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Best Authentic Restaurants in Santee

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17 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Antica Trattoria restaurant
1. Antica Trattoria
4.8
Exceptional(2396)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Italian • La Mesa
Booked 13 times today
Antica Trattoria is a genuine Italian restaurant with a warm, old-fashioned hospitality vibe. It's loved for its fresh, authentic Italian cuisine, which is prepared with simplicity, honesty, and a hint of Sicilian flair as Executive Chef Francesco Basile recalls his upbringing by the seaside in Sicily. As one reviewer put it, 'If you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine this is the place to go.' The consistent high ratings for food, ambiance, and service further confirm its authenticity.
A photo of Limoncello La Mesa restaurant
2. Limoncello La Mesa
4.6
Exceptional(311)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • North Park
Booked 11 times today
Welcome to Limoncello, your go-to destination for authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of La Mesa. At Limoncello, we pride ourselves on delivering a true taste of Italy with our carefully curated menu inspired by traditional family recipes passed down through generations. Our dishes showcase the rich flavors of Italy, crafted using only the finest and freshest ingredients sourced locally and from Italy. From classic pasta dishes to mouthwatering pizzas and delectable desserts, each plate is a celebration of Italian culinary heritage. Come savor the warmth and hospitality of Italy right here in La Mesa at Limoncello, where every meal is a journey to the heart of Italian flavors.
A photo of Casa Gabriela restaurant
3. Casa Gabriela
4.6
Exceptional(768)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • La Mesa
Booked 31 times today
Casa Gabriela serves authentic Mexican cuisine crafted by Chef Gabriela Lopez, who brings her own grandmother's recipes from Guadalajara and her cosmopolitan upbringing in Tijuana to the table. The menu is praised for its unique twist on traditional flavors and the restaurant is lauded for its authentic food and great ambiance. Reviews often highlight the restaurant's authenticity and the chef's friendly and welcoming demeanor.
A photo of Trattoria Da Sofia restaurant
4. Trattoria Da Sofia
4.6
Exceptional(199)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Kensington
Booked 41 times today
Trattoria da Sofia is a brand new Italian restaurant located in the charming Kensington neighborhood of San Diego. Trattoria da Sofia features delicious, comforting Italian dishes paired with warm Italian hospitality. By day, the Trattoria is your new favorite coffee shop and cafe.
A photo of Aromi Italian Cuisine restaurant
5. Aromi Italian Cuisine
4.6
Exceptional(249)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • La Mesa
Booked 10 times today
Aromi Italian Cuisine is lauded for its authentic Italian food, with reviews praising its fresh ingredients, traditional recipes and homemade taste. The restaurant's ambiance is also often compared to dining in Italy, making it a true Italian experience.
A photo of The Godfather Restaurant restaurant
6. The Godfather Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1894)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Kearny Mesa
Booked 29 times today
The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian monument in downtown San Diego providing authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy. Established in 1974, The Godfather is a sophisticated and classy establishment that centers around generational recipes from both Northern and Southern Italy. Over the years, the quality of food and standard of service has never declined and thus garnered The Godfather a national recognition as one of the top twenty-five Italian restaurants in the entire nation. The menu is filled with classic favorites based in steak, chicken and pasta. For an intimate evening for two, try the Sicilian kiss prix fixe meal that includes a bottle of champagne.
A photo of Bleu Boheme restaurant
7. Bleu Boheme
4.8
Exceptional(3557)
Price: Expensive
• French • Kensington
Booked 19 times today
"World travel and its pleasures; items brought back from different places for décors; great stories shared with others; and very importantly, simple, yet delicious recipes from different cultures. Our mission is humble. It is simply for people coming to our restaurant to be transported around the world, and to travel with us for an evening, to a place of well-being and happiness."Bleu Bohème is designed to create a feeling of France's past generations. It mixes the Bohemian and artistic free spirited left bank of Paris with the roots and tradition of the rural areas. Bleu Bohème is a neighborhood restaurant that serves accessible, affordable and comforting French cuisine.
A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Diego, CA | Scripps Ranch restaurant
8. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Diego, CA | Scripps Ranch
4.5
Awesome(992)
Price: Expensive
• Japanese • Scripps Ranch
Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other! Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!
A photo of Farmer's Table - La Mesa restaurant
9. Farmer's Table - La Mesa
4.3
Awesome(2025)
Price: Moderate
• Farm-to-table • La Mesa
Booked 10 times today
Excited to announce that we officially have four locations open in San Diego including Bay Park, Little Italy, La Mesa, and Chula Vista. As a family run operation we believe every good neighborhood deserves an eatery where locals and visitors can enjoy “honest food done right”. Here at Farmers Table, we specialize in farm-to-fork cuisine that focuses on bringing locally sourced organic ingredients together to be savored in an inviting family-friendly atmosphere, where adults and children can enjoy many different food options that are just right for them. If you are looking for a magical brunch this week, come stop by for an unforgettable night.
A photo of DiLeone's Italian Restaurant restaurant
10. DiLeone's Italian Restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(9)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Rancho San Diego
From the moment you walk in the door at DiLeone's Italian Restaurant, you know you are in for truly old world dining experience. We proudly serve authentic Italian cuisine giving us the distinction of one of San Diego's finest Italian Restaurants for over 35 years.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

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