50 Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego

“Delicious homemade pasta and a wide selection of dishes. We are locals who come here every time we want to celebrate a family member. This time, it was a birthday and my son was treated with special recognition and incredible tira misu! Our server could not have been better, and each dish was fantastic - and that was the statement from one person in life group who's New York- raised Italian!”

“This restaurant is tucked in a residential area of South Park and I love the quietness of the neighborhood. Parking can be hit or miss depending on the day— you’ll need to find street parking. They have delicious Italian pastas and pizzas that you can customize if you’d like. I recommend making a reservation as well. Last time my friends and I went, there were a lot flying insects outside (hence the 4 stars), but it could just be the summer season. It would have been helpful if they had bug deterrent lights or candles.”

“Really excellent! We've probably been here half a dozen times and I've had the lamb ragout on pappardelle every time because it's too good to pass up! Ribeye with fingerling potatoes and roasted artichokes was delicious, beautifully prepared and presented. Limoncello cake was delightful.”

“Everything was great, as usual, from service to food, to wine! Brought friends visiting from out of town and they loved it! All had specials: osso bucco, petrale sole, veal/pork filled ravioli with sage cream sauce. Excellent preparation and presentation.”

“On our first visit on our date night. We came here. We found free parking across the library. We made reservations. It was not needed, got seated right awayI tried the Cannelloni with Marinara . Sauce, it was delicious and big portions. He got the pizza, lots of cheese and toping were delicious.Our waiter was extremely amazing with answering questions, being attentive and friendly. As we were getting ready to take food he offered to pack everything and offer complimentary tiramisu, it was not the prettiest, but delicious ?.The restaurant is not the most beautiful place. Yet is one the best Italian restaurant, reasonable price and welcoming establishment. We will definitely come back.Kid-friendliness: I saw lots of family with kids.Parking: Plenty parking across street”

“Excellent restaurant! Food was delicious! Lots of to-go orders and a full restaurant which tells you how good it is! They cycle through quick though so there’s not a wait to eat! We got the meat lasagna and chicken alfredo with added broccoli as well as the garlic knots and sauce. The chicken alfredo could feed 2 people, I was surprised how much chicken was included! It all tastes very homemade, everything is exceptional. We also got the chocolate cannoli cake which was also delicious. Their pistachio ice cream is made in house, full of pistachios and a must. I’d recommend this place, two thumbs way up!”

“The Red Door is fantastic. The food is high quality, good portion sizes, and is clearly well prepared - not to mention the flavors are fantastic. My favorite is the PAPPARDELLE - Slow Braised Red Wine Meat Ragu for an entrée but I am excited to try other things next time. The desert is also to die for. The ambiance is perfect for a date night due to the intimate size of the restaurant. The service has always been top notch as well. Price is a bit on the higher side, but everything is farm to table so that is totally understandable. Highly recommend!”

“Restaurant is under new ownership and the quality of the food has definitely taken a down turn. The service was impeccable as always. We had the Chef Isadore Veal, and have had it several times, but this time the dish had no flavor. The seasoning profile was off and not up to the anticipated Godfather standard.”

“Hurricane Hilary and they were open! We made a reservation not knowing if they'd be open. They were. Seated us right when they opened. Nicest sever ever. The food is amazing. Had the calamari,caprese, both pizza crusts options, and cacio è Pepe. Everything was delicious. Will definitely go back an HIGHLY recommend.”

“If you are looking for a truly fine dining experience, this is a great option. The food is unbelievably good, the service excellent, and the atmosphere is lovely. The Lemoni Salmon was particularly fabulous and so was the Budino. Don't miss the mashed potatoes with just a hint of horseradish to make them very tasty!”

“Rosina has been close to our neighborhood for years. It is one of the best Italian restaurants among the many we tried. Thats not to say just because its close. The food is flavorful and ingredients super fresh. We always have a good time when we catch up there.At our last visit we tried - the Gnocchi, the eggplant parmigiana, Penne Puttanesca and the Salmon. Everything was delish and the salmon cooked delicate. Charles was our server, he was great as he served everything amicably.”

“Awesome food! I had cacio de Pepe ravioli and it was rich and delicious and just the right portion. Husband had bolognese added meatballs. Also great! Server let us taste wine before we ordered. Decided to do by the glass and the pours were generous. Finished off with affogato .”

“We ordered three pizzas. I thought the pizza crust was a bit thin. So thin, it was soggy like. The pizza drooped as you held it up to take a bite. The crust wasn't bubbly and didn't have any char to it. The two different salads we ordered and shared were good – CARPACCIO DI ZUCCHINE e BURRATA$ and INSALATA SICILIANA.”

“We were greeted courteously, seated immediately, and services began right away. Our Sangria was great, the chopped salad delicious and enough to share. The agnolotti was out of this world! We also had a pepperoni pizza, crisp crust,great sauce, and additional soft cheeses on top.The chocolate bindi was rich, smooth and flavorful. Our server was friendly, attentive, and helpful with menu selections. Great meal!”

“Another authentic Italian dinner with a beautiful bottle of Gattinara. The house made gnocchi is worth the trip all by itself. Chicken Parmigiana is always my favorite - thin and lightly crispy with no unnecessary breading. We opted for the Cannoli for desert for the first time - perfect - just as I remember from my Italian grandmother.”

“Great venue around the corner from the Comedy club where we had tickets for later that eve. The ambiance was awesome - we were seated outside and there were heat lamps that we did not need but great that they were there on standby. Everything was great except the service was a bit slow. It took us quite awhile to get our server to take our drink order but once we alerted him that we were ready he was attentive. We got the brussel sprouts to share and man were they delicious! Then I ordered the Almond crusted trout and my husband got the mediterranean pizza. My friend ordered a GF pasta and our other friend ordered something but I can't remember what it was! Want to go back for the mud pie! Super cute place.”

“Vinarius certainly lived up to its name ratings! From a very friendly reception to dessert. Drinks before dinner were tasty. The wait staff were informative and attentive without being over bearing. The food was amazing! My husband had pollo parmigiana and I had salmon al vino...I thought mine was best, ha! In truth, both were very flavorable. I think my husband's dessert, the chocolate cake was a tad better than my crème brûlée, but again, both were pretty good. I highly recommend Vinarius...no reservations here, great food and great service! Bon a appetit!”

“Another fantastic meal at this great restaurant. Our waiter, Senan, went above and beyond his duties. He helped my mom get her phone charged, water for my dogs, packed up our leftovers and got us fresh bread all the time being so professional and pleasant. I got the veal scallopini and it was delicious. My mother got the calamari and anti pasta salad that was huge and phenomenal. Thanks a lot for making our visit so fantastic. We will be back..”

“This is our favorite Italian restaurant in San Diego. The food is excellent, the service is great and the wine selection is very nice. I don’t write a lot of reviews, but this one is well deserved. See you again next time we are in town!”

“I really enjoyed my lunch here. The crew is very accommodating. The food is delicious, you can tell its quality and most likely made from scratch unlike chain restaurants or a lot of other places have gone down in quality but Hanna's gourmet is still very delicious quality food and service !! The drinks are made so pretty too & your water and coffee always refilled! absolutely recommend it! THEY ALSO HAVE TAKE HOME DINNERS!! AMAZING OPTION!!Vegetarian options: Chilaquiles are their best dish in my opinion and vegetarian !”

“In Texas we always tell people how friendly we are. Well, as a Texan out in San Diego I can tell you this, at least at this restaurant they are more Texan than any eatery in Texas I have ever been to. So nice. Really appreciate the staff here, they took amazing care of us. Recommend 110%”

“Very convenient location downtown, with just a short walk from both parking, and the Rady Shell. The service was excellent, and very attentive. The food was also very good (we enjoyed salads, pasta, soup, and wine), with good portion sizes.”

“We went here for restaurant week. Everyone in our group ordered something different and we all shared. Everything on the menu was high quality and delicious. The wait staff was very friendly and prompt with their service. Will definitely be back soon.”

“I had a party of 13 w/ a reservation come on a busy Sunday evening and they were able to seat us on time and even gave us a beautiful table seating arrangement. Food, friendly service, and great atmosphere. That's why we are coming again next week!”

“I really didn’t know what to expect when I initially went here, but this was legit the best Affogato I’ve ever had. The pistachio gelato was outstanding, combined with that perfectly roasted Italian espresso, this is definitely something special. I’d definitely suggest you come check this spot out. You can choose what flavor of gelato to get with the espresso, but I highly recommend getting the pistachio”

“LOVE IT! This is my second time in San diego. Never been to an actual Italian restaurant either. but this place is amazing. we got the Lasagna, Nest, and Chicken Alfredo. Tasted delicious! live music was fantastic and the view/scenery is excellent. i would say it was a little hot inside and dark but we moved outside because it was more enjoyable.”

“I grew up in New Jersey, so my standards for pizza are HIGH. My girlfriend insisted that Sisters would meet them. I was skeptical, but I was hooked after the first visit and now she and I are regulars. The pizza is delicious, they have a beautiful outdoor dining area, and everyone is SO nice. I love it here and take all my visiting friends.”

“Everything was amazing. The drinks and food were as perfect as perfect can get. It was our lucky day to be seated at one of Laura's tables. She was phenomenal. This was my first visit to Madison, but it definitely won't be my last!”

“Great service, our waitress who was also a bartender was super attentive and helpful. Food was ok, I was hoping it would be much better. We had calamari which was very good. However our pasta dishes wasn't that good, unfortunately. The atmosphere of the restaurant was good ?.”

“First of all, the customer service was excellent! The draft beer was exceptional, and the food was awesome. It's definitely some of the best pizza I have ever tasted. I wish I could remember names, but the owner brought us some Mexican beer from her place next door, and it was terrific. The initial young man who took our order was very professional and customer service oriented. Overall a GREAT experience in San Diego here at Leftys!”

“We stumbled on this amazing little place on accident. Let me tell you, it will now be a place I go to every time I am in So Cal! The ambiance, the service and the food highly exceeded my expectations. I feel the price of dinner was well worth it! The food portions and flavor are perfect. Thank you for a great dining experience!”

“Love this place! The owner/chef is amazing! ? The bread and pesto would be enough for me, but then it's on to the incredible spinach salad and salmon. Bistro Pazzo is a small, intimate restaurant, allowing the owner to maintain perfection of all the food going out. Incredible.”

“Nice quaint Mexican restaurant next to the movie theater. I've come here multiple times and haven't found any dishes I don't like. Staff is very friendly as well so it gets on my list of regular places to eat.Came here for a birthday celebration, excellent staff, excellent music, excellent energy, good quality meat and amazing atmosphere. 10 out of 10 reccomend! Great location!!!This place is absolutely amazing from its simple menu to the flavor bursting from the food. The service was super friendly and the food was HOT and out pronto!!! 10/10 for hospitality, flavor and simplicity. I would Highly recommend this place to small parties that want a quick bite to eat that’s easy on the wallet with friendly service and a smile!!!This was a great dining experience! The food was tremendous the service was outstanding and the atmosphere is lively with good music. If you have looking great food in Johns Creek look no further!The service is amazing. The music is great…but the food and especially the Pizza Birria!! Mix in their homemade guacamole and sangria and it’s a hard place to beat. Here’s a tip: sit outside around sunset and listen to the music. Hidden gem of Johns Creek!”

“Excellent waitress Rosie was spread very thin with not a lot of support. Good excellent. Wine was very overpriced for the quality. Just got back from Italy and tasted many better and at a quarter of the price. I think bread on the table with Balsamic vinegar and good quality olive oil would be suggested.”

““ Best Pizza I’ve ever had “ is the typical reaction I get after I bring one of their pep slices to my friends or colleagues.I usually call in the order and they have it hot and ready by the time I get there.Truly family owned too. One slice fills you up as they are huge slices.”

“Jacob was our waiter and did an outstanding job to make feel welcome, well served, and well fed. We ordered a pizza as an appetizer entitled the “Stevie Nicks” pizza. The pizza was fantastic by the way. When we asked how they arrived at the name he explained that Stevie was a favorite singer and thats how pizza was named. Creatively, he added that we could have named the pizza because Stevie came to the restuarant, sat at that very table and always that pizza. Very fun. For the rest of our dinner the joke stuck and ended with a complementary dessert sent over by Stevie Nicks. The food was great. The service was great and Jacob made the experience great. Ask for Jacob to be your waiter the next time you go to Alexander's.”

“Manu provided outstanding service. This is my second time here and the food was even better than the first time. 5/5 would recommend this place to anybody looking for amazing pasta and remarkable service. Order the cheese wheel past for sure!”

“I took my husband here for his birthday and I we couldn’t have asked for a better meal and experience. The food is perfection. The service is crazy amazing. They go above and beyond to make you feel like you are a part of their family. We are seriously coming back the next time we’re in town. Unforgettable.”

“I just had to show some love for my favorite place to get pizza. Living down the street, I always prefer to get my pepperoni pizza from here. Today I wanted some change and Chef Frank really took his time to make a fantastic, unique and absolutely delicious pizza for me. I decided I’d check out the bar while I wait for the pie and the bartender was great also. Such an amazing place to appreciate with a welcoming atmosphere. Thanks again Chef, this really was the best part of my long day. (:- Steph”

“We were visiting from Minnesota to celebrate our son, a US Marine's, deployment homecoming. The food was delicious and featured interesting combinations, like seafood lasagna! The back patio was refreshing and created a quieter ambiance than the street while still feeling like eating outdoors. And we took some delicious cannoli home for dessert later! ?”

“The food here is outstanding. We were pressed for time and called ahead. Nikki was kind enough to take care of us and have our food ready as we walked in. We both ordered the pasta Bolognese. Mine was fresh and my wife was Gluten-free…BOTH were delicious. As a Chicago guy who has also eaten in Italy I would say this pasta dish was one of the best I’ve ever had and definitely the best in San Diego. The barbabletola salad was big enough for 3 to share. The owner/chef is from Milan, came by our table to sprinkle some Parmesan…nice touch.”

“Oh my gosh. When they said that this was the best Italian food in San Diego they weren’t kidding!!!It was absolutely fabulous. The portions are generous, and even with five of us we didn’t get to taste near the food I would have liked to, but it sure gives me something to look forward to, as I am determined to come back to the San Diego area for many reasons, but Enoteca Adriano is right up there at the top .Then there was our server, Ada. She was fantastic personable, knowledgeable, explained the dishes to the T!!!! You could almost taste the food from her descriptions. Her service along with that of her cohorts that brought some of the dishes to the table was impeccable. I’m sorry to say I forgot how many years she said she was working here. I believe it was at least five, but possibly many more. She is just a gem!!!Our ticket said 3 were dining but there were 5 of us.So we chose two appetizers to begin with, both of themHouse favorites.Enoteca Adriania was Fresh burrata wrapped with parma prosciutto, arugula, fresh fig jam, baby heirloom tomatoes, crostini.Burrata Special was Fresh burrata with tomato relish and steamed fresh butternut squash cubed and topped with frisée and fig jam-(my recollection prob not as perfect as dish was)served with crostini.2 of us chose to indulge in a glass of Aglionica Red Wine ? .My daughter really enjoyed her entree of Orecchiette Bosco which was Minced Italian sausage, creamy tomato parsley sauce, bread crumbs, (Gluten free or eggless options on pasta)Our friend Rosa and my hubby both ordered the special which was Lasagne. Fresh sheets of pasta layered with meatballs and fresh tomato ? sauce topped with Burrata. It was truly divine.B. Ordered the Ravioli Rossi which was delectable tenderLobster filled ravioli, tiger shrimp, and a lobster reduction sauce. She commented that she “was in heaven”.I ordered the Gnocchi di Casa which were-the plumpest pillows of Potato dumpling, gorgonzola, spinach, topped with crushed walnuts. It was the best gnocchi I’ve ever eaten!We spoiled ourselves even more with Lattes and Cappuccinos. We ordered Cannolis and Tiramisu- and even enjoyed a Limoncello.It was an exquisite evening and experience-The food and service created the perfect ambiance.I can’t wait to return!”

“I will skeptical when I first went to this place for Italian food, but this is one of the rare occasions I was pleasantly surprised on how good their food is. I have been here on more than one occasion and the consistency on how good their food is very good. I'm also big on service and it was not lacking in that either! I can definitely recommend this place.”

“This was our first visit at this local Italian restaurant. Authentic homemade Italian food as good as any meals we have had in Italy. We had the appetizer special with eggplant, Marzano tomatoes and fresh buratta. For entrees we selected pasta with bolognese sauce and the special with pasta, Marzano tomatoes, and octopus. All were outstanding. The waiter chose a wine that perfectly complimented our choices. We will definitely return.”

“Back after visiting a year ago and they are still doing amazing. The Lobster Bisque was PHENOMENAL. The garlic knots are always hot and fresh. So delicious. Pizza was as good as the first time which was amazing. Crisp greens in the salad. And the tiramisu was freshly made. One of my favorite spots in Point Loma.”

“As an OB local- I often order pizzas to go so I can go and watch the sunsets. It’s the perfect recipe- salt, sun, and pizza! I love the pear and prosciutto flavor Ulivo has.The staff are attentive and efficient. Bring back your tasting room!”

“Outstanding NY pizza! Did a pizza tour in one day and this was in top 3 out of 10. Yeah, we were full. Wouldn't have been able to do it without help. Perfect sauce, perfect cheese with a little bit of that grease and the toppings were on point!”

“Reali Italian vibe. Really good Italian food. There was a feeling of being a part of the restaurant staff's family. Owners are Italian I'm guessing from the interaction. After dinner, get the espresso. Damn good coffee. Eating here is an experience you won't be disappointed with.”

“We absolutely love this place. The vegan options are phenomenal and the owner is very welcoming. We ordered the vegan cheese bread, the Jalapeño vegan cheese bread, vegan pizzas and the vegan cold cut sandwich. The food tasted great as always.”

“We love this place!!! Always try to come back because the place is really amazing and cozy. You feel at home from the moment you walk in. The Chef is always there making sure you have the best dinner!!! I had the scallop risotto and I think it is the best I have ever had. The service is impeccable!!! They have a great bar too and know how to make the best cocktails!!! This is a must if you are in San Diego.”