De La Nonna is a popular Italian restaurant on Big Bear Boulevard that brought its acclaimed Los Angeles pizzeria concept to the mountains. The place is known for thick Sicilian-style pizzas, focaccia sandwiches, and rotating seasonal dishes that go beyond the usual resort-town fare. They’ve also got an inventive soft-serve program and a cocktail menu worth exploring.

The real draw for traveling with your dog is the lakeside patio. You can sit outside with your dog and actually have views of Big Bear Lake while you eat—not just relegated to some corner parking lot experience. The patio welcomes both kids and dogs, and it genuinely feels like part of the restaurant’s design rather than an afterthought. On a nice day, it’s a genuinely pleasant place to linger over lunch or dinner.

The restaurant fills up regularly, so if you’re planning to go on a weekend or holiday, make a reservation through Resy ahead of time. Weekday visits in the off-season are easier to walk into, but the place stays reasonably busy even then. Hours run Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM.

Coming from Los Angeles or heading to Big Bear from the valley, this is one of those restaurants that doesn’t feel like it’s compromising on quality just because it’s in a mountain town. The pizzas are legitimately good, the sides are thoughtful, and you’re not stuck eating at a chain or overly casual spot when you have your dog with you. The patio setup means you’re not eating indoors in a separate area—you’re actually part of the restaurant’s atmosphere while your dog sits with you.