The Red Door

Italian restaurant · San Diego

The Red Door

Italian restaurant · San Diego

2

741 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103

Photos

The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null
The Red Door by null

Highlights

Upscale Italian with fresh pasta, Beef Wellington & live music  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
Placeholder

741 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103 Get directions

thereddoorsd.com
@reddoorsd

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

741 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103 Get directions

+1 619 295 6000
thereddoorsd.com
@reddoorsd
𝕏
@thereddoorsd

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

Features

Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Sep 28, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@infatuation

The Best Bars In The Valley - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"You probably know Toluca Lake as that place people walk around on their lunch hours avoiding Panera for the third day in a row. But did you know it’s also home to a really fantastic speakeasy? In the small alleyway behind Paty’s Diner, there’s a tiny red door (get it?) that leads to one of the Valley’s best kept secrets. With dark red booths and silent movies playing on the wall, the vibe at The Red Door is more subdued than rowdy, and that’s exactly why we like it. There is a food menu, but it’s pricey. So eat beforehand, and come ready to drink some excellently-made cocktails." - brant cox

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/the-best-bars-in-the-valley
View Postcard for The Red Door
@cntraveler

14 Best Bars in San Diego | Condé Nast Traveler

"Bar by Red Door is positively California fresh. In this intimate cocktail bar, greenery drips from the ceiling in macrame hanging planters; bar stools have midcentury-cool hairpin legs, and tables—both communal and private—are a clean, simple blond wood. Located in Mission Hills, a well-to-do enclave three miles north of downtown, the bar attracts a mix of affluent, older locals as well as date nighters venturing over from nearby neighborhoods. Cocktails are the real draw, and there's something for every palate—boozy and straightforward numbers, right on through sweeter, more tropical ones. If you feel like you're in over your head, refer to the menu—there are helpful tasting notes listed next to each item." - Archana Ram

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-bars-in-san-diego
View Postcard for The Red Door

Enrique Ramirez

Google
The food was great, the ambience was good with live music, and the service great. The chef comes to all tables which is a nice touch. I definitely will be coming back. This area (Mission Hills) is chill and there's plenty of street parking and the neighborhood is nice and quiet. Not as busy as Hillcrest or North Park. Saw some guys fighting at North Park outside bar.. you won't get that at Mission Hills...

Brooke Taylor

Google
Popped into this little gem at 6 on a Saturday night with no reservation and they were fully booked but the sweet staff were able to accommodate us at a high top looking out the window which was perfect. The bartender covered our table and was super attentive the entire meal which was absolutely delicious. Fresh pasta cooked perfectly. The seafood pasta had a ton of mussels and clams and the chicken parm was divine. I will definitely visit this spot again next time I’m in town!

Jennifer Gomez (Jennifer Gome)

Google
Let me tell you yes you have to come here! This place is worth it and trust me when I tell you that I am picky and understand that if I am paying for food and is higher in price I expect it to taste amazing! Which it did my friend and I ordered the chefs special. Which was recommended and we were even told about how we could split it since it was a lot of food. The waiter was great he was sweet and attentive. The chef came out and greeted everyone such a 5 star experience. The chef cares and wants you to have a great experience we will be back!!

Hazel Barasa

Google
I was expecting a decent experience at an upscale resturant, what we got was an unforgettable night with incredible people, food, and ambiance to celebrate a now even more so, memorable birthday. Luciano the owner and chef, greeted us at the door right before our reservation. Took a picture with my fiancé when I was attempting to film content 😅😂 He treated our first interaction as if he was welcoming us into his home, so we were already so amazed by his hospitality and charisma. Upon the rest of our party's arrival they moved us to the bar, so we could enjoy the live music next door and disco ball! They cleared a table for us so we could enjoy the jazz music and amazing food. Our server jessie, bartender che', and the musician rick harris were also such a joy. From Jessie being attentive, che making the absolute perfect espresso martini, and Rick singing Aretha Franklin and other jazz hits; and Luciano consistently asking us between each course how we enjoyed everything. The night was one to remember for sure! Considering we had just visited Italy in March, The red door made us feel like we were in middle of Milano again. I have nothing but positive things to say about this resturant and the people who curated our experience here! Do yourself a favor and experience this place for yourself, we'll definitely be back!

Laura S

Google
Delish! Enjoyed a business dinner at The Red Door. It was a cozy little restaurant; it would be a great date night. I enjoyed the special of crispy seabass over basil risotto. It was so tasty! The skin on the fish was perfectly crispy and the flesh was tender. My colleagues enjoyed their meals too. Service was outstanding. Would recommend!

Josh Lightcap

Google
Amazing food, live music, and exceptional service. If you're like me and you've experienced poor service in the past you understand just how valuable it is to receive outstanding service. Our server was new, TJ, but he was so warm and genuine and knowledgeable. The chef even came out to chat with us once our food arrived! This felt like we were in a small town in Europe or Milan even by the atmosphere. Food was also amazing and my wife had Beef Wellington for the first and not last time. Will be back here next week!

Carol B

Google
Positives and Negatives things to say.Great service and delicious cocktails. The pappardelle was the best I’ve ever had, and the flatbread was really good too. However, the calamari was a disaster, soggy, chewy, the tiniest portion I have ever seen, and overpriced. ( the kale was good, but I didn’t ask for a kale appetizer). I’d return for the pasta and drinks but would never order the calamari again. They should remove it from the menu and spare the costumers this horrible calamari experience.

Jelly Jam

Google
First time here for an evening dinner. The reviews and photos looked amazing. However, the appearances were a bit deceiving to the flavor for the steak filet and the beef wellington with veggies. The best food here is the macaroni and cheese with sausage and bacon, it tasted very rich, creamy, and very flavorful for the sausages and bacon. I would highly reccomend this. I also highly reccomend the ginger beer(non-alcoholic) it was very crisp and refreshing, great pairing to any dish. The beef wellington was cooked well to medium rare, but it lacked flavor, the crust did have good flavor because it absorbed the butter. The veggies were too buttery tasting and couldn't taste the veggies flavor profile, the sauce around the steak had a lot of mushrooms but didn't add any more character. The filet with the gruyere risotto was very strong tasting but the filet lacked any flavor, had the same mushroom sauce as the beef wellington. The filet was supposed to be cooked to medium rare, but it was more rare and very red. It was very difficult to cut through with a knife and extremely chewy, it was hard to eat and enjoy. It felt like I was fighting my food. I told my server about it but nothing was done and didn't want to waste a 10 oz steak, so I ate most of it. The dessert was complimentary, chocolate truffles it was the best dessert ever. Overall, spent $166 for all of this. I would say this place is perfect for drinks, dessert, and an appetizer, but not for the entrees. After eating from this location, I got food poisoning, heading straight to the bathroom because the steak was too rare and not medium rare, being very chewy and very red. It hurt my stomach a lot. I would come back for everything else except for the steaks.

Henry B.

Yelp
Its the kind of place that makes you feel like you've stumbled into a secret dinner party--where the food's amazing and everyone's in a good mood. The vibe is warm and a little fancy without trying too hard. I had the lobster ravioli and beef Wellington, and wow--flavor bombs. Huge portions, too. 10/10 would definitely come back.
google avatar

Net A.

Yelp
This Red Door , an Italian Restaurant , was highly recommended by daughter who also made reservations on my actual birthday July 23rd. We were warmly greeted by Chef Luciano also who is the restaurant owner ! Exceptional plating presentation the entree dishes we ordered ! We started with few delicious appetizers: ROASTED BEETS & BURRATA CHEESE STEAMED CLAMS with toasted Focaccia VEAL MEATBALLS BUTTERNUT BRIE For our dinner entrees: the birthday celebrant ( Me) , The Lobster Ravioli which was served 6 medallions in vodka red sauce ! Every medallion bites I took had lobster meat chunks .... Beef Wellington :seared tenderloin in puff pastry Seafood Fettuccine served with Squid ink noodles Chef Luciano was so kind to comp my birthday truffles! Thanks so much! Will sure come back on my next visit !!!
google avatar

Daniel L.

Yelp
Came here on a Wednesday for a casual dinner, the place is not crowded. I like the family atmosphere and cute decor around the restaurant. The service is attentive and fast. I got the lamb shank on the top of a bed of squash risotto. The lamb is well cooked and fell off the bone, where the risotto is heavily seasoned (actually I feel it's too salty after a few bites, drank the whole bottle of water with it) It's a good dining experience overall. Will come back to try out their other dishes.
google avatar

Wendy G.

Yelp
The service and intimate ambiance at Red Door were pleasant. Our food came out quickly, was generously portioned and appetizingly presented. As a risotto aficionada, I had very high hopes for the mushroom risotto with truffle oil. The texture was good, and I enjoyed finding large mushroom pieces interspersed throughout. However, I found it to be overly salty and lacking balance. BF got the lamb shank, which was served atop a bed of squash risotto. He liked the fall off the bone texture of the lamb, but we felt that both the risotto and lamb were overly salted and moreover this risotto was not as flavorful as the mushroom one. To end on a sweet note, we chose the sticky toffee pudding, which the waiter mentioned is their most popular option. I liked the charcoal ice cream topping, but was not wowed by the toffee pudding itself as I expected something stickier and sweeter.

Z M.

Yelp
This place is a hidden gem. It's been stylishly re-decorated and is now very light & bright. The food was delicious, and a good wine selection. The chateaubriand was perfectly cooked and the two person portion was big enough for three. The chocolate lava cake was a delicious, very rich dark bitter chocolate. Luciano the owner chef greets every customer and checks in later. Robin the bartender & waitress for the whole restaurant was an amazing server. Alejandro Godoy was the saxophonist on Sunday night. He accomplished something difficult to do in a restaurant - great performance which still allowed for easy conversation at the table.
google avatar

Brad D.

Yelp
Red Door delivered an incredible dining experience from start to finish. I had the Chateaubriand paired with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and everything was exceptional. The atmosphere was warm and inviting and the service couldn't have been better. What truly stood out was the personal touch. The chef came by our table more than once to check in which made the evening feel even more special. The Chateaubriand was a showstopper. Presented beautifully over a bed of arugula salad with a rich demi glace and perfectly cooked potatoes it was truly a work of art and one of the best I've ever had. Every bite was perfectly balanced flavorful and memorable. I will absolutely be back. Red Door has earned a permanent spot on my favorites list.
google avatar

Paul B.

Yelp
We have been visiting this local restaurant for many years and it is always a favorite. One of our favorite things is that the chef seems to always take time to walk through the restaurant and say hello to everyone which is very cool. The food is great and he usually has a special or two on the menu. It is a small restaurant so I would recommend reservations, but I don't think they're too busy for walk-ins.
google avatar

Falcone K.

Yelp
Lovely. Service and food are great. Portions are good and the ambiance is classic. Been coming here for years and will continue to do so. Even as new, subpar places open up in the area.
google avatar

Courtney O.

Yelp
The perfect last meal of 2024! I've passed The Red Door many times, located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Mission Hills, and have always wanted to give it a try. Known for having a romantic and warm atmosphere with delicious Italian inspired cuisine, I was so glad a friend suggested it for our final meal of the year. We arrived for our 8:15am reservation and were seated in the center of the dining room. The Red Door has a very intimate environment. The lighting is low and the space feels warm and comfortable. Chef and Owner Luciano may contribute to this as he isn't shy about greeting guests and welcoming them into his restaurant home. We brought our own bottle to dinner and they charge a $30 corkage fee. They also have a great selection of drinks including a full bar. They had a special holiday menu available and the four of us shared a variety of entrees to get a taste of multiple different mains. Beef Wellington - A staple that is traditionally on their regular menu. The beef was cooked to perfection and was very soft. I'm not usually a steak person, but I enjoyed the beef wellington because of how tender it was. The veggies it was paired with were perfect as well. Spiny Lobster with Pappardelle - What a statement! We saw a table order some of the lobsters before us and were stunned by the large shells. My friend we were dining with noted that they must be local as they didn't have the traditional claws of an East Coast lobster, but instead, came in a spiny shell. The lobster was cut so that we could easily access the meat. While the lobster was the star of the show, I thoroughly enjoyed the pappardelle it was placed on top. Truffle Gnocchi - Our favorite dish! The creamy gnocchi was perfect and pillowy and we got a generous serving of truffles on top. Chef Luciano took over to shave the truffles, even adding some to our lobster pappardelle. He was incredibly generous and it felt like good luck going into the new year. We had a lovely meal. I looked down at my watch and an hour and a half flew by in no time. That's how you know you're in good company with good food. I look forward to coming back to this special neighborhood spot.
google avatar

Randall B.

Yelp
When we arrived we we were told we were seated in the bar area next door. Not overly thrilled as that was not the plan. As it turned out, though, it was delightful and glad we were there. The calamari / kale appetizer was great and not so great at the same time. The calamari was most excellent. The kale, however, left a lot to be desired. It was more like kale dust and was very hard to eat. Not pleasant. Calamari 5-Star. Kale 1-Star. I ordered the lamb shank with risotto and it was a ten out of ten. Lamb fell off the bone and was a perfect temperature. The chicken parm was a 9 out of 10. Portions sizes were good and the price point seemed high but in the end both dishes were amazing. Since we we're in the bar it would have been nice to have the wooden tables that felt a bit sticky covered with something. A 9 out of 10 night. Service was good and the chef came out to talk to us. Go. Enjoy. It's a great place.
google avatar

Kaylin G.

Yelp
Farm to table fresh with the taste to back it. Fantastic food, you can taste just how fresh everything is. The beef Wellington was everything I hoped for. Perfectly cooked with perfect portions. the service was quick and staff were knowledgeable on everything. They have lots of daily specials! Ambience was relaxed and quiet. Perfect for date night.

Eliana S.

Yelp
This restaurant is everything you could want. The brussel sprout and bacon app, lobster ravioli, seafood pasta and lava cake were divine. The portions were extremely generous. The atmosphere was very cozy, and the service was extraordinary and quick. The owner and head chef personally greets every guest, making everyone feel welcomed. There's a Red Door bar right next store with the same menu and even live music. Perfect local neighborhood spot, date night, celebration spot, or place to take visitors! We will be back soon!
google avatar

Hanafi M.

Yelp
Nicholas is an excellent restaurantur the parking is iffy. The Beef Wellington, was well prepared and presented. The clams, meh. I shall be more than happy 2 return.
google avatar

Catrina R.

Yelp
Guys I can't say more lovely things about this place! My husband and I have seen this place a few times but decided to check it out Friday right at opening. First of all the service is extraordinary. Everyone was so helpful and lovely. The owner and chef even came over during dinner to check on us. You can tell everything done here is done with pride and great care. That alone earned this place a 5/5 but the food was just the best. We started off with their butternut brie and the flatbread (it was a special that night and had porchetta). The brie was super flavorful and I highly recommend the flatbread for large parties as it is HUGE. You could also smell it before you even saw it - they really do use really fresh ingredients here. Then we had the meat lovers Mac n cheese and the pappardelle. The Mac n cheese sauce was fantastic but guys the pappardelle was PHENOMENAL. The homemade pasta was cooked to absolute perfection and I could literally be buried in the sauce and would die happy. For a big brain move make sure to get something with bread for the entree to soak up the extra sauce. Then we ended the night with the sticky toffee pudding. This may be the best dessert I've ever had. Sincerely. Again, homemade. All the desserts are homemade and when we spoke to the chef to ask what his favorite was he said as he makes them all by hand that would be like picking his favorite child. All this means is we have to come back and try the rest of them (and their beef Wellington!). Will absolutely be back to try everything else on the menu. But definitely get a reservation. We went during opening but this place gets very busy as the night goes on. Parking wise is street but it wasn't too bad at 5pm on a Friday. Come early just in case.
google avatar

Robert K.

Yelp
Went there on a Saturday night. A smaller corner restaurant, cozy with full bar service. The last time I went there was several years before covid and they've had a change in ownership and chef. Service was friendly, quick, and skilled. We started with a flatbread because we were starving, and when I saw the portions coming out of the kitchen (huge) I was worried I made a mistake. But I am so glad I did, it was a pesto and sausage flatbread that was so flavorful if I didn't know different, I would have thought they made the pesto to order, as I could really taste the basil in each bite. Then the main came, and I had the lamb with risotto - and it delivered. My friend had the fish of the day, which was caught in San Diego and was absolutely delicious. I was extremely happy with my meal and I will return. The martinis were good as well. If you're on the fence on this place, I really recommend giving it a shot!
google avatar

Erika M.

Yelp
The BEST Italian restaurant in San Diego. The owner is straight from Milan and the quality takes me back to italia. Exceptional service and live entertainment on select nights. We ordered the Seafood fettuccine, Pappardelle, Beets and burrata. ALL AMAZING!
google avatar

Scott W.

Yelp
Tldr; Absolute perfection. 5/5. Should be 6/5. Stop what you're doing and make a reservation asap We've eaten here many times so this review is based on multiple experiences Food: *chefs kiss* Luciano & his crew absolutely nail everything they cook. We've tried almost the entire menu and not one dish was less than perfection. It's so clear how much they care about putting out world class Italian. Luciano is an absolute legend. Service: Much like their food, their service is impeccable. They pass "the water test" with flying colors (never wanting for water). They make sure you're comfortable and can get what you want. I remember being bummed they were a pepsi shop and magically a cocacola showed up. They are professionals that really care about the guest experience. Even Luciano comes out from the kitchen every now and then to interact with guests and get feedback on his food Ambiance: Such a gem. It is quaint (although they do have the bar side), but they do a good job of maximizing space without making you feel cramped. You feel like you're in their home eating a home cooked meal.

E B.

Yelp
Just came here with my family for my 40th birthday. I've lived in San Diego for 15 years and I remember this place being good, but I would never return. I got the beef Wellington and it was well done with burnt crust. My father got the seafood pasta with squid ink fettucine and the scallops were rubber. Literally, not only inedible but barely even a texture you could impale with your fork. The waitress was the bartender and she definitely tried her best, so the slow service would have been forgivable, except the chef/owner had the gall to say "the cooks used the wrong scallops" to justify the poor quality of the cook, and simply said "come back." No offer to discount, no shame. And to this day, I don't know what beef Wellington should taste like.
google avatar

Sheila C.

Yelp
Cute little restaurant in Hillcrest. The service and food was good. We went for happy hour and there was hardly anyone there. The price for a bottle of wine is no different than just ordering individual glasses, which was a surprise. Food came out pretty quickly.
google avatar

Shirley O.

Yelp
We had a relaxing Sunday dinner here. The place is charming with soothing jazz music playing in the background. We started off with calamari and kale. And also tried the mussels. For my entree, I had the risotto with seared ahi tuna. For dessert, it was the ricotta cheesecake. For drinks, I had the RB spritzer and carajillo. I enjoyed every bite. The food was fresh and delicious. The serving sizes were generous and I took leftovers home. This was the first time trying a carajillo which was an after dinner coffee cocktail that is less boozy than an espresso martini. I loved this drink. Service was excellent. Our waiter, Kevin, was friendly and attentive. The chef stopped by our table and acknowledged us. We definitely want to return to try more of their great menu.
google avatar

Jonathan A.

Yelp
Absolutely incredible restaurant. Honestly some of the best food I've ever eaten. I had the flatbread and the chicken Parmesan and both were not only outrageously delicious, but also very generous portions! The service was excellent and the ambiance was nice. My only issues were that I personally wish there was a little more room between the tables, as it feels like a private conversation would be impossible due to the size of the restaurant, but I know that's not necessarily a problem for many people, so I don't consider it a negative, or the fault of the restaurant. It's just a different vibe. Secondarily, parking was a real hassle, but that's also not the fault of the restaurant. Just something to consider when planning. All in all, I was very impressed and would love to visit again sometime.
google avatar

Alex R.

Yelp
Came here for Valentine's weekend. Nice place. Very busy. Very friendly staff. Very helpful with the menu. Got the lobster risotto and the beef Wellington. The lobster risotto was really good. Very flavorful. The beef Wellington was very easy to eat. The crust was nice and the meat was medium-rare. The sauce complimented the Wellington very well. The tiramisu was very good. One of the better one's I've had. I'm already looking at items to get when I come back.

Agnes R.

Yelp
Wonderful experience! I'm not usually a review writer but I couldn't resist writing one for such an exceptional dining experience. I've eaten at a lot of fine dining restaurants around the world and can say that this little restaurant can, not only stand with, but stands above many of them. Beef Wellington was one of the best I've had. Hells kitchen was good but this was better. The risotto's taste and creamy texture is something you would find in Italy and let's not forget about the sticky toffee pudding, lava cake and tiramisu (all made in house). It isn't surprising that the chef/owner is from Italy and came out several times to talk to us during the meal. He wasn't pushy or pretentious but was personable, such a delight and full of information. They recently opened up an adjacent bar that has live music as well.

Karen G.

Yelp
The vibe was so inviting! The staff, sax player and chef/owner all took the time to ask us our names. And then the carefully prepared food came out. Wow! Chef Luciano even showed us pictures of the yellowtail he prepared only hours earlier, served with freshly grated wasabi. We ended with a caramel covered dessert that was clearly homemade that day. Served with perfectly toasted walnuts. What a find!
google avatar

Sara A.

Yelp
Absolutely phenomenal, every single thing about this restaurant! I came for dinner with one of my friends who had previously been and absolutely loved it. The setting is very lovely and intimate. Service is phenomenal, nothing is rushed and everything feels very deliberate. They have a wonderful wine selection as well. We tried several items from the menu and everything was spectacular. I especially loved the dessert...we had the molten chocolate cake as well as banana cream pie, they were both phenomenal. The chef came out and took the time to stop at each table and talk with us, which I thought was so unique and lovely. This restaurant is perfect for nights out with family, friends, or romantic date. Parking can be a little bit tough in the Mission Hills area. We parked on a residential street, but it was not very far walk to the restaurant. I highly recommend the spot, I will certainly be returning.
google avatar

T D.

Yelp
This may be my new favorite Italian restaurant in San Diego! The food was great! The service was attentive and the drinks were good! It was nice being greeted at the door by the chef/owner and the cozy atmosphere made us feel like we were home. I can't wait to go back to try more dishes. I had the orecchiette and it was so flavorful and delicious! You could taste the freshness of the pasta and the ingredients. I also tried my wife's spare ribs and it was also very tasty. On friend ordered the. Chateaubriand and it was a masterpiece in presentation and had great flavor as well. The sea bass and pesto orzo was magnificent: i only tasted from my friend's plate and that was enough to make me want to come back! For dessert, I ALWAYS order tiramisu, but this time I was craving cheesecake. The ricotta cheesecake with strawberry & raspberry did not disappoint! Thanks to Chef Cibelli for a great experience.
google avatar

Roderick F.

Yelp
My favorite date night venue. The atmosphere is amazing. Fine Dining without the extra dressing up. There are 2 seating areas but my favorite is the live music side. We ordered calamari to start. This is hands down the best calamari i have ever came across. The creamy chipotle sauce throws it over the top. The Lobster Ravioli is exceptional and the Beef Wellington lives up to the hype. Our waitress was very helpful and extra attentive to our meal. Overall a beautiful place that i will frequent for a long time.

Regina K.

Yelp
Everything was amazing- service and food was 5 out of 5- our server Robin gave us a perfect experience, the food was absolutely "spectacular" as the chef promised- my family came in from out of town, and being Italian we took them here for our big last night- the chef even came out and spoke Italian with my mother- thank you so much Red Door- we will definitely be back
google avatar

Mimi L.

Yelp
I don't think I've ever mentioned a Shirley Temple‐yes, a SHIRLEY TEMPLE‐in a review, but OMG! Their "house" Shirley Temple was amazing! We absolutely loved the Fabbri cherries (imported from Italy). Onto the food: The White Bean soup was good, but salty. The Chicken Parmesean (with spaghetti) was also salty. My friend also stated that her food was heavy on the salt. Nevertheless, we'd return. If for no other reason, we'll go back for the Shirley Temples! Lol. As for the service, it was the beat we've had in amlong time! The chef, Luciano Cibelli, was very kind. He went to every table and asked about our experiences eating there.
google avatar

Jonathan C.

Yelp
I wanted magic. I got microwave. Family flew in from the East Coast to celebrate a double graduation. One college, one high school. Proud moment, big energy, and a perfect excuse to book a table at what I thought was a San Diego gem. We ordered five apps and a spread of entrées, including the pappardelle ragu, beef wellington, lobster ravioli, and the surf and turf special. The appetizers were fine. Not inedible. Just sad. We chalked it up to a busy Saturday night and kept smiling. The mains? Worse. The pappardelle was salty and soupy, with a Chef Boyardee vibe, which is fine if paired with a Capri Sun and not a $20 cocktail. The Wellington looked deflated, literally - like it had been stepped on. The risotto was gummy. The steak, ordered medium rare, arrived gray and overcooked all the way through. Like leather. Like well beyond well done. We debated sending it back. I wanted to just let it go, but my family pushed. I gave in. It took twenty minutes just to flag down our server. To his credit, he agreed that the steak looked nothing like medium rare. He took the plate away. That would be the last we saw of it. No replacement came. They took a third off that dish. We didn't argue. We just wanted to leave. What stings most is that I really wanted to love this place. I had been excited. I had read the reviews. We had made the reservation weeks in advance and even planned our orders ahead of time. We arrived full of anticipation and left full of disappointment. Maybe we caught a bad night. But for $500, bad nights shouldn't be on the menu. Not coming back.
google avatar

Caliph J.

Yelp
The chief is absolutely amazing and the Chilean Seabass is second to none! This restaurant was a great Mother's Day surprise
google avatar

Ben A.

Yelp
Took my fiancée here expecting a 9, ended up being a hard 10! Best Italian food in San Diego with an old school cool vibe. Owner/chef is extremely passionate about his food/restaurant and was extremely cool. One of the great meals of my life! Blows Cesarina out of the water!
google avatar

Ronald R.

Yelp
My partner and I have been here a few times now, and I have to say the food is always great. My partner typically orders the Chicken Parmesan and I love the Lamb Shank. The serving sizes are hearty and the service we had was great. Would recommend this place for a special occasion. Overall charming atmospher only downside is that the music sound system was not working that day.
google avatar

Renata S.

Yelp
By FAR the best Italian cuisine I have had outside of Italy. This Chef worked in London for a while and has brought some of those dishes to his restaurant. In my party, we had Risotto, the beef Wellington, and Carbonara. We were all stunned at how perfectly cooked and properly orchestrated the entire meal was. My grandmother was Naoolitana and to this day I Chase the flavor and texture of her risotto.... I was not disappointed for the first time in decades of searching! The service was great, Chef took the time to come by the table, and the ambiance was relaxed and intimate. ABSOLUTELY a must when in San Diego!
google avatar

Mike C.

Yelp
Great Italian food. Live music. Service is very attentive. We were seated in the bar section of the restaurant which is separated from the main restaurant. It appears like two separate places with entirely different entrances. My family and I did not realize this when making the reservation (they did mention though). We sat in the bar section which had a club-like ambiance, was dimly lit and rather small. In hindsight, I would recommend the main restaurant section if you are with children but our kids loved the change in ambience so it worked out. The chef, Luciano, personally came out and asked us what we thought of his food - which was really cool. He mentioned everything was made fresh using local producers from meats & vegetables with certain specialty things coming directly from Italy. This is a great restaurant with a dedicated owner/chef who values your business and feedback. I'm certain this is a local favorite. We will return.
google avatar

Michael N.

Yelp
An excellent restaurant for dinner. My wife and I had lasagna and eggplant parmesan. The lasagna was perhaps the best I've had anywhere, including Italy. The eggplant was equally excellent. Perfectly fried, the eggplant melts in your mouth. The service at The Red Door was also excellent in every way.
google avatar

Joan W.

Yelp
Had a member of our party who doesn't eat cheese but wanted to try their flatbread. The waiter didn't even blink and cheerfully assured us they could swap out the pesto for marinara sauce and top with sausage. That flatbread turned out the star of the evening! Even the rest of us cheese lovers didn't miss it. Was also super impressed by their Beef Wellington. It was a perfect medium and tasty without being overstated. And buttery tender. Even if you're full try the spumoni! It's a chocolate covered ball that's comes out sliced in half on a plate. Ice cream at restaurants can be hit or miss. This was a home run. Richly flavored but not overly sweet. Oh so good! Cozy interior vibe. A fantastic night out for the eyes and tastebuds.
google avatar

Luis R P.

Yelp
The food was amazing as always. Chef Luciano was fantastic at explaining his dishes of the day. He is always so attentive. Their most popular dishes are the beef Wellington and the short rib. I have had them both and totally recommend them. The place was packed and lively. Nice decor and ambiance. Service was very slow this time compared to other times I have been here but it was Friday night.
google avatar

Andrew M.

Yelp
Food was amazing. Owner is also the chef, he was really nice, came and introduced himself, and brought out the food and asked what we thought of it.
google avatar

Brooke H.

Yelp
Popped into this little gem at 6 on a Saturday night with no reservation and they were fully booked but the sweet staff were able to accommodate us at a high top looking out the window which was perfect. The bartender covered our table and was super attentive the entire meal which was absolutely delicious. Fresh pasta cooked perfectly. The seafood pasta had a ton of mussels and clams and the chicken parm was divine. I will definitely visit this spot again next time I'm in town!

Kevin M.

Yelp
I've been a regular patron of The Red Door for some years. Last night I returned and ordered one of my favorites, Fettucine Seafood. The three or four pieces of scallop must have been days old, so tough that it was impossible to bite through. What made it worse was that Chef Luciano stopped by the table to ask about our meals and I clearly told him that the scallops were bad. Hearing that, he simply walked away. Our server, while great, told us she had to ignore our group of 5 because another staff member had to leave. I am walking away from The Red Door.

Julie J.

Yelp
We just celebrated my daughter's Milan's birthday at The Red Door and what an amazing experience! From the intimate seating and ambience, to the attentiveness of our server Kevin, to the delicious food, the whole evening was fantastic. What made it even more memorable was when Chef Cibelli came to our table to meet Milan (he is Milanese!) and chat with our family. He shared stories about the origins of the Beef Welllington and the Sticky Toffee Pudding (we're English and can say that both were top notch!) and made us feel like we were being welcomed into his home. We can't wait to go back again and would give The Red Door 10 stars if we could!!! Thank you to everyone at The Red Door!
google avatar

Malik N.

Yelp
Yall. This place is top 3 restaurants in San Diego EASILY. Best risotto I've ever had. I've been here at least 5 times and its a hit EVERY TIME
google avatar

Mike A.

Yelp
Such a great place for our Valentine's Day dinner. Our server, I think his name is Ryan (served us at a small corner table by the bar), was so stellar and amazing with his recommendations. I tried the beef Wellington and it was delicious. Definitely will come back for more date night occasions. The ambiance was perfect too and the chef even came out to greet us.
google avatar

Terri L.

Yelp
Best beef Wellington we've ever had. Tender and juicy steak wrapped in savory pastry with delicate and distinctive truffle flavor served with generous portion of vegetables. Lobster ravioli was one of day's special which was also very delicious. Served in mouth watering tangy tomato sauce not heavy cream sauce. Dessert, Sticky pudding with charcoal gelato (ice cream?!) was gooey, creamy and nutty... yummy!!! Our Server was super friendly and welcoming from the time we walked in the restaurant. Restaurant is decorated in European style, comfortable and cozy. Plan to return for an awesome meal again, and will recommend to friends and family.
google avatar

Maile L.

Yelp
Food was amazing and really fresh got the pappardelle and sea bass! First time here and would definitely come back.
google avatar

Blake M.

Yelp
Fantastic time at the Red Door (as always). The ambiance is fantastic, so cozy. My fiancé and I felt well taken care of and never rushed through our meal. We savored every bite through our drinks, appetizers, main course and dessert. We are always looking forward to returning. Can't recommend enough!
google avatar

Gary G.

Yelp
Great food - and fantastic desserts! We had - the risotto (great texture / taste) , the short rib (very rich - good!), and the eggplant parm (fresh eggplant, great tomato sauce). Large portions, we took home leftovers. Don't skip dessert - the sticky toffee pudding was the best I've ever had. The banana cream pie was bonkers as well.
google avatar

Chris P.

Yelp
My son loves their beef wellington, cooked to perfection. Adequate side dishes. I loved the seafood pasta, good size and amount of seafood. The only thing though is the bread service is served upon request only. The resto was not busy, we came for an early lunch. Love the ambiance and decor making it feel like you are in a family resto, very low key set up. The toffee pudding is always a great choice for desert. We got a comp truffles for my son's graduation celebration. That was thoughtful!