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Best Authentic Restaurants in Imperial Beach

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46 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Acqua E Farina Trattoria Romana restaurant
1. Acqua E Farina Trattoria Romana
4.4
Awesome(40)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Chula Vista / Bonita
Booked 1 time today
Start your day with a delightful brunch at Farmers Table Chula Vista and then indulge in a delicious Trattoria Romana experience at Acqua e Farina by night! 🍽️❤️✨At Acqua E Farina, we bring you a modern take on authentic Italian cuisine. Our menu features homemade pastas crafted with love, along with Grandma's cherished meatball recipe that will transport you to Italy with every bite. Indulge in traditional dishes, including classics like Parmigiana, Brazatto, homemade pizzas and stuffed pizzas as well, our famous Parmesan wheel pastas, each prepared with the finest ingredients and attention to detail. To complement your visit at Acqua E Farina, we offer a full bar featuring a delightful selections of cocktails designed to bring friends together. Enjoy refreshing Aperol spritzers, an array of flavorful sangrias, and dont miss our signature Espresso Martini. We also proudly showcase a selection of exquisite Italian wines to enhance your dining experience.
A photo of Kalaveras - Chula Vista restaurant
2. Kalaveras - Chula Vista
4.5
Awesome(114)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Chula Vista / Bonita
Booked 5 times today
We're creating a new concept of modern rustic dining with a fusion of traditional and vanguard Mexican ingredients. Our food is chef-driven, using classic cooking techniques with fresher and healthier options. We're elevating bold, authentic flavors and presenting a new way of eating. In the bar you'll find over 90 different tequilas and Mezcal spirits.
A photo of Garage Buona Forchetta restaurant
3. Garage Buona Forchetta
4.6
Exceptional(933)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Coronado
Booked 57 times today
Authentic Neapolitan Pizzeria & Italian Ristorante in Coronado, San Diego, California.
A photo of Buona Forchetta restaurant
4. Buona Forchetta
4.6
Exceptional(885)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • South Park
Booked 66 times today
Buona Forchetta, meaning 'Good Fork' in Italian, is an authentic Italian restaurant. It was started by Matteo who wanted to bring his native Italy to San Diego. Customers praise its 'excellent and authentic Italian experience' with simple recipes that 'takes me back to all my travels to Italy'. The restaurant is highly recommended for its 'authentic and delicious' food, 'vibrant atmosphere' and 'excellent service'.
A photo of Callie Restaurant restaurant
5. Callie Restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(329)
Price: Very Expensive
• Mediterranean • Downtown
Booked 64 times today
Callie represents Chef Travis Swikard's debut solo project after spending a decade working alongside the esteemed Chef Daniel Boulud in New York City. The restaurant’s name, "Callie," comes from the Greek word "kallos," meaning "the most beautiful," and embodies its blend of Mediterranean cuisine with local ingredients and terroir, from sea to land from San Diego, Swikard's hometown. In 2022, Callie was acclaimed as one of America's top new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report, and received both a Bib Gourmand and a Plate from the Michelin Guide. Callie is a dedicated supporter of Feeding San Diego, having contributed over 1 million meals to those in need in San Diego since its launch. Swikard is set to open his second restaurant in La Jolla in 2025.
A photo of Ciccia Osteria restaurant
6. Ciccia Osteria
4.7
Exceptional(218)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Barrio Logan
Booked 33 times today
Nestled in Barrio Logan, San Diego, Ciccia Osteria is a charming Italian restaurant that invites guests on a culinary journey through Italy. With its warm ambiance, attentive service, and exquisite cuisine, Ciccia Osteria is a beloved destination. Notably, it has won the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024Entering Ciccia Osteria, guests are transported to Italy's bustling trattorias. The cozy interior, with small tables, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting, creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for any occasion.Committed to the finest ingredients and traditional techniques, Ciccia Osteria offers handmade pastas, succulent seafood, and tender meats, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. The curated wine list features Italian and California wines to pair with the menu.Under Chef Mario Cassineri's guidance, Ciccia Osteria is more than a restaurant—it's a destination where guests can savor authentic Italian cuisine and create lasting memories.
A photo of Brigantine at Portside Pier restaurant
7. Brigantine at Portside Pier
4.7
Exceptional(4318)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 115 times today
Brigantine at Portside Pier is an authentic seafood restaurant in San Diego. It embodies the beach town lifestyle and a dedication to flavorful food. Reviews rave about the 'beautiful atmosphere', 'phenomenal food' and 'friendly staff'. The restaurant is known for its San Diego-style surf and turf, including award-winning fish tacos and marinated grilled swordfish. Its consistent high ratings for ambience, food, and service attest to its authenticity.
A photo of Little Frenchie restaurant
8. Little Frenchie
4.7
Exceptional(1489)
Price: Moderate
• French • Coronado
Booked 35 times today
Little Frenchie is a chef-driven approachable bistro modeled after Parisian neighborhood cafes. Enjoy our rotating menu of Provencal classics, our immense selection of unique cheeses imported from France and our extensive wine collection from both France and California. We take pride in the imported and local ingredients we use; our produce is sourced from regional farmers, and our seafood from local area fisherman.
A photo of Civico 1845 restaurant
9. Civico 1845
4.4
Awesome(2451)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 32 times today
Civico 1845 is an authentic Italian restaurant located in Little Italy, San Diego. The menu is a homage to the Calabria region of Italy and incorporates sustainable practices. Reviews rave about the fresh, light, and delectable dishes, with one reviewer claiming it's 'untouched by American ignorance'. The restaurant is also praised for its friendly staff, good atmosphere, and amazing vegan menu.
A photo of Puesto at the Headquarters restaurant
10. Puesto at the Headquarters
4.6
Exceptional(3532)
Price: Expensive
• Mexican • Downtown
Booked 36 times today
Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, house-brewed beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Refinery 29, MSN, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, and LA Times.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • EmilouVIP
    Los Angeles •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Arrived here at 11:30 and they weren’t serving their full lunch menu yet; just breakfast and salad/pizzas from their lunch menu. The ricotta pancakes were very delicious. The ricotta had a bit of pineapple in it, but it’s served on the side so it works for those who might not like pineapples. We also ordered the Barbara pizza with Italian sausage, which was very tasty. The meat omelette was pretty big, plenty of meat inside, and topped with bolognese sauce. The layout of the shop is unique and they have a nice little grocery with some wine and Italian food items.
    More info
    Garage Buona ForchettaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Coronado
    •
    4.6
  • Jessica
    Los Angeles •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    It was good . Just took a little long to bring food
    More info
    Kalaveras - Chula VistaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Chula Vista / Bonita
    •
    4.5
  • Vanessa
    San Diego •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    For Valentine’s Day they had a prefixed menu with delicious options. Great service and food was fantastic.
    More info
    Acqua E Farina Trattoria RomanaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Chula Vista / Bonita
    •
    4.4
  • Vic
    San Diego •56 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    This is a 5 star experience! Our party of four tried four different cocktails, 12 different dishes and three desserts. Impossible to pick a favorite and impossible to select anything that was not exceptional. Additionally, the chef and team were super sensitive to serving any dishes that would be an allergy issue. So the food was glorious, the chef and team brilliant…yet the staff is what elevated the experience. From our two servers, their assistant, the sommelier and the front of house - one word - Brilliant. Best meal of the year winner
    More info
    Callie RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• Downtown
    •
    4.8
  • Peggy
    San Diego •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    We were pleasently surprised by the food the wait staff and the prices. Everyone was very nice, we look forward to returning!
    More info
    Buona ForchettaPrice: Moderate• Italian• South Park
    •
    4.6

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