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Bernini's Bistro & Bar, San Diego, CA

Bernini's Bistro & Bar

4.7
4.7
588 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
A photo of Bernini's Bistro & Bar restaurant

Bernini's Bistro & Bar

4.7
$30 and under
Italian
La Jolla

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 12 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
Bernini’s Bistro & Bar has been the local's favorite in La Jolla for the past 24 years. We offer a wide variety of entrees at very affordable prices that will please all guests. Try one of our homemade organic pasta, wood-fired pizza, or seafood dishes. We offer Happy Hour 5 days a week Sunday-Thursday from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. For reservations of parties larger than 12 please contact Reyhan at (858) 337-5227.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary American, Californian
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (858) 454-5013
  • Website
    http://www.berninisbistro.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Sergio Diaz Perez
  • Private party facilities
    We have a semi-private room for up to 24 guests.
  • Location
    7550 Fay Ave, San Diego, CA 92037-4839
  • Area
    La Jolla
  • Cross Street
    Pearl
  • Parking details
    We have some parking available in the back of the restaurant and plenty of street parking.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Dinner Starters

  • Brussels SproutsUSD 14.90

    Duck bacon, garlic aioli and balsamic reduction.

    • Bowl of SoupUSD 8.00

      Dinner From the Garden

      Add to any salad jumbo white beans, flame broiled chicken breast, grilled or blackened salmon, or shrimp for an additional charge.

      • Sweet Walnut Salad

        Field greens, cranberries, apples, caramelized walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette.

        • LittleUSD 9.00
        • FullUSD 16.00

      • Caesar Salad

        Hearts of romaine, croutons and shaved Parmesan. Gluten free (without croutons).

        • LittleUSD 9.00
        • FullUSD 16.00

      Dinner Woodfired Pizza

      Substitute gluten free pizza for an additional charge.

      • Traditional Cheese PizzaUSD 15.00

        Mozzarella and tomato sauce.

        • Pepperoni PizzaUSD 17.00

          Pepperoni, mozzarella and tomato sauce.

          Dinner Pasta

          Substitute gluten free pasta for an additional charge.

          • Spaghetti BologneseUSD 19.90

            Signature home made Bolognese sauce

            • Spaghetti and MeatballsUSD 19.90

              Homemade all beef meatballs.

              Dinner Farm and Sea

              • 24 Hour Braised Beef Short RibsUSD 30.00

                Gremolata, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

                • Chicken ParmigianaUSD 21.90

                  Spaghetti marinara.

                  Last updated: 1 February 2022

                  What 588 people are saying

                  Overall ratings and reviews

                  Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                  4.7
                  4.7 based on recent ratings
                  • 4.7Food
                  • 4.8Service
                  • 4.6Ambience
                  • 4.4Value

                  Noise • Moderate

                  Review summary

                  AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                  Bernini's Bistro & Bar is a charming neighborhood gem in La Jolla, praised for its "delicious food and friendly service." Guests love the cozy ambiance, both indoors and on the patio. Menu favorites include the cioppino, chicken piccata, and wood-fired pizzas. "excellent value," making it a must-visit spot.

                  588 Reviews

                  1. Laura

                    San Diego

                    1 review

                    4.0

                    1 review

                    Dined 2 days ago

                    1. Overall 4
                    2. Food 4
                    3. Service 4
                    4. Ambience 4
                    Had a reservation and was seated right away when we checked in. Was seated in a nice booth. Enjoyed the holiday decor. Our waiter came shortly after and we all ordered drinks. He gave us as much time as we needed to decide on what to order. Drinks and food came efficiently and when a few us mentioned that we were sharing an entree, the waiter said the kitchen could split it for us. Had a great experience and will return in the near future.

                    Is this helpful?

                  2. C

                    Washington DC

                    26 reviews

                    vip
                    5.0

                    26 reviews

                    Dined 5 days ago

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Wonderful food and service. The garlic bread was amazing - homemade dough, soft and chewy at the same time, and expertly flavored. The care this restaurant takes in all the details is clear - from the seasonal decorations to the consistently delicious food and impeccable service! We were celebrating a birthday, and they brought a great dessert treat that was absolutely delicious! Thank you Bernini’s for consistently delivering this exceptional level of dining experience! We dine out pretty frequently and this restaurant is really a gem.

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                  3. Jean Marie

                    San Francisco

                    22 reviews

                    3.0

                    22 reviews

                    Dined 6 days ago

                    1. Overall 3
                    2. Food 2
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 4
                    Pizza very good. The pasta dish not so good at all. Shrimp with linguine.

                    Is this helpful?

                  4. Carolynn

                    San Diego

                    135 reviews

                    vip
                    5.0

                    135 reviews

                    Dined on 7 December 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Bears repeating...a real neighborhood gem. The portions are amazing...the flavors divine. Keep it up Bernini's!!

                    Is this helpful?

                  5. Toni

                    San Diego

                    20 reviews

                    vip
                    5.0

                    20 reviews

                    Dined on 30 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Always a lovely experience and consistently good food.

                    Is this helpful?

                  6. shailey

                    San Francisco

                    8 reviews

                    vip
                    5.0

                    8 reviews

                    Dined on 28 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Great food, amazing service, great for large groups.

                    Is this helpful?

                  7. Jennifer

                    San Diego

                    1 review

                    5.0

                    1 review

                    Dined on 24 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    It was a great place to celebrate my friend’a birthday! Great food, service and atmosphere.We will definitely be back!

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                  8. paul

                    Los Angeles

                    3 reviews

                    5.0

                    3 reviews

                    Dined on 23 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 4
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Excellent delicious authentic Italian food. Ambiance is very elegant and cozy. Service is very friendly. I recommend to others to come to this Italian restaurant gem.

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                  9. Pam

                    San Diego

                    6 reviews

                    5.0

                    6 reviews

                    Dined on 18 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 4
                    4. Ambience 4
                    We had not been back to Bernini's for over a decade, for no particular reason, it more or less fell off our radar. We used to go be cause the food was GREAT. Stumbled across it on Yelp and thought...hmmm. Used to be darn good. Happy to report, we still LOVE the food. Bernini's is back on the rotation! I think it might be my favorite Italian restaurant. I've never had even a marginal meal here. My only knock on this place is the parking. La Jolla is always bad, and we got lucky last night. Sunday night, football season, so maybe that is why we found a place quickly. Don't count on getting lucky.

                    Is this helpful?

                  10. Carolynn

                    San Diego

                    135 reviews

                    vip
                    5.0

                    135 reviews

                    Dined on 17 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    they make the BEST cioppino...so welcoming - a neighborhood gem!

                    Is this helpful?

                  FAQs

                  Bernini's Bistro & Bar offers delivery in partnership with Postmates. Bernini's Bistro & Bar also offers takeaway which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 454-5013.

                  Bernini's Bistro & Bar is rated 4.7 stars by 588 OpenTable diners.

                  Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                  A photo of Bernini's Bistro & Bar restaurant

                  Bernini's Bistro & Bar

                  4.7
                  $30 and under
                  Italian
                  La Jolla

                  Make a booking

                  2 people
                  7:00 pm
                  Booked 12 times today

                  Order delivery or takeout

                  Google Map for Bernini's Bistro & Bar

                  7550 Fay Ave, San Diego, CA 92037-4839

                  Dining areas

                  Additional information

                  • Cross Street
                    Pearl
                  • Area
                    La Jolla
                  • Hours of Operation
                    Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
                  • Price
                    $30 and under
                  • Cuisines
                    Italian, Contemporary American, Californian
                  • Dining style
                    Casual Elegant
                  • Dress code
                    Casual Dress
                  • Parking details
                    We have some parking available in the back of the restaurant and plenty of street parking.
                  • Payment Options
                    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                  • Executive Chef
                    Sergio Diaz Perez
                  • Additional
                    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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