We’ve eaten our way through San Diego’s newest Italian spots—the forgettable, the decent, and the truly memorable. But a select few made us feel like we’d discovered a secret trattoria in Little Italy. Those are the ones that earned a place on this list.
Il Posto
$$ | (619) 915-5301 | WEBSITE
There’s been an explosion of hyped Italian spots in San Diego recently, and people are flocking to them like they’ve never seen fresh pasta before. Il Posto is one such standout with a stacked menu of house-made pastas, textbook-perfect Neapolitan pizzas, and some solid classic dishes. The LINGUINE alla VONGOLE, SALMONE in CROSTA di-PISTACCHIO, and FUNGHI VEGANA pizza don’t come out until dinner service, but we say get there and grab a table around 6pm for the pastas.
There’s a vegan pizza teeming with mushrooms and coated in olive oil, a super savory pasta dish with clams and white wine, and other delicious things with sauces like tomato basil or pistachio crust. Catch up with a friend over a glass of wine, which has all the goodness of the meal made into a drink, and soak in the warm atmosphere of the South Park spot.
Fatuma Restaurant
$ | (619) 269-8268 | WEBSITE
Fatuma Restaurant is all warm welcome and comforting confidence, the dining equivalent of a cherished family recipe passed down through generations. Case in point: There are only a handful of standout dishes on the menu (the salmon with rice and salad, the chicken steak and spaghetti combo), each cooked to soulful perfection with spices like clove and bay leaf so that you won’t miss having endless options.
The cozy dining space—it’s the kind of place that feels instantly familiar—is deliciously inviting, with aromas that spill out from the kitchen with artful plates of perfectly cooked salmon, luscious portions of tender chicken steak, fresh noodles, and a dreamy combination of flavors. If you’re thinking affordable family dinner, you’re on the right track—but it’s also perfect for a solo meal at a table with a plate of that delicious spaghetti.
Scuderie Italia
$$ | (858) 352-6912 | WEBSITE
Scuderie Italia, a charming spot in San Diego with exceptional Italian fare, cocktails, and atmosphere, has something for any dining occasion. For a casual lunch, you should stake your claim on the beautiful patio for the standout salsiccia with penne pasta and a perfectly sweet Pagani cocktail. During dinner, there are $18 Moscow Mules and short rib tortellini waiting for you (always add the burrata to the bruschetta).
There’s also a nice selection of wine-based cocktails, and some well-executed riffs on classic dishes like the lasagna—high-quality ingredients step in for ordinary ones, making it more flavorful, and thoroughly satisfying.
CinKuni
$$ | (619) 233-3072 | WEBSITE
Seems like you can’t go anywhere lately without having fusion cuisine thrust in your face. CinKuni makes the best Italian-Japanese blend in all of the land, thanks to a unique approach that combines gnocchi with ramen, tops it with meatballs, and packages it in a cozy, casual environment. That’s not the only reason you should head to this welcoming spot, though.
The tuna carpaccio, the large gnocchi portions, and the fun Sailor Moon option make for a fantastic unwind-after-work meal that packs enough food for leftovers later. Along with matcha tiramisu, vegetarian options, and thoughtful gestures like complimentary birthday desserts, the place has a surprisingly wide variety of dishes to enjoy with your friends.
Krisp Beverages + Natural Foods
$$ | (619) 310-6594 | WEBSITE
KRISP feels familiar, but new. This former Italian foodery turned downtown San Diego spot serves Italian staples that gently push the boundaries of convenience. Which is to say, the Caprese sub still looks like a sub. The l’Italiano still looks like a sub. But upon closer inspection, classic sandwiches like these are spruced up with simple but effective extra touches.
The same goes for the cured Italian meats like guanciale and Parmesan reggiano that come with your deli order and fine wines spicing up the cute little bar inside. The ready-made food and phenomenal pizza to go also make it clutch for that quick grocery run or lunch break. Especially when KRISP hosts its ice cream corner. That’s the kind of simple pleasure real satisfaction is built on.
Bar One
$$ | (619) 738-8978 | WEBSITE
Bar One is easily one of the best sports-watching spots in San Diego. You’ll find yourself coming up with excuses to head over to Little Italy just to get your hands on their seared ahi sando, crispy garlic parm fries, and juicy 8oz hamburgers. The welcoming restaurant’s prime location features a long bar, high tables, and TVs perfect for catching every match. And that’s kind of fun, because you can enjoy your grey goose martini while watching the game from the bar area.
Even though everything is outstanding, the birria quesatacos are the head of an already talented menu—get them with a side of teriyaki wings for the full effect.
The Red Door
$$$ | (619) 295-6000 | WEBSITE
San Diego’s version of The Red Door is the most intimate (and most inviting) of the Italian spots in town. The cozy dining room is warmed by the soft glow of pendant lights that shimmer over dark wood tables. It absolutely whispers date night.
Just know that everyone is trying to snag a table right now, so they can be seen in the gentle lighting, sharing the spot-on Beef Wellington, thoughtfully savoring the herbed sea bass risotto, and nodding to the chef as he makes his rounds while the crowd-pleasing live Spanish guitar fills the air.
Buona Forchetta – South Park
$$ | (619) 381-4844 | WEBSITE
Buona Forchetta has a cozy, family-like atmosphere that hits you the moment you walk through the door. That should’ve been our first sign that this South Park gem was going to be special. Then we sat down and tried the amazing Tri Tip with its perfectly charred edges, fresh pasta dishes that arrived steaming hot, and creative pizzas with crusts that were both crisp and chewy in all the right places.
This place is a favorite among locals, so you can count on excellent service and a lively ambiance that makes you feel right at home. Our favorite dish was the amazing pasta with its rich, authentic sauces that reminded us of meals in Italy. Order a few different plates to share, and you’ll discover why people call this the best Italian food in San Diego. Just be warned about the pizza: One slice is never enough.
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Kearny Mesa
$ | (858) 279-7240 | WEBSITE
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Kearny Mesa is San Diego’s classic Italian spot that’s delicious and will satisfy just about anybody. Inside the newly remodeled space, there’s beautiful lighting that glows, personal-sized pizzas that come loaded with toppings and cheese, and a cannoli dessert that looks like it was crafted by some pastry chef in Little Italy. The Shrimp Filippi, while very much not personal-sized, is a masterpiece.
The 13″ pizza is considered the best in town, chock full of fresh shrimp, and biting into it causes a simultaneous garlic butter cheese pull that would make any pizza lover jealous. We can’t wait to check back in with a large group, so we can try the linguini with clams and see what the atmosphere looks like in the separate room at night.
Operacaffe
$$ | (619) 234-6538 | WEBSITE
Operacaffe has a permanent home in the Gaslamp District, so there’s finally some great Italian food near the Balboa Theater. Now, you can get spinach ravioli that are perfectly tender and stuffed to near bursting with a rich filling and a creamy Alfredo sauce. They’re served with bread and olive oil upon arrival, something we’ve only seen from Operacaffe, for dipping in between sighs of contentment.
Then there’s the homemade spicy sausage with a cream sauce over fettuccine, drizzled in a way that could put other Italian spots out of business. Order a limoncello cake (toss in some carbonara for good measure), plop yourself into a cozy small booth inside or a comfortable spot near the window, and don’t come up for air until the last bite.
Bistro Kaz
$$ | (858) 565-8861 | WEBSITE
Bistro Kaz has always been the best hidden gem for Italian-Japanese fusion in San Diego, but now it feels even more essential. The cozy and unassuming restaurant (and one of our most delightful finds) continues to operate in its quiet setting, offering an experience so consistently satisfying you’d think it just perfected its formula.
The old impression might have been simply affordable, while the current vibe is elegantly inviting with a soft, clean glow, adding to the sense of a relaxed and memorable meal you’re about to enjoy. If you’ve been here before, much of what you’ll find will feel familiar: You’ll still settle into the small, intimate space, with a direct view of the quick and efficient service that defines your evening.
And the kitchen continues to craft a wide selection of fusion dishes—from pastas and pizzas to dorias and cabbage-wrapped meatballs—turning them into things like creamy chicken doria and unique unagi eel pizza. Each dish is an exercise not only in flavor, but in how delicious fusion food can be.
Ciccia Osteria
$$ | (619) 674-4069 | WEBSITE
Ciccia Osteria has long been San Diego’s undisputed reigning Italian dining champ. But there’s another great new option that doesn’t involve waiting for a reservation weeks in advance (yet, at least). This charming osteria offers an authentic culinary experience with its carefully crafted menu.
So along with outstanding handmade pasta, there are daily specials—including a particularly excellent version of pistachio cheesecake drizzled with chocolate—generous portions, and complimentary homemade ice cream. The space is relatively cozy with rustic decor, but there’s a warm atmosphere where you can savor bold yet balanced flavors and devastatingly great service from owner Mario.
Nolita Hall
$$ | (619) 255-8000 | WEBSITE
Nolita Hall, a popular spot in Little Italy that’s become a go-to for drinks, food, and sports, opened in San Diego with crowds spilling onto the sidewalk. It’s really a place to gather and cheer—you’re there to snap a photo of the hot honey pizza, the Nolita Hall mule in its copper mug, and your friends against the beautiful indoor-outdoor space. There are a few situations where it shines, though.
One of those is a lively meal of cheese boards and off-menu drinks, pizza and a glass from the great wine selection, and cinnamon rolls, preferably at the bar or an outdoor table. The other is brunch. There’s fantastic olives to sit alongside your cocktail, Moroccan spiced crab cakes that are perfectly seasoned, and a gloriously simple and satisfying steak & eggs.
Service is what you’d expect from a spot like this, with friendly and attentive staff moving about like pros in a game, patiently explaining the brunch specials to each table.
Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria
$ | (619) 299-4030 | WEBSITE
Some of our favorite Chicago-style spots have recently expanded to San Diego with great success. There’s Portillo’s famous beef, Lou Malnati’s deep dish, and now Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria from a passionate owner. This lively pizzeria lives up to all the hype and then some.
You’ll find the Stuffed Monster of the Midway deep dish pizza and an array of authentic Chicago classics, like real Chicago-style beef with giardiniera peppers, sausage sandwiches with au jus, traditional Chicago dogs, and delicious pasta with meatballs. It’s in a fun space with indoor and outdoor seating, a vibrant atmosphere tastefully done up with Chicago memorabilia, games, and TVs. They’re known for their unique ordering process and friendly staff, but that hasn’t stopped the crowds.
Get there ready for a wait, because the deep dish takes time to bake, and expect to leave completely satisfied.
Elvira
$$ | (619) 224-2884 | WEBSITE
Move over Little Italy and North Park—San Diego’s most beloved Italian spot is one of the hardest tables to secure on weekends. Prime dinner times at Elvira in its cozy neighborhood location are booked over a week out, and it’s one of the warmest places in all of San Diego. You’ll find regulars settling into the worn wooden tables with glasses of Chianti and families sharing plates of fettuccine maiale e spuntature from the checkered tablecloths in the dining room.
It can be a bit much with all the homey knickknacks, framed family photos, and rustic pottery lining the shelves. But the food—like the pillowy gnocchi in rich sauces and the crisp parmigiana pizza—makes the whole experience worth it, even if that’s not really your scene.
Matteo
$ | (619) 432-1900 | WEBSITE
Matteo in South Park is the only Italian spot in this neighborhood’s collection of community-focused eateries, a cozy corner establishment that embodies the local spirit. And yes, this place is fairly compact, but they’re making the most of it with warm lighting and a pretty great breakfast-and-lunch menu.
When you need a post-market morning bite after that stroll through the farmers’ stands, stop here for some ricotta corn cakes, Benedict’s with a creative twist, and a fantastic weekend special frittata. The berry salad is also doing some serious work on this menu, and you’ll find the reasonable prices and fast, friendly service keep customers coming back—even with just one bathroom stall, the overall experience leaves everyone eager to return.