50 Best Italian Restaurants near Imperial Beach

“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.“

“I ate here in March of 2024 and I have not stopped thinking about the meal. I am not exaggerating when I said it reminded me of my Italian grandfathers cooking. I had the chicken parm, soupa, a side salad, and a side of sausage. I did not expect this quality or flavor from Imperial Beach and I am happy to admit that I was wrong for my expectations. The food is perfect, the atmosphere devine, the crew working there were so welcoming and outgoing. This is a place that deserves your business. I can't wait to go back. To the owner, chef, and crew, thank you very much.“

“this place is 1 in a 100 I absolutely recommended this place“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!!“

“Great food and atmosphere!“

“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!“

“I love the food. Fast Service and friendly . I recommend this place. The food is great.“

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

“Great food, excellent service, and reasonable prices…the trifecta“

“Amazing menu, something for everyone…i recommend to try something outside your comfort zone. We had a little of everything and couldnt pick a favorite. Great atmosphere and very knowledgeable staff!“

“EVERYTHING! Best food and nicest employees in the area.“

“Amazing artichokes; age old Italian recipes with a twist — cheese and honeycomb deliciousness octopus 🐙 and out of this world beet salad just an absolute treat!!“

“Amazingly delicious! Can’t wait to go back! From Boston😎“

“Papaleco is a true gem in the neighborhood! Their gelato is absolutely amazing — so creamy, flavorful, and authentic. You can really taste the quality in every scoop.

All of their paninis are perfect, with the freshest ingredients and just the right balance of flavors. I’ve also tried their toasted sandwiches, and they are just as delicious — warm, crispy, and satisfying.

The place has such a charming, local vibe. It’s the kind of spot that makes the whole neighborhood feel cozy and welcoming. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick treat or sitting down for a bite, Papaleco never disappoints.

Highly recommend if you’re in the area — it’s one of those places you’ll want to come back to again and again!“

“Earlene prepared a special birthday dinner celebration for one of our dearest friends. So many special touches including the warm way she welcomed the birthday “celebrant” and us into her restaurant with a tasty nonalcoholic sangria to everything she did to make Diemut’s birthday dinner beautiful surpassed our highest hopes! We truly thank her for everything she did to make her/us feel special. It was absolutely spectacular. The celebratory blue touches - especially the blue butterflies on her cake- the delicious food and ambiance- everything. As Diemut herself said, “It was a volcanically successful birthday celebration.” We are in Erlene’s debt for helping us make our dear friend so happy.“

“The staff is very friendly, they have great service and it is my favorite place for pizza.

Parking: It's next to the pizzeria, there is always room to park.

Kid-friendliness: It is family-friendly, but it does not have games for children.

Wheelchair accessibility: If it has..., the entire floor is even. It has no steps.“

“Great apps and vino. Took my wife for the 1st time.“

“First time here, visiting from Portland, OR. I knew they had "Gluten-free" listed on their menu, as newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease, it's some comfort that I might be able to eat something. I let the host know when our group arrived. After being seated, our server came up and confirmed with me that I had Celiac Disease and let me know which items were Celiac safe and how they were prepared. The Gluten-free gnocchi were fantastic, as was the Burrata appetizer. Thank you so much. Our Triplet Birthday group absolutely enjoyed ourselves.“

“What an excellent evening, meal and service. Simply wonderful!“

“First experienced Mimmo’s on my son’s 25th birthday, 2011. Good times with several of his military buddies. Really great food, a wide variety of dishes. Something for everyone. My son is gone now but I go back to Mimmo’s a couple times a year; think of the good times, the love and laughter💙; to feed his spirit, my soul. Oh - the service is always superior; friendly, attentive and kind staff!“

“We had heard of this place on the San Diego Vegans Facebook page and even though it's a bit of a trek from La Mesa, we figured we'd give it a try. We were charmed and delighted! The vegan menu is truly a marvel, with it hard to imagine going wrong. The pastas were bright, fresh and flavorful. The pizza was cooked perfectly (next time we'll spring for the vegan cheese option), and the artichoke appetizer was amazing. Both dessert options were scrumptious. Service was warm and friendly. The ambiance is comfortable and inviting. Would definitely dine here again!“

“Awesome experience!! Great gnocchi and the cannoli is finger licking good!! Will return very soon! Can’t wait!“

“Such a cute spot for date night or girls night. Cocktails are amazing. Loved the stuffed shells! The place is on the smaller side so I would recommend making reservations. I went around 7ish on a Friday and was able to sit at the bar but it gets really busy so I’ll make reservations next time.“

“Very cute spot! We celebrated my boyfriend’s birthday here and had a great experience.

The Brie and garlic bulb was to die for! I could eat that every day ?

The gnocchi appetizer was also delightful.
Ordered the pizza and Caesar to split and it was a LOT of food (great portions!) and so delicious.

To top it off the key lime pie was a perfect birthday treat!

We sat on the back patio and it was really enjoyable and perfect ambiance. Definitely check it out if you’re in the area! We can’t wait to go back next time we’re in town.“

“We brought in a large group on Feb 16th and not only was the food wonderful, but we had the most amazing service from our server. I can't recall his name, but he handled 20+ menu orders, several were specialty for food allergies, and drinks and dessert and all! The entire meal was great because we had a Pro who knew how to help a large group enjoy! We'll be back again for sure! OSF you need to add one to the choices below: BEST SERVER! 🍝 🥇“

“Loved their sandwiches. service and the cookies are to die for!!!“

“Their quiche is the bomb.com! I’m also a huge fan of the tiramisu too. The owner made a large tray for me to share with the nurses at my hospital.“

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

“Outstanding unique food. Quick and friendly service. You can tell the chef puts her heart into the meal. Old school Italian recipes and fresh ingredients.
You're missing out on a culinary experience if you don't try everything on the menu.“

“Best Italian I’ve ever spent money on…been coming here from Atlanta for 3 years and it’s always my first stop…ask for Rudy, he took good care of me…fantastic food, even better people!“

“I went as a solo traveler and sat at the bar. The staff was so sweet and friendly. They cleared extra space for me so I could order food (it is a pretty small bar area and I get the feeling food is not often served there) the house wine and eggplant parm were so good and again the staff were so mind and warm. Will definitely go again ❤️“

“We’re frequent patrons of Postino Wine Cafe on South Broadway, San Antonio, TX. Love the ambiance, food, wine & service. Last night we experienced them at their finest! Ray & Mark went above and beyond in making our daughter-in-laws 50th birthday celebration special. The 50th balloons, cake accessories, & gift card were unexpected & appreciated. This is a place to go for a special celebration! Chef Joseph prepared a variety of delicious boards & more. They truly give top notch attention to detail & service. Highly recommend!“

“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.“

“I am just absolutely speechless at how amazing the food was and friendly our server Peter was! I ordered the shrimp and crab linguini special and my husband ordered the chicken Alfredo. I am part Italian so I’m picky when eating Italian out but this was probably the best Italian food I have ever tasted in my life. And the dessert? Wow. To die for. I will 1000% be back when we visit San Diego and recommend to everyone. I’ll be dreaming about it the rest of my life.“

“The Carbonara & garlic bread was BOMB, service was excellent too, will be back!“

“Amazing Italian restaurant, great service and authentic family style food.. first time in San Diego, safe to say I’ll never forget coming here“

“Me gusto la comida, el servicio todo super bien!“

“Excelent food and service !!!“

“Olive Garden offers a reliable and satisfying dining experience, and my recent visit was no exception. I started with the Toscana soup and salad combo, both of which were fresh and flavorful. The soup had a comforting, hearty taste with a nice balance of spices and ingredients, while the salad was crisp and vibrant, topped with a classic Italian dressing that added just the right tang.

For my main course, I chose the chicken Alfredo, and it was absolutely delicious. The creamy Alfredo sauce was rich without being overwhelming, coating the tender pieces of chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. Each bite was smooth and flavorful, showcasing the classic flavors you’d expect from a well-made Italian dish.

Overall, Olive Garden provided a warm and enjoyable meal with a good variety of dishes that feel both familiar and satisfying. The combination of fresh starters and a hearty entrée made for a comforting dining experience that I’d happily return to. It’s a great spot when you’re craving classic Italian flavors in a casual setting.“

“The food was wonderful! Our server, Brian, was awesome! We had a window table and observed an elderly lady fall on the sidewalk so we ran out to help her and assist. She was bleeding and embarrassed but the staff was very helpful assisting her. When we got her going again we we resumed a great meal!“