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Little Italy Restaurants

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Check out diners' favourite restaurants in Little Italy

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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.

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Herb & Wood
Diners’ top pick
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Price: Expensive
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Californian
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4.7
(5717)
A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.
A photo of Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar restaurant
Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar
Price: Moderate
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Mexican
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4.7
(74)
Authentic Baja-style, ceviche, and oyster restaurant. Unique tostadas, oysters, tiradito, clams
A photo of Cloak + Petal restaurant
Cloak + Petal
Price: Expensive
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Sushi
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4.6
(790)
WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!
Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionship
Our concept is drawn from our name. The word “cloak” implies secrecy, inspiring our concept of a social sphere humming beneath the levels of ordinary life. “Petal” alludes to the Japanese tradition of “hanami,” when family and friends gather under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks and fellowship.
Enter our space and travel underground to décor reminiscent of an abandoned Tokyo subway, a stratum of society all its own, an artist’s dream. Cross the threshold into a mystically transformed Japanese social dining lounge which appears to be an outdoor seating area, similar to a waiting platform. Sit beneath a trellis of draping vines and teardrop lights in the intimate space we’ve thoughtfully created, and feast on authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates and drinks with family and friends.
Journey down to Cloak + Petal… and come unwind your soul.
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Sorrento Ristorante
Top-rated food
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Price: Expensive
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Italian
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4.6
(9)
Sorrento Ristorante offers traditional Italian cuisines in its warm and hospitable ambiance. The restaurant is decorated with simplicity. Washed in decent shades of brown, it has a decorate ceiling. Tiny bulbs hang from the ceiling to create a romantic environment. Large pillars in the dining room are decorated with fresh flower arrangements and glasswork. The restaurant has a native Italian staff. It has a beautiful outdoor patio, serving the warmth of San Diego nights. Sorrento Ristorante is popular for its variety of authentic Italian dips and sauces. Guests can customize their meals by pairing up the sauces with their main meals. Pesto sauce makes a nice combination with all pastas. Chocolate mousse is served with chopped dark chocolate chunks and white chocolate cream topping. The lightly tossed bleu cheese is prepared in the craft kitchen. The bar at Sorrento Ristorante serves Italian wines and beer.
A photo of Rovino restaurant
Rovino
Price: Expensive
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Italian
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4.6
(956)
Rovino, located in San Diego, California, offers Italian cuisine for dinner. Rovino features an extensive wine selection and a knowledgeable staff who can help pair wine with each entrée. We also feature a wonderful creative selection of Craft Cocktails.
Try the fried calamari or the saffron rice balls filled with ground beef, peas and mozzarella cheese to start out your meal at Rovino. Choose from dinner entrées like the prosciutto and arugula flatbread or the pasta al sugo. Top off your Italian experience with a cup of specialty coffee and a dessert such as the tiramisu or the cannoli.
A photo of Nonna restaurant
Nonna
Price: Moderate
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Italian
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4.6
(844)
Many restaurants in Little Italy have become destinations, among them the Busalacchi family's Nonna. The rustic décor features a relaxed country-style feel throughout the restaurant, including the delightful patio. The wonderfully welcoming atmosphere celebrates yet another delicious Sicilian food lineup, including pizzas and all that you would expect from an authentic Italian menu. The terrific entrées show the Sicilian influence, and fill the restaurant with great aromas.
We would love to hear your feedback on your experience.
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Juniper & Ivy
Top-rated hospitality
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Price: Very Expensive
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Contemporary American
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4.6
(7509)
Juniper and Ivy delivers a chef-driven menu that uses hand-selected, seasonal ingredients crafted with precision, passion, and creativity. Daily offerings rotate, based on the top ingredients brought in by local farmers and fishermen that morning.
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. Pair that with pristine attention to detail and unsurpassed breadth of knowledge from our front of house team and award-winning wine list for an unforgettable dining experience.
For all groups 9 and larger contact Kirsten Trelenberg: events@juniperandivy.com or call 619.487.9627
A photo of Born & Raised restaurant
Born & Raised
Price: Very Expensive
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Steakhouse
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4.6
(5479)
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.
A photo of Barbusa restaurant
Barbusa
Price: Moderate
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Italian
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4.6
(3857)
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!
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Coco Maya
Great vibe
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Price: Expensive
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Contemporary Latin
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4.4
(287)
Coco Maya is inspired by exploring the history of the Islands and Latin American regions of the Caribbean Ocean.
The dishes are a contemporary link from the past to the present using local produce and Seafood guided by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. European influence in flavor and cooking techniques are echoed throughout the menu with the core of the kitchen coming from the Coal Fired Josper Oven. Hints of the Ocean, smoke, and char will reverberate through all the dishes.
A daily Brunch Menu is centered around composed Latin American and Caribbean breakfast dishes with rotating pastries and a unique Sandwich called Bokit (a stuffed fry bread from the French Islands of Guadeloupe).
Snacks vary from a simple play on Chex Mix to a fun tableside version of a Raclette queso fundido.
Dinner transitions into a more select atmosphere with the food offering a variety of plant-based small plates and large format proteins cooked over coals
A photo of Craft & Commerce restaurant
Craft & Commerce
Price: Expensive
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American
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4.7
(985)
Providing shelter from the storm since 2009.
A photo of Queenstown Public House restaurant
Queenstown Public House
Price: Moderate
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Organic
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4.6
(431)
For parties of 7 or more please give us a call at 619-546-0444
We are a New Zealand inspired whimsical restaurant set in a craftsman house that dates back to 1905. We are one block off the main drag in Little Italy. Sink your teeth into one of our organic beef or lamb burgers. We also have many salads and dinner entrees to try. Portions are generous, and prices are reasonable.
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Bun & Patti
Great budget-friendly spot
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Price: Moderate
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American
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4.6
(15)
Bun & Patti opened March 2023, owned and operated by Elion and Amy Prodani, and inspired by Elion's two decades managing fine dining restaurants in NYC and Las Vegas and has already been featured in the San Diego Union Tribune, Eater, and recently rated #2 best burger restaurant in San Diego by Yelp.
The family restaurant gets its name from Amy's mother "Patti" who enjoyed serving burgers with the perfect glass of wine. Bun & Patti specializes in burgers that are higher-end yet approachable using the finest quality ingredients including Flannery Farm 14 day dry-aged patty, Gold Canyon custom chuck and brisket blend, brioche buns from Rockenwagner Bakery and thick-cut sous vide Bakers Bacon.
In addition to burgers, Bun & Patti offers starters featuring Patti's Pretzel and Boujee Tots, fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, steak frites and sides including signature onion rings, truffle fries and macaroni and cheese.
A photo of Ballast Point Little Italy restaurant
Ballast Point Little Italy
Price: Moderate
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Brewery
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4.7
(40)
Ballast Point Brewing Company's research & development location in Little Italy with 25+ beers on tap, cider, hard kombucha, full wine list, and an eclectic New American menu. Our dedicated team of brewers constantly explore new tastes and techniques to create adventurous and GABF award winning beers. Just like our approach to beer, the kitchen only sources the best possible ingredients, including steroid and antibiotic free proteins, line-caught fish and local produce when available. Come for a flight of beer, enjoy a smash burger, fill a growler, or get a keg - whatever the reason, we'd love to see you.
A photo of Ristorante Illando restaurant
Ristorante Illando
Price: Moderate
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Italian
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4.6
(702)
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!!"

Outdoor dining in San Diego

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See what locals rave about in Little Italy

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you

Trending dishes in Little Italy

Explore dishes that diners are raving about
Lobster Curry Soup
Lobster Curry Soup
Huntress
•
4.7
Waffle Churro Sticks
Waffle Churro Sticks
Madi
•
4.6
Brick Oven Bolognese
Brick Oven Bolognese
ARLO San Diego
•
4.5
Octopus
Octopus
Coya Peruvian Secret
•
4.8
Gnocchi
Gnocchi
Trattoria Don Pietro
•
4.3
Grilled Salmon Plate (GF)
Grilled Salmon Plate (GF)
Zinqué - San Diego
•
3.8

Award winning restaurants in San Diego

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Restaurant experiences trending in San Diego

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Get inspired by our collections of the top restaurants in Little Italy

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 is Kettner Exchange

The best vegan restaurants in Little Italy are Civico 1845, Cloak + Petal and The Yasai: Vegan Japanese Experience at Little Italy

The best vegetarian restaurants in Little Italy are Civico 1845, Herb & Wood and Juniper & Ivy

The restaurants with the best service in Little Italy are Kettner Exchange, Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar and Juniper & Ivy

The restaurants with the best ambiance in Little Italy are Kettner Exchange, Born & Raised and Solunto

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