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Operacaffe, San Diego, CA

Operacaffe

4.7
4.7
1350 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
A photo of Operacaffe restaurant

Operacaffe

4.7
$30 and under
Italian
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 16 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
At Operacaffe we are passionate about our culinary business and our customers. The reputation for excellent cuisine, top-notch service, the quality and freshness of ingredients are the reasons we are so proud of our brand new restaurant!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 234-6538
  • Website
    http://www.operacaffe.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Patrizia Branchi
  • Location
    835 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Antipasti

  • Bruschetta$7.95

    Italian toast topped with chopped tomato, fresh basil, and EVOO

    • Fried Burrata$12.95

      • Shrimp and Calamari Fritti$18.95

        • I Coccoli$12.95

          Fried pizza dough stuffed with stracchino and mascarpone cheese, topped with prosciutto

          • Tagliere Toscano

            Selection of cured meats and cheeses

            • Serves 2$19.95

          • Carpaccio di Manzo$15.95

            Raw beef sirloin, lemon, arugula, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano

            • Carpaccio di Salmone$16.95

              Smoked salmon, arugula, oranges, and pink peppercorn

              Insalate

              Add Salmon $9.95, Shrimp $6, Chicken $5

              • La Mista$6.95

                Mixed greens, tomato, carrots, and cucumbers

                • La Cesare$8.00

                  • Patrizia$14.95

                    Mixed greens, arugula, hearts of palm, mozzarella, avocado, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano

                    • Caprese$14.50

                      Fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil

                      • Prosciutto di Parma e Burrata$15.95

                        • Ahi Tuna Salad$15.95

                          Mixed greens, tomatoes, caper berries, in a citrus dressing

                          • Insalata di Salmone$18.95

                            Grilled wild salmon filet, arugula, fennel, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano and EVOO

                            • Insalata di Mare$17.95

                              Seafood assortment, arugula mixed greens, tomatoes, cannellini beans, lemon and EVOO

                              • Burrata Salad$15.95

                                Arugula, watermelon, radish, cherry tomatoes and EVOO

                                Zuppe

                                • Zuppa del Giorno$8.95

                                  Ask your server

                                  Pizza

                                  • Margherita$14.95

                                    Tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil

                                    • Capricciosa$16.95

                                      Tomato sauce, mozzarella, champignon mushrooms, black olives, artichokes, ham

                                      • Hawaiiana$15.95

                                        Tomato sauce, mozzarella, pineapple, ham

                                        • Vegetariana$15.95

                                          Tomato sauce, mozzarella, seasonal vegetables

                                          • Pepperoni e Salsiccia$16.95

                                            Tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni and italian sausage

                                            Pasta

                                            Add Shrimp $6, Chicken $5, Meatballs $5

                                            • Penne Carrettiera$14.95

                                              Tomato sauce, garlic, chili peppers, parsley and EVOO

                                              • Spaghetti Pomodoro$14.95

                                                Fresh tomato sauce, garlic and basil

                                                • Penne Bolognese$16.95

                                                  Bolognese style sauce

                                                  • Farfalle Campagnola$16.95

                                                    Chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, shallots, broccoli, light cream sauce

                                                    • Penne Speperina$17.95

                                                      Spicy sausage, mascarpone cheese and mint

                                                      • Fettuccine Alfredo or Al Pesto$15.95

                                                        • Farfalle al Salmone$18.95

                                                          Smoked salmon, shallots, light creamy vodka sauce

                                                          • Penne alla Kika$20.95

                                                            Shrimps, manilla clams, white wine, light cream sauce

                                                            • Spaghetti di Mare$20.95

                                                              Seafood assortment, chopped tomatoes, chili peppers, white wine sauce

                                                              • Gnocchi Gorgonzola e Mirtilli$20.95

                                                                Sweet gorgonzola cheese and blueberries

                                                                • Ravioli Porcini e Crema di Tartufo$17.95

                                                                  Ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms in a creamy wild mushroom and truffle sauce

                                                                  • Ravioli Fattore$17.95

                                                                    Ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach in a mild spicy vodka sauce and porcini mushrooms

                                                                    • Ravioli Boscaiola$17.95

                                                                      Ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms in a creamy butter sauce with sage and pine nuts

                                                                      • Bucatini Mare e Monti$19.95

                                                                        Spicy sausage sauce with mushroom and shrimp

                                                                        • Linguine alle Vongole Veraci$19.95

                                                                          Manila clams, EVOO, garlic, parsley, white wine and chili peppers

                                                                          • Paccheri alla Carbonara$18.95

                                                                            Pancetta, eggs, parmigiano and a touch of cream

                                                                            • Meat Lasagna$16.95

                                                                              • Penne Portofino$24.95

                                                                                Flambe jumbo prawns, pink vodka sauce and chili flakes

                                                                                Secondi

                                                                                • Pollo Contadina$21.95

                                                                                  Breaded chicken breast milanese style topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and arugula with fries

                                                                                  • Pollo Limone$19.95

                                                                                    Chicken breast in a creamy lemon sauce

                                                                                    • Pollo Parmigiana$19.95

                                                                                      Breaded chicken breast, tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, served with spaghetti

                                                                                      • Vittella alla Parmigiana$27.95

                                                                                        Breaded veal, tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, served with spaghetti

                                                                                        • Salmone al Rosmarino$27.95

                                                                                          Wild salmon filet, shallots, white wine and rosemary

                                                                                          • La Tagliata$30.95

                                                                                            Filet mignon, arugula, polenta, tomatoes and gorgonzola sauce

                                                                                            • Pollo alla Pizzaiola$19.95

                                                                                              Chicken breast, capers, garlic, parsley, tomato sauce, mozzarella and oregano

                                                                                              Last updated: February 3, 2022

                                                                                              What 1,350 people are saying

                                                                                              Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                                              Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                                              4.7
                                                                                              4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                                                              • 4.7Food
                                                                                              • 4.7Service
                                                                                              • 4.4Ambience
                                                                                              • 4.5Value

                                                                                              Noise • Moderate

                                                                                              Review summary

                                                                                              AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                              Operacaffe in downtown San Diego is a culinary gem praised for its authentic Italian cuisine and attentive service. Guests rave about the "best Italian restaurant in San Diego," highlighting delicious dishes like veal osso bucco and porcini ravioli. Its convenient location makes it ideal for pre-theater dining.

                                                                                              1,350 Reviews

                                                                                              1. Teresa

                                                                                                San Diego

                                                                                                44 reviews

                                                                                                4.0

                                                                                                44 reviews

                                                                                                Dined 1 day ago

                                                                                                1. Overall 4
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                4. Ambience 3
                                                                                                Wonderful food! Great service. Tables very close together, pretty noisy. But the food is worth the inconvenience

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                                                                                              2. Gregg

                                                                                                San Diego

                                                                                                13 reviews

                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                13 reviews

                                                                                                Dined 4 days ago

                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                4. Ambience 3
                                                                                                Service was good, food very good. A bit noisy for a Wednesday. I can only imagine what a weekend might might be like. Wait staff very accommodating to get us out in time to make a theater show.

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                                                                                              3. Oliva

                                                                                                San Diego

                                                                                                5 reviews

                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                5 reviews

                                                                                                Dined 4 days ago

                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                Dining at Operacaffe was a great experience. The location was perfect for our show at the Balboa Theater, and we conveniently parked right across the street at the Horton parking garage on 4th and F st. The service was prompt and courteous, and the food was delicious. The house wines were also very good and reasonably priced. We will definitely be back!

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                                                                                              4. Raymond

                                                                                                San Diego

                                                                                                5 reviews

                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                5 reviews

                                                                                                Dined 6 days ago

                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                Great restaurant! Love the food and very convenient when attending the Balboa Theater.

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                                                                                              5. Terri

                                                                                                Los Angeles

                                                                                                4 reviews

                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                4 reviews

                                                                                                Dined 7 days ago

                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                We had two large groups in for dinner. Everything was FABULOUS! The pasta was all fresh and came out piping hot! Two people had the fresh fish and it was cooked perfectly-light, flaky and tasted amazing! The staff was attentive and served our food at a great pace. The evening was perfect. I will come back the next time I’m in San Diego!

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                                                                                              6. Bob

                                                                                                Phoenix

                                                                                                45 reviews

                                                                                                vip
                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                45 reviews

                                                                                                Dined 7 days ago

                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                First time for my wife and I to dine there. It was outstanding! The brucetta with prosciutto was our choice for an appetizer and it was wonderful. Our entrees were the giant tortellini with King Crab and Shrimp, and the penne bolognese "creamy" with a side of meatballs. Both dishes were about the best we've ever had! Served steamy hot and excellent. We swapped plates twice just so we could both taste and it was incredible! Great drinks too!

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                                                                                              7. Lee

                                                                                                San Diego

                                                                                                8 reviews

                                                                                                4.0

                                                                                                8 reviews

                                                                                                Dined on November 30, 2024

                                                                                                1. Overall 4
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 4
                                                                                                4. Ambience 3
                                                                                                Great meal ahead of seeing a show at the Balboa. Great location. Food was very tasty. It’s surprisingly hard for find spaghetti cooked right for a reasonable price and Operacaffe nailed it. Prices were where you’d expect. I held back on 5s all of the way down because of seating next to the rest rooms/kitchen made the romantic meal a little noisy and busy as folks were walking past our table. Not that it’s a complaint, just a fact. The service was great, a little slow but the waitress apologized and explained that it was hard to get staff to work the Friday after Thanksgiving. We were treated very well. Thanks to a delicious Italian meal.

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                                                                                              8. John

                                                                                                Louisville

                                                                                                1 review

                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                1 review

                                                                                                Dined on November 24, 2024

                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                Food and service were outstanding. We had a reservation for 4 but by the time we arrived we needed to another one more. OperaCaffee accommodated our request without any problems. We ordered a variety of pasta dishes (Ravioli Fattore, Ravioli Boscailoa, Fettucine Alfredo, Gnocchi Asiago Cacio & Pepe) and Caesar salads that were all excellent. The wine list includes reasonably-priced bottles (Reds starting at $38). Tiramisu and cannoli were delicious. Our server was helpful and knowledgeable about the food and wine. Definitely recommended.

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                                                                                              9. Daniela

                                                                                                San Diego

                                                                                                1 review

                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                1 review

                                                                                                Dined on November 18, 2024

                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                Great place! Food was excellent and good service. Staff was caring and helpful

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                                                                                              10. Alice

                                                                                                San Diego

                                                                                                17 reviews

                                                                                                vip
                                                                                                5.0

                                                                                                17 reviews

                                                                                                Dined on November 17, 2024

                                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                Operacaffe is a hidden gem in downtown San Diego! Wonderful ambiance, delicious food, gracious wait staff!!

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                                                                                              FAQs

                                                                                              Operacaffe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 234-6538.

                                                                                              Operacaffe is rated 4.7 stars by 1350 OpenTable diners.

                                                                                              Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                                              A photo of Operacaffe restaurant

                                                                                              Operacaffe

                                                                                              4.7
                                                                                              $30 and under
                                                                                              Italian
                                                                                              Downtown

                                                                                              Make a reservation

                                                                                              2 people
                                                                                              7:00 PM
                                                                                              Booked 16 times today

                                                                                              Order delivery or takeout

                                                                                              Google Map for Operacaffe

                                                                                              835 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

                                                                                              Additional information

                                                                                              • Neighborhood
                                                                                                Downtown
                                                                                              • Hours of operation
                                                                                                Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
                                                                                              • Price
                                                                                                $30 and under
                                                                                              • Cuisines
                                                                                                Italian
                                                                                              • Dining style
                                                                                                Casual Dining
                                                                                              • Dress code
                                                                                                Casual Dress
                                                                                              • Parking details
                                                                                                Street Parking
                                                                                              • Payment options
                                                                                                AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                              • Executive chef
                                                                                                Patrizia Branchi
                                                                                              • Additional
                                                                                                Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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