Old Venice Italian Restaurant Reviews

We discovered this restaurant by accident when stopping at the post office. Congenial staff, overall good food, decent wine list, and great weekend music. Off the beaten path for tourists, but worth the effort if in the area.

We've been going to Old Venice for years. Best pizza (which is all we ever order). Love to sit outside on the patio when weather is good.

This restaurant was recommended as a comparison to food in Italy with fresh ingredients and although the menu is somewhat sparse the pizza chooses are accommodating for many palettes. The setting for Christmas was tastefully arranged however the noise level was not conducive for across table conversation on this particular evening. Locate Garrison Street nearby for an adventure to match "Light Fight" for an end of evening Christmas treat.

Me and my future ex - wife went to OLD VENICE on a MONDAY and lost track of time as we talked to the waiter, and I said "Are you still serving Lunch", He response 'It's Happy Hour", and let me tell you, it sure was ! Selected Apps. and all Salads were HALF OFF ... Just a cut below gourmet you'll find OLD VENICE... Solid Pizzas, Excellent Pasta and on Monday it's Half off Pasta, Huge Mussels, Stuffed Shrimp and the Shrimp and Crab Mushrooms with the gooey Mozzarella is really nice and the bread Kinda like a Buttered Garlic half loaf... A very nice place with good food,,,

We arrived at 6:30. I wanted to sit on the patio but my husband thought it would be too cold. We sat in the main dining room and for me I found the ambiance to be a bit cold and sterile. It's all white and the room is very brightly lit. The food we had was mostly good and service was also good. The garlic bread they serve with dinner seemed very doughy and heavy to me and I did not enjoy it at all. We shared an appetizer of magic mushrooms. They were good with cheese melted over the top, however for $12.00 I did not think it was good value. The mushrooms were very small and the seafood was sparse. For entrees my husband ordered the spicy shrimp roma with fettucine. It was very good and had 7 good sized shrimp. I ordered the honey glazed salmon and they brought me the wrong order so I had to wait for them to make the correct dish. When it came it was very good. It was a nice piece of salmon and it was well cooked - nice and moist and it came with a mixture of pea pods, broccoli and mushrooms as well as red skin potatoes. It was a decent meal and service but for the price I expected a nicer ambiance I just did not feel it was good value for the money. Both of our entrees were $26.00 It is unlikely that we would return.

We've gone to Old Venice many, many times...this is where I met my husband and we've been married for 20 years! The food is delicious, and the ambience is wonderful. There is an outside patio in the back, and the adjacent bar (lit by candlelight) is elegant, but sometimes noisy.

We went here for a birthday party it has three different ambiances or areas one is the bar ... pretty slick and beautiful gray for drinks... thee is also a pretty outdoor area great for summer nights and the inside seating ... As it is getting chili now in San Diego is October we sat down inside and it was pretty comfortable and pretty too. The food is good, very good portions too ... the bread is amazing I had a salad and it was amazing !!! We order some deserts at the end the chocolate volcano was amazing, definitely is you are in the area is good place to come. Prices we’re also very competitive and people was very nice.

Enjoyed the wine and patio. Service was good. The food was terrible. Pasta was drenched with oil and creme. Never seen anything like this. Espresso is not the best. Will not visit again.

A group of seven of us dined here on a Sunday night. Our reservations were ready with a nice table set up in the outside courtyard. A beautiful setting, the food was absolutely wonderful, everyone loved their meals. The wine and desserts were very good too. Our waiter was Anthony and he was fabulous. You will not be disappointed.

Sat at the table for awhile before even being spoken too. Was out of water for majority of the dinner. Once dinner was done again waited for awhile to even be asked if we wanted the check. Then waited again for another 7 minutes for the check. Resturaunt was not even half busy, and when we arrived were the third full table. Food also not worth the hefty price.

The food was fantastic! We had a mix of pizzas and pastas and the flavors were great. We would definitely go back! (And we have leftovers for lunch!)

Food is very good, and nice menu. parking easy. owners very nice and have been in business for a very long time

My wife and I were looking for a special place for dinner and found this on Trip Advisor ... What a gem this place is! The food was incredible! We had the Bruschetta for starters. For dinner my wife had chicken piccata and I had shrimp and scallop alfredo, followed by Creme Brûlée. The food was incredibly delicious and the atmosphere just as good. We cannot forget the great service from our waiter (Jesus) and his shadow in training (sorry we forgot her name). I would definitely eat here again!!!!! Thank-you!!

It was alittle confusing trying to find the entrance to this place and we had to walk through the servers station to be seated.... but.. It was well worth it. The food was fantastic. The service too was great. Wish I could remember our servers name. This was definitely more off beaten path, which we very much prefer. I had the Alfredo pasta with scallops and shrimp- highly recommend as well as the lasagna!

We had a great dinner at this restaurant. We sat at the outdoor patio, which with the great weather we had made for a charming evening. Our server was very friendly, very attentive, and looked after all our needs. The food was absolutely excellent. The muscles appetizer and mushrooms appetizer were amazing. Our dinners of the Beef Tenderloin and the Lamb were both excellent. The wine suggestions with our dinner were spot on. I can see why the locals recommend this place. Next time we are in the area, we will visit this place again. Worth a repeat.

Dinner was outstanding. We did not have reservations but were able to get a table in the "bar area" which happened to be right next to the fire place. Food was matched with excellent and fast service.

Our "high brow" neighbors are regular San Diego visitors and they told us of this cute Italian place near Shelter Island with white linen tablecloths and napkins. The place they described, we figured out, is Old Venice. We had dinner there in November and had drinks there with friends in December. My review is mixed. The linen, lighting, decor, menu, wine list and service rate very high. The degree of dressings and sauces used on the salad and entrees rate it down. The Ceasar we split, while very tasty, was covered in the dressing. Both of our pasta entrees were drowning in their sauces, my wife's Linguine de Katheline in pesto and my Spinach Lasagna in marinara. We think lesser use of these would enhance the dining experience. Be specific when ordering your wine and verify when the bottle is presented. We didn't. We had ordered The Ruffino Aziano Classico at $35. The waiter brought us the Ruffino Riserva, Ducale. It is very nice and $56. He erred but I didn't catch it, so I take responsibility for failing to verify at presentation. On the bar night, there was recorded music and not live as is sometimes available. We found the DJ's music to be uncomfortably loud. The bar was busy so the noise included patrons trying to talk over the level of the music. Maybe it's the age difference as the majority were young and we're in our 50's.

Our regular go to restaurant. Definitely locals so never crowded. Diverse menu; nothing will disappoint.

Everything our family of four ordered was outstanding. Yummy garlic bread. It is worth calling ahead to make a reservation, as there was no inside seating the night we went. We sat outdoors which was lovely but a bit chilly.

I've been here a few times and the ambience is fabulous and there is a wonderful enclosed patio with a very European feel to it. The pizza's crust is on the thick side for my liking. The pasta dish that I had was wonderful and also one of the fish dishes that I had was pretty good. The service was attentive.

Love this place and visit when in San Diego. Our waiter Weston was so attentive and charming, his first night waiting tables after have been a busser. Lovely ambience outside with little white string lights and yummy pasta. Caesar salad is huge but you can get a smaller portion if you ask for it I found. Great place in quieter part of San Diego, Shelter Island.

My husband liked his fettucini Alfredo I did not like mine and now I can't remember what it was The bread was good The atmosphere was kind of sad and shabby.

The food was very very good and we had a large group. They adjusted well when we added 2 more to our party after placing our order. They brought it all together. Atmosphere was excellent!

This is where the locals go... Hate to tell you too much because I want to get on next time I go... Great Italian food and a great price. Sit on the patio and order the mushrooms...

I enjoyed a light dinner and a beer in the "bar" side of this restaurant and enjoyed both the ambiance and the food. We had been working across the street earlier and decided to pop in for a drink and a bite. The patio was closed for a private party so decided to go to the bar side, where we found a lovely linen-covered table with two big wing chairs in front of the fireplace (it wasn't lit on this warm summer day) and it wasn't a noisy scene like most bars. There were lovely pastas but we decided on salads. I specified no cheese for a vegan version of the Greek and it was tasty. Not the very best salad I've ever had but sufficient. Their fresh baked bread, however, is killer. If you don't want butter on it, you need to specify that...otherwise, it comes warm and buttered. Altogether, a very nice experience.

Nice birthday dinner on the patio. Food was excellent. Waiter and staff very friendly, attentive and helpful.

How this place has been in biz so long is a mystery to me. We were told on phone corking fee was $20 but we were charged $30. Host/mgr said we could pick any table in completely empty hot restaurant or sit in bar. We sat in bar but had to move bc it smelled like wet dog so we sat on uncomfortable bar stools by window for fresh air. Later we found out they had a beautiful open courtyard out back we were not offered. I guess this is the last one restaurant in SD who doesn’t cater to tourists? The service was slow. The waitresses were unfriendly. I’ve had better food at Olive Garden. It’s overpriced based on lack of service ( btw) we visited on a slow Monday in late September so really no excuse. I’m bummed we had to end our trip with such a bad experience. Every other restaurant we visited over the last 5 days was so friendly and accommodating. I guess there is always one bad apple…

Excellent food and great staff. Fantastic atmosphere and superb location. I wish we could be there right now!

Although we only had drinks and appetizers we were quite pleased with the food and drinks. Everything was deliciously prepared and the drinks were on the strong side if you know what I mean. One drink and I was on my way to not being a designated driver. The food was fresh. Big bonus: cute waiter. Go you won't be disappointed. Staff is very friendly and efficient.

My grand son works and live in San Diego, he pick this place for a family dinner for our last night there in California, I used to manage and love new place's, for wonderful food you cant beat this place

We went to Old Venice as the "kick off"to a two week vacation in Italy. The service was warm and friendly and the food was tasty. While its true we had 3-4 meals in Italy that were better, it's also true to say that the Old Venice experience was as good or better than many of our restaurant experiences in Italy. Recommended.

Pleasant outdoor seating area and great staff. Enjoyed out lunch and definitely would go back. Serving size was perfect -even had leftovers.

This is a wonderful place to eat. Atmosphere is romantic and relaxing. We usually enjoy sitting at the bar, occasionally a private table. Everything we've had has been delicious. We usually start with an appetizer, and salad which we share. Then order our own meals and share that as well. Great for special occasions and/or a romantic night out.

We made reservations and had a table as soon as we walked in. Food was great the half and half was perfect with great garlic bread. Tiramisu is amazing! Worth the money will be back I recommend to anyone in the area.

Ate here for an early dinner. If you get there before six, appetizers and salads are half off (Saturday only). Other days feature other specials. Cheese plate came with fig jam and pesto. I had a salad which was very large and added grilled shrimp. You could split it easily if you fancy a salad. Entrees are in the $29-27 range but very nice selections. Nice ambiance and service.

Some things never change, including the menu at Old Venice. If you ate here as a kid you’ll be comforted to know that all your favorites are still served - down to that secret recipe Caesar salad that elevates anchovies to high art. I still like the white hydrangeas in the tall vases and the industrial details. And the rigatoni bolognese. And the pizza.

I love the food, everyday they have a special whether is is 2 for 1 pasta, or half price pizza. the mix of people is pretty vast, new money mixed with sailors and old point loma royalty. friday and saturday nights can get crowded with the bar section getting real fun. sit in Pat or Kaila's section. they are the best.

We tried this place because there was a coupon for BOGO in the Entertainment coupon book. It ended up being one of our favorite places to go. My favorite dish is the "La Regina" pasta dish - wonderful seafood, delicious squid ink pasta. Yum! We've also had a few other pasta dishes and some of the pizzas. Everything has been good. It's just a small intimate restaurant - perfect for any outing!

Three of us dined together and the reviews are mixed. The chicken picatta got a good review, but the ravioli was over sauced to the point that one had to scoop away sauce.to.find the pasta. All.dishes, appetizers, salads and main courses were served in such rapid succession, that we each had three plates in front of us. Terrible service.

We've bought from the local pasta maker in prior trips, so to learn that his inky linguine was supplied to this restaurant was a plus. Cute, small restaurant, fancier than expected has terrific food (casual attire works, though). We had Linguine di Kathlene, La Regina (seafood and inky pasta), and Seafood Risotto, all of which were full of flavor and aged cheese. The pasta was rich...you can tell it's freshly made. Nice bottle of red wine was shared. Waiter knew the menu well, did not rush us, & was suggestive of choices. Restaurant is fully decked in whites. Sits on Shelter Island on a side street. We will return here for sure on a follow up visit to SD.

Simply the best. A must visit anytime I'm home. Never been disappointed. Five stars across the board.

Lovely venue and courtyard. Friendly staff. Average prices. Enjoyed our appetizers and drinks for happy hour.

Came here for a casual lunch during SD restaurant week. While the food was delicious, the portions were very small. Had we not filled up on all the delicious bread, we would have left the restaurant hungry.

We caught the tail end of the happy hour, arriving just before six. Explore the wines and beers on offer as there are rewards to be found. Similarly most of the starters are half price at that time and we can recommend the burata with pesto as well as the meatball dish .. great garlic bread by the way. We opted for pizzas, fighting shy of the pasta dishes and other mains. Two vegetarian pizzas on offer .. try the one with ricotta. Also recommended is the sea food pizza. A white flag moment when the deserts were mentioned but we made a brave attempt at the tiramisu.. described as home made and really well executed. All topped off with superlative service. Looking forward to a return trip.

Came here with friends to celebrate a birthday. The bread they serve is awesome, the mussels appetizer was very good and the caprese dish with scallops was tasty as well. 3 of us had the Regina pasta which was a little soupy but topped with good seafood. One of us had the lamb chops which I tasted and was tender and not to over seasoned like some places tend to do and let the lamb flavor through. This is a pretty large restaurant which wasn’t that full for a Friday night, but the bar area was very busy when we left. Definitely will come again, a nice find.

The only thing OLD about this restaurant is in the name. The cuisine is constantly updated with seasonal dishes and favorites. I can tell from the appetizers/salad section of the menu that changes seasonally for their half-price happy hour starred selections that I love. One of the chefs actually whipped up a special squid dish in black ink for my dentist and friends. If you crave pasta, seafood or a pizza (carry-out is available), then this is the place on Shelter Island to go. And for a special occasion they'll provide a lava cake on the house. Within this neighborhood restaurant there are 4 separate eating areas -- the store front main dining room, an adjacent bar (separate room), and 2 outdoor choices -- a fenced patio with separate entry to the parking lot or the enclosed patio (my favorite). Except for the bar, all areas have white linen table cloths that set the mood for this fine dining experience. Manga!

Ellwin and Thomas Blackledge from Old Venice were wonderful! I had my rehearsal dinner at Old Venice and had a great experience working with this restaurant and their staff members. We had 50 guests there for dinner and everything went smoothly. Ellwin allowed us to bring wine, dessert, and decorations prior to the event to store at the restaurant. They were both very responsive over the phone and made the planning process so easy for us. We were in the middle of planning a wedding and had nothing to worry about for the rehearsal dinner since we were in good hands with Old Venice. We love the food, our guests had a great time, and we can’t wait to come back soon!

We enjoyed a fantastic dinner here. Their seafood risotto was excellent. So was the Sea Food Alfredo. We were stuffed and still ended up taking an whole meal's worth of food home. I highly recommend eating here. Make sure you make a reservation.

My wife's vegie pizza was the best she ever had. My meat pizza was so so at best. Nice venue, good location, surprisingly easy parking.

The white decor is certainly pretty. However, the service and lack of a proper reception can be very, very poor, and the food quite ordinary. But that does not keep me from dining here from time to time, as I like the secret little parking lot in back and the charming facade on a small Point Loma side street. Just order a bottle of wine and let it all play out, and you should be okay.

Old Venice has a lot of good things going for it. The food was good;the outdoor patio was lovely; and, aside from a major issue with our reservation, the service was good. However, this restaurant openly flaunted San Diego's no indoor dining and social distancing rules. People, some without masks, were congregating in the front entrance area. Large parties were seated close to other diners in the small indoor dining room. Management should place a higher priority on the health and safety of its customers.

Took the family there for my 70th birthday. The food was awesome but the restaurant was stuffy and we sat outside. The humidity seems to continue to build in San Diego but so many establishments don't have air conditioning, or don't turn it on. like it's 1964 or something. Party Boy (???) was our waiter and he did an adequate job of taking care of us. Everyone enjoyed their meal and all the plates were clean when we left. I had the spaghetti with meat marinara sauce and it was delicious. We had two orders of Lasagna that was reported to be excellent. A salad with chicken and a chicken Picatta finished out the meals. A good time was had by everyone but it was just too hot and we are from Arizona!

Went with friends for quiet midweek dinner. Friendly service. Great addictive garlic bread. Large portions of traditional Italian standards. Perfectly acceptable but not memorable

Nice atmosphere, bar special 3 to 6, including great salads at 1/2 off. Pizza was a bit salty. Service was excellent, lots of couples, a bit on the romantic side.

The food is average , atmosphere very nice, service very good .Food has gone down hill in the past ten years . Especially I the past five . If you are into pizza and salads ..its OK . It is for the UN discriminating taste . Definitely not authentic Italian cuisine . The entrees are doused in butter , so everything taste good with butter . DEFINITELY banks on the bar scene . Very disappointing to see this happen to a locally owned restaurant that was a great place back in the times when the owners took over in the early 80's

Okay so even if I did drive a way over priced driving machine and lived in a 5 Million Dollar house in Coronado ... There is no way I am paying $25.00 for a freaking pizza ... the rest of the menu was just as bad ... I don't care who you are basic Italian food is not that difficult to make ... they didn't even make their own spaghetti ... The place was recommended by the hotel where we were staying ... I felt obligated to go ... You know those food experiences where you slam the fork down and your brain explodes from the flavor as if you have never had food before ... this place ain't it ...

Stopped in for lunch after Point Loma light house. Lunch menu served until 4 pm. lunch specials were any pasta with salad $12. The garlic bread was awesome. The pasta, well we make better ravioli and lasagna at home. Parmesan cheese was pre grated in a small cup. not freshly on to your entree. The waiter was energetic he. Didn't mention name. I only gave 4 stars in hope they will put a bit more Italian in service and detail. Thanks

The patio has little white lights, plants, fountains and chabby chic decor. The food is amazing. We go to Old Venice every time we are in San Diego.

with a standard pizza & pasta repertoire, deprived from a tiny amount of imagination. Sterile, boring atmosphere, space ready for adaptation. Pizza bianca was nothing special, and the stuff-young girl-was not very interested about our wishes. Advice: go in the italian food shop next door, grab some cheese and salami, and bottle of good wine and enjoy it somwhere else.

I was at a conference in San Diego and decided to try this Italian restaurant. Sat at the bar and enjoyed the ambiance, met some nice people and enjoyed some great Italian food.

Food is always very good. Our favorite has always been the Greek Goddess pizza. The salads are fantastic.

My family and I went on a Friday night and as a party of 7 we were seated within 20 minutes... Our waiter and everyone else who worked there were very attentive and provided great service. Some highly recommended meals were the pizza, the glazed salmon and the florentine... We also got the shrimp and artichoke as an appetizer and I almost wish we got it as a meal.... Prices were very reasonable for the caliber of food and the ambience of the restaurant. Highly recommend!

The ambiance was lovely. I had two appetizers - stuffed mushrooms and the baked feta. Both very good. The feta has a very large piece of cheese with pesto and sun dried tomatoes. The husband had a Caesar salad and a pizza. There was plenty to take home. The Crème Brule' was really good. But with two drinks and the tip, the bill was about $120.

White table clothes, old treated cement floors, a friendly staff and amazing food. Always consistent and always spot on with dishes.

WOW WORTH THE $$$$ 5 Star treatment! We will B back! Gorgeous! Love Italian food,my wife is a chief,we know excellent establishments and this is one we recommend! Thank you! Wayne S

We love Alexander’s so thought we would give place a try. Food is really good. We split a pizza and a pasta. Service was spot on. Friendly. Accommodating. Will be back.

A group of five went here for a birthday dinner. We sat in a pretty outdoor courtyard. The service was very haphazard. The staff seemed to be all attractive young people who had never been trained and were just winging it. All very nice but kind of clueless. The food was mostly Italian basics and not particularly interesting, but big portions. Everyone in our group thought his or her dinner was fine, but nothing special. Overall, I thought it was OK if you want some basic Italian food and aren’t too concerned about service (water glasses not refilled, wine glass empty and no one asks if you want another, plates never cleared when finished.)

As always my friends and I were not disappointed with the food, the service, the ambience. I selected Old Venice to celebrate my birthday with my friends. Gus, the chef, is just great. August, our server was also great. Of course I recommend it.

A classic Italian restaurant with influences of northern Italy. All the food we had was quite delicious from the burata appetizer, too delicious entrées of fish orientation.

Nice atmosphere with great service. We were seated quickly and food was served very fast. All food seemed to be fresh and made there.. I would go,back and recommend this place to family and friends.

This is a great restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious. Make sure you order the Bruschetta for an appetizer. Yum. Enjoy the garden seating area in the back of the restaurant. We had a group of eight and everyone enjoyed their meals. We had great, attentive service, too.

Ordered 7 pizzas for a large family gathering. All were very good and tasty. Only thing is they don’t deliver but we were not far away to go pick it up so 4 stars instead of 5

The bruschetta was very good, the spaghetti was watery and the meatballs were awful, too much fennel. The house wine was good, the meat ravioli was good, the pizza was not. The old Venice deluxe pizza had a thick crust, and not that good, fair at best. Ambiance and service was very nice, we just wish their food lived up to what other reviewers had to say. We would not go back again when looking for a good Italian restaurant.

My friends and I celebrate our birthdays here for years. Besides, we go every time we have a crave for steamed muscles, very often. We make a long stay, but we have never been rushed to leave. The food is great. The service is great. The bread is to die for. They have a nice happy hour with many choices from 4:00 to 6:00. I have tried many of the dishes and have never been disappointed.

Old Venice in Pt. Loma has a wonderful happy hour (4 - 6 p.m.) with drink specials as well as salads and starters that are 1/2 price. We shared generous protions of baked feta in pesto, an argula pear walnut salad, artichokes with shrimp and capers, and a caprises salad with seared scallops; the large hothouse tomatoes were the only disappointment in this otherwise delicious repast that fit two senior appetites.There is a choice of 4 spots to enjoy in this storefront restaurant with linen tablecloths -- the main, sunroom (sometimes closed for special parties), the outside patio, and the bar area. Service is good, and a parking lot on a street parallel to Canon has a back entrance; see snap.

Like always, great food, great service great ambience. Chef Gustavo prepared the most delicious appetizers for us. Stuffed mushrooms, scallops, muscles, shrimps. We were pleasantly served by Alexander. We keep on going because we have never been disappointed. They have great lemon drops martini too and scrumptious desserts.

The restaurant is really cute, nicely decorated and the staff was very pleasant and accommodating. I enjoyed my dinner better than my husband did.

Needed to carb load the evening before this year's San Diego international triathlon and the choice was between this restaurant and another Italian in the vicinity of our accommodation: luckily we chose Old Venice - and were not disappointed. Great service, good food at affordable prices.

This little place tucked into Point Loma is a true find! A zillion twinkle lights, white linen, and white iron garden furniture...add candles and this place is gorgeous! We were there for a special birthday party so had the indoor solarium all to ourselves. The service was terrific and really made for a great experience. The food was amazing; the shrimp and scallop fettucine alfredo was delicious, perfectly cooked. Lots of variety on the menu. A wonderful place I will definitely be visiting again.

When I go out I like to eat something I can't cook at home. The choice of dishes was pasta and sauce like we have at home. We sat in a courtyard which was lit with strings of bulbs, many of them not working. After being seated we were asked to move to sit somewhere else. Quite an expensive meal for what it was. No music, no ambience.

We went prior to a concert at Humphrey's that started at 7:00. We had reservations at 5:30. We let our server know and after having our wine and "Magic Mushroom" appetizer, (very delicious) promptly delivered our entrees came in a timely manner. We enjoyed our dinner and made our concert on time. I enjoyed my shrimp and scallops alfredo immensly the Alfredo sauce was wonderful, scallops were tender and sweet and shrimp was delicious & just the right potion. My husband enjoyed his filet and shrimp entree it was prepared with a delicious mushroom sauce to perfection. Steak melted in his mouth. When we visit San Diego we will be back.

I have been going here for over 30 years and the food is always great. I enjoy their Antipasta Salad, though not even sure if it is still on the menu, but they make it anyway, And great Italian Style Pizza, and their Dinner Entrees, are wonderful. I enjoy the inside table and the casual patio tables, they have all choices, and the best Garlic Bread ever. Dip the bread in the Italian Dressing that comes with the Antipasta Salad, Yum!

A really nice and good italian food place they have a nice bar. Good pizza and good relaxing atmosphere. Service is good. Always excellent/

Super elegant Pizza. This is much more than a pizza restaurant but we come all the way from Coronado every so often to get their pizza. It has a great ambience and very easy parking. It is about five minutes from The airport. We find that we normally share a salad and get the smaller of the two pizzas.

Fabulous food in a beautiful place! The service is awesome and the chef rocks the menu!! You will feel like you are in the best place to eat in Italy!! All for a good price!!

This place is always good. Every time I come to San Diego this is the place for me. The food is excellent and the service is always great. I never get anything but a perfect dining experience. Try and get some seats outside as they have a very nice little patio. You will need to make reservations for that as there are not a lot of seats out back. There is always live music next door which is great too. Give this place a try, I am sure you will love it!

I had a craving for some good spaghetti and meat balls so we tried The Old Venice which was in our neighborhood. It's located near Shelter Island. We got there in late afternoon and they had the lunch menu till 4:00 which included a half order of S&M for $7.95. My wife had the half and half of salad and Chicken and Asparagus with linguini. Her linguini was homemade pasta as are most of their pastas. They also serve you a poppy-seed garlic bread. I had the spaghetti with the meat sauce but you can also choose marinara or pesto. We both thought it was very good and will go back. The service is a little spotty but it just may have been our late arrival.

Old Venice, in the charming village of Pt. Loma, is like dining in in Venice, 🇮🇹 Italy.. Delectable authentic Italian dishes draw me back to the elegant, yet casual old world ambiance. Each dish, fancy or rustic pizza, is cooked and served to perfection. Go early for a vibrant happy hour, Plan to spend the evening feasting and relaxing, European style. Wine list is also excellent. Book now for 2019 New Years Eve. Joyful.

This restraint is in little Italy . The best food. Pasta made there. Atmosphere is like you are in Italy. We went 3 times in 2 weeks...can't wait to go back

After a big day on the water and riding bikes, a light dinner sounded wonderful. We sat at the bar and shared their artichoke, shrimp appetizer - yummy, and a blue cheese, walnut salad. It was our last night and have always enjoyed Old Venice. What a great last dinner before we left.

This neighborhood restaurant near the entrance to Shelter Island is an old standby and my go-to place for fresh seafood, pasta, pizza or happy hour 1/2 price appetizers/salad that changes seasonally For a special occasion they'll treat with a complimentary lava cake. My favorite spot of 4 possible eating areas is a fenced patio with separate entry to the parking lot; second choice during the colder months is the enclosed patio. Caring service and white linen table cloths (except for the bar & patio) set the tone for a fine dining experience. Manga!

We really enjoy Old Venice. The atmosphere is beautiful and romantic. I recommend the La Regina, with a little spice. It is delicious! We typically share and add a salad.

This is an excellent place to come for a romantic dinner. The atmosphere, food and service never disappoints. It’s a little off of the beaten path but it’s worth it!

We had a very nice meal Friday night. The restaurant was not very crowded- we had attentive service even though our server was also handling a large party at the next table. We had the garlic Brie to start. My chicken piccata was tasty, and we finished with a classic creme brûlée and frothy cappuccinos. And I caught a Growlith at the next table 😉.

I found this little restaurant in Point Loma area on a Wednesday night. On Wednesday you can can a bottle of wine for 1/2 price (if it is an under $40 price). The Chianti we enjoyed was a delightful addition to our meals. We had the house salads (also at happy hour prices) and I had the rigatoni bologanese and my husband had the spinach and chicken pasta. It was a great dinner. The dessert of a HUGE piece of Tiramesu was a great ending to the dinner. I'd go again.

Met friends here before a concert at Humphrey’s. The place is small but they are smart about the layout so you don’t feel crowded at all. I didn’t catch our server’s name, but she was petite blonde, and was welcoming, bright, cheerful and a great at her job. What more could you ask for? The food was excellent as well. I had a sort of pasta and fish conglomerate. It was excellent but don’t get it if you are wearing white or trying to impress a date. It’s a bit dangerous with the sauce.

This restaurant serves good, basic Italian food for lunch. The ambiance is nice and bright. The service is excellent.

Solo dinner early on a Friday night, arrived without reservations was was seated immediately. Two other couples when I arrived, but it filled up quickly. Bar and dining room are in two separate areas, no TV screen in the dining room, a definite uncheck for me. Very nice ambiance, this was a clean, well maintained and well served restaurant. Service was attentive, knowledgeable, and congenial. The waitstaff was there when I needed them, and otherwise left me to dine, as it should be. I started with the house salad, which was fresh, crisp and delicious. I had rigatoni bolognese as my entree, which was flavorful, not overcooked, and not smothered in cheese, which is often an issue with this dish. I also had a creme brûlée for dessert, which had a delightful subtle flavor. It was warm on the outside but still slightly cool in the center, a slight down-check. I would come here again, and this would be a nice place for a date.

I absolutely love this restaurant. The bread is to die for. Also the house blue cheese vinaigrette salad dressing is delicious.

This is a fun place to dine meet after work for a drink at the bar or sit by the fireplace or on the patio great in all areas.

The restaurant decor was a cool shabby chic in all white tones. The waiter was helpful and efficient. The food was excellent. I had a fresh tuna piccata that was the best I have ever had. The location is easy to find but parking is a little tight.

My husband and I have been going here for a very long time. We don't live in the neighborhood but it is a jewel in Pt. Loma. We live 30 miles away, but manage to get here quite often. The food is always terrific. The restaurant isn't fancy, but it's nicely decorated and makes you feel like you're in Italy. It's clean and the staff is very attentive. We had Jacob as a waiter tonight and I give him high marks for a job well done. (A cute guy as well) haha. A great place for pizza as well as pasta and meat dishes. The salads and appetizers are also delicious. Give it a try if you find yourself in Pt. Loma.

We travel to San Diego frequently and a trip to Old Venice is a must every time! We usually get Mike as our server and he provides the best services that we’ve ever experienced at any restaurant every time! As for the menu, there isn’t anything that isn’t absolutely fantastic. If I had to choose, the “La Regina” is my favorite. The Garlic and Brie appetizer is also outstanding! The bread they bring out is incredible as well. Highly recommend this place. You just can’t beat the service and food here. Hands down our favor place to eat in San Diego!!

The indoor dining is casual yet elegant, the outdoor and covered patio areas are charming. Pasta dishes were wonderful. Rigatoni Bolognese came out piping hot in a casserole dish. Italian sausage and a creamy red sauce....so good. Lasagna us another tasty option. Salads and pizza being delivered to other tables looked very good. Service is friendly with a leisurely pace allowing you to linger and enjoy. Weekday specials are a good bargain.

Love, love the ambience and food and friendly service! Gluten free food items available. Great plac e for lunch or dinner. I especially love their glassed in patio area, you can feel like you're dining outside. Best dirty martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives!

This is my second time visiting Old Venice with family. I am from upstate NY and this is one of the best Italian places i have been. The pizza, the bread, the salad the lasagna all so delicious. Great service, great wine selection and a nice clean interior. some dress up some come in t-shirts, its a nice casual place to dine.

Visited Old Venice on Wednesday, Feb. 8 with 2 of my cousins. I had been there 8 years ago and loved it then. Visiting San Diego again and had the good fortune to go to Old Venice again. We had a couple of Grey Goose Martinis, chilled perfectly, appetizer of Brie, roasted garlic, and warm baguette. Finished the night with a pizza. Excellent! Great service, great ambiance!

There are times when you just stumble on to a restaurant that not only exceeds your expectations, but also matches the quality of its higher end competition at an insanely reasonable price. I must say that the Old Venice was one of the best Italian dining experiences I've had in a very long time. My wife and I found this place while searching for a reception location for our wedding and we were floored by the wonderful hospitality of the friendly staff. This place has such a refreshing and welcoming atmosphere from the moment you arrive at the front door. We also had the the distinct pleasure of meeting the General Manager, Elwin Gill, who was especially accommodating to our needs. We found the food to be absolutely delicious. The items we tried included the Chipotle Chicken Rigatoni, The Beef Ravioli w/ Marinara sauce, and the "Magic Mushrooms." Every bite was fantastic and packed with amazing flavor. The sauces used were perfectly balanced and exhibited just the right level of acidity while veering away from being oily or salty. The Chipotle tomato cream sauce was especially robust with just the perfect heat level. The ravioli were large and hearty and that Marinara sauce, with its wonderful herbs, garlic, and onions, sent me into a tomato fueled nirvana the hearkened back to the days would dream of experiencing the authentic "Old World" Italian sauces while sitting at a table on a farm somewhere in the Campania region. However, the star of the show was the "Magic Mushrooms." These delectable bites of melty, cheesy, culinary decadence started our meal off on the moon from the get-go. No sooner than the moment they were placed on the table, they were gone as my wife and I had already forgotten we devoured them only moments before we stared idly at the empty bowl. Plain and simple, I can't wait for this wedding reception. Our guests are going to be blown away!

Old Venice has choices. You can select to eat in the main dining room, outside on the patio, outside in the Solarium adjacent to the patio, or in the separate bar area. They also change out their fresh menu by season; thus, it's possible to get fresh seafood. I particularly like that they have Monday, Thuesday, and Wednesday specials as well as a daily happy hour with both drink specials and 1/2 price on starred items from their starters and greens menu. Thus, it's possible due to the generous portions to make a meal from two from the happy hour choices. Limited free parking is available in the adjacent parking lot. Service can be spotty but quite attentive without being overbearing the recent evening we dined there.

I found this restaurant using Yelp and enjoyed it a lot. I was looking for a place close to my hotel to eat Italian food the night before a 1/2 marathon. Old Venice was great and had a nice atmosphere. I sat in the bar area and enjoyed my pasta and a glass of wine. A very comfortable restaurant with a vibrant, but not crazy scene.

Went to this restaurant twice in one week when the first experience was so good. Chose to sit outside on open deck both times. Food great and very well priced. Friendly staff. Will go again when we're next in San Diego!

This little Italian spot was so quaint ! We opted to eat in the bar for happy hour grub. The bar is washed away in a white room complete with a rustic overwhelming chandelier!! It was very romantic ! We had wine and pizza along with a green salad ! I can't wait to visit again

I liked the sun dried tomato on the pizza and the cheese board was really good. I had the shrimp ceasar and their dressing was kind of routine but the shrimp were huge and perfectly cooked. everyone who ordered pasta was really happy with the sauces. I tasted the clam and it was superb but I thought the marinara didn't have enough garlic.

Very tasty entrees. Beautiful décor. Great back patio area and dining room for events/parties! Go enjoy Italian :0

We decided we wanted Italian for dinner tonight but wanted to stay close to our base location. We have had many yummy dinners @ Old Venice so we headed there with expectations of a tasty, classic Italian meal. The garden seating was booked for a wedding party so we chose a nice booth in the bar. Omar was there to take our drink order and answer menu questions right away. I was surprised not to find eggplant parmesan on the menu & mentioned it. Omar said that’s ok, it’s not on the menu but you can have it. So we did! The eggplant was delicious and my daughter’s spaghetti & meatballs were also excellent. Since we started with a dirty Cesar salad & garlic bread, we were much too full for dessert. As my husband likes to say, the only thing better than the food was the service! Old Venice never gets old but we always leave happy.

Charming, refined, delicious! Love this tucked away gem! Service is outstanding! Food is divine! Highly recommend the lamb, Brussels sprouts, Greek salad, magic mushroom, chocolate soufflé. What a gem! If you hit happy hour, it’s a bonus!

It's rare that you can absolutely endorse a restaurant but this long time San Diego/Pt. Loma area restaurant is worth it. I've been eating here for easily 25 years. My most recent visit was with family. The service is good. It's a nicely decorated, clean restaurant but not a fancy place. It's nice, though and it's both a family place and a romantic couples place. The food, starting from the bread, through the fresh salads and the yummy pizza that has the perfect toppings and yet crisp taste. This place has a nice homey feel to it. You can eat outside with space heaters, which you may need in Pt. Loma. Free parking. I think they take reservations for larger parties. This is a time tested Pt. Loma staple. For me, the best Italian food I have had, probably anywhere but surely in San Diego. If you're in San Diego for one night, eat here.

We chose Old Venice because it was close to where we were staying at the Bay Club Hotel & Marina. We started the meal with the roasted Brussels sprouts which were a revelation. So tasty! My wife had the chicken piccata and I opted for the pasta combo with angel hair and ricotta ravioli. Both were excellent, and the portions were very generous. Many thanks to our server, Augie, for his fantastic wine suggestions. The man really knows his stuff. Don't miss this charming, family-owned restaurant.

Service was nice. Pasta dishes were pedestrian at best. Had the lasagna and ravioli. Both with Marinara sauce which was way too tomatoey.

My wife and I were visiting her sister and brother-in-law here in San Diego, and among other fun restaurants they suggested for our evening meals, they deemed Old Venice to be a great spot for our final meal before departure. They have been coming here for years, and despite variable owners and decor, the fact that it has survived provides testimony to the great quality of food they serve. We were here on a Tuesday night, arrived around 8 pm, and seating was no problem...lots of tables in front, as well as many in the "patio" in the back. Only one of us ordered any wine (Santa Christian, $8.25) as we had already done a fair amount of imbibing at home. We split two Caesar salads, immense servings, nice crisp romaine ($12 each). The freshly made garlic bread was fabulous. I opted for the meat raviola with meat sauce, having been advised that their homemade pasta was terrific, and the advance billing was accurate ($14). My wife and he sister split a shrimp and scallop over fettucini ($27), good idea to have done so, as a single platter serving would have been more than one human being should consider eating in one sitting, was delicious. My brother-in-law chose the La Regina, a cioppino containing fabulous black linguini as well as the requisite sea food contents. No doubt their desserts are equally fantastic, but we were absolutely sated. Service was efficient, reasonably friendly (we do not require wait staff to fawn over us). A nice lively vibe in the place. Bottom line, if you are in the market for a traditional well prepared, delicious Italian meal with good choices and quality, very reasonable pricing, then you cannot go wrong with a dinner at Old Venice.

We were visiting friends in San Diego and they brought us to Old Venice. We ate in the main restaurant, but could have been sat in the bar or a nice outdoor pation. We had reservation and were seated quickly. The service was efficient without beingboverdone. Traditional Italian menu with very efficient service. The fresh hit bread was the best I've had in a long time. All entrees were well presented, hot and very tasty. The portions were large. Not a cheap meal, but worth it. No complaints about anything at Old Venice. We recommend.

I went there with a couple of friends and right away enjoyed the atmosphere. The owner came and talked to us for a bit. Then I received a text from another friend who told me that I should try this restaurant. Obviously, there are quite a few of us who knows about this little quaint restaurant. I will definitely come here again.

Have wanted to stop here before just because it looks so adorable from the outside. It did not disappoint!! We had a lovely lunch with beautiful jazzy music playing and we ate out on the enclosed patio. Loved the chicken chipotle rigatoni and the meat lasagna. Had a great waiter!! Will definitely come again:)

Excellent food, upscale bar area, nice patio dining option. Limited vegetarian/vegan menu. I would return the next time I am in San Diego.

Really enjoyed dinner at the Old Venice Restaurant. It's very elegant, the food is excellent, the staff is friendly and it's a fun place to be at! You know it's good if the locals are there. The bar scene is fun and busy on certain nights. Will come back here!!!!

This is a very popular Italian restaurant for both locals and non-locals. The atmosphere is relaxed with both inside and outside seating. There is parking in the back of the restaurant and also on the street. The service has always been great and the servers know the menu. The food is delicious. Portions are generous. Pasta and fish are as good as I have had in Italy. We have been coming here for almost 30 years, starting when my son was young and only wanted pizza, and continue to come back often for special occasions now that he is an adult. Mussels Fra Diablo is his favorite and also the beef. I like the Pasta Regina with lots of seafood and the cookie with gelato for dessert or their Tiramisu are to die for. Wine prices are reasonable and half price on Wednesdays. There is also a nice bar area with music separate from the dining room.

Don't let this storefront restaurant put you off by its appearance. In addition to window dining, you can go to the indoor solarium or outdoor patio to dine. I've happily made a meal of ordering various salads and starters to share during their 4 - 6 p.m. happy hour (1/2 price) . Add a 1/2 price of wine on a Tuesday evening and you have an elegant dining experience for under $100 for 2.

I Was in San Diego for business and when I am town this one of my favorite restaurants. It's located in the point Loma neighborhood and while it's just a few minutes from downtown it's a quiet area with lots of parking and nice ambiance just a couple blocks from the water. The seafood here is incredible. I brought my wife with me for her first visit I had the the stuffed crab for appetizer ceaser salad the seafood pasta dish which was loaded with lots of garlic and simply loaded with huge scallops, shrimp, fish and mussels, all over a bed pasta. We also ordered a pizza which was to die for! Finally the slightly garlicy, toasty bread they serve is worth the trip in itself. I have eaten here half a dozen times and it has always been amazing. It you want the complete antithesis of Italian dining, this is it. We also love the fact that they don't over salt their food which I find almost everywhere these days and instead use wonderful fresh spices to bring out the flavors. Our server was polite, professional and complimented our dining choices. Checked on us often without being a bother and was just delightful.. In the summer the outdoor dining in the back is cool but the heated patio and the main dining room is great too,Mobutu can be a bit noisy. The back patois quite and romantic. They probably burn 200 candles every night and it's just really a cozy, romantic, yummy place. Recommend reservations, especially in the summer. They seem to pull them in every night of the week and it's not a very big place and people tend to linger over dinner here. Hope you enjoy!

Came here for dessert and after dinner cocktails because it is one of our friends' favorites. They are regulars here. The place is quaint comfortable and has great service. The only issue was that it was so loud it was hard to have a conversation.

Our dinner started with salads, and they had several old, slimy, rotting salad leaves in the mix. Ambience looked a bit worn out. Stained linens. Just never could like it much after such a start. Prices are a bit on the high side, especially since it started with slimy veggies.

Cute little place but no view if that is what you are looking for. The Italian food is excellent though :-)

The pizza is excellent and good enough that I rated the restaurant high. This is even though the service we had on the night we were there was not so good. They have reasonable prices on the very delicious thin crust pizza and the yummy salads come family style. I recommend walking here if you are staying nearby.

First and foremost - sit on the bar side (we sat at the bar). The restaurant side seemed stuffy and cramped. Either way, though, you're going to love the food here. Superb flavors, generous portions and unique offerings. The bartender that waited on us was efficient, friendly and helped us save money by suggesting Happy Hour foods. We ate here before a concert at Humphreys and the location was ideal. Parking could be a challenge so plan for that.

Excellent!!! Food is awesome and so is the ambience and service...visit is a must.Pleasant outdoor seating njoyed food and drinks.

We ate here on our last night in town, it was close to the hotel, should have driven elsewhere. We had a waiter who was training another, which is fine, but the service was dearly lacking, seems other customers were more important. We ordered our meals, were given garlic bread (which was very good) and our waters. About 10 minutes later our other beverages came (this place wasn't that busy, maybe 5 tables in main dining area). Our meals came finally and about 2 minutes into the meal the trainee came over, asked if everything was OK and we told her we hadn't even tried the food yet. No one every came back to the table, one dish needed salt & pepper (none on any tables) and our water and other beverages were never refilled. We saw the waiter go over to the trainee and ask if she every came to the table to see if we needed anything and she said (loud enough for me to hear) that yes she did, the did adjust our bill for the one meal since only about a quarter was eaten. Will not be back!

We stumbled on this restaurant while exploring Point Loma and knew instantly that we wanted to come back that night for dinner. It exudes that shabby chic romance neither of us can resist. Every room projects a somewhat different atmosphere. The bar is charming and the tables on the patio make your feel like you are dining in an Old World greenhouse. Both of us trusted our waiter and ordered the pasta dishes he suggested. We were not disappointed. Both meals were delicious, ample, and well prepared. The place is a gem! We will always go back when we visit San Diego.

This restaurant had been on my list for a long time -- I'd once spotted the romantic glowy lights while passing by one day and had made a mental note to go there. I live 20+ miles away, so it's not somewhere we'd just 'drop in', so we finally booked it for a birthday meal. The meals themselves were delicious, however the rest of the experience really didn't give me the 'warm fuzzies'. ~They first tried seating us in at an awkward table right next to the door/hostess station and we asked if we could be sat at a different one. (It was early in the evening and there were seemingly plenty of tables). ~Despite mentioning a birthday celebration on the reservation, nobody on staff acknowledged the birthday whatsoever. ~Initial service was slow, like they needed more servers, despite there being a hubbub of staff flapping about mid-restaurant where the stations seem to be. ~Ambiance is nice when the evening darkens and the lights and candles glow. ~There's a cramped indoor dining room and 2 open-air patio areas out the back. My husband mentioned that the indoor dining area felt cramped and chaotic. (The above mentioned mid-section where the staff hang out is on view and adds a stressful element). The tables and chairs are really crammed together and the table legs get in the way. They could do with smaller furniture. ~The interior decor feels upscale in whites and creams, however the chair 'pleather' is grubby and needs a good wipe, the chair legs need a paint. Silverware was spotty. The prices were upscale, but these details brought it down. ~The complimentary garlic toast was a big wad of toast that really needed to be sliced into individual pieces for easy eating. ~The waiter asked us if we wanted coffee or dessert and when we declined, he immediately presented the bill -- sorry, but this is a pet peeve -- it's a bit rude to assume we wouldn't be the types to get coffee and dessert. Perhaps because I'd earlier asked the price of the 'special'?? (Which one of us ordered). ~The one-stall bathrooms are tiny and it's hard to know if someone's in the stall as it's behind a curtained door -- I had to knock and turns out someone was in there. ~When we arrived, there was a baby at a nearby table starting to fuss -- not the restaurant's fault, I know -- however I'm always surprised when parents bring very young children to what I consider a somewhat pricey upscale establishment. ~There is a small parking lot in the rear, however we had to find street parking. ~We paid about $150 for 3 entrees and 2 glasses of wine that came with garlic toast. It felt a little on the pricey side. It's one of those restaurants that I can say I tried, but wouldn't rush back. I just didn't really love the EXPERIENCE. It looks nice and the meals were good, it just fell short on the service for me. There are 2 other more casual Italian places around the corner that I've enjoyed more. Just sayin'. You can wander nearby Shelter Island afterwards for a nice stroll. If you found this review useful, please click the 'thank' button.

Feels very plush and romantic. Very good service, excellent food - the salad with pineapple and the Rigatoni were both fantastic. The whole lot came to 60 dollars for the two of us, including a glass of wine each.

Great food, loved the atmosphere, but the service was lacking. I'm still giving this restaurant a high review in spite of the disappointing service. We made reservations for five of us only an hour before dining. We were seated promptly and given water. Our waiter, who we rarely saw, was perhaps hard of hearing, because we had difficulty conveying what we wanted to order, what items we wanted to have fresh ground pepper, and when it was enough pepper. I ordered the filet and shrimp. His reply was "what about it?" However, his lack of attention his was not a deal breaker for us, because of the five entrees we ordered they were all very good. We especially enjoyed the Cilantro Shrimp Pasta dish.

Really nice setting but the menu was very limited. No veal served and limited chicken dishes. Average servings and prices. The mussels were outstanding!

While the service was attentive, the large number of great, local Italian restaurants, I'd bypass this place. The food was just ok. The seasonings were off and there was nothing really special that distinguished this place.

Old Venice is family owned and operated for over 30 years. I recently went for lunch with a group of co-workers. They were able to accommodate our group of 8 easily and it wasn't too busy for lunch. The restaurant is very clean with a European ambiance and a décor of all white. There are multiple dining areas including the garden patios and bar. They do have live music certain evenings. They can easily accommodate large groups up to about 100 people. The service was great. Our waitress was part of the family who owns the restaurant and she was very attentive to our group. Old Venice has great pizza and pasta. I highly recommend the Cajun shrimp pasta with a Cajun cream sauce served over black linguini which is $10.75. The lasagna is also very good as well as the fish piccatta for $15 dollars. The pizza is very good although it's not a super thin crusted pizza its very crunchy which was tasted great. You have to finish the meal off with one of their Old Venice cookies which is a giant 6 ounce chocolate chip, walnut, oatmeal cookie topped with more chips and covered with pecans. It's the best cookie I have ever had. I would definitely go back to Old Venice for lunch or dinner. It's a very relaxed environment with friendly staff and great tasting food.

Good all round italian food would go back and good service may need up dating very soon over all very good

We arrived at this elegant and stylish restaurant late in the evening, a rather bedraggled and tired little family group of British tourists exhausted after a day in a theme park. The staff very kindly agreed to seat and serve us although they were almost about to close and lucky for us that they did because they served us the best meal in the whole of our 2 week holiday. We ordered 2 Margherita pizzas, two portions of spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread. The pizza was the best I’ve ever tasted with creamy delicious feta cheese, herbs and fresh tomatoes. The plates with the meatballs also went down a treat and returned to the kitchen empty. Our server Devonne H deserves extra special mention for her fabulous customer service and friendly approach - we really appreciated her kind manner towards us from the moment we walked in the door. Would highly recommend this restaurant and if we ever find ourselves in San Diego again we will be making a bee line straight here.

Never fear about not getting a great meal and service at Old Venice. Parking can some times be a hassle but well worth the driving around....

My husband and I were in San Diego for our honeymoon and were looking forward to dining here based on all of the great reviews. We didn't know it was Restaurant Week in San Diego so my husband had a great deal on a 3 course meal (Caesar salad, main course of Rigatoni Bolognese and Gelato for dessert), while I ordered from the normal menu (Brussel Sprouts as a starter and Linguine di Kathleen for my main course). Of everything I tried, the Caesar salad was the best item...the brussel sprouts didn't have a great flavor, my Linguine di Kathleen had SO much pesto it was overpowering all of the other flavors, the pasta was gummy (not al dente, gummy) and the feta was limited. My husband enjoyed his dish, which I did not try. Gelato was pretty tasty. They did not give us any bread to start, which threw me off for an Italian restaurant, but instead offered it when our main courses had arrived...they gave us a few choices and we opted for garlic bread, which wasn't too bad (sesame Italian loaf) but very crusty and hard with limited garlic and butter portion to it. The server was fine, but added nothing to our overall dining experience and wasn't around that frequently despite only having 3 other tables with guests in addition to us, and he wasn't the server for all of them...our waters were nearly empty by the time he came by to refill them. As for ambience, the entire place is white and the lighting is dim, but it doesn't come off as romantic so much as having a limited décor to enjoy. Disappointing.

We're an Italian family from NYC and we were blown away by this food--especially the vegetables, such as artichokes and Brussel sprouts. Those are very challenging to get just-right. But Old Venice did.

Lunch--large portions great salads sandwiches and pizza....Evening dining reservations recommended and request the heated and lovely patio. Good for everyday and special occasions...look at weekly/daily dinner reservations...

Drove by and decided to stop. So glad that we did! They were able to seat us very quickly even on a busy Friday evening. Our waiter Andrew was extremely nice and efficient an gave us two stellar recommendations. The Lamb and the Shrimp and scallop Alfredo. Yum!

Perfect place for a first date, date night, or with friends! Good wine, good cocktails, the food is very good and, hands down, in every restaurant I've ever been in .... BEST BREAD EVER!!!! The stuffed mushrooms are to die for and the ambiance makes you not want to leave. Definitely on my To Do List next time I'm in San Diego!

My husband and I ate here without reservations on a Monday night. No problem getting seated in the BAR ROOM which is casual elegant. Also decorated in Kathleen’s signature white, with a nice fireplace across from the large bar. I had the petite filet mignon, with 6 grilled shrimp, served with roasted seasoned vegetables. My steak was broiled to medium, not medium rare (as requested). But it was served with a nice creamy mushroom sauce. $40 My husband had the large Greek Salad with grilled chicken breast on top. He was satisfied with it. There is a nice beer and wine list, including wine by the glass, starting at $11 per glass. Low Lighting, moderate temperature and low noise level was good. There were 2 bartenders. Our server also doubled as the bartender. She was hustling!

I've brought dates here many times and they've all been impressed. Many notables: Delicious entrees, best bread in town - served with every meal, Napoleon dessert is terrific, best pizza in town, fine selection of wines, and drinks and dancing afterward. Go when they have live music.

Love the atmosphere, the food and service. Great place for lunch or dinner. Have been several times and always quality

Lunch offers a wide selection of good quality fresh items. Menu includes pizza to salads, pastas and regional dishes. Good wine list! Easy parking

We have visited many times before - we enjoy the ambiance and the food. The service however can be hit or miss. Last night’s was NOT good ! The server in the bar area is rude and condescending.

The standard of the dishes we selected were all good & the service was of typically good Italian style....we were not disappointed & we were fortunate enough to be there on a night that they had special offer of half price good quality wines....mmm...that always helps! ....but seriously the food was of very good quality. Wish we had gone earlier & had a pre dinner cocktail at the interesting bar before dining.

This is a quaint restaurant with something for everyone. The inside dining area has a great bar, it's loud, packed and has plenty of action and the exterior patio is quiet and romantic. Enough of that, the food is something else! The traditional Italian menu feels fresh and updated with the presentation and fresh taste. We were a party of 7 and had to try everyone else's plates, plus we te ordered a couple, not due to small sizes by any means, they were just delicious! Absolutely try the mussles and any dish with eggplant in it, you can't go wrong with any menu item!

This place has been a staple of Point Loma for many, many years. I used to go here in the 1970s when it was called the Venetian. We arrived just before 6 PM, asked to be seated outside and were led to a set of tables large enough for our expected group. We were in time for at least one drink on happy hour prices so we all ordered and then turned our attention to the menu. Our friends then arrived and were seated with us, not to eat but for drinks and conversation. For appetizers, we ordered the ROASTED GARLIC BULB & BRIE and the CHEESE BOARD. Both were good. I had penne pasta with spinach and chicken for my main course. It was OK but nothing special. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals and a good time was had by all. The only drawback I see here are the prices. I think they are a little steep for the food quality. The cocktail prices are also on the expensive side. This is not a bad place or one to be avoided; it just does not warrant the cost for average Italian fare.

We found this restaurant on vacation thanks to a recommendation. Great service and delicious dishes!

I like this restaurant. The bread is to die for. Also the house blue cheese vinaigrette salad dressing is delicious.

this is a lovel restaurant that has been in bussisness for ages. very friendly and good food. prices are competitive.

I was so happy to be taken to this beautiful Italian restaurant in San Diego recently. I was as impressed with the beautiful white interiors as I was with the food. As the restaurant was rather busy the night we visited we were happy to sit in their covered patio which was airy and atmospheric. Their pizza is amazing!

We visited this place on a Friday night during Restaurant Week. I was afraid it would be crazy, but I was pleasantly surprised. Service was amazing. Décor is so tasteful and I love the lighting. My Rigatoni was unforgettable. Then we went through the door to the bar side and listened to live music. Highly recommend this place.

Imagine a secret place that has wonderful food, that is how we feel about Old Venice. The patio has twinkling lights and a beach shabby chic feel. We have seen people become engaged here as the romance of the place is infectious. Then on top of that the food is amazing. Plan to have a few glasses of wine and relax, enjoy life for a while and just be.

This has been one of my family's favorite. Whether a casual Dinner or special occasion, Old Venice is the perfect choice. Warm and inviting with an old school Italian menu from Pizza to Seafood pasta you cannot go wrong. I have never had a bad meal.