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    Il Fornaio

    3.8 (2k reviews)
    PriceyItalian, Seafood, Pizza
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order Il Fornaio Takeout or Delivery

    Il Fornaio Photos

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    IL FORNAIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Il Fornaio

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    Reviews With Photos

    Calamaretti Fritti
    Sam P.

    Been to this restaurant multiple times and it never disappoints. I have always go during lunch time and when the weather is great I would get seated outside with the nice view. Great service and great food! Rigatoni alla vodka and calamaretti are the top favs.

    The food was great and reasonably priced! I went on a Sunday afternoon and it was pretty busy, but the hostesses were super organized. They were very kind and friendly! We did find ourselves waiting for our server for quite some time, but it was a busy day so it was understandable. Great atmosphere at this place! Great for pictures!

    Expresso Martini
    Spencer R.

    I love Italian. We came here for my son. He wanted calamari. He gave it a 9 out of 10. I got the gnocchi with wild boar. Paired with an expresso martini. Would highly recommend a seating in between the view & kitchen. As busy as the place is. The whole staff was great with seating & smiles. As a chef myself it was so great to come see the utmost in everything.

    Ashkan A.

    Best Italian restaurant with waterfront views on Coronado Island! We came here for a romantic dinner and this restaurant has a wide menu variety with affordable pricing and great service. Easy to come here on a date or family dinner. Highly recommend for those traveling to Coronado island!

    1/2 order of Chicken Parm

    What a wonderful pre Mother's Day lunch I had with a friend today. Everything was prepared beautifully & tasted even better than it looked! We split a Cesar salad, we split a chicken parmesan entree that came with pomodoro spaghetti. Plus, we split an spumoni (Italian ice cream) spectacular dessert!!! The restaurant is beautiful with it's setting in Coronado with the bay & downtown view. The server, Vonna was terrific, friendly & provided great customer service! Even the owner came over to see how we liked our meal. l'll definitely be coming back to II Fornaio, but this time with my husband!

    Marcus C.

    Had a great family lunch at Il Fornaio in San Diego! We got there early, so the place was still quiet which was an awesome treat. It actually worked out perfectly because I was able to snap some photos and grab behind-the-scenes video for my Forks UP! series. Loved catching the bar team warming up for the day and the chef getting ready for what turned out to be a great dining experience. The restaurant itself is beautiful, elegant with a classic Italian feel that's inviting without being stuffy. Between the big bar and the spacious patio, there's a spot for everyone, whether you're here for a casual lunch, happy hour, or a fancy dinner dated. Now get ready, we ordered a ton (no regrets): Bruschetta: Light, fresh, and full of flavor. Gnocchi Gratinati: Perfectly fluffy and rich -- easily my favorite. Gnocchi al Sugo di Cinghiale: Absolutely delicious -- comforting and hearty. Linguine Mare Chiaro: A seafood lover's dream. Rigatoni alla Vodka: Kid-approved and adult-enjoyed. Pizzas (Fradiavola, Cristina, Margherita): All very good; thin crust, nicely balanced -- just a bit similar to each other. Service was solid, attentive, organized, and everything came out right. While it wasn't the kind of service that makes you feel like family, it was smooth and professional, which made for a relaxing time with our big group. Overall, Il Fornaio is definitely worth checking out if you're in the San Diego area. Great food, pretty setting, and a nice mix of upscale and comfortable. Can't wait to share our full video review soon on our socials at @colefamilyvalues --- stay tuned for that one!

    Pollo Ai Funghi

    Last Saturday, we finally checked out Il Fornaio in Coronado after passing by it countless times during our visits to the island. It's always busy--and now we know why. This time, we planned ahead and made a reservation for our weekly date night, which definitely paid off. We were seated inside with a beautiful view of the water, setting the tone for a great evening. We started with the Bruschette Assortite and Calamaretti Fritti--both were spot on. For the main course, I ordered the Pollo Ai Funghi, while my wife had the Salmone Alla Griglia. Both dishes were absolutely fantastic--rich in flavor, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. It was so good that we've already planned to come back next week with a group of 11. As a marketing consultant--and because the dish was that impressive--I couldn't resist capturing a photo of my Pollo Ai Funghi. It's the kind of dish that deserves to be featured.

    Tagliatelle Bolognese
    Alex R.

    Located in Coronado, right along the water. Good views of the bay. Came here on a Tuesday night. Free parking. Plenty of seating. Place looked nice in the inside. Service was good and very nice. Food came out promptly. Got the Calamaretti Fritti, hamachi crudo, Lasagna Ferrarese, and the Tagliatelle Bolognese. The calamari was not bad. Was not chewy. I never had crudo in big chunks. Not bad. The sauce was very overpowering. Taking away from the yellowtail. The lasagna was very good. Have not had lasagna this good in a very long time. The sauce was thick. You can cut through it without everything falling apart. The cheese did not slide off. The tagliatelle was also very good. Because of those entries. We are definitely coming back to try other items from the menu.

    Table is clean and not sticky
    Taura G.

    We reserved on Open Table here to bring our friend who was visiting town. Our party of 3 was excited to try this place out. Il Fornaio is on the water in Coronado, right next to Peohe's. We arrived 5min before our 7p reservation time and the hostesses were able to locate our reservation and seat us immediately. We were seated at a wonderful window view dining seat inside. There were air conditioning vents on the window panes that made it chilly for those of us who sat next to the window. The view was great, we had daylight and nightlight dining at this reservation time...bonus! Our server was customer service oriented and he was very attentive. He checked in with us often. We ordered: Bruschetta Asortito for the table, a Papardelle and Chicken dish with creamy sauce, a Pesto Gnocchi dish no meat, a steak entree with gravy, one 0% beer, 1 Old Fashioned, and 1 Tequila drink. Dessert was the "Vulcano" Cake which I thought was spelled wrong, but maybe that is how they spell it in Italian? My Gnocchi Pesto entree was not good at all. There was no pesto flavor. It was brown colored, gravy consistency sauce with flecks of green herbs in it...NOT pesto. The "Bruschetta Asortito" for the table had the correct pesto on one of the breads, but my entree's execution failed. I am a BIG traditional PESTO FAN. The gnocchi also was too soggy. The Old Fashioned drink was made perfectly. Dessert Vulcano Cake was good. The whole party had a lot of gas in the evening, upset stomach at 2am, as well as the day after this meal. For our dining table choice, customer service experience, the drinks, and dessert, I gave 2 stars overall for our dining experience. The food execution, gassy tummies, and upset stomachs after eating here took away 3 stars

    Bel H.

    UPDATE. I've visited this place a few times now, and I must say, the food and view have never disappointed me. Our server and team was attentive. There were 5 of us in the group. The only thing was the Negroni that I ordered. It was not balanced compared to others that I had. The cocktail came across as harsh and lingering, with a bitter aftertaste that wasn't pleasant for my palate. Overall, the Negroni felt more intense than enjoyable.

    Dave L.

    I'm usually not a fan of places when it seems like a usual tourist trap. I was pleasantly surprised by this place. For starters they were really accommodating with my elderly doggo on their patio and even made of water for him. Our server Hector was simply outstanding and attentive . Had a sampling of the menu and everything was spot on. The penne alla vodka was perfectly al dente and the vodka sauce was nicely balanced with hint of a char from the bacon. The seafood di marre pasta was spectacular with plump and generous seafood and with a savory marina sauce. All the round a fantastic stop here and would definitely recommend given its amazing views as well

    Rigatoni alla Vodka
    Melanie M.

    My family and I came here before the SD Bay Parade of Lights. Reservations were limited well in advance. Parking was limited due to the event. When we came, we were seated right away. Service was slow to start. We started with Burrata con Prosciutto. I got rigatoni alla vodka, my cousin got tagliatelle bolognese & my brother got margherita pizza. Everything was good but overpriced. Idk if I'd come back.

    The pear salad with shrimp! So good!
    Amber K.

    My friend and I went here to celebrate our 9 year friendship anniversary and they did not miss!! Our server was so fun and sweet. Really made our experience excellent. There was also a manager that saw me struggling with the salt grinder and he was attentive and so helpful! We ordered two drinks: Espresso martini - my friend loved it! Tiki drink- fruity and fresh deliciousness! I loved it! For appetizer we ordered the grilled octopus. It was tasty and fresh. I think they used a pesto type sauce and it was soooo goooood!! I ordered the pear salad with shrimp. The shrimp was AMAZING. The salad delicious. I don't really like Gorgonzola so I took that off . The salad was amazing. Fresh light and tasty amazing combination of flavors between the grapes and pears and pecans! She ordered the pasta and LOVED it. Then they surprised us with a friendship anniversary dessert and it was delightful and simple. The ocean view off the back deck was such a nice touch it was so beautiful and the weather was perfect to sit outside and enjoy our lunch. I'd def go again!

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    17 days ago

    We had such a good time with Bernardo! Service was so efficient and fast and he was great!

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    Il Fornaio Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Il Fornaio

    Are there any vegan pastas available?

    Hello Laurel, The majority of our pastas, including the fresh homemade version, are made with no eggs.… Read more

    Do you have any gluten free dishes?

    Yes Suzanne. GF pasta and GF options are available Thanks

    Do they have a full bar? IE spiced rum, whiskey, and etc?

    They do.

    Answer several months ago about happy hour, and the main website, say details about happy hour are at the location site menu page. There is nothing on the menu about happy hour. Is it still a thing 3-6 M-F? Thanks!

    That's what we were told last month... weekdays only.

    What's available for vegan options?

    Nothing

    Is Happy hour back?

    Yes Martha, our HH came back few weeks ago. Menu is posted on our website @ www.Ilfornaio.com HH run Mo-Fri 3-6pm @ the bar inside only for the moment.… Read more

    How long are you allowed to park for free?

    2 hours with dining

    Hi, is the lunch menu available on Saturdays?

    Do you have outdoor seating?

    Yes, the view is fantastic, looking across at the city.

    Does this restaurant have bar seating? Is there an outside seating?

    My apologies for the late response. We do have a bar sitting for 12 guests with several tables and a large bar patio overlooking the bay.

    Is there still Happy Hour at this location? One of the reviews says there's not. Also, do you accept reservations for Happy Hour if we're looking to sit in the bar Patio?

    Hello Bianca, Unfortunately we don't have happy hour at the moment until further notice, We do recommend reservation for dine in, to be able to provide a better quality of… Read more

    Would our very well behaved small dog be allowed in his dog stroller on the patio?

    Hello Piriya Our bar patio is dog friendly and allows dogs on leash at all time to be entering our dining space along with owner assuming their responsibility to pick up in… Read more

    I'm planning my mom's 60th Birthday her and I'll have my three kids with us. Is there a kids menu or kid friendly options? I haven't been able to find anything on the website or in the reviews. Thanks!

    Hi Jessica, Thanks for your interest on dinning with us. A full Kids menu is available with… Read more

    Are their any corkage fees?

    Ciao Peter Every Monday and Tuesday we offering a free corkage all day and night For all the rest… Read more

    What is the Corkage fee?

    $20 per bottle Corkage is free on Monday and Tuesday all day

    Are dogs allowed?

    Hi Tosh Pet friendly patio at the bar area and service dogs are allowed everywhere They must be on… Read more

    Is this place good for a first date?

    YES! Absolutely beautiful with breathtaking views, wonderful food & drinks. Also great service

    What's their Sunday morning brunch like?

    Eggssss

    When is the happy hour?

    Monday to Friday @ 3.00-6.00 pm Bar and bar patio only Hope to see you soon

    View All 23 Questions

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    4.7(3.5k reviews)
    5.0 miOcean Beach, Point Loma
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    I hate that I love this place!! Let me explain why because this is seriously the best pasta I've…read morehad in my life. I ordered the lumache pasta with tartufona sauce and added guanciale on top and it was smooth, peppery, with the cured pork cheek perfectly topping everything off. The only problem was that it was so dang expensive! The price came out to be around $52 with tax and tip and the only thing I ordered was the pasta, that is a lot for a college student. Though they have free focaccia which tasted superb. Therefore I recommend this every once in a while for special occasions, unless you're super rich!

    We enjoyed our lunch at Cesarina in Point Loma, CA…read more This was our first time dining at Cesarina and it won't be our last. The owners are from Rome, Italy and opened restaurant in 2019, sharing many delicious authentic recipes from Italy. Cesarina is an award-winning Italian restaurant in San Diego known for its fresh, handmade pasta, vibrant atmosphere, and "build-your-own" pasta options. The restaurant is recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand for good value and quality. We enjoyed the following and recommend trying: *Mozzarella Milanese appetizer *Build-your-own: Gnocchi pasta in Tartufona sauce with bone marrow *Lasagna allá bolognese *Their famous tableside tiramisu *Affogato ice cream with espresso *complimentary focaccia bread All of these dishes, desserts, atmosphere and excellent customer service from our server Jake and management get 5/5 stars!! We made reservations on Open Table. There's indoor and outdoor seating with limited parking across the street on building 4160. Give this place a try! Happy Yelping :)

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    Cesarina - Dining room

    Dining room

    Cesarina - The signature chicken pitcher with their soft delish breads

    The signature chicken pitcher with their soft delish breads

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    Bencotto Italian Kitchen - Lamb Ragu pasta

    Bencotto Italian Kitchen

    4.1(3.6k reviews)
    1.8 miLittle Italy
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    Bencotto was an outstanding fine dining Italian experience at a reasonable price. I had the cheese…read morewheel pasta and it was of an extremely high quality. On top of that they allowed me to take a video of them mixing my noodles and chicken in the cheese wheel itself which I thought was a nice touch. Additionally they had a large selection of bottled Italian beers as well as wine. The service was fantastic and so was the ambiance which was less Tuscan and more modern with some references to Italy which I appreciated

    On a Monday evening in San Diego, we stopped by Bencotto Italian Kitchen for dinner. Located in…read moreLittle Italy, I was surprised by how busy this part of town is. Restaurants and bars filled to the brim. Lack of street parking availability. With that being said, after circling around for a while, I found a free parking spot on the street five minutes away by foot. Ambiance (4/5): While Bencotto has a nice interior, I went with some al fresco dining on their front patio. There are 20 or so seats available right off the street, so it's not a large patio by any means, but it's nice. The weather was a little chilly by San Diego standards, so they had some heaters out there. It always reminds me of Europe when I'm dining al fresco. Service (3/5): A little slow at times, but overall, pretty good. My waiter was friendly, he just could have stopped by a little quicker. Still solid though. Drinks (4/5): They have a nice selection of wine. I ended up rolling with an Italian beer I had never had before instead. It was a lager and they served it with a chilled glass which is always a nice touch. Food (4/5): The reason I came delivered. Their most popular entree is pasta cooked in a cheese wheel. The pasta is in a creamy truffle sauce with mushrooms. No protein but you can add some for an additional charge. I added grilled chicken. What's awesome about this dish is that they cook it for you inside by the hostess stand. So you can go there and see it happening. My server didn't give me a heads-up (shame on him) but luckily, someone at a table close to me did after me, so I joined to see their food being prepared. I also ordered the gnocco frito which is puffy fried bread. You get four pieces and I had never had this type of Italian bread. Not amazing, but it complemented the pasta well. All of their pasta is made in house and you can taste the difference. The cheese wheel pasta was absolutely delicious. I was pumped to cross this bucket list item off my list.

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    Bencotto Italian Kitchen - View from window seating inward

    View from window seating inward

    Bencotto Italian Kitchen - Gnocchi neri

    Gnocchi neri

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    Il Fornaio - italian - Updated May 2026

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