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Welcome to

Little Italy

Where top chefs and brewers have set up shop

Photo By Paul Body

Once home to San Diego's flourishing tuna fishing industry and generations of Italian families who made their living on the sea, Little Italy is now a lively neighborhood with cozy patio cafés, international restaurants, craft brew stops, urban wineries, art galleries, sophisticated shops, boutique hotels, and the festive Piazza della Famiglia.

San Diego's Dynamic Culinary Hot Spot

Today, San Diego's most dynamic food and drink scene is centered in Little Italy. It's a place where the past meets the present, where Top Chef alums have set up shop next to old-school eateries that remain treasured landmarks.

A slew of luminary chefs have gravitated to Kettner Boulevard, giving it the moniker of "Top Chef Alley" with distinctive eateries including Juniper & Ivy, Cloak & Petal, Born and Raised, The Crack Shack, Herb & Wood and Kettner Exchange. India Street is lined with restaurants featuring cuisines of both Southern and Northern Italy, including the classic Filippi's Pizza Grotto, featuring an old-fashioned Italian dining experience.

No Little Italy neighborhood would be complete without a true Italian market and Mona Lisa Italian Foods fits the bill. The deli offers a selection of foods, wine and delicious deli sandwiches.

Since 1934, the Waterfront Bar & Grill has been a favorite local watering hole serving locally brewed ales and burgers. And the British-owned and -operated Princess Pub and Grille serves British and Irish beers, along with traditional pub fare such as fish and chips for patrons watching soccer and rugby via satellite TV.

Craft Beer is also in the spotlight here with establishments such as Ballast Point Brewing and Bottlecraft  Beer Shop & Tasting Room. And for wine lovers, Carruth Cellars Wine Garden and Pali Wine Co. are perfect places for local wine tasting.

The Heart of Little Italy

The central gathering point in Little Italy is a European-style piazza known at Piazza della Famiglia. The 10,000-square-foot plaza connects India and Columbia streets and features a dramatic tiled fountain. Enjoy an afternoon stroll across the cobblestone street while relaxing before dinner. The piazza, in the "heart" of Little Italy, is dedicated to the past, present, and future families of the Little Italy neighborhood.

Just steps from the plaza, savor the flavors of Italy in the Little Italy Food Hall. This new social dining concept offers six locally-driven food stations and a full bar with local beers and craft cocktails.

Shopping and Farmers Markets

Little Italy also features some great local boutiques including Rosamariposa, Vocabulary Boutique, and Stroll where you can find fun women’s fashions and handmade local items, and the NoLi Art & Design District which encompasses a group of retail shops, design stores and art galleries. Klassic and Architectural Salvage are both worth a visit for home goods and unusual finds.

Each Saturday from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM, several blocks of Little Italy are shut down for the weekly Little Italy Mercato—a dynamic farmers market where locals shop for fresh produce along with gourmet goods, flowers, crafts and ready-made foods.

Events

Little Italy San Diego is also known for several fun festivals including the Mission Federal Artwalk each Spring.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Getting to Little Italy

The aroma of fresh baked bread and Italian seasonings should be enough to get you close to Little Italy. But on a more practical sense, Little Italy is nestled between the downtown core and San Diego's glistening waterfront. If you're arriving from the North, exit on Front Street, and immediately turn right on Cedar. Welcome to the neighborhood! From the airport, take Harbor Drive to Grape Street (turn left) - you're in the center of Italian cuisine bliss. You could walk from downtown, or grab a pedi-cab for a romantic ride to your favorite Italian spot, but however you get there, save room for cannolis. Mangia!

 

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Walk to the Waterfront

Little Italy is just a short walk from San Diego's big bay and the activities along the embarcadero. 

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Ciao! Little Italy

Little Italy is a place where the past meets the present, where Top Chef alums have set up shop and old-school eateries remain as treasured landmarks.

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San Diego Farmers Markets

Don't miss Saturday mornings at the Little Italy Mercato farmer's market. 

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Little Italy Mercato (Every Saturday)

May 19, 2023 - ongoing

Join us at the Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and every Wednesday from 9:30am to 1:30pm, year-round, rain or shine. The Saturday market is San Diego County's largest, filling six city blocks on West Date Street from west of Kettner Blvd to Front Street. Shop for farm fresh produce, pastured eggs, poultry, meat, nuts and honey from California farmers; fish, olive oil, bread, sauces and much more from local foodmakers. Find selected local artisans and gifts at each end of the market. Farmers markets keep farmers farming. 

Mangia Bene. Eat well. Be well. 

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Mother's Day VIP Tour

Mar 7 - ongoing

This year, Mother's Day, or any day, you can celebrate Mom on a fabulous Chauffeured Vineyard Adventure!

Treat mom to an special day of wine tasting and food pairing in San Diego's gorgeous wine country. 

Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure
Moms deserve the very best! And so do you!
Book your VIP, elevated experience NOW!
Available Wednesday through Sundays, YEAR ROUND for 2 to 100 guests. Single guests welcome.

WHY CHOOSE US?
“TASTE and SEE the best of San Diego’s wine, food and sights for one low price!”
• Enjoy local San Diego County wineries (the original California Wine Country) not Temecula.
• With thousands of 5-STAR reviews, you’ll receive a top-notch adventure!
• Serving tens of thousands of happy guests since 2010.

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Pizza, Pasta and Piazzas - Little Italy Food Tour

Mar 22 - ongoing

-  A walking tour of the exciting history of Little Italy
-  Taste a combination of Italian flavors and unique bites from 4 restaurants that represent the area
-  Learn about the early fishing industry of San Diego
-  Meet some of the local Italians who’ve been a part of the revitalization of the area
-  Wine, sangria or local beer tasters

The Pizza, Pasta and Piazza tour is the perfect way to get to know the city’s best neighborhood for food and fun!  San Diego’s Italian quarter has grown in popularity for not just Italian fare, but also for the rich array of local restaurant hot-spots that have opened up in the last 10 years, or so.  In addition to the traditional pasta and pizza dishes, Little Italy offers up top chef cuisine, vegan breakfasts, juicy burgers, and lounges for dancing and fine cocktails.  Join our guides for tasty fun!

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Chauffeured Vineyards Adventures - All year round!

Feb 15 - ongoing

You've heard of the Famous San Diego Winery Train Tour? Well, we have you covered with an even better adventure!

We've been running the Chauffeured Vineyard Adventure since 2010!

We take care of EVERYTHING. Just be ready at your door (hotel/home) and we'll whisk you away to gorgeous San Diego Wine Country!

You deserve the very best! Book your VIP, elevated experience NOW!

 

TASTE and SEE the best of San Diego’s wine, food and sights for one low price!

Winery Getaways - Wed. thru Sundays, year round!

 

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What's Hot

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Walk to the Waterfront

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Ciao! Little Italy

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San Diego Farmers Markets

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What's On

View More Events

Little Italy Mercato (Every Saturday)

May 19, 2023 - ongoing
Discover

Mother's Day VIP Tour

Mar 7 - ongoing
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Pizza, Pasta and Piazzas - Little Italy Food Tour

Mar 22 - ongoing
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Chauffeured Vineyards Adventures - All year round!

Feb 15 - ongoing
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Little Italy on Instagram

 

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Breweries

Valentine Wine & Food Tours-Year Round!

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Valid: Mar 12 - ongoing

  Receive a gift for your Valentine when you sign up for this deluxe, romatic tour! Give your love the gift of adventure aboard the CHAUFFEURED VINEYARD ADVENTURE . We'll visit...

Team Building

Wine Tours $8 Off September and Oct. Crush!

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
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Activities

Show Your Badge & Save at So Diego

So Diego
Valid: Jul 10, 2023 - ongoing

So Diego is a San Diego Tour company offering locals and visitors unique ways to explore America's Finest City. Learn the history of the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Old Town and La Jolla while...

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