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The Godfather Restaurant, San Diego, CA

The Godfather Restaurant

4.7

4.7

1890 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

11 Jan 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 28 times today

Good for special occasions
Great for fine wines
Romantic

The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian monument in downtown San Diego providing authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy. Established in 1974, The Godfather is a sophisticated and classy establishment that centers around generational recipes from both Northern and Southern Italy. Over the years, the quality of food and standard of service has never declined and thus garnered The Godfather a national recognition as one of the top twenty-five Italian restaurants in the entire nation. The menu is filled with classic favorites based in steak, chicken and pasta. For an intimate evening for two, try the Sicilian kiss prix fixe meal that includes a bottle of champagne.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Steak
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(858) 560-1747
Website
http://www.godfatherrestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Isidoro Balistreri

Location
7878 Clrmt Msa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111-1621
Area
Kearny Mesa
Parking details
Public Parking
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Menu

Hours: M-F 11:00am-2:30pm

Antipasti

Mozzarella en CarozzaUSD 10.95
Mozzarella cheese, seasoned, fried & baked in marinara sauce
CapreseUSD 13.95
Fior di latte mozzarella, tomato, Sicilian olives, basil, red onion, oregano, capers & extra virgin olive oil
Cuori di CarciofiUSD 12.95
Artichoke hearts, seasoned & fried. Baked in lemon, garlic, capers & parmesan cheese
Fegatini di PolloUSD 11.95
Tender chicken livers, sauteed in white wine, fresh mushrooms & peas
Antipasto della CasaUSD 16.95
Roasted, marinated vegetables, prosciutto, salami, mordatella, olives, pepperoncini, basil, & extra-virgin olive oil
Calamari FrittiUSD 12.95
Tender calamari, lightly breaded & fried
CaesarUSD 6.00
Fresh crisp Romaine, tossed with our special recipe Caesar dressing & anchovy filet

Paste

Served with your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Penne All' Arrabbiata e SalcicceUSD 16.95
Penne pasta & sausage in tomato sauce, seasoned spicy hot with Italian peppers
Spaghetti alla BologneseUSD 15.95
Chef Isidoro's special recipe of spaghetti & meat sauce. Suggested wine: Sartori Bardolino
Penne al PomodoroUSD 15.95
Penne pasta with fresh tomato, garlic, oregano & basil. Suggested wine: Sangiovese
Lasagne al FornoUSD 16.95
Baked lasagne in the old Sicilian style with bolognese sauce, ricotta, mozzarella & parmesan cheeses. Suggested wine: Gattinara
Spaghetti alla CarbonaraUSD 16.95
Spaghetti in light imported parmesan cheese sauce with prosciutto. Suggested wine: Pinot Grigio
Linguine al PestoUSD 15.95
Linguine tossed with basil, parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, garlic & pine nuts. Suggested wine: Pinot Gringo
Fettucine AlfredoUSD 16.95
Fettuccine pasta tossed with a rich cream sauce
Ravioli alla GodfatherUSD 15.95
Traditional meat ravioli in Chef Isidoro's Bolognese sauce. Suggested wine: Chianti
Ravioli ai Funghi PortobelloUSD 17.95
Portobello mushroom ravioli, served in a light cream & tomato Rossini sauce. Suggested wine: Mondavi Barbera
Tortellini al VerdeUSD 17.95
Spinach & ricotta tortellini served in Alfredo sauce. Suggested wine: Ruffino Libaio
Linguine al VongoleUSD 17.95
Linguine with clams sauteed in wine, extra virgin olive oil, garlic & parsley, served with your choice of red or white sauce. Suggested wine: Orvieto or Chianti
Penne alla PuttanescaUSD 16.95
Penne in a fresh tomato sauce with olives, capers, basil, olive oil, parmesan cheese & oregano. Suggested wine: Italian Merlot
Cannelloni Fatti en CasaUSD 17.95
Italian crepes with chicken, meat & cheeses, garlic, fresh mushrooms, baked with besciamella sauce. Suggested wine: Barbera D' Asti
Eggplant alla ParmigianaUSD 17.95
Baked eggplant with mushrooms, ricotta & mozzarella cheese in marinara sauce. Suggested wine: Dolcetto D' Alba
Linguine ai Frutti di MareUSD 24.95
A king Neptune feast of pastas! Lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari & fish sauteed in wine, garlic & mushrooms, served in red or white sauce. Suggested wine: Gavi "Principessa"

Piatti Combinazioni

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Cannelloni con Scaloppine al MarsalaUSD 24.95
Cannelloni & veal medallions in Sicilian marsalla wine & fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Mezza Corona Pinot Grigio
Cannelloni con FegatiniUSD 23.95
Cannelloni & fresh chicken livers sauteed with fresh mushrooms, onions & peas. Suggested wine: Orvieto
Cannelloni con Pollo Alla ParmigianaUSD 23.95
Cannelloni & baked chicken breast with mozzarella, marinara, fresh mushrooms & parmesan cheese. Suggested wine: Quercetto Chianti

Pollo

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Pollo alla MarsalaUSD 18.99
Chicken sauteed in Sicilian marsala wine with fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Pinot Grigio "La Famiglia"
Pollo alla CacciatoriUSD 18.99
Chicken in marinara sauce with white wine, garlic, oregano, fresh mushrooms, bell peppers, onions & fine Italian herbs. Suggested wine: Sartori Soave
Pollo alla ParmigianaUSD 18.99
Baked chicken breast with mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce & fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Querceto
Saltimbocca di PolloUSD 18.99
Chicken breasts sauteed in a light tomato sauce with wine, prosciutto, mozzarella & sage. Suggested wine: Gattinara
Pollo alla FiorentinaUSD 18.99
Chicken medallions lightly battered & sauteed in white wine, fresh lemon, butter & capers. Suggested wine: Orvieto
Fegatini di PolloUSD 18.99
Chicken livers tenderly sauteed in white wine with fresh mushrooms & peas. Suggested wine: Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc

Pesce

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Pesce del GiornoUSD 20.99
Prepared to perfection with white wine, lemon & butter
CioppinoUSD 24.95
A fisherman's wharf seafood medley of lobster, mussels, calamari, shrimp, clams & fresh fish in marinara soup. Suggested wine: Gavi "Principessa"
Scampi alla GodfatherUSD 23.99
Shrimp baked in wine with fresh mushrooms, garlic, oregano & balsamic vinegar. Suggested wine: Frascati
Scampi Fra DiavoloUSD 21.99
Shrimp in a spicy marinara sauce with garlic & Italian herbs. Suggested wine: Petite Syrah
Zuppa di CozzeUSD 18.99
Mussels in wine, garlic, extra virgin olive oil & light marinara sauce. Suggested wine: Caymus Sauvignon Blanc
Linguine ai Frutti di MareUSD 24.95
A king Neptune feast of pastas! Lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari & fish sauteed in wine, garlic & mushrooms, served in your choice of red or white sauce. Suggested wine: Gavi "Principessa"
Salmone alla GrigliaUSD 19.99
Salmon seared in a Sicilian style sauce of diced tomatoes, capers, olives, onions, bell peppers & olive oil. Suggested wine: Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc
Calamari alla MarinaraUSD 17.99
Calamari sauteed in a spicy light marinara sauce with white wine, fresh garlic & oregano. Suggested wine: Fazi Battaglia Verdicchio

Vitello

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Scaloppine al MarsalaUSD 19.99
Veal medallions sauteed in Sicilian Marsala wine with fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Pinot Grigio "La Famiglia"
Piccata di ScaloppineUSD 19.99
Veal medallions sauteed in white wine, lemon & butter with fresh mushrooms & capers. Suggested wine: Verdicchio
Vitello alla FiorentinaUSD 19.99
Lightly battered veal medallions sauteed in white wine, lemon, butter & capers. Suggested wine: Gavi
Saltimbocca di VitelloUSD 19.99
Veal sauteed in wine & baked in light tomato sauce with prosciutto, mozzarella & sage. Suggested wine: Ferrari-Carano Merlot
Bocconcini alla GodfatherUSD 19.99
Seasoned & breaded veal stuffed with prosciutto, provolone, parmesan & Italian seasoning, salami & mortadella, broiled with bell peppers & onion. Suggested wine: Chianti, Ruffino
Vitello alla ParmigianaUSD 19.99
Baked veal with mozzarella cheese, bolognese sauce & fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Quercetto Chianti
Speciale dello Chef IsidoroUSD 19.99
Chef Isidoro's original seasoned & breaded veal stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomatoes & onions sauteed & baked in wine & marinara. Suggested wine: Barolo

Steaks & Filet

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

New York alla SinatraUSD 28.95
New York strip sauteed in Barolo wine & marinara, fresh mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, garlic & oregano. Suggested wine: Super-Tuscan
New YorkUSD 27.95
New York strip, prepared as you wish. Suggested wine: Pierano Cabernet
Filet MignonUSD 31.95
Godfather cut filet mignon, prepared as you wish. Suggested wine: Ferrari-Carano Siena

Panini Imbotiti

ProsciuttoUSD 16.95
Italian artisan with prosciutto, arugula, fresh mozzarella, tomato, red onion, virgin olive oil & balsamico
SalsicceUSD 14.95
Chef Isidoro's family made sausages in bolognese sauce, with bell peppers & mozzarella
TorpedoUSD 14.95
Italian cold cuts, lettuce, tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese, onions, olive oil & spices
MeatballUSD 14.95
Chef Isidoro's Sicilian meatballs in bolognese sauce with bell peppers & mozzarella cheese

Insalate

CaesarUSD 14.95
Fresh crisp Romaine, tossed with our special recipe Caesar dressing. Served with your choice of chicken, shrimp or salmon
Insalata alla GodfatherUSD 16.95
A Godfather assortment of Italian cold cuts, peperoncini, olives, tomatoes, Gorgonzola & Provolone cheese
Blackened Salmon SaladUSD 17.95
Salmon over mixed greens, avocado, black olives & balsamic vinaigrette
Seared Ahi SaladUSD 16.95
Seared ahi tuna, red onions, toy box tomatoes, spring mix greens, olives with soy balsamic dressing
Grilled Calamari SaladUSD 16.95
Grilled whole calamari, roasted bell pepper, olives, toy box tomatoes, capers over spring mixed greens lemon zest vinaigrette

What 1,890 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

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

5
4
3
2
1

Loved For

San Diego
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Godfather Restaurant offers a charming, old-school Italian dining experience that transports you to another era. "Impeccable service" and "delicious food" are consistently praised, alongside generous portions and a wonderful ambiance. Live piano music enhances the romantic setting. Though some aspects have changed, many appreciate the authentic Italian charm.

1,890 Reviews

J
James
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent as always! Food was 10/10 as was the service!
Is this helpful?
T
Tom
San Diego
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great Experience … Food, Service, Drinks, a must go to outside of little Italy for some Quality Italian food.
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H
Howard
VIP
San Diego
68 reviews
5.0
68 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent meal. Great value. Restaurant was quite crowded so the noise level was significant.
Is this helpful?
e
erin
San Diego
3 reviews
1.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
We’ve been to this restaurant multiple times. We came on this evening to celebrate a family event and use a gift certificate. We were told that the owner sold the restaurant to somebody else in the last two years and they will not honor our gift card. This was a godfather, gift card, in the godfather envelope, filled out for $150 and after proving all of this, all they would do is give us a $50 credit towards our meal. I’ve always been under the impression that gift cards cannot expire and being that it is still the godfather restaurant, maintains all of its likeliness, and it says “since 1974 “I find it very disappointing and unethical that they would not honor our gift card
Is this helpful?
L
Linda
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 1 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We went with a group of friends. The food was delicious and the service was great.
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K
Kiersa
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 1 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great time, great food, great service! Juan was our waiter & even tho busy on a holiday night he was fantastic!!!
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M
Mark
VIP
New York City
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on 31 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Classic Italian Dining, along with top notch service. Been dining here since I moved to CA in 1994, and have always been extremely pleased. Thank you, Mark
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M
Marty
VIP
San Diego
56 reviews
4.0
56 reviews
Dined on 29 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
First time eating here that I didn't give 5 stars across the board. There is a large sign indicating that Valet parking is $4, and yet the attendant informed us of that before we got out of the car-was he afraid of not getting paid? Husband had Frutti Di Mare which he said was excellent. I had Fettuccine Bolognese which was a disappointment. The fettuccine was either overcooked or undercooked-sticky and some clumped together, and the bolognese was not that flavorful. Our waiter was pleasant enough but clearly rushed. It took longer than usual to give our food order, and each encounter with our waiter felt very rushed. PROS: my husband's food was excellent, we were given complimentary tiramisu for our celebration, and it was wonderful; prices were reasonable, and we always enjoy the music provided by the piano player. CONS: my food was not that good, service seemed more impersonal and rushed than on previous visits. Not giving up yet on what has always been our favorite restaurant, but miss the personal and welcoming feeling that we always received before the restaurant was sold.
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C
Catherine
VIP
San Diego
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on 29 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fabulous food ! Very friendly waiters! So professional!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 27 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
All meals were excellent, chicken Parmesan, steak sinatra and raviolis
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FAQs

The Godfather Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 560-1747.

The Godfather Restaurant is rated 4.7 stars by 1890 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

11 Jan 2025

7:00 pm

Booked 28 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Godfather Restaurant

7878 Clrmt Msa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111-1621

Dining areas

Additional information

Area
Kearny Mesa
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Steak
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Public Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Isidoro Balistreri
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.godfatherrestaurant.com/
Phone number
(858) 560-1747

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