Volare Italian Dining has been a beloved San Diego institution since 1978, and I've been coming here for over 30 years. Tucked away on Barnett Avenue near the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, this classic family-owned spot is the ultimate hole-in-the-wall; unassuming on the outside, but legendary inside for its hearty, authentic Italian food. It's a quirky location and parking situation, but offers some of the most hearty and authentic Italian food around! Well worth the visit! Founded by Sicilian brothers Alfio and Onofrio Sanfilippo (who immigrated from Sicily in 1969), Volare was their American Dream realized. They ran it together for two decades before returning to Italy. Their sister Anna stepped in to keep it in the family, and today it's still lovingly operated by family members and longtime staff who make you feel right at home. The second you walk through the door, the rich garlicky aroma from the kitchen hits you. Service is always friendly and attentive; they never let your glass go empty and treat every guest like familia! On this visit, we went straight for two of their signature comfort classics: the cheesy garlic bread and the lasagna. The garlic bread came out with thick, bubbling layers of melted mozzarella and parmesan on perfectly toasted bread: garlicky, golden, and OMG completely addictive...! They always serve this with their house sauce for dipping or spooning on. Perfection! The lasagna was pure comfort in a dish: served bubbling hot in its own baking dish under a glorious blanket of gooey, golden-brown cheese, with rich meaty layers and vibrant sauce peeking through. One order easily became a delicious two-day meal. Huge portions, soul-satisfying flavors, and very reasonable prices make Volare a standout. If you're looking for real-deal, old-school Italian in San Diego that tastes like someone's Italian mother made it, this place belongs on your must-eat list. It's been consistently excellent for decades, and these photos of our lasagna and garlic bread capture exactly why we keep coming back. read more

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Its carb loading time, as the marathon is just around the corner. And this place hits the spot to load up on carbs before a race. This restaurant is a hidden gem that has been established for years, 1978 to be exact. In Cali if a restaurant has been established this long, then it must be the place to go! Apparently, the word is out, as on a Saturday early evening, 5pm ish, the restaurant was packed. Plus, people were lining up for their takeaways. Not only is the food good, buts it also a good value. As you can see from our pictures the portions are large for the prices. If you look at the menu, you can see that you can order lasagna and spaghetti with meat all on one plate for less than 20 dollars. And why stop there...perhaps a side salad for under $3.00 dollars, mind you, it is a bit small. It is a side salad. The marina sauce was soooooo good.... As for ambiance-- it does feel like you are stepping back in time. Its like you walked into your grandma's small restaurant. It is a bit dark and noisy-- so this may not be the place for ambiance-- but rather a place to gather with friends and family for good conversation. After my first experience at this restaurant, I am looking forward to coming back for some more marina soon.... read more

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Food was super great! A lot of selections at a very good price and decent portions. Everything seemed homemade and was not the "generic Italian food." It did take a little while for the food to come out, but they gave us free cheese bread because they accidentally made extra. Service was super fast, efficient, and friendly. We came at a busy hour but they were able to get people in and out very fast. Location is a bit of a hit or miss depending on what you're looking for. This is definitely more of a mom and pop shop, so maybe not the best for a huge walk in party. Parking is actually OK. It's not a usual lot but there is going to be room. If you're looking for some authentic Italian-American food that is family run and has good value, Volare is definitely a place to check out. You can never go wrong with any of their items and is a must visit if you are in the area. read more

Italian American restaurant that was weird to get to, but if it had survived this long they must be serving something good right? Yes! We live a bit far, but would definitely come back if we were craving Italian comfort food. Service was quick and good came out hot and fresh. Theres a parking lot in the back as well. read more

Volare - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Best Italian food in San Diego. A little dumpy place but great food. I love the Puttenesca bacilli a. My husband get the pasta carbanaro. The spaghetti sauce is great.. Lots of regulars go there.Servers have been there for years and are like family. It could use redecorating but I guess it's part of the charm read more

Stepping off a cross-country flight from New England, my boyfriend and I were craving comfort food -- specifically Italian. Volare delivered exactly what we didn't know we needed: rustic, home-style cooking in a peaceful, family-owned atmosphere. The dining room had that lived-in, timeless charm that reminded me of my Sicilian dad's decor -- nothing flashy, just warm and familiar. It was lunchtime and a couple families were scattered around, but the vibe was calm and inviting. We split a chicken parm sub and the Basilica Paolini (a thin spaghetti tossed in red sauce with garlic and basil). Both were excellent -- generous portions, straightforward flavors, done right. Their homemade bread arrived warm (complimentary!) and the minestrone soup I started with was hearty and soothing. To top it off, we shared a half-liter of rosé -- and somehow, the bill for all of this came in under $50. In San Diego, that's basically a miracle. Even with the phone ringing nonstop, our server (who seemed to be single-handedly running the floor) was attentive, kind, and didn't miss a beat. You could feel the pride in keeping this place running smoothly. It feels like Volare hasn't touched their prices since the early 2010s, and honestly, I hope they never do. It's a neighborhood gem where you can eat well, be treated well, and leave full and happy without breaking the bank. We'll absolutely be back. read more

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Hidden off Pacific Coast highway is this delicious gem. Cozy, casual restaurant with great food made from scratch! This is a great place to stop at lunch if you're looking for a great deal but, i love coming here for dinner. I've never had to wait for more than 10 minutes before getting a table and once you're seated the service is always impeccable. They give complimentary bread for the table and always have intriguing daily specials. It's a nice family owned style Italian restaurant vibe. Portion sizes are big so don't be surprised if you end up taking food home like you would at your Nonnas house. You truly can't go wrong with anything they have on the menu. Must try if you love Italian food! read more

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Total hole in the wall, but has excellent pizza. Sauce and cheese were superb, although the crust was a little floppy. Prices are phenomenal and food took a little long to come out. But it was worth the wait Pizza was even better the next day. Reheat in the oven/toaster oven to fix the floppy crust and it's a 10/10 read more

Volare - Pizza - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Food hot!! Sauced & seasoned with perfection.. Fast service not sure how many waiters & waitresses Old school ambiance. But do go .. Get there early.. it does get packed Maximum seating. 50 people's. Do visit. read more

Volare - Menu - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Comfort Italian food at its finest. They have the best lasagna I've ever had. Boiling hot straight out of the oven and extremely cheesy. It's hard to find a really good lasagna and they take the win. You just have to try it to find out for yourself. I live in Los Angeles and plan to come back soon just to order this again as I can't stop thinking about how great it was. Service was very friendly and attentive. The restaurant very old and dated and I guess would be considered "a hole in the wall" but the food is really good and the prices are below average so not a big deal. read more

Volare - Lasagna with extra cheese on top - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

We had a great time here last night. This review is long overdue, we've been coming here for 10+ years. We all split the Caesar salad and a carafe of Chianti. The star of the night though was definitely the baked lasagna and ravioli. It was outstanding. We also had the linguine with clams in white sauce and the spaghetti with meat sauce. They were both really good as well. The kids menu was pretty extensive and even though we just ordered the chicken fingers, it comes with spaghetti as well. Both kids ended up enjoying the spaghetti and taking the chicken fingers home. Overall, we enjoyed everything. read more

Great Italian food on a budget. It is family owned and has been around since 1978. We dined here last year while on vacation and wanted to come back again this year. Cheese bread was delish!!! Bread was hot and loaded with cheese. My scallop dish was amazing as I'm a big fan of both scallops and truffle mushrooms. I cleaned my plate up! My BIL really enjoyed his Ossobuco since he rarely gets a chance to eat it. It was paired up with risotto and he polished off his dinner too. My SIL had the chicken Parmesan and said the chicken was too dry. So she was a bit disappointed. We also ordered a 20 inch pineapple/pepperoni pizza to-go. Pizza was ok but we wanted to try it as the diners that were sitting next to us were ranting about how good the pizza was. read more

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Volaré is my favorite Italian resutaurant. They have the best pizza and pasta. I got the fettuccini alfredo for lunch the other day and it was to die for. It was so incredibly creamy and delicious. Anytime I'm craving Italian I will go to volare. read more

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Small, hole in the wall restaurant in San Diego. Super authentic Italian. Everything was so delicious! Customer service was also the best Thank you! read more

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Food want tasty, all staff friendly and ambiance all awesome!!! If you live in San Diego or even visiting, put this place on your list!! Definitely go! read more

My husband is practically a chef and has pretty much ruined Italian restaurants for me. Usually his home cooked Italian food is better so it ends up feeling like a waste of money. Well not here! The dishes are so so good. The price point is extremely reasonable. And the service was friendly and efficient. A couple stand outs were the stuffed artichokes and the linguine clams (I went red sauce.) It's a tiny little spot, we almost felt like we were in our Italian aunts dining room. So absolutely bomb...we will be back. Soon. read more

Great hidden gem. Service and good was very good. We will be back soon for birthday celebration read more

Went from great to not so great. Hopeful that this review will help them to recognize the much needed change. Been here before and the food was good, this time ordered baked manicotti and got two small pasta shells in a sea of greasy, and I mean swimming grease meat sauce. Stomach did not appreciate it. Neither did my pocket book. Not terribly priced food for sure but two shells in grease was not worth the 17.00 sticker. Sorry volare. read more

I went to celebrate my birthday this weekend at the best Italian restaurant in San Diego, The food is delicious, my friends and I ordered calamari, and from the special menu the artichoke, Jumbo Lobster ravioli, Fettucine pasta and Papoardelle pasta in a creamy 3 mushroom. I loved my Nero d'Avola wine and beer Peroni Nastro Azzurro from Italy. For dessert, of course, I couldn't miss Cannoli and Tiramisu. The ambiance is very cute with several photos of Italy, I feel at home. The attendant Juliana and Andrew are very attentive. Juliana is wonderful and gave me several tips on which dishes, wines and desserts to choose. The service was spectacular. We loved our night, it was more than special! read more

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Volare is a cozy family Italian restaurant with a homey feel. The food prices are reasonable and affordable! I wouldn't use the word fancy to describe this place, but food is quality with good value. I got the Tortellini Volare and I really liked it. It was very rich and creamy. The portion was generous so I got a good two meals out of it. There is a tiny parking lot out front shared with another shop. Our server was young, but quick and amicable. No complaints about any of the service. I had a good experience here and would like to come back! read more

Volare - Tortellini Volare - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Wonderful spices- authentic sauces and meat preparations. The portions are generous and the staff is incredibly friendly!!!

The best Italian food I've ever had. I can't say enough about the freshness of everything. The antipasto salad, bruschetta plate/salad, Lasagna and Baked Rigatoni was amazing. Don't let the outside or inside appearance sway you away. This is one book you can't judge by its cover. Simply wholesome, fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. As a side note, it was really an added pleasure to see employees who seemed to truly care about the customers, were all engaged as a team and enjoyed their jobs. I definitely will be coming back and recommending it to our friend's. Oh, and the cannoli's were to delicious too read more

Great local restaurant with delicious food and a nice atmosphere. The service is excellent and the restaurant is nice and friendly. A family run gem in the heart of San Diego, I would recommend this place to anyone interested in a great time and a wonderful meal. Great place to take the family or go alone, and the prices are reasonable too. read more

Volare - Wonderful local Italian restaurant Volares, a family owned gem in the heart of San Diego. - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Amazing, totally unassuming exterior, tiny waiting area, but the food is unreal. The stuffed artichoke appetizer was creamy and bright with a lemon sauce. I had the capellini with olives, zucchini, and capers. Big portions, I had leftovers to take home. read more

Want to know how to tell if a long standing restaurant still has its chops? It's packed on a Monday night in spite of being in a random location that is kind of in the middle of an industrial area with parking located at the bait and tackle shack next door. RUN, don't walk to Volare for a homey, cozy, delightful experience! You'll be nostalgic on your first visit if that's even possible. Vibes are low key, and it's a teeny restaurant so you might have to wait but it's so worth it. There's a reason why generations of San Diegans call Volare their family's favorite restaurant. The food is GREAT! You cannot go wrong. The wine is plentiful. The service is genuine and swift, while also allowing you and your fam to relax and experience the magic that is Volare. Don't forget to add a side of meatballs! read more

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I've been back to Volare twice since the beginning of 2024. The food NEVER disappoints. The prices are and have always been reasonable and service last night (27APR24) was on point! Take advantage when you can. read more

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Food was excellent. Service was slow but that didn't matter as we were busy catching up with great friends. I'd say the ambiance could be described as simple,no frills. Don't let that deter you though. Food makes up for that. I'd say the pricing of the dishes and wine were more than fair. Would definitely go back. read more

I used to go here a lot when I first moved to SD. I lived very close by, so it was an easy choice. Fresh homemade food, which was delicious and very fairly priced. After I moved away, I went there once for take out during the dark ages of covid lockdowns. Food was still as good as I remembered. Recently, got take out again...ordered my favorite, linguini with clams and white sauce. BB ordered cioppino. Came with bread and a salad. Everything fresh and delicious as usual. One thing: there is only like 4 parking spaces. I got take out last 2 times I went there, so not sure where everyone is parking, since the place is PACKED all the time. Here is one gripe about this place. They are packed, with people waiting, and they are woefully undermannded. Which means service is slow for customers, and unnecessarily stressful for the employees. I noticed this years ago, but it was magnified during our last pick up visit. With the amount of business they have, I am sure they could hire another server? Either way, this place is definitely return visit worthy and a must try if you are in SD. read more

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We've been trying to stop in every time we'd go to MCRD and finally did today! The food is AMAZING!!! Every single sauce has its distinct flavor, fresh & savory. We had the stuffed artichoke hearts as an appetizer & they are so tasty and the sauce is so perfect for sopping up with the bread they bring you! We shared a shrimp Cesar salad, it didn't have too much dressing and the grilled shrimp were perfectly seasoned. My husband had the Mediterranean Fettuccine, again the shrimp were perfectly seasoned & cooked and the sauce was so bright and fresh, the fresh basil is the game changer in this one. I ordered the pappardelle with scallops, my goodness again the sauce was amazing! So delicious, rich and savory, the scallops were perfectly tender and deliciously grilled. The ambience is like if you're at a big family gathering and Nona's delicious family meals are coming out of the kitchen. The service is okay, they are all very nice, polite and friendly.... Not very attentive and a little slow BUT with all the tables full you completely understand why, there are two people working and they were super busy. I will ALWAYS be understanding of slow service when understaffed & much rather have DELICIOUS FOOD like at Nona's. Hands Down The BEST most authentic Italian food in San Diego thus far, give this place a visit! BUT be sure to be on an empty stomach!!! read more

A hidden gem in San Diego I was going to a San Diego Gull game and a friend recommended I try Volare and I'm happy I did. The outside appearance is unimpressive, but the food was great. It reminded me of family Italian restaurants I went to growing up in NY. They had a range of regular menu items and a list of 6 or 7 specials. The service was great. I was concerned because these was a young person (under 18 I thought) taking drink orders and one waitress. She was cheerful, professional, and very efficient. Even with a large party and the self a dozen other tables she managed well. I had the eggplant parm and my date had the linguine with red clam sauce. We started with the artichoke appetizer and finished the meal off splitting a tiramisu. Everything was great. I'm looking forward to going back soon. We parked nextdoor by the bait shop. read more

Volare - Outside Sign. - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

I can't rate this restaurant highly enough. If you crave authentic Italian mom-n-pop family restaurant type food you are in the right place. But that's not to say the food isn't superb. It is. Always. Everyone in the restaurant is family and it shows. The food is always excellent and the ladies serving there are always accommodating. Been dining in and getting takeout for 20+ years and never had a bad experience. read more

Food is delicious, prices are amazing! It does get busy on the weekends so don't go hangry cause you will wait, but it's worth it.

Yum. Our meals were fantastic. It will be the first stop next time in San Diego. Friendly service. Friendly customers. Totally enjoyed this place. read more

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Food was great and service was incredible! I've driven past this place a thousand times and always assumed it was some hole-in-the-wall not worth going to, but I can't sing this place's praises enough!! read more

Italian restaurant that serves up authentic Italian pizzas and pastas. Place is cozy and there's usually a crowd waiting but they seat the tables fast. Service was good and food was delicious.?generous portions for the price, will definitely come back read more

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Great family-style Italian restaurant. I understand this has been a local landmark for years, and deservedly so! I had the chicken parmigiana "lunch special" and practically had to be wheeled back out to the car afterwards. If you're an "Italian Foodie" you owe it to yourself to come by and enjoy. Mangiamo! read more

This place was very rude! the food was ok but service was terrible. We order the pasta and one of the sandwiches and it took forever to come out. then we had to ask for water pitchers and the lady was basically ignoring our table the whole time and only payed attention to us when we asked! When the check came we noticed an extra charge and had to go and fix it and the whole time she seemed so annoyed and didn't want to help even though it was her mistake. All in all I wouldn't eat here again!! read more

Volare may not be the brightest or the flashiest spot in town, but trust me, the food is absolutely worth it. The cozy, slightly worn-in vibe actually adds to the charm, and the focus here is clearly on serving up some seriously delicious Italian dishes. The service is top-notch--friendly, attentive, and funny. It kind of feels like you're eating at your cousins house. Good prices, good flavors, good times. The stuffed artichokes that they often have on special are to die for. read more

I'm mad at myself for not coming here for the last 30yrs. I'm making up for it now. This is eating at your Nonna's basement kitchen. Not fancy, just great food. I try to go once a week. The Spumoni is to die for. read more

Volare - Chef is really rollin with something special tonight :-p - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

All the great reviews of this place are bewildering. We were a party of six dining on Thurs Dec 18th...we went based on all the positive reviews...BIG MISTAKE! The owner needs to pay attention to the negative reviews regarding the staff...fire them all and start over...Especially the cook. Every plate of food on the table was horrific...salmon overcooked, to the point where it had the consistency of saw dust. The marinara sauces tasted off, not sure what it was maybe left over from last week. My veal dish was abysmal, but the worst part was awoken in the middle of the night with bad stomach cramps and threw up the entire dinner.... Bad case of food poisoning. This place needs to have the health department do a surprise inspection...I guarantee the kitchen will be shut down. To the owners: You should be ashamed of yourself to allow this kind of food to be served...WAKE UP before someone gets hospitalized from you serving spoiled rotten food. Take control of your restaurant! read more