48 Best Italian Restaurants near Lakeside

“The Margarita pizza was the best . Thus far from any pizzaria I’ve had“

“very delicious pizza great amount of toppings and cheese , really enjoyed their cheesy bread😋😋“

“Excellent pizza! Great food & love the atmosphere!“

“Our dining experience at the Italian Cucina in Barona Casino was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm and friendly service that set the tone for a relaxing evening.
I started with the Braised Beef Short Ribs, which were simply outstanding. The meat was tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. It was truly one of the best dishes I’ve ever had. My wife had the Baked Penne Pasta, and it was equally delicious. The pasta was perfectly al dente, and the sauce was rich and savory.
The ambiance of the restaurant added to the overall experience, making it a perfect spot for a special night out.
Overall, the food was excellent, and the service was top-notch. I highly recommend the Italian Cucina at Barona Casino for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.“

“Me, my husband and my service dog went to order two pizzas at 8:50 pm on 10/29/2025 and the young man that helped us was polite and friendly. We're from of town and our experience was a great one. Our pizzas were delicious and the prices were good. We'll be returning to this establishment on our next trip. Thank you.“

“good pizza, sandwiches 🥪 at won't hurt ur pockets. nom noms“

“This place food, ambience, decor, patio, services, etc, etc, etc gas not competition around san diego,“

“nice place and very good and taste“

“The food the service is amazing. VERY bad experience that little Roma restaurant I should’ve known better that there’s no place like Nonna’s.“

“To sit and enjoy The entire staff is friendly and the owner and his son are amazing!! They have the best atmosphere, food freshly made! Lasagna is so good - pizza is seasoned well and the dough is good“

“3/5 for a first timer during restaurant week… the special menu was $50 per person…. we never got any bread with our dinner (and didn’t realize we were left out until we were on dessert)… and, portions were small, so the bread would have been nice, especially for $50… also, the server made us make our food order at the same time as our drinks… personally, i like to have a drink or two before i order my food… so, the service was rushed in that sense… and no one asked me if i wanted a second glass of wine i had the veal and my friend had the lobster ravioli… both tasted decently but, again, small portions… the burrata was amazing and the desserts (tiramisu and lava cake) were pleasant i think i’d like to try again on a night that isn’t as busy, and order off of the actual menu“

“Never had a bad experience here. The staff are always super friendly and make you feel welcomed and take good care of us. This is our favorite no-frills, reliably good food, hole in the wall spot. Our son loves the food here too! Highly recommend“

“had takeout spinach lasagna tonight. Outstanding meal! I definitely recommend 😍😍💯💯👌👌“

“We've been patrons for 61 years; spent our 60th. Anniversary dinner here along with all our family mile stones: birthdays, wedding rehearsal dinners, etc. We love the staff, lovely people and family and the food is always great. We love the atmosphere; calm and private booths... they are family as far as we are concerned...“

“I think the food is very good. I would give it five stars excellent service, beautiful wine had a wonderful night. 🍷🍝“

“The food is so good! 100% recommend the vodka sauce! Stuffed mushrooms are fantastic. Ambiance is fabulous and service is so good. Alex was our server, he’s a keeper. This is our new go to Italian restaurant.“

“Thee perfect fold with the perfect crunch! You can taste the true perfection in that the family takes pride in making pizza! Fresh ingredients. Perfect crunch! Not overcooked or undercooked. I have to say that this pizza dough was made to perfection! Airy dough paired with great sauce and fresh toppings. You have to give this place a try if you been looking at it or thinking about it. You will not be disappointed. Supporting small businesses.“

“Filippi's is a chain of Italian, 'Family-Style' restaurants in the San Diego & Southern CA area.
Everyone I talk to knows them for their delicious pizza - and I agree. Their pizza are cheesy. You don't need to order extra.
This visit was a first to the ElCajon restaurant. I sat in the bar and had great conversations with Norma. She made great drinks too.
I had an order of garlic cheese bread with a warm marinara sauce while I waited for my pizza. It was great! Again, cheesy with a good garlic taste. It was filling too. I could only eat one slice of pizza when it arrived & had to take the rest home.
Stop in and enjoy a great meal. Say HI to Norma for me.“

“Of all the Filippi's around San Diego I believe this location has the best pizza. I also like getting their family combo which comes with soup, salad, bread, garlic bread, ravioli, lasagna and spaghetti. The fettuccine and sandwiches are also quite good. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. There's also plenty of parking. You couldn't ask for anything more.“

“Excellent service, friendly atmosphere..food very satisfying“

“.......this is the best deli in san diego county period !!........2 of my favorites are the meatball (of course !) and the muffaletta.......that meatball sammie has some of the best meatballs i've had on this planet.........and boy, does this deli have delicious bread which we all know can make or break the sammie, irregardless of what's stuffed inside.......a bit crusty on the outside but pillowy soft wonderness on the inside.......drenched in tasty marinara, some goood melted provolone and them tasty meatballs.............my soul ascends somewhere while i eat this tasty treat, every time..........and that muffaletta is a nice, lighter surprise than the one in the big easy.......the olive spread is nice and brawny like a good olive spread should be..........i've had a few others as well but wanted to highlight my faves...........you can't go wrong here and your tastebuds will say grazie grazie grazie.........“

“It's great thin crust pizza! You can't beat the prices either.“

“4/4/2022 My first time getting a pizza from here, and it was amazing! I look forward to trying other items as well.“

“Awesome family owned business. Great food. Been around for decades.“

“Pizza was really delicious. We had a margarita, pepperoni, Hawaiian and the special. We ordered antipasta salad. It normally comes with dressing on the side but it had no dressing this time. I did appreciate being offered something to drink while I waited for my order. All and all we had a good experience.“

“Testo Pepesto Italian Restaurant is centrally located on Main Street in downtown El Cajon. It is a great family-owned restaurant with delicious food and friendly service. Best pizza and pasta in El Cajon! They also bake their own tasty bread. Everything is absolutely YUMMY!!!“

“I came to this place for lunch and it was a great decision. I liked the chicken soup and the pasta. I would especially like to mention that we had a wonderful waitress. She is really great, she paid us enough attention and I am very satisfied with the service and communication with the girl. She made our lunch even more enjoyable. The food is delicious, the service is great. I definitely recommend visiting this place“

“Wonderful! Excellent service delicious food and great atmosphere .“

“The food is excellent. Fresh delicious dishes. Too bad the service isn't better and the room is too loud. This food deserves better.“

“So to be honest, I've actually never been inside of here both times we've got food. My husband has picked it up. Both times we've ordered.My husband has got the Veil Marsala and he really likes it and the first time I got the lasagna which was really good this time.I got the cheese tortellini with creamy pesto, which was also really good. Both times we get a side of their meatballs, and both meals come with small pieces of bread, so we have mini meatball subs, which is really awesome. Two meals per person, meaning we have leftovers for $50.Totally worth it. My husband said the staff was very nice and welcoming and helpful, even just for pickups. We will be going back a third time and more. Yum!“

“We were served by Skaula (probably miss spelled her name).

But she did an amazing job, made the experience a lot more enjoyable!
Thank you!!

Food was delicious and free refills for drinks, salads, bread sticks, and soups!

Thank you again for the amazing service!“

“This place has quickly become one of our favorite spots to eat. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, whether you’re coming in for a relaxed dinner or just grabbing a drink. The food is consistently delicious and the drinks are always made just right. On top of that, the service is truly outstanding—every staff member we’ve interacted with has been friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.

We keep coming back for the manicotti and ricotta—they’re always fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. It’s one of those dishes you think about days later. Overall, this restaurant delivers a great experience from start to finish, and we always leave happy. Highly recommend!“

“Pasta and pizzas are delicious. Prices are very reasonable.“

“Food is good and the service is great.“

“We picked up food yesterday during their grand opening in Santee. Best pesto I’ve ever had! Staff was great too. We will definitely be back.“

“Pizza Perfection!

If you’re looking for incredible pizza, FOX’S GIANT PIZZA is the spot! From the moment you walk in, the warm, welcoming atmosphere sets the tone for a fantastic meal. The staff was super friendly, and the aroma of fresh pizza from the oven instantly had my mouth watering. Steven was so friendly and sweet!

We tried the Meat Lover, Veggie Supreme, and Margherita pizzas—and wow, every bite was pure bliss.

The Meat Lover was packed with perfectly cooked, flavorful toppings—pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon—layered over a rich, tangy sauce and gooey cheese. Each bite was hearty and satisfying.

The Veggie Supreme was a garden-fresh masterpiece! It had vibrant peppers, mushrooms, onions, olives, and the perfect hint of seasoning, all resting on a crispy-yet-fluffy crust. Even non-veggie lovers would enjoy this one!

And the Margherita? A classic done right. The simplicity of fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and their signature tomato sauce made it stand out. It was light, fresh, and absolutely delicious.

This is hands-down one of the best pizza places I’ve ever been to. Whether you’re a meat lover, veggie enthusiast, or crave a classic Margherita, they’ve got something amazing for you. I can’t wait to come back!“

“From a New Yorker - this is the closest I’ve gotten to NY slice since moving out here 10 years ago. On top of it, the service is always so kind, the atmosphere is the perfect pizzeria vibe, and pricing is more than fair. If you haven’t tried this place yet I highly recommend - won’t disappoint and you get to support local!!“

“1st time here & I will definitely be back! Food was delicious & well presented. Good drinks & bomb hot sauces to chose from. Everyone is extremely friendly & positive vibes.. There’s nothing better then walking in a place of business feeling so welcome.“

“The pizza and subs were excellent marinara off the hook garlic knots awesome will be eating there again 🙌🏻🍕🥖“

“Thank u so much mike at Monavala Pizza for sponsoring Erin in the positive direction pageant she won jr miss San Diego central as well as miss congeniality with your generous support!!! She’s so excited to start giving back to the community“

“Great place way under rated, sleeper…“

“good people ...lobe and miss your mother, Anna❤✝️“

“I have been coming here since they opened and they are the best !!!! Everything I have ordered has been beyond delicious and the owner Zak is the best !!! It’s a must try !!!!!“

“Picked up some pizzas last night for movie night! Uber eats was delivering, wow 😮 really surprised this local place near me has fantastic pizza and breadsticks! I will come back again!“

“Absolutely awesome food . Never disappoints👌“

“Clean all around. We waited for a long time for our order and it somehow got handed out to someone else, but the manager gave us a free buffet card to come back to make up for this mistake. She was very nice. The food is always great too! They have a fun atmosphere with TVs around and a very unique beer bar.“