Operacaffe

4.7

1353 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 19, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 7 times today

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Charming

At Operacaffe we are passionate about our culinary business and our customers. The reputation for excellent cuisine, top-notch service, the quality and freshness of ingredients are the reasons we are so proud of our brand new restaurant!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(619) 234-6538
Website
http://www.operacaffe.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Patrizia Branchi

Location
835 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Neighborhood
Downtown
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Bruschetta$7.95
Italian toast topped with chopped tomato, fresh basil, and EVOO
Fried Burrata$12.95
Shrimp and Calamari Fritti$18.95
I Coccoli$12.95
Fried pizza dough stuffed with stracchino and mascarpone cheese, topped with prosciutto
Tagliere Toscano
Selection of cured meats and cheeses
- Serves 2$19.95
Carpaccio di Manzo$15.95
Raw beef sirloin, lemon, arugula, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
Carpaccio di Salmone$16.95
Smoked salmon, arugula, oranges, and pink peppercorn

Insalate

Add Salmon $9.95, Shrimp $6, Chicken $5

La Mista$6.95
Mixed greens, tomato, carrots, and cucumbers
La Cesare$8.00
Patrizia$14.95
Mixed greens, arugula, hearts of palm, mozzarella, avocado, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
Caprese$14.50
Fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil
Prosciutto di Parma e Burrata$15.95
Ahi Tuna Salad$15.95
Mixed greens, tomatoes, caper berries, in a citrus dressing
Insalata di Salmone$18.95
Grilled wild salmon filet, arugula, fennel, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano and EVOO
Insalata di Mare$17.95
Seafood assortment, arugula mixed greens, tomatoes, cannellini beans, lemon and EVOO
Burrata Salad$15.95
Arugula, watermelon, radish, cherry tomatoes and EVOO

Zuppe

Zuppa del Giorno$8.95
Ask your server

Pizza

Margherita$14.95
Tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil
Capricciosa$16.95
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, champignon mushrooms, black olives, artichokes, ham
Hawaiiana$15.95
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, pineapple, ham
Vegetariana$15.95
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, seasonal vegetables
Pepperoni e Salsiccia$16.95
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni and italian sausage

Pasta

Add Shrimp $6, Chicken $5, Meatballs $5

Penne Carrettiera$14.95
Tomato sauce, garlic, chili peppers, parsley and EVOO
Spaghetti Pomodoro$14.95
Fresh tomato sauce, garlic and basil
Penne Bolognese$16.95
Bolognese style sauce
Farfalle Campagnola$16.95
Chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, shallots, broccoli, light cream sauce
Penne Speperina$17.95
Spicy sausage, mascarpone cheese and mint
Fettuccine Alfredo or Al Pesto$15.95
Farfalle al Salmone$18.95
Smoked salmon, shallots, light creamy vodka sauce
Penne alla Kika$20.95
Shrimps, manilla clams, white wine, light cream sauce
Spaghetti di Mare$20.95
Seafood assortment, chopped tomatoes, chili peppers, white wine sauce
Gnocchi Gorgonzola e Mirtilli$20.95
Sweet gorgonzola cheese and blueberries
Ravioli Porcini e Crema di Tartufo$17.95
Ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms in a creamy wild mushroom and truffle sauce
Ravioli Fattore$17.95
Ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach in a mild spicy vodka sauce and porcini mushrooms
Ravioli Boscaiola$17.95
Ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms in a creamy butter sauce with sage and pine nuts
Bucatini Mare e Monti$19.95
Spicy sausage sauce with mushroom and shrimp
Linguine alle Vongole Veraci$19.95
Manila clams, EVOO, garlic, parsley, white wine and chili peppers
Paccheri alla Carbonara$18.95
Pancetta, eggs, parmigiano and a touch of cream
Meat Lasagna$16.95
Penne Portofino$24.95
Flambe jumbo prawns, pink vodka sauce and chili flakes

Secondi

Pollo Contadina$21.95
Breaded chicken breast milanese style topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and arugula with fries
Pollo Limone$19.95
Chicken breast in a creamy lemon sauce
Pollo Parmigiana$19.95
Breaded chicken breast, tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, served with spaghetti
Vittella alla Parmigiana$27.95
Breaded veal, tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, served with spaghetti
Salmone al Rosmarino$27.95
Wild salmon filet, shallots, white wine and rosemary
La Tagliata$30.95
Filet mignon, arugula, polenta, tomatoes and gorgonzola sauce
Pollo alla Pizzaiola$19.95
Chicken breast, capers, garlic, parsley, tomato sauce, mozzarella and oregano

What 1,353 people are saying

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

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.3Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Operacaffe in downtown San Diego is a culinary gem praised for its authentic Italian cuisine and attentive service. Guests rave about the "best Italian restaurant in San Diego," highlighting delicious dishes like veal osso bucco and porcini ravioli. Its convenient location makes it ideal for pre-theater dining.

1,353 Reviews

C
Carol
VIP
San Diego
214 reviews
4.0
214 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
We really enjoyed our dinners at Opera Cafe last night There were 9 of us having dinner before a show at Balboa Theatre - this is really the best place to go for dinner before a show there! We were seated immediately and our waiter was very nice. Sorry that I don't recall his name! The food was delicious - there were so many choices and everyone in our group was very satisfied with their choices. I had the fettuccini alfredo and as usual, it was great. Many in our group tried the various ravioli dishes offered and they all loved what they ordered. The prices are very reasonable and we were out in plenty of time to walk across the street for the show. I definitely recommend Opera Cafe for a great downtown restaurant.
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D
Donna
San Diego
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
It is a perfect place to eat before a show. The service was excellent! The food was delicious!
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D
Donna
VIP
San Diego
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Small and cozy. The food was outstanding. I will definitely be going back!
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T
Teresa
San Diego
44 reviews
4.0
44 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Wonderful food! Great service. Tables very close together, pretty noisy. But the food is worth the inconvenience
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G
Gregg
San Diego
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Service was good, food very good. A bit noisy for a Wednesday. I can only imagine what a weekend might might be like. Wait staff very accommodating to get us out in time to make a theater show.
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O
Oliva
San Diego
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dining at Operacaffe was a great experience. The location was perfect for our show at the Balboa Theater, and we conveniently parked right across the street at the Horton parking garage on 4th and F st. The service was prompt and courteous, and the food was delicious. The house wines were also very good and reasonably priced. We will definitely be back!
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R
Raymond
San Diego
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great restaurant! Love the food and very convenient when attending the Balboa Theater.
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T
Terri
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had two large groups in for dinner. Everything was FABULOUS! The pasta was all fresh and came out piping hot! Two people had the fresh fish and it was cooked perfectly-light, flaky and tasted amazing! The staff was attentive and served our food at a great pace. The evening was perfect. I will come back the next time I’m in San Diego!
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B
Bob
VIP
Phoenix
45 reviews
5.0
45 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
First time for my wife and I to dine there. It was outstanding! The brucetta with prosciutto was our choice for an appetizer and it was wonderful. Our entrees were the giant tortellini with King Crab and Shrimp, and the penne bolognese "creamy" with a side of meatballs. Both dishes were about the best we've ever had! Served steamy hot and excellent. We swapped plates twice just so we could both taste and it was incredible! Great drinks too!
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L
Lee
San Diego
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 30, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Great meal ahead of seeing a show at the Balboa. Great location. Food was very tasty. It’s surprisingly hard for find spaghetti cooked right for a reasonable price and Operacaffe nailed it. Prices were where you’d expect. I held back on 5s all of the way down because of seating next to the rest rooms/kitchen made the romantic meal a little noisy and busy as folks were walking past our table. Not that it’s a complaint, just a fact. The service was great, a little slow but the waitress apologized and explained that it was hard to get staff to work the Friday after Thanksgiving. We were treated very well. Thanks to a delicious Italian meal.
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FAQs

Operacaffe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 234-6538.

Operacaffe is rated 4.7 stars by 1353 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 19, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 7 times today

Order delivery or takeout

835 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Patrizia Branchi
Additional
Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.operacaffe.com/
Phone number
(619) 234-6538

Operacaffe

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Margherita

Bruschetta

Tiramisu

Antipasti

Bruschetta$7.95

Fried Burrata$12.95

Shrimp and Calamari Fritti$18.95

I Coccoli$12.95

Tagliere Toscano

Carpaccio di Manzo$15.95

Carpaccio di Salmone$16.95

Insalate

La Mista$6.95

La Cesare$8.00

Patrizia$14.95

Caprese$14.50

Prosciutto di Parma e Burrata$15.95

Ahi Tuna Salad$15.95

Insalata di Salmone$18.95

Insalata di Mare$17.95

Burrata Salad$15.95

Zuppe

Zuppa del Giorno$8.95

Pizza

Margherita$14.95

Capricciosa$16.95

Hawaiiana$15.95

Vegetariana$15.95

Pepperoni e Salsiccia$16.95

Pasta

Penne Carrettiera$14.95

Spaghetti Pomodoro$14.95

Penne Bolognese$16.95

Farfalle Campagnola$16.95

Penne Speperina$17.95

Fettuccine Alfredo or Al Pesto$15.95

Farfalle al Salmone$18.95

Penne alla Kika$20.95

Spaghetti di Mare$20.95

Gnocchi Gorgonzola e Mirtilli$20.95

Ravioli Porcini e Crema di Tartufo$17.95

Ravioli Fattore$17.95

Ravioli Boscaiola$17.95

Bucatini Mare e Monti$19.95

Linguine alle Vongole Veraci$19.95

Paccheri alla Carbonara$18.95

Meat Lasagna$16.95

Penne Portofino$24.95

Secondi

Pollo Contadina$21.95

Pollo Limone$19.95

Pollo Parmigiana$19.95

Vittella alla Parmigiana$27.95

Salmone al Rosmarino$27.95

La Tagliata$30.95

Pollo alla Pizzaiola$19.95

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Operacaffe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Operacaffe restaurant rated?

Is Operacaffe currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information