“ My friend and I had a fantastic meal at Italianissimo Trattoria last night, a Monday evening. We were waited on by Leonita, who was a fabulous waitress—very professional yet bubbly and a great conversationalist. We ordered sparkling water, burrata, rigatoni montegna, bucatini amatriciana, and a decaf coffee (for me). The burrata wasn’t overly watery and had a good consistency. I liked how it was served on sauteed spinach with sun-dried tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. As for the pasta mains, they were fabulous. My rigatoni montegna wasn’t overly oily, something I often fear when ordering eggplant at Italian restaurants. The sauce was perfect as well—rich, tangy, with a very slight kick. My friend’s bucatini was super tasty! It had the perfect mouth feel and the amatriciana was exactly the right spice level. We also both loved that the amatriciana was cooked with guanciale. We had a nice chat with Leonita at the end of the meal—she was super friendly and easygoing, sharing with us about Portugal and Venezuela. Overall, it was a great experience. My only criticism of this spot was that they didn’t tell us the water cost 8–I should’ve realized it, but I also think they should alert customers of this. ”

“ Absolutely fantastic food here. The location is excellent, and the menu has a ton of vegan options. I sat outside with my gf for dinner and enjoyed the evening. We were greeted promptly, the service was excellent, and the food. Holy cow - we shared a salad, a salmon entree, and a pizza. We are making this our regular spot in the future, I’m so glad we went. Can’t wait to go back and try more of the menu. ”

“ First time and the food is delicious! My favorite was the fettuccine alfredo, I was wowed by the taste..! The chicken in another dish was cooked to perfection. This was to go but I wish I would have ate there the atmosphere looked exactly how an Italian spot should look. ”

“ As an Italian born and raised in Rome I been here for more then 23 years to the states and this restaurant is just feeling back home .One of the owner is so warm and welcoming and food and ingredients are top notch.Great experience and highly recommended ”

“ This is one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in the area! You can definitely tell The chef is actually Italian! The food has that simplicity made to perfection quality!! For appetizers we had the bruschetta it was so good! We tried the linguine calamari, chicken Parmesanno and spaghetti. All of them were very tasty!! For dessert we had the cheesecake, chocolate cake and the chocolate tartufo!! Everything was excellent!! I loved that we were able to walk in during dinner time and have no wait!! Parking after 6pm is free. The wine list is amazing! And they serve the authentic Italian Spritz!! Overall a great place to eat!! Excellent food! Good service and nice atmosphere! We are planning to go back soon!! ”

“ Wife and I regularly dine here. Our top authentic Italian restaurant in Chula Vista. Make sure to hear the specials of the day before ordering. We order the staple dishes and the specials and have not been disappointed. Leontina is a very pleasant, friendly and attentive server. Tonight we had a nice Chianti Classico El Grigio to complement our dishes and we loved the match. Highly recommend. Updated with some pictures of our appetizer and entrees tonight. Delicious and authentic as always. ”

“ My wife and I had an absolutely delightful dining experience at Italianissimo Trattoria in downtown Chula Vista this Thursday afternoon. From the moment we stepped into this charming, authentic Italian trattoria, we knew we’d found a true gem in the heart of historic Chula Vista. Our server, Vito, was exceptional—attentive, warm, and genuinely friendly, making us feel right at home. Emanuele, the manager (and possibly the owner), personally checked in at our table to ensure every detail of our meal was perfect, a touch of hospitality that truly stood out. The food was nothing short of spectacular. We started with the burrata and prosciutto antipasto, which was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. My wife savored every bite of her Pasta with Lobster in a Cream Sauce, a dish that was both rich and perfectly balanced. I opted for the Penne Puttanesca with Italian Salsiccia, and it was a bold, delicious explosion of flavors that hit all the right notes. To cap off our meal, we enjoyed an authentic cappuccino that transported us straight back to a quaint ristorante in Rome—a perfect, nostalgic finish. The restaurant itself is beautifully appointed, with a warm and inviting ambiance, and it was spotlessly clean, which we greatly appreciated. The staff’s passion for their craft and their guests’ experience shone through in every interaction. Italianissimo Trattoria is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Italian cuisine and impeccable service. We can’t wait to return and highly recommend this wonderful establishment to all! ”

“ My family & I have been coming here for years. The food and service have always been great. We are alway able to find parking. We normally come for lunch to celebrate a family’s birthday and there’s no crowds. You can’t go wrong with their tomato garlic basil soup but I thought I would try their seasonal soup. It was good but the tomato garlic basil soup is more flavorful. This time I had the eggplant lasagna which hit the spot. We will definitely be back. ”