Italian Restaurants

Amidst a sea of Italian restaurants, Asti Ristorante in San Diego’s Gaslamp District is one that should not be overlooked. Specializing in Northern Italian cuisine, Asti does not disappoint. Whether you stop in for lunch or for dinner, Asti’s extensive selection of hand-made pastas, fresh seafood or traditional chicken, beef or veal entrees are sure to please even the pickiest diners. The restaurant offers outdoor seating overlooking the Gaslamp’s bustling 5th Avenue, as well as indoor dining in the restaurant’s meticulously decorated dining room. Asti Ristorante is one of the few restaurants in downtown San Diego that can please both … Learn More »

Salvucci’s is more than just a name. It’s food, rooted in our culture and traditions. It’s recipes, passed down from generation to generation; each adding their own unique touch while still honoring the integrity of the original flavors. It’s community, where neighbors are family and bonds are built and strengthened around the kitchen table. Salvucci's Ristorante brings delicious, homemade meals, pairing traditional Italian recipes with locally-sourced ingredients. The menu includes daily homemade pastas, hand tossed wood-fired pizzas, fresh seasonal salads, and fresh baked breads. Learn More »

Italian rusticity meets modern sophistication at Baci Ristorante, where an Old World appreciation for quality and service marries seamlessly with contemporary style and warmth. The rich, mahogany bar sets an elegant yet unassuming tone, while the classic Italian cuisine menu showcases the brilliance of fresh seafood, succulent meat, and rich accompaniments. Dine in the subtly modern dining room surrounded by art deco accents and crisp white linens, or dine al fresco on the romantic patio. No matter where you sit, a decadent and satisfying meal is sure to be had. Learn More »

While it may be physically impossible to bring a Florentine trattoria to San Diego, Chef and Owner Martin Gonzalez has come remarkably close. Acqua Al 2 is the sister restaurant of the original Acqua Al 2, located on the Via della Vigna Vecchia in Florence. Using the same menu, recipes, and cooking techniques, Acqua Al 2 offers authentic Tuscan-style dining right in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp district. The charming ambiance hints of old world Italy, while the aromatic and flavorful dishes exude authenticity. Anyone considering an escape to Italy should first pay a visit to this local favorite. Learn More »

A hidden gem nestled inside the Coast Walk in La Jolla features authentic Italian cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Filippo Piccini. Homemade pasta, fresh ravioli delicious risotto and a unique selection of wines accompanied by amazing ocean views in a romantic, yet relaxed rustic dining room emphasized by a contemporary décor is just the beginning of your new Italian experience. Learn More »

Leucadia Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, In beautiful Rancho Santa Fe has earned the reputation for being the place to visit for fresh and flavorful cuisine. This Leucadia Pizzeria has been open for over 20 years and is quietly nestled in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe, happily catering to a loyal local clientele with a menu packed full of family-friendly dishes and casual dining options. Our friendly staff ensures that guests enjoy a consistently satisfying experience, where an impressive selection of pizzas attracts many, and the Build Your Own Pizza combinations are vast and creative. More traditional Italian entrees like … Learn More »

Andiamo! Ristorante is a delightful northern Italian restaurant in Tierrasanta. We have been serving San Diego for 21 years in a comfortable, elegant atmosphere that caters to every occasion. Our servers and cooks are all 'family' here, and we want you to have a magnifico experience on every visit. Andiamo! means "Let's go! in Italian. With our wonderful selection of mouth watering entrees at reasonable prices, soon you'll be shouting "Andiamo!" to bring the whole family too. We provide family-friendly service with a bambino (kid) menu, comfotable booths, high-chairs and booster seats. Learn More »

It’s often hard to choose a restaurant on 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp. There are many enticing hostesses with even more enticing menus on display out front, but with so many options, it can still be a difficult choice to make. Luckily, there’s one restaurant on 5th that emits a radiant glow of friendly service, quality food, and reasonable prices. Chianti has been a 5th Avenue mainstay for nearly a decade for many reasons, including the knowledgeable staff and fresh, delicious, authentic Italian food. The décor is elegant and relaxing, with paintings of the Italian countryside adorning the walls and … Learn More »

Taking inspiration from a primary ingredient, Pomodoro Ristorante boasts a décor that features more than one nod to that master fruit, the tomato. With curtains hanging over the dining room’s large windows and accent pieces that could have come from Grandmother’s home, Pomodoro is both casual and comfortable. Fresh, house-made pastas and sauces drive in that home-away-from-home feeling, while the full menu of sumptuous Italian specialties confirms you’re in a special place. The heated patio makes dining al fresco a possibility any time, especially with the Point Loma breezes beckoning us out to play. Learn More »

Working under the motto: “Some people cater… we indulge,” Indulge Contemporary Catering prides itself on accommodating all your needs. From capturing your unique style and theme in the event’s décor and atmosphere to crafting each gourmet event menu around the highest quality ingredients, no touch is overlooked. Indulge offers referrals to services like musicians, photographers, hair stylists, and event venues to ensure everything lives up to their high standards. Enjoy your event knowing that you’re in the expert care of Indulge Contemporary Catering. Learn More »

Owner Roberto Vigilucci grew up in Milan, Italy. So it should come as no surprise that dining in one of his three restaurants is like taking a mini vacation to Italy. The combination of authentic Italian cuisine, Italian wait staff, and award winning wine selections provide a truly unique and memorable experience. Learn More »

Step inside Il Fornaio and take a culinary journey through Italy. Early mornings bring rustic, crisp crusted bread hot from the oven accompanied by the scent of fresh brewed espresso. During lunch and dinner hours, pastas and flavorful sauces simmer while meats and vegetables roast over hot coals. Learn More »

At this family-run Italian restaurant, Chef-owner Stefano Ceresoli has transported the essence of his Milan birthplace to the beautiful setting of Pacific Beach. As a native who knows the niceties of Mediterranean dining, Chef Stefano prides himself in the bona fide Italian ambiance of his restaurant, accenting the space with mood lighting and decorative gold metalwork. His Northern Italian cuisine includes a variety of homemade pastas, complemented by rich sauces such as Saffron and Creamy Tomato. With scrumptious signature entrees, over thirty selections of wood-fired pizza, and a superb wine list with over 70 bottles, Caffe Bella Italia is a … Learn More »

While far from the urban bustle of downtown San Diego, Via Lago exudes cosmopolitan charm. Located at the Village Walk at Eastlake, the restaurant is well worth the short drive from central San Diego, thanks to a modern, elegant atmosphere, spot-on professional service, and a menu of Sicilian favorites that will redefine your notion of Italian cuisine. Overseen by Joe Busalacchi, the kitchen turns out dish after mouthwatering dish using fresh ingredients and inventive combinations, such as Ramigna Alla Contadina, pasta with artichokes, chicken, zucchini, eggplant, tomato, garlic, basil, and ricotta salata, or Pasta Palermitana, rigatoni with spicy Italian sausage, … Learn More »

Kitchen 4140 owner Chef Kurt Metzger is a trail blazer in San Diego’s organic dining scene, purchasing products from local farms and using ingredients from his onsite garden. He uses this plentiful bounty to provide diners with a fusion of Italian, Mexican, and French cuisine. Taste these truly fresh ingredients in signature dishes such as Steak Hash with wild mushrooms, red onion, fire roasted peppers, two poached eggs, chive-chervil crème fraiche or the Kitchen Pasta-- linguini with tomatoes from the garden, basil garlic and shrimp. Dine here for a satisfying meal made with good old fashioned TLC-- tender love and … Learn More »

Since 1976, Armstrong Catering has been a San Diego institution. Providing top-notch, professional, and affordable services throughout the county, this family-owned company is dedicated to the cause of giving you the event of your dreams – maybe one better than you could imagine. Weddings turn magical, themed parties are unforgettable, and corporate events reflect impeccable taste under the expert eye of Armstrong Catering. They even offer their own historic facility that boasts grand architectural details, along with scenic surroundings and an outdoor patio to suit all your event-hosting needs. Learn More »

Buca di Beppo is neighborhood restaurant where guests feast on family platters of real Italian specialties in a boisterous, celebratory environment that recalls the Italian-American supper clubs of the 1940s and '50s. It's the marriage of Italy's oldest cuisines and the bounty of America, rich in tradition yet alive with innovation. Learn More »

For a unique blend of Italian cuisine fused with the flavors of California, Cucina Urbana is a one-of-a-kind fine dining destination in the heart of Banker’s Hill. The interior is reminiscent of an old farm house and a modernized kitchen, with bold abstract paintings on the wall and rich accents of rustic wood. The cuisine is predominantly Italian, such as gourmet pizzas and handmade pastas, but the inspiration from California comes from the subtle flavors, the cooking style, and the stresses of using local and organic ingredients whenever possible. Cucina Urbana is also a Wine Shop-- and the possibilities of … Learn More »

Osteria Romantica provides a chic, casual, and relaxing atmosphere for enjoying wonderful company, cuisine, and drink. This restaurant was designed to reflect the osterias of Italy, where locals commune around fresh food and good wine; indeed, La Jolla Shores locals and visitors alike raise their glasses—and forks—to the common goal of enjoying authentic cuisine and company. As the likes of Pavarotti and other legends woo you with their crooning, Romantica’s sophisticated décor invites you into an intimate setting punctuated by nostalgic accent pieces and mementos. Similarly, the refined yet hearty menu of Italian specialties is both familiar and intriguing. The … Learn More »

Sit at a table at Firenze Trattoria and let yourself be transported to Italy. The quaint Italian restaurant, tucked in the hills of Encinitas, seems worlds away from the bustle of San Diego. Whether you choose to dine on the soothing outdoor patio or calm, or inside the elegant interior dining room, you are sure to feel at ease. The cuisine is as authentic as the space, with an extensive menu of savory Italian fare including alluring pastas and risottos, fresh, flavorful fish, and tempting house specialties such as Veal Scaloppini, Chicken Piccata, and Eggplant Parmesan. An extensive, Italian-centric wine … Learn More »