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.“

“Excellent food and service.“

“Delicious authentic Italian meals artistically served .“

“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.“

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

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

“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!“

“Joe's is one of our favorite restaurants in all of San Diego Co. We have been coming here for years and feel like family when we visit. Truly a warm and welcoming experience every time we go. Highly recommend all the selections.“

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

“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!“

“This local spot boasts a inviting atmosphere. The bar's dark red seats create a cozy ambiance, complemented by the dining room's wood chairs and classic red-and-white checkered tablecloths. Outdoor seating is available for larger groups. We had a gathering of about 50 people, half adults and half kids, on the rear patio. Our server delivered exceptional service, keeping food and drinks readily available.“

“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...“

“Holly (manager) always with a warm welcome. Our server Bill, as usual, extremely professional, attentive and excellent customer service. Our grandchildren that accompanied us, always enjoy Bill's interaction with them. Thank you both for such a great evening. It is such a delight dining at Firenze.“

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

“I wish I would’ve taken a picture, but the food was so good I couldn’t be bothered to even look at my phone! I had the calamari, small Caesar salad, chicken parm w/ pasta and marinara this evening. IT WAS SO DANG DELICIOUS!! Every bit, from the garlic on the roll, the perfectly dressed salad and MOST of all...The marinara was so good I had to resist getting up and smacking everyone in the restaurant. Recommend calling ahead for reservations for groups of 3 or more. A cozy well decorated space to match. I will be recommending this place to all my friends and bringing family!“

“Jackson was amazing. He helped guide is through the menu and each of our individual tastes. The chef accommodated my tweaks I always make. Get the dessert flight!!!! AMAZING!!!! Very unique menu! Seasonal! The special was packed with local fish. I will be back and highly recommend going.“

“This is such a beautiful restaurant. The water scenery is beautiful. Food is delicious, the atmosphere was so cozy and chill. It was worth it to go there. Whenever I am back in California I am going back again.“

“the best ! never disappointed“

“Might i suggest on the weekend...have a reservation in advance. Parking is tuff on a Friday night. Once inside you feel like you have escaped to somewhere other than a strip mall. Very cute and quaint place. Our service was excellent! The drink "the other woman" was quite delightful, we also liked the Barbera wine. Favorable vegetarian options but limited at the same time. The bolognese was quite the presentation and had good flavor but overall it was dry. The bread (yum) and sauce (yum) are excellent. We added the left over bread sauce to the bolognese which made it more enjoyable. You have to try the sweet potato gnocchi dish maybe even share it as an appetizer. Delish! Just a heads up, on the weekends the bar is not available for regular use. We are the type of people to pop in and have a drink or two and learned that wasn't an option. Too bad, seems like a fun place to hang out especially when they have music but it is small so you have that. Check it out!“

“Vigilucci's is always a joy to dine in. The atmosphere is casual but still upscale. The service has never been anything less than friendly and very welcoming. The food!!! Oh my gosh, the food! Everything is made fresh to order, in-house, and of the finest quality. My only issue is the portions are HUGE (which I know is not a valid complaint). I always end up taking home enough food for lunch the next day. My favorite dishes are their gnocchi, Cabonara (which is the real deal: made with egg yolks and not cream, and whatever seafood special they have going. I've been dining here with family and friends, on a regular basis, for over a year and have had nothing but wonderful experiences. Bravo Vigilucci's!“

“To be honest, we seldom eat on site. We have a great view at home and we have dogs so that’s where we go! But the food is great. The people are friendly and helpful. I get the gluten-free pizza, and it’s extremely good- one of the best gluten-free I’ve ever had. I’m sure it’s not OK for celiac people, because they do have non-gluten-free there too, but that is not my situation.

Dietary restrictions: They have a gluten-free pizza, but I’m not sure if it would be OK if you were celiac.“

“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....“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“First wanna say that Parmis was our server and she was excellent!! My family likes to joke around a lot and Parmis was up for the challenge. She was very prompt with our needs and was a pleasure to interact with!! The food was great as always. We had the Lasagna and shrimp fettuccine. If you read a poor review about this place keep in mind some people love to complain rather than compliment.“

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

“Just had dinner on Monday and wow, was it delicious! I would definitely recommend this place. My favorite dish was the truffle pizza and the barolo wine. Caleb was amazing as well!! Best service I received in a long time. From excellent recommendations to attentive kind service.“

“Grilled calamari… Brussels…. Yum!“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“I tried the Carbonara!! Amazing!Huge thanks to the very talented Olivia who cooked this mouthwatering culinary dish and one of the most deliciously homemade Italian dishes I have ever tasted while eating out. I asked to meet her and spoke to her briefly to thank her in person after I was barely able to finish the entire meal. Good, honest, hearty Italian portion for a very good price!Honestly, I felt like my great grandmother was still alive and feeding me one of my favorites. Conveniently located right off the 5 Fwy within the iconic "Windmill Food Hall" along with many other restaurants. I refuse to call it a food court because it's so much more comfortable, open, and family-friendly. A perfect stop for tourists and locals craving a hearty meal made with love & care.Thank you, Cacio!I give it 5 Yummys! ? ? ? ? ?

Kid-friendliness: Kid Games and comfortable seating area for families“

“The food was OK. Not sure why both managers came over to our table to ask if we were OK, had us think that something was wrong. Had the pleasure of being served by Ale she was exceptionally good on her short time here, she made us feel welcomed and always prompt in response.“

“Nick took care of us from the moment we walked in! The menu was innovative and ingredients tasted very fresh. Really enjoyed our lunch; hoping to fit in one more visit before heading home to GA. And excited to know there is a location in Atlanta!“

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

“This is such a beautiful restaurant. The water scenery is beautiful. Food is delicious, the atmosphere was so cozy and chill. It was worth it to go there. Whenever I am back in California I am going back again.“

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

“Best pasta west of the Mississippi“

“So this review is going to be a little bit different. I haven't been to Borelli's in probably 33 years, since I was 10 yrs old. That is because I moved out of the area four years later, up to Riverside County, then eventually out of state (to a few different states) to Montana where I am now. But I can tell you that when I was a kid going to Borelli's, it was my favorite restaurant in the whole Encinitas area. They had the best food and the best service out of all the places there. My step-dad and his family (Marshall) were friends with the owners, if I'm not mistaken. I have many happy memories of eating there, and many memories with my family there. So thank you, Borelli's, for the amazing childhood that you contributed to and created lifetime memories for me. If I ever make it down there again, I will definitely stop by and have some delicious food. Best wishes to all the staff and owners!“

“parpedelle and short rib, pizza, cocktails“

“This place is excellent! I crave it often. Their antipasto salad is fantastic. I lived in New Jersey for 9 years, so my standards for pizza are unreasonably high. But what Filippis may lack in crust quality and sauce, they make up for with tons of cheese, which works just fine for me. This is good pizza... maybe the best in San Diego.“

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

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

“I have been coming here for 45 years and it the best Italian good place around. The three sisters that run it are amazing women that take pride in their work always so uplifting and with a smile on there faces. If you haven’t tried this place what are you waiting for. Get in there and taste everything they have to offer you can’t go wrong with anything you order. And with plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day😀“

“A buffet at Legoland California. They have several types of pizza, some hot and cold pasta and a salad bar. The price was a bit high, $25.99 per adult but drinks are included and it is all you can eat. There was a separate area of all vegetarian options“

“Absolutely, the best NY style Pizza 🍕 in California! Originally from Jersey we know pizza... Moved away SD and miss it dearly. Was the first stop while visiting SD! Justin, Javiar and the gentleman that served us today are all awesome 👏! Will be back before we leave for NORCAL😔“

“Friendly staff- one staff member communicated through lip reading and she stored my pick up pizza while I had a beer and brought my pizza out as I made my way to the counter.
Super chill vibes.

Parking: Pretty obvious. Not hard to figure out.“

“One of our very FAVORITE spots to drop in on our own, to bring by guests we want to take care of, or to have large gatherings - family and business. We have been coming here for many years, from just 2 of us to the largest being 45 of us for a business function with excellent catering and service. The food is always spot on, and they have one of the best stocked bars in the city - items you rarely find elsewhere. The staff is highly skilled and they flow very well as a team, you always feel taken care of here. Highly recommend Yanni's!“