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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!!“

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

“A wonderful evening! I'll be honest was wonderful and it really seemed like a hot place to be. So many beautiful people! The food was flavorful and well balanced, however, my pasta was overcooked which is a big No-No in an Italian restaurant. I'll be back!“

“Great food and atmosphere!“

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

“Excelent food and service !!!“

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

“Highly recommend for your next Italian dinner. Delicious food and well portioned. We ordered family style and enjoyed a little of it all. Everything was fresh and full of flavor. My 2 and 4 year old absolutely loved the kids bolognese! Will be returning next time we are in SD!“

“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😎“

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

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

“Fantastic food and service! 🇮🇹
I had an Italian breakfast here and it was absolutely phenomenal. The food and quality were simply outstanding.
Francesco is genuinely friendly, kind, and welcoming, making the atmosphere so warm and inviting.
A definite must-try spot! Five stars!“

“~ Muy rico todo ..Y el servicio excelente~ 🤗😘🍷😋“

“Thank you for a wonderful meal, I truly appreciate the delicious food and great service" or "Your hospitality made for a memorable experience; thank you for creating such a welcoming atmosphere".“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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! 🍝 🥇“

“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.“

“Cool restaurant! Old school vibes! We ordered a large pepperoni pizza and that thing was huge and full of cheese! Monstrous and delicious! The sauce is great and the family run feel of the joint keeps us coming back for more. Super cheesey pizza!“

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

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

“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 ❤️“

“The food is always delicious, we especially enjoy the lasagna and their salads! The patio is charming with little lights in the plants surrounding the outside patio and all the tables have white table cloths and a candle.
The service is always attentive and great. We've never been disappointed!!!“

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

“Great food and beer 🍺 kid friendly ❤️“

“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.“

“Nado Republic is one of my family and I's absolutely favorite restaurants!! The food is authentic Italian imported from Italy. The service is amazing (Arlo is THE best)!!! Ambience and music is great and they do an awesome job with celebrations! Highly recommend!!!“

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

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

“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.“

“Soooooooo. Great wait staff and front of house, but the food is a step above Olive Garden. The pasta is not fresh nor is the seafood that was in my squid ink pasta. We were definitely being rushed due to the volume of customers on the waitlist.“

“The salads and vegan pastas are super delicious. Servers are friendly and helpful and even the kids had a great time. The only disappointment was the vegan tiramisu but the yummy chocolate gelato more than made up for it.“

“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.“

“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.“