The Mission Square Italian Restaurant

13033 Penn St #100, Whittier, CA 90602, United States
$$$ Italian restaurant
(461 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Welcome to The Mission Square Italian Restaurant, a delightful culinary gem nestled in the heart of Whittier, CA. This charming Italian eatery invites you to indulge in authentic Italian cuisine crafted with passion and care. Located at 13033 Penn St #100, Whittier, CA 90602, this restaurant is a haven for food lovers, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere ideal for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings.

As you step through the doors, you'll be captivated by the restaurant's Spanish-style missionary architecture, harmoniously blending tradition and modernity. The ambiance is cozy and welcoming, with a perfect balance between lively energy and intimate dining experiences. Whether you choose to dine indoors amidst charming decor or relish your meal on the picturesque outdoor patio, you're in for a treat.

The menu at The Mission Square is a true celebration of Italian flavors. Begin your culinary journey with a glass from their impressive wine list, featuring selections like the Pinot Noir Stasis 2015 and Pinot Grigio Santa Margherita 2017. For pasta lovers, don’t miss out on the Tortolini Di Ricotta E Spinaci Alla Panna—a creamy blend of ricotta cheese, mushrooms, and spinach that melts in your mouth. The Linguine Mare E Monti provides a delightful taste of the sea, combining shrimp, baby scallops, and shitake mushrooms in a vibrant pesto sauce, while the classic Linguine Alla Vongole showcases fresh clams with garlic and parsley for a truly authentic experience.

With many patrons raving about their experiences, the reviews speak for themselves. Jennifer Grant echoes enthusiasm, declaring the food “fantastic,” while Diana Paige proclaims it to be the “best Italian food” she has ever tasted. The homemade bread served warm, accompanied by olive oil and garlic, is frequently highlighted, setting the stage for the exquisite dishes to follow. It’s not just about the food; the service at The Mission Square often receives commendations, with guests noting the friendly and attentive staff that enhance the dining experience.

While the restaurant occasionally experiences busy times, with wait times that can stretch during peak hours, the overwhelming majority of guests describe their experience as well worth it. After all, good things come to those who wait! The warm reception from hosts and the genuine care in food presentation create a memorable dining experience that invites you to return.

To wrap up your Italian adventure, indulge in the rich and creamy Tiramisù—a specialty that has patrons like Tabita Lienhard longing for more. If you’re searching for an unforgettable night out, The Mission Square Italian Restaurant promises just that, offering delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and a unique blend of Italian charm right in the heart of Whittier.

Call them at +1 562-458-5353 to make a reservation and prepare for an extraordinary culinary journey. Your taste buds will thank you!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Has great wine list
Popular for
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 healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
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
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Openings Hours
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Monday

5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

461 Reviews
Scott Neifert

08 Sep 2025

We liked this restaurant but there were several issues that were disturbing. The food choices, preparation and quality were very good. They had a diverse wine list but the only wines available were the wines by the glass. Our waitress seemed a little overwhelmed taking our order, but it was a holiday weekend so we understood. After our food was served, all the waitstaff disappeared. We did not see waitstaff for over 30 minutes. We eventually went to the hostess and asked for our check.

Raul Yzaguirre

19 Aug 2025

Excellent gem of a restaurant in Whittier! Wonderful food, service, and ambiance with both indoor and outdoor seating. Highly recommended!

Jennifer Grant

12 Aug 2025

What a gem — fantastic food, including the fresh homemade bread. Service was friendly and exceptional. Would love to come again!!!

Tabita Lienhard

10 Aug 2025

We went to this place pretty spontaneously because of the good reviews. The food was good quality and well prepared. We had to wait quite some time till we got a table. The south American lady that served us was very very nice and she makes the Tiramisù, which we also liked a lot. The restaurant was very very full, but the wait time was okay.

D RC

05 Aug 2025

If you're familiar with Rick's Drive-in, in Whittier, on the corner of Greenleaf Ave and Penn, the restaurant is next door, east of Rick's. There are signs warning not to park on Rick's property. Parking was scarce on a Friday night. Mission Square building is in the Spanish style missionary. Very well done. Our very good friends and us arrived a few after 7pm. We had a nice, cloth-covered table and napkins in the patio (next to one of the patio heaters) that kept us toasty warm on a 55° night. The patio was gently lit and very inviting. We asked that the high-energy jazz playing on the fine sounding system be turned down a bit since we were sitting underneath one of the speakers. In the center of the table was a bright, tiny light with a tiny shade, about a foot tall, that really added to the ambiance. It kept the table very well lit without being uncomfortable for your eyes. Soft bread triangles were served with a small dipping bowl of olive oil and vinaigrette. The bread was freshly made and soft. We later found out it was the same as was used in their pizza. Pizza will be on our next visit! Two garden salads were shared. The lettuce was very fresh and the vinaigrette was super delicious! DO order this! We ordered four entres: 2 lasagna , linguini pescatorre(5 different seafood pasta), and a vegetarian pasta. All were reported to be very tasty. Note: entres do NOT come with sides. We brought a few bottles of wine with us and paid the corkage fee. Mmmmm good! For desert, we shared a vanilla gelato and tiramisu, both a tasty finish to a wonderful meal shared among great company. For four people, 2 salads, pasta entres, and 2 deserts, kinda spendy. We also chatted with the server, bus boy and host, all enjoyable conversations in a relaxing, social setting; no tech involved. Getting to know people face-to-face is still a great adventure. Also, every Monday evening there is live music. The bathroom was found by walking through the storage/prep area of the kitchen. Needs some serious upgrading. There is a second story bathroom.

Eleana K.

12 Jul 2025

OMG... Im in love with this place. Really cozy and quiet except when they have events, but still a great place. The food is amazing, the taste of the fresh bread with the olive oil, garlic and albaca it's just awesome. The Fettuccine con Pollo E Zafferano, wow, just delicious. The spaghetti with meatballs, delicious ad well. Thank you for such a great place

Diana Paige

18 Jun 2025

I’m not being dramatic when I tell you this was the best Italian food I’ve ever had in my life. They make their pasta and bread from scratch in-house. The lasagna was perfection and the bread they bring out before your meal is the best bread I’ve ever tasted. My husband said the same! And the portions are large. My new favorite!!

M C

09 Jun 2025

We had the most beautiful experience celebrating our wedding anniversary at The Mission Square Italian Restaurant in the heart of Whittier. From the moment we walked in, Fred made us feel like family, warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind. The food was absolutely incredible, you could truly taste the love and care in every bite. Each dish was fresh, flavorful, and made with intention. The setting was romantic and cozy, perfect for our special night. This place is a true hidden gem. If you’re looking for amazing Italian food, heartfelt service, and a place that feels like home, this is it. We will absolutely be back. Thank you, Fred, for making our night unforgettable!

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