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BEST RATED SAN DIEGO, CA ITALIAN RESTAURANTS

3 Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego, CA

Expert-recommended Top 3 Italian Restaurants in San Diego, California. All of our italian restaurants actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy - San Diego, CA Italian Restaurants - Food Image
Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy - San Diego, CA Italian Restaurants - Restaurant Interior Image
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Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego CA - Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy video
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FILIPPI'S PIZZA GROTTO LITTLE ITALY

(5.0 Score)
1747 India Street,
San Diego, CA 92101 Directions

Since 1947

Specialty:

✓ Cheese ✓ Pepperoni ✓ Sausage ✓ Mushroom ✓ Anchovie ✓ Canadian Style Bacon ✓ Salami ✓ Bell Peppers ✓ Black Olive ✓ Meatball ✓ Pepperoni and Mushroom ✓ Ravioli ✓ Lasagna ✓ Mamma's Recipe ✓ Macaroni ✓ Rigatoni ✓ Shells ✓ Mostaccioli ✓ With Meatball or Sausage ✓ With Meatball and Sausage ✓ Caesar Salad Small ✓ Ham and Cheese ✓ Pepper Steak ✓ Eggplant Parmigiana Sandwich

"Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy is a chain Italian restaurant offering pizza and red-sauce Italian staples in generous portions. Vincent DePhilippis, born in New York, NY, and raised in Naples, Italy, returned to New York City at the age of 18. Vincent DePhilippis and Madeleine Manfredi, from Nîmes, France, met in New York, NY. They married in 1925 and then settled in Westchester, Pennsylvania. The restaurant invites you to enjoy its authentic dishes with family and friends. All their dishes are prepared using their Italian family recipes passed down through generations. Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Little Italy provides vegan and kids' menus. The restaurant offers outdoor seating options.

2026 Update: Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy is known for an old-school looking restaurant with great food service and great prices."

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Price:

Pizza
Special (8 Items) $28.79
The Works $26.99
Vegetarian Special $26.99
Margherita Pizza $23.49
Cheese $22.95
Pepperoni $24.95
Sausage $24.95
Mushroom $24.95
Anchovie $24.95
Canadian Style Bacon $24.95
Salami $24.95
Bell Peppers $24.95
Black Olive $24.95
Meatball $24.95
Sausage & Bell Peppers $25.95
Sausage & Mushroom $25.95
Pepperoni & Mushroom $25.95
Pepperoni & Sausage $25.95
Ham & Pineapple $25.95
Sandwiches
Torpedo $12.99
Italian Sausage $14.29
Italian Sausage With Bell Peppers $15.29
Meatball $14.29
Meatball With Bell Peppers $15.29
Ham $13.79
Ham & Cheese $14.79
Capicolla (Italian Ham) $14.79
Pepper Steak $16.79
Cheese $12.79
Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich $17.79
Eggplant Parmigiana Sandwich $16.79
7.50

Contact:

(619) 232-5094 (619) 232-5095

Sun-Thu: 11am - 9pm
Fri & Sun: 11am - 10pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Barbusa - San Diego, CA Italian Restaurants - Food Image
Barbusa - San Diego, CA Italian Restaurants - Restaurant Interior Image
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BARBUSA

(4.9 Score)
1917 India Street,
San Diego, CA 92101 Directions

Since 2018

Specialty:

✓ Granchio ✓ Bolognese Al Forno ✓ Gnocchi ✓ Carbonara ✓ Ravioli Norma ✓ Vongole Rosso ✓ Funghi E Tartufo ✓ Tableside Shaved Summer Truffles ✓ Short Rib Lasagne ✓ Pollo Scarpariello ✓ Salmone ✓ Carne Con Sugo ✓ Sicilian Bone-In Ribeye ✓ Prosciutto E Tartufo ✓ Burrata ✓ Dolce E Piccante

"Barbusa is a stylish Italian restaurant with Pop Art decor and a marble-topped bar serving a modern Sicilian menu. The restaurant is led by the Busalacchi family, which offers artisan pizzas, handmade pasta, and seafood-centric dishes alongside handcrafted Italian cocktails and Southern Italian wines. Their team of chefs prepares fresh sourced ingredients for their menus. You can enjoy their delicious Italian food with signature dishes like 'short rib lasagna' and 'gnocchi.' Barbusa is the perfect place to relax during your free time with family and friends. The restaurant offers a wide range of cocktails to complement your meals. The restaurant also offers happy hour menus and high chair options.

2026 Update: Barbusa is known for handcrafted pastas, fresh seafood, and over-the-top friendly service."

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Price:

Pasta
Granchio $30.92
Bolognese Al Forno $26.92
Gnocchi $25.97
Carbonara $26.94
Lobster Fusilli $34.95
Palermitana $25.94
Funghi E Tartufo $28.95
Farfalle Al Salmone $29.95
Short Rib Lasagna $29.94
For The Table
Busalacchi’S Garlic Bread $12.94
Roested Bone Marrow $19.98
Lollipop Chops $23.97
Arancini $15.95
Bruschetta Di Melanzene $19.97
Mussels 'Nduja $24.95
Burrata Caprese $19.95
Carpaccio $19.95
Fiori Di Zucca $18.97
Sicilian Meatballs $16.98
Sausage And Peppers $18.98
Pizza
Prosciutto E Tartufo $26.41
Dolce E Piccante $26.53
Pepperoni $24.91
Cocktails
Cocolinda $17
Amalfi Rush $17
Donnarosa $17
Andiamo $17
Sicilian Punch $17
Calabrian Kiss $17
Passion Of Etna $17
Caramello $18
Fragola Negroni $18
Dolci
Deconstructed Cannoli $13.92

Contact:

(619) 238-1917

Lunch
Sat-Sun: 11:30am - 4pm
Dinner
Sun-Thu: 11.30am - 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am - 10.30pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Civico 1845 - San Diego, CA Italian Restaurants - Food Image
Civico 1845 - San Diego, CA Italian Restaurants - Restaurant Interior Image
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3+ YEARS IN TBR
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CIVICO 1845

(4.8 Score)
1845 India Street,
San Diego, CA 92101 Directions

Since 1845

Specialty:

✓ Fusilli Alla Norma ✓ Lasagna Calabrese ✓ Pappardelle Brasato ✓ Tagliatelle Della Sila ✓ Raviolo Ai Gamberi ✓ Scialatelli Civico ✓ Cotoletta Di Pollo ✓ Branzino ✓ Tagliata Di Manzo ✓ Caesar ✓ Insalata Fresca ✓ Pomodoro Fresco ✓ Burrata Caprese ✓ Bruschetta 'nduja E Ricotta ✓ Fiori Di Zucca ✓ Gorgonzola E Pere

"Civico 1845 is Contemporary Italian cooking with vegan options offered in warm digs with reclaimed wood and a patio. The restaurant has a cozy and welcoming ambiance. The entire menu is a homage to their region, Calabria, and southern Italian roots, reflecting what is served in Italy today. The owners of the restaurant are Dario Gallo and Pietro Gallo. Their goal is to bring the most authentic and contemporary Italian experience. Civico 1845 is the ideal place to enjoy mouthwatering menu items with family and friends. The restaurant provides happy hour menus, vegan menus, and cocktail menus for their customers.

2026 Update: Civico 1845 always impress their customers with the best taste of food and peaceful ambience."

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Price:

Antipasti
Extra Bread And Pesto $5.00
Carpaccio Di Polpo $24.00
Burrata Caprese $20.00
Bruschetta 'Nduja E Ricotta $21.00
Fiori Di Zucca $21.00
Calamari $23.00
Insalate
Cesar $17.00
Insalata Fresca $17.00
Primi Piatti
Lasagna $33.00
Pappardelle Brasato $31.00
Ravioli Di Gamberi $32.00
Gnocchi Alla Bolognese $34.00
Pomodoro Fresco $26.00
Casareccia Alla Norcina $31.00
Spaghetti E Polpette $29.00
Secondi Piatti
Chicken Scaloppine Al Limone $36.00
Branzino $46.00
Short Ribs Brasato $45.00

Contact:

(619) 431-5990

Mon & Thu: 12pm - 9:30pm
Tue & Wed: 4pm - 9:30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm - 10pm
Sun: 12pm - 9pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

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FILIPPI'S PIZZA GROTTO LITTLE ITALY REVIEWS

I recently visited Filippi’s Pizza Grotto in Little Italy, San Diego, and it was a delightful experience. The restaurant has a cozy, old-school Italian vibe, complete with a charming market at the entrance. The pizza was delicious, with a perfectly crispy crust, generous toppings, and rich, flavorful sauce. Portions were hearty and satisfying. Service was friendly and efficient despite the busy atmosphere. It’s a great spot for classic Italian comfort food in a warm, welcoming setting. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Little Italy.

Great Italian restaurant (family run, I think) in the Little Italy district od San Diego. Excellent Italian food (in quantities not to be overeaten!!), restaurant attached to a shop with Italian products (including cheese and wine), beautiful area. A must visit!!!.

Pizza was great, stopped in for lunch with my two toddlers and we all loved it. One pizza can feed 2-3 average eaters for lunch. They are definitely generous on the cheese.

These reviews are provided for information purposes and to help you make informed decisions.

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BARBUSA REVIEWS

Loved our authentic Italian lunch at Barbusa! We sat on the dog friendly patio and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Little Italy. We started with the lamb lollipops, which were out of this world. For entrees we had the short rib lasagna and Granchio pasta with blue crab. The service was amazing, always with a big smile and the food came out quickly. Definitely recommend.

Came here on a crazy Saturday night with no reservation, so we sat at the bar for awhile as we waited. Such a classy environment here! It was so nice to meet our bartender Rafa, he was very down to earth and made the best drinks, the espresso Martini was dangerous! Paolo took care of us the rest of the night, and we enjoyed every moment. The oysters were phenomenal, the pasta dishes were so authentic, you could definitely taste all the Italian love.

Came here for Easter and was not disappointed. Great selection of pasta and appetizers. The braised short rib lasagna was A-1 as was the calamari. Great overall service from the runners and our server. They brought the food out more quickly than expected for a holiday. The quality was there and worth the price. Look forward to coming back and trying something else.

CIVICO 1845 REVIEWS

Civico 1845 stands out as a must-visit destination for Italian cuisine enthusiasts, especially those seeking plant-based options. Despite not being vegan myself, I've been drawn to their vegan menu time and again, and it never disappoints! Their complementary bread that they bring out in a little brown bag and serve with a pesto like dipping sauce is incredibly tasty and is a must try! The ambiance of Civico 1845 adds to its charm. It is cute, cozy, and perfect for date nights. The service has also always been good each time I've gone.

A fantastic spot for authentic Italian seafood dishes! Their seafood pasta, made with handmade noodles, is fresh and flavorful, with perfectly cooked clams, shrimp, and squid. The fried seafood appetizers are equally delicious and satisfying. However, both dishes leaned a bit salty this time, which slightly overshadowed the otherwise excellent flavors. Still, it’s a great choice for Italian cuisine lovers!.

Authentic Italian with quality ingredients and prepared excellently. The servers were highly attentive and took good care of us.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

FILIPPI'S PIZZA GROTTO LITTLE ITALY Total Inspection Points: 119/120
Business Hours: 9
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Multiple Branches: 10
Online Order: 10
Pricing: 10
Table Reservation: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

BARBUSA Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Experience: 8
Business Hours: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Online Order: 10
Pricing: 10
Variety of Menu: 10
Video: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

CIVICO 1845 Total Inspection Points: 115/120
Acknowledgments: 9
Menu Images: 9
Contact Info: 9
Legitimate Ratings: 9
Variety of Menu: 9
Complete Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Online Order: 10
Pricing: 10
Video: 10