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Osteria Romantica, San Diego, CA

Osteria Romantica

4.7
4.7
674 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
2151 Avenida de la Playa, San Diego, CA 92037

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2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 7 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for groups
  • Dog-friendly
We are located in the heart of la Jolla shores, a short walk from the beach. The Shores area has one short main street with a few stores and restaurants. It has the look and feel of a town square. In this simple but wonderfully comfortable setting, Osteria Romantica generates good feelings as one dines on its good food. The voices of Pavarotti and other famous singers emerge from the background, filling the room softly with operatic melodies. An outside patio provides seating for diners who wish to enjoy the sunny afternoons and cool La Jolla evenings. The restaurant was opened by Fabio Speziali and Antonio Mastellone in 2004. Speziali grew up in the Lake Como region of northern Italy. Mastellone, who also owns several other local restaurants, grew up in Sorrento, Italy. Speziali said, "and we are from different regions of Italy. But we create together and offer dishes from all of Italy. We have our regular menu and daily specials. Our breads and pasta are always fresh and homemade."

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–2:30 pm Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (858) 551-1221
  • Website
    http://www.osteriaromantica.com/
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress

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Menu

Osteria Romantica's menu was last updated 2022-02-01.

Antipasti

  • Calamari Fritti

    Combination of calamari & zucchini deep fried

    • Calamari Affogati

      Calamari sauteed in fresh tomato sauce & spinach

      • Melanzana Saporita

        Baked eggplant w/ mozzarella cheese & tomato

        • La Bruschetta

          Grilled homemade bread w/ garlic, pesto, basil & tomato

          • Caprese

            Beef steak tomato, fresh mozzarella cheese & basil

            • Carpaccio Di Salmone

              Smoked salmon & capers over a bed of arugola salad

              • Antipasto Italiano

                Mixed Italian cold cuts & cheeses for two people

                • Polenta

                  Soft polenta w/ mixed mushroom & gorgonzola

                  • Scampi La Jolla Shores

                    Jumbo shrimp sauteed in a light tomato sauce

                    Insalate

                    • Contadina

                      Baby spring mix w/ house dressing

                      • Cesare

                        Traditional caesar salad w/ our homemade caesar dressing

                        • Tre Sorelle

                          Radicchio, arugola, Belgium endive, walnuts, goat cheese & our house dressing

                          • Pierina

                            Mixed green salad w/ pears & smoked mozzarella

                            • Romantica

                              Baby spinach, red onion, figs, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts on honey mustard dressing

                              • D'Anatra

                                Smoked breast of duck over spinach w/ pine nuts & raisis

                                Zuppe

                                • Minestrone

                                  Vegetable soup w/ fresh pesto

                                  • Zuppa Dil Giorno

                                    Ask your server

                                    Pasta

                                    • Penne Vittorio

                                      Penne pasta w/ sausage, bell peppers & mushrooms in a spicy tomato sauce

                                      • Fettuccine Ortolane

                                        Fettuccine w/ fresh vegetables in a cream or tomato sauce

                                        • Linguine Nere

                                          Black linguine w/ bay scallops, bay shrimp & leeks in cream sauce & caviar

                                          • Cappellini Alla Checca

                                            Angel hair pasta w/ fresh chopped tomato garlic

                                            • Linguine Mare

                                              Linguine w/ mussels, clams, shrimp, white wine or tomato sauce

                                              • Gnocchi Gratinati

                                                Homemade potato dumpling, parmesan, cream sauce, baked

                                                • Risotto Profumo

                                                  Italian arborio rice w/ scamorza cheese, radicchio, pears

                                                  • Farfalle Salmone E Wodka

                                                    Bow tie pasta w/ salmon, vodka & asparagus

                                                    • Fettuccine Ubriache

                                                      Fettuccine pasta w/ mushrooms, chicken, peas, brandy

                                                      • Linguine Al Pesto

                                                        Linguine w/ string beans, potatoes, pine nuts & fresh pesto

                                                        • Mezzelune All'Aragosta

                                                          Homemade ravioli stuffed w/ lobster meat in a saffron sauce

                                                          • Cappellini Vegetariani

                                                            Angel hair pasta w/ radicchio, arugola, endive & chopped tomato

                                                            • Penne Arrabbiata

                                                              Penne pasta in a spicy tomato sauce w/ chicken

                                                              • Linguine Sfiziose

                                                                Linguine pasta w/ calamari, capers, olives in tomato sauce

                                                                • Spaghetti Carbonara

                                                                  Linguine pasta w/ eggs & pancetta

                                                                  • Cappellini Mare E Monti

                                                                    Angel hair pasta w/ zucchini, mushroom & shrimp tomato sauce

                                                                    • Lasagna & Ravioli

                                                                      Homemade daily

                                                                      Secondi

                                                                      • Vitello Piccata or Marsala

                                                                        Veal scaloppini sauteed w/ lemon, capers, mushrooms or marsala

                                                                        • Vitello Capriccioso

                                                                          Breaded veal cotolet topped w/ arugola, chopped tomato

                                                                          • Filetto Rustico

                                                                            Filet mignon w/ gorgonzola cheese & sundried tomatoes

                                                                            • Vitello Parmese

                                                                              Veal scaloppine breaded w/ melted mozzarella, tomato sauce

                                                                              • Costata Di Vitello

                                                                                Veal chop stuffed w/ fontina cheese & prosciutto

                                                                                • Battuta Di Pollo

                                                                                  Grilled chicken breast served w/ arugola, chopped tomato

                                                                                  • Pollo Arrotolato

                                                                                    Chicken breast rolled & stuffed w/ ricotta cheese & spinach, in a mixed mushroom sauce

                                                                                    • Pollo Empolese

                                                                                      Chicken breast w/ artichokes & mushrooms in a white sauce

                                                                                      • Pollo Al Finocchio

                                                                                        Chicken breast w/ fennel, black olives & white wine

                                                                                        • Pollo Amaretto

                                                                                          Chicken breast sauteed in amaretto liquor, roasted almonds

                                                                                          • Pollo Balsamico

                                                                                            Chicken breast & bell peppers, sauteed w/ balsamic vinegar sauce

                                                                                            • Salmone Ripieno

                                                                                              Filet of fresh salmon stuffed w/ crab meat, spinach, saffron

                                                                                              • Halibut Zia Luisa

                                                                                                Filet of halibut sauteed in tomato sauce, mussels, clams, linguine

                                                                                                • Sea Scallops

                                                                                                  Sea scallops in a light white wine, garlic, served w/ spinach

                                                                                                  • Grigliata Di Pesce

                                                                                                    Mixed grilled fish marinated in olive oil, lemon & pepper

                                                                                                    • Gamberi Avenida De La Playa

                                                                                                      Jumbo shrimp w/ artichokes, mushroom in a light tomato sauce

                                                                                                      • Cioppino

                                                                                                        Mixed fish & shell fish sauteed in a light tomato broth

                                                                                                        Last updated: February 1, 2022

                                                                                                        What 674 people are saying

                                                                                                        Osteria Romantica reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

                                                                                                        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
                                                                                                        • 4.6Service
                                                                                                        • 4.7Ambience
                                                                                                        • 4.7Value

                                                                                                        Noise • Moderate

                                                                                                        Loved For

                                                                                                        • San Diego

                                                                                                          Good for groups

                                                                                                        • San Diego

                                                                                                          Romantic

                                                                                                        • San Diego

                                                                                                          Best Value

                                                                                                        • San Diego

                                                                                                          Good for groups

                                                                                                        • San Diego

                                                                                                          Romantic

                                                                                                        Review summary

                                                                                                        AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                                        Osteria Romantica delights with "excellent food and service," offering a charming ambiance enhanced by an inviting outdoor patio. Guests rave about the "perfect Valentine's dinner," generous portions, and "fantastic" pasta dishes. Known for its "great atmosphere" and friendly staff, it's a La Jolla favorite for authentic Italian cuisine.

                                                                                                        674 Reviews

                                                                                                        1. Carolynn VIP

                                                                                                          San Diego141 reviews

                                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                                          Dined 4 days ago

                                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                          Always a lovely place, staff and food! Thank you for being there for us all these many many years!!!!

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                                                                                                        2. Colleen VIP

                                                                                                          San Diego11 reviews

                                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                                          Dined on April 11, 2025

                                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                          I took my daughter to this restaurant for the first time and she loved it. She had the penne ala vodka and I had the cheese ravioli. Both were delicious!! The service is always excellent and the prices are reasonable.

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                                                                                                        3. Edward VIP

                                                                                                          Philadelphia871 reviews

                                                                                                          4.0

                                                                                                          Dined on March 25, 2025

                                                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                                          3. Service 3
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                          Three of us had a good dinner in a pleasant outdoor setting. Salmon and mushroom ravioli were delicious, while the minestrone Genovese and Fettuccine Ubriache were both lacking in flavor. Portions were generous. Service was spotty: one glass of wine was missed and we had to go inside to get the waiter to bring parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

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                                                                                                        4. sandie VIP

                                                                                                          Baja California20 reviews

                                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                                          Dined on March 21, 2025

                                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                          The best place in La Jolla. The food is always good. The service is great. And Fabio is always there to greet you.

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                                                                                                        5. RoniF

                                                                                                          New York City1 review

                                                                                                          4.0

                                                                                                          Dined on March 21, 2025

                                                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                                          3. Service 4
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                          Enjoyed it! Our food was good, our friends’ less so.

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                                                                                                        6. OpenTable Diner

                                                                                                          Denver2 reviews

                                                                                                          4.0

                                                                                                          Dined on March 19, 2025

                                                                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                                                                          2. Food 4
                                                                                                          3. Service 4
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                                                                          No lobster chunks in lobster bisque. Lobster ravioli was delicious. Good service

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                                                                                                        7. Marianne

                                                                                                          San Diego25 reviews

                                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                                          Dined on February 27, 2025

                                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                          Excellent Food and Drinks. Our waiter Simone was the best. The service was excellent. One of our favorite restaiurants.

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                                                                                                        8. Nghiem

                                                                                                          San Diego2 reviews

                                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                                          Dined on February 15, 2025

                                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                          It rained in La Jolla for three days, but the sun came out on Valentine’s Day and Osteria Romantica was definitely the place to celebrate. The food was excellent and the ambience was so romantic! 🙂 Love love love it. ❤️

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                                                                                                        9. Barbara

                                                                                                          San Diego83 reviews

                                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                                          Dined on February 15, 2025

                                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                          Pefect Valentines dinner! They made a special red martini which we both had and thoroughly enjoyed! What a great idea! We shared the crisp Caesar salad and we both had a pasta dish for dinner. My boyfriend had the Lasagna which is always amazing here, but for some reason, tonight it was super amazing! I had the Spaghetti with Meatballs, and again, outstanding. The bread and marina red sauce is so delicious. This is not only a wonderful neighborhood gem, but a fantastic Italian restaurant in the Shores. It really doesn't get better than this. Service was wonderful. You can either sit outdoors with warm heaters or indoors. Great for private parties as well. If you want authentic Italian food, this is the place!

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                                                                                                        10. Patricia VIP

                                                                                                          San Diego101 reviews

                                                                                                          5.0

                                                                                                          Dined on January 25, 2025

                                                                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                                                                          2. Food 5
                                                                                                          3. Service 5
                                                                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                                                                          THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN TOWN!! I highly recommend. Food: A+++ Service: A+++ Atmosphere: A+++ I highly recommend! Do not miss this place. My favorite server is Simon. He's professional, kind and always smiles.

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                                                                                                        FAQs

                                                                                                        Osteria Romantica offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 551-1221.

                                                                                                        Osteria Romantica is rated 4.7 stars by 674 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                                                                        1. Home
                                                                                                        2. United States
                                                                                                        3. San Diego
                                                                                                        4. San Diego
                                                                                                        5. La Jolla

                                                                                                        Make a reservation

                                                                                                        2 people
                                                                                                        10:30 PM
                                                                                                        Booked 7 times today
                                                                                                        Google Map for Osteria Romantica

                                                                                                        2151 Avenida de la Playa, San Diego, CA 92037

                                                                                                        Additional information

                                                                                                        • Neighborhood
                                                                                                          La Jolla
                                                                                                        • Hours of operation
                                                                                                          Mon–Thu 11:30 am–2:30 pm Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm
                                                                                                        • Price
                                                                                                          $30 and under
                                                                                                        • Cuisines
                                                                                                          Italian
                                                                                                        • Dining style
                                                                                                          Casual Dining
                                                                                                        • Dress code
                                                                                                          Casual Dress
                                                                                                        • Parking details
                                                                                                          Street Parking
                                                                                                        • Payment options
                                                                                                          Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                                        • Additional
                                                                                                          Beer, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wine
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