We had such a good time with Bernardo! Service was so efficient and fast and he was great!

First time. Thursday night, graduations. Sat at the bar, kind of a shitshow.Crappy service, salty ass artichokes, staff didn't know the menu, had to ask management. Never checked on us after appetizers, 20 minutes after ordering main course manager had questions about order. Bread came without butter like requested. Artichokes were salty. Cesar salad was great. Burata salad delicious. Vodka pasta delicious. Salmon delicious. Solid meal, crap service from friendly staff. Do better! read more

Il Fornaio - Check - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

Il Fornaio is usually a reliable spot, but my Sunday evening dinner on March 22nd at 6 pm was a major letdown. The Linguine Mare Chiaro is a seafood lover's go-to, but the star of the plate--the scallops--was COMPLETELY ABSENT! What's most frustrating wasn't just the MISSING FOOD, but the LACK OF COMMUNICATION. If a primary ingredient is UNAVAILABLE, the server should inform the guest BEFORE the plate hits the table. It's a shame, as the ambiance in Coronado is always lovely, but the service DID NOT live up to the standard this time! read more

Had dinner here on a weekend a few good things and few could be better. Ambiance: 4 -we had ocean view table and enjoyed the view. Was a little breezy so waiter was nice enough to bring the heater around our table Service: 3 -waiter was nice enough but service was a bit slow as there were long spells between ordering-food -dessert and check. Food:3 -we had the pollo alla parmigiana which was alright . The pasta had decent flavor but the chicken parmigiana breading was nondescript and chicken itself was dry inside. cestino del pane- 3.5 soft fluffy inside with a nice crisp on outside. Went great with leftover sauce. Linguine mare chiaro- 3 seafood was ok but the flavors were missing. The sauce was kinda bland and definitely have had better elsewhere of similar ingredients. Vulcano-4.5 Best part of the dinner. Chocolate cake part was not overly sweet and when mixed with the vanilla ice cream was very satisfying. Overall its wasnt a bad experience but I probably would not come back again. read more

Been to this restaurant multiple times and it never disappoints. I have always go during lunch time and when the weather is great I would get seated outside with the nice view. Great service and great food! Rigatoni alla vodka and calamaretti are the top favs. read more

See all

Was there with my lovely girlfriend on Monday night. We ordered the happy hour margarita pizza for an app--delish, great ratio of dough to sauce to cheese, great texture. Shared the pesto chicken pasta, also tasty. We sat on the patio and they quickly brought over a heater. Finished the night with their espresso martini--amazing, espresso was strong but not overpowering. Alexa was our server--she was great even with us being her last table out there! Did not feel rushed whatsoever and she was very attentive. Lovely meal with a great view, would recommend to anyone wanting Italian in the area. read more

Il Fornaio - Espresso martini - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

I love Italian. We came here for my son. He wanted calamari. He gave it a 9 out of 10. I got the gnocchi with wild boar. Paired with an expresso martini. Would highly recommend a seating in between the view & kitchen. As busy as the place is. The whole staff was great with seating & smiles. As a chef myself it was so great to come see the utmost in everything. read more

Il Fornaio - Expresso Martini - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

The food was great and reasonably priced! I went on a Sunday afternoon and it was pretty busy, but the hostesses were super organized. They were very kind and friendly! We did find ourselves waiting for our server for quite some time, but it was a busy day so it was understandable. Great atmosphere at this place! Great for pictures! read more

Il Fornaio - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

Best Italian restaurant with waterfront views on Coronado Island! We came here for a romantic dinner and this restaurant has a wide menu variety with affordable pricing and great service. Easy to come here on a date or family dinner. Highly recommend for those traveling to Coronado island! read more

See all

Had a great family lunch at Il Fornaio in San Diego! We got there early, so the place was still quiet which was an awesome treat. It actually worked out perfectly because I was able to snap some photos and grab behind-the-scenes video for my Forks UP! series. Loved catching the bar team warming up for the day and the chef getting ready for what turned out to be a great dining experience. The restaurant itself is beautiful, elegant with a classic Italian feel that's inviting without being stuffy. Between the big bar and the spacious patio, there's a spot for everyone, whether you're here for a casual lunch, happy hour, or a fancy dinner dated. Now get ready, we ordered a ton (no regrets): Bruschetta: Light, fresh, and full of flavor. Gnocchi Gratinati: Perfectly fluffy and rich -- easily my favorite. Gnocchi al Sugo di Cinghiale: Absolutely delicious -- comforting and hearty. Linguine Mare Chiaro: A seafood lover's dream. Rigatoni alla Vodka: Kid-approved and adult-enjoyed. Pizzas (Fradiavola, Cristina, Margherita): All very good; thin crust, nicely balanced -- just a bit similar to each other. Service was solid, attentive, organized, and everything came out right. While it wasn't the kind of service that makes you feel like family, it was smooth and professional, which made for a relaxing time with our big group. Overall, Il Fornaio is definitely worth checking out if you're in the San Diego area. Great food, pretty setting, and a nice mix of upscale and comfortable. Can't wait to share our full video review soon on our socials at @colefamilyvalues --- stay tuned for that one! read more

See all

As a family, we come here a lot. It's a great place for large parties, easy to get reservations and be the water! Service is always good and the food is consistent. I usually go for the vodka pasta. I enjoy the cauliflower app and the lava cake. Thank you Il Fornaio for all the great memories! read more

We reserved on Open Table here to bring our friend who was visiting town. Our party of 3 was excited to try this place out. Il Fornaio is on the water in Coronado, right next to Peohe's. We arrived 5min before our 7p reservation time and the hostesses were able to locate our reservation and seat us immediately. We were seated at a wonderful window view dining seat inside. There were air conditioning vents on the window panes that made it chilly for those of us who sat next to the window. The view was great, we had daylight and nightlight dining at this reservation time...bonus! Our server was customer service oriented and he was very attentive. He checked in with us often. We ordered: Bruschetta Asortito for the table, a Papardelle and Chicken dish with creamy sauce, a Pesto Gnocchi dish no meat, a steak entree with gravy, one 0% beer, 1 Old Fashioned, and 1 Tequila drink. Dessert was the "Vulcano" Cake which I thought was spelled wrong, but maybe that is how they spell it in Italian? My Gnocchi Pesto entree was not good at all. There was no pesto flavor. It was brown colored, gravy consistency sauce with flecks of green herbs in it...NOT pesto. The "Bruschetta Asortito" for the table had the correct pesto on one of the breads, but my entree's execution failed. I am a BIG traditional PESTO FAN. The gnocchi also was too soggy. The Old Fashioned drink was made perfectly. Dessert Vulcano Cake was good. The whole party had a lot of gas in the evening, upset stomach at 2am, as well as the day after this meal. For our dining table choice, customer service experience, the drinks, and dessert, I gave 2 stars overall for our dining experience. The food execution, gassy tummies, and upset stomachs after eating here took away 3 stars read more

See all

Located in Coronado, right along the water. Good views of the bay. Came here on a Tuesday night. Free parking. Plenty of seating. Place looked nice in the inside. Service was good and very nice. Food came out promptly. Got the Calamaretti Fritti, hamachi crudo, Lasagna Ferrarese, and the Tagliatelle Bolognese. The calamari was not bad. Was not chewy. I never had crudo in big chunks. Not bad. The sauce was very overpowering. Taking away from the yellowtail. The lasagna was very good. Have not had lasagna this good in a very long time. The sauce was thick. You can cut through it without everything falling apart. The cheese did not slide off. The tagliatelle was also very good. Because of those entries. We are definitely coming back to try other items from the menu. read more

See all

What a wonderful pre Mother's Day lunch I had with a friend today. Everything was prepared beautifully & tasted even better than it looked! We split a Cesar salad, we split a chicken parmesan entree that came with pomodoro spaghetti. Plus, we split an spumoni (Italian ice cream) spectacular dessert!!! The restaurant is beautiful with it's setting in Coronado with the bay & downtown view. The server, Vonna was terrific, friendly & provided great customer service! Even the owner came over to see how we liked our meal. l'll definitely be coming back to II Fornaio, but this time with my husband! read more

Il Fornaio - 1/2 order of Chicken Parm - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

UPDATE. I've visited this place a few times now, and I must say, the food and view have never disappointed me. Our server and team was attentive. There were 5 of us in the group. The only thing was the Negroni that I ordered. It was not balanced compared to others that I had. The cocktail came across as harsh and lingering, with a bitter aftertaste that wasn't pleasant for my palate. Overall, the Negroni felt more intense than enjoyable. read more

See all

I'm usually not a fan of places when it seems like a usual tourist trap. I was pleasantly surprised by this place. For starters they were really accommodating with my elderly doggo on their patio and even made of water for him. Our server Hector was simply outstanding and attentive . Had a sampling of the menu and everything was spot on. The penne alla vodka was perfectly al dente and the vodka sauce was nicely balanced with hint of a char from the bacon. The seafood di marre pasta was spectacular with plump and generous seafood and with a savory marina sauce. All the round a fantastic stop here and would definitely recommend given its amazing views as well read more

See all

Last Saturday, we finally checked out Il Fornaio in Coronado after passing by it countless times during our visits to the island. It's always busy--and now we know why. This time, we planned ahead and made a reservation for our weekly date night, which definitely paid off. We were seated inside with a beautiful view of the water, setting the tone for a great evening. We started with the Bruschette Assortite and Calamaretti Fritti--both were spot on. For the main course, I ordered the Pollo Ai Funghi, while my wife had the Salmone Alla Griglia. Both dishes were absolutely fantastic--rich in flavor, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. It was so good that we've already planned to come back next week with a group of 11. As a marketing consultant--and because the dish was that impressive--I couldn't resist capturing a photo of my Pollo Ai Funghi. It's the kind of dish that deserves to be featured. read more

Il Fornaio - Pollo Ai Funghi - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

My family and I came here before the SD Bay Parade of Lights. Reservations were limited well in advance. Parking was limited due to the event. When we came, we were seated right away. Service was slow to start. We started with Burrata con Prosciutto. I got rigatoni alla vodka, my cousin got tagliatelle bolognese & my brother got margherita pizza. Everything was good but overpriced. Idk if I'd come back. read more

See all

My friend and I went here to celebrate our 9 year friendship anniversary and they did not miss!! Our server was so fun and sweet. Really made our experience excellent. There was also a manager that saw me struggling with the salt grinder and he was attentive and so helpful! We ordered two drinks: Espresso martini - my friend loved it! Tiki drink- fruity and fresh deliciousness! I loved it! For appetizer we ordered the grilled octopus. It was tasty and fresh. I think they used a pesto type sauce and it was soooo goooood!! I ordered the pear salad with shrimp. The shrimp was AMAZING. The salad delicious. I don't really like Gorgonzola so I took that off . The salad was amazing. Fresh light and tasty amazing combination of flavors between the grapes and pears and pecans! She ordered the pasta and LOVED it. Then they surprised us with a friendship anniversary dessert and it was delightful and simple. The ocean view off the back deck was such a nice touch it was so beautiful and the weather was perfect to sit outside and enjoy our lunch. I'd def go again! read more

See all

An idyllic location to enjoy excellent Italian food in Coronado! My cousins and I had dinner here before watching the Parade of Lights. The restaurant is an excellent viewing location, by the way! The food is so good. I had the tagliatelle bolognese and it was to die for! Our server was very sweet, but could have checked in on us a bit more. I've also dined on the patio in the warmer months, and it has fabulous views of the San Diego skyline. I'd like to come back and visit again in the warmer months. There is parking in front of the restaurant, but it tends to fill up quickly. I'd recommend leaving a little extra time for parking. Thank you! read more

Came tonight for my anniversary with my boyfriend. We Had a reservation that we waited only a couple extra minutes for, staff was very polite and apologetic even though we weren't in a rush. We had espresso martinis and they were so freaking good and I got buzzed off only one and I can drink. My boyfriend absolutely loved his salmon, and I loved my pasta. We had two (ish) servers cause one was training, both were very sweet, and one more funny. They brought us a complimentary desert for our anniversary. I had a great time. And we are both servers ourselves, so THANK YOU FOR GOOD SERVICE read more

See all

My wife and I were visiting Coronado recently for my wife's work conference. I went out to dinner one evening with her colleagues and her to Il Fornaio, a wonderful Italian restaurant on Coronado that has other locations around California and Las Vegas. They are known for using fresh ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. We sat outside where we had a beautiful view of the bay. The service was rather quick, and we ordered drinks and meals. I gave the Tuscan Lemonade a try, which included Conciere vodka, blackberry purée, lemon, and soda. It was tasty and refreshing though it was a bit bubbly as it had soda in it. My wife and I then shared a Margherita pizza, which was thin-crust using housemade dough and included mozzarella, tomato sauce, oregano, and fresh basil. Everyone enjoyed their meals and found them to be quite filling. There are locations all across California, though the one in Coronado is certainly one of a kind. This particular location is next to the Coronado Ferry Plaza with breathtaking views. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9 PM and Friday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM. They have indoor and outdoor dining options available. Happy Hour is weekdays from 3-6 PM and includes food and drink specials. Also, in July if you bring in your favorite bottle of wine, there is no corkage fee. Nice! If you go to the Il Fornaio website (https://www.ilfornaio.com), you can make reservations, check out the menus, learn about catering and private dining options, order online, and learn about gift cards. You can join the Il Fornaio Insider program (rewards program) by going to https://www.ilfornaio.com/rewards. You will then be the first to know about specialty menus, promotions, and events as well as can earn rewards for free items and surprise offers including free tiramisu for your birthday. There are many great restaurants on Coronado, but definitely consider this one to be one of them, especially near the Coronado Ferry Plaza. read more

Il Fornaio - Margherita Pizza - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

Fun location. Decent service. Seemed a bit worn down outside seating area. Would return if in area but perhaps try a place in Little Italy if wanted to travel instead across Bay Area for dinner. read more

It might've been the day we were there, but the experience didn't live up to expectations for such a popular restaurant. You need reservations, but there either isn't enough staff or they just don't make rounds enough. Everything took ages to come out, but worse, it took ages to even get water refilled, let alone drink refills. Our chilled wine was just set on the table, no bucket, despite it being 86°. Yes, the food is good, around 4 stars, and the view and dining setup is gorgeous, but the experience was such a let down. I'd absolutely eat there again for the food and view, but I expect a lot more from a restaurant in terms of service, regardless of if it's busy. read more

Il Fornaio - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

I would give this place a 3.9! The beauty and ambiance is impeccable however the food lacked for the price. My dish didn't have much flavor and needed more salt. But the service was quick! The wine choices were good. And if you only care about the aesthetic it's a cute place for dinner. read more

Il Fornaio - Mushroom Chicken Pasta - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

Parking is free for the first two hours. Plenty of disabled spots and the restaurant has accessible ramps with a wide width and gentle slope. We had Chef's Special Steak with 3 sauces Chef's Special Fish Vodka rigatoni Branzino Calamari Chocolate Lava Cake We made a reservation through Yelp. We were seated with a great view for a birthday celebration. Everything was delicious and served hot table side. The fish and meat were tender and cooked just right. The calamari and fish were really fresh. They know how to handle seafood here. Any special requests for extra sauces we're accommodated. What a great dining experience. Shout out to Jen who was assigned to our table. She was awesome. read more

See all

This Italian spot pairs incredible food with an even better view of the San Diego downtown skyline. We started with the bruschetta, which was fresh, bright, and loaded with flavor. The gnocchi was the standout--pillowy soft and perfectly coated in a rich, comforting sauce. The margherita pizza was simple, classic, and done right with a crisp crust and fresh mozzarella. Between the skyline backdrop and the quality of the dishes, this place is an easy favorite for a relaxed, delicious night out. Service was hands down great throughout the dinner service. read more

See all

IL FORNAIO @ Coronado This place was a pretty standard italian restaurant off of Coronado Island. I was excited to come to this place for the view point being right by the water. I had a party of 10 reserved and was seated pretty quickly. The service was great, our server was kind and was always asking us if we needed more time and if there were any questions. I decided to get a margherita pizza since I had pasta the other day. It was $20 (before tax and tip) and it was as decent as a frozen pizza. Flavor was bland, I wish there was more basil added. My friend got the pasta, and it was overly salty, but still had a lot more flavor than the pizza I got. Calamari was okay to share, it was pretty pricey for small portion to share, however was flavorful, more on the oily side. We were also placed away from the water which was a bummer, but overall i wish the ambiance was more darker and less bright especially for a new restaurant. Overall, I enjoyed the service, but I don't think it's authentic. read more

See all

The ambience of this restaurant is everything! It has one of the best views of the San Diego skyline, located at the Coronado ferry landing area. Upon arrival, I liked that the restaurant had its own paid parking lot. I arrived on a Sunday at noon and there was ample parking available. Upon entering this Italian restaurant, I loved the archways and openness of the interior. We were seated outside on the patio with gorgeous views of the ocean, sunny blue sky and gentle sea breeze. The menu had alot of variety to choose from. I appreciated that there were gluten free options for those in need. We ordered a healthy salad and grilled chicken for our lunch. The food was fresh and presented beautifully! They also treated my friend to a birthday dessert treat which made the experience extra special. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here and would highly recommend to others for a scenic and relaxing getaway. Moreover, there is an open dress code so there were guests dressed up as well as those who came in more casual attire which I appreciated as well. The restaurant staff were very kind, happy, and very helpful! read more

See all

Il Fornaio is a beautiful restaurant, but unfortunately the service during our visit missed the mark at nearly every step. I originally had a reservation for 5:00 pm, moved it to 7:00 pm when my date was running late, and arrived early at 6:00 pm by mistake. I left and returned at 7:00 pm, only to be told they could not find our reservation. After some back and forth and offering to show the OpenTable confirmation, we were told we would be "next." About 30 minutes later we were asked if we wanted to sit outside, despite temperatures being in the high 40s to low 50s. At 7:36 pm we were finally seated. Less than five minutes later, while sitting at the table, I received a phone call saying that our 7:00 pm reservation was now ready, the same reservation they previously said they could not find. Once seated, we placed a drink order and an appetizer, and then our server disappeared for over 30 minutes. The first drink tasted like soda water and appeared to be made with very low-quality vodka, and the second was not much better. During this time, we were also brought the wrong food twice, even though we had not yet ordered our entrées. Basic cleanliness was also an issue. My glass had dried food stuck to the side, and my fork still had food on it that clearly made it through the dishwasher. I had to ask another server for clean silverware. After finishing, it took another 30 minutes just to get the server's attention to request the check. To top it off, I later received a notification from OpenTable marking me as a no-show for the 7:00 pm reservation. The restaurant itself is lovely, and the food was mediocre but acceptable. Unfortunately, the service issues were consistent and compounded throughout the entire evening. I don't foresee returning. read more

Il Fornaio - My "clean" fork - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

My friends and I, a group of 10, were in the mood to try a new Italian spot, and we landed on this place based on a recommendation from a friend who lives in Coronado. From the start, I was impressed. Making a reservation was extremely easy, and we were seated promptly upon arrival. Our server was attentive and efficient. Our drinks were brought out quickly and our meals followed shortly after. I ordered the Rigatoni alla Vodka, and it did not disappoint. The portion was generous, and the flavor was rich and creamy. Parking was surprisingly easy and the view of downtown from both the windows and the patio added a really nice touch to the atmosphere. Overall, the food and service were excellent. If I had to offer one small critique, it would be the interior ambiance. I was expecting a more romantic, dimly lit setting based on the online photos, but the lighting was a bit brighter than anticipated. That said, it didn't take away from the great experience we had. Highly recommend this place for a casual dinner with friends! read more

See all

This place is GREAT. The Margherita pizza and pesto pasta is a must have if you are on the Island. The breath taking view is amazing !! You will experience passing ships while eating. The bread is made fresh daily and you will definetley know with your first bite!! The staff is always friendly and very accommadating even last minute. The whole experience is a must do if you ever get a chance to visit the Island. Incredible Italian Food experience. read more

It's not often that a restaurant in a touristy area delivers high quality service and food. My dinner was delicious (seafood pasta gluten free) and the staff was so attentive! I hear locals love this spot too. Sat at the bar and still had a great view of the water. read more

Il Fornaio - Pasta with seafood (gluten free). - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

Our experience at Il Fornaio was super spectacular! My husband treated me here for my 40th birthday, we did not have reservations but we were seated almost immediately. Our servers were ELISA and RIHANNA. They both were attentive and friendly. JORGE also visited our table during our dinner. He was welcoming and chatted it up with us a bit, while we sat in the outdoor dining area. After doing so he informed us that they offered a 20% off Military discount. We were pleasantly surprised and even ordered more desserts to go. Definitely going back for more! #happycustomers read more

See all

We had an incredible experience at Il Fornaio. On very short notice, they accommodated our group of more than 40 guests for dinner, and everything was handled flawlessly. Coordinating a gathering of that size is no small task, yet the staff made it look effortless. The food was excellent, the service was attentive, and the atmosphere was perfect for our event. Every guest felt welcome and well cared for throughout the evening. A special thank you to Assistant Manager Jorge Teran for going above and beyond to make it all happen from the moment we all arrived. His professionalism, responsiveness, and calm leadership truly made the night a success. We are so grateful for the outstanding hospitality and look forward to returning again soon. read more

First time dining at this beautiful location. It was a Saturday evening in Coronado, and this place was packed. Fortunately my cousin had made 3 separate reservations (for the same time), since our party was quite large. Three separate tables, but at least we all got in there! LOL. The "ladies table" opted to do family style and chose several dishes to share. The bread service came out hot and fresh with the classic EVOO and balsamic vinegar mixture for dipping. Started off with their Camaretti Fritti (fried calamari, savory and crisp), Polipo Con Patate (grilled octopus, a must try!), and Caprese Tradizionale (traditional caprese salad, heirlooms were plump and the mozzarella was fresh!). For our entrees we ordered their Pizza Cristina (just a tad under-baked in the middle for my liking, but savory nonetheless), Linguine Mare Chiaro (all the seafood proteins in this dish were fresh and the pasta was perfectly al dente), and the Pollo Ai Funghi was also equally delicious. Finally, we saved room for dessert! We ordered their Tiramisu (sinfully decadent), which was the perfect ending to our family dinner. CHEERS and happy eating till next time... read more

See all

We were greeted with a genuine smile and we're seated immediately. Our servwr, Vanya, was excellent. We had the burata and it was delish. Then came the bolongnese. It was all cut up into small pieces. We sent it back. Vanya was great about it and the next one came out perfectly. Long Lucious strands of pasta. The chicken parm was also a home run. Over all the atmos was great and the staff was superb. Food was solid. read more

See all

The best thing this place has going for it is the location--right on the water, beautifully decorated, and very spacious. Service was odd from the start. There were three hostesses at the front, which felt excessive. Even with a reservation, we were taken to a table we didn't want. We asked for the one right next to it, but she refused, saying there was no server assigned--yet they seated someone there shortly after, with the same server covering our area. That didn't make sense. Food was underwhelming. The salmon wasn't even wild-caught, and the chicken our waitress hyped up was just okay. Would I go back? No--not even for the location. There's too much competition on Coronado Bay. read more

Came here on NY day with my bf. Got seated outside because we wanted to enjoy the view (which was beautiful). We ordered pizza, pasta, calamari and 2 cocktails. The food was pretty good but nothing memorable. The only downside I have of this place was regarding the server. I had like 3 different person help me and kept saying "your server will be here in a second" back n forth a few different times. So it was kinda unorganized. Overall, if you're looking to eat somewhere with a nice view, this is an option. read more

See all

Whenever we visit Coronado, we book reservations for Il Fornaio every evening for dinner. Cesar the Bartender is the absolute best! He is always smiling, extremely courteous, offers suggestions on the menu and is attentive to all his patrons all the time! Thank you Cesar for making our trips to Coronado and visiting Il Fornaio worth it! read more