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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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San Diego International Film Festival

Oct 18 - Oct 22, 2023

The 22nd Annual San Diego International Film Festival is ‘Celebrating the Power of Film’ with curated screenings that inform, inspire and entertain.  Festival events include Opening Night Film Premiere & Reception, Night of the Stars Tribute, Culinary Cinema, Studio Premieres, curated features, documentaries and shorts from Independent Filmmakers around the world as well as parties, food, drinks, panels and networking events. It’s going to be an amazing 5 days of coming together for film on the big screen, conversation and celebrations!

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San Diego Restaurant Week

Sep 24 - Oct 1, 2023

San Diego Restaurant Week, hosted by the California Restaurant Association, returns with over 100 restaurants across 30+ neighborhoods for eight days of dining.

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HIDDEN NATURE WALKS IN THE CITY !

Nov 8, 2022 - ongoing

San Diego is the 8th most populated city in America -- yet there are many secret and hidden stunning nature areas that will make you feel like you are on a relaxed retreat. Escape the urban setting and come on a mini-nature vacation with us!

San Diego County is the most bio-diverse county in the United States. After you do our magnificent walks, you will understand and appreciate so much about our variety of nature here, in the southwest-most corner of the United States.

Enjoy San Diego’s nature without a big crowd of people on a private excursion of mini hikes led by award-winning tour guide Julie Kremen.

 

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Little Italy Mercato (Every Wednesday)

May 19, 2023 - ongoing

Similar to the treasured Little Italy Mercato on Saturday, the year-round Little Italy Wednesday Mercato will offer a selection of farm fresh produce, pastured eggs, poultry, meat, fish, baked goods, dips and spreads, yogurt and select local arts and crafts brought to the neighborhood by California farmers, fisherman and artisan foodmakers. The Little Italy Wednesday Mercato occupies three blocks on W. Date St. between Kettner Blvd. and State Street including the Piazza della Famiglia. Shop twice as fresh, on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Little Italy farmers markets. 

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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

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San Diego International Film Festival

Oct 18 - Oct 22, 2023
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San Diego Restaurant Week

Sep 24 - Oct 1, 2023
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HIDDEN NATURE WALKS IN THE CITY !

Nov 8, 2022 - ongoing
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Little Italy Mercato (Every Wednesday)

May 19, 2023 - ongoing
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Little Italy on Instagram

 

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Activities

Show Your Badge & Save at Pali Wine Co.

Pali Wine Co
Valid: Jul 28, 2023 - ongoing

Pali Wine Co. is bringing the Central Coast to you! Visit our family-run winery tasting room where we highlight the diversity and nunaced qualities of the California Central Coast wine-growing...

Restaurants

SHOW YOUR BADGE & SAVE AT ALLEGRO

Allegro Bar and Grill
Valid: Jun 26 - ongoing

Dine in at Allegro and receive a complimentary Chef's Choice Appetizer when you show your convention badge!    To redeem, please show your server this page on your phone or print and...

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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