The Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego

Its prime location along the Pacific coastline of southern California makes San Diego an ideal destination for adventurers and beach lovers. Boasting constant sunshine and gorgeous beaches, this city has plenty of things to enjoy. Visitors can check out the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the picture-perfect white-sand beaches, explore the grand historic districts and cap the day of adventure with a night out at the trendy nightclubs. Popular outdoor activities include hiking along the cliffs of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, walking the sands of Coronado Beach or checking out the scenery at La Jolla Cove. Balboa Park provides the city’s cultural hub and boasts museums, theaters, and gardens. Downtown, San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood preserves its heritage with historical archives and community programs. So while in town, make sure to try the authentic Italian restaurants in San Diego. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out for tagliatelle or pasta e Fagioli? Welcome to the Tastemaker Lists. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Book a table at the best Italian restaurants in San Diego today!

The OpenTable Team

18 Restaurants

Updated 26 February 2020

Restaurants:	Isola La Jolla, Solare Ristorante Lounge, CUCINA urbana…
Price Range:	$$ - $$
Cuisines:	Italian…
Neighborhoods:	La Jolla, Point Loma, Banker's Hill…

Isola La Jolla

$$$$

Italian

La Jolla

4.7

592 reviews

Little Italy’s Isola Pizza Bar is one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego when you’re craving a hot slice. The La Jolla outpost is the second to open in town and this location is larger with a full kitchen with room for a fryer, grill and range. The new restaurant caters to a more leisurely crowd and the staff encourages diners to relax and spend an hour or two over a meal with a glass of wine. The focus here is on Neapolitan pies, but they also serve housemade pasta, fried appetizers and grilled items on the menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Solare Ristorante Lounge

$$$$

Italian

Point Loma

4.5

2028 reviews

Solare Ristorante Lounge is an Italian dining spot located in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego. This spot has a casual, intimate setting and the historic Liberty Station location was the primary filming location for Top Gun! Family-owned and operated by Randy Smerik and his team, they qualify as a “Sustainable Green Restaurant” with their use of local fresh organic produce, natural meat and wild seafood. Chefs prepare each dish with love and aim to offer each and every customer a fabulous dining experience.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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CUCINA urbana

$$$$

Italian

Banker's Hill

4.8

6386 reviews

Cucina urbana is a casual Italian American Neighborhood Kitchen and Wine Shop located in the Bankers Hill neighborhood. The menu features cuisines from a variety of Italian regions with a distinct California ‘farm to table’ flair. Chef Tim Kolanko creates fresh, simple and seasonal dishes and the restaurant offers the kind of unique dining experience that made the Urban Kitchen Group so popular. Enjoy wine by the glass or visit the wine shop and choose a bottle from over 100 selections! The space is also stunning and combines the appeal of a modern Italian kitchen with the charm of an old rustic country farmhouse.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Takeout available

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The Red Door

$$$$

Italian

Mission Hills

4.8

2613 reviews

The Red Door, located on Washington Street in the Mission Hills neighborhood, is one of the most famous restaurants in San Diego. The eatery offers guests sustainable and responsibly-sourced products to ensure the very best dishes. They serve Italian comfort foods with fresh locally grown and handcrafted products. Chef/Owner Luciano Cibelli shops daily and selects every item they serve. It is some of the highest-rated cuisines in the city! Try items like their Cashew-Crusted Wings, Fried Egg and Marro and the famous Red Door Burger.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Catania

$$$$

Italian

La Jolla

4.8

1638 reviews

Catania is a casual elegant dining spot considered by many to be one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego. Inspired by road-trip through Italy, the owners wanted to bring a new member of the Whisknladle Hospitality family to the area. The menu features simple, seasonal and authentic Italian Coastal Cuisine and stays true to original recipes and classic dishes. They showcase a commitment to authenticity in their use of wood-burning ovens and grills as well as an Italian wine list and craft beer list of exclusively Italian brews.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Monello

$$$$

Italian

Little Italy

4.6

2170 reviews

Monello, the older brother of Benecotto Italian restaurant next door, is consistently rated one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego. They serve 25 different kinds of daily handcrafted pasta, a variety of meat and cheese selections, Fritti appetizers, Polenta, Pizza and more! It’s a unique Italian restaurant with a focus on Milanese street food, pasta in the cheese wheel, Italian happy hour and weekend brunch. Stop in for a heaping bowl of delicious pasta and a glass of wine or Italian apertivo!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Civico 1845

$$$$

Contemporary Italian

Little Italy

4.5

1934 reviews

Civico Italian Restaurant, located on India Street in Little Italy, is a great spot to head for a mix of Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian and Vegan foods. Brothers Dario and Pietro Gallo moved to San Diego in 2013 and opened this authentic and delicious restaurant to serve the community. The health-conscious menu features fresh flavors and ingredients and delicious dishes like mama used to make, with a modern flair. They do things the old-fashioned way, such as making pasta and breads from scratch, cooking tomatoes for three hours and including all fresh spices.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Piatti - La Jolla

$$$$

Italian

La Jolla

4.7

4345 reviews

Piatti is a casually elegant Italian bistro located on Avenida de la Playa, right near the waterfront. They serve authentic regional Italian cuisine that qualifies it as one of the best Italian Restaurants in San Diego! A gorgeous Ficus tree takes up one corner of the patio, which is a popular place to sit during afternoons and evenings. The bright and cheerful dining room is delightful as well and the staff is always friendly and cheerful. They offer a wonderful menu of innovative and creative foods like pasta, pizza and grilled items.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

North Italia - Fashion Valley

$$$$

Italian

Mission Valley

4.7

1922 reviews

North Italia is the modern Italian neighborhood restaurant from the Fox Restaurant Concepts. At North, they focus on making Italian food from scratch and serve a menu of handmade pasta and pizzas, created with seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors. They also have signature dishes prepared with fresh flavors from the garden, farm, and sea. It’s a spacious, airy eatery with a contemporary feel and the location in Fashion Valley is perfect for anyone out exploring all that San Diego has to offer.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Manhattan of La Jolla

$$$$

Italian

La Jolla

4.7

1410 reviews

Located in the Empress Hotel on Fay Avenue, Manhattan of La Joya is an elegant, casual and classy place offering delicious Italian cuisine to the San Diego community. With lots of Italian charm, Manhattan offers classic cocktails that get you into that New York swing--and the entrees are as good as it gets. They use lots of olive oil, garlic, lemon and pepper to complement the Zagat Award-winning veal chop, steaks and seafood. Signature scampi, classic cannelloni, pasta al dente, and other succulent dishes, plus professional service and decor make this a terrific spot for a romantic dinner or mixing business and pleasure.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Isola Little Italy

$$$$

Italian

Little Italy

4.6

614 reviews

Isola Pizza Bar, located on India Street in the heart of Little Italy, the home to many of San Diego’s best Italian restaurants. Enjoy great pies and wine from our patio area which is great for watching the bustling crowds and experiencing the Italian-inspired neighborhood. They strive to serve the most savory ingredients, dalla vite, from the vine, zesty sauce from the ripest tomatoes, refreshing handmade desserts, and fine wine. It’s a perfect place to take a date or impress a group of colleagues with a great meal.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Baci Restaurant - San Diego

$$$$

Italian

Old Town

4.9

1593 reviews

Baci Restaurant is beloved by locals and definitely one of the most famous restaurants in San Diego. It offers diners a hint of old-world Italian charm, with cozy booths, white tablecloths and gracious servers dressed in tuxedos. It’s the kind of place you want to take friends and family who are visiting from out of town to show them the best of San Diego! The decor is modern but the menu is classic, featuring Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. They serve specialty classic pasta dishes, veal, fresh seafood and tempting daily specials by Executive Chef Domenico Alioto.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Cucina Enoteca - Del Mar

$$$$

Italian

Del Mar

4.5

2511 reviews

Cucina Enoteca is a casual dining spot located on Via De La Valle Del Mar in the Del Mar neighborhood of San Diego. It’s the sister restaurant of award-winning Cucina urbana and features Italian classics with a modern twist, traditionally coursed or served family-style and made using the freshest, local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Enjoy wine by the glass or select a bottle from over 100 selections, all sold at retail price.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Rovino

$$$$

Italian

Little Italy

4.5

850 reviews

Rovino, located on Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy, offers Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner in a comfortable, stylish setting. The menu features starter Italian dishes like fried calamari, saffron rice balls filled with ground beef, peas and mozzarella. Choose from dinner entrées like the prosciutto and arugula flatbread or the pasta al sugo. Top off your Italian experience with a cup of specialty coffee and a dessert such as a tiramisu or the cannoli. The restaurant also features an extensive wine selection and a knowledgeable staff who can help pair wine with each entrée.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Barbusa

$$$$

Italian

Little Italy

4.6

3508 reviews

The newest culinary project by the Busalacchi family in Little Italy, Barbusa offers authentic Sicilian cuisine with a modern flare. From artisan pizzas, handmade pasta and seafood-centric dishes to handcrafted Italian cocktails and Southern Italian wines, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Come for the food, stay for the festa! It’s one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego, with a lively atmosphere and craft cocktails, handmade pasta, fresh seafood, delicate pizza, and their famous Sicilian Ribeye. The crudo bar is open nightly with Pizza Served from our stone-fired oven.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Rosina's Italian Restaurant

$$$$

Italian

Poway / Rancho Bernardo

4.8

720 reviews

Rosina's Italian Restaurant is one of the last remaining restaurants of its kind. It's an Italian legacy with a family heritage that began in Calabria. The Southern Italian region is known for its flavorful seasonal fruits and vegetables, and abundance of fresh fish and farm-raised poultry along with incredible hospitality. Rosina has always prepared her fresh sauces and baked pasta from scratch and for the pride and love of those who will share it with their families. Her Italian restaurant is an extension of her kitchen and a warm family atmosphere that feels like home.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Cesarina

$$$$

Italian

Ocean Beach

4.9

3797 reviews

Cesarina is San Diego’s newest fresh pasta spot and locals are already in love with it. Located in Point Loma, it features an open-air all-day fresh pasta-making exhibition station. It has super high ceilings and an 18-foot wine bar topped with white marble. The restaurant also features rows of large mason jars holding colorful pickled vegetables on the wall and a garden patio for outside dining. They have a simple recipe for fresh pasta and a knack for creating delicious, mouth-watering sauces.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Godfather Restaurant

$$$$

Italian

Kearny Mesa

4.8

1440 reviews

The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian hotspot in downtown San Diego. The restaurant provides authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy and is definitely one of the best-known restaurants in town. Established in 1974, it’s a sophisticated and classy establishment that centers around generational recipes from both Northern and Southern Italy. Over the years, critics around the world have awarded the quality of food and standards of service here. Come enjoy their menu of steak, chicken and pasta dishes and pair your meal with a bottle of their finest champagne!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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