Passion Empanadas

Was in the area and had to grab a few slices to-go from my favorite pizza/pasta spot in SoCal…read more Slices: Buy 3 get 1 free, its equivalent to half a pie (just under $5/slice or $20 total). I like the variety pack of slices. If you only like one style, grabbing a whole pie cut to 6-8 large slices is a better deal (~$25-$30 total). As always, the slices were delicious, the service was fast and friendly, and the outdoor sidewalk seating is perfect for people watching. Each slice is crispy, thin, foldable and PACKED with flavor. They have about 10 small round tables for open seating in the sidewalk. The interior dining area has a few spots as well. The parking in little Italy still sucks, so good luck with that.

Stopped in for lunch and the cashier was very friendly and provided great service. Slices were…read morearound $6 which is on the higher-end but we did order 4 slices which was great because they have a Buy 3 get 1 Free slice deal everyday. They have some seating inside which was nice and clean too. The meatball and ricotta was an okay slice. The meatball and overall slice could have used some more flavor/seasoning. I also gota pepperoni, basil, ricotta, hot honey slice which was better. The crust was decent and had more chew than crisp. While it was okay, I'd prefer to go to another shop when I'm craving a slice.

Small indoor dining area.

Tiramisu

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Street view

Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy

3.9(4.1k reviews)

Omg! Best pizza EVER! 10 out of 10. The server, Derrick! Amazing! Super nice and accommodating!…read moreI'll be back before I leave San Diego! 10 out of 10! Their house wine, Chianti- 10 out of ten! And soooo affordable! Insane! The ambiance! To die for! We'll be back 100%

Came here for the little Market only, so this is only a review for there!…read more I really enjoyed this little market! Lots of brands that I haven't seen before so it was like a little gem of a find! Picked up some capers for a decent price too. If your looking for speciality Italian food or brands I would definitely recommend this market! Staff was also really friendly as well.

Chicken Parmigiana

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Margherita Pizza with meatball

Ristorante Illando

Ristorante Illando is now on my go-to list for Italian food when in San Diego. Luca and his boys…read moreprovided great service and were incredibly kind - they even helped celebrate my birthday with tiramisu and a candle. I highly recommend you add this restaurant to your list when in San Diego!

SO GOOD. Yet another reason I wish I lived in San Diego. Amazing authentic Italian. I highly…read morerecommend their pesto -- it tastes like the pesto in Genoa Italy. The bolognese was amazing as well!

Nice quiet spot with AMAZING food. Clean, great service and very reasonably priced.

Papardelle Bolognese

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Torre di Antipasti

Mr. Moto Pizza - Little Italy

4.2(483 reviews)

Super yummy friendly customer service! Lovely seating area outside with views I love Mr motoread more

Believing in something is a powerful thing. Like believing a football team can do great things in…read moreRemember the Titans or believing that Peter Pan can fly. I believe in something as well, I believe Mr Moto pizza is the best late night pizza spot in Little Italy and it's frankly not close. Ben once again delivered an experience so memorable that the Aztecs should've wrote about it in their stone calendars. Is it dramatic to say that one $6 slice can change your life ? Cause this one did. For once it felt like life stood still. Like rather than being in my day to day routine, I was in the Amalfi Coast ready to have the adventure of a lifetime. Thank you Mr Moto, I believe in you as much as you believed in me and now I feel like I can fly like Peter Pan.

Menu, 4/2026

Garlic knot with jalapeño

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Meat pizza

Nonna

4.1(1.1k reviews)

We were walking around Little Italy's farmers market when we decided to stop for lunch. I had heard…read moreof how Ninna got started and wanted to eat here. Our grandkids order spaghetti and meatballs shared with their mom. We ordered the mixed appys plate which was very tasty and then my husband & I shared the eggplant parmigiana..delicious! Unfortunate, our son ordered the special which was a version of the Osco Bucco. It arrived with the meat still frozen. By the time it was redone, everyone had finished so he took a few bites and packaged it to go. I felt his experience was disappointing. Other than an apology, nothing was offered like a free dessert or something taken off the bill. So that left me disappointed

Went to Little Italy after Padres game, and this was one of two restaurants full of people. Here…read moreare my thoughts: -Service was very good. Ambiance was nice, has a casual authentic Italian feel to it. -We ordered bruschetta and it was one of the best I've ever had! Bread was warm. Pretty strong garlic. -Wife and I shared spaghetti and meatballs--very, very good sauce! Meatballs were good : ) -For dessert we tried the pistachio cannoli--and it was a fitting end to a satisfying meal. Highly recommended!!

Dining room

Who took the last bite

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Arancini in Little Italy

Isola Pizza Bar

4.2(1.5k reviews)

3.3 mi•Little Italy

Great experience. Friendly staff and the food was amazing. Best pizza I had in San Diego. Next time…read moreI'll come for happy hour, to try multiple items.

Was recommended this place by a friend, and I have to say it did not disappoint! We ordered the…read moreSalamino Piccante pizza, and it was absolutely delicious. You could really taste how fresh everything was. The crust was soft and airy with the perfect crunch, and the combination of the melty cheese and spicy salami was incredible. It had just the right amount of heat and was wonderfully cheesy. We were seated right away, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. If you're looking for fresh, authentic pizza, this place is definitely worth a visit!

Brick oven pizza

Pizza Salamino Piccante

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Delicious !

Sorrento Ristorante E Pizzeria

4.1(1.1k reviews)

3.3 mi•Little Italy

This is our Go-To for the last 7 years. They greet you like family…read more They have spectacular food that is always consistent and delicious. Homemade pasta like our favorite places in Italy. Luco is the other reason we come because he is "the icing on the pizza pie". we love the patio and Next to Naples Italy the pizza is the best!

We dropped in for dinner after Comic Con 2026 with no expectations except we were hungry and it…read moresounded good. We were seated outside on the font patio which was lovely. We were given waters very quickly. But then nothing for a long time. The server did show up and seemed as if we had bothered him in some way. But okay we will be polite and chalk it up to bad day. We order and then that is the last we see of him. I ordered linguine with clams, mussels, and shrimp while it was delicious I was not offered a plate or bowl for the shells. My partner was not offered cheese for his pasta. The manager was mulling about the host stand and looked right at us several times after I had finished my cocktail with no acknowledgement or offer for me to order another drink. So while the food was good the service defiantly left something to be desired. I will say that the server for the table next to us (Melanie/Melody?) seemed lovely and happy to be at work with her table.

Gotta try the Magopeno. Suggested by Alex the bartender and hands down the best martini I've ever had.

Original Sin

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Red Carpet

Monello

4.0(2.3k reviews)

3.1 mi•Little Italy

Bartender Jan is phenomenal will definitely recommend this place to family and friends!read more

Overall, the family really likes this place. On this trip, it took a few minutes to get a waiter…read moreover to greet us but once he arrived, he was very attentive throughout the meal. This time we arrived early and we were in time for happy hour, which is truly an excellent deal. They have a number of pasta dishes at half price and some nice beer and cocktail specials. The happy hour ends at 5:30 on weekdays I believe. My daughter enjoyed the cheese whale pasta, which is her very favorite. My wife had fettuccine Parmesan, which was an ice cream sauce and I had the penne Ragu. Everything was good and we enjoyed the evening. It looks like they've expanded the seating to include some outdoor street side tables. On a warm evening this was very nice to have breeze from the water.

Inside

Squid ink lobster sauce spaghetti

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Espresso martinis

Mimmo's Italian Village

4.0(1.8k reviews)

Oh wow, what a great find! Hubby and I had a plan to park…read morenearby and choose a spot to eat just by the vibe and ambience. It was a Friday evening and every restaurant on the street was full and vibrant. You could Yelp these places all day long and it would be hard to choose. There's so many great restaurants around Little Italy. Mimmo's reached out and called us in. There were pretty white tablecloths, the hostess was smiling ready to answer any questions and of course, the menu looked wonderful. Voilà! We'd found our spot. Our waiter was so personable and had all the answers to our inquiries. He suggested items and even answered honestly when needed. I got a Le Pécora Nera Sangria (fizzy blackberry with lemon). Tasty, but too many blackberry seeds coming up the straw. I'd get another one next time. For the appetizers: RISOTTO ARANCINI (a MUST get) - these were absolutely delicious. Four good size bread crumbed fried balls of risotto sitting in the restaurant's own tomato gravy. HOMEMADE FOCACCIA WITH DIPPING OIL (yes, that's the official name) - this is a basket of super soft, warm focaccia bread for a great price. I would get it no matter what main course you're getting! It soaks up every sauce and it's just delicious. MAIN: BAKED LASAGNA (meat) - with the two appetizers this is the perfect size for both of us. No need to get one per person! It was absolutely wonderful. I would get it again. All in all, I'd definitely go back. The food was absolutely delicious and flavorful and the employees we came in contact with were great as well. We didn't want to sit at a table right next to the hundreds of people walking by, I don't like that, but there are plenty other options one row in or inside the restaurant. A solid recommendation on my part.

Mimmo's has been a Little Italy favorite since 1973, and it's easy to see why. The hand-stretched,…read morewood-fired pizza is amazing -- crispy crust, melty cheese, and fresh, flavorful toppings. Their fresh, handmade pasta is just as impressiveall made in-house. The cozy, old-school atmosphere makes it perfect for a date, family dinner, or a casual meal with friends. Classic Italian flavors shine in every dish, and locals and visitors alike keep coming back for more. A true Little Italy gem in San Diego!

Seating

Campanelle sausage

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Spritzer

Davanti Enoteca

4.1(2.9k reviews)

3.3 mi•Little Italy

Called because my girlfriend and her mom were out to dinner at Davanti Enoteca on vacation. I asked…read moreif I could send a dessert to the table and pay for it over the phone to make dinner special. The host immediately said that he'd love to help out. He told me that they'd send it to the table and tell them it was from me, but it was on the house. What a great experience. Love this place and their food!!!

I can't recommend this place enough, I wish I remembered to take pictures for one of the best meals…read moreI've had in my life. The focaccia bread drizzled with honey is seriously the best flavor combination you never knew about. Every other appetizer was good, but that bread knocks it out of the park. Vodka pasta and cacio e Pepe gluten free were as authentic as it gets. Tremendously respectful service and the food comes out as it's ready, meaning everything can be eaten exactly as intended. No better place for dinner in little Italy.

Inside near bar

GNOCCHI BOLOGNESE

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Tuesday 50% off wine

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Orly S.

0

3

0

6 years ago

It's amazing !!! a taste of Argentina's food here in LA. Delicious empanadas, with a gourmet touch! can't stop eating them. My favorite (I'm vegetarian) are the spinach and veggie empanadas. I know from my friends that the meat and chicken are also to die for ! passion empanadas got a great variety that cater tos different tastes. I strongly recommend you try them too ! read more

Michele W.

0

1

0

5 years ago

So excited to find this place. The South American restaurant we used to always go to for empanadas went out of business and it has been years since we have had good ones. These are excellent, lots of variety and even their packaging is top notch. Thanks Passion! read more

Tali M.

0

3

0

6 years ago

Passion Empanadas are the best empanadas I have ever had. They are Very delicious and satisfying. I love the beef, vegetables, tuna and spinach kind and I have to admit that I didn't try their other varieties. read more

Bar L.

0

5

4

6 months ago

So good! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and made with real care. The empanadas were perfectly cooked and packed with delicious fillings. Great service and a welcoming vibe. Definitely coming back again! read more

Hagit L.

112

1

0

6 years ago

I ordered a mix of beef, chicken and veggies. It arrived hot and fresh, organized in a nice box with delicious chimichuri. We loved them all! So tasteful. 5 stars!! We'll order again soon! read more

Orly G.

115

2

10

6 years ago

The best empanadas ever! Heard about it from a friend and decided to try them out. My kids loved them all and I enjoyed the veggie and the spinach. We're sure going to order again!!! read more

Ori E.

0

1

0

5 years ago

Best Baked pizza in town , dough is fluffy button is crispy and NO stomach bloating or discomfort . Fresh ingredients Highly recommend you will not be disappointed ! read more

Revital G.

287

21

3

6 years ago

These delicious empanadas are the best. My favorites are short rib, beef, lamb and spinach! And the chimichuri is to die for!

Maria S.

0

1

5 years ago

Amazing food! Deep dish pizza and empanadas were delicious. We tried tri tip, chicken Sharma and spinach empanadas.

Aaron B.

17

2

0

6 years ago

Best empanadas ever, I tested the beef, the chicken, the tuna, and short ribs, love and recommend very much.

Sam R.

0

3

0

6 years ago

The Best Empanadas I ever ate so fresh, And the service was excellent , I can't wait for my next purchases read more

Jeff S.

0

2

0

6 years ago

Everything we tried was excellent. The short rib was definitely the favorite! Will definitely be returning!

Joshua W.

0

10

0

1 year ago

I had the Chicken and the Beef empanadas. They were very flavorful and very delicious!

Passion Empanadas - empanadas - Updated September 2026

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