Best Live Music Restaurants in Little Italy

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

East CountySan Diego

Neighbourhoods

Banker's HillCoronadoDowntown / GaslampHarbor IslandKearny MesaLa Jolla

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

61 restaurants available nearby

1. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1409)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Little Italy

Booked 56 times today

Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

2. Rovino

4.6

Exceptional(1060)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 5 times today

Ciao Amici- We can't wait to see you!AL FRESCO Dining in the Heart of Little Italy! Small indoor restaurant with covered patio and outdoor patio! Rovino, located in San Diego, California, offers Italian cuisine for dinner. Rovino features an extensive wine selection and a knowledgeable staff who can help pair wine with each entrée. We also feature a wonderful creative selection of Craft Cocktails. Try the fried calamari or the saffron rice balls filled with ground beef, peas and mozzarella cheese to start out your meal at Rovino. Choose from dinner entrées like the prosciutto and arugula flatbread or the pasta al sugo. Top off your Italian experience with a cup of specialty coffee and a dessert such as the tiramisu or the cannoli.

A photo of Queenstown Public House restaurant

3. Queenstown Public House

4.4

Awesome(577)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Organic • Little Italy

Booked 11 times today

We are a New Zealand inspired whimsical restaurant set in a craftsman house that dates back to 1905. We are one block off the main drag in Little Italy. Sink your teeth into one of our organic beef or lamb burgers. We also have many salads and dinner entrees to try. Portions are generous, and prices are reasonable. For parties of 8 or more please visit our website!

4. Basta!

4.3

Awesome(58)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Little Italy

Join us at Basta!, Sam the Cooking Guy's newest Italian Inspired restaurant. Basta! San Diego is the Best Italian Restaurant in Little Italy, serving Brunch, Everyday Happy Hour, Weekly Specials, and a full bar with cocktails. Check us out on social at @bastaeats or www.bastasd.com

A photo of Pali Wine Co. Little Italy Tasting Room restaurant

5. Pali Wine Co. Little Italy Tasting Room

4.7

Exceptional(147)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Wine Bar • Little Italy

Booked 3 times today

Pali Wine Co. is located in famous Little Italy, San Diego, steps from the main strip. The family-owned winery highlights the diversity and nuanced qualities of the California Central Coast wine-growing area. From our Pali Pinot Noirs & Chardonnays, to our Tower 15 bold, nuanced wines, and Neighborhood zippy, natural cuvées, our three wine labels are sure to please any pallet. Stop in for a tasting flight where you can sample wines from our portfolio, step up to the bar for a customized guided tasting or grab a bottle to-go. Our menu features small and sharable plates with locally sourced ingredients ideal for sharing and sipping, including our best-selling burger, charcuterie boards, and seasonal specials. Join our wine club to enjoy complimentary tastings, receive 20% off all wine, & more exciting benefits!Weekly events include Comedy Night on Wednesdays, Trivia on Thursdays, as well as live music Friday and Saturday nights. Plus, happy hour deals weekdays 4-6pm!

A photo of Eddie V's - Seaport District restaurant

6. Eddie V's - Seaport District

4.9

Exceptional(3980)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 65 times today

Eddie V's Prime Seafood is a luxury dining destination known for the seafood flown in from pristine waters around the world, as well as its premium hand-carved steaks. Dishes are artistically prepared and feature an ever-changing array of seasonal seafood, along with critically acclaimed prime center-cut steaks broiled to perfection. The restaurant's award-wining wine list, which has been recognized by Wine Spectator, has more than 300 wines curated by Eddie V's very own Advanced Sommelier. In the V Lounge, guests can sip classic and creative cocktails, and enjoy signature appetizers against a backdrop of live music trios.

7. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8779)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 60 times today

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

8. Books + Records

4.7

Exceptional(419)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Banker's Hill

Booked 16 times today

Global inspired American cuisine, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch in an upbeat atmosphere, with live music.Chef Ryan Stickel is serving up San Diego's freshest food takes in an art deco meets mid-century mod warehouse space. With a tenured run on both Eater's Heat Map and list of San Diego's Hottest Cocktail Bars, the food and drinks are both guaranteed to delight your senses.

9. Madison

4.4

Awesome(3074)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • University Heights

Booked 42 times today

With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends. ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ

10. The Red Door

4.7

Exceptional(3002)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Mission Hills

Booked 9 times today

The Red Door San Diego is committed to offering our guests sustainable and responsibly sourced farm-to-fork dishes. We proudly serve contemporary Italian and modern European cuisine with the freshest locally grown and handcrafted products available. We also feature delicious and unique ingredients from around the world. Chef/Owner Luciano Cibelli shops daily, personally selecting every item we serve. He bakes fresh breads, rolls, desserts and all of the pasta in house (including a special Gluten Free Bucatini) and he develops his menus in rhythm with the seasonal San Diego harvest. Enjoy nightly special offerings or a house favorite, Beef Wellington. Join us for the highly rated cuisine and return for the charming ambiance and excellent service behind the Red Door.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Mitchell
Atlanta •6 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Incredible dining experience. Incredible flavors and service. Highly recommend.
More info
Kettner ExchangePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Little Italy
•
4.7
J
JulieVIP
Sacramento / Sacramento Valley •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Excellent food but the music was a bit loud. Service outstanding
More info
RovinoPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
•
4.6
L
LilianaVIP
San Diego •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
I love everything about this place- food is amazing, service is great as well.
More info
Queenstown Public HousePrice: Moderate• Organic• Little Italy
•
4.4
K
kirk
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
overall, the experience was pretty good, just not what i'd call great. we had the valentine's special price fixe menu. the oysters were actually too frozen, too much ice. but the two entrees were quite good, and the chocolate fondue was quite tasty. the waiter was nice, courteous, friendly, helpful. the atmosphere was really a bit too loud for casual conversation; a lot of music from outside.
More info
Basta!Price: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
•
4.3
J
JamesVIP
Greater Boston •154 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 9, 2025
What a terrific concept these wine bars are; the service and food was exceptional; and of course, the wine flight was a nice walk through the vineyard. I will definitely be back when I visit San Diego again.
More info
Pali Wine Co. Little Italy Tasting RoomPrice: Moderate• Wine Bar• Little Italy
•
4.7

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