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.“

“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.“

“Excellent food and service.“

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

“There is a covered patio dinning outside area and a enclosed dining area in the back of the restaurant.
Both would hold a large group.
We reserved the enclosed dining area.
This was perfect for the group.
Only, problem...the room requires more lighting for evening dining especially above the buffet/food table.“

“Delicious authentic Italian meals artistically served .“

“My friend and I had such a wonderful experience at Firenze, and what made it truly special was not only the food, but the kindness and care from everyone there.

Before we even arrived, Jeff was incredibly kind and helpful on the phone. Jeff took the time to answer questions patiently and made us feel genuinely welcomed and cared for. That level of kindness set the tone for the entire evening.

When we arrived, Raquel was absolutely amazing both on the phone and in person. Raquel was so understanding, supportive, patient, and accommodating throughout our visit and helped us find a table that worked for us. Raquel was patient as we tried 3 different tables. Raquel made us feel comfortable and relaxed, and her warmth and attentiveness truly shun through.

Sandra was also incredible — Sandra's knowledge and expertise were so appreciated. Sandra thoughtfully helped identify dishes that would be safer for me to eat, and somehow still managed to recommend something absolutely delicious. That level of care means so much. Sandra was kind, compassionate and supportive to making us feel safer and comfortable to eat.

They graciously seated us outside next to the fountain, away from the crowd, which created such a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere. The sound of the water made the evening feel calm and intimate, and everyone was so accommodating about making sure we were comfortable.

The food itself was outstanding. The crisp thin breadsticks were addictive — light, delicate, and perfectly crunchy with that satisfying snap when you bite into them. Dipping the warm bread into the olive oil and balsamic vinegar was incredible. The olive oil was smooth, rich, and slightly peppery, while the balsamic added the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Together, they soaked beautifully into the bread and made such a simple starter feel luxurious. The bread was soft and airy on the inside and crisp on the outside.

I also loved the pasta. The shape held onto the sauce perfectly, giving every bite a wonderful balance of texture and flavor. The pasta itself tasted fresh and tender with just the right firmness. Every forkful felt comforting and thoughtfully prepared.

My friend absolutely loved the chicken parm. It was beautifully done in a true Italian style — thin, tender chicken with a perfectly crisp coating that wasn’t heavy or greasy. The sauce tasted vibrant and fresh with rich tomato flavor, and the melted cheese on top added just the right creamy finish without overpowering the dish. Every bite was balanced, flavorful, and delicious.

This was one of those dining experiences where you can truly feel the care from the staff in every detail. Thank you to Jeff, Raquel, Sandra, and everyone at Firenze for such a memorable evening. We cannot wait to come back.“

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

“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!“

“What a great experience!!!!! Our meals were delicious and served quite quickly. Our server Maria was amazing, and we also met manager Giovanni, who was very gracious & friendly. We look forward to returning when we are back in town!!! Thank you!!“

“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!“

“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👏“

“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.“

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

“We had an outstanding experience at Olive Garden thanks to Ari, our server, and Jesse, our food runner. Ari was incredibly attentive, professional, and proactive throughout our entire meal. We never had to ask for refills, extra napkins, or anything else. He was always one step ahead and made sure everything was perfect.

Jesse was equally impressive, delivering food promptly and checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. The teamwork between them was exceptional.

This was honestly one of the best dining experiences we’ve had, and it surpassed the level of service we’ve received at some fine dining restaurants. Their attention to detail, friendliness, and genuine care for the customer made all the difference. We will definitely be back and hope to be served by them again!“

“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...“

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

“I really like this place, especially the sandwich they call Venice, it is hard to get stuff like this in the USA. It is huge and I can live off it for two days, ask them to cut it in half for you.

I like the old world deli approach and they have lots of old world ingredients for sale as well,

If you are looking for alternatives to ultra processed food lunches, this is the ticket.

FYI no offense to Subway but this is beyond their wildest dreams and not the same league nor business model. Waaay better. Please go there and help them stay in business, it is close to my office and a little gold mine for people that cherish Euro food.“

“What a find!!!! Like being in Italy , sans the commute. Food was on point...meatballs to die for. Lowkey , judge an Italian restaurant by their meatballs quality..10 out of 5 stars 🌟 for the service...all the staff we encountered was even Italian!“

“What a sleeper!! We are thrilled to have found this gem. Authentic Italian food. Warm and genuine service. Exceeded our standard for local Italian for lunch. They say to arrive early for dinner, by 5:30 because this place gets busy. Make a reservation if dining later.“

“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.“

“Excellent food, and the leftovers taste great even the next day when reheated.“

“the best ! never disappointed“

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

“Generally they don't have pesto, but this time they are running a special menu items for couple of weeks. We were lucky to get our pizza and pasta modified to Pesta souce from the chef.
I believe they must introduce pesto version pizza's and pasta in ther menu.

Overall ambience and service was great and courteous.
Their cannolis are so great !!“

“We came here with our dog on a rainy Saturday night. We were so glad to find a place with a covered patio. But then we were pleasantly surprised with how amazing the beer and pizza were. Duh. It’s in the name. lol. Anyhow there was some confusion about our pizza but Donny went above and beyond to make it right. It was a little hectic because it was so busy but if we weren’t visiting we’d definitely be regulars. Try the Detroit style hot honey, I’ll be dreaming about it.“

“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!!!“

“Our first time Sunday doing the brunch and everything was so delicious! Our server Nic was superb - very attentive, polite, fun and made sure our experience was perfect in every way. Highly recommend the brunch and be sure to ask for Nic as your server. ❤️“

“Gluten free crust was amazing ! We are not celiac but sensitive and best crust we have tried. Gelato was great and made in house as well.“

“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😀“

“The scenery is very beautiful“

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

“I always crave NY style pizza and am always disappointed by places that claim to have it. Pauly’s hit the mark- this was true NY pizza, right down to the required fold. The Gilato was delicious too- try the cannoli flavor! Not only was the food great, but the customer service matched. The two ladies were beyond friendly and helpful. We will definitely be back!“

“My experience here was nothing short of perfection. This was my first time coming here. I was on my way home from a completely horrible day at work when I saw this shop. When I entered, I was met with smiles and warm greetings. The owners were very nice, outgoing, bubbly and attentive. Their food menu had a lot to offer, there weren’t any prices on the menus but they had a large selection. The shop was very cute on the inside and seemed very clean. I will definitely be back as I shared a love of excessive amounts of garlic with the owners! My pizza was amazing and probably the best pizza I’ve had in a long time. Their ranch was to die for!!!!! This definitely made my day 100% better.“

“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.“

“I ate their Fish and Veggie Plate, it was the most flavorable Salmon I have ever had. It was cooked to perfection with plenty of savory juice left inside. The cubed potatoes and asperagus were seasoned just right. Highly recommend this place. It hit the spot. My final photo shows you just how much I enjoyed it.“

“We enjoyed another fabulous meal and fantastic service at Yanni's Bar and Grill. Omar, thank you for your awesome smile and wine recommendation. If you have never been here you really must go and if you have been, go again soon.“

“I've loved this place for over 2 decades now! It is my favorite sandwich shop! It has such a great locals vibe and it's easy to see the people like working there. I stopped eating meat in 2018, but every now and then I let myself cheat with a Rock n Jenny's 9 inch turkey with the works!!!“

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

“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.“

“Best pasta west of the Mississippi“

“My wife and I were in town for one day to visit family. After the graduation ceremony we all gathered at Vigilucci’s for a 6:30 reservation. I was very impressed with the valet parking and great greeting once we walked it. They immediately sat us at our table and this was a busy Friday night. The restaurant is beautiful and has several different rooms. So they can handle a lot of diners.

Our server was exceptional, as was every staff member that came in contact with us.

We started with wine and their amazing homemade bread. Loved that bread it’s crispy and very tasty.

I ordered the seafood special and my wife had the tagliatelle with sausage. One of the others ordered the butternut squash dinner. Everything that came out was incredible!!! The seafood on my pasta was a large scallop, mussels in the shell, clams in the shell, two very large scrumptious shrimp and calamari. The pasta was delicious as well.

Then we topped it off with two orders of thru delicious tiramisu. OMG some of the best I’ve ever tasted.

Bravo 👏“

“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....“

“Grilled calamari… Brussels…. Yum!“

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

“I have been going to Filippi's for 40 yrs, my favorite is in Temecula, Michael de filippi told me he starts w/fresh ingredients every morning and throws away the leftovers, you can taste the difference, I stop Everytime on the way to LV and back, this week I stopped in Temecula for their lunch special it feeds a family then in Poway the food is just as good we were so happy and we took home leftover pizza which is the best in my toaster oven the next day. I'm going back this weekend for another pizza it's worth the drive. My waiter he was the best service I have had in a while I tipped him 30% , I wish I knew is him young Latino male, so pleasant the experience. I'll look for him to ask him name he was that good, dark blk hair. This is a place to go to regularly, big servings. I drive 40 mins.“

“great pizza. amazing atmosphere can't beat pizza by the beach“

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