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

Ristorante Illando - Pene pesto and Bolognese - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

We stopped by Illando's after a great day on the USS Midway while on vacation from the SF Bay Area. Luckily we were able to snag a reservation for a family of 4 right before the dinner rush. We were dressed casually but were treated by Luca and his team as if we were dressed to the nines. I want to state this- the place was packed on a Sunday evening and although it appeared Luca was the only waiter, he had a great team helping bring bread, water, dishes, etc. This team works great together! And the way that Luca interacted with all of his customers- amazing! Our family felt as though we knew him forever. The appetizer and salad were very good. And our main dishes of carbonara, bolognese and red sauce rigatoni were delicious. I really didn't think any of us would finish them but we couldn't put our forks down. It's a lovely place above a pizzeria - we literally passed by once and missed the entrance. Once you get up stairs, the seating area is well designed so that everyone had room enough to not feel cramped as in other restaurants. Great place for family or romantic dinner! Thank you, Luca and team for giving us such a great experience while on vacation in San Diego! read more

Treating myself to a solo dinner here while traveling in August was such a memorable experience! 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! read more

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A hidden gem with handmade pasta located on the second floor above a pizza shop in Little Italy. We made a reservation for Saturday at 12 p.m. when the restaurant opened, and there were plenty of tables available when we arrived. There was a greeter on the ground floor who checked us in and led us upstairs. Parking: Parking can be challenging since the restaurant is in the heart of Little Italy. There is street parking and a few nearby parking lots, but most options are paid. Service: The main reason I'm giving this restaurant 4 stars instead of 5. There were only two other tables occupied throughout our lunch, but we still felt a bit rushed. When we asked which pastas were handmade, our server raised an eyebrow and simply pointed at a few items on the menu. It made us feel a little out of place since we weren't familiar with the different Italian pastas. Food: We ordered the Torre Di Antipasti, the Pappardelle Bolognese, and the Spaghetti alla Carbonara. The appetizer tower looked beautiful, but it tasted average, and I don't think it was worth the $32. When we were looking for a handmade pasta, our server recommended the Pappardelle Bolognese. It definitely had a unique texture. The Spaghetti alla Carbonara isn't made with handmade pasta, but it was still delicious and actually my favorite! Rich, creamy, and cheesy (I went for the extra Parmesan). Overall: There are a lot of great Italian restaurants in Little Italy and throughout San Diego. The handmade pasta dishes are the highlight at Ristorante Illando, and I'd recommend stopping by if you're in the area, especially if you're looking for fresh pasta. read more

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The food was really good and the service was friendly and attentive. We had a great experience overall and enjoyed the atmosphere. A solid spot for Italian food in San Diego, and I'd definitely come back! Servers were very attentive!! read more

Food and service was above and beyond! Went out for our anniversary dinner and will be returning very soon! Ambiance was good! read more

Ristorante Illando - Ravioli All'Aragosta Cheese Pizza - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

We were staying in Little Italy so we were looking for an Italian restaurant that was close and open late after the baseball game. This restaurant has a very small sign and footprint so almost missed it. It's a small staircase up to the restaurant. Food was good. Generous pour on wine by the glass. read more

Ristorante Illando - Ravioli - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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The most delicious Italian food I have had in San Diego. Quaint, upstairs location. I love the simple charm, because it's the food that wows you. Mauricio, our server, was so helpful and kind. Everything was delicious and beautifully prepared. The house made pastas were perfectly al dente; the shrimp in my fettuccine dish was cooked just right...it's so easy to overcook it...and it balanced beautifully with the pancetta; the short rib in the tortelloni di brasato melted in your mouth, and the fresh sage in the sauce was heavenly! Beautiful balance of all the flavors. My mouth and stomach were so happy from this experience, which made my heart happy. I'm already looking forward to going back! read more

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Awesome experience. A neat vibe heading upstairs - we were fortunate to sit in the back room. A bonus was it had a plaque that President Obama sat there a few years ago. Service was outstanding, quick and attentive. Food was what I'd expect for authentic Italian. I'll definitely be back! read more

Luka is a top notch pro! My son and I had a great conversation about Italy, Brazilian jiujitsu and Italian food. Great guy! Food: everything is freshly made and tastes very good. We enjoyed our pasta dish and my son enjoyed his chicken Parmesan. The food came out fast as well. One thing I really like was the fact that the window could open and we got the cool breeze from the sunny San Diego weather coming through on the second floor. Which also provided a great view of the city of Little Italy while we were eating. Great food, great customer service, and great location! Definitely recommend stopping by and checking this local place out. Ask for Luka. read more

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Hard to find as the signage is above a small doorway which leads you up a flight is stairs but once inside it is an unexpected delight. It looks like you were in somebody's dining room. Lots of light cute and clean. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable and the food came out very quick. Everybody loved their meals. Easy to make a reservation through Yelp. In a great location in Little Italy so afterwards you can easily walk to grab a gelato or just take in the sights and sounds read more

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Everything goes above and beyond. You cannot go wrong with any meal that you get here. The seafood is made fresh and the shrimps were so good. The calamari was also light, crunchy and a wonderful appetizer overall. From the start to finish our whole family of five was raving over how good everything is! Service was kind and immediate. Everyone seeks to provide high quality service and food. We felt nourished not only physically but holistically. The restaurant is located at the second floor. The whole atmosphere reminds me of home. This is what a restaurant must be. We can see why Barack Obama has also visited this place. read more

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Ristorante Illando is perfect for those evenings when you want a solid meal in a cozy setting. We came here to celebrate my son's birthday, and it did not disappoint! We got a spot in the back room, which gave our party a bit of privacy from the main dining room. Service was on point in that we got what we needed when we needed it, but we still had privacy. We had two different servers. The first one was a woman who was very direct but not in any rude, as I surmise the directness is due to being a non-native English speaker and she was trying to get her message across clearly in any way she can. The second server was delightful and likely the Luca that is raved about in the other reviews. Food was a hit with everyone in our party. Dishes ordered were the lamb chops, the salmon, the chicken Marsala, and the lobster ravioli. Kids has a plain pasta and a couple of slices of pizza. Overall, everything was solid and we would be happy to return if we're in the area again. read more

Ristorante Illando - Entrance to the restaurant, which is upstairs. - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came here for a dinner with coworkers and loved the intimate atmosphere. It was a bit stuffy although the windows were open and there was a fan. We sat in the middle of the restaurant but I think if we were by a window then we would have gotten fresher air. It is upstairs but no elevator that we saw so that is something to think about if wanting to eat here. For appetizers we tried the tower of appetizers which consisted of a selection of cured meats & cheeses, nuts, jam, olivea, bruschetta & caprese served on a wooden tower, meatballs and marinara sauce. For my entree I ordered the lobster ravioli. I would have tried some wine but I had a tummy ache but the wine smelled delicious and I know it would have went perfect with our dishes. Our waitress was attentive and kind. The staff felt very family like. I would definitely come back when I'm in the area! read more

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Came here for dinner while my family was visiting and we had a great experience! The food was delicious and the staff were very kind. We sat on their back patio and it was so lovely for a summer dinner! The pasta dishes I tried were so delicious! Everything tasted so fresh and the portions are a great size. We had a larger party and did make a reservation ahead of time but still had to wait about 20 minutes before being seated, but it was a weekend night and very busy so just be aware and patient. Overall a wonderful time and delicious dinner. Ill definitely be returning! read more

Ristorante Illando - Ravioli Ricotta E Spinaci with Vodka Sauce - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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With the reviews we thought we would experience something amazing! The good:atmosphere is like eating in Nonna's kitchen. The lobster ravioli was some of the best we had. Flavor n texture on point. The not so good: Chicken parm cooked well Crispy not over done. Pasta aldente good sauce ok. Caprese no flavor minimum olive oil or balsamic where is fresh basil ? Service was pleasant but never checked back during meal I specifically ordered the courses to be brought out in order the second and main came out together. Canolli flavor ok pastry over done Wine prices high. Just an ok with what could be a 5star with management attention to detail. Also having wait bar staff complain about how the glass wear is not being cleaned enough where patrons hear is not good for confidence in a reviewer. Having one server for entire 14 table area is a management failure. read more

Got a weird vibe when we walked up on a not so busy Tuesday evening. Sort of like, is there a table for us or not, two people said they had to check. It was almost like they weren't sure they wanted our business. Our at least that's the feeling we got. We did get seated upstairs. We ordered arancini as a starter. They were stuffed with a red sauce and cheese. But they were served on a bed of vodka sauce. We all liked them. I ordered the Rigatoni All' Amatriciana. It was okay, very acidic though. Another one of our party had the chicken parmigiana, they liked it. Then the other two had Fettuccine Gamberi e Pancetta. They said it was just okay also. The bread with oil was very fresh. The table runner that brought and cleared our plates and filled our drinks was extremely nice and seemed to work hard. read more

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This was such a good place to celebrate my friend's birthday! We had shared a couple of things but our two favorite items were the gnocchi pesto and the tiramisu. The gnocchi was the perfect texture, pillowy and light. The pesto was fresh and smooth, it was so easy to eat that you couldn't help but eat more. The tiramisu was light and full of flavor. The slice was on the bigger size for one portion but we just split since we were pretty full. The staff was very nice and even had a candle on the tiramisu for my friend. The restaurant is quite small so I would definitely make a reservation especially if you're a larger group read more

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Amazing food with a quiet, intimate dinner setting. The carbonara was definitely a highlight dish, it was the best I've had in a while. Service was quick and attentive. My new go-to Italian restaurant. read more

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This is, by far, our favorite restaurant in Little Italy! From the ambiance, to the service, and the FOOD, we are never disappointed. Everything is yummy and fresh and comes out looking beautiful. We love that this spot is upstairs and overlooks Little Italy as well. It's nice and centralized so you can take a walk and see the sights as well. If you do go, we do suggest a reservation since it can get very busy. They have a small amount of seating upstairs and then a small patio downstairs. read more

Ristorante Illando - Foreground: Pesto Gnocchi Al Pesto Background: Tortelloni Al Brasato - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Came with no reservation and was able to get seated immediately (outside only) which was nice. Service was generally ok. The food was nothing to write home about. The bread had a stretchy texture instead of fluffy and warm. It wasn't particularly tasty. The Brussels sprouts we had were cooked well but could've done with a bit more balsamic. The pasta we got was dry, overcooked, and had lacked flavor and seasoning. The best thing about this restaurant was that the service was good and the food came out quickly. Overall though, I would not come back without improvements to the cooking. read more

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Cute hole in the wall Italian restaurant with delicious plates for the perfect price. Take the stairs up, seating up top Great for small and large groups read more

Ristorante Illando - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is a charming Italian restaurant set above the pizza place in the same building. I almost missed it walking by! You walk upstairs to the right and it's a refreshing environment with muted tones and soft pink roses on each table. It wasn't very busy at lunchtime which worked great for us! They have a variety of pasta, but the gluten free pasta shape is penne and they are willing to do any sauce on it. I had the creamy vodka sauce with Italian bacon chunks and shrimp. It was tomato based, vodka sauce and was delicious! It was on the higher side for lunch pricing, the gf pasta is an added $5. When in little Italy.... read more

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Great, fresh, and authentic. Both the spaghetti and meatballs and the carbonara were obviously freshly made, from the pasta to the sauces, to the meatballs and guanciale. This is the spot if you want authentic Italian food. read more

Ristorante Illando - Spaghetti Carbonara - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

So delicious and the service was fantastic! Glad we found this place! I ordered rhe fettecene and also tried the chicken parm. O was a fan of both! The flavor was so good! I also ordered an Amaro spritz that was very tasty! I would definitely return and would highly recommend this gem to others if youre looking for a solid italian restaurant! read more

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2 starts for great service, but hit-or-miss food. We visited without a reservation and the staff kindly found us a spot in the heated outdoor seating (heads up: the indoor area is up a steep flight of stairs and not stroller-friendly). Our server was 5-star--very attentive and polite. We loved the Lobster Ravioli and Calamari, but the Ossobuco was disappointing with a frozen-like smell/taste, and the Risotto was quite bland despite the generous portion of seafood. Come for the vibes and service, but choose your dishes carefully. read more

Had a mediocre experience here. Pros: I liked the taste of the fettuccine and the complimentary bread. My partner did not like the chicken parmesan. Collectively we did not like the arancini as it tasted more like a meatball and had little rice. Good flavor but mostly beef. The service was poor as we felt our server was short with us. We waited a while to get a box & the check. Side note that no one acknowledged the note in our reservation that we were celebrating a birthday, the server also didn't ask if we were celebrating anything. Quaint spot & we sat inside. read more

Ristorante Illando - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Right off the bat we are greeted with extremely friendly and welcoming service. All the dishes we got were great. The lobster ravioli was rich and creamy. The texture was to die for. I loved all the flavors. My boyf and his friend got the chicken pasta and the bolognese. They noted great portions and pasta flavors fresh. The place is located upstairs. We came hungry after landing and needed a place to eat near our hotel and this place hit the spot! Convenient, delicious, and service did not disappoint. Would be back when if I'm ever in town! read more

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Staff super friendly! Reservations made prior to coming so wait time is about 5 minutes. Caesar salad: good, decent, lettuce is fresh! Cake: was complimentary because we were celebrating birthday Vodka Ravioli spinach: 100/10 YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS DISH AT LEAST ONCE in your life or at least try the VODKA SAUCE. because me and my friends were cleaning the ravioli plate vodka sauce with the bread it was that good. Bread basket is complimentary and fresh!! came back here after 2 weeks bc it was on our mind. will be on my places to go to pasta! read more

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Came for dinner and had a really great experience overall. Pros: short rib tortelloni was amazing. The short rib is incredibly tender and sage butter sauce was delicious. The fettucine gamberi with the Italian bacon was also very delicious! There were huge chunks of the bacon and shrimp were large. Kids had butter pasta, large portion and good for kids. The ricotta stuffed squash blossoms were also good. Cons: the meatball appetizer was just fine. The red sauce on the meatballs felt lacking. The meatballs also were a bit bland. Service was good, their complimentary bread was a highlight for the kids. Would definitely return for the pasta. read more

- lobster ravioli + ricotta was yum the sauce was thick and savory...i do think the lobster was a bit mushy for me though! there wasn't a lot in the sauce itself - the osso bucco and the saffron risotto was delish, very moist and tender but the saffron rice a tad underseasoned for me - loved the meatballs very filling the sauce was lighter which i liked - strong drinks! the servers were very attentive and gave us amazing recommendations, love chatting with the waiters - perfect little date night but location can be a bit hard to find! make sure to check outside photos to see because we spent some time walking up and down trying to find where the restaurant was :) didn't have to wait at all on a friday night read more

Ristorante Illando - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Great service and amazing food! Would definitely recommend and would come back again! Street parking only. Came on a week day around 3pm and was served and seated right away. The waiter was great. He was the only server and was still very attentive, kind, and gave great recommendations. The Tortelloni al Brasato and the Fettuccini Gamberi e Pancetta are beyond delicious!! The only thing we weren't crazy about was the cannoli for dessert. But everything else was absolutely delicious! read more

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We went to dinner with my kids and had mix feelings about this place. The service and execution was way below average. The food was pretty decent. As to service, we were seated within short wait of our reservation. An attendant came by to ask about water and we got served with the menu. While we were looking on and decided on the menu, we see that a party of 3 adults were sat next to us. That's when things went down. The waiter decided to attend them, instead of us when we were waiting to order. I had to flag down someone to get the server, the place was not hectic yet. That kind of turned us off. I noticed that, that table next to us were a bit taken aback when they got their entres really fast even before their salads and appetizers. We could overhear the discussion and disappointment by that table. The waiter giving a long winded explanation. We ordered grilled octopus, spinach salad, linguine alla vongole, and pasta with shrimp with pancetta. Pasta was too done, the octopus was great, the vongole was decent. Idk if this is the normal practice in Cali, as I lived here over 15 years, but when we got the check the automatic suggested tip started at 20%, then 25% and 30%. Yes there was a custom tip option but setting the suggested tips starting at 20% lends itself to poor service because you know most of the patrons will not go below that amount. Reflects poorly on the management, why are we paying for their worker's wages???!! 2 stars for service and management. A high 3 star but quite 4 star for their food. read more

The food was excellent, but the outstanding service is what truly earned this five-star review. Our server was professional, attentive, friendly, and incredibly helpful throughout the meal. We learned he was not only waiting tables but also handling nearly every other front-of-house responsibility, with only the cook there to assist. Despite wearing so many hats, he managed everything with efficiency, grace, and a genuinely positive attitude. He even took the time to show me the "Presidential Room," where President Barack Obama once dined, which made the experience even more memorable. The food itself was delicious, with hearty portions and great flavor, but it was the exceptional service that set this visit apart. A well-deserved five stars for both the food and the person who made the experience so enjoyable. read more

Food: 4.5/5 delicious. Service: 5/5 friendly servers Ambiance: 4/4 could be more clean Overall: will comeback again read more

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Fantastic pasta dishes and delicious drinks! Plus wonderful service! And the table and dishes were pristine, which is a huge deal for me. Cleanliness in all aspects. I approve. read more

Incredible place!!! I can't even begin to tell you how incredible the food was!!! True authentic Italian food, we were a big group and every single dish was amazing! Salads, appetizers, main dishes everything was tasty and soooo fresh! The store is so nice and the decor sets the mood What stood out the most is our server Luca!!! Super nice, professional, fast and on top of it!!! Very nice guy made the experience even better and handled our group beautifully. Highly recommend! And definitely ask for Luca:) read more

Ristorante Illando - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Delicious food! I'll definitely be coming back. I had a reservation but arrived earlier than expected -- they were super accommodating and seated us right away, offering the choice of indoor or outdoor dining. Since it wasn't chilly, we chose to sit outside. The outdoor vibe was perfect, though I do wish the tables were a bit larger. They start you off with complimentary bread served with balsamic vinegar and olive oil -- a nice touch! Everything we ordered was made to order, hot, and tasted incredibly fresh. I had the Caprese for my appetizer and the Gnocchi a la Pesto for my main course -- both were totally worth it! Portion sizes and pricing were very fair. I definitely recommend outdoor seating in the evening, especially since Little Italy has such a great atmosphere at night. read more

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One of Little Italy's truly hidden gems, Ristorante Illando is tucked right upstairs above Landini's. As soon you come up the steps, it feels like you've stepped into a cozy Italian escape. The intimate atmosphere, beautiful lighting, and charming decor make it the perfect spot for a date night or a quiet dinner with friends. I've been a great fan of the Landini family of restaurants throughout San Diego, and Illando absolutely meets, if not exceeds, their already high standards for warm service, incredible food, and genuine Italian authenticity. Every dish here is worth savoring...the kind of dishes that left us debating whether to finish every last bite or take home leftovers just to experience it all over again later. It's easily one of the most underrated spots in Little Italy, and honestly one of the few Italian restaurants in San Diego that can hold its own against the Italian cooking I'd find back home in NJ. Just like Landini's is one of the few pizza spots that remind me of back home, Illando delivers that same comfort and excellence in every plate. read more

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Ristorante Illando is now on my go-to list for Italian food when in San Diego. Luca and his boys provided 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! read more

Ristorante Illando - Pesto gnocchi. Highly recommend! - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California