Literally perfect date night spot. The ambiance is like a small town in Italy, it is so cute and every single person that works at this establishment is a gem. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered. The bread was a perfect starter, with fresh olive oil it reminded me of macaroni grill as a child. I got the sausage pasta I forget the name it starts with a C - hands down best Italian I've had in San Diego. The noodles were handmade and perfect. The sauce was a white creamy olive oil sauce but not heavy. The sausage was so flavorful. We easily could have shared a salad and one dish. The portions are great for the price. Our waitress heather was a delight, she had so much knowledge on all the dishes and she really was just so sweet and professional. I can't emphasize how serious I am when I say it's the best pasta I've ever had. Now I haven't been to Italy but I've been around the world. This was a game changer. Amazing date night and can't wait to go back. Request heather she's the best! And thank you to the gentlemen that dumped a ton of fresh parm on my pasta without judgement. I love u! read more

Antica Trattoria - Cecerecce or something like that lol sausage pasta!! - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

First visit here and it was okay! Nice cozy atmosphere and a large menu! The expresso martini was outstanding. They offer nightly specials as well. The food was just okay for me nothing blew me away. The burrata was good but the sauce underneath it didn't mix well in my opinion. We did try an appetizer special of the fried squash blossoms and those were delicious! For our mains I got the seafood pasta and it just didn't blow me away. All the seafood was cooked nicely but the pasta was rubbery and there was no flavor overall. Everyone else thought their meals were average. Service was great the whole time but with the price point we were disappointed with the food. read more

See all

Came here on a whim for dinner as I was craving Italian food and this did not disappoint. Upon stepping inside, the interior was decorated beautifully and reminded me of Italy. We got the fresh homemade bread, polpettine, insalate venere, linguine, and lasagna. The herb infused dip for the bread was delicious, and the bread came warm wrapped in a towel. The polpettine was my favorite appetizer, the meat was so tender and delicious and paired perfectly with the whipped ricotta. I appreciated the olives and onions in the dish as well, and the sauce was great with the bread. Our server was extremely kind and offered to split the salad for us. My boyfriend loved the salad and loved the pairing of the greens, goat cheese, and walnuts together. He got the lasagna for the main and noted that there were about 12 layers beautifully stacked upon one another. My linguine was delicious and packed with seafood which was cooked perfectly. The texture of the linguine was delicious and seemed home made. Overall the food and service were excellent. I'm so glad I found a gem near my home and will be back to try more of the menu. read more

See all

This place is a hidden gem. My Mom and I wanted to have Italian so we decided to try a new Italian place that my daughter told me about called "Antica Trattoria!" Upon walking in, they have an authentic Italian decor with beautiful murals on the wall depicting Italy. They have paintings hung up all over the restaurant which add a beautiful touch. Our waiter, Levi was professional, personal, and friendly. The bus boy was efficient in cleaning the table before we ordered and bringing us water and fresh homemade bread they make daily here. I decided to order the gnocchi which was rich and delicious. I could not eat it all because the portion was ample so I was able to bring the rest home. My Mom ordered shrimp linguine which she said was perfecto. She was able to finish all of hers. We throughly enjoyed our food and service . It was the best! read more

See all

Easy free parking, friendly service team from start to finish. Relaxed vibe inside with wine decor. Full service bar with good wine selection and n/a beers. Food quality was fresh and flavorful. Portions are generous and prices are average. Worth stopping by. read more

Antica Trattoria - Linguine with seafood, subbed linguine noodles for pappardelle noodles. - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

See all

It's been way too long! The food here is perfection! Service is amazing and the restaurant is very nice. read more

See all

While I felt the food quality was great (the tomatoes in the bruschetta were particularly flavorful and juicy!) none of the dishes were a win for me. The bruschetta appetizer was tasty but the crostini was hard and chewy. The burrata in the burrata appetizer was yummy but the bell pepper pesto was an odd addition and a miss. The fettuccini had really nice meatballs and other meats, but i wish there was more sauce and a but more flavor overall. I would try this place again but would try other dishes. read more

Usually great. This time a few misses. We had reservations for the outside. The day of our red they called and said they had a large party and we needed to move inside. Inside is very loud. We went and were seated at a 2 top against a wall. It was right and uninviting. There were no options she said so we sat. This seemed to be the method of the night. Some ladies were seated next to us and asked to be switched to another table and the answer was no. That "No" came in an almost rude way and the ladies next to us commented the same thing. Levi, our server was great. I was Looking at the steak special for dinner and told him the last time I had it, it was not the best cut of meat. After we placed our Order he can back and aid he looked at the cuts they had and he would recommend something else. I so appreciated that. I asked him to bring me his favorite pasta meal. Make it a surprise. And it was sooooo yummy. He did great. The branzino was good but lacked some depth in flavor. The tiramisu is the best in the city -fresh made. So good. . The Brie and salad we split and also very good. A great place for sure. read more

See all

Antica Trattoria serves acceptable pasta, but not much else stands out. They were not very busy, so a reservation was not necessary. Our server was kind, though we did not receive as much attention as some of the other tables. Bread is not complimentary, and one of my party members accidentally agreed to it when asked. I did appreciate that salads could be split and were finished with freshly cracked pepper, though I wish there had been more engagement from the staff beyond adding pepper and Parmesan. *Homemade Bread: served with what was described as herb infused olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The bread itself was airy but fairly bland. I could not really detect any herb flavor in the oil, and the portion of oil and vinegar felt a bit small for the amount of bread. *Insalata Venere: featured poached pears, goat cheese, and caramelized walnuts. The greens were well dressed in a bright, acidic vinaigrette. The pears were the highlight, offering a warm sweetness that paired nicely with the creamy goat cheese. The walnuts, however, had an off texture and could have benefited from better caramelization. *Penne: adding protein felt pricey, with chicken costing an extra $8. The chicken was chopped quite small, and I would have preferred larger pieces. The sauce itself was flavorful and well developed, but the pasta was cooked past al dente. *Capellini: nicely paired with mushrooms and shrimp, though the toppings carried the dish more than the pasta or sauce. The sauce was quite muted and tasted like a simple tomato base without much seafood depth. The shrimp and pasta were slightly overcooked. Overall, it is a decent option for Italian food, but nothing particularly memorable. While the portions are generous, the flavors did not quite match the price point, and I would have preferred more depth and execution across the dishes. read more

See all

This has been a family favorite! I want to start off with giving Heather a shoutout for making us feel so welcomed. The ambiance was great--cozy and inviting without feeling too formal. The food was amazing. Started with a fresh salad (insalata verne) and bruschetta, both well balanced and flavorful. The arancini balls were crispy on the outside and delicious inside, and the meatballs (polpettine) were tender and full of flavor. We also ordered the papardelle short rib pasta, chicken piccata, penne with smoked salmon, and capellini. The drinks are also delicious and strong! Overall, a great Italian spot, which we've returned to many times. read more

See all

This is my go to for close to home fine dining so when my family asked me where I wanted to go for Father's Day... The special menu they had was fantastic and I was very excited to try something new here. I was craving Rack of Lamb so that's what I got and it didn't disappoint. My son got Lobster ravioli, My daughter got the Chilean Sea Bass (perfectly prepared and delicious) and my wife's Pappardelle pasta dish also fantastic. Did I mention the appetizer's? We got the Frittura Mista (Calamari, Shrimp, Artichoke w/ creamy Garlic sauce) & Polpettine (Braised Meatballs, San Marzano tomato sauce, Olives & whipped Ricotta), Excellent! The staff, as usual, were amazing even under pressure because it was packed from a little after opening at 4:30pm untill until we left, and I'm sure, until they closed. Well done - Antica Trattoria and thank you. read more

Antica Trattoria - Rack of Lamb - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

See all

Anyone who doesn't leave a five-star review here does not have a seasoned pallet nor understand truly what an amazing restaurant is. This place defines the words "A True Find". Atmosphere 5x - Service 5x - Food 5x. From Georgia to Silas to the amazing Levi... What, A Find!! read more

My pasta dish was disgusting amd asked the server to throw it away.. Funny enough they charged full price. Appetizer and risotto were very good though. Came here before during Valentines and the experience was much better. read more

See all

This place is quickly becoming one of our favorites. Whether it is for a full on meal or an after dinner night cap aka cocktails and dessert. Heather is usually our server. She is such a gem! Always professional, helpful and so sweet! The way she explains the specials makes you want to order one of each! The place itself is always clean and welcoming. The food has always been fresh and flavorful. We've never had single bad option...all so delish!!! read more

See all

I came here with my partner the wknd of San Diego Restaurant Week, so I was sure to make a reservation! It's a really nice spot, seemed like a favorite for locals. Located in a shopping plaza, parking wasn't an issue.The restaurant week menu had some good options, so I chose the beef plate and my spouse had lobster ravioli. The menu came paired with wine and they all complemented the meal so well! The server was nice and we didn't have any complaints. Besides the table being a tight fit in an intimate restaurant, it was really great. I would come back! read more

See all

What a gem in La Mesa! The food completely blew us away and pleasantly surprised us. We usually head to Little Italy, North Park, or downtown for our go-to Italian spots, but Antica Trattoria absolutely holds its own. Our server, Leticia, made the entire experience even better. We had two families at the table with three little kids, ages one, two, and four, and she was so patient, funny, and genuinely wonderful with them. As parents, we rarely get the chance to go out together, and she made the night feel so easy and enjoyable. It was one of those evenings that made us wonder why we don't do this more often. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was incredibly family-friendly, and the service was exceptional. We highly recommend Antica Trattoria, and we'll definitely be back. read more

This restaurant has fabulous food we just moved to La Mesa and we will definitely be back we had Chardonnay wine lasagna homemade hot bread and Caesar salad. Our waitress's name was Heather and she was absolutely great the best we've had in a long time we also spoke to the owner Franciscan who is Sicilian and is the head chef at his restaurant he was also great what a wonderful experience. We haven't had this good of lasagna in years read more

Just an fyi, make reservations especially on Friday. The wait for a table is about 15 minutes there is no real staging area except outside in the strip mall. We watched several dejected people turned away. The decor was very welcoming and seating comfortable. The food was very delicious sauces and broths were very bread dippable worthy. I thought charging for bread was a bit petty. The servers were very accommodating. We ordered mussels and rice ball appetizer. I could do without the sausage in the mussels the flavors stood on their own. Personal preference. Rice balls and sauce spot on!Saltimbucca and lobster ravioli is cravable. The dessert equally cravable we got the ice cream with espresso and Tiramisu. We will be back and thanks for a wonderful experience all round! read more

See all

Delicious, nutritious, and filled with ambiance! This place is absolutely authentic in everything they do. From the decor to the flavors, it all sings Italian! Our waitress, Francesca, was an absolute delight and helped my wife navigate their menu to suit her several dietary restrictions without any judgement or hesitation. She had great recommendations and was an absolute delight to chat with throughout the night! We had a wonderful time treating ourselves to all kinds of delightful dishes - especially the fried brie special. So, so good. I highly recommend this plane for a fancy date night. It's not the cheapest, but you definitely get the quality that you pay for. 10/10 will date night here again read more

Antica Trattoria - Fried brie - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

How lucky am I that this is my neighborhood Italian restaurant? So dangerously close within walking distance and better than any Italian restaurant I've tried in little Italy. I had the gnocchi and my boyfriend had the pistachio salmon which I snuck a bite of. The salmon was cooked perfectly but my god, that GNOCCHI. So pillowy, with those wild mushrooms! It might be my favorite gnocchi ever, I'm drooling just thinking about it now. This was my second time coming, and we had the same waitress. She was so sweet and very descriptive with the food so you get a good sense of what you're ordering. She even remembered us from the first time we went and just went the extra mile to make our evening special, like putting some extra bread for us to go and giving an extra dessert for a belated bday. It's also one of those places where they give you endearing names like "friend" and "Bella" which I personally adore. I love having this local gem in La Mesa and will definitely be coming back. read more

Antica Trattoria - Pistachio Salmone - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

See all

This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in San Diego. Food is always delicious , really cute atmosphere, and love they take online reservations! Went here yesterday around for early dinner with my friend and got the lasagna, eggplant parm, and home made bread which were all delicious! Servers were really patient with us. I am docking off a star because while the service is usually great, there were some notable mistakes. First , my friend and I both had leftovers and they looked similar since we split the the food but they gave us the wrong ones. Not a huge deal but this is exactly why I don't like restaurants prepping my to go box. Luckily I was able to tell and switched it around. Secondly, they gave us the check of the table next to us which was double our bill. I know things can get busy and ppl have off days but it just made me a bit more wary. Still would highly recommend this restaurant and go back but might ask to pack my own to go and triple check the check always! read more

See all

Hidden gem for San Diego. Unexpected place in unexpected location. Veal Piccata was exactly as it should be .. tender. Eggplant Parm was delicious. Tiramisu surprisingly good. This was a pleasant surprise given I had not found good Italian in SD read more

Wow... my last review of Antica was in 2011.... I guess it is time for an update... and look... four stars in 2011 and, again, four stars in 2025. I actually have been to Antica a couple of times in between reviews, mostly for special celebrations. So, Antica is in a a very inconspicuous shopping center in the middle of suburban La Mesa. However, it is much more than it seems from the outside. Truthfully, they make delicious food and have a very cozy atmosphere that transforms you far from the feeling of being in a shopping center. Recently, two of my friends took me to dinner on a Saturday evening to celebrate my birthday. They made reservations, which is recommended, as it fills up quickly on weekends. We were welcomed and seated right away in the front of the restaurant. They had several specials, though we ended up ordering from their regular menu. I noticed that they had a very lovely selection of Italian wines by the glass, so I had to have wine, and enjoyed a couple of glasses of a very nice Sangiovese. We started off with the goat cheese bruschetta, which I enjoyed. We shared two pasta dishes. My favorite was the shrimp capellini. It had such a fresh flavor and was perfectly cooked. We also shared the butternut squash risotto. I enjoyed the flavor, but the cream sauce was really too heavy for me. Service was good, but they did stop by a few too many times to ask if they could clear plates while we were still finishing up. For dessert, they brought a spumoni on the house for my birthday. I actually would never have ordered that, but it was really good. All in all, I would definitely go back and I would probably order the capellini, as it was so flavorful, though they have a lot of choices on the menu. read more

See all

Great food and exceptional service! Francesca was amazing and gave us great recommendations. Happy we celebrated our Anniversary here. What a great experience. read more

It's been a few years since my last review, but this Italian spot is still one of my favorites in San Diego! Fast forward to today: the food is still just as delicious, the service is always A+, and the atmosphere feels like you've been transported straight to Italy. It's so nice to see the restaurant buzzing with diners like it used to. Definitely worth the visit if you're craving authentic Italian in SD. Support local and treat yourself--you won't regret it! read more

My friend was celebrating her birthday, so we were looking for a high-quality restaurant in the neighborhood. This restaurant was located close to my friend, and I believe it is a hidden gem in a strip mall that offers quality food with good service. To celebrate my friend's birthday we ordered the bruschetta, risotto and the capellini. The bruschetta featured grilled homemade bread with tomatoes, basil, goat cheese and eggplant. The bruschetta had the perfect combination of flavors. The risotto is a perfect dish for a vegetarian with butternut squash, gorgonzola dolce, pistachio and more. This entree is quite rich but oh soooooo yummy. The risotto was cooked properly which is often a miss in restaurants. We also ordered the Capellini with shrimp, mushrooms and tomatoes in a tomato broth. This dish was good but did not knock my socks off. I much preferred the risotto as I thought it had more flavor and uniqueness to it. Also, I thought this dish lacked some shrimp for the price. To finish the meal, the restaurant provided spumoni, gosh I haven't had this in years. If in neighborhood and looking for a place to eat, I recommend this restaurant. read more

See all

The bf and I went here for dinner this evening. Def not our first time dining here as we're well aware of the chef's special deal that's the best deal on the planet. Bf and I like to dine early to miss all the extra. All of our dining experiences at Antica have been great, but this night in particular stood out to both of us. We were at the host stand after arriving when bf made a joke to/at me which i jokingly pretended to get after him for. The cutest Letizia intercepted our fun play and happily joked along with us while seating us at the cozy two top in the back corner. Lucky for us she doubled as our server! Aside from excellent food and drink a lovely dining experience is largely based on the server. 5 stars for Letizia! She was witty, sweet, knowledgeable and genuine. It goes w/o saying the four was spectacular but Letizia was key in our overall experience. Please forgive me. I only took pics of my salmon and Isabella salad. Bf ate his ceasar and linguine too fast to get clipped. read more

See all

Came here for Restaurant Week. Cute place. Server had an Italian accent (not sure if it was real or not) but it made you feel like you were in Italy. Loved the complimentary bread. Fresh, warm and yummy What we ordered: Meatball - bf said it was so good Burrata - soo good. I love Burrata Boneless Short Rib - bf loved it Butternut Squash Ravioli - yummy Lemon Almond Cake - delish Tiramisu- yum We definitely want to come back and try other things here read more

See all

Such a hidden gem in La Mesa. Been going here for many years and the food is consistently good. So glad that they survived Covid. There's a new patio area too. Ambiance makes me feel like I'm eating in Italy. The owner and servers are always so great. My favorites are the linguine and mix calamari and shrimp appetizer. And won't skip dessert! read more

See all

Our evening was made special by our server, Levi. His extensive knowledge of the menu and genuine enthusiasm enhanced our dining experience. Levi's recommendations were spot-on, and his attentive yet unobtrusive service made us feel truly cared for throughout the meal. We began with the mussels, which were tender and flavorful, bathed in a delicate broth that begged to be sopped up with the accompanying bread. For the main course, the braised beef was a standout, succulent and rich, it melted in our mouths. The seabass was another highlight, perfectly flaky and seasoned, showcasing the kitchen's finesse with seafood. For a restaurant in La Mesa this spot truly surprised us. read more

The linguine with seafood was spot on. Great flavor and pasta cooked perfectly and it came out piping hot (thank you). The ravioli with butternut squash was okay, and we enjoyed the Brussels sprouts as an appetizer. We made a reservation and were sat in the corner table right by the entrance wall, it was really tight with a large party nearby. Service was good though and attentive, we appreciated that. So glad we made a reservation since the restaurant was packed and the bar was full and people were waiting outside. The tiramisu we ordered was also a big portion and delicious. This is a local fan favorite and parking is easy in the plaza. They have outdoor seating too but it was a bit chilly so not many people were sitting outside for dinner. read more

See all

If you prefer American-style Italian cuisine, then it's the place to go. Otherwise, the food tasted bad and made me want to puke afterwards. 1/5 for food, 4/5 for the ambiance. read more

Excellent service with a warm friendly waitress. Excellent food ,authentic! Will continue to patronize! Cute busboy too! read more

Great food and service. Everything we've had here has been amazing and the staff is great. Salmone and risotto is incredible.

Absolutely phenomenal experience! From the moment we walked in, the service was warm and welcoming. The staff clearly takes pride in what they do, and it shows. Now, the food--wow. I ordered the lasagna, and I can honestly say it was the best lasagna I've ever had. Perfectly layered, rich in flavor, and beautifully balanced. The lasagna literally melted in your mouth. You can taste the care and quality in every bite. This place is a true gem, and I'm already looking forward to coming back. Highly recommend to anyone who appreciates authentic Italian done right! Francesca was my server, she was awesome--super friendly and on top of everything. Really appreciate how well she took care of us. The restaurant itself was very unique and had a wonderful ambience! read more

Antica Trattoria - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

See all

08/15/24 - The staff was very nice and friendly. We had Moises taking care of us throughout dinner and Ivan taking care of our order. they were both great and very attentive. We ordered the following: Appetizers: Crispy Brussel Sprouts - nicely flavored. It was overpowering with balsamic and perfectly crisp. Octopus Salad - this was a special item, octopus was perfectly cooked, not chewy at all and good flavor. Entrees: carbonara, penne and linguine. I had the linguine and it came with seafood. My dish was wonderful. it came with calamari and that was perfectly cooked. My friends enjoyed their dishes too. Their menu is simple but balanced. I highly recommend this place. Good amount of parking. The restaurant is nicely decorated with italian decor and not tight and crowded inside. Highly recommend. read more

See all

Some of the best italian food I've had, our server Francesca was extremely nice, had great recommendations, and was extremely attentive. The entire vibe of the restaurant was incredible, the paintings on the walls and the small details all around made this honestly one of the best dining experiences I've ever had, thank you!! read more

Just come but make a reservation! We have come here for 20 years and hav never been disappointed! Chef Franco the owner is always there making sure everything is great and greeting everyone! We love him! Food is so good! The appetizers are amazing and should be shared. The bread and seasoned dipping oil is so well seasoned! I could eat just that! My overall favorite is the calamari and shrimp frito with the garlic cream sauce and the spicy marinara. Ask for both you will not be disappointed. I usually get it without the artichokes. You will want to lick the containers I kid you not! Salads are amazing. Great textures and perfectly dressed. One of the only places we actually rave about the salads. All dishes are so good. We haven't had a bad dish and we go often and take new people with us! Located in a strip mall but plenty of parking. Don't let the location fool you it is fine dining with a large wine selection. read more

See all

Antica Trattoria is amazing! The food is fresh, flavorful, and truly authentic Italian. The service is friendly and attentive, and the whole experience feels warm and welcoming. Easily a 10/10 -- great food, great people, and great prices! read more

See all

I have been to Antica many times with family and friends. Antica is by far one of the best Italian places and I am picky with my restaurants. I would have rated this restaurant a 5 out of 5, but last week when my husband and I arrived at 1700. The lady insisted there were no more tables due to the restaurant being fully booked for inside and outside. The only seats available is the bar. We finished eating at 1745 and there were plenty of vacant tables alongside the walls and outside. Antica is still one of favorite restaurants and everyone provided a nice experience except for the lady by the tablet. read more

Antica Trattoria - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

See all