I'm a 2nd generation native CA and there are certain restaurants in Hollywood that always hold a certain mystique and allure simply because of their reputation for being a gathering place for celebrities over the years. I've always wanted to visit and now that I'm back in CA, finally did. My friends visiting from out-of-state mentioned they wanted to go and I jumped at the chance. When we called, we were told the first open reservation wasn't until 9pm, but if we came early we could sit at the bar. We were wrapping up a busy day of my playing tour guide all day and were tired so opted for the early visit, showing up right before they opened. Good thing too because soon the sidewalk was crowded with groups of friends, families and couples all vying to get in. The maitre de is a master at handling the rush and deftly seated everyone with reservations, warmly greeting old timers and telling us we could sit on the patio if we didn't want to sit at the bar. The interior is extremely small, crowded, and dimly lit and the bar itself was full of people who seemed to have had a backdoor entrance because we didn't see any of them outside. All this to say, dress nicely, be polite, understand this is a special place and if you play your cards right, the man letting you in, will seat you so you won't have to hover around the 1 or 2 seats remaining at the bar.:) I preferred the outside patio because our waiter was personable, warm and informative helping us feel welcome and comfortable after snobby treatment by a group of regulars. It's LA, what do you expect, right? Now, the food is otherworldly! Fresh, served quickly and efficiently and huge portions. My favorite was the carbonara because we all shared tastes of each other's orders. If I come back, I won't get the ravioli again, but definitely order that! My friend had them add peas, but its not normally how it's served fyi. The patio is narrow and outside with fresh air which I liked. Perhaps if we stayed inside we might have seen someone famous, but we were so busy chatting and enjoying our time together we didn't need that experience to make our night perfect. I will say, the prices are more like a very upscale steak house so be aware of that, but there's plenty of options for all types of food preferences. We enjoyed our time very much and want to tell the staff keep on doing what you're doing and you'll outlast all restaurants in LA!

One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Los Angeles, when you wanna kick back and have a good time. Great food! Amazing drinks. Staff always on point. A favorite for LA locals. Definitely need to use valet (parking isn't easy) Great atmosphere & if you want to see a celebrity... chances are you will.

Hands down best chicken parmesan, actually all their chicken dishes are amazing. Quite pricey though $50+. Service is exceptional. The old school, timeless interior and location is nostalgic and definitely worth multiple visits.

I kept going west on Santa Monica and after Barney's Beanery all I saw were gay bars until I got here, so this is where I landed. I'd heard of this place as some celebrity haunt. It's cute and very intimate, to the point there's no music or anything. It does seem stuck in time a bit, in a good way. Waiters all have red tuxedos. I got in as a walk in, not dressed for anything either, but as a single party it was fine. Food wise I just had fries since I already ate and kinda wanted to just be a bar lurker but there was no room at the bar. For what it's worth they have some awesome fries here. Clearly hand cut and they give a ton of them. The bread I could take a pass on, but I wanna say these are for sure top ten fries I've had in my whole life. Definitely prices for date night if you get an entree, just saying. They're all classic Italian dishes with a celebrity name attached. I'm not huge on Italian fare so not sure when I'll be back to be honest. But I appreciate there wasn't that huge snooty vibe I expected from a place like this.

I really want to give 3.7 stars... Dan Tana's Restaurant, a classic landmark in Los Angeles for over 60 years, still thrives with its lively atmosphere. While the food here may not be the most refined Italian in town, the lively atmosphere and nostalgic charm keep it a favorite. Here, you'll enjoy sitting at red-checkered tables, sipping martinis, and maybe even sharing a shot or two with the maître d'. Despite its vintage, people still flock here to "star gaze" and catch a glimpse of Hollywood celebrities. Our table was near the bar, and colorful characters were popping in and out. Besides the delicious chicken parmesan, the drinks were flowing, and the bar buzzed with energy. Glad to have experienced it, though I'm not compelled to return. But if you're nearby, it's worth popping in to experience the shadow of its heyday. If you're in Los Angeles, be sure to experience the unpredictable world of Dan Tana's.

What does one say about a restaurant that has already been reviewed 1.7 trillion times? Nothing much, I suppose... other than it remains one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the big city. The place just screams out "Old School," but in such a wonderful way. The decor, of course the food, and yes, the amazingly knowledgeable and friendly service. These waiters know what they're doing... big time. Got a question? They got it. Unsure what to order? Leave it to them. I would like to say that I've marched my way through the entire menu, but that would be a big fat fib. It's hard to get past the Eggplant Romana Parmigiana. It's just too damn good. It's about as big as a hubcap, there's no way you can finish it although you will want to, but box it up and finish it at home the next day. That's what I do. Repeatedly. Oh, and if you don't like the calamari and the Caesar salad, it's time to start going to church and praying for the demons to leave you. Because that is damn good calamari and Caesar salad and you MUST like it! Overall, a visit to Dan Tana's is like going to your Italian high school buddy's house for dinner. Lots of laughs, great food, and warm memories as you waddle home.

First time here. Decided to fulfill the time-old tradition of having dinner here and catching a show at the Troubadour next door. We made reservations about a week in advance and had no issue getting a table on Friday night. We were seated promptly and our order was taken quickly. Our food arrived just as quickly. We ordered the Chicken Parm with a side of spaghetti and marinara. OMG it was so good. I inhaled it. Service was good. We didn't have one set waiter but rather several waiters and wait staff who periodically stopped by to check in and see how everything was going. The majority of the clientele seems to be locals, and for a minute it felt like we were in a small town where everyone knows everyone, not in the middle of WeHo. I enjoyed that. Once you step inside, you're transported back in time. The place is rather small and cozy with some patio seating in the back. The bar is also tiny but lively. It felt like I was a dinner guest in someone's home. I wasn't sure what to expect but I had a really nice time and a delicious dinner. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll definitely stop by for dinner.