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CUCINA urbana, San Diego, CA
Award-winning

CUCINA urbana

4.7 (7232)
$30 and under
Italian
505 Laurel St., San Diego, CA 92101

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 52 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for fine wines
  • Good for special occasions
We are a wine shop inside of a restaurant | Dining and design form the perfect union at San Diego's highly acclaimed CUCINA urbana, a California-inspired Italian kitchen and wine shop, located in the heart of Bankers Hill since 2009.

The restaurant boasts comfort and familiarity, welcoming diners to a country farmhouse with the added whimsy of a contemporary art installation.

CUCINA urbana is the originator of the CUCINA retail wine program where each dedicated shop allows guests to hand select wines at a retail price, either to enjoy with their meal for a minimal corkage fee or for purchase to-go. The wine list is comprised of many familiar labels as well as rare and small-batch gems, with an emphasis on Italian varietals.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, American, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 239-2222
  • Website
    http://www.urbankitchengroup.com/cucina-urbana-bankers-hill/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Tim Kolanko
  • Catering
    URBAN KITCHEN CATERING provides four star, stunning events with menus unique to your occasion. For more information check the URBAN KITCHEN CATERING link on our website www.urbankitchengroup.com or call Alison at 619.239.2222 extension 2. Or if interested in restaurant buyout opportunities, please contact Tiffany Tassano at 619.239.2222 extension 4.
  • Private party facilities
    From birthday celebrations and corporate dinners to graduation celebrations and wedding receptions, our space is perfect for your dining event. Our Wine Shop offers an intimate semi-private space for smaller functions, while larger groups are welcome to host their event using our entire restaurant as a private venue. We offer: wine specialists, who will design pairings for your meal, personalized printed menus, table decorations, specialty to-go gifts, and more.
  • Location
    505 Laurel St., San Diego, CA 92101
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Banker's Hill
  • Cross street
    5th avenue
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

  • Complimentary Old Globe Shuttle

    Multiple dates available
    Headed to The Old Globe? Let us do the driving. Dine at CUCINA urbana before your show time and add a complimentary shuttle ride to Balboa Park. No matinee shows | advanced booking required Available on evenings during regular Old Globe show schedule.
    Complimentary Old Globe Shuttle Photo

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Menu

CUCINA urbana's menu was last updated on 10/22/2022.

View menu on restaurant's website

What 7,232 people are saying

CUCINA urbana 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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
CUCINA urbana consistently impresses with "outstanding food" and "impeccable service." The vibrant atmosphere complements a diverse menu featuring standout dishes like the squash blossoms and pizza. A "great wine selection" and craft cocktails enhance the dining experience. Despite occasional noise, patrons enjoy the "friendly service" and "amazing ambiance."
7,232 Reviews

  1. James VIP

    San Diego5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was excellent from impeccable service to outstanding food and wine. A must for anyone in San Diego!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Dr. Bob

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    You can't beat Cucina Urbana for great food & service. Perhaps the only downside is it is loud, so makes dinner conversation difficult. Dr. Bob Nelson

    Is this helpful?

  3. Andrea VIP

    Phoenix / Arizona33 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and drinks were incredible as always. Highly recommend this place if you’re in the area.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Vicky

    Hawaii1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Ethan, the Wine Director and Jason, our Server were both AMAZING! They were helpful and very knowledgeable. We had a lovely meal and incredible wine. Their selection is fantastic! Highly recommend and we will definitely be back to dine and buy wine! Victoria

    Is this helpful?

  5. Chris VIP

    San Diego10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It is great athmosphere, really urban, very very good food, and they have a good wine selection. Everyone is super friendly and service is very fast, although it was a Friday night. They also have an awesome complimentary shuttle service to and from Old Globe. My to go place whenever I go to a concert or to a play.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Rhonda

    San Diego39 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This place, never disappoints! The food is outstanding. Everyone was happy with their dish. The service is impeccable, you can see everyone hustling around and they’re all friendly. The restaurant itself is beautiful.

    Is this helpful?

  7. tom

    Phoenix / Arizona1 review

    2.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I’ve been to this place many times and every experience was wonderful up until last night.

    Is this helpful?

  8. ron

    Seattle / Eastern Washington1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Came here because my husband was researching the best pizza in San Diego. It definitely did not disappoint . Pizza was as ordered and completely covered in mushrooms. The crust was the best this side of Italy. We ordered a chopped salad which I thought was boring BUT the pizza more than made up for it. We came straight from the airport after traveling from Seattle . My wife is very picky about pizza but said she would gladly return. Almost forgot …the service was great !

    Is this helpful?

  9. Linda

    Virginia11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, great atmosphere, great service. Loved everything we ordered, especially the shrimp puttanesca.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Gene

    San Diego8 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on July 9, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Dinner was a mixed bag. Squash blossoms phenomenal, meatball and polenta phenomenal. Italian salad kinda dry and shrimp puttanesca was awful, shrimp were rubbery and bland, puttanesca sauce tasted like a bottle of pickle juice spilled in it. Not palatable. Waiter was nice and accomodating but was missing after pasta got served. So experience was not memorable.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

CUCINA urbana offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 239-2222.

CUCINA urbana is rated 4.7 stars by 7232 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. Banker's Hill

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 52 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for CUCINA urbana

505 Laurel St., San Diego, CA 92101

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Cross street
    5th avenue
  • Neighborhood
    Banker's Hill
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, American, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Tim Kolanko
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.urbankitchengroup.com/cucina-urbana-bankers-hill/
  • Phone number
    (619) 239-2222
  • Catering
    URBAN KITCHEN CATERING provides four star, stunning events with menus unique to your occasion. For more information check the URBAN KITCHEN CATERING link on our website www.urbankitchengroup.com or call Alison at 619.239.2222 extension 2. Or if interested in restaurant buyout opportunities, please contact Tiffany Tassano at 619.239.2222 extension 4.
  • Private party facilities
    From birthday celebrations and corporate dinners to graduation celebrations and wedding receptions, our space is perfect for your dining event. Our Wine Shop offers an intimate semi-private space for smaller functions, while larger groups are welcome to host their event using our entire restaurant as a private venue. We offer: wine specialists, who will design pairings for your meal, personalized printed menus, table decorations, specialty to-go gifts, and more.

Featured in

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