Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great coffee
oChef » Davanti Enoteca – San Diego
Davanti Enoteca - San Diego
Photo from Davanti Enoteca
Davanti Enoteca at a glance
San Diego Carmel Valley
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 91 of the guests
#439 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#16 Italian Restaurant out of 19 in San Diego
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
517
Reviews
66.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Italian cuisine
- Exceptional service
- Pleasant atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Value concerns
- Service inconsistency
- Noisy atmosphere
The restaurant Davanti Enoteca is an inviting Italian Restaurant nestled in San Diego’s vibrant Carmel Valley neighborhood. You’ll discover a culinary haven where the focus is on authentic flavors and a memorable dining experience.
Known for its great dessert, this spot offers a delightful conclusion to any meal. Whether you’re seeking a cozy dinner or a lively brunch, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere here.
Overview: Introducting Davanti Enoteca
Davanti Enoteca offers a generally pleasant dining experience, with many guests praising the delicious food and attentive service. The atmosphere often contributes positively to the visit, making it a lively spot.
However, some experiences suggest inconsistencies, particularly concerning value, with certain charges and portion sizes raising eyebrows. While the overall vibe is good, occasional issues with noise or specific staff interactions have been noted.
Good
7.1
out of 10
517
Reviews
66.9%
Satisfaction
127
negative
44
neutral
346
positive
Davanti Enoteca achieves a respectable overall score of 7.1, indicating a generally positive reception. Customer satisfaction stands at 66.9%, suggesting a mixed but leaning positive sentiment among diners.
This indicates that while many leave content, there’s still room for improvement to delight a larger portion of guests. Looking closer, the restaurant shines in its Ambience (7.9) and Service (7.3), which consistently receive high marks.
The Food (7.1) also holds its own, with many positive remarks. However, Value (3.4) lags significantly, pulling down the overall perception.
These insights are drawn from 517 customer comments, with 346 positive and 127 negative observations.
What people like
- Delicious Italian food
- Attentive, friendly service
- Lively, relaxing ambiance
What people don't like
- Inconsistent value perception
- Occasional service lapses
- Loud, crowded environment
Davanti Enoteca presents a compelling option for those seeking a vibrant atmosphere and generally well-regarded Italian fare, supported by a 7.1 recommendation score. While the service often stands out, be mindful of potential inconsistencies that some guests have noted.
If you prioritize a lively setting and don’t mind occasional value concerns, it could be a worthwhile visit. However, if consistent value and quiet dining are paramount, you might find aspects of the experience less satisfying.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Davanti Enoteca
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
Let's talk about the food! With a solid score of 7.1, many guests have found a lot to celebrate. Based on 185 positive opinions, you can expect authentic Italian cuisine, with highlights like the delicious focaccia di recca and homemade pasta often praised for their taste and variety.
However, the overall customer satisfaction is a mixed 65.8%, suggesting some diners had a different experience. Around 65 opinions mentioned concerns about bland flavors, low food quality, and subpar tasting food, with some even noting the use of canned mushrooms. Consistency seems to be a point of contention.
Food
281
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
65
negative
31
neutral
185
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Italian cuisine
- Delicious focaccia
- Homemade pasta
What people don't like
- Bland flavors
- Low food quality
- Subpar ingredients
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was incredible for both brunch and dinner. The focaccia di recca and caccio e peppe were delicious, fresh, and authentic. The ambiance and service were also incredibly good 😊.
- pizzaThe pizza here is outstanding and so magnificent.
- focacciaget the focaccia. That's the one thing on the menu that's absolutely fantastic
- Focaccia Di ReccoAnd the food was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend trying the Focaccia Di Recco. The restaurant also offers free parking with plenty of spaces, and the price per person is reasonable, around $20–30.
- Italian foodBest Italian food I have had since my last trip to Italy.
- FoodFood:5
- Italian cuisinevery, very tasty Italian cuisine place
- brunchthe brunch is amazing too
- burgerthe burger has always been killer
- cocktailsThe cocktails were good
Frequently criticized
- foodfood is not as good as it used to be
- food qualitythe food quality was just average
- meatballsNot a lot of flavor in the meatballs
- pastaI ordered a pasta that was $30, but I had a bite and did not eat more
- wineThe Wine have been open and not record for over 24 hours
- Alfredo pastaclassic pasta dishes such as Alfredo pasta
- Carbonaraand Carbonara lacked flavor
- DOC pizzathe DOC pizza which was also a very big let down
- Enteco restaurantsdoes not meet standards of other Enteco restaurants
- Italian restaurantIt’s not really Italian restaurant
If youre seeking authentic Italian flavors and dont mind a bit of hit-or-miss, this place might be worth a try, especially for their focaccia and pasta. However, be aware that some dishes might not live up to expectations in terms of quality or taste.
Service (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
Overall, the service here is quite good, with a solid score of 7.3 and customer satisfaction at a respectable 71.4%. Many guests rave about the friendly and attentive staff, with specific shout-outs to individuals like Jorge, Liz, and Jesus for providing amazing service. This positive sentiment comes from 95 positive remarks out of 133 total.
However, its not always perfect. Some experiences mention slow service, unfriendly waiters, and issues with hosts or reservations. A few customers felt rushed or ignored, with a lack of eye contact from servers, suggesting theres still room for improvement in consistency.
Service
133
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
33
negative
5
neutral
95
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Amazing individual servers
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Unfriendly staff
- Lack of attention
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed excellent Italian food, received amazing service, and loved the lovely atmosphere. The great wine selection also contributed to a wonderful evening.
- staffI have hosted two business events at Davanti Enoteca, and the staff has been wonderful each time. For example, during our most recent event, when someone complained about a nut allergy and couldn't have a cannoli, the staff thoughtfully brought her a special cannoli.
- serverWe arrived at 5 pm, which was the perfect time to visit. Our server was attentive and spent quality time with us, making the experience even better. The food was great!
- JorgeMy server was jorge. He is the best and he has the best attitude towards the customers.
- ServiceService was amazing too
- attentivewas very attentive and bubbly
- customer servicecustomer service auperb since we walked in
- GeorgeEvery dish we ordered was delicious — you can really tell they put care into their food and service. George was incredibly attentive, friendly, and professional, making our special night even better. We’ll definitely be back.
- JeusSuch a knowledgeable, friendly, and nice man
- LizMy recent visit to Davanti Enoteca in Del Mar was nothing short of outstanding. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and well cared for, thanks in large part to Liz, who was an exceptional host. Her warmth and attention to detail made the experience feel so personal, and she went above and beyond.
Frequently criticized
- serviceHowever, our dining experience was marred by the service. We intended to order more drinks after our appetizer, but our waitress did not check on us after we received our food, and someone else brought it to us. This lack of attention detracted from an otherwise excellent meal.
- serverWe ordered linguine and pappardelle, but the food quality was just average. To make matters worse, the server who took our order was quite unfriendly, which truly spoiled the mood. Although it's a local restaurant we've visited before, today was so disappointing that we'll likely seek out another place next time.
- waiterWe visited this restaurant on a Saturday night and found their outdoor seating to be the best part, especially for people watching. However, the service was pretty bad; we experienced long stretches without seeing our waiter, which was particularly annoying given that staff were visible congregating near the entrance. My lasagna was just okay, and my wife's fettuccine had a clumpy sauce, suggesting it might have been reheated.
- OpenTable reservationnobody took the time to look at the open table reservation
- bartendera bartender that was without any personality and in my opinion rude.
- bartender Victor SBartender Victor S was very unprofessional and rude
- check on usWe got our food rather quickly, but it was brought out by someone else. The server never came to check on us when we got our food. We could see her walking around, hardly checking on other tables.
- eye contactWish I got her name, but she was short, dark-haired, slightly on the older side, and doesn't smile. The server barely made eye contact with us and seemed to rush us while ordering; it was just odd and rude. She came to the table and asked what water we wanted, and as soon as we answered, she walked away.
- host on the phoneHowever, I decided to stop by later since I was in the area, and it turned out they did have my reservations all along. The host on the phone insisted on arguing her point, which I found to be lazy and poor service. Despite this initial issue, the food is really good, and my waiter was also good.
- hosts up frontService from the hosts up front, not great at all.
If you're looking for a place with generally good and often amazing service, this spot is worth a try, especially given the high praise for individual staff members. Just be aware that a few guests have encountered slower or less attentive moments, so keep that in mind for your visit.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 53% of the guests
Overall, the ambience here truly shines! With a strong score of 7.9 and customer satisfaction at 82.4%, its clear most folks love the vibe. Out of 74 comments, a whopping 61 rave about the atmosphere, ambience, and outdoor seating.
Many found it cozy, elegant, and lively, with beautiful decor and thoughtful details, making it a great spot for people-watching or a relaxing evening, often with good parking options too. However, its not all perfect. A few of the 7 negative remarks point to some issues.
Some found the restaurant dilapidated or loud, especially on busy nights. There were also mentions of uncomfortable heated patio areas and wobbly tables, which could spoil the mood for some.
Ambience
74
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
7
negative
6
neutral
61
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Beautiful decor
- Outdoor seating
What people don't like
- Can be loud
- Dilapidated look
- Uncomfortable patio
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed excellent Italian food, received amazing service, and loved the lovely atmosphere. The great wine selection also contributed to a wonderful evening.
- ambianceThe ambiance and service are incredibly as well
- vibeMy experience at this restaurant was marked by great service and a great vibe. However, the food was subpar, and nothing we ordered was good enough to make us want to visit again.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- locationPerfect location but the food???
- Parking optionsParking options:Free parking lot
- ambienceThe ambience is very relaxing
- people watchingif you like people watching, ask for one of those tables
- restaurantThis was a special birthday occasion and each of our meals were better than we imagined. The restaurant was full & lively. We were greeted, seated & well cared for by the owners and excellent staff.
- Parking spacePlenty of parking
Frequently criticized
- Friday nightsThe squid was incredibly soft and tender. Be aware that they get super crowded on Friday nights.
- heatreally hot since there was no air conditioner
- heated patioput us on the heated patio with another group
- loudso loud that I couldn't hear myself think
- moodwhich spoiled the mood for our family gathering
- restaurantthe restaurant looked dilapidated and dirty
- tablethe table was rocking excessively
If you're looking for a place with a great atmosphere, beautiful decor, and lovely outdoor options, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful that it can get a bit loud, and some areas might feel less polished, so pick your seating wisely.
Value (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
Some guests found the price to be reasonable for the area, especially noting a great deal during happy hour, feeling it was worth the pricing for what they received. Out of 29 total comments on value, 5 opinions leaned positive, suggesting that for certain occasions or specific items, you might find a good deal. However, the overall sentiment for value is quite challenging, with a score of just 3.4 (poor) and customer satisfaction at a low 17.2% (poor).
A significant 22 comments expressed disappointment, frequently mentioning items being overpriced, particularly wine prices, additional charges for things like bread or cake service, and concerns about portion sizes not matching the cost. Many felt they didn't get value for money.
Value
29
Reviews
17%
Satisfaction
22
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Reasonable area pricing
What people don't like
- Overpriced food/wine
- Hidden additional charges
- Small portion sizes
Often praised
- priceordered the small portion ($22). This is actually an appetizer option, however was plenty for one or two.
- Price per personPrice per person:$20–30
- great dealit's a great deal for HH
- pricingso worth the pricing
Frequently criticized
- priceespecially considering the price. For my entrée, I tried the chicken parm
- mealfor the above described meal? Not worth it
- additional chargessmall additional charge (not tax)
- bottle priceturning a $22 bottle into $70? That's a bit much
- breadWhile the staff was lovely, the food was lackluster. To begin, there's a charge for a few pieces of bread. Furthermore, an adult spaghetti and meatball dinner comes with only one meatball, which is quite surprising.
- businesslazy and bad business
- cake service chargea $30 charge for cake service, a price that felt excessive
- costwhich was surprising given the cost
- food we didn’t eatWasted 100+ on food we didn’t even eat
- moneyDon’t waste your money
If youre considering this spot, be prepared that many feel the value isnt quite there, especially concerning hidden costs and portion sizes. While some deals exist, the general consensus suggests you might find it overpriced for what you get. Proceed with caution if budget is a primary concern.
How are the prices at Davanti Enoteca?
On average, you’ll spend around $43 per person – from 91 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $41–$50 category. For an Italian Restaurant, that’s comfortably mid-range, perhaps leaning slightly higher.
Looking at what people actually spend, prices are quite spread out. While the average is $43, a significant number of diners enjoy meals in the more budget-friendly $21–$30 range. Yet, there’s also a good mix of guests opting for experiences in the higher price brackets, showing a nice variety of options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 91 reviews.
Comparing the value for money of this restaurant against similar ones in San Diego.
For an Italian Restaurant, the pricing feels fair. We think it offers a good balance, catering to both those looking for a more affordable meal and those ready to splurge a bit more.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Davanti Enoteca
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Colleagues
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Fun Company Dinner with Great Drinks
Had a fun small company dinner here. The cocktails were good, their wine list is impressive, and several of the dishes were excellent while others were on par with what you would see at similar restaurants. Would definitely be happy to go back.
- cocktails8
- wine list9
- dishes8
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Visit Type
- Dine-in
2
Service Lacking, Food Just Okay
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the service was good, the food was just okay. My main issue, however, was leaving my wallet behind.
I'm bothered that nobody checked the OpenTable reservation to call me; it felt lazy and like bad business. Because of this, I will not be dining here again.
- food5
- service7
- wallet2
- OpenTable reservation3
- business2
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
Davanti's: My Favorite Italian Spot
Davanti’s has become my favorite Italian restaurant. My experience was amazing, with exceptional service, delightful drinks, and especially outstanding food. If you are ever in Delmar and planning to go to Cinepolis for a movie, I highly recommend stopping by Davanti's for a bite before or after the movie.
- service10
- drinks9
- food10
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Food, Service, and Ambiance!
My experience at Davanti was fantastic! The customer service was great, and we've been there several times. The pasta, crab cakes, and salmon were absolutely amazing.
The ambiance was also wonderful, and I truly loved the entire experience. Keep up the great work!
- customer service10
- pasta10
- crab cakes10
Service Intent
- Solo Dining
Group Size
- Solo
Visit Type
- Dine-in
6
Inconsistent Bartender Service
My first experience at this restaurant was a couple of days ago, and the food was good. I was dining alone and chose to sit at the bar, where the bartender was awesome – a nice, respectful guy with a good personality. However, my visit today, 11/8/25 at 4 pm, was different.
I encountered a bartender who seemed to have no personality and was, in my opinion, rude. She acted as if serving customers was a chore. In the future, I won't return if she is working behind the bar.
- food7
- bartender9
- service2
What Davanti Enoteca offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Brunch reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Has changing table(s)
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Vegan options
- Happy hour drinks
- Salad bar
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Private dining room
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Upscale
- Cozy
- Trendy
- Romantic
FAQs
What dining options are available at Davanti Enoteca?
At Davanti Enoteca, you can enjoy a variety of dining options including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. They also offer dessert, catering, and comfortable seating with table service, perfect for any occasion.
Does Davanti Enoteca cater to specific dietary needs?
Yes, Davanti Enoteca provides a range of choices to accommodate various dietary preferences. You’ll find healthy options, vegan options, vegetarian options, and organic dishes available on their menu.
How does Davanti Enoteca generally perform?
Davanti Enoteca holds an overall score of 7.1. It performs well in Ambience (7.9) and Service (7.3), with Food also rated positively (7.1). However, Value (3.4) is an area where guests have expressed concerns.
What do guests appreciate most about Davanti Enoteca?
Many guests praise the delicious Italian food, particularly items like focaccia, and the attentive, friendly staff who contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.
Are there any common issues at Davanti Enoteca?
Some diners have noted inconsistencies in value, including unexpected charges, and occasional lapses in service. The restaurant can also get quite loud, especially on busy nights.