UOVO Santa Monica

1320 2nd St Ste A, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
$$$ Italian restaurant
(1555 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Welcome to UOVO Santa Monica, a culinary gem that perfectly captures the heart and soul of Italian cuisine. Nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Santa Monica, this Italian restaurant invites you on a gastronomic journey that highlights not just the flavors of Italy, but also the essence of fresh, artisanal cooking.

As you enter, you’re greeted by a warm atmosphere that balances modern elegance with a cozy, inviting vibe—making it an ideal spot for both date nights and casual family dinners. The open kitchen concept allows you to watch the skilled chefs expertly crafting each dish, a tantalizing visual that adds to the experience. Whether seated outdoors under the California sun or in the chic interior, the ambience sets the stage for a truly memorable meal.

UOVO specializes in fresh pasta, made to order and infused with local ingredients. Each dish is meticulously crafted to ensure a burst of flavor that dances on your palate. Start your meal with the Yellowtail Crudo, where the delicate fish is elevated with a hint of Fresno chili pepper—perfectly complemented by a touch of olive oil and citrus. For a salady starter, the Insalata Arugula & Mizuna refreshes your taste buds with its peppery greens, juicy hearts of palm, and a drizzle of balsamic dressing, creating a bright and vibrant beginning to your meal.

The pasta menu at UOVO is a celebration of Italian tradition, designed to surprise and delight. The tasting menu is particularly popular, allowing you to sample a variety of delightful options, including the critically acclaimed truffle pasta. Diners rave about its rich and earthy flavor, which stands in contrast to the refreshing Cacio e Pepe—a classic dish that balances simplicity with depth. Don’t miss the creative twist on lasagna, which features an inventive green filling that will challenge your expectations.

No meal here is complete without indulging in a luscious dessert. The Tiramisu' al Cucchiaio is not just a sweet ending; it's an experience inspired by the original recipes of Rome, offering a hint of hazelnut that will leave you dreaming long after your dinner. Or try the velvety Panna Cotta con Saba, a delightful play on textures and flavors, making each bite a journey through Italy’s rich culinary heritage.

UOVO has garnered high praise from guests, with reviews highlighting the simplicity and bold flavors of the dishes. Chuck Franco captures the essence perfectly, stating that the restaurant is a must-visit for pasta lovers, as he and his wife plan their vacations around this culinary haven. Kristin Snackey Alvarez reflects on her lovely experience and the deliciousness of the fresh pasta, confirming that this is a destination not to be missed. Shawn Rashid succinctly describes the atmosphere as ideal for a romantic date night, further emphasizing the restaurant’s enchanting allure.

With its commitment to quality, a strong focus on flavors, and a dining experience that allows you to witness the artistry of pasta making, UOVO Santa Monica stands out as a beacon of what Italian cuisine should represent. Be sure to make a reservation, as this beloved establishment is quickly becoming a staple in the Santa Monica dining scene, and you won’t want to miss out on this flavorful adventure.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves food
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has counter service
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Popular with tourists
Planning
Usually has a wait
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

1555 Reviews
Chuck Franco

23 Aug 2025

I don't understand how the food looks so simple but It's the most flavorful pasta my wife and I have ever eaten! We live in AZ but go to Santa Monica every year and NEVER miss going to this restaurant. In fact, we arrange our stay in LA just so we can go here! The service is great, clean and just overall an outstanding experience every time we visit.

Kristin Snackey Alvarez

22 Aug 2025

Just had the most lovely experience at this restaurant. We had one last meal in Santa Monica before heading home and fresh pasta was too enticing to pass up. I'm so glad we found this place. The pasta was so delicious and we were able to try a lot of different ones with the Regional Tasting Menu, highly recommend!

Yuri Kim

12 Aug 2025

Their tasting menu is super affordable. Even though I’m not a fan of truffle, their truffle pasta was super good. Cacio Pepe was also good just not as much as the truffle pasta. I wouldn’t recommend the Crudo in the Pomodoro was just tomato spaghetti you would see elsewhere. The lasagna was green, creative, and tasty but very small and portion. I would not recommend the carbonara.

Shawn Rashid

23 Jul 2025

Very flavorful pasta, tried the tasting menu and that was definitely worth it - got to try truffle pasta, classic tomato sauce, and something more peppery. Also came with a nice tiramisu desert. Atmosphere is great for date night, glad I was able to find an Italian spot in the area

Mic “LM” Hob

12 Jul 2025

This is a best pasta we have ever eaten. My partner and I decided to try this after I saw a clip from a podcast or something speaking on how they make the pasta. We were going to be in Santa Monica the next day anyway and checked it out and boy do we not regret it. Matter of fact as Im typing this my partner is eating at another location with his cousin because he wanted her to try it. We just went last week! lol. It was so good, I dont even know how to describe it. I have never tasted pasta like this. I ordered the Crema something and he had the Ragu. Just so good. This is a small place so it felt intimate. The ambiance was great as they were playing good music and completely different music in bathroom areas. The server was very nice and helpful. Food came out in a timely manner. Salad we had was good as well. If this is what pasta tastes like in Italy I need to go. I cant wait to go back.

Zack Hébert

09 Jul 2025

This is hands down the best pasta I’ve ever had. Yes it’s expensive, but really, you need to try this place; come for lunch if you have to. Everything is scratch made behind the bar in front of you from super high end ingredients. It’s insane that a restaurant this high end can be so accessible. I highly recommend the tasting menu.

Catherine Cruz

07 Jul 2025

Nice location, atmosphere, outside tables have a great vibe, and inside is more modern. Also if you like to see the kitchen vibe, that’s your seat. You can watch the chef working as you eat. The service was great, very kind and quick. They have some three options in the menu where you get an appetizer, three pastas and dessert. We ordered the regional and it was a very good option. Their tiramisu is very good and perfect size. The food was very good but we missed some Italian traditional things like a courtesy bread with olive oil in the entrance or maybe with the beef tartare. Also they didn’t offered extra cheese (parmigiano) with the pasta. Despite that, everything was good.

Timothy Rowe

30 May 2025

We got out here for a early dinner which we were able to Get seated quickly. Everything was made right in front of you which is really cool. I had the amatriciana, which had the right amount of spice. And really enjoyed it. I know it's very American of me but I was the portions were just a little bigger, I feel like when your doing pasta you should get a hardy serving. But that's up to you to decide! I liked everything I had. You should check it out, it's worth going at least once. Not sure if we would go back, but that would be totally based on the serving size.

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