I used to like Barbusa and have been a regular customer since they first opened. Food used to be authentic and fresh but today it was a terrible experience. We went there for my sister’s birthday. The hostess was nice and welcoming and we were seated right away. Our server Diego was not so welcoming and even tough half of the restaurant was empty on Monday night, we felt rushed to order, eat and leave. Unfortunately, he did not checked to see how the food is or if we need anything. We had to chase him to order second glass of wine. Both of our dishes arrived super oily, did not taste fresh or from scratch. Cavatelli con bone marrow was not cooked properly and the cream sauce did not have any flavor. My aragosta was swimming in the oil which tasted like canola oil instead of olive oil. The tomato sauce felt like it was out of a can. I am so disappointed with the food and lack of service and would never return back. I could not finish my dish and still having upset stomach due to food. Barbusa felt like a cheap chain restaurant than authentic Sicilian. Not worth + $100 at all.

Great food, service and ambiance. Definitely would recommend, would love to experience without all the Covid rules and regulations. Even with those in place staff made it feel very comfortable

I reserved table for my daughters birthday for a party of 4 and I did put on the request that I want somewhere nicer cause it’s my daughters birthday, I understand it’s Covid time and it’s hard please everyone as we checked the girl who were supposed to seat us took us to the corner of the parking lot that looked crappy and no heater as I told her that it’s my daughters birthday and I did put in the request that I want a nicer place under the chandelier and somewhere nicer she turns to me in a very mean tone and attitude telling that “ yes but sorry we can not honor every request “ I did not like her attitude we did not dine in the restaurant instead we went to the restaurant next door that looked nicer, has heaters in every table and their food was delicious.

Hands down the Best place in little Italy

Perfect evening to celebrate my mom's birthday! Amazing food, great service, overall excellent experience.

The outside dining area here is much more attractively laid out than is the case with most other restaurants utilizing their sidewalk space during the pandemic. Tall partitions insulate diners from the street traffic. Better still were our luncheon dishes, particularly the squash blossoms. Maybe best was the cheerful and prompt service by our waiter, Arta. This is a wonderfully pleasant place for lunch on a sunny day in bustling Little Italy.

Creative Covid seating always great food!

Short rib ravioli in brown butter was delicious. Gnocchi also delicious. Lollipop lamb chops tasty. Save room for the deconstructed cannoli dessert! Making the best out of the COVID situation with their outdoor seating. Little Italy was pretty lively for a Wednesday evening. Christmas decorations are up, nice to stroll around India Street. Will be back to enjoy Barbusa. Recommended for an evening out.

Food and service are always excellent. Always our first choice when we're in Little Italy.

Amazing experience as usual at Barbusa! One of my favorite spots!

Walked out of the restaurant - !!! After doing a musical chair, third table choice could of been better but got the worst waiter, on top of changing tables 3 times! Yes we understand it is an outside patio dining but the hostess first placed us on a corner table on the pavement, tables were so close we could not squeeze in, (social distancing?? where?) chairs were hitting back to back, one chair is slanted when you sit due to pavement, pointed out an empty table she said it has reservation, she proceeded us to another table but look uncomfortable, we pointed to another table she said is has reservation also, told her we have a reservation so we mentioned we do have a 6 PM reservation... she was stunned then came back with an answer that it is specific for a customer, I said we are an paying customer with a reservation. Hostess rolled her eyes an gave us a fairly comfortable table where all car exhaust blows right on you table due to the stop light. Then no paper menu just the QR code. This is so difficult to use if you have a older phone. Asked waiter for paper menu he said none, so we said other restaurants has but you don't? He said yeah we don't. Asked for ice water he said our water is cold you do not need ice. Sipped it was warm, oh such a shame.... we walked out and had a wonderful dinner next door at Born and Raised.. they were super nice, good customer service, and excellent food. We spend more on our bill satisfied and happy. We made another reservation for December 2020!! Our third dining at Born and Raised...fourth soon. Born and Raised Restaurant highly recommend.

Amazing night and truly unique food we haven't tried before! Oysters were the freshest ever. And try the lamb chops - they come with an amazing sauce.

Fantastic experience at Barbusa! Our server was simply amazing and the food is always on point.

During this Covid period, Barbusa has made their best effort to keep their usual standards of amazing food and service. The waiters went above and beyond to make the birthday we were celebrating extra special. They say and brightest dessert. The carbonara was amazing. Drinks were delicious. We will be back for the next special occasion

Mario was the best!

Amazing service & food! Awesome vibes & great music. My favorite restaurant in San Diego for sure! The gnocchi OMG just punch yourself right in the face - it’s sooooooooo good. We get it in the cream sauce it’s like being in heaven. Our waiters are always so much fun & give the best recommendations! Their super Tuscan wines are so dry like the Sahara just the way I like it. We ended the night w chocolate martinis and if I died that night I would have been happy.
... Alas I’m alive ! So I’ll be back ! ;)

Amazing experience all around. Service by Wendy was fantastic!!

We love Barbusa and always dine there when in San Diego. Our waiter, Stefano, from Sicily, added the perfect complement to our Italian meals. Even during these trying times, the food is outstanding and the service the best in town. Can’t wait to go back for more squash blossoms and the veal Parmesan! This time we were there to celebrate my husband’s birthday but will go any time we’re in town, no special occasion required.😄

Great place and great food! Would recommend this place in a heartbeat.

The Gnocchi was definitely frozen, still served cold. The Risotto was tasteless, the Bolognese had inedible chunks of sausage. They serve a bizarre shrimp and fries dish with fishy shrimp, and the lamb chops were over cooked and bathed in Gorgonzola cream. The pizza crust was doughy, and the squash blossoms were ok. They missed on a classic Italian staples by a mile; we literally should’ve eaten anywhere else.

Dispute eating there the day they had to go back to outside seating only, we had a great time and great food.

It was awesome. Great job guys!

Brought a bottle of wine from my cellar and they refused to open stating some nonexistent law. Food was whatever. Cacio e Pepe didn’t resemble any cacio e pepe I had ever had before in Italy or other. Will not return.

Great experience & ambience. Food and drinks were amazing, service was great too. and they play all the jams!

Food was not authentic at all.... bolognese taste like canned pasta

Always the best!

We went here to celebrate a birthday (during pandemic) and sat outside. Precautions were being taken and we appreciated that. We chose the restaurant based on it winning "best pasta" in San Diego. We had the Calamari for appetizer. Would not order again. Did not taste fresh. Ordered the Carbonara, Granchia pasta, Ananas pizza, Veal Parmesan. The Carbonara was hands down the best ever tasted! Granchia was a bit spicy. Good, but not what I expected from "best". Pizza was just ok. Veal was ok. Overall a good dinner with nice outside ambiance. I would go again just for the Carbonara, a standout dish.

Friends visiting

Celebrated daughter’s 20th birthday. Excellent food and service.

Amazing service, food and atmosphere!
I’ll be back ....

Delicious! Wine, food and dessert, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to eat.

Waiter was lovely but never wore his face mask correctly when addressing customers

The pasta and wine options were amazing. The staff was excellent.

Loved the food and the atmosphere! Most of the restaurant broke out in song when Sweet Caroline came on. It was great for a girls night!

The BEST dining experience not only in San Diego, but all of SoCal. Food is always full of flavor and impressive. Service is top notch. Owner PJ is always walking the floor and wants the best dining experience for his guests always.

Diego is the best. He is always friendly always personable. We love going to Barbusa because of his service. Our other waiter, the Brazilian, we forgot his name but he was outstanding as well. He went over and beyond. He spent time with us explaining wines and the foods even thought it was packed. We have been many times and we will keep coming. This is my all time favorite dining experience and italian cuisine in San Diego.

It was an anniversary dinner I put that in the notes and I chose to sit in standard seating as opposed to outdoor seating. I figured standard would be indoor. When we were sat outside next to the sidewalk I asked about my reservation details but they didn’t give much explanation besides no this is standard seating too. Wasn’t a worthy experience.

My angel hair was bland. I ordered garlic no garlic. Wife had a large dish, sauce was not tasty. All prior visits v good. This one disappointing.
Music too loud. Unsure if I would now recommend Barbusa.

A good looking place, fun outside area.
When I Try a new place to eat I care about a couple of things
1. the food – it was OK not bad nothing special. Interesting bolognese, it was quite sweet which is unusual. Again, it was ok.
2. The service - our waiter was a 4 out of 10. Abrupt responses, always had to ask for refills, new drinks, even a missing place setting.
We were disappointed that despite no mention on their website they do not allow you to bring your own wine. What? Charge me a corkage like everyone else and let me drink my good wine... Barbusa .. nope. And the hostess blamed it on COVID and the health department ... strange since I eat out twice a week for nearly the entire year and no one else has the same policy. Seems designed to get you to buy their wine.
3. Ambiance - a good location, a very nice outdoor setting and a couple of great tables just inside big open glass doors that felt outside but was just invite .. a nice combo.

Great ambience, vibes and food. And the best waiter ever!

Loved it! Fabulous value for delicious food. Gnocchi was the best I've had.