Barbusa

1917 India St, San Diego
(619) 238-1917

Recent Reviews

vanessa c.

Was super excited to try this place as it was highly recommended, we had a Sunday 4:30pm reservation and we were seated promptly! Our server was super helpful and gave us plenty of time to look over the menu, we ordered the Sicilian meatballs to start, bone marrow Cavatelli, and the lasagna, would definitely pass on the cavatelli This is definitely a nice spot to visit in little Italy with a lively ambiance, the service is great and it is a perfect date night spot

Rachel F.

Great food at a great price for the vibe and location. Always a recommendation for friends when they come to town

Hugo M.

Amazing food and service, especially their pastas! Can't miss this place in Little Italy, although try to get a seat inside, as it can get chilly outside if you're eating there in the evening.

Ax Sch

I had my best pizza in all of San Diego here. The garlic bread was also very tasty with just the right amount of garlic.I sat outside on the street and there was a great atmosphere all around in the early evening. Simply a great experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Erzzell

From the moment you step through the door, this Italian gem transports you straight to the heart of Italy. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for a cozy dinner or a celebratory meal. But let's talk about the food – simply divine! Each dish bursts with authentic flavors, showcasing the chef's mastery of Italian cuisine. Whether you're craving classic pasta dishes, wood-fired pizza, or tantalizing seafood, this restaurant delivers excellence in every bite. The service is top-notch, attentive without being overbearing. I can't recommend this place enough for anyone in search of a true Italian dining experience.

Isabel J.

This place is definitely a 5/5 for ambience!! The bar is beautiful and everything from the front to the back was very well thought out. Definitely recommend making reservation and especially early in advance if you plane to come during prime hours. Started off with the drinks and they were delicious and refreshing. I ordered the barbusa-likey which is a take on a spicy margarita. Unfortunately, the drinks were not that strong which was a bummer. For food, the bruschetta is 10000% worth it!!! So delicious with the eggplant. My friend and I also split the Caesar salad and bolognese dish. The Caesar salad was pretty standard and very garlicky. The bolognese was weird as the noodles looked like we were eating spaghetti-os and I feel like the sauce was not meant for that specific noodle so it threw everything else off.

VAL LEON

Nothing too special about this restaurant... Had better pizza and salad at other spots. They didn't have Caesar salad, which is very odd... lol. Other than that everything was ok, service was good but no wow factor to get me going back. thx...

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Bill Garey

delicious Italian and great cocktails

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Gnocchi Pesto, Squash Blossoms, Carbonara Con Piselli

Brandon A.

Hands down the best lasagna I've ever had. The short rib lasagna hit the spot! Great atmosphere (minus sitting outside). I loved the drinks, attentive service, and food. Will be returning.

Vivian L.

The food here is amazing. But if you are coming to this restaurant, be prepared to spend. The items on the menu are pricey, and the portions are pretty small in comparison to other Italian restaurants in little Italy. The service was amazing as well as the ambience, but the seating did feel a little bit cramped.

irishgirlz77

This restaurant has gone downhill. It used to be one of my favorites. I hadn’t eaten here in many months and just had dinner there again and the quality and portion size has gone down precipitously. The entree I ordered I’ve had several times before and I usually can’t finish it. My husband ordered the same entree that I did and when I brought it out, I thought the waiter had split the entree, but then I got the bill and we were charged for 2. There are better places to eat in Little Italy.

Marcas C.

Had a chance to experience this nice little restaurant last night and I was very impressed. The atmosphere was appealing and the food was perfect! I would highly recommend everything I had, which was Oysters, Lollipop lamb champs, Granchio and Osso Buco. My absolute favorite was the Osso Buco. I will definitely be back soon!

Mei T.

If your ears are sensitive to extremely loud noise, then I recommend dining outdoors. Other than the incredibly loud volume inside the restaurant, I honestly don't have anything else negative to say about the restaurant. Our server was excellent, as was our entrees. I ordered the squid ink fettuccini and my friend ordered a pasta with blue crab meat. Both of our dishes were delish. Of the two, I would have to say I preferred her dish since it was more unique in flavor. Hers was a light seafood cream sauce, whereas mine was the spicy red sauce. We shared the 2 dishes and also shared the fried squash blossoms. We did not like this appetizer because it was overstuffed with a creamy cheese that was rather strong in flavor. I forgot what it was, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're not a fan of strong cheeses.

Jerilyn P.

Lively beautiful and yummy food. Went for a girls night dinner date. Definitely a hit.

Mary M.

Came here with a group of girls to celebrate a birthday. It was really awesome! Our service was fun, friendly and attention. The food was really great. We did a big board of a bunch of apps to share with the table and each of them were so delish. We ordered a few pastas to share and they were also delish! We had wine and cocktails and everyone was pleased. We brought our own birthday cake and they surprised us with some fun candles and a little "happy birthday topper." The atomsphere is very lively! Loud music, people mingling by the bar, all the tables full with diners. It was the perfect spot for a birthday gathering.

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