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    Bencotto Italian Kitchen

    4.2 (3.6k reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Bars, Desserts
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Bencotto Italian Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    Bencotto Italian Kitchen Photos

    Business Info

    BENCOTTO ITALIAN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Classy
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Bencotto Italian Kitchen

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    Tagliatelle Al Ragu' Di Agnello
    Jessica K.

    Came to celebrate a birthday! We made a dinner reservation on the same day and were seated quickly upon arrival. We were seated upstairs in a small table. The food was absolutely delicious. The ravioli al tartufo was one of the best raviolis I have had. The sauce was light yet so flavorful and full of umami and mushroom. Ravioli was perfectly al dente. Portion was huge as well. The Tagliatelle Al Ragu' Di Agnello was also delicious and perfectly complemented the ravioli. The sauce was plentiful with large chunks of meat, and the meaty flavor was not overpowering. The noodles were cooked perfectly as well. While the food was amazing, service missed the mark for us. We noticed our server would go to other tables and offer bread, strike small conversation, and make recommendations about the menu. He didn't do any of that for us, and we didn't know bread was an option until we saw other tables have it and we already had our entrees. While service was not impolite, it was nothing to write home about. I would definitely come back for the amazing pasta here!

    In back Riso Fritto delicious my new favorite the  Fiori Di Zucca Ripieni the sauce elevates it !
    Lopez 7.

    Service was fabulous nice friendly and knew their menu, they give you full attention here ! The restaurant was Nice and clean.

    Dennis T.

    Came here for my sons birthday and was not disappointed the food here is good. Our server here was amazing,He navigated us through the menu pretty quick. We got three pasta dishes and shared them, I really should've got the names, but we did get the pasta that they mix in the cheese and the big bowl and it was amazing, make sure you don't put no extra cheese on it cause it'll be too cheesy. I most definitely would return her for the good food and the good customer service.

    Menu
    Andrea R.

    What a delightful meal this was. My partner and I decided to celebrate our anniversary in San Diego and for dinner we made a reservation for Bencotto kitchen. We were seated right away and our server was kind and very attentive. We came during the day so it wasn't as busy (I imagine at night there's more movement). A lovely ambiance with soft music and elegant and simple interior design. We ordered the polpette to share and they brought out bread and butter. The polpette was delicious, the sauce was Rich and the meatballs were perfectly tender. The bread was crispy and perfectly soft at the same time. I ordered their cheese wheel pasta with sausage which Is partially why I chose this place. Wow, the cheese was so rich and delicious, the sausage was a nice balance of spice and juicy. It doesn't seem like a lot at first glance but trust me this left me full and satisfied! My partner ordered the Tagliatelle Al Ragu' Di Agnello and I of course had a bite. The sauce was rice and hearty. The lamb was tender and so flavorful. Their pasta in both dishes was absolutely delicious and clearly freshly made. What a lovely place to have a nice authentic Italian dinner. I will definitely come back if I find myself in San Diego.

    Cheese wheel pasta with shrimp
    Elise C.

    Chose this restaurant since they had the cheese wheel pasta and it did not disappoint. Had a reservation for 6 PM but we walked around Little Italy and we were there early so they were able to seat us an hour before our reservation. My husband ordered the cheese wheel pasta and it was to die for. I ordered the homemade gnocchi with the Bolognese sauce and it was very good. His Caesar salad was fresh with homemade Parmesan croutons and I chose to have the fresh warm bread with delicious olive oil to start. We were very happy with our meals and will likely return. Didn't have room for a dessert, but they have a wide variety of items. Restaurant itself is modern and classic looking. They have patio seating as well as like a little balcony area to sit and it was a pleasant evening once the sun went down. We had a very friendly and attentive waiter that looked like Vin Diesel. Haha

    Gnocchi with four cheese white sauce and Italian sausage
    Kelly C.

    There are a lot of great Italian spots in Little Italy, but Bencotto Italian Kitchen is on another level! I've been coming here on and off for almost a decade, and the transformation under the new ownership is honestly incredible. What was once a solid neighborhood favorite has evolved into my absolute go to Italian restaurant in all of Little Italy. First off, the pasta!! Handmade and perfectly textured every single time. You can actually taste the difference! Incredible! And then there's the showstopper... pasta tossed in a giant cheese wheel. Yes, a literal wheel of cheese, melted and worked into the pasta right in front of you! It's as indulgent and unforgettable as it sounds. The gnocchi with four cheese sauce and Italian sausage? Unreal. Pillowy and packed with flavor. It's one of those dishes you think about long after you leave. Easily one of the best things I've ever eaten! Honestly, the gnocchi is better at Bencotto than I had in Italy (wild I know!) Beyond the food, the entire experience just hits. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate, which makes the whole night feel special without ever being stuffy. And the vibe? Cozy and intimate which is perfect for date nights or long dinners with friends. If I could eat here every night, I genuinely would. Thank you again to Steve, who made my last few experiences here great! Can't wait to go back!!

    Kartika H.

    nice place and good ambiance. staffs are nice, polite, and attentive. for foods... * burrata: the bread is good and great combination with pesto... * calamari fritti: the batter is light but taste so good. both sauces are good but i prefer the marinara sauce better... * spaghetti: they cooked it al dente which is perfect. sauce is yummy... * stinco di agnello: the lamb shank is so juicy and tender. it serves with fries. if they can serve with other choices, it will be great... a bit pricey but must try...

    Menu
    Charlene S.

    Went with a friend on Valentine's Day (yes, a friend), and reservations were booked. They were able to get us seated early, though. From there, service was great. Vegetarian review: The pasta that they finish in a cheese wheel was great. The pasta was chewy in texture, sauce was so, so good. It was cheesy and lightly truffled. Mushrooms were great too. Ambiance was nice, and parking ain't great, but it's possible. Possible.

    Insalata Mista
    Diana T.

    Overall we enjoyed our meal at Bencotto Italian Kitchen. The service was good, and the food was delicious. It wasn't crowded when we arrived (5:30pm on Saturday) though we did make reservations. It did however get quite busy later in the evening so would recommend making a reservation. My husband and I split an Insalata Mista which contained seasonal greens, tomatoes, pickled red onions, almonds, cranberries, and balsamic dressing. The balsamic vinegar was a bit tart for me but the cranberries helped counteract some of that sharpness. I still enjoyed the salad overall as I am a big fan of picked onions and almonds. I had the Brasato Di Manzo Con Polenta which was a short prime rib braised in red wine. It sat on top of parmesan polenta cakes. The prime rib was tender and paired nicely with the polenta cakes. My husband had the cheese wheel pasta which was delicious. We ended up sharing which worked out well since the cheese wheel pasta was quite rich. Service was attentive. Our water glasses were always filled and someone came by to check in on us which I appreciated.

    Bolognese
    Vicky D.

    The calamari was chewy and not well flavored. The pasta was not well flavored but the pasta itself was al dente. The service was great. The food was good not great. The ambiance was also off. We were near a plant and it had gnats in the area.

    Daniel A.

    Despite the like was seated at the bar quickly, offered good drink selection and nice recommendations on appetizers. Took fritz riso and it was delicious. Pasta was finished in the cheese wheel - omg. So good! And they located that wheel right next to an entrance so it feels really Italian place after all!

    Tiramisu
    Mary H.

    Bencotto was an overall delicious and enjoyable Italian dinner in downtown San Diego. Their handmade crab ravioli was absolutely delectable, and we thoroughly enjoyed the tiramisu and creamy espresso martini for dessert. From the hostess who seated us to the server who waited on us and the food runner who delivered our meal and offered Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper--service was superb. We will visit again!

    Chile infused margarita
    Joshua P.

    The service was top notch, even though it was a Sunday night during the dinner rush! It's a really cool setting with an incredible location. The food was exactly what you would expect it to be, fantastic!

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    Bencotto Italian Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bencotto Italian Kitchen

    Is there a corkage fee?

    Hi Natalie, Yes we do have a $30 corkage fee per 750ml bottle.

    Gluten free options?

    Yes, they have many gluten-free options

    Do they accept walk ins?

    Yes! You might have to sit on the patio depending on current occupancy but they'll rarely turn away a walk-in :) enjoy!

    Do they have a well stocked bar? IE Captain Morgan, Bourbon etc? Or is it limited to their specialty cocktails?

    Hello Bob! Thank you for the inquiry about our beverage options. We do indeed have a fully stocked bar and look forward to serving you soon! Cheers!

    Hi! It's the marinara sauce option for the build a pasta vegan?

    Thank you for the inquiry! Yes, the marinara sauce for the build you own pasta is completely vegan, as is the arrabbiata sauce!

    Senior friendly? Wondering how much walking would be necessary and the level of noise inside.

    If eating outdoors there is one step up to the patio area. To get to the inside dining room there were about 5-6 steps. We ate outdoors the noise level was not excessive and when we were inside the noise level was not too bad. You would be able… 

    Will they do the cheese wheel pasta for you even if you ask for outdoor dining?

    Yes! They brought us inside to watch it being prepared and then we went back to our outside table and they served us!

    Is there a kids menu available?

    Are the ladyfingers in the tiramisu homemade also?

    Do I need to make a reservation?

    I highly recommend reservations for dinner. They get busy quick! Cheers!

    So you aren't open on mondays?

    They are not open for lunch on Mondays but are open for dinner.

    Are you now open for outdoor dining?

    Yes they're

    Are the cheese wheel pastas select pastas or how does it work?

    Yes they do! During my visit in August they had 2 cheese wheel pasta offerings.

    Small dog friendly outdoor area?

    Yeah they're super cool with dogs.

    What is the corkage fee?

    CORKAGE FEE $ 30 PER BOTTLE

    Is it kids friendly ? Has high chair?

    It's fairly loud and relaxed in there so I would consider it kid friendly. Not sure about high chair but my guess is yes. You could call and ask

    Do you have any VEGAN options?

    PROBABLY

    Does this place allow BYOB?

    CORKAGE FEE $ 30 PER BOTTLE

    Is this place dog friendly?

    Yes! They are. There is outdoor seating which is for regular dogs. I bring my dog all the time. Obviously service dogs are allowed anywhere a human goes.

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    False Idol

    False Idol

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Went here with advance knowledge of the place during our PHX to SD whirlwind vacation to see Bob…read moreDylan at the Rady Shell. Had to put in our names, as there is only so much space on an early Saturday evening. Took all of 10 minutes before entry was granted. Led inside to a standing room-only table. Lady friend got the Saturn, myself the 151 Swizzle. I probably did the wrong thing and didn't allow the ice packed on top of the swizzle to melt thoroughly enough into the drink to dilute the 151 overproof black Demerara's rum. Nae worries, brah. It was delicious. Affordable tiki-theme cocktails, decor(!) and atmosphere is why this place will remain popular and a must visit when in Sandy Eggo. Top notch!

    What a fun nightlife spot! If you're looking for a fun place to grab cocktails, this is definitely…read morea spot worth checking out! **Located inside Craft & Commerce Walking into False Idol honestly feels like you've been transported somewhere else. It's hidden behind Craft & Commerce, and once you step inside, the immersive tiki atmosphere really sets the mood. The decor, lighting, and sound effects all come together to make the experience feel fun and memorable. Just know, if you are hoping to sit down, good luck! A lot of reservations are made in advance. However, at the bar, if you see a reservation sign and they're not there yet, staff will let you sit down once it's time to get up for the reserved party. DRINKS: 9/10 The cocktails were creative, well crafted, and definitely strong enough to make you feel like you were getting your money's worth. I also loved how much attention they put into the presentation. Every drink looked like a piece of art and added to the whole tiki experience. SERVICE: 9/10 The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They took the time to answer questions and made great recommendations without making us feel rushed. AMBIANCE: 10/10 This is easily the highlight of the experience. The entire space is beautifully designed, and every little detail makes it feel like you've escaped into a hidden tropical bar. It's cozy, intimate, and unlike any other place I've been to in San Diego. Reservations are definitely worth making since the space is on the smaller side and fills up quickly. The only reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars is that, while the experience and ambiance were amazing, the drinks are definitely on the pricier side. I understand you're paying for the craftsmanship and atmosphere, but it's probably not somewhere I'd visit regularly because of that. It's common for tiki bars to be pricey so it was to be expected. Overall, I'm really glad I finally got to experience False Idol. If you're in San Diego and enjoy creative cocktails in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, I'd definitely recommend checking it out at least once!

    Photos
    Tiki themed decor
    Tiki themed decor
    Rum barrel
    Rum barrel
    Back bar rum selection

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    Back bar rum selection
    Mothership

    Mothership

    4.3
    (958 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for a fun evening with great drinks and food, you should come here. It's in South…read morePark and we easily found street parking. Definitely make a reservation. They also have some seats at the bar. This restaurant has gone all in on the space theme, from the hostess greeting to the decor in the restaurant and restroom, and even the menu and tables. Such a fun vibe! This place is known for their cocktails. I forget what we ordered because they all have funny names, but both my friend and I really enjoyed our choices. The food was great too. We ordered the tofu. I think it had a light tempura fry, yummy sauce, and very large portion. The bread is roti with an eggplant and tomato dip. Very good, but not enough dip. I'd still order it again. Probably the only negative was that I felt a bit rushed to leave. We were enjoying our conversation, entrees, and drinks and got checked on quite frequently. Eventually the waiter said, no rush but here's the check. Kind of ruined the vibe. We decided to pass on dessert here and walk to an ice cream shop in the same neighborhood.

    Well if you want to not feel like you are in San Diego...and you love Star Wars this is your spot…read more You know the rules...one quick review, that's all: Food/Drinks: Never ate any food but drinks...creative, crazy and delicious Ambiance: this is why you come. Step through a non-de script door and you are in outer space. Go to the bathroom, real Star Wars empire vibes Service: attentive and good

    Photos
    Mindkiller
    Mindkiller
    The bar area
    The bar area
    Vegan (?) soft serve

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    Vegan (?) soft serve
    Noble Experiment

    Noble Experiment

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    I'm not an often a cocktail drinker. So when the bartender asked what I'm looking for I was ill…read moreprepared. From his view, it probably sounded like "I'm Ron Burgundy?" (It definitely did). His questions guided my indecision towards a Berkshire Old Fashioned that was fantastic despite my fumbling to get there. With the warm up round over and the old fashioned loosening up my creativity, round two was set to be a knockout. I love coffee (specifically strong espresso drinks), so I asked for a strong, coffee infused, punchy cocktail, but with a different base of alcohol from the old fashioned. What came out was the best cocktail I will probably ever have in my life. The bourbon cocktail with coffee liqueur (and a number of other garnishes I will never remember) hit the bullseye. Flavorful, strong, bold, delicious all at the same time. Unfortunately (?), this was a noble experiment so I'll forever be chasing the white whale of what this drink was. But that's the allure.

    My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

    Photos
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Bartenders creations.
    Bartenders creations.
    Skull wall

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    Skull wall
    Prohibition

    Prohibition

    4.0
    (1k reviews)
    1.0 mi
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    As I approached the old law office, we found a line wrapped outside ensuring ID was confirmed prior…read moreto entry. Our group was surprised as is was 2115, it's been open for about an hour and a half and packed. As you enter this old law office down a staircase one would find the "speakeasy statutes/rules" to maintain the 1920s atmosphere-- we loved the setting, the people, the drinks, and of course the live music!! One would not be disappointed. The cocktail menu was on an old record, which I thought it was so clever. Back to the rules, seems pretty easy! They mention to keep an open mind with the drinks as they do not carry vodkas, redbull, Budweiser or bulls**t. Mentioned a dresscode, more so be classic and states be respectful and don't be a di*k. I couldn't agree more with the rules. I don't think there is good at this establishment, as our group just came from dinner I wasn't looking for food. Just spirits, live music and a good time. Highly recommend if you are looking for live music and uniquely crafted cocktails.

    I am writing this review to bring a serious safety and security issue to management's attention. On…read moreMay 18th. around 10pm, I was at this establishment and was unfortunately dealing with a male date who became erratic, weird, and made me feel unsafe. Multiple bystanders witnessed his behavior but failed to intervene, assuming it was just "relationship drama" After the man finally left, the venue's security completely misread the situation. Instead of checking on my well-being or ensuring the aggressor had left the premises, security targeted and chased me as if I were the problem. It is incredibly disappointing and dangerous for a business's security team to lack the basic situational awareness and training required to identify the actual victim in a situation. I felt entirely unprotected by the staff here. I hope management takes this as a serious sign that their security team needs immediate retraining on bystander intervention and de-escalation, rather than harassing women who are already in vulnerable situations.

    Photos
    Prohibition
    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila
    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila
    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

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    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)
    Starlite

    Starlite

    4.1
    (2.7k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    After dinner at Kingfisher, we were looking for a great place to end the night with dessert, and…read moreStarlite turned out to be the perfect choice. The funniest part was actually finding the place. We kept looking at the Yelp photos of the exterior, and the logo made us think the restaurant was in a large standalone building. Our Tesla kept navigating us to the same location, but we couldn't find what we expected. On our second pass, FSD actually pulled us right in front of the entrance--even in a red zone for a brief moment--just so we could finally see the Starlite sign. It honestly felt like the car knew we weren't recognizing the place. It was such a funny experience that made FSD seem almost human. Once inside, we were blown away. The interior is absolutely top-notch--stylish, elegant, and full of character. The pistachio dessert and the chocolate mousse were pure heaven, rich, smooth, and beautifully presented. The hidden disco room with the waterfall is simply insane and adds such a unique vibe to the experience. Even the restrooms are thoughtfully designed and incredibly cool. Starlite isn't just a place for dessert--it's an experience from the moment you arrive until you leave. Highly recommended if you're looking for an unforgettable atmosphere paired with amazing desserts.

    Absolutely ridiculous that their 21+ age requirement isn't listed anywhere except a third party…read moresite at the VERY BOTTOM, where absolutely no one has to look to make a reservation. Made reservations for my birthday. I thoroughly reviewed their website. This age requirement is NOWHERE on their website, so we booked a reservation with Open Table. No problems. We drive an HOUR to this freaking place to get turned away at the door because it's technically "a bar" even though they have a full dinner menu. When I point out none of this is advertised anywhere, I'm informed it's on Open Table, and that we should've seen it there, and were dismissed. They said they could give us another restaurant recommendation and then proceeded to just dismiss us without even that courtesy. We go back to verify this age limit, and it's there... one TINY line 2 scrolls down on the page, WAY beyond any of the information needed to just book a table, which is the only thing Open Table is used for. Complete waste of time for a poorly advertised bar with zero helpful staff on a dumpy street by the airport.

    Photos
    Bar area after entering
    Bar area after entering
    Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!
    Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!
    Cocktails are fun!

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    Cocktails are fun!
    Kiku Room

    Kiku Room

    3.6
    (39 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    One of the coolest new spots in San Diego in my opinion. This is the original location of the…read moreCasbah, it then languished for years as the Kava Lounge, a strange spot for wooks, and finally it became Kiku Room. Kiku Room has a chic minimalist interior, with polish concrete, metal, and glass as the primary backdrop. The DJ booth is large and separates the front sitting area from a lounge in the back that is draped in deep red lighting. The bartenders are cool and welcoming, the DJs who come through are usually really good, and the lounge is quite comfortable as well. Pretty good price on drinks overall, too. You can get a glass of draft Asahi here for $7, for instance, which is pretty good for a place that's in this DTSD-adjacent area.

    The music is their main focus -- and you can feel that the second you walk in. It's not random…read moreSpotify vibes. Yes the space is small but that helps make it feel more intimate. The cocktails are just as dialed. Balanced, clean, strong (in a good way), and not trying too hard. They have some great NA options as well. The NA Asahi beer is amazing. You can tell there's real intention behind the bar, which makes the whole experience feel cohesive. Yes, there's usually a line -- but that's what happens when something is this good. I've heard they're working on expanding, which would be amazing because the space deserves to hold more people without losing that energy. Five stars. For the music. For the drinks. For the vibe. I'll happily wait in line for this one.

    Photos
    Pay to get in bar.
    Pay to get in bar.
    Entrance to the back room
    Entrance to the back room
    Kiku Room

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    Bencotto Italian Kitchen - italian - Updated July 2026

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