Best Cozy Restaurants in Imperial Beach

We had the most wonderful meal for the first time at Ciccia with my family. The pasta is homemade, the desserts are Italian classics with a Mexican twist, but most importantly Mario the chef and owner is running the show. He treated us like we were regulars, very generous with a great sense of humor. The food is simple and delicious and you can tell Mario and his partner pour their hearts into every dish. Now get up and go try this wonderful Italian osteria!!! it won’t disappoint you, unless your favorite restaurant is Olive Garden.

Great service and seating around the chef counter was a bonus. You can see all the cooking action right in front of you. The wagyu carpaccio was the highlight of the night. It just melts in your mouth. The organic pear salad was also great for sharing. However the aged duck breast and the dry-aged bone in ribeye had some tendons and chewy parts that is unable to swallow.

From the wine, the fresh pastas and sauces to dessert delicious! We had the Carbonara, Fettuccini Alfredo and Bolognese, plates cleaned by the end. The seabass was succulent and risotto good but the pastas was where it's at for us...Nice size portions and the tiramisu authentically creamy with perfected flavors. The service was welcoming, expedient, warm and entertaining. Our waiter sung a couple Italian operetic bars for the room making our time at Acqua e Farina momentous. Happy to have a new dinner spot in downtown Chula Vista.

Very good place to get breakfast, only the problem was the waiters always being behind us watching and waiting for us to instantly come and take our plate. I appreciate the effort, but this was a bit invasive and made us feel a bit hurried up. Food was 10/10, the orange juice is amazing, and prices are acceptable for the service. Definitely coming back 🫶

Service was amazing! My 4 year old enjoyed the food.