion. I'm leaving this 2 stars until corporate fixes the system. Too bad as this is one of my go to Italian places.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 HAMID A. 2 years ago on Google
    Everything we had was superb 👌🏽 especially the Salmon. The squid 🦑 ink pasta was also good. Save room for desert 😁 staff were friendly. Parking can be an issue and there was a short wait
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 whoa b. 2 years ago on Google
    The service here is always exceptional. The food is delicious and prepared with an eye for detail. Large selection of wines and cocktails . I would suggest using the valet because parking is often very difficult.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 BwS 3. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is always a treat to come to. I always endulge when I come here. I'll always try a cocktail first or beer, but definitely my go to items are the white truffle garlic bread and the glazed short rib cavatelli. The food is so good I always devour everything before getting a chance to take a picture to post up. I highly recommend this place!!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 JAMESiFyD 2 years ago on Google
    North Italia has been one of my most favorite restaurants in the past 5 years. The ultra chic vibe of this place attracts quite a number of young professionals during the day. However, the main attraction of this famous spot is its wide variety of phenomenal Italian dishes, which are freshly made in-house. This is actually a perfect place for any occasion.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Negar J. 1 year ago on Google
    I’ve been coming to this place for few years now. I have never been disappointed with my order. The food quality is always good. Everything we tasted was perfect. Staff were knowledgable about the food and what was in each dish. This place is always crowded, so if you are looking for a quiet restaurant North Italia is not a good option. Also make sure to make reservation or you would end up waiting for a long time due to their popularity. But overall I recommend this restaurant if you want a good quality food.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ground Up P. 1 year ago on Google
    Shared an Amazing brunch out with the family, this restaurant is always 👌 5 stars. Such a great atmosphere, top-notch service, and delicious food. Shout out to our nice waiter Rick
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Traditionally Modern F. 3 months ago on Google • 223 reviews New
    We reserved the table for 9:30 but arrived a little early because the kids were hungry. Luckily, we got our table immediately. We informed our waiter that we were vegetarians and asked for suggestions. We all enjoyed the arancini and stuffed pasta recommended by her. The eggplant parmesan and fungi were also good. However, the pesto pasta had some burnt pine nuts, making it taste okay. Although the kitchen closed around 10, when the kids wanted dessert, the waiter still took our order. The best part was that they didn't rush us; they let us finish our food
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sandy W. 2 months ago on Google • 104 reviews New
    What a treat this dinner was. such delicious Italian food and really tasty appetizers. The white truffle garlic bread is a must try, flavor, and texture on point. we also tried the prosciutto bruschetta and it was excellent i can't wait to go back for that. For dinner, I had the crushed meatball pasta, and it tasted really authentic. The interior of the restaurant is very cute and feels really open. I can't wait to go back. Highly recommend going.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emily W. 4 months ago on Google • 47 reviews
    The food here was so good. you must try the white truffle bread small plate! I would eat here just for that. Spicy sausage pizza is not spicy and has the white truffle spread dolloped on it too. The pizza crust is perfect and I loved the flavor of the short rib lumache. It was the perfect spot for our anniversary. I've heard desserts are good but didn't try myself. It gets really busy and crowded even on weeknights. Make sure you get a reservation and plan plenty of time for parking (or valet park for $).
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Carolyn H. 2 years ago on Google
    Dined for Friday lunch, reservations ahead of time, good service and vibe, well-lit, fairly loud inside though adds to lively ambiance. Classic dishes, decent selection, nothing wow-worthy but definitely quality-enough to feel alright for paying $15-$30 per plate. Parking is valet in front of restaurant, free parking in adjacent lots in the center (can get busy/crowded easily, plan for a few extra minutes to look for parking)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yuliya K. 1 year ago on Google
    My favorite place in California for many years! The best dishes are served here!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Al R. 1 year ago on Google
    Vibrant atmosphere...food and drinks were outstanding. Our server was always there when we needed him, despite the restaurant being very crowded. The reservation was for 4:45 because all the best slots were taken. We still ended up staying for almost 3hours. Beautiful staff and excellent decor. Great indoor outdoor opportunities too. All in all. Thumbs up
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alyssya G. 1 year ago on Google
    I recently took two clients here for a work lunch and it was amazing! A little busy since it was lunch time, but that didn’t stop the service from being impeccable. Jeremy was an amazing waiter and got everything we needed including more information on the foods that would fit my allergy restrictions. I’m gluten free and requested a salad with no croutons. Jeremy made sure to confirm whether or not this was an allergy, and executed accordingly. Definitely returning to this location again even though I live all the way out in LA county!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maxim F. 8 months ago on Google
    Indoor and outdoor seating, both very nice dining options! Food was great and was much better than anticipated. Definitely will return as the food tasted great and had a nice dining experience as well.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 BK 1 month ago on Google • 94 reviews New
    North Italia in Irvine offers a mixed dining experience. While the food falls short of exceptional, it's not terrible either – just okay. The restaurant boasts a pleasant eating environment and clean restrooms, although I did encounter a broken hook to hang jackets. The service from the servers was adequate, but nothing extraordinary. However, a major disappointment was the fried calamari, which was the worst I've ever had. The coating was too thick and soggy, detracting from the dish's enjoyment. Additionally, the orange juice tasted diluted as if too much water had been added. Overall, North Italia provides a decent dining option, but improvements in certain areas could elevate the experience.

  • 5/5 Mike H. 2 months ago on Google • 89 reviews New
    Excellent Sunday brunch. Dirty chai iced lattes were a great way to start. Food all around was great. Fresh ingredient use was clear. Omelette was light and fluffy, asparagus had a little crunch which enhance both the flavor and texture of the omelette. Accompaniment of hash potatoes were great. Breakfast sandwich was excellent. Highly recommend. Make reservations as was busy for brunch

  • 5/5 Frank S. 5 months ago on Google • 6 reviews
    My visit to North Italia was a delightful culinary adventure. The Chicken Pesto, undoubtedly my favorite, offered a burst of rich flavors that made my taste buds dance with joy. The tender chicken paired with the aromatic pesto created a mouthwatering combination that left a lasting impression. Equally impressive was the calamari, perfectly crispy and paired with a sauce that blended seamlessly, creating a harmonious medley of textures and tastes. To complete this exceptional dining experience, I indulged in the Pomegranate Mule cocktail, which was a refreshing delight. This concoction featured a delightful ginger aftertaste that added a unique twist to the traditional Moscow Mule. The tangy pomegranate flavor and the zesty ginger notes combined to create a drink that perfectly complemented the savory dishes. What made the experience even more enjoyable was the efficient service. Despite being at full capacity, the wait time was surprisingly short, a testament to their well-organized staff. Additionally, the open kitchen concept allowed me to witness the culinary magic happening behind the scenes, adding an exciting element to the overall ambiance. North Italia truly provides an exceptional dining experience, combining delectable flavors with efficient service and a captivating kitchen view, making it a top-notch choice for a memorable meal.

  • 5/5 Khalid K. 5 months ago on Google
    I had an incredible dining experience at North Italia! The customer service was top-notch; the bar manager went above and beyond, ensuring our satisfaction. We indulged in calamari fritti, crispy eggplant parmesan, and white truffle garlic bread for starters, followed by a delightful array of main courses. The ricotta cavatelli, seasonal anolini, crushed meatball ragu, strozzapreti, chicken parmesan, and fries were all cooked to perfection. The calamari stood out with its fresh, crispy, and delicious flavor, while the eggplant parmesan, though loaded with cheese, was exquisite. To cap off our delightful meal, we enjoyed a fabulous cup of black tea, adding a touch of warmth and aiding digestion. Overall, North Italia is a must-try – I wholeheartedly recommend it! The seamless combination of exquisite dishes and comforting tea truly made our visit memorable.

  • 5/5 Channing P. 2 years ago on Google
    If you looking for delish Italian food with a stylish decor your next stop needs to be North Italia. To add a cherry on top, the staff was fabulous. They were sweet, friendly and always around . . . My drink never drop below half

  • 4/5 Julie L. 8 months ago on Google
    The food has been consistent. That's why we like this place. But we looked forward to arancini but they replaced it with bocconcini which was equally as good. We really appreciated our server John. Meatballs good but a little cool in center but the sauce was hot. The grilled bread was delicious. I had the salmon on the arugula salad which was good. And the chicken Parmesan is delicious the butter cheese penne, yum. My one complaint is our appetizers were all delivered before I got my glass of wine.. that drives me crazy. I'd give it less stars but our server made up for it at other times. Look wise it's a cool atmosphere. But a 2 star because over crowded and loud and even when you have a reservation you arrive on time and you still wait 15 minutes to get seated.

  • 4/5 Vy H. 8 months ago on Google
    The place is great for behaved pets. The food was lacking but the drinks were delicious. The carpaccio was overly seasoned with sauces. All I tasted was the sauce. Sub par taste on the pasta.

  • 5/5 Hannah 7 months ago on Google
    The food was very good! Service was great! Our server was really sweet~ I wanted a cocktail, but I was not sure what was good and asked for her recommendation. I said I wanted something sweet and she recommended the Fiore Scarletto. As she said it tastes like a tea from Starbucks with alcohol :) We ordered the Bolognese, Squid Ink Tonnarelli, and the Italian Meatball. I really like the texture and the cook level of the pastas. I believe we wanted something similar to the italian meatball at first, but they don't have it on the menu anymore. Still the Italian meatball were really good! I think creamy polenta on the plate was a perfect match with the meatballs. For dessert, we were debating between the butter cake and tiramisu.. I believe the butter cake had seasonal fruits that we were not big fans of so we got the tiramisu!! Perfect amount of sweetness and crunch from the mini chocolate balls!! Thank you for the amazing service and great food :)

  • 4/5 Daniel H. 1 year ago on Google
    The food was delicious. Unfortunately there was some issues with the food coming out in a timely manner. We requested all the food come out at the same time. We were already done with our appetizers and pizza by the time the pasta came out. Luckily we were doing family style but if we had ordered our own entree the food would've gotten cold by the time the pasta came out. Our server also wasn't the most attentive. I saw him and a few others texting throughout our time there. All in all I would come again because of how good the food is for the price. Hopefully service will be improved next time we're there and what we experienced isn't the norm. Definitely get a reservation to limit your wait time.

  • 5/5 Timothy C. 1 year ago on Google
    A restaurant with a lively atmosphere filled with lots of happy vibe. Our server did a nice job taking care of our party. The food was amongst the best Italian places I have been to.

  • 5/5 Jeff C. 1 year ago on Google
    Great Italian restaurant. Inside is modern and spacious. Good for small or large groups. Would highly recommend making a reservation for a large group. The food is delicious. My favorites are the Bolognese and squid ink pasta. Service is fantastic. Friendly staff. Plenty of parking in the shopping center lot. They also have valet.

  • 5/5 Tara C. 1 year ago on Google
    So, seriously, the white truffle garlic bread is something out of this world, you could build a whole dinner around it. The outdoor patio feels like you're on a Mediterranean mountainside, the staff were all so cheery and courteous. What a delightful place to grab Italian food

  • 5/5 Star F. 11 months ago on Google
    Price was great, food was great, service good Had the smoked salmon. It was great! Son had childs pizza but the cheese was abnormally salty and as a kid it was too off for him. My partner spaghetti was great too

  • 5/5 Michelle D. 1 year ago on Google
    Great service. Great food. The appetizers were awesome. It's our first time here with friends. The garlic bread with truffle butter was amazing. Our calamari tasted like it was breaded with funnel cake. The meat balls were really good. I don't recommend the tropical margarita get a regular one.

  • 4/5 Steven P. 10 months ago on Google
    Great servers that actually care about their customers! Very busy, always a good sign. Decent wine selection. We enjoyed the Fontodi wine 🍷 classic clean finish. The dinners were great. A don't miss Italian spot in Orange County!

  • 5/5 Rita C. 1 year ago on Google
    Jeremy was an amazing waiter and got everything we needed including more information on the foods that would fit my allergy restrictions. I’m gluten free and requested a salad with no croutons. Jeremy made sure to confirm whether or not this was an allergy, and executed accordingly.

  • 5/5 Liz S. 1 year ago on Google
    Pretty restaurant and bar. Their food is fantastic. I can’t stop dreaming of their pesto pasta. It’s better than even the ones I had in Italy. The zucchini chips where interesting and addicting. Perfect date spot.

  • 5/5 Oscar M. 1 year ago on Google
    The food here is absolutely amazing. Our server recommended basically our whole meal and I swear this man knew what we wanted better than we did! 👏 David (I hope we got your name right😅) thank you for making our anniversary lunch so memorable! Hope the rest of your shift went well. ❤

  • 3/5 anhvy d. 6 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Let's start on a positive note. I definitely recommend sitting in the dining area. The servers work well as a team, dropping off dishes and attending to customers' needs. Isabel was an outstanding server, and all who helped during our meal were friendly and efficient. The prosciutto asparagus bruschetta, beef carpaccio, spicy rigatoni vodka, and squid ink pasta were superb. However, the calamari and farmers market board were not memorable. The bar is a different situation altogether. We started in the bar while waiting for our table. The tall and short male bartenders did not smile once at any of the bar patrons. They were not overwhelmed with a crowd whatsoever (never a good reason to be stone faced when serving customers), but they didn't make any small talk or seem to want to be at work. The tall male bartender actually held his hand out to wait for my BF to pull out his credit card because he wasn't busy? Not sure, but it was bizarre. Put the bill in a glass and chat with my BF or serve another patron or smile or be normal...geez. This bar experience was enough for me to want to leave the restaurant entirely. However, my former student invited me here, so I had to stay. People go to a bar/the bar area to imbibe and have a fun time. However, my Bloody Mary was not great great, and you have already read how UNfun my experience was at the bar. I was so relieved when our table was ready. Thanks to the latter experience, lunch was salvaged.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍


Call (949) 629-7060 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Valet parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Happy hour food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy hour drinks
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
    • ✓️ Private dining room
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Assistive hearing loop
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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