Little Italy
Little Italy
4.5
About
Check out Little Italy in San Diego for a taste of Italian cuisine and culture. The district boasts some of the most authentic Italian restaurants in town—take a food tour of the area to find the best spots and learn more about Little Italy's history. Be sure to check out the weekly Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market, the largest in the city. The nearby Waterfront Park and San Diego Maritime Museum are worth a visit, too. Visit in the evening to enjoy an al fresco dinner and see Little Italy come alive with twinkling lights. – Tripadvisor
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Neighbourhood: Little Italy
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4.5
2,057 reviews
Excellent
1,080
Very good
692
Average
225
Poor
42
Terrible
18
Kelly B
Boise, Idaho, Usa155 contributions
Sept 2020
In San Diego, there are so many things to do...but don't overlook Little Italy. The area is loaded with restaurant and bar choices. It would take a year to go to every one. The air smells like heaven. There is a spot for every budget. Go for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. Plan to EAT! The neighborhood is quaint and very romantic. Many, many outside patios. The vibe is buzzing with activity or quaint and romantic. Choose your experience. Wear walking shoes, Little Italy is big enough to walk off your decadent meal!
Written 2 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mateo R
Mexico City, Mexico120 contributions
May 2022
There is some good food, though there are so many restaurants it's hard to choose where to go. On weekends it is pretty crowded, you can barely walk on the sidewalk.
By reading reviews online I was under the impression that Little Italy was somehow "fancier" than Gaslamp, but I found the opposite, I would describe Little Italy more "cozy" since everything is more tight together and crowded. Gaslamp is more spacious and most restaurants feel like a better a level up from Little Italy.
By reading reviews online I was under the impression that Little Italy was somehow "fancier" than Gaslamp, but I found the opposite, I would describe Little Italy more "cozy" since everything is more tight together and crowded. Gaslamp is more spacious and most restaurants feel like a better a level up from Little Italy.
Written 29 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SusieinHouston
Houston, TX18 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Lots of places to enjoy the Italian lifestyle- lunch, dinner, wine and dessert. We enjoyed the farmer’s market on Saturday (crowded by neat) which runs morning to early afternoon. We ate dinner at Fillipi’s and lunch in the “food hall” by the piazza area.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lifeisanadventureboo
Roseville, CA33 contributions
July 2022
This was a poppin' neighborhood of trendy cafes, restaurants, boutiques and music. Pasta! Pasta! Pasta! We were able to enjoy authentic Italian food sitting at an outside patio with the sun starting to set, near perfect weather, and people watching galore. This was the cherry on top of our "San Diego Day of Play".
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael D
1 contribution
Apr 2023
I agree overrated and over priced. Everything closes at 9pm. NOT ITALY. All I wanted at 8:30 pm on a nice San Diego evening was an espresso for me and my wife and some gelato for my son while walking the streets of America's finest city NO NO NO not one place or if they did have espresso and gelato they were closing. Save your money and just visit Italy. I like Rome (late night espresso) but Fiorenza is .Bellissima
Written 20 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth K
Shawnee, KS1,629 contributions
Feb 2020
Plenty of great food choices in this neck of town, along with some photo ops. Parking can be tricky, so be patient. We also visited on a day when the open air market was taking place. Plenty of vendors, local food, succulents, and musicians performing. Be sure to stop for lunch. We loved Filippi's Pizza Grotto and it was delicious. They have a little Italian grocery store in the front of the store and the restaurant is in the back.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike M
Jacksonville, FL69 contributions
June 2023 • Friends
Lots and lots of American Italian food! Kinda of bummed that it has been Americanized! Wish it was more authentic. I know that most owners are legit Italian, but they are still arranging their menus to meet the American taste buds.
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L_K1509
London, UK1,646 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Little Italy is mainly centred around India street and is a few blocks of restaurants and bars. We picked a couple to go into randomly and they were ok, we thought service and beers were good in Bolt brewery and the pizza ok is a nearly restaurant.
I would recommend going at happy hour for the best prices. Plus less crowded.
I would recommend going at happy hour for the best prices. Plus less crowded.
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
surfercharlie
Glendive, MT1,147 contributions
Dec 2019
We happened to visit Little Italy on the day of their Farmers Market. The place was packed and there were some interesting booths. The shops and restaurants in the area looked interesting. Some of the history of the area, and the decline of tuna fishing is quite interesting.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeri B
14 contributions
Mar 2020
We stayed really close but didn't discover it till we were almost leaving! Saturday morning though there was a 3 block open market that was really fun. Morning Glory is a breakfast/lunch retaurant that is in Little Italy and is very popular and a very fun place to go and eat. You may have a bit of a wait. But it is worth it.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I read SD downtown has pretty bad homeless situation but little Italy supposed to be cleaner than other parts of downtown. Is that accurate?
Written 1 July 2024
Hi! Hows the parking situation? I'm going to go in February and I'm planning to rent a car.
Written 13 January 2024
Hello I’m thinking of taking my niece (60) next year for a few days can anyone tell me if there is a china town I’ve read a lot about little Italy thank you wendy
Written 30 December 2019
Not really a full blown Chinatown. But by the Chinese Historical Museum south of the gaslight district is the place to visit.
Written 19 January 2020
Best recommend restaurant for an authentic (like they make it in Italia) Margherita pizza?
Written 2 July 2019
Filippi's Pizza Grotto is possibly the oldest and most popular. Walk through the little grocery store to the back. I can't recall the name of the one I like -- it is directly adjacent to the water feature/fountain at North end of street. Don't miss the gelatos and pastry shops. If can be arranged, 5/ 6 am a magical time to wander into coffee shops, sit and listen to the elders discoursing in Italian.
Written 24 August 2019
Does anyone know an ice cream place in little Italy with good pistachio flavor?
Just like the italian ice cream!!!!
Written 24 June 2019
Mostly GELATO, not ice cream. Pistachio used to be a favorite of mine, but not so much lately, so have not looked for it. Just ask in any one of the several very authentic pastry shops -- these look like restaurants! but have pastry and gelato counters
Written 24 August 2019
Where does the trolley tour pick up and drop off? I'm staying at the Urban Boutique Hotel.
Written 20 April 2019
The main starting point is San Diego Embarcadero, but ther are picks ups at Seaport Vilage, Historic Gaslamp Quarter, Lttle Italy and Old Town State Historic Park, amongst others. To see the full route go to Old Town Trolley Tours San Diego.
Written 2 May 2019
Micka9819
Guadalajara, Mexico
Is Little Italy to far away from Gaslamp? Like, how much?
Written 11 June 2017
Depende, caminando es como 40 minutos del horton plaza tomas Broadway hacia america plaza ahí esta la avenida india St, y te llevará hasta el letrero de Little italy.
Puedes utilizar el servicio de uber si vas con varios te conviene.
Si va usted sol@ puede utilizar el transporte mts, en su pagina incluso puede indicar de que punto sale al cual va y le dara las indicaciones de que ruta tomar y el tiempo que se lleva.
Saludos y espero le haya sido útil.
Written 8 October 2017
Hard to answer Some are for tourists others are more local. Little Italy is not that big of an area. Menus are posted out front of each restaurant. Peruse them all. Enjoy your stay
Written 25 August 2016
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