Came here on a whim for dinner as I was craving Italian food and this did not disappoint. Upon stepping inside, the interior was decorated beautifully and reminded me of Italy. We got the fresh homemade bread, polpettine, insalate venere, linguine, and lasagna. The herb infused dip for the bread was delicious, and the bread came warm wrapped in a towel. The polpettine was my favorite appetizer, the meat was so tender and delicious and paired perfectly with the whipped ricotta. I appreciated the olives and onions in the dish as well, and the sauce was great with the bread. Our server was extremely kind and offered to split the salad for us. My boyfriend loved the salad and loved the pairing of the greens, goat cheese, and walnuts together. He got the lasagna for the main and noted that there were about 12 layers beautifully stacked upon one another. My linguine was delicious and packed with seafood which was cooked perfectly. The texture of the linguine was delicious and seemed home made. Overall the food and service were excellent. I'm so glad I found a gem near my home and will be back to try more of the menu. read more

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What a gem in La Mesa! The food completely blew us away and pleasantly surprised us. We usually head to Little Italy, North Park, or downtown for our go-to Italian spots, but Antica Trattoria absolutely holds its own. Our server, Leticia, made the entire experience even better. We had two families at the table with three little kids, ages one, two, and four, and she was so patient, funny, and genuinely wonderful with them. As parents, we rarely get the chance to go out together, and she made the night feel so easy and enjoyable. It was one of those evenings that made us wonder why we don't do this more often. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was incredibly family-friendly, and the service was exceptional. We highly recommend Antica Trattoria, and we'll definitely be back. read more

This is my go to for close to home fine dining so when my family asked me where I wanted to go for Father's Day... The special menu they had was fantastic and I was very excited to try something new here. I was craving Rack of Lamb so that's what I got and it didn't disappoint. My son got Lobster ravioli, My daughter got the Chilean Sea Bass (perfectly prepared and delicious) and my wife's Pappardelle pasta dish also fantastic. Did I mention the appetizer's? We got the Frittura Mista (Calamari, Shrimp, Artichoke w/ creamy Garlic sauce) & Polpettine (Braised Meatballs, San Marzano tomato sauce, Olives & whipped Ricotta), Excellent! The staff, as usual, were amazing even under pressure because it was packed from a little after opening at 4:30pm untill until we left, and I'm sure, until they closed. Well done - Antica Trattoria and thank you. read more

Antica Trattoria - Rack of Lamb - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

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This place is a hidden gem. My Mom and I wanted to have Italian so we decided to try a new Italian place that my daughter told me about called "Antica Trattoria!" Upon walking in, they have an authentic Italian decor with beautiful murals on the wall depicting Italy. They have paintings hung up all over the restaurant which add a beautiful touch. Our waiter, Levi was professional, personal, and friendly. The bus boy was efficient in cleaning the table before we ordered and bringing us water and fresh homemade bread they make daily here. I decided to order the gnocchi which was rich and delicious. I could not eat it all because the portion was ample so I was able to bring the rest home. My Mom ordered shrimp linguine which she said was perfecto. She was able to finish all of hers. We throughly enjoyed our food and service . It was the best! read more

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Usually great. This time a few misses. We had reservations for the outside. The day of our red they called and said they had a large party and we needed to move inside. Inside is very loud. We went and were seated at a 2 top against a wall. It was right and uninviting. There were no options she said so we sat. This seemed to be the method of the night. Some ladies were seated next to us and asked to be switched to another table and the answer was no. That "No" came in an almost rude way and the ladies next to us commented the same thing. Levi, our server was great. I was Looking at the steak special for dinner and told him the last time I had it, it was not the best cut of meat. After we placed our Order he can back and aid he looked at the cuts they had and he would recommend something else. I so appreciated that. I asked him to bring me his favorite pasta meal. Make it a surprise. And it was sooooo yummy. He did great. The branzino was good but lacked some depth in flavor. The tiramisu is the best in the city -fresh made. So good. . The Brie and salad we split and also very good. A great place for sure. read more

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Antica Trattoria serves acceptable pasta, but not much else stands out. They were not very busy, so a reservation was not necessary. Our server was kind, though we did not receive as much attention as some of the other tables. Bread is not complimentary, and one of my party members accidentally agreed to it when asked. I did appreciate that salads could be split and were finished with freshly cracked pepper, though I wish there had been more engagement from the staff beyond adding pepper and Parmesan. *Homemade Bread: served with what was described as herb infused olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The bread itself was airy but fairly bland. I could not really detect any herb flavor in the oil, and the portion of oil and vinegar felt a bit small for the amount of bread. *Insalata Venere: featured poached pears, goat cheese, and caramelized walnuts. The greens were well dressed in a bright, acidic vinaigrette. The pears were the highlight, offering a warm sweetness that paired nicely with the creamy goat cheese. The walnuts, however, had an off texture and could have benefited from better caramelization. *Penne: adding protein felt pricey, with chicken costing an extra $8. The chicken was chopped quite small, and I would have preferred larger pieces. The sauce itself was flavorful and well developed, but the pasta was cooked past al dente. *Capellini: nicely paired with mushrooms and shrimp, though the toppings carried the dish more than the pasta or sauce. The sauce was quite muted and tasted like a simple tomato base without much seafood depth. The shrimp and pasta were slightly overcooked. Overall, it is a decent option for Italian food, but nothing particularly memorable. While the portions are generous, the flavors did not quite match the price point, and I would have preferred more depth and execution across the dishes. read more

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This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in San Diego. Food is always delicious , really cute atmosphere, and love they take online reservations! Went here yesterday around for early dinner with my friend and got the lasagna, eggplant parm, and home made bread which were all delicious! Servers were really patient with us. I am docking off a star because while the service is usually great, there were some notable mistakes. First , my friend and I both had leftovers and they looked similar since we split the the food but they gave us the wrong ones. Not a huge deal but this is exactly why I don't like restaurants prepping my to go box. Luckily I was able to tell and switched it around. Secondly, they gave us the check of the table next to us which was double our bill. I know things can get busy and ppl have off days but it just made me a bit more wary. Still would highly recommend this restaurant and go back but might ask to pack my own to go and triple check the check always! read more

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This has been a family favorite! I want to start off with giving Heather a shoutout for making us feel so welcomed. The ambiance was great--cozy and inviting without feeling too formal. The food was amazing. Started with a fresh salad (insalata verne) and bruschetta, both well balanced and flavorful. The arancini balls were crispy on the outside and delicious inside, and the meatballs (polpettine) were tender and full of flavor. We also ordered the papardelle short rib pasta, chicken piccata, penne with smoked salmon, and capellini. The drinks are also delicious and strong! Overall, a great Italian spot, which we've returned to many times. read more

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Delicious, nutritious, and filled with ambiance! This place is absolutely authentic in everything they do. From the decor to the flavors, it all sings Italian! Our waitress, Francesca, was an absolute delight and helped my wife navigate their menu to suit her several dietary restrictions without any judgement or hesitation. She had great recommendations and was an absolute delight to chat with throughout the night! We had a wonderful time treating ourselves to all kinds of delightful dishes - especially the fried brie special. So, so good. I highly recommend this plane for a fancy date night. It's not the cheapest, but you definitely get the quality that you pay for. 10/10 will date night here again read more

Antica Trattoria - Fried brie - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

I came here with my partner the wknd of San Diego Restaurant Week, so I was sure to make a reservation! It's a really nice spot, seemed like a favorite for locals. Located in a shopping plaza, parking wasn't an issue.The restaurant week menu had some good options, so I chose the beef plate and my spouse had lobster ravioli. The menu came paired with wine and they all complemented the meal so well! The server was nice and we didn't have any complaints. Besides the table being a tight fit in an intimate restaurant, it was really great. I would come back! read more

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Best Italian in La Mesa. Great customer service and the prices are very reasonable. The food is delicious

This place is quickly becoming one of our favorites. Whether it is for a full on meal or an after dinner night cap aka cocktails and dessert. Heather is usually our server. She is such a gem! Always professional, helpful and so sweet! The way she explains the specials makes you want to order one of each! The place itself is always clean and welcoming. The food has always been fresh and flavorful. We've never had single bad option...all so delish!!! read more

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Just an fyi, make reservations especially on Friday. The wait for a table is about 15 minutes there is no real staging area except outside in the strip mall. We watched several dejected people turned away. The decor was very welcoming and seating comfortable. The food was very delicious sauces and broths were very bread dippable worthy. I thought charging for bread was a bit petty. The servers were very accommodating. We ordered mussels and rice ball appetizer. I could do without the sausage in the mussels the flavors stood on their own. Personal preference. Rice balls and sauce spot on!Saltimbucca and lobster ravioli is cravable. The dessert equally cravable we got the ice cream with espresso and Tiramisu. We will be back and thanks for a wonderful experience all round! read more

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How lucky am I that this is my neighborhood Italian restaurant? So dangerously close within walking distance and better than any Italian restaurant I've tried in little Italy. I had the gnocchi and my boyfriend had the pistachio salmon which I snuck a bite of. The salmon was cooked perfectly but my god, that GNOCCHI. So pillowy, with those wild mushrooms! It might be my favorite gnocchi ever, I'm drooling just thinking about it now. This was my second time coming, and we had the same waitress. She was so sweet and very descriptive with the food so you get a good sense of what you're ordering. She even remembered us from the first time we went and just went the extra mile to make our evening special, like putting some extra bread for us to go and giving an extra dessert for a belated bday. It's also one of those places where they give you endearing names like "friend" and "Bella" which I personally adore. I love having this local gem in La Mesa and will definitely be coming back. read more

Antica Trattoria - Pistachio Salmone - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Wow... my last review of Antica was in 2011.... I guess it is time for an update... and look... four stars in 2011 and, again, four stars in 2025. I actually have been to Antica a couple of times in between reviews, mostly for special celebrations. So, Antica is in a a very inconspicuous shopping center in the middle of suburban La Mesa. However, it is much more than it seems from the outside. Truthfully, they make delicious food and have a very cozy atmosphere that transforms you far from the feeling of being in a shopping center. Recently, two of my friends took me to dinner on a Saturday evening to celebrate my birthday. They made reservations, which is recommended, as it fills up quickly on weekends. We were welcomed and seated right away in the front of the restaurant. They had several specials, though we ended up ordering from their regular menu. I noticed that they had a very lovely selection of Italian wines by the glass, so I had to have wine, and enjoyed a couple of glasses of a very nice Sangiovese. We started off with the goat cheese bruschetta, which I enjoyed. We shared two pasta dishes. My favorite was the shrimp capellini. It had such a fresh flavor and was perfectly cooked. We also shared the butternut squash risotto. I enjoyed the flavor, but the cream sauce was really too heavy for me. Service was good, but they did stop by a few too many times to ask if they could clear plates while we were still finishing up. For dessert, they brought a spumoni on the house for my birthday. I actually would never have ordered that, but it was really good. All in all, I would definitely go back and I would probably order the capellini, as it was so flavorful, though they have a lot of choices on the menu. read more

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I have been to the majority of the Italian spots in Little Italy and have lived in Florence Italy for a time and I've got to say this is my favorite Italian restaurant I've ever been to. It's such a hole in the wall spot in a little strip mall so it's not expected to be so good but the staff is wonderful, the inside decor takes me back to Italy and the food is 10/10! The outdoor seating is not really a vibe I feel like it could maybe be improved a little bit but honestly, overall this is our favorite date night spot and has the most authentic Italian food. read more

It's been a few years since my last review, but this Italian spot is still one of my favorites in San Diego! Fast forward to today: the food is still just as delicious, the service is always A+, and the atmosphere feels like you've been transported straight to Italy. It's so nice to see the restaurant buzzing with diners like it used to. Definitely worth the visit if you're craving authentic Italian in SD. Support local and treat yourself--you won't regret it! read more

My friend was celebrating her birthday, so we were looking for a high-quality restaurant in the neighborhood. This restaurant was located close to my friend, and I believe it is a hidden gem in a strip mall that offers quality food with good service. To celebrate my friend's birthday we ordered the bruschetta, risotto and the capellini. The bruschetta featured grilled homemade bread with tomatoes, basil, goat cheese and eggplant. The bruschetta had the perfect combination of flavors. The risotto is a perfect dish for a vegetarian with butternut squash, gorgonzola dolce, pistachio and more. This entree is quite rich but oh soooooo yummy. The risotto was cooked properly which is often a miss in restaurants. We also ordered the Capellini with shrimp, mushrooms and tomatoes in a tomato broth. This dish was good but did not knock my socks off. I much preferred the risotto as I thought it had more flavor and uniqueness to it. Also, I thought this dish lacked some shrimp for the price. To finish the meal, the restaurant provided spumoni, gosh I haven't had this in years. If in neighborhood and looking for a place to eat, I recommend this restaurant. read more

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Excellent service with a warm friendly waitress. Excellent food ,authentic! Will continue to patronize! Cute busboy too! read more

This has been a favorite neighborhood spot for years! Leticia was such a kind server and made great recommendations! The branzino was so good, penne with vodka sauce and fettuccini, burrata and Antica salad were all great too! We loved it all. read more

Came here for Restaurant Week. Cute place. Server had an Italian accent (not sure if it was real or not) but it made you feel like you were in Italy. Loved the complimentary bread. Fresh, warm and yummy What we ordered: Meatball - bf said it was so good Burrata - soo good. I love Burrata Boneless Short Rib - bf loved it Butternut Squash Ravioli - yummy Lemon Almond Cake - delish Tiramisu- yum We definitely want to come back and try other things here read more

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Our evening was made special by our server, Levi. His extensive knowledge of the menu and genuine enthusiasm enhanced our dining experience. Levi's recommendations were spot-on, and his attentive yet unobtrusive service made us feel truly cared for throughout the meal. We began with the mussels, which were tender and flavorful, bathed in a delicate broth that begged to be sopped up with the accompanying bread. For the main course, the braised beef was a standout, succulent and rich, it melted in our mouths. The seabass was another highlight, perfectly flaky and seasoned, showcasing the kitchen's finesse with seafood. For a restaurant in La Mesa this spot truly surprised us. read more

A wonderful meal. Started at the bar with a cosmo for my dining partner. I went with a Aperol spritz. Both were on point. The bar tender is also the owner and she came to thank us after our meal. Nice touch! Onto dinner with the chicken piccata and the gamberi with calamari. Opted for angel hair pasta instead of mashed potatoes. Accompanied by a bottle of red wine. The food was exceptional. Moist, tender, well seasoned. Yum. Since we were celebrating a birthday they brought a complimentary spumoni sundae. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, attentive without being intrusive as was the other wait staff. I've been a patron for 20+ years and will continue to support this east county establishment. read more

Such a hidden gem in La Mesa. Been going here for many years and the food is consistently good. So glad that they survived Covid. There's a new patio area too. Ambiance makes me feel like I'm eating in Italy. The owner and servers are always so great. My favorites are the linguine and mix calamari and shrimp appetizer. And won't skip dessert! read more

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The linguine with seafood was spot on. Great flavor and pasta cooked perfectly and it came out piping hot (thank you). The ravioli with butternut squash was okay, and we enjoyed the Brussels sprouts as an appetizer. We made a reservation and were sat in the corner table right by the entrance wall, it was really tight with a large party nearby. Service was good though and attentive, we appreciated that. So glad we made a reservation since the restaurant was packed and the bar was full and people were waiting outside. The tiramisu we ordered was also a big portion and delicious. This is a local fan favorite and parking is easy in the plaza. They have outdoor seating too but it was a bit chilly so not many people were sitting outside for dinner. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal experience! From the moment we walked in, the service was warm and welcoming. The staff clearly takes pride in what they do, and it shows. Now, the food--wow. I ordered the lasagna, and I can honestly say it was the best lasagna I've ever had. Perfectly layered, rich in flavor, and beautifully balanced. The lasagna literally melted in your mouth. You can taste the care and quality in every bite. This place is a true gem, and I'm already looking forward to coming back. Highly recommend to anyone who appreciates authentic Italian done right! Francesca was my server, she was awesome--super friendly and on top of everything. Really appreciate how well she took care of us. The restaurant itself was very unique and had a wonderful ambience! read more

Antica Trattoria - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

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So disappointed... Stale bread - no oil or vinegar, box pasta & bland sauce. Sorry to say but don't waste your money here..

My husband and I tried this place during a date night, & it did not disappoint! Everything we had was delicious!! & our server was awesome!! We'll definitely be back!! It's also super cute inside and their outside area. read more

Just come but make a reservation! We have come here for 20 years and hav never been disappointed! Chef Franco the owner is always there making sure everything is great and greeting everyone! We love him! Food is so good! The appetizers are amazing and should be shared. The bread and seasoned dipping oil is so well seasoned! I could eat just that! My overall favorite is the calamari and shrimp frito with the garlic cream sauce and the spicy marinara. Ask for both you will not be disappointed. I usually get it without the artichokes. You will want to lick the containers I kid you not! Salads are amazing. Great textures and perfectly dressed. One of the only places we actually rave about the salads. All dishes are so good. We haven't had a bad dish and we go often and take new people with us! Located in a strip mall but plenty of parking. Don't let the location fool you it is fine dining with a large wine selection. read more

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08/15/24 - The staff was very nice and friendly. We had Moises taking care of us throughout dinner and Ivan taking care of our order. they were both great and very attentive. We ordered the following: Appetizers: Crispy Brussel Sprouts - nicely flavored. It was overpowering with balsamic and perfectly crisp. Octopus Salad - this was a special item, octopus was perfectly cooked, not chewy at all and good flavor. Entrees: carbonara, penne and linguine. I had the linguine and it came with seafood. My dish was wonderful. it came with calamari and that was perfectly cooked. My friends enjoyed their dishes too. Their menu is simple but balanced. I highly recommend this place. Good amount of parking. The restaurant is nicely decorated with italian decor and not tight and crowded inside. Highly recommend. read more

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Antica Trattoria is amazing! The food is fresh, flavorful, and truly authentic Italian. The service is friendly and attentive, and the whole experience feels warm and welcoming. Easily a 10/10 -- great food, great people, and great prices! read more

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I have been to Antica many times with family and friends. Antica is by far one of the best Italian places and I am picky with my restaurants. I would have rated this restaurant a 5 out of 5, but last week when my husband and I arrived at 1700. The lady insisted there were no more tables due to the restaurant being fully booked for inside and outside. The only seats available is the bar. We finished eating at 1745 and there were plenty of vacant tables alongside the walls and outside. Antica is still one of favorite restaurants and everyone provided a nice experience except for the lady by the tablet. read more

Antica Trattoria - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Thank you Heather for being a polite host for us. Your service was very kind. Overall, the ambiance was good, the foot was good, and the reservation time was respected. I would say the bruchetta does not have house grilled bread, the bread seemed cold and not grilled. That's a minor impact of the flavor it boasted at first bite. Thanks for a great time, hope to visit again! read more

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The food was delicious however I ordered the seafood penne pasta dinner and I counted 4 shrimp only. For the price I was expecting at least 6-8. I understand everything continues to go up but I seem to have been penny and dimed. Calamari was a bit soggy I think due to travel. Brussel sprouts delish, brasato and linguine delicious too... hopefully next time I see a better amount... though we see what I order next. read more

Antica Trattoria - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

Made a reservation for four on a Friday evening and thank goodness I did because tables were filled up. Sat right away, service friendly and attentive. Food came a good pace. Good selection of mixed cocktails and wine selections. Had the lamb shank and came w/risotto. It was so delicious. It was a huge portion and actually tasted even better the next day. Had a taste of the cioppino. Very delicious. read more

Antica Trattoria - Cioppino - Italian Near Me - La Mesa, California

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We dined tonight for the first time at Antica Trattoria. We found the ambiance charming and welcoming. Food was very good! Francesca, our server was very friendly, attentive and made great suggestions. We enjoyed the Cesar salad and Penne alla vodka dish with sausage and one with chicken. I had linguine with spicy marina which the chef made for me and I really enjoyed. We will definitely be back!! read more

The service here was great the staff is amazing. There is ample parking in the parking lot. The gnocchi was out of this world, the sauce was amazing and the gnocchi were perfectly pillowy. My friend got the penne with cream sauce and said it was really great, basic, but great! I got the Marsala with pollo. I think the Marsala sauce was too watery and overall it just lacked flavor. I also wish the menu had said whether it was served with mashed potatoes or some type of pasta. Unfortunately our complimentary bread was definitely under baked it was a bit raw in the middle still. But we all agreed we would still go back because the staff was so nice and some of the dishes are truly great! And they made one of the best lemon drops I've ever had! read more

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Great service! Friendly and attentive bus boy and Heather was an amazing server! The food was wonderful! Halibut and Saltimbocca ! So good! We will be back! read more

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This gem is literally down the street from my house. I will honestly say we will become regulars here. We came here last night as a last minute decision to dine out for dinner. We weren't too hungry and ordered very light. We got: Arancini - 10/10. That basil is such a nice touch and balance to everything in this. Every bite was amazing Insalata Venere - First time having this kind of salad and it was excellent! Everything balanced each other out so well. I'm not even sure what stood out the most! 10/10 Polpettine - This was brough out last and it was yummy. Decor was super cute. Food was tasty, delicious and perfectly portioned Staff - our waitress, Heather, was the absolute sweetest waitress! Her friendliness and recommendations for us was fantastic. We WILL definitely be dining here OFTEN!!! Thank you for such an excellent dining experience! read more

This restaurant typically has very good food. We went two nights ago and I decided to try something different, the crab pasta. It was horrible, funky flavor AND a plateful of mush. They should take this item off the menu, it ruins their reputation. Connie read more