I had about an hour and a half before working at my other job and wanted to eat something filling since it was going to be a long day of work. Looking up on where to eat on Del Mar this place was literally around the corner and I past by here a couple of times. It was lunch time on Thursday, a pretty hot day and I wanted to be inside a nice place and take my time eating. It wasn't busy at all here but there were a couple of order for pick up so it had to be good. I just got the basic pasta to be honest, and it was really good. Creamy and filling. The bread was alright, nothing to rave about and the chicken was a decent amount. Would I come back? Yes, It's got my craving down for pasta and the tiramsu was great, had to take half to go because I was really full. I think next time I need to get their pizza, I was eyeing that on the menu but I was on a time crunch and I do see other reviews waving about it. Can't wait to come back to try that and maybe get a cup of soup, not during a heat of course. read more

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Big update from my previous review and I am glad one of The Golf Boyz suggested we try IC for our after golf lunch on Wednesday. I was reluctant due to my experience in early 2024. Upon arriving I was greeted by a couple staff and since the place was wide open (it was 11:10am), I got to pick where we would be sitting. There would be 5 of us, so one of the staff pushed a 2 and a 4 table together to make plenty of room. Soon after I was asked about a beverage or would I want to wait. "Diet Coke please", "Is Diet Pepsi Ok?" We diet coke people know the routine! After reviewing the menu, while waiting for the other golf dudes, I asked about lunch specials or any specials. The server brought over a Lunch Menu that had some good choices and very good pricing. With all of us sitting, we put in our choices. Some had questions and soon we got the food ordered and getting worked on in the kitchen. The lunch specials were a very good list of choices (see this menu in my pics) and for $16.99 you will get the entree and either soup or salad. While we all had something different for our entrees, we all ordered the salads. My choice was the Spicy Italian Sandwich = Ham, pepperoni, provolone cheese with lettuce, mayonnaise, tomato and Italian dressing. Others had the Eggplant Parm with Spaghetti, the Eggplant Parm Sandwich, and the other had the Lasagna. After my buddies ordered some wine and me getting a refill on my diet Coke, er Pepsi, our salads came out. Very simple salad of lettuce, red cabbage and tomato with various dressing choices, but the veggies were all fresh, cold and crisp. Tossed with the Italian dressing, it was a nice start to our lunch. Very good. A basket of small pieces of bread came out with marinara. It was a nice little snack and the toasted bread was very good. After we were all done with our salads, the entrees started to come out. Everything that needed to be came out smoking hot in hot dishes. My Italian sandwich was toasted delicious bread and the listed ingredients above. It was a very good sandwich with fresh meats and veggies. I enjoyed it and would get it again when we return. The others had mixed reactions: Eggplant Parm and Spaghetti - very good and took some home for later Eggplant Sandwich - lacking any taste, disappointed Lasagna - enjoyed it and would order again Summing up, after a not great experience in 2024, I will come back and try other things on the menu. It may be hard not to order the Spicy Italian again, because I have been looking for a good, toasted Italian sub like this for some time. Get it and you will not be disappointed. Service was good. Our server was attentive and helpful. Go. Eat Well. HAVE FUN!! read more

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Family owned and run. Great parking and clean toilets. Very respectful and attentive staff. Simple Italian food but nonetheless surprisingly good- Chicken parmigiana was very good as was the cheese bread and homemade ciabatta. The blackboard special was Turkey and Cranberry lasagna which was very well balanced and tasty. Spaghetti Carbonara was also very good- al dente pasta, perfectly creamy with plenty of bacon. Craving Mama Mia pasta dish also got "will order this again" praise. Thanks for a very pleasant experience- we will be coming back again ! read more

Italian Cravings has decent pizza, but it's nothing to write home about, and the prices are on the high side. Good for a quick bite if you're nearby, but not worth going out of your way. read more

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Pretty tasty pizza! We got a combo small. It had a thin crust, which I like! Ingredients were pretty fresh. It's just pretty pricy. I'm sure it's because of the location. The service was decent. It's a cute spot with plenty of seating. It was a hot day. So it was empty. It was nice to sit outside after a walk from the beach and back. read more

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The pizza made us cry because it taste so good! Highly recommend the spaghetti with meatball. On Monday they have a special of $10.99. The margarite pizza was outstanding. Service was quick as we were the only customers on a Monday afternoon. Place was also well kept with some nice italiano music. read more

Italian Cravings - Personal Margherita Pizza - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Went here on a Monday afternoon, no one else in the restaurant. Server was nice, but food was average. Location is good, this was just an ok pizza. read more

Italian Cravings - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Hidden Gem Italian Spot - Worth Every Bite Stumbled upon this cozy little Italian joint and honestly, it blew me away. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the food speaks for itself. The pizza came out hot with a crispy, golden crust and just the right amount of char--chewy, flavorful, and topped with fresh, quality ingredients. The meatball sandwich? Unreal. Tender, juicy meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, tucked into perfectly toasted bread that held together without getting soggy. Comfort food done right. And don't skip dessert--the tiramisu was light, creamy, and had that perfect coffee kick. You can tell it's made in-house. Service was friendly,chill--no frills, just good vibes and even better food. Definitely a go-to for a laid-back but satisfying Italian meal. read more

Italian Cravings - Meat lovers/pepperoini - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Placed an order for christmas eve, food was ready for pickup and it was delicious!!! The service was amazing and fast and had time for us when they were busy:) It was clean and everything looked delicious! Definitely will be returning :) Everything was hot and perfectly ran read more

Italian Cravings - 14" Large BBQ Chicken Pizza Manicotti Mozzarella Sticks Garlic Bread - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

My family and I absolutely love this San Clemente staple. My husband and I were talking about our childhood one day and we're saying how good Italian Cravings was, so we decided one day let's go see if it's still the same, and to no surprise it absolutely tasted phenomenal. We pick up at least once a week from here. I had my sister's high school graduation, I had my birthday here, me and my husband had our anniversary dinner here. I can't wait until my little one kid enjoy their food. read more

We haven't been to this place in four years! We moved to Anaheim. Their food has always been great from what I remember. Came this past Saturday evening and the food was still good!!! I enjoyed the Fettuccine Alfredo. My son ate all his Lasagna and, enjoyed his eggplant parmigiana!!! Still delicious as we remember!! We'll be back!! read more

Tried this place for the first time. They do have a parking lot and when we arrived there was plenty of parking which we were happy about. When we walked in we were greeted by the waiter what I assumed was the owner since he on the chef were the only ones there. We had our choice of seats as it was empty (maybe a sign). We were given water, menus and with very few words asked what we wanted to eat and drink. We order ice tea and a wine to drink. After sitting there it, I start to sweat and that's when I noticed he had the door open with no AC. It was very uncomfortable the whole meal, as there was no ventilation or air. For the food. The appetizers we ordered the Cajun Shrimp and the Bruschetta to start. When the appetizers arrived it included a lot of beget bread pieces. The bruschetta was not was I was expecting as it was more of a dipping sauce in a bowl and the menu did not give details about all the bread you would get with these two appetizers. The shrimp was delicious though. For dinner, I ordered the chicken picatta and requested it not to be breaded which was off menu but the waiter said they could do it. I should have maybe got what was on menu as it had a funny taste to it. We also got the eggplant parm which was okay but the sauce was bland and the breading easily came off. The waiter never offered to fill up our waters or tea. Overall, I would not eat here again due to the vibe and quality of food. read more

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Excellent spaghetti and meatballs, anti pasta salad and the best tiramisu I've ever had....a hidden gem in San Clemente. read more

Italian Cravings - Tiramisu - yummy!! - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Meat Eater Pizza and Shrimp Alfredo were perfect Next time we are in the area we are definitely coming back!

The interior is clean and welcoming. My pizza was slightly undercooked; it wasn't too bad, but it wasn't good either. The place was completely empty during the lunch time. read more

Italian Cravings - Pizza was undercooked inside - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Meh, food still tastes great but it's gotten so expensive. Got 4 oz of soup for $6, figured it would at least be a cup, nope. The container was only half full. ‍ read more

Love the family friendly atmosphere. Food is always served piping hot and is never a disappointment! read more

Italian Cravings - Chicken Milano is what's for dinner! - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

Ordered Delivery from DoorDash. Not impressed at all. Pizza was mediocre at best (Pizza Port is better). The pizza was comparable to Blaze if that. Wr ordered Garlic bread and meatballs. 4 small meatballs for 10 bucks were not worth it. Garlic bread was ok, nothing special. Overall I would give the food a 2.5-3 stars. Wouldn't order here again. There are so many more better Italian options to choose from in San Clemente. Pizza Port or TJs has better pizza, Sonnys has better pasta, they are all about the same price as well. Just better overall taste and portion in my opinion. read more

Let us in even tho they were close to closing, didn't rush us, excellent food! Had their special chicken bow tie and it was amazing!

It's an Italian food out of Italy???? Yes!! Right here.... San Clemente, south of California! Amazing customer service and the food...... like if you are in La Toscana!!! Great wine, excellent pizza and the salad.... Such a refresher dish! Congratulations to the owner and staff !! read more

The best pizza i have ever had! Chicken pesto and the meatlovers off the chart! And the chopped salad OMG I am so coming back. read more

A fabulous discovery just off the main drag in San Clemente. Absolutely excellent chicken parmigiana -- tender, juicy, breaded chicken, enough for two, in a lovely fresh tomato sauce, with cheese of course. Comes with nicely buttered garlic bread. Service was very nice and polite. Good choices for wine as well. A small dining room, but very comfortable, with patio seating also available. A pleasant, quiet atmosphere. Will absolutely return! read more

POTENTIAL - many things have a solid foundation but many need improvement. 1. Ambiance- great decor and art but lighting is way too bright. Need dimmers or yellow bulbs or bring sunglasses even in the evening. 2. Pasta dishes - good flavor but incredibly over-salted. I understand that seafood can have a brine or salty tone but this was like someone spilled too much salt in all 3 dishes. 3. Focaccia- nice portion but horrible "bread". The texture and lack of flavor makes this one in line for a scrape and re-do. It's like sawdust held together by Elmer's glue. We've been 3x and and each time was awful. I love almost all bread and this is a like a wet, crumbly sponge when dipped in sauce. It is supposed to be rosemary focaccia but it just tastes old without flavor. 4. Lasagne - yummy but too salty. 5. Staff- friendly and helpful. 6. Salad - dinner salad was fair but ranch was scooped out of an industrial size plastic bucket. Thick and filled w preservatives. Our daughter loves the lasagna so we will be back and ask for no salt and maybe bring our own bread from Romanos or Trader Joe's. read more

Love love love the vodka pasta and the Cajun shrimp only do take out still need to dine in some time

My go to spot for the Spicy Italian Sandwich! They do it correctly everytime! Employees are always polite, considerate and thoughtful. read more

Although the food was great, customer service really lacked. Walked in with 2 other friends and was asked what we were here for rather than being greeted and seated... the waiter was not very attentive towards my party. The whole vibe of the restaurant was off for me personally. read more

Italian Cravings - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

The focaccia really got us. Got duped by the money maker coupon for this family feast for $34.95. Thought we'd try a new local spot for an easy dinner. Not terrible food, not remarkable either. Bright side: we laughed (a lot more than we ate). read more

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This place is amazing! A real hidden gem off of Del Mar Street. If you looking for a true authentic Italian meal this is your place. We have drove by many times but always said "we need to try that place." Well, it finally happened and we are not disappointed! Just wishing it didn't take us so long! Service was friendly, attentive and we walked in without a a wait! Great family owned place, lots of great made from scratch dressings. We had the chicken vodka, and the chicken Parmesan. Enough to take home and have a meal the next day. For my husband, I ate my whole dish!! Reasonably priced and a great value. Again.. Amazing! read more

The food was really nice. We all enjoyed the meal. Small and warm. The pizza was top notch.

I love visiting my son in San Clemente. This is one of our favorite lunch spots. Their service is also just right. My son had the chicken tortellini which he said was delicious and I love their Greek salad. The portions are just right. We also have to have their appetizer sampler of fried calamari, cheese sticks, and fried zucchini. Carlos was our server this time, very kind and right on it. Also offered us bread that we didn't know came with our meals. We will definitely be returning. read more

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Great place. Food was fantastic and ambiance is nice. Our waitress told us she has worked there since it opened. Love the longevity of the staff. read more

Best pizza and tiramisu in town. Friendly service, reasonably priced. This is our new go to for Italian. read more

5/5 stars! Italian Cravings San Clemente exceeded expectations! Warm hospitality, delicious Italian cuisine, cozy ambiance, reasonable prices. Perfect for family gatherings. Tony's exceptional service made our family events unforgettable. Parking spaces added to the convenience. Support local! read more

I had capellini alla checca the spaghetti was made perfectly. Every ingredient was fresh tomato, basil garlic. It had the perfect balance every bite was amazing. read more

I've been to this place a few times and my wife and I really like it. We've ordered a few pizzas and both were very good. A lot of toppings and everything tasted fresh. The dough tasted fresh too. I've been to a few Italian restaurants in San Clemente and I like this place the best. I also have tried the lasagna and trio appetizer and both were pretty good too. We had a great waitress and service too. read more

Italian Cravings - Meat Lovers pizza - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Have you ever been hanging out with friends and one of them goes "I have a craving for Italian!" and then two more say the exact same thing? Now you may be thinking: "Alejandro, that's not how most normal conversations go!" and yes, you're right. I just didn't know how else to start this review while also making use of the clever pun of a name that this place has. We got here LATE (think 20 mins before closing time), and the place was already empty, cleaned up and organized, and ready to be closed, yet the cashier and server was still courteous enough to offer us assistance and prepare a table for us. The menu is varied and has every type of pasta dish you could ever want. I went with an always delicious Spaghetti Bolognese and honestly, it did not disappoint. The portions are large, the pasta is cooked al dente and the sauce was exquisite. Will certainly be back if I ever get a hankering for more Italian food! read more

We didn't even know this restaurant was here. Found it simply by finding parking across the street, by the yoga studio. Driving home from LA is long so San Clemente is a usual spot. We noticed that they had outdoor covered seating which meant that they were dog friendly. That's a huge plus in my book. We sat down and Carlos V. brought our menus. He was very welcoming, great attitude and attentive. We ordered... Sangria Peroni Italian beer Fried calamari Special of the day, Lobster ravioli The marinara that came with the bread and calamari was delicious! It was so good that I could eat it with a spoon like soup. I wish I could buy a tub of it. The actual lobster ravioli was delicious. The sauce was slightly salty. I ended up taking the ravioli home and adding a little more cream to offset the salt. It was delicious! Calamari was standard. Nothing so spectacular that I'll be back for it. It was a great location and customer service. I will be back to try other items on the menu. read more

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Veggie Pizza is as described. It was nice with some parm on top. It took a bit for it to come out to the table, but didn't keep me from finishing it. read more

Italian Cravings - Veggie Pizza is as described. It was nice with some parm on top. - Italian Near Me - San Clemente, California

If you're looking for a casual Italian food spot where you don't have to compromise on the dishes, then this is your spot. It's located super close to the Main Street through downtown San Clemente and the dishes we got were very yummy. Additionally, the restaurant was relatively calm for a Saturday evening which was a refreshing step away from the otherwise busy strips in the main areas of town. The Mama Mia pasta dish was my favorite from what we ordered and was packed with flavors. The bread was also freshly baked and delicious. read more

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I had the fettuccine Alfredo and it was delicious. I also recommend the garlic cheese bread!