Barbusa

Loved our authentic Italian lunch at Barbusa! We sat on the dog friendly patio and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Little Italy. We started with the lamb lollipops, which were out of this world. For entrees we had the short rib lasagna and Granchio pasta with blue crab. The service was amazing, always with a big smile and the food came out quickly. Definitely recommend!

On New Years Eve I went to my favorite restaurant in Little Italy San Diego and had another great experience. The restaurant is always busy and you should book ahead to ensure a table for your party. The service is always great and they make great recommendations. My favorite dish this visit was the lasagna which is packed with delicious tender short rib and a lot mozzarella. You won’t regret ordering this classic dish with a Barbusa twist! The Gnocchi is very different than any other gnocchi I have had, the gnocchi are larger and more of a puffy consistency. With that said, they are amazing and the pesto is one of my favorites. Can’t wait to come back and try more of their dishes!

Stopped here for a cocktail on our walk and we were not disappointed! We opted to sit at the bar. The bar tender was very busy but he took great care of us and others. He even gave us a complimentary shot of their espresso martinis that they sell. The drinks were beyond flavorful and expertly crafted.

Exceptional service elevated a delightful dining experience. Attentive staff anticipated every need, creating a seamless and enjoyable atmosphere. From the moment of arrival to the final farewell, the team demonstrated professionalism and genuine hospitality. This level of service truly enhanced the overall quality of the visit. It's clear that a dedication to customer satisfaction is paramount at this establishment.

It was a perfect ensemble of food, drinks and ambience. First, I loved how everything was so fast-paced. Serving was super fast(one of the fastest I’ve experienced here in the US) and our server Caitlin was very professional, checking on us frequently. The food was undoubtedly amazing. We got their signature Granchio pasta. The sauce had a rich blue crab flavor and pasta was cooked to perfection. I scraped all the sauce and every bite was enjoyable with great texture. Big chunks of crab meat and large portion. We also got the Chicken Scarpariello just because it was Thanksgiving. It’s not their ‘main’ dish but still was pretty good. The chicken was very juicy and went really well with the gravy and mashed potato sauce. The Carpaccio Di Tonno (ahi tuna) was very fresh and its sweet & spicy sauce with jalapeños boosted our appetite. Lots of people ordered the pesto gnocchi and short ribs lasagna. Def would come back to try those out. Great drinks too. We got ‘Smell the Roses’ (bourbon) and ‘Busa-Likey’ (tequila). Both were very flavorful and tasty. It says ‘business casual’ on OpenTable but it was more of a chill casual vibe than being super fancy. I saw several people with hoodies and T-shirts. Music was a little loud but I think that’s how they want it to keep the place casual. I personally think it could also have a very elegant vibe with calm music. Probably not like a quiet/gentle date night vibe. Cute Christmas decors, reasonable price for the quality of food and service, located in the center of Little Italy, all these made us wanna come back again soon. Street parking around the block, not too hard to find a spot.

I had an amazing experience at this Italian restaurant! The atmosphere was warm and inviting.The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive.The best part of the night was definitely the espresso martinis – rich, smooth, and perfectly crafted. I can’t recommend this place enough for anyone looking for great food, drinks, and a wonderful ambiance. I’ll definitely be back!

Went out for a group dinner, had an amazing experience. Very beautiful decoration, it felt like a separate place from the rest of the world. The server Katelyn was wonderful and very kind. Food there was served in good portions and appetizers were very shareables. Also me being sensitive to salt levels - they were very good in terms of not keeping it salty but deliciously savory. Loved the dining experience there. Had Carne Con Sugo as my main dish - the braised short rib was well cooked and soft. Personally not a fan of sausage in general but it was flavorful. Meatball in it was good too. For dessert, both the donut holes and deconstructed cannoli were so good. Absolutely delightful. Would highly recommend this place for food and a place for a gathering. My thanks again to Katelyn for such a great service.

Brought my customer for dinner and blew his socks off! Service was top-notch, and the recommendation was on point. Location and vibes were awesome. I'm definitely coming back