Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego

I will let you in on an insider secret, San Diego has some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had!  I know that Southern California would not be your first guess for where to get authentic Italian cuisine, however if you take a trip down to Little Italy you will discover some hidden gems that give an unforgettable dining experience.  Below are the ten best Italian restaurants in San Diego:

1. Petrini’s Restaurant – Click for Profile

619-595-0322
610 W Ash St
San Diego, CA 92101

This Italian jewel is located in Little Italy. I could literally eat breakfast, lunch and dinner here everyday. I have frequent this restaurant dozens of times when I lived in San Diego and it is the first place I like to go back to when visiting. For dinner I recommend you start off with some caponata and I bottle of Amarone wine.  Every meal comes with a cup of soup or salad and make sure to try the Petrini’s home made Italian dressing. For your main course you can enjoy any number of premium pasta dishes or pizzas. I especially like their cannelloni. The owner and chef David Petrini is so nice and often comes out to ask the customers if they are enjoying their food.

2. Old Venice Italian Restaurant Caffe & Bar

619-222-5888
2910 Canon
San Diego, CA 92106

Casual elegance, relaxed charm, and a fusion of Mediterranean flavors combine to present a dining experience you won’t forget. Whether meeting friends, anticipating a romantic evening or entertaining family, Old Venice is your restaurant— in the heart of Point Loma. Family owned and operated for 25 years, Old Venice is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Tastefully decorated, with a selection of indoor or outdoor dining, you will immediately be enraptured with the European ambiance of one of San Diego’s finest dining venues.

3. The Godfather

858-560-1747
7878 Clairemont Mesa Bl
San Diego, CA 92111

Come here to have an enjoyable evening of celebrating the Old Italian tradition of gourmet cuisine, fine wine and entertainment. In 1967, Chef Isidoro Balistreri came to San Diego from his native town of Aspra, a small village just outside Palermo, Sicily, bringing to you exquisite recipes from the “Old Country”. If you are feeling extra hungry try the Filet Migon a la Godfather, which is a 1 lb Filet Migon, butterflied with procuttio, mozzarella, fresh mushrooms marinara & barolo.

4. Primavera Ristorante

619-435-0454
932 Orange Ave
Coronado, CA 92118

Located in downtown Coronado and only 15 minutes from the San Diego airport, you’ll travel across the picturesque Coronado Bridge before finding yourself nestled within the town center. Due to winery allocations and limited quantities of premium wines, the wine menu is changed on a weekly basis. They also have one of the finest private dinning rooms available in San Diego county name The Tuscany Room.

5. Buca di Beppo

619-233-7272
705 6th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

Buca di Beppo is an authentic Italian restaurant that offers flavorful Italian dining. Dine with family and friends while enjoying the Italian traditions of food, friendship and hospitality. In the spirit of Italian culture, the dishes are served family style and are meant to be shared.

6. Asti Ristorante

619-232-8844
728 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

For a night out on the town Asti is located in the heart of San Diego’s well- known Gaslamp District and their out door patio crackles with the energy of San Diego’s nightlife. The red brink walls of the dining room add an urban touch, as well as showcase photos of the many celebrities who have enjoyed dining at Asti. The quality of cuisine and atmosphere is accompanied superb service.

7. Dimille’s Italian Restaurant

619-283-3153
3492 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116

DiMille’s Italian Deli and Pizza Grotto is a family owned and operated business serving the greater San Diego community with high quality Italian Food at reasonable prices since 1978.  DiMille’s does this by preparing all foods from scratch daily, using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients all prepared according to Mamma DiMille’s original recipes handed down in the family from generation to generation.

8. Piatti Ristorante & Bar

858-454-1589
2182 Avenida de la Playa
La Jolla, CA 92037

With their open kitchens and stone pizza hearths, each of the Piatti restaurants reflects the warm charm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. While every Piatti has its own character and ambiance suited to its specific locale, all are characterized by simple, unpretentious designs, rustic yet flavorful cuisine and family friendly service.

9. Trattoria La Strada

619-239-3400
705 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

This cafe is labeled best of the best for Italian restaurants, categorizing them as one of the top ten restaurants in the United States as well as San Diego Downtown News silver medal for “Best Italian.” Come here to gather with friends, family and neighbors eat, drink and socialize while enjoying the sense of community found in Italy’s most popular trattorias.

10. Vivace

760-603-6800
Four Seasons Resort Aviara
7100 Four Seasons Point
Carlsbad, CA 92011

The contemporary setting of this Four Season’s restaurant is both sophisticated and relaxing, a fitting environment for diners enjoying Chef Bruce Logue’s creative cuisine. While Logue’s dishes, including Smoked Tomato Soup, Hand Cut Pappardelle Bolognese, and California Sturgeon in Proscutto, pay homage to the classics, each is an inspired interpretation that departs from the traditional. As diners feast on Chef Logue’s dishes, their eyes will feast on stunning views of the nearby Pacific through the floor-to-ceiling windows of this Carlsbad resort.

Best Wine Bars in San Diego

Few things compare to sipping a fine wine, especially when you can do it in the beautiful San Diego surroundings.  From wine tastings to rare varietals, these establishments have everything that even the most discriminating connoisseur could ask for.  Below are the ten best wine bars in San Diego:

1. The Barrel Room-Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro

858-673-7512
16765 Bernardo Center Dr
San Diego, CA 92128

2. Excalibur Cigar Lounge & Wine Bar

858-549-4422
7094 Miramar Rd 113
San Diego, CA 92121

3. Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar

858-597-1189
4365 Executive Dr
San Diego, CA 92121

4. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

619-237-1155
380 K St
San Diego, CA 92101

5. Gaffney’s Wine Bar

760-633-1011
897 S Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA 92024

6. Wet Stone Wine Bar & Cafe

619-255-2856
1927 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

7. Trisler’s Wine Bar

619-298-1501
8555 Station Village Ln
San Diego, CA 92108

8. Tango Restaurant & Wine Bar

760-747-5000
417 W Grand Ave
Escondido, CA 92025

9. The Vine Wine Bar & Bistro

619-722-7046
2502 Alpine Blvd
Alpine, CA 91901

10. Toscana Cafe Wine Bar

619-231-5788
238 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

Best Restaurants in San Diego

San Diego is world renowned for its scenic beauty, and rivaling this beauty are the numerous exquisite fine dining establishments that fill this wondrous city.  From fresh seafood to succulent steaks, this Southern Californian metropolis has cuisine for every taste.  Below are the ten best restaurants in San Diego:

1. NOBU – Japanese Cuisine – Click for Profile

619-814-4124
Hard Rock Hotel
207 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

2. Addison – French and Local Cuisine – Click for Profile

858-314-1900
The Grand Del Mar
5200 Grand Del Mar Way
San Diego, CA 92130

3. Bertrand at Mr. A’s – American Cuisine – Click for Profile

619-239-1377
2550 5th Ave
12th floor of the Fifth Avenue Center
San Diego, CA 92103

4. A.R. Valentien – New American Cuisine – Click for Profile

858-777-6635
The Lodge at Torrey Pines
11480 N Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037

5. Donovan’s Steak & Chop House – Steakhouse & Seafood – Click for Profile

858-450-6666
4340 La Jolla Village Dr
La Jolla, CA 92122

6. Mille Fleurs – French Cuisine – Click for Profile

858-756-3085
6009 Paseo Delicias Ave
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091

7. Rama – Thai Cuisine – Click for Profile

619-501-8424
327 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

8. Petrini’s Restaurant – Italian Cuisine – Click for Profile

619-595-0322
610 W Ash St
San Diego, CA 92101

9. WineSellar & Brasserie – French Cuisine – Click for Profile

858-450-9557
9550 Waples St Suite 115
San Diego, CA 92121

10. Oceanaire Seafood Room – Seafood – Click for Profile

619-858-2277
400 J St
San Diego, CA 92101

Best Bars in San Diego

San Diego has created a fantastic nightlife culture over the past few years and boasts some of the hottest bars in Southern California.  If you like the nightlife scene, make sure to check out the Gaslamp District in downtown SD, it is definitely my favorite part of this beautiful city.  Below are the ten best bars in San Diego:

1. Confidential

619-696-8888
901 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

2. Altitude Skybar & Garden Lounge

619-446-6086
Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
660 K St
San Diego, CA 92101

3. W Hotel

619-238-1078
Rooftop Bar
421 W B St
San Diego, CA 92101

4. Airport Lounge

619-685-3881
2400 India St
San Diego, CA 92101

5. Side Bar

619-696-0946
536 Market St
San Diego, CA 92101

6. The Cask Room

619-822-1606
550 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101

7. The Bitter End

619-338-9300
770 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

8. Onyx Room and Thin

619-235-6699
852 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

9. Casbah

619-232-4355
2501 Kettner Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101

10. Envy / Eden

619-814-2055
The Ivy Hotel
600 F St
San Diego, CA 92101

Best Sushi Bars in San Diego

Considering that I used to live in San Diego, I can honestly attest to the amazing sushi bars that the city has to offer.  Whether you are in the mood for exotic rolls or you are simply craving some fresh sashimi, you will not have to look far in this town.  For the most part my favorite establishments are located in the Gaslamp District in downtown.  Below are the ten best Sushi Bars in San Diego:

1. NOBU

619-814-4124
Hard Rock Hotel
207 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

2. Aubergine

619-232-8100
500 4th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

3. Ra Sushi

619-321-0021
474 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101

4. Sushi Itto

619-291-6060
441 Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103

5. Sushi on the Rock

858-456-1138
7734 Girard Ave
La Jolla, CA 92037

6. Yu Me Ya Sake House

760-633-4288
1246 N Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA 92023

7. Café Japengo

848-450-3355
8960 University Center Lane
La Jolla, CA 92122

8. Sushi Ota

858-270-5670
4529 Mission Bay Dr
San Diego, CA 92109

9. Zen 5 Sushi

858-490-0121
1130 Garnet Ave
Pacific Beach, CA 92109

10. Harney Sushi

619-295-3272
3964 Harney St
Old Town, CA 92110