Michael W

Loved the food! We started with the special of stuffed and fried zucchini blossoms. They were very good! We both had pasta, linguine with clams and spaghetti Neri con Pulipo. The Pasta was outstanding! Great Desserts! This was an exceptional meal!

+10

Michelle Sanchez

I celebrated my birthday this past week with my best friend, who knows how much I enjoy exploring new places. We decided to visit a restaurant highly recommended by a colleague and went there on a weekday without a reservation. To our delight, we were seated within minutes, and our wonderful waitress, Christina (the tallest), went above and beyond to make my birthday celebration truly special. We started with a refreshing non-alcoholic mojito and shared a Caesar salad, followed by a delicious chicken Alfredo served inside a large cheese wheel. The restaurant exceeded my expectations with its chill and calming atmosphere, making for a relaxing dining experience. I can't wait to take my husband there for a dinner date!

+1

Steph F

Great food! The best service. I sat at the bar and felt like VIP. I have high standards for pasta and they definetly did not disappoint. Would come back again!

Bradley

I would give the service and atmosphere 5* each but I would give the food 4.5*. I wish the pasta dish had some more too it than the basic noodles, sauce and cheese. Although the taste of the noodles, cheese and sauce is 5* worthy. They have a happy hour that has some food options at about half the price. I would recommend the happy hour food as it’s a good deal for the price you pay. I paid $12 for the noodles and cheese and $4 for the bread.

Nicole Vilogi-DiPietro

We wanted to eat in Italy while visiting San Diego but it’s hard to pick “the best” out of the many options that exist. After reading the reviews and seeing the option for pasta directly out of the cheese wheels we decided to book a reservation at Monello. It did not disappointment and exceeded our expectations. The food was excellent as well as the service. Our server was helpful and attentive and the food was amazing. I’m no stranger to good Italian food but this was perfection. Highly recommend.

Jeff Mraz

We visited Monello on a Monday night during the bustling Little Italy Food and Wine Festival, and despite not having reservations, we were able to snag two seats at the bar. From the moment we sat down, the service was excellent…warm, attentive, and with a thoughtful explanation of the menu that helped guide our choices. My wife and I decided to share two dishes, starting with the Pappardelle Monello. This pasta is an absolute must, with wide, homemade ribbons perfectly coated in a rich, flavorful sauce that made every bite a pleasure. We also split the Prosciutto Pizza, where the balance of flavors was spot-on, from the savory prosciutto to the fresh toppings and crisp crust. To finish, we ordered the chocolate torte, which was decadent and satisfying. The bartender kindly comped it, saying we had waited too long for it, though in truth, we were perfectly content enjoying our bottle of wine and the lively atmosphere. It was an unexpected and much-appreciated gesture of hospitality. Monello offers excellent food, great service, and an inviting vibe. We highly recommend it and will definitely return the next time we’re in San Diego

Heidi Caballero

Service was amazing and the waitress (Cristina) was really attentive with us checking up on us the perfect amount. Food was absolutely amazing, you can never go wrong with their rotating cheese wheel plates. Definitely recommend visiting during happy hour too, worth the value.

Mark Reams

A Flawless Slice of Italy in San Diego’s Little Italy! Dining at Monello was an extraordinary experience—one that awakened every sense and transported me straight to the streets of Milan or Naples. Tucked into the vibrant Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego, this stylish eatery serves up impeccable Italian cuisine with an elegant yet approachable vibe. Let’s start with the star of the night: the Genovese pizza. This wasn’t just pizza—it was art on a plate. The crust was light and airy with just the right amount of char, and the fresh Genovese pesto was aromatic and bold without overpowering the delicate balance of flavors. The sun-dried tomatoes added a slightly sweet, tangy depth, and the burrata and mozzarella melted together into a creamy, decadent finish. Every bite was pure perfection—herbaceous, savory, and utterly unforgettable. Before the pizza, we indulged in the formaggi misti, the chef’s curated selection of imported Italian cheeses. Each cheese told its own story—aged, nutty, creamy, tangy—and together they painted a delicious picture of Italy’s rich dairy tradition. The presentation was refined, and the accompanying garnishes enhanced every bite. We couldn’t leave without experiencing the Pecorino cheese wheel pasta—and it was every bit the theatrical delight we’d hoped for. The server prepared it tableside, swirling freshly cooked pasta in a massive wheel of flaming Pecorino Romano, infusing it with its sharp, salty essence. Creamy, rich, and satisfying—this dish is a must-try for cheese lovers. The service was truly exceptional. Every member of the team was warm, attentive, and passionate. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and gave excellent recommendations that enhanced our meal tenfold. It felt like dining among friends who genuinely cared that we had an incredible evening. In summary: Monello is a culinary treasure in San Diego. From the flawless pizza to the luxe cheese wheel pasta, every dish was crafted with care and authenticity. The customer service was outstanding, making this not just a meal—but a memory. Can’t wait to return! 🇮🇹🍕✨

+2

David Deckert

Enjoyed a fantastic dinner this evening. Our server was super friendly and helpful with assisting in our selections. Everything looked so good that we shared several items with the table so we all had a chance to try several entrees. I highly recommend it since there are so many great menu items to choose from. The pizza, lasagna, and cheese wheel were excellent. If your like us, you will have a little extra to bring home and enjoy.

+1

We absolutely love this restaurant. We come every Saturday after SeaWorld and the food has always been delicious. service is amazing too!

Amazing food, service, and overall atmosphere. Would highly recommend the gnocchi and octopus pasta

Amazing food, service, and overall atmosphere. Would highly recommend the gnocchi and octopus pasta

Amazing food, service, and overall atmosphere. Would highly recommend the gnocchi and octopus pasta

I loved this place!!!\n\nService was so friendly and attentive. They have an amazing happy hour!! \n\nSuper romantic ambiance, perfect for date night or girls night. \n\nEvery dish was so decad…

Great food. Had the pasta cheese wheel and it was delicious. Service was very good. Our server was upbeat and helpful with suggestions. Will definitely be back.

Favorite Italian spot. Must try the Squid ink pasta and pair it with a Good wine. Service is always great and bartenders are friendly

Absolutely amazing. Great price, service, and delicious food. The ambiance is great for date night or work meals. I went at night with coworkers and it was awesome. Had many of their appetizers and…

Amazing restaurant with authentic Italian dishes including cheese round pasta. Great drinks and apps - the modern aesthetic adds to the lively atmosphere.

Amazing restaurant with authentic Italian dishes including cheese round pasta. Great drinks and apps - the modern aesthetic adds to the lively atmosphere.

Amazing restaurant with authentic italian dishes including cheese round pasta. Great drinks and apps - the modern aesthetic adds to the lively atmosphere.

Amazing restaurant with authentic Italian dishes including cheese round pasta. Great drinks and apps - the modern aesthetic adds to the lively atmosphere.

Amazing restaurant with authentic Italian dishes including cheese round pasta. Great drinks and apps - the modern aesthetic adds to the lively atmosphere.

We ate here on two different occasions while we were in San Diego. They have excellent authentic food, very invested wait staff. Price points were also excellent. Don’t miss the happy hour.

We ate here on two different occasions while we were in San Diego. They have excellent authentic food, very invested wait staff. Price points were also excellent. Don’t miss the happy hour.

We ate here on two different occasions while we were in San Diego. They have excellent authentic food, very invested wait staff. Price points were also excellent. Don’t miss the happy hour.

We ate here on two different occasions while we were in San Diego. They have excellent authentic food, very invested wait staff. price points were also excellent. Don’t miss the happy hour.

Actually, ordered through grub hub. The margherita pizza was the perfect size for two along with the insalata mista. Had them customize the salad without issue and the greens were very fresh and …

Great service plus great food is a great experience! My friend had the pappardelle with ragu sauce. I had the lasagna which had spinach pasta as the base. We both really enjoyed our meals. they s…

Great service plus great food is a great experience! My friend had the pappardelle with ragu sauce. I had the lasagna which had spinach pasta as the base. We both really enjoyed our meals. they s…

Great food and great ambiance. Very busy but a lot of room inside and outside. In a bustling area in Little Italy. Parking can be difficult especially on a Friday night.

Michael Flores

This review was hard to do, because I was both disappointed beyond belief and amazed. So I’ll give the this review the best shot I’ve got. First I ordered the spaghetti with ragu sauce. I always order spaghetti the first time I go to an Italian restaurant because, let’s be honest that should be easy for them right? Boy was I wrong, the ragu sauce was the worst sauce I’ve ever had in my life. It was bland, flavorless, absolutely horrible. The meat even tasted like they didn’t add a single speck of seasoning. The noodles were tough and undercooked. I’ve never sent pasta back in my life, this marked the first time, which was disappointing because of all the highly rated reviews. I was really looking forward to it. After I sent back the pasta I got the Margherita Pizza. And let me say they absolutely made up for the pasta. It was one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had. The crust was cooked perfectly, the sauce was generous, and the cheese was pulling off perfect. I fell in love with that Pizza. I ended up eating the whole thing. It was perfect in every sense of the word. I’d highly recommend the pizza stay away from the ragu sauce and spaghetti Now the service was great. Our server couldn’t have been more kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. Our drinks never went empty and she checked in almost perfectly each time with us. Never asked us questions with our mouths full of food, or interrupting while we were talking. I’d go as far as to say she is probably top 10 servers I’ve ever had in my life. Overall I’d still come here again, even though the pasta was horrible the pizza made up for it. And having such a great experience with the server helped even more.

I C

The cheese wheel pasta is a signature item on the menu. One bowl of this is enough for two people. The food is very fresh, and the ingredients are made from scratch. The restaurant gets busy, so I recommend reservations. It is small yet intimate.

+5

Food was decent, service was top notched, and the cute ambience rounded everything together. Wished flavors were more pronounced, but that's up to personal preference.

Food was decent, service was top notched, and the cute ambience rounded everything together. Wished flavors were more pronounced, but that's up to personal preference.

food was decent, service was top notched, and the cute ambience rounded everything together. Wished flavors were more pronounced, but that's up to personal preference.

Food was decent, service was top notched, and the cute ambience rounded everything together. Wished flavors were more pronounced, but that's up to personal preference.

Absolutely fantastic restaurant. We each had a pasta and shared a pizza. I had the bolognese, my husband had the marinara, and we shared a margarita pizza. The pasta was perfect and fresh. The crust …

Absolutely fantastic restaurant. We each had a pasta and shared a pizza. I had the bolognese, my husband had the marinara, and we shared a margarita pizza. The pasta was perfect and fresh. Th…

Absolutely fantastic restaurant. We each had a pasta and shared a pizza. I had the bolognese, my husband had the marinara, and we shared a margarita pizza. The pasta was perfect and fresh. The cr…

Absolutely fantastic restaurant. We each had a pasta and shared a pizza. I had the bolognese, my husband had the marinara, and we shared a margarita pizza. The pasta was perfect and fresh. The cr…

The food and drinks are worth trying here. The pizza is crispy, and the pasta is unique and very tasty. We especially loved the pepper gnocchi.\n\nWe took off one star because there was a mix-up in…

food and service was pretty good! we had a 530 reservation but they were able to seat us at 515 which was awesome, everything is made in house and the cheese wheel is to die for. -1 star for them o…

We had a lunch reservation here on a Saturday and I was surprised it wasn't busy, given I read reviews about needing a reservation. Our server was very nice and provided some recommendations and …

So pretty good, but the overall experience was a bit flawed given the location, price and other reviews. Our server was also the bartender so it took a while before anyone too our order. Of course …

Tasty homemade pasta and a good wine selection. A bit too heavy on cream sauces to be authentic Italian. The ragu dishes are particularly good.

Tasty homemade pasta and a good wine selection. A bit too heavy on cream sauces to be authentic Italian. The ragu dishes are particularly good.

Tasty homemade pasta and a good wine selection. A bit too heavy on cream sauces to be authentic Italian. The ragu dishes are particularly good.

Great service but the food was not good. Salad not dressed and pesto was over sauced. Also there was not enough seasoning in the added chicken. It was mealy and lacked any flavor.

The food, atmosphere and service are very good. The pasta is made in house. For a unique experience try the pasta prrpared in the cheese bowl.

Ramon Rios

I really like Monello's. I have been here three times before with family and friends and the food and service never disappoint. Unfortunately, I did notice that even though the dishes were the same price and quality, the portions were considerably less. Our meal for a party of 5 came out to $300 and we were still left hungry. Needless to say, "shrinkflation" has hit almost all restaurants.

The reservation was randomly canceled by the restaurant with no explanation and I had to get a buddy to help me reschedule. Wrong table promised and my food was lukewarm not hot. Would not recommen…

The reservation was randomly canceled by the restaurant with no explanation and I had to get a buddy to help me reschedule. Wrong table promised and my food was lukewarm not hot. Would not recommen…

Food was excellent, restaurant was very loud, service lack luster, overall disappointing considering the choices in Little Italy , and prices.

adela perez

First time here. We went to experience the cheese wheel. But unfortunately, we did not get to. Everyone else who ordered the same thing around us got to. But we were never offered. While we ordered our dinner, the server didn't even ask what we wanted to drink. The food presentation was nice, but it had no taste.

Manager here is terrible. Horrible attitude and very rude. Plenty of better places in little Italy to spend your money and not be treated poorly.