50 Best Italian Restaurants near Rancho Santa Fe

“Amazing STAFF and food. The General manager was super engaging and grit, staff was attentive even under busy and stressful situations- it’s obvious they have a positive working model. Nice work!“

“Great food . Well prepared and tasty , but a rowdy table with loud guests ruined the atmosphere and enjoyment. I asked management to calm the table down , but nothing was done.“

“This is our second time here, and honestly, the standout was the service. We had an amazing server named Derek. At one point, I was moving my pizza off the tray, and it completely flipped onto the floor. I told him I didn’t want another one because we had plenty already. But Derek went ahead and brought me a fresh pizza anyway. The service was absolutely top-notch, and because of that kind of care, I will definitely be back.“

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

“Excellent food and service.“

“​We had a wonderful dining experience here! The food was truly the best Italian cuisine we've enjoyed recently. What truly set the evening apart was the service provided by Matt. He is an absolutely amazing and personable server who went above and beyond to make it a great visit. A gem for the restaurant!“

“Food was excellent and service was great!!,..will be back!“

“Rosinas is consistently excellent authentic Italian food. The only food downside ( which is why I gave Food a 4 out of 5 rating), is their Ceaser salad...it is consistently bland, really watery, and tasteless...such an unpleasant surprise given that ALL of the other salads are so delicious, and ALL of the other food is delicious. Rosina, PLEASE update the Ceaser salad..it is really awful.“

“As always, it was a lovely time at Firenze.  From the hostess to the waiters and bus staff, everyone was friendly and gracious. I had the simply grilled trout with a side of pasta and broccoli. Everything was done perfectly. It's especially nice that the broccoli is cooked but with some crunch left! Yum.“

“Delicious authentic Italian meals artistically served .“

“Tonight I visited Vittorio's for the first time and everything about my experience was first rate! I could see that the hostess had a smile on her face, even before I entered the building. the wait staff was great and the food was wonderful! I've never had a better spaghetti alla carbonara. Thank you for a wonderful evening. I'll be back for sure!“

“I've been eating at Joe's for about 20 years, and I still love his food. I was there 2 weeks ago and the food was outstanding. I usually order the Eggplant Parmigiana and it was even better than the last time. I'm grateful that he has his restaurant and offers us great food to eat. Thank you Joe!“

“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!“

“Mama Cella’s Italian restaurant feels like a treasure passed down through generations, offering authentic Italian flavours that truly shine. From the very first bite of the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, I was in love! The dish is creamy and rich in flavor, a perfect example of classic Italian cuisine.

However, I found the meatballs to be a tad salty when eaten on their own. On a positive note, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, eager to share their knowledge about the food and the restaurant. The cleanliness of the establishment was also impressive, which added to the overall dining experience.

Most importantly, the prices are very reasonable! I would definitely recommend Mama Cella’s, and it will be my go-to spot whenever I’m craving Italian food!

Parking: Yes, you can park in the front of restaurant Or find a spot along the avenue.

Wheelchair accessibility: It’s easy to access with wide doorways that accommodate wheelchairs.“

“Always a wonderful experience with great food and service! I have loved every thing I’ve tried on the menu. This is our go to place whenever we want tasty and excellent cuisine👏“

“We have been here since it first opened with the heavy Neapolitan oven. Menu is regularly updated as well as decor and quality control. From Neapolitan to new york style, now back to authentic Sicilian home taste. The mulberry pizza has been upgraded/renamed to italia, more chewy flavorful thinner dough and ripe cherry tomatoes fresh basil with great cheese. The garlic sticks are chewy pizza dough, not typical italian bread. The ceasar salad dressing is top notch. The expresso coffee machine is back, to complement the light and creamy spongy ricotta pistachio cake! Service is very attentive and now reservations are accepted. PS Feel free to speak Italian 🤣“

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

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

“Went in for Sunday after Christmas for dinner because we had a gift card. It was very busy, but we didn’t have to wait long. We were a party of 9 with 5 kids. Our waiter and waitress were amazing! I think Connor and Lyn are their names The place is very kid friendly. The food was good, but I will be back for the great service alone!. They did a great job taking the kids orders, filling up our drinks, checking in on us, removing the plates and bringing in more breadsticks! It’s rare to get that kind of service anymore. We loved it! Haven’t had such a great service in a while! We won’t be waiting for a gift card to go back. I hope this review helps them bring in costumers so they can get nice tips!“

“Hello beautiful, I've seen quite a handful of your comments on my post and I just wanna go out of my way to appreciate those people whose comments and good wishes encourages me and I hope to bring you guys so much entertainment 2 Thanks a lot, I feel honored and blessed to have an amazing fan like you. Kindly name 3 of my songs you love so much...“

“A good pasta place - simple, tasty, diverse and customisable. Will try calzones next time for sure.“

“Had a late lunch with friends on a rainy Sunday. It was pouring rain, the only way to park in the restaurant parking lot was to valet, otherwise you have to park on the street or further away in another parking lot. The food, service and view was excellent. I couldn't help but to notice how stained the dining chairs were and the tables looked worn and tired. It's too bad the management doesn't see this and address it. The prices are very reasonable, it's worth a try if you love fresh Italian cuisine.“

“the best ! never disappointed“

“It suits any kind of gathering. The food was amazing. The Manhattan on the rocks-I love when they use the single large ice cube! There was nothing I didn’t like except as the place filled up we got a little warm but still enjoyed our full experience there.“

“Hole in the wall Italian. A very good deal for home Italian food.

Service was very good; we were the only people in there today and everything was quick. They were attentive without hovering, and very accommodating.

The menu prices were outdated and they were out of some things - this place needs a little love and more customers.

My fiancé and I had fettuccine Alfredo, penne arrabiata, two Cokes, and garlic bread. We spent $38 (plus tip). My fiancé enjoyed the fettuccine - there are carrots in it, which give it an earthy flavor. I had a bite and would add a bit of salt and crushed red pepper, but that’s my taste. I enjoyed the arrabiatta. It’s a spicy pasta, around a medium to hot in a Mexican food scale. The sauce was chunky and they didn’t skimp on the Parmesan, which was powdered. The garlic bread was a great texture, crunchy and buttery and soft all at once.

We will definitely return, and I encourage you to go if you want a quiet night with comfort food at a good price.“

“The scenery is very beautiful“

“Incredible food and excellent service ! Everything is perfect! Michelle and all staff are so amazing ! Thank you for having us and offering such delicious pasta and pizza! Thank you all and happy holidays!!!“

“We had an amazing dinner. Great happy hour until 6 PM. Nice options. Great service. Nice location.“

“So far I’ve tried the cacio e pepe, the meatballs, and the shrimp portofino. I’m trying to lose weight, but this place is so good and worth reviewing. Next I want to try the Alfredo 😍 I have yet to dine in, but my fiancé and I definitely will soon!“

“I found Ambrosio's to be acquaint and very great place to bring friends! The food was great and so was the drink. Had a great selection of pizzas and innovative, Italian dishes. We had dessert and we both enjoyed it immensely. They had a great variety. We had a wonderful time and will be back soon with our friends this time.“

“Best pasta west of the Mississippi“

“Well it was date night and I was hoping to impress,well I did.
My wife and I had a night that was perfect in every way. I have to say thank you Vigilucci it’s been a long wile since I seen my wife happy. So I’m going to make another decision and that’s date night is going to be at Vigilucci’s. So happy with the food and the service as top shelf.“

“The scenery is very beautiful“

“This is our second visit to Colosseo, and we had a very nice time! Food quality is excellent, house made pasta special, and classic lasagna were great, classic red sauce preparations! Service was friendly, competent, and attentive. Prices are moderate, though on the higher side for pasta dishes (lasagna $30, pasta special $34). Salads were also excellent, as was the tiramisu. Potion sizes were average for the price. The newly opened restaurant was busy, and noisy, but has an enjoyable, energetic upbeat vibe. Overall, we had a very nice time and will definitely be back! “

“The restaurant brought memories back from my travels in Italy. The staff was amazing and treated everyone like family. It wasn't easy to pick one entrée. I have to advise to end your meal with a delicious TIRAMISU... We will be returning....“

“Great food, ambiance and staffs. Thank you!“

“Pizza is always delicious. We order the large white pizza and add sausage, olive and onion and it was over $60 for that one pizza. No thanks.

The waitress was an older white lady and couldn't understand our order. She got really upset and frustrated and then I got frustrated. We should have just left then , but my mother in law was hungry.“

“Excellent customer service from Chloe and her teammate on Sunday for lunch. We had a party of 20 and they were friendly, professional and quick to accommodate. The food was good and plentiful. The servers made it an exceptional experience. Thank you!“

“Nice change of pace and it was easy to get A table outside during covid.“

“Grilled calamari… Brussels…. Yum!“

“My all time favorite, I love this place!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“The kids buffet is like $14, which is the same price as a kids meal at most places around legoland. The adult buffet is like $25 or $27ish (definitely less than $30). This includes a self-serve, all-you-can-eat buffet with fountain drink, salad bar, pasta, and pizza.

The buffet and tables are a bit chaotic since it’s a free for all (you find your own table and people/kids leave a mess on the tables).

The other diners at the restaurant can be gross, like touching food and not using the buffet utensils properly. Like, a lot of the diners are kids since duh it’s legoland. But still.

If you have celiac or a food allergy, tell the host or cashier. Michael (the cook handling allergy/celiac meals) came out to discuss options with me. He was fantastic! He offered to make a gluten-free pizza (cheese, meat lovers, veggie, etc.) that takes ~8 minutes. He also offered GF pasta, though it would take ~30 minutes since they boil it in fresh, uncontaminated water (a good sign!).

Michael made me a delicious GF pizza—thin crust, balanced toppings, and clearly made with care. I also asked if he could make a safe salad since the salad bar is a gluten nightmare (cross-contamination everywhere). He brought out a beautiful, tasty salad and even offered a box for my leftovers.

Shout out to Michael—super kind and accommodating!“

“parpedelle and short rib, pizza, cocktails“

“Clean, grate service,Perfect location.“

“Tasty ice cream, boba tea and coffee in one place“

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

“Best Pizza & Brew serves a variety of delicious pizzas, salads, pastas, poke bowls and drinks. The workers are always ready to take your order and make suggestions if youre unsure of which dish to choose. The house salad is delicious. It's always served fresh, and a perfect side with pizza. Best Pizza & Brew is across the street from the beach, by other restaurants and stores, so it's usually a busy place. They have plenty of seating, and the dining area is clean. BP&B also sells cool hats, tees and hoodies. You won't be disappointed with the Best Pizza & Brew.“

“Very good pizza and wings. Pizza came out pretty quickly. Sauce is not sweet, which is a good thing. Crust is airy and crunchy. Hot wings were also good. Good sauce. Right amount of vinegar and heat.“

“This is a gem of a place. Excellent pizza, fantastic service, and the gelato - YUM!!! It's been around for decades, the founder Pauly is in there early every morning to make the dough and sauce. Authentic and oh so good. Mona is wonderful as well.

They have a sketchy competitor who chose a similar name - don't get fooled. Pauly's Pizza Joint is the only Pizza Joint to go to.

Not the best business park, but their corner is charming inside.“