We came here during the week to celebrate a birthday and wanted a nice sit down meal. Buon Appetito did not disappoint! This was one of the best Italian meals I have ever had. Our server, Wagner, was excellent and had excellent recommendations for the table. We ordered the Caesar salad, calamari, grilled octopus, lasagna, seafood linguine with squid ink, and the wild boar ragu pasta. Bread was complimentary with house made marinara. The octopus was grilled well and tender - not too salty but well seasoned. The lasagna was excellent, nicely defined layers. The calamari had a light batter and was tasty even without sauce. The wild boar ragu had a red wine reduction and the meat was tender without any gameyness. The squid ink pasta was excellent. All the pasta tasted home made and was perfectly cooked - not mushy but not al dente either. For the birthday guest, they brought out the hugest birthday treat I've ever seen. It was a large slice of their home made Tiramisu and 3 cannolis. The cream used in the Tiramisu was light and coffee flavor was perfect. The cannolis were still crunchy so they were probably filled right before serving. I enjoyed my dining immensely at Buon Appetito and will definitely be back. read more

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Visited this restaurant for a Wednesday lunch after perusing the Little Italy Mercato. The restaurant had lots of seating available for our party of 7. Our server, Wagner, looked like he was the understudy for the lead role in Aquaman. Turns out he was just as friendly as Jason Mamoa is. We were first treated to some complimentary sliced bread - nice and warm from the oven. It was paired with a nice tomato sauce with a slight kick to it. Our kids preferred olive oil and vinegar. The food: Homemade Tiramisu - this is probably the best Tiramisu I've ever had. Flavor is on point and the marscapone cream is somehow light and indulgent at the same time. Linguine Neri - squid ink pasta with broccoli rabe and a good helping of seafood. The creamy tomato sauce flavor was off the charts. Loved this one. Lasagna Classica - a classic lasagna like the name implies - tons of sauce, which is my preference and the pasta is cooked perfectly. Calamari d'Orati - a mixture of calamari and zucchini with a marinara dip. A very light and crispy fry batter. Polpo alla Griglia - tender with some chew. Nicely grilled and served with simply dressed arugula. Pappardelle al Cinghiale - sauce is very meaty and the red wine comes through. Assuming they are using fresh pasta as the texture is very good. Insalata Romana - a Caesar-like salad - meets expectations Shout out again to our server, Wagner, who helped us celebrate a birthday. All the food was tasty, but the Tiramisu and Linguine Neri were truly special. read more

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I will say I went during a holiday, and walk-in was quite fast! However, when I was seated, I was not given a menu - I had to ask for it about 5 minutes later. I was served some free bread with marinara sauce I believe, and it was decent, the sauce had basil in it which I wasn't really expecting a lot of. I then went ahead and ordered the lobster stuffed pasta. I loved the asparagus that was part of it. I will say the filling was a little bit hard for my liking, but I still ate it all and they were able to garnish some parmesan cheese on top too! I would want to come again! Staff was pretty friendly and attentive! The spacing of seats was pretty roomy as well! read more

Buon Appetito - free bread - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Stopped by for dinner and the hostess was super kind and accommodating. We came on a Saturday at about 6pm and it was just before the dinner rush. The service was slow, but the food was tasty. We would've ordered a second round of drinks but again, slow service so we never were able to. My husband got the Gorgonzola steak and it was soooo good, I ate most of it. I got the lobster stuffed pasta and it was just okay, not enough flavor all together. With all the restaurant choices to choose from I'd definitely check out someplace else next time, as I wouldn't feel I was missing anything here. read more

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I figured while I was in downtown SD, I had to try some place in Little Italy. Going up to the stand, they offered either indoor or outdoor. I went with outdoor. It was a pretty random time in the afternoon on a Monday to be having a lunch so it wasn't super busy. I was seated quickly and served water and bread. At this point, I'm surprised to be served anything before a meal anymore. I ordered the Linguini Neri because the pictures of it looked good. Immediately after I told the waiter, the woman in the table in front of me told me she'd ordered the same thing and it was good. So that set expectations. When it came out, it looked good. They ask if you want cheese and will add some pre-grated cheese. It's a pretty good portion size and compared to a lot of places I've ordered a pasta dish from, this one was definitely worth it. There is a decent amount of seafood and it doesn't feel like you're paying for just pasta. It was yummy and I would come back if I was in the area. The only bummer is that it's street parking only but that's expected in Little Italy. read more

Buon Appetito - Linguine Neri - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Came here a late night with friends for some food and it was overall a nice experience. Our meals were good and nicely hot. I was so glad to have leftovers the next day as it was that good. Our server was kind and helpful. Very chill atmosphere for the most part as we sat outside. read more

Buon Appetito - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

We arrived on a Saturday night. The place was fairly busy, but they gave us an indoor sitting and brought a high chair for us too. The staff were super nice and the area was very nice. I ordered Calamari, which was ok. A bit oily if you ask me. My wife got "Risotto Piemontese". She added sausage. The sausage was delicious, and the risotto plate was generous and delicious which is a very rare combination. My cousin got "Farfalle con Pollo" and he was pretty happy with his food. I would recommend this place for tasty food and peaceful dining read more

Buon Appetito - Risotto Piemontese - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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We stumbled upon this restaurant as we strolled through the area. We were drawn to this restaurant because the ambiance looked very authentic Italian, the restaurant had quite a few patrons for a random time (4pm on a Tuesday afternoon), and the menu had a large variety of what we were looking for. We were seated immediately and had the choice of inside or outside. Upon sitting down we were immediately served water and bread (the sauce served with the bread was amazing! It was a spicy marinara). We ordered the Rucola e Bietole Salad (beets, arugula, caramelized onions, walnuts, and feta cheese). The salad was refreshing and delicious! For the meal I ordered the Lasagna and it was honestly one of the best lasagna meals I have ever had. The portion size was great, the pasta sauce was so simple and complemented it well, and my husband ended up helping me finish it because it was so yummy. My only complaint is I prefer when Italian restaurants grate fresh Parmesan cheese at the table, rather than provide pre-grated cheese (you can taste the difference on freshness). Otherwise, great experience! read more

Buon Appetito - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Very delicious pasta and dessert- the shellfish in my linguine allo scoglio were fresh and tender. The sauce was rich and aromatic with wine and chopped garlic. Gelato was heavenly and highly recommended! Everything that I had was of great quality and value. Service overall was attentive and professional. All my questions about the menu were thoroughly answered. Restaurant itself was clean and well maintained. I'm already looking forward to my next visit! read more

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This place was so incredibly delicious. The service was fast- we came in on a Sunday around 3:45 and were seated immediately. We were brought a plate of bread moments after, and our food and drinks came quite quickly. The server was kind and helpful with us making choices on what to eat. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meals and the pricing was quite fair for the large portion sizes and wonderful quality of the food. I will definitely be coming back soon. read more

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A restaurant in Little Italy in downtown San Diego serving authentic Italian cusine. We visited the place around 1:00 pm on a Wednesday. There weren't that many customers. We were promptly seated inside. There were also outdoor seatings but the heavy traffic made it less desirable. Iced water and bread were served immediately. The bread was warm and very tasty with the slightly tangy and spicy tomato dips that came with it. Order was taken and food arrived shortly after. The Insalata Romana salad was so so. The grilled octopus was good. The fried calamari was so tender that it seemed to melt in your mouth. The rest of the order, including Lasagna Classica, Linguine Neri (seafood squid ink pasta) and Pappardelle al Cinghiale ( pasta in a slowed simmer wild boar ragu) were all very tasty. It happened to be the birthday of a member of our party. Upon learning that they bought out a slice of cake and 2 cannoli gratis for the occasion and that was very nice. Overall it was a memorable lunch and worth revisiting. read more

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The service was quite amazing and I really loved that everyone was so fast in providing whatever was being asked for. My favorite dish was the penne bolognese. It was absolutely delicious. The marinara was a bit tart and the penne was al dente. I would definitely get it again! The outdoor seating was so awesome; I really enjoyed people watching and seeing the beautiful sky while I enjoyed a nice pasta and drink. read more

Buon Appetito - Penne Bolognese - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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I met up with a friend for lunch. It was a nice day so we chose to sit outside at a table covered by an umbrella. We ordered the ravioli, sea bass, and tiramisu. All 3 items were ok, but I can't say that they stood out as being extraordinary. My fish was a bit on the dry side. The dessert was a bit too creamy and needed a stronger coffee flavor. Our server was friendly but not very attentive. My empty class of iced tea was not replenished until I asked for it. I did not have a great experience here so I will likely not have a repeat visit. read more

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Decided to stop here after walking in Little Italy for dinner. It was a little busy, but service was abnormally slow. The food was really good, and we didn't mind the wait much because we were chatting, however everyone in our group noticed how long it took to get our food and even water refills. The food was good enough, however, to where I'd come back and give them another chance! Maybe it was just a rough night. Location is great and I loved the beet salad I ordered. read more

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Came here for a Saturday evening dinner in a group of 6. We were able to be seated indoors right away or wait 45 minutes for an outside table. The patio dining would have been nice but we were hungry so sat inside. The waiter was very friendly and attentive throughout and came to check on us a few times while we were chatting. They gave us bread and a spicy red sauce to dip for the table and we started off with the eggplant appetizer and burrata. Both were delicious! For dinner I got the farfalle con pollo which was super creamy and not too heavy. Once they set our pleated down they had a separate bowl of Parmesan that they generously sprinkled. The food was delicious and for dessert we got the tiramisu which was heavenly. So creamy and decadent. Loved my experience here! read more

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If you're looking for authentic Italian, look no further. This place has a great selection of appetizers, salads, and pastas... not to mention a wide range of wine selection. I had their Linguine Boscomare - a very filling and tasty seafood pasta with scallops cooked to perfection 10/10. I also had a taste of my friend's Borsettini Aragosta, that was also a 10/10. They have both inside and outdoor seating, perfect for people watching at Little Italy. You're greeted with bread at the table that comes with their amazing house marinara sauce. The only regret I have is not saving room for their famous cannoli. I'll be back for that, for sure. read more

Buon Appetito - Linguine Boscomare - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Had such a great experience here! The Italian food was absolutely delicious--everything was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. We started with the fried calamari, which was the perfect appetizer--crispy and so tasty! I had the lobster ravioli (I believe that's what it was called) and my husband had the pork--both were so good! And since it was my husband's birthday, he got the Italian pistachio cheesecake... absolutely delicious! Marco was amazing--so attentive, friendly, and made us feel genuinely welcomed the entire time. His service really elevated the whole experience. The hospitality here truly stands out. Definitely a spot I'd come back to and highly recommend to anyone craving great Italian food! read more

Buon Appetito - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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2nd visit. Food and service are top notch. I would match these dishes with Italian dishes anywhere from Seattle to Philadelphia to Palermo to Rome. They now take reservations on line and we shoed up on time at 7PM on a Saturday and are seated right away. read more

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If you are in San Diego, CA by Little Italy and you want to try authentic Italian cuisine - this is the place. I ordered the Ossobuco - I believe only few Italian restaurant serves the dish - and absolutely wonderful. The calamari as starter is amazing. The best part is the lovely lady that attended to us - Bella... very accommodating, pleasant to say the least, and tolerated us. Hence, the meal tasted so much better because of her joyful and friendly smile as well as improved the ambience of the restaurant. read more

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Simply amazing food, service and atmosphere! Calamari , meatballs and orecchiette were each over the top ! read more

Took my parents here for Memorial Day weekend right in the heart of Little Italy. My mom has previously visited Italy and she tells me the interior decor feels like she has been transported back to Europe! The venue is mama approved, so it must be good! We had the insalate tricolore, which was a very tasty and fresh salad. Too me, it was a good amount of dressing with their argula greens. For one of the main dishes, we ordered the farfalle al salmone. You can never do without pasta at an Italian restaurant and they did not disappoint. There's something about their vodka and creamy tomato sauce that made it quite harmonious with the farfalle. For our second dish, we ordered the ossobuco di maiale, that came with an incredible presentation of a ginormous pork shank. I think the risotto was a great blue moon change up from my usual white rice. Very tender pork. read more

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Came here once before and didn't have the opportunity to review it but came back again this past weekend and it was consistently perfect! A good selection of wines and you MUST try their meatballs as an appetizer they are the best I ever had. Their ravioli with Alfredo sauce was so good, as well as their salmon (crispy with lemon). Service was friendly and attentive. The food did not take long to come out at all. They offer indoor and outdoor seating as well, both are great options truly. read more

Buon Appetito - Homemade Meatballs - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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The Ossobucco was so tender and delicious and the three cheese risotto was cooked to perfection. I sat at the bar and the bar tender Carolina provided me with amazing service as she was friendly and personable and made me feel welcomed. The restaurant interior had a classic Italian restaurant feel and they offer outside dining that is very casual and comfortable, allowing you to enjoy the Little Italy atmosphere and views. I highly recommend Buon Appetito and if you are lucky enough to sit at the bar and have Carolina wait on you. Tell her that Eric from Arizona sent you, she will appreciate that. read more

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hate to not give them there 5-4 stars but the food was ok service was ok and ambiance was good but not great just super touristy no authenticity to it tbh. not much to say honestly other then everything was ok if you want something fast simple and good definitely try this place out but if you're a foodie and want to leave this place and rave about definitely hard to do ! read more

Buon Appetito - pulpo and Calamari Caruso - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Service was great. Our server was constantly checking on us and making sure we were settled in nicely. No complaints. We had a slight reservation issue but they cleared it up as fast as they could. Ambiance is nice and dim. Typical Italian decor. Nothing special but nothing to complain about. - Calamari was top notch. Just like Italy. Tender, lightly battered, and clean squid flavor. - Carpaccio was a bland. I'd skip this one. - Duck ragu was outstanding. Tons of flavor. This is gonna go on my pasta wall of fame. - Lobster pasta was on special but lobster was definitely overcooked and the seafood didn't infuse the sauce with any flavor. Seems like they just poured tomato sauce on it after cooking the seafood. Didn't taste the love! - Ossobucco was very good. Tender and huge portion. The risotto it came with is great - Lamb chops were underseasoned. Could use more salt and herbs. However, they were cooked to the perfect temperature and very tender. - Tiramisu was great. One of the better ones I've had. Could use a little more espresso though. I'd come back again. Would do the calamari, duck ragu, and tiramisu! Ciao! read more

Tourist trap? Food was fine, not worth the price. Cold bread and dip to start. Undercooked pasta that was stuck together, and I like mine on the al dente side. Just getting to churn and burn customers. read more

Delicious food and great service. We enjoyed the outdoor seating. We were celebrating my mom's birthday they even treated us with a complimentary birthday dessert. The food and service are definitely authentic. You feel like you are visiting Italy. read more

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I went here for lunch on a weekday - wasn't too busy of course. I am not surprised It's one of the highest rated restaurants in the area - everything I tried was very good. The eggplant appetizer was amazing! We sat outside so I'm not sure what it's like inside but the service was great. read more

This was a great little place for dinner to catch up with some old friends!! Although, I it's very cramped and not accessible to either wheelchair or stroller. Besides that, the food was delicious!! Only a few gluten free options (obviously) but what is available is high quality. The service was pretty prompt all night! read more

Buon Appetito - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Great GF and GF/DF pasta options. We had it for our last meal in San Diego on our last visit, and we enjoyed it so much it was our first meal this time! read more

Buon Appetito - Gluten Free Cauliflower Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

April 2024 long overdo review. This was during an Art walk downtown and was hungry for some Italian fare. They opened precisely on-time and allowed us to sit and look at the menu while they were prepping the restaurant. They were fast, we were hungry and had to get going to see the rest of the Art Walk so mission was accomplished. For sure will return. read more

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The linguine allo scoglio was delicious! Cozy atmosphere, and the staff was very friendly. read more

Buon Appetito - linguine allo scoglio - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

The good: Staff was good, especially our waiter. The 3 others in our party had pasta dishes, and they were all great. The not so good: The ravioli had 3 on the plate. I myself had the minestrone and it lacked flavor and It was mainly broth. The seating was tight despite not many people being in the restaurant at the time. Since I gave 4 stars, I'm willing to give it another go. When I go here again, I hope it's better. read more

Friend was in town and wanted to eat in Little Italy and ended up here. First time eating here as we usually end up next door. we were seated outside and happy the heat lamp was next to us as the wind had kicked up. They have quite a diverse and varied menu and actually we were given 2 menus. Choices, choices. We ordered each a glass of wine from 'the area of Italy' our waitress was from and recommended. It was a good choice. I ordered the Borsettini Di Aragosta (pasta filled with lobster and cheese, in champagne cream sauce with peas and sun dried tomatoes) and it was quite delicious and flavorful. I forgot what everyone else ordered but they were very happy with their selection. I now know of a new restaurant that I can go to when I would like something a little bit different and not the norm that other restaurants serve. Definite spot if you're in for some good food. read more

Buon Appetito - 1 of 2 menus we were given - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is a really cute Italian restaurant with lots of outdoor seating. We got lucky and were seated right away during dinner on a Saturday night without a reservation. Our waiter was really friendly and we got our orders in right away. The complimentary bread & sauce was delicious. I ordered a Prosecco and my entree was the risotto with Italian sausage. My boyfriend ordered the farfalle con pollo. The food came out hot and were in huge portions. I liked mine but it was slightly too salty, while my boyfriend felt his wasn't salted enough. Over all it was a good dinner. read more

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Definitely a cool little spot in Little Italy. We went on a Saturday night and it was pretty packed on the inside and out, however the service wasn't that bad considering they had a lot of people, Food was pretty good, and the prices are about what you'd expect for a dinner in the area. read more

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We stopped here with a larger group with small children/babies and had a fantastic experience! The staff were extremely accommodating, kind, and helpful. Our waiter, Wagner, was so attentive and friendly, gave us great recommendations, and helped accommodate various dietary needs as well. We were so impressed with the food and the whole experience! The Linguine Neri was absolutely delicious, the seafood tasted very fresh. read more

Buon Appetito - Linguine Neri - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

I got the ink squid linguine with variety of seafood....so good!!! Great service and delicious food

greatest lamb chops i have ever had, dessert was okay but the service and lamb chops and those natural juices on the lamb was INSANELY GOOD. The place was very clean and I didn't see anything wrong with the furniture or misplaced stuff. The food took around 20 minutes to come out and the food looked awesome. Before the main meal we got served bread with what i think was marinara sauce and it wasn't bad, we ordered meatballs as an appetizer and was pretty quick to come out and tasted very nice. 5STARS. read more

Of course we had to visit Little Italy while in San Diego. We ended up having drinks and then dinner here. Everything was good. Nice sidewalk seating - it was busy of course. We got the carpaccio appetizer and then for entree I got the frutti di mare which was delish. We enjoyed the food and ambiance. read more

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