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Catania, San Diego, CA
Award-winning

Catania

4.8 (2176)
$31 to $50
Italian
7863 Girard Ave, Suite 301, San Diego, CA 92037

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 55 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
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.
  • 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

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What 2,176 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
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Catania in La Jolla is celebrated for its "delicious food" and "excellent service," making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The restaurant offers "spectacular views," a "warm and unpretentious atmosphere," and a "creative menu" featuring authentic Italian dishes. Guests appreciate the "superb" pasta, pizza, and fresh seafood. The staff is known for their professionalism, ensuring a memorable dining experience, while the outdoor patio provides a charming setting. Catania is perfect for special occasions or a delightful meal with friends and family.
2,176 Reviews
  1. Tony VIP

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent menu and excellent food. Well prepared and allowed for flexibility / substitutions. Taste was fantastic on every dish.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Angela VIP

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was our first visit and we’ll definitely be back! Kristen was outstanding. She did a great job guiding our experience and making thoughtful recommendations. She was very knowledgeable, pleasant, and helpful. We were blown away by the Duck Sugo Orecchiette and the Ziti Alla Genovese. Both were incredible. We can’t wait to come back and order them again. Thanks for a great experience and for making a birthday celebration very memorable!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Liz VIP

    San Diego16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The restaurant was wonderful. The service was amazing and very attentive. We have the Crudo, the Caesar like dressing with fried chickpeas and chicken, the incredible mushroom pizza and a variety of desserts. Coming back again soon.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Ruben

    Orange County32 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Very Authentic and deliciously prepared Italian dishes! The menu is full of items that you can not go wrong with. The view is okay from the third floor, but better for ambiance than for sunset watching. The real treat is the dishes, pizzas, pastas, and top-notch service. The bar has some good craft drinks and a nice wine selection, but I wish the pour were more generous. Excellent place for an intimate dinner and elegant gatherings of friends.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Mary

    San Francisco Bay Area5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The staff went above and beyond to make this a special night for my out-of-town family visiting La Jolla for the first time. We had a lovely table on the patio with a great view of the ocean. The service was consistently friendly, accommodating, efficient, and first rate all around. The cocktails were superb; appetizers delicious; lovely home-made pastas and pizza. Thanks for a special evening, Catania!!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Robert VIP

    San Diego14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding on every level. One of our favorite restaurants in San Diego. One of our favorite restaurants anywhere.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Marcia VIP

    Los Angeles9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and spectacular views in La Jolla Village.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Hyeon Bin

    Tahoe / Reno Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was good. It was my girlfriend’s birthday and she got free dessert. The service is great. The crispy octopus was delicious

    Is this helpful?

  9. Copani

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always go above and beyond, staff is super friendly, service is very promo and the food is simply amazing along with the view

    Is this helpful?

  10. Matt VIP

    San Diego68 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a wonderful experience! Great options, ambiance, and service.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Catania is rated 4.8 stars by 2176 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 55 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
  • 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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