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The Godfather Restaurant, San Diego, CA

The Godfather Restaurant

4.7

4.7

1859 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 27, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 15 times today

Good for special occasions
Charming
Great for fine wines

The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian monument in downtown San Diego providing authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy. Established in 1974, The Godfather is a sophisticated and classy establishment that centers around generational recipes from both Northern and Southern Italy. Over the years, the quality of food and standard of service has never declined and thus garnered The Godfather a national recognition as one of the top twenty-five Italian restaurants in the entire nation. The menu is filled with classic favorites based in steak, chicken and pasta. For an intimate evening for two, try the Sicilian kiss prix fixe meal that includes a bottle of champagne.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Steak
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(858) 560-1747
Website
http://www.godfatherrestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Isidoro Balistreri

Location
7878 Clrmt Msa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111-1621
Neighborhood
Kearny Mesa
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Menu

Hours: M-F 11:00am-2:30pm

Antipasti

Mozzarella en Carozza$10.95
Mozzarella cheese, seasoned, fried & baked in marinara sauce
Caprese$13.95
Fior di latte mozzarella, tomato, Sicilian olives, basil, red onion, oregano, capers & extra virgin olive oil
Cuori di Carciofi$12.95
Artichoke hearts, seasoned & fried. Baked in lemon, garlic, capers & parmesan cheese
Fegatini di Pollo$11.95
Tender chicken livers, sauteed in white wine, fresh mushrooms & peas
Antipasto della Casa$16.95
Roasted, marinated vegetables, prosciutto, salami, mordatella, olives, pepperoncini, basil, & extra-virgin olive oil
Calamari Fritti$12.95
Tender calamari, lightly breaded & fried
Caesar$6.00
Fresh crisp Romaine, tossed with our special recipe Caesar dressing & anchovy filet

Paste

Served with your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Penne All' Arrabbiata e Salcicce$16.95
Penne pasta & sausage in tomato sauce, seasoned spicy hot with Italian peppers
Spaghetti alla Bolognese$15.95
Chef Isidoro's special recipe of spaghetti & meat sauce. Suggested wine: Sartori Bardolino
Penne al Pomodoro$15.95
Penne pasta with fresh tomato, garlic, oregano & basil. Suggested wine: Sangiovese
Lasagne al Forno$16.95
Baked lasagne in the old Sicilian style with bolognese sauce, ricotta, mozzarella & parmesan cheeses. Suggested wine: Gattinara
Spaghetti alla Carbonara$16.95
Spaghetti in light imported parmesan cheese sauce with prosciutto. Suggested wine: Pinot Grigio
Linguine al Pesto$15.95
Linguine tossed with basil, parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, garlic & pine nuts. Suggested wine: Pinot Gringo
Fettucine Alfredo$16.95
Fettuccine pasta tossed with a rich cream sauce
Ravioli alla Godfather$15.95
Traditional meat ravioli in Chef Isidoro's Bolognese sauce. Suggested wine: Chianti
Ravioli ai Funghi Portobello$17.95
Portobello mushroom ravioli, served in a light cream & tomato Rossini sauce. Suggested wine: Mondavi Barbera
Tortellini al Verde$17.95
Spinach & ricotta tortellini served in Alfredo sauce. Suggested wine: Ruffino Libaio
Linguine al Vongole$17.95
Linguine with clams sauteed in wine, extra virgin olive oil, garlic & parsley, served with your choice of red or white sauce. Suggested wine: Orvieto or Chianti
Penne alla Puttanesca$16.95
Penne in a fresh tomato sauce with olives, capers, basil, olive oil, parmesan cheese & oregano. Suggested wine: Italian Merlot
Cannelloni Fatti en Casa$17.95
Italian crepes with chicken, meat & cheeses, garlic, fresh mushrooms, baked with besciamella sauce. Suggested wine: Barbera D' Asti
Eggplant alla Parmigiana$17.95
Baked eggplant with mushrooms, ricotta & mozzarella cheese in marinara sauce. Suggested wine: Dolcetto D' Alba
Linguine ai Frutti di Mare$24.95
A king Neptune feast of pastas! Lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari & fish sauteed in wine, garlic & mushrooms, served in red or white sauce. Suggested wine: Gavi "Principessa"

Piatti Combinazioni

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Cannelloni con Scaloppine al Marsala$24.95
Cannelloni & veal medallions in Sicilian marsalla wine & fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Mezza Corona Pinot Grigio
Cannelloni con Fegatini$23.95
Cannelloni & fresh chicken livers sauteed with fresh mushrooms, onions & peas. Suggested wine: Orvieto
Cannelloni con Pollo Alla Parmigiana$23.95
Cannelloni & baked chicken breast with mozzarella, marinara, fresh mushrooms & parmesan cheese. Suggested wine: Quercetto Chianti

Pollo

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Pollo alla Marsala$18.99
Chicken sauteed in Sicilian marsala wine with fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Pinot Grigio "La Famiglia"
Pollo alla Cacciatori$18.99
Chicken in marinara sauce with white wine, garlic, oregano, fresh mushrooms, bell peppers, onions & fine Italian herbs. Suggested wine: Sartori Soave
Pollo alla Parmigiana$18.99
Baked chicken breast with mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce & fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Querceto
Saltimbocca di Pollo$18.99
Chicken breasts sauteed in a light tomato sauce with wine, prosciutto, mozzarella & sage. Suggested wine: Gattinara
Pollo alla Fiorentina$18.99
Chicken medallions lightly battered & sauteed in white wine, fresh lemon, butter & capers. Suggested wine: Orvieto
Fegatini di Pollo$18.99
Chicken livers tenderly sauteed in white wine with fresh mushrooms & peas. Suggested wine: Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc

Pesce

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Pesce del Giorno$20.99
Prepared to perfection with white wine, lemon & butter
Cioppino$24.95
A fisherman's wharf seafood medley of lobster, mussels, calamari, shrimp, clams & fresh fish in marinara soup. Suggested wine: Gavi "Principessa"
Scampi alla Godfather$23.99
Shrimp baked in wine with fresh mushrooms, garlic, oregano & balsamic vinegar. Suggested wine: Frascati
Scampi Fra Diavolo$21.99
Shrimp in a spicy marinara sauce with garlic & Italian herbs. Suggested wine: Petite Syrah
Zuppa di Cozze$18.99
Mussels in wine, garlic, extra virgin olive oil & light marinara sauce. Suggested wine: Caymus Sauvignon Blanc
Linguine ai Frutti di Mare$24.95
A king Neptune feast of pastas! Lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari & fish sauteed in wine, garlic & mushrooms, served in your choice of red or white sauce. Suggested wine: Gavi "Principessa"
Salmone alla Griglia$19.99
Salmon seared in a Sicilian style sauce of diced tomatoes, capers, olives, onions, bell peppers & olive oil. Suggested wine: Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc
Calamari alla Marinara$17.99
Calamari sauteed in a spicy light marinara sauce with white wine, fresh garlic & oregano. Suggested wine: Fazi Battaglia Verdicchio

Vitello

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

Scaloppine al Marsala$19.99
Veal medallions sauteed in Sicilian Marsala wine with fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Pinot Grigio "La Famiglia"
Piccata di Scaloppine$19.99
Veal medallions sauteed in white wine, lemon & butter with fresh mushrooms & capers. Suggested wine: Verdicchio
Vitello alla Fiorentina$19.99
Lightly battered veal medallions sauteed in white wine, lemon, butter & capers. Suggested wine: Gavi
Saltimbocca di Vitello$19.99
Veal sauteed in wine & baked in light tomato sauce with prosciutto, mozzarella & sage. Suggested wine: Ferrari-Carano Merlot
Bocconcini alla Godfather$19.99
Seasoned & breaded veal stuffed with prosciutto, provolone, parmesan & Italian seasoning, salami & mortadella, broiled with bell peppers & onion. Suggested wine: Chianti, Ruffino
Vitello alla Parmigiana$19.99
Baked veal with mozzarella cheese, bolognese sauce & fresh mushrooms. Suggested wine: Quercetto Chianti
Speciale dello Chef Isidoro$19.99
Chef Isidoro's original seasoned & breaded veal stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomatoes & onions sauteed & baked in wine & marinara. Suggested wine: Barolo

Steaks & Filet

Served with pasta & your choice of soup of the day or house salad

New York alla Sinatra$28.95
New York strip sauteed in Barolo wine & marinara, fresh mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, garlic & oregano. Suggested wine: Super-Tuscan
New York$27.95
New York strip, prepared as you wish. Suggested wine: Pierano Cabernet
Filet Mignon$31.95
Godfather cut filet mignon, prepared as you wish. Suggested wine: Ferrari-Carano Siena

Panini Imbotiti

Prosciutto$16.95
Italian artisan with prosciutto, arugula, fresh mozzarella, tomato, red onion, virgin olive oil & balsamico
Salsicce$14.95
Chef Isidoro's family made sausages in bolognese sauce, with bell peppers & mozzarella
Torpedo$14.95
Italian cold cuts, lettuce, tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese, onions, olive oil & spices
Meatball$14.95
Chef Isidoro's Sicilian meatballs in bolognese sauce with bell peppers & mozzarella cheese

Insalate

Caesar$14.95
Fresh crisp Romaine, tossed with our special recipe Caesar dressing. Served with your choice of chicken, shrimp or salmon
Insalata alla Godfather$16.95
A Godfather assortment of Italian cold cuts, peperoncini, olives, tomatoes, Gorgonzola & Provolone cheese
Blackened Salmon Salad$17.95
Salmon over mixed greens, avocado, black olives & balsamic vinaigrette
Seared Ahi Salad$16.95
Seared ahi tuna, red onions, toy box tomatoes, spring mix greens, olives with soy balsamic dressing
Grilled Calamari Salad$16.95
Grilled whole calamari, roasted bell pepper, olives, toy box tomatoes, capers over spring mixed greens lemon zest vinaigrette

What 1,859 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

5
4
3
2
1

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Godfather Restaurant offers a charming old-school Italian experience with "excellent service" and "amazing food." Guests rave about the "generous portions" and "authentic ambiance," making it ideal for special occasions. While some mention noise levels and parking, the overall atmosphere and "fantastic service" keep diners returning for delightful meals.

1,859 Reviews

S
Scott
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My wife and I had not been there for years and I took her there for her birthday. We regretted that it had been so long since we visited because it was awesome. The service was wonderful and the food was AMAZING!! What more can I say?
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R
Russell
Phoenix
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Very disappointing. Food was average at best and overall poor value for experience. Maybe work it for steaks , not worth it for Italian food.
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S
Sarah
Phoenix
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful in all areas. Thanks to the new owners for keeping the transition.
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K
Keith
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent dining experience from start to finish. Food was exceptional. Service was way above average! Can’t wait to go back and try other delicious dishes.
Is this helpful?
M
Marc
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Went here for my daughter’s 16th birthday. Waiter was engaging and cheeky, and made the dinner even more fun.
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T
Tobi
San Diego
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Godfather is always an enjoyable experience. Excellent service, ambiance fits the name, and food is delicious.
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J
Jamie
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is my all time favorite restaurant. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is exactly what you want when dining out.
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P
Patrick
San Diego
34 reviews
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Whether it's a business lunch or a private dinner, The Godfather never fails to deliver on service, quality and value. Don't let the unassuming location fool you, this is a hidden gem!
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W
Wanda
San Diego
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic service and an exceptional meal! We had the spaghetti carbonara with shrimp, the seafood crepe, and the mushroom ravioli, and all were absolutely delicious!!!!! Our server was wonderful as well, very welcoming, friendly and helpful. Can't wait to go back! Highly recommend!
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E
Eric
Orange County
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was outstanding with some Italian dishes I had never heard of, great to try something different. A little pricey, but a better deal with the San Diego Restaurant gift cards. Was given an excellent piece of cheesecake for my wife's birthday. Atmosphere was great, old-style Italian restaurant with pictures, wine bottles, etc., decorating the dining room. Service was outstanding. Parking was a little difficult because we have a large vehicle. There was one loud table that kind of ruined the atmosphere a bit, but that's not the restaurant's fault, we just ignored them as best we could. Highly recommended!
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FAQs

The Godfather Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 560-1747.

The Godfather Restaurant is rated 4.7 stars by 1859 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 27, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 15 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Godfather Restaurant

7878 Clrmt Msa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111-1621

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighborhood
Kearny Mesa
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Steak
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Isidoro Balistreri
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.godfatherrestaurant.com/
Phone number
(858) 560-1747

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