50 Best Italian Restaurants near Coronado

“Our favorite restaurant on the Island! Never disappoints 🥰“

“Been there many many times. But this time I went around 445pm and there was no one there. We ate inside, for our first time and had an insane experience. The bartender was asking us for drinks and trying small samples of the new wines and whiskey. Had the steak. Delicious. Will 100% come back.“

“We all deserve a second chance and II Fornaio is not exempt. I was told to try this place for a nice meal. My family visited this establishment a few weeks back. Unfortunately, we had one of the worst experiences ever. Lack of attentiveness, service, taste, & dining experience. We left waiting to speak to a manager that never came as he was taking care of another matter and I didn't want to wait any longer. I got home and my wife insisted that I call to report our experience and give the manager a chance to do something about it. I spoke with Assistant General Manager Antonio Ramirez who apologized and said he would investigate and call me the following morning. Needless to say he didn't return the call for a week later. I honestly thought he forgot. Mr Ramirez called and once again apologize and offered to pay for our meal on the next visit. He was genuinely concerned about the companies reputation and making up for a poor experience. I returned the following week with a complete different situation. Mr Ramirez introduced himself, followed the hostess to our seat, took the unused glasses and offered to get our drinks. The busser, he could easily pass for Santa Claus, was johnny on the spot with water, tea and refills. Our waitress, Susan was what all should aspire to as far as a quality food server. Susan was suggestive of everything, we chose two of her recommendations and were not unhappy. Between Mr. Ramirez, Susan and Santa Claus (sorry never got the busser's name), my wife and I had the best dining experience that turned our hearts to highly recommend II Fornaio as the place to frequent for that wonderful dining experience. We will definitely return to dine after this time. Thank you for changing our hearts to believe in you. It's time to make Assistant General Manager Antonio Ramirez General Manager with his attitude, demeaner, and loyalty to the company and the return of a good customer experience. Thank you, Thank you and Thank you.“

“Everything by we had was amazing! I highly recommend!“

“Delicious homemade pasta and sauces! Attentive and friendly staff!“

“Beautiful place inside the Hotel Del Coronado. Lost to choose from, some vegan options

Vegetarian options: Look through the photos for options. Lots to choose from. Just ask an employee for help.

Dietary restrictions: Always ask an employee for help. They are very willing and knowledgeable.

Parking: Just use the valet parking.

Kid-friendliness: The entire place, except for the bars, is kid-friendly.

Wheelchair accessibility: Ask for help at the front desk. There are plenty of ramps and level areas for those who use equipment to get around.“

“I am delighted with my experience at this Italian restaurant! From the moment I walked in, I was transported to Italy with a warm ambiance and friendly staff. The food was extraordinary; each dish burst with authentic flavors that joyfully made my taste buds sing. The attention to detail in every plate was evident, showcasing the chef's expertise and dedication to traditional Italian cuisine. The pasta was cooked to perfection, sauces were rich and flavorful, and the ingredients were fresh and high-quality. Not only was the food exceptional, but the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable and made the entire dining experience even more delightful. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in San Diego. In my opinion, this establishment undoubtedly deserves the title of the best Italian restaurant in town.“

“If you are looking for a true Italian experience in San Diego, look no further than Vinarius! We worked with Giuseppe (owner) to host our wedding celebration here back in March, 2023. From the beginning, he was amazing to work with. Incredibly positive and accommodating from the start, we couldn’t have asked for more. The wedding ceremony was planned to be outside and of course, it rained that day. Guiseppe and his staff went above and beyond to accommodate us, allowed us to have the small ceremony inside the restaurant on short notice and made an incredible meal to follow. Our guests were blown away and we couldn’t have been happier. We recommend Vinarius to everyone we know and that is thanks to Giuseppe and his awesome staff. Grazie mille!“

“We absolutely loved our dinner at Monzu in the Gaslamp! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff struck the perfect balance of being friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. We started with the tartare di tonno, which was incredibly fresh and flavorful—an excellent beginning to the meal. The housemade focaccia deserves a special mention: airy, perfectly seasoned, and quite possibly the best I’ve ever had. For the main course, I enjoyed the bucatini all’amatriciana. The pasta was clearly house-made, cooked to perfection, and the sauce had that authentic depth of flavor that only true Southern Italian cooking delivers. We finished with an affogato, which was the ideal ending—simple, rich, and satisfying. Monzu offers authentic Southern Italian fare with genuine hospitality, and everything we tried reflected both freshness and craftsmanship. I would 100% return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in San Diego.“

“My wife and I eat at Ciccia’s regularly but this is our first review after 4 years. Sorry Francesca and Mario! (In my defense I practically never ever write a review.) We keep coming back for the food, ambiance and hospitality. **We’ve gone 3 times in the last week! The crab gnocchi is my wife’s favorite. I get something different almost every time. Every visit I ask Mario about the specials as I like to sample the beef and/or fish (Branzino!) they prepare in addition to pasta. Try the Tomahawk steak if it’s a special that day (call ahead) and you will be amazed. Too many times we fill up on appetizers like mushroom flan, breaded zucchini, calamari, antipasto, and the choices go on! But that’s what to-go containers are for. So much good food to eat at Ciccias we tend to order too many things. It is simply fun to dine there. Once you’re inside the restaurant area (patio area or indoor area) the ambiance is quaint and cozy. Ciccia’s is not big and it’s always filled, but we never feel like it’s too crowded. The energy is always fun and upbeat. Which makes people stay awhile, so let me recommend getting reservations. We’ve had to wait 10-15 minutes but nothing’s perfect! If you want a breezy quick dinner before going off to an event you may want to go to Ciccia’s on another night. Hospitality is what you would expect of a small Italian restaurant run by the owners. Terrific!! If it’s your first time, read their story on the website before you go. They are bona fide top chefs who followed their dreams to open their own place. What a gem it is tucked inside Barrio Logan. One thing regulars may notice is that staff doesn’t appear to turn over much as I’ve seen the same faces working there for years. I think that reflects well on the restaurant. I don’t take pictures of food very often but last night I did. We stopped by at around 9 just to get dessert and a cocktail. My wife had the ricotta cake with apricot and habanero sauce (wow!) and I had cassata siciliana which is traditional cake from Sicily. Pretty to look at and yes, it’s delicious. They do a good job with making an Old Fashioned, which always pairs well with dessert 😜 Buon appetito!“

“Great food and great service! Food was fresh and expertly prepared! Probably the best service I have ever experienced and the place was busy at the time we were there!!“

“Fabulous food served in a no-frills, casual atmosphere. The service was excellent and Chef Luciano Cibelli comes out of the kitchen and checks with every table to see how diners are doing. Great place to celebrate a special occasion. We enjoyed the seafood fettucini, chicken parmesian, and the catch of the day, which was sea bass on a bed of roasted vegetables, with beet purée and a delicious beurre blanc. Delish!“

“Luis and another equally adorable server (unknown name but very friendly with a mustache) kept me company while I dined at the bar. This place came by a referral from a friend and did not disappoint. Loved the atmosphere- such a vibe! Great food and service!“

“Everything was incredible! Kika, our server, was so kind and helpful. I am celiac and she guided me through what would work for me! The food was delicious. We loved the vibe and greatly enjoyed our visit! 100% worth a visit!“

“cordialità,buon cibo e ambiente raffinato“

“Checked out Garibaldi for dinner. Had the best time with the wonderful ambience. The food was food,
However, the rice in the risotto was slightly undercooked.
Our server David was wonderful and took care of everything. Will definitely return again for the sunset HH.“

“This was our 1st anniversary in November, 1991. This is the first booth inside the door, our favorite. In the several years before meeting Patti, I had taken more than a few dates to Baci’s. Why go there? The food, the service, the personal interaction with staff. Talking to the owner once, I discovered he was neighbors with my roommates brother. We left San Diego in 1992 but winter there since retiring and visit Baci’s every year. So happy they’re still going strong.“

“Absolutely fantastic experience at Osteria Cotto e Mangiato! The service from Andrea (owner) was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Every dish we ordered was incredible-from the rich, comforting Carbonara w/anchovies to the Captain's Treasure chest is unexplainable good, everything was cooked to perfection. You can really taste the quality and care in each bite. This place is a gem in San Diego for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine. Oh, by the way, did I mention the Tiramisu... WOW!! Can’t wait to come back!“

“Excellent food and the service was splendid.“

“2nd visit and again food and service were great. only complaint was they cleared my dessert when I wasn't finished without asking. took that as hint to leave.“

“Amazing food and a testament to being a good citizen of our planet.“

“Great service great food will be back soon.“

“good pizza, sandwiches 🥪 at won't hurt ur pockets. nom noms“

“Spending my evening at a new restaurant in South Park called Il Posto. So far everything I’ve tried is spectacular.“

“This place is absolutely amazing. The service was exceptional and we felt so welcomed. The handmade pasta and dishes are to die for. My husband has the special and I had the pescatore dish followed with dessert. We will definitely be back!“

“C est la troisièmement fois que nous venons dans ce restaurant italien et nous sommes toujours aussi satisfaits des produits authentiquement italiens et de l accueil, aussi bien pour un repas le soir que pour une formule du midi. Nous y retournerons dans doute à notre prochaine visite à Paris“

“Ordered pizza thin crust. Taste was great but failed the stiff crust test. This on you pizza makers. 12 inch pie takes slightly less than one ladle of sauce. Put a little less cheese in the middle. Then the crust stays flat when you pick it up. Otherwise , you pick up the piece and all the toppings fall on the plate.“

“Ordered the Torpedo sandwich and it hit the spot!!“

“Enjoy the atmosphere and great food.“

“Food was excellent and Christina the owner has the best personality and knows how to treat her customers! You MUST go there!“

“We visited Volare while our son was at Camp Lejeune. My husband comes from a Sicilian family and they make some of the best food I've had. Four years later, I am writing this review because we STILL talk about that amazing little Italian restaurant in San Diego that looked like a hole in the wall. Everyone loved their dishes, giant portions...we talked about flying from Chicago just to eat here again. You can tell everything is homemade, and the prices were great. Hopefully, we can return one day!“

“Cucina Caprese is one of our favorites. Everything on the menu is fabulous. Guiseppe knows how to make delicious food. Best pizza ever!“

“Vero italiano a San Diego!!! Posto easy ma molto accogliente e curato; Personale super accogliente ed amichevole; Cibo super buono e davvero italiano Consigliata la focaccia di loro produzione e spettacolare spaghetto alla pescatora!! Top A presto“

“We tried a new restaurant in North Park. Cacio e Pepe is off the hook. The linguine with sugo had italian sausage, meatballs, and pork rib. The linguini was al dente. It was all very authentic and nice sized portions. My Nonna would approve. It's my new "go to" place for Italian food in North Park.“

“Great food. Chicken Marsala, Tortellini Verde, Caprese Salad, Bruchetta.. so good. Has friendly, personal service.“

“Every time I have dined here, the atmosphere is warm and inviting but most important, the food is always amazing. The flavors and quality in every dish has not disappointed.“

“The Chefs Cheese Wheel pasta was absolutely amazing!!“

“Fresh and flavorful! Very good service, I’ll try again!“

“We love Parma Cucina!! The food is authentic and they treat everyone like family! Bellissimo!🇮🇹❤️“

“The most scrumptious artichoke arugula, Parmesan shavings salad that I split with my husband. Huge portion. Wonderful Chilean Seabass with black squid linguine. I like it with marinara and they accommodate. My husband had a wonderful pasta Bolognese. We topped it off with an incredible tasting lemoncello cake and two decaf cappuccinos. What a meal! Phenomenal restaurant great chef, lovely service great ambience.“

“Best cannoli of my life. This is an absolute must stop in Little Italy.“

“First visit. Nice restaurant. We tried the beef ravioli and lasagna; both delicious. Several other menu options sound amazing; look forward to trying those on our next visits.“

“Great food and atmosphere!“

“Outstanding waitress . She was by herself and still managed to keep her cool. Definitely liking this place one thing, the. Chicago beef gravy is way too salty and you guys need to roast the green peppers . pizza was outstanding. Thank you.“

“This place is a beautiful gem tucked right in downtown—ideal for a romantic date night or a classy business dinner. The prices are incredibly reasonable for the top-notch Italian cuisine you get. The owner, originally from Rome, brings authentic flavors and heartfelt passion into every detail of the restaurant. His dedication truly shines through.

If you're craving real Italian food, this spot is an absolute must. It’s a perfect example of why we should support local San Diego businesses. Don’t forget to check out their other location, too!“

“The food did not disappoint!! The orecchiette con tomate was INCREDIBLE. Beautiful restaurant!! We came in to celebrate and have a nice meal, and unfortunately other guests made our meal awkward and uncomfortable. We sat on the patio, and a there was a table that treated the restaurant staff so poorly over the food wait time. The guests were very displeased and making a big stink. Absolutely no fault of the restaurants, we felt extremely bad for all members of the staff. We found the staff to be extremely professional and very hardworking. We will definitely be back!!“

“Get the white sauce gnocchi! Omg! An explosion of cheesy goodness in your mouth. I wish the plate was bigger, cuz it’s that delicious! It does need some bread of some sort to soak up the extra sauce… because I’m not licking my plate again ?“

“Great food! spacious dining place.“

“Everyone enjoyed the pasta & pizza“

“the food is SO tasty, welcoming honey atmosphere, wonderful service in an intimate setting.“