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    Buon Appetito

    4.1 (3k reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed • 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Buon Appetito Takeout or Delivery

    Buon Appetito Photos

    Business Info

    BUON APPETITO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Buon Appetito

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    Penne al Arrabbiata gluten free with shrimp
    Taylor T.

    We checked out Buon Appetito for date night before a concert and it was a great spot for good italian food with a casual vibe. They have street-side patio dining and a smaller indoor area, which is where we sat. A few notables from our dining experience: Sit in their intimate dining room if you can. The weather was nice for the patio, but downtown San Diego can have some "colorful" characters out in the streets. Try the baked goat cheese, it comes on a bed of pesto with garlic cloves and caramelized onions and is heavenly. It was something different that I haven't seen on other menus and I think is a must-try. The apps are on the larger side, so getting two apps for two people was definitely too much, but we wanted to try a few things. They do have gluten free pasta for my fellow gluten intolerant friends so that helps if you want to enjoy a pasta dish, I had the arrabbiata and would recommend. The service was average hence the three stars. I didn't feel our server was very attentive considering it wasn't busy, but it also wasn't bad service, just in the middle. Overall, this is a good spot to check out for a casual dining experience with good food in the heart of Little Italy.

    Janet C.

    The second best lasagna I've ever had, first being in Venice, Italy! I could not believe how amazing this dish was. Our other dish was extremely salty so we only had a couple of bites. The bread was pretty basic but the appetizer was really good. Service was decent, outdoor seating was enjoyable. Would definitely go back for my own lasagna.

    Arancini
    Nicole Erin B.

    Lovely outdoor seating in the heart of Little Italy. We sampled a variety of small bites including the arancini, grilled octopus and beet arugula salad. The arancini was the best of the bunch with a unique beef filling. The octopus was cooked nicely but was a very small portion not amenable to sharing with a larger group. The beet salad was fresh and light but very simple. Each of these dishes was around $20 which seemed high given the portion sizes and average flavor profiles. The menu doesn't label allergens but our waiter was knowledgeable about what could be gluten free or vegetarian.

    Connie H.

    The service is awesome. The food is great. We didn't eat inside, so we can only speak to the outside ambiance and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Some traffic, beautiful weather, friendly vibes. Loss of a star because one of the dishes was meh, though my own dish was delish!

    Borsettini Aragosta, Cioppino and Pappardelle al Cinghiale
    Elaine L.

    One of my favorite spots in Little Italy! Been coming here for years, their Polpo and Cioppino are the must haves for me- always so delicious. Cozy ambiance inside, can get a little loud when it's crowded but they do have outdoor seating!

    Calamari d'Orati
    Winston L.

    Visited this restaurant for a Wednesday lunch after perusing the Little Italy Mercato. The restaurant had lots of seating available for our party of 7. Our server, Wagner, looked like he was the understudy for the lead role in Aquaman. Turns out he was just as friendly as Jason Mamoa is. We were first treated to some complimentary sliced bread - nice and warm from the oven. It was paired with a nice tomato sauce with a slight kick to it. Our kids preferred olive oil and vinegar. The food: Homemade Tiramisu - this is probably the best Tiramisu I've ever had. Flavor is on point and the marscapone cream is somehow light and indulgent at the same time. Linguine Neri - squid ink pasta with broccoli rabe and a good helping of seafood. The creamy tomato sauce flavor was off the charts. Loved this one. Lasagna Classica - a classic lasagna like the name implies - tons of sauce, which is my preference and the pasta is cooked perfectly. Calamari d'Orati - a mixture of calamari and zucchini with a marinara dip. A very light and crispy fry batter. Polpo alla Griglia - tender with some chew. Nicely grilled and served with simply dressed arugula. Pappardelle al Cinghiale - sauce is very meaty and the red wine comes through. Assuming they are using fresh pasta as the texture is very good. Insalata Romana - a Caesar-like salad - meets expectations Shout out again to our server, Wagner, who helped us celebrate a birthday. All the food was tasty, but the Tiramisu and Linguine Neri were truly special.

    Gf and vegan ravioli
    Sunny Q.

    First of all, the service here was great. The friendly waiter helped us select gluten free and dairy free entrees. I had the gluten free vegan ravioli which was amazing. The flavor was great with cherry tomatoes and herbs. I believe the inside of the ravioli was some type of vegan cheese and mushrooms. The pasta portion was perfectly done al dente. It was so good that I was tempted to get a second serving! It will be a treat for anyone with similar dietary restrictions. Just wished they had some gf/df bread to accompany my meal.

    Menu
    Winnie L.

    We came here during the week to celebrate a birthday and wanted a nice sit down meal. Buon Appetito did not disappoint! This was one of the best Italian meals I have ever had. Our server, Wagner, was excellent and had excellent recommendations for the table. We ordered the Caesar salad, calamari, grilled octopus, lasagna, seafood linguine with squid ink, and the wild boar ragu pasta. Bread was complimentary with house made marinara. The octopus was grilled well and tender - not too salty but well seasoned. The lasagna was excellent, nicely defined layers. The calamari had a light batter and was tasty even without sauce. The wild boar ragu had a red wine reduction and the meat was tender without any gameyness. The squid ink pasta was excellent. All the pasta tasted home made and was perfectly cooked - not mushy but not al dente either. For the birthday guest, they brought out the hugest birthday treat I've ever seen. It was a large slice of their home made Tiramisu and 3 cannolis. The cream used in the Tiramisu was light and coffee flavor was perfect. The cannolis were still crunchy so they were probably filled right before serving. I enjoyed my dining immensely at Buon Appetito and will definitely be back.

    Octopus
    Jill V.

    Excellent menu options and food was amazing!! Come with a healthy appetite!! Service was prompt and attentive.

    Susan E.

    This is a very unique outdoor dining experience. Fun to enjoy the fresh air and the friendly people. Service was top notch when the server was available. The sea bass was cooked perfectly. A bit on the pricey side. Paid parking. Many other establishments on the street.

    Appetizer " fried calamari"
    Leo Q.

    The food was excellent, and the service from the bartender, Beto, was outstanding. He was attentive, personable, and made the experience very enjoyable. The restaurant also has a great atmosphere, although I think having some background music would make it even more inviting. One downside, however, was observing a server who I believe was named Marcovich. He came across as negative and somewhat condescending toward his coworkers, which affected the overall impression of the dining experience. While he wasn't my server, if he had been, I'm not sure I would have been as satisfied with the service. This could have been a 5 star but unfortunately that one server made me change to 3.

    Linguine Neri
    Alicia X.

    I figured while I was in downtown SD, I had to try some place in Little Italy. Going up to the stand, they offered either indoor or outdoor. I went with outdoor. It was a pretty random time in the afternoon on a Monday to be having a lunch so it wasn't super busy. I was seated quickly and served water and bread. At this point, I'm surprised to be served anything before a meal anymore. I ordered the Linguini Neri because the pictures of it looked good. Immediately after I told the waiter, the woman in the table in front of me told me she'd ordered the same thing and it was good. So that set expectations. When it came out, it looked good. They ask if you want cheese and will add some pre-grated cheese. It's a pretty good portion size and compared to a lot of places I've ordered a pasta dish from, this one was definitely worth it. There is a decent amount of seafood and it doesn't feel like you're paying for just pasta. It was yummy and I would come back if I was in the area. The only bummer is that it's street parking only but that's expected in Little Italy.

    Gnocchi Alla Norma
    Belinda L.

    Husband had picked out this restaurant in Little Italy in planning the family day trip to San Diego. We chose to dine inside to minimize any possible disturbances to our meal from unwanted passerbys. We were ready for lunch after walking around the Gaslamp District. We were brought warm bread with a spicy tomato sauce instead of the usual olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Our server helped with some suggestions before we ordered. I wanted the Farfalle con Pollo. Husband went with our server's recommendation of Linguine Neri. One daughter had the Gnocchi Alla Norma, while other daughter had the Spaghetti Alla Checca. Dishes came out steaming hot. Server helped us take a few photos of rare family get together. The Farfalle con Pollo was creamy. Mushrooms were chewy and soft. It is no wonder that it is a popular dish with patrons. The seafood in the Linguine Neri was excellent. Daughter enjoyed the potato dumplings with diced eggplant. The Spaghetti Alla Checca is simple but good with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella in marinara sauce. We had no room for dessert as we used the remaining bread to soak up the homemade marinara and creamy white wine sauce. If we had had dessert, I'm sure that my husband would have ordered his favorite cannoli from his childhood days.

    Espresso Martini. So good

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    14 days ago

    Servers were on point! We don't wait for a thing. Came mid-day in Sunday. Everything was delicious!

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    Page 1 of 76

    Buon Appetito Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Buon Appetito

    Do they server cocktails here?

    I would say yes! They have a small bar tucked in the corner near front entrance. We had wine, but I'm sure they'll make you your cocktail of choice.

    Is there a happy hour?

    There was not one when I went. The bar is very small.

    Is it kids friendly ? Has high chair?

    There seemed to be many adults and few children in the restaurant but we did have a two year old, eleven and twelve year old with us and they were fine. The restaurant noise is loud which is ideal for children. They do have high chairs and they have… 

    Anybody know who delivers from Buon Appetito?

    Uber...

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    Ristorante Illando - View from upstairs of the restaurant

    Ristorante Illando

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    0.1 mi•Little Italy
    •$$
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    This was more than dinner. It was an experience…read more We sat tucked away in a little corner that honestly felt like we were having dinner in someone's grandmother's house, and I mean that in the BEST way possible. Cozy, warm, intimate and welcoming. And the FOOD?! I was convinced somebody's Italian grandmother had to be downstairs hand making that pasta because there was no other explanation. I had the lobster ravioli and started with the bruschetta tostada. Everything was absolutely chef's kiss. Fresh, flavorful and tasted like it was made with love. But what made the experience even better was our waiter, Mauricio! He was simply amazing. He genuinely took care of us, shared the story of the restaurant and talked about how much he enjoyed working there. And you could tell. It showed in the way he treated us and the attention he gave throughout the entire meal. Great food is one thing. Great food paired with genuine hospitality is something completely different. I will DEFINITELY be back the next time I'm in San Diego. If you're looking for homemade pasta, amazing food and that warm family feel, put this place on your list. You will not be disappointed.

    Great find. Looking forward to our next visit here. Ask for a Luca You won't be disappointed…read more.

    Photos
    Ristorante Illando - Nice quiet spot with AMAZING food. Clean, great service and very reasonably priced.

    Nice quiet spot with AMAZING food. Clean, great service and very reasonably priced.

    Ristorante Illando - Papardelle Bolognese

    Papardelle Bolognese

    Ristorante Illando - Torre di Antipasti

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    Torre di Antipasti

    Cesarina

    Cesarina

    4.7(3.6k reviews)
    4.1 mi•Ocean Beach, Point Loma
    •$$$

    This restaurant will forever hold a special place in my heart as it's where we ate the night we got…read moreengaged on the beach in Ocean Beach. The original plan was to go to the beach for sunset, get engaged and celebrate at Cesarina but the parking gods were not in our favor and we had to go to dinner first. I thought my now-husband was acting strange, especially when we asked at the end of dinner if I wanted to go to the beach in the dark still. But first, we enjoyed a delicious dinner here and have been back several times since. I loved the lumache (curved tube) pasta with tartufona (mascarpone and truffle sauce) and my soon-to-fiance loved the pappardelle with the norma sauce and added burrata. The complimentary bread was a perfect starter and a great way to soak up the sauce. For me, as a light eater, it was plenty of 2 meals, which makes the $30+ price tag per dish slightly more reasonable. This is definitely a special occasion and not a regular night our kind of restaurant but it will be staying in our rotation indefinitely.

    Food is good , owner / Management Not so much . At least…read morethey are upfront and print it on the menu On top of your check they will impose a 5% FEE for wages but it is optional and you have to request it to be removed. This is a business where you set the price for what you're selling and wages are figured into that price. So I ask the wait staff should I request the 5% to be removed and tip the normal 18% plus or leave the 5% the restaurant added for your competive wage and NO TIP . Tips are marit based and not assumed , wait staff are hired to take orders , bring orders when ready and drinks that is not above and beyond that's the job they accepted.

    Photos
    Cesarina - Dining room

    Dining room

    Cesarina - The signature chicken pitcher with their soft delish breads

    The signature chicken pitcher with their soft delish breads

    Cesarina - Birthday dessert!

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    Birthday dessert!

    Siamo Napoli

    Siamo Napoli

    4.7(2.1k reviews)
    2.9 mi•North Park
    •$$$

    SiAmo Napoli makes you feel like you're in an Italian restaurant in Naples! Owners Flavio and…read moreGiovanni Piromallo are welcoming, and ensure outstanding service and a wonderful experience! I have come back many times, and have been delighted each time! SiAmo Napoli is a Michelin Guide restaurant that features special selections from Italian Chef Alfonso and family recipes of traditional food from Napoli, including homemade pastas, and daily specials! Flavio can handmake personal-favorite, off-menu Italian cuisine on request (tip: ask for Grigliata di pesce - grilled seafood platter, Osso Buco - tender and flavorful, Fettuccine Carbonara, Lobster ravioli in pink sauce, or Fettuccini Alfredo with scallops and shrimp). Superb! Very delicious Lasagna della Nonna, Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina or Campagnola, Cioppino di Positano - salmon, scallops, shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari in a light tomato broth, Salmone allo Zafferano - fresh salmon filet, Spigola dello Chef - very light fresh Branzino/Sea Bass, Pappardelle con il Ragù d'Agnello - flavorful, Cabernet-infused pasta with mild, slow-braised lamb, and Bistecca. SiAmo Napoli specializes in scrumptious Neapolitan Pizza and Calzone from their wood-fired oven, such as Margherita, spicy Piccante, and Contadina with homemade fennel sausage. Antipasti are all tasty, especially Calamari - cooked perfectly and Carciofi Saltati - Artichokes. Fresh Italian bread, and a nice selection of wines. Refreshing traditional Aperol Spritz, Limoncello, Port, coffee drinks, and non-alcoholic cocktails, such as: passionfruit, lime, mint, and soda. Very delicious homemade desserts, including: Tiramisu, Cannoli, Nutella Cheesecake, Pistacchio Cheesecake, Limoncello Cake, and Tartufo - Hazelnut and Chocolate Gelato! Inside and outside seating. Friendly, attentive staff and service - tell your server how quickly you'd like your main course served! On-street parking, and free garage parking in back using a QR code at the hostess check-in. Their motto is well-chosen: "Come as guests, leave as family." Delightful!

    Great date night spot! Will be back again!…read more Food: 5/5 everything single bit was delicious. Incredibly fresh, unique flavors while highlighting traditional Napoli cuisine. One of the better meals I've had in a long time. Service: 5/5 very welcoming, attentive and placed our courses perfectly. Got a complimentary cheesecake as we're celebrating our anniversary. Ambiance: 5/5 so very Italian in the best way. Clean, well ventilated and airy while also being romantic.

    Photos
    Siamo Napoli - Inside

    Inside

    Siamo Napoli - Pollo Al Marsala

    Pollo Al Marsala

    Siamo Napoli - Chef special

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    Chef special

    Piacere Mio - South Park - Calamari

    Piacere Mio - South Park

    4.5(2.3k reviews)
    2.3 mi•South Park
    •$$

    One of the best Italian places in San Diego I've tried so far! I've noticed this place is always…read morevery popular, and it lives up to the hype. Service is good; the servers are very enthusiastic about recommendations. They seem to tend to make small talk in case that's not your style. They are very attentive with checking in and clearing plates. Food: 1. Artichoke special - Delicious, super rich and a little sour. Comes with 3 big hearts/stems, olives, and parm. 2. Caprese - They use an excellent quality burrata. Rich and milky and paired great with their heirloom tomatoes. 3. Squid ink pasta - Lots of fresh seafood. Light tomato sauce for those who aren't into cream sauce. 4. Pumpkin mushroom lasagna special - Don't be discouraged by the pumpkin, the flavor is very mild. Adds the barest hint of sweetness. Very cheesy, overall a solid lasagna. 5. Ear pasta with sausage - Came highly recommended as one of their most popular items. I loved it! It's like a combo sausage pizza in pasta form, and I say this very positively. I love the crunchy broccoli pieces which add a different texture and some sweetness. The cream sauce is super savory and not terribly heavy. The sausage has a fennel flavor which some might not be for everyone but I was a fan. 6. Osobucco with mushroom tagliatelle - Well executed. the osobucco is just slightly on the milder side. The tagliatelle was also delicious, a nice light cream sauce with lots of umami mushroom flavor. The only negative to me was the bread. A little dry, not served very hot. They make all their pasta fresh in house which is a nice plus. Overall a great meal. Definitely recommend as a nice date night place, and you can watch the gorgeous sunset views or walk around the streets of South Park after.

    cute neighborhood and great service, however the food was meh except one plate…read more pappardelle w/ bolognese - good arugula salad - skip it caprese - ok gnocchi - skip it

    Photos
    Piacere Mio - South Park - Spaghetti alle Vongole

    Spaghetti alle Vongole

    Piacere Mio - South Park - Caprese

    Caprese

    Piacere Mio - South Park - Lasagne alla Bolognese

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    Lasagne alla Bolognese

    Parma Cucina Italiana - Lasagna

    Parma Cucina Italiana

    4.6(1.3k reviews)
    1.8 mi•Hillcrest
    •$$

    Here's a polished version you can post:…read more What a fantastic find! We stopped here after spending the day at the zoo, and it was one of the best meals my family and I have had in a long time. The service was absolutely outstanding--friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome from the moment we walked in. The food was some of the most authentic Italian cuisine we've ever had, and every dish was delicious. The desserts were just as incredible and were the perfect way to end the meal. If you're looking for amazing Italian food with exceptional service, I can't recommend this place enough. We'll definitely be back before we head home!

    I walked into this little Italian restaurant and found it completely packed. I asked the gentleman…read moreat the front how long the wait would be for a table for one. Without hesitation, he poured me a glass of Prosecco, invited me to wait outside, and assured me he'd have a seat for me in just a few minutes. Sure enough, about two minutes later, he came out and seated me. This restaurant made you feel like you were in Italy with the ambiance and vibe. I had done my research beforehand, so I already knew what I wanted. I ordered the lasagna, and it was absolutely incredible. The portion was generous, and my server let me know it would take a little extra time to prepare, which was perfectly fine. It didn't take long for me to realize that the man who seated me was also the owner. As I watched him greet guests throughout the evening, it was obvious that he genuinely loves what he does. We had a great conversation, and he was warm, welcoming, and personable. After finishing my meal, I ordered a double espresso and tiramisu for dessert. The tiramisu was easily one of the best I've ever had. Exceptional food, outstanding hospitality, and a memorable experience from start to finish. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town.

    Photos
    Parma Cucina Italiana - Tagliatelle alla Bolognese

    Tagliatelle alla Bolognese

    Parma Cucina Italiana
    Parma Cucina Italiana - Seafood Risotto

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    Seafood Risotto

    Buon Appetito - italian - Updated October 2026

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