2051 Cucina Italiana

Italian restaurant · Carlsbad

2051 Cucina Italiana

Italian restaurant · Carlsbad

1

2051 Palomar Airport Rd Ste 175, Carlsbad, CA 92011

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2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null
2051 Cucina Italiana by null

Highlights

Housemade pasta, pizza, focaccia & salads in a spacious setting.  

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2051 Palomar Airport Rd Ste 175, Carlsbad, CA 92011 Get directions

2051cucinaitaliana.com
@2051cucinaitaliana

$20–30 · Menu

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2051 Palomar Airport Rd Ste 175, Carlsbad, CA 92011 Get directions

+1 760 814 2120
2051cucinaitaliana.com
@2051cucinaitaliana

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Oct 26, 2025

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Run by Modena-born friends, this tucked-away trattoria centers on house-made pastas and Emilia‑Romagna recipes. Profiled by local food writers and praised by diners for authentic sauces and thoughtful wines, it’s a North County pasta destination.

https://2051cucinaitaliana.com/
Italian Restaurants in Carlsbad
View Postcard for 2051 Cucina Italiana

Honey J

Google
Our recent dining experience at 2051 Cucina Italiana in Carlsbad was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality. The menu offered a delightful array of traditional Italian dishes, each prepared with expert finesse and fresh, high-quality ingredients. We particularly enjoyed the hand-crafted pasta, which was perfectly al dente, and the rich, aromatic sauces that paired beautifully with each dish. Everything is made from scratch. Our service was attentive. Sharing this meal with my best friend, her husband, and my husband made the afternoon even more special. Overall, 2051 Cucina Italiana stands out as a premier destination for Italian cuisine in Carlsbad. It’s a place where culinary artistry meets welcoming hospitality, promising every guest an unforgettable taste of Italy.

Joey Medeiros

Google
Fabio and the rest of the team were knowledgeable and friendly. We tried 6-7 items and all were freaky prepared and scrumptious. The lasagna was the highlight of the show but the pear walnut salad was also divine.

Stefano Bertera

Google
Have been here for quick lunch The restaurant has really good Italian choices and the taste is good . Location is awesome very nice .. I can't give the 5 stars because the spaghetti with clams can not be with tomato in my opinion has to be just white ... ( maybe if you would like you can put just some cherry tomato ) but not tomato sauce... At least you have to offer also the option to have white just like the original... Beside of that everything was great and the ingredients high quality

Daniela Mouradian

Google
Absolutely love this place! It has a beautiful ambience at night. The food is delicious and our server was great and would constantly check to make sure we were doing well and making sure we were happy with the food. My husband and I went for a date but we say families there with little ones.

LULU LIVE Art

Google
Discovered an amazing Italian spot near Carlsbad Airport after visiting the Flower Fields! Spacious seating, plenty of parking, and super kid-friendly. We tried the fried calamari & veggies, Cacio e Pepe pizza, and their house-made bread (only $2.99!). Portions were generous, flavors were spot on—especially the pizza, which perfectly captured the classic pasta’s essence. Everything was so good, we’re already planning a return visit! Highly recommend if you’re in the area.

Monika Demla

Google
Fabio was truly incredible! From the moment we walked in, he greeted us with a huge smile and such a warm, inviting energy that it instantly elevated our experience. The food? Absolutely out of this world! As a vegetarian, I was thrilled by the vast array of options, and the flavors were simply mind-blowing. Every bite was a delightful surprise! 🍕🍝🥕🥒🥬🥦🥙🥗🫒🫑

Jamie Nelson

Google
Fantastic food with a unique atmosphere. While most Italian restaurants are small and packed with tables and cluttered with decor, this restaurant is bright, spacious, and open. I tried the calamari with roasted vegetables, bread basket, sea bass, and tortellini with ragu. The calamari was a stand out appetizer with its variety of flavors, huge portion for a table to share and beautiful presentation. The sea bass was cooked perfectly and the tortellini was the best I have had to date. It is not the cheapest option for Italian food but most definitely worth the spend.

Janis Garcia

Google
Our first visit was totally delightful. After a busy day, we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and warm hospitality of every staff member. Our waiter, Fabio, was incredibly kind and helpful. Every course was delicious, from the fresh bread and tender calimari that was mixed with roasted vegetables, the savory pasta dishes and creamy dessert. Great wine selection too. Definitely will come back. Great place for a dinner date or a large gathering .
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Arshad H.

Yelp
2051 Cucina Italiana is an Italian restaurant located in a business complex in Carlsbad. I ordered several dishes to share and found the wait staff to be incredible friendly and helpful. They offer patio seating as well as indoor. Parking is plentiful. Tortelloni Burro & Salvia (Homemade) - $23 - This consisted of 6 home made ravioli pieces filled with ricotta and cream of spianch, served in a butter and sage sauce. While I did enjoy the freshness of this pasta dish, my only complaint was that the quantity was on the smaller size. Fritto Pesce & Verdure - $24 - This appetizer consisted of lightly fried mixed vegetables, fried calamari, shrimp and baby squid. The batter was light which I appreciated and the vegetables plentiful, making this a great tasting dish. Pizza Tartufata - $18 - This consisted of a white sauced pizza, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and white truffle oil. Wonderful flavors from the ingredients as well as the pizza dough, crispy on the outside and doughy and chewy on the inside. Overall the food and service were excellent! I can see why this spot is popular with locals.
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Jose G.

Yelp
I definitely had this place confused with a different pizza joint down the street that I actually wanted to go to, but being able to get a last minute reservation on Mother's Day weekend was a good start... However, the location and inside decor is pretty underwhelming and not intimate at all whatsoever especially for an Italian spot... there's sooo much empty space inside I have no idea why they're honestly located inside this building. The food itself was decent... ordered a pizza, some chicken and a pasta that were all fresh, but for almost $80, I was still hungry 2 hours later. Service was okay, but definitely not a place I would ever want to come back to... personally
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José D.

Yelp
Came here for a company lunch. Glad they were able to accommodate us. The restaurant is tucked away in a business area, so it was a little difficult to find at first. I ordered the Tortellini alla Crema di Parmigiano. For me, the pasta felt a bit undercooked and the texture was grainy. That said, I'll admit I might not be used to truly authentic Italian food, so maybe my expectations are different. From ordering to receiving my meal, the whole experience felt a little overwhelming and even intimidating since I wasn't quite sure what to expect. If you're more familiar with authentic Italian cuisine, you might have a very different (and probably better) experience here.
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Thomas M.

Yelp
Early Saturday afternoon (11:45) lunch with friends. What's there not to like about 2051 Cucina Italiana? Service is always welcoming without interruptions. Eating outside in SoCal on their causal contemporary patio seating is always a relaxing experience, especially when eating with friends or family. Started with their antipasti to share. Followed by their homemade pasta dishes. A couple of bottles of wine and Pellegrino water to share at the table. Ending with dessert and espresso makes an almost two hour dining experience seemingly go by fast. Excellent food & service and great times! Highly recommended to friends and family, or just bring them here to enjoy together.
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Harinder K.

Yelp
Large industrial space converted into a spacious Italian eatery with indoor and outdoor dining. Tables are spaced out nicely which allows for a personal experience. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We started with warm bread and a creamy compound butter. There were six of us and we shared 3 salads - they are large and served on cutting boards, nice presentation. Salads are fresh and lightly dressed. Dinners were ordered - pizza, steaks, special gnocchi, and pasta arrabiatta. The meals were enjoyed - the favorites were the steaks, then the pasta and salad, with the gnocchi being the least popular. It had a strange slightly metallic taste. Desserts were the lava cake, tiramisu, and affogato - all home runs! Service was friendly. Definitely worth a visit.
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Vivian V.

Yelp
I never knew this was hidden in Carlsbad. I'm glad my husband and I decided to give them a try after seeing a movie in La costa. Parking was easy, finding the entrance was less easy. I had no idea if we were coming in the right way lol so maybe some signage would help? Anyways we had a 5:30 reservation for which we were early but they open at 5 so it wasn't an issue. We decided to sit inside as my husband and the sun aren't really friends (he's a ginger). Started off with a glass of wine for me and a beer for husband. Service was nice. They didn't really chat us up. It was our first time and I could have said something but I just went with the vibe and that suited fine. Then we ordered the meatballs as an appetizer. Loved these. My husband ordered a pasta with sausage he really likes and I had the saffron risotto with short rib. Yum to both. Rice seemed a bit crunchy on my risotto is my only critique. Rounded out the evening with profiteroles and an espresso. Tasty dinner was had for sure.
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Savanna V.

Yelp
My mom and I came here for dinner on a Saturday night with no reservation, but fortunately it was on the early side (6pm) so we only had to wait a few minutes for a table on the patio. Our server, Fabio, was very nice and attentive. It thankfully wasn't too hot on the patio, I prefer the ambiance out there than inside (which feels like a lobby in an office building - which it kind of is, no fault to the restaurant). We shared the Della casa salad, which was yummy and a good size for the price. My mom ordered the lasagna, I ordered the tortelloni burro e salvia. Both were delicious! They make most of their pasta in house and have woodfired pizza, which I haven't tried yet but will at some point!
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Julia R.

Yelp
I continue to be impressed by this place! This little hidden gem. It's in the middle of a business park, however, all the employees seem to be Italian. They give great recommendations. It does get a bit crowded on a Friday night so make sure to grab a reservation, but no issues with the reservation if you reserve at least a day or so ahead of time. All the pasta is so fresh and so delicious. They also have amazing specials!
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Nancy S.

Yelp
We enjoy meals here almost every week - when we are not in Italy. Their food is the closest to being there!
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Margo C.

Yelp
I'm back, 3 years later and everything is what I remembered it to be. This is still my favorite Italian restaurant. The servers are friendly and amazing. Ambiance is the same: open concept with well spaced seating. Tonight they hosted a youth soccer team and it wasn't loud at all. Again: LASAGNA LASAGNA LASAGNA. Since I came here the first time, I have been disappointed in other places because this lasagna is the standard. I had it again tonight and it still meets standards. I don't live in the area but I crave this so when I booked a vacation, a reservation here was a must. The carpaccio was amazing. The other things we ate were the carbonara (second favorite-traditional thick noodles and egg yolk sauce) and balanzoni (third favorite-unique touch of cheese and cream) To the restaurant: please keep doing what you're doing. I want to keep coming back here whenever I visit Carlsbad. Thank you so much for hosting us
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Amy K.

Yelp
Located in Carlsbad, we came with reservations on a weekend at 6pm. It is highly recommended to reserve on a busy weekend. The food again was solid. It's pretty loud inside as there are no soft finishes to absorb the sound. The building has concrete floors and walls. We ordered some gnocchi and ravioli dishes. The food gets full points. The polenta appetizer was my favorite dish of the night. Service was good but they were busy, sometimes hard to get a hold of. Will be back!
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April F.

Yelp
Unsuspecting yet amazing! Tucked away in a business park, 2051 Cucina Italiana did not disappoint! Great vibes, a killer menu & wonderful service! My family and I all enjoyed our meals, wines recommended by our server & dessert. Definitely make sure to check this place out!
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Ves S.

Yelp
Stopped by for dinner! It's next to the airport and squirreled away inside a complex so you could miss the driveway entrance off Palomar Airport Rd The interior is interesting it looks like a big foyer or entrance to a manufacturing plant so quite cavernous. When we were there on a Saturday night there were lots of large parties so they definitely can accommodate many large groups. We got the balanzoni pasticciatti and braised short ribs rissoto. They came out fast! The pasta was creamy and flavorful and bread was pretty good soak up all the delicious sauce! The risotto tasted plain (maybe needed a little salt?) but the juicy short ribs made up for it.
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Barb G.

Yelp
They did it again!! 2051 Cucina Italiana was a delight from start to finish. The fresh bread, Misto board and Super Tuscan wine were perfect starters to a delicious meal. I had the Tagliatelle with porcini mushroom in a decadent cream sauce. Highly recommend this meatless option. My husband enjoyed the Tagliatelle Bolognese. Hearty and satisfying. Homemade pasta in both entrees. We had a chocolate raspberry mousse cake for dessert. Beautiful!! Service was perfection. Helpful, polite, efficient.
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Michele L.

Yelp
If you're craving authentic Italian flavors without the long flight, this spot is an absolute must-visit! Perfect for date night or a cozy lunch or dinner, they serve handcrafted, homemade pasta made fresh daily--each bite is a taste of Italy! The quality is absolutely top-notch!! Comfort food at its finest!! From rich, velvety sauces to perfectly al dente noodles, the quality here is top-notch. Don't skip out on the desserts!! They are decadent and creamy!! Trust me, you'll be planning your next visit before you even finish your plate! Here's what I tried: Della Casa Salad Spaghetti Carbonara Margherita Pinsa Romana Salsiccia & Cipolla Pinsa Romana Lasagna Semifredo Tiramisu Latte The customer service is amazing! It's very open and welcoming. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. If you're in Carlsbad, this spot is a must-visit for a truly authentic Italian dining experience.

Leslie M.

Yelp
All good. Quality food. Excellent service. Fair prices for the quality. Pizza, pasta, salads all good.
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Dynaton T.

Yelp
Nice open seating area. Both indoors and outdoors. Service was really good. Servers were nice and friendly. Calamari board was cool. Squid was tender. Sauce wasayo based that included fried carrots, peppers, onions, and cucumbers. Pasta and pizza were good too. Nice Italian taste. Lava cake for dessert was pretty rich but not bad.
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TJ Q.

Yelp
Just a truly amazing experience. Plan on eating here family style. We ordered for a group of 8 of us and it was fantastic. We started with some calamari which was perfectly fried. Then a couple of salads. Don't forget to order a pizza or two depending on the size of your group. There wasn't any pasta we didn't like. The gnocchi was delicious. The bolognese to die for. All in all this is a must visit spot if you're in the Carlsbad area!

Wandering Bites S.

Yelp
Delicious homemade pasta with incredible flavor! The pesto pasta was fresh and vibrant, and the meat sauce was rich and hearty--truly a standout Italian spot.
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Dean W.

Yelp
Update since my last review over two years ago - it's actually a bit of tradition for me to stop by and eat here if I'm either staying in Carlsbad, or passing through it (to the Safari Park in Escondido), or to/from San Diego, since it's not that far of a drive off the 5 freeway (onto Palomar Airport Road). This space has vastly expanded in terms of seating and decor since the last time I ate here. My first time I ate here - March 2021 - this was very much a hole-in-the-wall type, that looked like a lunch to-go spot for the other tenants that occupied this space. Compared to that time and my most recent visit this past week - happy to see this restaurant prosper. I stopped here for lunch before heading back to Orange County - there were just three other pairs of diners - but service was still prompt and attentive. I always try something different if I'm frequenting the same restaurant - so I opted for the Spaghetti alle Vongole dish - which had spaghetti tossed in a white wine/tomato sauce, served with clams. The dish was good with decent flavor, I appreciated the cherry tomatoes and the clams tasted fresh. I also liked that this was one of the dishes on their menu with little to no cheese. My server also provided a bowl of bread and great tasting butter. I couldn't place my finger on it - but unlike all the other prior visits - something felt off in this visit. I've eaten here a few times now since my first visit in early 2021 - and every other visit has always been 5 stars, save for this one. Hmm - hoping it was just a one-off this time around and things will be better the next time I'm in the area. Parking is great as usual - they share a relatively empty lot with the other tenants in this warehouse looking building.
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Kelly C.

Yelp
I had 2051 Cucina cater my small wedding of 30 people at a private vineyard and I'm so glad I did! They were very accommodating about working within my budget, in addition to providing glassware, silverware and linens for a nominal fee. The staff were incredibly friendly and hard working, and stayed until the venue and kitchen were spotless. I loved the charcuterie, family style dinner and attentive service by Alex and Martin. Highly recommended! Thank you so much!
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Valerie D.

Yelp
Fabulous restaurant in Carlsbad. Hidden away in an industrial area. Beautiful patio. Excellent Italian food. Good service. Always have interesting specials. Owners are authentic Italians! Highly recommend.
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Sandi V.

Yelp
I am a chef specializing in healthy foods and the freshest farm to table salads and no way can I hold a candle to the amazing fresh delicious salads this Italian chef delivers. Same as their pastas and don't get me started on the Tiramisu I can never pass up!
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J S.

Yelp
The food was delicious. The two ladies could have been friendlier. It was our first time in so we needed a few minutes to look at the menu.
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Safia S.

Yelp
I stop by here to grab a quick bite for lunch. It is part of a larger open area almost like a corridor with tables sporadically set up. Service was a bit slow and also haphazard. the risotto I got was well-made. Overall, I think the space lacks personality and the people in charge could do with increasing the amount of wait stuff that are available.
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Sophie C.

Yelp
This is one of those places that I think should be Michelin Bib rated but not for some reason. Maybe it's the space and ambiance not really tying it together, but back again after two years and a second visit to Legoland CA. Food is still as good, service just as great and attentive. Maybe a little too attentive, there's this one busboy who's very observant and is really quick about wanting to clear your tables even as I'm trying to get through a meal with an active toddler. I will say the pasta portion may be considered small for the average American portions that we're accustomed to. This isn't Olive Garden, this is homemade pasta Italian style with true Italian owners. Nothing a good dessert can't fix if you're still a bit hungry!

Kellen H.

Yelp
Best Italian restaurant in north county - we love the misto, lasagna, tuna salad, ciopino and tiramisu
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Vicki A.

Yelp
I really liked this place! The Great - The Pasta is really good. The Mixi Board was PLENTIFUL The Good - Nice spot and ambiance. Really appreciated the amount of heaters they had on the patio! The Bad - The beer was good! Wasn't aware it was bottled, but was good! The Ugly - NA We ordered food and then extra food to try all things! Overall all pasta dishes were excellent. The lasagna was ok. The affogato and cream puffs were delish. Would definitely go back here!
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Star G.

Yelp
If there was a 3.5 star option, I'd do that. I popped in for dinner on a Monday night. I was greeted promptly and seated. The hostess, was the best part of the experience. Waiter took a long time to check in with me. Bus boy actually had to flag him down for me. I had menu questions and they were met with information that turned out to be false. They brought a bread plate but the butter was literally frozen. I had the Carbonara Pasta. The spaghetti itself was good, seemed to be freshly made. The Carbonara, however, just didn't do it for me. The restaurant is in a big space with high ceilings and there is also outdoor seating.
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Joyce C.

Yelp
Unexpected find near Legoland. Very spacious and clean interior. Everything we tried was solid. Pasta was al dente just the way we like it. Quick and attentive service.
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Maria G.

Yelp
I was a little hesitant about eating here since it's in a business park, but boy was I glad I did. Food was so good the pizza we had was amazing! Had the short rib risotto which was delicious. Fresh hot focaccia is brought to the table when you first arrive and they have food wine specials that all looked really enticing. Next time I'm trying the pastas. The service was great and we will definitely be going back.
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Yamand P.

Yelp
Great service! Servers are very kind and approachable. They have accommodated my family well. Very attentive. Place is clean and has nice view. Food is affordable yet quality is superb! Will definitely come back here!
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Brittany B.

Yelp
This place was delicious!!!! We started with the meatball appetizer and they may have been the best meatball I've ever had... The starter bread comes with a herby butter that was great too! Our entrees were excellent as well! Bolognese and tortellini crema de parmigiana. Gelato for dessert! Both the strawberry and lemoncello were so good!!! Strawberry comes with fresh local strawberries, whipped cream, and a little chocolate sauce; Lemon was tart and refreshing! The service was amazing-- food came out with good speed and was removed quickly when done. Everyone was very friendly and we were checked on multiple times. It is in a business park, so don't let that fool you! The space is an open air space with indoor and outdoor seating. IMO the outdoor space has better ambiance but that's just preference. Would recommend!
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Caroline M.

Yelp
In Europe, especially in Italy or the south of France where my roots are, when you go to a restaurant regularly, you don't just eat--you form a relationship. You become part of the rhythm. The staff starts to remember how you take your espresso, they set aside a table they know you like, they ask about your grandmother. That kind of intimacy is hard to come by in the U.S.--but not at 2051 Cucina Italiana. I've been coming here for over 9 years, back when it opened under a different name and style. But it wasn't until Simone and Giacomo took over that it became what it is today: a true slice of Italy, tucked into the corner of my life and my heart. Since then, I've become a regular--not just because of the food (which is excellent), but because of the soul. Let's be clear: this is not frozen, chain-restaurant "Italian." This is real food--dishes passed down from regions across Italy, especially those close to Simone and Giacomo's hearts. Every bite feels like you're being let in on a family secret. When I sit down to a bowl of tortellini in brodo, it's not a meal--it's a memory. A return to my grandfather's kitchen. Some favorites: * The balanzoni (pasta pillows stuffed with ricotta and mortadella--perfection) * The paccheri with sage, butter, and thyme--simple, elegant, and so filling * The gorgonzola gnocchi--decadent, pillowy, unforgettable * And the sound of Simone's daughter running across the patio, covered in 2051 stickers, laughing like it's her kingdom I've brought over 30 friends here across the years--clients, dates, family members, best friends--and without fail, each of them has turned into a regular. Because this place knows how to read the room. Whether I come in after a long day and need quiet comfort, or I'm entertaining out-of-towners with high expectations, 2051 always meets the moment.

Lorena M.

Yelp
Food is amazing my go to pasta restaurant The ambiance is fun and the service is fast and attentive
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Catherine S.

Yelp
Situated in an industrial park, Google Maps got us there safely but in a round about way. The restaurant is gorgeous. Tasteful ambiance of an industrial and artistic feel at same time. High metallic ceilings, ducts and big dark beams with interesting angles. I want to see more art on these bare white walls. Tables have a nice distance in between, which I loved. It reminded me of pandemic days when we wanted to have distance of 6 ft. or more. Tables outside with lovely decorated nightly lights. Beautiful. Service was excellent, responsive, good timing, no complaints. Complimentary warm bread satisfies the immediate hunger. let's start with the food.Starters with 3 large meatballs with unbelievable Italian red sauce. The meatballs were delicious. flavorful, dense texture, unfortunately they were not serve hot, barely warm inside. Tortellini dish with a creamy parmigiana was perfect. Husband loved it; served hot, cheesy, rich and creamy. The homemade Ravioli Asparagus with saffron, creamy provola, topped with almonds was a bit over the top with the saffron; the saffron overwhelmed the dish for me, not in a good way. Must love saffron to savor this dish. We were so full from our bread, appetizer and entree we couldn't do a dessert. The dessert menu had Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Chocolate Lava cake, Sorbets and Gelato, Profiteroles too. I would definitely return and start with dessert first next time, lol. Conveniently located 6 minutes from Hilton Timeshare, making it an exceptional choice for a date night or a family evening out.
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Serli N.

Yelp
We have been doing our annual staff lunch here for the past three years, and I have also eaten here on a few other occasions. They are super accommodating for large groups and take reservations over Yelp which is really convenient. Our experience has always been amazing! Service is always so kind, helpful, and wonderful, from coordinating over the phone to the wait staff. The food is delicious and authentic Italian! I have tried a few different pastas, and they're all great. You really can't go wrong with any of them. Highly recommend their meat/cheese boards and appetizer salads as well. The dessert is also amazing. This last time we tried the tiramisu and the chocolate cake, yum!!! And the prices are really reasonable. The inside area is spacious, I particularly like the outside seating area and prefer it when they have the availability. It's a little hard to find as it's by the airport and the area is more industrial. On the plus side there are tons of spaces for parking. A great experience from start to finish every time I've been here. Highly recommend this restaurant!
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M S.

Yelp
The most obscure location for the most positively surprising experience! Staff are very attentive and their recipes are near authentic.
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Mark C.

Yelp
Food was pretty was ok tasting, if your hungry the portions here are not American portions. They charge for bread baskets lol which I think is a joke. Pretty pricey for Italian food
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Daniel A.

Yelp
2051 Cucina Italiana served some of the best food, had some of the best service and provided my wife and I with an incredible dining experience. We had reservations through Yelp on 10/4 @ 7:00pm. Upon our arrival, we noticed a family in the lobby watching a replay of a Serie A Italian football game. We were greeted by a man who happened to be one of the owners, Simone, and welcomed to the restaurant to begin our dining experience. AMBIANCE: 5/5 - Love the vibes of the outside patio, cozy enough to feel an intimate experience but spread out enough to where you feel you have some privacy. The lighting, decor and plating were all enough to help create a traditional yet modern atmosphere. FOOD: 5/5 - My wife and I ordered: Bread basket, pinot noir, lasagna, tortellini alla creama de parmigiano, tagliatelle al funghi and tiramisu. Simone came over and took our order - he helped us decide between the tagliatelle or gnocchi by telling us that the porcini mushrooms are in season so that's the route he would recommend. He also told us that our order is bringing us to his grandmother's house in Italy in December. BREAD BASKET ($1.99) - It was good and whatever butter they use is very tasty. I had to hold off from eating it all because I knew it would spoil our feast that was coming. PINOT NOIR ($14) - I don't remember what bottle this was but my wife was in love with this Italian fruit blend. She'll want to order the same glass when we go back next weekend. TAGLIATELLE AL FUNGHI ($23.95) - Simone told us that mushrooms are in season and oh my god, was this dish super fresh. The homemade pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and wasn't too dense. The mushrooms were so fresh! The cream that came with this was perfect. It's weird for me to describe a pasta dish as "fresh" but that's exactly what this was - my wife's favorite dish. TORTELLINI ALLA CREMA DE PARMIGANO ($23.95) - The tortellini was stuffed with perfectly seasoned meat and parmesean cheese. Homemade pasta was al dente. More dense than the tagliatelle but it worked with this dish. Served w/ the cream sauce which was excellent, not too thick but not too light. The tortellini appears small but are very filling and had the perfect ratio of meat/cheese on the inside. We ate every last bite. LASAGNA ($23.95) - I love lasagna, I have since I can remember. This may have been my favorite lasagna that I've ever had. Fresh homemade noodles, perfectly cheesy and a sauce to die for. It wasn't overly greasy or heavy - just absolute perfection. Perfect seasoning of the meat, the right amount of ricotta - I can't even explain how much I loved this. TIRAMISU ($11.95) - My wife and I loved this Tiramisu. The coffee notes in it weren't too strong, the cream wasn't too sweet, had just the right balance - light and fresh. SERVICE: 5/5 - We were greeted by the owners, the service staff was incredible, they touched our table regularly and made sure to engage in conversation whenever there was some downtime. Food and drinks came out fast, everything came out right the first time and made for an overall incredible experience. HIGHLY RECOMMEND you come to 2051 Cucina Italiana. We are in Carlsbad quite often for my kids' soccer and always drive by this industrial park. I'm glad we decided to check it out. I'll be back with a larger party soon.
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Peter I.

Yelp
OK first, it is a beautiful space inside and out. We were seated immediately with our friends and a great outdoor patio table. We started with some wine by the glass, which was all good, and then started to eat where the fun began. First of all our server Fabio was one of the best we have had in quite sometime. Open, fun and new his stuff. Immediately felt at home. The burrata and eggplant appetizer was fantastic. My wife's clam and pasta dish was exceptional, our friends both had the dish of the night mahi mahi, and I had the pasta with sausage, which is fantastic. Parking is simple and huge, the space is beautiful, but the true star of the evening was our server Fabio. We had a blast and can't wait to come back. Highly recommend.
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Eloisa G.

Yelp
The food is to die for! Delicious. Full of flavor! The staff is super nice and very helpful in helping you pick dishes. Will continue to come to enjoy delicious authentic Italian dishes.
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L L.

Yelp
Friendly service, nice table for two out on the patio to celebrate an anniversary. We're looking for vegan and vegetarian food.. They started with a nice basket and fresh ciabatta bread,. ordered the homemade very tender and delicious gnocchi pesto quite filling and the tortelloni cheese and spinach. Shared a tiramisu for dessert, plenty enough for two light creamy and delicious. Very pleasant experience.. welcome come again and recommend.
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Shane W.

Yelp
One word - Delicious!!!! How have we never come here before last night?!?!? We definitely found our new Italian restaurant. Everything was so fresh and the noodles are made in-house. The prices vs serving size is balanced. What I'm trying to say is the dishes are smaller portions, however, the flavor and quality justify the price. The Lasagna was so good and full of flavor, not drenched in sauce, nope this bad boy stands alone and has all the flavor trapped inside. The short rib risotto was very good. The staff was amazing and so helpful with making selections. I'd say if you usually finish your plate when you go out, maybe share a salad with your dish. The only thing that was different and just to be aware, the table bread is not complimentary. They brought us several rounds (table of 10) and we were surprised to see $20 on the bill for bread. Not a big deal, but they should mention it is not complimentary. If you want a more quiet experience, outside might be the better option, the inside can get a little loud. We will be back!!
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Tracy L.

Yelp
This was a recommended place by my husband and I can see why! The restaurant had a very open and modern feel and the service was very friendly and quick, they were joking with us a lot! The food itself was very good and fresh and the portions were what I had expected! They had many dishes on the menu and I'm excited to come back and try something new next time!
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Haiyang H.

Yelp
This is pretty close to Legoland and we dropped by here one night for dinner. We came here without reservation and it was busy, which is actually a good sign. We waited for about 30 min for our table and I got a complimentary glass of wine (very sweet). Their service overall was really nice. Everyone worked really hard to get through the frenzy. Food was decent. We got the meatball as the starter. I had the gnocchi with eggplant. It was pretty light and texture was good. Eggplant was a good touch. Kids got cheese pizza and pasta. The pasta came with a good bite. Pizza dough was on the thick side and was okay. The setup here is pretty nice. Plenty of parking around. I would come back here again only just for the service.
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Mark C.

Yelp
Love eating here when I'm in Carlsbad. The food is great and they have something to offer for everyone. Pastas and gnocchi are my go tos. What I really like about it is that while the food is top notch the vibe is casual and great for families. All the staff are very nice welcoming and helpful
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Justin C.

Yelp
This restaurant is tucked away in an industrial office complex. When you first enter, you are greeted to vaulted ceilings and a modern aesthetic. The space felt very comfortable because of the copious elbow room in between tables. The service was warm and friendly. I started off with a lemonade and sparkling water which was brought out along with their fresh bread and cinnamon honey butter. The bread was warm and flaky and a perfect appetizer to the main course. I ordered the Tagliatelle Bolognese for $23.95. The home made pasta was fresh and chewy although I would have liked it a touch more al dente. The sauce was the star of the show, it was rich, deep, and meaty. The portion size was on the smaller end although I was pretty satisfied at the end of my meal. For dessert, I chose the tiramisu. It was delicious and decadent. 2051 Cucina Italiana did a particularly excellent job with the mascarpone cream. I will definitely be back to try the Tagliatelle ai funghi and another tiramisu.
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Shellie H.

Yelp
Secluded location which is strange. Ambiance is more like a business building location. Walked in with no reservations and was instantly turned away. We decided to give them a try and wait for the small bar area to clear. Bar seating was only 4 seats. Luckily the folks at bar were finishing up and we sat within 20 minutes. Although so many tables and outdoor seating, with many others walking in we felt a little profiled and turned away. Food was decent. The seafood ravioli was lacking sauce and salad was a little dry or not enough dressing. Fruit fly in water. Overall, service, food and ambiance was a 2.5 out of 5.