50 Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego

“My wife and I eat at Ciccia’s regularly but this is our first review after 4 years. Sorry Francesca and Mario! (In my defense I practically never ever write a review.) We keep coming back for the food, ambiance and hospitality. **We’ve gone 3 times in the last week! The crab gnocchi is my wife’s favorite. I get something different almost every time. Every visit I ask Mario about the specials as I like to sample the beef and/or fish (Branzino!) they prepare in addition to pasta. Try the Tomahawk steak if it’s a special that day (call ahead) and you will be amazed. Too many times we fill up on appetizers like mushroom flan, breaded zucchini, calamari, antipasto, and the choices go on! But that’s what to-go containers are for. So much good food to eat at Ciccias we tend to order too many things. It is simply fun to dine there. Once you’re inside the restaurant area (patio area or indoor area) the ambiance is quaint and cozy. Ciccia’s is not big and it’s always filled, but we never feel like it’s too crowded. The energy is always fun and upbeat. Which makes people stay awhile, so let me recommend getting reservations. We’ve had to wait 10-15 minutes but nothing’s perfect! If you want a breezy quick dinner before going off to an event you may want to go to Ciccia’s on another night. Hospitality is what you would expect of a small Italian restaurant run by the owners. Terrific!! If it’s your first time, read their story on the website before you go. They are bona fide top chefs who followed their dreams to open their own place. What a gem it is tucked inside Barrio Logan. One thing regulars may notice is that staff doesn’t appear to turn over much as I’ve seen the same faces working there for years. I think that reflects well on the restaurant. I don’t take pictures of food very often but last night I did. We stopped by at around 9 just to get dessert and a cocktail. My wife had the ricotta cake with apricot and habanero sauce (wow!) and I had cassata siciliana which is traditional cake from Sicily. Pretty to look at and yes, it’s delicious. They do a good job with making an Old Fashioned, which always pairs well with dessert 😜 Buon appetito!“

“I am delighted with my experience at this Italian restaurant! From the moment I walked in, I was transported to Italy with a warm ambiance and friendly staff. The food was extraordinary; each dish burst with authentic flavors that joyfully made my taste buds sing. The attention to detail in every plate was evident, showcasing the chef's expertise and dedication to traditional Italian cuisine. The pasta was cooked to perfection, sauces were rich and flavorful, and the ingredients were fresh and high-quality. Not only was the food exceptional, but the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable and made the entire dining experience even more delightful. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in San Diego. In my opinion, this establishment undoubtedly deserves the title of the best Italian restaurant in town.“

“If you are looking for a true Italian experience in San Diego, look no further than Vinarius! We worked with Giuseppe (owner) to host our wedding celebration here back in March, 2023. From the beginning, he was amazing to work with. Incredibly positive and accommodating from the start, we couldn’t have asked for more. The wedding ceremony was planned to be outside and of course, it rained that day. Guiseppe and his staff went above and beyond to accommodate us, allowed us to have the small ceremony inside the restaurant on short notice and made an incredible meal to follow. Our guests were blown away and we couldn’t have been happier. We recommend Vinarius to everyone we know and that is thanks to Giuseppe and his awesome staff. Grazie mille!“

“We absolutely loved our dinner at Monzu in the Gaslamp! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff struck the perfect balance of being friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. We started with the tartare di tonno, which was incredibly fresh and flavorful—an excellent beginning to the meal. The housemade focaccia deserves a special mention: airy, perfectly seasoned, and quite possibly the best I’ve ever had. For the main course, I enjoyed the bucatini all’amatriciana. The pasta was clearly house-made, cooked to perfection, and the sauce had that authentic depth of flavor that only true Southern Italian cooking delivers. We finished with an affogato, which was the ideal ending—simple, rich, and satisfying. Monzu offers authentic Southern Italian fare with genuine hospitality, and everything we tried reflected both freshness and craftsmanship. I would 100% return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable Italian dining experience in San Diego.“

“Great food and great service! Food was fresh and expertly prepared! Probably the best service I have ever experienced and the place was busy at the time we were there!!“

“Everything was incredible! Kika, our server, was so kind and helpful. I am celiac and she guided me through what would work for me! The food was delicious. We loved the vibe and greatly enjoyed our visit! 100% worth a visit!“

“Checked out Garibaldi for dinner. Had the best time with the wonderful ambience. The food was food,
However, the rice in the risotto was slightly undercooked.
Our server David was wonderful and took care of everything. Will definitely return again for the sunset HH.“

“cordialità,buon cibo e ambiente raffinato“

“Fabulous food served in a no-frills, casual atmosphere. The service was excellent and Chef Luciano Cibelli comes out of the kitchen and checks with every table to see how diners are doing. Great place to celebrate a special occasion. We enjoyed the seafood fettucini, chicken parmesian, and the catch of the day, which was sea bass on a bed of roasted vegetables, with beet purée and a delicious beurre blanc. Delish!“

“2nd visit and again food and service were great. only complaint was they cleared my dessert when I wasn't finished without asking. took that as hint to leave.“

“Excellent food and the service was splendid.“

“Amazing food and a testament to being a good citizen of our planet.“

“Great food. Fantastic spot inside UTC“

“Great service great food will be back soon.“

“Food was amazing ambiance was great! Only thing is server was rude! When we called him over to take our order he left in 10 seconds as we were debating on what appetizers to get last minute he was honestly very rude the whole time and was honestly the only unpleasant thing.“

“Spending my evening at a new restaurant in South Park called Il Posto. So far everything I’ve tried is spectacular.“

“Recomiendo todo Es un súper lugar cómodo ,bendecido Su personal y su comida Es lo máximo Sus bebidas no hay comparación ,su personal de la barra es súper Cada vez que tengo la bendición de estar en ese lugar me hacen sentir muy especial Todo absolutamente todo lo recomiendo Gracias CATANIA“

“This place is absolutely amazing. The service was exceptional and we felt so welcomed. The handmade pasta and dishes are to die for. My husband has the special and I had the pescatore dish followed with dessert. We will definitely be back!“

“Excelente Servicio, Excelente Comida, La mejor Chef De Nolita Hall, Michel Peregrino, Muy Recomendable Todo.“

“Ordered pizza thin crust. Taste was great but failed the stiff crust test. This on you pizza makers. 12 inch pie takes slightly less than one ladle of sauce. Put a little less cheese in the middle. Then the crust stays flat when you pick it up. Otherwise , you pick up the piece and all the toppings fall on the plate.“

“Ordered the Torpedo sandwich and it hit the spot!!“

“Vero italiano a San Diego!!! Posto easy ma molto accogliente e curato; Personale super accogliente ed amichevole; Cibo super buono e davvero italiano Consigliata la focaccia di loro produzione e spettacolare spaghetto alla pescatora!! Top A presto“

“Every time I have dined here, the atmosphere is warm and inviting but most important, the food is always amazing. The flavors and quality in every dish has not disappointed.“

“The food did not disappoint!! The orecchiette con tomate was INCREDIBLE. Beautiful restaurant!! We came in to celebrate and have a nice meal, and unfortunately other guests made our meal awkward and uncomfortable. We sat on the patio, and a there was a table that treated the restaurant staff so poorly over the food wait time. The guests were very displeased and making a big stink. Absolutely no fault of the restaurants, we felt extremely bad for all members of the staff. We found the staff to be extremely professional and very hardworking. We will definitely be back!!“

“Everyone enjoyed the pasta & pizza“

“Great food! spacious dining place.“

“Such a cute spot for date night or girls night. Cocktails are amazing. Loved the stuffed shells! The place is on the smaller side so I would recommend making reservations. I went around 7ish on a Friday and was able to sit at the bar but it gets really busy so I’ll make reservations next time.“

“Diane, you’re amazing! The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was top-notch from start to finish. Everything was done with care, and you made the experience feel warm and welcoming. We’ll definitely be back, and thank you for everything!“

“First time here, visiting from Portland, OR. I knew they had "Gluten-free" listed on their menu, as newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease, it's some comfort that I might be able to eat something. I let the host know when our group arrived. After being seated, our server came up and confirmed with me that I had Celiac Disease and let me know which items were Celiac safe and how they were prepared. The Gluten-free gnocchi were fantastic, as was the Burrata appetizer. Thank you so much. Our Triplet Birthday group absolutely enjoyed ourselves.“

“Pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. So much delicious food! Chicken plate was fabulous, moist, and seasoned well. The lamb was tender and flavorful. Will be returning.“

“Best Italian I’ve ever spent money on…been coming here from Atlanta for 3 years and it’s always my first stop…ask for Rudy, he took good care of me…fantastic food, even better people!“

“I went as a solo traveler and sat at the bar. The staff was so sweet and friendly. They cleared extra space for me so I could order food (it is a pretty small bar area and I get the feeling food is not often served there) the house wine and eggplant parm were so good and again the staff were so mind and warm. Will definitely go again ❤️“

“We’re frequent patrons of Postino Wine Cafe on South Broadway, San Antonio, TX. Love the ambiance, food, wine & service. Last night we experienced them at their finest! Ray & Mark went above and beyond in making our daughter-in-laws 50th birthday celebration special. The 50th balloons, cake accessories, & gift card were unexpected & appreciated. This is a place to go for a special celebration! Chef Joseph prepared a variety of delicious boards & more. They truly give top notch attention to detail & service. Highly recommend!“

“We’re frequent patrons of Postino Wine Cafe on South Broadway, San Antonio, TX. Love the ambiance, food, wine & service. Last night we experienced them at their finest! Ray & Mark went above and beyond in making our daughter-in-laws 50th birthday celebration special. The 50th balloons, cake accessories, & gift card were unexpected & appreciated. This is a place to go for a special celebration! Chef Joseph prepared a variety of delicious boards & more. They truly give top notch attention to detail & service. Highly recommend!“

“Cannot wait to go back and enjoy the the food, excellent service and ambience of this restaurant. We often each brunch here and their chef events are amazing! I savor every bite 🤤“

“Great place. True European feel.“

“Went here last night after a concert at The Music Box. We were served by the owner. Such a genuinely nice guy. We had the best experience. Beautiful space and such hospitality. We’ll definitely be back.“

“Very fast service, friendly people. Delicious food especially the ramen.“

“We go here at least once per week and don’t get tired of it because the food is good and they have a large menu. It’s great especially on nights they have live music.“

“Great atmosphere. Staff is friendly and helpful, food is great. Travis is outstanding host. Welcoming team!! Definitely recommend Bar One.“

“Big menu, great service, food presentation awesome and very testy,“

“This was our 1st anniversary in November, 1991. This is the first booth inside the door, our favorite. In the several years before meeting Patti, I had taken more than a few dates to Baci’s. Why go there? The food, the service, the personal interaction with staff. Talking to the owner once, I discovered he was neighbors with my roommates brother. We left San Diego in 1992 but winter there since retiring and visit Baci’s every year. So happy they’re still going strong.“

“Super recomendable, la comida deliciosa y muy buen servicio 👌“

“Absolutely fantastic experience at Osteria Cotto e Mangiato! The service from Andrea (owner) was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Every dish we ordered was incredible-from the rich, comforting Carbonara w/anchovies to the Captain's Treasure chest is unexplainable good, everything was cooked to perfection. You can really taste the quality and care in each bite. This place is a gem in San Diego for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine. Oh, by the way, did I mention the Tiramisu... WOW!! Can’t wait to come back!“

“Amazing date night restaurant. Highly recommend the bar lounge for a date. The Gnocchi was out of this world! Everything was just perfect.“

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

“Food was excellent and Christina the owner has the best personality and knows how to treat her customers! You MUST go there!“

“C est la troisièmement fois que nous venons dans ce restaurant italien et nous sommes toujours aussi satisfaits des produits authentiquement italiens et de l accueil, aussi bien pour un repas le soir que pour une formule du midi. Nous y retournerons dans doute à notre prochaine visite à Paris“

“We visited Volare while our son was at Camp Lejeune. My husband comes from a Sicilian family and they make some of the best food I've had. Four years later, I am writing this review because we STILL talk about that amazing little Italian restaurant in San Diego that looked like a hole in the wall. Everyone loved their dishes, giant portions...we talked about flying from Chicago just to eat here again. You can tell everything is homemade, and the prices were great. Hopefully, we can return one day!“

“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.“