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

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

Good? Their bread is so tasty and I used it to sop up the rich tomato sauce around the light pillowy gnocchi. Their Caesar's salad was one of the best I've had. Yes! That good! The tiramisù was delicious too. Bad? The tired tasteless dried out chicken breast. Ugh! I cut up little bits and bites and gave it to my dog under the table. Yes! It was that bad! 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

This restaurant is in a beautiful location, and if you're able to get a table with a window you'll have a nice view of the water. We had an early dinner reservation for Saturday, and we were able to walk in and get seated right away. We had a somewhat mixed experience with our service. The ladies who greeted and sat us were very nice. Our server, however, wasn't very friendly and seemed to get a little irritated when we asked him questions about the menu. Things got better when he brought out the food, which was delicious. I ordered the Linguine Mare Chiaro, and I was really happy with my choice. The seafood was fresh, and the pasta was cooked perfectly. During our meal, the assistant manager Jorge came to our table and greeted us. He was so nice and genuine that we forgot about any sour feelings that we had because of our server. So overall it was a good experience with great food and a great location. read more

Il Fornaio - Linguine Mare Chiaro - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

Celebrated my husband's birthday with delicious pasta dinners and a dessert. Started with delicious Cestino Del Pane (freshly baked bread) with olive oil and balsamic. For dinner we had the delicious and creamy Rigatoni Alla Vodka (without bacon) and with mouth watering Ravioli Brasato Norcina. Both highly recommend pasta dishes! The ambiance was warm with the fireplace going inside. We requested a table near the window and they accommodated our request. We can't wait to eat here again soon! read more

See all

We went for my cousins birthday and the ambience, service and food were great!! Shout out to our server Alexa for the great hospitality, my family and I will definitely be coming back. read more

Il Fornaio is located right next to the Coronado ferry landing with spectacular views of San Diego city and harbor. The service was good and they were accommodating for gluten free allergies. The rigatoni was nice and heavy on the meat sauce. Highly recommend sitting outside on the patio. read more

Il Fornaio - Rigatoni with gluten free pasta - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

I had dinner at IL Fornaio and would rate it a 8.5 out of 10. I ordered the Pappardelle alla Norcina con Pollo. It was good, but not quite as flavorful or cheesy as I was expecting. I found myself wishing for a bit more richness and depth in the sauce. That said, the chicken was really well-cooked, the mushrooms were delicious, and the truffle added a nice earthy note. 7/10 I also had the calamari, and that was a standout--super crispy, juicy, and served with lime on the side, which added a perfect fresh kick. Easily some of the best calamari I've had. 10/10. The pizza was decent too, though I've definitely had better elsewhere. 7.5/10 The staff was excellent--friendly and attentive--and the view was absolutely stunning, overlooking the ocean and the city lights of San Diego. It's a great spot for a night out, especially if you're looking for a romantic or scenic dinner location. read more

See all

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 came at the advice of our wedding planner to have our wedding dinner here after our ceremony on the beach and we couldn't have been more thrilled! It's in a beautiful location overlooking the water and the San Diego skyline from Coronado. There are several different event options depending on your wedding party. I reserved our table in advance to make sure we had our table. The service was great. We had people arriving at slightly different times and they were efficient at serving us all. The food was really good. I ordered linguine mare chiaro ($33) filled with seafood and it was so good. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meal. They also served the cake we brought flawlessly. We also brought our own wine which they served for a corkage fee. Overall, this is a great spot to have a wedding dinner when you're in Coronado. Thank you so much to the staff here for being the perfect ending to our wedding night. I definitely recommend this restaurant... and plan to come back! read more

Il Fornaio - Our wedding dinner - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

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

Everything was a very nice experience! Food was good and the view was amazingg. And also a big shoutout to our server Andres he was very welcoming and attentive, he definitely made our experience better! read more

Il Fornaio - pasta was amazing - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

First time there. Went for bday dinner. Food was really good and so was the service. I had the Cesar salad and the Salmon. The salad was excellent. The salmon was cooked perfectly but needed a little salt. A dash had of salt would have made it perfect. I didn't try my families dishes, but they cleaned their plates so I guess they were good! They gave me a sundae for my bday dessert and that was nice. I would definitely return here read more

See all

Food is tasty, service is great, and the ambience is amazing. You get a spectacular view of Downtown San Diego. It is a beautiful place to visit and a memorable one if you invite friends and family to celebrate a special occasion. read more

Il Fornaio Coronado is a great choice if you're looking for good food with an even better view. We came during Restaurant Week in early September and sat outside, where the breeze off the water made it perfect. From the patio you can watch boats go by, planes landing at the airport in the distance, and the San Diego skyline across the bay -- it's a fantastic backdrop for dinner. The food was excellent. The gnocchi was spot on, the filet with asparagus was tender and flavorful, and the drinks were well made. Everything came together for a relaxing and enjoyable evening. Classy atmosphere, great food, and that view -- definitely worth a visit if you're in Coronado. read more

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

See all

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

Wonderful lunch experience. Have not been there for a while, decided to revisit today. Atmosphere as always is excellent. They have a new menu, nice! My wife and myself believe they have one of the best calamari in San Diego. Big shout out to Julie our server! Great service! read more

Came here with a group for a Sunday dinner. I had the linguine with seafood and it was amazing. Scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels, and house made pasta. Gorgeous water views and a great time! read more

Il Fornaio - Linguine Mare Chiaro - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

I had a really enjoyable time visiting Il Fornaio in Coronado, and I did not expect the experience to feel as lively and welcoming as it did. When I first walked in, I immediately noticed how bright and open the atmosphere felt, almost like the kind of place where you can relax without feeling like you have to rush through anything. I went there with someone, and the whole time it felt like the restaurant had this calm but exciting energy that made the visit feel special in a way I did not fully anticipate. Even though it is a restaurant, it still had that same kind of playful and inviting feeling that teenagers would appreciate a lot. One thing that surprised me was how many teenagers I saw there. I did not expect that at all, but it actually made the place feel even more alive. They seemed to be having a great time, and it made me realize that Il Fornaio is the kind of spot where teenagers can enjoy themselves just as much as adults. It is not just a place to eat. It is a place where you can sit, talk, enjoy the view, and feel comfortable being yourself. I think teenagers would love being there because it gives them a chance to feel grown up while still having fun in a relaxed environment. The atmosphere is one of the biggest things teenagers would enjoy. The restaurant has this mix of elegance and comfort that makes it feel special without being intimidating. The big windows, the warm lighting, and the view of the water all make it feel like a place where you can take pictures, laugh with friends, and enjoy the moment. Teenagers love places that feel visually appealing, and Il Fornaio definitely has that kind of vibe. It is the kind of setting where they can feel creative and expressive just by being there. The service is another thing that stood out to me. The staff were friendly without being overwhelming, and they made the whole experience feel smooth and easy. Teenagers would appreciate that because it lets them enjoy their time without feeling pressured or rushed. The servers were patient, helpful, and respectful, which makes a big difference for younger people who want to feel comfortable when they go out to eat. It is the kind of service that makes you feel welcome no matter who you are or how old you are. When it comes to value, I think teenagers would be surprised by how much they get out of the experience. It is not just about the food. It is about the whole environment, the view, the atmosphere, and the feeling of being somewhere memorable. Even if they are not the ones paying, they will still feel like they are getting something special out of the visit. It is the kind of place where the experience itself feels worth it, and that is something teenagers really appreciate when they go somewhere new. The quality of the food is something that really impressed me. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared, and the presentation made it feel like the restaurant put real care into what they served. Teenagers who enjoy trying new foods or taking pictures of their meals would love that. The dishes look good, taste good, and feel like something you do not get every day. It is the kind of quality that makes the whole experience feel elevated without being too fancy or complicated. The selection is also something teenagers would enjoy. There are plenty of options, whether someone wants pasta, pizza, seafood, or something lighter. Teenagers like having choices, especially when they are out with friends who all have different tastes. Il Fornaio makes it easy for everyone to find something they will enjoy, and that makes the whole visit feel more relaxed and fun. It is the kind of menu that lets teenagers explore new flavors while still having familiar options to fall back on. I only visited Il Fornaio in Coronado one time before writing this review, but that one visit was enough for me to understand why people enjoy it so much. The combination of the atmosphere, the food, and the view made it one of the most pleasant and memorable places I have been to in a long time. I never doubted that the experience would turn out well, but it still managed to exceed what I expected. It is rare to find a place that feels both peaceful and exciting at the same time, but this restaurant somehow manages to do that effortlessly. Seeing so many teenagers there made me realize that it is a great place for them to go if they want somewhere that feels fun, social, and creative. Even though it is a restaurant, it still has that sense of enjoyment that makes it feel like more than just a place to eat. I would highly recommend that teenagers visit Il Fornaio in Coronado because it gives them a chance to enjoy good food, take pictures, spend time with friends, and feel like they are part of a lively and welcoming environment. It is the kind of place that leaves you with a good memory, and I am glad I got to experience it. read more

beautiful views of the bay and a very nice restaurant; however, food and service fell a little short. it was a busy sunday night for dinner, and it was a little difficult to get ahold of a server! water was not refilled in a timely manner, and my brother was served the wrong drink. a little disappointing that we had to order bread for the table for $4, and our second round of bread came after the entrees... i ordered the gnocchi pesto, one of the vegetarian items on the menu. the gnocchi itself was made well, and had the perfect texture of chewiness! however, the pesto sauce was not too impressive and the vegetables (asparagus and tomatoes) could have been cooked better as they were pretty bland. overall, a nice restaurant, but wish you got more for what you're paying read more

Il Fornaio - inside view - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

I've dined at Il Fornaio before and usually expect consistent service and food quality, which is why this visit was disappointing. We waited about 20 minutes for our drinks, which our server later said had been forgotten. After that, we waited 45 minutes with no food, at which point a manager stopped by to explain there was a delay. We were then told my pear salad with added salmon (an expensive protein add-on) had an issue and would take even longer. When my meal finally arrived about an hour after ordering, it was clear the salad had been dressed long before the salmon was re-cooked. The greens were extremely over-macerated and wilted, and the pears -- shaved very thin -- were nearly impossible to find. Only the grapes, cheese and pecans seemed intact. The menu description led me to expect fresh microgreens, but the salad was mostly arugula and mixed greens, which was not what I had envisioned. To their credit, the manager acknowledged the issues and offered a 20% discount, which was appreciated. Still, the timing and handling of the dish resulted in a salad that should not have been served in that condition. I'm sharing this respectfully in hopes that service timing, communication, and food execution can be improved. read more

I celebrated New Year's Eve here in 2021 with a dinner reservation sometime between 9:00-10:00 p.m. with a couple of close friends. We were seated outside so we could ring in the new year with a view of downtown and the fireworks--it was absolutely perfect. Because of that experience, I made a New Year's Eve reservation again this year during the first week of December (about four weeks in advance) through OpenTable for 8:45 p.m. for a group of six. Unfortunately, this past Saturday--only four days before our reservation--I received a call informing me that we would have only 15 minutes to eat because the restaurant would be closing at 9:00 p.m. This was especially confusing since OpenTable was still showing reservations available well after 9:00 p.m. This was incredibly disappointing. No explanation was provided, and I was simply told that we should make an earlier reservation so we can have enough time to eat--completely defeating the purpose of choosing this restaurant in the first place. Being notified less than a week before an event like New Year's Eve, when the reservation was made weeks in advance, was extremely frustrating. Had we been informed earlier in the month, it would have made a significant difference and allowed our group enough time to make alternative plans. read more

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

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

terrific view of the harbor and city of SD. food was delicious too, had the linguini with sea food. the wine was great and the service was A-plus as well. took off a star as they SHOULD have brought us bread as we all ordered pasta (and wine)-- maybe in san diego you're supposed to know to ask for it separately? in ny any 2* italian restaurant brings u bread af least to put something on the table early on, but certainly with pasta and sauce. read more

Il Fornaio - view from our table... - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

The Margherita pizza was flavorful and portion was good size. Prices were reasonable and service was excellent. I sat in the bar area but there is seating available outside overlooking the San Diego Bay. read more

Il Fornaio - Margherita pizza. - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

Great experience! Food excellent Service excellent! Asst Manager Pedro excellent! Overall great place to go for an expectational meal and experience! read more

Il Fornaio - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

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

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

Il Fornaio is a great place to celebrate a special occasion. They personalize your dining experience by starting with a little sign (if you make reservations detailing your reason for visiting) welcoming you and celebrating your occasion. The food is absolutely delicious. The ingredients are fresh and portions seem appropriate for the price. The service is also great, they check on you regularly without constantly interrupting conversations. The inside area is cozy, the outside area looks like it would be a fantastic view of the water during the day. read more

I've been a regular customer of this restaurant for years now, and we come all the way from San Diego to eat here. However, the last experience here wasn't a good one: we sat in the happy hour area on the terrace as we didn't have a reservation, and we wait 20+ minutes and they didn't even bring water. Then we asked if we could move to a different table that just emptied and someone was supposed to clean it so we can move, but that didn't happen. I was told they're busy and I can understand, but the tables around us were getting way more attention than us, in the 20+ minutes we waited for a glass of water and for someone to take our order, each server went to other tables 2-3 times while we were basically ignored. Although their food is good, they obviously lack customer service skills. read more

Great ambiance and decor. The views of the city are great! Easy parking on the front. The food is good. Varied menu of Italian classics. Service on the patio was very very slow. We felt our server had us abandoned there and kept tapping on the glass to try to catch his attention. Other employees saw us but not him. That needs most improvement. read more

See all

I recently had lunch out at this location and enjoyed the view to downtown on the patio!! We each ordered a cocktail and the brussel sprouts, Cavoletti Granilatti. My old fashioned was perfect! We also had the Carpaccio, very thinly sliced beef. I've had it better at other restaurants. But it was fine drizzled with the balsamic that came with the order of bread. We also enjoyed the lasagna that arrived bubbling in a cast iron skillet! I would highly recommend this spot for out of towners. But make sure to make reservations!! Service was great too! read more

See all

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

View is great. Service is very good, but not veteran servers like you might expect in fine dining. Mostly young and eager to please and friendly staff who do their best but lack that fine dining touch. Not an issue unless you're paying fine dining prices - which you are. Food is meh. Had a stomach ache afterwards. A little oily. Fish, shrimp, and scallops tasted great and were quite fresh. Appetizers were unimpressive. Nice to see gluten free pasta on the menu. Drinks were good, nice diverse wine list and some uninspired but tasty house special cocktails. All in all I wouldn't necessarily go back intentionally. read more

Great service, came to see the game in the bar , quiet and the manager and staff were welcoming and friendly, the pizza and desert server Marelia the best . read more

Il Fornaio - Italian Near Me - Coronado, California

See all

We were in the area, so my hubby Sweetheart and I went to ll Fornaio in Coronado, Ca to eat some Italian food favorites. The server named Luis, approached us with a smile and he's very accommodating; I could say he gave us an excellent customer service which you seldom received in a restaurant. We started ordering from appetizers, main dish, and gelato for dessert. Did really enjoyed all our food, the ambiance is wonderful and outside scenery of the Bay is amazing. But most of all the food is amazing! The flavor of the Pasta, the prosciutto and gelato are awesome! Check them out! read more

See all

This dining experience started out as a frustrating situation and weirdly turned sweet. My boyfriend and I were sat at a booth and it had a beautiful view of the San Diego harbor.. BUT... our server didn't acknowledge us for 20 minutes... and even acknowledged two tables before us. (Ruuude, right?! I know! I'm thinking it was because we were a younger couple.) I never complain about anything but I went to the hostess stand and kindly complained to someone (who I didn't know was the manager of the restaurant. Big shout out to Tamara! Woot woot!) and he was so apologetic and immediately asked us where we were sitting and he kindly reseated us to a different section. Alfredo, our new server, helped us graciously right away and it was a great night after. So overall, the food was good, the drinks were honestly better. But you honestly can't beat the San Diego Skyline Views. The manager even came by and provided a complimentary appetizer and drink voucher. Ultimately, the team here went above and beyond, and we were truly impressed. It started out with us being super pissed off, but ended in a sweet taste my mouth.. which is kinda hard to do. Bottom line, We would recommend this place to anyone thinking of eating here. read more

See all