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Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Little Italy

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31 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Born & Raised restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(6817)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Little Italy
Booked 111 times today
Born & Raised is a hot spot in San Diego's Little Italy. With a focus on steakhouse cuisine, it's celebrated for its dry-aged beef and the warm, inviting ambiance. Reviews rave about the 'great service, great people watching, fantastic ambience' and 'delicious food.' The rooftop bar is particularly mentioned as a standout feature. The restaurant's commitment to tradition and relevance is evident, making it a beloved destination for special occasions.
A photo of Cloak + Petal restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1062)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Little Italy
Booked 51 times today
WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionshipOur 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.
A photo of Barbusa restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(4475)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 108 times today
Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!
A photo of Bencotto Italian Kitchen restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(3413)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 87 times today
ONLINE RESERVATIONS ARE LIMITED. PLEASE CALL THE RESTAURANT IF YOUR DESIRED TIME IS NOT AVAILABLE.We are proud to offer 75 kinds of different pasta recipe, fresh and hand-crafted 12 hours a day."Bencotto" means cooked well: this is what authentic Italian food is about.It tastes as it should and would in Italy.Bencotto offers two different eating environments: guests can either enjoy their meal at our “kitchen-esque” bar downstairs, or they can relax in the intimate low-ceiling dining area upstairs. The décor creates a clean and sophisticated atmosphere, where old-world charm and warmth blend with contemporary appeal.
A photo of Monello restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2698)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 60 times today
As Bencotto's brother located next door,Monello lives up to its sibling's reputation as Best Italian restaurant in San Diego.From the 800 LB of fresh pasta handcrafted every week, Monello displays up to 27 different recipes of pasta. Mediterranean style seafood is served along with gourmet pizza.Monello delivers Pasta & Risotto tossed in the Parmigiano cheese wheel tableside.Unique Italian-style brunch is served on weekends.Voted Best Happy Hour 2016, Monello's Milanese Aperitivo offers small plates on the house with drinks every night.UN­ABLE TO FIND A TABLE? CHECK OUT OUR BROTHER RESTAURANT BENCOTTO NEXT DOOR
A photo of Nonna restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1009)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 21 times today
Nonna in Little Italy is a hot spot for its authentic Italian cuisine and warm atmosphere. Reviewers rave about the "amazing food" and "excellent service", with some even calling it the "most popular place in Little Italy". The ambience is described as "relaxed country-style" with a "great outdoor vibe" and "great desserts".
A photo of Starlite restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(244)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Mission Hills
Booked 137 times today
Starlite: A timeless San Diego icon with a fresh future, helmed by Chef Ted Smith.Please note: Our establishment is 21+
A photo of Azuki Sushi Lounge restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(435)
Price: Very Expensive
• Sushi • Banker's Hill
Booked 43 times today
Azuki Sushi is in Banker’s Hill, centrally-located in the heart of San Diego. We are within walking distance of Balboa Park, The Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and Hillcrest.We have been providing a modern approach to the rich traditions of Japanese cooking for over 15 years. We pride ourselves in our charming and boutique setting. We offer a warm and inviting atmosphere for those wishing to indulge in our culinary delights.As in Japan, the menu is based on the seasons, savoring the peak flavor of the ingredients. Our outstanding chefs deliver the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine, respecting the individual ingredients’ natural flavors.
A photo of Quixote restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1222)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • North Park
Booked 70 times today
La Única Manera De Hacer Cara Cruz Es A Través DeLa Intuición
A photo of Alexander's on 30th restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(3224)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Park
Booked 61 times today
Neighborhood gem located in the heart of the Historic North Park District, adjoining Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Specializing in homestyle Italian with Gourmet Flair. Hand made Pastas, Award Winning Pizza and Voted Best of Restaurants by San Diego Magazine "Most Romantic". Listed as Top 25 Places to Eat in San Diego "Before You Die" by San Diego Union Tribune. Make memorable celebrations on our beautiful patio, the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Remember to try our diners favorites, The Theodore's Fix Pizza and Baked Vodka Bolognese.Look forward to serving you soon!

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Robert
    Upstate New York •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Great experience. Had an anniversary there and everyone was nice and gave us a little card for thanking us for choosing them to host it. We also had great service the waiter helped us understand the menu. It was my second time going and my girlfriends first time so it helped her get an idea what she wanted to get and what she wanted to try. Everything was amazing to the drinks and to the food. Definitely one my favorite places to go on a date night
    More info
    Born & RaisedPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Little Italy
    4.7
  • Kayla
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    My favorite restaurant in SanDiego, the food is ALWAYS delicious and the staff is friendly/goes above and beyond to give customers a great experience!
    More info
    BarbusaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
    4.7
  • RowenaVIP
    Houston •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Wonderful unique and fresh. Must get cheese bowl pasta as just the experience is fabulous and yummy!!
    More info
    Bencotto Italian KitchenPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
    4.7
  • Tonya
    San Diego •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Our server Christina was amazing. The staff all around was on point and super friendly. As a local chef, I appreciate the value in team members. Monello has an amazing team. The food was excellent. I cannot wait to go back.
    More info
    MonelloPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
    4.7
  • Ezra
    Chicago / Illinois •3 reviews
    4.0
    Dined on Jun 10, 2025
    I really like the happy hour. But overall, the sushi rice was not well done. The fish quality was great though. I probably won’t go back though.
    More info
    Cloak + PetalPrice: Expensive• Sushi• Little Italy
    4.6

Discover best hot spot restaurants in Little Italy

Discover the vibrant dining scene in San Diego's Little Italy, a true hotspot for food enthusiasts. This eclectic neighborhood is renowned for its array of restaurants that offer everything from gourmet steakhouses and chef-driven menus to authentic Italian cuisine and innovative rooftop dining experiences. Each restaurant in Little Italy brings its own unique flavor and style, creating a culinary hotspot that caters to a variety of tastes and preferences. Patrons can expect exceptional service, meticulously crafted dishes, and atmospheres that range from the sophisticated to the whimsically casual. Whether you're in the mood for dry-aged beef, seasonal local ingredients, or a relaxed country-style Italian meal, Little Italy in San Diego has a spot that will delight your palate. Enjoy stunning cityscape views or cozy, inviting vibes at these top-rated locations, perfect for special occasions, casual outings, or simply enjoying great food with great company. Experience the essence of San Diego's dining excellence in Little Italy, where every meal is a memorable event.

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