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Italian
Delivery
Take-out
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Offers a vegan section in the menu of Italian dishes. Includes vegan caprese, caponata, pesto and puttanesca pasta. Menu options are clearly marked. Open Mon-Fri 12:00pm-3:00pm, 4:30pm-9:30pm, Sat-Sun 10:00am-9:30pm.
26 Reviews
First Review by realrachelsd
Lj-ezee
Points +192
5-Star Rated Vegan Italian Food - Edit
Fun for everyone!! Serves high quality, tasteful-Italian food (vegan & non-vegan), fresh house made focaccia breads, plethora of pastas, sauces, salads, deserts, mock tails & full bar. Dine indoor or outdoor, appeared pet friendly because 2 dogs were chillin on patio. Friendly staff, jazzy music, upbeat pleasant environment. Reservations recommended, it’s a very busy restaurant.
Read moreGuest
CuriousDeer
Points +119
Treat yourself, at least once - Edit
Quality food, friendly atmosphere and service, to go boxes are usually paper. Expensive but worth it when you have the money. Fun to try different noodles , good variety for that part, vegan menu section is pretty good (of course that's because many places have only 1-2 options, here it's 4-6) .
Read moreOverall very nice but as others noted , make a reservation.
Pros: Friendly kind staff, Not like most Italian places , Small but Clear vegan menu
Cons: Not sure if free bread is vegan , Very expensive , Busy, cramped
Guest
sarahashleymc
Points +302
The BEST Italian food I have ever had! - Edit
Wow. I am absolutely blown away with this place. Most of their homemade pasta is vegan and tastes so good. It is fresh to order and tons of vegan pasta sauces and topping options. It gets incredibly busy- I recommend a reservation!
Read morePros: Delicious food, Fun, unique environment , Knowledgeable staff
Cons: Long wait, reservation encouraged
Guest
k_robsss
Points +1050
Best Italian food in SD - Edit
I absolutely LOVE Cesarina! The best Italian pasta dishes I have had in San Diego. There are other great vegan options (and dessert) as well. Such a cute restaurant #Veganuary
Read moreGuest
jcartz
Points +361
Authentic Italian cuisine - Edit
All the handmade pastas are vegan. The dishes are made with care and you can tell they really care to accommodate vegans. I had the romesco and vodka and it was incredible! My partner had the lasagna. Our meal was so good and the service was wonderful. Would recommend for a cute romantic date night.
Read morePros: Ambiance, Dishes, Staff
Guest
AlejandraSanchez-Rios
Points +23
Great Italian food - Edit
There are more than just one vegan option, there is like 6. And the vegan lasagna is very good. It also has very good vegetarian options
Read morePros: Burrata cheese, Mushroom sauce , Vegan lasagna
Cons: I wish they had a vegan appetizer
Guest
veganmagick
Points +136
Made with Love - Edit
Truly outstanding food. We had the vegan baked pasta of the day (eggplant lasagne) and bucatini with romesco vodka sauce. Absolute perfection, could taste the love. The servers seemed to have such pride in their work and the restaurant.
Read morePros: Authentic cuisine, Friendly service, Endless bread baskets
Guest
wandering44
Points +154
Great spot - Edit
This place had a great atmosphere and staff! They have a dedicated section of vegan options an a few around the rest of the menu. The tomato soup was amazing and the ravioli was really good . The food is fancy and priced accordingly but that is part of the charm of this place .
Read morePros: Experience , Presentation
Cons: Vegan tiramisu
Guest
GSP60
Points +45
Awesome vegan lasagna - Edit
Great selection on vegan options. Lasagna to die for.
Read morePros: Options , Have a few walk-in spaces
Cons: Good to make reservations
Guest
LorraineGadsden
Points +7041
Veg Italian! - Edit
We ordered the caprese, two pasta dishes, tiramisu, and gelato. Everything was tasty and fresh. There are many vegan options, and the staff is very vegan-aware.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-01-29
Guest
bbgv711
Points +27
Lack of fresh cheez - Edit
Some aspects of Cesarina exceeded expectations, such as the fungi pasta, and table service bread without butter, opting for fresh tomato sauce instead. However, notably disappointing (and super expensive at $18) was the caprese salad with “Follow Your Heart” cheez. After receiving the plate, I asked for more details, thinking I’d seen “fresh” on the menu. Fortunately for them, it didn’t say “fresh” but at this price point, I was seriously disappointed that we received some chopped tomatoes and one slice of Follow Your Heart mozzarella cut into six thin pieces. Do not order this salad until they change the offering to fresh cheez. The other noticeable issue was a preference for serving Omni customers- their tiramisu was delicious, but came fully plated whereas Omni tiramisu was constructed at the table for the customers. Otherwise the pasta was delicious, but a few issues given the price and popularity was a big disappointment to me!
Read morePros: Delicious fresh pasta , Knowledgeable staff, Clearly marked vegan menu
Cons: Expensive, Lack of attention to detail with vegan cheez , Seemed to emphasize the Omni experience
Guest
dea_larissa
Points +771
THIS PLACE IS A VEGAN’S DREAM - Edit
They have a separate vegan menu…not just like one or two, but all the pasta options, desserts, you name it. I begged to go for Valentine’s Day and my whole omnivore family LOVED it!
Read moreGuest
LuckyAng
Points +76
Such a treat! - Edit
Pricier than we spend on dinners out, but we received a gift certificate from generous friends. Our dinner at Cesarina was perfect. There was a vegan menu section that was clearly marked with lots of options. The vegan lasagna with lentils was flavorful and satisfying, and the tiramisu was beautiful. The atmosphere was relaxed and warm. We never felt rushed, and we never felt forgotten. Definitely a worthwhile splurge for future special occasions.
Read morePros: Warm, relaxed atmosphere , Knowledgeable staff and great service
Cons: Expensive
Guest
Kirsses
Points +736
Great Tiramisu - Edit
We only stopped in to try the vegan tiramisu, but we ended up ordering the vegan gelato as well.
Read moreI’ve never like tiramisu before, both non-vegan and vegan. I’ve tried it time and time again. This is the first time I’ve enjoyed it. Their tiramisu is light, not too sweet, and perfectly soft with a bit of crispness. The sorbet paired well with it.
Great environment to grab a drink/dessert with a friend. #Veganuary
Pros: Beautiful Interior , Friendly Workers, Bar Seating
Cons: Very Busy, Minimal Parking
Guest
VeganHappy334
Points +154
Delicious vegan Italian food - Edit
Visiting from out of town and found this on Happy Cow. Went on a Wednesday evening without a reservation. Place was full so we sat at the bar. Finding the place was difficult due to no signage from the street. Despite all this, it was well worth the effort. I had the Puttanesca and my BF hade the lasagna of the day - both were amazing and we will definitely be back!
Read morePros: Some of the best Italian food I have had, Great service, takes time to explain the dishes
Cons: No parking, Busy, Expensive, but worth it!
Guest
ericagb
Points +34
BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN SAN DIEGO - Edit
Half a page is vegan menu. I had the vegan lasagna and it was amazing. My non vegan friends loved the place too. Everything just tastes so fresh and rich. Also the vegan tiramisu was out of this world.
Read moreGuest
Linzilady17
Points +480
The best Italian food Ever!! - Edit
Courtney was our amazing server and she let us know about all the gluten-free options on the vegan exclusive menu! We had the pesto with gluten-free penne,the funghi with gluten-free spaghetti, the Cesarina salad and a side of Polpette vegan gluten-free (lentil meatballs)…. Everything was delicious and incredible! they definitely do not disappoint with amazing flavor with options that we can eat! As Courtney said there was no compromise in flavor and options!!
Read morePros: A whole vegan menu, Lots of gluten-free options, Incredible service
Cons: None
Guest
KaleSeitan
Points +141
Vegan San Diego is no joke. You are made to feel welcomed, full and happy - Edit
The menu is set up like a travel guide to vegan happiness where you can stop anywhere you want and indulge in the decadent pasta selection rivaling Rome
Read morePros: Vegan Menu, Happy helpful service , Try the parm and the baked pasta
Cons: Not cheap - it’s a family dinner, Must book ahead , Worth the trip
Guest
gayesf
Points +25
Fabuloso! - Edit
One of my favorite restaurants in San Diego! A whole section of the menu is devoted to vegan selections. Food is Northern Italian. Atmosphere is upscale European. Many of the Wait staff are Italian. Nice wine list. Very knowledgeable staff. Charming restaurant. It was our anniversary last time we were in, and we were greeted at the table with two glasses of Prosecco sparkling in the candlelight. Food is outstanding. Great chef. #Veganuary
Read moreGuest
comradcluck
Points +89
Don't wait - GO HERE - Edit
This was quite literally one of the best meals I've ever had. The service, atmosphere, food, and drinks were amazing. Don't wait to go here.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-06-03
Updated from previous review on 2021-06-03
Pros: Full vegan menu
Cons: Expensive but worth it
Guest
socalguy27
Points +84
5 star Italian experience - Edit
If you are looking for an authentic Italian experience... look no further... In short, a dozen vegan options and the best Italian food in San Diego, perhaps greater.
Read moreI can not say enough good things. Even during covid, the service and experience are amazing!
Guest
jbg
Points +35
Serious Vegan Options - Edit
The food is very tasty and I love that they have a full vegan Italian menu. Great choice if you are dining with non-vegans. Everyone will be happy, except the cow.
Read moreGuest
KatieLittlepage
Points +149
Nice vegan menu - Edit
Lots of vegan options. I came for lunch on a Saturday and service was very fast. I ordered the vegan Norma. You can tell the pasta, sauce and veggies are made from scratch and they are delicious! I was disappointed in the vegan mozzarella on top. It didn’t taste very good — maybe Diaya? I’d still come back though. I’m curious to try their vegan pesto next time!
Read morePros: Pasta made from scratch, Fast and friendly service , Dog friendly patio
Cons: I didn’t like the vegan mozzarella
Guest
veggies+sunshine
Points +131
Veganissimo - Edit
Italian comfort food! Literally an amazing Italian woman is making the pasta and cannolis in the window! Fabulous setting, no confusion on what you can and can’t eat, fresh pasta and bread made daily, insanely delicious!! Make a reservation, sit outside, la dolce vita!!!
Read morePros: Vegan section to the menu, Vegan dessert, Insanely fresh flavors
Guest
KellyBone
Points +2749
Vegan Pasta for All - Edit
A lovely space with lots of vegan options. Clearly a popular birthday spot (you will definitely hear singing durning your dinner).
Read morePros: Clearly Marked Vegan Options
Cons: Parking
Guest
realrachelsd
Points +131
Super cute family owned and operated. The chef does table-side vegan tiramisu - Edit
Went for dinner with my boyfriend and 2 friends. Had a lot of fun and food was fantastic!
Read morePros: Full vegan menu , Friendly staff, Great atmosphere
Guest
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