Little Italy (San Diego) Restaurants

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Saint James French Diner
4.6
243 reviews
French AmericanPrice: ExpensiveDowntown
Booked 16 times today
The Henry - Coronado
4.8
2,518 reviews
AmericanPrice: ModerateCoronado
Booked 114 times today
Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego
4.7
978 reviews
AmericanPrice: ExpensiveDowntown
Booked 23 times today
Award-winning
Great Maple San Diego
4.8
4,414 reviews
AmericanPrice: ModerateHillcrest
Booked 53 times today
Cocina 35 Coronado
4.6
35 reviews
MexicanPrice: ExpensiveCoronado
Booked 79 times today
Cocina 35 - Downtown
5.0
29 reviews
MexicanPrice: ModerateDowntown
Booked 12 times today
Grant Grill
4.8
1,629 reviews
CalifornianPrice: ExpensiveDowntown
Booked 18 times today
Claim Jumper - San Diego - Bayside
4.3
567 reviews
AmericanPrice: ModerateLittle Italy
Booked 4 times today
Cocina 35 Liberty Station
4.8
32 reviews
MexicanPrice: ModerateShelter Island / San Diego Bay
Booked 71 times today
Marina Kitchen - San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina
4.4
416 reviews
Comfort FoodPrice: ExpensiveDowntown
Booked 22 times today
Seaview
4.7
346 reviews
AmericanPrice: ExpensiveDowntown
Booked 7 times today
Farmer's Bottega Restaurant
4.7
1,609 reviews
AmericanPrice: ModerateMission Hills
Booked 29 times today
Bronze Bird
4.6
152 reviews
CalifornianPrice: ModerateDowntown
Booked 19 times today
ARLO San Diego
4.2
775 reviews
AmericanPrice: ModerateMission Valley
Booked 4 times today
Landshark Bar & Grill - Margaritaville Hotel San Diego
4.1
18 reviews
AmericanPrice: ModerateDowntown
Booked 1 time today

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Check out diners' favorite restaurants in Little Italy (San Diego)

Updated on 1/5/2025

Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.

Pali Wine Co. Little Italy Tasting Room

Pali Wine Co. is located in famous Little Italy, San Diego, steps from the main strip. The family-owned winery highlights the diversity and nuanced qualities of the California Central Coast wine-growing area. From our Pali Pinot Noirs & Chardonnays, to our Tower 15 bold, nuanced wines, and Neighborhood zippy, natural cuvées, our three wine labels are sure to please any pallet.
Stop in for a tasting flight where you can sample wines from our portfolio, step up to the bar for a customized guided tasting or grab a bottle to-go. Our menu features small and sharable plates with locally sourced ingredients ideal for sharing and sipping, including our best-selling burger, charcuterie boards, and seasonal specials.
Join our wine club to enjoy complimentary tastings, receive 20% off all wine, & more exciting benefits!
Weekly events include Comedy Night on Wednesdays, Trivia on Thursdays, as well as live music Friday and Saturday nights. Plus, happy hour deals weekdays 4-6pm!

Join us for a full sensory journey through the Yucatán in our sultry dining room and open air lounge. SDCM Corporate Executive Chef, Brian Redzikowski has curated an eclectic menu that integrates his unique style with Mexican cuisine. The bar program is built on classic cocktails while celebrating the spirits and flavors from all over Latin America. We source rare expressions of mezcal and tequila from some of the most revered producers in Mexico.
We accept requests for both environments but cannot guarantee the ability to accommodate all requests.

Sorrento Ristorante offers traditional Italian cuisines in its warm and hospitable ambiance. The restaurant is decorated with simplicity. Washed in decent shades of brown, it has a decorate ceiling. Tiny bulbs hang from the ceiling to create a romantic environment. Large pillars in the dining room are decorated with fresh flower arrangements and glasswork. The restaurant has a native Italian staff. It has a beautiful outdoor patio, serving the warmth of San Diego nights. Sorrento Ristorante is popular for its variety of authentic Italian dips and sauces. Guests can customize their meals by pairing up the sauces with their main meals. Pesto sauce makes a nice combination with all pastas. Chocolate mousse is served with chopped dark chocolate chunks and white chocolate cream topping. The lightly tossed bleu cheese is prepared in the craft kitchen. The bar at Sorrento Ristorante serves Italian wines and beer.

My Nonna's name was Isola, a wonderful cook who gave me a passion for food and fresh, simple ingredients.
I have vivid memories of my grandmother turning plain bread into amazing desserts, simple apples into incredible fritters sprinkled with a little sugar and honey, and even treating my sunburns with olive oil. Thirty years later, I still savor every meal and moment.
Isola is proud to serve the finest local ingredients, dalla vite, from the vine. I hope you enjoy every bite, plucked from my family tree for your table. Buon appetito!

Nationally-acclaimed Juniper and Ivy-consistently ranked "Best of the Best" by San Diego Magazine, and recognized as a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand establishment-is a foodie paradise on the edge of San Diego's Little Italy. The kitchen delivers a constantly rotating, chef-driven menu that uses hand-selected, seasonal ingredients crafted with precision, passion, and creativity. Founded by Owner Michael Rosen, Juniper's kitchen is backed by a supergroup of culinary minds that produce one of the most refined yet imaginative menus in town, paired with an award-winning wine list from the city's top sommeliers.

From the owner Leonardo Landini "When I decided to open Ristorante Illando, I had a vision in my head...my cozy house back in Firenze, Italy; my family dining table filled with the food I grew up with. Now I can surround you with the warmth of my Italian home and an authentic Italian meal here at Illando. Benvenuti e buon appetito a tutti!!"

Wilma's Carousel Bar

Top-rated hospitality

As one of only two carousel bars in the United States, Wilma’s Carousel Bar offers a truly unique experience.
We invite you to immerse yourself in this nostalgic retreat with Executive Corporate Chef Brian Redzikowski’s French-Creole inspired dishes and Beverage Director Eric Johnson’s a selection of cocktails including both innovative spins on traditional favorites and imaginative new concoctions.

A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.

Many restaurants in Little Italy have become destinations, among them the Busalacchi family's Nonna. The rustic décor features a relaxed country-style feel throughout the restaurant, including the delightful patio. The wonderfully welcoming atmosphere celebrates yet another delicious Sicilian food lineup, including pizzas and all that you would expect from an authentic Italian menu. The terrific entrées show the Sicilian influence, and fill the restaurant with great aromas.
We would love to hear your feedback on your experience.

Born & Raised

Great vibe

•

Price: Very Expensive

The American steakhouse is an iconic restaurant institution. We’d wanted to tell that story for years, but waited until we had the skill, talent and ability to execute it properly, and the right space to be our canvas, an important corner in Little Italy, a neighborhood where we have deep roots. We brought an almost academic appreciation for steakhouse history and tradition to Born & Raised, while trying to stay relevant and authentic to ourselves and our city. Our dry-aged beef pays tribute to earlier, earthier, pre-government grading practices and is the centerpiece of a meal best savored at a slow pace. A timeless celebration of everything that makes restaurants so special. - Consortium Holdings. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.

Kettner Exchange

Price: Expensive

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Contemporary American

•

4.7

(1,375)

Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

From the Owners of Barbusa .
we bring you "Lala" a captivating blend of modern and classic Italian cuisine, paired with handcrafted cocktails in a cozy, sexy-chic ambiance. Our menu showcases timeless Italian flavors with a contemporary twist, from traditional Stuffed Shells to inventive loaded potato gnocchi. The intimate atmosphere, with dimmed lights and plush furnishings, sets the stage for romantic dinners or vibrant gatherings.
Our bar is a haven of mixology artistry, featuring classic Negronis and signature creations like the "Lala Martini." Sustainability is a core value—we source responsibly and implement eco-friendly practices in both the kitchen and the bar. "Lala" isn't just a restaurant; it's a community that appreciates culinary excellence, inviting you to savor the extraordinary in every bite, sip, and moment. Join us for a celebration of Italian cuisine, crafted with contemporary flair, and served in an ambiance that exudes romance.

Petrini's

Great budget-friendly spot

Petrini's, in the heart of San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood, serves homemade Italian dishes with a traditional authentic dishes. If you go to Music box, stop by for a dinner and a cup of wine before the show. We offer Brunch, Lunch and Dinner menus 7 days a week.
The diablo shrimp in spicy wing sauce with lemon and cream, served with garlic cheese bread makes the perfect starter to your meal. Some of Petrini's' specialty entrée dishes include the smoked salmon alfredo sautéed with tomatoes and basil, garlic and rosemary served with spaghetti with tangy Pomodoro sauce and the baked white fish coated in seasoned bread crumbs in wine, butter and garlic sauce with Tuscan vegetables. Handhelds, such as the classic meatball hoagie, the vegetarian caponata sandwich with tomato-stewed eggplant and the craft-your-own pizzas, are other diner favorites.
For a sweet end to your meal at Petrini's, enjoy a homemade classic Italian dessert, the layered tiramisu cake.

Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.
Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.
Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.
Gluten free and Vegan Items Available
WHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!

Outdoor dining in San Diego

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See what locals rave about in Little Italy (San Diego)

From verified diners like you

M
Milton
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Good oysters , great cocktails, great date. My favorite restaurant in San Diego. Go during happy hour though to save some money
More info
Ironside Fish & OysterPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Little Italy
•
4.5
S
Samantha
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Wonderful food and drinks, but I was especially impressed with the service. Everyone who serves there genuinely seems like they love their job—they are excited to share the history of Barbusa and to recommend their favorite items. My party and I felt well taken care of and wish we could give it 10 stars!
More info
BarbusaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Little Italy
•
4.7
J
Jim
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The food and service were excellent. A strict vegetarian in our party ordered something that turned out to have meat in it (which was clear on the menu). Our waiter apologized even though it wasn’t his fault, removed the dish and took a new order no questions asked, and no charge for the removed order. He made us all very comfortable with the situation. Nicely done!
More info
Civico 1845Price: Moderate• Italian• Little Italy
•
4.4
M
Michelle
Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Celebrated my sisters bachelorette here and the waiter made our experience very special!
More info
Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
A
Anne
Houston •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Pork belly inihaw and oyster sisig were on point, wonder if they have a Filipino chef 🤩. Service was impeccable. Our dessert Yodel was one of the best if not THE best. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
More info
Juniper & IvyPrice: Expensive• Unspecified• Little Italy
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4.7

Trending dishes in Little Italy (San Diego)

Explore dishes that diners are raving about

Parc Bistro-Brasserie

Roy's Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé

Roy's San Diego Waterfront

•

4.3

Margherita

Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego

Restaurant experiences trending in San Diego

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Discover Little Italy

As the name implies, San Diego's Little Italy is best known for its Italian cuisine. From meatball sandwiches to wood-fired pizzas to handmade pasta, Italian food fans will all find a favorite dish to enjoy in this area of the city. Despite that fact, a visit to Little Italy doesn't have to be restricted to Italian food. Break away from the pizza-and-pasta approach to dinner by taking in the neighborhood's hot seafood scene. Oyster bars are a particularly interesting way to enjoy seafood in this part of the city. Whatever cuisine you choose, finish off your meal in Little Italy with a scoop of locally handcrafted gelato. In fact, if you skip dinner and go straight for dessert, no one will blame you one bit.

Frequently asked questions

The best reviewed restaurant in Little Italy (San Diego) is Ballast Point Little Italy

The best vegan restaurants in Little Italy (San Diego) are Civico 1845, Juniper & Ivy and Bencotto Italian Kitchen

The best vegetarian restaurants in Little Italy (San Diego) are Herb & Wood, Juniper & Ivy and Civico 1845

The restaurants with the best service in Little Italy (San Diego) are Ballast Point Little Italy, Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar and Petrini's

The restaurants with the best ambiance in Little Italy (San Diego) are Wilma's Carousel Bar, Ballast Point Little Italy and Born & Raised

Explore OpenTable

San Diego

Visa Dining Collection

Saint James French Diner

The Henry - Coronado

Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego

Great Maple San Diego

Cocina 35 Coronado

Cocina 35 - Downtown

Grant Grill

Claim Jumper - San Diego - Bayside

Cocina 35 Liberty Station

Marina Kitchen - San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina

Seaview

Farmer's Bottega Restaurant

Bronze Bird

ARLO San Diego

Landshark Bar & Grill - Margaritaville Hotel San Diego

NINE-TEN

Ironside Fish & Oyster

Herb & Wood

Kettner Exchange

Juniper & Ivy

Civico 1845

Seneca

Animae

C-Level

Mister A's

Top booked

Javier's - La Jolla

Cesarina

LEILA

The Henry - Coronado

Benihana - San Diego, CA

Top viewed

STK- San Diego

The Marine Room

insideOUT

Mister A's

Animae

Top saved

Coasterra

CUCINA urbana

Nolita Hall

Cloak + Petal

RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

Plato de Oro

Cocina 35 Coronado

The Westgate Hotel - The Westgate Room

Red Marlin - Hyatt Regency Mission Bay

Juniper & Ivy

Herb & Wood

Kettner Exchange

Cloak + Petal

Animae

Cesarina

Callie Restaurant

Coasterra

CUCINA urbana

Ciccia Osteria

Great Maple San Diego

Seréa

Little Frenchie

ARTIFACT at Mingei

NINE-TEN

NINE-TEN

Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego

The Henry - Coronado

Great Maple San Diego

Cocina 35 - Downtown

Claim Jumper - San Diego - Bayside

Farmer's Bottega Restaurant

20|TWENTY

ARLO San Diego

Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina

Covewood - Mission Bay Resort

Cafe 21 University Heights

Dockside 1953

Oceana Coastal Kitchen

The Shores Restaurant - La Jolla Shores Hotel

MeltMallow - $19.95

Date Night Menu