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    Il Fornaio

    3.8 (2.1k reviews)
    PriceyItalian, Seafood, Pizza
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Il Fornaio Takeout or Delivery

    Il Fornaio Photos

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    IL FORNAIO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Il Fornaio

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    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.

    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!

    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.

    Grilled Branzino in Crosta* I asked for grilled (no breading)

    10/10 Our server was truly so sweet and definitely made our night even better!! First time here and will definitely be coming back again

    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!

    Ofelia C.

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

    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.

    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.

    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!

    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

    Ashkan A.

    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!

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    3 months ago

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

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    4 months ago

    The combination of a good friends, a great view and decent food made for a perfect night.

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    3 years ago

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    This was a nice place. Nice ambience highly recommended. The drinks were great. Service was really sweet. We definitely enjoyed it.

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    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

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    Garage Buona Forchetta

    4.3
    (1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Carol and Renato just made the visit so incredible. The food is delicious and then they went above…read moreand beyond to surprise us both with a dessert for our anniversary! My boyfriend and I were just so happy! The service is so fast and the environment is beautiful! Thank you for a perfect experience!!

    we had a lovely experience at buona forchetta!! definitely recommend making reservations as there…read morewas a long wait on a saturday evening when we visited. the atmosphere is really cool and way bigger of a space than we thought! they have a large outdoor patio in the back, which is where we sat. it was definitely a hot day and even though we were in the shade it would have been nice if there were some outdoor fans going. the service was amazing, our waitress anna was super kind and attentive. we ordered the nicola pizza, a build your own pasta with shrimp, and the vegan spaghetti puttanesca. everything came out very quick and was sooo yummy!! i thoroughly enjoyed the puttanesca, it was so fresh and flavorful. my friends loved their pizza and pasta as well! it was my friends birthday and they were kind enough to bring out a panna cotta dessert to celebrate. sadly this was the only miss for us as far as food, it wasn't our favorite. but very nice of them to celebrate her! overall would definitely come back here and recommend it!!

    Photos
    Bar seating.
    Bar seating.
    Tagliere Vegano can definitely feed 2-3 people
    Tagliere Vegano can definitely feed 2-3 people
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    Ristorante Illando

    Ristorante Illando

    4.4
    (3.5k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    We actually walked right past this restaurant. It looked sketchy from outside but OMG we are so…read moreglad we found it! Amazing atmosphere, cute set up. We were seated in the back of restaurant next to a window! Breezy. Relaxing and food was absolutely amazing !!!! The star was the Carbonara...YUMMMMMM. Staff was friendly and price is right for the quality and amount of food!

    Treating myself to a solo dinner here while traveling in August was such a memorable experience!…read more From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was absolute perfection--warm, inviting, and wonderfully peaceful. Dining by myself felt like a true gift, and it was the ideal spot to bring my journal along to write and quietly enjoy the evening. The hospitality made it even better. My waiter was so genuinely kind and welcoming, which made the solo experience feel completely comfortable. It also gave me a great little opportunity to practice my Italian! And the food? Amazing. I ordered the squid, and it was fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection, all paired with gorgeous views that made the whole evening feel special. It's rare to find a spot that nails the combination of stunning views, delicious food, and top-tier hospitality. If you're looking for a peaceful, welcoming place to enjoy a solo meal, write, and soak in the atmosphere, Ristorante Illando is a must-visit!

    Photos
    Nice quiet spot with AMAZING food. Clean, great service and very reasonably priced.
    Nice quiet spot with AMAZING food. Clean, great service and very reasonably priced.
    Papardelle Bolognese
    Papardelle Bolognese
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    Cesarina

    Cesarina

    4.7
    (3.6k reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$$

    i visited SD a year ago in july for my birthday... and because a birthday girl can't think ahead,…read morei didn't reserve in time to visit cesarina... to my very sad dismay, i told myself next time. I did NOT think i'd be in SD this soon again, yet tis was the year, AND I FINALLY RESERVED THIS TIME RAAAHHH :PPP I loved loved loved the make your own pasta concept. the forgot what we both ordered for our pastas, but they were DELICIOUS. you can absolutely taste it's made in house. its unbelievably pricy if you want to add proteins or anything, but it was nonetheless delicious. I will say it's mainly the presentation that wows, because any fresh pasta place would be this yummy ykyk. but if you want the date-night-once-in-a-while-time-out experience, this place is beautiful. plus, the service is AMAZING. they constantly checked up on my table, i never went a second without water. not only did i recieve tiramisu for my birthday dessert... BUT THEY TOOK A POLAROID PIC OF US TOO :,D SOOO CUTE!! very very yum, warm, welcoming... but come with the budget queens im a broke college student--

    SOOO I finally got to try the famous 'Cesarina'!!!!…read more Wowowow I was blown away. The decor of the restaurant, both inside and out, is clearly meticulously handpicked & thought out. It is absolutely beautiful. They have wonderful music playing at a reasonable volume to accompany watching raviolis be made right in front of you! The service is exceptional. We never had to even think of needing water, menus, anything extra - it was brought before we anticipated it! Our server Tommy was wonderful & thought of everything. Now, the best part - the FOOD!! Their pasta is so obviously handmade in house, the texture and butteriness of the noodles was extraordinary. I ordered the fettuccine with the vegan mushroom sauce & added shrimp - divine. I think one of my favorite parts of the menu is the pricing with vegan items. Too many times vegan items are doubled in price & they had everything equal - INCLUDING the DELICIOUS cannolis!!! Such a wonderful experience. I cannot wait to be back!

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    The signature chicken pitcher with their soft delish breads
    The signature chicken pitcher with their soft delish breads
    Birthday dessert!

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    Birthday dessert!
    Rosemary Trattoria

    Rosemary Trattoria

    4.2
    (238 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    There are a few things I can't say about this place, but the things I will say are worth speaking…read moreabout. After walking all day and up and down Coronado, my son and I wanted to sit down and eat one last meal before traveling home. We walked up and down trying to see which what was appealing and chose this place. I wasn't thinking anything of it, unfortunately this place is all I think about now. My son and I even though we had no reservations were put outside and squeezed in which I was very greatful for and so was our belly's after. We never went in the restaurant so unfortunately I can't say how it goes in there but it looked busy yet well organized. The waiter might have felt rushed but they sure didn't show it, sitting outside looking in we saw a beautiful bar. It's was a gorgeous day as we sat outside and people watched but that's enough of the atmosphere now it's food time. We got a chocolate milk and Diet Coke with a chicken parm which we split, I have been all over the place and this place has their chicken parm down. The chicken was extremely crispy and the breading didn't fall of the chicken when I cut it up for my son chicken was juice and the spaghetti we got with is wasn't a watery mess like plenty of places I have been to. Very well done to the chef that made the master piece. I could visit for one day just for that dish. Thank you.

    We absolutely love Rosemary Trattoria -- it has become our go-to Italian spot on Coronado Island!…read moreEvery time we come here, the staff are incredibly friendly and very attentive, which always makes the experience even better. We ordered our usual dishes this time and everything was just as delicious as always. But for the first time, we decided to try their desserts -- and wow, we're so glad we did! The cheesecake and tiramisu are both made in house and they were sooo yummy. Each bite was packed with flavor and pure goodness. Great food, warm service, and such a cozy atmosphere. We can't wait to come back again!

    Photos
    Rosemary Trattoria
    Pasta Alla Vodka & Cabernet
    Pasta Alla Vodka & Cabernet
    Mousse al Cioccolato and Cannoli

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    Ciccia Osteria

    Ciccia Osteria

    4.6
    (808 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    I'm so glad we found this place last year, and we came back for dinner again last night. Delicious…read moreand authentic Italian food outside of little Italy where locals eat. Starting our meal with bread with ricotta and olive oil, mixto frito, and roasted vegetables. Main entrees: fluffy crab gnocchi, fettuccini bolognese, and lasagna. Ending with tiramisu Very friendly host and staff. Recommend to have reservation, but we were lucky they had a table for 3. Street parking Con: 4% credit card charge

    I laugh as I write this because the locals all know some of the juxtaposed cuisine not matching the…read morelocation. Good Sushi in Old Town ? Best Filipino in Downtown ? Best Italian in Barrio Logan ? We celebrated our Anniversary dinner here and while we were driving over, I was like.....we are in Barrio Logan, we must be eating Mexican. My husband had made the reservation and we were seated right in front of the desserts and cheeses staring at us the whole night. The place screams mom n pop, but here I am the next day researching on why the food was so freaking delicious. Now I get it ! If you remember getting drinks and cheeses at Bice when it was in the Gaslamp (or the Bice in Milan), you get it. If you can only imagine the uphill climb of a restauranteur who bought a burned down building and put in sweat equity right before Covid and then surviving the Covid years, you will get it. It is all the labor of love of Milan Mario who swapped out the Michelin fine dining to bring you a truly authentic neighborhood place. Once you dip into the bread and scoop out the cheese and olive oil, you will be blown away. We did not get the mushroom flan or the huge charcuterie platter, but that is what I realize now, is the must have and we will be back for this for sure. We ordered Frito Mixto, Veal Milanese, Pesto Gnocci, Tuna Tartare, Braised Beef Ravioli....all were excellent. The gnocci are sooooo fluffy and light. Everything was spectacular ! They snapped a polaroid picture of us and our nutella written "Happy Anniversary" tiramisu plate. What a wonderful secret garden place. I can not wait to try Mario's upcoming pizza place soon. Thank you for the hospitality and no matter the location, good food is good food. Parking is so much easier here than in Little Italy. It's across Fish Guts on the "other side" of the under the bridge. The community has totally embraced Ciccia and we are lucky it survived the Covid years. This is a great place to go before or after you land at the airport and screams NEIGHBORHOOD GEM !

    Photos
    Crab Gnocchi
    Crab Gnocchi
    Inside
    Inside
    Fried calamari

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    Fried calamari

    Il Fornaio - italian - Updated August 2026

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