10 Best Italian Restaurants in Encinitas

“Delicious authentic Italian meals artistically served .“

“Had ordered Salad and pizza’s all were fantastic . Server was awesome !!!! We love your pie’s Buona 😍😍😍😍“

“My husband and I have been here for the very first time and we immediately fell in love with this place. The staff is amazing, they know how to treat you and make you feel at home. Alice is very passionate about her job and we loved her homemade desserts sooo much. A special mention to Michele, a very young yet extremely professional waiter, who contributed to create a cozy and pleasant atmosphere! As Italian, I can say it's hard to find place such Alice's where you feel so vividly the warm of our country. We will definitely come back!“

“My friend and I had such a wonderful experience at Firenze, and what made it truly special was not only the food, but the kindness and care from everyone there.

Before we even arrived, Jeff was incredibly kind and helpful on the phone. Jeff took the time to answer questions patiently and made us feel genuinely welcomed and cared for. That level of kindness set the tone for the entire evening.

When we arrived, Raquel was absolutely amazing both on the phone and in person. Raquel was so understanding, supportive, patient, and accommodating throughout our visit and helped us find a table that worked for us. Raquel was patient as we tried 3 different tables. Raquel made us feel comfortable and relaxed, and her warmth and attentiveness truly shun through.

Sandra was also incredible — Sandra's knowledge and expertise were so appreciated. Sandra thoughtfully helped identify dishes that would be safer for me to eat, and somehow still managed to recommend something absolutely delicious. That level of care means so much. Sandra was kind, compassionate and supportive to making us feel safer and comfortable to eat.

They graciously seated us outside next to the fountain, away from the crowd, which created such a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere. The sound of the water made the evening feel calm and intimate, and everyone was so accommodating about making sure we were comfortable.

The food itself was outstanding. The crisp thin breadsticks were addictive — light, delicate, and perfectly crunchy with that satisfying snap when you bite into them. Dipping the warm bread into the olive oil and balsamic vinegar was incredible. The olive oil was smooth, rich, and slightly peppery, while the balsamic added the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Together, they soaked beautifully into the bread and made such a simple starter feel luxurious. The bread was soft and airy on the inside and crisp on the outside.

I also loved the pasta. The shape held onto the sauce perfectly, giving every bite a wonderful balance of texture and flavor. The pasta itself tasted fresh and tender with just the right firmness. Every forkful felt comforting and thoughtfully prepared.

My friend absolutely loved the chicken parm. It was beautifully done in a true Italian style — thin, tender chicken with a perfectly crisp coating that wasn’t heavy or greasy. The sauce tasted vibrant and fresh with rich tomato flavor, and the melted cheese on top added just the right creamy finish without overpowering the dish. Every bite was balanced, flavorful, and delicious.

This was one of those dining experiences where you can truly feel the care from the staff in every detail. Thank you to Jeff, Raquel, Sandra, and everyone at Firenze for such a memorable evening. We cannot wait to come back.“

“fantastic food! one the best Italian spots in so. cal. friendly service.“

“What a sleeper!! We are thrilled to have found this gem. Authentic Italian food. Warm and genuine service. Exceeded our standard for local Italian for lunch. They say to arrive early for dinner, by 5:30 because this place gets busy. Make a reservation if dining later.“

“My wife and I were in town for one day to visit family. After the graduation ceremony we all gathered at Vigilucci’s for a 6:30 reservation. I was very impressed with the valet parking and great greeting once we walked it. They immediately sat us at our table and this was a busy Friday night. The restaurant is beautiful and has several different rooms. So they can handle a lot of diners.

Our server was exceptional, as was every staff member that came in contact with us.

We started with wine and their amazing homemade bread. Loved that bread it’s crispy and very tasty.

I ordered the seafood special and my wife had the tagliatelle with sausage. One of the others ordered the butternut squash dinner. Everything that came out was incredible!!! The seafood on my pasta was a large scallop, mussels in the shell, clams in the shell, two very large scrumptious shrimp and calamari. The pasta was delicious as well.

Then we topped it off with two orders of thru delicious tiramisu. OMG some of the best I’ve ever tasted.

Bravo 👏“

“Clean, grate service,Perfect location.“

“Feels like You’re eating Sunday dinner at grandmas, but any day of the week you choose.“

“If u want a place to watch sports and enjoy beer this place is definitely an option. It’s filled with locals . The pizza was hot and ooey gooey in all the right places . They have specials every night and a fully loaded menu for your game night.“