Paza Market & Cucina

We’ve been waiting for this place to open for a few weeks now and we were not disappointed! The owner, Vanessa, was so friendly and told us the whole concept of the place. We were just checking It out to see what’s in store and ended up staying for dinner. The portions were so generous. Not to mention the taste was great (thanks for their amazing Italian chefs). I highly recommend adding their pesto to your pasta or pizza. I noticed how their menu also had a lot of vegan options which I was really impressed by in case you’re looking for something vegan friendly. Even if you don’t end up dining in they have plenty of specialty products for sale like oils, meats, and cheeses which we will definitely be coming back for to keep in our home. The decor is beautiful, from the tables to the lighting to the dishware. The staff was incredibly welcoming and we are looking forward to more visits at Pazza! We had a great evening. Definitely recommend for a date night or even a bite while you’re shopping.

Maha Rohan

We’ve been waiting for this place to open for a few weeks now and we were not disappointed! The owner, Vanessa, was so friendly and told us the whole concept of the place. We were just checking It out to see what’s in store and ended up staying for dinner. The portions were so generous. Not to mention the taste was great (thanks for their amazing Italian chefs). I highly recommend adding their pesto to your pasta or pizza. I noticed how their menu also had a lot of vegan options which I was really impressed by in case you’re looking for something vegan friendly. Even if you don’t end up dining in they have plenty of specialty products for sale like oils, meats, and cheeses which we will definitely be coming back for to keep in our home. The decor is beautiful, from the tables to the lighting to the dishware. The staff was incredibly welcoming and we are looking forward to more visits at Pazza! We had a great evening. Definitely recommend for a date night or even a bite while you’re shopping.

laura s

Love this little place it is absolutely perfect. Food great location great. Super selection of gluten-free pastas. Had nice variety of pastry. Wines oils all from italy.the lasagna was to die for just perfect not too much sauce and the right combination of spices. The salad was also delicious as well as the pizza. The crust was very nice very rustic very thin delicious. Our server Emily was on top of every detail this is one of the best places I've eaten at UTC in a long time.

Yalcin Aslan

Certainly! Here's an improved and slightly longer version of your review: --- I visited this restaurant last week with a friend for lunch. While the overall experience was decent, there were a few things that stood out to me, both good and bad. Let’s start with the positives: the pizza was absolutely fantastic—perfectly baked with a great balance of flavors. The pasta was also excellent, cooked to perfection and very flavorful. If you’re in the area and enjoy Italian cuisine, I’d definitely recommend giving these dishes a try. My main complaint, though, was with the tomato soup. While I was looking forward to it, I found it to be much too thick for my taste—it lacked the smooth, comforting consistency I typically expect from a good tomato soup. Overall, while there’s room for improvement in certain areas, the quality of the soup and pasta makes this place worth a visit if you're nearby.

Andrea Martinez

Loved it here! It was my first time at Pazza and did brunch. The place is clean and offer inside and outside seating. The staff is kind and friendly. I got the belini mock tail, which was refreshing and not overly sweet. I got the polenta and short rib- it was so delicious! The polenta was soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside and paired beautifully with the poached egg and the sauce. The short rib was sooo soft and tender. The sauce on the short rib was flavorful as well. I devoured that meal and left a clean plate haha, it was that good. I will definitely be coming here again. I highly recommend brunch at Pazza!

K A

Everything we ordered is made in-house and tasted delicious! We shared family-style. It was a bit chilly outside, but they offered blankets to keep us warm. Also, the bathroom was so cute. I also bought some packaged pasta, sauce, and cookies as gifts for friends and family. Will definitely return next time we're in San Diego.

myro torres

Eaten here twice after church on Sunday. Always great service and every plate we’ve ordered has been delicious! Ambiance very mellow, which is nice on a Sunday afternoon. Chris was our server, and always has the best recommendations. We really enjoyed the lasagna, risotto, tiramisu, pizza and truffle cheese ravioli. The boot wine flight was great too. Highly recommend!

Sohrob H

This Italian pizza spot is truly stellar! The pizzas are bursting with authentic flavors, with perfectly crisp crusts and fresh, high-quality ingredients that make every bite unforgettable. What sets this place apart is their commitment to inclusivity—they offer fantastic vegan options that don’t compromise on taste, ensuring everyone at the table has something to enjoy. Another standout feature is their willingness to customize orders. Whether it’s swapping toppings or making adjustments for dietary preferences, they’re more than happy to accommodate. It’s clear they value their customers and want everyone to leave satisfied. The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for anything from a casual night out to a special celebration. Add in attentive service and a great overall vibe, and you’ve got a pizza place that hits all the right notes. Highly recommend!

Ana Jahrmarkt

I had an unforgettable meal at this Italian restaurant. The carpaccio was perfectly thin and tender, with a delicate balance of flavors that melted in my mouth. The pizza was simply divine, with a crispy crust and fresh toppings that transported me to the heart of Italy. The service was outstanding—warm, attentive, and made us feel right at home. It truly felt like dining in Italy, with the cozy ambiance and authentic cuisine. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an authentic Italian dining experience!

Aaron

We're been here twice now and it's been great each time. The dishes are very flavorful and feel authentic.

Siddartha Donthula

I tried this place with my family and ordered the seasonal zuppa with Focaccia Crostini, Vegan Rigatoni with mixed veggies and Sphagetti from the kids menu. Everything was so tasty, and we felt like eating vegan pasta with no cheese is the real deal as too much cheese masks the underlying authentic pasta taste.

Riccardo Manca

Since I discovered this place I have visited non stop at least once a week. The food is authentic and delicious. My go to order is the Burrata & Prosciutto Pizza or the Risotto, however, other dishes are amazing as well. I enjoy how everyone in the restaurant is super friendly, with special mention to Jazzy and Kris who know my order by heart and are always happy and ready to help you any way. The owner, Vanessa, and the chef, Patrick are always in the restaurant making sure everyone’s order is perfect and will go up to each table to make sure everything is as it should. Also their italian music playlist is perfect, no comments. Below i uploaded some of many pixzas and risottos I have had at this place.

January 4th, 2026, dinner time, it's quiet when we walked into the restaurant because it's raining and cold. However, the waitress, Audra, she went above and beyond to explain the dishes in the menu and we had the best pasta dishes....al dente and flavorful. Her professionalism and willingness to take the time to assist really stood out. Excellent customer service like she makes dining here worthwhile! Thank you, Audra!

Quite possibly the best pasta I’ve had in San Diego (cacio e pepe). The spaghetti was perfectly cooked and the sauce was decadent, but not overdone. If you like Italian wines you’ll appreciate this restaurant. I loved they offered tastings of the wine before I committed to a full glass. This place is a welcome change of pace from the rest of the options at UTC.

sue s.

January 4th, 2026, dinner time, it's quiet when we walked into the restaurant because it's raining and cold. However, the waitress, Audra, she went above and beyond to explain the dishes in the menu and we had the best pasta dishes....al dente and flavorful. Her professionalism and willingness to take the time to assist really stood out. Excellent customer service like she makes dining here worthwhile! Thank you, Audra!

Alexandre Milla Goni (Alex)

Total hidden gem in the UTC mall. My dad can be super picky with his Italian food, and he loved his lasagna & the wine selection! My pasta was delicious—the freshness and texture of the pappardelle was to die for. If you're looking for authentic flavors with warm and friendly staff, check this place out!

Alison French

Quite possibly the best pasta I’ve had in San Diego (cacio e pepe). The spaghetti was perfectly cooked and the sauce was decadent, but not overdone. If you like Italian wines you’ll appreciate this restaurant. I loved they offered tastings of the wine before I committed to a full glass. This place is a welcome change of pace from the rest of the options at UTC.

We visited around 6 PM on a weekday, and the place was almost full—super popular! Our group of six each ordered a dish. I had the Cacio e Pepe, my husband got the Lasagna, and our friends ordered pizza, salad, Burrata, and some bread to share. Since one friend had dietary restrictions, we all stuck to our own dishes. I swapped bites with my husband, and the Cacio e Pepe was decent—classic, though nothing extraordinary. The Lasagna was a bit too soft and the portion small, but it may be hard to beat my Sicilian mother-in-law’s version. Bread was fine, especially dipped in leftover pasta sauce. Overall, the experience was okay. I might try other dishes next time!

LULU LIVE Art

We visited around 6 PM on a weekday, and the place was almost full—super popular! Our group of six each ordered a dish. I had the Cacio e Pepe, my husband got the Lasagna, and our friends ordered pizza, salad, Burrata, and some bread to share. Since one friend had dietary restrictions, we all stuck to our own dishes. I swapped bites with my husband, and the Cacio e Pepe was decent—classic, though nothing extraordinary. The Lasagna was a bit too soft and the portion small, but it may be hard to beat my Sicilian mother-in-law’s version. Bread was fine, especially dipped in leftover pasta sauce. Overall, the experience was okay. I might try other dishes next time!

Pham Le Phu

While the ambiance was nice and the customer service great, I found the food to be average in taste. The restaurant's charming atmosphere created a welcoming setting, and the staff were attentive and accommodating throughout the meal. However, the dishes lacked the flavorful punch I was hoping for, leaving me somewhat underwhelmed. It was also kind of expensive, but everything is expensive now.

Chris!! He was such a great waiter! My bf and I went to try something new, and he made us feel very welcome! He recommended some excellent meals. The pasta was divine and the prosciutto salad to die! Love it, thank you for a great experience. Although the price was a bit high, it was 80 for two, no drinks, and just the two pastas and a salad to share. Other than that, it's great. We'd come again on another occasion.

My husband and I have been regular customers since your restaurant opened, consistently returning because of the excellent food and service. Unfortunately, our most recent visit fell well below the standard we have come to expect. I chose your restaurant to celebrate a close friend’s birthday, as she loves Italian food, and I wanted the experience to be special. Regrettably, the service was disappointing. Our waiter appeared rushed and inattentive. When we ordered a bottle of still water, it was brought with two glasses of ice but not opened or poured. I had to ask another server for assistance, who kindly helped us. Our waiter did not mention the daily specials, while another server was attentively explaining them to her tables. I also informed him twice that it was my friend’s birthday, yet he never acknowledged her or offered even a simple birthday greeting, which felt discourteous. While the cocktails and food were good, the lack of attentiveness continued throughout the meal. After our food arrived, the waiter never returned to check on us, and we were unable to order additional drinks. Ultimately, we decided to continue our evening elsewhere. A small gesture, such as a birthday acknowledgment or simple dessert presentation, would have gone a long way. Sadly, this experience left us feeling undervalued as guests, and it has affected our desire to return. I truly value great customer service and believe every guest deserves to feel welcomed and appreciated when dining at your restaurant.

The place is very small. The food was delicious, but I found it very odd that the minute you sit down they tell you that you have an hour and 15 minutes to finish. I’m from Spain, where people enjoy their meals and sit as long as they want, and you would never be told you have a time limit. I’ve also been to Italy several times and never experienced this. For a place that wants to feel very authentic and culturally alike, this didn’t feel fitting. They also didn’t have butter for the bread, which was surprising. On top of that, people were bringing strollers inside, which made the already small space feel extremely packed and uncomfortable. We felt very rushed — they even brought the check before we were done eating. I would maybe go back for takeout because the food really was good, but I don’t like being told I have a set amount of time to finish my meal.

Ailina Nelson

My husband and I have been regular customers since your restaurant opened, consistently returning because of the excellent food and service. Unfortunately, our most recent visit fell well below the standard we have come to expect. I chose your restaurant to celebrate a close friend’s birthday, as she loves Italian food, and I wanted the experience to be special. Regrettably, the service was disappointing. Our waiter appeared rushed and inattentive. When we ordered a bottle of still water, it was brought with two glasses of ice but not opened or poured. I had to ask another server for assistance, who kindly helped us. Our waiter did not mention the daily specials, while another server was attentively explaining them to her tables. I also informed him twice that it was my friend’s birthday, yet he never acknowledged her or offered even a simple birthday greeting, which felt discourteous. While the cocktails and food were good, the lack of attentiveness continued throughout the meal. After our food arrived, the waiter never returned to check on us, and we were unable to order additional drinks. Ultimately, we decided to continue our evening elsewhere. A small gesture, such as a birthday acknowledgment or simple dessert presentation, would have gone a long way. Sadly, this experience left us feeling undervalued as guests, and it has affected our desire to return. I truly value great customer service and believe every guest deserves to feel welcomed and appreciated when dining at your restaurant.

Overall this place is pretentious, overpriced, and underwhelming. The only reason why we are giving an extra star, is for the big guy with tattoos that was awesome, he was the only person that made us feel welcomed. Wanted so badly to like this place but it was a let down. The mafalde pomodoro e burrata with shrimp. The pasta was nice quality and I could tell it was fresh, however the overall dish was incredibly bland, despite adding chili oil to try to get some form of flavor. Even the shrimp was missing flavor. I never add salt to food and I was tempted to ask for this dish. The people next to us asked for salt so we know it wasn’t just us. My husband got the chef special of the night but also seems to be on the menu, ossobuco with mushroom and truffle risotto. The ossobuco was flavorless and over cooked, yet the risotto was undercooked. The bill was $75 for two dishes and no drinks plus the tip. Note- there is also an additional 3% service fee add to the bill for food cost. Not sure if we went on an off night but we definitely will not be going back here since the quality didn’t match the price.

The pasta was too spicy and the spicy seasoning didn’t mesh well with the white wine I picked. The break was ok but the olive oil didn’t enhance the taste. The white wine was probably the highlight. I wish they did bottomless wine. The blonde woman working there says I talked too loud when I wanted to give honest feedback. She wasn’t open to any criticism or honest feedback and dismisses my feedback. She talks loud but dismisses me for talking as loud as her which makes zero sense.

Deborah Y

Overall this place is pretentious, overpriced, and underwhelming. The only reason why we are giving an extra star, is for the big guy with tattoos that was awesome, he was the only person that made us feel welcomed. Wanted so badly to like this place but it was a let down. The mafalde pomodoro e burrata with shrimp. The pasta was nice quality and I could tell it was fresh, however the overall dish was incredibly bland, despite adding chili oil to try to get some form of flavor. Even the shrimp was missing flavor. I never add salt to food and I was tempted to ask for this dish. The people next to us asked for salt so we know it wasn’t just us. My husband got the chef special of the night but also seems to be on the menu, ossobuco with mushroom and truffle risotto. The ossobuco was flavorless and over cooked, yet the risotto was undercooked. The bill was $75 for two dishes and no drinks plus the tip. Note- there is also an additional 3% service fee add to the bill for food cost. Not sure if we went on an off night but we definitely will not be going back here since the quality didn’t match the price.

Lab Lab

The pasta was too spicy and the spicy seasoning didn’t mesh well with the white wine I picked. The break was ok but the olive oil didn’t enhance the taste. The white wine was probably the highlight. I wish they did bottomless wine. The blonde woman working there says I talked too loud when I wanted to give honest feedback. She wasn’t open to any criticism or honest feedback and dismisses my feedback. She talks loud but dismisses me for talking as loud as her which makes zero sense.

Really wanted to like this restaurant and had been looking forward to trying it. Pros: Good pizza, so-so lasagna, robust red house wine, pleasant waiter. Cons: 6.30 on Thursday evening. Fairly busy. We were offered inside or outside. Noticed that the heaters were not on so opted for inside. 2 tables available along the wall; a 4 seater on the end and a 2 seater squashed between the free table and another occupied 4 seater. We asked if we could sit at the end 4 seater so that we could both sit on one side and both have a view of the restaurant. We were told smartly, no, that's for 4 people so I was resigned to looking at the produce shelves. We had been seated for about 10 minutes and before the food arrived, another 4 seater in centre of room became vacant. We asked if we could move - NO was the answer. Then another 4 seater became available but we were not given the option to move. This attitude is that of an unfriendly take it or leave it French restaurant - we should have left it and gone elsewhere. Of course, none of the 4 seaters were occupied the whole time we were there. Indeed when we left just after 7.30pm there were only 3 other tables occupied. We won't be back.... We

Gillian Pinsky

Really wanted to like this restaurant and had been looking forward to trying it. Pros: Good pizza, so-so lasagna, robust red house wine, pleasant waiter. Cons: 6.30 on Thursday evening. Fairly busy. We were offered inside or outside. Noticed that the heaters were not on so opted for inside. 2 tables available along the wall; a 4 seater on the end and a 2 seater squashed between the free table and another occupied 4 seater. We asked if we could sit at the end 4 seater so that we could both sit on one side and both have a view of the restaurant. We were told smartly, no, that's for 4 people so I was resigned to looking at the produce shelves. We had been seated for about 10 minutes and before the food arrived, another 4 seater in centre of room became vacant. We asked if we could move - NO was the answer. Then another 4 seater became available but we were not given the option to move. This attitude is that of an unfriendly take it or leave it French restaurant - we should have left it and gone elsewhere. Of course, none of the 4 seaters were occupied the whole time we were there. Indeed when we left just after 7.30pm there were only 3 other tables occupied. We won't be back.... We