Settecento brings a polished taste of Italy to the pulse of Downtown Los Angeles, pairing house-made pastas and pizzas with a garden-side setting beside the Central Library.
At 700 W 5th Street, the restaurant has built a following around Italian-imported, GMO-free flour used for breads, pastries, pasta, and pizza made in-house each day.
Its appeal is easy to understand: familiar Italian comforts arrive with enough detail, from fresh truffle to slow-cooked ragù, to turn an ordinary meal into a memorable downtown occasion.
How Settecento won locals’ hearts
Settecento gives downtown diners a restaurant that can move comfortably from a casual pizza lunch to a late-night dinner.
The kitchen makes its breads, pastas, pizzas, and pastries in-house daily, giving the menu a handcrafted foundation.
Italian-imported, GMO-free flour is part of that daily routine, adding a thoughtful detail that regulars can taste across several categories.
The restaurant’s location beside the Central Library and within Maguire Gardens creates an appealing reason to linger before or after a meal.
A garden-facing setting makes the restaurant feel like more than a quick stop between downtown errands.
Neapolitan-style pizzas help anchor the experience, with thin, chewy crusts and oven-kissed character that suit a relaxed lunch or dinner.
The menu travels across classic Italian flavors, shifting from clams and chili pepper in one pasta to saffron, Parmesan, and Italian sausage in another.
For diners who enjoy rich, slow-prepared dishes, the Gnocchi al Ragù alla Napoletana brings pork, beef, vegetables, tomato, and parsley into one comforting plate.
The Taglioni al Tartufo speaks to a more celebratory mood, letting truffle, butter, and Parmesan take center stage.
Pizzas with bold toppings keep things playful, including combinations of prosciutto crudo, burrata, arugula pesto, and Parmesan chips.
Weekend brunch broadens the restaurant’s pull with items such as Bruschettone dello Chef and Italian Frittata.
The menu also accommodates different appetites, from a seafood-forward Insalata di Mare to a 48-ounce Fiorentina designed for two guests.
Dessert seals the deal with traditional finishes such as cannoli with sweet ricotta cream, chocolate chips, and pecans, plus tiramisu with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone.
Later Friday and Saturday hours make Settecento a useful option when downtown dinner plans stretch beyond the standard evening window.
Food Highlights
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Taglioni al Tartufo: This indulgent pasta combines truffle, butter, and Parmesan for a simple but luxurious order that puts earthy truffle flavor front and center. 🍝
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Gnocchi al Ragù alla Napoletana: Slow-cooked pork-and-beef ragù joins tomato, carrots, onion, celery, and parsley, making this a hearty pick for diners seeking classic comfort. 🍝
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Pappardelle al Ragù d’Agnello: Broad pappardelle meets slow-cooked lamb, marinara, garlic, Parmigiano, lamb jus, and rosemary for a deeply savory specialty. 🍝
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Spaghetti alla Chitarra alle Vongole: Clams, parsley, olive oil, garlic, chili pepper, and wine sauce make this a bright, coastal-style pasta worth ordering. 🦪
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Spaghetti con Gamberi e Pomodorino: Shrimp, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and lobster sauce give this spaghetti a rich seafood-forward finish. 🍤
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Risotto allo Zafferano con Salsiccia: Saffron rice with Parmesan, herbs, and Italian sausage delivers a fragrant, filling choice for risotto fans. 🍚
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Pizza with Prosciutto Crudo and Burrata: Mozzarella, prosciutto crudo, arugula pesto, burrata, and Parmesan chips build a creamy, salty, herbaceous pizza for sharing. 🍕
Atmosphere
Settecento combines Downtown LA energy with the open-air appeal of Maguire Gardens beside the Central Library.
Its garden-adjacent setting suits everything from a lingering lunch to an evening pizza and pasta outing.
The space is also positioned for private events and weddings, lending the restaurant a more polished, celebratory character.
Bottom Line
Settecento is worth visiting for its daily house-made pasta, pizzas, breads, and pastries, along with specialty plates such as truffle taglioni and lamb ragù pappardelle.
Its garden-side Downtown LA location, proximity to the Central Library, and late Friday and Saturday hours add even more reasons to make a reservation.
Address: 700 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
📞 (213) 757-7765
🕔 Open daily, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM