Having sampled pizza in cities all over the world, I’m no stranger to seeking out the best slices. When I heard about San Diego Little Italy, I had to check it out and sample some of the delicious pies.
I set out with a mission to find the best pizzas in this “Little Italy” — and I wasn’t disappointed. After visiting 11 different restaurants, I can certainly say that San Diego Little Italy knows a thing or two about making great pizza! Join me in my journey around town as we explore what each place has to offer.
If you don’t find the best pizza here, check out the best pizza in the whole state of California
#1 Mona Lisa Italian Foods
- Has a kid’s menu
- Nice tourist spot
- Offers dessert
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
Upon entering Mona Lisa, I was welcomed with a warm atmosphere and a delicious smell of freshly baked pizza. I immediately knew that I had made the right decision to visit this restaurant.
The menu had an impressive selection of pizzas – from classic Margherita to spicy Diablo. After much deliberation, I eventually chose to go with the house specialty, the Famous Tuscan Pie. It was truly something special – a thin crust pizza piled high with gorgonzola, mozzarella, and peppery salami, along with garlic-infused olive oil and fresh basil. The combination of flavors was exquisite!
I also sampled some other dishes – the wild mushroom risotto and the veal meatballs were both noteworthy in their own right. But if you’re looking for best pizza in San Diego Little Italy, Mona Lisa Italian Foods should be at the top of your list. Every bite was simply divine!
If you’re willing to go an extra 1 miles, you can get to 21 more pizza places in Coronado!
#2 Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Little Italy
- Serves alcohol
- Nice tourist spot
- Has a kid’s menu
- Has insanely good dessert
- Has some vegetarian options
From the moment I stepped through the door, I knew this place was special. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable about their offerings.
Now for the pizza: oh my! Every bite was bursting with flavor. The crust was perfectly crisp and golden brown around the edges, while remaining chewy in the center. The cheese was melty and delicious, and there were several options for toppings to choose from. I would definitely recommend adding their signature sauce – it really takes it up a notch!
The only downside (for me at least) is that they don’t offer any gluten-free options. But even if you’re not gluten sensitive like me, it’s worth a visit just to enjoy their amazing pizzas! Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Little Italy has truly earned its place as one of the best pizza places in San Diego Little Italy – I can’t wait for my next trip there!
#3 Isola Pizza Bar
- Has some vegetarian options
- Serves alcohol
- Nice tourist spot
- Offers dessert
The atmosphere at Isola Pizza Bar is incredible. The rustic woodsy feel of the interior and the open kitchen create a truly inviting environment to enjoy your meal.
The pizza itself is absolutely amazing! It’s hands down some of the best pizza I’ve ever tasted, with perfectly executed crusts and flavorful sauces. You can definitely tell that Isola Pizza Bar takes their craft seriously, as each pie is cooked to perfection and loaded with flavor.
I had the opportunity to sample a few of their pizzas during my visit, and I was knocked off my feet by their excellence in every single one! The portions are generous, so no matter how much you order it will definitely be enough for several hearty meals.
Aside from their delicious pizzas, Isola Pizza Bar also offers some great appetizers and salads that pair well with all of their pizzas. Plus they have an extensive selection of beer to choose from, making this place ideal for anyone looking for a full Italian experience.
The only downside to this restaurant is that it can get quite crowded on weekends, so make sure you arrive early in order to get the best seats in the house!
Overall, I would highly recommend Isola Pizza Bar for those looking for an awesome Italian dining experience. The quality of their food speaks volumes about their commitment to excellence and passion for crafting some of the best pizza in San Diego Little Italy!
#4 Solunto Restaurant & Bakery
- Nice tourist spot
- Has insanely good dessert
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
- Has some vegetarian options
As soon as I stepped inside, I knew I was in for a treat. The mouth-watering aromas wafting from the ovens drew me in and reminded me of a real Italian pizzeria.
The staff were friendly and welcoming and immediately directed me to their wood-fired ovens. The sight of these handcrafted masterpieces sitting amongst the flames made my heart skip a beat!
I wasted no time diving in, tucking into the margherita pizza with its thick tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil – this was just what I needed to start my journey!
After that delicious starter, I moved on to sampling some of the other creations such as their veggie lovers pizza with zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, sundried tomatoes and ricotta cheese – it was simply amazing!
If you’re looking for a great pizza spot then Solunto Restaurant & Bakery is definitely worth checking out. If you want to experience the best pizza in San Diego Little Italy then this is your place!
#5 Nolita Hall
- Has some vegetarian options
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
- Nice tourist spot
- Offers dessert
- Great place to watch sports
- No delivery
The atmosphere was great – it felt like an Italian tavern, complete with dark lighting and the occasional soccer match being displayed on the TVs. I knew I had come across a good place when I realized that not only did they serve beer and wine, but also hard liquor!
It was nice to see that there were some vegetarian options on the menu too, as well as yummy desserts like cannolis and zeppoles. Nolita Hall really makes sure that everyone is taken care of – even those looking for something sweet!
As great as this pizza spot is though, one downside is that they don’t offer delivery. But that’s ok because it gives you a chance to get out and enjoy your surroundings while taking in some of the touristy sights. Plus, if you stick around long enough you can catch a game or two – making it a great spot for catching up with friends over some drinks and pies.
Overall, Nolita Hall is definitely my top pick for getting the best pizza in San Diego Little Italy!
#6 Mr. Moto Pizza Little Italy
- Nice tourist spot
- Offers dessert
- Serves alcohol
I’ve been to a lot of places trying out the different crusts and toppings, but nothing compares to Mr. Moto Pizza Little Italy. Their crust is just right – not too thick and not too thin. And the topping selection is just amazing! From classic cheese and pepperoni pizzas to wild concoctions with all sorts of toppings, there’s something for every pizza lover here.
The service is great too – everyone at Mr. Moto Pizza Little Italy is so friendly and accommodating. Plus, their prices are incredibly reasonable for the quality you get!
In short, if you’re looking for some of the best pizza in San Diego Little Italy, you won’t go wrong with Mr. Moto Pizza Little Italy! I highly recommend it – I know I’ll be back soon!
#7 Caps Pizza & Bar
- Nice tourist spot
- Offers dessert
- Serves alcohol
- Great place to watch sports
- Has a kid’s menu
When I first stepped foot into Caps, my mouth was already salivating. The smells of the fresh ingredients used to make their pizza were like no other. It was obvious that the ingredients were top notch and freshly made.
The pizza itself was absolutely delicious! It had a light, crunchy crust that was perfectly cooked with just the right amount of cheese and toppings spread evenly across it. The tomato sauce had a rich, savory flavor and the herbs sprinkled on top really brought out all of the flavors in the pizza.
I especially liked how they used creative recipes and toppings to come up with unique pizzas like their Smoked Pepperoni Pizza and their Grilled Garlic Chicken Pizza. All of these special pies were beyond delicious!
At Caps Pizza & Bar, you can also order appetizers, salads and pasta dishes to go along with your pizza. No matter what your choice is, you’re sure to be pleased with your meal!
In conclusion, I highly recommend Caps Pizza & Bar for anyone looking for some of the best pizza in San Diego Little Italy!
If you’re willing to go an extra 1 miles, you can get to 29 more pizza places in San Diego!
#8 Giovanni’s Trattoria
- Offers dessert
- Serves alcohol
I’ve tried a lot of different places around the world, but there’s something special about Giovanni’s Trattoria. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. Plus the pizza itself is amazing — it has the perfect blend of flavors, with a thin crust that’s just cooked to perfection.
The best part is that they use only the freshest ingredients in their pizzas. Every time I go there, I can taste the difference between freshly-made dough and sauce compared to chain restaurants. It really adds an extra layer of flavor to the pizza that you just can’t get anywhere else.
What can I say? If you’re looking for great pizza in San Diego Little Italy, Giovanni’s Trattoria should be your first choice! Not only do they have some of the best pizza in town, but they also offer an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re at home — just without all your family members arguing over who gets what topping. That alone is worth more than enough for me!
#9 Ambrogio15 Little Italy
- Offers dessert
- Nice tourist spot
- Has some vegetarian options
The ambiance of the restaurant is cozy and inviting. Aside from the mouth-watering aroma of pizza wafting through the air, you’ll be delighted by the vintage decorations and Italian music playing in the background.
The menu features an extensive selection of signature pizzas, each of which are handmade with homemade dough, ingredients sourced from Italy, and local produce. You can also create your own pizza with a variety of delicious toppings and sauces to choose from.
I had their signature Margherita pizza and it was absolutely divine! The crust was light and fluffy with just the right amount of char flavor imparted by their traditional wood-fired oven. The balance between mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, basil leaves and olive oil was perfection.
In addition to their delectable pizzas, Ambrogio15 Little Italy also offers pasta dishes, sandwiches and salads made fresh with some of the finest ingredients available in San Diego Little Italy.
If you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine in San Diego Little Italy served up with great hospitality, then look no further than Ambrogio15 Little Italy! In my opinion, they have some of the best pizza around!
#10 Vinarius Wine Bar & Restaurant
- Offers dessert
- Serves alcohol
- No delivery
I mean, when you can have alcohol and dessert with your pizza, what’s not to like? The service was really friendly and accommodating – they even gave me some excellent wine recommendations.
The pizza was delicious, the crust was cooked just right and the toppings were fresh and tasty. I also enjoyed their wide selection of different toppings that made it easy to customize your pizza.
The downside is that they don’t offer delivery, so you’ll have to go there to get it. But trust me, it’s worth it!
In short, I can safely say that Vinarius Wine Bar & Restaurant has the best pizza in San Diego Little Italy!
#11 RoVino Restaurant + Bar
- Has some vegetarian options
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
- Nice tourist spot
- Has insanely good dessert
The atmosphere of the restaurant is inviting, with an open kitchen where you can watch your pizza being made. The waiters are friendly and attentive and there’s plenty of seating options.
I started off with a traditional Margherita pizza that was cooked perfectly – just enough cheese, a light, crisp crust, and fresh tasting tomatoes. For my main course, I had a RoVino favorite, their BBQ Chicken Pizza with creamy mozzarella and tender chicken pieces. It was heavenly!
The ingredients at RoVino are very fresh, so you know you’re getting quality pizza each time. They even have gluten-free options and vegan options if you’re looking for something different.
Overall, I’d highly recommend RoVino Restaurant + Bar as the go-to place for the best pizza in San Diego Little Italy! Whether you’re looking for a casual dinner out or an intimate experience with friends and family, there’s something here for everyone!