The Godfather

7878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111, United States
+1 858-560-1747
$$$ Italian restaurant , Bar , Fine dining restaurant , Sicilian restaurant , Wine bar
(1366 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

The Godfather is a full-service Italian restaurant and wine bar located in San Diego’s Clairemont Mesa neighborhood, offering a dining experience that blends Sicilian and classic Italian flavors with an elevated yet approachable atmosphere. It suits both casual dinners and special occasions, with a vibe that feels warm and inviting without the pressure of formal dress – you’ll see everything from business casual to celebratory couples in private booths.

The interior strikes a balance between traditional and refined, with attentive service that complements the setting without feeling stiff. Early dinners here tend to be quieter, perfect for relaxed conversation, while later in the evening the restaurant gathers a livelier crowd, filling the space with the buzz of diners savoring well-prepared meals and a thoughtfully curated wine list.

The menu spots a strong presence of classic Italian dishes rooted in Sicilian tradition, with a handful of seafood and meat options that reflect regional specialties. Starters like fried zucchini and calamari are popular choices to share, and house-made pasta dishes such as spaghetti alla Bolognese, chicken cannelloni, or lobster ravioli highlight the kitchen’s skill in balancing fresh ingredients with rich sauces. For mains, the chicken dishes—whether parmesan or marsala—offer comforting familiarity, while trout or swordfish appeal if you lean more toward seafood. Portions feel generous enough to satisfy without overwhelming, and desserts like tiramisu and creme brulee provide a fittingly indulgent close.

What stands out is how the restaurant manages to offer an authentic Italian dining experience that feels genuine and laid-back, welcomed by locals for both weekday dinners and milestone celebrations. The staff is noted for friendly attentiveness and occasional personal touches, which adds to a sense of community within the space. It’s a solid choice whether you’re meeting friends for a nice wine pairing or marking a special night with elevated Italian fare.

Best visited during an early dinner to enjoy a quieter atmosphere or reserved for weekend special occasions when the place livens up. Wine lovers will appreciate the selection, which pairs well with the variety of rich, traditional dishes on offer.

Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Has live music
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Valet parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 02:00 PM

,

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 02:00 PM

,

04:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

04:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

1366 Reviews
Nikki Mohan

09 Jan 2026

We had a lovely late weekday dinner at The Godfather to celebrate a friend's birthday. We were greeted warmly, and the birthday girl even got a special wish – a nice touch! Seating was prompt, and we absolutely loved the restaurant's vibe. The wine selection is impressive. We particularly enjoyed the eggplant appetizer, and both the pasta and salmon dishes were fantastic. The chicken, however, wasn't a highlight. Parking was a bit tough even on a weekday; we only found one open spot. We didn't see any valet, so that might be a weekend-only service. Despite the minor parking issue and the chicken not quite hitting the mark, we had a memorable birthday celebration. Highly recommend for the ambiance, wine, and delicious food!

Ashley LeBourveau-Truong

04 Jan 2026

We went here to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and it was the perfect place to have a special occasion. They gave us a nicely private booth, and the ambiance was really relaxed. Everything we tried was fantastic, with the swordfish being the standout. We made a reservation for an early dinner and it was empty when we arrived, but later in the evening it was packed, so it may get busier later in the evenings.

Carl Wakefield

29 Dec 2025

Atmosphere, service and food are excellent! Very authentic feel and food. I was in the area for work and wanted an fine Italian food experience. Not having formal wear,I was a bit reluctant to dine here but I was greeted with the best service and felt welcome. You can enjoy the experience dressed causal or formal. Coming from an Italian family, the food is exceptional and the prices are very fair. You will not be disappointed,

Dani

26 Dec 2025

We had a wonderful dining experience enjoying classic Italian cuisine. The fettuccine with their special recipe Bolognese sauce was rich and flavorful, and the lasagna was perfectly layered and satisfying. They have a great selection of wine also for perfect pairing. We ended the meal with a delicious tiramisu that is light, creamy, and the perfect finish with coffee. The ambiance was elevated by a live piano player, creating a warm and elegant atmosphere. Service was friendly and attentive throughout the evening. Overall, a memorable meal in a lovely setting.

Angelita Rebuijo

04 Dec 2025

Returning customer, always happy to be here on Happy New Year's eve early dinner. Entrées selected were great. Service attentive.

Alan Bunge

20 Oct 2025

With out a doubt our favorite Italian restaurant in San Diego area. Excellent all male waiters, great full bar and amazing wine selection, excellent variety of delicious dishes, reasonably priced menu, live piano player for cozy ambiance.. Highly recommended..

Kaila Adams

29 Sep 2025

This place was amazing! The ambiance was old world Italian and upscale so I would recommend dressing formal. There is no dress code but it would be easy to feel underdressed. The waitstaff is dressed formal. My waiter Ricardo was very knowledgeable about dishes and wine pairing. He also informed me about the live pianist Fridays and Saturdays. To say the food was exquisite would be an understatement. I had a reservation (I highly recommend making one) for my birthday and will definitely be bringing family back!

Sparkles333

25 Sep 2025

What a hidden gem. You step into a classy and cozy Italian restaurant behind those big front doors. I forgot I was in Claremont. Food was delicious. Ambience was perfect for a fun date night.

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