Insider’s Guide to San Diego’s Cafes and Restaurants

If you are a foodie, San Diego is the place for you. I am excited to share with you some of Little Italy’s best cafes and restaurants. Almost any restaurant in Little Italy could easily make a ‘Best-of’ list, but I’m sharing a few of my favorites that I know you’ll enjoy 🙂

I first traveled to California when I was 15 and I immediately knew that I wanted to live there. Fast-forward 15 years and my dream came true! I was fortunate enough to live in the San Diego area for about a year and a half as a travel nurse. During my time there I treated myself to a 17-month long food tour (I’m not joking, lol). I did not want any delicious food to go un-tasted!

Here is a quick guide to a small corner of Little Italy’s food scene to give you a local’s guide to some of the best flavors the area has to offer:

Cafe Italia

• Coffee Shop / Breakfast / Quick Lunch

I still DREAM about this coffee shop. I absolutely loved getting their blended coffee and a slice of coffee cake before heading down to Coronado Beach. It was the perfect way to start the perfect day. 

Pappalecco

Breakfast / Quick Lunch / Snacks

This is a Little Italy staple. Pappalecco is the perfect one-stop-shop for breakfast, coffee, lunch, or a quick snack! There is nothing better than stopping in during an evening stroll through Little Italy to grab a gelato or affogato!

Queenstown Public House

Brunch

What I love about Queenstown Public House is its uniqueness. How many New Zealand-style restaurants have you been to? If you’re like me, it wasn’t a cuisine I was familiar with. But let me just tell you, OMG. Everything is good, and fresh, and flavorful. This is the type of restaurant that you want to go to just to take photos of your food only to realize that the photos don’t do it justice. 

Juniper and Ivy 

• Date night / Dinner

Juniper and Ivy would not only make the ‘best of Little Italy’ restaurant list, but I would say it would EASILY make the ‘best of San Diego’ list!

This is hands-down the ultimate date spot. The abandoned warehouse restaurant space has an industrial-chic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re sitting inside an issue of Architecture Magazine.

The menu changes periodically to accommodate what local farmers and markets have to offer and the food is nothing short of art. This is the type of place where you’ll not want the night to come to an end. And, my god, the cocktails! One of the pricer places on this review, but worth. every. penny. Check them out here: Juniper and Ivy

Underbelly

• Casual dinner

This was my very first ramen experience!! Ok, not including the little packets we all lived off of in college. Like, REAL ramen. This place is SO good. Their food is authentic yet unique. However, I personally had to steer clear of the baby octopus because, well, it looks like a baby octopus. But, hey, if that’s your thing, they’ve got you covered! They also have some really incredible pork belly buns that you’d really be cheating yourself out of a delicious experience if you didn’t give them a try.

San Diego will always feel like a home away from home for me. When I lived in Little Italy, each of these restaurants was within a few minute’s walk of my apartment. Needless to say, I was definitely spoiled with amazing food and the perfect location.

I hope this post has you dreaming of the west coast and planning your trip soon! What are your favorite San Diego restaurants? Drop a comment below 🙂

xoxo, Jamie