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RustiCucina, San Diego, CA

RustiCucina

4.6
4.6
1221 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary Italian
3797 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 22 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
  • Good for groups
Welcome to Rusticucina, where locally sourced ingredients, seasonal dishes and a warm ambiance reign supreme. We are named to reflect the merging of two cultures; American and Sicilian, since our owners are straight out of a small town in Sicily. We invite neighborhood dwellers and visitors to experience our farm-to-neighborhood restaurant unlike any other. Aperitivo, a traditional Italian-style happy hour, leads the way—think sensational small bites, Aperol Spritzes, Negronis and Limoncello. We also offer a full bar and carefully curated craft cocktails, along with an impressive beer and wine list. Our food menu, boasts hearty, rustic cuisine, with pasta made in-house, from scratch, as well palate-pleasing entrees and a slate of pizzas and flat breads. Our tableside service offers a one-of-a-kind, dedicated experience, and their outdoor space is the perfect landing spot for dog lovers and sun worshipers. We even offer a pet menu for furry guests.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Italian, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Marco Provino
  • Private party facilities
    RustiCucina welcomes the opportunity to host or cater your special and corporate events. Please give us a call at 619-310-5291 or email us at ocean@rusticucina.com to host your next event!
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Hillcrest
  • Cross street
    Essex
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,221 people are saying

RustiCucina 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
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
RustiCucina offers a charming Italian experience with "amazing food," "friendly service," and a "warm atmosphere." Signature dishes like the cheese wheel pasta and tiramisu are crowd favorites. While some guests note noise and occasional service delays, the "attentive staff" and "authentic Italian cuisine" make it a must-visit.

1,221 Reviews
  1. Shasha VIP

    Orange County6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My favorite Italian restaurant around! The food is exceptional, ambience wonderful, and the service is superb.

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  2. Nicolette VIP

    New York State12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    When you step into the restaurant you feel like you are in a small quaint town in Italy. Our server Ocean was so lovely. She spent time telling us the family owed restaurant and gave us great recommendations for our dinner. We started with the garlic bread with delicious Parmesan cheese sprinkled all over the bread. It was delicious and not overly garlicky. Then we had the roasted Brussel sprouts which were amazing. They were prepared with figs and balsamic oil. Dinner selections were homemade lasagna and Paccheri Norma which was delicious eggplant in a rich red sauce with homemade pasta and a dollop of ricotta. Both entrees were delicious and beautifully presented. We had a bottle of Nebbiolo Prunotto from Italy. A great deal as all bottles of wine are 50% off on Tuesday and Wednesday. We split a fabulous Tiramisu for dessert. Probably the best I ever had! I highly recommend RustiCucina!

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  3. Adam

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely loved this place! The food was delicious, the service was friendly, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Can’t wait to come back!

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  4. Karen

    Unspecified2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I’ve been coming here since they opened right before the pandemic, and it’s felt like home ever since. The staff is like family, always warm and welcoming, and somehow the food just keeps getting better. A true neighborhood gem.

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  5. River

    Unspecified2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic spot with amazing food and great drinks! It can get a little loud inside, so I’d recommend requesting a table outside if you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe. Totally worth it.

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  6. Marvin

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The fountain on the patio adds such a peaceful, charming touch—perfect spot to relax and enjoy a meal. The ragu is rich and comforting, and the cheese wheel pasta is an absolute showstopper—creamy, flavorful, and unforgettable.

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  7. David VIP

    San Diego2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    Had to ask for everything 3 times. Pasta was the most tasteless I've ever had

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  8. Jenna

    San Diego5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This Italian spot is a total gem! Their happy hour is unbeatable—great deals on wine, cocktails, and flavorful small plates. The calamari was perfectly crispy and tender, and the pasta with salsa alla vodka was rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. The staff is what really makes this place shine—super friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick drink or a full dinner, you’re in for a great time. Can’t wait to come back!

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  9. Jessica

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    From the moment I walked into this charming Italian gem, I knew I was in for something special. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between cozy and elegant, with soft lighting, warm wood accents, and the kind of welcoming staff that makes you feel like part of the famiglia. The highlight of the evening? The arancini special. These golden, crispy risotto balls were perfection—crispy on the outside, creamy and flavorful inside, with just the right touch of cheese and a subtle kick of seasoning. Served with a rich marinara dipping sauce, they were hands-down the best I’ve had outside of Sicily. Then came the fettuccine gamberi, and wow—just wow. The pasta was fresh and perfectly al dente, cloaked in a luscious garlic white wine sauce that clung to every strand. The shrimp were plump, tender, and bursting with flavor, clearly fresh and thoughtfully cooked. A hint of chili gave the dish a pleasant warmth without overpowering the delicate seafood notes. Paired with a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio and finished with a velvety tiramisu, the entire experience was nothing short of stellar. Whether you’re a die-hard Italian food lover or just looking for a place that truly honors its ingredients, this restaurant is a must-visit. I can’t wait to come back.

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  10. Lenny

    San Diego6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dining at this Italian restaurant was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we walked through the door, we were treated like honored guests. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the food and the experience they were providing—something you don’t see every day. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, and effortlessly made us feel at home. They walked us through the specials with enthusiasm and answered every question with thoughtful recommendations, even suggesting the perfect wine pairing for our meal.

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FAQs

RustiCucina offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 310-5291.

RustiCucina is rated 4.6 stars by 1221 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. Hillcrest

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 22 times today
Google Map for RustiCucina

3797 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Essex
  • Neighborhood
    Hillcrest
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Italian, Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Marco Provino
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    RustiCucina welcomes the opportunity to host or cater your special and corporate events. Please give us a call at 619-310-5291 or email us at ocean@rusticucina.com to host your next event!
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