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    Limoncello

    4.6 (835 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order Limoncello Takeout or Delivery

    Limoncello Photos

    Business Info

    LIMONCELLO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Limoncello

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    Braised short rib and risotto.

    We had dinner at Limoncello last night and it was honestly one of the best Italian dining experiences I've ever had. Everything from the ambiance to the drinks to the food was incredible. The atmosphere was warm, lively, and beautifully done, and every cocktail we tried was fantastic. I ordered the slow-braised short rib and it was a 10/10, perfectly cooked and flavorful. What really made the place special, though, was our server Miguel!! He was so knowledgeable, funny, attentive, and genuinely kind, and he made the whole experience feel memorable from start to finish. Service like that is rare. Highly recommend this place if you're looking for amazing Italian food, great drinks, and an overall fantastic dining experience. Will be back anytime we're in the area!

    Tiramisu and cannoli
    Richelle S.

    Came here for restaurant week. We had a reservation and we got seated right away. Parking isn't the best but there's a paid lot nearby. For appetizers, we had the arancini and bruschetta. The arancini was so good and flavorful while the bruschetta tasted fresh. For our entrees, we had the pollo saltimbocca and the brasato. The brasato was super tender with bold flavors while the pollo saltimbocca had milder more herby flavor. Both were delicious! For our desserts we tried both the tiramisu and cannoli. The cannoli was not sweet at all if you're into that and the tiramisu was really good! I also had the limoncello martini and that tasted good! It didn't taste like alcohol at all it's dangerous lol. It's a small place with many tables so it can get a little loud inside. Service was fantastic though!!!

    Morgan B.

    The peach and mango marg are to die for! Pictures with their photographer was a cute touch. Highly recommend this place!

    Mckinley K.

    Everything was sooo good, I got mussels and clams to start and those were amazing then I got a pasta for my main and that was even more amazing, our server was soo good as well always checking on us to make sure everything is good, thank you

    Veg raviolis
    John M.

    Interior is nice good atmosphere, service was what you need nothing more. Food was bomb! Thank you for the evening

    Randall B.

    What a delight. We were in no rush at all and the server took his time with us and it made the evening munch more special. The drinks were tasty and the food.... Wow. Yummy with a depth of flavor hard to match. The short ribs were scoring and the serving size was too big to eat in one sitting. The pasta with eggplant was also very tasty. Overall a great find for locals and anyone who allravites good Italian food.

    Mikey H.

    When a former student, well..actually a student who had to put up with me my first year teaching, so many years ago, said let's meet up for dinner, I suggested here. It had been a while since I've been, and it is a real treat to come here! This was also my first time sitting inside. It's a great dining room, and I love the circular couch in the center. I had to have that Limencello martini again...or is it the fact that it has a popsicle....hhmmm. We started with the crispy calamari, sooooo good! On this visit, I decided on the papparadelle pasta with meatballs, sausage, and short rib. This was so delicious! Vi had did her research and they have Pasta Tuesday special where you build your own. We ended our meal with the lemon cake and tiramisu. Both so good, but my favorite was the lemon cake...light and lemony! Service was warm and friendly! I need to come back soon!

    Tiramisu
    Cristina B.

    Such a cute location with friendly service and amazing food! Located in downtown La Mesa with street parking only. Came on a Sunday right at open and got seated right away. We made a reservation, but it wasn't needed! They also take walk-ins. Anything off the menu is delicious, you cannot go wrong. From the innovative drinks to the decadent desserts, everything is very tasty!

    Patio
    Tammy J.

    Lovely little Italian restaurant and will be back. I've been to this location before when it was another restaurant, hope this one is able to flourish. La Mesa Village has always been a fave little area close to home and I love to see small businesses thriving. Came here to celebrate someone's birthday and they were very kind. Our waiter Fillippo sang Happy Birthday with a cute Italian birthday cake and candle. The food was fresh and I like their price point. They also have a HH which I def want to check out in the near future. Dog friendly patio, so will bring my dood. Cute date night spot or to dine with your tribe.

    Arancini
    Gale R.

    We are always looking for a good Italian restaurant, Limoncello, it was pretty good, but not entirely authentic. I say not authentic because they have a number of salmon dishes, Salmon is not a traditional Italian fish. We did enjoy the Arancini as an appetizer. We split the heirloom tomato salad, and it was unusual that the tomatoes had been sautéed.. The bread was good. I had the tutto mare with squid ink pasta. It was good, but a number of the shellfish had not opened.... My husband had the gnocchi with Burrata dish, which was also pretty good. He had the limoncello martini which was playful with a lemon popsicle included. Very pretty inside, but very loud it's difficult to carry on a conversation with your date/ table mates. Our waitress Francesca was very attentive and helpful .

    Maria M.

    Limoncello was such a beautiful experience from start to finish--the food is truly authentic, and it really shows that everything is made in-house.. delicious Ravioli pasta. The atmosphere also makes you feel like you've been transported to the Amalfi Coast. And Fillippo made the whole night even better--so friendly, thoughtful, and always making sure everything was exactly right for us. He's a real standout, and we feel lucky we had him taking care of our table. Thank you Fillippo! We really appreciated you

    Great vibe, great food, great drinks. Definitely a go-to for a casual yet elevated dining experience.

    Limoncello is a spot worth coming back to. Every dish was beautifully executed fresh ingredients, well-balanced flavors, and that authentic Italian touch in every bite. The drinks were just as impressive refreshing, well-crafted, and paired perfectly with the food.

    Nick C.

    Amazing dinner! Had some really delicious bites. I pretty much enjoyed everything I ordered. The gnocchi and salmon entree were my favorites. The pappardelle had good texture and the meatballs were moist. The gnocchi had the perfect texture. The only dish I wasn't feeling was the saffron risotto. Tasted very bland and the texture and consistency was off. Had great service. I'll definitely be back!

    Tiramisú

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    3 months ago

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    6 days ago

    Great service. Food was delicious. Cheap happy hour. Even got a cute photo from a local photographer.

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    8 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Mateo was our server and he was very nice and attentive. the food was delicious and the service was great. I'll definitely be back.

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    1 month ago

    Mateo provided excellent service. The food was amazing.! I'll be back soon. Great atmosphere

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    1 month ago

    Great food! Great service. Miguel was very helpful, took great care of us. Beet salad especially delightfful.

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    2 months ago

    Food was mid. Needed salt. Service was amazing! Great staff. Place was cute but could use a good clean.

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    Page 1 of 21

    Limoncello Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Limoncello

    What time is Happy Hour?

    Everyday 4-5:30pm and ALL DAY Mondays!

    Which oil is the food cooked in?

    Do you have deserts? I did not see them on the menu.

    Yes we do

    When to you project your grand opening?

    Can you post a menu please?

    https://www.limoncellolamesa.com/menu/

    I'm excited for this to open! Does anyone know of an ETA?

    They are open 😁

    View All 10 Questions

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    Antica Trattoria

    Antica Trattoria

    4.4(1.3k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Delicious, nutritious, and filled with ambiance! This place is absolutely authentic in everything…read morethey do. From the decor to the flavors, it all sings Italian! Our waitress, Francesca, was an absolute delight and helped my wife navigate their menu to suit her several dietary restrictions without any judgement or hesitation. She had great recommendations and was an absolute delight to chat with throughout the night! We had a wonderful time treating ourselves to all kinds of delightful dishes - especially the fried brie special. So, so good. I highly recommend this plane for a fancy date night. It's not the cheapest, but you definitely get the quality that you pay for. 10/10 will date night here again

    Antica Trattoria serves acceptable pasta, but not much else stands out…read more They were not very busy, so a reservation was not necessary. Our server was kind, though we did not receive as much attention as some of the other tables. Bread is not complimentary, and one of my party members accidentally agreed to it when asked. I did appreciate that salads could be split and were finished with freshly cracked pepper, though I wish there had been more engagement from the staff beyond adding pepper and Parmesan. *Homemade Bread: served with what was described as herb infused olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The bread itself was airy but fairly bland. I could not really detect any herb flavor in the oil, and the portion of oil and vinegar felt a bit small for the amount of bread. *Insalata Venere: featured poached pears, goat cheese, and caramelized walnuts. The greens were well dressed in a bright, acidic vinaigrette. The pears were the highlight, offering a warm sweetness that paired nicely with the creamy goat cheese. The walnuts, however, had an off texture and could have benefited from better caramelization. *Penne: adding protein felt pricey, with chicken costing an extra $8. The chicken was chopped quite small, and I would have preferred larger pieces. The sauce itself was flavorful and well developed, but the pasta was cooked past al dente. *Capellini: nicely paired with mushrooms and shrimp, though the toppings carried the dish more than the pasta or sauce. The sauce was quite muted and tasted like a simple tomato base without much seafood depth. The shrimp and pasta were slightly overcooked. Overall, it is a decent option for Italian food, but nothing particularly memorable. While the portions are generous, the flavors did not quite match the price point, and I would have preferred more depth and execution across the dishes.

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    Nice spot to watch the Chefs.

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    This homemade gnocch with short ribs iwas to die for

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    MammaMia Deli Market - Gino & Gianni's Pizzeria - Homemade Hoagie made with MammaMia's Prosciutto Cotto, Salami (Finocchiona), Capocollo, and Caciocavallo

    MammaMia Deli Market - Gino & Gianni's Pizzeria

    4.3(321 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Edit: The owner called me after this review and refunded my full order…read more My pregnant wife has been craving a cold cut sandwich, and mortadella is one of the safer options during pregnancy, so I went on my lunch break to pick up a sandwich and a few other things for us to split -- $44 with tip. A few bites into my half, I noticed mold on the side of my sandwich. By that point, she had already eaten about half of hers. I called immediately. After several holds and back-and-forth, I was told they couldn't refund a single item, and that the owner said I could drive back to pick up cash. I explained I was at work and moving to Temecula in two days. I wasn't rude, I was patient through every hold. I've worked in food service. If this ever happened where I worked, we would have refunded the entire order and done whatever it took to make it simple for the customer. The owner offered to drive the cash to my house, which I declined, I didn't want a stranger at my door, and honestly, it wasn't about the money. My pregnant wife ate moldy food. Not once did anyone ask if she was okay or acknowledge that this was a health concern. I never received a refund. I just expected basic accountability, apparently that was too much to ask.

    Got some pizza with my wife. It looks and tastes amazing!…read more The dough is like a pillow in my mouth. The sauce is sweet and the pep is thick. I love ricotta cheese with basil. The pizza came out in 15 minutes. The market is next door and I felt like I was in an Italian deli. Great spot!

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    Wine and Beer Cave

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    Nonno's Ristorante Italiano - Short rib pizza

    Nonno's Ristorante Italiano

    4.5(617 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Nonno's is such a hidden gem tucked away in a strip mall. We stumbled upon it while in the area,…read moreand it turned out to be such a great find. It truly feels like a mom-and-pop spot with a very authentic, homey Italian vibe. The pizza is so good, and there are plenty of options on the menu to choose from. Everything we've tried has been delicious. Our server was incredibly kind and sweet, which made the experience even better. After our first visit, we liked it so much that we brought friends back to celebrate birthdays, and it's always been a great experience. The space is cozy with a limited number of tables, which adds to that intimate, family-style feel. We often see families and groups celebrating there, which makes it feel really warm and welcoming. There's plenty of parking since it's in a strip mall, which makes it easy to visit. Overall, such a lovely, homey spot with great food and a welcoming atmosphere.

    Came here years ago and had a great experience and thought we would give them another try. This…read moretime was rather disappointing. When we pulled up the exterior sign was not lit up and we drove straight past. Pulled up to see if they were indeed opened and the open sign was on but you could barely see inside it was so dark. We should have aborted the option then but found a parking spot and proceeded. We were seated at a small table for two when there were many other tables open. Although the waitress was pleasant service was very slow and was almost 10 to take our drink order. Took forever to get our food and as a result she comped our desert which we took to go. The atmosphere inside was very dark, no overhead lighting only wall sconces which made reading the menu and check very difficult. As for the food, portions are still very good and it was very tasty, however, my husband got the linguini and clams and the clams were so small there was nothing to them Once they opened up they were the size of a pencil eraser. Could they find a smaller one? Don't think we will be back.

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    Soggy pizza saggy box

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    Pietro's Cucina Italiana & Pizza

    4.7(693 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Pietro's is a neighborhood gem. This La Mesa eatery has become my favorite go-to - from family…read moredinners to romantic Valentines celebrating, Pietro's checks all the boxes. The vibe is classy old-school Italian, with excellent music to match. The Front of House doesn't front... the welcome is as warm as the basket of rolls and garlic bread that accompany the first course. Nightly specials delectable in description are tucked into an envelope inside the menu cover like a love note. I had a salad starter that featured arugula just because the owner picked up a case as it was looking good. The Greenery - no longer on the menu but still made upon request took me to the moon. I subbed sausage and mushrooms for the traditional scallops and prawns, added arugula, spicy chili peppers and lemon and went to town. My sister got the portobello ravioli - SOOO GOOD! I was reaching over to sop up her sauce with my garlic bread. Save room for dessert - the cannoli, tiramisu and limoncello​ cake are all winners. I am really particular about my coffee and tonight, I got the last dredge of the pot before they closed. It was still delicious. For reals. The manager who shall not be named, but is totally The Face of Operations at Pietro's makes sure every guest is well-cared for. We saw him work the room like he was born to do this. Our server tonight, Molly, did an excellent job. Exceptional experience once again. Mille grazie, Pietro's. ​

    Great dinner. Chose the Pizza special, slightly spicy and sweet…read more Ordered a Peroni and a glass of wine. Sabina our server always has a smile on her face. Great dinner and great service. Don't forget the lemon marscopone cake, so delicate and bright. This restaurant is a hidden gem in plain sight. If you have never tried or it's been a minute since you have stopped in this restaurant, definitely stop in and have some comfort foods. We left full, happy and with lots of leftovers.

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    Pietro's Cucina Italiana & Pizza
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    Cucina Basilico - Chicken + mushroom, veg side with gnocchi (offscreen).

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    4.4(912 reviews)
    6.5 miSerra Mesa
    $$

    This place is a gem for anyone who appreciates true house-made Italian food. Everything -- from the…read morebread to the fresh pasta and deeply flavorful sauces -- tastes like it was crafted with care rather than mass-produced. The freshness really comes through in every bite. The pasta is tender with that perfect chew you only get from fresh dough, and the sauces are rich without feeling heavy. Even the bread deserves a mention -- warm, flavorful, and clearly made in-house. It's the kind of meal that feels comforting yet elevated at the same time. Service has been consistently attentive and welcoming on every visit. Despite how busy they get, the staff keeps things moving smoothly without making you feel rushed. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, which adds to the cozy atmosphere but also means it fills up quickly -- a testament to both its reputation and its excellent value. For the quality of food you receive, the prices are refreshingly reasonable. I can honestly say this place has exceeded my expectations every time I've come here. It's one of those rare spots that delivers consistency, quality, and warmth all at once -- the kind of neighborhood restaurant you hope never changes.

    Food: 6/5 - the homemade pasta and bread was SO good. We came on NYE after making a late…read morereservation on the same day. They were able to take us in and it was a pretty small spot. We got seated at a high top and order was taken right away. We tried to gnocchi and macaroni. Both pasta were al dente, sauces were decadent, and the bread that came with it was even better. Service: 5/5 - our waitress was attentive, understanding of our 1yr old and stopped by to chat with us. She was amazing and made the experience all that much better. Ambiance: 5/5 - it was such a cute little spot, it honestly reminded me of a place in Italy itself. I like how they have their homemade pasta on a little tray that's available for the day for you to pick. Our waitress definitely also knew Italian so made the experience feel that much more elevated.

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    Cucina Basilico - Sign on the wall

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    Cucina Basilico - Fresh spinach pasta and bolognese.

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    Limoncello - italian - Updated May 2026

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