🍝 San Diego Italian Guide

Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego

Little Italy heart and coastal California soul define SD Italian.

Find San Diego Italian

San Diego's Little Italy is one of America's best Italian neighborhoods—vibrant, walkable, and packed with excellent restaurants. Beyond downtown, coastal neighborhoods add their own Italian gems.

Little Italy

Buona Forchetta

$$ • South Park/Liberty Station

True Neapolitan outside Little Italy. Outstanding.

Juniper & Ivy

$$$$ • Little Italy

Richard Blais's California-Italian. Creative and excellent.

Barbusa

$$$ • Little Italy

Sicilian-inspired with excellent seafood.

Modern Italian

Born & Raised

$$$$ • Little Italy

Italian steakhouse with incredible design.

Civico 1845

$$$ • Little Italy

Contemporary Italian with seasonal focus.

Herb & Wood

$$$$ • Little Italy

Mediterranean with Italian influences. Great patio.

Classic Italian

Filippi's Pizza Grotto

$$ • Little Italy

Through the grocery store since 1950. Classic SD.

Landini's Pizzeria

$$ • Little Italy

Old-school Italian since 1950.

Mona Lisa

$$ • Little Italy

Deli meets restaurant. Great sandwiches and pasta.

Pro Tip: Little Italy's Mercato farmers market runs Saturdays—pair market shopping with lunch at one of the neighborhood's many outdoor patios.