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Bernini's Bistro & Bar, San Diego, CA

Bernini's Bistro & Bar

4.7
4.7
582 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian

Make a booking

2 people
23:00
Booked 17 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
Bernini’s Bistro & Bar has been the local's favorite in La Jolla for the past 24 years. We offer a wide variety of entrees at very affordable prices that will please all guests. Try one of our homemade organic pasta, wood-fired pizza, or seafood dishes. We offer Happy Hour 5 days a week Sunday-Thursday from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. For reservations of parties larger than 12 please contact Reyhan at (858) 337-5227.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary American, Californian
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (858) 454-5013
  • Website
    http://www.berninisbistro.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Sergio Diaz Perez
  • Private party facilities
    We have a semi-private room for up to 24 guests.
  • Location
    7550 Fay Ave, San Diego, CA 92037-4839
  • Area
    La Jolla
  • Cross Street
    Pearl
  • Parking details
    We have some parking available in the back of the restaurant and plenty of street parking.
  • Additional
    Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining

Menu

Dinner Starters

  • Brussels SproutsUS$14.90

    Duck bacon, garlic aioli and balsamic reduction.

    • Bowl of SoupUS$8.00

      Dinner From the Garden

      Add to any salad jumbo white beans, flame broiled chicken breast, grilled or blackened salmon, or shrimp for an additional charge.

      • Sweet Walnut Salad

        Field greens, cranberries, apples, caramelized walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette.

        • LittleUS$9.00
        • FullUS$16.00

      • Caesar Salad

        Hearts of romaine, croutons and shaved Parmesan. Gluten free (without croutons).

        • LittleUS$9.00
        • FullUS$16.00

      Dinner Woodfired Pizza

      Substitute gluten free pizza for an additional charge.

      • Traditional Cheese PizzaUS$15.00

        Mozzarella and tomato sauce.

        • Pepperoni PizzaUS$17.00

          Pepperoni, mozzarella and tomato sauce.

          Dinner Pasta

          Substitute gluten free pasta for an additional charge.

          • Spaghetti BologneseUS$19.90

            Signature home made Bolognese sauce

            • Spaghetti and MeatballsUS$19.90

              Homemade all beef meatballs.

              Dinner Farm and Sea

              • 24 Hour Braised Beef Short RibsUS$30.00

                Gremolata, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

                • Chicken ParmigianaUS$21.90

                  Spaghetti marinara.

                  Last updated: 1 February 2022

                  What 582 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
                  • 4.8Service
                  • 4.7Ambience
                  • 4.4Value

                  Noise • Moderate

                  Review summary

                  AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                  Bernini's Bistro & Bar in La Jolla is a "charming gem" known for its "excellent food and service." Ideal for special occasions or a casual meal, it offers a diverse menu with standout dishes like the "Signature Lasagna" and "delicious pizza." The outdoor seating provides a "lovely atmosphere," perfect for enjoying "great ambiance" and "friendly staff."

                  582 Reviews

                  1. Jennifer

                    San Diego

                    1 review

                    5.0

                    1 review

                    Dined 3 days ago

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    It was a great place to celebrate my friend’a birthday! Great food, service and atmosphere.We will definitely be back!

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                  2. paul

                    Los Angeles

                    3 reviews

                    5.0

                    3 reviews

                    Dined 4 days ago

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 4
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Excellent delicious authentic Italian food. Ambiance is very elegant and cozy. Service is very friendly. I recommend to others to come to this Italian restaurant gem.

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                  3. Pam

                    San Diego

                    6 reviews

                    5.0

                    6 reviews

                    Dined on 18 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 4
                    4. Ambience 4
                    We had not been back to Bernini's for over a decade, for no particular reason, it more or less fell off our radar. We used to go be cause the food was GREAT. Stumbled across it on Yelp and thought...hmmm. Used to be darn good. Happy to report, we still LOVE the food. Bernini's is back on the rotation! I think it might be my favorite Italian restaurant. I've never had even a marginal meal here. My only knock on this place is the parking. La Jolla is always bad, and we got lucky last night. Sunday night, football season, so maybe that is why we found a place quickly. Don't count on getting lucky.

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                  4. Carolynn

                    San Diego

                    134 reviews

                    5.0

                    134 reviews

                    Dined on 17 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    they make the BEST cioppino...so welcoming - a neighborhood gem!

                    Is this helpful?

                  5. Mark

                    San Diego

                    24 reviews

                    5.0

                    24 reviews

                    Dined on 12 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    First time here.....it was great! Great service...great food....nice everything.....thanks for a good dinner and time

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                  6. Barry

                    San Diego

                    115 reviews

                    3.0

                    115 reviews

                    Dined on 9 November 2024

                    1. Overall 3
                    2. Food 4
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 3
                    Food is good and generally priced fairly. Our main issue is that when you order a salad, they don't serve any bread with it and the bread option on the menu is expensive if you just want bread and not with tapenade. Also on our last visit, the only coffee option was to get an Americano as ostensibly their other coffee machine was not working -- not a good thing for a restaurant.

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                  7. Blayne

                    Philadelphia

                    13 reviews

                    5.0

                    13 reviews

                    Dined on 8 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    This Bistro always has delicious food. I like trying something new each time and they’ve never missed. I recommend any night of the week.

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                  8. James

                    San Diego

                    2 reviews

                    5.0

                    2 reviews

                    Dined on 5 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    My experience at Bernini’s is nothing short of amazing. The food is great, excellent customer service and the ambiance is always outstanding and refreshing.

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                  9. Richard

                    San Diego

                    2 reviews

                    5.0

                    2 reviews

                    Dined on 5 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    An enjoyable meal. The pizza was excellent as was the ambience. Service was excellent. A nice experience at a nice bistro. I recommend it to anyone.

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                  10. Susan

                    San Diego

                    9 reviews

                    5.0

                    9 reviews

                    Dined on 5 November 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 4
                    4. Ambience 4
                    music oo loud, so patrons get louder, etc. etc. Never sure who "our waiter" was, but service was fine. My guest had a lovely birthday evening out, thanks!!!

                    Is this helpful?

                  FAQs

                  Bernini's Bistro & Bar offers delivery in partnership with Postmates. Bernini's Bistro & Bar also offers takeaway which you can order by calling the restaurant at (858) 454-5013.

                  Bernini's Bistro & Bar is rated 4.7 stars by 582 OpenTable diners.

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

                  Make a booking

                  2 people
                  23:00
                  Booked 17 times today

                  Order delivery or takeout

                  Google Map for Bernini's Bistro & Bar

                  7550 Fay Ave, San Diego, CA 92037-4839

                  Dining areas

                  Additional information

                  • Cross Street
                    Pearl
                  • Area
                    La Jolla
                  • Hours of Operation
                    Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
                  • Price
                    $30 and under
                  • Cuisines
                    Italian, Contemporary American, Californian
                  • Dining style
                    Casual Elegant
                  • Dress code
                    Casual Dress
                  • Parking details
                    We have some parking available in the back of the restaurant and plenty of street parking.
                  • Payment Options
                    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                  • Executive Chef
                    Sergio Diaz Perez
                  • Additional
                    Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining
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