Little Italy Restaurants
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Award winning restaurants in San Diego
Check out diners' favourite restaurants in Little Italy
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Juniper & Ivy
$$$$•Farm-to-table•4.8(8,927)Featuring Executive Chef, Alex Penkin. Nationally-acclaimed Juniper and Ivy-consistently ranked "Best of the Best" by San Diego Magazine, and recognized as a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand establishment-is a foodie paradise on the edge of San Diego's Little Italy. The kitchen delivers a constantly rotating, chef-driven menu that uses hand-selected, seasonal ingredients crafted with precision, passion, and creativity. Founded by Owner Michael Rosen, Juniper's kitchen is backed by a supergroup of culinary minds that produce one of the most refined yet imaginative menus in town, paired with an award-winning wine list from the city's top sommeliers.Puerto La Boca
$$$$•Steakhouse•4.8(61)Puerto La Boca captures the essence of traditional Argentinian and Italian fusion with world famous Argentinian style steaks, an extensive wine list, and savory dishes from both land and sea. This includes pasta dishes, salads, seafood entrees, an array of delectable desserts and more.
Located in the heart of Little Italy, San Diego, since 2005. We offer premium Argentinian flavor for you to enjoy with friends and family.
Lunch Menu is only served Monday - Saturday from 11:30am - 3pm
Dinner Menu Mon-Thursday until 9pm, Friday & Saturday until 10pm & Sunday from 1pm- 8pm
Kettner Exchange
$$$$•Contemporary American•4.7(1,776)Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.Lala
$$$$•Italian•4.7(416)Lala | Modern Italian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar in Little Italy, San Diego
From the owners of Barbusa, Lala is a modern Italian restaurant in Little Italy, San Diego, where classic Italian cuisine meets contemporary creativity in a stylish, intimate setting. Perfect for date nights, celebrations, business dinners, happy hour, and group gatherings, Lala offers warm hospitality, handcrafted cocktails, an exceptional wine list, and an unforgettable dining experience.
Our menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients, house-made Italian specialties, premium meats, fresh seafood, artisanal cheeses, shareable appetizers, handcrafted pastas, signature entrées, and house-made desserts, all inspired by the rich flavors of Italy with a modern twist.
Whether you’re looking for one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego, a romantic dinner in Little Italy, or one of the city’s best cocktail bars, Lala delivers an elevated Italian dining experience in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
Born & Raised
$$$$•Steakhouse•4.7(8,073)The American steakhouse is an iconic restaurant institution. We’d wanted to tell that story for years, but waited until we had the skill, talent and ability to execute it properly, and the right space to be our canvas, an important corner in Little Italy, a neighborhood where we have deep roots. We brought an almost academic appreciation for steakhouse history and tradition to Born & Raised, while trying to stay relevant and authentic to ourselves and our city. Our dry-aged beef pays tribute to earlier, earthier, pre-government grading practices and is the centerpiece of a meal best savored at a slow pace. A timeless celebration of everything that makes restaurants so special. - Consortium Holdings. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.Herb & Wood
$$$$•Californian•4.7(7,461)Herb & Wood is a wood-fired restaurant in San Diego’s Little Italy. Led by Chef Brian Malarkey the restaurant is known for its ingredient-driven menu, seasonal cooking, and warm, design-forward dining experience.
The menu centers around live-fire cooking, with signature dishes like housemade pastas, roasted vegetables, and wood-grilled meats and seafood that highlight the quality of locally sourced ingredients. Partnerships with nearby farms and fisheries shape a menu that evolves with the seasons, balancing simplicity with bold, satisfying flavor.
Inside, Herb & Wood blends rustic warmth with modern elegance—featuring an open hearth, natural textures, and a spacious dining room that feels both inviting and refined. The restaurant also offers private and semi-private dining spaces, making it a go-to for group dinners, celebrations, and special occasions in Little Italy.
Ironside Fish & Oyster
$$$$•Seafood•4.6(5,285)Little Italy was built by the fishing industry. Ironside attempts to continue that narrative. It's our contemporary interpretation of the classic fish house and oyster bar. Located in a historic auction house on India St we did a full comprehensive restoration of the building, with three open-air culinary hubs featuring an expansive raw bar, chefs table, and bakery. We tried to be mindful of the past while looking towards the future. Groups of 6 or more will be charged an automatic 20% gratuity. A 4% surcharge will be added to all guest checks. For group reservations of 7 guests or more, please contact the restaurant at 619-269-3033 or via email to info@ironsidefishandoyster.com.
Ironside is now taking reservations for patio and dining room seating.
We are now offering Happy Hour MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 3:00PM - 5:00PM.Cloak + Petal
$$$$•Sushi•4.6(1,248)WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!
Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionship
Our concept is drawn from our name. The word “cloak” implies secrecy, inspiring our concept of a social sphere humming beneath the levels of ordinary life. “Petal” alludes to the Japanese tradition of “hanami,” when family and friends gather under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks and fellowship.
Enter our space and travel underground to décor reminiscent of an abandoned Tokyo subway, a stratum of society all its own, an artist’s dream. Cross the threshold into a mystically transformed Japanese social dining lounge which appears to be an outdoor seating area, similar to a waiting platform. Sit beneath a trellis of draping vines and teardrop lights in the intimate space we’ve thoughtfully created, and feast on authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates and drinks with family and friends.
Journey down to Cloak + Petal… and come unwind your soul.
Mimmo's Italian Village
$$$$•Italian•4.6(784)Mimmos Italian Village is one of the 3 original restaurants left in San Diego's historic Little Italy district. Established in 1973 in the heart of Little Italy you will find Mimmos is 3rd generation family owned and operated .
Enjoy our amazing food all homemade from scratch daily, using quality ingredients and fresh local produce .
Our popular dishes include, campanelle sausage, spicy shrimp linguine, and chicken parmesan. You can enjoy these dishes alongside a nice glass of wine or signature homemade sangria.
Mimmo's Italian Village was started by Vincenzo Mimmo Gaglio, originally from Montelepre, Sicily. Before arriving in San Diego, Gaglio sharpened his cooking skills in Tunisia, New York City, Ontario, California, and finally, San Diego.
Mimmo's seating areas consist of a charming indoor village, alfresco front and back patio seating.Petrini's
$$$$•Italian•4.5(528)Family-owned and proudly serving San Diego, Petrini’s brings classic Italian comfort food and generous hospitality to the heart of Little Italy. Join us for homemade pasta, signature Italian specialties, fresh seafood, classic favorites, cocktails and wine in a warm, welcoming setting.
Guests come to Petrini’s for our signature Chicken & Veal Parmesan, Gnocchi, Lasagna, Shrimp Scampi and Smoked Salmon Alfredo, along with a variety of traditional Italian dishes, cocktails and wine.
Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, family dinner, celebration or night out before a show, Petrini’s is a place to slow down, enjoy great Italian food and feel at home.
See what locals rave about in Little Italy
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- JJaimeGoldSan Diego •4 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoPhenomenal!! We’ll be back for sure. Ordered the lobster roll and clam chowder. Both highly recommended and were so very good. You most certainly should try the lobster roll. Loved the ambiance. Thanks for a fantastic dinner!More infoIronside Fish & Oyster$$$$• Seafood• Little Italy•4.6
- AAngelicaSan Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoEverything we ordered was amazing. There were grilled oysters as a special that night so we opted to try them and they were so tasty. My husband ordered a filet while I chose the rib eye. Both were cooked to perfection just as we requested. For sides, we had the brocollini and dirty hashbrowns. Those dirty hashbrowns were to die for. We were informed the process takes 3 days just to get them to their perfect state and it showed. Service was A+ and we even got to meet the chef! We also received a photo as it was our anniversary and that was a nice touch. That was our first time dining there and it will not be the last!More infoBorn & Raised$$$$• Steakhouse• Little Italy•4.7
- BBoChicago / Illinois •3 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoFood was excellent and the service was impeccable.More infoHerb & Wood$$$$• Californian• Little Italy•4.7
- JJasonToledo / Northwest Ohio •1 review5.0Dined 7 days agoMaybe the best meal I’ve had in the past 5 years. Worth checking out. A great value for the experience.More infoJuniper & Ivy$$$$• Farm-to-table• Little Italy•4.8
- OTOpenTable DinerChicago / Illinois •1 review5.0Dined 7 days agoWe absolutely love Barbusa, probably have been there 7 or 8 times in the last two years. Great place, great food and vibe 😃More infoBarbusa$$$$• Italian• Little Italy•4.6
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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 Wolfie's Carousel Bar
The best vegan restaurants in Little Italy are Civico 1845, Cloak + Petal and Queenstown Public House
The best vegetarian restaurants in Little Italy are Civico 1845, Juniper & Ivy and Herb & Wood
The restaurants with the best service in Little Italy are Wolfie's Carousel Bar, Coco Maya and Puerto La Boca
The restaurants with the best ambience in Little Italy are Wolfie's Carousel Bar, Coco Maya and Morning Glory
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