Gucci Osteria

At Gucci Osteria, luxury is always on the menu, even if you don’t have an appetite for $1600 handbags. Located above the Gucci flagship store on Rodeo Drive, this breezy Italian rooftop offers an over-the-top experience that makes you feel like the most pampered pup in Beverly Hills. The service is fantastic, the palm tree-lined views are straight out of a movie, and elaborate plated dishes remind you that in fashion, looks do matter. But such luxuries don’t come cheap—expect to spend.

photo credit: Gucci Osteria

photo credit: Emma Swanson

photo credit: Emma Swanson

After you’re sent up an elevator by the restaurant’s host, you’ll arrive at a flashy patio fit for eccentric millionaires lounging with an espresso. The floor is covered in Roman mosaic tiles, the velvet booths are a deep magenta, and there’s a collection of bird paintings that matches the lush scenery. If it all sounds campy and a touch gaudy, that’s the point. 

Besides the obvious brand association, there’s another big name thrown around here: Massimo Bottura. The Italian fine dining star (of Chef’s Table fame) helped create Gucci Osteria’s menu, which features a few of his signature dishes from Italy, like tortellini, plus some exclusive dishes created by the LA restaurant's chef. For the most part, the food is more memorable for its stunning presentation than bold flavors. There are few dishes that deliver both, however, like the grilled artichokes with a runny farm egg and shaved truffle. There’s also a Gucci-themed burger that sounds gimmicky but is surprisingly tasty. And don’t ignore the excellent complimentary table bread, served with whipped ricotta and butter shaped like a Gucci bumblebee.

Dinner is a prix-fixe menu that starts at a steep $190 per person, but if you prefer to order a la carte, go for lunch instead. Not every dish merits the wallet drain, but you’re paying for something else at Gucci Osteria: a VIP experience. Courses come with detailed storytelling and attentive servers refill your water glass with every sip. If that level of Beverly Hills luxury sounds enticing, use this spot as an excuse to wear a fresh outfit and eat food that looks as fancy as you feel.

Food Rundown

Grilled Artichokes

This is one of the most flavorful dishes on the menu. The tiny grilled artichokes stay crispy when you mix the layers of almond cream, salty cheese, and egg yolk on top. The $15 shaved truffle is totally optional, but it was, however, a nice touch.

photo credit: Gabriele Stabile

Tortellini

We hope these Netflix-famous tortellini taste better in Italy. These little pasta dumplings are perfectly al dente but come in a watery and undersalted parmigiano sauce.

The City Is In Bloom

This gorgeous Japanese turnip is made to look like a pink flower, and that’s the most interesting thing about it. The turnip has a satisfying crunch, but the enoki mushrooms and celeriac dashi taste pretty bland.

Spring Is Here To Stay

You’d think a fennel and sturgeon salad would have some bold flavors happening, but this one didn’t taste like much. The most noticeable ingredient was the briny preserved asparagus. It looks like a lovely pile of ribbons, though.

photo credit: Gabriele Stabile

Emilia Burger

If you’re going to the Gucci restaurant, you might as well order the Gucci-themed burger that comes in a cute pink takeout box. Fortunately, this burger is pretty good, with a glossy bun, juicy ribeye patty, sweet balsamic mayo, and a garlicky salsa verde that gives it bite. If you want to order a side of their tasty super-thick cut fries, though, it’ll cost you an additional $26.

Cod As Milanese

What works: the golden, panko-crusted cod milanese that crackles when you cut in and the delicious layer of pickled ginger hiding underneath. What doesn’t work: the tomato terrine on the side that’s pretty but bland. This clear Jell-o could use some salt.

photo credit: Gucci Osteria

Risotto Camouflaged As Pizza

Pizza has never looked so avant-garde. In fact, this dish is spiritually closer to high-end Spaghetti O’s than it is to pizza. Its green-white-red terrain is made up of stracciatella, basil-essence, and risotto rice cooked in a slightly sweet tomato sauce. For whatever reason, this risotto tastes better after every spoonful—maybe because the flavors get to know each other.

So I Turn’d To The Garden of Love

This dessert’s name references a William Blake poem but also sounds like a track from an ‘80s new wave album. It’s made with a refreshing, fragrant rose-infused mochi and lots of sweet lychee. It’s fine, we’re just not sure if it’s worth $24.