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About

Monello, San Diego's premier Northern Italian restaurant, invites you to experience the authentic flavors of Italy in the heart of Little Italy. Our chefs craft traditional dishes with a modern twist, using only the freshest ingredients to create an unforgettable culinary journey. Join us for brunch and indulge in our signature dishes, such as our famous Italian-style eggs benedetto and our decadent pappardelle bolognese. Our extensive wine list features an impressive selection of Italian varietals, perfectly paired with our dishes to elevate your dining experience. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Little Italy, Monello is the perfect spot to gather with friends and family, or to enjoy a romantic evening out. Our cozy atmosphere and exceptional service ensure a memorable dining experience that will leave you wanting more. Visit us today at 750 W Fir St, San Diego, CA 92101 and discover the rich flavors and traditions of Northern Italian cuisine.

Monello Review Summary

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4.4
(1408 Reviews)
5
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1
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Jeff Mraz
Jeff Mraz -Google user
a month ago
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...Read More
Dinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Reservations recommended
Heidi Caballero
Heidi Caballero -Google user
2 months ago
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.
Dinner$30–50Atmosphere: 4Reservations recommendedNo wait
Mark Reams
Mark Reams -Google user
2 months ago
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...Read More
Lunch$20–30Atmosphere: 5Reservations not requiredQuiet, easy to talk
Rich Hill
Rich Hill -Google user
6 months ago
Monello Italian Restaurant is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with a perfect blend of modern elegance and classic Italian charm. The service was impeccable—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. But the real star of the show was...Read More
Dine inDinner$20–30Atmosphere: 5Cheese Wheel Pasta, Sauce
M Wong
M Wong -Google user
2 months ago
I loved my experience here. The dish I ordered was especially good, super creamy, fresh pasta, good service — I would come back in a heartbeat.
Dinner$30–50Atmosphere: 52 people, 3-4 peopleNo waitSomewhat difficult to find parking
Jade
Jade -Google user
4 months ago
It’s my birthday and I’ve been left absolutely speechless with the amount of amazing customer service and greeting all the way to the delicious food and ambiance. I absolutely will be coming back. I love the music the vibe and the food. I will be...Read More
Dine inDinner$100+Atmosphere: 5Perfect, Sauce
David Deckert
David Deckert -Google user
a year ago
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...Read More
Atmosphere: 5
Rod Doris
Rod Doris -Google user
a year ago
I can only speak for what I ate, but the cheese wheel pasta was AMAZING. FYI, the cheese wheel is no longer done at your table. My wife had the pizza and brought some of it back to the hotel with us. The ambiance is...Read More
Kevin Leverenz
Kevin Leverenz -Google user
a year ago
Amazing place. The tortellini al tartufo is absolutely amazing. The perfect amount of truffle. Most restaurants over saturate the flavor, but this was perfect. The music is good. The Aperol Spritz Italian classic is just as I had it in Venice, Italy. Definitely recommend. And...Read More
Kyle Tucker
Kyle Tucker -Google user
a year ago
Monello in Little Italy, San Diego may be a little pricey, but trust me, it's worth every penny. The meat and cheese platter is so good, it'll have you doing a happy dance in your seat. And don't even get me started on the cheese...Read More
Liza Rivas
Liza Rivas -Google user
Edited a year ago
Went in specifically to have the pasta made in a cheese wheel expecting for it to be made table side. (As a tourist) It is made inside by the window and they do let you know when it’s your pastas turn to be made in...Read More
Rahul Shah
Rahul Shah -Google user
a year ago
Dinner was fantastic! Pasta blended with the sauce perfectly. We are vegetarians and didn't struggle to find choices on the menu. Cocktails were really good too! They make a mean Espresso Martini. And if you like old fashions they have 4 specialty old fashions made...Read More
Kara Jones
Kara Jones -Google user
a year ago
Great food ! We had the Margherita pizza, a few pasta options along with a shared ceasar salad, and for our appetizer, the burrata and bread. The appetizer stole the show!
Mónica
Mónica -Google user
a month ago
the place is gorgeous and the waiters are very nice, the food is amazing, especially the ravioli and the torta caprese, which was perfection, the pizza was very good but it had too much cheese, all in all a wonderful experience
Atmosphere: 5
Diala Toufaili
Diala Toufaili -Google user
4 months ago
Wonderful atmosphere, tasty food , amazing staff , especially Mr James , he was absolutely wonderful. We had an amazing dinner . Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Lifestyleoftrucker (Lifestyle Of Trucker)
Lifestyleoftrucker (Lifestyle Of Trucker) -Google user
3 months ago
Great place , feels like ur in Italy 🇮🇹. I really loved it and recommend to everyone that loves Italian cuisine. I ordered this pasta that they make in a cheese bowl , tastes great worth the money you spent .
Dinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Moderate noiseUp to 10 min
Sabrina
Sabrina -Google user
9 months ago
Great meal! The octopus starter and the lobster bisque were both amazing. Plenty of accommodations for dietary restrictions, and you can look online for a full gluten-free menu. They offer the classic Italian pasta wheel, but unfortunately it wasn’t tableside so we didn’t get to...Read More
Atmosphere: 4Reservations recommendedLoud, but you can still talkNo special eventGluten-free pasta available, and a full list of which options are gluten-free online
Jessica Robinson
Jessica Robinson -Google user
11 months ago
Table was ready as requested with my special notes. Amazing staff refilled waters often, friendly, and checked on us a perfect amount. Food was delicious! Drinks were tasty! We got the Cherry Bomb and Summertime Slammer. Definitely recommend!
Dine inDinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Cheese Wheel Pasta
Bradley
Bradley -Google user
4 weeks ago
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....Read More
Dinner$10–20Atmosphere: 5No waitSomewhat recommend
Nicole Vilogi-DiPietro
Nicole Vilogi-DiPietro -Google user
Edited 4 weeks ago
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...Read More
Dinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5Reservations recommendedDifficult to find parking
Janmesh Dave
Janmesh Dave -Google user
2 weeks ago
We ordered pecorino cheese wheel pasta, margherita pizza and spaghetti pasta with 4 pepper sauce..all items were delicious..😋 Would definitely come back again from LA
Dinner$20–30Atmosphere: 5Moderate noiseNo waitHighly recommend
Janelle Vasquez
Janelle Vasquez -Google user
5 months ago
Service here is impeccable. Pasta is so delish! The Monello sauce and arrabiata sauce so tasty. Oh they have a lemon sorbet that's so smooth and tangy. My grandson and I enjoyed that for my birthday. We are lemon lovers . They were very accommodating...Read More
Dine inDinner$10–20Atmosphere: 5Lasagna Monello, Sauce, Caesar Salad, Spaghetti Carbonara
Enes Aydoğan
Enes Aydoğan -Google user
6 months ago
Monello is a great Italian dine-in restaurant. Their tartufo pizza is the BEST mushroom cheese pizza I have ever had in my life! Everything we tried was truly authentic and delicious.
Dine inLunch$50–100Atmosphere: 5Cheese Wheel Pasta, Tiramisu Al Nocino
Steph F
Steph F -Google user
2 weeks ago
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!
Dinner$50–100Atmosphere: 5Reservations recommendedNo wait
Derek Morrow
Derek Morrow -Google user
3 months ago
My fiancé and I found this place from a gal that we met doing the rock and roll race. It did not disappoint… The hostess was very accommodating and our server was just as helpful navigating the menu. The food was amazing. We got the melted...Read More
Lunch$50–100Atmosphere: 52 peopleNo wait
Nicole Eparvier
Nicole Eparvier -Google user
a year ago
The service at Monello is outstanding. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I had an early dinner (5pm) and service was so fast! I ordered the special of the week- pasta in a bell pepper sauce with meatballs- because it gets tossed in …
Art Kas
Art Kas -Google user
10 months ago
Monello was a wonderful experience! I called in to reserve for table for 4 because I hate using Yelp. We arrived right on the dot and was seated immediately. The atmosphere was excellent, staff was super friendly and our waiter was amazing! …
Caroline Salvatore
Caroline Salvatore -Google user
a month ago
While our whole experience here was wonderful, I’m leaving this review to highlight the carbonara. We were in San Diego for 4 nights and ate here the first night, and then ordered it for pickup again every night after that because it was all we...Read More
Atmosphere: 5
Alyssa Pacheco
Alyssa Pacheco -Google user
2 months ago
Came here for dinner with a friend visiting from out of town. The hostess Ana was friendly and we were seated right away. I got the breaded chicken with mashed potatoes and it was delicious! My friend got the cheese wheel pasta with shrimp …
Juan Villasenor
Juan Villasenor -Google user
3 months ago
This is a really nice restaurant with excellent food. You can truly taste the freshness in the pasta and ingredients, which makes a big difference. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, perfect for families. Our kids especially loved the pizza. Overall, it’s a great spot...Read More

Features

From the business

check icon Identifies as women-owned

Service options

check icon Outdoor seating
check icon Curbside pickup
check icon No-contact delivery
check icon Delivery
check icon Takeout
check icon Dine-in

Highlights

check icon Fast service
check icon Fireplace
check icon Great coffee
check icon Great dessert

Popular for

check icon Lunch
check icon Dinner
check icon Solo dining

Accessibility

check icon Wheelchair accessible elevator
check icon Wheelchair accessible entrance
check icon Wheelchair accessible parking lot
check icon Wheelchair accessible restroom
check icon Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

check icon Alcohol
check icon Beer
check icon Cocktails
check icon Coffee
check icon Comfort food
check icon Happy hour drinks
check icon Happy hour food
check icon Hard liquor
check icon Late-night food
check icon Small plates
check icon Vegetarian options
check icon Wine

Dining options

check icon Brunch
check icon Lunch
check icon Dinner
check icon Catering
check icon Dessert
check icon Seating

Amenities

check icon Bar onsite
check icon Restroom
check icon Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

check icon Casual
check icon Cozy
check icon Romantic
check icon Trendy
check icon Upscale

Crowd

check icon Family-friendly
check icon Groups
check icon LGBTQ+ friendly
check icon Tourists

Planning

check icon Dinner reservations recommended
check icon Accepts reservations

Payments

check icon Credit cards
check icon Debit cards
check icon NFC mobile payments

Children

check icon High chairs

Parking

check icon Free street parking
check icon Paid street parking

Other

check icon LGBTQ+ friendly
check icon Identifies as women-owned