Little Italy
Little Italy
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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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Neighborhood: Little Italy
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Restaurants
1,663 within 3 miles
Attractions
471 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- BobiTychynskiShimodaOakville, Canada347 contributionsEnjoyed a stroll through little ItalyLoved little Italy! Stopped there and had lunch at the mercato which is only there Wednesdays and Saturdays. Enjoyed a beef tamale from one of the stands. It was hard not to buy everything they had at the market. We enjoyed walking India street and seeing all the cool restaurants and gelato places. The food court (little Italy food hall) was worth checking out. We sat and ate our tamale in the piazza. Headed back for dinner later at nonna and zucherro.Visited May 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten May 31, 2023
- TravelogarithmsWestchester County, New York84 contributionsMust-visit! Phenomenal food!If you love Italian food, this is a must-visit place. The food is just phenomenal and the atmosphere is fun. It has a bit of a NYC vibe but obviously much smaller. It’s basically a few blocks of great restaurants, bars, and cafes. There is also a cute town-center square with live music and a food hall. It’s great for families, couples, and singles of all ages.Visited August 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten August 5, 2023
- twysted2015Kelowna, Canada2,413 contributionsSo many food optionsThis is the part of town you will gain some weight. We tried to balance lots of walking to offset the huge caloric consumption in this part of town to no avail. Needless to say, there are some fantastic places to eat, and the farmers market sets up shop here as well. Close to the harbour and worth checking out.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 18, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,055 reviews
Excellent
1,079
Very good
691
Average
226
Poor
42
Terrible
17
Kelly B
Boise, Idaho, Usa170 contributions
Sep 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 October 2, 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 May 29, 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, TX19 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 February 9, 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, CA35 contributions
Jul 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 August 6, 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 April 20, 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, KS1,690 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 March 2, 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, FL73 contributions
Jun 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 July 30, 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, UK1,344 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 February 22, 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, MT877 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 January 1, 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
13 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 March 10, 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.
Hi! Hows the parking situation? I'm going to go in February and I'm planning to rent a car.
Wendy G
West Midlands, UK35 contributions
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
Hank956
Brownsville, TX1,104 contributions
Not really a full blown Chinatown. But by the Chinese Historical Museum south of the gaslight district is the place to visit.
Emily J
3 contributions
Best recommend restaurant for an authentic (like they make it in Italia) Margherita pizza?
DesertFarmer
El Centro, CA128 contributions
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.
Zaid R
Solana Beach, CA6 contributions
Does anyone know an ice cream place in little Italy with good pistachio flavor?
Just like the italian ice cream!!!!
DesertFarmer
El Centro, CA128 contributions
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
Where does the trolley tour pick up and drop off? I'm staying at the Urban Boutique Hotel.
SagaloutsTour
Gerrards Cross, UK1,156 contributions
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.
Micka9819
Guadalajara, Mexico
Is Little Italy to far away from Gaslamp? Like, how much?
Nathanael29
Tijuana, Mexico59 contributions
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.
TribecaCiti
Montclair, NJ9 contributions
Best restaurant little Italy
Joseph S
Philadelphia, PA121 contributions
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
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Claim your listingLittle Italy - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Little Italy
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Little Italy:
- San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour (From $49.00)
- San Diego City Lights Night Tour (From $46.00)
- GoCar 2Hr Tour: Downtown & Old Town (From $77.81)
- San Diego GoCar: Best Value, Full Day Option (From $158.50)
- San Diego Scenic Tour (From $85.00)
- Hotels near Little Italy:
- (0.02 mi) Panoramic View | 2bd/2BA | Sleeps 4 | Parking Available
- (0.03 mi) Entire 2Bd in Most Convenient San Diego Location
- (0.08 mi) Harbor House
- (0.10 mi) RK Hostel
- (0.12 mi) Sunshine Suites at Little Italy
- Restaurants near Little Italy:
- (0.03 mi) Ballast Point Little Italy
- (0.11 mi) Juniper & Ivy
- (0.10 mi) The Crack Shack - Little Italy
- (0.11 mi) Mona Lisa
- (0.11 mi) Herb & Wood
- Attractions near Little Italy:
- (0.05 mi) So Diego Tours
- (0.06 mi) Bottlecraft Beer Shop & Tasting Room - Little Italy
- (0.06 mi) Amici Park
- (0.11 mi) India Street Antiques
- (0.14 mi) HOKALI