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The Godfather Restaurant, San Diego, CA

The Godfather Restaurant

4.7
4.7
1915 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 39 times today
You're in luck! We still have 2 timeslots left
Additional seating options
  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
  • Charming
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 11:00–14:30 Dinner Tue–Thu 17:00–21:30 Fri 17:00–22:00 Sat 16:00–22:00 Sun 16:00–21:00
  • Phone number
    (858) 560-1747
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Isidoro Balistreri
  • Area
    Kearny Mesa
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • 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

What 1,915 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
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Romantic

  • San Diego

    Great for fine wines

  • San Diego

    Romantic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Godfather Restaurant offers a "superb, classic Italian experience" with "excellent food" and "outstanding service." Guests appreciate the "old-school ambiance" and "delicious" dishes like linguine & clams. Despite some noise and parking issues, the "charming atmosphere" and "special occasion appeal" make it a San Diego favorite for many.
1,915 Reviews
  1. Sarah

    VIP

    Phoenix

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonder, relaxed Valentine’s dinner. Joe our wait staff was professional and friendly.

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  2. Jeffrey

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Godfather is a great value in every way except for parking. Parking Spaces are very limited, but Valet service is fast and friendly

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  3. Randy

    VIP

    San Diego

    41 reviews

    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As usual, excellent food and top notch old fashion great service, that is so hard to find these days.

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  4. Ellena

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were celebrating a birthday; the food was delicious, and the service was amazing. Eric S. and Stephen were really professional and lovely people. The live piano with the birthday song made the celebration amazing. I highly recommend this fantastic restaurant. Thank you for all your great hospitality! Ellena

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  5. bryan

    VIP

    San Diego

    80 reviews

    5.0

    80 reviews

    Dined on 3 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent service. We were offered both regular and San Diego Restaurant Week menus, but decided to order off the regular menu. Started with their complimentary Fried Zucchini and asked for Ranch Dressing. Then a Salad and New England Clam Chowder. Next was the Chicken Marsala and their Swordfish Oreganato (Oreganato style is not on menu but they can still make it). Swordfish was cooked to absolute perfection and tasted incredible. The Vegetables were tasty and it didn’t have the bitter Eggplant that’s usually in there which was a bonus for me. The Chicken Marsala was a generous portion but needed salt (no veggies on plate). Both entrees came with a side of Pasta and they served warm bread as well. The Swordfish Oreganato is my favorite entree there. If you like a clean flavored fish with firm moist flesh, you should give this one a try.

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  6. Tenjing

    New York City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 3 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a great meal for restaurant week. Seating wasn't an issue on a Sunday night. They give a complimentary zucchini appetizer which was delicious. Definitely try their lasagna. Tiramusi is a must!

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  7. Diane

    Phoenix

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 3 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous evening celebrating two birthdays with good friends! Delicious food & wine! Great value ….better than having to travel to Italy…just minutes from home! Gratsi!

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  8. richard

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 2 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    very nice surprise at the recommendation of a friend

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  9. Angelica

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went on a Saturday night with reservations and was seated immediately. It was a lovely surprise to have a pianist playing. The fresh bread and fried zucchini they provided for starters was delicious along with all of or orders.

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  10. Robert

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food, every course better than I expected; and superb service.

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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 1915 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 39 times today
You're in luck! We still have 2 timeslots left
Additional seating options

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 11:00–14:30 Dinner Tue–Thu 17:00–21:30 Fri 17:00–22:00 Sat 16:00–22:00 Sun 16:00–21:00
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • 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
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