Operacaffe — Restaurant in San Diego

; Visiting from Minnesota here! 🙋🏻‍♀️

If you're looking for fresh, authentic, flavorful Italian dishes... here it is! I have to say, this is the best bruschetta I've had. The toasts are perfectly crisply soft. Crispy enough to hold up, but melts in your mouth as you bite into the toast without worrying if the toast is going to break your teeth. I had the shrimp Alfredo and it was the perfect portion and perfectly seasoned. Although, my boyfriend had the penne bolognese and it was a bit too salty for my taste and I normally eat much saltier than him. Everything tasted like it was made fresh from scratch.

I highly recommend making reservations if you can. I made the mistake thinking you could walk in and wait for an open table. The restaurant is small and were sold out all night from what we were told, BUT there is open seating on the patio. Most I seen it could hold is for a party of 4. We went in mid-November so it was a bit chilly at night, luckily the patio is warmed, so that's a plus.

Parking is to be expected to waste time trying to get lucky to get street parking. We ended up parking in the ramp walking distance by the restaurant.

The staff were extremely friendly and extremely quick to check in on us, refill water cups and overall provided excellent customer service. They didn't make us feel any less important than those who made reservations in advance.

I would definitely come back here if I wanna ne guaranteed a great meal. I don't think the dishes are overpriced, but more well priced. I've had pasta elsewhere for the same price Operacaffe and some places don't make their food as good/fresh as...

Operacaffe truly delivers a memorable Italian dining experience right in the heart of downtown San Diego. Nestled in the Gaslamp Quarter with a cozy and romantic ambiance, this charming restaurant immediately makes you feel welcome with its warm lighting, elegant décor, and a vibe that’s perfect for both date nights and intimate gatherings.

The menu is a delightful celebration of authentic Italian flavors. The house‑made pastas are definite stars: I adored the penne speperina with its creamy mascarpone, spicy sausage, and mint — simple yet wonderfully balanced. The ravioli del fattore, filled with ricotta and spinach in a mildly spicy vodka‑cream sauce, was equally impressive. For a lighter option, the Patrizia salad was fresh and artfully composed, featuring creamy avocado, hearts of palm, and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.

One mustn’t miss the playful I Coccoli—pillows of fried pizza dough draped with prosciutto and rich cheeses—utterly indulgent and irresistible. The main dishes, such as the tender ossobuchi Milanese served with saffron risotto, truly showcase the chefs’ flair and passion.

Service at Operacaffe is warmly attentive, making you feel personally cared for without being intrusive. Whether you’re craving sophisticated pasta, inventive appetizers, or comforting rustic entrees, this restaurant delivers it all with finesse and heart. I can’t wait to go back. Highly...

I recently dined at this restaurant, and unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired. While the staff exhibited a high level of training and professionalism, the same cannot be said for the owners, who seemed disinterested in making guests feel welcome or valued.

On the surface, the food presentation appeared impressive, with colorful plates that caught the eye. However, the taste of the dishes didn't match the visual appeal. The subpar quality of the food was a letdown, and I wouldn't recommend being swayed by the aesthetics alone.

Furthermore, the issue extended beyond the dining experience. The restaurant claimed to validate parking tickets for the garage across the street, but this turned out to be misleading and untruthful. Upon exiting the garage, we were surprised to find that we had to pay the full parking fee. While they did provide a token dollar discount, it felt like a paltry gesture and not a genuine effort to enhance the customer experience.

In a city filled with numerous Italian dining options, I would recommend looking elsewhere for a more satisfying culinary adventure. It's unfortunate to encounter such a lack of commitment to customer satisfaction in what should be a pleasurable...