Definitey would recommend 5 stars to this hole in the wall establishment. Even had a moment to myself while devouring the delicious fresh bread. The family that ow s the place are very welcoming and warm as well. I ordered the Lasagne and Tiramisu. Although I had a hard debate whether or not to get more bread or order dessert!
Fantastic experience! As we entered the patio we were immediately greeted by our server. He treats you like long-lost Italian relatives and only wants to share with you the best, authentic meal. Likewise, repeat customers are addressed by name. We ordered the mussels (pictured), the nights special of tortellini, and pasta. Everything was amazing. I would highly recommend saving pieces of bread for the end to soak up remaining flavors from the dish!
Great food and amazing service. A great quiet place to dine. I hate to compliment cuz itll mean more customers but have to give it its due!
Top notch food, service, and experience!! Had a business dinner here with 15 people. The owner and staff went above and beyond! The wine recommendations were spot on! The food was incredible! The atmosphere was perfect! Highly recommend!
Wonderful Italian food! All of our food was amazing, the bread and pesto, appetizer, soup, salad, pasta, and dessert. Service was attentive and friendly. Such a great find!
Took a chance for a client dinner on a recommendation from a friend and what I found was a great value for Authentic Italian Classics served in generous portions. Our server made the ultimate difference guiding us towards dishes that were standouts among the menu. The first of what will guaranteed be many return visits with family and friends!
Delicious italian food. Seriously reminded me of being back in Italy. I had the lobster ravioli. First starters I had the mist salad. All very good. Service was attentive. I highly recommend a visit. For dessert I had tiramisu.
My family has been ordering from here since I was a little kid! I used to exclusively order their pasta bolognese (highly recommend this if you eat meat!) but ordered something else for my birthday last night and it was incredible! Definitely one of the best (and my favorite) Italian restaurants in La Jolla. The bread is delicious as well so don’t forget about that either! If you’re thinking of stopping in for a meal or takeout don’t hesitate!!! You won’t be disappointed.
Best lasagna of my life hands down. And I eat alot of lasagna! Great setup, pretty patio, & a personal, dedicated staff
We visited in mid November when we were on vacation in San Diego. Our waitress was absolutely incredible. So nice, so knowledgeable and made us feel welcomed. My husband couldnt decide on what to order and asked her to surprise him. They went over and above to ensure it was something hed really like and he loved it.I really wish we lived locally as I would easily become a regular here.Next time were in La Jolla, we most definitely will be back.
This is my favorite place in La Jolla. The food is delicious, the owner treats you like family, and the wine selection is good. I went there for my birthday dinner and had the best time. It provided an authentic Italian experience!
Small eating gem in La Jolla. Great atmosphere, incredible service and great dishes.
The mushroom appetizer and lobster risotto is amazing!!! The salmon is delicious as well. It was super moist and cooked to perfection. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. Everyone is treated like they are home. It is in a quite corner of the area so not too busy or noisy. Great for an intimate dinner. The prices are reasonable for the quality that you get. I would easily have paid more for my food. I highly recommend this place and will definitely go back over and over.
Fantastic Italian food, very quiet restaurant. Way better than NYC
Fantastic place! Had Valentines Day dinner here and the food was magnificent. The scenery is great, awesome authentic pictures on the walls and the pasta and bread gets two thumbs up. I would recommend to anyone!
I went with my mom and son, we all had a great time with the food, service and atmosphere. The bottle of wine was superb. The entrees were excellent and the tiramisu was the best we ever had. I will go again every time I visit La Jolla. My mom who lived in Italy especially enjoyed the experience.
I dont know why more people dont know about this place - probably because its on the quieter side of downtown La Jolla without as much around. Easily one of the best Italian dinners weve had in San Diego. The Caprese was fresh, the bread delicious with an amazing basil olive oil dip. Lobster ravioli was divine, and my simple chicken rigatoni was incredibly flavorful. No kids menu but plenty of food to share with our 1 year old.
Stumbled onto restaurant after getting off the beach, great food and service. Very nice outside dining area.
My #Italian #family never tasted any more Heavenly! #foodporn #sandiego #lajolla
My 8 year old son and I read the reviews on this place and decided to check it out while staying in La Jolla and let me tell you the lasagna was absolutely delicious (best I’ve ever had) that my kid kept bringing up how good it was later that day. The waitress was very friendly and the owner also acknowledged that we were there so it made us feel like valued customers. The prices are reasonable too. We will definitely be back when visiting San Diego. Highly recommend!!
Pazzo! Seto! Fantastico! I have been coming to Bistro Pazzo for years and years, simply the best Italian food ever, I have never had less than a perfect meal here. A small, intimate setting, indoors or out, on a quiet side street of La Jolla, perfect for a short walk to the sea after. Seto and his family make you feel so welcomed, and feel so like family that my brother and I eat here as a Christmas tradition.You have to start with the bread, its so crispy and perfecto. I always get the Caesar Salad, because its yummy. I admit I have several favorites, and theyre all so good I almost need to bring a 6 sided die to make a final selection. The Rodfathers Meat-a-balls, well, what can you say, the ragu and meatballs takes me back to my mothers own recipe, tastes like home, I ask to add extra garlic, and its heaven. The Vongole, spaghetti and clams in white wine sauce is superb every time I have it, I never really trusted to eat clams until coming here, save some bread to polish the bowl. I just love the Pollo Scarpariello, a delicate red sauce combined with chicken breast, sausage and red bell peppers, I think Frank himself might have blessed it!I moved up north a year ago, and returned last month for a visit, was in town for only 5 nights, of the so many great restaurants in La Jolla, San Diego, heck the southern hemisphere; I ate here twice. Love it, thank you Seto! I might have to move back...
We came in 4 of us (two adults, two kids) and we ordered 4 separate meals - seafood pasta (amazing), pasta Bolognese (yummy) but for our surprise, the best dish was our kid’s - Alfredo - the best we ever had (and with a generous portions and outstanding service). Much Better then all the other tourists trap around the area ….
We were a little nervous as all the other restaurants had long waits to get in. We called and were able to get seated right away. Group of 7. Amazing food service, we plan to come again.
My sister and her husband have been coming here for years and now I know why! It was a beautiful evening for dining on the patio and the owner makes everyone feel at home with family. Great food, great time, great staff.
I found this absolutely delicious restaurant by accident wandering La Jolla and I’m so glad I stopped in! The food totally wowed me with its Italian authenticity and service was personable making you feel right at home. My server gave me a suggestion for a restaurant I went to that night in San Deigo that is one the best dinners I’ve ever had! This place is totally worth the visit for a comfortable, and unforgettable meal off the busy costal streets.
Great atmosphere and service! The food was amazing 10/10 would recommend.
1st timers. Good job overall. Owner Seto was the only host & Server, his young 20s daughter came to help him once full. Soups & hot apps (Lasagna) & entrees kinda warm only, not piping hot. He “forgot” a drink for us & salads for the table next door (& they regulars even). Clearly Seto needs help. Dishes kinda with homemade qualities. Would return.
The food is amazing, the service exceptional, great wine list, and the atmosphere is wonderful! Spend some time talking with the owner - hes knowledgeable on food and wine, has great stories, and is one of the nicest people that Ive had the pleasure of knowing. If you want a great dining experience, this is the place!
Perfection. When you’re ready to get (slightly) off the main drag come find this hidden gem. We devoured our food- my 7 year old who only eats pasta stole my minestrone soup- and processed to inhale 2 bowls of it. Reminds me of Italy. Fantastic food, charming hosts, lovely outdoor dining in La Jolla. We’ll be back.
First things first, great location! Close walk from the beach, near the art galleries, and outdoor seating. The prices are good and the portions matched. The food was fresh, authentic. I wouldnt say its the most amazing chicken marsala Ive ever had, but it was really good. Their beer selection leaves much to be desired. They only have Peroni and Corona Light, and no that does not mean they have Corona.
We traveled to this bistro based on the reviews and we were not disappointed. My kids are foodies and they were raving. We had the minestrone soup, theRigatoni ai 4 Formaggi, the spaghetti with clams and the limoncello dessert. All was wonderful! Service was great. And the restaurant was very clean. We will definately be back. Just a great authentic Italian meal.
A wonderful food, we always there because we really feeling we are in siciliano restaurant. Professional chief, very not ce services and cozy place. I just want to say thank you Mr. Seto
The food was good. The waiter was nice and helpful. The decoration and outside view are lovely. The size of the pasta I ordered wasnt as big as I hoped but it wasnt small. The prices were a bit high but reasonable for a classy restaurant.
Absolutely outstanding Italian food. Fresh ingredients and super service. The specials are the freshest around. Pesto and fresh bread starts every meal. Wine list is fun and reasonably priced.
If you’re looking for authentic Italian food outside of Italy then you’ve come to the right place! Delicious Italian classics and a wonderful wine selection all set in a quaint, cozy atmosphere that’ll have you dreaming of Italy.
Ordered a mushroom risotto for $21. It tasted terrible and had a very bad spice to it and the mushrooms in it leere white mushrooms and the rest were freeze dried mushrooms that had not even been dehydrated properly. I told the owner I did not like it and he was rude and angry with me for not liking my meal. He charged me for the dinner and was very cold and nasty to me. We will never go back.
Wonderful little gem in downtown La Jolla. The ambience and the food was excellent. Stumbled upon Pazzo when we parked. Skip the other places, Pazzo is more than worth it. Funghi, Scallops and the Lobster Ravioli were amazing.
The food at this place is delicious and authentic Italian. Everything they make is great, the Veal Parmegiana is to die for.Christina gives you five star customer service and they make you feel home. Cheers!!
The dinner was absolutely perfect! I was there with many people who ate everything, and enjoyed the wine, food, and service. I had the spaghetti with meatballs, and it was an authentic meal that was delicious. I would definitely reccomend this to everyone.
Very nice branzino special. Skin was nice and crisp.
Great authentic Italian food. I’ve traveled to Italy and am always looking for solid Italian food. Happy to find this bistro, hidden gem!
It was the first visit for the four of us. The waiter was extremely nice and jovial. The food was excellent. We cleaned our plates and left very happy. Will definitely visit again.
Excellent tasting food, wonderful family service!Pro Tip: Ask them where the killer bread comes from.Great on a weekend but dont wait! They have special prices on Monday Tuesday and Wednesdays.
The parsley and olive oil dip that came with the starter bread was as good as everyone raved.Bruschetta was lovely. Fried artichokes, a little disappointing but still tasty. M got the rib-eye and cleaned the plate. He said it wasnt the best ever but was still delicious. Our other two friends ordered pasta dishes and cleaned their plates as well.Tiramisu was excellent.
Just found this little locally owned italian food gem. Great food. Reasonably priced. Great Chicken Marsala, awesome pesto, garlic, basil olive oil for the bread. Highly recommend.
Great food! Great host/owner. Good wine list. Absolutely recommend it!
This was a great place to eat. Very authentic Italian food. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. We will definitely be doing back there the next time we are around.
Another amazing meal at Bistro Pazzo. I have been to LaJolla several times and no trip is complete without coming to see Seton and enjoying his creations. This time I enjoyed a delicious salmon dish with capers. Cooked to perfection ... tender and juicy. My family enjoyed the Mahi Mahi special and their classic veal, pounded thin and cooked just right to cut with a fork. To top it off we enjoyed a great conversation with Seto and his daughter Christina.
Great happy hour. Flavor of sauces and dressing on point with a dash of hot. Perfect for Southern California palate. Nice service, clean. Definitely solid.
Everything was delirious
Never have I felt inclined to do a restaurant review till now. Amazing food, ambiance, owners etc. Try it, you wont be disappointed. Red sauce is perfect. Pesto for the bread perfect. You get the idea!
Nice pet-friendly patio and really nice service. Food was good but we thought it was a lil expensive. $32 for our shrimp scampi. Maybe thats the proper price in La Jolla. 🤷🏻♂️
Delicious, authentic and fresh! I have been eating here for years, a great family owned and operated restaurant in the village of La Jolla.
Get away from the long waits from larger restaurants. This gem of a place is quaint and rewarding. You will be surprised for the quality of the food and how well cooked the food is. No waiting and great food- you cant go wrong here!
Stopped by for a family dinner last night. There bread and pesto sauce was phenomenal. Food was tasty and reasonably priced.
Absolutely the best Italian restaurant in the area for sure. The food and friendly staff are just amazing. Thanks Seto and family for the wonderful meals.
Amazing food and service!
Very nic authentic flavors. Their portobello mushroom ravioli was delicious!
Good food. Great desserts. The waitress was AWESOME. My wife and I enjoyed our time.
The food was so delicious and authentic. This place is a must for Italian food. We will be back… and back again.
My food was delicious and super fast service. Customer service is also great. The atmosphere was also very nice
The food is the best Italian in all of La Jolla. A great small bistro atmosphere with an entertaining and attentive staff.
Lovely lunch. Very good Italian wine list. Lobster ravioli and clam with mussels were delicious.
THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD IN SAN DIEGO!!!!LOVE THIS PLACE!!!GREAT LOCATION TOO!!!HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
Felt like we were back in italy. Excellent pasta, wine, and dessert. We are in san diego for a few more days so will definitely come again
Good food and great atmosphere. Food portions were large and quality was great. Recommend for a special night out.
Always Delicious - As Good As It Gets. Love everything. Bread, salads, apps, pastas, wine AND... combination of East Coast vibe in West Coast setting
Absolutely great food. I did not expect the food to be so mouth watering. Quick and fast service was also a big plus.
Amazing food, excellent service, and a cute atmosphere. We loved it!
What a nice place. Food was great and atmosphere even better. Very charming and European! Just what I was looking for. Thank you!!
Great food (Calamari and Bruschetta were outstanding!), awesome service! A little hidden gem in La Jolla!
Great dinner! Wonderful staff. Food came out quickly. Wed come back!
Wandered in and had awesome scallops in pasta dish. Very pricey, but worth it. Great friendly service.
Such a chill atmosphere, eating outside with the breeze. The Chicken Florentine was fantastic and easily sharable.
This place is so Romantic for a date with your wife!!!
Great place for our last night in La Jolla. The owner waiting on us- hes awesome and our food was amazing!
For take out it is our favorite. The beet salad is amazing. It is the best spaghetti every time.
Best meatballs Ive ever had. If i lived here i would try everything on the menu.
This is the closest thing to a Mediterranean Cafe I know of. The salmon and chia Pino were excellent I mean just amazing good.
Service was great and the food was authentic and superb. The bread was amazing.
The food is really good but the amount of food is pretty small for the price. The service was slow, but the food came really fast.
Awesome experience! Owner and staff took great care of us. Cant go wrong here!
Beautiful and delicious little gem 💎 really enjoyed my dinner
Best Italian food that Ive had! Great waiter too!
Out of the way almost hidden gem. Great food around the whole table. Friendly service .
Great food, very personable, delicious desserts all and all great experience
This place is nasty....Dirty they have roaches and the customer service is super bad..
Tasty food, great service and a nice atmosphere with reasonable prices.
Excellent food! Great service!Nice setting!
A family owned business and all great friends, its some of the best Italian in lajolla!
Good food but service was not so good.
Excellent service! Great food!!! Will go again@!
Seto is wonderfulChristina is the very bestOh I forgot to mention the food is outstanding
Food was delicious and what a fun, friendly place to dine.
Very nice place. Everything is fresh and delicious!
Service, food selection, price, and atmosphere is perfect.
The best food. Owner operated. Informal. Welcoming
Best Italian restaurant in La Jolla, by far!!! Yum!
Food was phenomenal and the service was excellent.
So delicious, great staff.
Excellent food, excellent price and excellent service
Lovely place with great food and service
Excellent cuisine...cheerful ambience
Small, friendly, great food.
The food really good
Great food street seats fun
Best Italian food, authentic
Expensive for a mediocre quality, service and ambiance. Wont be back
Great food. Great service
Great lasagna! Very intimate.
Great food and amazing service
The best ever 5 star fantastic
Best food in all the area!!
Wonderful food.
Great homestyle Italian!!
Quaint and approachable. Very friendly
Good service and Food.
Great place!
Loved this place!
Menu overpriced
Service and quality
Best Italian food in San Diego.
Very rich Italian food, very friendly staff, small and cozy place. Good wine, although the bathroom is at the end through the same kitchen.
Exorcism
Delicious Italian restaurantinstagram ekek
Pasta... So Gooood.
Really crazy
Total reviews rating 4.7
137 Reviews for Bistro Pazzo 2024:
Review №1
2023-06-05 21:52:24From the service, to the scene and quality of the food, Bistro Pazzo was a really enjoyable experience. Highly recommend the Bietole. The Spaghetti Alla Bolognese felt like a classic home cooked meal - nothing over the top but a good dish. Dogs are welcome on the patio and the staff is very friendly.
Review №2
2023-09-24 05:27:38Excellent service and food - couldn’t believe it wasn’t more crowded here, though we did go early. Perhaps it’s La Jolla’s best-kept secret. Impressed that the chef came out to chat with us! Our server James was wonderful and gave us great recommendations. Salads and bread were fresh and delicious. Entrees (sea bass and chicken piccata) were out of this world tasty, just perfect! The sauces and seasonings did not overpower the dishes but rather perfectly melded with the flavors of the fish and chicken. We finished with the leman cake which was fantastic. This meal was not just good, it was one of the best we’ve ever had, and we are rather discerning when we go out.
Review №3
2023-08-11 16:08:42Love this place! The owner/chef is amazing! 👏 The bread and pesto would be enough for me, but then its on to the incredible spinach salad and salmon. Bistro Pazzo is a small, intimate restaurant, allowing the owner to maintain perfection of all the food going out. Incredible.
Review №4
2023-10-06 02:32:15Hands down the BEST Italian dinner ever! Incredible service, unbelievable food. Really quaint atmosphere on their patio. I really can’t remember a better dining experience.
Review №5
2023-10-14 05:45:44I’m not exaggerating when I say that I had the worst pasta dish ever here. The pesto and focaccia was great but the rest was inedible. The guys who work here are great but the food was so bad I just can’t recommend it.
Review №6
2023-11-18 04:44:48Definition of Diamond in the Rough. Forget all the fool’s gold glamor and glitz on Prospect. This place is the real deal neighborhood joint. Everything is homemade and delicious. The bread & pesto starting out is amazing - bread hot, pesto fresh. We got the Caesar salad (much more lemony than anchovy-y, which I really like!), the penne al pollo, and the special ravioli. Everything came out quick and piping hot. 10/10 would recommend.
Review №7
2020-09-02 23:07:16BLOWN AWAY. Service-incredible. Owner was our waiter and we spent half our meal sharing stories with him. Food was SO FRESH AND DELICIOUS. I had the salmon, my brother had the scallops and my husband had the chicken. OH GOOD HEAVENS this is what perfection tastes like. Lets not even get started on the perfect crembrulee. Favorite restaurant in la Jolla. BONUS its off the normal path so it was EMPTY which isnt good for business but resulted in an intimate experience for us which was impeccable. We will come back FOR SURE.
Review №8
2022-11-01 23:47:51Food was amazing! Service was great! We would definitely come back here on our next visit in San Diego California!
Review №9
2021-09-17 16:27:45Quiet and private. The five of us ordered different so we can taste each. The food was excellent. Our host Seto took care if us and hes very personable with a good sense of humor. We had a great time!
Review №10
2018-08-02 21:11:30Hated it. Waiter is very slow. Waited for over 20 min to order food because waiter was chit chatting with other tables. They also claimed that their seafood was fresh but it was so so disappointing. The mussel was absolutely STINKY. I wouldve told them to take my food off the order if Im in a fancier restaurant. Because the mussel was stinky the sauce was ruined. And they tipped themselves 20% without saying anything. It was a 4 people group and I didnt see any terms saying they tip themselves anywhere. Will not visit again and 10/10 will NOT recommend. There are better restaurants around the place. This one is not worth it. Also the food is overpriced. Even more expensive than Camel and SF