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    Elvira

    4.5 (474 reviews)
    Open • 4:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Elvira Photos

    Business Info

    ELVIRA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Elvira

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    Reviews With Photos

    Rigatoni Alla Zozzona
    Jennifer V.

    Superb! The food that arrived at our table was absolutely divine! The staff members were awesome, friendly (like the biggest smiles on their faces), attentive, overall just wonderfully great. They even take photos so we can remember and cherish the moment. So thoughtful. And I absolutely love the sink outside of the bathroom bc I don't need to go into the restroom just to wash my hands. And the affogato dessert (sadly, I didn't capture this) at the end, chef's kiss. This restaurant is on my radar bc I want to try all their dishes!!!!

    Carpaccio Di Manzo Con Ricci e Midollo : dry rubbed beef tenderloin, uni reduction, wood fired bone marrow, schiacciata palate e tartufo
    Zan L.

    Opened in November 2023 this is the sister restaurant to Cesarina, and by far the best restaurant in Ocean Beach. It's Italian share sized portions in a really casual and hip setting. Service is also fantastic and the menu has a ton of great options on it. I love the decor on the inside and especially note that the building is from the 1930s and just feels like you are dining in someone's house. The dishware and everything about it just feels like a family meal. There is a small free dirt parking lot attached on the side that was completely full when we arrived; other options will be free street parking if you can find it but we were able to find a space in the park behind the restaurant. Our server was extremely polite and everything that we ordered came out surprisingly fast. I started off the meal with the Carpaccio di Manzo and thought it was absolutely fantastic. The uni reduction was a new and unique touch for me and I really enjoyed that combo. For my entrée, I chose the Agnello Allo Scottadito which are lamb chops and thought they were fabulous. The pancetta and Gorgonzola mixed in made for some great flavors and I just really enjoyed the dish. I would definitely highly recommend both as well as this restaurant to anyone.

    Danny D.

    I got a seafood (clams, mussels) appetizer, which I was new to in Italian cuisine. The bread on top was a bit oily but it was great to experience. I also got a truffle lasagna-esque type of dish that was tasty. The service was great and it feels very homey inside. Theres a free parking lot on site (although it's gravel).

    MinJung K.

    We were originally planning to eat at Little Italy, but after hearing so many people recommend Elvira as one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego, we decided to give it a try. The restaurant is beautiful. It feels like a renovated home that's been transformed into a cozy dining space, and the décor is thoughtfully done throughout. Even the plates and serving ware were charming and added to the overall experience. The food was very good, and the portions were generous. We ended up completely stuffed and couldn't finish everything, which was a bit of a bummer because we had been hoping to try dessert. The cocktails were also creative and unique, making for a fun addition to the meal. Service was fine--friendly enough, but nothing particularly memorable. Overall, the ambiance was the highlight for me, paired with solid food and generous portions. If you're looking for a cozy Italian spot in San Diego, Elvira is definitely worth a visit.

    Taylor T.

    Omg I am obsessed with this cute little Italian place! The food definitely deserved the hype! Our waitress was super helpful in helping us decide what to order because honestly, everything on the menu looked so good. You're greeted with fresh focaccia bread when you sit down, which was a great start. We got the mussels appetizer, and it came with a pizza dough topping that we used to dip into all the sauce. SO good! The house salad wasn't anything too special, but it was still fresh and good quality. The Rigatoni alla Zozzona was delicious, especially with the crispy meat on top. We also had to try the Super Arrabbiata pizza. We only ate half and took the rest home, but that was actually the plan since we really wanted to try the pizza and knew we'd have leftovers. Unfortunately, we skipped dessert, so I'll have to come back and try that next time. We did get an espresso martini and it was really good. You could tell they used quality espresso beans, and the ratio was perfect. We ended the night with a glass of wine and left very happy. Such a cute spot with great food. Definitely understand why this place gets so much hype, and I'll absolutely be back!

    Seafood pasta, cacio e Pepe, drinks
    Neha S.

    The seafood pasta I got was delicious and cooked so well, and the taste was so natural too. My friend got the cacio e Pepe and she loved it too. The drinks we got were also super light and airy and some of the best I've had but they were definitely small - 3 drinks cost the same as both the pastas combined. The vibes at this restaurant were 10/10. I loved the character and the ambiance, and even the lighting was amazing with all the natural light during sunset coming in. The service was also amazing, and our server was super sweet and knowledgeable and attentive.

    The hangar steak with sides
    Aurianna B.

    Where do I even start? From the moment you walk in you feel at home. The ambience is homey and cozy, yet well thought out and tasteful. Definitely gives the vibe of eating at nonna's house. Our waitress, Camila, was so sweet. We were celebrating our anniversary and everyone was so nice and definitely made it feel special. They started with a little Dutch oven filled with bread and a sauce. We ordered a bottle of the fragolino and it was perfect - a little sweet and not too strong. We ordered the special which was like a potato and cheese croquette with a side of bone marrow. I love bone marrow and my husband was pleasantly surprised, since he'd never had it before. I ordered the hangar steak which came with a charred romaine wedge that's dressed and some spicy broccolini. My husband got the rigatoni with the mushrooms and it was mind blowing. We split the crème caramel which was like flan. It was okay, not my favorite but that's a texture thing for me. The toasted nuts and sauce that came with it was great. Overall, a wonderful spot in an unassuming location. We loved it so much we brought my mother-in-law when she was in town visiting and she too left raving reviews.

    Sam S.

    Overall fantastic food and vibes in such a cute setting! The staff was also very knowledgeable about the menu and allergens, and there are TONS of gluten free and vegan options including bread, pizza and pasta! We absolutely loved the food, especially the carpaccio, and can't wait to go back for another date night!

    Prakruthi C.

    Pizza is incredible!! Had the fomaggio but replaced it with mushrooms... the honey truffle drizzle is the star of the show! Rigatoni was good, but could've cooked a little longer. The interior is very homely, welcoming. Gives the place a 'grandmas home' feel. Drinks are also very good!

    Cozze e Vongole al Forno a Legna (mussels and clams, baked under an edible dough lid - total showstopper)
    Bethany M.

    Very good food, excellent service; the experience is similar to dining in someone's house, if that's your thing (it's definitely my thing). The appetizers were not as tasty as the entrees - I would take a pass on them all if I were to go back (especially the eggplant parm sticks - those were a heavy/breaded nope for me). The exception: the mussels and clams - those are a must. We loved the drama of the baked dough lid/the presentation at the table, and the taste of both the seafood and the bread - so good! Pizza was pretty good; they claim it's their speciality. The crust was not as fermented as I would prefer, but the texture was nice. We should have ordered one with fewer toppings though, to get a real sense of it. Next time. Pasta, also serviceable - I would say Cesarina (their sister restaurant) is better on that front. The whole fish (orata) was terrific. We ordered the frittelle to share for dessert - little donuts fried to order,with raspberry cream and chocolate sauce. What's not to love?

    Jessica C.

    Came for my birthday and I had made a reservation! Service was great, he gave a lot of recommendations, super nice & funny, checked on our party frequently as well! The food was fantastic and very flavorful! The seating inside felt very cozy and like you were eating at your nanays! (: ** Parking lot was next to the restaurant and it was a little weird, but we made it work.

    Marc T.

    I had an amazing time dining here with for a team dinner! It's a homey restaurant in Ocean Beach! It was a tight fit but we made it work with 23 people. Their interior decor and cutlery was so authentic with the family portraits all over, ceramic plates, and friendly service. We had a set menu with appetizers, entrees, and desserts! The appetizer was a plate of bread, eggplant and tomatoes, and a charcuterie platter of meats and cheese. The roasted eggplant and tomatoes were so juicy, savory, and delicious. So easy to cut through and paired well with the bread. I loved their burrata since it was chilled and melted nicely with the warm bread. Our mains were carbonara, pizza, and rigatoni. The pizza was so crunchy, crispy, and mouthwatering. But, the main highlights were the pasta. The rigatoni had a beautiful color of orange, red, and white from the sauce and ricotta. Aromatic scents and delicious texture. The carbonara was my absolute favorite! Amazing sauce and the cracked black pepper added a crunch taste to the dish. Desserts were fried donuts and cheesecake. The fried donuts were so fun to eat because it's a make your own. Our waitress demoed how to fill up the donuts with a piping bag. Great flavors from the chocolate and raspberry chantilly cream icing. I loved the cheesecake since it had a great mildly burnt taste and paired well with ice cream and raspberry sauce. Excellent dining experience!

    Creamy pasta
    Breana N.

    Elvira was really yummy! The atmosphere is beautiful and has such a fun, lively vibe, perfect for a nice dinner or date night. The food was delicious, and everything we ordered came out beautifully presented and full of flavor. I was not a huge fan of the lamb shank ragu but the other two dishes were really good! The portions were a little small for my liking but the flavor was there! The service was great we sat at the bar because we didn't have reservations. Our bartender was very sweet. Definitely a spot I'd come back to and recommend to friends. Come for the food, but the atmosphere alone makes Elvira worth checking out!

    Rigatoni w ricotta

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    Always great vibes, amazing service, yet the food is still the star of the show. I absolutely love this restaurant

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    Elvira Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Elvira

    Do you take Apple Pay?

    Buongiorno Hannah, Bella de Nonna! Grazie Mille for reaching out to us! Yes, we accept payments via… 

    Hi! Your place looks cozy and the pizza photos are amazing. Do you offer any vegan options or allow substitutions for dairy-free ingredients?

    Ciao Layla, Bella de Nonna! Thank you for reaching out to us! Yes, at Elvira we are very sensitive… 

    Are you dog friendly?

    Yes! Well mannered pups are always welcome on our patio!

    Do you have a gf option? Pizza or pasta?

    Ciao Chelsea, Bella de Nonna! At Elvira, we are very sensitive toward allergies and dietary restrictions.… 

    Do you have a kid's menu?

    Ciao Jake, Bello di Nonna! Yes, we do! We just realized that it is not on the website and requested… 

    Are the meatballs gluten free?

    No the meatballs are not gluten free

    The website says that Wednesdays will feature offal, "quinto quARTO" but it also says that the restaurant won't be open on Wednesdays.?

    Buongiorno Alan, Bello de Nonna! Grazie Mille for reaching out. Yes, you are correct, Wednesday will… 

    View All 8 Questions

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    The Cordova Bar - Martinis at The Cordova Bar.

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    Moe's is one of our favorites when we visit San Diego. Mission Beach is our happy place and Moe's…read moreis a big part of that beach community. The cocktails, service and food is all really solid but my favorite thing is the old school feel of the design. It's dark, warm and has a nostalgic Rat Pack vibe. We love the black and white photos throughout. Nothing better than meatball Mondays when they serve insanely good meatballs and homemade Bucatini pasta (pic 12). What better to accompany that deliciousness than some signature cocktails. Some of the fam loved the "Fields of Italy." (Pic 3) It's a fresh, crispy champagne cocktail made with vodka, Aperol, St. Germain, strawberry/basil jam, lemon and prosecco. It was perfect for a summer day. I had one of my favs that has been on the menu for a while now called "Party with Elvis." (Pic 5) It starts out like a boss with walnut-infused bourbon, Montenegro (Italian Amaro), tiki bitters, orange bitters and an orange garnish. It's exceptional!!! The last cocktail in the rotation was a traditional Manhattan that always goes perfect with a plate of Italian love (pic 13). It's always classic and the Moe's staff captures it perfectly with Basil Hayden bourbon, Antica sweet vermouth and angostura bitters. If you haven't been to Moe's, you should make the effort because they never disappoint. It's easy to find bright, fancy joints throughout San Diego, but they're an elevated old school gem that's hard to find. Salute @thejohnnycocktail Fields of Italy Vodka Aperol St. Germain Strawberry/basil jam Lemon Prosecco Party with Elvis Walnut-infused Bourbon Montenegro Sweet Vermouth Tiki Bitters Orange Bitters Orange Garnish

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