Antonello Ristorante

Antonello Ristorante

3800 S Plaza Dr, Santa Ana, CA 92704, United States

+1 714-751-7153

Italian restaurant, Restaurant
(476)
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About This Place

Antonello Ristorante, nestled in the heart of Santa Ana, California, is a celebrated Italian restaurant that masterfully captures the essence of authentic Italian cuisine with a welcoming, refined ambiance. From the moment you walk in, you’re enveloped in an atmosphere reminiscent of a cozy wine cellar—rustic yet elegant, with attentive staff who treat every guest like family. This is more than just dining; it’s a genuine fine dining experience that has proudly stood the test of time for over 46 years.

The menu at Antonello is an ode to classic Italian flavors, crafted with passion and sophistication. Signature dishes such as the Filet Mignon melt in your mouth with tender richness, while the Fettuccine Bolognese offers a hearty, savory embrace of slow-simmered meat sauce enveloped in perfectly al dente pasta. Seafood enthusiasts will delight in the Lobster Ravioli with Caviar, a decadent dish that balances delicate lobster flavors with the luxurious pop of caviar.

Start your meal with exquisite appetizers like the Caprese Salad and Prosciutto e Burrata, where fresh, creamy burrata pairs beautifully with salty, thinly sliced prosciutto. Don’t overlook the Handmade Rosemary Infused Fries—a fragrant twist on a classic, crispy and perfectly seasoned. The restaurant’s inventive take on Italian classics is underscored by dishes like Pappardelle Braised Short Ribs and Orecchiette Sausage & Swiss Chard, which embody rustic depth and homestyle comfort.

Dessert lovers are in for a treat with options like the heavenly Tiramisu, the airy and sumptuous Chocolate Soufflé, or the refreshing, tangy Key Lime Pie. Their desserts not only conclude the meal on a high note but are a testament to the kitchen’s dedication to traditional Italian patisserie. A perfectly crafted Cappuccino rounds out the experience with rich, creamy espresso bliss.

It’s clear why guests like Tami Pettinger rave about the staff’s attentiveness, especially in accommodating food allergies without compromising the exquisite flavors. The warmth and genuine care make every visit special, whether it’s a celebratory birthday, as Kayla Murray fondly remembers for her husband, or an intimate dinner reminiscent of a bygone era of sincere hospitality, as Tina R describes.

Antonello Ristorante effortlessly balances exceptional food quality with an inviting atmosphere, where every detail—the aromas, textures, and tastes—resonates deeply. It’s a culinary sanctuary for Italian cuisine lovers seeking refined dishes that are as memorable as the service and ambiance. Prepare to be treated like royalty, and know you’re in the hands of true Italian culinary artisans.

Service options
Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Great cocktails Great dessert Great wine list Serves local specialty
Popular for
Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Healthy options Late-night food Private dining room Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Dinner Catering Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy Historic Romantic Trendy Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly Groups LGBTQ+ friendly Tourists Transgender safe space
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids Changing table(s) High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    05:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    05:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    05:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    05:30 PM - 09:30 PM
  • Saturday
    05:00 PM - 09:30 PM
  • Sunday
    Closed

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Tami Pettinger
    3 week ago

    Can’t say enough. They were so helpful with my food allergies. The dinner, every course was amazing. I had the leftovers for lunch the next day, and it was still great. Will return.

  • Arlene Lum
    1 month ago

    Delicious Italian food in a classic environment, felt like being in a wine cellar, with excellent service and a true fine dining experience. It is pricey but food quality is good. We came here for a birthday celebration. We ordered so many appetizers that we could not finish our main dishes. The carpaccio originale and the truffle fries were really good, but the spicy sauce with the calamari fritti was not to our liking. The pasta here is very good, nice balance of flavors with an al dente pasta which tastes so good. The seafood pasta was delicious and had big chunks of shellfish which was enjoyable. The highlight of the meal was the dessert: chocolate soufflé with GanMarinier sauce & ice cream. It's something they excel at and worth coming here just for this special dessert. The soufflé is so high and fluffy and the crust is slightly crunchy with a delicious eggy chocolate flavor. It's really special.

  • Tina R
    2 month ago

    There's a reason why this place has stood the test of time (and plagues!) - turned 46 last month! My mom and I were treated like queens when I took her for her birthday dinner last night. This is one of those restaurants that reminds me of the times when being a host/server/busser/food runner was an actual career and people were loyal to their establishments and took their jobs very seriously and took pride in the high level of service and hospitality provided. And the food was not bad, too . We shared 3 dishes: calamari, Antonello salad, and the seafood pasta: all perfect!

  • Carolina Requeno
    2 month ago

    The BEST Italian food I’ve had by far in my life! We found this little hidden gem and I can only wish we found it earlier. Jose was our server and even though he was slammed, he still managed to give us a great service and have our drinks filled up! We got the shrimp appetizer and lamb chops and parpadele for entrees. Wished we had room for dessert but we did not! We’ll definitely come back and keep trying new things on the menu and asking for Jose as our server since he was great!

  • Kayla Murray
    2 month ago

    Took my husband here for his birthday. Everyone greeted us by name and told him happy birthday multiple times. The atmosphere itself was elegant and romantic. The service was top notch. They treat you like family. They do table service with a giant cheese wheel which was not only really neat but super tasty. The food tasted high quality and authentic. This place was a hidden gem. Will be definitely coming back to try more of the menu.

  • Robert L Miller Attorney
    3 month ago

    Excellent service here in an elegant setting. Food here is of the highest quality and is delicious.

  • Alexandra Torres
    4 month ago

    This is a very traditional and authentic Italian restaurant. Their pasta is made fresh daily and have lots of other meal options like beef ribs with risotto, calamari, salads and serve a kids menu aswell. Only open in the later afternoon hours 5:30 to 9ish. I had the lentil and pasta fagioli and it was amazing (on two different occasions) Dinner portions are small so you will have room for one of their desserts. Come on payday because its on the pricey side. Unless you order like normal people, not like us having soup, salad, entree and dessert. Really a neat place for a candle light dinner. Plenty of parking and the staff is really on their A game, Ol' time kinda service checking on you and making sure your cup is always full. The place has lots of Italian charm. They also offer a few dishes table side that I will try next payday . Had a really good experience here.

  • Blake Hammond
    4 month ago

    You know an Italian restaurant is good when other Italians eat there with their extended family FROM Italy. Do not sleep on this place, for you will miss out on perhaps some of the best Italian food SoCal has to offer. Antonello's has been here about as long as I have been alive, and I'm only now just figuring out how amazing it is. The chef very much knows his craft, creating some true culinary masterpieces from scratch. The dishes here are truly spectacular. The Gnocchi? Melts in your mouth alongside the cheese and the sauce is rich and delicious. The Osso Bucco? Also rich, so tender and just absolute artistry for your taste buds. Their Seabass (previously mentioned as dry) was actually very moist, flavorful and delicious. And don't even get me started on the Tiramisu and their chocolate cake (forgot the name of the dish ), both of which are perhaps the best you'll ever have. All in all, my fiance and I had a great experience. We shook hands with Sonya, the manager, she was so warm and so kind, checking in on out experience throughout the evening. My only "gripe", if I could call it that? A $35 corkage fee. A little higher than average, which is around $20 to $25, but it is so well worth it. You MUST try Antonello's.

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