Best Authentic Restaurants in Clairemont

126 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Godfather Restaurant restaurant

1. The Godfather Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(1875)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Kearny Mesa

Booked 27 times today

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.

A photo of RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla restaurant

2. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

4.3

Awesome(2687)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • La Jolla

Booked 34 times today

Dining at RED O is an experience like no other that offers a unique combination of Prime Steak and Seafood with Rick Bayless’ signature Mexican inspired influences. With sustainably sourced and local ingredients, RED O creates flavorful dishes true to the authentic flavors of Mexico. RED O’s team of friendly employees creates a welcoming atmosphere that parallels the luxury resort interior of the restaurant. RED O also features an impressive bar and lounge where you’ll find specialty cocktails, an extensive tequila list and an award winning wine list. The bar also offers Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. daily and Late Night Happy Hour from 9-11pm Friday-Saturday.

A photo of Puesto Mission Valley restaurant

3. Puesto Mission Valley

4.6

Exceptional(1989)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Mission Valley

Booked 62 times today

Puesto is family-owned and operated by first generation Mexican American brothers Eric, Alan and Alex Adler, alongside their cousins Isidoro and Moy Lombrozo and founding chef and partner Luisteen Gonzalez. With eight locations in California, Puesto provides an innovative and contemporary approach to authentic Mexican cuisine. Sourcing its ingredients locally and regionally, the restaurant has earned national acclaim for its Mexico City-inspired tacos made with non-GMO organic, heirloom Masienda blue corn stone-ground tortillas, crispy melted cheese and scratch salsas.

A photo of La Dolce Vita Ristorante restaurant

4. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(1116)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 29 times today

La Dolce Vita is located in a European courtyard setting at International Shops off Prospect St. Loyal to its name La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), is a place to sit back and relax in our cozy and romantic indoor dining room or our charming outdoor patio to enjoy a hearty meal along with a bottle of wine while listening to Italian tunes. We serve genuine Italian cuisine in a fine dining setting at affordable prices.

5. La Pastaia

4.4

Awesome(299)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Bay Park

Booked 16 times today

Upon stepping into La Pastaia, you’ll be greeted by an inviting ambiance that seamlessly combines modern elegance with rustic charm. The cozy and friendly environment creates an ideal setting for an enchanting culinary experience. From homemade pasta tossed in flavorful sauces to mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas topped with the freshest ingredients, our menu offers a wide range of classic Italian dishes prepared with a contemporary flair. La Pastaia is the brainchild of a dynamic duo whose expertise and love for the culinary

6. Scuderie Italia

4.8

Exceptional(352)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Pacific Beach

Booked 9 times today

Scuderie (scoo-de-ree-ye) is often referred to, in Italy, as a racing team garage. In the spirit of teamwork we welcome you to Scuderie Italia, our luxurious home providing you with impeccable service and simple, comforting Italian food and pizza. Our true Napoletana pizza is proudly made by our vibrant pizzaiolo, Gimmy Piperku, who also heads the kitchen serving handmade pasta and other popular Italian dishes. Enjoy your meal on either one of our our covered patios or dine inside surrounded by beautiful photos of Italian engines and bright racing yellows. Nothing brings people together like good food and we have that for you and your crew!Buon appetito~ Leonardo and Christine Landini

7. Rakiraki Convoy

4.7

Exceptional(11)

Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Kearny Mesa

For reservations of 3 or less please book through our sister restaurant The Yasai by RakiRaki Convoy!Experience the original RakiRaki Ramen experience at our first location located in Kearny Mesa—the epicenter of San Diego’s thriving Asian food scene. The lines out the door are worth the wait for Chef/owner, Junya Watanabe’s signature ramen recipes that blend the art of traditional ramen making with the highest quality ingredients available and a modern atmosphere. RakiRaki serves a wide variety of authentic ramen dishes and Japanese cuisine including tsukemen (dipping noodles), charcoal-fired yakitori, curry, ramen burgers, and specialty sushi rolls along with local craft beer and sake selections.

8. El Sueño

4.0

Excellent(172)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Old Town

Booked 31 times today

Coming Soon to Open Table!Vibrant Mexican Food and Craft Cocktails.

9. Ambrogio15

4.8

Exceptional(832)

Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Pacific Beach

Booked 6 times today

Ambrogio15 is an authentic Pizzeria with a unique Milano gourmet pizza recipe. Reviewers are consistently impressed with the high-quality ingredients and the authenticity of the Italian cuisine. The restaurant is described as 'exceptional', 'fabulous' and 'authentic'.

A photo of Baci Restaurant - San Diego restaurant

10. Baci Restaurant - San Diego

4.9

Exceptional(1903)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Old Town

Booked 7 times today

Baci Ristorante offers diners a hint of old world Italian charm, with plush booths, white tablecloths, and gracious servers clad in tuxedos. While the decor is subtly modern, the menu is classic, celebrating Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. Specialties include classic pasta dishes, veal, and fresh seafood, with especially tempting daily specials offered by Executive Chef Domenico Alioto. In addition to the cuisine, the restaurant's charming and welcoming features--include an extensive wine list, elegant patio setting, and romantic main dining room--have made Baci a consistent favorite among locals for over 30 years.

‘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

J
JosefVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •10 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Ricardo our sever was excellent. Attentive, well timed and considerate. Food was good to great was always, margaritas were great although perhaps too much ice(something we have noticed the prior few visits). Beers truly world class.
More info
Puesto Mission ValleyPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Mission Valley
•
4.6
D
DianeVIP
San Diego •14 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Manager Lisa was the best, most service-oriented manager I have ever seen. She kicked in when service was a bit slow, checked in on us every so often, comped us a drink when we waited a bit too long for our order, and just made a slow evening into a spectacular one. A great manager. Well done Lisa!
More info
RED O Taste of Mexico - La JollaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• La Jolla
•
4.3
C
Chad
San Diego •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The free parking was blocked and you either park in the back or valet for $4. You keep the closest parking for other businesses, the parking lot is not that big, the other businesses customers can walk another car length or two as well. Get with the property management and have them marked for the other businesses then you don't need valet.
More info
The Godfather RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Italian• Kearny Mesa
•
4.7
M
mariza
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
This is a great neighborhood gem! The ambience and service (and authentic cuisine) you would find in La Jolla But in our own backyard :)
More info
La PastaiaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Bay Park
•
4.4
C
CindeVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •103 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Both my husband and I enjoyed out dinner. Our server was very good. It was a bit cold where our table was near the door which was open due to outside diners.
More info
La Dolce Vita RistorantePrice: Moderate• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.8

Best Authentic Restaurants in Clairemont

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating options

Award-winning

Accessibility

126 restaurants available nearby

1. The Godfather Restaurant

2. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla

3. Puesto Mission Valley

4. La Dolce Vita Ristorante

5. La Pastaia

6. Scuderie Italia

7. Rakiraki Convoy

8. El Sueño

9. Ambrogio15

10. Baci Restaurant - San Diego

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable