Still my go to place when I'm craving something sweet and special. Their cakes may be pricey, but…read morein my opinion, for the amount of work, effort, and quality of ingredients, I think they continue to be fair. For example, some other specialty bakeries/shops are charging similar prices for cakes and cheesecakes that are much simpler. In comparison, Extraordinary Dessert cakes take 3-4 days to make, have 6-8 alternating layers, and are typically adorned with edible gold and/or flowers. The key is to find which items you like and which are okay to pass on next time. What we ried this time: -Match Misu Cake (7/10): ricotta cake layers soaked in matcha and layered with marscapone whipped cream. This one was pretty good and ranks in my middle to high range. I only wish there was more matcha flavor (maybe if you dine in and get the sauce, this would help) or the matcha was paired with another flavor ... either go fruity (maybe a raspberry sauce, strawberry pieces, white peach pieces, or like a peach oolong cream layer) or go chocolately/coffee (maybe had some crushed up chocolate covered espresso beans). My go to's: -Ivoire Royale (10/10) - my ultimate favorite still. If you like light desserts, white chocolate, berries, and moist vanilla cake, thus one is for you. Classy and unpretentious -Shangrila (10/10) - my other favorite and will make you feel like a princess with all the pink chocolate curls. A little bit adventurous and innocently elegant. Ones to skip: -Au Chocolate / La Bete Noire / Dame Chocolate - get the Viking instead. That's my favorite of all their chocolate cakes -Lemon ricotta - get the Passionfruit Ricotta instead -Torta misu - the matcha misu is better. The tortilla misuse made me want a regular piece of tirmaisu than a cake version -Coconut cream - not bad, not amazing though

We normally come here weekly after dinner with family for dessert, but after this last experience…read morewe will not be returning. Also just so everyone is aware they're also liars just to mention & stupid.. she tells us her name is Karen thinking we don't know the owners name lol .. She was at the register at 7:20pm and was extremely rude and dismissive after we placed our order, especially regarding a child's dietary restrictions and health concerns. We politely asked if it would be possible to purchase a small cup of fruit , even just a couple strawberries cut up, because one child in our group cannot have sweets due to very strict dietary restrictions . Instead of simply saying they were unable to accommodate the request or offering another option, we were told to "go somewhere else," despite already spending the amount we did . The complete lack of professionalism and basic customer service was honestly shocking. It's disappointing to be treated that way at a place we have supported so consistently. This place has been going downhill , management for this place needs to step up .

You have to try this ice cream ! At first you see the like and you don't know why ? But after you…read morehad it you understand why ! They have authentic flavors ! And a freshly made waffle cone . It smells amazing in here ! They let you taste the ice creams which I loved being our first time . The staff recommended every ice cream and I don't blame them all of it looks good and the samples I tried were all so good I couldn't pick ! Save space for this treat You won't regret it . Be patient the line does get long but they are pretty quick.

I've been a patron of this institution for many years, knowing well that every dollar I spent on…read moretheir delicious ice cream would be returned in generous scoops atop freshly made waffle cones. Much to my chagrin, my latest visit has now become my last. Excitedly, I brought my four-legged son to enjoy his first pup cup, but the service and portion sizes were fit for a hobbit at best. One would think that, in such dark times, one could still find even a glimpse of hope in an ice cream cone. I was proven wrong, and my outlook on the current state of affairs only dimmed further. I ate my ice cream in two bites. Twenty dollars for two cones, four bites total. I didn't even bother feeding my son the pup cup. He deserves better. The world deserves better. Bigger portions. Bigger smiles. Makes perfect sense, in my humble opinion. I suppose your employees do not agree.

Excellent coffee drinks. I like the one with the nutella…read more Nice patio. I think I'll try a jam n cheese croissant. Someone else ordered it and it looked yummy.

super cute spot to stop by and get some gelato! got the pistachio and tiramisu and both were super…read moreyummy!! pistachio was sweet and very nutty, while the tiramisu was sweeter. only thing was that i wished there was a one scoop option, but gelato was great! yummy rating: 8.5/10

We got food nearby and were craving a sweet treat- and we came to the right spot!…read more There are a separate restaurant and bakery sections, with plenty of separate seating for each. I was amazed by the variety of Italian pastries and desserts available! I got the standard cannoli, which was perfectly crispy and sweet. Service was great- the bakery staff readily answered allergen questions, and played the cannoli cutely. Id love to come back and try more!

Delicious food, but terrible service. Our waitress couldn't wait to leave our table, and rarely…read morechecked back. Instead she and other servers stood in the back of the restaurant chatting in huddle. We had to walk to the back and interrupt them just to ask for coffee. But the food is outstanding. I used to wait tables myself, so I know the Management -- train your servers to serve!! Update April 2026: still terrible service!! Waitress barely came to the table, we had to get up and ask her for things. I actually told the owner this time--the guy who sits outside near the entrance. Let's see if he does anything. Also, we had more than six people, and they included the tip in the bill, but they don't tell you that verbally and just hand you the machine to pay and it just shows the total and then asks you to fill in the tip amount.. So I asked to look at the bill and there's a charge near the bottom that says "charges and fees", I asked if that was the tip and she said yes. So this is one of those places that gets a lot of people to pay double the tip amount by not telling them it's included. Slimy if you ask me. We've tried several places in Little Italy, and honestly, this place has the best food at the best prices, but buyer beware.

I came to Little Italy for the vibes... and accidentally found myself in a popsicle wonderland…read more This place is basically Build-A-Bear, but for popsicles--and honestly, that's the energy I want in my life. You start with the base flavor (already impossible to choose because every option sounds like it was handcrafted by a happy fruit), then you get to customize it with toppings like you're a dessert scientist. Chocolate drizzle? Yes. Crunchy toppings? Obviously. Something unexpected that makes you feel bold and adventurous? Absolutely. The service deserves its own round of applause. The staff is genuinely excited about your popsicle journey and treats every order like it's the most important frozen masterpiece they've ever made. No rushing, no judgment for taking way too long to decide--just good vibes and friendly smiles. And the atmosphere?? Peak Little Italy charm. Colorful, lively, and buzzing with people who are clearly having the best dessert moment of their day. It's the kind of place where you take one bite and immediately start planning who you're bringing back with you next time. In conclusion: come hungry, leave sticky, happy, and emotionally attached to your popsicle. This spot is proof that joy can, in fact, be frozen on a stick.

Was eating dinner across the street and saw this bright colorful spot and my toddler asked to stop…read moreby. We saw the big paleta statue out front and he wanted a picture with it. They have so many options of paletas and toppingss however it is a little pricier then mom/pop spots but also, its San Diego & in Little Italy nonetheless. The shop is super small but for what it is, I think its fine. We got the biscoff & cookies and cream. It was nice for the weather

NONNA has me in a chokehold and I'm staying there forever!!!…read more Chicken Parmigiana is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE, and no one can convince me otherwise. Located in the heart of Little Italy, Nonna's is just one of those places you have to visit. The service is AMAZING, the food is DIVINE, and the energy is always so warm and welcoming. Parking can be a bit stressful, especially on busy evenings (which is pretty often), so be prepared to park a little farther away or pay for nearby parking around $25.

I was hired by Nino Zizzo in 1996 to be a server for Trattoria Fantastica. My other two jobs were…read morebartending at Bacci Ristorante for Tony D'Amato and day work as a food broker for Anderson Chamberlain in Solana Beach. Anderson Chamberlain's sole customer was Costco. Joe, Sal, Frank and the others would come and go and everything seemed to be profitable. So much so that Joe decided to open up the wall to the unit next door and open up Cafe Zucchero. So I ended up working for both places until New Years Day. Nino was always swearing and berating employees and one day he decided to take out his personal issues on me. He yelled at me, "Get the f.ck out of here"! So I obeyed him and left. When I filed for unemployment due to the firing, Joe Busalacchi and the Busalacchi Restaurant Group fought my $234 per week unemployment. They forced me to go in front of an administrative law judge to claim my rights for unemployment compensation. The money I saved from these three jobs while living in 460 square foot condo at The Bluffs in Fashion Valley allowed me to invest and buy my first home a couple years later. When I sold that home, I used the money to buy a nicer place to raise a family. Then came Jennifer and Mark Creighton with a barking dog. They sold their home to John and Brenda DelMastro, a prominent Italian family with ties to Qualcomm. Brenda and John decided to put their barking dog outside for the next 5 years. I am wondering if that was payback from the Italian community for leaving an abusive confrontation initiated by Nino Zizzo. If anyone has any information of the connection to the loss of my life savings as a result of the DelMastro and Creighton barking dog harassment, private message me please. Thanks. P.S. Prior to Nino's outburst, I had never had problems working for the Busalacchi's or been reprimanded in any way for disciplinary issues. I never worked for Nonna but I'd imagine Nino hasn't changed one bit.

This spot is so cute and Robert was extremely welcoming and accommodating! The ice cream was some…read moreof the best I've ever had. I will definitely be back when I come back to San Diego.

I saw this on Instagram and had to try it! I got the Pop Spicy that included mango pop with chamoy…read moredrizzle, tajin spicy mangos. It was good, but a little expensive for a popsicle. We also had a cookies n' cream with 1/2 chocolate dip and Oreo crumbs. We went in the middle of the day and it wasn't busy. Inside is decorated super cute

Stumbled upon Nibble Chocolate and I'm so glad I did. Ambience is sweet and cozy. It's a cute…read morelittle shop that feels like a hidden gem, especially if you're someone who appreciates good quality chocolate. They have a great variety to choose from, whether you're into milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even non dairy options. I also love that they offer chocolate drinks and coffee, so it's easy to turn a quick stop into a little treat moment. I tried the peanut butter dates and they were so good. Smooth, rich, and just the right size when you want something sweet without going overboard. I also had a dark chocolate truffle and that one was just as good. You can really taste the quality. Customer service was a highlight. The guy helping me was super personable, gave great suggestions for drinks, and was genuinely kind, which always makes the experience better. Honestly, I'm just happy I found a chocolate spot within walking distance. Definitely worth stopping by if you're craving something sweet but still want it to feel a little elevated.

I don't usually seek out vegan products, but Nibble chocolate is a Bean to bar chocolate shop in…read morelittle Italy in San Diego with single origin chocolates. I sampled chocolate from Peru, Madagascar, and Kenya, and they all had unique fruity characteristics. Because they're vegan, so they use oat milk for their chocolate instead of dairy. My wife and I also wanted some drinks while we were here. I had a hot chocolate. My wife had hers with espresso shots. Good espresso in pure chocolate will never not be good. They are family owned and they only add chocolate, sugar, and oat milk to make their bars. Overall, this was a fun place to check out at Little Italy, and they also had a stall at the Farmer's Market.

I mean, quite amazing. No complaints. Several testers, landed on the first two I tried, being…read morepistachio and espresso gelato in a small size, ended up being about $6.50. Absolutely worth it. The pistachio flavor is so strong and the balance of sweetness is so perfect! Kind staff and seating indoors. It gets busy but they go pretty quickly. Parking options isn't great during peak hours, but the walk around is worth it :) YUM!

This was my 2nd time trying Bobboi but another location. I'm always a fruity sorbet type of girl,…read moreso I was excited to see they have a few options. I ended up trying the Strawberry and Dragon Lemon. With the two flavors mixed together, it ended up tasting like a frozen strawberry lemonade, which was very tasty and refreshing. I also liked that there was seating inside, which made things convenient to finish my scoop in-store. I would definitely recommend Bobboi if you're looking for a refreshing treat and some fun flavors.

The employees are a mixture of a well oiled machine and great customer service. I was worried about…read moremy meter running out and was asking if i could run out real quick to add more but they coordinated on the spot and finishes my drink by the time i completed my payment. They were amazing!!! I got the biscoff matcha latte with the biscoff foam and a few slices of cake. It was soooo good. I'm going try to plan for some relaxing time next time. The inside was beautiful and peaceful. Looks like a great place to start my day.

Hinar in downtown is such a beautiful and aesthetic spot. I love their earthy color palette (I want…read morethat paint color in my house lol) and the overall vibe of the cafe. The main seating area is almost always full, but there's more indoor seating in the back through the hallway (where the bathroom is), plus some outdoor seating to the side. The drinks are really good. I always get mine half sweet, and the flavors are consistently great. They also have a ton of cute, picturesque desserts. They're a bit too sweet for my taste, but you can tell a lot of care goes into making them and they're definitely tasty. Parking can be tricky downtown, and it can get busy with lines, but it's totally worth it for the drinks, desserts, and overall ambiance. FYI, they have a new location up north in Scrips Poway, it's cute but slightly different aesthetic (umm more industrial) and is in a strip mall, so, way more parking!