Little Italy (San Diego) Restaurants
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Top restaurants this week
Explore what's popular with other diners with these lists, updated weekly.
Explore what's popular with other diners with these lists, updated weekly.
Top booked
- 1
Javier's - La Jolla
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.6(3,748)La Jolla - 2
Duke's La Jolla
Price: Moderate•Hawaii Regional Cuisine•4.5(6,757)La Jolla - 3
Cesarina
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.8(5,837)Ocean Beach - 4
Brigantine at Portside Pier
Price: Expensive•Seafood•4.7(4,447)Downtown - 5
The Henry - Coronado
Price: Moderate•American•4.8(2,698)Coronado
Top viewed
- 1
LEILA
Price: Expensive•Middle Eastern•4.8(1,021)North Park - 2
STK- San Diego
Price: Expensive•Steakhouse•4.3(3,466)Downtown - 3
Juniper & Ivy
Price: Expensive•Unspecified•4.7(8,211)Little Italy - 4
Cocina 35 Coronado
Price: Expensive•Mexican•4.5(244)Coronado - 5
insideOUT
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.8(2,541)Hillcrest
Top saved
- 1
Madison
Price: Expensive•Mediterranean•4.5(3,120)University Heights - 2
Nolita Hall
Price: Expensive•Contemporary Italian•4.4(826)Little Italy - 3
CUCINA urbana
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.7(7,168)Banker's Hill - 4
Tom Hams Lighthouse
Price: Expensive•Seafood•4.6(6,751)Downtown - 5
Cloak + Petal
Price: Expensive•Sushi•4.6(1,032)Little Italy
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Award winning restaurants in San Diego
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Check out diners' favorite restaurants in Little Italy (San Diego)
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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.
Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.6(213)Authentic Baja-style, ceviche, and oyster restaurant. Unique tostadas, oysters, tiradito, clamsKettner Exchange
Price: Expensive•Contemporary American•4.7(1,452)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.
Juniper & Ivy
Price: Expensive•Unspecified•4.7(8,211)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.Bencotto Italian Kitchen
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.7(3,383)ONLINE RESERVATIONS ARE LIMITED. PLEASE CALL THE RESTAURANT IF YOUR DESIRED TIME IS NOT AVAILABLE.
We are proud to offer 75 kinds of different pasta recipe, fresh and hand-crafted 12 hours a day.
"Bencotto" means cooked well: this is what authentic Italian food is about.
It tastes as it should and would in Italy.
Bencotto offers two different eating environments: guests can either enjoy their meal at our “kitchen-esque” bar downstairs, or they can relax in the intimate low-ceiling dining area upstairs. The décor creates a clean and sophisticated atmosphere, where old-world charm and warmth blend with contemporary appeal.
Camino Riviera
Price: Expensive•Contemporary Mexican•4.6(44)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.Born & Raised
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.7(6,690)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.
Ironside Fish & Oyster
Price: Moderate•Seafood•4.6(4,671)Little Italy was built by the fishing industry. Ironside attempts to continue that narrative. It's our contemporary interpretation of the classic fish house and oyster bar. Located in a historic auction house on India St we did a full comprehensive restoration of the building, with three open-air culinary hubs featuring an expansive raw bar, chefs table, and bakery. We tried to be mindful of the past while looking towards the future. Groups of 6 or more will be charged an automatic 20% gratuity. A 4% surcharge will be added to all guest checks.
Ironside is now taking reservations for patio and dining room seating.
We are now offering Happy Hour MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 3:00PM - 5:00PM.Lala
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.7(191)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.
Barbusa
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.6(4,415)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!Ristorante Illando
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.5(853)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!!"
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See what locals rave about in Little Italy (San Diego)
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- NNorikoVIPSan Diego •20 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoThis was our second time dining at Herb & Wood, and once again, we had a wonderful experience. The service was exceptional, the food was both unique and flavorful, and the atmosphere was lively without being overly loud. We started with the Butter Lettuce and Hamachi appetizers. For our main courses, I had the Roasted Branzino while my husband enjoyed the Swordfish. We finished with the Date Cake and a complimentary birthday ice cream. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of cherry, so my husband happily enjoyed that part for me. Overall, it was a fantastic evening, and we’re already looking forward to our next visit.More infoHerb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy•4.7
- MMattVIPVancouver / British Columbia •45 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoReally fun atmosphere, great ambiance. This is a fun restaurant with delicious food!More infoLalaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Little Italy•4.7
- MMarySan Diego •5 reviews5.0Dined 4 days agoIt's a beautiful restaurant, with a pleasant and quiet atmosphere, clean environment, the service could be faster, but the waiter was kind and knew the menu, the food was excellentMore infoJuniper & IvyPrice: Expensive• Unspecified• Little Italy•4.7
- SSherriVIPMinneapolis - St. Paul •33 reviews5.0Dined on Apr 15, 2025Excellent all around — delicious food, wonderful service, lovely atmosphere. Highly recommend.More infoBarbusaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy•4.6
- LLukeLos Angeles •1 review5.0Dined on Apr 15, 2025Fantastic experience for our 2nd anniversary. Lovely restaurant, fantastic food and such a great experience. We WILL be back.More infoIronside Fish & OysterPrice: Moderate• Seafood• Little Italy•4.6
Trending dishes in Little Italy (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 Morning Glory
The best vegan restaurants in Little Italy (San Diego) are Civico 1845, Juniper & Ivy and Monello
The best vegetarian restaurants in Little Italy (San Diego) are Herb & Wood, Civico 1845 and Juniper & Ivy
The restaurants with the best service in Little Italy (San Diego) are Fisher's, Ballast Point Little Italy and Nonna
The restaurants with the best ambiance in Little Italy (San Diego) are Pali Wine Co. Little Italy Tasting Room, Morning Glory and Wilma's Carousel Bar
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