A charming city in California, right on the Pacific Coast, San Diego is famous for its many beautiful beaches, warm climate, and sprawling parks, making it a perfect summer destination for everyone. Also, when it comes to art, the city will surely won’t disappoint with its diverse art galleries, fascinating museums, lovely gardens, and artist studios. Additionally, the place is boasting numerous restaurants that offer different cuisines from around the world. But if it is Italian cooking you’re craving, then you should check out our list of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego, California, as your guide.
1. Civico 1845
A charming Italian restaurant in San Diego, Civico 1845 has a rustic-vintage kind of setup, which you can see in the reclaimed wood that lines the space as well as in its use of decorative vintage utensils. Apart from the cozy dining room, the restaurant has patio seating, where you can watch people pass by as you savor the food spread on your table. The food here is mainly contemporary Italian favorites with vegan and gluten-free options. There is homemade pasta, grilled dishes, salads, and a lot more. You can also pair your meal with a bottle from the selection of Italian wines.
Civico 1845
Address: 1845 India St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Civico 1845
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm
2. CUCINA urbana
Poised in the center of Banker Hills, CUCINA urbana is a highly acclaimed Cal-Ital restaurant that features a stylish space with a rustic-meets-bohemian-sophisticate kind of vibe, which is evident in the beautiful hanging lights, reclaimed wood, and unique artworks. The dishes here are made from scratch and use farm-fresh produce as well as organic ingredients. The menu can be described as California’s take on Italian cooking, which you’ll notice when you order from the variety of innovative pizzas, homemade pasta, creative seafood dishes, and more. Apart from the food, the restaurant also has a wine shop with handcrafted cocktails.
CUCINA urbana
Address: 505 Laurel St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: CUCINA urbana
Opening hours: Mon: 5pm - 9pm; Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri: 11:30am - 10:30pm; Sat: 5pm - 10:30pm; Sun: 4:30pm - 9pm
3. Biga
Featuring an open kitchen and a casual setup with modern decor, Biga is a food-focused kind of restaurant that offers authentic Italian fare. A lot of locals love its Neapolitan-style pizza, which some say must be considered as San Diego’s hidden treasure. Apart from this, you’ll find in the menu pasta, focaccia, sandwich rolls, homemade smoked ricotta, and other tasty offerings. Moreover, the establishment is also popular for its locally roasted coffee.
Biga
Address: 950 Sixth Ave C, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Biga
Opening hours: Tue: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 8pm; Wed - Thu: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 9am - 10pm; Sun: 8am - 2pm, 5pm - 8pm (closed on Mon)
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4. Buon Appetito Restaurant
Located in Little Italy in San Diego, Buon Appetito Restaurant brings you the authentic flavors of Italy at a fair price. What the restaurant lacks in space, it makes up for in its large mouthwatering menu of Italian dishes, including varieties of pasta, antipasti, lasagne e ravioli, carne e pesce, as well as a great selection of desserts. While dining here, you can also order wine from the next-door wine bar to pair it with your meal. You know what they say, an Italian meal wouldn’t be complete without an excellent glass of wine.
Buon Appetito Restaurant
Address: 1609 India St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Buon Appetito Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 12 - 10pm
5. RoVino Rotisserie + Wine
A cozy restaurant in Little Italy known for its rotisserie chicken and wine, RoVino Rotisserie + Wine has a small Italian menu made up of homemade pasta, pizza, small bites, flatbread, salads, and more. As for the venue, the little space is charming with an exposed brick design and hand-painted Italian tiles. Also, the place includes sidewalk patio seating, which is perfect for people-watching. Additionally, if you want a discount on drinks, there is a happy-hour promo, where most of the spirits are sold at a lesser price.
RoVino Rotisserie + Wine
Address: 2034 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: RoVino Rotisserie + Wine
Opening hours: Mon: 3pm - 10pm; Tue - Thu & Sun: 11am - 10pm; Fri -Sat: 11am - 11pm
6. Davanti Enoteca
With two branches in San Diego, one in Del Mar and the other in Little Italy, Davanti Enoteca is a Chicago-based restaurant that offers Italian dishes with a modern twist. It has a mid-priced menu that offers small and large servings. But aside from Italian fare, you’ll also love its selection of wine and cocktails as well as the make-your-own-bloody-Mary bar, which is the star of its weekend brunch offerings. Another great thing not to be missed during your visit is the rustic-chic setup and patio seating, which will make any guest want to take a picture.
Davanti Enoteca
Address: 1655 India St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Davanti Enoteca
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 9pm
7. Bencotto
A chic restaurant that is often buzzing with customers, Bencotto offers classic Italian dishes at a very reasonable price. One of the things that separate this spot from the rest of the Italian restaurants in San Diego is its over 100 possible pairings of handmade pasta and sauce. But aside from this, you should come back for the desserts, superb cocktails, and the architect-designed space. Also, making a reservation is a must here, so make sure to book a table ahead of time.
Bencotto
Address: 750 W Fir St #103, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Bencotto
Opening hours: Mon: 5pm - 9:30pm; Tue - Sun: 11:30am - 9:30pm
8. Enoteca Adriano
Are you craving for pasta and pizza? Enoteca Adriano will surely satisfy your hunger for Italian food with its selection of refined Italian dishes with a modern twist, but still retaining the taste of traditional Italian flavors. The restaurant has a homey ambiance with many seating options, including an outdoor patio, where you can drink the wine you ordered from the wine menu, while you watch people go on with their regular lives.
Enoteca Adriano
Address: 4864 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109, United States
Website: Enoteca Adriano
Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)
9. Monello
A sleek-looking restaurant in downtown San Diego, Monello offers varieties of handmade pasta, gourmet pizza, and Italian street food, not to mention weekend brunch. The restaurant is known for its excellent and fast service and fairly priced menu. Aside from Italian dishes, cocktails and gluten-free options are also available. Make sure to bring your family with you the next time you visit, because a meal is a lot better when shared with loved ones.
Monello
Address: 750 W Fir St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Monello
Opening hours: Tue -Thu: 11am - 9:30pm; Fri: 11am - 10:30pm; Sat: 10:30am - 10:30pm; Sun: 10:30am - 9:30pm (closed on Mon)
10. Mimmo's Italian Village
Mimmo’s Italian Village features a high-ceilinged space and decor that make it resemble an Italian village, even going as far as installing a small version of Ponte Vecchio. The menu, of course, comprises of classic Italian dishes like lasagna, salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, and more. Additionally, there is a wine bar and outdoor patio, where you can observe people on the streets. Lastly, just a heads-up, the restaurant is on the expensive side, but the price is worth it for the ambiance and excellent food.
Mimmo's Italian Village
Address: 1743 India St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Website: Mimmo’s Italian Village
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 11pm; Sat: 12pm - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm
Visit the wondrous city of San Diego
Nothing beats a vacation in a place with many beaches and good food. Here in San Diego, you can have both without breaking the bank. So what are you waiting for? Plan that itinerary and use our list of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego, California, as one of your foodie guides.
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