Old Town • Italian
Best Italian in Old Town San Diego
Old Town is famous for its margaritas and Mexican icons—but there’s a growing corner of the neighborhood that feels straight out of Sicily. Trattoria Don Pietro sits just off San Diego Avenue with spritzes, coastal Italian plates, and a patio that glows at night.
What makes Don Pietro feel “best in class”?
The food leans Sicilian—bright citrus, olive oil, tomato, herbs, seafood—layered into handmade pastas, pizzas, and nightly specials. The room feels like a summer night: open-air, fire pits, candles, and music that gives the whole space a low hum of energy.
It’s the kind of Italian that works for birthdays, date nights, and groups of friends who want to linger over one more bottle of wine.
Where it fits in your Old Town plans
Plan around sunset on the patio, a long dinner with shared antipasti and pastas, then a slow walk through Old Town or up toward Presidio Park. For many guests, Don Pietro becomes the “we have to take you here” stop when relatives or friends visit.
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