We use cookies for essential site functions and, with your permission, for analytics and advertising. California residents can opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information at any time. See our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.
Little Italy · $$$ · Ranked in 1 list
Last updated
Nonna is a Little Italy spot ranked #5 of 8 in our Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego list, scoring 87/100 in our Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego. Order the cacio e pepe. The most stylish Italian dining room in Little Italy, with strong cocktails.
We scored Nonna 87/100 in our full editorial review.
Read the full Nonna reviewNonna sits in Little Italy — downtown San Diego's northwest edge, walkable from the waterfront and the Gaslamp. The area is known for the Saturday Mercato farmers market, Piazza della Famiglia, and the best restaurant density downtown, and the feel is polished and food-obsessed — the neighborhood locals take visitors to first. Parking: Metered street parking and garages; the Little Italy Trolley station is on the Green Line.
Explore Little ItalyOn our Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego list, Nonna lands at #5 of 8, just behind Civico 1845 (88/100) and ahead of Solare Ristorante (87/100). Cesarina holds #1 with 91/100, so the gap is 4 points.
See the full Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego rankingNonna scores 87/100 against a best italian restaurants in san diego field that averages 87.9, running from 85 at the bottom to 91 at the top. That is 0.9 points below the category average, though it still finishes ahead of 2 of the 7 other places we scored. It lands 5th of 8, and the category leader is 4 points clear.
Judged criterion by criterion, Nonna separates itself most on atmosphere (90/100 versus a 86.8 category average). Its softest showing is value at 80, 6.3 points under the field. Those two numbers are the honest summary: this is a place you pick for atmosphere, not for a clean sweep of every category.
| Criterion | Nonna | Category avg. | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taste | 90 | 89.9 | +0.1 |
| Consistency | 86 | 88.3 | -2.3 |
| Value | 80 | 86.3 | -6.3 |
| Atmosphere | 90 | 86.8 | +3.2 |
| Uniqueness | 84 | 83.8 | +0.2 |
Scores are Sandi Spots editorial judgments, compared against every other place we ranked in best italian restaurants in san diego.
Little Italy is dense enough that Nonna rarely needs to be a standalone trip. We have scored at least six other ranked spots in the same neighborhood, so it is easy to stack a visit with Born & Raised (93/100 in our best steakhouses in san diego list) or False Idol (93/100) and turn one stop into an afternoon.
93/100 · #1 in best steakhouses in san diego · $24–28
93/100 · #1 in best tiki bars in san diego · $$
92/100 · #1 in best dive bars in san diego · $
92/100 · #1 in best farmers markets in san diego · Free entry
92/100 · #1 in best live music venues in san diego · $15–35
91/100 · #2 in best ice cream in san diego · $6–10
If Nonna is booked or closed, these score closest at the same $$$ spend in the same list:
Yes, if you are in the neighborhood or nearby.
Nonna scores 87/100 in our Best Italian Restaurants in San Diego list (#5 of 8). It is strongest on taste (90) and atmosphere (90). The most stylish Italian dining room in Little Italy, with strong cocktails.
Skip it if value matters most to you — that is its weakest category (80/100).
Nonna is a good fit for italian restaurants. Because it ranks #5 on our best italian restaurants in san diego list, it makes the most sense to pair it with nearby stops in Little Italy rather than build a day around a long cross-town drive. Check live hours and availability before leaving, especially for a weekend visit.
Best tactical tip: Book the bar seats for the best view of the kitchen pass.
No reader reviews yet for Nonna. Be the first.
Claim this listing to correct details, send us updated hours or a menu, and get the verified badge for your site. Claiming is free and does not change your ranking position.
Score 87/100 on this list's criteria · Order: Cacio e pepe · $$$
Nonna is where Little Italy goes when it wants to feel like a big city. The cooking is confident, the room is designed to the last light fixture, and the cocktail program is better than most Italian restaurants bother with.
Local tip: Book the bar seats for the best view of the kitchen pass.
Scored with our ranking methodology — italian.
Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking.