Tried Ottavio's in Lakeside for the first time last night, and overall, it was a really great experience. From the moment we walked in, you could tell the place was slammed--but in the best way. The energy was high, and the staff worked seamlessly as a team to keep everything running smoothly. A special shoutout to our bartender, Leah, who was absolutely fantastic. Even with how busy it was, she stayed attentive, friendly, and made us feel taken care of the entire night. We started with the mussels in clam sauce, and they were outstanding--fresh, flavorful, and a perfect way to kick things off. For entrées, we ordered the short rib ravioli and the carbonara. The short rib ravioli was a standout--rich, tender, and packed with flavor. The carbonara, while still enjoyable, could have been executed a bit better. It didn't quite hit the mark compared to everything else, but it was a small note in an otherwise excellent meal. To top it all off, we were treated to dessert since it was our first visit, which was a really thoughtful touch and left a lasting impression. Between the hardworking team, great atmosphere, and mostly fantastic food, Ottavio's definitely delivered. Even with a minor hiccup on one dish, we left impressed and would absolutely come back again. read more

Early Valentine's Day! Had the early bird special and then a fun date night dessert promotion! I loved the manicotti and the minestrone soup! Tiramisu to top it all off!! Service was great! We love coming here!! read more

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Very yummy food , appetizers are delicious I think we have tried all of them the service was amazing great place for family dinners ..

Local, in the heart of Lakeside! This is a great spot to enjoy with the whole family. There is a lot of seating inside, and out, as well as bar top. For staters, we ordered the personal size antipasto salad which was huge! This was split amongst three people. For entrees, we had the Tortellini Florentine which was really good, as well as the Rigatoni Fra Diavolo. If you like spicy, this had a pretty good kick to it! There are so mnay good pastas to choose from, you can't go wrong! I ordered a glass of wine, but the cocktail meh had some great martini options. read more

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Ottavio's serves a workmanlike menu that's heavy on carbs and dense sauces, but which offers little to excite the adventurous diner. This is no surprise; theirs is Italian-American cooking, which typically lacks the refinement of classic Italian cuisine. The surprise, and the disappointment, is that Ottavio's kitchen also underuses, or altogether avoids, the herbs, spices, and layered flavors found in Italian-American dishes in their home cities of New York, Philadelphia, Boston, etc. If you're a laborer, hoping to pack yourself with energy without risking indigestion, or a parent seeking to fill your kids to the brim with food that will put them to sleep, Ottavio's is the place for you. If you seek a decent Italian lunch or dinner, you should look elsewhere. read more

Excellent food, great ambiance friendly and prompt service. My husband has requested this restaurant for his last 2 birthdays. Really good drinks too! read more

Had dinner with some friends at this cozy Italian restaurant. If you're there before 5:30pm they have a Happy Hour menu to choose from. The food is good, tonight I had the Rigatoni Fra Diavilo. With a side Caesar salad. For a $2 upgrade charge. The salad was huge. The rigatoni was a bit on the spicy side so if you don't like spicy choose another entree. It's a family friendly place so bring in the kiddos. If you're in the area you gotta try it! and don't forget to try the dessert cannoli. They're small so you don't have to feel guilty. read more

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It was excellent. 2nd time there. So much food and so yummy. Excellent service. I give it a 10.

Great family-style Italian food. Pizzas are good and calzone, spectacular. Heart of Lakeside, go early, they get busy. Nice staff. Patio dining! read more

We came here for dinner on a Saturday evening around 6:30 and were seated right away in the outdoor patio. The outdoor dining area is very spacious and comfortable. Less crowded feeling than the indoor area. We got the fried zucchini for an appetizer and the meat lovers pizza and the gluten free manicotti for our entrees. The fried zucchini was very good. Not too breaded. The entree portion sizes are big and both dishes were very cheesy. My husband shared a large pizza with another person and still had leftovers. The manicotti was quite rich with a heavy cheese filling and cheese topping. Both were quite tasty. But since we normally don't eat that much cheese or dairy, we think our digestive issues the next couple days might have been from these dishes. I don't fault the restaurant. Just be careful if you are lactose intolerant or are sensitive to dairy. Overall, nice dinner, good service. Good menu selection. If you are gluten free, there are three choices for pasta dishes. read more

Have lived in El Cajon for a few years but hadn't tried this place yet. Finally got to go with friends, and it was a lovely time! We sat in their patio dining that was inviting with colorful pillows on their benches and lights all around. Our server was quick to serve drinks and share the specials. We kept it basic for our first time, ordering the short rib ravioli and lasagna bolognese. Both were DELICIOUS! Lots of cheese on the lasagna which I loved but hubby thought was a little overwhelming. Friends ordered antipastas to share between each couple, but the portion was huge! Could have easily been shared between 4 people. Loved the complimentary foccacia bread with olive oil and vinaigrette. Always a lovely touch. We will be back to try other items! The pizza looked great! read more

Came in for dinner with the family this evening, Taylor helped us out .....we were seated fairly quickly. This is maybe the third time we've been here, the food and service is always great. Tonight was no different. My daughter has named this her favorite restaurant , I do have to say though while she does love the food she equally enjoys the fact that she's given a small piece of dough to play with. Food was great tonight and Taylor was awesome, super friendly, patient and made us feel very comfortable. Thank you Taylor read more

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Ottavios hosted my husband's retirement party on 1/31/26! Food, service and venue all outstanding. Leah was my point of contact and she was absolutely amazing! If you want to have a private party or just want get some dinner, try Ottavios! The food was delicious service was top notch! Madi and Patience were our servers read more

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I can only speak for the pizza but they have the best in east county. They can get a little pricey but I think it is worth the price especially because they give you a large amount of toppings and cheese. Service is generally fast. I usually call and place an order for pickup and wait time will be 20-30 minutes. Staff is always nice and it seems like they enjoy working with one another. Very family friendly. It is a small restaurant so there may be a bit of a wait to dine in. The parking lot is also quite tight; Friday and Saturday night it may be hard to find parking, but there is a large parking lot across the street that isn't too far of a walk. read more

My husband took me here for Mother's Day tonight. I have to say, I am usually not a fan of getting Italian food (specifically pasta) out at restaurants, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved everything we had! We started out with the Brussel sprouts which were crispy and flavorful. We had focaccia which was soft and fluffy. I also got the tiramisu martini which was perfectly made. And the pasta was amazing! We had a great server as well. We sat at the bar and the bartender was attentive and charismatic. read more

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i don't live in this area so i was unsure when researching places to eat but i'm glad i landed on ottavio's. the atmosphere was cozy and bustling (but we still got seated fast- 15 min) and our servings were sooo big for a fair price. i got the tortellini a la florentine and my friend got the chef's special (pappardelle ragu). both were quite delicious, although i'd recommend straying away from the ragu if you don't like fennel as the taste was quite heavy (noodles themselves were great tho). our server, taylor, was also very nice and attentive (thank you!). would definitely recommend :) read more

Ottavio's Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Lakeside, California

My grandma made her ragu with a little kick and this is the first restaurant that can match hers. We love it and live close by! So happy to find a new spot with hearty pasta and flavor. We both tried the lasagna and it was so good. It covered me for two meals. read more

The pizza was excellent the first few times we tried it, however the las couple times it has not been as tasty & the consistency of the crust was not the same. Not sure if the recipe change or we went on "off" days. It was still good but not like the first visits. Service was still very good! We like the outside patio best on warm evenings. read more

I have enjoyed visiting Ottavio's in Lakeside for a number of years now. I always try to order something different each time. Most recently I had their "Mezzo E Mezzo". At every other Italian restaurant I've been to, they just call it "Half & Half". Typically it's combination plate of both spaghetti and ravioli. The best of both worlds. I find it ironic though that they use the literal Italian translation of this popular dish. I do wish Ottavio's would learn the Italian phrase "Al Dente". My spaghetti was quite overcooked to the point where it had a mushy mouthfeel. Not at all toothsome as it should have been. I've observed over the years this is common which I why I usually order a baked dish. Their heavy hand with the blanket of sauce on top probably didn't help matters much. I will say though, their meatballs are excellent. Nicely sized, tender and flavorful. read more

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We've been going to Octavio's for several years and have enjoyed the food. Unfortunately, last night was not pleasant. We had seven adults and two toddlers for a birthday party. I brought tiny cupcakes for everyone for after the meal. I passed the cupcakes out to everyone. When I got the bill, I noticed a $15.00 cake charge along with a 20% tip added onto the bill. I was told that the cake charge was added onto the bill since it took away Octavio's ability to provide dessert. After a lengthy conversation, the $15.00 was finally removed. The male server was not very attentive and we had to ask several times for water and various other items. Everyone walked away from Octavio's with a diminished outlook on Octavio's. Keep this in mind next time you go. read more

Quick service, some tasty dishes on the menu and great cocktails. Great for families and friends inside and outside is beautiful.

We have been enjoying their food for years in the two other locations they have been previously. I love that this great little restaurant finally settled in of all places Lakeside. They have their regular local patrons but it is worth the trip to enjoy their food. Staff are always friendly and efficient regardless of how busy their restaurant is. Our family favorites are always the barbecue chicken, house salad and gnocchi Toscana. The house focaccia they serve complimentary is also delicious. I do miss the Thai chicken pizza and that amazing lunch buffet they had when they were in El Cajon. This place will always be a regular family rotation. read more

This little gem is one of our favorites. The wood fired pizzas are some of the best. Daniel is a wonderful server! He is so attentive and even on the busiest evenings, his attention to details makes you feel you are his only table. Nothing feels like a bother and He consistently checks in to be certain we have everything we need. One suggestion we have is to PLEASE bring back our two favorite salads: the Il Greco and the Spinach Salad. They were both incredible and we miss them dearly. read more

So good!! We have been here multiple times. 1st time was with our groups, "New Places, old Friends" and have brought multiple people back. So good!! The artichoke ravioli is amazing!! Service was great. Highly recommend!! read more

Everything was exceptional! The complimentary bread was fresh and delicious. The drink selection is great. There were 4 of us and we all loved our food. I split the cheese ravioli with my friend, my husband got the linguine with white claw sauce and our son got the chicken Alfredo. I am not a fan of Alfredo sauce anc i have to admit thiers was delicious All the meals were superb. The staff was super friendly. We will be co.ing back for sure. read more

Paid $75 for spaghetti and usually salad comes with the meal... very disappointed. Server didn't want to be there. Not friendly, not one smile. Parking was easy. Restaurant was clean, pleasant and aroma was fantastic. Brussel sprouts appetizer were completely burnt. Chicken Parmesean was soft and flavorless. Bread was a brick, italian beer of choice was unavailable but... the spaghetti was great. read more

Just an outstanding gem of an Italian establishment in SD. I was looking for an authentic place to take my father who is a local & he was blown away not only by the food but how well the serving staff treated our entire family. Everybody there is so warm & so kind! I had the chance to try some of the Margherita pizza, baked Manicotti, and the gnocchi. All of it cooked to perfection. The outdoor seating at night is just the best for dinners together as a family. They've got a kid's menu for the young ones too. Oh and the Canolli dessert is just superb Thank you Ottavio's for taking care of us! read more

"The vegetables on the pizza were so fresh, they had a delightful crispness and a bright, clean taste. And the pizza itself? You could tell it was made with the freshest ingredients, creating a truly mouthwatering experience." read more

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This is the best Italian food! We love going to the patio. It's super welcoming here, we always feel like family. Tyler is the best!!!

This hidden gem is worth visiting. Our server was Marlene, and she was amazing, she was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and sweet. The food was delicious, we ordered a pasta and pizza and they were very fresh and delicious. I highly recommend this place. read more

Ottavio's Italian Restaurant - Rigatoni Fra Diavolo Rigatoni Fra Diavolo - Italian Near Me - Lakeside, California

Yesterday was the first time my family and I ate at this place. I must say I was very happy with the food and service here. I am very big when it comes to service at a restaurant. We came with a party of 7 and gratuity was automatic. I've been to restaurants when waiters know it's automatic gratuity and decide to give crappy service. But Ottavio's service was great! Daniel our waiter was awesome. We had a great experience and the food was delicious. We will be coming back read more

Great local restaurant for some delicious Italian food. The prices are fair and the servers treat you well. The Margherita pizza is my favorite! read more

Had a great dinner at Ottavio's. We were visiting family in the area and it was last minute. Had to wait about 1/2 hr as the place was packed, but well with it. Great focaccia to start. Huge entree size. We all took containers home. I recommend the meatballs and chicken Marsala. You won't be disappointed. Great atmosphere. Friendly and great service! read more

Outstanding Italian cuisine in the heart of Lakeside. Who would have thought that a 5 star, arguably one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego County would be housed in little Lakeside. Let me introduce you to Ottavio's Italian Restaurant. Visiting our good friends on Saturday night they decided to treat us to dinner at one of their favorite restaurants. We arrived and only waited 5 minutes to get a table for four. The atmosphere is nice but not special with photos of famous Italian entertainers adorning the walls. We began the night with appetizers of Brussels Sprouts and an order of Calamari. The Brussel Sprouts are cooked with smoked bacon, raisins, romano and balsamic and then dusted with parmesan cheese. They were outstanding and I would suppose healthy. The calamari consisted of traditional rings with an outstanding marinara sauce. They also brought a basket of homemade focaccia bread to dip in oil and balsamic vinegar. For dinner I order the Spaghetti Carbonara and my wife the Mussels Appetizer. The spaghetti carbonara was some of the best I have ever ordered. The flavor and consistency of that found in the best restaurants in Rome, Italy. The mussels were cooked in white wine, herb butter, garlic, basil, marinara, chili pepper with garlic bread for dipping on the side. She really enjoyed this dish. We brought wine and corkage was only $10 a bottle. Service was outstanding and prices were surprisingly low for the quality and quantity of food. This restaurant deserves 5 stars and we will definitely return. read more

Ottavio's Italian Restaurant - Mussels Appetizer - Italian Near Me - Lakeside, California

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Great Italian food! Ottavio's sent me a text to ring in the New Year with 15% off. Silly me. I didn't realize that I needed to follow the link to receive this sweet gift. So, I ordered and paid for takeout using my own password link, but the 15% discount didn't show up. While picking up my order, I disclosed my gaffe to the cashier, who said, "Oh, I can fix that for you. The correction will appear as a credit on your credit card." How amazing is that? Redemption and great Italian takeout (including yummy gluten-free sausage and onion pizza for me) to celebrate the New Year! Ottavio's rocks =) read more

Re Visited 3/24/2023 This place is very consistent with good Quality Food and Great Friendly Service. This visit I went a bit overboard ordering as I love most everything I've tried here. My recommendations are, The Salads, fresh and a good variety. The Seafood Chowder, (Only on Fridays and Saturdays) It's addictive. Each bite draws you to keep eating More and more. My go to Pasta Platter is The Sicilian Feast. Enjoy The Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Fettuccine Alfredo, and a chunk of The Excellent House Made Lasagna. All three on the same plate and comes with a Side Salad and Tasty Garlic Bread. You won't leave hungry. I'll be back again soon. read more

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Marlene was so amazing EXCELLENT customer service her vibe her attitude her service ! The food that she recommended was so delicious! Made me feel comfortable and welcomed ! A+ ! read more

Ottavio's Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Lakeside, California

The food and service lived up to their high ratings! Super cute, little family restaurant. The bar looked lively. We sat on the outdoor patio with cafe lighting and a nice ambiance. My mussels were fresh, hubby's lasagna was delicious! Would highly recommend! Our waitress was funny - "Patience" was her name and she obviously had fun with that! Thx! read more

Outstanding Service by Marlene! From the moment we were seated, Marlene made our dining experience exceptional. Her warm smile, genuine hospitality, and incredible attention to detail set the tone for a perfect meal. She was attentive without being intrusive, had fantastic menu recommendations, and made sure everything came out just right. It's clear she truly cares about her guests and takes pride in her work. Marlene turned a great dinner into a memorable one. We'll definitely be coming back--thanks to her! BTW she definitely deserves a raise because of her I will recommend my friends to go to this restaurant and request her.. read more

Amazing, legitimate, delicious Italian food! I've never ordered anything on this menu that was less than phenomenal. Everything from the focaccia bread to the salads, appetizers, pizza, pasta and specialty plates....never disappointed. They are consistent with the quality, fairly priced and have a wonderful wait staff! Also have generous portions, we have never left without a doggy bag. Whenever in San Diego, don't miss this gem! Even worth the 50 minute drive from home! read more