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 loved the food. We got a pizza and I ordered the meatball sandwich. My only negative was that I asked for a container to take home the half of the sandwich I didn't eat. The server brought a container and then picked up my sandwich and put it in the container. Bare hands. No longer was I going to eat that sandwich.so to the servers...don't touch the customers food with with your hands.“

“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!“

“Always fresh and delicious Authentic Italian food . I highly recommend Monzu ❤️“

“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!“

“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.“

“Great service great food will be back soon.“

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

“Went here last night after a concert at The Music Box. We were served by the owner. Such a genuinely nice guy. We had the best experience. Beautiful space and such hospitality. We’ll definitely be back.“

“This was one of the best restaurant experiences we ever had! The view, the atmosphere, the food, and drinks (must try "Italian Ice") - all great. The best, however, is the staff! Our Maitre De as well as our waiter David C made us feel like VIPs. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back.

Parking: Garibaldi will validate your ticket when you spend at least $50 - so parking becomes FREE!“

“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!!“

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

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

“Excellent authentic Italian food. Service was great.“

“Great food and atmosphere!“

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

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

“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!“

“Great service, great food, flavor on point! The employees and owner served with excellence and great care. While sitting and observing I saw the owner of the restaurant waiting by the door to open the door for customers as they left. That right there sold me on the respect for his customers and dedication for his Resturant, as a previous Resturant owner myself that is the service that will keep me coming back!“

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

“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!!“

“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.“

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

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

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

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“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! 🍝 🥇“

“A Delightful Surprise at Nado Republic! Our impromptu dinner at Nado Republic turned out to be a wonderful surprise. From their accommodating service—seating us earlier than expected—to the flavorful dishes (the lasagna was especially outstanding: rich, meaty, and perfectly cooked), everything exceeded expectations. The staff was attentive without being overbearing, and the lively ambiance added to the charm. A great spot for a relaxed yet memorable evening!“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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 ❤️“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

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

“Excelent food and service !!!“