The Best Restaurants of Little Italy in San Diego
Little Italy is a wonderful area of San Diego with restaurants galore, and walkability that would make even New Yorkers jealous. Blessed with beautiful weather a majority of the year, and the beach just blocks away, Little Italy is a great place to visit and fill your foodie quota of the day. Below we take a look at some of what we consider to be the top restaurants in Little Italy.
1. Juniper & Ivy
2228 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-9036
Chef Richard Blais has created one of the top restaurants in San Diego with this absolute gem located in Little Italy. They have a seasonal menu that sometimes changes daily because the menu is driven based on what local farmers and fishermen bring to the market. The starters are all fantastic – highlighted by the carne cruda asada toast that comes with pickled jalapeno, cotija, quail eggs, and a buttery brioche toast. The halibut plate is served with mussels, clams, shrimp, squid, beans, and calabrian chiles in a tasty tomato sauce, while the pot pie is filled to the brim with pork belly and beautifully caramelized cabbage wrapped in a flaky puff pastry. End the meal with one of their decadent desserts such as the hazelnut creme brulee that’s served with vanilla whip and preserved apricots and thyme. Juniper and Ivy was a Bib Gourmand recipient from the Michelin Guide due to their superb food at a reasonable price point.
2. Ironside Fish & Oyster
1654 India St., San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-3033
With a delightful maritime vibe – Ironside sets the tone the minute you step inside the building as they set expectations high for a delicious seafood meal. What they really have going for them is they absolutely deliver! The lobster roll includes heaping mounts of melt in your mouth lobster, brown butter mayo, chives, and crispy shallots and served with a side of fries. The clam chowder comes with pork and a cheddar biscuit and is hits every note that you would want a clam chowder to hit. The octopus a la plancha comes with perfectly cooked octopus, chorizo, and olives, drizzled in sherry. Make sure to try the local catch sometimes as well if you happen to be a fan of fresh, well-cooked fish. As for dessert make sure to try one of Chef Shitty’s famous donuts or go all out and get the chocolate cake served with creme anglaise.
3. Bencotto
750 W Fir St., #103, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 450-4786
If pasta is on your mind, Bencotto is a great place to go in Little Italy. The parma piadina is a great way to start a meal off with an italian flatbread topped with parma prosciutto, burrata, and arugula. If you’re looking for something a little more substantial – the salumi e formaggi masti is a beautiful board filled with artisanal meats and cheese, and with an order of the pane, or homemade bread, to go with it for a fantastic starter. The pasta is fantastic, and they have a pasta your way where you can choose the type of pasta, and sauce you want. The brasato di manzo takes short prime rib and braises it in red wine and is served with mashed potatoes and makes for a great meal. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with their classic take on tiramisu.
4. Barbusa
1917 India St., San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-1917
Barbusa prides themselves on taking already modern Sicilian cuisine and adding their own flare. You can start your meal with bone marrow served with chile jam, and combine it with a bone marrow shot as well. The carpaccio is delicious short ribs combined with shallots, caciocavallo, and topped with lemon for a wonderfully balanced appetizer. Their handmade pasta is sensational as well including a decadent cacio e pepe that’s topped with just peccorino, and cracked black pepper to let the linguine be the star of the show. If you’re feeling particularly hungry the fish of the day and veal parmigiana are two great options to dine on. The California pizza, while not traditional, is a wonderfully balanced pizza with avocado, arugula, lemon, and a balsamic glaze right on top. The wine and cocktail list allow you to find the perfect pairing for your dish to give you a truly memorable dinner.
5. Civico1845
1845 India St., San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 431-5990
While the Little Italy location is closed currently due to COVID19, you can still enjoy their wonderful menu at the Bankers Hill location to get your Italian fix. Civico still makes the list because of its delightful menu and fantastic dining experience. Civico gives you two types of traditional Italian pizza – their pinsa romana, and their pizza calabrese which comes from the Calabria region. Owner and executive chef Pietro Gallo was the inspiration behind their vegan and gluten-free menu, rather unique for an Italian restaurant, to go along with the entire menu. The pappardelle brasato combines fantastically prepared slow-cooked short rib ragu with shaved parmigiano reggiano.The wine and cocktail list give you lots to work with to find that perfect pairing for your meal and the affogato al pistachio uses vegan pistachio ice cream and is perfectly balanced with espresso aiello to end the meal absolutely delightfully.
6. Born and Raised
1909 India St., San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 202-4577
For a classic steakhouse experience with a bountiful menu, Born and Raised hits it out of the park in Little Italy. The heirloom tomato gazpacho or shrimp cocktail gives you a great way to start your meal with the gazpacho stuffed with lobster, and mussels while the shrimp cocktail is filled to the brim with juicy Baja shrimp and the perfect amount of horseradish. The steak is perfect to buttery, perfection no matter the cut you desire, and the caviar service is absolutely wonderful. If you’re particularly hungry the Maine lobster is plopped right on top of the perfectly seasoned risotto and served with caviar butter. The star, however, might be the beef Wellington that is cooked to absolute perfection served with potato puree and peppercorn sauce.
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