Ristorante Illando is very cozy and cute restaurant located on the second level. My fish was really good and the fried calamari was delicious. The hostess and the waiter were very kind and helpful.

After perusing gluten-free options, this restaurant popped up on Yelp and I'm so glad that I found it. One of my friends is gluten-free so it's nice that restaurants are starting offer pasta for those with intolerances. Carol was our server and she was so kind and warm. She was very quick to take our drink orders and refill our waters. The service was exceptional and everything came out in a timely manner. We ordered some margaritas and palomas and they were very citrusy and refreshing. These cocktails were made with sabe rice wine and I pleasantly surprised how boozy these were. It was my first time trying this spirit and it complemented the flavors of the margarita well! On to the food! We ordered an appetizer to share and the octopus was sooo good! Crispy exterior and perfectly seasoned but still so tender! We ordered two regular pastas to share and one gluten-free pasta to share amongst four people. We had the tortelloni, carbonara, and pappardelle bolognese. You can definitely tell the pasta was made in house. The texture was perfect, nice and springy and soaked up the flavorful sauces perfectly. The portions were also quite generous which we definitely appreciated. The gluten free pasta was so good, we couldn't even tell the difference between regular pasta! I also have to say the pancetta here is so melt in your mouth tender and has the right amount of flavor. You have a choice to sit in the back patio or upstairs. We opted for the back patio since we wouldn't have a limited amount of time dining but I did get to peep inside and it was really small and cozy. The back patio was really spacious and cute also! I would definitely recommend making reservations since this place seems to fill up pretty quickly! What a lovely dining experience, I look forward to returning again soon!

Luca was an incredible server, with a kind, calming voice and endless patience as he guided us through the menu. He was attentive and genuinely helpful, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. The bruschetta was out of this world--so good it practically melted in my mouth. I could rave about the rest of the meal, but I'd probably end up eating my phone. Do yourself a favor and check it out!

I've been coming to San Diego (from Washington) for years now JUST to make my way through the menu here and it has never disappointed. The food is absolutely incredible, and the service has always matched it. Our server Carol was phenomenal this latest time--wine recommendation, service, accommodation, she was the second highlight of our trip. Can't wait for our next visit and hopefully we get her! I'm super glad they kept the extra seating on the road through COVID. As much as we love the interior upstairs (it's gorgeous, chic, and well-lit) the weather is so perfect in SD. People watching is fun, and the little area they've carved out is honestly just as enjoyable. Huge thanks again to Carol for being super friendly and honestly one of the best parts of our regular visits. We'll be back!

The salmon was incredible and the service was even better. This was the first time coming here and Luca gave me all of the recommendations and he did not disappoint. His last recommendation was the tiramisu which I usually do not like. It was lights out, like no other. The vibe was the exact kind of place I love to eat at and felt super comfortable and relaxed.

Ristorante Illando, located above Landi's Pizzeria in Little Italy, provides a romantic setting perfect for a date night. They offer Happy Hour specials Monday through Thursday from 4PM to 6PM. During our visit on a Monday at 4PM, we started with the Calamari Fritti as our appetizer. It was crispy, well-seasoned with a hint of spice from the fried jalapeños and topped with shrimp. The complimentary bread with vinaigrette and olive oil was a nice touch to kick off our meal. The Grapefruit Paloma from the drink menu was refreshing, but I would suggest adding some cocktails to the Happy Hour menu vs just having beers and wine. The Spaghetti allo Scoglio was a delightful seafood dish bursting with the flavors of the sea, it has clams, mussels, and shrimp. The Fettuccini Gamberi e Pancetta was also outstanding, with its creamy sauce and bacon adding a delicious touch. Our server, Carol, was attentive and friendly, making our dining experience truly memorable. We have now added Ristorante Illando to our list of favorite Italian restaurants in San Diego. We will definitely be coming back.

Ristorante Illando is a charming Tuscan trattoria (family owned neighborhood restaurant) with an intimate, second-story dining room and a quaint sidewalk patio in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood. SERVICE Moderately paced, attentive, and friendly. At night the host was outside and in front. FOOD My disappointment that the ossobucco ran out was quickly overcome by what was delivered. 5/5 Lamb chops (grilled perfectly tender with subtle hints of rosemary and thyme) and nicely sautéed vegetables 4.5/5 Lobster ravioli: creamy filling and vodka sauce with noticeable lobster chunks I'm impressed with this experience, and will return!

Great authentic Italian food in town. We came on prime dinner time and somehow still got seated promptly outdoor without a reservation. But I highly recommend to make a reservation since this restaurant is tiny. I think we just got lucky. The food is absolutely amazing. Freshly baked bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar is always appreciated, so already we were off to a good start. We started off with the burrata con prosciutto crudo, which paired super well with the bottle of pinot we had. I ordered the lobster ravioli and it was one of the creamiest past I've had. The tiramisu is also to die for. We dined outside, but the indoor seating is also very romantic, so definitely a great dating spot. Service was also on point. Despite how busy they were, we were promptly checked every so often. Parking in downtown San Diego is an absolute nightmare. There are no good parking spots, so you will just have to bite the bullet and pay for parking somewhere. Of note this restaurant is VERY hard to find. The main entrance to the actual restaurant is right next to the pizza shop and the actual restaurant is upstairs.

Awesome experience, Luca went above and beyond, definitely check them out if youre in the area.