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Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Little Italy

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25 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant
1. Herb & Wood
4.7
Exceptional(6464)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 80 times today
A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.
A photo of Barbusa restaurant
2. Barbusa
4.6
Exceptional(4306)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 71 times today
Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!
A photo of Bencotto Italian Kitchen restaurant
3. Bencotto Italian Kitchen
4.6
Exceptional(3301)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 66 times today
ONLINE RESERVATIONS ARE LIMITED. PLEASE CALL THE RESTAURANT IF YOUR DESIRED TIME IS NOT AVAILABLE.We are proud to offer 75 kinds of different pasta recipe, fresh and hand-crafted 12 hours a day."Bencotto" means cooked well: this is what authentic Italian food is about.It tastes as it should and would in Italy.Bencotto offers two different eating environments: guests can either enjoy their meal at our “kitchen-esque” bar downstairs, or they can relax in the intimate low-ceiling dining area upstairs. The décor creates a clean and sophisticated atmosphere, where old-world charm and warmth blend with contemporary appeal.
A photo of Monello restaurant
4. Monello
4.6
Exceptional(2625)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 35 times today
As Bencotto's brother located next door,Monello lives up to its sibling's reputation as Best Italian restaurant in San Diego.From the 800 LB of fresh pasta handcrafted every week, Monello displays up to 27 different recipes of pasta. Mediterranean style seafood is served along with gourmet pizza.Monello delivers Pasta & Risotto tossed in the Parmigiano cheese wheel tableside.Unique Italian-style brunch is served on weekends.Voted Best Happy Hour 2016, Monello's Milanese Aperitivo offers small plates on the house with drinks every night.UN­ABLE TO FIND A TABLE? CHECK OUT OUR BROTHER RESTAURANT BENCOTTO NEXT DOOR
A photo of Mister A's restaurant
5. Mister A's
4.9
Exceptional(8667)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary French / American • Downtown
Booked 36 times today
Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)
A photo of Cowboy Star restaurant
6. Cowboy Star
4.9
Exceptional(4753)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 39 times today
Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.
A photo of Coasterra restaurant
7. Coasterra
4.6
Exceptional(7564)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Harbor Island
Booked 88 times today
Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.
A photo of STK- San Diego restaurant
8. STK- San Diego
4.3
Awesome(3336)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 62 times today
STK Steakhouse is “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” offering a high-energy dining experience that artfully combines the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse with a Vibe Dining atmosphere unlike any other. Delectable cuisine, upscale cocktails and an elevated Happy Hour, along with an in-house DJ and chic décor, all come together to offer a memorable fine dining experience that keeps guests enjoying their evening from drinks to dinner to late night. STK’s menu features reimagined classic American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner with unique local flair infused into each location’s menu. The brand’s beef program focuses on the highest quality, delicious and craveable steaks while emphasizing transparency and traceable sourcing practices.
A photo of Water Grill - San Diego restaurant
9. Water Grill - San Diego
4.7
Exceptional(3599)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 42 times today
Located steps away from Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center in the heart of Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego, Water Grill San Diego is an iconic seafood destination to enjoy the first catch of the season and a deep variety of fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters and shellfish on a robust menu that changes daily. New product arrives from boat-to-table in a matter of hours from our exclusive seafood distribution company and our chef’s preparations allow the high-quality product to shine. Consistently rated as one of San Diego’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill San Diego also offers multiple, customizable private dining options for business meetings and special events.
A photo of Nobu San Diego restaurant
10. Nobu San Diego
4.6
Exceptional(3740)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • Downtown
Booked 36 times today
Nobu San Diego is a hotspot due to its unique and exceptional cuisine. The menu, crafted by renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Executive Chef David Meade, features innovative dishes like Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno. Reviewers consistently praise the food as 'consistently and exceptionally delicious', with many recommending the hot and cold dishes and specials. The restaurant's ambiance is also noted for its 'sleek and modern decor' creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Callie KuklokVIP
    San Diego •51 reviews
    5.0
    Dined today
    Our server Michael was the best! Food and holiday drinks were delicious ❤️💚❤️💚
    More info
    BarbusaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Little Italy
    •
    4.6
  • Natalie
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    I had the best birthday dinner ever! I will be returning as soon as I can. The food and the service were impeccable.
    More info
    Bencotto Italian KitchenPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
    •
    4.6
  • Kenneth
    Baltimore / Maryland •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Food and service was outstanding. The must have dishes are the pork belly and venison tare tare appetizers, the oxtail gnocchi and Secreto entrees, and the date cake for dessert. The H&W Negron was also a stand out.
    More info
    Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
    •
    4.7
  • Joanne
    Greater Boston •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    C* is our go-to for any special occasion. They make the best steaks of all of San Diego - possibly of all of Southern California! This time around we were celebrating a birthday. C* service is always impeccable - everyone from the host to the waitstaff asked whose birthday it was and wished our birthday guest a happy birthday which was a sweet touch. We got the French Onion Soup to start, the best made anywhere. Also got the 40oz Porterhouse for 2 which was AMAZING - perfect amount for 2 people. Mac & Cheese side, which was a hit and the bacon was a delicious topping. Sticky Toffee Cake for dessert - also very unique and tasty. Can’t go wrong with their cocktail menu either! Our favorites include the C* Old Fashioned, Smoking Gun, and Oaxaca Old Fashioned. We’ll be back soon enough to try out some of the dessert liquors as well!
    More info
    Cowboy StarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
    •
    4.9
  • Heidi
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 13, 2024
    What a wonderful holiday lunch! Staff was accommodating, informative, and knew how to really help our group celebrate. The food was amazing, and the cheese wheel pasta - the best! We will be back!
    More info
    MonelloPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
    •
    4.6

Discover best hot spot restaurants in Little Italy

Discover the vibrant dining scene in San Diego's Little Italy, a true hotspot for food enthusiasts. This eclectic neighborhood is renowned for its array of restaurants that offer everything from gourmet steakhouses and chef-driven menus to authentic Italian cuisine and innovative rooftop dining experiences. Each restaurant in Little Italy brings its own unique flavor and style, creating a culinary hotspot that caters to a variety of tastes and preferences. Patrons can expect exceptional service, meticulously crafted dishes, and atmospheres that range from the sophisticated to the whimsically casual. Whether you're in the mood for dry-aged beef, seasonal local ingredients, or a relaxed country-style Italian meal, Little Italy in San Diego has a spot that will delight your palate. Enjoy stunning cityscape views or cozy, inviting vibes at these top-rated locations, perfect for special occasions, casual outings, or simply enjoying great food with great company. Experience the essence of San Diego's dining excellence in Little Italy, where every meal is a memorable event.

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