What is it? Authentic Italian restaurant Cesarina is run by three Italian natives who send out incredible pasta dishes.
Why we love it: Based solely on the in-house pastificio (pasta factory) on display in their dining room, Cesarina knows its dough. Create your own pasta dish, or choose from one of their favorites such as pappardelle al brasata di manzo or paccheri vodka and scampi at this charming neighborhood Italian spot. Don’t skip on the antipasti options like beef carpaccio or calamari. Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful at Cesarina, where they have a separate vegan menu to make ordering easy. Save room for sweet treats including tiramisu or cannoli that’s prepared tableside.
Time Out tip: Reservations are strongly encouraged here since the dining room and patio are on the smaller side. Parking can be tricky in this area so plan to park a few streets away and walk over.
Address: 4161 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107
Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–3pm, 4–9:30pm; Fri noon–9:30pm; Sat, Sun 11am–9:30pm
Expect to pay: Entrees run in the $30-$40 range and antipasti is around $20 per dish.