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$$$$ | La Jolla |
Elegant yet unpretentious, this fine dining restaurant by chefs Choi Cheolhyeok and Silvio Salmoiraghi, integrate elements of Italy, France, Korea, Japan, and California to build masterpieces in an eight-course tasting menu. Both chefs have an impressive pedigree, formerly at the helm of Michelin Star restaurants in Tokyo and Italy, but at Ambrogio, they have joined forces to redefine modern Italian cuisine in San Diego. Prepare for a playful balance of flavors, colors, and textures that changes quarterly. The menu might feature black cod with toasted polenta, linguine with truffles, or Japanese wagyu with spinach and cognac. After eight courses, the assortment of pastries seems doable when paired with an impressive list of over 100 curated wines. Pace yourself for perfection and what might be a three-hour dining experience. An exceptional "Walk in the Garden" tasting menu is available for vegetarians.
7556 Fay Ave., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Innovative new Italian cuisine
- Beautifully plated dishes
- Seabass with taggiasca olives
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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$ | South Park |
A golden-domed pizza oven, named Sofia after the owner’s daughter, delivers authentic Neapolitan-style pizza to fans who often line up for patio tables at this dog- and kid-friendly Italian restaurant in South Park. Pizzas make a meal or can be shared, but don’t miss the equally delicious appetizers, heaping salads, or fresh pastas, and be sure to save room for some dolci.
3001 Beech St., San Diego, California, 92102, USA
Known For
- House-made sangria
- Bubbly Neapolitan-style pizzas
- Bustling patio
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$$ | Point Loma |
A wall of mason jars with pickled vegetables and brined olives transports you to an Italian market in Rome where the owner’s mother perfected generations of recipes that have made their way into this Point Loma eatery. Since its 2019 opening, customers have lined up for generous portions of homemade Italian staples including pasta, gnocchi, meatballs, sausage, bread, and decadent desserts. Choose your pasta shape, sauce, and topping, or simply lean on the advice of the knowledgeable waitstaff. The tagliere cutting board is piled high with prosciutto, burrata, green olives, artichoke hearts, and marinated vegetables beckoning a dunk of focaccia with every bite, while the risotto and tagliata are cooked to perfection and the spaghetti with mussels and clams will have you reenacting Lady and the Tramp. For the finale, get your camera ready for the table-side tiramisu drenched in espresso and topped with mascarpone fresco. The outdoor patio is inviting year-round, even in winter when heat lamps, wool blankets, and sheepskin rugs keep things cozy.
4161 Voltaire St., San Diego, California, 92107, USA
Known For
- Nearly everything made from scratch
- Authentic Italian cuisine
- Excellent vegan options
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$$ | |
The ultramodern Italian eatery with young Milanese owners gets cheers for its design and cuisine from hip Little Italy residents and visitors alike. Diners linger over drinks and house-made pasta at the friendly long bar and more intimate upstairs dining room. Small plates designed for sharing include fried saffron risotto balls and meatballs with a spicy tomato dipping sauce. Pasta Your Way offers full and half-portion pastas with one of 10 sauces, plus chicken, shrimp, or meatballs if desired. Traditional soups, salads, and meat and seafood dishes pair well with one of the many Italian wines available by glass or bottle. Parking can be challenging but the Little Italy valet service is available after 5 pm.
750 W. Fir St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Mix-and-match pasta entrées
- Gluten-free pasta options
- Traditional Italian tiramisu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.
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$$ | East Village | Italian
A restaurant and gourmet market converge at this boisterous warehouse-like space that's outfitted in copper light fixtures, intricate tilework, and marble-topped tables. Dining here is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the stomach, with house-made pastas, freshly shaken cocktails, and Italian meats that double as decor thanks to the open-kitchen culinary stations. The menu is broken up into appetizers like smashed avocado bruschetta and can't-miss meatballs before moving on to pizzas, pastas, and more hearty fare like lamb osso buco or sea bass with toasted farro and chive oil. Postdinner, stop by the market for olive oils, sauces, cookbooks, and other treats.
1195 Island Ave., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Shareable meatball trio
- Salami and cheese bar
- All-you-can drink mimosas during brunch
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | North Park |
This long-standing North Park coffee roaster and café expands its evening offerings to include local beer, wine, and Italian-style cocktails.
3933 30th St., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
Known For
- Neapolitan pizzas
- House-roasted espresso
- Campari cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. evening
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$$ | Little Italy | Italian
With its innovative, affordable Italian food, polished service, bustling bar scene and olive tree–shaded patio, this Chicago transplant is right at home in Little Italy. Sip the Davanti Spritz (Aperol, prosecco, and soda) while nibbling on their famous cheesy focaccia sweetened with honey or antipasti cheeses, meats, and olives. Dine family-style, sharing slices of thin-crust pizza, plates of classic pastas like cacio e pepe, or a steaming bowl of mascarpone polenta topped with the ragu of the day. Desserts veer classic Italian, like tiramisu, cannolis, and a goat cheese cheesecake. There's a second location in Del Mar.
1655 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Build you own Bloody Mary bar during weekend brunch
- Cheesy focaccia appetizer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
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$$ | La Jolla |
Between music by Pavarotti, the checkered tablecloths, and the sight of homemade pasta and free-flowing vino, you’ll swear you’ve died and gone to Italy. At this cozy La Jolla Shores eatery, northern and southwestern Italian flavors have fused into culinary magic—house-made breads, sauces, gnocchi, and pastas like pappardelle with braised lamb, and linguine with mussels—since 2004. The breaded veal and lobster ravioli are both exceptional. Pork osso buco in port wine sauce is a popular main course that can be enjoyed alfresco on warm summer nights on the dog-friendly patio. Despite its size, the tiramisu with espresso-dipped ladyfingers goes down way too easy.
2151 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Tender lamb pappardelle
- Cozy Italian vibe
- Homemade pasta, breads, and sauces
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.
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$ | |
Situated in the heart of Little Italy, it's a convenient spot to drop in for coffee between boutique shopping or to tuck in for an indulgent affogato (gelato with espresso) afterward. Kids and adults alike will swoon over the addictive gelato, while those seeking something savory can choose from a selection of panini and other snacks.
1602 State St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Handcrafted gelato
- Rich, foamy cappuccinos
- Croissant gelato
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$ | South Park |
Fresh homemade pasta served as the diner wants it is the mantra at this cozy Italian restaurant. Opt for indoor seating, which offers a charming, old-world feel, with warm lighting, wood beam ceilings, and exposed brick.
1947 Fern St., San Diego, California, 92102, USA
Known For
- Make-it-your-own pasta menu
- Sizable portions
- Traditional antipasti plates
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$$ | Point Loma |
Two sons carry on the tradition of Italian home cooking begun by their father more than 55 years ago at this neighborhood favorite. House specialties like shrimp puttanesca, and bow-tie pasta tossed with prosciutto, peas, and mushrooms in a rose-tinted cream sauce reflect the family’s origins in Southern Italy. The well-priced selection of veal, chicken, and seafood dishes is excellent, but many regulars settle for the lavishly garnished antipasto salad and one of the tender-crusted signature pizzas.
3663 Voltaire St., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- Huge portions
- Some of the best pizza in Point Loma
- Quaint and cozy setting
