50 Best Italian Restaurants near Solana Beach

“Tasty ice cream, boba tea and coffee in one place“

“What a find!!!! Like being in Italy , sans the commute. Food was on point...meatballs to die for. Lowkey , judge an Italian restaurant by their meatballs quality..10 out of 5 stars 🌟 for the service...all the staff we encountered was even Italian!“

“Great atmosphere, Cold beer and amazing food! We came for lunch and stayed for great service. Well dine“

“Grilled calamari… Brussels…. Yum!“

“Excellent fresh NY style pizza. Never disappoints. Friendly staff.“

“Great food. Fantastic spot inside UTC“

“Great food . Well prepared and tasty , but a rowdy table with loud guests ruined the atmosphere and enjoyment. I asked management to calm the table down , but nothing was done.“

“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.“

“Excellent food and service.“

“Had ordered Salad and pizza’s all were fantastic . Server was awesome !!!! We love your pie’s Buona 😍😍😍😍“

“Da italiana, ho cenato più volte in questo fantastico ristorante e vi dico che il cibo è ottimo. Qualità dei prodotti 🔝, servizio impeccabile. Il locale è veramente tanto delizioso. Ve lo consiglio vivamente non rimarrete delusi!“

“Delicious authentic Italian meals artistically served .“

“Food was excellent and service was great!!,..will be back!“

“My friend and I had such a wonderful experience at Firenze, and what made it truly special was not only the food, but the kindness and care from everyone there.

Before we even arrived, Jeff was incredibly kind and helpful on the phone. Jeff took the time to answer questions patiently and made us feel genuinely welcomed and cared for. That level of kindness set the tone for the entire evening.

When we arrived, Raquel was absolutely amazing both on the phone and in person. Raquel was so understanding, supportive, patient, and accommodating throughout our visit and helped us find a table that worked for us. Raquel was patient as we tried 3 different tables. Raquel made us feel comfortable and relaxed, and her warmth and attentiveness truly shun through.

Sandra was also incredible — Sandra's knowledge and expertise were so appreciated. Sandra thoughtfully helped identify dishes that would be safer for me to eat, and somehow still managed to recommend something absolutely delicious. That level of care means so much. Sandra was kind, compassionate and supportive to making us feel safer and comfortable to eat.

They graciously seated us outside next to the fountain, away from the crowd, which created such a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere. The sound of the water made the evening feel calm and intimate, and everyone was so accommodating about making sure we were comfortable.

The food itself was outstanding. The crisp thin breadsticks were addictive — light, delicate, and perfectly crunchy with that satisfying snap when you bite into them. Dipping the warm bread into the olive oil and balsamic vinegar was incredible. The olive oil was smooth, rich, and slightly peppery, while the balsamic added the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Together, they soaked beautifully into the bread and made such a simple starter feel luxurious. The bread was soft and airy on the inside and crisp on the outside.

I also loved the pasta. The shape held onto the sauce perfectly, giving every bite a wonderful balance of texture and flavor. The pasta itself tasted fresh and tender with just the right firmness. Every forkful felt comforting and thoughtfully prepared.

My friend absolutely loved the chicken parm. It was beautifully done in a true Italian style — thin, tender chicken with a perfectly crisp coating that wasn’t heavy or greasy. The sauce tasted vibrant and fresh with rich tomato flavor, and the melted cheese on top added just the right creamy finish without overpowering the dish. Every bite was balanced, flavorful, and delicious.

This was one of those dining experiences where you can truly feel the care from the staff in every detail. Thank you to Jeff, Raquel, Sandra, and everyone at Firenze for such a memorable evening. We cannot wait to come back.“

“Tonight I visited Vittorio's for the first time and everything about my experience was first rate! I could see that the hostess had a smile on her face, even before I entered the building. the wait staff was great and the food was wonderful! I've never had a better spaghetti alla carbonara. Thank you for a wonderful evening. I'll be back for sure!“

“My husband and I have been here for the very first time and we immediately fell in love with this place. The staff is amazing, they know how to treat you and make you feel at home. Alice is very passionate about her job and we loved her homemade desserts sooo much. A special mention to Michele, a very young yet extremely professional waiter, who contributed to create a cozy and pleasant atmosphere! As Italian, I can say it's hard to find place such Alice's where you feel so vividly the warm of our country. We will definitely come back!“

“What a sleeper!! We are thrilled to have found this gem. Authentic Italian food. Warm and genuine service. Exceeded our standard for local Italian for lunch. They say to arrive early for dinner, by 5:30 because this place gets busy. Make a reservation if dining later.“

“Nice and friendly staff. Great food!“

“fantastic food! one the best Italian spots in so. cal. friendly service.“

“I really like this place, especially the sandwich they call Venice, it is hard to get stuff like this in the USA. It is huge and I can live off it for two days, ask them to cut it in half for you.

I like the old world deli approach and they have lots of old world ingredients for sale as well,

If you are looking for alternatives to ultra processed food lunches, this is the ticket.

FYI no offense to Subway but this is beyond their wildest dreams and not the same league nor business model. Waaay better. Please go there and help them stay in business, it is close to my office and a little gold mine for people that cherish Euro food.“

“We love this restaurant.. we happened upon it years ago and every time we are in LaJolla we dine there not once but twice ! We brought our kids and grandkids here for one of our anniversaries …Amazing dishes , great wine , best gelato , and a delightful owner who is so welcoming and full of great stories and information …sure wish this was in Illinois !!!!“

“solid pizza place that has been around forever. i remember dating a girl who lived in carlsbad over 20 years ago and hearing about leucadia pizza. never tried it but when i saw one was nearby in la jolla where i staying, that was the dinner choice.

pizza is solid and flavorful. not the best i have had but definitely very good. ordering online is simple and the order was there when i drove up.

really can't complain...i would say 4.5 stars but that's close to five stars and i don't wanna be a jackass to a local business and round down.

would be back and seek it out...that's the clincher. otherwise, it would be four stars (it's not).“

“Excellent food, and the leftovers taste great even the next day when reheated.“

“Had a late lunch with friends on a rainy Sunday. It was pouring rain, the only way to park in the restaurant parking lot was to valet, otherwise you have to park on the street or further away in another parking lot. The food, service and view was excellent. I couldn't help but to notice how stained the dining chairs were and the tables looked worn and tired. It's too bad the management doesn't see this and address it. The prices are very reasonable, it's worth a try if you love fresh Italian cuisine.“

“The scenery is very beautiful“

“Generally they don't have pesto, but this time they are running a special menu items for couple of weeks. We were lucky to get our pizza and pasta modified to Pesta souce from the chef.
I believe they must introduce pesto version pizza's and pasta in ther menu.

Overall ambience and service was great and courteous.
Their cannolis are so great !!“

“I ate their Fish and Veggie Plate, it was the most flavorable Salmon I have ever had. It was cooked to perfection with plenty of savory juice left inside. The cubed potatoes and asperagus were seasoned just right. Highly recommend this place. It hit the spot. My final photo shows you just how much I enjoyed it.“

“We came here with our dog on a rainy Saturday night. We were so glad to find a place with a covered patio. But then we were pleasantly surprised with how amazing the beer and pizza were. Duh. It’s in the name. lol. Anyhow there was some confusion about our pizza but Donny went above and beyond to make it right. It was a little hectic because it was so busy but if we weren’t visiting we’d definitely be regulars. Try the Detroit style hot honey, I’ll be dreaming about it.“

“Our first time Sunday doing the brunch and everything was so delicious! Our server Nic was superb - very attentive, polite, fun and made sure our experience was perfect in every way. Highly recommend the brunch and be sure to ask for Nic as your server. ❤️“

“Gluten free crust was amazing ! We are not celiac but sensitive and best crust we have tried. Gelato was great and made in house as well.“

“Feels like You’re eating Sunday dinner at grandmas, but any day of the week you choose.“

“We had an amazing dinner. Great happy hour until 6 PM. Nice options. Great service. Nice location.“

“I always crave NY style pizza and am always disappointed by places that claim to have it. Pauly’s hit the mark- this was true NY pizza, right down to the required fold. The Gilato was delicious too- try the cannoli flavor! Not only was the food great, but the customer service matched. The two ladies were beyond friendly and helpful. We will definitely be back!“

“My family and I have been coming to Lorna's for over 30 years & love it every time. My husband always gets the Tagliatelle Bolognese, which is outstanding, and I really like the Gnocchi with rich garlic cream sauce! The restaurant is casual, with fantastic service and generous portions. And their pizza is excellent too! Highly recommend Lorna's for delicious Italian food!“

“Very good pizza and wings. Pizza came out pretty quickly. Sauce is not sweet, which is a good thing. Crust is airy and crunchy. Hot wings were also good. Good sauce. Right amount of vinegar and heat.“

“It suits any kind of gathering. The food was amazing. The Manhattan on the rocks-I love when they use the single large ice cube! There was nothing I didn’t like except as the place filled up we got a little warm but still enjoyed our full experience there.“

“Our dining experience at Vigilucci's Trattoria was absolutely exceptional from the moment we walked through the door until the end of the evening. We arrived and asked if our 6:30 p.m. reservation could be moved to 7:00–7:15 p.m. to give the rest of our party more time to arrive. The manager at the host stand immediately accommodated our request with a smile and made us feel genuinely welcome. It was the first of many examples of outstanding hospitality. While we waited, we enjoyed the bar, where Amy took wonderful care of us. She was warm, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the wine selection. She helped us choose a great wine and even took the time to tell us about the other Vigilucci's restaurants. Her genuine enthusiasm and engaging personality made the wait fly by. Around 7:00 p.m., the manager came over to let us know our table was ready and invited us to be seated while we waited for the rest of our party. He wanted to make sure we had a great table, and that thoughtful gesture did not go unnoticed. Our guests arrived just a few minutes later. Our server, Trevor, was outstanding. He was energetic, attentive, professional, and had a terrific sense of humor that made our dinner even more enjoyable. He struck the perfect balance between being attentive and giving us time to relax and enjoy our evening. The food was every bit as impressive as the service. We enjoyed the Caprese Salad, Insalata Mista, Linguine Luciana, Pollo Piccata, Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina with sausage, and Capellini alla Checca with chicken. Every dish was beautifully presented, prepared with fresh ingredients, and absolutely delicious. What truly sets Vigilucci's Trattoria apart is its commitment to hospitality. Exceptional service has become increasingly rare, yet everyone—from the manager to Amy and Trevor—made us feel like valued guests. They created an experience, not just a meal. Thank you for a memorable evening. We will absolutely be returning and highly recommend Vigilucci's“

“Fantastic, Amazing, wonderful. Atmosphere Perfect. Staff Exquisite. Dined there twice on our 4 day vacation. LUCREZIA is my Happy Place. Jason, Rodrigo, Andrew, and Kat Thank You. Just Lovely Food, Drinks. Service, and more.“

“Amazing food. Casual atmosphere. Great service to go along with the great food“

“The restaurant brought memories back from my travels in Italy. The staff was amazing and treated everyone like family. It wasn't easy to pick one entrée. I have to advise to end your meal with a delicious TIRAMISU... We will be returning....“

“Some of the best pizza I’ve ever had definitely recommend the Popeyes pizza“

“Amazing STAFF and food. The General manager was super engaging and grit, staff was attentive even under busy and stressful situations- it’s obvious they have a positive working model. Nice work!“

“Nice change of pace and it was easy to get A table outside during covid.“

“great pizza. amazing atmosphere can't beat pizza by the beach“

“Love love loved there pizza“

“Best pizza I’ve had in as long as I can remember!!! It was fantastic!!! Super friendly on the phone when they called confirming my Internet order (I’m really impressed they reached out to confirm - above and beyond great customer service!) and the delivery person was incredibly nice! Delivery was lightening fast. Highly recommend!“

“They are now delivering!!!“

“The kids buffet is like $14, which is the same price as a kids meal at most places around legoland. The adult buffet is like $25 or $27ish (definitely less than $30). This includes a self-serve, all-you-can-eat buffet with fountain drink, salad bar, pasta, and pizza.

The buffet and tables are a bit chaotic since it’s a free for all (you find your own table and people/kids leave a mess on the tables).

The other diners at the restaurant can be gross, like touching food and not using the buffet utensils properly. Like, a lot of the diners are kids since duh it’s legoland. But still.

If you have celiac or a food allergy, tell the host or cashier. Michael (the cook handling allergy/celiac meals) came out to discuss options with me. He was fantastic! He offered to make a gluten-free pizza (cheese, meat lovers, veggie, etc.) that takes ~8 minutes. He also offered GF pasta, though it would take ~30 minutes since they boil it in fresh, uncontaminated water (a good sign!).

Michael made me a delicious GF pizza—thin crust, balanced toppings, and clearly made with care. I also asked if he could make a safe salad since the salad bar is a gluten nightmare (cross-contamination everywhere). He brought out a beautiful, tasty salad and even offered a box for my leftovers.

Shout out to Michael—super kind and accommodating!“

“Crust & Brew is a great spot to chill, watch sports, or get together with friends. Their happy hour deals are great, and everything on the menu has been great! I’ve had the pasta, pizza, and finger foods. Nothing I’ve had has been bad yet.

All the girls are very helpful and great at engaging with the guests. Definitely give it a try, and you’ll turn into a regular as well 😎“

“Clean, grate service,Perfect location.“