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The Godfather Restaurant, San Diego, CA

The Godfather Restaurant

4.7
4.7
1874 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Romantic
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.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (858) 560-1747
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Isidoro Balistreri
  • Neighborhood
    Kearny Mesa
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,874 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
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Godfather Restaurant offers a nostalgic dining experience with "excellent service and amazing food." Guests rave about the generous portions and traditional Italian dishes. The ambiance, complete with live piano music, enhances the old-school charm. It's a favored spot for special occasions, with "delicious fried zucchini" and "authentic Italian flavors" that keep patrons coming back.

1,874 Reviews
  1. Valerie

    VIP

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    The waiter was barely and our table and when he was there, it was for a very abbreviated period of time. He couldn’t be found anytime we needed something like a new drink order.

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  2. Greg

    San Diego

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food as usual was wonderful. The pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon was awesome along with the homemade pea soup. Our waiter, Eric was always there to check on us, he even surprised us with a cannoli for my mom's 98 birthday. I took my mom here last year for her birthday as well.

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  3. Chad

    San Diego

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The free parking was blocked and you either park in the back or valet for $4. You keep the closest parking for other businesses, the parking lot is not that big, the other businesses customers can walk another car length or two as well. Get with the property management and have them marked for the other businesses then you don't need valet.

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  4. Scott

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice dinner, 2nd time we visited under new ownership. Food was amazing, we shared a bottle of wine. Very clean & comfortable. José was a great waiter. 

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  5. Kristi

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went there for our department holiday lunch. The service and food were top notch. The bone marrow and scallop appetizer was delicious.

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  6. Suzanne

    VIP

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The Godfather's is a classy, old-school restaurant. Red leather booths...waiters in suits. And the food is very good. My sea bass was delicious. It was decorated beautifully for Christmas. And on the weekends they have a piano player. There is also reasonably priced valet parking. Highly recommend

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  7. Mike

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service and food were excellent. I would highly recommend.

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  8. Carly

    VIP

    Austin

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    AMAZING food and service!!!!! The gnocchi and fried zucchini were phenomenal. Great wine list. Very authentic

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  9. Lucas

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience for my 2 year anniversary dinner with my girlfriend. Service and food were both top notch. I will be back!

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  10. Mery

    VIP

    San Diego

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a wonderful lunch with my mother! The service and the food were outstanding as always! The parking situation is my only negative remark, definitely get dropped off if you’re dining here.

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FAQs

The Godfather Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 560-1747.

The Godfather Restaurant is rated 4.7 stars by 1874 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Godfather Restaurant

7878 Clrmt Msa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111-1621

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Kearny Mesa
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Isidoro Balistreri
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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