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Lala, San Diego, CA

Lala

4.6
4.6
192 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
1919 India St, San Diego, CA 92101-2214

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 24 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Charming
  • Lively
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.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary Italian, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Tue, Sun 5:00 pm–9:45 pm Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–10:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Nino Zizzo
  • Private party facilities
    Private dining space available from 30-70 people.
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy
  • Cross street
    Back of Barbusa parking lot
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 192 people are saying

Lala 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

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

  • San Diego

    Lively

  • San Diego

    Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Lala offers a "great atmosphere" with delicious food and vibrant vibes. Highlight dishes include truffle Alfredo, bone marrow cavatelli, and seafood risotto. Service is praised as "awesome," with standout staff like Jesus and Andie. While some faced "slow service," patrons generally enjoy the "amazing cocktails" and festive setting, perfect for gatherings.

192 Reviews
  1. Omar

    Guanajuato1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    La comida excelente, pero el servicio por parte de Jesús fue simplemente maravilloso y cálido. Sí regreso.

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  2. Matt VIP

    Vancouver45 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really fun atmosphere, great ambiance. This is a fun restaurant with delicious food!

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  3. Ling

    San Diego1 review

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food and vibes. Dark and moody. Good cocktails. We were sat 30 minutes late so our drinks were comped. Tiramisu was too much pudding. Truffle Alfredo was amazing. Never tried an oat milk espresso martini until here, and it was a nice change with more nuttiness than a milk based one. Gnocchi was a great texture - not usually my favorite dish but this one was phenomenal. Not mushy.

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  4. Tracy

    Dallas4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place for a great quiet night out with great food and welcoming staff.

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  5. Heather

    Charleston4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This place is amazing! I highly recommend. We had the bruschetta to starts and is was delicious. I had the lasagna pinwheels and my hubs had the steak. Both were fantastic! Enjoy!

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  6. Judy

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Server was great! The food was great! Fun place!

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  7. Debbie VIP

    San Francisco24 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience at LaLa! So enjoyed our server Jesus ! Great food service and ambiance

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  8. Gregory

    Tampa3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    So I wanted Little Italy and there were a bunch of 4.7 stars, including Lala, in Open Table. Picked it because I liked the name. It was an exquisite meal with wok colleagues and now I’m in charge of picking all our venues in the future. Everything was fantastic and it also has a very cool bat and overall vibe. Will definitely come back whenever I’m in San Diego

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  9. Kim VIP

    New York City11 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 4, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Love the vibe of this place. Attentive service and food is pretty good.

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  10. Fletcher VIP

    San Diego52 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 2, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    Date night with my wife. We shared Beef Carpaccio & a seafood risotto. Plenty of food. The risotto was outstanding, with excellent jumbo shrimp, plus calamari & clams, all perfectly done. We had never eaten risotto with a tomato base, but it was great, with just a light amount of heat. We were on an enclosed patio, which was quite cold in spite of heaters. Service was very friendly, but not always present, and the main course came 45 minutes after we ordered, even though the place was nearly empty when we arrived at 7:00 on a Tuesday. Glasses of wine are $$$, with some costing as much as you would pay for a bottle at the store.

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FAQs

Lala is rated 4.6 stars by 192 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. Little Italy

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 24 times today
Google Map for Lala

1919 India St, San Diego, CA 92101-2214

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Back of Barbusa parking lot
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy
  • Hours of operation
    Mon, Tue, Sun 5:00 pm–9:45 pm Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–10:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary Italian, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Nino Zizzo
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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