Best Authentic Restaurants in National City

94 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Acqua E Farina Trattoria Romana restaurant

1. Acqua E Farina Trattoria Romana

4.7

Exceptional(20)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Chula Vista / Bonita

Booked 5 times today

Start your day with a delightful brunch at Farmers Table Chula Vista and then indulge in a delicious Trattoria Romana experience at Acqua e Farina by night! 🍽️❤️✨At Acqua E Farina, we bring you a modern take on authentic Italian cuisine. Our menu features homemade pastas crafted with love, along with Grandma's cherished meatball recipe that will transport you to Italy with every bite. Indulge in traditional dishes, including classics like Parmigiana, Brazatto, homemade pizzas and stuffed pizzas as well, our famous Parmesan wheel pastas, each prepared with the finest ingredients and attention to detail. To complement your visit at Acqua E Farina, we offer a full bar featuring a delightful selections of cocktails designed to bring friends together. Enjoy refreshing Aperol spritzers, an array of flavorful sangrias, and dont miss our signature Espresso Martini. We also proudly showcase a selection of exquisite Italian wines to enhance your dining experience.

A photo of Kalaveras - Chula Vista restaurant

2. Kalaveras - Chula Vista

4.6

Exceptional(105)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Chula Vista / Bonita

Booked 1 time today

We're creating a new concept of modern rustic dining with a fusion of traditional and vanguard Mexican ingredients. Our food is chef-driven, using classic cooking techniques with fresher and healthier options. We're elevating bold, authentic flavors and presenting a new way of eating. In the bar you'll find over 90 different tequilas and Mezcal spirits.

3. Ciccia Osteria

4.7

Exceptional(151)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Barrio Logan

Booked 25 times today

Nestled in Barrio Logan, San Diego, Ciccia Osteria is a charming Italian restaurant that invites guests on a culinary journey through Italy. With its warm ambiance, attentive service, and exquisite cuisine, Ciccia Osteria is a beloved destination. Notably, it has won the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024Entering Ciccia Osteria, guests are transported to Italy's bustling trattorias. The cozy interior, with small tables, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting, creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for any occasion.Committed to the finest ingredients and traditional techniques, Ciccia Osteria offers handmade pastas, succulent seafood, and tender meats, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. The curated wine list features Italian and California wines to pair with the menu.Under Chef Mario Cassineri's guidance, Ciccia Osteria is more than a restaurant—it's a destination where guests can savor authentic Italian cuisine and create lasting memories.

4. Seneca

4.7

Exceptional(4137)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 126 times today

Roman trattorias are a timeless expression of simplicity. Immune to the lure of gastronomic experimentation and ego. In Rome, no chef can cook better than the mothers and grandmothers before them. Our goal is to merge the dogmatic approach of Roman cooking with the amazing abundance of ingredients available to us in San Diego. A True Roman Holiday In SD. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.

5. Buona Forchetta

4.6

Exceptional(844)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • South Park

Booked 67 times today

Buona Forchetta, meaning 'Good Fork' in Italian, is an authentic Italian restaurant. It was started by Matteo who wanted to bring his native Italy to San Diego. Customers praise its 'excellent and authentic Italian experience' with simple recipes that 'takes me back to all my travels to Italy'. The restaurant is highly recommended for its 'authentic and delicious' food, 'vibrant atmosphere' and 'excellent service'.

6. AKA San Diego

new

3.4

Very Good(39)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Downtown

Booked 13 times today

Located in the bustling heart of Gaslamp, San Diego, AKA is more than just a restaurant. It’s a destination where exceptional food, craft cocktails, and an energetic nightlife converge. With a menu curated by renowned Chef Takuya Kudo, AKA offers a captivating fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Thai culinary traditions, all crafted with fresh ingredients and innovative techniques. The venue features a vibrant atmosphere complemented by artisanal craft cocktails from mixologist Gerardo Bedolla and striking design by Cassandra Builer. AKA welcomes guests to indulge in its exquisite dishes while enjoying electrifying entertainment. Committed to transforming the dining and nightlife scene in San Diego, AKA offers a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone looking to savor gourmet cuisine, sip on craft cocktails, and dance the night away.

7. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1340)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Little Italy

Booked 32 times today

Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

A photo of Garage Buona Forchetta restaurant

8. Garage Buona Forchetta

4.6

Exceptional(873)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Coronado

Booked 66 times today

Authentic Neapolitan Pizzeria & Italian Ristorante in Coronado, San Diego, California.

9. Cloak + Petal

4.6

Exceptional(947)

Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Little Italy

Booked 20 times today

WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionshipOur concept is drawn from our name. The word “cloak” implies secrecy, inspiring our concept of a social sphere humming beneath the levels of ordinary life. “Petal” alludes to the Japanese tradition of “hanami,” when family and friends gather under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks and fellowship.Enter our space and travel underground to décor reminiscent of an abandoned Tokyo subway, a stratum of society all its own, an artist’s dream. Cross the threshold into a mystically transformed Japanese social dining lounge which appears to be an outdoor seating area, similar to a waiting platform. Sit beneath a trellis of draping vines and teardrop lights in the intimate space we’ve thoughtfully created, and feast on authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates and drinks with family and friends.Journey down to Cloak + Petal… and come unwind your soul.

10. Civico 1845

4.4

Awesome(2395)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 26 times today

Civico 1845 is an authentic Italian restaurant located in Little Italy, San Diego. The menu is a homage to the Calabria region of Italy and incorporates sustainable practices. Reviews rave about the fresh, light, and delectable dishes, with one reviewer claiming it's 'untouched by American ignorance'. The restaurant is also praised for its friendly staff, good atmosphere, and amazing vegan menu.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
Cindievip
London •11 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Great food. Great service. Very nice local restaurant
More info
Buona ForchettaPrice: Moderate• Italian• South Park
•
4.6
C
Chris
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Fantastic experience, delicious Italian food, great ambiance, and the service was outstanding. Chef Mario chatted with us about his culinary journey and the idea for Ciccia Osteria, already looking forward to our next visit!
More info
Ciccia OsteriaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Barrio Logan
•
4.7
C
Cristinavip
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Good food and great service. Fernando and Guillermo were good made sure our food was great and check on us to make sure everything was great.
More info
Acqua E Farina Trattoria RomanaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Chula Vista / Bonita
•
4.7
J
Jocelyn
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
My friends and I love Seneca, we keep going back to this place every time we hang out. The pizzas and pastas are so yummy!! We’ve tried a few things from the menu and there hasn’t been one we didn’t like. They have a good variety of pizzas, pastas and appetizers. They have good mocktails too, the cucumber is my favorite! And I don’t drink alcohol so I haven’t had any cocktails but from what I’ve heard those are good too! The staff has always been super friendly and welcoming and the view is breathtaking! I highly recommend giving this place a try! 🙂
More info
SenecaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
•
4.7
M
Mona
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 17, 2024
Thank you for hosting my birthday this year. Everything was perfect!!
More info
Kalaveras - Chula VistaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Chula Vista / Bonita
•
4.6

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National City

Best Authentic Restaurants in National City

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94 restaurants available nearby

1. Acqua E Farina Trattoria Romana

2. Kalaveras - Chula Vista

3. Ciccia Osteria

4. Seneca

5. Buona Forchetta

6. AKA San Diego

7. Kettner Exchange

8. Garage Buona Forchetta

9. Cloak + Petal

10. Civico 1845

See what locals rave about

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