Top Best Italian Restaurants in Cardiff State Beach

"Thanks to an owner and several staff members who hail from Italy, this Neapolitan-style pizzeria has an authentic feel that locals love. Its popularity shows—San Diego restaurants are rarely crowded, yet Buona Forchetta often boasts wait..."

"This cozy Tuscanesque cafe is as popular a hangout for surfers as it is with the more senior members of La Jolla society. Terra-cotta tiled floors, bottles of chianti, and a Roman fountain all contribute to the setting for an authentic Italian menu. Highlights include gourmet wood oven-fired pizzas, Saffron Pappardelle and House-Made Ricotta-Spinach Basil Ravioli."

"Blocks from the beach in La Jolla Shores, this comfortably modern dining room and shaded patio hits all the right notes—affordable, polished...Read More"

"There are many eateries in Coronado but this one is found right at the Coronado Ferry Center. This modern Italian restaurant overlooks the harbor and provides stunning views of Downtown San Diego from across the bay."

"When the craving for comfort food strikes, there’s almost nothing better than a trip to Whisknladel. This decade-old stalwart elevates classics like buttermilk fried chicken with gourmet mac and cheese and a side of pancetta braised green beans, and a menu that sources almost entirely from local farms. Charred bone marrow gets cozy with lemon and capers, while local market fish takes a swim in lemon butter sauce and the pork chop basks in a peach vinaigrette."

"With a varied menu hitting all different types of cuisines from around the globe, Whisknladle specializes in approachable, quality cooking with a menu that offers someone for everyone. Guests particularly love the fried chicken sandwich."

"The DePhilippis family would like to welcome you and your family to visit our restaurants to Celebrate National Pizza... From a family line of restaurants that dates back to the 1950s, this place serves authentic Italian cuisine for all. Kids get to choose from spaghetti, ravioli, or lasagna with choice of meatball or sausage."

"Filippi’s has one thing that the others do not and that’s a freaking parking lot!. That should bring a huge smile to your face knowing you can just pull in and park versus circling the blocks like a vulture hoping someone might leave. Second, they check every box for what you think an old school Italian restaurant should be."

"Filippi’s Pizza Grotto is one of the best go-to spots for good Italian food and is famous for its delicious pizzas and its meatball subs. There can be a wait at this popular spot, but it is one that loyal customers are willing to endure. Visit Filippi’s and their décor will make you feel like you’re in Italy."

"The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian hotspot in downtown San Diego. The restaurant provides authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy and is definitely one of the"

"Not just fine dining, but refined dining, Vivace consistently silences the critics of hotel restaurants with fearless, forward-thinking fare (campanelle pasta with braised whole pig, pine nuts, golden raisins and Calabrian chiles, anyone?). Vivace means alive; as is its cooking. At the Park Hyatt Aviara, 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad."

"Organic ingredients, freshly made pasta every day, an award-winning wine list. All these qualities add up to make Vivace a stellar Italian restaurant. The sophisticated and elegant atmosphere helps land it on the list of most romantic restaurants in San Diego."

"Chef de Cuisine Jesse Paul has crafted a menu that highlights the unique cuisine of each region in Italy. Enjoy a glass of Italian wine selected to perfectly complement your entree while taking in the beautifully-appointed dining room."

"Located in Heritage County Park, this historic Victorian Tea House is a great Instagram spot and a delicious place to have afternoon tea. The tea here is not just an average to-go cup of tea. It is a full experience, complete with tea sandwiches, scones, petite desserts, and salads."

"This European style café is located near the Coronado Ferry landing and offers light breakfast items in a relaxed environment. They have an extensive selection of pastries baked fresh each morning as well as house made granola, oatmeal, seasonal fruit, assorted quiche and a Breakfast Panino. Their cafe features a full espresso bar, a large variety of hot teas, green and black iced tea, juices, sodas, beer, wine and mimosas."

"For the best sushi in La Mesa, diners head to Banbu Sushi Bar and Grill. This restaurant has beautiful outdoor dining options with firepits, so head here on a nice night, no matter..."

"Of course I could not forget Rubio's, the Godfather of the Fish Taco. It was Ralph Rubio who while visiting Ensenada ate his first fish taco and from that came a vision of fish tacos everywhere. And while today everyone seems to have a fish taco on their menu it wasn’t that long ago that the idea of fish - in a taco - would elicit “ewwwwws” and “no way, dude”."

"If you’re looking for a quick, reliable bite to eat, stop into one of the many Rubio’s locations for fish tacos, quesadillas and other Mexican eats."

"Moonlight State Beach in the seaside town of Encinitas is one of the most visited beaches in North County because of its spacious sandy area and fun amenities like fire pits, sand volleyball courts, and a snack bar. There's also a large section of the beach that is reserved exclusively for swimmers, so you can hang out in the water and not worry about colliding with a surfboard (if you want to surf, nearby Swami's Beach is known as the surfing mecca in Encinitas). There is a paid parking lot near the beach as well as free street parking around the entrance."

"Moonlight Beach is a treasure trove of one-stop-shop beachiness with fairly easy parking, picnic areas, fire pits, a play area, volleyball courts, a snack shop, and showers for after swimming. This is one seriously family-friendly beach. Get there early enough and you’ll almost certainly see dolphins frolicking in the surf."

"If you go further north, you will find Moonlight Beach which is the state beach. It is very popular among the hotels around here and that’s because there are a ton of amenities for families here. You will find everything from picnic tables to fire rights to volleyball courts to equipment rentals."

"It’s a neighborhood spot rather than a seaside visit, characterized as being incredibly calm and peaceful. This is the type of place you come to stroll after a long work day. It’s also a great spot for children and dogs, so if you have either or both…you’ve struck gold!"

"Peaceful, aromatic, and oh so colorful, the San Diego Botanic Gardens are where we go when we just need some time to ourselves. Stroll through gardens in different stages of bloom, admiring the beauty that surrounds you as you feel your mind quiet down. Open every day from 9-5 (closed on Christmas!), you can’t have the same experience twice!"