Award-winning

Catania

Name: Catania
Address: 7863 Girard Ave Suite 301, San Diego, CA, United States, 92037
Telephone: (858) 551-5105
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8 (2167)

$31 to $50

Italian

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 22, 2025

8:30 PM

Booked 42 times today

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Charming
Great for outdoor dining

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
(858) 551-5105
Website
http://www.cataniasd.com/
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.

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

Popular dishes

Pizza Focaccia$7.00
olive oil, sea salt, rosemary, chili flake
Green Salad**$14.00
meyer lemon vinaigrette, pistachio, black pepper, pecorino toscano
Apple Salad**$16.00
radicchio, arugula, chicory, shaved fennel, gorgonzola, almonds, aged balsamic vinaigrette
Kale Salad$15.00
treviso, chickpeas, celery, parmesan, anchovy vinaigrette
Arancini$12.00
saffron risotto, parmigiano reggiano, tomato sauce
Wood Roasted Cauliflower**$19.00
whipped ricotta salata, fresno chili salmoriglio, pomegranate, red onion, pistachio
Charred Savoy Cabbage**$15.00
crispy garlic, shallots, mint, basil, calabrian chili, miso mustard vinaigrette
Crudo**$20.00
local yellowfin, beet puree, blood orange, basil, poppy seed, meyer lemon
Crispy Octopus**$22.00
chickpeas, lamb sausage, chili oil, capers, herbs
Smoked Duck Liver Crostini$15.00
golden raisins, currants, dates, almonds, pickled shallot, parsley

Secondi

Pan Seared Scallops*$41.00
honeynut squash caponata, carrot puree, prosciutto, golden raisins, pepitas
Whole Roasted Branzino*$44.00
clams, garlic butter, white wine, charred broccoli, chili flakes, breadcrumbs
Grilled Mary's Duck Breast$35.00
farro salad, roasted apples, charred treviso, shallot vinaigrette
Rotisserie Chicken$33.00
honey mustard, baby carrots, almonds, mint, garlic butter
Abita Ranch Wagyu Beef Shank$37.00
fennel radish gremolata celery root-potato puree, porcini jus

Pizza

Italian Meat$24.00
fontina, pecorino, sausage, soppressata salami, pancetta
Sicilian Pistachio$23.00
burrata, pecorino, pork mortadella, pistachio pesto
Margherita$21.00
mozzarella, basil, tomato sauce, garlic
Wild Mushroom$25.00
burrata, fontina, garlic confit, chili flake, sherry vinegar, thyme
Diavola$23.00
mozzarella, tomato, spicy calabrese salami
Pear & Gorganzola$24.00
pancetta, pecorino, rosemary, honey balsamic, arugula

Pasta

Gluten free pasta available

Aglio e Olio Peperoncini$21.00
spaghetti, evoo, chili flake, parsley, parmigiano reggiano
Tagliatelle alla Portofino$24.00
basil pesto, creamy tomato sauce, parmigiano reggiano
Butternut Squash Ravioli$27.00
hazelnuts, sage, parmesan, brown butter, aged balsamic, brussel sprouts
Duck Sugo Orecchiette$29.00
braised duck, tomato, porcini mushrooms, juniper, parmesan
Bucatini alla'Amatriciana$26.00
pork cheek, tomato, calabrian chili, pecorino sardo
Spaghetti & Clams$27.00
clams, garlic, white wine, chili flakes, breadcrumbs
Shrimp Risotto**$28.00
fennel, tomato, fresno chili, parmigiano reggiano

Cocktails

$16

Aperol Spritz
aperol, prosecco, soda, orange - served tall on the rocks
Isola
mezcal, bourbon, pineapple amaro, orange, lime juice, simple syrup - served in a coupe
Collina
vodka, cocchi americano, apple cider, lemon, apple-cinnamon simple - served on the rocks
Bacchus
vodka, cocchi rossa, lemon, simple, grapes, soda float - served in a collins glass
Verde Colada
rum, vanilla liquor, pineapple, matcha, macadamia nut orgeat, lime - served on the rocks
Succosa
bourbon, yellow chartreuse, pear & rosemary simple, st. george pear, lemon - served in a coupe
Moncalieri
malfy gin, mediterranean fever tree tonic, orange and sage - served on the rocks
Santa Maria
fresno chili infused tequila, lime, dimmi, ginger, agave - served on the rocks
Melograno
pomegranate, tequila, ancho reyes, lemon, amaro sirene, walnut bitters - served on a large rock
Vestito
mezcal, amaro D'arancia rossa, yellow chartreuse, lime, grapefruit soda - on the rocks
Corvo
rittenhouse rye, baltamoro coffee amaro, frangelico, crème de banana, bitters, nutmeg - served on a large rock

Bianchi

Pinot Grigio | Fasoli Gino | Venezie$13.00
lemon, lime, crisp green apple, and floral honey suckle
Sauvignon Blanc | Scarbolo | Friuli Venezia-Giuli$16.00
melon, yellow flowers, and lemon zest with a clean and refreshing finish
Gavi di Gavi | Villa Sparina | Piedmont$15.00
crisp, refreshing, lemon, pear, and minerals
Zibibbo | Donna Fugata Lighea | Sicilia$15.00
orange blossom hints of citrus, exotic fruit, mineral finish
Chardonnay | Talbott | Santa Lucia Highlands$20.00
rich aromas toasted oak, tree-ripe pear, and apple with touches of brown sugar

Spumanti / Rosato

Prosecco | Bisol | NV$12.00
dry, crisp, toasted hazelnuts
Rose Brut | Bisol | Veneto$14.00
floral, berries, currants
Rose | Benanty | Sicily$15.00
pomegranate, rose petals and citrus
Lambrusco | Bruno Zanasi | Emilia Romagnia$14.00
dry, red fruits, violet

Rossi

Schiava | Kaltererse | Alto Adige$13.00
red fruit dried herbs, light earth, spice
Barbera d'Asti | Michele Chiarlo | Piedmont$14.00
purple flower, berry, supple tannins, fresh acidity
Pinot Noir | Siduri | Santa Lucia$16.00
dark berry, cherry, espresso, candied flowers
Sangiovese | Nunzi | Chianti$15.00
violets, cherry, minerals
Super Tuscan | Le Difese | Tuscany$20.00
ripe raspberries and cranberries, notes of violet and vine-ripened tomatoes
Cabernet Sauvignon | Austin Hope | Paso Robles$25.00
layers of vanilla, coco powder, juicy cherry, baking spices and signature tobacco

Birre | 10oz

Pilsner | Modern Times 4.8%$9.00
balanced palate with mildly bitter with lemon and floral notes
Blonde | Gravity Heights 5.2%$9.00
pleasant hop flavors, clean, refreshing
Oatmeal Stout | Fremont 8%$9.00
dark, yet silky oatmeal stout balanced by a firm hop handshake
Hazy IPA | Gravity Heights 6.8% ABV$9.00
balanced citrus rind bitterness and tropical aromas

Bottiglia

Lager Bionda | Menabrea | Piedmont 4.8%$9.00
light with hints of citrus and fruit
Amber | Menabrea | Piedmont 5%$9.00
malty, hops, citrus
Blonde Ale "Birria Nazionale" | Birreria Baladin | Piedmont 6.5%$14.00
chamomile, citrus fruits, and gentle bitterness of Italian hops
IPA | Birreria Baladin | Piedmont 5.5%$14.00
citrusy notes of tangerine are complement ed by notes of melon and mango
Witbier "Isacc" | Birreria Baladin | Piedmont 5%$14.00
citrus, flower, spice
Saison "Wayan" | Birreria Baladin | Piedmont 5.8%$14.00
hazy, spice, fresh pepper
Non-Alcoholic German Lager | Erdinger | Germany$7.00
lemon, grass, malts
Hard Seltzer | High Noon | California 4.5%$7.00
peach

Analcolica

Pressato$8.00
fresh grapefruit, thyme, ginger - served on ice in a wine glass
Italian Sodas$8.00
Birreria Baladin | Piedmont. Mela Zen- Apple and Ginger; Agrumata – Citrus and Bergamot

What 2,167 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

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Catania delights with "excellent food and service," offering an authentic Italian dining experience in La Jolla. Guests love its "creative, tasty cocktails" and "amazing sunset views." The "pizza focaccia" and "branzino" are highlights. Despite occasional service hiccups, the "ambiance is perfect" for a memorable meal. Highly recommended!

2,167 Reviews

M
Matt VIP
San Diego67 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a wonderful experience! Great options, ambiance, and service.
Is this helpful?
S
Susan VIP
San Diego27 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We took some friends there for lunch to celebrate their anniversary. Jared pulled out all the stops to make them feel special (he had anniversary greetings printed on the menu--they were so impressed!). Everything was delicious, as usual; we were especially pleased that they were so enthusiastic about the food, since one of them is a chef.
Is this helpful?
K
Kelly VIP
London9 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We could have eaten anywhere, but we chose Catania to celebrate our 15th anniversary. The staff always makes us feel like we're part of the family, the atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, and the food is always delicious. Even on a busy night, the entire meal was a perfect experience. Thank you!
Is this helpful?
s
stephanieb VIP
Philadelphia County2 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The restaurant and staff were amazing. Our server was very upbeat every time we took a sip of our water someone came to top it off so great experience. The food was okay nothing special for $120 for one appetizer and two pastas.
Is this helpful?
L
Lesley VIP
San Diego13 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our favorite restaurant. Delicious food and excellent welcoming service.
Is this helpful?
H
Hudster
Orange County8 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Whole experience was enjoyable and food was solid. Outdoor patio was lovely. Service was just OK.
Is this helpful?
S
Samir VIP
San Diego4 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service and food. I suggest that the menu should be expanded to include more items
Is this helpful?
C
Chacha VIP
Los Angeles25 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had an awesome time here at Catania. This was highly recommended by a patient of mine. The food is excellent, the service is superb (shout out to Nick) and the ambience is amazing. Overall experience is 5/5. Worth it of a Michelin star… Definitely recommend this place and will go back when in town. 🥳🥳🥳👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
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D
Doug
Washington, D.C. Area15 reviews
3.0
Dined on June 10, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 1
I live in La Jolla Village, blocks from the restaurant. I had family from out of town and wanted to share the experience of eating at Catania. We were seated in what has to be the worst table in the restaurant, a booth facing the kitchen. If the kitchen was visible, I think it would have been interesting and okay, but you’re only able to see the heads of people in the kitchen, so you’re staring at three small two tops and the heads of the chefs. We asked about outside ( there was a high top available, but that wasn’t an option for my guests) We asked if we could wait for another table and were told it would be an hour and a half. All this was at 5:45 pm when there were multiple tables unseated. Our food and service were fantastic! I would definitely return, but never again inside facing the kitchen. Such a disappointment for my out of town guests.
Is this helpful?
T
Tyeesha
East Texas5 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The ambiance is perfect for an intimate night out. The view is great on the patio. It was a little chilly that evening but they even have heaters that made it super comfortable. The food and drinks were excellent!!! We did wait quite a while for everything to come out but it was worth the wait for sure.
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FAQs

Catania is rated 4.8 stars by 2167 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 22, 2025

8:30 PM

Booked 42 times today

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

Website
http://www.cataniasd.com/
Phone number
(858) 551-5105
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.

Catania

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Duck Sugo Orecchiette

Crispy Octopus

Pizza Focaccia

Antipasti

Pizza Focaccia$7.00

Green Salad**$14.00

Apple Salad**$16.00

Kale Salad$15.00

Arancini$12.00

Wood Roasted Cauliflower**$19.00

Charred Savoy Cabbage**$15.00

Crudo**$20.00

Crispy Octopus**$22.00

Smoked Duck Liver Crostini$15.00

Secondi

Pan Seared Scallops*$41.00

Whole Roasted Branzino*$44.00

Grilled Mary's Duck Breast$35.00

Rotisserie Chicken$33.00

Abita Ranch Wagyu Beef Shank$37.00

Pizza

Italian Meat$24.00

Sicilian Pistachio$23.00

Margherita$21.00

Wild Mushroom$25.00

Diavola$23.00

Pear & Gorganzola$24.00

Pasta

Aglio e Olio Peperoncini$21.00

Tagliatelle alla Portofino$24.00

Butternut Squash Ravioli$27.00

Duck Sugo Orecchiette$29.00

Bucatini alla'Amatriciana$26.00

Spaghetti & Clams$27.00

Shrimp Risotto**$28.00

Cocktails

Aperol Spritz

Isola

Collina

Bacchus

Verde Colada

Succosa

Moncalieri

Santa Maria

Melograno

Vestito

Corvo

Bianchi

Pinot Grigio | Fasoli Gino | Venezie$13.00

Sauvignon Blanc | Scarbolo | Friuli Venezia-Giuli$16.00

Gavi di Gavi | Villa Sparina | Piedmont$15.00

Zibibbo | Donna Fugata Lighea | Sicilia$15.00

Chardonnay | Talbott | Santa Lucia Highlands$20.00

Spumanti / Rosato

Prosecco | Bisol | NV$12.00

Rose Brut | Bisol | Veneto$14.00

Rose | Benanty | Sicily$15.00

Lambrusco | Bruno Zanasi | Emilia Romagnia$14.00

Rossi

Schiava | Kaltererse | Alto Adige$13.00

Barbera d'Asti | Michele Chiarlo | Piedmont$14.00

Pinot Noir | Siduri | Santa Lucia$16.00

Sangiovese | Nunzi | Chianti$15.00

Super Tuscan | Le Difese | Tuscany$20.00

Cabernet Sauvignon | Austin Hope | Paso Robles$25.00

Birre | 10oz

Pilsner | Modern Times 4.8%$9.00

Blonde | Gravity Heights 5.2%$9.00

Oatmeal Stout | Fremont 8%$9.00

Hazy IPA | Gravity Heights 6.8% ABV$9.00

Bottiglia

Lager Bionda | Menabrea | Piedmont 4.8%$9.00

Amber | Menabrea | Piedmont 5%$9.00

Blonde Ale "Birria Nazionale" | Birreria Baladin | Piedmont 6.5%$14.00

IPA | Birreria Baladin | Piedmont 5.5%$14.00

Witbier "Isacc" | Birreria Baladin | Piedmont 5%$14.00