11 Best Italian Restaurants in Encinitas

“Excellent pasta! They even have gluten free!“

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

“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!“

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

“Delicious authentic Italian meals artistically served .“

“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.“

“The owners here are Italian and super focused on executing their family recipes. A meal here is like visiting their home towns and you'll enjoy it even more if you get to meet them. It's like an easy trip to Sicilia and Napoli. Sonya and I have visited twice and we are new to town!“

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

“I came here on a Wednesday evening around 6:30 PM. We requested a table by the window hoping to catch the sunset, but the windows have a covering/tint on them to help block the sun from shining directly into diners’ eyes. Because of that you really don’t get much of a sunset view. Ironically, the sun was still getting in our eyes so we ended up playing a little game of musical chairs throughout dinner.

The service, however, was excellent. We were given great recommendations, checked on frequently, and everyone was very attentive.

I ordered:

• Bread Service: The bread is phenomenal. It comes out fresh and warm, and honestly, portion control is difficult because it’s that good. A server also prepares a plate of balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil at the table for dipping.

• Insalata Alle Pere: This was so fresh, light, and delicious. I highly recommend it.

• Daily Special Risotto: The special that evening had filet in it. I asked for no mushrooms, and they were able to accommodate that without any issue. It was absolutely delicious. The portion was also huge so I took about half of it home, and it reheated perfectly.

One downside was how warm it was inside. They definitely need to have the AC running more or add some fans because I was actually sweating through the back of my dress.

It was also my friend’s birthday. I had made a note of it on the reservation and mentioned it again to a waitress, but unfortunately it wasn’t acknowledged and nothing special was done.

Overall it’s a really cute place with phenomenal food and excellent service. You don’t quite get the sunset view you may expect, and it can get pretty warm inside, but the food was excellent. I’m already looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.“

“Clean, grate service,Perfect location.“

“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.“