Tami Apland

The food and service here are both outstanding. The bread was amazing, the tomato sauce was flavorful, the noodles were fresh. The service was divine as well. Fast, welcoming, friendly and accommodating. It felt like we were dining in a family’s home! 10/10 would recommend, and will definitely be back.

Brian Pacheco

Very beautiful part of La Jolla especially for dinner if you sit outside where you can see the sunset off the Coast. Food was very well portioned and fantastic pricing.

David Ray

Food - 10/10. Best lasagna l've ever had. Best minestrone soup l've ever had. Excellent Italian wine menu. I could eat here once a week if I could. Service - Everyone seems to get a long and work together to get the job done. All servers spoke to me instead of just one. People constantly checked on me. I will say that when I first entered I waited about 5 minutes before anyone spoke to me and even when I sat down it took another 5 minutes before a menu was given to me or anyone speaking to me. However, I contribute it to everyone being busy. Nevertheless, everyone was pleasant! Ambiance - it's a very cozy restaurant. I loved how simple but well decorated everything was. It was a warm environment. It's perfect for a cute date night or just a family dinner one Sunday evening. The live pianist absolutely contributed to the overall experience.

Michael Kenning

We ate an early dinner here and were impressed with the open, cheery atmosphere as well as the attention we received. The food was excellent and appropriately priced for the portion sizes. We would recommend to anyone in the La Jolla area for lunch or dinner.

Sharon Burkholder

I thought I was back in Italy! Absolutely amazing from the food to the service to the Italian to the live piano music to the known locals coming in! I enjoyed the fettuccine con Pollo, my son loved the steak and fries, the pizza and pasta e fagioli soup, and the pasta/seafood dish. What a great night!

Alexa Valenzuela

Amazing food, amazing service everything was great 10/10 recommend!! 👌👌

Raylee Hostetler

Food was Amazing! Sauce was light and delicious, seafood was tender and the wine was tasty. Will be out go to Italian spot whenever we visit! I did substitute my red sauce for Alfredo but a family member got the tomato sauce and both were yummy! Also got the chocolate truffle gelato for dessert.. did not disappoint!

Muthoni Sein

I discovered Cafe Milano last summer and I’ve been back multiple times! You can really taste Chef Pasquale’s love in the food and feel Sandra’s warmth within the restaurant’s ambience. I’ve tried a few dishes with different friends, I love seeing their faces light up when they take bite of their pasta and the desserts. My favorites are the canoleni and lobster ravioli. They taste like you’re receiving a very warm hug 🤗. The tiramisu is also 10/10.

Dai Davies

We booked again, Saturday evening 7:00pm after a 4 year gap. Great news it hasn’t changed one bit. Traditional and truly 100% authentic. It was buzzing. Wonderful warm ‘welcome back’ from Le Patron and his staff. Quality food…my wife loves the egg plant… and good wine 🍷. An Italian oasis in La Jolla.

Ankita Aparajita

Takes you back to the streets of Italy,authentic homemade recipes by this family owned restaurant.. not greasy and heavy cheese loaded like most Other places..Tiramisu is the best you will ever have in US( we have been also ordering a full cake for birthdays since past 3 years)

hearty J

WOW. This place is the BEST ITALIAN FOOD I’ve had since I went to Italy 10 years ago. Just amazing. SO amazing that I’m sad I’m an out of towner and can’t eat here every week! Luigi is so cute and funny, and our waiter who’s name I didn’t get was so pleasant and sweet. She really was awesome. 🥰I LOVEEEEEE THIS PLACE! I ordered the tortellini with prosciutto and peas. 💯🔥🔥🔥🔥 🤤

Excellent service. Warm and friendly. Food is exquisite. Portions are hearty. Lovely atmosphere. You will not be disappointed.

Possibly the best Italian food I’ve ever had. Very quaint family owned restaurant. The waitress told me everything is homemade. I wish I could eat here again!

Just found this place and we are so glad that we did. We were seated and served by Pasquale, the owner. Huge menu with great descriptions. We had the Mozarella Caprese as an appetizer, along with bread, made daily, onsite. They had several specials to offer. My husband went for the Eggplant Lasagna and I went with the Pollo Francese. My husband's was gone in no time and playfully, Pasquale asked what happened 😂. Dessert was Tiramisu, Cannoli's and cheesecake. We had a glass of Moscato with our dessert and definitely plan to return

Had date night here, super cute mom and pop shop. the home made lasagna was so good! and had wonderful wine choices :)

We went for dinner as family, 4 adults and two kids. People who run that place are so kind and lovely. It's like you are in Milano Italy for real. Food was so good. Definitely coming back for more of that delicious food and that Italian warmth.

I had the pleasure of dining at cafe Milano tonight with my daughter. As soon as we walked in we were made to feel like we were family. There was gentleman was playing piano and the restaurant had a home like feeling. Pasquale and his team could not have been more attentive and pleasant. They brought out bread with a dipping glaze. The bread was warm and fresh. I had veal Parmesan and my daughter had fettuccine Alfredo. The fettuccine was homemade and the veal was tender. I never touched my knife. It was a great experience from start to finish. Thank you Pasquale and team for a fantastic time. We will be back.

Goran Rajkovic

We went for dinner as family, 4 adults and two kids. People who run that place are so kind and lovely. It's like you are in Milano Italy for real. Food was so good. Definitely coming back for more of that delicious food and that Italian warmth.

Julie Rowan

Just found this place and we are so glad that we did. We were seated and served by Pasquale, the owner. Huge menu with great descriptions. We had the Mozarella Caprese as an appetizer, along with bread, made daily, onsite. They had several specials to offer. My husband went for the Eggplant Lasagna and I went with the Pollo Francese. My husband's was gone in no time and playfully, Pasquale asked what happened 😂. Dessert was Tiramisu, Cannoli's and cheesecake. We had a glass of Moscato with our dessert and definitely plan to return

Joe Gentilucci

I had the pleasure of dining at cafe Milano tonight with my daughter. As soon as we walked in we were made to feel like we were family. There was gentleman was playing piano and the restaurant had a home like feeling. Pasquale and his team could not have been more attentive and pleasant. They brought out bread with a dipping glaze. The bread was warm and fresh. I had veal Parmesan and my daughter had fettuccine Alfredo. The fettuccine was homemade and the veal was tender. I never touched my knife. It was a great experience from start to finish. Thank you Pasquale and team for a fantastic time. We will be back.

Maria Gentilucci

Just left cafe Milano and safe to say this is the best Italian food in San Diego. The owner and staff were absolutely incredible and didn’t miss a beat. I will be back and recommend to everyone I know.

Cafe Milano was a great little spot to pop in and have lunch. It is home made Italiano cuisine. Each dish had a very authentic flavor. We did request our dishes to be made spicier and they were happy to accommodate. My favorite part was the Chocolate Truffle! It was picturesque and mouth watering. We would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a very reasonably priced, freshly prepared meal, in a cute inviting atmosphere.

Cute little family owned Italian restaurant. Service was outstanding as well as the atmosphere. There's a piano and guitar player that makes dining experience memorable. You are greeted w a nice bread basket and yummy balsamic. Wish we also had olive oil and Romano cheese to dip their delicious bread. We ordered fried calamari, lasagna was good, spaghetti pepe rosso was yummy, pasta fruti di mare full of well seasoned seafood. I ordered spaghetti bolognese and was a bit disappointing...the sauce was a bit watery.. but otherwise, a great meal. For desert, we ordered the tiramisu, which was delicious, the lemon sorbet, which was refreshing, and the yummy canollis.

Tiff Wignall

Cafe Milano was a great little spot to pop in and have lunch. It is home made Italiano cuisine. Each dish had a very authentic flavor. We did request our dishes to be made spicier and they were happy to accommodate. My favorite part was the Chocolate Truffle! It was picturesque and mouth watering. We would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a very reasonably priced, freshly prepared meal, in a cute inviting atmosphere.

Astrid McD

Cute little family owned Italian restaurant. Service was outstanding as well as the atmosphere. There's a piano and guitar player that makes dining experience memorable. You are greeted w a nice bread basket and yummy balsamic. Wish we also had olive oil and Romano cheese to dip their delicious bread. We ordered fried calamari, lasagna was good, spaghetti pepe rosso was yummy, pasta fruti di mare full of well seasoned seafood. I ordered spaghetti bolognese and was a bit disappointing...the sauce was a bit watery.. but otherwise, a great meal. For desert, we ordered the tiramisu, which was delicious, the lemon sorbet, which was refreshing, and the yummy canollis.

We ordered melezane for an appetizer. The basil was fresh, and the eggplant was cooked well. However, the cuscinetti de pollo (day special, according to the owner) was too salty. The grounded chicken in the pasta had a pungent odor and sticky texture, which means the meat was not fresh. We also ordered a fettucini con pollo, but it was very oily and salty, too. Chicken slices also had the same odor. I was very looking forward to trying the desserts (tiramisu) before ordering, but after eating the food, I had lost all my appetite. Will not return again.

Rachel

We ordered melezane for an appetizer. The basil was fresh, and the eggplant was cooked well. However, the cuscinetti de pollo (day special, according to the owner) was too salty. The grounded chicken in the pasta had a pungent odor and sticky texture, which means the meat was not fresh. We also ordered a fettucini con pollo, but it was very oily and salty, too. Chicken slices also had the same odor. I was very looking forward to trying the desserts (tiramisu) before ordering, but after eating the food, I had lost all my appetite. Will not return again.

Racist Owner ‼️ Don’t let his senior age dupe you. We had a very uncomfortable experience here due to the owner’s behavior. I am brown-skinned, my wife is white, and we were dining with my parents. From the start, the owner treated our table with clear indifference—rushing us, throwing silverware down, grabbing menus quickly, and making us feel unwelcome. What made it obvious was seeing other (white) tables being treated warmly and patiently at the same time. The contrast was impossible to ignore. He was dismissive and unequal treatment was clear. I would strongly caution people of color and mixed families before dining here. I want to be fair, this review is about experience and not the food.

F A

Racist and deeply disrespectful owner 🤮 The owner handled and shoved my wife’s stroller while our baby was inside, without asking permission. The stroller was locked, and instead of speaking to us, he tried to force it aside to “make space” for another table. When I confronted him, he did apologize—but it was clearly out of fear, not sincerity. No one should ever touch or shake a stroller with a baby inside, especially without consent. I strongly warn people of color and families with children to avoid this place.

F A

Racist Owner ‼️ Don’t let his senior age dupe you. We had a very uncomfortable experience here due to the owner’s behavior. I am brown-skinned, my wife is white, and we were dining with my parents. From the start, the owner treated our table with clear indifference—rushing us, throwing silverware down, grabbing menus quickly, and making us feel unwelcome. What made it obvious was seeing other (white) tables being treated warmly and patiently at the same time. The contrast was impossible to ignore. He was dismissive and unequal treatment was clear. I would strongly caution people of color and mixed families before dining here. I want to be fair, this review is about experience and not the food.