Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy

This place is wonderful — it’s our second time coming back! The portions are absolutely huge. One salad, one pizza, and two pastas were more than enough for four people. The wine was excellent, and the whole experience felt cozy and relaxed. The staff was incredibly kind and attentive. Our total was $120, which I think is amazing for the quality and amount of food. Definitely recommend!

The atmosphere - going through the tightly stocked shelves with Italian fare, the Chianti bottles with people's memories hanging from the ceiling, the hustle and bustle inside and outside on the streets is worth going to. The food, at least what we ordered, was not special. The pizza was too thick and covered with a very thick layer of cheese. Spaghetti and meatballs was also mediocre. The shrimp pasta dish was quite good and so was the Cesar Salad. Tiramisu came in a plastic container but the flavors were great . Make sure you know why you are going and you have the right expectations.

Filippi’s Pizza Grotto was recommended by a local and it was delicious! I really enjoyed the chicken parmigiana. Came back a second time and had the Italian Sausage and Peppers and that also didn’t disappoint. I didn’t even get a chance to take pictures. The staff were very friendly. The restaurant also has a store where you can purchase Italian products from pasta, pastries and more.

To start with, it’s a really good place. The ambience is great. The vibe is fantastic. Because we ordered vegetarian menu, we got one vegetarian special pizza which had mushrooms, olives, cheese tomatoes. It was good pizza, but it was bland so we added a lot of chilies, cheese, and black pepper on top of it, other thing that we took was pasta, which was also vegetarian, which was better if you really like Italian food, then it might be a good place for you. For me It was just average could have been better.

Ended up at Filippi’s after a recommendation to give them a try for some authentic Italian food. Thankfully we took the advice and gave it a try. Also, I have to say as much as I thought the Gaslamp Quarter was nice I really have to say if you can venture outside of that area a bit and visit Little Italy. It was maybe a 5-10 min walk and not only is the food better but it’s also much more reasonable from a cost standpoint. While at Filippi’s we tried their pizza which is what they are known for as well as a side of lasagna. We definitely ordered way too much but we wanted to try a couple of options. The pizza was top notch. We couldn’t decide on toppings so they accommodated a half magherita and half special, thin crust. The topics were great and the crust was thin, crispy, and cooked perfectly. It was an amazing pizza with fresh ingredients and homemade meatballs. Also the lasagna was nice as well but I would have been more than happy with just the pizza. For seating they offer indoor as well as outside seating. We chose outside due to the close proximity to the Little Italy sign, great photo-op. We walked but for those driving there is a small parking lot next to the restaurant for Filippi’s customers.

I had my eye on this place as a destination and was so glad we were able to get here. We arrived after 8:30pm and they were nice enough to still seat a party of 7. Immediately appreciated. I wasn't looking forward to random junk food as emergency light night fare. My wife loved her lasagna with meatball and sausage. She found the sausage to be particularly zesty and I have only heard her speak of one other sausage in such glowing terms. I had the sausage and pepperoni pizza because I could not pass on the pizza. The cheese was great and the ingredients in general seemed very fresh. The crust is a perfect instrument for scooping up any excess marinara. I will be back.

This is my absolute favorite Italian restaurant in the entire world - when we visit San Diego, we MUST stop at a Filippi’s. Their food is phenomenal and this location even has a deli at the entrance where you can buy meat, cheese, and desert. We typically start with their antipasto, which has the best cheese and meat in it ever. Their pizza is extra cheesy, with the toppings underneath so they don’t fall off. Their pasta is amazing as well, and I’d recommend the ravioli and the spaghetti with meat sauce. My favorite menu item is their Italian sausage - it’s got an amazing flavor and it’s FULL of fennel if you like that. Cannolis are always a must. Parking is available for customers in their lot, but be aware that if you have an extra large car (like a truck) you may be asked to park at a different location.

Outstanding pizza restaurant and grocery store right in the heart of little Italy in San Diego! We ordered the Margarita pizza which was a 13 inch pizza that we easily good for 2 people. Just for fun, we added a couple of more toppings. The staff were more than happy to accommodate us on that request. It was also easy to get outdoor seating and to enjoy the amazing street ambiance outside on such a pleasant day. Another great restaurant in San Diego. I am so glad the hotel I was staying at recommended this place.

Ooey gooey cheesy deliciousness in every bite. Went down to Little Italy with my family and stopped by our favorite gem. My grandma didn't believe there was a restaurant in there until we led her into the back and she saw it for herself. Our waitress was super sweet and attentive, and we loved the fun decorations. There were a couple of tables that seemed a little too dim, but our spot had plenty of light for my grandma to be able to see the menu! We love this place and will definitely be back! Also don't forget to peruse the store on your way out! They carry a bunch of authentic Italian brands which are such fun goodies to take home.

Filippi's is a great choice while in San Diego! The menu is extensive and prices comparable to those in little Italy. Filippi's has its own parking which is a plus! Service was great, fast and friendly. Together we enjoyed Lasagna, Fettuccine and Spinach Raviolis with garlic bread. The Ravioli was an amazing, very light and tasty! Lasagna was layered perfectly with meat, ricotta and sauce, it was so delicious. Surprisingly not heavy at all. The Fettuccine was good, a bit too watery but overall ok. Stop in next time you're in the area, you won't be disappointed.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the weather, the people, the food, and the cold beer here. What a special place to sit and enjoy original Italian pizzas and pastas. Just like from their start in 1950. Great service by Stephanie and Larissa. Great original style pizzas. Delicious! Sitting on the patio under a beautiful sky and umbrella watching the world go by! What a great time in So Cal.

Filippi's is definitely one of the OG's of San Diego Italian spots. Great food that has been delicious and classic for decades. Entrance is through an Italian deli and can get a little crowded. Even when they are busy service and seating goes fast. Inside will remind you of an old school family restaurant. Staff is friendly and definitely recommend eating here if you have never been here before.

If you have never been to a Filippi's pizza yet you really should. Great pizza and salad. Great service. Great family atmosphere! There's so many locations in San Diego and you expect the same great experience from them all! Little Italy location also has an attached Italian market.

There are multiple locations but the Filippi's in Little Italy in my opinion is the best one! The food is ALWAYS delicious! It has always been my families go to when you want Italian food. The food portions are family style so I recommend getting different items and sharing them. You honestly can't go wrong with anything because everything there is just too good! Everyone who works there is so nice and friendly. The restaurant is so cute, it has bottles that people have signed hanging from the roof. I love how when you walk in it's a mini store/deli and you walk more in and bam it's the restaurant. They also have their own parking which is great and you don't have to struggle looking for street parking.

An unassuming little spot within a market, this is some high quality pizza. So much cheese, which is always a win for me, and the vibes are as pizza-y as it gets. Food comes out quick, waiters are friendly, definitely a good spot if you're craving pizza.

Honestly I was confused at first. When I walked in. It was some sort of store but the restaurant was in the back of the store. Will say kinda felt stuffy inside. Not sure but I kinda liked the vibes. It was dark and my eyes had to adjust but they adjusted well after a bit. Will say I've never seen a place to have limit of soft drinks but I don't think is much necessary when I i my drank my cup of soda lolz. I was a bit confused at the end about paying so I just went up to pay. The server was kinda everywhere since while she was taking our order the table next to us interrupted her while helping us but I know she was doing her best :)). Some cook also saw we weren't eating our food and he gave us or to go containers without even asking!! Props to him!! I give him for sure the good costumer award to him lolz. Food wise Combination plate 6/10 will say I liked the Alfredo more. It wasn't too over powering but adding Parmesan's cheese helped it taste better. The pasta was also cooked unevenly so ti kinda threw me off. Again just my opinion. And then I tried the lasagna with meat sauce. It tastes a bit sweet and tasted like imitation cheese. So this it kinda what went downhill for me. Pizza 8/10 my friend said it tastes better cold than hot but she also could taste the imitation cheese. Will say if you like big portions this is the place for you and if you like imitation cheese. Personally wasn't one of my fav places I've tried but maybe they have other food that is better. Again everyone's taste palette is different.

I love this old school and family style place for pizza，the bread was Perfect with the smell of olive oil and herbs，everything else is also pretty good！

Filippi's is an old school gem! The first time my husband and I came here was about 30 years ago on a date and we make it a point to come back every time we are in San Diego. I love that you walk through their Italian market to reach the restaurant. The ambiance is very authentic. We usually get a pizza along with other entrees, especially during the years that we took our kids, but the other day we stuck with my husband getting his favorite, spaghetti with meat sauce, while I had the eggplant parmigiana dinner (includes salad, soup, and garlic bread). Everything was outstanding, as usual, and so was our server. He made sure to take care of me while I waited for my husband to find parking by bringing me a house Chianti. We love this place!

It was a nice sunny day so me and my kid sat in the outside seating Service was great and to the point, has a mom and pop shop vibe to it , you need to go inside to be seated by the host The kids lasagna was a great big slice for about $13 Had big chunks of ricotta , now that I think about it We should have asked for it with meat But it was still good, it was doused it yummy marinara The ravioli was great too, great flavor and Al dente, also smothered in sauce and the portion was large The house bread and butter was just your run on the mill bread crunchy on the outside bread with little individually wrapped butters (will try the garlic bread next time, funny thing is, my kid just ended up eating this bread instead of the lasagna) The food came out promptly and the considering how busy it was the service was on top of it, will def become a regular here! Can't wait to try the pizza considering how I always see people with several to go boxes of pizza

It is always a pleasure eating here! Pizza was hot and delicious; accompanied by a sausage sandwich also delicious and salad which was disappointing (wasn't flavorful almost bland for $14. The service was good and our waitress was attentive! The place was nice and clean.Very busy for the 4th of July but we were in and out - and didn't feel rushed.

I recently enjoyed the Eggplant Parmesan at this restaurant and it was delightful! The eggplant was perfectly crispy on the outside while maintaining a pleasingly firm texture inside, exactly to my liking. I do wish, however, that the accompanying spaghetti had come with some Parmesan, or that it had been offered as an option by our waiter. While the decor of the place feels a bit dated, it didn't detract from the overall dining experience. Overall, a great meal that I would recommend to others!

This place is so so good. It's really classic Italian American food and reminds me of family dinners growing up. Love the room with all the Chianti bottles hanging, really adds to the vibe! Came here a few years back, and it hasn't changed since then!

What a great restaurant. There are so many amazing smells as you walk down the street. When you enter into Filippi's you walk into the little Italian market and then are brought to the back where the dining areas are. Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling adds a fun touch to the place. We did go a bit later in the evening so the place started to empty out a bit. The service was good. Tina was our waitress and she was busy running all over the place. Very sweet lady. We ordered the Filippis House Special pizza. It was very filling and they loaded that pie up!! There was no ingredient spared. This is how pizza should be! It was a little slice of heaven overwhelming my tastebuds with each bite. If you want some authentic Italian food, this place is a must!

Terrible dinning experience! Showed up on Tuesday evening for a pizza as a first time visitor. This place is completely non authentic Italian! Ordered meatball which was all right but lacked the punch. Bread that came with it was stale! Ordered Italian style pizza which was a total disappointment. Crust tasted like sole of the shoe. Tasteless and hard to eat. Sauce and cheese were equally tasteless to the point I refused to eat beyond 2 bites!!! For God's sake frozen pizza out of grocery store is better than this!!! Server must have been used to this as she realized we are unhappy and offered to cash us out right away. There was zero attempt to make this right!!! I am not sure what went wrong - but the only Italian thing I saw here was the sign at the door. The food tasted and looked like it was made in student dorm room...

Highly recommend for a traditional Italian restaurant experience! Pizza was really good. Service was amazing (our server grew up in PNW in our town!) Atmosphere was good and what you'd expect for a family diner type restaurant.

Bomb bomb bomb I grew up going to the escondido location and this was a big fancy deal for our family so I had high expectations and they were met. we did delivery so I can't really discuss what the actual restaurant is like but I can tell you that their food is just as delicious as I remember I love the real cheese, and the crispiness of the crust. The prices are reasonable for some of the other restaurants in the area so I did it for nostalgia reasons and I would choose it again

The most authentic italian deli around town. Desiree was an absolute doll and gave us fantastic service. We enjoyed italian wedding cookies and hard salami. Lots of authentic cooking oils, spices and syrups.

Honestly a staple every time I visit San Diego. And it has to be this location because the line goes through an old authentic Italian market. For a Saturday night, the wait wasn't long at all. We were placed at an outside table, which was nice to watch the hustle and bustle of the street. Tina our waitress was darling. Definitely a bit busy for one person but I get it. She's running in and outside every few minutes to attend to everyone. Even when it started raining, a busboy ran out to help package our food and they found a table for us inside to finish our bottle of wine. Inside you get a view of the kitchen. Which I personally love watching them make pizzas. The walls are covered with murals and to be it feels like a trip to grandmas kitchen or a local Italian place for the family to gather. Not fancy. Just family. If you go, order the shrimp fillipi.

Decided to try this restaurant based on the reviews from yelp but unfortunately I was not pleased. For appetizer, I ordered the meatball, which was a good size, but it lacked flavor . My main course was a thin crust pizza with black olives and sausage. ... man oh man it tasted like cardboard . The crest was super hard, hardly any sauce and barely any cheese.. For me, the disappointing part was when our waitress came up to us and we complained about the pizza and instead of asking us what was wrong, what we didn't like about it or having a manager come over she asked us if we wanted something else or if we just wanted to close our tab. #customrservicemuch...

The place has a great old town vibe. It gets packed here often. The service is very good. They were attentive and the food came out quick. We had the side salad with Italian Dressing. This was very good and was more than enough for 3 adults. We got the margarita pizza that I thought was too thick and quite bland. I expected a better tasting crust and sauce but it was lacking. The lasagna was the best thing we ate. It was big enough to share and the meatball was very good.

This place is really a diamond in the rough! I love the authenticity of walking in through the grocery area and meandering through the aisles. You go to the back to either be seated or order. We ordered to go, and our order was ready in about 15 minutes even though they were extremely busy. The pizza was fantastic, the flavors were great. The crust was exceptional. Staff was friendly, and we also got some tiramisu. That was really good. I would definitely eat pizza again either for takeout or dine in.

Some of the best lasagna I've had in my life ?! Reminds me of authentic Italian spots back in Boston - delicious!

Right in Little Italy. There's a little Italian supermarket storefront where you can buy little Italian candies treats pastas and more. I went to check it out and there was a line back home. After asking, it was the line to the restaurant. I took a peek and it felt like I was in an authentic Italian restaurant. it smells amazing in there. The worker was helpful and offered me a menu to place a to go order if I chose to.

So happy Filippis is still here after about 13 years since I last visited. We had it two or three times last time and this time, only stayed two nights in San Diego and had it twice. Love the pepperoni and sausage pizza! Their cheese is real mozzarella and just makes it stand above all other pizza joints I've eaten at. I will always return each time I'm in the area. Please open up a location in Dallas though so I can go all the time.

Stopped by Filippi's during my search for tasty pizza in Little Italy. We ordered a 14" pepperoni pizza for $21. While I enjoyed the cheesiness of it, I wasn't a fan of the chewy texture of the dough and overall flavor wasn't impressive: The service was below mediocre, with young employees who lacked customer service skills. My search for satisfying pizza in the area continues!

One of my husband and mine favorite places to grab pizza! We were working around the corner and was so happy to order. Meat feast pizza and antipasto salad are always our go to and never fail us! MUST TRY!

My family has been going here for more than 60 yrs. Simple, traditional and delicious Italian cuisine. Can't go inside without buying something from the market

Charming is the word I would use for this place. Rarely do I say the food is decent but the irresistible charm will bring me back. Tons of other places in little Italy if you want better food but no other place will make you feel like you're truly in a mom and pop shop like this place. Good attentive service as well.

This was a cute little hole in the wall. This place is huge once I figured out it wasn't just a deli. The service was ok cause my waiter a bit slow but the food was delicious and good portions. Will be back.

I heard great things about this place but was sadly disappointed with what I ordered. Maybe other items on the menu are better? Or maybe because I ordered to-go it was different? I am not sure... I ordered a cheese pizza. The crust didn't have caramelization/tasted under and the pizza overall just lacked flavor. It reminded me of Sam's Club Pizza - it was ok, did the trick to satisfy a pizza craving, but isn't a traditional Italian pizza.

First time going to Little Italy a beautiful place to go have a great time with family. The food was great, the service from our waitress Stephanie was horrible, she looked liked she had a long day, I ordered a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and served it in a water glass as you can see on my picture that is how our waitress serviced was our first time having dinner at Filippi's

My family and I were in Little Italy. Our goal was to try new restaurants that we had not tried before. Filippi's Pizza was in our list. I really liked that Filippi's has its own private parking just next to the restauran, in addition to an attendant who directed you to the private parking. They have their own grocery store at the front, then when you walk towards the back you will find the restaurant. They have large and many seating areas. One of them has dangling wine bottles from the ceiling which looks very glamorous. We were seated right away as we walked in. We ordered: -Special (8 Items)   $26.25 Filippi's special; Cheese, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, bell pepper, black olives, onion and meatball. - Vegetarian Special $24.00 Filippi's special;  Cheese, mushroom, onion, bell pepper, black olives - Garlic bread The size was huge. The pizza crust itself was just perfect. It is a traditional Italian Pizza place. Each pizza topped with generous amounts of toppings and lots of gooey cheese which was also generous. I love their garlic bread. It was crispy and delicious. The service was outstanding. The lady who served us was very friendly and accommodating. We really enjoyed the place and our brunch there. Definitely, I will be back to try more food from their menu and more delicious food from their grocery store.

It's a definite classic! Though Filippi's has locations throughout SD County, the Little Italy location is a vibe. Grocery store in front. Sprawling dining area. Massive portions of flavorful food. Things were a bit chaotic on a Friday evening. There was a 30 minute wait. The hostess claimed they called our name, but we never heard it. Apparently this happened to seceral other parties too. Nonetheless, we were eventually seated, and enjoyed a wonderful family style meal for my friend's birthday. Carby goodness all around! Enjoyed the pasta, salad, and of course the pizza.

When we got to San Diego many locals recommended that we visit the Little Italy neighborhood. We dropped by Filippi's to check out the local fare. Turns out this restaurant is family owned and been in the area since the 50's! We started with the Caprese Salad. It was fresh and absolutely delicious. We ordered a personal pizza. We got the thin crust half pepperoni and half mushroom. It was very cheesy and tasty. Our waitress was very friendly and the place has a very cozy vibe. Of you are looking for old school lunch and dinner vibes this is the spot.

I've been wanting to give this place a go for some time now but was hesitant as I've already fount my perfect pizza. Due to the amazing reviews, long lines, and awesome Italian market I figured why not. Got some gourmet Italian pastas to take home-yay! Nice Italian ambiance with wine canisters on ceiling, attentive staff, and good service. If you like a doughy pizza, gooey cheese, with less sauce this is your place. Definitely not New York Style nor Chicago Deep dish. Can't quite figure out what it is and if that's your thing you'll definitely enjoy!

Whenever we are in San Diego we " have" to go to fillippis. Husband spent many meals there as a teen with a beloved friend and it's always been his favorite place Whether it's the food he memories or not it's always been a pleasure Yesterday we had the chance to sit outside and listen to the sound of people birds and birds joy the ambience of the area I s as leading the inside dark for my senses. Food is always consistent and plentiful Yesterday our server was phenomenal I wish I had gotten her name. She was personable beyond kind and friendly and extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Her smile and demeanor were infectious and she made the entire experience even better She was outside with joy lived in the Bay Area years ago and shared willingly She is the reason to return!

I love pizza. My best friend goes by Pizzamind and loves pizza more than I. I eat great pizza often. Filippis has been around for a long time. It has done so well there are multiple locations across San Diego! This is the India St location, the most touristy version of this restaurant. It has become a tourist trap... charging high prices ($150 for 3 adults and 2 kids) for quickly produced, low quality meals. I won't be returning unless someone invites me. Our waitress seemed mad at us for coming in... probably overworked due to understaffing so I don't hold it against her. Still tipped!

No complex or complicated foods here. You want a thick crust, hearty, cheese-loaded pizza? Go for it. You want a sauce-drenched, cheesy, thick lasagna? Do it! That's what we ordered today. Nothing crazy, nothing over the top, all feeling and tasting cozy, home made, and not complicated. Servers are also amazing and you can tell they've worked here for a billion years.

There "may" be a better Italian restaurant in Little Italy, but I haven't found it and doubt I will.. the food here is outstanding and I had the BEST 2x baked lasagna! The staff & service were excellent and I love the "old world" feel of hanging sangria bottles with red & white checkered table coverings.. I highly recommend!

In business since 1970 this place is a step into old world Italian. Checkered table cloths, Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling this place just screams old school. We had wonderful service-fast & friendly. It was on a week day in January so no line and seated immediately. This place is very deceiving on size. Ample seating. The prices are reasonable and the serving portions generous. My chicken parmigiana with mushrooms came with soup, salad and a side of lasagna or spaghetti! The sauce was very good and the pasta fresh. The chicken parmigiana was delightful.

Great service. Great pizza. You can request thinner crust but it comes medium side. Great to dip in olive oil. Mushroom , pepperoni and ricotta cheese. Very filling. And bonus they have their own parking lot.

4 Stars for Filippi's. Located in the heart of Little Italy. The front end of the restaurant is an Italian grocery with the restaurant resting in the back. Old school vibes and my favorite interior of any restaurant in the neighborhood. As for the pizza, it's very cheese heavy with a surprisingly light/crispy crust. Never hurts to ask for it well done.

In the heart of little Italy, San Diego. Authentic Italian market and restaurant. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Spaghetti meatballs, lasagna fantastic! Top off with the garlic bread and you have one giant meal! Well, worth the wait.

Came to Little Italy looking for dinner and ended up in the Pizza Grotto! We intended to get pizza but our server Irene changed our minds! Just do like she tells you; "listen up" and order the Irene Special, Antipasto Salad, Garlic Bread, Spumoni Ice Cream and a Cannoli! The Irene Special isn't on the menu!! Please, Just trust me and thank me later!

Our favorite Italian restaurant in San Diego. Cute restaurant in the rear of the store. Fast and friendly service. Portions are huge so we share. Great garlic bread. Amazing salads. Pizza is great too. They offer wine, champagne and beers, no bar.

Old timey fun. Grocery store and restaurant since 1950. Started off with an antipasto salad but that's more to Nella on top and beans and chunks of cheese and the plate has salami on the bottom. It's old school. To entrees were linguine and clams white sauce and lasagna. They have garlic bread and you can get it half and half with cheese and one regular. I highly recommend you do that. The lasagna was average at best since there's no meat in it you have to order the meatball and a sausage on the side. But the linguini was a B+ version of luidian clams. Finish your meal with old school spumoni with the booze soap cherries in the red stripe of ice cream. Also if you like wine order a house karafe for half karafe

Mini getaway to San Diego. Came across this restaurant randomly and I was pleasantly surprised. It looks like a small little market in the middle of busy area in little Italy with all the other fancy restaurants beside it. But don't be fooled this place has amazing food! As you walk in it's a mini market and you walk to the end there's hosted there to take you to your seats around the corner. Right away you will get the aroma of cheese and tomato and you know you're in the right Italian restaurant. Decore was unique. I think it's handing wine bottles at the top with old paintings on the side. Servers were all pleasant. We ordered : Spaghetti & meatballs 4/5 ( meat ball was delicious! Good flavouring with the sauce too) Pizza - the works pappa ( ordered half mushroom and half sardines because I wanted to be brave and heard it was good ... I was terrriably wrong ) 4/5 Do not order the sardines unless you're okay with the fishy aftertaste. Highly recommend checking this place out !!

Came on a Saturday around 5/6pm and we waited about 15 mins to get seated for two. It our first time and we got lasagna with meatball, fettuccine Alfredo, garlic bread and a side Cesar salad. Everything was really good. Will need to come back to try the pizza ! The only downfall is, although they have a parking lot, it took forever to find parking.