Nardò Culver City — Restaurant in Culver City

As someone who’s Italian—and Neapolitan—I’m always cautious about dining at Italian restaurants abroad, especially when it comes to Neapolitan pizza, which is deeply rooted in tradition and technique. I had heard this place was the real deal, with a Neapolitan chef at the helm, and I have to say that I was genuinely impressed. It honestly felt like I was back in Naples—my hometown. We tried the Diavola and the truffle pizza, both great, with that perfect soft yet charred crust. We also had the croquettes, which were to die for—crispy on the outside, rich and flavorful inside. The location is great, facing two different streets with a spacious outdoor area and a fresh, clean interior. It’s casual but stylish, with a welcoming vibe that reflects its southern Italian roots. The owner is from the south of Italy, and the chef was born, raised, and trained in Naples, which explains the level of authenticity here. Not many places in LA can truly say they serve real Neapolitan pizza, but this one absolutely delivers. If you’re looking for a place that does it the proper, traditional way, with great service and great vibes, this is it. Highly recommended—especially if you’re Italian and have...

First off, the food was amazing. The vibe is great and this is a fun addition to downtown Culver. Unfortunately, I think they suffered a little from over-eager service, resulting in miscommunication between servers and the kitchen. We had like 3 different servers (one to take drink orders, one to take food orders, one to BRING OUT food). I ordered gluten free pizza and was given a regular pizza by mistake. Only after I started eating it did they come over with my actual pizza, the gluten free one. They were immensely apologetic, and ultimately it was fine because I'm not celiac, just intolerant, but this would've been terrible if I was actually allergic. (So if you have celiac, maybe give this place a miss.) We had about 5 different servers come over to apologize, and one of them offered us dessert and my drink on the house. Great! Except that when the bill came, from yet a different server, we were not comped the dessert or my drink. I'm not mad about it, but I do think they need to chill and only have ONE server per table, otherwise things get missed! And we wouldn't have ordered dessert except that we thought it was free. I might go back, but I'm kinda iffy about it due to the...

If I could give Nardo one million stars, I would. This place is a hidden gem that deserves a spotlight the size of Italy. I had the potato croquettes, the pistachio pizza, and the zuppa di pesce—and every single bite transported me straight back to the streets of Naples. The flavors were so fresh, the ingredients top-tier, and the love in the food undeniable.

The pistachio pizza alone? A masterpiece. Creamy, savory, slightly sweet—it’s the kind of dish that makes you stop mid-bite and whisper “wow.” The croquettes were perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. And the zuppa di pesce? Brimming with the freshest seafood, in a broth that tastes like it’s been simmering in a nonna’s kitchen all day.

This is, hands down, the most authentic Italian food I’ve had since I was actually in Italy. In fact, I’d argue it’s better. Nardo is the most underrated restaurant in LA, and I almost don’t want to tell people about it so I can keep it to myself—but the world needs to know.

Run, don’t walk. Taste what real Italian food is supposed to be. Nardo is not just a restaurant—it’s a love...