Barbusa

January 2026 Came here for a group dinner. Great mussels and pizza. Brussels salad was a great choice. The pasta was ok. Part of the reason while offering patio seating on a chilling night, food got cold quick. Servers needed to hustle for delivery hot food quickly. Pizza was piping hot, but pasta not so. Regardless, food was flavorful and I recommend this restaurant.

While taking a trolly tour someone came on and said they had some of the best Italian food they'd ever had at Barbusa in Little Italy. We promptly got off to go try it. I'd have to agree, this authentic Italian restaurant served some of the best Italian food I've ever had. Even the wait staff was excellent. Our waiter Ryan, was the best. My mom was a bit confused on what she wanted so Ryan sat right down next to her & helped her decide. I had the gnocchi with a pistachio pesto sauce .... to die for! We added an order of garlic bread which was out of this world delicious. Know that the portions are large & you will be taking home leftovers. If you are in the San Diego area be sure to stop by Barbusa for some wonderfully authentic Italian food & atmosphere.

It was truly, truly delicious! I highly recommend the gnocchi in pistachio sauce -absolutely incredible. The profiteroles were good as well. Our waiter, Ryan, was very attentive and professional, which made the experience even better. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try the zucchini blossoms because they were unavailable yesterday. But we will definitely be coming back for them, and to enjoy this wonderful place again with its cozy, welcoming vibe.

First time visiting this part of San Diego and finding a spot to dine in on holiday was difficult with out having a reservation. Was hesitant at first with the wait time only being first come first serve, but after walking around and coming back was felt welcomed back to the restaurant and had to wait a short while before seating. We were seated outside by the heater with the view of the street/ front of the restaurant. Which had set up the vibe of the night for my spouse and I plus our good friend. The only thing I could say was the waiter giving us a rush but we had understood since it was Valentine’s Day. We had ordered the garlic bread which was amazing, the lasagna, lobster pasta, and the ribeye steak. Over all the food was memorable, the steak was definitely the show stopper of the night. Max the food was delicious and worth the wait but not much of a wait. For the drinks we had stuck to red wine, and some Shirley Temple. Barbusa is a spot that I would come back to and worth the price and made our first visit to San Diego on Valentine’s Day

Service was incredible Outdoor patio was warm and cozy Fried zucchini blossoms appetizer was good but I prefer a lighter batter The lobster pasta was completely flavorless and dry. Tiny bits of lobster that don’t match the price The pizza dough was a bit wet and soggy from the oil, and was very bland by itself For the price, the food was not memorable. Maybe this place is better for light appetizers and drinks

Decent food, nice place to hang out, and affordable prices. Not sure if it was just my taste, but the banana espresso martini was the only thing I didn’t like. Everything else we tried was definitely recommended!

Definitely recommend making a reservation and arriving WITH your full party or else you will not get sat. Traffic can be a bit hectic around the area but they offer valet. It’s a pretty loud restaurant but the vibes were great. The food was incredible. You can order an appetizer board for a large table which was fun. Their zucchini blossoms were INCREDIBLE. They offer gluten free pasta and it’s actually really good. Little Italy is a fun area, this restaurant is phenomenal. Just try!

We came to this restaurant without a reservation and were seated very quickly, which we truly appreciated. The table wasn’t the most comfortable one, but considering we didn’t have a booking, we were grateful to be accommodated. The hostess introduced herself as Ella. Unfortunately, her behavior stood out in a negative way. She was constantly chewing gum and came across as rather arrogant. In my opinion, this kind of appearance and attitude feels unprofessional and doesn’t create a welcoming first impression. Our server, Michael, was friendly and happy to give recommendations from the menu. At the same time, I constantly felt a sense of rush during the service. The restaurant was very busy that evening, so we completely understand that he had many tables to take care of, and we don’t hold that against him. However, there was a small moment worth mentioning. When clearing our dirty plates and replacing them, some food remnants from the previous plates dripped onto our table and onto the clean napkins. He simply turned around and walked away. I attached a photo. It wasn’t something critical - I just wiped the table myself - but the situation was a bit surprising in the moment. The absolute highlight of our evening was Billy - the gentleman who brings out and presents the dishes. He truly felt like the heart and soul of the place. His energy, warmth, and genuine connection with guests created a wonderful atmosphere. A big thank you to him - he made the experience better. We ordered gnocchi, burrata Caprese, arancini, and tomato bruschetta. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with the food overall. It felt rushed - as if it had been prepared in a hurry or without much care. The tomatoes were cut into huge, uneven chunks - some pieces wider than my finger - as if they had been chopped in wild haste without even looking at the plate. It genuinely gave the impression that no attention was paid to presentation or basic kitchen standards. The pasta was overcooked. The arancini were the most disappointing dish - soft and soggy instead of crispy, with an unclear and unpleasant flavor. I would absolutely not recommend them. The most enjoyable dish turned out to be the tomato bruschetta. Simple bread with tomato and parmesan ended up being the most satisfying item on the table. Our total bill was around 150 dollars. For that amount of money, there are many restaurants offering significantly better quality food, more attention to detail, and a much higher level of service overall. I also want to give credit to the Aperol - it was excellent. Honestly, the Aperol and Billy are the reason I’m giving three stars instead of one. Overall, the experience was very disappointing. In my opinion, this restaurant does not live up to its 4.4 Google rating. I wouldn’t recommend it, and I won’t be returning.

Years later, still one of my favorite restaurants! Prices have risen everywhere so dining out is a treat, gotta go where it's actually worth eating out...this place has been consistently good with great service. Unfortunately, that means it's harder to get a table on busier nights so plan ahead. As fun as it is dining at night with the boisterous crowd and loud music, it's equally enjoyable sitting outdoors under the sun. If you feel like Italian, with fresh pasta and everything cooked to perfection, look no further! This is the place PERIOD My faves... Polenta with ragu Lamb lollies Calamari Bone Marrow Meatballs Carbonara Any fish Ribeye Dolce e Piccante Pizza For dessert...go for a walk and grab an ice cream or gelato in Little Italy

Loved the ambiance inside even though we sat outside they sat us right away on a Friday evening. The waiter was attentive as well as joking around with us which made it a pleasant experience. The food was delicious we enjoyed the meatballs and the sauce was very flavorful. The flower blossoms I absolutely enjoyed. As far as the lasagna I thought it had a lot of flavor but the other dish I felt didn't have any flavor coming through. So that was disappointing. As far as the dessert I thought I was getting stuffed cannoli but it ended up being cannoli chips and dip but it was absolutely delicious and would recommend.

Service: I walked in by myself and checked in with a host but she just told me come to the bar and even not take me to there or show me where I can sit. That is a reason to take 1 star off for customer service, not really professional with a popular restaurant. I feel like they are not really care or welcome a person who just come alone, that what they treat and make me feel like that way. Even just by myself but I spent $100 at here for my lunch! However, my waiter did very well his job and he deserve to get $25 tip from me. Food: I ordered clamari, meatball, and pasta. All taste is very good. Calamari is crispy and the sauce serve with so delicious. That is large size I even cannot finish them. Pasta with beef and pork sauce is regular taste in a Italian restaurant but meatball is better than a lot of restanrant I tried before. Ambiance: clean, nice, warm, chilling bar, a lot of table for group party. I will come back to give another try on dinner menu.

Little Italy has a ton of Italian spots that never disappoint. You can never pick a bad Italian spot. The vibes were energetic at Barbusa and the service was fast. However, it was hard to converse with my friend and we were pretty much yelling at each other across our table. We split the calamari and I the Funghi e tartufo. Both were delicious. Parking wise, there is valet specifically for Barbusa for $12, but they only take cash.

Major disappointment dining at Barbusa. Oysters were not shucked properly and the muscle was still attached to the shell which made it hard to eat. Properly shucked oysters are shown that the knife runs along the inside shell to detach the muscle before serving. They didn't even have an oyster pick and we had such a hard time getting it out. If Barbusa menu says they serve oysters, please teach the kitchen staff how to shuck. We reported this to the server however he attempted to go back to the kitchen, came back with a few new oysters and said it was fixed but we showed him there, turned the oyster upside down, muscle attached and it again was not right. Third and final time they try to fix, it still was not right. Ambiance was fine. Server was non attentive after serving the oysters. He did not come back to check on us and we kept having to get his attention. Disappointing because he was just not into customers having the best experience. Variety of wine and beer selection domestic and international. For the record, I did enjoy my Lobster Fusilli. The Carne con Sugo was heavy and dense.

We decided to repeat our Italian restaurant tour as we were having a difficult time remembering if we wanted to place Barbusa or Cesarina at the #1 slot. -Calamari ($23.98): We love the light batter of the calamari here. It really allows the tender squid to shine. We get this appetizer every time. -Squash blossoms (Fiori di zucca, $18.97): Is squash season going away? Because all my squash blossom "bulbs" were SO much smaller than when I visited last time. Still delicious though! The citrusy sauce contrasted well with the creamy cheese, and the amount of crispy tempura batter was just right. -Squid ink pasta (Polipo putanesca, $29.95): Briney capers and olives contrasted with the tender octopus pieces and al dente squid ink noodles. We do not tolerate spicy food very well, so asked them to withhold the calabrian peppers. The pasta was good, but not sure it would lure me back. Granchio ($30.92): Creamy tomato-based pasta coated each piece of tagliatelle. There were large fresh chunks of crab. I would have loved more crab, but the amount was what a restaurant would typically add. I thought it was good, but my husband was not a fan. Based on our prior and current trip, I would rank our favorite Barbusa pastas as: Funghi e tartufo, carbonara, squid ink pasta tied with granchio (the last two we probably did not like enough to order again in the future). Bathroom is clean and elegant looking. The toilets have self-refilling seat covers! But there is no way to open the doors in a clean fashion after you are done washing your hands because there is only a hand dryer, no paper towels. Parking as usual is a disaster. Universal to all Little Italy restaurants, which is why I only come for weekend lunches. I would not have the energy to navigate trying to find parking here for dinner after an exhausting day at work.

Was in San Diego for a cruise stop and chanced upon this pristine and comfortable restaurant in Little Italy and decided to have lunch here. Front staff was very kind to allow some seniors in the group to sit and rest while waiting for kitchen to be ready. We ordered a few dishes and they were very delicious. CALAMARI FRITTI (23.98) Served with Lemon and Marinara CARPACCIO /19.95, Raw Short Rib, Capers, Shaved Parmigiano, Arugula, Lemon Basil Vinaigrette GRANCHIO (30.92) Tagliatelle, Crab Meat, "Our famous Serrano Rossa Sauce" POLIPO PUTTANESCA (29.95) Squid Ink Spaghetti, Octopus, Olives, Capers, Anchovy, Spicy Tomato Sauce It was a good sit down meal for a tired day walking around the area.

Food tastes good and service is OK. They don't refill water for a while and their recommendation of ordering the gnocchi was not on point. The gnocchi that the wife ordered is a bit soft for my taste and makes her feel bloated afterwards. The price is also up there. We ended up spending almost $40/person and this without ordering any alcohols. Not sure if I'll be coming back. Not bad but I expected more.

Snagged a last minute resy for my friend & I last meal in SD. This spot was amazing, the garlic bread was perfectly buttery and garlicy. The squash blossoms were my favorite - perfect with the apricot jam. my favorite pasta was the Funghi E Tartufo - the first bite was perfect truffle profile. Everything was shareable and we had leftovers to take home. The staff was friendly and our orders came out at a timely manner, would come back!

We've eaten here a couple times but haven't eaten here in awhile. We had a reservation and we were seated right away. Started with the squash blossoms which had 4 per order although the waiter said it only came with 3. Not sure if they gave us an extra one or he just didn't know. Soooo good, crunchy and filled with a good amount of ricotta. We ordered the PROSCIUTTO E STRACCHINO as another appetizer so we are off to a great start. The prosciutto, balsamic combination with the pillowy bread was delicious. For our entrees, the granchio was good, carbonara was ok, pasta was a bit overbooked, POLIPO PUTTANESCA was tasty lots of octopus but sauce is very olive forward. Unfortunately our server was very inattentive and rarely checked in with us. The restaurant was busy but not busy enough that he only checked in one time after getting our entrees and then we had to flag him down to ask him for our check. They do have valet for $12 with validation right in front of the restaurant. Restaurant is very loud, music playing so there's a great vibe but if you want to have a conversation you are having to talk really loud.

I had a wonderful lunch here! The vibe is great, the staff is friendly, and they have such fun personalities. We sat outside because it was a beautiful day. There was a steady stream of patrons coming into the restaurant, while we were there. That's always a great sign. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes from starters, salads, pastas, and protein dishes. We started with the stuffed squash blossoms and the bruschetta. The squash blossoms were great! I loved the lightly fried blossom and the soft cheese. The bruschetta was also great. It was a different twist with eggplant instead of just the regular tomato topping. For main dishes we got the pasta bolognese, the lobster pasta, the ahi tuna, and the ravioli. The dishes were of the right serving. We were all able to finish our dishes without being overly stuffed. The pasta was cooked well. My friend felt like the ahi could have done without the sweet sauce on top, but everything else was great.

We popped into Barbusa during a trip to SD to celebrate my toddler's 2nd birthday (because nothing says terrible twos like pasta and carpaccio, right?). Little Italy was packed and I was ready to mentally commit to a long wait but plot twist.. They sat us right away!! Immediate relief and a little "okay Barbusa, I see you." Our server was pure Italian-auntie energy: warm, sassy in the best way, and immediately suggested toddler pasta portions (butter or marinara). A server who cares about your baby's noods? Iconic. Food highlights: Carpaccio - salty, tangy, bitter, all in balance. Craving satisfied. Squash blossoms - my fave of the night. Crispy, cheesy, and then that apricot jam hits like a surprise remix you didn't know you needed. Granchio pasta - hubs and I shared and loved it. Sauce had a little kick, crab flavor still came through. We skipped cocktails (toddler in tow), but the outdoor seating was gorgeous. Ambient lighting, not too loud, and service still flawless. Overall: Barbusa gave us family-friendly AND date-night energy at the same time. Will absolutely be back, this time for cocktails in hand and zero high chairs at the table.

First trip to San Diego and this place was recommended by a resident. Great, authentic food, good service, and really cool atmosphere. Was it worth the price? Eh, maybe ‍ My pollo parmigiana was great tasting and looked great. It was $34 which I know is probably reasonable for San Diego. The drinks were good, but again, worth $17? Probably not.

If you're looking for a relaxed, savor-every-bite dinner this is not it. The vibe here is more "nightclub with pasta" than "cozy Italian meal." Dim lighting, loud music, and the distinct feeling that half the crowd is auditioning for a dating reality show. If you enjoy yelling your appetizer order over you'll feel right at home. Food wise, it was good, not "write home to Nonna" good. The menu isn't particularly groundbreaking, so I played it safe with a pizza and meatballs. Big points for them not serving pork on the meatball because I don't eat it, and it's nice to not have to interrogate my dinner before eating it. The margarita was... fine. Not bad, not great just there. Overall: perfect spot if you want dinner and to scout the local singles scene. If you're like me and just wanted to eat in peace, you might leave feeling like you accidentally wandered into someone's first date.

Restaurants in Little Italy are Nirvana for foodies like me. This was my first time at Barbusa, but definitely not my last! I honestly don't know what took me so long to dine here! Since it was my first time, I relied on recommendations from our server. Silu was excellent! She had impeccable timing with serving the drinks/dishes and the right amount of check-ins. All her recommendations were perfectly delectable! We had the lamb chops, garlic bread (highly recommend!), and meatballs for our appetizers. The meatballs and lamb chops were cooked to perfection. For our entrees, the gnocchi and crab pasta were incredible and the spicy vodka sauce was spectacular! I'll be back!

Very delicious Italian spot down in little Italy! We got the bone marrow, Chicken parm, and Granchio--all were very delicious and flavorful! Our server was very friendly too. They had some outdoor seating and indoor. Valet parking was $12 if you got it stamped by the host ($20 for public) which makes it easy when it's hard to find parking during busy times.

Lol what is it with Italian restraunts upselling garlic bread or meatballs!? It was still delicious though... Motherwolf and now here haha The Fiori Di Zucca at motherwolf was exponentially better... so I would def skip that here The Gnocchi was also a pass, after the first couple bites get a bit too overwhelming with that grease feeling But the pasta that tasted best would have to be the squid ink pasta! The spiciness from the peppers gives you a lil kick, sauce was flavorful, and noods were bomb

Little Italy is a must-visit whenever in San Diego, and Barbusa is one of their best restaurants. The ambiance of the restaurant is lively, and the servers are so attentive. I highly recommend booking a reservation! We started off strong with the lollipop chops, so good. We then ordered: gnocchi, bolognese al forno, funghi e tartufo, dolce e piccante, polipo puttanesca. This gnocchi dish made my partner understand why people love gnocchi, and will now be something he looks in every restaurant. Honestly, everything was delicious, but if i had to choose my favorite, it had to be the polipo puttanesca. The polipo puttanesca is great if you love seafood, especially octopus, and if you're looking to try a red sauce pasta. If you're a fan of mushrooms, you won't regret ordering the funghi e tartufo. The bolognese al forno reminded me of spaghettios, but trust me, it tastes way better.

We came here pretty late at 10 PM and it was still popping! People were ordering tequila bottles with sparklers and having a great time. The place is classy casual and has a full bar. The server recommended us some wine that the table liked - I didn't partake because I can't drink wine. Service was great and also interesting that everyone had Italian accents? I ordered the Funghi E Tartufo and it was soooooooooo delicious, probably one of my fave mushroom pasta I've had recently. I also tried my girlfriend's gnocchi and it was really tasty (I liked mines better though).

Loved the vibe here! The outdoor seating is upscale and offers a nice view of street. Service is top-notch. Their drink mixes are fantastic, and the food is absolutely delicious.

Man I cannot say enough good things about this place. The ambiance inside is relaxed, not super upscale, the perfect place to take your family. The service was good and the food was even better. We loved every single thing we ordered. Lollipop Chops 5/5 - The lamb was extremely tender to the point where you don't even need a fork and knife, just your teeth will do. It was well seasoned, and paired perfectly with the sauce. This was probably the highlight of my meal. Bolognese 5/5 - Pasta was perfectly Al dente, and the sauce was seasoned just right, not super acidic, but not bland either. Gnocchi 5/5 - This is my introduction to gnocchi and it truly showed me what I was missing out on. I loved the chewy yet soft texture of the gnocchi along with the pesto sauce it was paired with. Funghi e Tartufo 5/5 - for all my truffle lovers this is the dish for you, I really enjoyed the truffle oil that was in this dish. Polipo Puttanesca 10/5 - This was my favorite pasta dish, the squid ink pasta was delicious, the anchovies and olives added a nice depth of flavor, and the octopus was super tender.

Our reservation was at 7:30pm and was told our table was taken up by a party that had been sitting there for almost 3 hours and they couldn't ask them to leave. They tried to find us another option, but by that time it had already been 20 min and our original table finally got up to leave. Our server came over and introduced himself and answered a few questions. We got the calamari and it was honestly more than I thought we were going to get, my son loved it. I did like the salt added to it, it definitely brought out the calamari taste to another level. We also got the bolognese pasta, carbonate and a pizza. All three were excellent as well and I am not a pizza fan at all. The atmosphere was very loud and "hip", I myself was not expecting such a modern place when I think little Italy lol Place was altogether pretty great, our server could have been a little better but that's all I can complain about.

My girlfriends and I made last min reservations for the last available 10pm. We saw that they had a 9:45pm available as we were headed to SD so we were able to change our res when we called to confirm. We got in around 9:10pm. Checked in. The hostess informed it will be close to 9:45pm when the table would be ready. We were hoping to get a drink at the bar prior to dinner however it was packed and the aisle was tight thus not really comfortable to stand around with a drink with the staff walking in and out with plates of food. We got seated and our server greeted us immediately with a gorgeous smile ready to take drink orders. We were starving by then so put in a calamari and bone marrow appetizer. Appetizers- Calamari - delish! Loved that it came with green beans as well. Never seen it served that way before. Bone marrow - delish! The bone marrow came with fresh bread with a nice spicy kick! Yellowtail- delish! Came with green onions and a potato to pair? Interesting pair but it worked well! We ordered entrees: The squid ink spaghetti- amazing , the octopus in the pasta was the best I've ever had--Perfectly cooked. Lobster pasta- good but not wowed Prosciutto pizza with arugula with white truffle-- good! Salads: Panzanello siciliano -- so good!! Tomatoes, green beans, olives, with ginormous croutons I have ever seen in my life. It made us laugh so hard. Bietole- arugula, red beets, goat cheese, carmelized pecans, with a vinaigrette. Drinks: Sicilian mule was amazing came in a beautiful rose gold glass. It's a Vodka, aperol, bitters, ginger beer. Nice strong drink. Diavola --strong tequila cocktail. Just right. Fresco- nice & refreshing, strong It was a very happening place! Very loud, plenty of people who were here for bachelorette parties. Everyone is partying. The street is happening. Difficult to find parking however there were a couple of lots. $35 for 10 hours or $25 for 2 hours. Valet was "full."

Service was fantastic! Ambience and seating made for a good experience too. Food was delicious and the drinks were well made. My new favorite restaurant in San Diego.

Food is always delicious here there is not much on their menu I don't like I would some change maybe change out one or two entrees just for a variety service today was sloooow with restaurants half emptied we have gotten better service when the place is packed to the gills !! The pasta came out first then my riccola very disappointing I was introducing this place to a friend and now she thinks is so disorganized

Literally wanting to eat here again as I'm writing this! Just wow! Another little Italy place that is SO GOOD! So so good! Truthfully it's probably a good thing I don't live in SD because the food scene slaps so hard! Went on Saturday night with a 8pm reservation! Our table wasn't ready when we arrived but they were very nice about it! When I tell you this place was packed... it was packed. So it was for sure worth the wait! Our server was very nice! I got an extra extra dirty Tito's martini with extra olives. Which they got right so that's major points in my book! I then got the seafood pasta recommend by my server. She said if I liked spicy things I would love this! It was no joke a 10/10 seasoned so well.. shrimp and crab and the perfect spice! We also had garlic bread tor the table but not your normal garlic bread! The bread was deff homemade and seasoned more than just a basic piece of bread! The ambiance of this place is setting the scene for a New York night- classy, mood lighting.. good decor. Everything! My only complaint was we got seated at a high top and those are my least favorite tables. If you are looking to try the hottest new spot in town... please come here. When I say you can search this place on TikTok and a million videos come up... it's for a reason!!!

This place was lively and super loud on Wednesday night. We arrived 20 mins early for our reservation but we were seated right away, at the high tops next to the bar area. Kelly was our server and she was very friendly. I rarely drink nowadays but I wanted to try their own take on espresso martini (first ever made with oat milk). I like my espresso martinis strong but this wasn't my favorite. Their food was very good though - we started off with calamari and I enjoyed the carbonara and my husband, the ravioli. The server who dropped off food at our table was enthusiastic! But thought service overall was okay. The table next to us got their entrees before us and we ordered first - they did order similar items as us. Calamari was nicely fried and fresh, and that lemon really elevated the flavor. I found the sauce it was served with was a bit too sweet though. The carbonara was so good served with that fresh egg. I did ask someone for fresh cracked black pepper but was given pepper from a shaker instead. I prefer my carbonara extra peppery. My husband thought his ravioli was okay, I did have a bite and the sauce was definitely on the sweeter side. I thought this was a pretty good option for Italian food in the area. Just the vibes and ambiance alone are inviting enough!

Great quality Italian food in little Italy! The ambiance was fun and lively. They have a cute little martini espresso cart outside, a unique touch. Great music playing. Had such a good time here with my friends, it's a vibe! The service was outstanding as well. -Calamari: some of the best I've ever had!! -Meatballs: flavorful and fluffy -Squash blossoms: a must try! Delicious -Burrata pizza: some of the best pizza I've had! The crust was fluffy and the sauce wasn't overly tangy. -Ravioli: the pasta tasted so fresh and again the red sauce was super flavorful -Pesto gnocchi: fluffy little balls of heaven. Great portion too for sharing No complaints here. I can't wait to return when I'm in San Diego!

Such a lively Italian restaurant in the heart of Little Italy! Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time as this place is always booked up! While it is very well known, I love the home-y mom and pop vibe of the inside. This place would be great for a family dinner, group celebration, or date. The servers are also very efficient and friendly. The star of the show were the apps (and the food came out super fast!). We got the squash blossoms and bruschetta di malazane. Both were incredible and super flavorful. Would get it again. Ravioli Norma (8/10): When I read fried eggplant, I thought there would be little crunchies on top but it looks like it was more like a stir fried eggplant garnish. Nonetheless, the ravioli was al denta and they loaded the plate with pasta sauce. The sauce had the perfect amount of sweetness and acidity.

I want to give them 3.5 stars..but that's not an option. Had dinner here the other night and it was just OK. The atmosphere is nice..a bit loud but vibrant. Our server was nice and attentive for the most part and she gets 4.5 stars. The let down was the food... My pasta al forno was very reminiscent of the kid ravioli'os from back in the 90s. My husband's cabonara was mid. Maybe it's because I just came back from spending 2 weeks in Italy and I now know what this stuff is supposed to taste like, but definitely a let down. THE MEATBALLS and garlic bread were great! All in all a nice place to try. With so many good restaurants in Little Italy I can't say that id choose to run back here anytime soon.

Thursday dinner The food is mid. Tempura squash blossoms stuffed with creamy 4 cheese mix were unique but oily. $17 My vongole pasta was overcooked and flavors were muted but it did the job of filling up my belly. $29 Granchio tagliatelle pasta, comes with their famous serrano (pepper) sauce so it's spicy, just OK. $30 Garlic bread $12 Two mid beers $9 each Good spot if you have a large party and just need the hunger satisfied. They have a large dining area (in and out). Ambiance can be loud. Service was fine.

We didn't have a reservation and the place was packed on a Monday night however the hostess was so kind to find us a high top in bar area. From the moment we sat down, we started off with a bang! Our server was amazing,the food was delicious and the cocktails were great! The restaurant was full of life and we couldn't have had a better time! We only have one issue, we didn't know who the people were on the paintings..I need to know!! Highly recommend! Sorry no photos, we were so in the moment!

One of my favorite Italian restaurants in all of San Diego. They specialize in Sicilian cuisine and they are located in the busiest part of the Little Italy right on India Street. This area is extremely lively so it can be quite fun to sit outside and watch all the people walking by, which is where we sat for our Saturday dinner. Inside is also quite large and well done and it can get quite noisy and very lively. The dress code is casual, but I would go more with a business casual. The crowd here tends to skew on the younger side, and I would classify it as a hip and trendy spot. Parking is probably the most difficult part of dining here, they have a valet in front, but sometimes that can get full. There are paid garages and paid street parking in the area, but we were actually able to find a space right on the street a block away in front of Mona Lisa so we got very lucky. Just plan to come early and circle the block and if you can't find anything after two trips, then just do valet or a pay lot. Our server was very polite however it took quite some time for him to come over and get our drink order when we first sat down. Aside from that everything that we ordered came out very fast. We were a party of four so we ordered many different things for the table. One of the starters that we chose was the Polenta which was very good. The ragu with it really added to the flavors and was a light and tasty start to the meal. My second favorite was the Beef Carpaccio, which was very light and refreshing and perfectly thin like I like it. My favorite appetizer was the Roasted Bone Marrow and thought it was great with the peppers that they put on the bread that came with it. For my dinner I chose the Bolognese Al Forno and thought it was wonderful. It's a very dense pasta with heavy meat flavors and you certainly won't be hungry after finishing it. I wish there would've been a lighter component with it as it kind of started tasting the same once I got halfway through it, but still enjoyed it. We also ordered the Gnocchi for the table and it was a real hit. They were perfectly soft and the pesto flavor was wonderful with it. Overall, a fantastic Sicilian option in San Diego in one of the most fun parts of the city. I would definitely recommend to anyone in the area or to anyone visiting San Diego. I have already been a few times and plan to be back many more in the future.

Came to Barbusa for an early dinner and was immediately greeted by the sweetest host. The moment I walked in, I was in awe of their modern and beautiful decor. They instantly came to fill up our glass with water and left us a beautiful glass bottle of water to use as a refill when needed. Our waitress was super attentive...offering her opinion of wine choice. We ordered the calamari as an appetizer which was a nice start to our meal. We then ordered the gnocchi, bolognese al forno, and their homemade pepperoni pizza. Everything was absolutely delicious but the gnocchi was my favorite. After dinner we splurged on some homemade donuts and a glass of their espresso martini. The martini was so good that I ended up buying a bottle to enjoy at home. Overall, wonderful experience. Will definitely be back.

Every dish our table ordered was delicious. For appetizers, we got the squash blossom, bone marrow, and eggplant bruschetta. The calamari was the only one that wasn't so popular. The carbonara was tasty. We enjoyed one of each dessert with the deconstructed cannoli being my personal favorite. The passion of etna cocktail was alright - I realize I am not a huge fan of mezcal's smoky flavor. The service was great - one worker even brought a water bowl for our dog and we were able to use the patio seating.

I'm no spring chicken, but even in my youth I still liked to actually have conversations at dinner when I was out with friends and family. The music was so freaking loud in this place that it made the otherwise good food disappointing. Case in point: my dads Apple Watch warned him that the decibels were at an unhealthy level for his hearing Looking for Italian in little Italy? Skip Barbusa - there are literally dozens of other places within walking distance where you won't leave with your ears ringing.

Honestly, Italian food can be really underwhelming for me. I tend to have a penchant for dramatic and rich flavors and Italian food usually doesn't quite hit the spot. My husband and I were in town for our anniversary and stumbled across this place for lunch. We ordered a couple appetizers and an entrée each and everything was to DIE for. We were so impressed by the service. The atmosphere and ambience is utterly charming and the food is unmatched. I'm already plotting my next San Diego trip just for this.

They change the menu so frequently that whatever you had last time that you may have liked is likely no longer offered. This time I got lobster pasta that was described as a zesty garlic sauce, but it was actually a bland pasta with a light coating of butter or oil with four small pieces of lobster.....for $35. Their tap beers are $8-$10 for 12 oz small pours. Their famed garlic bread is pretty bland mostly covered in oil and chunks of surprisingly flavorless garlic. The atmosphere and the presentation in this place is really spectacular and I think goes a long way to convincing people that their meal is a lot better than it is. The only thing that has ever been consistent and delicious here is the bone marrow yet most of their meals which include it have been removed from the menu and the bone marrow is now relegated to the appetizer menu. It was one of the most mid meals I've had in a very long time, but when a group of 5 costs $450 before tax and tip the meal should be extraordinary.

Barbusa was on our list of places to try for the longest time, and so when we found ourselves downtown looking for a dinner spot, we finally grabbed a reservation to try it out. I would definitely recommend making a reservation as it does get quite busy - OpenTable is super easy to use, so there's no excuse! - PARKING - Little Italy parking will always be a challenge, but if you're early enough before peak meal hours, or if you're just plain lucky, you can find a street spot not too far away. Everything is fairly walkable! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - There are tables inside and outside - seems like reservations are mainly placed indoors, while walk-ins opt for outdoors. They do have heating lamps outside though, so it's not terrible if you happen to get seated there. Ambiance is lively and moderately loud. Waitress was very attentive and prompt, we got seated and ordered within 10 minutes of going in. The food came out quick as well, about 10-15 minutes after ordering. - FOOD - Calamari Fritti ($23): I actually really enjoyed the light breading on their calamari, as most places overdo it. The flavor is nice, calamari is fresh, and the dipping sauce had a nice tang. I do think for the price, the portion size is a bit lacking, which is a common theme throughout our meal. Granchio ($29): Although it smelled delicious when it arrived, immediately I felt the same way about this dish as I did for the calamari. The portion size wasn't what I expected, but I was excited to see how it tasted. They did give a decent amount of crab meat, but overall I felt like they skimped out. Some of the pasta was also slightly undercooked. The sauce was delicious, although on the sweeter side, so if you're not a fan of savory sweet things, this may not be for you. Short Rib Lasagna ($29): Portion size to price again slightly disappointing. Even more so as my fiance dug into it, and found mostly cheese that took up the dish, rather than pasta or Short Rib. The flavors are good, but not good enough to make up for the lack of substance. - OVERALL - Quality of food is good, but didn't wow me the way other places have. The prices here are definitely on the higher end given the portion sizes of dishes. Still glad we tried it at least once!

Went on a Thursday night and it was pretty busy! We had a reservation so no issues getting a table and the service was great. Our waitress was really friendly and gave great recommendations. It was pretty loud because of how many people were in the restaurant. I think if it were nicer weather outside I would've preferred the patio so it was easier to have a conversation. The food was delicious! We had the bruschetta and polenta as starters, both were really good but the polenta was a standout for us. Very simple and yummy sauce. We had the gnocchi and granchio. Gnocchi was pillowy and soft, loved the pesto sauce. Granchio was interesting! The sauce is a little spicy, but for some reason tasted just ast like franks hot sauce lol it wasn't bad! Just very chili forward maybe? Had a good amount of crab but was a bit overpowered by the sauce flavor. Cocktails were delicious. Had the banana oatmilk espresso martini which is definitely worth trying! Not strong banana flavor but you do get some. This was our second time trying, we went sometime in 2020 and just came back. Would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for Italian that's maybe a little less traditional.

Love this place. Had an amazing time visiting this establishment for lunch on a Friday afternoon. Service was great, we sat outside on the patio and everything was lovely. I had a squid ink pasta with octopus, very fresh and amazing. My partner had a short rib lasagna, which was very hearty and amazing. Would love to try their salad or pizza next time I come here.

Service by Gianni was top notch! Nice guy. Parking was ok--street parking but you have to get lucky. Otherwise valet which idk how much it was. Had high expectations. Seemed like it would be something between authentic Italian and Italian places that are kind of trying to be Italian but are just for show. The funghi pasta was good but really rich. The lamb lollipops were good. Squash blossoms--like nothing I've tasted before! Yum. But the bolognese..... was like a can of chef boyardee. ??? Sad to waste carb intake on this. Also the place was so loud we couldn't even think or talk. Probably won't be coming back.

Barbusa is a great, clean restaurant at the northern end of India street. The service is really fun and friendly, and they give you 5 hours of valet parking for $12. We got the bolognese pasta which was absolutely delicious. The noodles are, yes, shaped like spaghetti Os but they taste great. The sauce is excellent with a generous amount of cheese and meat. The dolce e piccante pizza was also great. The crust was perfectly cooked and it had a generous amount of meat and cheese. I enjoyed the experience and I highly recommend this little Italy gem.

Our group of 11 went to Barbusa in San Diego's Little Italy for a traditional Family Sunday Dinner. This restaurant was featured on the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation TV show a few years ago, so we decided to check it out. The food was great. The kids had pizza, and I ordered the Carbonara, which was very good and came recommended by our Italian server, Manuele. He spoke Italian and English with an Italian accent, which added to the authentic feel of the evening. The hostesses were friendly and welcoming. The server assistants were quick to clear used plates and utensils, keeping the table clean and the service smooth. It was a fun night with a good vibe in a stylish, low-lit restaurant. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

We had dinner here during our stay in San Diego. I ordered the mushroom pasta and a glass of Chardonnay. The dao also orders pasta dishes.

8 years later and Barbusa is still a vibe! This time we stopped by on a Friday around 8:00 at night to a packed, lively, and fun atmosphere. For a group of 4, we shared 2 bottles of wine, 2 platters of the carpaccio di tonno, 2 platters of the ricciola, the burrata pizza, and the fiori di zucca. Everything was fresh and delicious, but my favorite dish, hands down was the carpaccio di tonno. I so wanted dessert, but we were all too stuffed. I guess I will have to visit again and write another glowing review!

Came here for a date night celebration and for a weekday it was still quite busy. Luckily we had reservations so we were seated immediately. We ordered the lollipop lamb chops which were tiny and exquisite, and the prosciutto. My honey found the balsamic glaze on the prosciutto divine and asked if we can do that always from now on. For the main course, I ordered the clams and pasta, and my honey ordered the lasagna with the beef in a shredded style which left it finger licking good. We will totally be back for another date night, great Italian spot!

Absolutely loved the food here! The garlic bread is a must have. I really enjoyed the honey & spice combo for the pizza that we ordered. The ravioli was a bit too al dente for my liking, but the taste was great! Our server was very sweet and we got in quickly with a reservation. The only note I'd leave is that tables were a bit too close together where we were seated & the music was a bit too loud at times, so if you're trying to have a conversation over dinner maybe try a seat outside!

Review for lunch~ AMBIANCE: Comfortable, informal. Table seating, mostly inside but some outside seats as well. There is also a bar with a decent number of spirits available. FOOD: Delicious! We ordered the tempura squash blossoms (order had 3 blossoms) which were fried well with just the right amount of tempura batter so that the integrity of the squash blossoms was maintained. The blossoms were stuffed with delicious warm cheese. We also shared the short rib lasagne, with bright, fresh tomato sauce and tender meat. SERVICE: Great. Very attentive. OVERALL: Very happy with our meal. We did not make a reservation prior but walked in immediately. Fantastic place to hangout for good food and great conversation.