Ristorante Illando, an intimate Tuscan trattoria, serves antipasti, an assortment of house-made pasta dishes, and Landini's famous New York-style pizzas. Providing you with a true taste of Italy in downtown San Diego. Ristorante Illando, the first sit-down restaurant for Landini's Restaurant Group, was born in 2016.
Located in the romantic setting of Little Italy, Illando sits upstairs their flagship restaurant, Landini's Pizzeria. Including a backyard patio and front parklet for open-air, al fresco dining. Weekdays from 4pm-6pm, enjoy happy hour discounts on select wine, beer, & small plates like our Burrata con Prosciutto!
Located in the romantic setting of Little Italy, Illando sits upstairs their flagship restaurant, Landini's Pizzeria. Including a backyard patio and front parklet for open-air, al fresco dining. Weekdays from 4pm-6pm, enjoy happy hour discounts on select wine, beer, & small plates like our Burrata con Prosciutto!
Services
Founded in 2016 by Florence native Leo Landini, and his wife, Christine, Ristorante Illando is a charming Tuscan trattoria with an intimate, second-story dining room and quaint backyard patio in San Diego's Little Italy.
House specialties include spaghetti carbonara made with pancetta, eggs, parmesan and cream sauce; pappardelle bolognese made with homemade meat sauce; ravioli alla aragosta, stuffed with lobster and crab and topped with a creamy vodka sauce; and several other house-made pasta dishes.
House specialties include spaghetti carbonara made with pancetta, eggs, parmesan and cream sauce; pappardelle bolognese made with homemade meat sauce; ravioli alla aragosta, stuffed with lobster and crab and topped with a creamy vodka sauce; and several other house-made pasta dishes.
Ristorante Illando is available for special events, banquets, buy-outs, private parties, wedding rehearsal dinners, and more! Our rustic Italian Cucina can comfortably serve 50, and offers a selection of pre-fixed menus to help your dining experience run perfectly!
Ristorante Illando is in the heart of Little Italy on India Street, just blocks from the Porto Vista Hotel & Suites, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego Downtown, The Trolley Stop, Maritime Museum, San Diego County Administration Center, and Waterfront Park.Our main room is designed in a cozy, rustic setting, with walls lined with family pictures welcoming you and your guests as if they were in our own Landini home.
Ristorante Illando is in the heart of Little Italy on India Street, just blocks from the Porto Vista Hotel & Suites, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego Downtown, The Trolley Stop, Maritime Museum, San Diego County Administration Center, and Waterfront Park.Our main room is designed in a cozy, rustic setting, with walls lined with family pictures welcoming you and your guests as if they were in our own Landini home.
Reviews (25)
Jared Coons
Feb 03, 2022
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Came here for my birthday dinner. Been meaning to try this place every time I visit San Diego but never seem to make it. The bruschetta was the best I've ever tasted. The meatballs were seasoned and cooked perfectly. The noodles were not over or undercooked, and the sauce was a great balance of acidity and sweetness. My girlfriends lobster stuffed ravioli was the first thing she talked about when asked how our trip was. We shared a cannoli and I regret not getting some to bring back to Arizona. Definitely will be back!!!
Nashly G.
Feb 01, 2022
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Stacy L.
Jan 31, 2022
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Wasn't the worst, but wasn't the best either. Got to the restaurant and waited outside almost 10 minutes because there was no server. Went up the stairs thinking the host was upstairs. Nope, she was at the top of the stairs and told us to go back downstairs and wait which was kind of strange.
Got seated, nobody really greeted us or acknowledged they had us as a table, but finally we got bread & orders in.
Didn't really have one single server the whole night, had 4-5 people pop in and out so we never even really knew who to ask for anything. And we LOLed at the fact that one
Got seated, nobody really greeted us or acknowledged they had us as a table, but finally we got bread & orders in.
Didn't really have one single server the whole night, had 4-5 people pop in and out so we never even really knew who to ask for anything. And we LOLed at the fact that one
Andrea A.
Jan 30, 2022
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This is definitely a hidden gem. There is an outdoor sitting area in the front that will catch your attention before the actual location itself. We were seated right away.
Friendly service and great food options. Portions were large. Shared the cesare insalate and could have easily shared the Pollo alla Parmigiana as well. Will be coming back.
Friendly service and great food options. Portions were large. Shared the cesare insalate and could have easily shared the Pollo alla Parmigiana as well. Will be coming back.
Andrew C.
Jan 30, 2022
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Ate here on Jan 29th, 2022 while visiting our son and his girlfriend who are both Marines at Camp Pendleton. We had gone on a whale watching cruise all afternoon (great BTW). Parking on Saturday evening was a nightmare but the food and service were both great. I had the lobster ravioli with vodka sauce and the other 3 ordered various pasta dishes. Only wine or beer to drink but the wine list is good too.
Tina K.
Jan 30, 2022
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Found this place on Yelp and it did not disappoint. This ristorante is located in the middle of little Italy so plan accordingly for parking. Literally walked by this place multiple times- it's got a tiny doorway entrance and is adjacent to a pizza place. We had reservations and were seated right away outside.
Service deserves 10 stars- our server and everyone we interacted with were exceptional! They were personable and attentive. They have a good wine list and I loved the Chianti! Food was good. Brussels and pancetta were prepared well and crispy. Calamari was delicious and came with a
Service deserves 10 stars- our server and everyone we interacted with were exceptional! They were personable and attentive. They have a good wine list and I loved the Chianti! Food was good. Brussels and pancetta were prepared well and crispy. Calamari was delicious and came with a
Kevin W.
Jan 29, 2022
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I don't understand these ratings.
One extra star because it's not awful. Don't get the tiramisu, it's 0 stars.
We went for dinner and ordered the Ravioli Rosini, Tortelloni al Brasato, Fettuccini Gamberi e Pancetta, and tiramisu.
Our ratings out of 10:
* Considering flavor alone: 6 or 7. Tortelloni al Brasato was probably the best, though that isn't saying much. Fettuccini Gamberi was pretty generic, nothing special. Ravioli Rosini was "OK".
* Considering portion size: drop the ratings down to 4 or 5. Apart from the Fettuccini Gamberi, the other dishes
One extra star because it's not awful. Don't get the tiramisu, it's 0 stars.
We went for dinner and ordered the Ravioli Rosini, Tortelloni al Brasato, Fettuccini Gamberi e Pancetta, and tiramisu.
Our ratings out of 10:
* Considering flavor alone: 6 or 7. Tortelloni al Brasato was probably the best, though that isn't saying much. Fettuccini Gamberi was pretty generic, nothing special. Ravioli Rosini was "OK".
* Considering portion size: drop the ratings down to 4 or 5. Apart from the Fettuccini Gamberi, the other dishes
Paul A.
Jan 25, 2022
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Karin M.
Jan 17, 2022
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Daria B.
Jan 10, 2022
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Alyssa J.
Jan 06, 2022
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What a great spot in little italy! We made it a date night with some friends and found the spot perfect.
Ordered the charcuterie board for 2 and we're blown away by the size (it's big!!) and the tastiness! Definitely fresh ingredients and can't wait to eat there again. We didn't even end up ordering entrees because we were so full from the board.
Knocked off a star for the service - we don't drink alcohol so once they realized we weren't ordering any, service/demeanor changed a bit. Still kind, but not like they were at the beginning.
Ordered the charcuterie board for 2 and we're blown away by the size (it's big!!) and the tastiness! Definitely fresh ingredients and can't wait to eat there again. We didn't even end up ordering entrees because we were so full from the board.
Knocked off a star for the service - we don't drink alcohol so once they realized we weren't ordering any, service/demeanor changed a bit. Still kind, but not like they were at the beginning.
Amina R.
Jan 04, 2022
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Started off heading to Little Italy craving oysters. We found a place that had really good reviews that had a 40 min wait. After putting our name on the list we ventured up and down the street looking at all of the pasta while our stomach rumbled. Fast forward we decided to to try Ristorante based on the starts and reviews.
The hostess was really nice, walked us upstairs with a smile. When we first sat down the gentleman was a little short and I immediately feared it was going to be a not so friendly experience. However, the two ladies saved the night. Pauloa and Nathasha hands down understood
The hostess was really nice, walked us upstairs with a smile. When we first sat down the gentleman was a little short and I immediately feared it was going to be a not so friendly experience. However, the two ladies saved the night. Pauloa and Nathasha hands down understood
David May
Jan 01, 2022
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You know, amongst so many other locations in Little Italy, this is probably as average as it can get. The food is way overpriced for the quality and the staff was a bit pretentious considering they’re sitting us outside on the street patio. I’m also still confused why my charge says Landini’s Pizza? I’m assuming the same owner just one pizzeria versus one “restaurant” style dining option. That’s nor here nor there. I’m truly not even trying to negatively smear their image, I just don’t get what all the hubbub is about here. I’d recommend just looking into other options unless
Rhys Pullen
Dec 20, 2021
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Kaylene P.
Dec 19, 2021
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I don't know why this place is considered one of the best Italian restaurants in little Italy. I was so excited to try it but was completely disappointed
First off, they had a giant bucked of bread sitting out near the host station and just served that to people. You're in little Italy and you're not serving fresh or at the least warm bread to people? Bread itself wasn't worth eating even if it was free.
Calamari for appetizer was okay. Wasn't the most amazing calamari I had. Came with two random shrimps which was different
My husband ordered the tortelloni al Braso
First off, they had a giant bucked of bread sitting out near the host station and just served that to people. You're in little Italy and you're not serving fresh or at the least warm bread to people? Bread itself wasn't worth eating even if it was free.
Calamari for appetizer was okay. Wasn't the most amazing calamari I had. Came with two random shrimps which was different
My husband ordered the tortelloni al Braso
Isaac Montano
Dec 17, 2021
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With so many different Italian restaurants in the area it's hard enough to find the "authentic" Italian. Illando is one of the few in Little Italy. Delightfully tucked between two parking lots and many restaurants this ristorante is a quaint little find.
To cut to the chase, the top two dishes here are the Bolognese and Carbonara. You can't go wrong with either.
When you pick this place keep in mind that other restaurants in the area can cater to bigger groups and have bigger portions. Ristorante Illando is made for 2-4 people, thought they can accommodate at least 8 pretty comfortable.
Each
To cut to the chase, the top two dishes here are the Bolognese and Carbonara. You can't go wrong with either.
When you pick this place keep in mind that other restaurants in the area can cater to bigger groups and have bigger portions. Ristorante Illando is made for 2-4 people, thought they can accommodate at least 8 pretty comfortable.
Each
Mandy A.
Nov 29, 2021
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We were craving pasta on last Thursday and found this place in Little Italy. The reviews were so good, and we wanted to check this place out. We had Fettuccine Gamberi Pancetta, it was just okay, nothing exceptional.
The service was good but the hostess girl wasn't that welcoming when we called ahead of time and she said we can walk in, but when we came in person, she said we have to wait while there were so many empty tables. But my friend told her about our call on the phone, she let us sit finally.
The service was good but the hostess girl wasn't that welcoming when we called ahead of time and she said we can walk in, but when we came in person, she said we have to wait while there were so many empty tables. But my friend told her about our call on the phone, she let us sit finally.
J. Keith Maxwell
Nov 26, 2021
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Excellent food and service. The chicken parmigiana was delicious, loved their red sauce. Served with very fluffy mashed potatoes, bread, and sautéed vegetables. Great combination of flavors. Great atmosphere on the street. I usually don’t like eating outdoors but the weather was perfect. The tiramisu was a hefty portion and I couldn’t finish it after all the other dishes. That doesn’t usually happen to me so I’d say they can fill you up.
Dan B.
Oct 29, 2021
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Caitlin McVeigh-Gagnon
Oct 22, 2021
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The most disgusting meal I’ve had internationally to-date, and the worst meal I’ve had in San Diego. I had three different waitstaff cautiously ask me how my seafood pasta was within the first 2 minutes of it being set at my setting before quickly taking it away with no questions asked. It smelled rotten the second it it was left at the table, we could smell the shells the entire time it resided at our table, and no one tried to explore what went wrong so they could make it right besides replacing the seafood pasta order ASAP. Signs of a restaurant in disarray. DO NOT EAT HERE - there are 100x
Emily F.
Oct 11, 2021
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Ristorante Illando is a little difficult to find, shares a building with a pizza shop and is located in the second floor for indoor dining as well as a patio in the back for outdoor dining. The patio is tucked away from the busyness of the streets of Little Italy which can be nice and intimate.
The pappardelle bolognese was good but this was the only dish we liked. Calamari was a little soggy and could have used more flavor. Lobster ravioli had a fishy almost artificial taste as well as random shell pieces that we had to pick out.
Service was fine and waiters were nice but was ultimately expecting
The pappardelle bolognese was good but this was the only dish we liked. Calamari was a little soggy and could have used more flavor. Lobster ravioli had a fishy almost artificial taste as well as random shell pieces that we had to pick out.
Service was fine and waiters were nice but was ultimately expecting
Arlene P.
Oct 09, 2021
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( getting back to normal #26) Best Risotto ever! Yes, I finally went back, this time for a ladies dinner.
Although I have been here so many times, I had never had their seafood risotto.
It was AH MAHZING!!!
It wasn't a cheesy risotto and yet, I loved it! It's the best Risotto Ive ever had in my life.
Another huge plus was that we had a big table and customer care was sooo good.
Natasha was the best and her support crew just made me feel so welcomed and special.
I can't wait to go back. I'll make sure not to delay so long between visits.
Although I have been here so many times, I had never had their seafood risotto.
It was AH MAHZING!!!
It wasn't a cheesy risotto and yet, I loved it! It's the best Risotto Ive ever had in my life.
Another huge plus was that we had a big table and customer care was sooo good.
Natasha was the best and her support crew just made me feel so welcomed and special.
I can't wait to go back. I'll make sure not to delay so long between visits.
Geoff Breitling
Sep 15, 2021
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Yuri J.
Sep 07, 2021
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This restaurant is freakin FIRE , the food came out so quickly and there was free bread and balsamic vinaigrette too!
The gnocchi and ricotta/spinach pizza are A MUST - I love ricotta so this creamy pizza was so rich and delicious. There was so much meat in the bolognese so every bite was a pleasant surprise. Also make sure to ask for Parmesan cheese bc they rain it over onto your dishes.
It's upstairs in a quiet tiny and industrial restaurant. Also in the heart of Little Italy so make sure to stop by!
The gnocchi and ricotta/spinach pizza are A MUST - I love ricotta so this creamy pizza was so rich and delicious. There was so much meat in the bolognese so every bite was a pleasant surprise. Also make sure to ask for Parmesan cheese bc they rain it over onto your dishes.
It's upstairs in a quiet tiny and industrial restaurant. Also in the heart of Little Italy so make sure to stop by!
Alexander Alberto Garcia Van Der Westen
Aug 16, 2021
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We had some great food... I had the fettuccini with shrimps and bacon, my wife had the seafood rissoto. Both of them were excellent. The service was super, really good... We were seating outside with some nice temp. Yhe rest also has a back patio and some tables with AC. The pizzeria below which is landini is also very good.... We had some slices as appetizers...
