Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Il Massimo

    4.9 (65 reviews)
    Open 1:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Il Massimo Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Il Massimo

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Rabbit ragu
    Angela T.

    Wow! Was in Cali months ago and had to drive down here. I've heard amazing things about this place from friends near the border. There's nothing like this in the states. All the dishes were extremely unique and the food tasted phenomenal. They had a nice variety of wine. I went with a glass of red wine because the waitress said it would pair nicely with the rabbit ragu. As an app I ordered the pulpo, which is octopus. I love ordering octopus everywhere I go, but it's very hard to prepare properly. It was cooked perfectly and had the perfect texture. The chilis added a nice kick to it and weren't too overpowering. For my entree I got the rabbit ragu. I honestly did not expect to eat rabbit until I came here, but the waitress insisted that it was her favorite dish on the menu. The picture does not do it justice, it was delicious and the pasta was cooked al dente. For dessert I tried the lemon lava cake. I honestly had never heard about it before and I love lemon. It was the perfect lava cake and the flavors were all very balanced. If you're ever in Cali/Mexico or even near the border, you definitely have to check this place out. Food and service were impeccable. The quality is unmatched anywhere in the states. All the dishes were so unique and perfectly balanced. I've been reminiscing on this experience and really hope I can return one day.

    The Rigatoni special. Delicious
    Crazy Bernie S.

    So my buddy Carl tells me about this Italian restaurant in Ensenada as we're driving there from Fresno. Since I'm a big fan of the Italian cuisine and have eaten it all over the world including many trips to Italy I insisted we go there. Ordered the Bolonese pasta dish and Carl ordered a special rigatoni with vodka sauce they were offering. Both dishes were excellent. Even got to talk to the chef who was on the floor the whole time we were there. That tells you that he has competent chefs he has trained in his likeness so that he can mingle with his clients. Smart. If you're ready for excellent Italian food with hand made pasta and the freshest ingredients then you're ready to go to Massimo! Crazy Bernie is a big fan. Highly recommend.

    Sous Vide Chicken Special
    Bryant F.

    Amazing meal...from starter to desert! The service was excellent and our meal was exceptional! We enjoyed the meatball appetizer and arugula salad, with the white lasagna and sous vide chicken specials. Finished with the lemon lave cake and baked apple cake with vanilla gelato! By far our best meal in Ensenada...include Il Massimo in your itinerary, it's worth the visit!

    Pappardelle Bolognese
    David W.

    Attentive and kind. Started w the Arugula Salad was incredible fresh and tasty . Large shavings of Parmigiana Cheese and a wonderful Olive oil w Lemon dressing. Next the Meatball appetizer. I am incredibly picky witb Meatballs. These ones which are cheese filled are great. Not as soft as I like, but the taste is excellent. Now the main course, Pappardelle with meat Bolognese. Fantastic!! The Pasta was perfect. The Bolognese was sooo good. Fresh Parmigiana on top. Licked the plate clean. Highly recommend!!

    Donna A.

    Stumbled across this cute little restaurant on Yelp. Exceeded our dinner experience expectations. Exceptional customer service from the moment you step foot into the restaurant. The flavor of every single dish & beverage was superior. Chef Massimo and his team provide the best service and authentic Italian meal in town! Recommendations: * Caprese * Meatballs * Pappardelle Bolognese * Truffle Sauce Pasta * Pastel Manzana * Tiramisu * Café Americano * Sangria

    Dessert-rich and so cute!
    Kacie C.

    We enjoyed every dish here-the steamed clams and mussels were delicious, our salads were fresh, and each of our dishes, La Zuppa y Pasta Negra were full of flavor. Fresh seafood, amazing service, and the desserts were incredible. Karina was friendly and answered all of our questions. We can't wait to come back!

    Tagliatelle Al Frutti de mare. Squid ink pasta with fresh shellfish.

    Fantastic Italian food in Ensenada. Il Massimo is authentic and breaks the mold of traditional Italian dishes. We were welcomed with our two small doggies to sit in their lovely patio. The arugula salad and grilled octopus were great starters. The squid ink pasta with shellfish was delicious. Also, the truffle bucatini is a good recommendation. We typically don't order desserts but when we saw the Nutella banana tiramisu, we couldn't resist. I'd try the Rose water panna cotta and raspberry powder next time. The staff is very attentive, friendly and welcoming. My dog jerked the table and spilled my wine onto my plate. The kitchen staff and waiter didn't hesitate to make me a new dish. I appreciated it because the wine on the plate was cutting the cream in the sauce. Thank you to a lovely service.

    Pretty much everything we ate

    When you find a spot that you enjoy as much as we enjoyed Il Massimo, you hesitate to post here because you want to keep this place all to yourself. We invited my Sister In Law and her man out for her post birthday meal and from start to finish the food was outstanding . Austin was our waiter and he gave us great recommendations and Chef Massimo checked in and gave us a bit of history and origin of a few of the dishes. Must trys are appetizers escargot, pulpo and the tri colore, Main dishes Trufa Bucatini Osso bucco And the dish with chicken sous vide Next time We will be back with more friends.

    See all

    Photo of Terri T.
    56
    37
    34

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ruthy L.
    83
    10
    52

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bozzyna m.
    231
    87
    629

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Food is delicious, & service is great. The location is small and has parking available for guests. Overall great experience

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Excelente Italian pasta.. great atmosphere . The chef and owner was a great host and food was amazing.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jane G.
    70
    33
    0

    5 years ago

    Excellent food, outstanding. Service amazing and friendly, with a nice atmosphere. Definitely will be returning.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bruk C.
    86
    13
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Food was great, service was great. I highly recommend it. Get the bucatini pasta! Will come back again, from the Central California!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    the best .. very good Italian food, so original flavor, with fresh catch Ensenada sea ingredients, Italian chef very friendly

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Great italian restaurant, try the arugula salad and always great daily homemade pasta favorites.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of R P.
    0
    20
    1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 2

    Il Massimo Reviews in Other Languages

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Da Toni

    Da Toni

    4.3(58 reviews)
    0.4 km
    $$

    Da Toni. Im actually…read morequite surprised this is my first review for a business in my beautiful home town of EnseNasty. I always thought Fauna would be my first but hey, whatever. Here it goes! I've been coming to this restaurant for years, easily idk more than 6 or 7 y tengo que decir que señor Toni es un chingón and knows how to assemble a masterful beastly team in the kitchen. Regarding the owner and head chef, he's a cool dude and I very much enjoy shooting the shit with him every time I visit. Essentially, the food is always good, no one can deny that. Whether it's the long standing regular menu with the classics or the seasonal specials. I truly love how it's clearly an Italian restaurant that proudly incorporates local flavors & ingredients as well as slightly fuses other types of cuisines. You can definitely taste the Mexican influence in some of the dishes like in the spaghetti con pesto di Serrano e jalapeño. I absolutely love that dish, The flavors just pop and play together so eloquently. MARCA DIABLO as mi abuelito chichi would say. Italian hand emoji unlocked with essentially every dish I've had there. The rib eye I orders on my most recent visit around early November was a true highlight, best execution of any Da Toni visit and one of the best steaks I've had in Baja. Highly recommend this place. They recently switched over to another location which makes the restaurant improve drastically, not just the design and ambiance but also adds some much needed space that the other location really lacked. salute, denaro e amore

    Thoughtful Italian dishes with a nod to local Baja ingredients from the land and sea. The…read moreprofessional open air kitchen has bustling sous chefs with the head executive chef/owner at the helm. Every plate comes out beautiful and delicious. It's not a surprise as the executive chef/owner worked in San Francisco restaurants before coming to Ensenada. The Tagliarini con Erizo de Mar (Tagliarini pasta with sea urchin) is absolutely amazing. Sea urchin tends to be on some Ensenada menus and I'm delightfully speculating that it's fresh from the region. Most diners have enjoyed sea urchin in sushi restaurants, but I've got to tell you, this preparation will expand your palate. If sea urchin isn't for you, there are other wonderful pasta plates, such as pasta with truffles, or main courses such as ribeye, branzino fish, a porterhouse and more. The service is impeccable and the ambiance reminds me of a trattoria in a small Italian city. Prices are reasonable and what you'd expect for elevated Italian food. A must visit for Ensenada.

    Photos
    Da Toni
    Da Toni
    Da Toni

    See all

    Alfonso´S Pizza - Mexican Pizza!

    Alfonso´S Pizza

    4.4(48 reviews)
    0.4 km
    $$

    If you're a fan of sticking to the classics, do yourself a favor and order the pepperoni and cheese…read morehere--this place gets it. The crust was golden and just the right amount of crisp, the cheese was melty and rich without being greasy, and the pepperoni had that perfect little curl and crisp on the edges. No frills, no gimmicks--just solid, delicious pizza done right. Service was quick, staff was friendly, and the pizza came out hot and fresh. Sometimes all you need is a well-made classic to hit the spot, and this one absolutely delivered. Will definitely be back--probably sooner than I should.

    We discovered this restaurant last year while visiting Ensenada on a cruise ship. My husband asked…read morea local where he would eat for breakfast, and he literally walked us to this restaurant. We were apprehensive, as it is a pizza place. However, we quickly understood why he recommended this restaurant after we ate our breakfast. My husband is a machaca connoisseur, and he raved about their machaca. I ordered the divorciados that came with chilaquiles and beans. It was to die for! They also served bread before our meal came. The homemade jam was delicious. We've been wanting to try their pizza, and we finally tried it yesterday. They served fresh, warm, yummy bread before the pizza arrived. We ordered two medium pizzas (Hawaiian and Mushrooms, Sausage & Pepperoni). The pizza was good, but they use canned mushrooms and I prefer fresh mushrooms. There were four of us, and we couldn't finish both pizzas. The pizzas were larger than the sizes as they appear on the wall. I wouldn't go back for the pizza. However, I will definitely eat breakfast there every time I'm in Ensenada! They are located right by where the vans drop off cruise ship passengers who prefer a shuttle instead of walking. It's a short 10 minute walk from where the cruise ships dock.

    Photos
    Alfonso´S Pizza - Pizza

    Pizza

    Alfonso´S Pizza - Alfonso's sign

    Alfonso's sign

    Alfonso´S Pizza - The Mexico!

    See all

    The Mexico!

    Il Massimo - italian - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...