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The Godfather Restaurant, San Diego, CA

The Godfather Restaurant

4.7
4.7
1865 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 26 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Romantic
The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian monument in downtown San Diego providing authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy. Established in 1974, The Godfather is a sophisticated and classy establishment that centers around generational recipes from both Northern and Southern Italy. Over the years, the quality of food and standard of service has never declined and thus garnered The Godfather a national recognition as one of the top twenty-five Italian restaurants in the entire nation. The menu is filled with classic favorites based in steak, chicken and pasta. For an intimate evening for two, try the Sicilian kiss prix fixe meal that includes a bottle of champagne.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (858) 560-1747
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Isidoro Balistreri
  • Neighborhood
    Kearny Mesa
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,865 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
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Godfather Restaurant offers a nostalgic dining experience with "excellent service and amazing food." Guests rave about the generous portions and traditional Italian dishes. The ambiance, complete with live piano music, enhances the old-school charm. It's a favored spot for special occasions, with "delicious fried zucchini" and "authentic Italian flavors" that keep patrons coming back.

1,865 Reviews
  1. Mery

    San Diego

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a wonderful lunch with my mother! The service and the food were outstanding as always! The parking situation is my only negative remark, definitely get dropped off if you’re dining here.

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  2. Rhonda

    San Diego

    47 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    47 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    My meal was a little disappointing this time. I had the gnocchi & it was rather mushy. I’ve eaten here before and enjoyed. The place was emptied out before 9 on a Saturday night A little disappointing for by bday dinner with my family

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  3. Tiffany

    New York City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Was a great experience and restaurant. Everything about it was good.

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  4. Frank

    Columbus

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Godfather is a superb, classic Italian restaurant with delicious food and wine, and classic Italian service. They have held the tradition for years… not to be missed by anyone!

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  5. Annette

    San Diego

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a good meal here. Had dinner with girlfriends & our waiter was great!

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  6. Scott

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My wife and I had not been there for years and I took her there for her birthday. We regretted that it had been so long since we visited because it was awesome. The service was wonderful and the food was AMAZING!! What more can I say?

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  7. Russell

    Phoenix

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Very disappointing. Food was average at best and overall poor value for experience. Maybe work it for steaks , not worth it for Italian food.

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  8. Sarah

    Phoenix

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful in all areas. Thanks to the new owners for keeping the transition.

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  9. Keith

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent dining experience from start to finish. Food was exceptional. Service was way above average! Can’t wait to go back and try other delicious dishes.

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  10. Marc

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went here for my daughter’s 16th birthday. Waiter was engaging and cheeky, and made the dinner even more fun.

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FAQs

The Godfather Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 560-1747.

The Godfather Restaurant is rated 4.7 stars by 1865 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 26 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Godfather Restaurant

7878 Clrmt Msa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111-1621

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Kearny Mesa
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Isidoro Balistreri
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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