Spirito's Italian Diner — Restaurant in Carlsbad

Spirito’s Italian Diner in Carlsbad is a can’t-miss spot for us whenever we visit the Carlsbad and Oceanside area. It has become a beloved family tradition, and we've been enjoying their amazing food for over a decade. The restaurant offers a true slice of New Jersey right here in California, and every visit feels like a delightful culinary journey.

The menu is filled with our favorites: the ravioli, Caprese sandwich, chicken Parmesan sandwich, chicken Parmesan dinner, spaghetti and meatballs, and, of course, the outstanding meatball sandwich. Each dish is prepared with a level of care and authenticity that transports you straight to an old-school Italian diner.

The history of Spirito’s adds to its charm. Founded by Antonio Spirito in 1932 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, it has a rich heritage of Italian-American cuisine. Now, under the watchful eye of his descendants, Spirito’s in Carlsbad continues to uphold these traditions, offering dishes that are not only delicious but also steeped in history.

The Chicken Parm is a standout, butterflied, breaded, fried, and served on a French bread roll with cheese — it’s easily one of the best we’ve had. The Meatball Sub, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, showcases their hand-rolled meatballs and is a must-try. The pasta dishes, including Spaghetti with Spirito’s original tomato gravy, are perfect for soaking up with their homemade garlic bread.

Located off State Route 78 in the Carlsbad South Shopping Center, Spirito’s is worth the drive for anyone looking to taste authentic New Jersey culinary history.

Spirito’s Italian Diner has become a family favorite for a reason. The combination of exceptional food, rich history, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it our go-to spot whenever we’re in the area. If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, this place is a must-visit. Highly...

There was a time when I would have told anyone who was looking for a great slice of pizza, a great meatball, or a great plate of pasta with a sauce that only Italian angels could have made, that the place to go (if you lived within a reasonable distance) would be Spirito's. I first saw them on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives about seven years ago. As a displaced New Yorker living in Los Angeles, I am on the eternal search for really good Italian food. The weekend I saw that episode my wife and I drove the 90+ minutes to get there, and we were not disappointed. We met Mike, the owner, and of course we spoke at length about him being from Jersey, life, and of course, food. Well, fast forward seven years and Mike has retired, and with him went everything that made Spirito's so special. Today (4.9.22) we ordered our normal whole pie, antipasto salad, meatball and sausages in their special gravy. Nothing tasted the same. Not even close. The sauce (gravy) has lost its zing. Gone is the taste of all the fresh ingredients that was slow cooked for a long time. The meatball, which was normally tender, juicy, and spiced just right, tasted like, well, it had no taste I could pinpoint. The pizza? Forgetaboutit! I mean literally, forget about it. I'm so disappointed because another place which I could once count on for a 5-star meal, has just come down to a generous 1-star. Sorry, Mike. I hope you read this review, because they're spitting...

So i'm a local. I live right around the corner from this place. A few months ago I decided to give this place a shot. I got the Penne Voka with shrimp. When I tell you this was some of the worst pasta i've ever had. It was filled to the top with watery sauce. The shrimp was extremely overcooked. It was tough without a ounce of seasoning. The garlic bread was tasteless and had the consistancy of cornbread. I really didn't like my meal. So today I wanted to give them another shot. I just assumed that the last meal was just rushed since I see the high rating this place gets. So I ordered the shrimp fettuccine alfredo. It was just as terrible. There was barely any flavor to the dish. Shrimp just as overcooked as my previous meal. It was just bad. I was about to get a slice of pizza as I was hungry and just wanted something to eat. I looked at the pizza they had and it must have sitting up there for hours. I feel bad for leaving a bad review because the people are always very nice to me but the food...