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Where To Eat Italian Food in San Diego

Everything from pizza to pasta and in-between

by Jackie Bryant
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by Jackie Bryant
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Marked more by cozy neighborhood trattorias than flashy fine dining, there are plenty of options for eating Italian food in San Diego. Spanning restaurants boasting Italian-American-style “red sauce” dishes to those capturing the true spirit of Italian cooking by using few ingredients of exceptionally high quality, here’s where to find Italian food in San Diego.

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Sicilia Bella

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Plates-to-go and imported Italian dry and wet goods are the staple at downtown La Jolla’s Sicila Bella. Stop in to sit down for the pasta dishes, too.

7918 Ivanhoe Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 263-4614
(858) 263-4614

Catania

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A varied menu spanning antipasti, pizza and pasta combined with ocean views make Catania one of the more popular dining options in downtown La Jolla.

7863 Girard Ave #301, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551-5105
(858) 551-5105
Catania Courtesy photo

Isola Pizza Bar

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Neapolitan-style pizza is the main draw at Isola’s multiple locations, but regulars know their rotating pasta specials are also well worth a try. The restaurant also imports wine made in Italy by the owner’s family.

7734 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 412-5566
(858) 412-5566
Isola Pizza Bar Courtesy photo

Ambrogio15

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This Milanese-style pizzeria specializes in ultra-thin crust pizzas while boasting a natural and biodynamic-focused wine list.

926 Turquoise St h, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 291-8650
(858) 291-8650
ambrogio Courtesy photo

Also featured in:

Enoteca Adriano

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Pacific Beach’s Enoteca Adriano is a cozy neighborhood joint with an Italian wine list worth checking out. A static regular menu is bolstered by an ever-changing list of specials, including pasta dishes.

4864 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 490-0085
(858) 490-0085

Oltre Mare

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A frequently-changing menu highlights pasta dishes at this cozy, no-frills Italian restaurant. Seafood dishes are particularly loved by regulars.

4286 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 272-7247
(858) 272-7247

Antica Trattoria

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In-season vegetables and high quality products are the star at La Mesa’s Antica Trattoria, which has a menu consisting of appetizers, main dishes and pasta dishes.

5654 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 463-9919
(619) 463-9919

Maestoso

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Maestoso opened in 2018 to a waning Hillcrest dining scene and now features rotating small plates cart and a type of pizza called a pinza among other specialties.

1040 University Ave ste. B101, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 642-0777
(619) 642-0777
maestoso Courtesy photo

Giardino

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Lemon Grove is home to Giardino, which is a quaint neighborhood Italian restaurant serving classic dishes alongside other creations from Italian chef and owner Marco Provino.

8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(619) 825-7112
(619) 825-7112
Courtesy photo

Also featured in:

Cesarina

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Once a fresh pasta pop-up and now a full-service brick-and-mortar restaurant in the upper Voltaire section of Point Loma, Cesarina focuses on fresh pasta dishes but also boasts a menu of other antipasta and main courses. Beer and wine only. The restaurant also serves a separate vegan menu.

4161 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 226-6222
(619) 226-6222
Courtesy rendering

Also featured in:

Ulivo Restaurant

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Ocean Beach’s Ulivo has an extensive menu of pasta dishes but is best known for their version of linguine alla vongole.

1776 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 224-2227
(619) 224-2227

Solare

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Though Liberty Station’s Solare no longer has its award-winning head chef, Accuriso Lota, at the helm, the team continues to crank out inventive and quality Italian dishes at a slightly higher price point than other Italian restaurants in town.

2820 Roosevelt Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 270-9670
(619) 270-9670
Courtesy photo

Also featured in:

CUCINA urbana

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With three San Diego locations in Bankers Hill, Kensington and Del Mar, the Cucina family of restaurants is well-known in town for being one of the best Italian dining options. Pasta dishes are a particular joy, with creative twists being thrown into classic dishes.

505 Laurel St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2222
(619) 239-2222

Also featured in:

Piacere Mio

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A no-frills South Park trattoria, Piacere Mio shines with its fresh pasta selections and ever-changing list of specials.

1947 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 794-2543
(619) 794-2543

Also featured in:

Mona Lisa Italian Foods

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Mona Lisa is well-loved for both its market, which features imported Italian products, but also its restaurant, which has faithfully been serving classic Italian-American-styled red sauce dishes for decades.

2061 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-4893
(619) 234-4893

Also featured in:

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RoVino Rotisserie + Wine

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Rotisserie is the star at RoVino, which specializes in roasted meats and an impressive Italian-focused wine program. The owners of the restaurant will also open an Italian market soon.

2034 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-9341
(619) 269-9341

Monello

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Aperitivo is the main event at Little Italy’s Monello, the slightly more casual sister restaurant to Bencotto, which is just next door. Spring for the housemade vermouth cocktails with accompanying small plates and don’t skip the pasta in a wheel of cheese special.

750 W Fir St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 501-0030
(619) 501-0030
Courtesy photo

Also featured in:

Civico 1845

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Pastas, antipasti and main dishes span two menus at this Little Italy restaurant: vegan and not. Even for those who don’t have plant-based diets, the vegan menu is well-worth a try.

1845 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 431-5990
(619) 431-5990

Also featured in:

Buona Forchetta - South Park

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One of San Diego’s most beloved Neapolitan-style pizzas can be found at Buona Forchetta, which now has multiple locations throughout San Diego County in addition to its original location in South Park.

3001 Beech St, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 381-4844
(619) 381-4844
Buona Forchetta Courtesy photo

Also featured in:

Biga

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Some of the best Italian food in San Diego (or anywhere else, for that matter) can be found at hidden gem Biga at the tip of the Gaslamp. Pizzas and pastas shine alongside other dishes made with fresh and local produce.

950 Sixth Ave C, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 794-0444
(619) 794-0444
Facebook

Also featured in:

Mattarello Cooking Lab

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Two Milanese restaurateurs opened Mattarello Cooking Lab in the Gaslamp in 2018. A retail section for fresh pasta boasts a menu that features products and pasta dishes made in-house.

518 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 717-0173
(858) 717-0173
Courtesy photo

Monzu Fresh Pasta

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East Village’s Monzu Fresh Pasta opened in 2018 and features—as the name states—a whole lot of fresh pasta. The Italian-born couple that owns the restaurant trained under some of Italy’s master pasta makers. The restaurant’s all-day menu follows traditional pasta making techniques and flavors inspired by regions including Sicily, Campania and Puglia. The cacio e pepe ravioli is a particular must-try.

455 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-5032
(619) 255-5032
Cacio e Pepe Raviolo at Monzu Phaedra Cook

Also featured in:

Maretalia

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A recent revamp of the island’s “coastal Italian” restaurant added a raw bar featuring seafood-focused plates and a dedicated pasta kitchen that can be viewed from the dining room.

1300 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 522-0946
(619) 522-0946
Courtesy photo

Also featured in:

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Sicilia Bella

7918 Ivanhoe Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Plates-to-go and imported Italian dry and wet goods are the staple at downtown La Jolla’s Sicila Bella. Stop in to sit down for the pasta dishes, too.

7918 Ivanhoe Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 263-4614
(858) 263-4614

Catania

7863 Girard Ave #301, La Jolla, CA 92037

A varied menu spanning antipasti, pizza and pasta combined with ocean views make Catania one of the more popular dining options in downtown La Jolla.

7863 Girard Ave #301, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 551-5105
(858) 551-5105
Catania Courtesy photo

Isola Pizza Bar

7734 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Neapolitan-style pizza is the main draw at Isola’s multiple locations, but regulars know their rotating pasta specials are also well worth a try. The restaurant also imports wine made in Italy by the owner’s family.

7734 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 412-5566
(858) 412-5566
Isola Pizza Bar Courtesy photo

Ambrogio15

926 Turquoise St h, San Diego, CA 92109

This Milanese-style pizzeria specializes in ultra-thin crust pizzas while boasting a natural and biodynamic-focused wine list.

926 Turquoise St h, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 291-8650
(858) 291-8650
ambrogio Courtesy photo

Enoteca Adriano

4864 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109

Pacific Beach’s Enoteca Adriano is a cozy neighborhood joint with an Italian wine list worth checking out. A static regular menu is bolstered by an ever-changing list of specials, including pasta dishes.

4864 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 490-0085
(858) 490-0085

Oltre Mare

4286 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109

A frequently-changing menu highlights pasta dishes at this cozy, no-frills Italian restaurant. Seafood dishes are particularly loved by regulars.

4286 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 272-7247
(858) 272-7247

Antica Trattoria

5654 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

In-season vegetables and high quality products are the star at La Mesa’s Antica Trattoria, which has a menu consisting of appetizers, main dishes and pasta dishes.

5654 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 463-9919
(619) 463-9919

Maestoso

1040 University Ave ste. B101, San Diego, CA 92103

Maestoso opened in 2018 to a waning Hillcrest dining scene and now features rotating small plates cart and a type of pizza called a pinza among other specialties.

1040 University Ave ste. B101, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 642-0777
(619) 642-0777
maestoso Courtesy photo

Giardino

8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945

Lemon Grove is home to Giardino, which is a quaint neighborhood Italian restaurant serving classic dishes alongside other creations from Italian chef and owner Marco Provino.

8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(619) 825-7112
(619) 825-7112
Courtesy photo

Cesarina

4161 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107

Once a fresh pasta pop-up and now a full-service brick-and-mortar restaurant in the upper Voltaire section of Point Loma, Cesarina focuses on fresh pasta dishes but also boasts a menu of other antipasta and main courses. Beer and wine only. The restaurant also serves a separate vegan menu.

4161 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 226-6222
(619) 226-6222
Courtesy rendering

Ulivo Restaurant

1776 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

Ocean Beach’s Ulivo has an extensive menu of pasta dishes but is best known for their version of linguine alla vongole.

1776 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 224-2227
(619) 224-2227

Solare

2820 Roosevelt Rd, San Diego, CA 92106

Though Liberty Station’s Solare no longer has its award-winning head chef, Accuriso Lota, at the helm, the team continues to crank out inventive and quality Italian dishes at a slightly higher price point than other Italian restaurants in town.

2820 Roosevelt Rd, San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 270-9670
(619) 270-9670
Courtesy photo

CUCINA urbana

505 Laurel St, San Diego, CA 92101

With three San Diego locations in Bankers Hill, Kensington and Del Mar, the Cucina family of restaurants is well-known in town for being one of the best Italian dining options. Pasta dishes are a particular joy, with creative twists being thrown into classic dishes.

505 Laurel St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2222
(619) 239-2222

Piacere Mio

1947 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92102

A no-frills South Park trattoria, Piacere Mio shines with its fresh pasta selections and ever-changing list of specials.

1947 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 794-2543
(619) 794-2543

Mona Lisa Italian Foods

2061 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Mona Lisa is well-loved for both its market, which features imported Italian products, but also its restaurant, which has faithfully been serving classic Italian-American-styled red sauce dishes for decades.

2061 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-4893
(619) 234-4893

Related Maps

RoVino Rotisserie + Wine

2034 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Rotisserie is the star at RoVino, which specializes in roasted meats and an impressive Italian-focused wine program. The owners of the restaurant will also open an Italian market soon.

2034 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-9341
(619) 269-9341

Monello

750 W Fir St, San Diego, CA 92101

Aperitivo is the main event at Little Italy’s Monello, the slightly more casual sister restaurant to Bencotto, which is just next door. Spring for the housemade vermouth cocktails with accompanying small plates and don’t skip the pasta in a wheel of cheese special.

750 W Fir St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 501-0030
(619) 501-0030
Courtesy photo

Civico 1845

1845 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Pastas, antipasti and main dishes span two menus at this Little Italy restaurant: vegan and not. Even for those who don’t have plant-based diets, the vegan menu is well-worth a try.

1845 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 431-5990
(619) 431-5990

Buona Forchetta - South Park

3001 Beech St, San Diego, CA 92102

One of San Diego’s most beloved Neapolitan-style pizzas can be found at Buona Forchetta, which now has multiple locations throughout San Diego County in addition to its original location in South Park.

3001 Beech St, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 381-4844
(619) 381-4844
Buona Forchetta Courtesy photo

Biga

950 Sixth Ave C, San Diego, CA 92101

Some of the best Italian food in San Diego (or anywhere else, for that matter) can be found at hidden gem Biga at the tip of the Gaslamp. Pizzas and pastas shine alongside other dishes made with fresh and local produce.

950 Sixth Ave C, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 794-0444
(619) 794-0444
Facebook

Mattarello Cooking Lab

518 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Two Milanese restaurateurs opened Mattarello Cooking Lab in the Gaslamp in 2018. A retail section for fresh pasta boasts a menu that features products and pasta dishes made in-house.

518 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 717-0173
(858) 717-0173
Courtesy photo

Monzu Fresh Pasta

455 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

East Village’s Monzu Fresh Pasta opened in 2018 and features—as the name states—a whole lot of fresh pasta. The Italian-born couple that owns the restaurant trained under some of Italy’s master pasta makers. The restaurant’s all-day menu follows traditional pasta making techniques and flavors inspired by regions including Sicily, Campania and Puglia. The cacio e pepe ravioli is a particular must-try.

455 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-5032
(619) 255-5032
Cacio e Pepe Raviolo at Monzu Phaedra Cook

Maretalia

1300 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118

A recent revamp of the island’s “coastal Italian” restaurant added a raw bar featuring seafood-focused plates and a dedicated pasta kitchen that can be viewed from the dining room.

1300 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 522-0946
(619) 522-0946
Courtesy photo

Related Maps