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Beautiful setting. Lots of outdoor seating. I was by myself and selected railing seating. Plenty of space to perch. The buildings blocked my total view of the sunset so would recommend sitting at a table outside. Service was friendly. Always checking in. I had the green salad (perfectly dressed with tons of pistachios) and squid ink pasta. It was amazing. They don't say it but the squid ink is only the pasta. Lots of crab.
Stopped in to Catania one day for an early dinner/late lunch and it was delicious! I had pasta and my husband had pizza and they were both excellent! The food was tasty, the staff were incredibly friendly, and the restaurant has beautiful views and interior. Overall it was a great experience and we will definitely be back!
Catania has been our go-to spot for special occasions for many years, and it never, not once, disappoints. The food, the ambiance/great views, the service, all great every single time. We have a tried-and-true ordering strategy that we have stuck to over the years: starting with the Crudo, which is always fresh, beautifully plated, and full of bright flavor, work through an appetizer or two, then move on to one of their incredible Neapolitan style wood fires pizzas. Pro tip: add an egg to the center of whatever pizza you order. We cap it off with a pasta dish, this time around, a braised beef dish. This visit we were celebrating our anniversary and the team at Catania went above and beyond by comping us a delicious chocolate mousse cake with a Biscoff crust. It was a perfect ending to an already great meal. Can't wait for our next trip back. Kudos Catania crew for keeping the high quality and service throughout the years.
I'm not really sure what the hype is about this spot because the experience was pretty underwhelming. I ordered the duck sugo orecchiette, and it was probably the worst version I've had. The sauce was watery and didn't coat the pasta at all, and the menu didn't clearly mention that the duck was ground. The portion was fine, but I wouldn't order it again. The Italian meat pizza was small but actually really good and ended up being the best thing we ordered. Unfortunately, I found a hair in my pasta, which completely grossed me out. After that, I couldn't bring myself to keep eating it. The service wasn't great either. The woman at the front had an attitude, and the staff overall felt dismissive. Parking in La Jolla is already difficult, and the experience just wasn't worth the hassle. Overall, between the disappointing pasta, finding a hair in my food, and the poor service, I wouldn't recommend it or come back. Food: 5/10 Service: 3/10
This place was such a classic la Jolla vibe. We got to sit inside but they do have a good amount of outdoor patio seating with heaters. Located on the third floor of a shopping mall. For food we got the arancini, cauliflower, sausage and kale pizza, the tagliatelle and the duck orecchiette. I also ordered a really yummy Pinot noir from Santa Barbara. The highlights were the cauliflower and the tagliatelle for me. The cauliflower had really interesting and bright flavors that played well with the ricotta base and a nice contrast of textures. The tagliatelle was perfectly cooked and creamy but not heavy which was probably because of the mix of pesto and tomato sauce. The pizza was pretty tasty but nothing crazy and similar to other pizzas you'd find at other good neopolitan pizza places. The arancini was a little different with the saffron flavor. The duck pasta was decent but something about the texture of the duck I didn't love. It almost felt like ground meat or something. Because we were there for a birthday they gave us a free dessert which was their 'chocolate nemesis' which was essentially a flour less chocolate cake. The dessert is DENSE and definitely recommend sharing this. It was almost just like straight fudge. I liked that it was dark chocolate. Friendly service the entire night. Would definitely come back.
Traveling to La Jolla and trying out the Duck Sugo was well worth the drive from OC, the staff members were attentive and created a welcoming experience. I loved Tate as he made us felt welcome, they even printed out menus that included Happy Birthdays for birthday celebrations which was a nice touch!
In May of 2025 I sat on a rooftop bar/restaurant in Rome, eating the best meatballs ever. Catania recreated this experience, from the menu options, to the drinks, and the absolute delicious squash raviolis. They did serve very good meatballs too. The service was outstanding and views were good. I will be bringing my husband back to experience this Italian restaurant. My only negative was a 4.5 service fee tacked onto the bill. Really a big negative. But, get to the restaurant soon, I am told the squash raviolis are seasonal.
Dangerous! This place is soooooo good, no wonder why it was listed in the Michelin guidebook. The cocktails are on point, the food on point and the service on point. I wish I remember our server's name but he made us feel so welcome and was super attentive. Our water was never allowed to go empty. We told him of our horrible experience elsewhere and that we had to make it up here and he understood the assignment. We got the octopus, duck oricchiette, and the branzino. Everything was super delicious. My friend who usually doesn't eat fish skin ate it and was surprised how good it was. It came with clams that were breaded and so yummy. We ordered the semifreddo for dessert and to our surprise got two homemade amaretto along with our dessert. Like I said we were well taken care of. If I had to dock anything it would be the prices of the cocktails. $19 each is steep and I had two. A happy hour would be nice so I could have two and not feel like I could have bought a huge 1.75L bottle of tequila and made the drinks myself. But seriously the cocktails are where it's at here so not mad but just gotta be more careful. Also be aware of the 4.25% surcharge. It does say on the bottom of your menu but still. I will be back, it was too wonderful not to come back. Maybe next time I'll try lunch with a view of the sea.
We had a wonderful experience at Catania, right from The beginning, their hosts had great energy and made us felt super welcomed. Everything we ordered tasted great as well, they are all very tasty yet not overly greasy. Our server made sure we were well taken care of and was super friendly. We were seated at the balcony which had a wonderful ocean view and we were able to watch the sunset. I would recommend my friends to come here and try.
INCREDIBLE restaurant, coming from someone who usually doesn't love Italian. The food on the menu is "coastal Italian" with a lot of Mediterranean flavors, which means there is lamb sprinkled on the menu where you would usually see pork (for example lamb meatballs) -- I loved this. Of all the dishes we ordered, there was not a single miss. The crispy octopus appetizer with chickpeas, lamb and capers was pretty mind blowing. The pizza focaccia is a must. Their aroncini was insane - so cheesy with fresh parm and the most incredible umami vodka sauce that made it the best I've ever eaten. We loved the shrimp risotto so much - again, the most perfect umami flavor to the sauce. The duck pasta had a very strong duck flavor. The beautiful ambiance and wonderful service were both great accompaniments to the perfect meal. Will definitely be back!
We were initially drawn to Catania as it boasts Michelin reviews, and an overall high rating on both Yelp and Google Reviews. This place can be hard to find. It is tucked away on the third floor of a business plaza, which makes it hard to identify from the street. Although it was initially difficult to locate, the front staff was polite and sat us quickly. Beyond that, we felt as though the wait staff was nothing standout. She took our drink and food order quickly, but there wasn't much meaningful conversation about the menu or restaurant beyond that. We ordered the Tagliatelle Alla Portofino and the Ziti Alla Genovese. The Tagliatelle dish was a 7/10, as we believe the portion was small for the price, and the flavor wasn't anything special. We feel as though this dish could be easily recreated at home for half the price, with double the flavor. The Ziti Alla Genovese was a 6.5/10. The braised beef was tender and flavorful, and overall carried the dish. The pasta noodles lacked flavor, and the dish overall seemed to be cold/at room temperature, as if it had been sitting out before it was served. A few other key factors to mention..although we sat on the side of the restaurant, the main patio and indoor area appeared to have a nice view of La Jolla Shores, which seems to be the main attraction of the restaurant and a key point for many of its reviews. Additionally, the restaurant shares a bathroom with the rest of the businesses in the center, meaning if you need to use the restroom, you will have to obtain an unlock code from the hostess or your wait staff. While it is a nice place to soak in the scenery of La Jolla Shores, if you're looking for a standout meal, Catania could be passed on.
What a lovely spot in the main area of La Jolla. The views of the sunset from the deck seats were amazing. We were lucky to walk up and get seats for two even without reservations but it got busier as the night went on. We bought a bottle and started with the cauliflower dish. It was AHMAZING. If you only get one thing - get that! Such unique flavors like mint and pomegranate that blend nicely with the creaminess of the cheese. We also got a pizza and a pasta dish but neither were memorable. Good but not extra special. While our server was personable and friendly, the service was really slow. Overall I'd return - check it out!
4 months ago
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Good morning and thank you for the constructive feedback. We do have…
1 year ago
My friend and I had a great experience. We walked right in around 4 o'clock. Happy hour is 3-6. The menu is small, but what they do have is great. I had the flautas from the appetizer menu. They were enough for a meal and they were half off because it was happy hour. I have been craving a coconut margarita and have not found a place that makes them. I definitely would recommend this place read more
9 months ago
Haven't been here in years but the food is still good. Great selection of pastas and pizza. We really enjoyed the spicy salami pizza and was still delicious the next day as leftovers. The duck pasta was devoured within minutes. The ribeye steak was lacking in flavor and was also chewy. Overall A bit more expensive than authentic Italian places I usually frequent and the bill was quite high for 3 people. Would save for a special occasion next time. read more
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Thank you for the constructive feedback. We hope to see you again in…
7 months ago
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Arturo K.
Thank you for the kinds words. Consistency is the hardest thing to…
2 years ago
This resturant is my absolute FAVORITE in La Jolla. I was so pleased with everything from start to finish. Our original intent for going here was to have a sunset dinner. When arriving at the resturant we were told that there wasn't any seating to view the sunset only at the bar area and I was a bit confused because I was looking at 2 open tables. I didn't say anything, just let it go and proceeded to our table in the courtyard. Let me just say this, I am so glad we didn't sit where the sun was setting because I would've probably been cold; the sunset doesn't last forever and it turned into a pretty chilly night. The courtyard experience was amazing anyway. Peaceful, beautiful relaxing and we could enjoy each others conversation easily. Our waiter Malcom was excellent!! Not only was he kind and welcoming, he was patient which is most important. He made a couple of recommendations on the menu but it was a bit adventurous (blackberry and pancetta pizza) and this was our first time so we decided to okay it safe. We ordered the italian meat pizza and the ziti. I am personally not a super meat lover, especially on pizza, but will dabble from time to time. From the very first bite I knew I was in love, and also in trouble because I may eat too much. I've never had ziti before this was also something I truly enjoyed. The onions gave the dish a subtle sweet taste, and the flavors blended well together. I will most definitely come back here again on the next visit to La Jolla, and next time be a little more adventurous and trust the process. read more
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Arturo K.
Thank you for the gracious review. We're glad you had a great time in…
Wonderful all around! Food is top tier, service is attentive and the ambience with ocean views and sunshine is priceless. I recommend the duck pate to start- the combination of salt, fat, acid and sweet is pure perfection. The crudo was also well done with a gorgeous presentation. The squid ink pasta is a great main entree. Next time I'll try the bucatini! No room for dessert this visit. read more
4 months ago
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Thank you so much for choosing the celebrate with us. We were…
9 months ago
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Has it been 9 years already? Crazy how time flies. We love having you…
Food: Amazingly delicious I had the Branzino with Manila Clams Service: I didn't have a reservation but I was dinning alone on a Friday night and I was able to seat at the bar area. Bartenders were attentive and entertainingly enough making all the concoctions they were making for all their guests. My water was never empty and cocktails were made quickly. Ambiance: has an outdoor and indoor seating beachy feel design appropriate for the location and clientele. I will definitely be back at this restaurant to try more food on their menu. read more
Another amazing dinner. Our thanks to the chef, GM Steve. Waitress Valerie. And the whole team. Quality food, ambience and views, great service, thoughtful team, ... The seasonal pea salad is still one of our favorites! Everyone enjoyed their meals from my specially made vegan spaghetti with roasted bell pepper sauce and squash to my sisters steak, the halibut (fresh. Cooked perfectly) the duck pasta and top notch margarita pizza with added sausage and mushroom. We all have gave our dishes Five stars (our of five of course ) Consistent. Fresh. Perfectly balanced. My vegan chocolate mint ice cream was sooo good. My daughter loves the Nutella desert. As always they had Speical menus with Happy Graduation on them. I am so grateful that they were ready for me, as a vegan diner. I love that I was able to eat something for every course. They made us feel so welcomed and special. Call ahead and advise of special dietary needs. The chef roasted the bell peppers in advance and made this amazing meal. Sooo grateful. We return to Catania every time we can read more
9 months ago
My friends and I had a great experience at Catania. The ambiance was really nice and our food was delicious, especially the crudo and duck liver appetizer. Kevin was our server and he was excellent - very informative and had such a chill vibe. I'd definitely go back! read more
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Arturo K.
So glad you and your friends had a great time and appreciate you…
2 years ago
I really wish I had taken pictures when we came here. The whole experience was exceptional and this was for a graduation lunch after sitting in the sun for hours and we were all not in the best mood. Our server was so sweet and attentive, he was on point and made our time there wonderful. We shared the pizza focaccia which was the best thing I've eaten in awhile, and I'm a big back. It was so simple yet so delicious, and I honestly could've polished another one for my meal, but the others wanted to try some new things. We also shared the crispy octopus which was so tender and soft, cooked to perfection and wasn't chewy or fishy. I try not to eat octopus because they're so smart but here, they're also delicious. They didn't die in vain. I digress. We also shared the mushroom pizza and the Margherita, which was amazing for pizza. The mushroom was definitely my favorite of the two. We got some chili oil and it was spicy! I was shocked because I usually only got stuff that spicy at home. We received a panna cotta to finish off our meal and it was the perfect light dessert, it was sweet and a bit savory with salted pine nuts, so much that my friend took a whole order home for herself. We went on a Saturday afternoon so it wasn't too busy, and there was parking in a nearby lot. Overall it was such a great experience I am hoping I'll be back very soon! read more
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Arturo K.
Thank you so much Courtney. Truly, thank you
3 years ago
Great meal overall; some bobbles on the execution (not pleased with the pizza focaccia - a combination of being overly-salted and under-fermented (the dough itself was flavorless)), nor the lamb chops, which were very plain/not memorable, especially at that high price point), however, the appetizers and pasta were all excellent. The semifreddo dessert was also superb. The olive oil drizzle on it was silky, a bit spicy/vegetal, and inspired. Service was capable and attentive. We really enjoyed the indoor-outdoor ambiance of the dining room as well. A terrific place to while away an evening with a bottle of wine and some quality carbs. read more
Hard, no impossible, to say anything bad about Catania in downtown LJ. From the extensive wine (love the Polavenera Primitivo) and spirits list, to the not to be forgotten desserts, it's hard to make a wrong choice. Service was on point, and our server Valerie was engaging, helpful and a seasoned pro (though she said she's the "new kid"). For food choice, it was summer salad with fresh corn and fresh grapefruit, mixed with savory pecorino. Mezzalune riccota pasta must have been made moments before plating. Rich, colorful and absolutely flavorful. If there's any drawback, it is slight. Large parties are seated between smaller ones, which makes intimate conversation just a bit louder. There are tables on the south side which might be better suited for that quiet tete a tete. We celebrated an anniversary and the staff, especially Valerie, went out of their way to make it incredibly enjoyable and memorable. read more
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Arturo K.
Thank you Todd. If you dine with us enough times, we're bound to miss…
We went to this Italian restaurant randomly, thinking we'd have a nice date, but boy was I surprised by how good the food was. The duck sugo is one of their most popular food and for a good reason. The oriechiette was perfectly cooked, aldente with a little chew, and while there weren't any duck pieces, the sauce was infused with duck. The crab ravioli was light and fresh, and you can really taste the freshness from the crab. I'm normally not a desert gut but this one was spectacular. It had an olive oil topping with a chocolate basalsmic infusion. 10/10 read more
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Arturo K.
So glad you had a nice date night Victor. So glad to hear we exceeded…
11 months ago
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Thank you Liz. We're delighted to hear that. Until next time...
9 months ago
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Thank you Kit. You made our day. We look forward to your next visit.
I came here over the weekend for brunch and the food and service was just as amazing as I remembered it years ago! We got seated on their covered patio and out waitress was great. Super friendly, high energy, knew the menu, etc. I got the duck orecchiette pasta and the only thing that changed from years ago was the price LOL! It was still as rich and creamy and delicious like I remembered. Others in my party had the mushroom pizza, margarita pizza and tagliatelle alla Portofino. We all enjoyed our meals and cocktails and will be back next time I'm in the area. Beautiful restaurant and great food/service to match! read more
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Wow. Thanks Kent. What an amazing compliment. You have so many…
2 years ago
I went here with my family visiting all the way from Sweden and had no expectations. They exceeded beyond anything else I have been to in the area. The food was absolutely phenomenal and the service as well. We had a lot of questions and our waiter knew every inch of the menu down to where the ingredients where picked. So grateful for the view, atmosphere and overall experience. Favorite dish was the smoked duck liver appetizer, and sunchoke entree. And if you have room for more the Nutella semifreddo was delicious! read more
1 year ago
The food was wonderful! Loved the pizza and pasta, as well as our cocktails. I can taste why Catania is on the Michelin guide. However, the service was slow. It took a while for the waitress to come over to greet/give us waters and our drinks didn't come out until we got our entrees. It's very dark in the restaurant and although it's in La Jolla with a patio, there's not much of a view of the ocean. read more
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Thank you for choosing the celebrate with us. We do sincerely…
We went to the Farmer and the Seahorse in Sorrento Valley awhile back (see my past review). We had a less-than-desirable visit there. Alex, one of the managers, contacted us thereafter and invited us back to make it up. After a couple of scheduling conflicts, he was finally able to get us in at Catania, one of Farmer's sister eateries in La Jolla. We went on July 3, 2024 and Jared was our server. The restaurant would be a Michelin star facility if they had a restroom in the building (the communal restroom is on the opposite side of the shopping plaza in which the restaurant is located, 3rd floor. Our meal was beyond incredible. We had 2 appetizers, 4 drinks, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts. I'll allow the pictures to do the rest of the talking for me. We'll definitely be back. read more
1 year ago
OMG. The Tagliatelle alla Portofino was AMAZING. SOOOOO GOOD. I've never had pasta this good. That was my favorite part. Pizza was also good and fresh too. Service was great. We didn't have a reservation and were seated immediately on a Monday night. On the third floor. Great experience and the restaurant was very nice and clean. read more
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Thanks Mary. SOOOOO GLAD you had a great time and many thanks for…
1 year ago
So firstly, the bathroom is far away. I've come here a few times, so lets just say im a big fan. The cauliflower appetizer is a must order item in my humble opinion. Its sweet, salty, crispy, soft, fresh, amazing, etc. The arancini balls are fun and tasty. love the pizza but I accidentally put a gallon of their spicy chili oil on my slice. Its not too spicy in moderation but when you do too much it gets you. The branzino is wonderful and you get the whole darn fish. I loved the chicken stew thing and the fried sticks it came with. The braised rabbit is cooked really nicely, the flavor of the meat really shines. The service is amazing but they fill your water every 5 seconds and I feel like I have to keep drinking it and they keep filling it. read more
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Arturo K.
Thank you for joining us and for the constructive feedback on the…
Great italian spot with a gold rooftop view in a cute area of La Jolla. Staff were attentive and always made sure our table was clean with new silverware, water was topped off, etc. They were able to modify my pasta for me because of my dairy allergy. They also have gluten free pizza and pasta options! A bit on the pricier side but the portions were decent. Not anything too extraordinary but definitelt a decent Italian spot. read more
2 years ago
The ambiance of this restaurant is lovely. The arancini was almost flavorless, but had great texture. The meatballs were OK. The ricotta pasta was the star of the show and was quite yummy. Our drinks were OK as well. Our servers were not very attentive, but they were helpful and kind to us. read more
When you have out of town friends and colleagues visiting, you want to show them the absolute best side of SD. Catania was an outstanding way to do just that. From the food and ocean view to ambience and service, it was a lovely experience that impressed my friend and work colleague. We had a bunch of dishes to share, including the meatballs, arancini, pea crostini and bucatini. Not a single miss in the bunch. Everything we ate was well seasoned, well cooked, and full of flavor, which for an Asian and a Trinidadian, meant a lot. My friend enjoyed a wonderful suggested red wine pairing and I really loved my mocktail. Turns out it was her birthday the next day, so they were even sweet enough to provide a candle with her gelato dessert, which was the perfect proverbial icing on the cake. Thank you so much for delivering in every single way on an epic meal, Catania. I could see why you are on so many "best of" lists, and have added you to my list of go-tos! read more
QUICKIE REVIEW Season food helps to keep things fresh and new. FOOD This is what I tried: Salad Butternut squash Waiter highly recommended I give the butternut squash a shot as it was seasonal and glad I did. Nice, welcomed deviation from traditional pasta. Fact that it was vegan friendly was a plus. As with other seasonal things, love it when you have it and can't wait for it to come back. PARKING Metered street parking or wherever else you can find. SERVICE Waiter gave good recommendations and service was friendly. PRICE You can expect around $60 for two. TIP/OTHER THOUGHTS I came here awhile back so the butternut squash may not be on the menu but if it is, give it a shot. Also, pizza seems to be big here. Would have to try that sometime in the future. read more
My favorite Italian restaurant in SD so far. But to be fair, I've only been here 2 years and haven't tried too many yet. Nonetheless, had a wonderful time - nice decor, good service, good food and reasonably priced. Came after a hike from La Jolla Cove to Torrey Pines during low tide. So I was kind of famished and may have contributed to a slightly biased positive review :) Took a little work to find the entrance, hidden in a multi-story building. You get a wonderful surprise when walking in - bright, open to the outside. I made reservations, so got seated pretty much immediately. Everyone was friendly & casual. It's a very nice atmosphere. I had a great view of the sky from my table. Food was very good. Nothing blew me away (hence no 5 star) but definitely the best out of the few I tried in SD. In the order of what I liked most to least: Spring Pea Crostini - sweet, tangy, salty, fresh, crunchy. All the things a great crostini should be. Pasta. So bad...I lost my receipt so can't remember what it was. Just remember I thoroughly enjoyed it. Kale Salad - a very fresh dressing that went great with the crunchy kale. I never was a huge fan of chickpeas until I had how they prepared it here. A very satisfying crunch! Sicilian Pistachio Pizza - wasn't a bad pizza, but it was a little too doughy. Maybe should have been cooked for another 20 seconds? Still enjoyed it - much better than the typical North American pizza, but I expected better, especially given the other dishes. I will definitely be back! read more
1 year ago
We went on a Saturday afternoon and sat near the bar. The interior and exterior of the restaurant is well decorated, so I wouldn't mind sitting anywhere. The Crispy Octopus and Grilled Prawns are some of the best appetizers I've had in a while. The crispy octopus was really good and paired well with the chickpeas that it was served on top of. For the main course, we ordered the Duck Sugo & Whole Roasted Branzino. Both dishes were phenomenal. The duck sugo had a hearty flavor that got better with each bite and the sauce with the Branzino elevated it so much. The clams were a great addition too. I would ordered a bowl of those. Overall, the service and food were outstanding & I will definitely be back. I know this restaurant will be a great time during the summer. read more
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Arturo K.
Thank you, truly, thank you. We look forward to your return. Humbly,…
Catania has a more garden and duck centric menu and I'm all for it. While I love a good red sauce, Catania's menu offers a lighter dinner with memorable flavors. Highly recommend making a reservation as I barely managed to nab a table during the dinner rush. Patrons who made reservations were seated indoors or on the balcony, while walk-ins were seated outside near the stairs. The decor in the walk way was still homey and heaters were provided. Service was stellar and food came out quickly despite the place being packed. =ORDERED= *Hugo Spritz: very Prosecco heavy. Tasted closer to a mojito given the lemon and mint. Very refreshing although I couldn't taste the elderflower liquor. *Smoked Duck Liver Crostini: a must order. Definitely one of my top appetizers in SD. The bread was fluffy with a satisfying crust and topped with a generous smear of duck pate. The spread was incredibly rich and smoky. The peach jam gave it some needed sweetness and the pickled shallots cut through the fattiness. A perfect, balanced starter. *Duck Sugo Orecchiette: the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. The mushroom and parmesan added earthiness to the already savory, oily sauce. The braised duck had a crumbly texture which paired well with the chewy shells. Best for those who want a saltier bite. *Bucatini alla Amatriciana: while the sauce was bright and flavorful, I wished more was included. The bucatini was also cooked to a perfect al dente but the dish was rather dry. The pieces of guanciale were fatty and the calabrian chili was prominent. Loved the subtle heat with the sweet tomatoes but the pasta wasn't coated enough. As a duck fanatic, Catania definitely satiates my cravings. Catania is stellar Italian restaurant with great food, service and vibes. However, I'll make a reservation next time to I can get a table overseeing the bustling La Jolla streets. read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Thank you so very much Lizet. We're grateful for your continued…
2 years ago
Absolutely amazing!!! We got there around 3 so midday and it was the perfect mid day lunch. Beyond delicious flavors. Ask the waiter which dishes look the most unique and can't be found at other restaurants if you're looking for the chefs best!!! read more
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Thank you so much Allison for the kinds words and beautiful photos.…
***SEE MY FULL REVIEW HERE: https://ddisafoodie.wordpress.com/2024/01/01/catania-la-jolla-san-diego/ We came on a whim. A spontaneous weekend date night with holidays just around the corner. I was - obviously - craving Italian food. I said it's in La Jolla. Partner grimaced; the drive was about 20 minutes. Then, there's parking. Is it really worth it? The restaurant greeted us with a handsome and classy, white Christmas tree. After confirming that we did not, indeed, have any reservation, the hostess led us to the balcony side. We were seated on two high chairs. (Note: I HATE high chairs. I am vertically challenged). Despite the challenge I had to overcome as I climbed my way to my seat, and the intended having to calmly shove me closer to the actual ledge/table, the view did not disappoint. We overlooked one of the main roads below with its Christmas spirit, and the night sky was pristine. The PIZZA FOCACCIA was the damn best focaccia we both had. Period. TAGLIATELLE ALLA PORTOFINO... I mean... Here we are weeks later and I am still fantasizing about this damn pasta dish. The pasta was cooked to perfection. The sauce was light, and flavorful, and held the pasta together beautifully. I wanted to cry with every bite. Partner's ITALIAN MEAT PIZZA was also a delight. I tasted just enough to know how impressive the meat choices were and how distinct they tasted from each other. A special shoutout to their Shirley Temple. Don't sleep on this drink. It is probably the best Shirley Temple I've ever had. It comes with candied cherries and for a reasonable price. The dessert... my god. I have no words... We could not decide between the NUTELLA SEMIFREDDO (hazelnut biscotti crust, olive oil, saba, sea salt) and the cheesecake (NOTE: Sadly, I do not think their cheesecake is currently on their menu while I write this post). I find myself being drawn to Italian food more and more. San Diego, as we all (should) know, is famous for our Mexican food. However, let's not forget that Italian cuisine reigns here as well. And Catania rightfully earned that first seat in my heart and belly. Until next time. Ciao! read more
3 years ago
Service: 5/5 Food: 5/5 Ambience: 5/5 Love love love this place ! Great atmosphere for a date night. Delicious food and a great wine selection (Italian wines, my personal preference!) Our waiter, Alberto, suggested the Sicilian Pistachio pizza because it's the most popular. It's a perfect thin crust and the pesto is not over oily. Instead it came in dollops and was easy to spread where you wanted it! The pastas are both delicious and had this really amazing temperature difference from the outer layer (which was warm) and the inner layer which was still piping hot ! Surpassed my expectations. Serving size was also quite larger than expected. The chocolate nemesis is a lovely texture, somewhere in between flourless chocolate cake and chocolate mousse. The gelati also came with a generous three scoops and a large waffle-cone type cracker. In addition, service was quick and attentive. Our other server, Juan Manuel, never let our waters get low and always came at the right time to take our plates away! Both servers were very attuned to our needs. Overall, an amazing experience! read more
This is one of the best Italian restaurants in the US. I've been there 3 times, and I would gladly drive from AZ to La Jolla to enjoy it again! I didn't have a chance to review it, but considering I have taken the time to review other places I didn't love as much, I think it's only fair. The food is phenomenal and inventive. I'm dreaming about the agnolotti. This could be my last meal. I think. Duck orecchiette was great, as was my son's octopus with merguez sausage. Every time the service was professional and warm despite the fact we were either bundled up or didn't look our best (first it got colder than we had anticipated and then we were visiting after kayaking twice, so yeah). We also tried wild mushroom pizza as an appetizer- it was pretty good - not a pizza fan overall, so I can't be super enthusiastic about it, but my family loved it. My daughter loved her fish dish and salad when we went there (no pictures - super hungry after kayaking). The decor is quite lovely, and so is outdoor seating when it's warmer. I wish this restaurant was in Phoenix area and this consistent - then I would not bother going anywhere else! If La Jolla was a 2 hour drive - then I would drive there more often :-) read more
2 years ago
Super impressed. Great service, delicious fresh food and ahhhhmazing cocktails! This was my one splurge on my one day trip to LaJolla! Yes I got a togo box! I couldn't completely make up my mind on which of the 2 so I ordered both! Yummmmy yummy yummy!!! Wish I could've sat at a table outside... but watching the bartenders was entertaining. I will return soon! read more
11 months ago
Business owner information
Arturo K.
Hmmm. Are you sure you've reviewed the correct restaurant?
More info about Catania
7863 Girard Ave
Fl 3
San Diego, CA 92037
La Jolla
Directions
(858) 551-5105
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.cataniasd.com
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Ask the Community - Catania
Do you currently have happy hour, and where can I find the menu?
Hi Alyssa. Thank you for your interest. Catania does not offer Happy Hour. For that, you'll need to go to our other restaurants, Farmer & The Seahorse and Gravity Heights (Mission Valley and Sorrento Valley). Cheers
Are there gluten free options?
There are indeed. Some of the pastas can also have GF pasta substituted. Cheers, CAT
Are they open on Christmas?
Christmas Day is one of the days Catania restaurant is closed.
Delivery? At any eatery shown?
I doubt Catania offers delivery but maybe there's an option through a food delivery app
Thinking of making a reservation for a birthday party, how much would it approximately cost for a party of 15? And can we bring the cake and serving plates?
Thank you for your interest. Parties of this size require a family style menu which start at $80 pp not including alcohol, tax or service. If interested, please complete an event inquiry form on our website, Catania’s.com/events
Do you offer happy hour specials?
Good morning and thank you for your interest in Catania. We do not have happy hour specials at this time. Our sister restaurant Gravity Heights in Sorrento Valley does however, have a great HH every day. Cheers, CAT
Is this restaurant suitable for quiet dinner so we can hear each other talk? Party of 5?
Good morning and thank you for your interest in dining at Catania. Most guests would say yes. While ambiance/music is an important aspect of a great guest experience, being able to enjoy one another's company is as well. Cheers, CAT
Saw they have a patio (out door seating). Are they dog friendly?
Good morning Jennifer. Catania can only allow certified/tagged service animals on our patio or interior dining room as per health department guidelines. We do however have some non ocean view outdoor seating which does offer us to flexibility to…
What would be considered proper dress code for this restaurant?
We want you comfortable. No suit or jacket required. I've been known to rock a nice pair of shorts and a short sleeve button down or a clean solid t-shirt when it's warm. I hope that helps.
Do they accept cash?
Hi Karen. Thanks for your interest in Catania. We do accept cash and look forward to seeing you in the not too distant future. Best, CAT
Can we bring our own bottle of wine? What's the corkage fee?
Hi Mark. Thanks for thinking of dining with us. You can absolutely bring your own bottle of wine. Our corkage is $25. We do however waive 1 corkage fee for every bottle purchased off of our list. Cheers, AK
What is the largest size pizza you make?
Good morning and sorry for the delayed response. We specialize in Neapolitan Style wood fired pizzas and those are typically around 12" in size. Cheers, AK
Do they have happy hour?
Do you all accept walk ins or reservation only?
Hi Christina, Thank you for your interest. Reservations are recommended but we do set aside some…
Does staff (both public facing and in the back) wear masks?
Yes indeed. The health and safety of our guests and our team members has always been our #1 priority. Cheers, CAT
Do they have happy hour?
What time is brunch on Saturday?
Are you guys kid friendly at dinner?
We have dishes that we can make for kids, but we don’t have an actual kids menu
Are there gluten free options?
upon request. so i'd call them first and review your options.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
69 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
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Catania - pizza - Updated August 2026
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