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    Rusticucina

    4.6 (1.6k reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Rusticucina Photos

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    RUSTICUCINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
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    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Rusticucina

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    Reviews With Photos

    Pappardelle al brasto
    Edwin A.

    I been here a couple of times here now and each time is heaven. parking is not the best but the food is worth it. I usually get the Pappardelle Al Brasato.The portion is huge compared to other places which is great and doesn't lack any flavor. Service was great and attentive. the vibes were chill and enjoyed my dinner here. The calamari is incredilbe light and not coated in breading.

    Nani N.

    We had a reservation at 7:15pm and we were seated immediately. It wasn't too crowded when we went on a Friday night. The food was great! There were so many options to choose from. Our server was amazing and was consistently checking in on us.

    Calamari
    Curt T.

    The gnocchi was ok. I prefer it other places. It was more dense than others I've had and I prefer them more billowey. The flavor was good though. Service was great. The tiramisu was good and had a lot of coffee flavor. They build it in front of you. Calamari was good and crunchy. Was here for a friend's birthday. It was nice. The cake was delicious and not overly sweet.

    Marci T.

    We went last minute for our anniversary and got seated almost right away. We started with a bottle of Moscato and some bruschetta. The Moscato was nice and sweet, and the bruschetta was super tasty. I didn't get any pictures, but I had the lasagna and my husband got the half rigatoni. Seriously, that lasagna was probably one of the best I've ever had. So meaty, so hearty, just amazing. Everyone working there was so nice and helpful, and you could really tell they all worked well together as a team. We're definitely coming back!

    Garlic Bread
    Grace C.

    I really wanted to like this place, but overall it was a disappointing experience. The biggest red flag for me was seeing the cheese wheel being stored right next to the bathroom, covered with just a napkin. That alone raised serious concerns about cleanliness and food handling. And the server would place the pan of rigatoni on the bottom uncovered Service was actually good -- the staff was nice and attentive, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, the food didn't match. The meatballs tasted like frozen, pre-made ones, and the sauce was very basic and bland. The garlic bread and marinara were honestly not good -- the bread had a strange, off taste. The lobster ravioli with shrimp was just okay, nothing special. The "special" cheese wheel rigatoni with sausage was the biggest letdown. It wasn't served hot, and the pasta was overcooked and mushy -- definitely not what you expect from a dish that's supposed to be a highlight. The wine also tasted very basic and underwhelming. The only thing I genuinely enjoyed was the spicy margarita -- that was actually really good. Unfortunately, between the food quality and the cleanliness concerns, I won't be returning.

    Burrata Arugola Caprese
    Luke R.

    A very mixed review. The appetizers were very good, the calamari was perfectly light and crispy, and the caprese salad with delicious pesto was a hit. But, both of our pastas were just average. They actually forgot the sausage on my pasta, and by the time a side of it came out 15 minutes later, it didn't taste very good anyway. The staff did make it right by removing the upcharge and giving us a free dessert (which was really appreciated). I wasn't a huge fan of the seating arrangements. The tables are so close together that the waiters constantly bumped our plates and forks just trying to squeeze past. Sadly, I don't think I'll be back.

    Carbonara
    Crystal B.

    First time visiting. We started with the Burrata Caprese. It was light and refreshing, although I would have preferred more pesto and balsamic glaze. For the mains, we had the Pappardelle Al Brasato and Carbonara. Both dishes were good but not "wow." The pappardelle al brasato had a light beef flavor with a touch of some type of truffle seasoning (no mushrooms in the dish). The sauce had a description of "truffle cream sauce." The sauce wasn't creamy at all. I thought the sauce could have been a bit richer. Again, both dishes were still enjoyable. The cannoli was your average cannoli. Service was amazing! Very attentive and friendly. I loved the atmosphere - it had an elevated rustic farmhouse aesthetic. Overall, I still had a great time! I would def try a pizza if I ever return. I saw a table with what looked like a pepperoni pizza, and it looked really good!

    Fettuccine Tartufo
    Michelle B.

    I came here on my birthday, it was a rainy night and the restaurant was empty but felt very homey and intimate. The staff is wonderful, kind and knowledgeable and gave great recommendations. The appetizers were DELICIOUS, both the calamari and the burrata are a must. The sauce on the burrata was so good i could eat it but the spoonful. The calamari was breaded and seasoned to perfection. The fettuccine Tartufo was so good and rich. The pasta special they had wasn't as good - it needed to be more balanced in taste. Over all very beautiful restaurant and a great place for Italian.

    Paccheri Salsa Alla Vodka
    Allison P.

    **3.5 stars** It's an adorable Italian restaurant that justtt missed the mark for me. While everything we ordered was rather good, it just wasn't what I was expecting. I got the Mediterranea to start followed by the Paccheri Salsa Alla Vodka. The Mediterranea salad was one of the most beautiful salads I've ever seen! With heirloom tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, pickled red onions, capers, and arugula, the colors were beautiful. It also tasted just as good as it looked! Super refreshing and plentiful. Onto the Paccheri Salsa Alla Vodka... If vodka pasta is on the menu, I am almost always going to order it and unfortunately Rusticucina's just wasn't my favorite. It tasted more like a cheese pasta and I wasn't getting too much from the sauce. Maybe I need to come back and try a different pasta? Overall, it was a great dining experience! The service was friendly and attentive and the interior was very warm and inviting.

    Appetizer Calamari
    Raul M.

    If you are Visiting SD and looking for an Italian Restaurant that features a Cheese Wheel than Rusticucina is the place to Eat. My family and I decided to give this place a try and I felt like we won. Started off with some Delicious Calamari (great flavor, not greasy). I ordered the Classic Lasagna and it was very flavorful, you can tell it was made from scratch (I loved the sauce). My daughter ordered the Chicken Parm with Noodles (She rated it top 3 she's had in her young life). My wife went old school and ordered Chicken Alfredo. My other daughter ordered the star of the show...Fettuccine Tartufo which was made in the Cheese Wheel at our table. I tried it and fell in love. Rich, creamy, cheesy with mushrooms, truffle, and flavored sausage. It was DELICIOUS... I highly recommend this restaurant and strongly suggest you order what ever is on the menu for the Cheese Wheel The service was excellent. Very professional and constantly checked on our table refilling our drinks.

    Harry P.

    The evening began promisingly, with an appetizer that showed glimpses of care and balance. Unfortunately, the experience declined considerably once the main courses arrived. Both the pasta and pizza were excessively salty, to the point that finishing either dish became genuinely difficult and this observation comes from someone who generally enjoys assertive seasoning. Service, regrettably, lacked the attentiveness one would expect at this price point. I ordered a Coke yet was served a Sprite instead. The drink also took far too long to arrive because it had apparently been forgotten, and I had to follow up again to remind them. At this point it merely served as an attempt to counterbalance the overwhelming saltiness of the meal. To the restaurant's credit, the waiter later offered a complimentary dessert in an effort to recover the experience. However, the gesture ultimately misunderstood the issue at hand. The concern was never the cost of dessert, nor the price of the meal itself. Dining alone, my bill came to approximately $98 before tip, plus an additional $20 gratuity. The pricing felt appropriate for the establishment; what did not align with expectations was the execution, consistency, and overall hospitality. What disappointed me most was the absence of refinement in details that should have been carefully managed in a restaurant operating at this level. A memorable dining experience is built not only on quality ingredients but also on balance, precision, timing, and thoughtful service from beginning to end. Unfortunately, those elements were missing throughout the evening. As I prepared to leave, a woman dining nearby with her husband and child asked how the pizza was. I answered honestly: overwhelmingly salty. I ultimately boxed the leftovers, though they will likely remain untouched before eventually being discarded. That alone perhaps summarizes the experience best. In hindsight, I should have followed the recommendations from Yelp. Instead, I chose to try somewhere new in the spirit of spontaneity. Regrettably, that decision ended in disappointment, and it is not a restaurant I intend to revisit.

    Creme Brullee
    Marco A.

    1/23/26: When you don't want the night to end with your donna bellissima, your ADHD kicks in, and you remember the Cheese Wheel Tik Tok you sent her the night before! My cute co-pilot maps the spot. It's on the way home! Il destino! And as luck would have it, we find parking in front of the restaurant 3 minutes prior to free parking! Molto Bene! The Drinks - a chardonnay for my darling diva & a Spice Up Your Life for me. Keeping the tequila theme going from our prior adventure. Fantastico! The Food - we started off with the truffle fries while we waited for the main event! Cheese Wheel! Our server went over the specials & we decided on the gluten free Fusilli Pesto with chicken. Just as our drinks are half done & we plate watch (like people watching, but with food), the Cheese Wheel makes its entrance! All hail the Cheese Wheel!!! Our wheel man began to whip out a little torch & slice off pieces of cheese like an artist. Presentation points for thee, signore! As he dropped in the pasta & chicken, we gave him the "More cheese!" look that we desire artery clogging quantities of parmigiano! We were not disappointed. Deliziosa! The Dessert - My confectionary cutie chose the dessert, Crème Brûlée. It was almost as delicious as my date. And why not have a French dessert at an Italian restaurant! This is San Diego! But yes, definitely a hit! Bello! The Staff - I cannot say enough about these lovely people. From our hostess who said "15 minute wait" & sat us in 10, with last minute reservation, on a Friday night. To the servers & wait staff who practically anticipated our next move. I don't think I ever saw my water glass empty. Bravissimo! TL:DR Good things happen when you are with good company.

    Inside
    Brisa B.

    Rusticucina is my favorite place to get a cheese wheel! The price is roughly $38 but the portion is big enough to serve two. We like to get the cheese wheel and a few appetizers! The arancini are okay. They came out cold for us but the flavor is good! They did taste as though they were frozen but still good. The pasta wheel was a cream sauce with chicken and veggies. They torch the cheese wheel to melt it a little before throwing in our pasta. They needed to maybe melt the cheese a little more because it was slightly lumpy but still amazing flavor.

    Store front

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The food was phenomenal and service was amazing! Alvin went above and beyond to make sure we were accommodated! Best new fav in San Diego!

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    2 years ago

    my favorite italian in north park! it's great food and service every time :) alessandro was great tonight!

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Vincent was a great server!! Had the cheese wheel pasta and it was delicious. Calamari was a great starter!

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    2 years ago

    Food was great! We came for restaurant week and it was a very good experience. Service was also amazing, shout out Ashley!

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    2 years ago

    Ocean provided amazing service! Food was delicious and the restaurant had a beautiful atmosphere!

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Had an amazing time!! The food was very fresh and the ambiance was very cute! Alessandro was very attentive and charismatic!!

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    3 years ago

    Ocean was the best server! So sweet and attentive. Food was delicious too and the cocktails were great! Thank you Ocean!!!

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    Page 29 of 41

    Rusticucina Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Rusticucina

    How is parking for normal size trucks and SUV's? Is there valet?

    Street parking

    Hi, how can we make a reservation for a party of 8-10, the website says the reservation page doesn't exist?

    I don't know:(! Sorry Maybe you can call and ask them!

    Is this restaurant kid friendly?

    Yes it is.

    What's the price range for the cheese wheel pasta?

    I think it depends on how many people. The menu has market price. We were 6 people and just wanted to try it as an appetizer. I believe it was $40.

    Do the restaurant have air conditioning?

    Yes

    Is there a corkage fee if we bring our own wine?

    Hi Stephanie, Yes there is $10 corkage fee per bottle

    When is happy hour?

    Yes we do. Monday to Thursday 4-6 pm

    Are they serving the cheese wheel plate again?

    Yes we are

    Is the cheese wheel pasta only select pastas or how does it work?

    Hi, Yes we sell the cheese will pasta, only for dining in. Thank you

    View All 11 Questions

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    I was in the mood for a new spot that had a casual, but unique vibe. My husband and I really enjoy…read morethe hunt, and I'm so glad I found Finca on Yelp! I made a reservation (just in case) because on a weekend you never know. Luckily, though, we arrived and there was plenty of available seating. My husband and I had our 10 and 5 year old with us and they easily accommodated us. It's a straightforward, but lovely menu that has a little bit for everyone. We enjoyed sharing a few plates and fresh oysters on the half shell. They do not have a kids menu, which was alright with us. Our daughter, who loves a good steak at 5 years old, enjoyed their pub steak and fries and shared a Mexican Coke with her brother. For my husband and I, we enjoyed sharing their beef tartare and to finish it off, a banana split. What we found so whimsical about Finca is their presentation. My husband and I really enjoyed exploring their menu and leaving room for a return visit soon. I couldn't recommend Finca more for anyone looking for a fun and casual dining experience with a lovely staff and unique take on traditional favorites.

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    Photos
    The dining room
    The dining room
    Italian Dumplings
    Italian Dumplings
    Chicken and caviar

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    Chicken and caviar

    Rusticucina - italian - Updated July 2026

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