Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Il Fornaio

    3.8 (2.1k reviews)
    PriceyItalian, Seafood, Pizza
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order Il Fornaio Takeout or Delivery

    Il Fornaio Photos

    Business Info

    IL FORNAIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Il Fornaio

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Shrimp pesto pasta
    Cory Y.

    A pretty fancy restaurant on coronado with great friendly service. Beautiful views of the bay. Very delicious food. Love that they make their own fresh pasta. You can certainly tell. Meats were cooked perfectly and drinks were great too. Just wish they had a little heavier pour. Seemed a little light handed even with ice. But from appetizers to desserts, the food was scrumptious. Very nice but casual ambiance inside as well as the outside seating. Will certainly be back for a fancier type meal.

    Linguine con Fiori di Zucchine
    Shirley S.

    Friday lunch was beautiful with a scenic view and delicious food. Our server was nice and helpful. There were three of us and we started with Calamaretti Fritti. Pretty tasty with one cup Minestrone and two bowls of Lobster Bisque. I had the Insalata Bietole which was plentiful and delicious. We also had an order of Insalata Cesarina with added Shrimp and Linguine Con Fiori Di Zucchine. We topped it off with Spumone Gelato and two birthday parfaits and three coffees. They also charge for a basket of bread and 3% Surcharge. Total bill with tax and gratuity was $216. I paid their suggested 18% gratuity based on the total bill including tax and surcharge. Their calculations should be based on pre-tax subtotal. Pretty pricey for a fairly simple lunch. But I guess you're paying for the view and no complaints on the soups, salads, pasta with dessert and coffee.

    Bar View
    Jordan C.

    I'm not sure how I've never heard of this place before! We came for the first time last month and have already been back. Our first visit was for dinner on the patio, where we enjoyed a great view, good food, and a relaxing atmosphere. The second time, we stopped in for early drinks and appetizers and grabbed seats at the bar. The cocktails good, and the truffle gnocchi with bread was absolutely delicious. The gnocchi was rich, flavorful, and the perfect small plate to share while enjoying a date night. Im sure we will be back again!

    Maddie E.

    Had a great meal here well on vacation! The service was very nice and they were by the table often to ensure we were taken care of. I really enjoyed my fish special! I also had a very good old-fashioned.

    Private event area
    Crystal C.

    This is a romantic place for a date night. I had a great time service was great, food was amazing, and the ambience fit the price on the meals. My only complaint would be if they had anything other than wine or beer to drink I wouldn't had known because I was not shown the drink menu. Overall would return, favorite part was there was plenty of parking and that can be a challenge in Coronado.

    Selena F.

    Il Fornaio has a beautiful interior made better by the fantastic views of downtown San Diego. It is unfortunate that the food is a bit lacking in flavor. The pasta I ordered just tasted like noodles with oil. The artichoke appetizer was a dish I would especially not recommend as it was just essentially dry leaves with no flavor. One plus side is that Il Fornaio offers a lot of great specials every day of the week. Our server was also really great and brought us over a small ice cream since we were celebrating a graduation. I would be willing to try Il Formaio again but I would have to find a dish more to my liking.

    Rigatoni alla Vodka and Pizza (I forgot the name)
    Jenna F.

    Great service and beautiful view! We got oil and balsamic vinegar with bread to start which was delicious. We ordered pasta and pizza for our main dishes. The rest of the menu looks so good as well. Definitely want to come back for more!

    Check
    G K.

    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!

    Expresso Martini
    Spencer R.

    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.

    Calamaretti Fritti
    Sam P.

    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.

    Marcus C.

    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!

    Ofelia C.

    First time trying Fornaio, and it was a great experience. The views of the bay were spectacular and the food was delicious.

    Table is clean and not sticky
    Taura G.

    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

    See all

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cory Y.
    467
    198
    1617

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 days ago

    The food was ok, it wasn't anything to rave about. But the view is fantastic! Service was good and so were the drinks

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of G K.
    3
    93
    80

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ofelia C.
    28
    21
    69

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 5

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Great location - back patio has a great view. Service was great! Pasta trio special was ok. Delicious bread!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adrian A.
    1
    191
    524

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 52

    Il Fornaio Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Il Fornaio

    Are there any vegan pastas available?

    Hello Laurel, The majority of our pastas, including the fresh homemade version, are made with no eggs.… 

    Do you have any gluten free dishes?

    Yes Suzanne. GF pasta and GF options are available Thanks

    Do they have a full bar? IE spiced rum, whiskey, and etc?

    They do.

    Answer several months ago about happy hour, and the main website, say details about happy hour are at the location site menu page. There is nothing on the menu about happy hour. Is it still a thing 3-6 M-F? Thanks!

    That's what we were told last month... weekdays only.

    What's available for vegan options?

    Nothing

    Is Happy hour back?

    Yes Martha, our HH came back few weeks ago. Menu is posted on our website @ www.Ilfornaio.com HH run Mo-Fri 3-6pm @ the bar inside only for the moment.… 

    How long are you allowed to park for free?

    2 hours with dining

    Hi, is the lunch menu available on Saturdays?

    Do you have outdoor seating?

    Yes, the view is fantastic, looking across at the city.

    Does this restaurant have bar seating? Is there an outside seating?

    My apologies for the late response. We do have a bar sitting for 12 guests with several tables and a large bar patio overlooking the bay.

    Is there still Happy Hour at this location? One of the reviews says there's not. Also, do you accept reservations for Happy Hour if we're looking to sit in the bar Patio?

    Hello Bianca, Unfortunately we don't have happy hour at the moment until further notice, We do recommend reservation for dine in, to be able to provide a better quality of… 

    Would our very well behaved small dog be allowed in his dog stroller on the patio?

    Hello Piriya Our bar patio is dog friendly and allows dogs on leash at all time to be entering our dining space along with owner assuming their responsibility to pick up in… 

    I'm planning my mom's 60th Birthday her and I'll have my three kids with us. Is there a kids menu or kid friendly options? I haven't been able to find anything on the website or in the reviews. Thanks!

    Hi Jessica, Thanks for your interest on dinning with us. A full Kids menu is available with… 

    Are their any corkage fees?

    Ciao Peter Every Monday and Tuesday we offering a free corkage all day and night For all the rest… 

    What is the Corkage fee?

    $20 per bottle Corkage is free on Monday and Tuesday all day

    Are dogs allowed?

    Hi Tosh Pet friendly patio at the bar area and service dogs are allowed everywhere They must be on… 

    Is this place good for a first date?

    YES! Absolutely beautiful with breathtaking views, wonderful food & drinks. Also great service

    What's their Sunday morning brunch like?

    Eggssss

    When is the happy hour?

    Monday to Friday @ 3.00-6.00 pm Bar and bar patio only Hope to see you soon

    View All 23 Questions

    You might also consider

    Ironside Fish & Oyster - CLAMS CASINO Venus CLAMS, BACON, PARMESAN BELL PEPPER, ONION, GARLIC, PANKO $26

    Ironside Fish & Oyster

    4.2(6.2k reviews)
    1.7 miLittle Italy
    $$

    Food was awesome. Oyster happy hour rules, Uni was good, tuna belly absolutely killer. Service…read morewas excellent, Amber took good care of us. Bathrooms were dark, but I'm into that.

    What an amazing gem! We got off the plane and tried to make it to another spot for lunch but the…read morewait was over an hour. In our search for an alternative nearby, we happened upon Ironside which was opening in just another 10 minutes and let me tell you, it was worth the wait. The atmosphere is amazing, we loved the decor, and we were lucky to show up early because the entire restaurant filled up within the hour. We started with a dozen of the raw oysters, they were fresh, juicy, and incredibly flavorful. We especially loved the minionette sauce and the included horseradish. Next up was the bread, the butter it comes with is salted and tastes amazing paired up with the exquisitely light and fluffy bread. By this time, our drinks came up and the Mai Tai was the winner of the day. The aperol spritz and Ghostwriter were also good, but the Mai Tai was possibly the best that I've ever had. Next up, we had the Oysters Rockefeller, which had a combination of two varieties, one with caramelized onions and the other with a crispy chili drizzle. Both were delicious, but I preferred the creamy freshness of the raw oysters. Then the main characters showed up, the lobster rolls, clam chowder, and the amazing local catch of sea bass. The winner for this round was the 'brought in that morning' sea bass, but the lobster rolls took a very close second place. Everything was cooked to perfection and incredibly flavorful. The lobster rolls were a little unorthodox, being more of a lobster open face sandwich, but everything was so good, we are looking forward to coming back again. If you're in the area and are a fan of excellent sea food, Ironside deserves to have a place near the top of your short list. The service was great, the atmosphere is worthy of sharing on social media, and the food approaches that of Michelin recognized establishments. We'll be back again to try the amazing looking octopus and will recommend this restaurant to anyone coming to San Diego!

    Photos
    Ironside Fish & Oyster - Taking an order

    Taking an order

    Ironside Fish & Oyster - Octopus a LA Plancha

    Octopus a LA Plancha

    Ironside Fish & Oyster - Happy hour oysters

    See all

    Happy hour oysters

    C Level - C Level patio

    C Level

    4.3(5.6k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    C level will always be one of my favorite restaurants to celebrate occasions…read more - Amazing views of the San Diego skyline - Delicious Food -Great service! - fancy enough for all types of groups The location is the number one place why I love this place. You get the San Diego vibe all the while treating yourself to a delicious meal. Note: If you have a long layover in sd. Definitely try this place! It's across the SAN airport.

    5 stars would recommend! Came here for my solo birthday dinner and I plan to come back tomorrow for…read morelunch/happy hour! Atmosphere, service, drinks, foooooddd!!! I didn't take pictures because I was too busy inhaling everything. Ceviche verde had the perfect amount of spiciness and shrimp, I was only upset that my chips kept breaking while I was trying to devour (enjoy) it. Lobster bisque chefs kiss, one of the best I've had. Seafood fettuccine, was well worth it! They jam packed it with the seafood instead of being stingy. Key lime pie for dessert I had to take to go because I was trying to be ladylike after eating all the other food. First time here coming from Vegas and I'm glad I chose C Level for my birthday dinner. Thank you to Avery and my waiter who took over. Thank you to who I think was the manager with red hair who came over and even the hostess who gave me the best indoor seat view! Everyone made me feel very special

    Photos
    C Level - Skyline views

    Skyline views

    C Level - Hawaiian Ahi & Salmon Poke

    Hawaiian Ahi & Salmon Poke

    C Level - Steamed Mussel Pot

    See all

    Steamed Mussel Pot

    Water Grill - San Diego - Raw bar tower for 2+ people!

    Water Grill - San Diego

    4.4(3.8k reviews)
    0.9 miGaslamp, East Village
    $$$

    I've been to Water Grill a couple of times now, and this place continues to deliver every time…read more There's something about it that just feels consistently good--from the food and service to the overall atmosphere. The seafood is always fresh, which is really what you want from a place like this. Their oysters and raw bar are definitely worth checking out, and you can tell they take the quality of their seafood seriously. Even the warm bread and butter is something people rave about, and honestly, I can see why. Service has also been great every time I've been here. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and helpful without being overbearing. They're good at making recommendations and giving you time to enjoy your meal without making you feel rushed. The vibe is another big reason I like coming here. It has that upscale but still lively atmosphere where you can dress up for a nice dinner but it doesn't feel overly formal or stuffy. It can get busy and energetic, especially later in the evening, which actually works perfectly for the Gaslamp vibe. And speaking of location, you really can't beat it. It's right in the heart of the Gaslamp, so it's a perfect stop before heading out for some nightlife shenanigans. Grab some seafood, have a cocktail or glass of wine, enjoy the atmosphere, and you're already right in the middle of everything afterward. Whether it's a date night, dinner with friends, or just looking for a nice seafood spot downtown, Water Grill has been a pretty reliable choice for me. Good seafood, great service, great atmosphere, and an even better location. Definitely one of those places I don't mind coming back to.

    Great place right after a Padres game! Ollie the bartender…read morerocked, and even made an IRISH COFFEE for me!! All the staff jumped in and helped, if necessary. The place is beautiful, and HUGE! There is an upstairs with another bar, which wasn't open when we were there. We weren't hungry, so I can't comment on the food, but there were lots of raw bar options! We look forward to coming back and seeing Ollie again!

    Photos
    Water Grill - San Diego - Wild Chilean Sea Bass with ricotta gundi and brown butter.

    Wild Chilean Sea Bass with ricotta gundi and brown butter.

    Water Grill - San Diego - Best freshest oysters ever!!!

    Best freshest oysters ever!!!

    Water Grill - San Diego - The grand platter :)

    See all

    The grand platter :)

    Pete's Seafood and Sandwich - Fried Mushrooms

    Pete's Seafood and Sandwich

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    3.7 miNorth Park
    $$

    Today I brought my new baby out to try out our family's favorite restaurant. Baby-friendly with…read morespace to park the stroller next to our table. We put baby in high chair although baby kept trying to eat the table. We got our usual favorites (warm lobster rolls, clam chowder bowls, fried oyster, and fried clam belly). Surprisingly the clam belly was full of sand this time! Must not have soaked in water long enough, but when we told our server they swapped it out immediately. We substituted one of our coleslaw for potato salad, and one of our fries for onion rings. We definitely will continue doing so because it is nice to try out so many different dishes! As always, order the fries well-done for nice crispy fries. It's still on our to-do list to try the chicken parmesan since we've heard so many good things about it, but I really do like my Must Order dishes (listed below). Must Order (in order of ranking): - Clam chowder bowl - Warm lobster roll - Fried oysters - Fried scallops - Fried clam belly - Fried clam strips - Crab roll Pass: - Fish and chips - Calamari

    Not bad, not bad. I…read moredon't have a lot of experience with lobster rolls. I think I've had one or two in my lifetime, while visiting Boston. The lobster was fresh, juicy, meaty, tender. Pretty perfect. I do believe it was missing some flavor, maybe even more butter? But then again I'm no expert. And, I was happy to have it. Alright, the fried Baja shrimp plate, oh my! Amazing. The shrimp are addicting and easy to eat. I easily could eaten the entire order. The portions are good. The staff seemed serious and focused on their jobs. I think the Boston memorabilia is fun, lots of Red Sox, and the city of Boston pictures and cool stuff. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. With two separate seating areas indoor. Given how hot it is we definitely sat inside. You will find a photo of Mr. Padre at the bar and some Padres jerseys and bobbleheads at the bar. I suppose just in case you forget where you are. Fun to finally check out Pete's Seafood and Sandwich given how many times I've driven by it. Most definitely a billion times!!

    Photos
    Pete's Seafood and Sandwich
    Pete's Seafood and Sandwich - Calamari

    Calamari

    Pete's Seafood and Sandwich - Warm Lobster Roll

    See all

    Warm Lobster Roll

    Il Fornaio - italian - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...