Bernini's Bistro — Restaurant in San Diego

We’ve been dining at this wonderful restaurant for over 20 years, and it never fails to impress. Time and again, they manage to update the space and refresh their menu with new and exciting dishes, keeping things both familiar and exciting.

We began with the calamari, which was as crispy and perfectly seasoned as always, paired with tangy dipping sauces that complemented it beautifully. The shishito peppers were another delightful surprise—slightly smoky, with just the right char and a burst of flavor in every bite.

For drinks, we enjoyed a refreshing Bourbon Mule and a sophisticated French 75. Both cocktails were expertly crafted, each one enhancing the overall experience. The Bourbon Mule was bold yet smooth, while the French 75 struck the perfect balance of bubbly and citrus—a truly refreshing sip.

For the mains, the 24-hour braised short ribs were as melt-in-your-mouth tender as ever, with deep, rich flavors that never disappoint. The grilled salmon over a glazed walnut garden salad, it was the perfect combination of light and hearty. The salmon was cooked to perfection, and the salad was vibrant with fresh ingredients and just the right touch of sweetness from the walnuts.

The spinach and pesto pizza with green peppers was another standout—a crisp, light crust paired with a fresh, flavorful spinach and pesto combination. It was a perfect choice for something satisfying yet light.

To finish, we couldn’t resist the crème brûlée—the top had the perfect crack, and the custard beneath was silky and rich. A cappuccino rounded off the meal with its smooth texture and bold coffee flavor.

Overall, this bistro continues to exceed all expectations. The food, drinks, and service are always top-notch. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual meal or a special night out, this place is always a gem. Highly recommended, you’ll never be...

Only been there once, decided to go here for a low-key 1 year anniversary with my wife while in town. I was a bit disappointed with this spot. My wife's pizza was pretty good, but not as good as I expected based on the hype online. My Ciopinno was pretty tasty, though. The inside area is cute but reverberates noise so if it's a busier night it might get kind of loud. Our waiter changed in the middle of the experience without explanation. They sat us at a table with crumbs and cheese all over it and we had to ask a couple of times for them to clean it. My biggest complaint is that we were seated next to a family of 9 (including two kids) who were celebrating a birthday. Great, good for them. But the wait staff and management were pandering to them soooo much, it was ridiculous (we're talking multiple apologies from three different staff for an order error, a birthday cake and song with a sparkler on top, and even flowers) . It was obvious that they were regulars and sure, again, they have a relationship with the staff there so that's great. But the service we received while sitting right next to them was subpar at best. The wait staff were disorganized, we waited a long time for drinks, the manager came by three or four times to check on the family and birthday grandma but never once checked on anyone else in the whole restaurant. It just felt weird. I don't want to make assumptions and certainly not make assumptions then share them on a public review, but I will say I was disappointed in the experience.

It's a bistro. Not a 5 star restaurant. Expectations should be appropriate. But nonetheless, that was just poor relationsip management from the staff and a little weird. The family didn't do anything wrong, they were just enjoying...

This restaurant is by far the best Italian restaurant in the world ( even better than high end restaurants in Rome, Florence and Venice). I was hesitant to go there with my family because I didn't want to risk a first time restaurant as maybe it will not meet our expectations. We had spent the whole day in traffic and we hadn't eaten. I am a picky eater and I always seek quality over quantity. From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted by our host Lidia who gave us a great booth and presented water in a glass bottle on our table. The starter dishes that we ordered( garlic bread, dried calamari and fresh mozzarella ) arrived in 5 minutes! Wow, what a great service! Their dishes are big, and delicious. We also ordered pizza ( which is by far the best authentic Italian pizza )and unlike other Italian restaurants, the pizza portion was also big. I was about to cry when I took first pizza bite. It reminded me of Rimini, a small village in Italy, where I had homemade pizza. It's rich with cheese, Italian cherry tomatoes, and basil. I love Bernini Bistro, in love with all its details, and truly highly recommend. The Mussels were amazing ( comes with French fries and a special dip all spread on top), and the pasta was heavenly! I appreciate the beautiful decoration, the delicious food, music , fast service , perfect hygiene , the great service from our host Lidia, and the wonderful owner( who I hadn't met) but who took care of the details and ambiance to make it a...