We are located in the heart of la Jolla shores, a short walk from the beach. The Shores area has one short main street with a few stores and restaurants. It has the look and feel of a town square. In this simple but wonderfully comfortable setting, Osteria Romantica generates good feelings as one dines on its good food. The voices of Pavarotti and other famous singers emerge from the background, filling the room softly with operatic melodies. An outside patio provides seating for diners who wish to enjoy the sunny afternoons and cool La Jolla evenings.
Cozy, easygoing Italian eatery featuring a rustic vibe, traditional fare & food-friendly wines. Based on 621 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.5 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No-contact delivery
Address:
2151 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 551-1221
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 12–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 12–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 12–9 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
5–9 PM
Hours might differ
|
| Tuesday | 12–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 12–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
A. Nelson
Fantastic Italian food with a great atmosphere and staff. Our waiter was personable and attentive. The pasta was delicious and cooked perfectly. Plus a great location. I will definitely be back
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Madisyn Larson
This is such a cute and delicious place to eat!! We had originally planned to go to another restaurant but couldn’t pass up how good the food looked and smelled. Our food came out quickly and tasted amazing. The Fettuccine Ortolane is light and creamy and the vegetables were cooked to perfection. The Gnocchi Gratinati is decadent and so rich. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for authentic and yummy pasta!
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Daniela Sandoval
i loved it!! me and my friends went by for a beach lunch, and we felt amazing eating there. i had linguini and ravioli, and it was the best experience ever. everything was lovely, the service was great, and we felt very well attended to. will absolutely be recommending this place to everyone i know!
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Terri Arnold
Mediocre food at best. Ordered their burrata & tomato salad. The tomatoes were mealy and dry (there are gorgeous tomatoes in the markets now). We pointed it out to the server who said he would let the kitchen know but otherwise did nothing. This is a restaurant that does not care about the quality of food it serves. They should be embarrassed to serve such poor quality food. The pasta dishes and the risotto were fine but I have a hard time characterizing the meals as good. Go across the street to Piatti’s if you want a class restaurant and good food. We won’t be back.
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Emi Fukumura
Service was good and the wine prices were cheap. Pleasant atmosphere for a nice dinner. Bread was dense and didn’t feel cooked all the way through or stale. Bruschetta was fine. The bread still tasted stale but the pesto and tomatoes were great. The seafood on the seafood linguine was horrible. Most of the clams and mussels had gone bad and shrimp tasted frozen. The sauce was okay, a little boring, and the pasta was a little undercooked. The carbonara was delicious.
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Ruth P
My friend took me to this darling, apparently popular restaurant. Her being a regular there, they allowed us to sit in the back corner. The food was fantastic. The authentic Italian food was super rich in flavor with blends that cause your taste buds to get robustly excited.
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Dr. Ryan
One of the best lunches we have had in La Jolla. Food is excellent and service is impeccable. The gnocchi was creamy and perfectly cooked. The mushroom risotto was buttery. The salmon with asparagus, farfalle and vodka sauce was light delicious. Highly recommend.
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Mahsa pourhamzeh
This restaurant exceeded all expectations, providing an unforgettable culinary experience. The menu showcased a perfect blend of traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist, prepared with meticulous attention to detail and the finest ingredients. From the warm hospitality to the exceptional service, every aspect of the dining experience was remarkable, making it a must-visit for anyone craving an authentic taste of Italy.
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Jessica Perley
I can’t say enough good things about this place. The staff all speak Italian which is just so charming. They work hard and are so kind. The food, my gosh the food! I can’t get past the linguine nere. It is unspeakably good. The pasta is so clearly made from scratch. I can eat the entire plate without feeling bloated. They forgot the caviar this evening because they are crazy busy. It’s such a fun little touch to the dish. I was half way through before I realized. It’s worth driving around for a while to get the parking spot. Such a gem.
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Arianna Gaffney
good news is the food was delicious! the gnocchi was absolutely amazing. also our waiter was the best! he totally turned the night around.
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