Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego

Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Little Italy

Price
Cuisine
Regions
Neighborhoods
Top Rated
Dining Options
Seating Options
Award-winning
Accessibility

43 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Juniper & Ivy restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(8321)
Price: Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Little Italy
Booked 56 times today
Juniper & Ivy is a culinary gem in San Diego, offering an innovative, seasonally-driven menu crafted with precision and passion. Reviewers laud the restaurant for its exceptional service, with one stating 'From the time you are greeted at the door to the time you leave, you are served by smiling, knowledgeable, positive-energy individuals who take pride in making your dining experience the very best it can be.' Another review highlights the 'unique and delicious treats all over the menu' and 'impeccable ambiance'. With top-notch service and a menu that consistently impresses, Juniper & Ivy is definitely worth the drive.
A photo of Crudo Ceviche & Oyster Bar restaurant
4.5
Awesome(232)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Little Italy
Booked 13 times today
Authentic Baja-Style Mexican Seafood Restaurant- Cevicheria & Oyster BarDiscover the bold flavors of authentic Mexican Baja-style seafood at our vibrant cevicheria and oyster restaurant. We specialize in fresh, locally sourced seafood, offering a unique selection of tostadas, tiraditos, aguachiles, clams and a wide variety of premium oysters. Whether you're craving classic ceviche or modern coastal dishes, our menu delivers the true taste of Baja California.
A photo of Allegro restaurant
4.3
Awesome(1412)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 38 times today
Allegro Restaurant and Bar in Little Italy San Diego offers a true Amalfi coast Italian dining experience. Featuring a combination of traditional and modern Italian cuisine, Allegro San Diego is the perfect venue for your special occasions and party celebration.
A photo of insideOUT restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2638)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Hillcrest
Booked 205 times today
insideOUT is Hillcrest's elevated restaurant and lounge, and San Diego's only urban oasis! We are an 18+ venue.Reservations for our upcoming "Sweetheart Experience" are now open! The Experience will be February 5th - 16th!Our menu is curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran and is updated seasonally to reflect his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by our local purveyors.Aside from our impeccable hospitality, insideOUT is known for their over-the-top seasonal experiences. We also provide customized private event planning with venue buyout options. More information can be found on our website.
A photo of Huntress restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(915)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 39 times today
Bold, flavorful, and built to impress - without the fuss. At Huntress, we serve crave-worthy steak and seafood alongside unexpected bites, house-made pastas, and shareable starters that make any night feel like the right night to indulge. From signature burgers and dry-aged tomahawks to glazed prawns, shrimp & mussel spaghetti, and our Magic Mushroom for two, our menu is playful, polished, and always worth a return visit. Known for unforgettable dishes, signature cocktails, and a lively vibe, Huntress brings just the right amount of indulgence to every night out. From spontaneous bar bites to full-on celebrations, guests come for the energy, stay for the flavor, and always leave planning their next visit.
A photo of Choi's San Diego restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(158)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Downtown
Booked 16 times today
Choi's is a Korean-American restaurant founded by chef Jiwoo Choi, who was at the time, 23 years old. Voted as the best Korean restaurant by San Diego Magazine, Choi's brings creativity and intensity to its beloved community. With their mainly gluten-free menu, Choi's also reimagines Korean-American flavors in a much healthier way. Choi's offers two hour complimentary parking garage validation in the heart of Downtown, even during Padres Game Days. It is the perfect place for your comforting yet exciting evenings. Please refer our website for our parking validation information.
A photo of Craft Bar Kamon restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(247)
Price: Expensive
• Japanese • Downtown
Booked 29 times today
"Taisho Roman craft cocktail bar in the heart of East Village San Diego that reflects the period in Japan when traditionalism and modernism first converged. We are committed to offer the unique and best craft cocktails! **To make a reservation for a party of 6 or more, please contact us through email at info@barkamon.com Please refrain from booking multiple tables as we most likely won't be able to accommodate to seat together.**Please be aware that table or bar seating selection is just a request and it is not a confirmation. We will try our best to accommodate but due to limited seating availability, you may be seated to a different section from what you have requested at the reservation.
A photo of Trust Restaurant restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1213)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • North Park
Booked 54 times today
We’re a neighborhood restaurant, at our heart. A place for our community to gather, to celebrate, to raise yet another glass in a toast to good tidings. We believe in bold flavors, cooked simply over an open flame. We believe in seasonality, in forging relationships with local farmers, makers, and purveyors to bring you the bounty this fine city has to offer. We believe in the power of wine and cocktails to elevate your meal, to create an experience that, when paired with superior service, creates something completely unique, forging a bond of trust, one would say, between you and us. These four walls were meant for you. Welcome.
A photo of Roy's San Diego Waterfront restaurant
4.0
Excellent(3838)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 54 times today
Blending classic techniques with adventurous Pacific Rim flavors, culinary pioneer Roy Yamaguchi created an entirely new approach to fine dining. The first Roy's opened in Honolulu in 1988 and we've spread our warm hospitality and passion for innovative and creative cuisine around the world ever since. Indulge in one of our spectacular cocktails or choose a glass from our award-winning wine list while you discover the fresh ingredients and outstanding seafood, expertly prepared by our local chefs that made us famous. We invite you to join us at Roy's Downtown San Diego located on the water at the Marriott Hotel and Marina, featuring a dining room overlooking the marina, or patio dining just steps from the water.
A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2734)
Price: Moderate
• French American • North Park
Booked 18 times today
The Smoking Goat is an award-winning California-French bistro located in the heart of North Park, San Diego. We have received the Gold Medallion for the best French Bistro in San Diego three years running. Inspired by his European Farm-to-Table up-bringing and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Executive Chef and Owner Fred Piehl, marries classic French cuisine with the bounty of San Diego in a way that is rustic, yet refined, imaginative, yet unpretentious. The dinners served feature in-season local, sustainable and organic ingredients and provide guests with a unique culinary experience, reminiscent of the European countryside. Boasting a carefully selected wine and beer list and chef and bartender attention to select spirits to create craft house cocktails, The Smoking Goat assures there is always the correct pairing available.

How is content generated

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you

Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Little Italy

Discover the culinary treasures of Little Italy, San Diego, where dining is more than just a meal—it's an experience. Nestled in this vibrant neighborhood, a selection of restaurants stands out for being "worth the drive," each offering distinctive flavors that capture the essence of authentic and innovative cuisine. From time-honored Italian traditions to modern culinary innovations, these eateries excel in combining superb service, quality ingredients, and a captivating atmosphere. Patrons can expect dishes prepared with locally sourced produce and a commitment to sustainability, reflecting San Diego's rich agricultural heritage. The dining scene in Little Italy is a dynamic blend of old-world charm and contemporary flair, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers. Whether you're a local or a traveler, these establishments promise a memorable dining adventure that goes beyond the ordinary, solidifying Little Italy's reputation as a gastronomic hotspot that is indeed worth the drive.

OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo