Best Authentic Restaurants in Encanto

105 restaurants available nearby

1. Buona Forchetta

4.6

Exceptional(853)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • South Park

Booked 76 times today

Buona Forchetta, meaning 'Good Fork' in Italian, is an authentic Italian restaurant. It was started by Matteo who wanted to bring his native Italy to San Diego. Customers praise its 'excellent and authentic Italian experience' with simple recipes that 'takes me back to all my travels to Italy'. The restaurant is highly recommended for its 'authentic and delicious' food, 'vibrant atmosphere' and 'excellent service'.

A photo of Cori Pastificio Trattoria restaurant

2. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

4.7

Exceptional(614)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Park

Booked 21 times today

Acclaimed Sicilian Chef Accursio Lota serves up authentic cuisine in a cozy 60's-style Italian trattoria. Voted San Diego's Best Chef five years in a row, and Barilla’s World Pasta Champion, at Cori Trattoria Chef Lota serves up beautifully bold dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas and Beef Bone Marrow, and an unbelievably rich Vegan Parmigiana di Melanzane. The menu melds the flavors of Sicily and Italy with the best of fresh, locally-sourced Southern California ingredients, and is matched by a curated wine list and cocktail program that include indigenous, bio-dynamic varietals from all Italy. The current Spring menu features dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas, fava bean, and beef bone marrow, and Cacio e Pepe with sustainably-sourced Petrovich caviar.Enjoy full-service table seating, grab a place at the marble-topped bar, from which you can watch all the action of your meal being prepared in the open kitchen or just order your meal to enjoy at home with your family.

3. AKA San Diego

new

3.8

Excellent(58)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 16 times today

Located in the bustling heart of Gaslamp, San Diego, AKA is more than just a restaurant. It’s a destination where exceptional food, craft cocktails, and an energetic nightlife converge. With a menu curated by renowned Chef Takuya Kudo, AKA offers a captivating fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Thai culinary traditions, all crafted with fresh ingredients and innovative techniques. The venue features a vibrant atmosphere complemented by artisanal craft cocktails from mixologist Gerardo Bedolla and striking design by Cassandra Builer. AKA welcomes guests to indulge in its exquisite dishes while enjoying electrifying entertainment. Committed to transforming the dining and nightlife scene in San Diego, AKA offers a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone looking to savor gourmet cuisine, sip on craft cocktails, and dance the night away.

4. Ciccia Osteria

4.7

Exceptional(177)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Barrio Logan

Booked 29 times today

Nestled in Barrio Logan, San Diego, Ciccia Osteria is a charming Italian restaurant that invites guests on a culinary journey through Italy. With its warm ambiance, attentive service, and exquisite cuisine, Ciccia Osteria is a beloved destination. Notably, it has won the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024Entering Ciccia Osteria, guests are transported to Italy's bustling trattorias. The cozy interior, with small tables, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting, creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for any occasion.Committed to the finest ingredients and traditional techniques, Ciccia Osteria offers handmade pastas, succulent seafood, and tender meats, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. The curated wine list features Italian and California wines to pair with the menu.Under Chef Mario Cassineri's guidance, Ciccia Osteria is more than a restaurant—it's a destination where guests can savor authentic Italian cuisine and create lasting memories.

5. RustiCucina

4.7

Exceptional(1138)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • Hillcrest

Booked 39 times today

Welcome to Rusticucina, where locally sourced ingredients, seasonal dishes and a warm ambiance reign supreme. We are named to reflect the merging of two cultures; American and Sicilian, since our owners are straight out of a small town in Sicily. We invite neighborhood dwellers and visitors to experience our farm-to-neighborhood restaurant unlike any other. Aperitivo, a traditional Italian-style happy hour, leads the way—think sensational small bites, Aperol Spritzes, Negronis and Limoncello. We also offer a full bar and carefully curated craft cocktails, along with an impressive beer and wine list. Our food menu, boasts hearty, rustic cuisine, with pasta made in-house, from scratch, as well palate-pleasing entrees and a slate of pizzas and flat breads. Our tableside service offers a one-of-a-kind, dedicated experience, and their outdoor space is the perfect landing spot for dog lovers and sun worshipers. We even offer a pet menu for furry guests.

A photo of Saint James French Diner restaurant

6. Saint James French Diner

4.6

Exceptional(237)

Price: Expensive

• French / American • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 11 times today

Saint James French Diner is a real gem in downtown San Diego, serving up a blend of French and American cuisines. Reviewers rave about the authentic French experience, with comments like 'Flavorful food, well-priced, and the menu has a variety of options to choose from' and 'A must-visit'. The food is consistently described as delicious and the ambiance, with its vintage details, is often referred to as beautiful and charming. It's the perfect place for a date night or a night out with friends and family.

7. Siamo Napoli

4.7

Exceptional(1318)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Park

Booked 51 times today

Specializing in Napolitano style pizza and pasta. We focus on clean fresh ingredients that thrive in our home land and make simple foods the star. We have a full bar with hand crafted drinks and a range of wines from Napoli and beyond.

A photo of Louisiana Purchase SD restaurant

8. Louisiana Purchase SD

4.6

Exceptional(682)

Price: Expensive

• Creole / Cajun / Southern • North Park

Booked 41 times today

Conveniently set on Louisiana Street in North Park, our design of this intimate cocktail restaurant was inspired by the charm &; character of New Orleans, with creative touches of personal effects giving guests the feeling of warmth, community & fun Architect Jeff Svitak helped create a modern interpretation of a classic French Quarter restaurant, introducing elements of wood, marble &; rich velvet. Our lush patio seating flows seamlessly into our indoor dining space, a nod to the courtyards found across the beautiful southern city.Our rotating food menu will be dedicated to only the best seasonal ingredients, featuring big &; bold flavors from the region. Executive Chef Quinnton Austin recently relocated to San Diego from New Orleans, bringing with him an exciting wealth of knowledge &; experience in the culinary melting pot that defines southern cuisineAlligator Cheesecake, Andouille Fried Red Beans & Rice w/Chipotle Mousse, &

9. CUCINA urbana

4.7

Exceptional(7102)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Banker's Hill

Booked 41 times today

We are a wine shop inside of a restaurant | Dining and design form the perfect union at San Diego's highly acclaimed CUCINA urbana, a California-inspired Italian kitchen and wine shop, located in the heart of Bankers Hill since 2009. The restaurant boasts comfort and familiarity, welcoming diners to a country farmhouse with the added whimsy of a contemporary art installation.CUCINA urbana is the originator of the CUCINA retail wine program where each dedicated shop allows guests to hand select wines at a retail price, either to enjoy with their meal for a minimal corkage fee or for purchase to-go. The wine list is comprised of many familiar labels as well as rare and small-batch gems, with an emphasis on Italian varietals.

A photo of Zama Restaurant & Bar restaurant

10. Zama Restaurant & Bar

4.0

Excellent(294)

Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 17 times today

Located in San Diego’s vibrant downtown, Zama brings Latin American cuisine with an Asian infusion in a captivating space inspired by the Amazonian jungle. Zama will focus on Latin American cuisine with the addition of Peruvian and Mexican dishes like Carpaccio, Agua Chile and Tartar and a Japanese-inspired sushi bar created by Chef Tayuka Kudo (formerly of Nobu and Lumi) against the extravagant backdrop of the lush jungle-inspired space.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

G
GinaVIP
San Diego •15 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
This is my 3rd visit now and the gentleman who greeted us and served us were all outstanding. The food is authentic and delicious, and the portions are ample for big appetites! We usually take half home and heat up the next day, just as good!
More info
RustiCucinaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Italian• Hillcrest
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4.7
J
JoAnn
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great restaurant. Me and my husband celebrated our anniversary here and we had a great time. The food and drinks were amazing. Service and ambiance can’t complain. At the end of our meal they treated us with a celebratory song complete with a cake and sparkling candles which was really nice. This restaurant is underrated.
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AKA San DiegoPrice: Expensive• Asian• Downtown / Gaslamp
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3.8
K
Kate
Atlanta Metro •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Hands down, the best Italian food I’ve had in the US. Every dish had a perfect combination of flavors. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was charming.
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Ciccia OsteriaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Barrio Logan
•
4.7
S
StephenVIP
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Wife and I enjoyed the Pre-Christmas traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes last night. As always Food and wine at Cori was excellent. General Manager Federico kindly treated us to the creamy Tiramisu. One of San Diego’s best authentic Italian restaurants, with a chef from Siciiy
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Cori Pastificio TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Park
•
4.7
M
Melissa
Washington, D.C. Area •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 12, 2024
Love the food here! Sat at the enclosed outdoor patio. Lost a star due to multiple servers forgetting to provide the complimentary bread despite being asked. Good spot for families
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Buona ForchettaPrice: Moderate• Italian• South Park
•
4.6

Best Authentic Restaurants in Encanto

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105 restaurants available nearby

1. Buona Forchetta

2. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

3. AKA San Diego

4. Ciccia Osteria

5. RustiCucina

6. Saint James French Diner

7. Siamo Napoli

8. Louisiana Purchase SD

9. CUCINA urbana

10. Zama Restaurant & Bar

See what locals rave about

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