50 Best Italian Restaurants near Santee

“I came to visit my dad in Santee today and decided to go try a new place today. Great pizza. We got the Supreme, but now I have to come back to try the Sizzling Pickle Pizza. Sounds interesting. Anyway, I balanced our lunch with an antipasto salad.“

“Came here with the family after a day at SeaWorld, the service was great the food was too. The wings were nice and crispy just how we like them they gave us the Buffalo sauce in separate little bowls something new but the Buffalo sauce was really good and the ranch was nice and creamy. We ordered 2 pizza's it was more than enough for all of us there were seven of us, if you like really and I mean really cheesy pizza this is the spot for you. The drinks all tasted great the only thing I found a bit silly is they limit the refill on fountain drinks to 3 if that was removed my rating would go up to 5 stars no doubt. Will definitely eat here aging next time we visit California.“

“We were served by Skaula (probably miss spelled her name).

But she did an amazing job, made the experience a lot more enjoyable!
Thank you!!

Food was delicious and free refills for drinks, salads, bread sticks, and soups!

Thank you again for the amazing service!“

“We picked up food yesterday during their grand opening in Santee. Best pesto I’ve ever had! Staff was great too. We will definitely be back.“

“Pizza Perfection!

If you’re looking for incredible pizza, FOX’S GIANT PIZZA is the spot! From the moment you walk in, the warm, welcoming atmosphere sets the tone for a fantastic meal. The staff was super friendly, and the aroma of fresh pizza from the oven instantly had my mouth watering. Steven was so friendly and sweet!

We tried the Meat Lover, Veggie Supreme, and Margherita pizzas—and wow, every bite was pure bliss.

The Meat Lover was packed with perfectly cooked, flavorful toppings—pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon—layered over a rich, tangy sauce and gooey cheese. Each bite was hearty and satisfying.

The Veggie Supreme was a garden-fresh masterpiece! It had vibrant peppers, mushrooms, onions, olives, and the perfect hint of seasoning, all resting on a crispy-yet-fluffy crust. Even non-veggie lovers would enjoy this one!

And the Margherita? A classic done right. The simplicity of fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and their signature tomato sauce made it stand out. It was light, fresh, and absolutely delicious.

This is hands-down one of the best pizza places I’ve ever been to. Whether you’re a meat lover, veggie enthusiast, or crave a classic Margherita, they’ve got something amazing for you. I can’t wait to come back!“

“I have been coming here since they opened and they are the best !!!! Everything I have ordered has been beyond delicious and the owner Zak is the best !!! It’s a must try !!!!!“

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

“cordialità,buon cibo e ambiente raffinato“

“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.“

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

“To sit and enjoy The entire staff is friendly and the owner and his son are amazing!! They have the best atmosphere, food freshly made! Lasagna is so good - pizza is seasoned well and the dough is good“

“This place food, ambience, decor, patio, services, etc, etc, etc gas not competition around san diego,“

“The food the service is amazing. VERY bad experience that little Roma restaurant I should’ve known better that there’s no place like Nonna’s.“

“3/5 for a first timer during restaurant week… the special menu was $50 per person…. we never got any bread with our dinner (and didn’t realize we were left out until we were on dessert)… and, portions were small, so the bread would have been nice, especially for $50… also, the server made us make our food order at the same time as our drinks… personally, i like to have a drink or two before i order my food… so, the service was rushed in that sense… and no one asked me if i wanted a second glass of wine i had the veal and my friend had the lobster ravioli… both tasted decently but, again, small portions… the burrata was amazing and the desserts (tiramisu and lava cake) were pleasant i think i’d like to try again on a night that isn’t as busy, and order off of the actual menu“

“Enjoy the atmosphere and great food.“

“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!“

“The Margarita pizza was the best . Thus far from any pizzaria I’ve had“

“Best cannoli of my life. This is an absolute must stop in Little Italy.“

“nice place and very good and taste“

“Excellent service, friendly atmosphere..food very satisfying“

“The food is so good! 100% recommend the vodka sauce! Stuffed mushrooms are fantastic. Ambiance is fabulous and service is so good. Alex was our server, he’s a keeper. This is our new go to Italian restaurant.“

“Never had a bad experience here. The staff are always super friendly and make you feel welcomed and take good care of us. This is our favorite no-frills, reliably good food, hole in the wall spot. Our son loves the food here too! Highly recommend“

“very delicious pizza great amount of toppings and cheese , really enjoyed their cheesy bread😋😋“

“Get the white sauce gnocchi! Omg! An explosion of cheesy goodness in your mouth. I wish the plate was bigger, cuz it’s that delicious! It does need some bread of some sort to soak up the extra sauce… because I’m not licking my plate again ?“

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

“Awesome family owned business. Great food. Been around for decades.“

“We've been patrons for 61 years; spent our 60th. Anniversary dinner here along with all our family mile stones: birthdays, wedding rehearsal dinners, etc. We love the staff, lovely people and family and the food is always great. We love the atmosphere; calm and private booths... they are family as far as we are concerned...“

“Outstanding waitress . She was by herself and still managed to keep her cool. Definitely liking this place one thing, the. Chicago beef gravy is way too salty and you guys need to roast the green peppers . pizza was outstanding. Thank you.“

“This place is beautiful— everyone that works here is so friendly they went above and beyond to make sure that me and my wife were taking care of, the food is so delicious (best itialian subs I’ve had) and the atmosphere is so cozy (10/10)

Parking: Side of street or in back“

“Reasonable prices, and generous portions. Dinner come with soup or salad, and the non-pasta entrees come with a side of spaghetti. The lasagna is amazing, and so is the breaded pork chop with mushrooms. Pizzas headed to another table looked nice, and I'll try that some day.
There's an early dinner special with a choice of pasta dishes that's a particularly good value. There's the same special for lunch at an even lower price, plus a 10-inch pizza lunch.
Attractive dining room with booths separated by glass-topped partitions etched with scenes of Italy. There's a good size bar too.
Pleasant, personal service.
Because of parking in front of the restaurant, it's not highly visible from the street.“

“Their add claims to have "The best pizza ever" or something along those lines. I asked my son how it was and he said top 5 for sure! Mind you he was born in Manhattan. We are also currently on the tail end of a one year, four corners of the United States, camping trip. So needless to say, we been around.It was magical in my mouth!“

“The food is excellent. Fresh delicious dishes. Too bad the service isn't better and the room is too loud. This food deserves better.“

“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👏“

“ATTENTION YELPERS! I FOUND THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN SAN DIEGO!!!

Just Kidding...

Not Kidding...this gigantic national chain serving up unauthentic, sodium loaded and ultra processed Italian food isn't all that bad, and a great value! The unlimited soup and bread sticks is middle and lower class family's perfect dream, and my dream...I devoured 3 bowls of soup and 3 bread sticks before touching my entree!

$24.50 Tour of Italy...The Chicken Parmesan had a nice hot crispy breading engulfing the juicy tender white chicken breast. The lasagna was robust, flavorful, with great blend of sauce, cheese, and pasta. The fettuccine alfredo is exactly how you would imagine it. Great value overall considering the 3 bowls of soup I devoured.“

“4/4/2022 My first time getting a pizza from here, and it was amazing! I look forward to trying other items as well.“

“This local spot boasts a inviting atmosphere. The bar's dark red seats create a cozy ambiance, complemented by the dining room's wood chairs and classic red-and-white checkered tablecloths. Outdoor seating is available for larger groups. We had a gathering of about 50 people, half adults and half kids, on the rear patio. Our server delivered exceptional service, keeping food and drinks readily available.“

“The pizza is great! It's perfect California style pizza with a medium crust and quality classic toppings. The staff is friendly and those places is really casual. I highly recommended this neighborhood pizza place.“

“I wish I would’ve taken a picture, but the food was so good I couldn’t be bothered to even look at my phone! I had the calamari, small Caesar salad, chicken parm w/ pasta and marinara this evening. IT WAS SO DANG DELICIOUS!! Every bit, from the garlic on the roll, the perfectly dressed salad and MOST of all...The marinara was so good I had to resist getting up and smacking everyone in the restaurant. Recommend calling ahead for reservations for groups of 3 or more. A cozy well decorated space to match. I will be recommending this place to all my friends and bringing family!“

“Thee perfect fold with the perfect crunch! You can taste the true perfection in that the family takes pride in making pizza! Fresh ingredients. Perfect crunch! Not overcooked or undercooked. I have to say that this pizza dough was made to perfection! Airy dough paired with great sauce and fresh toppings. You have to give this place a try if you been looking at it or thinking about it. You will not be disappointed. Supporting small businesses.“

“had takeout spinach lasagna tonight. Outstanding meal! I definitely recommend 😍😍💯💯👌👌“

“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.“

“Testo Pepesto Italian Restaurant is centrally located on Main Street in downtown El Cajon. It is a great family-owned restaurant with delicious food and friendly service. Best pizza and pasta in El Cajon! They also bake their own tasty bread. Everything is absolutely YUMMY!!!“

“Excellent pizza! Great food & love the atmosphere!“

“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 ❤️“

“I came to this place for lunch and it was a great decision. I liked the chicken soup and the pasta. I would especially like to mention that we had a wonderful waitress. She is really great, she paid us enough attention and I am very satisfied with the service and communication with the girl. She made our lunch even more enjoyable. The food is delicious, the service is great. I definitely recommend visiting this place“

“Wonderful! Excellent service delicious food and great atmosphere .“

“It's great thin crust pizza! You can't beat the prices either.“

“tha best place to eat italy food“

“The staff and owner are amazing and truly care about their customers and their experience. I ordered food to-go and was trying to catch them before cooking the pizza to alert them of an allergy. Samantha was so sweet, and went above and beyond, to ensure I had something to eat. She spoke with her manager/owner Lucas and they surprised me with a medium-sized cheese pizza on the house to ensure I could eat too.

The food was perfect and the staff was even better. Highly recommend!!“

“Food was excellent , Our family have been going there for years. Many drinks to choose from. Many dishes to choose from. My kids love the pizza , garlic bread . We love the food and atmosphere.“