The food was absolutely amazing! Everything we ordered was delicious. The calamari was some of the best I've ever had, and all of the appetizers were so good. I ordered the seafood pasta for my main course and it was incredible, fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. I was impressed with everything from start to finish. Definitely a place I would come back to and recommend! read more

Mediterraneo - Pasta - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

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We were passing through town and (thanks to Yelp) came across Mediterraneo just off Highway 8. With many of the nearby options being fast food or counter service, this place really stood out. The atmosphere was very nice, upscale without being too fancy (or too casual). We started with the beef carpaccio and then had the penne with salmon and spaghetti with meatballs. Everything was excellent. And the ridiculously affordable $5 Old Fashioneds were a very pleasant surprise. What really stood out, though, was the service. I have been to restaurants that cost five times as much without receiving this level of service. Ryan was our main server and was excellent. When we asked for recommendations, he told us what he personally liked rather than simply pointing us toward the more expensive items. He checked on us throughout the meal without being intrusive, and we had a chance to chat with him along the way. During one of those conversations, it came up naturally that we were celebrating a special occasion. Ryan quietly took note. At the end of dinner, he surprised us with a piece of cheesecake, along with an entire message painstakingly written across the plate in raspberry sauce. It was completely unexpected and a really thoughtful touch. The staff also worked extremely well as a team. Zack came by with an actual block of Parmesan and a grater rather than the pre-grated cheese you see at a lot of restaurants, and Haley was there to help with various things throughout the evening (yes, we asked for their names to include here). It never felt like anyone was concerned about whose table it was. If something needed attention, someone took care of it. At one point I jokingly told Ryan that he should be the manager. He immediately gave credit to Jessica, who is the actual manager, and said she's a big part of why the staff operates the way they do. Based on our experience, it shows. Everyone was friendly and personable while still being very professional. I was so happy with the experience that I doubled my normal gratuity, something I reserve for truly exceptional service. We found Mediterraneo completely by chance, but it ended up being a great find. Excellent food, very reasonable prices, a nice atmosphere, and especially impressive service. We would absolutely come back if we're in the area again. read more

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We love this place, and I rarely leave negative reviews, which makes writing this especially disappointing. We've gone out of our way for years to drive to Alpine because the food and ambiance are truly exceptional. We've hosted parties here, attended celebrations here, and enjoyed countless brunches, lunches, and dinners. The Med has long been a staple for our family and for East County. Our daughters even ask to come for the bread alone. Unfortunately, our experience this evening was unlike anything we've encountered here before. From the hostess, to our server, to the owner, every interaction felt unfriendly and dismissive. The only bright spot was the bus staff--they were kind, attentive, and appreciated. The food remains wonderful, but the service was shockingly disappointing. There's really no other way to describe it: rude. We sincerely hope this was an isolated experience because this has always been one of our favorite places to visit. read more

The food was great five stars like always. We've probably been here quite a few times Services the tops ambience is very Italian food to likely come on in this summer and enjoy Italy. read more

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Place was empty upon arrival. I just happen to pull in by chance. Had 40 mins to spare, but yeah kinda weird being literally the 1 only person there. The place is to my surprise nice tho, like the lay out is cool. Even featuring a view into the valleys of alpine. Bar is a great setup, TVs for sports happy hour available. The food great for the prices. Over all idk why there isn't more people here. The city of Apline needs to move out and have some drinks and foood over here ASAP... read more

Mediterraneo - Meatball sandwhich and salad 16bucks - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

This is one of our family favorites. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but the lasagna is my favorite. The manager, Jessica, is amazing. Definitely recommend read more

Special celebration and special birthday. It's air conditioned. The food is so good made with Italian love. Ambiance is comfortable and Italian beautiful. Service is special and friendly. Love this restaurant. read more

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Had a really great experience here! The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was welcoming and comfortable. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The staff was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Definitely a place I'd recommend to friends and family, and I'll be coming back again! read more

Mediterraneo - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

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The wife and I have been frequent customers at this restaurant for a few years now ever since we've moved to alpine and the food has always been top notch, tho like people say often times we'd over hear or see the owner in our peripheral being rude to their waitresses and servers, that was okay because I understand how working in a restaurant can be sometimes but, at least the owner was welcoming and communicative with guests, we'd always see him greeting guests and sitting down with them and he even grew to recognize me and my wife! Anyways I guess there was a change of ownership so, there has been a lot of beautiful redesigns to the exterior of the restaurant but the new owner Sam, (as listed on yelp page) seems to give almost all if not everyone the meanest stink eye when walking by or sometimes by not at all acknowledging anyone as they walk through the door, instead opting to be chatter some behind the register with staff. I also don't know if this was a one time occurrence but I heard him a month or two back tell his server to "shut up" and then proceeded to call him a "retard" even friends of mine tell me they've heard or seen similar things of him arguing with the staff who may i add, mostly consist of what seem to be high schoolers! It just seems odd and inappropriate for a man as old as him to be arguing with kids, it's very childish and quite honestly makes him come off as a douchey man baby. Anyways, it just doesn't feel right to be eating here anymore with this type of stuff happening it feels rude to feed into this big ego of his that he seems to have, and it feels disrespectful to the staff as well. We'd always make sure to leave an extra tip to make them feel better. Anyways in summary, the food remains the same amazing quality, chefs, servers, bussers, hostess, and bartenders are all amazing people and I'm wishing the best for them but, the new owner just doesn't seem like a good man so me and my wife will be taking business elsewhere thank you for the amazing years of hospitality read more

The service has always been great and Sam is always nice to chat with. Not too many vegan options but we enjoy the drinks and the atmosphere. read more

Changed owners. Poor quality . Expensive . My whole family got food poisoning. Everyone got sick. This was very hard for my 77 year old mother. She has been very ill. My kids also were sick a night and day. I highly caution eating there. read more

I have often driven along the 8 Freeway travelling to Jacumba Hot Springs or Mexicali, in which I passed through Alpine. However, I have never actually stopped in the City of Alpine. I recently read a Yelp review of Mediterraneo, so I decided to visit the restaurant for dinner this evening. I made reservations on the restaurant website. They are not on OpenTable. Mediterraneo Restaurant is located in a rustic spread-out shopping mall---tucked away in the corner, with easy access off the 8 Freeway. The interior dining room is quite small. There are nice outdoor tables that extend around the building (it was too hot this evening to eat outside). The waitresses are quite pleasant. The wine list is more extensive than expected. I began with a bowl of Minestrone, which was pretty good. I appreciated the greens in the soup. The Pesce Spada served atop mashed potatoes and spinach was surprisingly good. And the after-dinner espresso was excellent, and served with an Ameretti cookie. read more

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Cute spot! They have karaoke certain days. They have a lot of seating. Big parking lot with lots of parking. They give you a couple different kinds of bread and butter to start off with. The pasta was delicious. I had one with eggplants and ricotta. It was full of flavor. I also had a glass of wine that was smooth and delicious. Workers were friendly. Great spot read more

Mediterraneo - Pasta - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

Had such a great dinner tonight at Mediterraneo in Alpine! We started with a few appetizers and honestly...they were the highlight. The MELENZANE RIPIENE (eggplant stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, and cherry tomatoes) was incredible: rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The calamari fritti was crispy and delicious, and the TONNO ASIATICO (seared ahi tuna with sweet chili glaze, ginger, teriyaki, and wasabi) was a huge hit at the table. We also had to try their house-made mozzarella sticks, don't skip these...the cheese pull alone is worth it For the mains, we had the CAPELLINI ALLA CHECCA and the RIGATONI ALLA NORMA, and both were fantastic. You can really taste the difference, the pasta is imported from Italy, and it shows in the texture and flavor. My husband also ordered the margherita pizza and said it's the best he's ever had, which says a lot! The space itself is big, welcoming, and super versatile. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, plus a large bar with a full menu. We tried a couple drinks from their spring menu: the pistachio espresso martini and the berry margarita both were so fun and tasty. The staff was also incredibly friendly and attentive, which really made the whole experience even better. Bonus: they have a great family-friendly area with arcade games and a pool table, which makes it perfect whether you're going out as a couple or with a group. Definitely a spot we'll be coming back to! read more

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Mediterraneo is hands down my favorite restaurant in East county. Every dish we ordered was incredible, and you can tell they take pride in both the quality of the food and the presentation. The ahi tuna was fresh, perfectly seared, and packed with flavor. The caprese salad was beautiful and made with fresh ingredients that really stood out. We also tried the pear and caramelized onion pizza, and it was absolutely delicious. The combination of sweet and savory flavors was a treat. Beyond the food, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the service made us feel genuinely welcomed. All the staff are incredibly friendly and they treat their customers like family. If you're looking for amazing food, great service, and a restaurant that consistently delivers, Mediterraneo is definitely worth a visit. Looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu! read more

Mediterraneo - Tasted better than it looked I Highly recommend this restaurant - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

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We made a reservation at Mediterraneo for a birthday dinner. It was a great pick! The location is in a small strip mall. The restaurant has some areas with sunset views which is nice for dinner. Most of the dining areas are adjacent to the bar and they seem to have a busy happy hour scene, at least on Friday night, so it can be a bit loud. There are also plenty of screens around so it has a strong sports bar vibe. The food lived up to expectations. We started out with the seared tuna appetizer, it was both gorgeous and delicious. One disappointment was they ran out of ossobuco just before we ordered so we went for a plan B. read more

Mediterraneo - Seared tuna appetizer - tonno something? Plenty of ginger and wasabi, it will clear your sinuses for sure! - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

I drove an hour to take my elderly grandma out to eat at a restaurant, hoping for a nice change from home meals, only to be met with a terrible experience that left every single person in our party with food poisoning. I grew up in this area and used to love this restaurant, but the quality has plummeted. The meatballs were so nasty that they turned into mushy play-dough, and the lasagna, at an outrageous $28 for a tiny slice, was completely flavorless and just all cheese. Their prices suggest they're a high-end place in downtown, but the food certainly doesn't match that expectation. I ended up having to throw away all of our leftovers because of the food poisoning. None of us will be returning, and it's disappointing to say that after so many good memories. read more

My parents live nearby and love this place. The food is great, the staff are very friendly! The owner told us about the mural on the wall, which was near where he lived in Sicily, with walk-through restaurants up against the water. We had Caesar salad. I had the lasagna, Mom had salmon, and Dad had lamb oso bucco. They offered to put grated Parmesan on everything - but I decided my lasagna had plenty of cheese already. It was great, and I managed to eat the whole thing. The lamb was great, too, very tender, and Mom liked the salmon. Will certainly be back. The nearby Barron's Market is great too. read more

Mediterraneo - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

I walked in to order at 9:00pm and they have the open sign on and in their website it shows that they're open, servers was putting food to go and she just said the kitchen is close as we speak , very unprofessional. read more

I've been there two times all my expectation are met. Great food super fresh, customer service attentive and fast. Very relax ambience, great place for lunch and dinner date! read more

Mediterraneo - Panini lunch and side salad - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

Mediterraneo continues to impress with outstanding food and exceptional customer service. Owner Sam has created a welcoming atmosphere where guests truly feel appreciated and cared for. The bartenders make excellent drinks and provide attentive, friendly service. The servers are professional, knowledgeable, and make every dining experience enjoyable. The food is consistently delicious. The Salsiccia Pizza (my personal favorite) and Pepperoni Pizza are both must-tries, and appetizers like the fried calamari and mozzarella sticks are the perfect way to start your meal. For entrées, the chicken fettuccine, chicken parmesan, and chicken marsala are all flavorful, generously portioned, and prepared to perfection. Mediterraneo is a restaurant that clearly takes pride in both its hospitality and its food. Thank you! read more

There's only word for this place .. excellence! Excellent service , excellent food , excellent atmosphere! No automatic tipping , and no extra charge to split meals with your partner . They have outside and inside seating available. Dogs are allowed on the patio outside . There are heater outside if you get a chill ! I highly recommend visiting here, even if it's small hike to get here . Definitely will be back ! read more

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Another lovely evening at Mediterraneo with family and friend's. Jessica was our server and provided great service. Our food was hot, fresh and delicious! We will be back. read more

**New OWNERSHIP & EASY 5 STARS! Excellent dinner, drinks are made perfectly not yo mention the customer service is definitely 10|10 which in my opinion is reason enough to come back. The dishes are made with the highest quality ingredients you can just tell, fresh is an understatement. Dined twice so far and both times were exceptional! Possibly my new intimate date night | family dinner spot! read more

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Place is bomb. Good food good vibes. Pool table is crooked tho. Bar tenders are cool.

I've been coming here for years, and it never lets me down--good ol' reliable Italian comfort food. The spaghetti was solid, though the meatballs had a slight Spam-like texture (not a complaint, just an observation). But hey, still tasty! Service was on point--attentive and efficient. The ambiance? Classic suburban rustic Italian, complete with the music to set the mood. If you're looking for a cozy, satisfying meal, this spot is a great alternative to the hustle of Viejas Casino's eateries just a freeway exit away. read more

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Placed a large order for a family Sunday dinner and it all traveled very well, and was so tasty. My son loved his med burger and my mom was obsessed with her Ahi Tuna. 10/10 experience we will definitely be ordering again. read more

Delicious food and fantastic service!! Everything tasted super fresh. Highly recommend this spot. read more

Mediterraneo - Delicious food and fantastic service!! Everything tasted super fresh. Highly recommend this spot. - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

Save your money on that trip to Italy and dine at the Med, you're welcome. We recently returned from a two week trip to Italy and I'm not kidding, in all categories the Mediterraneano is right up there. read more

Mediterraneo - St Peter's square - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

My girlfriend and I came in for lunch. The host wasn't exactly welcoming..no energy, no excitement..but we let it slide because we were hungry. I ordered the meat lasagna with blush sauce and a pepperoni pizza. The lasagna was bland, with very little meat, and the pizza was just okay. Nothing stood out, nothing memorable. There was no flavor punch that would make me want to come back. For me, it didn't feel authentic at all. read more

Mediterraneo - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

No matter when we come we always have the best experience! Food is perfect and customer service is the BEST ever. Shout out to Paige, McKenzie, Makaela, Daniel, Daisy,Ellie and Alyssa!! Thank you for being the best read more

This is my fifth time going to Mediterraneo Italian restaurant I absolutely was so impressed with the food and the staff service and food was all A1 I absolutely love this place. I just found my new favorite place. I highly recommend it to everyone. Thank you everyone at meditraneo read more

Regular customer my wife and I come once a week. Tonight got seated and there was 7-8 servers standing around we sat for 10-15 min without a hello , not a we'll be right there nothing . It's sad and a shame love the food. Not sure will be back. read more

Bought a gift card for my daughter on February 14, 2026 they went last night and the server said sorry guess you haven't been here lately but we sold and no longer honor gift card. How embarrassing for my daughter and her husband . Went in person and the young girls that work there were less than considerate and that they didn't have to honor the gift card . Are you serious no apology no nothing. read more

Great food, great atmosphere, great staff. Always family-friendly. You have to try the seared Ahi. an excellent choice. read more

Food was awesome service was really good and the vibe was outstanding highly recommend eating and having drinks

Ever since our first time back in July of 2024, this is now our favorite Italian restaurant in East County. We've been frequenting nearly every week in the past month and plan to go there again for Christmas Eve Dinner. We love the food, the wine (per my wife), the service, the ambiance, just about everything. One thing we saw once but yet to try (since it's not offered frequently) is the cheese wheel (or the cheese bowl) pasta. Something that comes up as special every now and then. One day, we hope, will be there for us. It's also a great place to sit outside during winter, as they have multiple heaters keeping the place quite warm and clear plastic screen to shield patrons from the wind. read more

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I was craving pizza and nothing is open late in alpine. So I was really excited when I saw these guys closed at 9:30. After looking at the pics here, I decided I wanted this pollo alla sorrentina AND pizza. We walked in at 9:05 and were told the kitchen was closed Dana chatted with who I presume to be the owner and they said, come eat. so glad they did because the food was great and it was exactly what I was craving. Dana was super friendly the whole time. read more

Mediterraneo - Pollo alla sorrentina and a slice of pepperoni pizza - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California

On 4/17/2026, my daughter experienced food poisoning from this place. She used to love dining here and had eaten here once before, but on that day, she fell ill after her meal. read more

Mediterraneo has had its ups and downs, but it is currently excellent. Indoor and outdoor seating is nice (albeit with a parking lot view). The dishes are always good, especially the homemade pastas and meatballs. It can get crowded on weekend evenings, but it's a great lunch spot with excellent paninis. It can be pricey, but no more so than comparable establishments. Overall, highly recommended. read more

Mediterraneo - pear and gorgonzola salad with salmon added - Italian Near Me - Alpine, California