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Little Italy Restaurants

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Check out diners' favourite restaurants in Little Italy

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Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.

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Mimmo's Italian Village
Diners’ top pick
•
$$$$
•
Italian
•
4.7
(415)
Mimmos Italian Village is one of the 3 original restaurants left in San Diego's historic Little Italy district. Established in 1973 in the heart of Little Italy you will find Mimmos is 3rd generation family owned and operated .
Enjoy our amazing food all homemade from scratch daily, using quality ingredients and fresh local produce .
Our popular dishes include, campanelle sausage, spicy shrimp linguine, and chicken parmesan. You can enjoy these dishes alongside a nice glass of wine or signature homemade sangria.
Mimmo's Italian Village was started by Vincenzo Mimmo Gaglio, originally from Montelepre, Sicily. Before arriving in San Diego, Gaglio sharpened his cooking skills in Tunisia, New York City, Ontario, California, and finally, San Diego.
Mimmo's seating areas consist of a charming indoor village, alfresco front and back patio seating.
A photo of Ballast Point Little Italy restaurant
Ballast Point Little Italy
$$$$
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Brewery
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4.7
(22)
Ballast Point Brewing Company's research & development location in Little Italy with 25+ beers on tap, cider, hard kombucha, full wine list, and an eclectic New American menu. Our dedicated team of brewers constantly explore new tastes and techniques to create adventurous and GABF award winning beers. Just like our approach to beer, the kitchen only sources the best possible ingredients, including steroid and antibiotic free proteins, line-caught fish and local produce when available. Come for a flight of beer, enjoy a smash burger, fill a growler, or get a keg - whatever the reason, we'd love to see you.
A photo of Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar restaurant
Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar
$$$$
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Mexican
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4.7
(40)
Authentic Baja-style, ceviche, and oyster restaurant. Unique tostadas, oysters, tiradito, clams
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Herb & Wood
Top-rated food
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$$$$
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Californian
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4.7
(5260)
A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.
A photo of Juniper & Ivy restaurant
Juniper & Ivy
$$$$
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Contemporary American
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4.7
(7243)
Juniper and Ivy delivers a chef-driven menu that uses hand-selected, seasonal ingredients crafted with precision, passion, and creativity. Daily offerings rotate, based on the top ingredients brought in by local farmers and fishermen that morning.
Founded by Owner Michael Rosen, with James Beard Nominated Chef Anthony Wells at its helm, Juniper’s kitchen is backed by a supergroup of culinary minds that produce one of the most refined yet imaginative menus in town. Pair that with pristine attention to detail and unsurpassed breadth of knowledge from our front of house team and award-winning wine list for an unforgettable dining experience.
A photo of Nonna restaurant
Nonna
$$$$
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Italian
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4.6
(770)
Many restaurants in Little Italy have become destinations, among them the Busalacchi family's Nonna. The rustic décor features a relaxed country-style feel throughout the restaurant, including the delightful patio. The wonderfully welcoming atmosphere celebrates yet another delicious Sicilian food lineup, including pizzas and all that you would expect from an authentic Italian menu. The terrific entrées show the Sicilian influence, and fill the restaurant with great aromas.
We would love to hear your feedback on your experience.
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Barbusa
Top-rated hospitality
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$$$$
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Italian
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4.6
(3589)
Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.
Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.
Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.
Gluten free and Vegan Items Available
WHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!
A photo of Ristorante Illando restaurant
Ristorante Illando
$$$$
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Italian
•
4.6
(630)
From the owner Leonardo Landini "When I decided to open Ristorante Illando, I had a vision in my head...my cozy house back in Firenze, Italy; my family dining table filled with the food I grew up with. Now I can surround you with the warmth of my Italian home and an authentic Italian meal here at Illando. Benvenuti e buon appetito a tutti!!"
A photo of Queenstown Public House restaurant
Queenstown Public House
$$$$
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Organic
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4.7
(371)
For parties of 7 or more please give us a call at 619-546-0444
We are a New Zealand inspired whimsical restaurant set in a craftsman house that dates back to 1905. We are one block off the main drag in Little Italy. Sink your teeth into one of our organic beef or lamb burgers. We also have many salads and dinner entrees to try. Portions are generous, and prices are reasonable.
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Born & Raised
Great vibe
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$$$$
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Steakhouse
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4.6
(4982)
The American steakhouse is an iconic restaurant institution. We’d wanted to tell that story for years, but waited until we had the skill, talent and ability to execute it properly, and the right space to be our canvas, an important corner in Little Italy, a neighborhood where we have deep roots. We brought an almost academic appreciation for steakhouse history and tradition to Born & Raised, while trying to stay relevant and authentic to ourselves and our city. Our dry-aged beef pays tribute to earlier, earthier, pre-government grading practices and is the centerpiece of a meal best savored at a slow pace. A timeless celebration of everything that makes restaurants so special. - Consortium Holdings. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.
A photo of Ironside Fish & Oyster restaurant
Ironside Fish & Oyster
$$$$
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Seafood
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4.7
(3896)
Ironside is now taking reservations for patio and dining room seating.
We are now offering Happy Hour MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 3:00PM - 5:00PM.
Little Italy was built by the fishing industry. Ironside attempts to continue that narrative. It's our contemporary interpretation of the classic fish house and oyster bar. Located in a historic auction house on India St we did a full comprehensive restoration of the building, with three open-air culinary hubs featuring an expansive raw bar, chefs table, and bakery. We tried to be mindful of the past while looking towards the future. A 4% surcharge will be added to all guest checks.
A photo of Craft & Commerce restaurant
Craft & Commerce
$$$$
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American
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4.6
(944)
Providing shelter from the storm since 2009.
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Petrini's
Great budget-friendly spot
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$$$$
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Italian
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4.5
(339)
Petrini's, in the heart of San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood, serves homemade Italian dishes with a traditional authentic dishes. If you go to Music box, stop by for a dinner and a cup of wine before the show. We offer Brunch, Lunch and Dinner menus 7 days a week.
The diablo shrimp in spicy wing sauce with lemon and cream, served with garlic cheese bread makes the perfect starter to your meal. Some of Petrini's' specialty entrée dishes include the smoked salmon alfredo sautéed with tomatoes and basil, garlic and rosemary served with spaghetti with tangy Pomodoro sauce and the baked white fish coated in seasoned bread crumbs in wine, butter and garlic sauce with Tuscan vegetables. Handhelds, such as the classic meatball hoagie, the vegetarian caponata sandwich with tomato-stewed eggplant and the craft-your-own pizzas, are other diner favorites.
For a sweet end to your meal at Petrini's, enjoy a homemade classic Italian dessert, the layered tiramisu cake.
A photo of Isola Little Italy restaurant
Isola Little Italy
$$$$
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Italian
•
4.6
(629)
MY NONNA’S NAME WAS ISOLA, A WONDERFUL COOK WHO GAVE ME A PASSION FOR FOOD AND FRESH, SIMPLE INGREDIENTS.
I have vivid memories of my grandmother turning plain bread into amazing desserts, simple apples into incredible fritters sprinkled with a little sugar and honey, and even treating my sunburns with olive oil. Thirty years later, I still savor every meal and moment.
Isola is proud to serve the finest local ingredients, dalla vite, from the vine. I hope you enjoy every bite, plucked from my family tree for your table. Buon appetito!

New restaurants to OpenTable in Little Italy

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See what locals rave about in Little Italy

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • StevoEvip
    Edmonton / Northern Alberta •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 2 Jan 2023
    Great food, cocktails, and service! Will definitely come back!
    More info
    Juniper & Ivy$$$$• Contemporary American• Little Italy
    •
    4.7
  • LizH
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on 2 Jan 2023
    The staff and food are amazing. Will be coming back often 10/10.
    More info
    Bencotto Italian Kitchen$$$$• Italian• Little Italy
    •
    4.6
  • LaurenKvip
    San Diego •14 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on 2 Jan 2023
    A dimly lit, upscale joint with good food and style. The roasted oysters and bone marrow was an incredible dish, and the pizza was phenominal. We splurged on Iberico Pork as an appetizer- $42 for a couple oz and some toast. The pork was incredible, but the toast had a very bold tomato flavored sauce that overshadowed the nuances of the Iberico. I ate it seperately :) Overall a solid place, great servicr and good flavors.
    More info
    Herb & Wood$$$$• Californian• Little Italy
    •
    4.7
  • JaimiHvip
    San Diego •100 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 2 Jan 2023
    We’ve only been to this restaurant one time before, but we absolutely loved it! They were five of us, and we got to sit at the roundtable, which was perfect. There was a special menu because of the holiday and I’m a bit picky… So I ended up with just a chop salad and shrimp cocktail but everybody else ordered a little bit of everything and said it was delish!
    More info
    Barbusa$$$$• Italian• Little Italy
    •
    4.6
  • OpenTable Diner
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on 1 Jan 2023
    Birthday lunch for my hubby with his girls
    More info
    Coco Maya$$$$• Contemporary Latin• Little Italy
    •
    4.3

Award winning restaurants in Little Italy

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Restaurant experiences trending in Little Italy

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Get inspired by our collections of the top restaurants in Little Italy

Discover Little Italy

As the name implies, San Diego's Little Italy is best known for its Italian cuisine. From meatball sandwiches to wood-fired pizzas to handmade pasta, Italian food fans will all find a favorite dish to enjoy in this area of the city. Despite that fact, a visit to Little Italy doesn't have to be restricted to Italian food. Break away from the pizza-and-pasta approach to dinner by taking in the neighborhood's hot seafood scene. Oyster bars are a particularly interesting way to enjoy seafood in this part of the city. Whatever cuisine you choose, finish off your meal in Little Italy with a scoop of locally handcrafted gelato. In fact, if you skip dinner and go straight for dessert, no one will blame you one bit.

Frequently asked questions

The best reviewed restaurant in Little Italy is Mimmo's Italian Village

The best vegan restaurants in Little Italy are Civico 1845, Juniper & Ivy and Ristorante Illando

The best vegetarian restaurants in Little Italy are Juniper & Ivy, Civico 1845 and Herb & Wood

The restaurants with the best service in Little Italy are Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar, Ristorante Illando and Herb & Wood

The restaurants with the best ambiance in Little Italy are Queenstown Public House, Born & Raised and Craft & Commerce

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