LA Puglia

4.4 ( 404 reviews )
$50–100
1621 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403, United States
+1 424-229-5902
At LA Puglia, tucked away on Santa Monica's bustling Wilshire Blvd, diners are treated to an exquisite taste of Italy's Puglia region in a cozy yet modern setting. The restaurant boasts a diverse menu featuring authentic dishes, including the soul-satisfying **Polpette** (beef meatballs) and **Salmone In Crosta Di Pistacchio**, perfectly crusted salmon with a touch of orange. Patrons rave about the ambiance, which strikes a balance between casual and refined, ideal for a relaxed evening with friends or a special gathering. Customer reviews highlight not just the delicious fare but also the quality of service that makes every visit memorable. One guest, Jeff Huang, praises the affordability of the menu, noting a delightful meal for under $150, while others like Deirdre Delgad emphasize the warm hospitality, particularly from staff member Valentina. LA Puglia also serves as a vibrant community hub with thematic evenings like jazz nights, enhancing the dining experience. With its thoughtful amalgamation of flavors—from the homemade pasta to the standout gelato—this charming eatery is a hidden gem that beckons to be discovered, promising to leave every guest both satisfied and yearning for a return.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • From the business
    • Identifies as women-owned
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers kerbside pickup
    • Offers delivery
    • On-site services available
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Has fast service
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great wine list
    • Has live music
  • Popular for
    • Popular for breakfast
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves comfort food
    • Serves food
    • Serves organic dishes
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Has catering
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has gender-neutral toilets
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Cosy
    • Romantic
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • High chairs available
    • Has kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Paid street parking
    • Valet parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed outside

Reviews For LA Puglia

Jeff Huang
May 26,2025
What a little gem! Specializing in Italian food from the Puglia region, this little place is tucked into one of the many shopping centers along Wilshire Blvd. I’ve driven by this place many times and didn’t know it was here. There are a handful of tables surrounded by trees on the front patio, a main room with a bar and maybe 20 tables, and a piano room. There’s no valet, but we found lots of spots on Wilshire. We had two appetizers, two pastas, and two non-alcoholic drinks, and even with a tip, our bill was under 150. You can come dressed casually or business casual, but it’s not a dressy place. I highly recommend for a small group of friends to get together. I didn’t see any kids, and the menu didn’t look like they were geared to families. There’s a lunch and brunch menu.
Syed S Mehdi
May 21,2025
A random find post work but man was it worth it. Came in for an early dinner around 5 pm but left satisfied. The ambience was chill with no rush at the time. Ordered of the special menu that had the most delicious pasta raygu beef. It was simply divine with the pasta made from potatoes. Loved the pair with red wine. Im not one to usually be into Italian food but this place was great. Parking can be an issue as it is in Santa Monica but that was the only negative. Glad to say I've found a good restaurant I'd love to visit again.
Barbara Warner
May 13,2025
Delicious food . Love the service and the team was wonderful. Had mussels in a yummy sauce . Wine and gelato home made there pistachio was the best I ever had . Well the chocolate was the best also. Great menu and a gem
Deirdre Delgad
May 3,2025
La Puglia has authentic and delicious Italian cuisine! The ambience is modern and charming and you feel quite welcomed......Valentina always goes the extra mile for us, and makes the evening even more memorable! We love to come enjoy the dinner and Jazz night whenever possible! Highly recommended!
Jeff Geller
Apr 28,2025
An absolute neighborhood gem! Beautifully prepared authentic cuisine, stellar service, generous portions and extremely flavorful!
Mincey Mincey
Apr 2,2025
The staff were very attentive and helpful. The dessert was incredible. Absolutely loved the interior design.
Davide D.
Mar 28,2025
I am an Italian expat, I’ve been in the U.S. for 6 years now. I never had a better experience at an Italian restaurant than the one I had at LA Puglia tonight. The food is amazing and authentic. Seafood is fresh, flavorful, perfectly prepared, and at a competitive price for LA. Pizza and pasta are great and taste like the ones back home. On top of that, the whole staff is so attentive, without ever feeling too intrusive, and some of the nicest people we’ve met. I am happy to have found a slice of home in my home away from home.
Sergio Torrisi
Mar 16,2025
This place is out of this world! The food is simple amazing and the owner Valentina is the greatest host we ever met! I went here with my friend from Rome and they were impressed how the food taste like in Italy! Well Done La Puglia! Keep on delighting your guests we will be back!

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