Arrivederci Italian Restaurant Reviews

4.5

148 of 4,574 Restaurants in San Diego


Reviews

Never a bad idea

By Bernie N |

The wait staff is attentive, the food is excellent, and the ambiance feels comfortable and homey. They serve the classics but their house specialties are great! Finally, always order the calamari!

This is THE Italian place in Hillcrest!

By Mia W |

What a Fantastic Restaurant! We fell across this place and we are so happy we did and will go back when we are there again. The food was amazing and OMG, the service was over the top, FANTASTIC!

Great recommendation

By Liz G |

Recommended by our B&B owner. Seemed to be the busiest restaurant in Hillcrest, San Diego. Great atmosphere, great food, generous portions, friendly and efficient staff. Perfect end to a day's travelling from LA to San Diego.

Wonderful Surprise

By Reitziger1 |

I discovered this gem after I googled restaurants in San Diego. Reservations were recommended, but we decided to take our chances (on a Friday night!) and arrive just at they were opening. This was a very good idea on our part, because by 6:00 the place was filling up fast! My family began with fresh bread a homemade marinara sauce. This was so good I could have eaten for the appetizer. I had mushroom ravioli, and it was the best I've ever tasted. Other family members stated this was the best Italian restaurant they've enjoyed. Last, it was my daughter's birthday, and the waiter was kind enough to include a candle in the cannoli and sing happy birthday. We will definitely be back for another meal.

Fabulous restaurant

By Dallas51 |

We are here twice during our 4 day stay in San Diego. This was recommended to us by our InnKeeper at the Hillcrest House Bed and Breakfast, who says she is a food snob and we were not disappointed at all. I was recommended by her to get the Pork Osso Buco and OMG what a fabulous meal. My partner had Spaghetti Carbonara which was good. On the second visit I had the Rigatoni with a meat Bolognese sauce which was very good and he had the tortellini, peas and ham in a cream sauce which was A OMG dish!!. The servings are very plentiful and could easily be shared. They do not rush you at all and are able to enjoy your wine and fresh bread before you order, HIghfly recommend this restaurant. You will not ge disappointed.

Ambiance and food wonderful

By Deborah B |

A friend and I met here for dinner mid-week. She suggested it because it was her favorite place and we were celebrating. (It was my first time.) The space is small and intimate, very cozy with "Old World" rustic decor. There is sidewalk seating. (We ate inside to get away from the street scene.) The servers are Italian and super friendly and attentive. The menu is authentic Italian and the wine list is good. Reasonably priced. There is a small pay-parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. Street parking is metered in the immediate area. I found non-metered parking just a block away. The restaurant opens for lunch, closes mid-afternoon, and reopens for dinner at 5PM. I look forward to a return trip.

Fantastic Dinner

By Jackie R |

We had a phenomenal, knock your socks off kind of dinner. We selected Pollo Giardino, Capellini Al Bacio, Capellini Bosco E Mare. We had a reservations and were seated promptly despite it being crowded. We dined here on a Saturday evening and it was packed. The table next to us had the pork and veal osso bucco dishes and they looked amazing. Portions were great and we had leftovers. Wait staff was attentive and friendly. A win if you are in Little Italy.

Wow and more wow.

By Randall |

Simply the best Italian in San Diego. The marinara is Devine. The polenta is out of this world good. Reservations are a good idea as it gets full up quickly. Don’t eat too much of the fresh made bread with marinara they give you at the beginning cause the portions are huge.

Social get yogether

By lubomyray |

Five couples got together to enjoy food and each other's company. We had dined here before and enjoyed it. Several of us were looking forward to lamb chops and were very disappointed that they were not on the menu. The veal dish of the day was very good as well as the linguine with peas and chicken, salmon stuffed ravioli, steak, Pasta with scallops etc. we also enjoyed the fried calamari and zucchini as well as the clams Caruso. Too bad the room we were seated in did not have a very effective air conditioning unit because several people were uncomfortable and did not wish to stay for desert. We had excellent tiramisu before.

Crowd pleaser

By Glenyss R |

Although we had a reservation we still had to wait in the rain for half an hour to be seated. This is a very busy restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, very popular. The host seemed stressed and was a little curt though the wait staff were friendly and very efficient. The meals were generous servings and the menu was quite extensive with all the normal Italian fare. Good selection of wines though not cheap at around $30 US. Service was fast. All of our table enjoyed their meals covering gluten free, vegetarian, meat eaters and fussy eaters! My spaghetti special with zuchini, asparagus and artichoke was a little bland and the veges were very thinly sliced. The other meals seemed very saucey to my liking but I think that might be an American thing and the plates were all left empty! A good choice, reasonable priced and very lively. Parking can be found next door in the lot, free for 1 1/2 hours with a validated ticket.

Delicious, home made, and reasonable

By Toru M |

The food here are home-made kind of simple Italian dishes. The staff are friendly and attentive. It's also very reasonable.

Best authentic Italian in San Diego

By Stallone1 |

All 10 of us thoroughly enjoyed our food and wine which is quite amazing given the number of people we were. The food was delicious and served hot. Be prepared to bring your appetite and take home left overs as the portions are very large. They only serve beer and wine so plan ahead if you want a cocktail before dinner. The service was prompt and friendly. The atmosphere is quaint and fun. This is a must do if you like Italian food. Take it from a bunch of NY Italians who know.

Very authentic!

By Kaileeelam |

We just got back from Italy a few weeks ago. This place is super good and very authentic. The wine specials were an excellent value. We ate the lamb special, lobster linguini, truffle oil risotto, and a shellfish handmade pasta. Each dish blew our minds!! The servers at very attentive.

Popular and reason is obvious

By MaryLS |

Was here on a Monday night and it was quite busy. Has an outdoor patio which is always pleasant in San Diego. Knowledgeable waiters and great Italian food.

wonderful italian food in san diego

By jazz562 |

Classical Italian food, good service. , always busy and frenetic. Veal and pasta dishes are excellent Seafood is fresh and delicious. table had fried calamari, veal milenesa, and cioppino. One of best Italian restaurants in san diego. easy validated parking in adjacent lot

My favorite Italian restaurant in San Diego

By Dana P |

This is a restaurant that I frequent often. It is so fabulous from the Italian speaking waiters to the fresh made pasta through to dessert! What an amazing restaurant for any one who loves Italian food. Having been to Italy, I can attest that it is very authentic in flavor and of good quality. Rigatoni Piccanti, Capellini Arrabbiata con pollo, fettuccine con caprino e Arugola are all must try dishes!

Wow and more wow. Really. Just go

By Randall |

Had not been here before and a friend said it’s his favorite so we went. We had the polenta which is the single best polenta I have had. Superb. Creamy, crunchy and more. The rigatoni with meat sauce was out of this world. A huge serving that tasted like homeade. Staff was wonderful and the dipping sauce for the bread kissed our lips with garlic and tomatoes and was magnificent. The atmos was simple, yet homey and made us feel like we were guests in a house not in a restaurant. You can’t go wrong here. Ciao!

An Authentic Gem

By VickiMA1234 |

Even though it was a crazy-busy night, we were lucky to get one of the last tables available by arriving before 6:00 p.m. And, despite a full house, our order was taken right away and our food arrived faster than expected. My caprese salad and my husband's soup were the best we ever had. We shared an entree, which was more than adequate for the two of us along with the delicious bread we dove into shortly after the arrival of our salads and wine. If you want delicious, authentic Italian food with a flair, this is a must visit! The fact that it was packed with locals, was testament enough.

Excellent Italian Restaurant in San Diego hippster Area

By Jm S |

I went to have dinner with my wife. Place was packed but we got a table. Excellent bilingual service. Food was excellent and price OK. Fresh pasta. They have a good Wine list and served and the right temperature. Next door Parking is free with ticket validated

Pleasant service, good food, very good value

By 0591TimS |

We took a chance on an early dinner around 6:15pm on a Sunday. We sat outside and enjoyed the late summer early evening. The tomato dip that came with the bread was very good, the bread, not so much.z We shared the eggplant as a starter which came with a very good red sauce. We ordered a bottle of the Montepluciano D'Abruzzo which, at $29, was remarkably good. The veal osso bucco was very good as was the halibut. Very good value at under $100 for an enjoyable dinner for two.

BAD SERVICE

By Aldo S |

The food was ok, everything looked fine and nice, but the service was terrible, we got moved from table to table while we were eating, so they could accomodate more guests, the first time we got moved I didnt care much, but the second time it made me feel discriminated for being the only ones being moved, and the last time one waiter asked us to leave to make room for more people, we still had a glass of wine each..... so we paid and just left. awful experience. wouldnt recommend to anyone.

Great Italian -- owned and served by Italians -- with authentic preparations

By Richard V |

If you like Italian, this is it. NOTE: the owner has a restaurant in Little Italy as well, and a French Restaurant, Au Revoir, down the street. They're all great! At Arrivderci, I love their meat lasagna, you will NOT be hungry after eating it. And, it's so damned good! We also really like their cannolis -- think fresh crisp pastry, not soggy frozen stuff.

delicious but noisy

By Tony C |

I would give the food five stars. My partner had veal, I had chicken with amaretto/tomato sauce. It was delicious. The problem was the noise. The acoustics are terrible. I couldn't hear my partner, and I left with a headache.

Wonderful Italian lunch

By Sonny V |

For the 3rd time we had a wonderful Italian lunch here. The lamb chops were very juicy and tasty. The ravioli with salmon was excellent, with a creamy sauce.The service was friendly. The espresso strong and good.

Birthday dinner

By Ephrem B |

I decided to treat myself for my birthday. Due to the pandemic, they have scaled down their menu but still had a good selection in variety. I got a lobster dish in a spicy sauce. The lobster tail was bigger than I expected. It was a little hard to cut into the meat without the sauce splattering a little. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner.

Real Italians Work Here!

By NeverAgain1989 |

They bring a full basket of bread and will bring more if required. The portion sizes were good sized and the prices reasonable. Servers are friendly and the location is ideal with lots of street parking available. Much better than going downtown to the gas lamp district for those other horrible Italian restaurants.

Fantastic Italian food!!!

By RuRuStatesboro |

One of our favorite Italian places to eat in SAn Diego!! The gnocchi and lasagna are the best!! Beet salad also! Great service and clean Dining room! Good selection of wine As well! Tariamusu is rich and creamy. The Capachino is worth waiting for . They have a lovely outside area to eat on the porch! Highly recommend this place for good food and. Value!!

Delizioso!

By monisf |

Caprese salad followed by pork osso bucco and a wine perfectly selected by the charming waiter made for an incredible meal.

Italian food at its best

By PB3068 |

Got a recommendation from a friend to visit this restaurant in SD. The service from the get go was attentive, friendly and professional. Chilled water and bread delivered to the table within minutes of arriving. The restaurant has a large and extensive menu … something for everyone. I opted for the minestrone to start and the linguine with seafood and a tomato based (red) sauce for main. The minestrone was tasty and full of goodies. But the main course was delicious. In Australia we call this dish linguine marinara but marinara in the US means a standard red tomato based sauce. The dish was generous in size, delicious taste and the perfect amount of fresh seafood. I really could not fault the dish. And of course some of that fresh bread to mop up the sauce was fantastic. For the service and food alone, I would strongly recommend you pay them a visit.

Pork Osso bucco

By pismopete |

OK. You may have never heard of pork osso bucco, I never had, but you owe it to yourself to order this dish. My wife and I started with the Bruschetta appetizer, a chopped salad then shared the entree. It was more than enough food for both of us. The waiter, Joseph, was exemplary. Happy and outgoing, he was entertaining all by himself. He happily served us and then left us in our romantic corner as we wished. The Bruschetta was served on toasted bread on the edge of being too thick, but the flavor was excellent, all garlic, tomato and olive oil. The chopped salad was exactly as you would want, very fresh and perfectly dressed. But the Osso Bucco was the star. Joseph brought it out and, Wow! The aroma was so enticing. The pork shank was sitting in the midst of a golden risotto, and drizzled around that was a port wine reduction with porcini mushrooms. The risotto was perfectly done, all creamy and rich with saffron. The port wine reduction was decadent and filled with deep, rich layers of flavor. And the taste of the perfectly done, falling off the bone osso bucco married with both was to die for. You need to order this dish. You can thank me later.

Awesome food

By Heather P |

Great Italian food, possibly the best lasagna I've ever had! Don't judge it from the outside, go in as it is awesome

Hearty Italian Food

By BBSolo |

This is a favorite local spot is very cozy and the food is delicious. Flavors are on point and the service is magnificent.

Go once and you're hooked!

By Michael0952 |

My wife and I went on a recommendation from a hotel concierge. We where treated like we where patrons for years. The menu is a delight and the prices are excellent! The wine selection is superb. I had the veal and my wife had the fettuccine. The desert came with the meal and was amazing. This is an absolute must in San Diego.

Large menu - many interesting choices - but garlic on everything

By Donald S |

Wine and beer only - just FYI. Ambience is nice. The menu is huge with so many choices. Personally I think they over-rely on garlic - that type that is ground garlic in oil. They put spoonfuls over everything, including the veggies and appetizers. It was just to much garlic. I love sardines and theirs were okay, but sitting in a pool of lemon juice with clumps of garlic on top. Not appetizing or delicious at all. The veal dishes were perfectly cooked.

Special occasion dinner, authentic Italian cuisine!

By MamaMia796 |

We were staying in the community of Hillcrest, and this was in walking distance. The first night we ate outside party of seven. Everyone loved there entree. The waiters were attentive and atmosphere was great. I had an excellent entree of rigatoni with sausage and peppers. We’re in the area the next evening but less hungry and stopped in for minestrone, and gelato! This time we sat inside and it was crowed and different wait staff but equally as good!

Wonderful dishes all around

By B J |

I had dinner at Arrivederci a week ago -- four of us split two appetizers and three main-course pastas. The eggplant appetizer was extremely good -- we all remarked on the freshness of the tomato sauce, and perfect spicing. As for the pasta, I stuck with the salmon fettuccine in pink sauce -- and it was oh so good. I wish I had room to pack in more, as it was delicious, but the portions were so large, I couldn't finish. My companions also really enjoyed their dishes. For desert we all shared one tiramisu -- although we were stuffed, we couldn't resist this delight, which was excellent. The one drawback: we sat inside, which was lacking in airflow, and became quite hot, even though the weather outside was cool and breezy -- so my recommendation, eat at an outside table. And don't miss this great restaurant!

The best rehearsal dinner EVER!

By Richard K |

We had a rehearsal dinner at Arrivederci, and loved it! There is a private room that worked for 25 people as well. Dinner was fantastic as usual, service was amazing! (Thanks to Luis!)

Wow! What a wonderful dinner!

By JimW551 |

We ate here with friends last night. We asked what their best dish was and they said the pork osso buco. I am not a fan but thought I’d try it! Wow! Impressive! Incredible meal for $23! Two of my friends had scallops and the other had the rib eye. All were incredible but they all said next time they were getting pork osso buco after trying mine. Caesar salads were very good. Split one between two people. Had a nice Malbec. Our waiter was a character and made evening even more fun!

A great local find

By fdl1948 |

OK, I know there are a lot of Italian restaurants and I've been to many. This one is near the UC San Diego Hospital and just off the main routes, but worth the trip. Great food, very reasonable prices and the portions are just right. Service is well paced and IF you are in a hurry just let them know. Parking is BEHIND the restaurant in what appears to be a pay lot, however, the restaurant will stamp your ticket, so no issue. This is not a big place so reservations are really important on weekends. Hard to go wrong with this one. BTW they also have a pizza restaurant which I have not tried....its just a few store fronts away.

Great Carpaccio

By haakonh319 |

This place caught my eye as I drove by. Nice patio that was filled with customers, came in to check out the menu and immediately saw a lot of Italian favorites. I had the beef Carpaccio and some cream of asparagus soup. The carpaccio was super fresh and seasoned just right. The wait staff was amazingly attentive & friendly.

Excellent lunch

By LyndaDSwenson |

With two friends I had lunch outside. The penne puttanesca was just perfect with capers and black olives. Bread was warm. Service was great.

Manga!

By PWestcomm |

The food was very good. I can recommend the salmon and vodka bowtie pasta and the lobster ravioli. The only downside was that it was an unseasonably warm evening and this restaurant does not appear to have air conditioning. And I'm sure 360 days of the year they don't need it. We just happened to pick the hottest weekend of the year to visit San Diego. C'est la vie.

Best Italian in San Diego!

By Daniel |

This spot has by far the best, authentic Italian dishes in all of San Diego. Try the Pork Ossobuco in Mushroom Risotto, it's totally amazing. Joseph, our server, has been our server every time we've been there and he's terrific. He aims to get you what you want so ask him any questions you have about the menu items and he will make sure you are happy. It's a romantic location too in the heart of Hillcrest. The attached street tends to be busy but the restaurant's atmosphere will remove that distraction. I highly, highly recommend this gem!

Always On Point!!!

By jetsetdavid |

This warm cozy Italian Restaurant has never failed to deliver excellent food at reasonable prices. The service is always outstanding. The pork Osso Bucco is to die for! All the pastas are delicious. This is our go to restaurant. Enjoy!

Decent Italian at a reasonable price

By Gabbyh87 |

My husband and I called in here early on a Monday evening for a quick meal. The service was fantastic - very welcoming and attentive throughout the meal. We just ordered a plate of pasta each - I had the Farfalle Vodka & Salmone and my husband had the Mezzelune All'aragosta. They were decent sized portions, the pasta was cooked perfectly and there was a lot of salmon in my pink sauce which is always appreciated. This isn't the best pasta in San Diego, but short of driving to Little Italy, it's a good place to get your fix of Italian. The menu is large, there is a reasonable wine selection and a nice touch was the complimentary bread basket (fresh baked) with accompanying tomato sugo to dip it into.

Amazing food and service

By Greg G |

Per a friend's advice, I let the waiter help me choose the best dish that day and he did so! I wouldn't have ordered it based on the menu description (and still not sure what it was) but it was amazing! Delicious! Perfectly prepared, and best risotto I've ever had! Highly recommend. (And don't confuse this with the pizza place just up the street with the same name)

Great Italian Hideaway in Hillcrest

By LeslieSuzette |

Authentic cuisine, reasonably priced, with excellent service and a wide selection of entrees, specials of the day, and appetizers. We sat outside and enjoyed every bite. The California Chardonnay was too sweet, and the bread was unimpressive, as was the overly spicy red sauce that is provided instead of butter. The marinara sauce was perfect, bursting with fresh tomatoes and garlic, and the Italian Pinot Noir was a nice pairing with the linguine dish. Wish I'd had the artichoke appetizer. It looked fantastic on my neighbor's table. The kicker was the spumoni. Delicious vanilla ice cream, rich with egg, candied orange bits and nuts, with a hint of chocolate sauce. So very good. Great fun. I will return.

Yes, This Is the Gold Standard of Italian Dining

By Ken H |

San DIego's Hillcrest has been a magnet for restaurants and fine dining for the last 50 years, but few establishments survive in this highly competitive neighborhood. A successful, sought-out venue, Arrivederci has stood the test of time by serving quality Italian cuisine with stellar consistency for decades. It is a restaurant I can recommend to friends and visitors without fear of disappointment. On a recent visit I started with their Minestrone: hearty and brimming with well-done vegetables accented with a touch of pesto. My main dish was Gnocchi served in a creamy pesto sauce with a hint of Gorgonzola cheese. Small, tubular-shaped gnocchi rather than the large sphere-shaped gnocchi ensured that they were evenly al dente all the way through. Servings here are very generous, and don't be shy about asking to take home half of your plate to enjoy the following day. The Tiramisu here is better--far moister and more richly textured--than any I have ever experienced in Italy, but today I had the Canoli with chocolate chips, very sweet and indulgent. The waiters here take immaculate care of their guests and clearly love their work. Could you ask for anything more?

The real deal!

By printer125 |

We had a great time at this old established restaurant. What was wonderful was the taste of freshness...the tomato sauces were fabulous. We started with grilled artichoke hearts and eggplant parmigiana, both excellent. I ordered the cannelloni, wife got the goat cheese ravioli, and our guests got the pasta with fresh salmon and gnocchi, all fabulous. Deserts were homemade and excellent. All the food are priced very reasonably. Service excellent! This is a no brainier! Make reservations as this place has limited seating and very popular! You will not be disappointed! Enjoy!

Always great food & service

By AndySanDiego |

On busy nights, don't be shy and just muscle your way to the front of the line to put your name in for a seat. It's a small area and diners will stand around blocking the area while they wait for a table, so you have to be assertive (but POLITE!!). Even with reservations, you may have to wait... Having eaten here a number of times, the food & service has always been great! Among our favorites: Veal Osso Buco (enough for leftovers), Pollo Saronno, and be sure to save room for the tiramisu!! If you don't like the food, send me the check and I'll pay.

Delicioso

By Geniece T |

I come to this place everytime we visit. Great food and great service, never disappointed. Food portions are huge so go with an appetite or plan on taking some back with you. Tried some dessert this time.

Many changes

By Takis P V |

We have visited this place few years ago and tried it again. No longer the same. Service was decent, food not as good and drinks limited while prices are high

Well Priced & Yummy!

By Denise H |

The servers were extremely friendly, the atmosphere was spectacular (laid back and comfortable), and the pasta was fantastico! True al dente with the perfect bite. Portions were more than generous. The music was interesting. Would have thought it would have had the classic Italian music playing, but instead there seemed to be an eclectic mix. Definitely, not a complaint. Had such a pleasant experience here AND would return.

Dan the Man

By Daniel H |

A charming small Italian trattoria. Simple, I had a very mildly spicy rigatoni with Italian sausage red bell peppers and tomatoes and two glasses of the Montepulciano ($6.50 each ! ) Very simple, but first class. The pasta was perfectly al dente. I'd definitely go back, preferably with a date.

Must eat here!

By Tammy L |

I found this place on Trip Advisor and everything I read was true. We ordered four different dishes, not all were pasta. We all thoroughly enjoy our meals. The position sizes were large, the food was hot, and very very good. The atmosphere is quaint and cozy. The service was excellent. We ordered crème brûlée and Tiramisu for desert and both were delicious. The restaurant was full on a Monday evening , so definitely need reservations. We will definitely return next time we are in town!

Fantastic

By leanne f |

Service and food were fantastic! Stumbled across this place- and was happy we did! Everything was authentic tasting, nice atmosphere.

Loved their food!

By Angelica S |

My husband and I wanted to try a new Italian restaurant and so I googled best Italian restaurant in San Diego (Hillcrest area). Arrivederci was one of the top rated restaurants on Tripadvisor. I am glad I took the ratings into consideration. We decided to try their dinner menu. When we walked in, our waiter told us to sit anywhere we wanted. We liked their decor, service, and of course the food. As soon as we sat down, our waiter brought us bread and a very tasty tomato sauce. The texture was good and it was a bit spicy. We shared a caprese made with beefsteak tomatoes, basil, grilled red peppers, and it was seasoned well. For the entrees, I ordered the meat lasagna. It was delicious. Besides the different cheeses, it had zucchini, carrots, and other veggies. My husband ordered the cheese tortollini with an alfredo sauce and peas. We ordered a lasagna to go for our daughter. Total cost of dinner (with the tip) was 95.00. I should mention we ordered two glasses of wine. All in all a good find. We will be back. The quality of the food, service, and location of restaurant were very good.

Amazing food in a fun spot.

By Dean |

Fantastic visit! Our family of three walked right in and got a table on a super busy Fri night. It was excellent! Good was amazing, atmosphere was humming and service was on point! We all enjoyed our food, the wine was delicious and the tiramisu knocked it out of the park!! Would highly recommend for a date a family trip or even a business meal.

Excellent Italian food

By Bahar U |

I don't really give reviews, but this time I just have to! incredibly delicious food! from the antipasti, the pizza to the noodles! Top!!! the ambience and the service deserve 10 stars instead of 5! Thanks! we're always happy to come back!

Italian Night San Diego

By GarryLiz |

We visited San Diego with friends from Cobourg, Ontario, Canada and wanted to share our dining experiences with them from last year's visit. We love the location,ambience and great service at Arrivederci. Our friends enjoyed their dining experience. My wife loved her meal, I enjoyed my meal but not as much as our first visit. It may have been my choice for main course. Everything else was great.

Dinner

By Remy G |

Food is very good here! Might seem pricey but we'll worth the money. Not a real big place, but nice and cozy; almost feels as if your actually in Italy!

Awesome food!!!

By Trip748404 |

This place should be on your list of Italian restaurants to visit🤩 The food was Outstanding!!! There service was not only professional but friendly as well. You won’t be disappointed with this restaurant.

Wonderful food, bad service

By Rileemo |

This is my second time coming to Arrivederci. The food for both visits was amazing. The service, however was not. I called in at 5 to make a reservation for 8, but when we got there they didn't have our reservation. They had us wait outside until they could put together a table. At the end we asked for a check which they never brought out to us. One of us had to go inside and demand the check. Needless to say we did not tip well. Wonderful food, but don't expect great service. If you do go, I recommend the chef special #8.

Quality you can count on

By fdl1948 |

I've reviewed this restaurant some time ago and I will not repeat why they got a 5 rating before. My wife and I were there last night and reminded ourselves that this place is the real deal. Quality food and service along with value priced wine would make it worth going back for that alone. Last night we asked for modifications to the entire ordered and the result was outstanding. Do NOT be afraid to ask for changes to the menu or for them to create a dish for you. Its also important that they serve in the typical Italian way......no rush, no hurry, which for some may appear as slow. IF you have time constraints let them know as I have always found them accommodating. I have no relationship with this place other than a customer who appreciates a small business who has always tried to do things right. I'll be back and only record here if things change.

Impressive, friendly, great food!

By mstrothman |

We've been to various places in Italy and this definitely has an Italian feel to it. The quality of the food was tremendous Espresso was awesome! Our first time there and we will definitely be back!

A Little Taste of Italy

By Matt H |

Whenever I visit San Diego, I try my darndest to work in either a lunch or dinner at my favorite Italian Restaurant, Arrivederci. The atmosphere is casual, cozy, warm and friendly. The staff is always attentive, friendly and helpful. The food, regardless of the entrée chosen has always been delicious. The appetizers and salads have also always been a treat as well. The wine list is extensive with ranges in price for all budgets. If you enjoy an authentic Italian meal with excellent service and cozy atmosphere, then Arrivederci is a can't miss epicurean excursion that you won't want to miss.

Excellent Authentic Italian and Giuseppe Rocks as Waiter

By Steven H |

It had been quite some time since I’d last visited Arrivederci but I remembered loving the food. That hasn’t changed with this visit. We went for a work lunch the other day and were served by Giuseppe, a true Italian who conversed in Italian with one of my coworkers. He was warm and friendly while providing excellent service. I had the lasagna and it practically melted in my mouth. Absolutely amazing. All of my colleagues enjoyed their meals as well. It got quiet once the dishes came which is a good sign that the food is excellent. My Italian coworker is kind of an Italian food snob and she loved everything too. We split some desserts to include Tiramisus, Cannolis, Pistachio something (can’t remember the name). All of it was excellent. I’m not going to wait so long before going back for another visit! Highly recommend the food and Giuseppe as a waiter.

Do not bother with a reservation

By lanafana |

We made a 7:30 reservation for dinner. We arrived on time and they said it would be 10 min before we were seated. We did not get seated until after 8:30. There is very little waiting room so you are out on the street, bring a jacket it gets chilly. Several people waiting had the same issue as us, reservations but no table. It seemed like they sat a few tables of people that just walked up and were regulars. I understand that you want to keep the regulars happy but then don't offer reservation times. Once we were seated it took over 10 min for our server to come to our table. We ordered drinks, appetizers and our meals. Drinks and appetizers came and were good. When our meals came one of our meals was missing and she had to wait another 20 min for her food. We were done eating by the time her food came, she ate and we left. No they did not comp anything. We did not leave there until 10. 2 1/2 hours for dinner and 1 1/2 were spent waiting. The food was good, not excellent, I'm sure the experience took away from the food and experience.

So Authentic and incredibly Tasty

By Callie1gau |

My boyfriend and I just fell in love with Arriverdverci again. Have frequented this restaurant over the years. Always remembered this place never disappoints!! My man ordered salmon his way, not on the menu but never a problem for his request . Myself I had the Calamari Caruso. Just a appetizer of sorts but perfect for me. Calamari, white wine, roasted garlic, marina and spinach. Kind of a soup with Parmesan added on top. I asked for the recipe and Julio our wonderful waiter shared it with me. I enjoyed every bite. A shout out to our other guy Martin. Great job guys!!

Dinner

By Archana_Karthik |

One of the best pizzas that I have ever had. Their pizza with egg plant was delicious and was packed with flavours. The portions are pretty large.

Good food good prices good location

By FloridaTourist_12 |

Our Inn keeper from our B&B sent us here. Good food and reasonably priced. Shared a dinner and a salad. Was more than enough food. One of our beat meals while in San Diego

The Real Deal! ‎Magnifico

By Divatravelgirl |

If you are looking for authentic Italian food, served in generous portions and at a good price, Arrivederci is the place for you. I have never had a bad meal here, however, you should be aware of the following: it is a small space, it can get very noisy and very crowded during peak times. My tip? Book an opening dinner hour reservation when the restaurant is just coming to life and things don't seem so rushed. Does it get crowded? Yes. Does it get loud? Yes. Do you sometimes have to wait to get seated, even with a reservation? Yes. This is what happens when you have a place that people run to because it serves wonderful food at a great price.

Amazing!

By Melany L |

Italian cuisine of the highest level, absolutely recommended,all dishes are of a unique quality super busy weekend.

Great neighborhood gem

By AshishGuptasfo |

We came in for an early dinner on a Tuesday night and were greeted warmly and shown to a table right away. Our server was efficient and helpful. We decided to share a couple of starters, the polenta and the grilled calamari were delicious. The homemade spinach gnocchi was fabulous and the eggplant Parmesan delicious. When in the area be sure to check out this neighborhood gem you will be glad that you did.

Great Italian Food

By mkg9188 |

Great service, great food, great atmosphere! The waiter was helpful in recommendations. We sat outside for lunch and it was wonderful.

Sempre Perfecto Italiano Trattoria

By Susan W |

The food was once again everything we expected! Fresh ingredients prepared to Italian perfection! The staff is both friendly and efficient, while the restaurant is quaint and memorable. Parking lot is on the side and stamp makes it free. Congested area between pedestrians and cars, but located across the street from Bread & Cie if you want to bring home goodies for later!!

Authentic Italian in Hillcrest!

By DavidUmstot |

If you are looking for a genuine Italian cucina in San Diego, stop looking and head to Hillcrest to Arrivederci. This affordably priced restaurant is in the heart of Hillcrest and offers up a wide variety of antipasti, pasta dishes, seafood, and traditional dishes such as ossobuco. My personal favorites are spaghetti nero with black pasta or risotto negro which are made with squid ink. If you are in East County San Diego, try their sister restaurant in Rancho San Diego.

Great little Italian restaurant

By MarkT |

Great atmosphere and food in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego. Being Italian, I can be rather picky but this was well worth it.

good value

By john p |

We shared an artichoke app and both had veal milanese. Huge portions, and very tasty. A Toscana red was perfect with the meal. And then we were treated with a dessert on the house. Excellent service, pleasant ambience, and good value.

Great food in a great atmosphere

By Richard K |

We went for Fathers Day, and had some great food in a great atmosphere. We had the Osso Bucco Pork and also the lamb. I had the eggplant parmesan (not much eggplant in it). Had a decent wine list as well.

Wow! Best Italian and pasta restaurant in San Diego by a long shot

By saintba |

Wow what fabulous food here. I came here with my family and we LOVED it. My friend raved about it for months but I never got a chance to come until last week. EVERY single dish we got was heavenly. I'd especially recommend the ravioli with mushrooms. It was amazing! My mother in law got the ravioli with salmon and she also raved about it. This is my new favorite Italian place. The service is really wonderful and authentic with Italian waiters as well. I'd highly recommend this place.

Italian food at it's best

By wanderer31310 |

We love this restaurant and make it a point to visit whenever we are in San Diego. I was disappointed on this visit as service was not up to par. They were very busy (Tuesday night at 7PM) and although we were seated promptly, they failed to deliver bread until after we requested it with our entrees, our water glasses were not refilled despite being empty, and there were multiple requests for sugar for our coffee. The food was good and the wait staff is always pleasant so I will be back but maybe earlier in the evening.

When you eat Italian, split a dish, then split it again!

By Peter L |

We had some friends visiting from Texas, who wanted Italian food. Since we don't really live in San Diego, we looked for Italian restaurants in the Android app, and found this place. The web site said reservations were recommended, and since we were going on Wednesday which is apparently their busiest night, we booked a table for 6 at 7:00 pm. Parking is right next door - you can either use the ACE lot, for which the restaurant validates, or go to the tiny adjacent self pay lot & pay $5.00 for the whole evening. Either way, it's really convenient, which is unusual for Hillcrest. We arrived on the dot of 7:00 pm, and could have been seated at once if we were willing to sit outside, but al fresco dining at night in January doesn't work too well with our thinned down Southern California blood, so we waited 20 minutes for an inside table for 6. From then on, service was excellent, with friendly, efficient waiters. When the food arrived it was piping hot, and so copious that even the Texas appetites were overwhelmed. I don't think any of us was able to wrap ourselves around as much as half of our dishes. I had the Rigatoni Bolognese - on the printed menu, but absent from the on-line menu. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the Bolognese sauce was velvety smooth - just the way I like it, so if you prefer your Bolognese chunky you'll be disappointed. My wife chose the Paglia E Fieno Al Pesto. This turned out to be a disappointment. The sauce was bland to the point of tastelessness. It was impossible to detect the taste of basil in the sauce, and the pine nuts were ground so small they, too, disappeared. I'd suggest skipping this one if you're the kind of person who goes to an Italian restaurant for the taste treat your tongue is anticipating. Our friend Kathy had the Fettuccine Primavera, while her husband Mark plumped for the Fettuccine Cleopatra. Both dishes lived up entirely to expectations, and our guests were pleased with their experience. I have to say that I didn't see what the other couple ordered, but I do know that they, too, were delighted with everything. If you go for wine by the glass, dodge the Sicilian Pinot Noir. It is a barely adequate tipple of Charles Shaw quality. Try the Argentine Malbec instead, and you'll get a far better experience. Prices were delightfully reasonable. I don't usually expect to eat out in a decent restaurant, including wine, for less than about $50 per person, and we got out of there at slightly over $50 per couple including a generous tip!

Still Great, Aside from the slow Service at the Start

By NeverAgain1989 |

Was here a few years ago and was very impressed. They are still doing a good job. Food portions are adequate and prices are reasonable. Staff are friendly. It is obvious why this place receives such high accolades.

I am in Love with this restaurant and staff

By Brekman_Family |

My girlfriend and I went here based on recommendation from Josh at the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego. We did not have reservations; however, after a short 3 minute wait in line, we were seated by Jacob. Excellent service, delicious food, every bite was more delicious than the previous. Can't wait to return. Since i went there last week i have referred at least a dozen people and they all have said it was worth the drive up the hill in Hill Crest. Free parking on site was great too. I think i will go back tomorrow. The Seafood Risotto is calling my name and the Wild Mushroom Ravioli. Yummy.

Not a great experience or meal...

By David V |

The night didn't begin well when we waited 30 minutes for our table despite having a reservation. It seemed like there was only one waiter - though plenty of staff to help out. It took forever to get an order placed - be it for wine or dinner. The salads arrived quickly and were very good. However, it was then an incredibly long pause until the entrees arrived. Two of the entrees - the tortellini and the clam linguini were excellent. The other two, not so much. The seating was very crammed and with the doors between the patio and restaurant slightly open, there was little room to move at our table on the inside of the doors. We were looking forward to a great meal and service... it was just okay.

Great food and amazing service

By Cyrus S |

Great food and amazing service! San Diego was a great please in terms of food. I recommend their steak and pasta. The service was a bit too hectic hence the 4 stars.

Vast menu, excellent food

By Idania28 |

Once again a great find thanks to my fellow Yelpers. We felt like we were in an authentic Italian restaurant enjoying a leisurely dinner. There are many specials in addition to their regular menu which made it very difficult to choose. Everyone was very friendly-Including a friendly parking attendant at the adjacent parking. This is an added convenience in this area. Appetizers Polenta with mushrooms Fresh anchovies Octopus carpaccio Entrees Angel with shrimp in white wine sauce Rigatoni bolognese Lamb chops Homemade cheese ravioli Dessert Cannoli Coffee tartufo Food was freshly prepared and delicious. A true gem.

One of the few good italian restaurants I encountered in the US

By Geert D |

While travelling for a couple of weeks in the US, I was surprised by culinary variety and had some nice culinary discoveries. However ... italian restaurants in the US generally let me down even in the more expensive price classes. Nothing as in Italy or in an expensive Italian in my home city Antwerp. But luckily there are exceptions ... although the interior is a bit kitshy, Arrivederci served me the Italian food I am used to in Europe. Felt like home!

Nice Italian!

By Pinkema a |

I spend a new year eve dinner with some friends there ... and we spend a lovely and funny night... The food was nice but nothing heart chattering... I am sure they can always do better... ;)

Too much Garic-ky

By Yajiumax |

I ordered 1 Pizza and 1 pasta. However every food which I ordered the day was too garic-ky. Does American love garic flavor??

A traditional Gem

By ltzme |

You know how there is good Italian food and then you go to a place that you realize, ok, everything else does not even compare to this. I remember a place long ago in the Bay Area(no longer there) but it was really the only thing close to what I just experienced at Arrivederci!! I am so glad we have leftovers to enjoy for another night. I recommend the Cappelini Basco de Marre if you like shrimp pasta. There is sidewalk seating and indoors is small and quaint. The servers are all wonderful and friendly and make you feel like family...a very traditional feel. Next time we visit San Diego...we will be dining here again!!

I can’t say arrivederci to this place!

By Traveling T |

This won’t be the last goodbye to Arrivederci! My husband and I will be back the next time we’re in San Diego. I had to call the restaurant beforehand to see if they offered gluten free pasta. Yes, they do but only penne pasta. It was super busy on a Friday evening. We waited some time for our food but the fresh bread and marina sauce were great to pass the time and fill our empty stomachs. When the food arrived, we were astonished. Big dishes. I wish we had a way to store the leftovers for tomorrow. The pasta was amazing! Flavorful and plentiful. The Italian way. Even the interior of the place looked very much like something you would see in Italy itself. Even the chatter around and the busy staff makes you think you’re transported to Italy. Highly recommend Arrivederci to anyone looking for some authentic Italian and gluten free options.

Osso Buco from heaven

By chriskP5828MZ |

I had never heard of osso bucco before, but the waiter recommended it to me. It was phenomenal!! Cannot recommend this enough. The ambience is neat inside and actually feels European.

An Update of Caution lowering rating

By fdl1948 |

I've reviewed them before and as a very frequent visitor have noticed some changes we should all be aware are going on. First IF you make a reservation, do not expect your table will always be ready at that time. Last Saturday we had a table for 5 reserved three days earlier, requested inside and learned that IF they have walk in's before your time they will give them the table. We were told we would have a 40 minute wait or we could have a table for 4 on the outside (it was raining but they had protected shades). Given it was Saturday we had little choice. When I protested, they got very forceful, a treatment that should not be given any customer, let alone a frequent visitor. The second thing that has been happening for some time is NO Specials.....its menu only. It appears that they are becoming a quick serve type place that does quite a few of the dishes on a "warm up" basis. While this can be ok for some things, not so for others, so use good judgement. Food came out very fast especially given the crowd which has happened regularly in the past month since my last review, affirming my concerns. Also on Saturday waiter table visits were very slow, so if you go on a busy night order appetizers, and drinks at the same time......a tip if you are ordering wine and think you will want more that one bottle, order at the same time.....you may wait quite a while for a second one to show up. I'm getting concerned as the last 4 visits indicate a change is underway and hopefully you will visit with your eyes wide open. Unfortunately I have to lower my rating to be equal to other places of what this place appears to have become.

Yum!

By Johnny Trekkie |

If your favorite Italian restaurant is Olive Garden or Buca Di Bepo, you've been living a sad life and missing out on the finer things in life, like REAL Italian food! I've been eating at Arrivederci for over 10 years now, and spent 2 weeks in Italy, so I give a big two thumbs up for the truly amazing and authentic Italian dishes here. All the staff are friendly and seem to be imported from Italy. The interior transports me back to the most popular restaurants in Italy itself: busy, packed, warm, and delicious...that said, they do not have air conditioning, just like in Italy! ;) My favorites: $11.50 Polenta del Bosco...grilled polenta covered a divine mushroom and gorgonzola sauce...heaven! $18.50 Squid Ink pasta with scallops and shrimp in a cream sauce...amazing! $17 Salmon and Farfalle pasta in a pink vodka sauce...delicious! $18.50 Linguine Mediterraneo...seafood pasta dish with clams, mussels, shrimp, in a light white wine sauce...fabulous! $25 Pork Osso Bucco...when you're really hungryyou'll want this huge tender and tasty pork shank in Port wine sauce, surrounded by risotto and mushrooms...wunderbar! This place does get busy...so make a reservation!

Own up to your mistake

By Sheryn K |

No one likes being lied to or taken for an idiot. I had read great reviews about this place so decided to give it a try. I ordered a dish with a pink sauce which is a combination of a white and red sauce and once it arrived at the table, it was just red sauce. Thus, I asked the man who brought my plate if this is the pink sauce and he just nodded. I took his word for it and started eating it but not only did it taste awful, but it was indeed the wrong sauce! I can tell the difference between tomato sauce and tomato/ cream sauce, everyone can, especially when there are pieces of tomatoes you never asked for in your plate! Once our waiter came I asked him. At first, he said yes that's the red sauce and so I confirmed and said so there is no cream in there right. He immediately looked at the order he took and said no I wrote cream here there is cream in there it's just really red... Really, it's just really red! I'm not one to write negative reviews, but had they owned up to their mistake I would not be as bothered. Don't take your customers for idiots... Anyways, my dish tasted awful and we will not be going back here nor recommending it to anyone.

What a find!

By Christian & Sarah |

My wife and I are visiting San Diego from the UK and staying nearby to Washington & 5th. We were looking for a good Italian and cannot tell you how happy we are that we decided to try Arrivederci. An absolute gem. Fabulous wine, incredible service, a wonderfully inviting and intimate atmosphere. But most of all. Fabulous, authentically Italian food, obviously made with real love and passion. This is a genuinely rare find in this city, and I would recommend anyone who is looking for a slice of Italy to try it! Forza Arrivederci!

The Latte Was To Die For!

By Susie K |

I went to Arrivaderci for a late lunch after reading about it on TA. Very friendly wait staff. I sat outside since it was a beautiful breezy day. I had the linguine with seafood. The seafood was slightly over cooked, but it was still really good with a nice flavor. After lunch I had an amazing creamy latte high was the most delicious latte I’ve ever had. I would definitely go back.

Hello Arriverderci !

By Mahdeeyo |

I have been here before and will come back again. This is my favorite Italian restaurant on the west coast. Make reservations on weekend or popular nights and you may still wait but it's worth it. The waiters are young and are in fact italian. The seating is cozy and tight but it feels right. Great wine selection but it's the pasta that puts this place over the top. I love the linguine Mediterranean pasta or the scallop pasta dish are brilliant ! The wine selection is wonderful although I love a simple Lambrusco or Chianti. Mid priced but affordable. What would you pay for perfection ?

Didsapointed

By Toni M |

After an amazing dinner in November, 2017 couldn’t wait to take my hubby on our April trip. Went out of our way to Uber there. Felt rushed, arrived at 5:30. No offer of salad or soup with entree. I ordered Picatta with chicken not veal, part was very tough and chewy. Hubby ordered a shrimp dish he was happy with so all good there. Not horrible, just not what I expected from past experience. Disappointed!

Cozy

By bareedbox |

So the place has a parking spot right after and they validate for 1h30. Arrivederci is a nice cozy place but cramped. The decor looks decent. Their “salsa” brought with bread is excellent. Food is hit or miss depending on your taste buds. I ordered a filet mignon with a mushroom cream sauce. It was very tasty and good no complaints. My girlfriend ordered some black pasta with a saffron sauce and mussels but it was not compatible with our taste buds. The hostess was very kind and gave great customer service. When they busy it takes a bit of time to get the food but that bread and red salsa is so worth it. Average cost per person would be about $30 plus tips. Give it a try if you are in the area but reserve to avoid a long wait when it gets slammed. Buon appetito

Authentic Italian in San Diego

By nic0lec12 |

I've been to this restaurant several times, and my husband and I have our favorite dishes there: mine is a ravioli with goat cheese, spinach & tomato from the specials; he likes a salmon pasta dish that they offer on their regular menu. They pour generous glasses of wine, and we always leave with happy bellies. It's not all that common to find a place in San Diego that feels authentically Italian, but at Arrivederci I feel like I'm right in Italy. One con to this place is that they are constantly slammed and you usually wind up waiting for a table, whether you have a reservation or not. The service can be a bit iffy if they're super busy.

A restaurant you'll visit more than once!

By LMMP2013 |

Great Italian restaurant. Our food was tasty with generous portions. We enjoyed Veal Piccata, Capellini Bosco E Mare, and a seafood with black pasta dish (can't remember the name) all were excellent as well as the Sauvignon Blanc wine. We also indulged ourselves with some Limoncello and a Cannoli after our meal--Yum. We had lunch here on our first day in SD and came back on our last evening to enjoy again. Staff is great. Only caution is that parking, as is normal everywhere in SD, is difficult but be persistent, it's worth it!

Consistent quality

By leprof2015 |

My husband and I had lunch at Arrivederci in Hillcrest yesterday and were delighted to see that the quality of the food and the service hasn't changed in 30 years. The waiters are polite and attentive without interrupting your meal every two minutes to ask if everything is okay. The pasta was as amazing as the first time we ate here. I had the fettucini with goat cheese and arugula in a creamy tomato sauce and my husband had the bolognese. It was served with a dollop of mascarpone which made the sauce creamier. Delicious!

Really excellent presentations

By t0nyvee |

I really like how every dish that comes out of the kitchen is specially crafted, and looks that way! The food itself is also excellent. I like to go with the pasta dishes, just because I like to eat a lot haha. The chicken picatta is superb!

Authentically delicious!

By ryankehler |

From the the decor to the staff to the food, an authentic Italian experience and the quality of the food is second to none. I had the Salmon in Unido, the best salmon dish I have ever tasted. A reservation is recommended since they are so popular, especially for a group of more than 4 people.

Great Food - Worth The Wait In Line

By jkarrel |

My husband and I traveled to San Diego in October 2013. The manager where we were staying suggested this restaurant, so we set our GPS and were ready for a great meal. Upon arrival (Halloween) we had a challenge to find a parking spot as the area was busy with those celebrating the night. After many trips around the block we found a parking spot. We were eager to eat and found that we would have a bit of a wait before a table was ready. This wasn't a surprise - as we didn't make a reservation. During our wait in line we engaged in a great conversation with a family who was celebrating their daughter's graduation. They were not living in San Diego, but ate at the restaurant whenever they visited their daughter. We were greeted and seated by one of the restaurant's wait-staff who was delightful. I watched him navigate through a very busy night as he professionally managed the various needs of the guests in his section. Having worked in an Italian Restaurant - I have high expectations of food/service. We were pleased with the service/food quality/quantity.

Consistently good

By Laurie48 |

We went with a group of six. The service was excellent and all six meals were tasty. We started with the artichoke appetizer. It is always a pleaser. The bread dipped in the sauce is so tasty. Three people had the ossobuco and said their meals were delicious. Two had lasagna and also it was very good. The salads were hearty. We made reservations a week in advance at 5:00 pm and we're going to thenOld Globe after the dinner. We will return

The best food

By Gloria Susy D |

When in San Diego this is must for our family. We found this place by recommendation and we are so glad we went. We have never had a bad meal the food is real Italian. Great wines as well!

USED TO LOVE THIS PLACE

By kirklandgourmetgirl |

Hopefully Friday was just an off night. The food was not the same as times I've been before, there was sugar in the pork ossobuco???? Don't get that one. All other entrees were very mediocre. We came from Seattle just to eat here, that's how much we used to like this place. I hope there isn't new ownership. The waiter was very friendly, but the place was so hot and stuffy, we just couldn't get comfortable.

A Perfect VD Dinner

By G R |

Came here on Valentine's Day for dinner. Considering the crowd, we were seated in about 20 minutes after checking in. We sat outside, as the weather was perfect. We started with the calamari fritte which was tender and an ample portion to boot. My entrée was the veal osso bucco but made with the pork osso bucco sauce of a port reduction and mushrooms. I had to hold myself back from licking the plate, I thought it was that good. My spouse had the lamb chops. We thought he may get four or five but got seven. He was pretty happy. We were far too full for dessert. There's a reason I hit up this restaurant on every trip to San Diego. Great service and great food at reasonable prices.

Great Food

By retiredpro2017 |

Great service wonderful food will return. Staff treated us well food prepared properly. Wonderful atmosphere thanks

A great find ... Fresh, authentic fare ... Awesome service ...

By minyuet |

We stumbled upon this gem after a long day at the zoo. Scrumptious calamari fritti and bruschetta followed by huge portions of pasta entrees! We tried the Arrabiate, the Cleopatra, the Mediterraneo, the black linguine ... Each one was better that the last. The Vitello Milanese comes with a huge portion of baby arugula salad and roasted farm vegetables. Combined with freshly baked bread, decent prices, and attentive service with italian flair, Arrivederci exceed our expectations. We loved it so much, we went back the next day for more!

Great food

By Geniece T |

This place was amazing if you like italian. I had the lasagna, large portions so either share or make sure you have a microwave in your room. Everyone was so helpful and friendly.

Fantastic! Don't miss

By Highland23 |

Love Italian food and Arrivederci was excellent. The food was delicious, the service was delightful, the atmosphere bustling, crowded, energized.

Perfecto

By wiegert v |

friendly, good, 1.5 hours off parking next to the restaurant and delicious food. everything you need on holiday. 👌😃✅

Legitimate (delicious) Italian Restaurant

By Tatiana V |

Few Italian restaurants in US tastes like true Italian food and Arrivederci is certainly one of them. Food delicious, great service, nice neighborhood and place. No kids menu but they are flexible to prepare whatever we order for the kids. Really recommend! Arrivederci!

Absolutely delicious! We're a family of picky eaters with various food allergies.

By dmma505 |

Small restaurant with much to offer. Absolutely delicious food! We were met by a very friendly host, and promptly seated. The wait for our meal was not a short one, but it was well worth it! The food tasted fresh, not assembly line prepared. The atmosphere was warm and cozy. We highly recommend this restaurant.

Feels like you are in Italy

By JohnaLR |

First time here. Visiting from Colorado. We got the recommendation from a San Diego native who we met on the street. Very authentic Italian food. Good wine selection. The homemade lobster ravoli was yummy. My friends loved their filet and scallops. It wasn't very busy on a week night but I can see how it gets busy. Our waiter was Italian and very attentive which added to the experience. We would certainly eat here again.

A MUST DINNING EXPERIENCE!

By Michael0952 |

My wife and I came for lunch, and the menu and service is beyond expectations! My wife had the pumpkin ravioli and I had the bolonese! Both were fantastic! Fresh and could meet any Italian palate!Josef was our host and he excellent. This is a must in San Diego!

Nice lunch!

By moabhikers |

We had a relaxing and pleasant lunch at Arrivederci in Hillcrest. They have some outdoor seating and a large indoor dining room. The menu is simple but has some great options, and services was prompt and friendly.

A good value Italian restaurant

By danihalf |

First, the food is good. It feels like the pasta is not hand-made on the spot, but rather bought, however the food tastes good and I would definitely eat it again. The place itself has a feel of a genuine Italian restaurant in Italy (source : I've been to Italy. The service is great. If you're looking for a good value Italian restaurant, this is the place for you.

The Italian Food Location when you want to be sure you get good food

By Louis M |

We have been here many times, and the simple reason is that the good food is always good and the great food on the menu is always great. So when we are not wanting to take a chance on eating the free parking and easy in, relaxing and rustic interior, and easy out with fair prices makes it all work in a nice way. Flavors are not overly done, nor overly seasoned. The service is pleasant and quick to come to your aid with questions or topping off your drink or bread basket. If you have not been for a while, go again, if you have never been here before, it is a not a coin flip, just go... Great for lunch and great for dinner. A touch tight on the seating area, so might be good to leave excess items in the car when you park. Now go eat, then walk and explore Hillcrest.

Disappointed

By jdlittle7 |

I have loved this restaurant for years. The food and staff have always been excellent... Except last night Sunday 6-15-14 6pm. As requested we got a outside table. Service was slow and awful all night. Two entrees came 5 minutes after the other two. Busboy was lacking and the waiter was nowhere most of the evening. I was Very Disappointed!

Simply Scrumptious Italian

By palmjumper |

With or without reservations, this Italian Bistro is always accommodating. While there is no liquor bar, the beer and wine selection is very good. The house baked bread is served with a delicious marinara sauce on the side. Quite tasty. Try the pasta with Italian sausage and meat balls for a comfort food treat. The veal piccata is very good. tell them if you don't want is super lemony. I love this place.

Dinner

By Chidi Ononuju |

I loved the Lasagna. Got the beef option. Very tasty food, I must say. Lovely staff too. Plan to come with a big appetite.

The Best Italian Restaurant in San Diego!

By Ray E |

This place is packed every night. Make a reservation. Food, service, atmosphere could not be better.

Fantastic Food & Service

By Laura C |

Amazingly flavorful food! Loved everything. The service was excellent. You don't want to miss this dining experience. My new favorite Italian restaurant!

Book if arriving at seven

By Stephen H |

VERY busy restaurant in Hillcrest. If you plan to visit around 7pm advise you to book. There was a consistent line of waiting people from 1845-1945. When you try the food you will see why. Very efficient service, considering how popular and full this restaurant is. The pasta portions are generous and we could not help notice most people left with a box. You will only manage two courses maximum. Whether you go for a starter or save yourself for the homemade Tiramisu is up to you! Great food, great service, reasonable price.

Authentic Italian atmosphere

By 613gary |

Very nice vibe. Food tasty. Only problem, is that it is very cramped and tight. Not much space between the tables. I am still a repeat visitor!

Our Reg visits

By Washington Nabong |

Nothing bad to say about this place really. Food never disappoint and service is usually pretty good. You can bring your own bottle of wine with a small 10 dollar corkage fee. Knowing the staff helps to get in sooner.. I recommend this place to anyone who love home cook style ITALIAN food.

Another gem in Hillcrest area

By jorgito715 |

On the recommendation of our Innkeeper, we went for the Pork Osso Bucco. BTW, best blind menu selection ever, I wouldn't ever ordered and it was sublime. Very well cooked, tender, falling off the bone with awesome mushroom risotto. A memorable dish, highly recommend. Spouse had the lasagna and it was as good. Good wine selection and service even when they were very busy. It is an informal, familiar place and we enjoyed it very much.

worst experience every

By Michael F |

Worst experience every, I own a business in San Diego with over 6035 reviews and this was one of the recommended places to eat, but not anymore. Horrible to spend so much money an d be teated like crap. I talked to the Manager on site and he told me he was not interested in hearing it.

Busy little restaurant

By unhappytraveller123 |

In Toronto, we have some really great Italian restaurants, but friends recommend Arrvederci and Tripadviser rated it very highly. Besides Hillcrest is a great neighbourhood. We start with an excellent lightly fried calamari and zucchini, crispy and delicious. I'm impressed. We also order a Caesar salad. Not particularly memorable, but it's hard to make a Caesar really stand out, but it's pretty good. Portions are large so we're sharing. A promising beginning. But although portions of pasta are huge, flavour is pretty pedestrian. I have mushroom , zucchini and shrimp in a tomato sauce over Angel hair. It's OK, but there is nothing amazing about it. I don't taste much layering of ingredients or careful spicing. It's disappointing. My husband also feels similarly about his pasta, and usually he will consume it all, even if it's large . This time he leaves about a quarter. His was bay shrimps and scallops in a vodka cream sauce, overly creamy. Our friends saying the quality tonight exceeds the usual are happy but leave half on their plates to take home . Service is prompt. The place is bouncing on a Saturday night and very loud.

One of the Best Italian in Town

By Jorge M |

The restaurant is relatively small but is always crowded, so you have to make reservations. It has a small parking lot right next to it. The pastas, the chicken and the veal, are supr good.

Excellent service & delicious food

By JMCSTL |

Authentic Italian food served by those who speak the language. The eggplant appetizers was almost enough to make a meal, and the pasta dishes were some of the best I've ever eaten. Seating space is tight and fills up quickly no matter the night of the week. The inclusion of a small sidewalk seating area - temporarily enclosed in winter - helps reduce crowding.

Hit the Spot!

By Kathy T |

We came as tourists and had just finished a chilly, active day at the Zoo. We wanted Italian that was not too pricey or ritzy and struck gold when we found Arrivederci. From the atmosphere, to the waiter, to the food.... it was the perfect fit for us. Rich and flavorful was the take away. Our waiter was efficient and wonderfully helpful as well as the owner who jumped right in with services. All were gracious and easy going. We had lasagna, gnocchi, and salads which were all generous in size and tasty as all get out. Perfect evening for us! Thank you Arrivederci!

Friends Dinner

By Martin B |

Awesome dinner with friends at this Italian restaurant. I had the veal - awesome. Friends had different pastas and everything was really good.

Yummy Food

By ashfordtara |

I was invited to Arrivederci for my friend's 39th birthday dinner. The restaurant is a tad bit hard to find. I circled the block several times before I found the parking lot. The parking lot is a paid lot. I did not have cash. Luckily, if you leave your car there once the attendant leaves you don't have to pay (or least I did not). They do validate inside the restaurant for 1.5 hours. I arrived and my friends were all already there. There was some warm bread on the table with fresh marinara and oil and vinegar. I was starving so I dug right in. My friends ordered some appetizers. I did not have any but they looked yummy. I opted for the potato gnocchi with marinara. It was delicious. It was smothered in 4 slices of smoked Gouda cheese. It was to die for!! I wish I would have tried more of the food. The Gnoochi was really good. FYI this place was PACKED!!! We still had great service, but I recommend making reservations and expecting a big crowd. I will come back soon.

Many Selections Great Food

By John D |

Went with a group of 8 to celebrate two birthdays. Service from waiter and his helper was very nice. The food was great. 6 of the 8 had never been before and they all want to go back. There is a small parking lot next door and they validate.

Birthday weekend

By Spark0655 |

Busy place on a Saturday night- with reservations we were seated on time even with a large group of people waiting. Food was good, portions generous- out daughter Ioved the marinara sauce served with the French bread.

Lovely Evening

By Maddy B |

We loved our experience here! Had a delicious scallop dinner in a romantic setting on the patio. Our waiter was friendly and entertaining. Yum!!

Great Italian Dinner, as good as NYC Italian

By NyCindy |

We were in San Diego for vacation and we were looking for an Italian restaurant for dinner. On a Trip Advisor recommendation we found this restaurant. the food was very good and the service good too. We had linguine and clam sauce, salmon, sea bass. We had some appetizers too and everything we had was delicious. You won't be disappointed if you go. Our waiter forgot about our wine and to compensate us he gave us a free dessert. The tiramisu was fantastic too. What a great evening.

Impressive Italian offerings!

By Florador |

I was part of two couples who had truly lovely meals at the Arrivederci in Rancho San Diego (next to the Target) last night. We all were really impressed with the tastiness of our meals. Probably the most impressive meal was the pork osso buco that my hubby had -- rich, deeply flavorful sauce, fall-off the bone meat, creamy risotto. Two of us had fettuccine w/ shrimp and bay scallops -- one with black fettuccine in a cream sauce, one with white fettuccine in a rosy cream sauce -- both really tasty, with extra to enjoy for lunch the next day! The fourth member of our party is sensitive to garlic (she likes it, but it doesn't like her!) so the waiter made sure her saffron sauced ravioli were made without much garlic -- very thoughtful. We also enjoyed our appetizers -- a creamy burrata and braeseola served with Parmesan and arugula; and our deserts -- a luscious tiramisu and and decadent napoleon. It was a warm, San Diego night so we enjoyed sitting out on the patio, where the cool breezes were refreshing. We certainly plan to go to this gem again! Go; you will not be disappointed. Most of the entrees were in the $15-$25 range, and you'll really get your money's worth.. with likely some to take home!

So good for so long

By koalatraveler |

Went here three years we lived in San Diego. Back again 10 years later. Nothing changed and that is great! Tricolor salad is the best anywhere. Greens and dressing in perfect harmony. Lamb sausage on rapini good flavors; not too spicy.

To Die For!!

By mltalks55 |

I am from NY. I know authentic, great Italian food. This is the place!! Amazing bread to start with luscious Italian red sauce. We started with the calamari~ excellent. Portion more than enough for three people, tender & crispy. I got the manicott. Their pasta is definitely hand made. The cheese melts in your mouth. The sauce is amazing. My daughter had the cheese ravioli, another hit. You must check this place out....very,very authentic!!

Lunch

By Thomas M |

Inexpensive and great food. Pollo al limone wasn't on menu but very good. Always sides of veggies accompany main course.

Good food. Slow Service

By Michael M |

Supporting staff was great. Food was very good. However, after waiting way too long for our initial order of drinks (and food), we rarely saw our server again. Only ordered one glass of wine, main course, and then departed.

Awesome dinner!

By cheaptravelhunter |

Happened upon Arrivederci just by chance while walking down the street looking for a dinner spot, I'm glad I stopped in! Excellent service, delicious food ( I ordered the cioppino), topped off with a slice of the most heavenly chocolate mousse/cake.

Amazing value!

By Darren C |

Amazing value! Outstanding Italian food, convenient location and exceptional service. The food is five star and it is cheap!

Delicious sauces make this Italian

By SJH234 |

We had the pork ossobucco and stuffed pork chop. Served with really nice sauces that defined the dish. Pork chop cooked perfectly. Service is attentive but brusk. Accommodated gluten free. They have GF pasta although I did not have. Bring your own GF bread if interested. There is a whole foods a few blocks away. Small but really nice Italian out of the touristy.

Oh my what a gem!!!

By Chrissy E |

Stumbled across this place. I am from Maryland. Best cheese ravioli in rosa sauce I have had in my life. Mom had the lasagna. Everything food service atmosphere was superb. Don't miss this gem

Always terrific!

By maryaling |

Have gone to this restaurant for years! Never have I had a bad meal. Very authentic. Little restaurant in an interesting part of town. Servers are always very friendly and quick to chit chat with you if that's what you want. Kind of pricey but it's worth it.

See Arrivederci Pizzeria

By Bongo41 |

Please see our review under the pizzeria heading. This is the real deal for delicious Italian food and gracious service.

Extremely poor customer service!

By Carrie F |

We called this restaurant to ask if they had room for 6 and we were told they did and to head there immediately. Upon arriving, we were told they were setting a table up. 20 min later, a table of 15 walked in and was seated for a reservation in addition to another table of 6. When I inquired, I was told they were waiting on another table to open. I reminded them we were told to come right down and was informed that we didn't have an actual reservation. The staff was extremely rude so we left immediately. To top it off, the parking attendant for the restaurant argued with me that we owed for parking since we didn't get our voucher authorized. When I asked for him to be sympathetic as we had not even gotten a table, he replied to just "get the hell out of here". A truly awful experience overall!

An outstanding Italian Restaurant

By sptravelers5 |

We have spent two months in Italy in the past three years and Arriverderci compares favorably with the best meals we enjoyed there. We visited Arriverderci on Valentines Day and it was packed. We were pleasantly surprised at how well they handled the crowed and how the service remained so pleasant and efficient despite the crowd. We eat had a seafood pasta with different sauces. Both were delicious. A fine place for a date or just for filling one's belly.

Great food & service

By MJK41 |

Wonderful combination of great food & terrific service. Our water & all the other service staff didn't miss a beat. They were on top of everything, even though the place was full. Amazing! Food was excellent as well. No wonder they're full.

Italian Cuisine At It's Finest

By Matt H |

Arrivederci is always a must stop on any trip to San Diego. The service is always outstanding: friendly, polite, and professional. The appetizers are delicious. The house salad (campangolla) is remarkable and compliments any of the extraordinary entrees. The wine list is varied with quality selections fitting any occasion or budget. If you desire authentic, reasonably priced, delicious Italian cuisine then you won't want to miss a visit to Arrivederci's on Fourth.

Mediocre Italian

By Travelling_Bubbies |

We arrived with reservations on a busy Friday night, started with the burrata appetizer which was decent... the best part honestly was the spinach. The chopped tomatoes oddly gave a "pico de gallo" feel to the dish. The house bread is not great & came with a ramekin of marinara which was cold and surprisingly spicy. I'd recommend asking for olive oil or butter for the lackluster starter bread. We had the house Chianti which was good and the non-alcoholic peach beverage which was surprisingly good & not too ridiculously sweet. Note they only have limited pastas that are handmade in house, so we ordered the salmon ravioli (too rich with cream sauce, had a "lox taste" with the strong smoked? salmon flavor & overwhelmed with too many leeks) & goat cheese ravioli (better flavor of the two, not doused in a thick cream sauce). Needless to say, we were disappointed in the service & the food, unlikely to return to this location

What an Italian gem!

By SEFLJ |

We four had a fabulous lunch today, felt like we were sitting in a charming Roman restaurant. We were greeted warmly by Antonio, the Italian owner, and waited on by Julio, who is fantastic. The food was incredible, from the traditional artichokes to the burrata and minestrone soup, all the way to the lasagna and pasta dishes we shared. The chef is amazing and we'll be back soon!

Love it.

By Maria Socorro H |

Excellent food. Excellent service. Recommend to anyone who lives or visits San Diego. I love how nice the waiters are.

Highly recommended!

By EV |

Small place with a good assortment of Italian dishes. Very good and super portions. Very kind staff. Informal and simple place. Highly recommend if you are in the area!

Outstanding food and staff

By Michawn S |

My husband and I started the first leg of our honeymoon in the Hillcrest area and walked here for dinner. The staff was inviting the food and wine was amazing. My dinner choice was out of my normal comfort zone for food -black linguini with muscles Alaskan salmon and asparagus in a cream sauce. It did not disappoint. It was amazing food. I felt bad that I couldn’t eat a lot of it (I’m a bariatric patient and have a small stomach) and couldn’t take it with me since we are traveling. The staff looked so worried I didn’t like it. But I really did love it and can’t express it enough!! My husband had the rigatoni bolognese and it was fantastic! We took a dessert back to the B&B with us to share. (Breakfast). I highly recommend this restaurant!!

Cozy

By Z6343VCjohnh |

Been here twice now & both times was impressed. Decent value for money. & service good. Will return.