Fortuna Ristorante Italiano — Restaurant in San Diego

THIS IS THE ONE WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR!!!😭🙏 I'll be the first to admit that I'm very picky when it comes to Italian food after this West Coast native apparently got spoiled rotten from years of visiting family in NYC/Boston and tasting authentic, family-owned, hole-in-the-wall, mind-blowing Italian restaurants that I still reminisce about far too often. Before that, I never knew Italian food could be SO DELICIOUS and so flavorful with so few ingredients, something that is difficult to master. For years now, my partner and I have been on the hunt to find an Italian restaurant on the west coast that scratches the same itch, but frequently find ourselves disappointed and still hungry after paying $30+ for a small plate of underwhelming pasta.

Lore aside: THIS PLACE WAS SO SUPER AMAZING!!!! We were so elated to have our expectations shattered! The wine was great, the staff were kind, knowledgeable, and attentive, great prices, and most importantly, the pasta was SOO DELICIOUS and everything we had been hoping for!! And bonus points for the complimentary bread basket! We went with two of the pastas our waiter recommended, the rigatoni piccanti (my favorite) and the pappardelle montanara (my partner's favorite). Both were absolutely divine and so flavorful. The tomato sauce on the rigatoni was perfection and the perfect amount of spice, and the pappardelle was handmade, comforting, and incredibly flavorful (but not to an overwhelming degree, considering it had truffle in it). It's been months now since we had the honor of trying this place and are still talking about how great it was to this day. This place makes me want to move to San Diego immediately. Needless to say, we can't wait to come back, and if you haven't tried this place yet, drop what you're doing...

I have a handful of go-to Italian restaurants in San Diego that my wife and I visit regularly, so when my brother-in-law suggested trying a new spot near the border of North Park and University Heights to pre-celebrate my birthday, I was curious—but after seeing the 5-star reviews on Google and 4.9 on Yelp, I was excited.

Let me just say—our party of six was not disappointed.

From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the bartenders. The vibe was modern, cozy, and incredibly inviting. The place was buzzing with energy, and I was thankful we had made a reservation. The staff was friendly, attentive, and checked in often to make sure we were having a great experience.

Now let’s talk about the food—it was phenomenal. Honestly, it rivaled (and may have even surpassed) all of my long-time favorite Italian spots in town, and I didn’t think that was possible.

We started with a round of drinks and shared appetizers: the Bruschetta, Tuna Tartare, and Calamari were all fantastic. For entrées, we had the Campanelle al Salmone, Spaghetti alle Vongole, Pollo al Marsala, and a few others I can't quite remember—but every dish was on point.

Now, desserts. Unless it’s French or Asian, I usually skip dessert because I find most of them way too sweet for my taste. But the Tiramisu and Panna Cotta here are absolute musts. Perfectly balanced, not overly sweet—just the right touch to end a great meal. Proof that desserts don’t need to be overloaded with sugar to be amazing.

From the ambiance to the service to the food, Fortuna Ristorante Italiano delivered across the board. We’re already planning to come back in a couple of weeks with friends for another birthday celebration.

Fortuna just claimed the top spot as my new favorite Italian restaurant...

Just had the most mind-blowing Italian meal at Fortuna Ristorante Italiano, and I am still recovering from how insanely good it was. This isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a full-blown experience, a teleportation straight to the heart of Italy, right here in San Diego.

From the moment we walked in, Giuseppe and Gabriel made us feel like we were long-lost family. Their passion, warmth, and attention to detail are next level. You can tell this place isn’t just about serving food—it’s about creating magic on a plate.

Let’s talk about the feast. • Cacio e Pepe – PERFECTION. The pasta was cooked so perfectly that I swear it had a soul. The sauce? Pure velvet. Just the right balance of sharp, nutty pecorino and cracked black pepper, coating every strand like a love letter to Roman cuisine. • Branzino – This wasn’t just a fish. This was a masterpiece. Crispy, golden skin giving way to buttery, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Every bite was a symphony. • Salads – Who gets excited about salads? Apparently, I do now. Fresh, vibrant, bursting with flavor—these weren’t just sides, they were stars in their own right. • Tiramisu – I need a moment of silence for this one. This was hands-down the best tiramisu I’ve ever had. Light as a cloud, rich but not heavy, with just the right hit of espresso and cocoa to leave you floating on a dessert high.

San Diego has some solid Italian spots, but Fortuna Ristorante Italiano is on another level entirely. This is THE place. Authentic. Passionate. Unforgettable. If you’re not eating here, what are you even doing with your life?

Giuseppe and Gabriel, you’ve outdone yourselves. I’ll be back....