Solare Ristorante Italiano

Reviews

• Henry K.

  star star star star star 6 June 2026

  Consistent experience with a caring staff & surprisingly good Happy Hour/Catering
  
  This was one of the first restaurants I tried in Little Italy and I'm hard pressed to try anywhere else. The staff is always friendly and is a great spot to bring out of town visitors....The parm wheel is always a crowd favorite.
  
  I stopped in for a late afternoon dinner, and to my surprise they have a 4-7 happy hour! Don't expect a traditional happy hour with discounted drinks. This was more of a complimentary set of small bits and samples of different items from the kitchen.
  
  I love this place so much that I actually had them cater my birthday party. I felt the value and the quality were excellent. I'd highly recommend considering them for your next event.

• Missy T.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 1 June 2026

  To echo another reviewer ... DO NOT EAT HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY FOOD ALLERGIES.
  
  One of our guests with a MEDICAL FOOD ALLERGY ( not a preference, not an aversion, not a 'trend' ) let the staff know, was served an item and was reassured by the waiter ( named Phillpe ) the item was safe, only to be told a few minutes later they had made a mistake.  Mistakes like this can lead to hospitalization, and serious health consequences.
  
  The only thing worse than a guest in our party being POISONED was the way the restaurant handled it, not understanding or having empathy for the severity of the situation at all. Horrible.  
  
  AVOID THIS PLACE.  Dine safely.

• Amy S.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 25 May 2026

  This place is so hyped up (Michelin Guide, SD Magazine, etc.) that I expected a lot more.  It was sadly average to below average.  Service was just ok.  We had the burratta salad to start, which badly needed  seasoning.  Then we had the chicken, which was supposed to be sous vide but was SO DRY, and also lacked salt despite being served on a SALT BRICK.  Don't know how that was accomplished.  The risotto with truffles was pretty good, although the scallops were uneven-some over, some undercooked.  The tiramisu in the clay pot was terrible...it tasted like rosemary from the giant stem stuck into the top (why?) and was sticky and dry instead of light and fluffy.  Coffee was bad, likely old.
  Also, this is personal taste but I think the giant signs all over ( the front, the menus, everywhere) proclaiming all the "awards" this place has won are pretty tacky. Clearly they don't mean much either!
  Much, much better italian in the city.

• Jane R.

  star star star star star_border 21 May 2026

  Consistent experience on every visit.
  
  Once a year, we go to this place. It's always on the San Diego Passport, so we always take advantage of this deal here and every time, it's consistently amazing!
  
  We've tried quite a few entrées and for the most part, it's pretty good. My husband's all time fave was the one time they had crusted pork chop. I'd say my fave was the ravioli brisket. My only remark was once I ordered the osso bucco, that got pretty heavy real quick.
  
  With osso bucco, everything was so rich and creamy, I wish there was something the cut the taste, some acidity or something. I always hear food judges on TV say that, but on this case, I understood what that meant. It was just so fatty and creamy. The meat was tender, but it was swimming in gravy, even the carrots drowned in gravy. It all just started tasting all one note.
  
  But that's just one entrée, everything else we've had here has always been perfection. The atmosphere and the staff is also super friendly.
  
  My suggestion in regards to seating, outside patio is nice, but with planes constantly flying over, we had to keep pausing the conversation because we couldn't hear each other. Of course, this is at no fault of the restaurant. It's just a heads up if, based on your reason for picking this place.

• Alicia L.

  star star star star star 20 May 2026

  Solare is a cute restaurant in libery station and has the best risotto! My friend got the pappardelle which I thought was also good but the risotto will always win my heart!  The  entrees are on the pricier side (risotto was $29 and pappardelle was $23) but definitely affordable with the dining passbook.  Server was  attentive and helpful!   There was plenty of street parking.  I would highly recommending dining here if you are craving good italian food!