The food scene in Los Angeles is vibrant and diverse and encompasses cuisines from South East Asia, Korea, Mexico, Ethiopia, and many other countries of the world. However, a culinary tradition that has always been a part of Los Angeles food culture is the Italian delicatessen.
At an Italian deli, you can find mouthwatering Italian subs packed with cured meats and salami of your choice with a delicious Italian cheese topping. You may have to seek out family-owned old Italian delis in Los Angeles for some of the most authentic Italian offerings or check out exciting deli start-ups that offer a twist on the traditional food offered at an Italian deli.
To help you explore authentic Italian food in Los Angeles, we have curated a list of the best Italian delis in Los Angeles you need to check out.
Here Are Some of the Top Italian Delis in Los Angeles Loved by Locals
11. Eagle Rock Italian Bakery & Deli
Located in Northeast LA, East Rock Italian Bakery & Deli is one of the most famous eateries in the area. According to locals, the deli is extremely underrated since it has been producing the best cold cuts in the city for almost 40 years.
The deli doesn’t just offer cold cuts but also offers sandwiches with crusty fresh bread along with imported Italian foods. You will also be able to find other Italian baked goods and desserts at the deli for a light snack. If you ever visit the Eagle Rock Italian Bakery & Deli, you shouldn’t leave without trying their scrumptious cannoli.
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10. Pizzana
Whether you are looking for an authentic Italian pizza or a sub that will blow your mind, you need to visit Daniele Uditi’s pizza shop called Pizzana. Pizzana is one of the best places in Los Angeles that makes fantastic Italian pizza and offers original subs such as The Padrino and Grandma Joan.
The Padrino is made with spicy soppressata, mortadella, pepperoncini, and provolone while the Grandma Joan sandwich has San Marzano tomato sauce, basil, and fior di latte on a lovely warm ciabatta bread.
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9. Giamela’s
Giamela is a fantastic Italian deli that can be found on the eastside of Los Angeles. It has been serving people exceptional Italian sandwiches since 1964! The original owner’s son runs Giamela’s now and upholds the tradition of providing customers with irresistible Italian food.
Visitors to Giamela can find a mix of Italian delights at the deli, with highlights including the meatball, the pepper steak sub, and the superb sandwich, Mr. G’s. Mr. G’s is made of capicola, salami, and soppressata and can make the grumpiest of customers smile.
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8. Ggiata
Although Ggiata started as a ghost kitchen concept, it has now opened as a whole sandwich shop, much to the delight of its frequent customers. Ggiata is an entirely new start-up that developed a good following from Los Angeles-based foodies after the launch of their mouth-watering sandwiches.
The bread from Ggiata is perfectly crunchy and crispy and complements the soft salami and cured meats perfectly. The inventive hoagies called The Masterpiece, and The Spicy P are the most famous sandwiches on the menu.
The Masterpiece comes with prosciutto, Stracciatella, and eggplant while the Spicy P comes with fresh mozzarella on top of chicken cutlets with a drizzle of spicy vodka sauce.
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7. Claro’s Italian Market
If you are looking for something traditional and want a classic Italian sandwich, you must try Italian sandwiches from Claro’s Italian Market, which is situated in the San Gabriel Valley. This Italian deli has been serving customers with family-named sandwiches since 1948.
You can find sandwiches with names like the Auntie Shell, the Angry Joe, and the Uncle George, full of fresh Italian deli meats in soft Italian bread and topped with high-quality olive oil that adds a unique flavor to the sandwiches.
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6. e stretto
If you are craving New York Italian deli flavors in Los Angeles, visit e stretto with your closest friends for a bite. e stretto serves ‘tite’ sandwiches, according to their website, including the Cubano Italiano and Ill Papa.
The Cubano Italiano is a mouth-watering mix of flavors with FLACO carnitas, mortadella, jack cheese, and giardiniera while Ill Papa comes with manchego, capicola, mortadella, and chorizo.
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5. Uncle Paulie’s
Uncle Paulie’s is one of the newer Italian delis in Los Angeles with a dedicated following. Uncle Paulie’s became a hit with the Gloria, a tasty Italian sandwich that comes with arugula, olive oil, provolone, spicy soppressata, and a balsamic glaze.
Spice lovers who want a kick of extra spice with their sandwich can pay a dollar extra to have their sandwich super spicy and hot.
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4. Roma Market
Roma Market in Pasadena has been open since 1959 and is known for an item that keeps customers coming back for more: The Sandwich. The Sandwich is a classic offering at the Roma Market, and the owner Rosario Mazzeo proudly presents this treat to Angelenos every day from his small Italian deli.
The Sandwich consists of capicola, provolone, salami, olive oil, mortadella, and olive oil on a super soft Italian roll.
No matter if you like your sandwich spicy or with another special ingredient, you cannot request any substitutions or changes to this Italian sub. This adds to The Sandwich’s original charm and is what makes it a reliably delicious sub.
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3. Mario’s Italian Deli
If you are a local to Los Angeles, there is no chance you have not visited Mario’s Italian deli at least once! Mario’s Italian Deli & Market offers the best Italian dishes, ingredients, and wines in the area and has been voted as the best delis in Los Angeles year after year.
At Mario’s Italian Deli & Market, visitors can choose from an impressive selection of Italian wines, delicious fresh subs, hot sandwiches, and even rare imported Italian items. People who are interested in having an event catered can also contact them for special occasions.
The next time you visit Mario’s Italian Deli, we recommend trying out their Spaghetti and Meatballs. It is a classic Italian dish that comes with a sizable serving, perfect for a very hungry adult.
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2. Eastside Market Italian Deli
Downtown Los Angeles has some of the best food spots in the city and among those is Eastside Market Italian Deli. This Italian deli is known for its rich family history and spectacular to-die-for sandwiches.
People who don’t want to go to Downtown LA for a sandwich can try their Los Feliz branch where you can find the #7 Roast Beef, Pastrami, and Cheese sandwich that is the perfect example of Jewish deli flavors overlapping with Italian deli flavors.
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1. Bay Cities
The Godmother by Bay Cities is one of the best sandwiches you will ever try in Los Angeles. What’s amazing is that I live in walking distance to this amazing deli!
This sandwich comes packed with provolone cheese, genoa salami, mortadella, capicola, and ham and is one of the most highly-rated sandwiches in Los Angeles.
Aside from their classic offerings, Bay Cities also serves a fantastic range of hot and cold sandwiches and sides, along with sliced meats and cheeses that are classically Italian.
Be sure to read our comprehensive review of Bay Cities Deli
Italian Delis in Los Angeles – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Jerry’s Deli close in Los Angeles?
In 2012, the famous Costa Mesa branch of Jerry’s Deli (Jerry’s Famous Deli) closed permanently when the landlord of the building did not approve the renewal of the restaurant’s lease.
What sandwich is Los Angeles known for?
The most iconic sandwich in Los Angeles has to be the Godmother. It is a classic Italian deli sandwich that is made with veggies, mustard, cheese, and Boar’s head deli meats. All of these items are packed in a soft house-baked roll to make for a filling meal.
What items can be typically found in an Italian deli?
You can find a large variety of meat products, types of cheese, and bread items in an Italian deli. Mortadella, ham, and prosciutto are just some of the Italian meat items you can find in an Italian deli. Aside from that, some Italian delis have their own unique offerings for their customers.
Legendary Italian Deli Sandwich! The Godmother at Bay Cities in Los Angeles
Be sure to see Zoe’s Review. You can follow Zoe on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeclaireeee/
Summary
Similar to the food scene in New York City, Los Angeles has a variety of Italian delis locals love to frequent for mouthwatering subs, pizzas, and pasta.
You will be able to find classic and modern establishments serving superb quality Italian cured meats and salami along with fantastic baked goods and desserts.
If you are interested in what fun and delicious treats you can find in Los Angeles, visit the locations mentioned above and test their best offerings for customers.
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My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.