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Catania, San Diego, CA
Award-winning

Catania

4.8 (2143)
$31 to $50
Italian
7863 Girard Ave, Suite 301, San Diego, CA 92037

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 34 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for scenic views
  • Charming
Inspired by an Italy road-trip Chef Ryan and I (Arturo) took back in 2008, we’re pleased to introduce Catania, the newest member of the Whisknladle Hospitality family. Here, we’ll be featuring simple, seasonal and authentic Italian Coastal Cuisine (None of the Italian version of TexMex you see most other places). Our commitment to authenticity will be evident in our use of wood burning ovens and grills, an all Italian wine list as well as an exclusively craft Italian Beer program. (Yes, Italy has an amazing craft beer movement nobody’s heard about.)

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 3:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Ryan Johnston
  • Private party facilities
    Whether you’re planning a party or a meeting, enjoy the attentive service and personalized touches that take the average private dining experience to the next level with Whisknladle Hospitality. With four restaurants to choose from & a wide selection of menu options, the possibilities are endless. Email events@wnlhosp.com for more info.
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighborhood
    La Jolla
  • Cross street
    Girard and Wall
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,143 people are saying

Catania reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Catania in La Jolla offers a delightful dining experience with its "amazing food" and "outstanding service." Known for its "unique dishes" and "authentic Italian cuisine," the restaurant provides a "fantastic ambiance" perfect for special occasions. Highlights include the duck sugo orecchiette, crispy octopus, and stunning ocean views.

2,143 Reviews
  1. Monica VIP

    San Diego10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server, Kristen, was wonderful. The food and ambiance are great here.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Bryce

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great Experience, the food was amazing, and so was the service! Treated us great on our Anniversary!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Cathy

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had requested a view and they accommodated us beautifully! We loved our pizza and Nick was a very good waiter. Would definitely go back!

    Is this helpful?

  4. David VIP

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing dinner, as always. Best Italian in San Diego

    Is this helpful?

  5. Katy

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was impeccable and food delicious! Drinks felt over priced but overall really great. Not the restaurant’s fault but being seated next to an unruly kid who spilled things and was being wild maybe impacted how much we enjoyed it. But will definitely be back because the staff was really great and we enjoyed the food A LOT (esp the pizza focaccia)

    Is this helpful?

  6. Isabelle

    New Mexico1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My partner and I continue to come back to Catania, because we know it is delicious and worth the (moderately affordable, actually) price. I think in San Diego it’s difficult sometimes seeing a restaurant advertised, you go, it’s somewhat decent, but you know you wasted your money because you could’ve probably made the same thing at home but better. Catania is NOT one of those restaurants, the food is flavorful, special, and always 10/10. The service is also tremendous, you don’t go ignored, but you’re never pestered to leave also. We continuously get the Ziti A La Genovese and the Diavola Pizza. If we’re extra hungry we will get the Pizza Focaccia Appetizer as well. We highly recommend the red sangria which is off menu, so ask for it! We’ve gone with a larger group of friends also, and I have personally tasted all of their dishes (the octopus, rabbit dish, and the pasta with guanciale, and every dessert) and they also were lovely. I will say the portion size of our Genovese pasta was smaller than usual, but we love it so much we truly would’ve happily ordered another one if it didn’t end up filling us up. If you want a great meal, with an upscale feel, that is affordable and consistently delicious, I urge you to go to Catania.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Jaki

    San Diego10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    by far the best restaurant in La Jolla! Service food excellence. And Steve is absolutely the best! I must if you intend on coming to La Jolla. 

    Is this helpful?

  8. sonya

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This place is amazing. The food the service the ambiance. It’s unmatched.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Thomas VIP

    New York City24 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Catania never disappoints..it’s a gem in the La Jolla community. Creative menu, smooth attentive service, and amazing sunset views.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Sandra VIP

    Phoenix4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful Green salad with pistachios and meyer lemon dressing. YUMMMY! and the lamb meatballs are outstanding too. Great view if you get the right table. WE did!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Catania using the Order Online button.

Catania is rated 4.8 stars by 2143 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. San Diego
  5. La Jolla

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 34 times today
Google Map for Catania

7863 Girard Ave, Suite 301, San Diego, CA 92037

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross street
    Girard and Wall
  • Neighborhood
    La Jolla
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 3:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Ryan Johnston
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    Whether you’re planning a party or a meeting, enjoy the attentive service and personalized touches that take the average private dining experience to the next level with Whisknladle Hospitality. With four restaurants to choose from & a wide selection of menu options, the possibilities are endless. Email events@wnlhosp.com for more info.
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