Really nice. Nice ambiance, great food, made our evening. I got the halibut dish that was a special that nice. The fish was amazing. Bf got the osobuco (sp?), A huge piece of pork on risotto - amazing! Wine was good, waiters were attentive and nice! Would recommend

Great food and pleasant experience overall. BTW, Tuesday evenings are slow so it’s a good day for a nice outing

Long time favorite now that makes you feel like you are in a cozy Italian home

+1

This place has the best Italian food in the city. It has a wide menu of Italian favorites, including eggplant parmigiana, which is especially delicious. They have good wine, and terrific service, too. I would say the food here is as good as I've had in Italy, and that's saying something.

We had dinner there tonight, the food was great, many authentic Italian items on the menu. Relaxed atmosphere, moderate prices, very pleasant staff.

As an Italian family travelling in California, I really would like to recommend this authentic Italian restaurant. The food is delicious, the service awesome and the music 😀😀. Try definitely also their desserts.

I have been coming here for years. The wait staff is always friendly and accommodating. The food is always top notch. I haven't had everything on the menu yet and I have been going here for at least 6 years. The prices keep me from coming more often but it is worth the trip seeing as though I have to come all the way from the other side of San Diego county to get there.

Great Italian restaurant in San Diego. We had no reservations but it wasn't crowded so we were seated immediately. Familiar Italian choices were available and quite good. My Gamberi Pomodoro was excellent.

First off, the ambiance of this place, like a split level hole in the wall. Second, the food is amazing, totally changed the way I think Alfredo sauce should taste, tender chicken with spinach and tomatoes, unbelievable, the bread was phenomenal and the artichoke appetizer was delectable. Third, the staff, Andrea was super friendly, took care of all our needs promptly, food came out super fast. This place has zero downside.

GET THE RAVIOLIS. Every type of ravioli I’ve had has been sooooo good and I always regret not getting them. Awesome vegetarian options for those who don’t eat meat and it’s a nice walk to the shelter island beach area.

The food was amazing, as was the service. Highly recommend the San Simeon Petit Sirah red wine. It pairs wonderfully with most items on the menu. Great vegetarian options as well. I can't recommend the place highly enough. Enjoy anything you have here!

I ordered Black Lingunie, but didn't read enough that its cream sauce! I don't eat cream sauce! But they are so so so nice and kind enough to change the dish to Oilive oil sauce!! They made my day!! Thank you so much!!!

What a great place to eat in La Playa, in Point Loma. The food is great, the ambience is nice, and the atmosphere can be casual or wonderful for date night. Same family of restaurants as Pummaro, which is right next door!

Very quaint atmosphere and excellent service. The food was exquisite.

We were a little worried at the first sight of the building but that’s part of what made this establishment special. The food is amazing, the staff is friendly and engaging and the pricing was very reasonable. On the way out we noticed a table getting tiramisu and asked for one to go. They gave it to us and refused payment as we had already settled the bill. Fantastic!

Relaxed indoor and outdoor dining with some vegetarian options and living the Italian lifestyle with music playing. Love that they also a stone-fired pizza oven restaurant next door!

I recently dined at Pomodoro, a charming Italian restaurant in Point Loma, and was thoroughly impressed by the experience. The highlight of our evening was the exceptional service provided by Assistant Manager Paul I. His professionalism and genuine care for our dining experience was remarkable. His commitment to customer satisfaction was truly impressive, so, I felt compelled to share my admiration with the owner. Equally noteworthy was our waitress, Sophia. Her warm demeanor and attentive service complemented the delightful meal, making the evening even more enjoyable. The food at Pomodoro was top-notch, enhancing an already fantastic dining experience. What’s more, this gem of a restaurant is just a short walk from my home, adding to my appreciation of the place. With such outstanding service and delicious food, Pomodoro has certainly won me over. Kudos to the team for creating such a memorable dining experience. I’m already looking forward to my next visit! Thank you, John D

Some of the best Veal picatta ever. Real deal. Love the atmosphere, highly recommended

The food and service was fabulous! Thank you, Anna, for serving us!

The pasta was very good. It was cheesy and milky at the same time and it gave the dish an unique flavor. This place is a little expensive but worth it for one a month or such.

Amazing local joint. Excellent service and food

+1

We made a stop on a whim the last time we were in San Diego and my wife would not stop talking about it so wee we came back and it was just as good as we remember. This is going to be a required stop any time we visit.

Fantastic Italian food. Nice atmosphere, great service and even came with an Italian accent. Large portions and good price. Enjoyed it much more than the place we ate in Little Italy while visiting San Diego. Had the Beet Salad and the Penne Vittorio and recommend both.

The best Italian food I have ever had in California or Florida! Great service and again, amazing food.

Googled Italian restaurants near our hotel while on vacation and this came up. It did not disappoint. The bread was fantastic (better with Alfredo sauce vs the marinara they give you). Entrees were large enough to share. Staff was friendly and efficient (except our waiter next asked if we wanted anything to drink besides water). The atmosphere was great! We’d for sure come back if we lived in California.

Completely delicious. We got reservations for Valentine's Day at 7:30pm, and arrived to a completely full restaurant, understandably. But they still seated us by 7:32pm. The server was attentive and helpful, despite having a lot on his proverbial plate due to the holiday night. We had a wonderful Valentine's Day at Pomodoro.

Looking for a casual yet upscale food experience? Look no further; the food is amazing, the service is awesome, and the ambiance is just perfect! Come and see what everybody has been talking a jout for years, the best Italian/Mediterranean cuisine in town!

The pasta and the cheeses in this place are amazing. Portions are just enough, and the place is cozy. Make sure to bring enough battery on your cellphone for the flashlight (if you need glasses like me, ambiance is a little too romantic = dark, and you'll need it to read the menu). Staff is friendly and helpful. The only downside of the area is parking, but that's normal for all of SD nowadays.

Lovely staff, must try Artichoke beautiful ambiance

+2

Absolutely incredibly authentic, rustic Italian cooking! Their Pork Osso buco over risotto is to die for! Such a Shelter Island Gem!!!

Awesome! Highly recommend! Food 5+: I went basic, spaghetti with marinara on the side. At 58, some of the best tasting (aka homemade) spaghetti I have had in a restaurant. The marinara was very flavorful but not overpowering. I finished with...tiramisu! 'Nuff said! Service: Top notch... and Italian! How authentic can a place get? Nice, quick, great memory! Atmosphere: I chose outdoor seating since it was a really nice evening. With Italian music over the speakers and all the great and cheerful conversing at tables, it was a great atmosphere. I even chatted with the people seated next to me. All very friendly. Definitely will be back!

Great environment. The food is fantastic. My wife ordered the gnocchi and each bites was a soft spongy bite of heaven covered in pesto. I had the spaghetti and meatballs and they made me feel like at was at some Italian friend's grandma's house for dinner. The staff treated us like family. Our glasses were never empty.

Visited from out of town. What a wonderful little Italian bistro. But with a big-restaurant menu, including a full menu column of pastas. The service was flawless and friendly. I didn't get dessert, but those around me who did enjoyed homemade Italian creations and one table was talking about ordering seconds. The only suggestion I can think of relates to seafood. Would be nice to see a few more healthier fish options. I'm coming back anyway.

We enjoyed a friend's birthday dinner on a Saturday night. Reservations made. Excellent appetizers, salads, and main courses. I had an exceptional (pork) Osso Buco on a bed of risotto. Nice, unpretentious atmosphere with alert service. Recommended.

A small restaurant that has a strong Italian vide with amazing food. We started with fresh bread with spicy marinara dipping sauce. We ordered one of the best La Brushetta I have ever had. One of my friends had Lasanga. The portion was huge, I don't know how he was Abel it eat it all in one sitting. Other friend had Spaghetti Carbonara, the flavor was great. I had Capallini Mari E Monte with 5 jumbo shrimp, angel hair pasta and the spicy marinara sauce. The dish was outstanding. I will visit again on my next visit.

Our go to number 1 Italian restaurant we totally enjoy. Santos, Simone and owner Fabio operate a customer friendly atmo6with excellent food and service.

From the minute you step inside, until you finish your meal, there’s no question why this is such a popular restaurant. Classic Italian dishes that are tasty, generously portion and at great prices.

+6

Amazing Italian cuisine!!! From the service to the food to the wine and to the dessert, it was all perfection! It was so homey and welcoming, truly a great time! Also the prices are so reasonable!

I had fettucine piemonte which was good to taste. Could be better and creamier but it is what it is. The mushroom ravioli was great and halibut carciofoso was a bit sour for my taste

Great authentic Italian food and service!

One of the best Italian restaurants in Point Loma food was excellent

This is a must try and keep going and going! First off the staff are Italians from Italy that speak Italian! I had a great conversation with them in Italian! The food is delicious, big portions and desserts are great. I ate my food too fast to take a lot of photos but here’s one of the dessert!

Went for the first time yesterday, and I will be back... a lot!! The restaurant itself is a lovely, date night lit spot; very cozy! Food? Just about inhaled it. It was so good, and I still felt light afterward. I'm pretty sure I drempt about it last night. Service is exactly what you hope for in a restaurant.

Absolutely fantastic experience at Pomodoro Ristorante Italiano! The food was authentic, flavorful, and beautifully presented—every dish felt like a taste of Italy. The service was warm and attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening out. I dined in for dinner, and everything from the appetizers to the dessert was top-notch. Highly recommend to anyone looking for delicious Italian cuisine in a great setting!

This seems to be a hidden gem in the San Diego restaurant scene. The food and service were both amazing! We had the cioppino, penne arrabbiata, and the fettuccini alfredo; all were amazing with fresh homemade ingredients. The wait staff had the perfect touch, knowing how and when to be useful without hovering. We'd definitely go back again in the future!

What a cute gem we found. Food was fantastic. Service was fast and responsive. Great ambiance for date night or family night. Really enjoyed.

Don't think twice, you have to come here if you want great Italian food. They have amazing food and drinks. It feels like you're part of the family when you dine here. Vincesco was our server and he was attentive, knowledgeable, and so kind. We love coming here to share a great meal with great company

I enjoyed this place a lot. I've been by it many times, but this was my first stop for dinner. Cozy, attentive staff and a pretty extensive menu and wine list.

Food and service was excellent, although the tiramisu for dessert was just average… The restaurant has just 3 parking spaces on the premises which means you are not getting one; street parking is scarce during any time you might be there so add at least 10 minutes to find a spot & walk to the restaurant. I would definitely recommend the restaurant but the parking is a hassle.

First time eating here was an experience! Amazing food. We were actually headed to old Venice and found this place. This is now my Italian spot! The MELANZANA AL FORNO! Amazing!

Tom Carrano

I took a getaway from Los Angeles, and headed to paradise. I spent the night on Shelter Island and wanted to get some pasta. I saw a few reviews and thought why not- Jared greeted me at the entrance and ended up being my waiter- He took care of me right away- I tasted the home made bread, but what got me was the sauce- I was going to order garlic and olive oil- game changer- I had the Norma Al Forno I believe, eggplant, mozzarella, potatoes, and of course the sauce. I will be back Jared was awesome and the food was delicious

Krista Nagy

Had a great first time at Pomodoro‘s, where Nocchi jumped up from the plate and gave me a hug! The pink sauce was so delicious. I wanted to take a quart of it home with me to drink. The rustic with wine bottles on display and handmade tiles nestled in a Reno house with a Tuscan/beachy vibe made for a lovely atmosphere. EnJOY! Buona!

+1

Ruchita Vora

Cute place and good food at reasonable prices

Andreas Padilla

This is hands down my favorite restaurant in San Diego. Anytime we have guests from out of town to our Short Term Rental (Airbnb/VRBO), we absolutely recommend they make a stop at Pomodoro. I have been coming for years and am always greeted with a warm welcome and helpful recommendations from the staff. Definitely recommend the Ossobuco and any of their specials.

R Ortiz

The service was good, the whole team was on it showing the true definition of teamwork. I’m from New York just moved here so I know real legit Italian food. I had the veal Parmesan and veal is tricky because if you over cook it . You get that chewy flavor this was cooked perfect. I went the chef Benjamin to thank him. This man is a Rock Star . Pomodoro is amazing , respect to the truly incredible staff thank you 🙏🏼

Hayves Streeter

Went here with the family. My daughter chose this place to take me and my mother for our birthdays. I had spaghetti and meatballs and it was very good. I also tried my mom’s Capellini Mari E Monti and it was amazing. Couldn’t stay out of her plate. Wife had mushroom ravioli and daughter had Ravioli di ricotta and they both loved their selections also. They also gave us two birthday tiramisu’s, which was delicious. My wife and I will definitely be back. Friendly staff

William Danyluk

We just stopped here because the place across the street was busy and had a wait. But I'm glad they did! Pomodoro was so good! I had a Pollo Gusto and it was great! We're not big wine drinkers, but they had plenty of choices if you are. The staff was super cool, and I'm really glad we happened to wander over!

Yolanda Varela

We literally enjoyed the food and the service so much that we forgot to take pictures of the moment. Highly recommended, truly impressed by their attentive and generous service. And what a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy a family dinner.

+2

King Yao

Fantastic Italian place. Calamari was lightly breaded and fried perfectly. Pork ossobuco over rissoto was magnificent. Love this place

Jennifer St.Clair

A Point Loma favorite! I really enjoy dining here. Service is attentive, The food is delectable, the atmosphere cozy.

+2

Benjamin Mazurek

An authentic Italian restaurant with AMAZING food. We were greeted with fresh bread and marinara dipping sauce. One friend had a huge portion of Lasagna (still can't believe he finished in one sitting). Another friend had Spaghetti Carbonara, and I had Capallini Mari E Monte (angel hair pasta with 5 jumbo shrimp and spicy marinara). The flavor of all the dishes were OUTSTANDING. I will definitely visit again.

+1

Mitch North

Some of the best food we had in town. Quick and friendly service. Very authentic feel. Most important: the prices! Many things felt very expensive in San Diego, but this place was very reasonable with big portions and great food. The bread comes with a kind of spicy marinara and was a really nice touch. I had the Gnocchi Bolognese and it was awesome.

Kaan Kramer

The pasta here is amazing! A great mix of flavors, each ingredient really shines! The atmosphere and people there were so nice too! Plus the prices were pretty good too! I’m definitely coming back!

Alex Fidel

We came on a Wed night, so the service was fast as there wasn’t much of a crowd. Regardless the service and food was great. The bill was $100 for 4 people. We would definitely consider returning if we were in the area.

Tom Stacey

Authentic Italian in an informal atmosphere, call it street-side urban corner going for rustic charm. No tablecloths here. Not elegant and a bit tight on the seating, even rough around the edges. But a solid menu with some great choices. Drinks -- solid wine list, a handful of bottled beers, including Peroni, of course. Sadly, no cocktails. Appetizers -- antipasto and other great choices. On our most recent visit we got the artichokes, Jerusalem it seemed like, small and soaked in olive oil, quite good, even the stalks. Bruschetta is also good. Entrees -- lots of seafood and pasta options, but my go-to is the ossobuco -- the pork is seasoned well and falls off the bone. It's a big portion, as was the gamberi pomodoro, so bring your appetite, or enjoy your leftovers tomorrow 😉. Service -- the wait staff varies; they are Italian (or are convincing actors) and if you're not they can be difficult to understand. It can require some back and forth which can come off as charming or semi-surly, depending on your waiter. Overall Pomodoro is a good, even delightful choice if you're looking for authentic Italian and don't mind a bit of forced intimacy. Note: if you do want a cocktail, or a pizza, walk next door to their sister restaurant Pummaro. Different vibe and great pizza from a wood-fired oven. Mangia!

Daniel Suehisa

Amazing. Crispy calamari. Light batter. So soft. Kids fettuccine alfredo is sharable. Linguine di mare was wonderful. Plump firm shrimp. They give a great loaf of bread and offer seconds. Reasonably priced.

April Whittemore

I love Pomodoro! I've been coming here for more than a decade and it is delicious every time. The atmosphere is very quaint and homey. The have a very small dining room and a covered patio. I recommend reservations, especially for parties larger than 4. My sister and I ended up here on a whim and they seated our party of 2 right away on a Saturday at 7pm. Parking can be a challenge since there is only street parking available. While I've never had a bad dish there, the standout for me is definitely their gnocchi. The gnocchi tastes homemade and is so light and fluffy and flavorful... like little puffs of heavenly goodness! **chef's kiss** The best Italian food in town! My sister is vegetarian and she had plenty of items to choose from (she also went with a gnocchi dish this time).

Ron Hascall

Great Italian restaurant New Shelter Island in Point Loma. Very friendly knowledgeable staff. The bread and marinara they serve complimentary is wonderful. Good Italian food done in Southern Italy style.

+2

The pasta was good and the dessert was fantastic (The canoli was delicious). We were seated quickly, but we went at 9pm after the dinner rush. The food came quickly, and it was hot. The bread before the meal was brought was plain, because the marinara dipping sauce didn't have much flavor. The prices were definitely reasonable considering the portions are huge!

The food was good, fresh, though the pasta wasn't a free side which would have been nice. A salad doesn't come free with main dish either. But otherwise the meals are big and the fresh baked bread was good. Not much bad to say. Nice patio seating with an ocean breeze too.

We only go here about once a year as a special treat. It is a big step above chain Italian restaurants, but it can be a bit hit-or-miss with what you order. We've had cream sauce be a bit heavy and salmon be too dry and a bit salty, but we've also had great gnocchi, very nice pastas, and excellent tomato sauce. It's definitely a good place, but for the money, not always worth it.

Good good(Large porions! Good Hungry!!) and friendly staff! It is a little noisy when it's busy. They also have a lovely little market for itailian food lovers and cooks!!

Authenticity, friendly staff, comfortable environment, excellent southern Italian style cuisine. 8.5/10. Higher quality than other options in the area, definitely higher value. Recommend for dates, small family dining. Not super spacious so I'd call ahead for a part bigger than 4 always

Amazing food! Great atmosphere and good location. The only thing holding me back from a 5 star was the service. The waitor didn't seem to care for our table as much as others. Maybe because we are younger? Still doesn't justify worse service compared to other tables

We were not impressed with the server. The bus boy and food runner showed much more attention to needs or details. My main course was bla. How ever the other appetizers had great flavor. It was all fresh

We are spending time in San Diego for our honeymoon. We found this place online for dinner. The food was great! We enjoyed it. The atmosphere was sweet. It is quaint! The service was the only lackluster thing. We waited a so long for the server to take our order, totally felt like they forgot about it. Overall, I’d recommend for anyone looking for some Italian food in Point Loma.

Linguine was good, probably even better if we were able to eat at the restaurant.

Great food. Nice real Italian wait staff. Good pricing with a decent wine list

The indoor seating area and the food here were both 10/10. We truly enjoyed the ambience, including the beautiful decor and tiling. We ordered the calamari, the beet salad (with chicken) and the bolognese. As someone who literally lived in Bologna, I must say this was some of the best bolognese I have had. The salad and calamari were also very yummy, and the portions were large. Our waiter was pretty rude, though. I’m not sure if it was when he learned we weren’t drinking or ordering too much food, but he was very short with us and avoidant of any and all conversation, including questions about the food. He didn’t check on us much, and when he did, it felt like we were burdening him.

I think 3.5 would be a more accurate rating. I enjoyed the parpadelle with braised lamb and was pleased by the flavor and generous portion of lamb "ragu" to pasta. It was a hearty meal. My other dining companions found their meals only so-so. My wife really enjoyed the warm duck breast salad. They also have gluten-free pasta. The wine is reasonably priced for average quality. The staff are excellent. Overall, it is a homely, simple Italian restaurant with good food and is reasonably priced.

Cannolo take out. Ricotta was perfectly sweetened meaning not overkill like so many restaurants do. I asked for no Hershey syrup, yay. I'm not familiar with the really really hard thick outer shell that seems popular in San Diego.... additionally common here, they all cost $8. The restaurant was not busy Thursday 7pm. It was beautiful inside, I'm intrigued to go back. It really felt like stepping into Italy. Glad I picked up a menu!

Maurice Abou Jaoude

This is a nice, cosy place for hearty italian dishes. The food is tasty, and the portions are big, so you’ll definitely feel full with one main dish. However, do not expect 100% authentic italian dishes (chicken in the arrabbiata, mascarpone in the bolognese, and no mascarpone in the tiramisu).

Food quality is comfort food at best. Not sure why everything was lukewarm. Check your plates, glasses, and silverware. Dirty. Nothing wrong with the service. Pizza was a disappointment...reminded me of a Subway sandwich. Cibo’s in Phoenix has better food at half the price.

It’s a nice casual restaurant the staff is great and quick. The bruschetta was tasty but huge and difficult and messy to eat. Both our risottos were fine but the added Brie cheese on top was a bit much and I just feel like while there’s nothing bad about the place nothing was outstanding so I wouldn’t seek it out

Rachel Wall

The food was great but the service wasn't. Not sure if we came at a bad time or not but there was only one waiter and a about 5 tables. We barely got any service and we didn't ask for a lot. This place looked really nice and I want to give it a great review but I just didn't get good service. We went around 1300 and my kids were good for the most part. Not sure if it had any restrooms but I'm not going back anytime soon.

The food was good, but I would caution from drinking the water. Both my mother and I had stomach issues from drinking the water. They pour all the glasses beforehand, but they’re right out in the open right by the singular restroom. There were flies flying in and outside the restaurant, so that could’ve been the reason for the contamination. My dad ate the food, but didn’t drink the water. He didn’t have stomach any issues, which is why I know.

Our first experience at Pomodoro will be our last. The dining room was freezing cold and cramped. We were the only people in the restaurant at 6:00pm 🚩. Server was not attentive at all. Few other couples showed up throughout our meal and the dining room and became very loud. As bad as that was our food was horrible. We ordered the artichokes as an appetizer and they were extremely overcooked and in pool of oil. I ordered the VITELLO PICCATA and it was a small portion of veal that was boiled in lemon and butter very chewy. It came along with a side of raw mixed vegetables. My girlfriend ordered the LINGUINE DI MARE with white wine sauce. This was inedible.. I wish I would have gone to the Italian restaurant next door

Our server was great. The food however was nothing exciting. I had the veal parmesan. It was just okay, it came with carrots, a broccoli stem and a few potatoes chunks. The veggies were all cold. I was expecting it to come with some pasta. My husband and son were not impressed with their food either. We will probably not return. There are much better options out there! Too bad for a $80.00 bill.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was good! However the Linguini de Mare with white wine sauce were far from perfect. While the muscles were cooked well, the white wine sauce was bland and watery and thus did not add any flavor to the pasta.

After reviewing many reviews by others that were so positive, I am left wondering why our experience was so bad. Perhaps it was just a bad night for them. We ate here on a Friday night one day before Valentines Day. It was filled and the patrons appeared happy and excited. We had a party of eight (8). Immediately I noticed how loud it was: a bit too loud for my senses. Bread and marinara greeted us at the table: a nice intro I thought - different. But the Italian bread was stale and hard and when I asked for replacements I was told that their bread was provided by an independent vendor and it is what it is. Service was slow and chaotic. You would think that a restaurant looks forward to weekend nights and would be fully prepared to handled the volume of tables and patrons. But, no, it was a mess and totally disorganized. After waiting an extended time, the server finally took our orders. I ordered a Caesar salad, a side of pasta with Bolognese sauce to share, and Veal Marsala: all pretty safe bets at an Italian restaurant. The salad was served first (after waiting an extended time again) and, sorry to say, it was complete pedestrian: chopped up Romaine lettuce (at least it was fresh!), barely a hint of basic dressing no better than bottled dressing, and some croutons that were hard and crunchy like packaged croutons. Very disappointing. Next came the pasta. Certainly not fresh pasta but decent. The sauce (“gravy”) was very sugary sweet (tasty but so was canned spaghetti back in the day!). Again, disappointing from my perspective. Finally, the Veal Marsala was served. I was really hoping this was going to be delicious. I was expecting it to be like the dish served at Manhattans in La Jolla. It was served with some fresh cooked carrots and broccoli which ended up being the best part of the meal. It was also served with a couple of roasted potatoes. Come on, fabulous roasted potatoes are so easy to make, but these were tasteless and you could tell were sitting around for a while waiting to be served. The “veal” was acceptable but not really that beautiful tender texture. The sauce, more like a common brown gravy, barely tasted of Marsala wine. The portion size was decent! The rest of the food served to the other guests was okay by consensus but underwhelming. The wine was good! I really hate giving a review like this and I really hope this was a true anomaly. With all the favorable reviews I might, someday, give it another chance. But, then, again it makes you appreciate the likes of Trattoria Antica in La Mesa or Manhattans in La Jolla, both of which consistently provide great service, atmosphere, and fantastically delicious food. Sorry Pomodoro.