Top Best Italian Restaurants in Sail Bay

"The dough for these specialty pizzas is first fried then finished in the oven for a fluffy yet crisp texture that’s hard to beat. Besides their usual variety of pizzas, Buona Forchetta boasts pizza, appetizer, pasta, risotto, and main dish specials that actually change daily."

"Best for: good foodLocation: 3001 Beech St., San Diego, CA 92102Menu. No visit to the city is complete without a stop at this San Diego staple. Buona Forchetta lives by a simple motto: “Keeping it fresco, semplice e delizioso!"

"Enjoy a rustic Italian fine dining experience under their tree-lit outdoor patio or a quiet table inside their light and airy dining room which features an exhibition kitchen. Their executive chef has developed a menu inspired by recipes from all over Italy with an emphasis on local California farms and producers. One of our favorites that will keep us returning time and time again is the Saffron Risotto Balls, deliciously cheese stuffed and oh so flavorful."

"Piatti is a charming Italian eatery in the heart of La Jolla Shores by the beach. In addition to lunch and dinner, you can join them for a full Italian-style breakfast. Everything on the mouthwatering menu is amazing, but the dipping sauce for the fresh bread is what you’ll be dreaming about for the next few nights."

"This restaurant is not local to San Diego but is California based. They boast some of the best views of the bay and downtown San Diego as well as the Coronado Bridge. Using traditional cooking techniques, they serve up authentic Italian cuisine and have an extensive wine list."

"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."

"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."

"For a taste of Italy in San Diego, grab a table at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto. With 15 locations throughout the greater San Diego area and beyond, Filippi’s Pizza Grotto is a household name. Filippi’s serves Italian fare including pizza, pasta, and classic entrees such as Chicken Parmigiana."

"Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Little Italy has used old Italian recipes in creating their dishes since 1925. They have numerous dishes on their menu. All of the dishes are prepared with the best ingredients available."

"You decide on a sauce, you decide on a pasta style, and you’ll soon be in pasta heaven. Start with some small plates to share like the thinly slice prosciutto or fried risotto balls, and don’t worry about trying to influence your date to get something you want to try because trust me, whatever they order you will want to try it. Industrial setting is a bit cold but don’t let that turn you off."

"Bencotto Italian Kitchen offers traditional Italian cuisine and regional specialty dishes to share. Pasta is Bencotto’s signature dish and customers are free to order it al dente or cooked to their liking. Customers can also choose between eight different sauces for the pasta."

"Moonshine Flats is a ton of country fun in the Gaslamp Quarter. It's one of two places in San Diego to dance to country. The 10,000 square-foot venue features multiple levels, dozens of interactive elements, five bars throughout, including the longest bar on the west coast spanning 80 feet, San Diego's largest dance floor, two raised platforms for dance exhibitionists, a 6' x 6' raised "dance pod" and a moveable DJ booth, a large stage that hosts house bands in front of a floor-to-ceiling LED screen."

"The 10,000 square-foot venue offers multiple levels, dozens of interactive things, five bars, including the longest bar on the west coast extending up to 80 feet, San Diego’s largest dance floor, two raised platforms for dance exhibitionists, a large stage that hosts house bands in front of a floor-to-ceiling LED screen. You can drink from old school barber “shot” chairs or play pool and arcade games like Buck Hunter and a Boxing. You’ll love it, even if country music isn’t your style."

"At 8 acres (3ha), Heritage Park is smaller than some of San Diego’s vast wilderness reserves. But, this green grassland features six Victorian homes, all of which have been restored and moved here especially for public viewing. The park also contains San Diego’s first synagogue, Temple Beth Israel."

"Located underneath the Coronado Bridge, Chicano Park is an inspiring collection of installations, murals and community gardens. The explosion of form and color is overwhelming, and it’s not uncommon to see other artists and filmmakers working in the park because of the inspirational and powerful messages that adorn views in every direction. You won’t find any chain stores or coffee shops in this area because the surrounding neighborhood of Barrio Logan has made great efforts to keep small businesses by local residents."

"Chicano Park is not your typical tourist destination but it is home to some rich Latino history in San Diego. The park is located underneath the Coronado Bay Bridge and it has some of the most beautiful murals and art that are painted on the pillars and sides of the freeway. The murals are constantly being changed by local artist and they tell some amazing stories."

"Chicano park is a small park with incredible murals from renowned Latin-American artists. It’s a national historic landmark that few know about in San Diego and worth visiting. You can read more about the stories behind the murals here."

"Study humankind at the San Diego Museum of Man, marvel at aeronautic engineering in the San Diego Air and Space Museum, then catch your breath in the Botanical Building. Head up to North Park for happy hour at Polite Provisions; its beautiful cocktail lounge may hook you up with some small plates if you’re hungry. Save the appetite, though—North Park’s Restaurant Row is nearby."

"The Botanical Building houses more than 2,000 tropical plants. Capturing the wood structure with the lily pond in front is one of the most photographed sections of Balboa Park."

"Located in Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a relaxing spot to spend an afternoon in San Diego. The garden was built to represent the friendship between San Diego and its sister city in Japan, Yokohama, and provides a unique and chilled out experience for visitors. Besides its zen atmosphere and impressive garden and architecture designs, the Japanese Friendship Garden hosts regular events throughout the year, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, and the San Diego Sake Day."

"The elegant Japanese Friendship Garden is also worth a visit. Grab lunch at The Prado, located within Balboa Park., and try to get a table on the outdoor terrace."

"The Garden originated as a teahouse during the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition and now lies on two acres near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion."