Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
oChef » Trattoria da Sofia – San Diego
Trattoria da Sofia - San Diego
Photo from Trattoria da Sofia
Trattoria da Sofia at a glance
San Diego Normal Heights
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 112 of the guests
#98 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#5 Italian Restaurant out of 19 in San Diego
Excellent
8.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
724
Reviews
84.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The Italian restaurant Trattoria da Sofia in San Diego’s vibrant Normal Heights neighborhood invites you to a delightful culinary journey. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a relaxed lunch or an intimate dinner.
Known for its exceptional desserts, this spot promises a sweet ending to your meal. You can also explore their impressive wine list, ensuring a perfect pairing for your authentic Italian dishes.
Overview: Introducting Trattoria da Sofia
Excellent
8.5
out of 10
724
Reviews
84.5%
Satisfaction
75
negative
37
neutral
612
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on Trattoria da Sofia
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
It seems the food here is largely a hit, with a strong 8.6 score indicating a good to excellent culinary experience. Out of 406 pieces of feedback, a whopping 348 were positive, highlighting authentic Italian-Sicilian food, delicious homemade pasta, and standout dishes like Ossobucco and Tiramisu that truly impress. Customers are clearly enjoying their meals, reflected in a solid 85.7% satisfaction rate.
However, not every dish hits the mark, with 33 negative remarks noted. Some diners found issues with pasta texture, describing it as too al dente, while others occasionally experienced bland flavors or felt portions were a bit small for the price. Specific mentions of carbonara and risotto sometimes fell short of expectations.
Food
406
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
33
negative
25
neutral
348
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Italian flavors
- Delicious homemade pasta
- Outstanding Ossobucco, Tiramisu
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pasta texture
- Some bland flavors
- Small portions sometimes
Often praised
- foodMario's warmth and hospitality truly elevated the experience. As someone who has spent time in Italy, I can attest that the food is quality Italian. The appetizers were delicious, and the drinks list was extensive.
- tiramisuThe dining room's warm colors and rustic touches felt inviting. The desserts were the clear winners; both the lemon cake and the tiramisu were terrific. However, everything else was hit-or-miss.
- FoodWe enjoyed all aspects of our meal!
- Italian fooddefinitely authentic Italian food. It is also delicious!
- pastaMy friend and I had the best time, and our server, Yuri, was amazing. The bartender crafted delicious limoncello spritzes, and compliments to the chefs for the delicious pasta. I especially adored the crab and shrimp stuffed ravioli with pistachio cream sauce 🤌🏼🤤.
- carbonaraGet the carbonara. Pairs perfectly with a 10/10 service
- aranciniThe arancine was very good and one of my favorite items.
- calamariThe staff is very friendly and attentive. The food was delicious; we loved the calamari, minestrone soup, Caesar salad, sea bass, and pesto gnocchi! We will definitely be back very soon!
- drinksI had the pleasure of experiencing delicious food with amazing drinks and a wonderful atmosphere. The great food and service were truly outstanding!
- gnocchiThe gnocchi are to DIE for! OMG, do not judge this gnocchi
Frequently criticized
- foodour food felt like it had been cooked earlier and rewarmed
- aranciniThe drinks were also good. However, the arancini was a miss. A significant challenge we faced was the parking, which was near impossible to find, requiring us to drive around extensively.
- carbonaraThe carbonara was not good at all. It was not spaghetti noodles.
- pastaHowever, everything else was hit-or-miss. My bolognese needed salt, and the pasta was softer than al dente. We were given one small bread basket for the whole table, and a second basket came with an extra charge, which felt stingy considering the prices.
- risottoI had the risotto and it just doesn't match a traditional risotto
- Risottothe flavors in his Risotto were quite bland and disappointing
- SpinachiniThe pistachio pesto pasta had incredible flavor and creaminess, and it was a huge portion. The ravioli was also a generous portion, but the main flavor was definitely spinach, so if you aren’t a big spinach fan, I’d order something else. The texture of both pastas was just a little too al dente for us; we would have preferred just a tad more softness.
- al dente pastawas immediately turned off by the al dente pasta
- beef in Spiedini Sicilianathe beef in my Spiedini Siciliana was tough
- bologneseHowever, everything else was hit-or-miss. My bolognese needed salt, and the pasta was softer than al dente. We were given one small bread basket for the whole table, and a second basket came with an extra charge, which felt stingy considering the prices.
If youre craving authentic Italian-Sicilian flavors and dont mind the occasional texture quibble, this place is definitely worth a try. The high praise for homemade pasta and classic dishes suggests a memorable meal, but be mindful of potential inconsistencies in seasoning or portion sizes.
Service (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With an 8.9 score and an impressive 90.6% customer satisfaction, it's clear guests are consistently delighted. Out of 180 total remarks, a whopping 163 praise the attentive service, friendly staff, and the warm welcome, often highlighting owner involvement and stellar recommendations.
However, a small handful of 14 comments point to areas for improvement. Some guests occasionally felt unwelcome or that the service felt rushed, with a few mentions of management issues or a server butchering an order.
Service
180
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
163
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Owner involvement shines
- Warm, genuine welcome
What people don't like
- Service felt rushed
- Management issues
- Felt unwelcome sometimes
Often praised
- serviceThe pasta sauce was delicious, but the rigatoni was cooked so al dente it was almost crunchy, which unfortunately detracted from the dish. The service was great; the hostess and servers were very sweet. While the restaurant wasn't overly crowded, there was a consistent line for the women's bathroom throughout our visit, suggesting a potential issue with the number of stalls or a need for unisex options.
- staffThe very kind and welcoming owner recommended a house cocktail, the "Sofia, " which turned out to be delicious and perfect for accompanying dinner. The staff is warm, attentive, and helpful, and the owner is truly a wonderful soul. You feel at home, in Sicily, even if you are thousands of miles away.
- ServiceThe description stated it was a classic carbonara with egg, guanciale, and pecorino, but it clearly contained cream and the meat was not guanciale. Despite this one issue, I want to emphasize that it was overall a great experience! I'd recommend avoiding the carbonara and hope the restaurant addresses this.
- ownerThe very kind and welcoming owner recommended a house cocktail, the "Sofia, " which turned out to be delicious and perfect for accompanying dinner. The staff is warm, attentive, and helpful, and the owner is truly a wonderful soul. You feel at home, in Sicily, even if you are thousands of miles away.
- serverBut the real specialty for us was the lasagna. Our server, Nino, was wonderful as he was very friendly and attentive. I definitely recommend this place!
- customer serviceBeyond the incredible food and drinks, the service was exceptional. Franco, Mario, and Andrea went above and beyond to make me feel at home, offering great recommendations and providing amazing customer service. I highly recommend giving this amazing place a try.
- dining experienceWhat an amazing dining experience! I had the best Ossobucco and enjoyed the tableside Tiramisu and an espresso martini for dessert.
- server YuriYuri the server was great and very professional
- BrandonBrandon was exceptionally knowledgeable
- Franco Mario and AndreaFranco Mario and Andrea go above and beyond
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service was meh. It felt rushed.
- adjustmentThe adjustment was minimal
- bartenderbartender will make it obvious they don’t want us to sit there
- complimentary light bites and champagneWe visited for the restaurant's Grand Opening dinner, excited to have a new neighborhood spot. The advertised complimentary light bites and champagne were not readily available, though they did allow us to order one appetizer on the house. We were hoping to sample a few different items.
- due diligencedue diligence on owners of this place
- feeling unwelcomemake us feel unwelcome
- managementasked by management for us to hurry up
- management teamno response and no solution was provided
- party of 2Our party of 2 spent $87
- serverserver butchered my order
Overall, you can expect an excellent service experience here, often enhanced by genuine hospitality and attentive staff. While a few minor hiccups might occur, the overwhelming sentiment suggests you'll be well taken care of.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, earning a good score of 7.7 with a solid 76% customer satisfaction. Many guests, accounting for 95 positive remarks out of 125, rave about the inviting atmosphere, cozy ambiance, and charming decor. It's often praised as a great date night spot, complete with Italian music, live performances, and lovely outdoor seating.
However, not everyone finds the vibe perfect. Some 22 comments point to issues like high noise levels, with the room often described as acoustically loud, making conversation difficult. A few also mentioned discomfort from being too chilly or too warm, and some found the decor or the large room size less appealing.
Ambience
125
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
22
negative
8
neutral
95
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Inviting atmosphere
- Charming decor
- Great date spot
What people don't like
- Loud environment
- Inconsistent temperature
- Unappealing decor
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was a mix of great food and a great atmosphere, unfortunately marred by a significant service error. While the food was enjoyable and the ambiance pleasant, the server made a critical mistake with my order.
- AtmosphereThe description stated it was a classic carbonara with egg, guanciale, and pecorino, but it clearly contained cream and the meat was not guanciale. Despite this one issue, I want to emphasize that it was overall a great experience! I'd recommend avoiding the carbonara and hope the restaurant addresses this.
- decorThe decor and the authenticity of the staff there help immerse you
- ambianceambiance reminds me of when I was in a small town in Italy
- ambienceambience and service were top notch
- environmentThe food, service and environment feels like you’ve been transported to Italy
- placeThe place is beautiful it makes you feel like you are in Italy
- Italian musicCozy Italian music playing
- Noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- aestheticThe aesthetic was cute and cozy
Frequently criticized
- noise levelMy biggest complaint is the noise level
- Somewhat difficult to find parkingParking space:Somewhat difficult to find parking
- acoustically loudWe had to shout to be heard by our dinner companions. The room is acoustically loud, and the music was turned way up. When it gets busy, maybe they should just turn the music off.
- air-conditioningThe bigger problem was the heat. Even after we asked about the air-conditioning, nothing seemed to come out of the vent above us, so everyone ended up fanning themselves with menus. Overall, the experience was fine but not special.
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was very loud
- background musicbackground music was so loud
- barsat us at the bar
- chilly insideit was quite chilly inside
- conversationdifficult to carry on a conversation
- decorOnly thing we did not like was the decor
If you're looking for a lively, inviting atmosphere for a date night or a fun outing, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be prepared that it can get quite loud, and the indoor temperature might be a bit inconsistent for some.
Value (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to value, theres definitely some good news! Many guests appreciate the free street parking and often find the prices to be quite reasonable, even saying theyre worth it. With 6 positive remarks out of 13 total opinions, the overall score for value sits at an average 5.6, though customer satisfaction is a bit of a mixed 46.2%.
However, it's not all sunshine and roses. A similar number of guests, 6 to be exact, felt the restaurant was overpriced relative to the quality or that portions were too small for the cost. Some were also surprised by an extra charge for a bread basket, which felt a bit stingy given the overall pricing.
Value
13
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Free street parking
- Reasonable prices
- Good value menu
What people don't like
- Overpriced for quality
- Small portions for price
- Extra bread charge
Often praised
- pricewe were happy with the price we paid for our meal
- Free street parkingParking options:Free street parking
- price per personFor New Year's Eve dinner, I experienced the 3-course prefix menu at $55 per person. We absolutely loved all the dishes we selected and will definitely be returning!
- pricesPrices are mid not cheap but worth the price
- reasonable pricesreasonable prices add to the charm
Frequently criticized
- bread basketMy bolognese needed salt, and the pasta was softer than al dente. We were given one small bread basket for the whole table, and a second basket came with an extra charge, which felt stingy considering the prices. The bigger problem was the heat.
- moneyGuess we didn't spend enough money
- overpricedit's overpriced relative to the quality
- priceThe food was absolutely delicious, earning a perfect score. However, the portions were quite small for the price, which was a bit disappointing. On the other hand, the customer service was great, and the atmosphere was also rated highly.
- pricesthe prices were equal to or higher than other similar restaurants
- pricingit was priced as more of an intimate upscale dining
So, is it worth your hard-earned cash? If youre looking for a special occasion meal and dont mind potentially smaller portions, especially with free parking, it could be a good fit. Just be mindful that some find it a bit pricey for the overall experience, so manage your expectations.
How are the prices at Trattoria da Sofia?
On average, you’ll spend around 50 per person – from 112 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $41–$50 category. For an Italian Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what everyone spends, while the average is 50, there’s a good spread. Many guests find themselves in the 21 – 50 $ sweet spot, but a significant number also choose to indulge, spending well over 50. It suggests a menu with options for various appetites and budgets, but with a clear lean towards a more substantial experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 112 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
For an Italian Restaurant in San Diego, a price point around 50 per person feels fair, especially if they’re delivering on quality ingredients and a great dining experience. We think it offers good value for those looking for a memorable meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Trattoria da Sofia
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Incredible Italian Experience!
My experience at this restaurant was truly wonderful. The food was very tasty, and the service was incredible. I was also impressed by the beautiful ambience, which made me feel like I was sitting in a little town in Italy.
- food9
- service10
- ambience9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Best Italian Experience in San Diego!
My experience at Trattoria da Sofia was exceptional, truly the best Italian in San Diego. The staff welcomed me like family, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Southern Italy. It felt like being welcomed home, a complete dining experience.
The food was consistently delicious; the pasta is made in-house, and the proprietors ensured I enjoyed my wine. The appetizers were ridiculously good, and the mains, including incredible specials, were very thoughtfully prepared. I highly recommend not missing the tiramisu!
Every visit has been the best, and I can't wait to return. Grazie Peppe and everyone at Sofia, you truly capture the spirit of Italian dining. We love it and will always come back.
- Italian10
- family10
- atmosphere5
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Fantastic Italian with Great Service!
My experience at Trattoria Da SofĂa was fantastic! I enjoyed the fresh, flavorful Italian dishes and the warm, outstanding service. The round table setup made the evening feel extra special with my friends.
I can’t wait to go back!
- Italian dishes10
- service10
- round table setup9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
8
Delightful Atmosphere, Decent Pasta
My experience at this restaurant was overall very delightful! There was live music, which created a lovely atmosphere. The pasta is made in-house and was fresh, though not the absolute best fresh-made pasta I've ever had.
Despite that, the meal was still very enjoyable.
- live music9
- atmosphere9
- pasta6
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Italian with Cozy Atmosphere
My friends and I visited this restaurant on a Saturday for dinner. Parking in the area was quite easy to find, especially in the residential streets. We were seated immediately, having made reservations via OpenTable.
Oh my goodness, this place was delicious! The decor is cute and creates a very cozy atmosphere. I will definitely be returning to try more dishes from the menu.
I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a new Italian dining experience. Food/Drink Highlights: * Espresso Martini: Rated 5/5, these were incredibly tasty, even for someone who isn't a coffee drinker. My friend ordered a second one!
* Pinot Grigio: A perfect 5/5, described as refreshing and delicious. * Caesar Salad: Received a 4/5, noted as delicious with fresh dressing. The reviewer could have eaten the whole thing.
* Fiori di Zucca: A 5/5, this was a new experience for the reviewer and a happy surprise. It had a delicious flavor, great texture, and a subtly sweet sauce. * Meatballs: A favorite at 5/5, they were super tender, flavorful, and served with a delicious sauce.
* Bruschettone: Rated 5/5, this appetizer was fresh, delicious, and perfect for sharing, with well-blended flavors. * Spicy Rigatoni Vodka: A perfect 5/5, with fresh pasta and a sauce described as perfection. The reviewer did not find it spicy.
* Sugo Pittinichi: Scored 4/5, featuring fresh noodles and perfectly cooked meat (ribs and sausage) that fell off the bone. It had great flavor but wasn't the reviewer's absolute favorite.
- Espresso martini10
- Pinot Grigio10
- Caesar salad8
What Trattoria da Sofia offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner 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
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Can you make reservations for dinner at Trattoria da Sofia?
Yes, you can make reservations for dinner at Trattoria da Sofia. Dinner reservations are recommended, especially if you’re planning to enjoy their delicious Italian cuisine for an evening meal. They offer table service for lunch and dinner.
What accessibility features and family-friendly amenities does Trattoria da Sofia offer?
Trattoria da Sofia offers wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. For families, it’s good for kids, providing a kids’ menu and high chairs to ensure a comfortable dining experience for everyone.