Trattoria Positano is one of our very favorite restaurants--so wonderful that we dine there every Sunday night! The family that owns and operates this neighborhood gem is always gracious, efficient, and more than willing to please.
The chef's creations are new and fresh every week. He employs seasonal produce in the most inventive ways. I can hardly wait to see the new menu items when I arrive. The portions are generous and never disappoint. The wine selections are extensive and well-priced. The desserts are extraordinary!
This restaurant is a great value for the price, and the food is first rate!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Becca Jones
Love this family owned biz in Cardiff! Food was hot and delicious. Such knowledgable staff (wine was delicious :)) & always treated with care. Will be back & always recommend to friends and family!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Morgan Gelber
Amazing experience! Lovely service and the food was superb. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an authentic Italian meal with a truly family atmosphere. Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
stefan karnavas
We have been going to this restaurant for the past 29 years….the food has remained consistently fabulous with all the fresh ingredients. Having a chef that Is so passionate about his food really shows in each dish. The ambiance is so lovely and authentically Italian - It is a must on your dinning adventure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joanne Epifania
I am first generation Italian American. So I know what proper quality food tastes like. This place delivers. From the appetizer to main courses. I love hearing the sisters speaking Italian to each other. And also the view is nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Tikky 1957
A completely overrated place only good for its location. The wine was rancid and diluted, the salad tired and simply thrown together and the bread rolls tasted like something purchased at Vons and reheated in the oven. As someone who is widely traveled and picky about cuisine, this one is for tourists who want glitter over substance!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Daniel Levy
One of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in Cardiff. At the end of the meal, we were handed a completely handwritten bill that was nearly impossible to read. No clear itemization, no explanation. Buried in it was a 20% surcharge that was never disclosed beforehand — not on the menu, not verbally, nowhere. When we paid with a credit card, they added another $8 fee just for using the card, again with no warning at all. When we questioned these charges, the staff became hostile and aggressive instead of professional. They literally told us not to come back if we didn’t like it. No apology, no explanation — just rude, dismissive behavior that made us feel extremely uncomfortable. And to top it off, the food was bad. Bland, disappointing, and absolutely not worth the price or the attitude. Hidden fees, terrible service, and lousy food. Plenty of better options in Cardiff — spend your money elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Valerie Nadalini
Delightful & delicious local spot for authentic Italian food. Large variety of options including a gluten free penne, in a quaint dining room or on the outdoor parking. Street parking for 2 hrs between 8 a.m & 6 p.m.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alessandra Chen
Best Italian in north San Diego! A cute and cozy family owned spot. The pasta is delicious - our favorites are the fettuccine Alfredo, the gnocchi, and the pappardelle. You really can’t go wrong here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
t diamond
Bland food, watery sauce. I believe that says it all
Very extensive menu Italian food best dessert menu I've seen
Jim Peterson
Nice wine selection. Amazing Pear salad, and Fig and prosciutto salads for starter. Chilean sea bass (branzino); pasta special with crab. This is our go to spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jack Terras
Some of the best Italian food that we have had in San Diego. The sisters here are so nice and friendly. The garlic chicken was incredible as was the minestrone soup. I'll be coming back here for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annie Ritter
The Rigatoni with crab and asparagus was amazing, as was the mozzarella de capri. I tried the poached pear for dessert and it was incredible!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Allisen Fernandez
We came here for my birthday, and we ordered crab cakes as an appetizer, and we each ordered a salad with our pasta dish. The food was good but the service was very slow so I was a bit disappointed. I did enjoy the Creme Brule for dessert, and the atmosphere was nice.
Trattoria Positano is one of our very favorite restaurants--so wonderful that we dine there every Sunday night! The family that owns and operates this neighborhood gem is always gracious, efficient, and more than willing to please.
The chef's creations are new and fresh every week. He employs seasonal produce in the most inventive ways. I can hardly wait to see the new menu items when I arrive. The portions are generous and never disappoint. The wine selections are extensive and well-priced. The desserts are extraordinary!
This restaurant is a great value for the price, and the food is first rate!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this family owned biz in Cardiff! Food was hot and delicious. Such knowledgable staff (wine was delicious :)) & always treated with care. Will be back & always recommend to friends and family!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing experience! Lovely service and the food was superb. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an authentic Italian meal with a truly family atmosphere. Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We have been going to this restaurant for the past 29 years….the food has remained consistently fabulous with all the fresh ingredients. Having a chef that Is so passionate about his food really shows in each dish. The ambiance is so lovely and authentically Italian -
It is a must on your dinning adventure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am first generation Italian American. So I know what proper quality food tastes like. This place delivers. From the appetizer to main courses. I love hearing the sisters speaking Italian to each other. And also the view is nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
A completely overrated place only good for its location. The wine was rancid and diluted, the salad tired and simply thrown together and the bread rolls tasted like something purchased at Vons and reheated in the oven. As someone who is widely traveled and picky about cuisine, this one is for tourists who want glitter over substance!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
One of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in Cardiff.
At the end of the meal, we were handed a completely handwritten bill that was nearly impossible to read. No clear itemization, no explanation. Buried in it was a 20% surcharge that was never disclosed beforehand — not on the menu, not verbally, nowhere.
When we paid with a credit card, they added another $8 fee just for using the card, again with no warning at all.
When we questioned these charges, the staff became hostile and aggressive instead of professional. They literally told us not to come back if we didn’t like it. No apology, no explanation — just rude, dismissive behavior that made us feel extremely uncomfortable.
And to top it off, the food was bad. Bland, disappointing, and absolutely not worth the price or the attitude.
Hidden fees, terrible service, and lousy food. Plenty of better options in Cardiff — spend your money elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Delightful & delicious local spot for authentic Italian food. Large variety of options including a gluten free penne, in a quaint dining room or on the outdoor parking. Street parking for 2 hrs between 8 a.m & 6 p.m.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Italian in north San Diego! A cute and cozy family owned spot. The pasta is delicious - our favorites are the fettuccine Alfredo, the gnocchi, and the pappardelle. You really can’t go wrong here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bland food, watery sauce.
I believe that says it all
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Very extensive menu Italian food best dessert menu I've seen
Nice wine selection. Amazing Pear salad, and Fig and prosciutto salads for starter. Chilean sea bass (branzino); pasta special with crab. This is our go to spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Some of the best Italian food that we have had in San Diego.
The sisters here are so nice and friendly. The garlic chicken was incredible as was the minestrone soup. I'll be coming back here for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Rigatoni with crab and asparagus was amazing, as was the mozzarella de capri. I tried the poached pear for dessert and it was incredible!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came here for my birthday, and we ordered crab cakes as an appetizer, and we each ordered a salad with our pasta dish. The food was good but the service was very slow so I was a bit disappointed. I did enjoy the Creme Brule for dessert, and the atmosphere was nice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
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