This is our go-to restauarant when we have tickets to shows at the Civic and Balboa Theaters. The food is excellent. My spouse typically orders the special ravioli plate and I like the Ahi Tuna salad. We typically order an Italian wine and/or a cocktail from the bar. We've never been disappointed. The restauarant is small, like you would find in any Italian city. The menu is not extensive, but everything is prepared perfectly. The staff is very attentive and friendly. We highly recommend going there for dinner.
Kaila
Wow! Delicious 🤤 everything tasted amazing. Super fresh ingredients, the sauces were perfection. Between our party, we had some that had pizzas, one had the lemon risotto and a soup, and I had the bucatini pasta. We were all very impressed with the flavors. Also, the drinks were very well delicious as well. 10 out of 10!
Matt
This quaint little spot in the heart of downtown San Diego has fantastic food, great service, and lots to choose from. The pasta and pizza dough are made from scratch and the sauces were excellent. Highly recommend.
Sarah C
We thought the service and experience was wonderful. The food was excellent. Will come again when in downtown for an event!!
John
Food, decor, service were all amazing. Excellent location across from Balboa theater. Be certain to tell the manager of your theater tickets to take advantage of the 15% cross-promotional discount.
Karen
Awesome food and waitstaff and great ambiance. Chica was VERY friendly, welcoming and accommodating even though the restaurant was super busy with a pre-theatre crowd all wanting to get to the Balboa Theatre (directly across the street which was super convenient) at the same time. Operracafe is the perfect pre-theatre dinner experience...and who doesn't love Italian food?
Laurie
A small but well appointed restaurant with a full bar and great food. We had limited time and the wait staff was very accommodating. We both loved our ravioli and a great caprese salad.
Opentable Diner
Just went for desert, tiramesu was disappointing in a small wine glass. Wine was good and left early. Server was great
Andre B
This place is the best Italian food I had outside of Italy! Food and desserts were amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
Matt T
Great little Italian place. Good service and the food/drink were fantastic.
very good food and customer service, I will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love Singh
Great Italian food
Food: 5
Ian Patrick
Really disappointing overall. The lobster tail was tough and nearly impossible to get out of the shell. The salad was so covered in dressing it was inedible. The cioppino was pretty tasty but everything else was too salty. I don’t know how this place rates so high but we definitely won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Chrissy Gamst
Operacaffe was a lovely experience to celebrate our anniversary dinner. They had a great choice of staple pastas and more adventurous options. Dessert was really great too. The servers were friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. We will be back next time we are in San Diego.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Irene Ybarra
The service and food are phenomenal. If you want great homemade Italian, I would truly recommend Operacaffe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp and Calamari Fritti, Lava Cake
This is our go-to restauarant when we have tickets to shows at the Civic and Balboa Theaters. The food is excellent. My spouse typically orders the special ravioli plate and I like the Ahi Tuna salad. We typically order an Italian wine and/or a cocktail from the bar. We've never been disappointed. The restauarant is small, like you would find in any Italian city. The menu is not extensive, but everything is prepared perfectly. The staff is very attentive and friendly. We highly recommend going there for dinner.
Wow! Delicious 🤤 everything tasted amazing. Super fresh ingredients, the sauces were perfection. Between our party, we had some that had pizzas, one had the lemon risotto and a soup, and I had the bucatini pasta. We were all very impressed with the flavors. Also, the drinks were very well delicious as well. 10 out of 10!
This quaint little spot in the heart of downtown San Diego has fantastic food, great service, and lots to choose from. The pasta and pizza dough are made from scratch and the sauces were excellent. Highly recommend.
We thought the service and experience was wonderful. The food was excellent. Will come again when in downtown for an event!!
Food, decor, service were all amazing. Excellent location across from Balboa theater. Be certain to tell the manager of your theater tickets to take advantage of the 15% cross-promotional discount.
Awesome food and waitstaff and great ambiance. Chica was VERY friendly, welcoming and accommodating even though the restaurant was super busy with a pre-theatre crowd all wanting to get to the Balboa Theatre (directly across the street which was super convenient) at the same time. Operracafe is the perfect pre-theatre dinner experience...and who doesn't love Italian food?
A small but well appointed restaurant with a full bar and great food. We had limited time and the wait staff was very accommodating. We both loved our ravioli and a great caprese salad.
Just went for desert, tiramesu was disappointing in a small wine glass. Wine was good and left early. Server was great
This place is the best Italian food I had outside of Italy! Food and desserts were amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu
Great little Italian place. Good service and the food/drink were fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
very good food and customer service, I will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great Italian food
Food: 5
Really disappointing overall. The lobster tail was tough and nearly impossible to get out of the shell. The salad was so covered in dressing it was inedible. The cioppino was pretty tasty but everything else was too salty. I don’t know how this place rates so high but we definitely won’t be coming back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Operacaffe was a lovely experience to celebrate our anniversary dinner. They had a great choice of staple pastas and more adventurous options. Dessert was really great too. The servers were friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. We will be back next time we are in San Diego.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The service and food are phenomenal. If you want great homemade Italian, I would truly recommend Operacaffe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp and Calamari Fritti, Lava Cake
Loading...