Civico 1845 Reviews

Excellent food and service in a nice restaurant in a fun neighborhood! We came with a family group and is so great that they also have a vegan menu. The soup was good, the vegan stuffed zucchini flowers was great, gnocchi was delicious, filling, satisfying. And of course a good selection of wine.

Not parking friendly but great area. I’m east coast Italian so here we go Service decent No Italians in the kitchen strike 1 Always judge by meatballs any Italian as it’s what tacos are to Mexicans a matter of pride and it sets the tone they were On the hard side which isn’t a good thing . I still question if they were homemade if so freezing them was criminal If they buy them made already shameful For Cali an 8 East coast a 5 The pasta and other meals they were putting out were good I didn’t have an issue pretty good for west coast The sauce could have been better very watery if you prefer a lighter sauce you won’t notice, not a hearty sauce The olive oil blend they put on the table was excellent Parking in the area is horrendous

My friends and I dined on the outdoor patio - I'm vegan, they're not. I had the vegan gnocchi with eggplant marinara, they split the chicken pasta dish, and we ordered the heirloom cauliflower and mushroom calamari for the table. The mushroom calamari was outstanding! The heirloom cauliflower, well, tasted like roasted cauliflower. My gnocchi was very good as well, as was the delicious house bread.

I have been to excellent restaurants in Italy. Civico in San Diego deserves a metal from Italy. Fun staff and exceptional food and wine.

What a delightful evening to eat outside and enjoy a great meal and service. The entire experience was memorable. Each of our 4 diners had different entrees and desserts and we all enjoyed. Our female waitress was on point and offered suggestions. I must stop

Tasty and good tagliatelle. The pasta came right from the kitchen and was al'dente. Was lucky and got a table out, but withdrew with good views. Nice location and friendly service

Citicorp 1845 had good reviews which is why I chose it.. went there with friends on 12/27 for dinner with friends. I felt fortunate to have called for reservations since there were a lot of people out and about in little Italy who were turned away. The hostess had put 3 table together and was very friendly. We sat at the table and had to wave at another waiter to find out who was assigned table, it was Manuel… he came up as the other guy was taking our drink order. After that, we didn’t see him unless we looked around and caught his eye. As for the food, the meatballs were dry and unimpressive. The wine which was a Montepulciano, was so good, we had 2 bottles. I ordered another entree since we didn’t have enough food and it never came. I had to get up, walk around, find Manuel and let him know to cancel it if it was ever going to come out, and to bring my check… it was VERY ANNOYING.. yes, the place was busy, but when it emptied out, he always still invisible. I couldn’t see a Manager. There was nothing…. This place has earned a place on my sh!t list for crappy service.

Terrible Service Food was cold and not real italian flavor even the staff was italian Will not come back. Do not know who will recommned this place

Amazing food! Start with a meat and cheese plate, then I would suggest the lobster ravioli. Fantastic! Great wine list and fantastic service

Very nice and characteristic place... you feel like you are in Italy because a very good and kind Italian woman welcomes you! The food was excellent value for money! I highly recommend! Top top top!

We went here for a Friday night dinner after landing in San Diego - two couples late on a Friday night. A friend had picked it out because she knew they had gluten free. We enjoyed the burratta (GF) and the eggplant lasagna starter to share, both were delicious. The rest of the table had a meatball as well, which they enjoyed. I had the bolognese and enjoyed it- one item to note for celiacs - let the server know about cross contamination - as they informed me they put the GF pasta in the same “water bath” as gluten pasta - lucky for me it wasn’t too busy so I asked them to do do a separate pot and they were able to accommodate me. Had they not been able to do it, there were non-pasta entree options. The food was great, we enjoyed a bottle of dolcetto with our meal and it was great! Afterward we went to salt & straw for ice cream.

Super authentic Italian food. Even much of the staff is Italian! Marco, our server, was very nice and helpful. The short rib pappardella was amazing. Lasagna good too, though sausage a bit salty. It was very busy and you definitely need reservations on Saturday night, however, we were never rushed.

Service was good but food was disappointing. Cesar salad and calamari were average. We actually returned the lasagna because it was nothing like you would expect an authentic lasagna. Gnocchi was completely ordinary. The sauces were not good. The fusilli a la norma had no real italian taste. Pasta not great, sauce disappointing. I returned for a special celebration after recalling the food was absolutely wonderful. I am not returning. Very expensive for pasta and average taste.

My friends and I stopped here for Lunch while taking a hop on hop off bus tour right before Christmas. It was a great find! The waiter we had was so good at picking appetizers for us, and guiding us on dishes to try. I have issues with eating pasta and was worried there wouldn't be anything I would enjoy but the gnocchi was wonderful! The shrimp was tender and so tasty! My friends all enjoyed their dishes as well. We had actually started off with Prosciutto and Formaggio bar with a few different olives also selected by the waiter. One of my friends can't stand olives and yet she loved these!

There is much to choose from in Little Italy, San Diego. Go here. Nice space, unpretentious but great service, and the freshest pasta you will find! Although we didn't order from it, their vegan menu looked inventive and delicious--not your usual fare. All of the dishes we ordered were so well prepared, and the ravioli were melt-in-your-mouth tender. Don't skip dessert. The tiramisu was light and creamy and the cannoli was amazing. Nice wine list; moderate noise level; good people watching. Can't go wrong.

Here again in Little Italy, San Diego Don’t assume and it’s not just another Italian restaurants. Here’s why I enjoyed and had a wonderful time dining here. Owner and staff were superb and friendly! Not a moment passed where you weren’t taken care of. Since it’s a corner restaurant in the middle of the busiest spot in Little Italy it gets very busy. But did they forget about you answer is no. Once the food arrived it was really flavorful and we finished with a dessert. The tiramisu is to die for! Cervico offers vegan and gluten free options which is great. Now I won’t feel pressure to look for a place to eat when my Vegab friends come and want to dine in famous Little Italy. To the next plate fellow travelers....

We love this Italian place in little Italy They have a great service and the food is very good It’s a little noisy but what Italian restaurant isn’t? Their pasta with vodka sauce is one of my favorites And they have a very nice selection of wines

The positive reviews made us decide to eat here tonight. Unfortunately all of our meals were completely unremarkable and lacking in exciting tastes. I’m certain that there are better places to eat in San Diego’s famous Little Italy neighborhood.

We went for dinner with our 5 year old son and the staff were friendly and helpful, the food was all excellent. My wife had the ravioli (which they changed the sauce at her request), my son had the lasagne and I had the pappardelle and it was all excellent. The price is reasonable and the atmosphere in the restaurant is busy but cosy. Highly recommended. (Incidentally when we were looking at the menu before going in a women who was dining came running out to tell us how good it was and she was right)

Civico 1845 was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. The traditional Italian menu with a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing setting make Civico 1845 a home run.

We went to this restaurant and it was awesome. The food, service and the decor. The food was very authentic Italian. Their bread was extremely delicious in addition to their stuffed zucchini blossoms. We wish we had this place in SC.

I’ve been to Little Italy many times. On this trip it was by chance that we tried this restaurant. The host was very friendly and accommodating considering the kitchen was going to close in 5 minutes. But that didn’t change a thing. They didn’t rush us. Everything we ordered was some of the best dishes in Little Italy. My lobster ravioli was delicious and we shared a huge Caesar salad which wasn’t overpowering or drenched in dressing. My friend had a pasta dish I can’t remember. The basket of bread was fresh, even at 10:30 at night. Very impressed with our server, the host, everyone! This will be a regular spot for us when we visit SD

We had a most wonderful meal at this excellent restaurant. Our three appetizers were delicious. Three of us loved our main dishes, but my husband did not like his. When we told the waiter, he got the manager who immediately asked what we wanted instead. We chose another dish, which she brought shortly afterwards. She was exceptionally pleasant and even brought us cannolis for dessert. We could not have asked for a tastier meal or a more delightful atmosphere.

On our last night we ate at this nice restaurant. The food was great. There was a separate vegan menu which also had a nice vegan dessert. The non vegans were options were just as great!

Civico is in little Italy. We went based on great reviews and it was excellent. Had a late lunch, Salmon and Penne pasta choices. Both excellent. The menu is a wide range of authentic Italian food with vegan menu. Ambiance and location great. Service was solid (we felt the server seemed to want to be somewhere else, but he did his job. They had an ad posted looking for fun, fast and active servers, so we joked to ourselves that our server job is not that secure:)) Great place, we will definitely go back and highly recommend,

Walking around while my husband was at a conference and decided on Civico for a light meal. Just a glass of pino Grigio and a Caesar salad. The complimentary focaccia bread and dipping oil was delicious as was the wine and salad. Outside dining is amazing in San Diego. Highly recommend this restaurant in Little Italy.

Ordered 2 portions of mixed fried and I remain astonished, better than those eaten in Italy. Great Menabrea beer on tap. Really great price to be in San Diego $60 for two

We took two braised pappardelle and, nothing to say, very good. Generous, tasty portions, the dishes are accompanied by a hot focaccia with green sauce. Very kind waiters. Negative note: two plates of pasta, a sparkling water, a beer, two coffees, a smaller tip than the "pre-established" amount: 99 dollars... I recommend it for the quality of the food, but the prices are definitely too high.

A whole lot of nothing- service not good -timing terrible. Firstly we had really high expectations of this restaurant,not so sure why? We started with a fried calamari ,shrimp and a garlic mayonnaise sadly I had to spit out a piece of calamari because it tasted rancid! Next their version of chicken Parmesan with arugula salad and thinly sliced potatoes as stated on the menu . What I received was a thick piece of rubbery chicken fried with a little red sauce some melted cheese and large chunks of fried potatoes , so disappointed. My husband had a pasta on the vegan list but the only thing that made it vegan was no meat or cheese but really could have been on the regular menu that being said it was really delicious. We ordered coffee and dessert but it took so long we had to leave, the coffee arrived cold and well the dessert never came. This restaurant needs to figure out how to serve their customers! Sadly we won’t return.

We were so fortunate to be able to time our visit just right so our party of 8 was able to slide in with the understanding we only had 60 minutes as they were fully booked with reservations. Our server Antonia V was brilliant! This is a very busy restaurant that handles itself extremely well. The kitchen moved food with such ease! I have already recommended this restaurant to many friends.

We ate here for dinner. Definitely try the specials, since they represent, well, what's special. We had the fried zucchini blossoms appetizer and the daily fish special. Both were outstanding. Note that the servings (in our opinion) are big enough to share (four fried blossoms and two pieces of fish with beans and potatoes), which is what we did. This place did not disappoint and I would eat here again. Also great service and atmosphere.

It brought back delightful memories of our first trip to Italy last summer. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and the food was fabulous. We’ll definitely be coming back!

Obviously a very popular restaurant with a very interesting menu, this place is basically Italian. Lots of seafood selections are available (I don't care for calamari, but my dinner mates raved about how good they were). Our server, Marcello, really knew his stuff and was very accommodating - supplying me with a special order that put him to extra trouble. I've had better bolognese sauce, but the serving was large and very tasty. Everyone was very satisfied; I would definitely come back.

I really liked the food here. Portions of ravioli are small but good. My husband ordered the sausage pasta dish. My 13yo old son had buttered noodles ($15). Total bill was $62 for 3 of us. 1 glass of wine. There is outside seating.

This place had a great menu, with plenty of vegan and gluten free options (which is why we chose it). Great focaccia delivered immediately upon sitting down. The menu had many different options without being overwhelming. Portions are about 1.5 serving sizes. We also tried some of their spritzes, which were fun but not very well made, especially considering their $14 price tag. We made a reservation for 7:45, but were not seated until 8:10 or so which was quite a time to be standing out in the cold. The service was pretty sparse and inattentive, which was disappointing. Finally, the restaurant was very loud, which was fine for our group of friends, but is definitely not suitable for a date night or family dining experience.

I have now eaten here twice. The first time I thought this restaurant and its food was amazing. The second time I was a little disappointed and as luck would have it I had the same waiter both times. He was nice and helpful so no real concerns there. This restaurant is very popular and you are best served if you have reservations. On my second visit I found the service was slow to clear our plates between courses and here it seems the waiters don’t do that but rather the bus staff, I understand this having been in the business in my younger days, but as a waiter if the dirty plates sit to long you clear them. As I said first time here I was very happy, the second time was a mixed bag. My wife had the grilled branzino special which was filleted and served with a tomato sauce with black olives, it looked kind of gross and the sauce my said lacked flavor and tasted more like pizza sauce, my dish was a papardella pasta with a short rib ragu sauce, it tasted good but the short rib was over cooked and a bit mushy. The fried stuffed squash blossoms was awesome, the bread they serve is also very good, my soon and friend had a seafood pasta dish and they both liked it. This place has a cool, vibrant buzz and I would come again as maybe the last time was just a bad night..

The food here was OK but that's probably all I would say about it. The impression we had from the service aspect was that they wanted us in and out of there as quick as possible. We had a table booked for 7pm and we ordered a starter and mains and were out of there just after 7.30 (and we had ordered a bottle of wine too). We had the Heirloom tomato starter and the tomato's were sliced thinner than a piece of paper, so had no taste at all. I ordered the Salmon and it was served with interestingly cooked vegetables but they were cold by the time they were served so I think had been pre-cooked.

Located in little Italy in San Diego Civico 1845 is a trendy spot for traditional italian fare. They do not accept reservations, so show up early or prepare to wait. My wife and I are vegan, but the rest of our party was not. We asked for the vegan menu which had like 5starters and 4 or 5 different entree choices as well as dessert. I had the vegan lasagna with vegan sausage and vegan tiramisu.. everything was delicious. We would definitely go back

Restaurant in the Italian area, very Italian style, cozy and good decoration Abundant and excellent quality food Normal prices, non-alcoholic dinner 1 starter and 2 dishes 100 usd

We were quite lucky to have been seated during the driving rain we encountered during our visit to San Diego. The restaurant is crowded with table close together and noisy. But the food did not disappoint! We had the fish of the say and the Pennette Melanzane which were absolutely delicious and well prepared. Service was quite friendly with the busy crowd and attentive. Definitely a gem in Little Italy.

I have visited Civico twice and the food was always great and authentic Italian. Great service and location and great wines. Loved it there.

After having a fantastic Italian meal the previous evening in the Gaslamp District, we decided to venture to Little Italy to experience some more of the same cuisine. Unfortunately Civico did not meet the same quality, value for money and overall experience as Osteria Panevino. Whilst the service was great, unfortunately the served portions were no bigger then appetizer servings and the pasta was over cooked making it a necessity to stop in for a big dessert on the way home.

I liked the restaurant. The ambiance and service was very good. The food was not that great. My husband ordered the lobster Ravioli. There was barely any lobster in them and too dry. My mom ordered the seafood frutti di mate pasta and it was very bland. I ordered the ravioli básico. The sauce tasted like thick tomato soup. My mom is Italian and our standard is high. I saw the zafar reviews and that made choose to go to the restaurant. Good but not great!

Had dinner with coworkers Service was good but food was nothing special. Sat inside.way too loud had to shout to hear people at our table. Dont recommend and wont return.

My husband and I recently traveled to Italy and Sicily. We were in San Diego for a family wedding and excited to explore Little Itsly. The excitement was not long lived. Civici was very disappointing. The manager was friendly but too preoccupied to get our water correct. The wine was bad. They did accommodate my request to remove the head of branzino, the fish was ok. They served with julienne potatoes and zucchini that had so much oil they were not edible. This is not an Italian experience. My suggestion is to do your homework and understand how Italy prepares and serves food. It wasn't even close to our experience from Italy.

Wonderful Italian! Met friends here for dinner and they had a great vegan menu for 2 of our guests. The zucchini blossom appetizer is delicious. The bread warm and yummy. Pasta was perfect! Dessert was wonderful! Thoroughly enjoyed!!

Searched some options for a good Italian restaurant in Little Italy, SD and this was well reviewed, so I booked a lunch for my first meal after landing at SD Int'l. Upon arriving, the hostess was friendly as was the server who took care of us during our visit. The focaccia served was delicious and we enjoyed our meals of Lobster Ravioli (although, I could have used a couple extra ravioli) and the Salmon entrée. A pleasant experience overall and a nice welcome to San Diego.

great restaurant! helped me pick a fantastic non-dairy authentic pappardelle Brasato. waiter was from italy so made meal time more fun. Best meal so far in our two week stay in S.D.

After a week-long stay in San Diego's Little Italy, my last meal had to be special. I had been to several "Italian" places, was served by mainly non-Italians, with Frank and Dean and Andrea Bocelli blaring in the background, and found the food and drink to be of varying quality. As I happened by Civico 1845, it was the Italian accent and warm welcome of the hostess that drew me in. After their busy lunch period, she seated me at an outside table for my own very late lunch, and a charming and gracious Italian waiter appeared on cue with water and bread. After putting up with my smatterimg of halting, rusty Italian, he appeared only too bappy to assist me with suggestions and recommendations. The atmosphere was relaxed. No loud music, just the gentle splashing of a nearby fountain. The dipping oil for the bread was exceptional, its flavor further enhanced by bits of fresh basil. My seafood entree consisted of chili-infused homemade pasta, cherry tomatoes, huge prawns -each the size of a clenched fist, and a sprinkling of delicate sprigs of fresh arugula. The prawns were succulent and meaty, and the pasta was a perfect al dente. To accompany this masterpiece, was a full-bodied but very smooth red Calabrian wine. I topped it all off with a single expertly drawn espresso. Heaven! It is obvious that Civico's kitchen and staff prepare and serve their offerings with the utmost care, pride and love. Mille Grazie Civico 1845! I hope to return again and again!

We had dinner at Civico 1845 as a random choice out of many in Little Italy. It was as busy so we thought it might be a good bet and it surely was. We did have to sit outdoors which was fine, there were heaters. Service was excellent and speedy. The only not negative there was a seemingly homeless man about 12 feet away and he acted very agitated and angry and was yelling at some imaginary person. He did leave after a while. The dinner was so good we had a chicken dish with roasted vegetables and capers. I would definitely go again but I would opt to wait for a table indoors.

We were tourist so perfect to be sitting outside in Little Italy. Food was great, service was friendly. Recommended to a couple people already.

I live in Boston and I’m from Italy, I never had such a delicious vegan Italian food since I came to the States many years ago. I was in San Diego for only a week and I went to Civico three times! I tired everything in the vegan menu and I absolutely loved it!! Can’t wait to go back to San Diego and go back there. The fiori ripieni are heavenly!!!! The vegan food was sophisticated and delicious!

Totally recommended for a delicious and real Italian meal. Service was on point. The wine...perfect...appetizers..perfect...main course..perfect...dessert...perfect...just perfection !!!

Genuinely good and interesting food. Medium sized servings on the elite Little Italy side of San Diego. The folks were busy, so have that patience and they will be behind you. They also accept To-Go orders and that is also the reason that their Chef and Sous-Chef are kind of busy. I like the ambiance for a small space in the neighborhood.

Everything was excellent. We arrived with my son and wife. All personnel was attentive the mood was relaxed but professional. All pasta was fresh, al dente and tasted homemade. I had bass fried to perfection with capers and over risotto. Again excellent taste, presentation. I recommend this restaurant without any reservation.

Food - fairly good. Staff - manager helping himself to numerous drinks from behind the bar - then turned nasty and rude!

Having no experience of the San Diego food scene we took the advice of our concierge to go to the little italy neighborhood. This area is wall to wall restaurants. A mind boggling amount of choices . We chose Civico 1845 through our Trip Advisor app and nailed a home run . The ambiance of this establishment says relax and enjoy. Professional staff serving food of five star quality. Stop in you won't be disappointed.

Agree with almost all reviewers. Food was very good but not outstanding. Full disclosure I am a Boston Italian and a tough critic on Italian cuisine. Server was slow but acceptable. Expresso martini was incredible - buzz buzz. Great vibe, lots of tourists and locals. Not at all a bad spot

We spent our 45th wedding anniversary at this delightful restaurant and we loved the food and the unique ambience. Not only was the service exceptional, we found the food to be outstanding as well. I was most impressed that they also offered a vegan menu (but you must ask). They are prepared for all palates. It was also a great people watching scene and the place was 'jumping'. We felt it was authentic and our celebratory evening was very special indeed. First we shared the Civico 1845 green salad, which was the perfect start to our meal. (along with a bottle of red wine) Then I had the Raviollo Classico; the Homemade Ricotta and Spinach, while my husband had the Pappardelle Brasato, the short-rib Ragu. Both excellent. A lovely bonus at the end of our meal, is that they brought us one of their legendary cannoli for dessert. It definitely had the WOW factor and was a delicious surprize, with its crunchy exterior. Thank-you! The restaurant certainly has the winning formula. We look forward to returning on our next visit. One word of advice is that Little Italy is extremely crowded and parking is difficult. We followed our friends' advice and took an Uber.

This is a popular restaurant in San Diego's little italy neighborhood. Highly recommend reservations. The pasta Norma brought back memories of Sicily!

The service was terrific, the atmosphere was good as you can eat in or out (on the sidewalk). The menu was adequate, as was the wine list. All in all, enjoyable meal. One thing that could be better is for the food to come out HOT, not luke warm. I would go back.

The service was 10/10. We were welcomed with a complimentary focaccia with pesto, which came warm, soft and delicious. Food also 10/10, we ordered a Lasagna Calabrese and a Pappardelle, both delicious. I also recommend Aperol Spritz.

Outstanding food and service - definitely want to go again even though a little pricey (8 raviolis w/lobster). They started you off w/bread and oil - the bread was moist and tender / the ravioli was outstanding - the tomato sauce was very light

The native Italian who served us more than made up for a run-in with a stressed matradee struggling to control the chaos on the narrow sidewalk in front of the establishment. Food and wine could stand up in Boston’s North End or New York though the portions were a bit on the small side.

My wife wanted Italian food in Little Italy. We liked at the reviews and this restaurant came up with excellent reviews. We made reservations through open table at 7:15 pm. We got there just at 7:15 pm. The table was ready and we were seated immediately. The waiter was excellent and the best Italian food you find in Little Italy. I had the Lasagna was superb. A must go to restaurant.

If you go to the Little Italy of S. Diego this is one of the very rare Italian restaurants really Italian... typical products of the Calabrian tradition, well cooked, moreover with large portions. Beware of others who try to pose as Italian restaurants.

This is such a great place we came back a second time during our trip! We are gluten and dairy free and had an amazing meal! Gluten free pasta for me and Brazinni for my husband. Dessert was gluten and dairy free and so good!! Do not hesitate, this is the place to eat tonight!

Excellent food and great service. They serve vegan and traditional cuisine. We ate here twice. I had the vegan lasagna and it was good. Loved the warm fresh focaccia and the mushroom ravioli! Vegan tiramisu was okay.

We arrived early, 5:30 PM to a fairly empty restaurant, we were going to a 7 PM play. We shared a Calabrese Con Tonno (tuna) salad, it was delicious with just the right dressing, a hint of excellent olive oil. The we shared the Fusilli 50/50 which they made gluten free (+ $2) for me. I had their house Prosecco Bosa, very nice. As we were leaving at 6:30 the restaurant was mostly full. We recommend this nice restaurant.

Restaurant was very disappointing. It is not actually a fine dining experience, more like a casually Italian eatery that you might find anywhere. The salad was terrible and the pasta nothing more than mediocre.

Our first stop from a drive down from LA is always Civico 1845! We usually get there when it opens so it's a perfect relief from the drive. Great lunch menu and a nice glass of wine. Highly recommend a visit here in Old Italy whenever you can if in San Diego!

Excellent service, great food and wine at a reasonable price. We sat outside along India Street at 7pm through sunset. The vibe in Little Italy is festive and Civico had some good jazzy music to add to the am. Our waitress (from Brooklyn) was knowledgeable about the menu and the wine. The complimentary bread and pesto was amazing. I had the alla Norma pasta in a rosy sauce with eggplant. Large portion that could have easily fed two. Hubby had the pasta with pulled short rib which was slightly spicy. Both were awesome and the wine, Anglianico (?) was a perfect complement.

We ate at the sister restaurant of Civico 1845, the new Civico by the park. Civico by the Park used to be Il Dandy, which was absolutely the best Italian restaurant in San Diego and was really authentic. Unfortunately the two Italian chefs (father and son) went back to Italy when COVID hit, and the owner converted Il Dandy to Civico by the park that shares the same menu as Civico1845. The food was excellent, not as creative as Il Dandy, but solid and authentic (not your Americanized Italian food with heavy sauces that overwhelmed the pasta). Homemade pasta were cooked al dente, and sauces were well balanced. The restaurant had an enclosed patio area and outside seating by the sidewalk. We were originally seated in the enclosed patio, but the area was essentially indoor because the windows were partially closed, and tables were simply too close to each other to make me comfortable---they were 6 ft apart, but when all the neighboring tables were full of people talking and laughing loudly and without masks on, the virus could float and fly in the air and reach our table easily. When we talked to the waitress about this, they were nice enough to change us to the outdoor sidewalk table, which was much farther apart and had real air flow. We truly enjoyed out dinner. I recommend this restaurant.

Came here 3 times in the last week, and tried everything on the vegan menu! It'll be the first place we go to when we come back. Grazie mille Antonella!!

Everytime I go to San Diego, this is our go to restaurant for Italian food, their seafood always tastes fresh and delicious and the service is also great.

My family had dinner here one evening in July. Our waiter was very personable and friendly. We ordered salads & entrees. The salads came out, and literally less than 5 minutes later- our entrees were dropped off. We were still eating the salads and the entrees just sat there getting cold. This was a disappointment . Entrees- our entrees were just okay- nothing special. Both my husband and I felt like our entrees did not match the description on the menu. We are lucky to live In a part of the country with exceptional Italian food. This simply did not compare. Because our waiter was so friendly _ I was willing to give this review 3 stars instead of 2.

My friend and I went to Cívico for her birthday and had the best time!! The food was amazing and the waiters were extremely kind!! Jeovanny was very accommodating and friendly! We highly recommended this place!

We came for a late lunch and were rushed out because there was a staff training about to take place. I've never been given my check while still eating, about 10 minutes after we starting eating, we were asked to pay. The restaurant wasn't closing or anything they just wanted us gone.

While visiting San Diego we ventured to Little Italy to try Civico 1845 based on Tripadvisor reviews. We made reservations online and the experience was seamless. We arrived on-time and were pleasantly greeted and seated immediately. Our gleeful server shared the specials and took our drink and app orders. To say that the food and the service were stunning is an understatement. The carpaccio was some of the best we've ever had, so was the lasagna special. The food was fresh, bright, and we literally "yummed" at every bite. Our colleague who is gluten-free said that her gluten-free gnocchi with winter squash and mushrooms was one of the best she's ever had. We can't speak highly enough about our entire Civico 1845 experience. Go, sit down, and enjoy this heavenly slice of Little Italy.

Great quality food, we ate very well, very nice location and Natalie was really kind!! Top!!

There's a reason we didn't need a reservation on a Friday night here....the three of us ordered something different and none of us were impressed. They did have a good vegan selection but the dish we got was not very good except for the cheese ;). Would not recommend or return.

Early dinner before crowds. Food came out fast and we ate everything. Pasta was pretty good and flavors nice. Steak cooked decent too. Nothing was amazing but all good and satisfying. While service wasn’t bad, there were a few things that left us puzzled.. * i have a shelfish allergy; response was “are you ok with cross contamination?” Umm No…our waiter almost seem ready to say goodbye and wouldn’t guarantee cross contamination but later came back and said kitchen was ok with it. *this plate is dirty may i have a new plate please ? Response; “sure” but never got one. *May we have the check please? Response “$xxxx.xx” I have never had someone tell me the cost of dinner with a hand out for payment. Very odd that we had to ask for the printed receipt. Dirty plates were never cleared from table.

I decided to follow the recommendations of a couple of friends and try Civico 1845 and I was worth my walk over from the Gas Lamp District for lunch. I sat on the patio, which was noisy due to nearby construction. I was promptly served with a delicious bread and oil for dipping. I had the ravioli with lobster. The food and service was excellent.

I felt some some Italian while on a short stay in San Diego and decided to take a stroll to little Italy. I came across this restaurant and decided to try it. Food was amazing, service was good and price was right. You will it be disappointed.

We came here because the reviews were amazing, particularly in regard to the vegan selection. We had to wait approx half an hour outside, but we were ok with that and it suggested it was obviously a popular and well-regarded place. The homemade bread to start was delicious, along with the pesto dip. The zucchini flower was just ok. However the vegan mains really weren't very good. We were quite surprised particularly in regards to one of them (the vegan ragu) as the server said it was her favourite dish. The faux meat didn't taste of anything and had a really odd, crumbly texture. My boyfriend couldn't eat it, which is very unusual for him. Maybe we simply ordered the wrong things as clearly by other reviews, the restaurant does get some dishes right. Just avoid the vegan options!

We kind of bumped into Civico as part of a passegiata along India Street. The band across the street was kind of jarring, but eventually, they took a break and we could continue conversating in normal tones. I was surprised at the price of their red wine bottles, with not even one or two in the lower end (except chianti which I avoid). The bread was delivered Covid-style in a paper bag (I have no problem with that), but I was disappointed at the little cubes of mostly dry focaccia. We ordered a Fusilli Alla Norma and Ravioli Aragosta. I liked the Fusilli pasta, fresh and al dente, except for an overkill of sun-dried tomatoes in the sauce, perhaps a personal distaste on my part. The Ravioli Aragosta was tasty and al dente, but perhaps I was expecting a lighter version since the restaurant mentions a "light" philosophy as part of their web site, but then again I think Calabria goes a bit heavy in general. We will try this restaurant again when in San Diego so that we can be open to other offerings on the menu.

Service was good (Courtney M). Food was very good. Location was good (had a view of the ocean from our table). Parking, expensive all over. First time we tried this restaurant, and our opinion is that we would go back, and, while the food was great, would try something different next time. Don't want to get stuck on the same selection. At first, we were delivered a brown bag, and thought we were given a sack lunch (LOL). Of course, it was their bread - delicious, along with a bowl of oil dip (not in the bag), a well matched flavor with the bread. Friend had Pappardelle Brasaton (Slow-cooked Short Rib Ragù, Cabernet, Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.). He liked it, and said that he would order it again (a high rating for him). We also saw a number of people who ordered the same selection, so must be something that is a hit. My selection was Scialatielli Civico (Calabrian Chili Pepper infused Pasta, Caledonian Prawns, Cherry Tomatoes, Wild Rocket.). I was amazed at the size of the prawns. And the number. The pasta was great. The sauce was great. All around, I would also order it again, but I would also try other selections. Unfortunately, we neglected to take photos. All in all it was delightful dinner. Most pedestrians walking along the restaurants had their face masks. However there were those who didn't think the close proximity required the mask. Oh, well, there was a nice breeze.

We LOVED the food here. This was some of the best seafood pasta I've ever had - the sauce was fresh and flavorful, the seafood was plentiful and fresh, and the pasta was delicious. Great wine list and bread too. We will definitely return if we're back in San Diego.

Admittedly I arrived at 4pm. Right a shift change. I sat at the bar (as I always do at restaurants). Bar top wasn’t cleaned. Someone else’s paid bill is still sitting in front of me 45 minutes later. Bar tender is sweet, welcomes me. She hands me a menu. Makes a good recommendation for wine. I like it. Someone else who must work here admonished her for making sure she handed me the correct menu (lunch vs. dinner). Right in front of me. They continue to debate it right in front of me. Other staff start arriving. It’s clear that they’re all family or at least extremely friendly. And it’s exceedingly clear that customers are not, and possibly could not ever be, a part of the family. Or at least made to feel at home. I order a salad to start. It’s super bland, thrown together, zero flavor. At least the “field greens” which are mostly romaine are fresh. After a while, the bartender asks if I want dessert. 😶 I’m in shock and ask, “May I have dinner first?” She’s equally surprised and she placed my order for the Pappardelle Brasato (slow braised short rib ragu). The best thing about this dish was the pasta. Other than that, no salt or seasoning (the menu suggests “Italian aromatic herbs”). I was super hungry so I did eat it all. But I was hoping for better. I mean...I even like my own short rib ragu better... She, again sweetly, asked to clear my plate before I was finished. I may be old fashioned still and use the placement of my silverware to indicate to servers if I’m finished or not. Is this no longer a thing? She did ask again if I wanted dessert, which I declined. She promptly offered my check. I didn’t bother to ask for a second glass of wine, which I would have gladly consumed. Paying was quite convenient. They have a table side handheld card reader, which she explained well. Meanwhile, a beverage vendor is there trying to sell to someone who clearly doesn’t want to talk to him at the moment (I think?). He’s cussing loudly, less than 36” from where I’m eating. Awkward. In full disclosure, I felt so awkward I put my ear buds in to start catching up on work in my phone...perhaps that alienated me too...🤷🏻‍♀️ I paid and walked directly across the street to an excellent cocktail list, and a generous happy hour menu. Civico 1845 doesn’t have a happy hour (or at least I wasn’t offered anything happy or special), nor do they have liquor. I don’t drink beer at all, so I can’t speak to that list. I only had one glass of wine, so I can’t really speak to that either. Bottom line: I felt awkward eating there solo (which I do ALL THE TIME as a solo traveler), and the food wasn’t that great. Likely the first problem was my weird afternoon timing. But the second point is disappointing for Little Italy.

Came in here after a busy day exploring the city, had a nice warm welcome and shown to the last available table (we were just walk ins). Very busy and nice atmosphere. Lovely vegan menu on offer which I took full advantage of. The bread and home made pesto was just heavenly, as was my bruchetta starter... huge portion! I've had this dish many times before in Italy and this one was up there with them. My main dish of Fusilli del sud with beyond sausage (vegan sausage alt) was also very good, lovely sauce. I was fit to bursting when we left. Worth the money and the visit

We stopped here after reading TripAdvisor review. We had a table outside in the sun. Prompt friendly service. Great food.

Poppin’ place, but not just bc of the location, but bc they have pretty darn good food and service. Glad we made reservations bc it was busy indoors and outdoors. The hubby and I each had a cocktail, corked a bottle of our own wine (corkage is $20), shared a rather large app and plate of pasta, as well as a dessert. I snapped photos of most of our food including our half-eaten pasta. They have complimentary focaccia bread with a lovely green dip. I used the bread and dipped it into our pasta sauce. Great for date night, friends, or family. They have a pretty spacious patio area as well. Would definitely go back again.

Excellent food and service. The portion sizes are huge and with a very nice presentation. We were traveling from out of town, so it was a nice stop. Heads-up, parking in Little Italy can be tricky but we found a spot after circling the block a few times.

Let me set the stage: driving rain, 50 degrees and windy outside. Little Italy is jammed with hungry people wanting to get in from the weather. We arrived at Civico on the off chance there would be a place at the bar for 2- but not. Hostess was apologizing when a manager asked if we would consider the outside patio- reassuring us that the heaters and plastic curtains would shield us from the weather. Yes and yes. Instantly our bread and olive oil arrived and 2 minutes later, our wine. Ordered risotto and mushroom ravioli, a daily special. This turned our otherwise wer and cold evening into comfortable satiety. Thanks for your attention to customer service and, of course, the good kitchen!

The food and drink was good, it just wasn’t $50/person good. I got the rigatoni pasta and the Italian sour. It should at least come with some kind of meat for $26. It was enough to be filling at least. No complaints about the drink. About what to expect as far as price for a fancy cocktail in little Italy, downtown, gas lamp, etc., and it was perfect for my tastes. The waitress was polite, but I kind of felt like I was in the way. The employees are too social to their friends and not attentive enough to other customers. Also, put something on the TV that people can look at. They had a documentary about a women’s volleyball team (with no subtitles) followed by dead air.

Ordered the special - Lasagna. It was good; but, the center was cold!!!! Not lukewarm - but, cold. They must have microwaved it; but not enough. Not what you expect from this type of establishment.

The service here was good. They were friend from the start to the end. They provided suggestions of what to eat and try. The food there is a modern version of italian food but it definitely is fresh. I had the BISTECCA which was cooked to perfection. Also had the BURRATA HEIRLOOM CAPRESE which I wasn't to thrilled with. The Burrata was a bit to creamy for my liking. I wish they would be able to get some Mozzarella di Bufala, The Heirloom tomato was thinly sliced and wish it was cut a bit more thicker.The bread they offered was fresh and tasty with the pesto sauce they had. Definitely will come back and try other items.

I went to this restaurant twice on a recent business trip to San Diego. A local had recommended it to me. The first night, there were just three of us, and we ate outside under heaters (it was February). Everything we ordered was excellent. The salads were very fresh and interesting. Lots of ingredients and nicely dressed. The pastas were extraordinary. The pasta was homemade, and my wife,who is Italian, said it was the closest thing to her grandmothers homemade pasta. I came back a second night and brought 11 people from my conference. We ate heartily and were telling the waiter how much we enjoyed it all. He came back with platters of beautiful desserts for the table. This was the best restaurant we ate at in our 6 day trip to San Diego. It was a lot of fun.

This was our favorite meal in San Diego. Both the food and the service were amazing! It was very authentic Italian food along with the feel of the restaurant.

We had dinner here one evening while in San Diego. The staff was wonderful, all the food and drinks we had were exceptional. Would highly recommend. Thank you!

We had a great dinner with an outside table. Loved our server - we both had specials for dinner and had yummy desserts. Perfect!

Good place for a range of eaters. We had vegans and vegetarians with our party and they were able to get a good meal here with an entire vegan section. The vegan lasagna they said was the best they ever had. Also ate the zucchini flowers for starter and the Pappardelle with short rib for dinner. The zucchini was excellent. Very good. Pappardelle was as a bit disappointing way too little pasta and too much sauce. Orange wine was also very good!

We stumbled upon this restaurant when we found the wait at our intended restaurant much longer than expected and it turned out to be a great find. The hostess and server were extremely nice and attentive, first arranging tables for the six of us to sit outside and then moving us inside when it began to rain a while later. The food was fabulous, especially the short rib pappardelle.

We popped in for lunch after running an errand to downtown… everything was fantastic. The pesto “dip” and bread were excellent as was the bruschetta. Both our pasta dishes were plentiful and tasty.

This is our favorite restaurant for special date nights for so many reasons. The food is wonderful, the wait staff greatly enhance the experience (Luka was great), and the hostess and manager incredibly attentive. My wife loves the lobster ravioli and the pasta seafood dishes are heaping with well made fresh seafood and pasta you want to keep eating long after you are full! We also had the pistachio encrusted cannoli were the best I have ever had (and I grew up in Little Italy in New York). On top of all that the prices are reasonable. If you are in San Diego and like genuine Italian food don't miss this gem.

We had a good dinner here. Staying right down the street and craving Italian we had already been to a few restaurants in the area and had walked by this one a few times. They had an open outdoor table so we decided to give it a try. Our waiter and the manager were very nice and checking with us to make sure we had everything. They do not have a full bar. At first when watching the restaurant and atmosphere we figured it must be a relatively new restaurant or owner, but when asked they have been here for 5 years. In conclusion it was a good Italian dinner but our experience at other restaurants was better.

Pros: the cuisine is, in fact, Italian. Calabrian specifically. Spicy just right. No “pasta alfredo” or “spaghetti bolonneisa” that even pigs are not given, in Italy. Good choice of wines at reasonable prices. Nice place, good service. Cons: extremely noisy place, somewhat hasty service. On weekdays it closes very early.

Stopped in for a late afternoon bite. I had the burrata salad with prosuitto along a beer. The food and service were great!

Very welcoming and friendly staff. Food was delicious. The warm bread and pesto was a nice way to start our meal. We had the parpadelle and it was perfect.

Had dinner here a few days ago. The service was good, and I would rate the food a 7 of 10. The portions are not that big, and the prices are for what you get. As Italian food goes, I have had better. There are better choices in Little Italy.

this is one of our favorites in Little Italy and have come often. It's always good and service too. Sadly found out the new chef took the mushroom risotto off the menu, I thought it was the best I had since Italy. We will go back but if they don't put the risotto back on not as often. Will need to find another place in Little Italy that makes it.

We decided to try this place because the ambience was great and the server and the hostess were by the entrance convincing us to come on in. After walking a couple more blocks looking at other restaurants we returned to give this a try. We had a very friendly server and appreciated his humor and his wanting us to have a comfortable relaxed dinner. The focaccia with the pesto dipping oil was amazing. The Caesar salad was really good and perfect for 2 people to share- the Parmesan cheese on the salad was the best I’ve ever had. My cheese and spinach ravioli was the best ravioli I’ve had- but there were only 6 ravioli and at $18 that’s a little disappointing considering it doesn’t come with anything else, so I’m glad it was at least delicious. My mom had the 50/50 bolognese which was also good. Glad we gave this place a try.

When you ask a local friend where they’d go eat, and they recommend Civico 1845, you definitely go. If you can make a reservation, do it! The place was packed on a Thursday evening at 6:30. The service was excellent! They went above and beyond! The food was very good! We loved it. Well worth the trip!

This was our first time coming to this place. We are vegan and wanted a nice place to go where we could enjoy an Italian dinner and found this place. We took a Lyft to avoid the crowded streets and parking downtown and it was great. We sat at the bar and the service was just as great as if we had sat at a table. The bartender recommended a great wine choice to go with my desert and it was complimentary. Not sure if it's like that all the time but it was nice all the same. Will definitely go back!

So many restaurants in Little Italy in the wonderful San Diego. Having spent some time (ahem!) in a few of them, Civico is a stand-out. Buzzing ambience, attentive service, rich menu, varietous wine list, and all at a reasonable price. Give it a go. You won't be disappointed ...

In the heart of San Diego and Little Italy is this gem. Excellent service and amazing food. Waiter even had Italian accent!! Highly recommend!

I went to this place few days back, the food was really good, we had fee different dishes, and I can confidently say everything we had was good, and the special thing about this place was the gluten free menu, and even these were tasty! The only challenge I had was the parking space in the area

We have eaten at Civico 1845 in Little Italy several times and have enjoyed their vegan focused menu in particular. In celebration of my wife’s birthday coinciding with being 2 weeks post our 2nd dose of our Covid vaccines, we decided to eat at the sister restaurant Civico By The Park (where the old Il Dandy used to be). First impressions should have been taken more seriously when we noticed several indoor tables with patrons seated despite a pandemic ban against indoor dining. Appetizers of stuffed squash blossoms and burrata with prosciutto was quite good. My wife and daughter had the veggie pizza which they enjoyed and the spaghetti carbonara which they both said was flat and needed seasoning. I had the linguini al gamberi. The prawns were way over cooked. Chewy and hard to even take a bite. A huge waste. The home made linguini was undercooked. Having been to Italy and cooked with home made pasta, it is almost impossible to undercook it, but they managed the impossible. I ended up only eating half the entree. They did send a mousse to honor my birthday’s dinner. All in all, an underwhelming experience after many months in a stay at home order. I hope that the Little Italy location hasn’t also regressed.

Food was great as always, but portions get smaller. Good wine selection and atmosphere. Service was great.

Dinner with family We came here for dinner with the family. We already knew the place, but we didn’t realize just how professional and authentic it was! The service was excellent, and the food was truly Italian, made with top-quality ingredients. We had the fried calamari — absolutely amazing — and every other dish was just as delicious. Pietro, the owner, was fantastic! He made us feel completely at home and spent much of the evening chatting with us. The restaurant is clean, cozy, and perfectly located on the main street in Little Italy. A wonderful experience from start to finish. Highly recommended!

The ONLY Italian restaurant we found in Little Italy which had a Vegan section on their menu and the food was outstanding- as was the service. Loved it here!! The mushroom appetizer was delicious as was the Vegan lasagna. Yum. Yum.

Our anniversary wasn’t even acknowledged even though we mentioned it on our reservation. The noise level made conversation impossible. We felt rushed by our server even though there was an empty table nearby. What happened to traditional Italian, family, food and conversation?! Probably won’t be back. Lots of other places in Little Italy that won’t treat you like cattle.

Civico is our go to for authentic Italian that is modern. Also have vegan options. The staff is friendly and they speak Italian. The food is very tasty and the atmosphere is clean and pleasant.

Outstanding all the way around! The food was superior, and the service was impeccable !! Took my daughter here for her birthday lunch and they treated her like a queen - right down to putting her favourite music on during our lunch.

We researched and read more than one review praising this restaurant, so we decided to book for dinner; by the way, CIVICO 1845 requests a credit card in case of a no-show, something that set the expectations bar even higher. However though, from beginning to end, the CIVICO 1845 experience was nothing outstanding, nothing we’ve not seen may times in many other places. The restaurant is simply decorated, dimly lit and cozy, far from current instagramable stylish trends; the venue is not ample but still comfortable, should you visit on a wheelchair, be sure to let the restaurant know beforehand so you can get a comfortable, unobstructed table. Service was not the highlight of the visit, it felt rushed and frigid; from the hostess, who tried to give us the worst possible table despite the restaurant being almost empty and having booked in advance, to the uncaring waitress who did nothing but deliver the menus and ask whether we were ready to order, and the busboy who tried to deliver the main course while we were still working on the appetizers. I can’t say staff were rude or unpolite, just not welcoming nor caring. Food was not spectacular, neither in preparation nor in creativity, nothing you probably haven’t had somewhere else. For antipasti we had the bruschetta and the polpette, which were very good but again, as many others we’ve tried. Then we had the pomodoro salad, truly fresh but the house dressing tasted like herbs and olive oil. For main course we had the scialiatelli civico and the pappardelle brasato, both really tasty but very well-known flavors despite the former being CIVICO’s flagship pasta. As a side comment, both pastas arrived lukewarm after I had to send them back when the busboy firstly brought them while we were still working on the appetizers. Anywho, finally, I think prices at this restaurant are reasonable, we spent something less than $100 per person wine bottle included. So, overall, CIVICO 1845 is not a bad dining option at all and be sure there is no animosity intended in this review, though service could improve a little, food quality and its preparation ranges on the very good tier.

Recently visited Little Italy on a girlfriends trip and discovered Civico 1845. There were four of us and all of our dishes were delicious. I tried the lasagne and it was one of the best I've ever eaten. The pasta was light and the sauce was rich with different types of meat in it. Would love to go back!

Everything we ordered was amazing! The atmosphere was bustling with activity, our server knew her stuff, and the food was delicious. Would recommend the zuchinni starter, lobster ravioli entree, and tiramisu dessert. Perfection!

I’m from Melbourne which has authentic Italian food but Civico 1845 is still worth the visit every time I come to San Diego. The staff are great, mostly Italian, and the food is delicious. I highly recommend the pappardelle brasato, fresh pasta with slow cooked tender short ribs.

We had reservations at 6:45 on Tuesday evening. the place was busy yet the staff were engaging and friendly. The bartender - Peter - was efficient and had a great disposition. The three meals were excellent. The lasagna and the chicken special had unique tastes and make a great "second day"meal. We have eaten there on a few previous occasions and each meal was special.

We didn’t have a reservation and the hostess was kind enough to get us a table if we could be out in 50 min for the next reservation. Worked perfect for us as we had our son with us. He loved the smaller portion of spaghetti bolognese they made him! Great focaccia and pesto olive oil.

The food was delicious but our service was not good. Our waiter was stretched very thin. We waited 20 minutes to get our check after asking for it twice and then 15 more minutes had passed so we just brought our credit card to the bar to pay. We had to ask to have our drinks refilled and that took time too. We ordered the special and waited a while for our food. The food was good but not good enough to get bad service again. We probably wouldn’t go back.

We recently enjoyed an outside lunch at Civico. What a charming little spot! Very contemporary rustic on the inside, cafe style tables on the sidewalk. The menu is the perfect length with plenty of offerings for everyone. The cocktail and wine list is also solid. We enjoyed a Bolognese style pasta that was studied with pieces of short rib and sausage. Served as hot as can be with flakes of Parmesan on top. I also enjoyed a couple of delicious Negroni Spagliato cocktails. Our server was friendly and attentive and food came out at just the right speed. Located in San Diego’s Little Italy, it’s a charming spot for an Al fresco lunch. Molto bene, Civico!

We really enjoyed this place. Restaurant was small but it’s atmosphere was really cool. The bread and oil they served before your food arrives was good. Thought the oil and basil mix for our bread had a little too much basil. Bread was super fresh. Our party had the basic ravioli, which was good and fresh. We also had the special meat lasagna of they day. I could’ve eaten 2-3 of them. So good and fresh! Others had a vegan dish, which I was told was one of their favorite pasta dishes of all time. Sever seemed to be Italian, although hard to understand at certain points because of the accent. It added to the experience there. Our sever, the host and everyone else was very nice. One minor thing I noticed. The place was a very strong fishy smell to it. Outside of that, this place was great!

We stopped here because there was no wait for a table (many other restaurants had a long wait). The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. The staff was knowledgeable about all of the food on the menu. The food did not disappoint. I highly recommend this restaurant. Eat outside for great people watching.

Civico 1845 stands out as a must-visit destination for Italian cuisine enthusiasts, especially those seeking plant-based options. Despite not being vegan myself, I've been drawn to their vegan menu time and again, and it never disappoints! Their complementary bread that they bring out in a little brown bag and serve with a pesto like dipping sauce is incredibly tasty and is a must try! The ambiance of Civico 1845 adds to its charm. It is cute, cozy, and perfect for date nights. The service has also always been good each time I've gone!

Nice ambience, disorganized service, below average food. The burrata cheese was not creamy and fresh, the mushroom vegan risotto lacking in taste, the prosciutto too salty and the tiramisu was offal. They had not cleared off dinner and then they brought the espresso and it took a while to bring dessert. I am very surprised for all the good ratings. I highly do not recommend this restaurant. Very disappointed.

This smaller place is next to fountain. The outside tables there are often cooler and are more private than inside. Linguine pescatore still a favorite. Bread is fresh, dip is good olive oil. Street side tables nice for people watching. Parking is difficult.

We happened upon this place, and were were really glad we did. It was really 4.5 stars; I have trouble giving 5 stars unless the experience is really outstanding. We had hopped off the trolley, done a harbor tour, and returned to Little Italy to catch the trolley. We wanted lunch, and we kept walking and this was our last opportunity. But a serendipitous one... The dining room is rustic and charming, and the food outstanding - and with reasonable portions. We had four different entrees, and each one was delicious and authentic. The service was very good. We would certainly eat here again if we are ever in the area.

I'm fairly picky when it comes to Italian food. Too often restaurants do what they do with Mexican food -- make it an opportunity to eat a bunch of cheese and salt. Not Civico. We had gnocchi with tomato sauce and seafood pasta. It was all perfectly prepared with just enough sauce and seasonings. Great food, good service. Parking in Little Italy can be quite a chore, so be prepared.

They had me at home made noodles! A wonderful Naval officer recommended this place! He said he had been stationed in Italy & this place was authentic! He was right! Price point was good, freshness, variety, & Italian servers all made this an amazing time In little Italy! Try the wine also! Yum! Thanks for the tip, Jim!

This is a very casual, good restaurant located in the heart of Little Italy. excellent place to have or drink, or dinner, or both. very recomendable

We were there Superbowl Sunday and, counterintuitively, the place, in the wonderful Little Italy neighborhood, was packed with appreciative diners. The menus are imaginative, the exceution excellent, and the service and atmosphere outstanding. I had the seared salmon with pesto risotto and lemon zabaione sauce, a new composition for me and out of this world. This dish would be a perfect main course in any location. All in all, a memorable experience.

It was our first night in San Diego and this place was recommended by an Italian friend. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was really cozy. Overall, the whole of the little Italy was worth the visit.

Found this restaurant as it offered vegan meals. Opted for the lasagne with sausage ratout, didn’t enjoy the sausage, was expecting something soft rather than lumps of soya or tvo. Was ever do disappointed, staff were attentive. Husband chose the ravioli which was far tastier. Had tried the Tiramisu but unfortunately only gave it 5/10.

It was good but nothing special. I'm an east coast Italian and expected more flavorful dishes from a restaurant located in Little Italy. Our meals were good but nothing that wowed us.

Service is top notch & food is even better. A plus in my book. Calamari was great and the pasta was better. Nice atmosphere.

I found this restaurant while on a business trip to San Diego. I sat at the bar by myself and had the most excellent service. The Calabrian Chili pasta was excellent. I don’t love shrimp with heads and tails on, but it did make a striking presentation. Definitely try the Limoncello cake! A winner for sure!

Fast, Friendly service, excellent food, and reasonably priced. I’ll come back next time I’m in San Diego.

I specifically picked this restaurant because they offer gluten free pasta and I was not disappointed! The food was absolutely magnificent. Everything we ordered was full of flavor and large portions. I was a little disappointed that the restaurant only offers wine and beer as I am a cocktail drinker. Our server told us that they are going to serve liquor in the near future. If you have never been to Little Italy in San Diego, this is a great place to start.

The food was great, and also very plentiful I couldn't even finish my plate. The waiter was good and helpful, unfortunately the hostess is rude, she acts like you are bothering her. On top of that when I asked if we can get a table outside she says it's "reserved", when clearly it wasn't as some other people ended up actively choosing to seat there between other available options. Why would anyone with that attitude be hired in a service position? Specially when you are at the front one receiving the clients.

Very welcoming place as well as the staff, with fast and impeccable service. Shortly after ordering we were served homemade bread which… oh my how good it was!!! Even the first courses were no different, lasagna and ravioli handmade with quality raw materials that made us forget we were in America. Last but not least, a tiramisu that only Mum makes for you!! Thank you Antonella, we will definitely come back to visit you

A very nice restaurant, with a flowery terrace overlooking a lively street. Good Italian dishes. I had excellent shrimp ravioli, but the fried squid was rather average. Diligent and interactive service. Count $50 per person

It was a very poor dining experience. It was extremely pricy for being in a place that looked like a dive bar. The food was fair. When a request was made to change a sauce when ordering, the waiter made no attempt to ask the chef. There were few choices on the menu to order in both food and wine. Although, the place wasn’t even half way full, we were being rushed.

A vibrant and very noisy place, the staff is very friendly and service was good. The wine list is good, with a reasonable spread of prices. The appetizers were okay, with the octopus the best of the three we had. The zucchini flowers had a nice exterior color from the frying, but the ricotta stuffing, while light and voluminous, was lackluster. The burrata with slivers of tomatoes was very good (especially with tomatoes not yet in season). My pasta dish, pappardelle with sausage, peppers, etc., was just a glob of stuff. One could not even make out a separate noodle the dish was so gummy. My wife’s risotto was more a very dry riso than a risotto. She noted it to be flavorless as well as dry. The lasagna was deemed “okay”, and a cioppino was thought to be very good by the other friends with us. A dessert was enjoyed by my wife and our friend: the limoncello cake was moist and delicious. We did also enjoy the Etna rosso wine ordered. With three appetizers, four entrées, two bottles of wine, and one dessert, plus with tax and tip, the per person cost was $80. We had hoped for significantly better, especially considering the price...

Great menu for both vegan and non vegan. Had pasta with seafood. Bread was great too. Served in a bag. Wait staff was there when we needed and attentive.

First off, service was very good! Server was engaging and fun to interact with during dinner. However, the food was poor at best. We enjoyed the mussels and carpaccio appetizers. The mussels were very flavorful and locally caught. However, the main entrees were very disappointing, really bad. My wife ordered the risotto with mushrooms and truffle oil. No truffle oil and the risotto was really gluey. Very off putting flavor. I ordered a garganelli pasta with sausage, porcini mushrooms and Gorgonzola in a saffron sauce. No signs of saffron whatsoever. Wouldn’t have ordered it if I knew. Sauce was not appetizing at all. Didn’t even it half of it.

Great customer service, comfort food was very tasty and well presented. Loved the warmth welcome and the fact that no one was pressing us to get in when deciding if having lunch at the restaurant. Really helpful accommodating my wife’s food restrictions: lactose intolerant and no chilli/spicy ingredients. Also enjoyed the free focaccia with pesto as a starter.

Went without a reservation, was told it would be a 40min wait so put my name down, about 10 minutes later I was called saying my table was ready which was great! The bread and oil with basil that they put down on the table once you are seated is lovely! I had the calamari to start with the zucchini which was alot bigger than I thought but was very yummy with the two sauces served with it. For main I had the ravioli classico (5 raviolis) which tasted great but I was finished before the rest of my table which made me feel a bit awkward. Overall lovely meal, very busy and noisy atmosphere if you dont like those kind of things but otherwise great restaurant.

We had dinner here one evening and did not regret it! Service was great, wine excellent and food was delicious. There were 3 of us and we ordered a large Caesar Salad and it was large enough to share. Then we ordered a 3 meat and 3 cheese Charcuterie Board and it’s was wonderful. Great ambience and right in the heart of Little Italy.

Civicio came highly recommended – not sure why. The Italian food dishes were really good and reasonably priced, but the overall dining experience was disappointing. Service was the major challenge. Our server was inattentive, distracted, seemed rushed and not helpful. Had to ask for water repeatedly and some items we ordered had to be resubmitted. At the end he absolutely refused to split the final bill for our party, which forced some to leave in search of an ATM. Additionally, the tables are inches apart and so close to each other, there is very little room to get in and out. Seating was not comfortable. That contributes to an especially noisy restaurant and given the vehicle traffic from India street, it is next to impossible to have a conversation at Civicio. Wine and beer available. Clearly, Civicio’s is interested in turning those tables several times each night – no reservations on weekends.

With all that has happened in the World since then, it now seems somewhat unreal that we, as Visitors from Ireland, ate here on Tuesday March 10th. How we got to "Civico 1845" is still quite interesting : a conscientious American Associate of my Wife wanted to impress his Girlfriend by bringing her to the "Best" Italian Restaurant in San Diego, he did some assiduous "on the ground" research in this neighborhood, "Civico 1845" was highly recommended, they enjoyed, and in turn, we too came to eat. The place was certainly "buzzing", at a time when the severe potential impact of Coronavirus had clearly not yet been widely recognized - our initial, and continuing, impression was that this place is popular. For sure, it's also fair to say that it's also extremely noisy - perhaps, excessively so. Positively, our main Server was a guy called Giacomo - more of him later. For Food I had the "Carpaccio Di Carne", while M, my Wife, had the "Ravioli Alla'Aragosta" - both were absolutely excellent. Sadly, the Bottle of "Falanghina" we shared was, to put it mildly, very poor - something that hugely surprised and disappointed us, in a Restaurant which should be more than capable of sourcing better Wine from Campania, Italy? Our Desserts were reasonably tasty, and my "Expresso Regular" was fine. Our overall Check/Bill was not unreasonable for what we had. Our Highlight of a quite "mixed" experience, was, unarguably, our Server, Giacomo L : from Florence originally, he was not only absolutely charming, but also highly responsive, capable and competent - Thank-you, Giacomo! As I said to Giacomo before we left, for him we would give 5*s, but the very poor Wine + the oppressive noise, in our view, could only, in our view, fairly and reasonably justify 4*s.

This very pretty Italian restaurant was very enjoyable for all in our party, vegan and non-vegan. Good pastas, everything well done.

This lunch was full of surprises ... heirloom cauliflower instead of a salad ... truly great fish of the day with flower-like artichoke hearts ... a great bottle of deeply colored mineral-y white wine ... with service just as surprisingly beyond super. Must eat here again, bring more friends.

We randomly stopped by this place for dinner during our visit to San Diego. It was tough to choose 'just one' place in Little Italy, but we had to and this was one of the few spots we could get a table at. We were able to get a table for 5 without a reservation, albeit with a 30 minute wait. But boy, was it worth it! The food was INCREDIBLE! From the charcuterie plate to the butternut squash ravioli special, fresh bolognese, and tartufo dessert - simply delicous! The service was also very good. The only downside - no liquor. Its beer & wine only. I would definitely recommend stopping here for dinner one night - it was one of the best meals we had during our trip.

We were very much looking forward to trying another restaurant in San Diego's Little Italy. We shared the Zucchini Flower appetizer on the recommendation of our waiter. It was very good. The dinner was downhill from there. We struggled to find a good second course and settled on the short rib brasato and the pasta al forno. Both dishes were underwhelming. Our favorite thing of the night was the focaccia and dipping oil. The restaurant was noisy and cold. On a cool San Diego night, all the windows were open, letting in the cool night air and loud road noise. The staff accommodated our wishes to turn off the ceiling fan. Our next trip to Little Italy won't include a return visit. Unfortunately, the whole experience didn't live up to our expectations.