Mentioned by VacationIdea
21 Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego, CA
"Buona Forchetta is all about pizza—Neapolitan-style, specifically—with blistered crusts, San Marzano tomato sauce, and five-star olive oil (Italian-born owner Matteo Cattaneo hails from a line of olive oil producers, and ships in his family's liquid gold by the barrel). Pies are simple, allowing high-quality ingredients like fresh buffalo mozzarella, basil, and the much-beloved spicy salami to shine. Grab a seat on their oft-packed patio, illuminated by string lights and filled with leafy trees, and soak in the warm California night while you wait."
"Buona Forchetta is owned by Matteo Cattaneo, a born-and-raised Italian who was determined to bring a taste of his homeland to San Diego. Guests can choose from a wide selection of appetizers, salads, pizzas, pastas, and meat and seafood dishes. The excellent wine list is sourced from around the world and has a perfect pairing for every meal."
"The dough for these specialty pizzas is first fried then finished in the oven for a fluffy yet crisp texture that’s hard to beat. Besides their usual variety of pizzas, Buona Forchetta boasts pizza, appetizer, pasta, risotto, and main dish specials that actually change daily."
"Nestled in the La Jolla Shores neighborhood, Piatti’s inviting atmosphere and delicious Italian food is a great option for a Father’s Day lunch!. What to get: Benedetto Con Salmone, Uova Con Salsa Verde, or the Pizza Chorizo!. Weekend brunch is served from 10am to 2pm."
"Piatti is nestled in the unique La Jolla Shores neighborhood with an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. The restaurant features an exhibition kitchen, full service bar and two tree-covered patios – perfect for a private event or al fresco dining."
"Blocks from the beach in La Jolla Shores, this comfortably modern dining room and shaded patio hits all the right notes—affordable, polished...Read More"
"There are many eateries in Coronado but this one is found right at the Coronado Ferry Center. This modern Italian restaurant overlooks the harbor and provides stunning views of Downtown San Diego from across the bay."
"It is the perfect place to experience excellent, fresh food, attentive service with the friendly charm of our servers Carlos and Martha. The water view, with..."
"For starters the calamari was undercooked and way overpriced for the portion. Our entrees were much better portion and flavor. I’m only giving three star..."
"When the craving for comfort food strikes, there’s almost nothing better than a trip to Whisknladel. This decade-old stalwart elevates classics like buttermilk fried chicken with gourmet mac and cheese and a side of pancetta braised green beans, and a menu that sources almost entirely from local farms. Charred bone marrow gets cozy with lemon and capers, while local market fish takes a swim in lemon butter sauce and the pork chop basks in a peach vinaigrette."
"This farm-to-table restaurant located in the village serves breakfast 7 days a week from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm. It features open-air windows, a small outdoor patio, and the servers are friendly and attentive. The menu is ever-changing to reflect what the executive chef can get from local farms and purveyors, and everything is made from scratch."
"Located in Pacific Beach, Enoteca Adriano is known for serving delicious, rustic Italian food. The intimate, romantic atmosphere makes this an excellent date-night destination, but there is also plenty of space for large groups. Guests can choose from a wide range of appetizers, soups, and salads; the restaurant also offers several special burrata dishes."
"Enoteca Adriano is an authentic Italian restaurant that has a homey and intimate atmosphere with a well-lit outdoor patio. Offering daily pasta specials and 30 different wine varieties, you’re sure to find your favorite Italian combination at this delicious and traditional Pacific Beach spot. They are even showing movies on the patio - dinner and a show!"
"Pacific Beach’s Enoteca Adriano is a cozy neighborhood joint with an Italian wine list worth checking out. A static regular menu is bolstered by an ever-changing list of specials, including pasta dishes."
"Open since 1998, Pomodoro Ristorante Italiano adds a bit of contemporary flair to classic Italian specialties. The menu offers a wide range of appetizers, salads, meat and seafood entrees, pasta dishes, and house specialties including homemade gnocchi and sea scallops in a white wine garlic sauce. Plenty of thought has been put into the extensive wine list and many special bottles are prominently displayed in a large wine rack on the wall."
"Opened in 2003, Buon Appetito Restaurant invites guests to come enjoy their authentic Italian hospitality and food that has been prepared using traditional family recipes. Choose from a wide range of appetizers, salads, soups, pasta dishes, and meat and fish entrees, and expect to find classic favorites like caprese salad, cheese and spinach ravioli, and veal shank braised in red wine. The wine list includes both foreign and domestic options and wine can be purchased either by the glass or by the bottle."
"Known for being small yet intimate Buon Appetito is famous for its homemade ravioli, lasagne, risotto and gnocchi that prides itself on being similar to a San Francisco-style eatery. They have a quaint bar with 50+ wines available. Start with fresh bread and tomato dipping sauce."
"Ocean Beach’s Ulivo has an extensive menu of pasta dishes but is best known for their version of linguine alla vongole."
"Owned by the same team as Bencotto, Monello has a similar aesthetic, but feels a few degrees more casual. The extensive menu features several pizzas, seafood, delicious fried things, and a lot more. If you’re craving a bowl of pasta, you’ll be well served at either location, but Monello gets bonus points for its pizza oven, being one of only a few Italian restaurants with a dedicated brunch menu, and for offering a free small plate with a drink purchase during aperitivo (4 to 7pm, daily)."
"Monello serves cuisine inspired by the contemporary street food of Milan, including appetizers, handcrafted pastas, pizzas, and meat and seafood entrees. House specialties include veal ravioli and butternut squash gnocchi, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays bring the opportunity to try a specialty pasta or risotto dish cooked in a 40-pound half wheel of cheese. Happy hour is held every day of the week between 4 p.m."
"Although San Diego is generally known for its casual dress code and easy attitude, Monello is a place worth dressing up for. The Milanese restaurant is most famous for its cheese wheel, which they heat, melt, and toss pasta on. Divine, yes—but if you think that's indulgent, drop in on Wednesdays, when they sub out pasta for risotto."
"A post shared by Figaro Dessert Cafe (@figarodessertcafe) on Sep 28, 2017 at 6:27pm PDT. While previous spots on this list featured fun and chill vibes, Figaro Dessert Café brings class and elegance in serving great coffee and desserts. They offer a large menu filled with intriguing flavors and an exciting display of gelato, cakes, macarons, and tarts."
"Bistro d'Asia provides Asian fusion and sushi in a family-friendly atmosphere with outdoor tables that welcome dogs. Popular menu choices include Siam lettuce wraps, Peking crispy duck breast, egg drop soup, Mandarin steak salad, dancing scallops, Mongolian style beef, and moo goo gai pan. Opens at 11:30am Monday thru Saturday and is closed on Sunday."
"Located in Coronado, California, Bistro D'Asia offers a menu full of Asian cuisine. The restaurant serves Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare. Each meal is made with the freshest ingredients available as well as bold flavors and spices."
"The hardest part about getting dessert is deciding what to order. Thankfully, Square Bar lets you get two in one dessert-like drinks, that makes your decision just a little bit easier. This up and coming cafe specializes in coffee and tea, and you can put boba in any of them."
"North ParkAt Gelati & Peccati, you’ll have to walk past an eye-popping array of Roman-style pizza, sold a taglio, “by the cut,” to reach the bins of gelati in the back, but isn’t eating dessert first one of the pleasures of adulthood?. Eighteen different rotating signature and seasonal flavors, including vegan and sorbet options, are bursting with roasted pistachios, sweet cherry, and chocolate, or boozy, earthy Makers Mark 46. Don’t worry if you’re too full for pizza afterwards; you can always take a few slices home for a late night snack."
"Roman-style pizza and gelato meet at this spot in North Park. Helmed by the Buona Forchetta Family of restaurants, this shop serves 18 flavors of gelato. For a combination of carbs and cream, order the GOLA: gelato stuffed into a pizza crust with whipped cream and hazelnuts."