Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana & Seafood
Rustic-chic Italian eatery serving hearty meat & seafood entrees, thin-crust pizzas, and an impressive wine list.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana & Seafood
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Rustic-chic Italian eatery serving hearty meat & seafood entrees, thin-crust pizzas, and an impressive wine list.
"Excellent pasta dishes, wish I had them in my town! GO!!!"
Make Reservations
Secure your table, especially on weekends, by making reservations online.
Happy Hour Steals
Visit between 3:30-6 PM for $1.50 oysters and great deals on drinks and plates.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Happy Hour Oysters & Deals
Score $1.50 oysters and incredible value on drinks and small plates during their daily happy hour.
Authentic Italian Pasta
Savor expertly prepared pasta dishes, praised as being as good as those found in Italy.
Dog-Friendly Patio
Dine al fresco with your canine companion, complete with a special menu just for pets.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make Reservations
Secure your table, especially on weekends, by making reservations online.
Happy Hour Steals
Visit between 3:30-6 PM for $1.50 oysters and great deals on drinks and plates.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Bring your dog to enjoy the patio and a special menu designed for furry friends.
Extensive Wine List
Explore a well-curated wine list to find the perfect pairing for your Italian meal.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make Reservations
Secure your table, especially on weekends, by making reservations online.
Happy Hour Steals
Visit between 3:30-6 PM for $1.50 oysters and great deals on drinks and plates.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Bring your dog to enjoy the patio and a special menu designed for furry friends.
Extensive Wine List
Explore a well-curated wine list to find the perfect pairing for your Italian meal.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana & Seafood is praised for its authentic and delicious Italian cuisine, particularly its pasta dishes which reviewers claim are as good as those in Italy. Diners also rave about the fantastic happy hour deals, especially the $1.50 oysters. However, some patrons have experienced service inconsistencies, with one reviewer noting a disorganized order of courses during a busy period. While many find the food worth the price, one guest felt the value was not justified for their experience.
"Absolutely amazing happy hour seven days a week 330 to 6 PM in the heart of Carlsbad Village. Draft beer well drinks in housewife five dollars. The house Chardonnay was chill and excellent. I ordered the meatballs. ($7) and penne pasta with meat sauce ($9), and both were absolutely delicious. They offer a half dozen food plates for seven dollars each and nine food plates for nine dollars. This enables the budget conscious diner to enjoy the highest quality Italian food expertly prepared. I happen upon this place around 5 PM on a summer Saturday afternoon and the Mater. D read me and seated me quickly and was very attentive. And absolutely extraordinary experience, both in terms of quality and value."
Steve Fitzgerald
"Located just off the main drag of Carlsbad Village, this place is a gem with great indoor/outdoor dining, a fun bar scene, and a great happy hour (lots of options, rare for most places).
Oysters for $1.50ea at happy hour are a steal and they are good (but sometimes do run out).
Good cocktails and amazing wine list. Prices very reasonable.
Parking is street only (no lot)."
Erin Kelley
"I am definitely going back here. The food was outstanding the service was outstanding, I suggest reservations you can get them online but we definitely will be back
Husband got the surf and turf which came with a generous portion of filet a lobster four or five shrimp and veggies. I got the appetizer shrimp barsac, which I didn't like and sent it back because it was not peeled properly so I just ate off my husband's plate and it was really good"
C. Wise
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Happy Hour runs seven days a week from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, offering great deals on drinks and food plates.
Yes, Cicciotti's has a dog-friendly patio and even offers a special menu for pets.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on busy weekends, and can be made online.
Dishes like surf and turf, cannelloni, cioppino, and their authentic pasta selections are highly praised.
Yes, the restaurant offers vegetarian dishes alongside their meat and seafood options.
Parking is street-only as there is no dedicated lot.
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Fresh seafood, hearty Italian meats, vegetarian dishes, and wood-fired baked thin-crust pizzas are among the menu offerings at Cicciotti’s Trattoria Italiana & Seafood. This rustic-chic Italian restaurant and outdoor patio is located on Grand Avenue and Roosevelt in the Village of Carlsbad. I purchased the chef’s cookbook Cicciotti’s Kitchen, written by native Italian Chef Gaetano Cicciotti, and took home some of his best Italian recipes to try in my kitchen.
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Cicciotti’s is casual Italian dining cooked by a Published Author & Chef Gaetano Cicciotti. Cicciotti’s Trattoria serves classic Italian pasta like fettuccine Alfredo which you might find in Italian restaurants, but you won’t find Italian restaurants that cook fresh Italian food the way Gaetano Cicciotti does. Gaetano Cicciotti has a Trattoria, as well as a fine Italian catering business with amazing Italian caterers.
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One of the best Carlsbad restaurants for Italian is Cicciotti’s Trattoria & Seafood. Situated in the middle of Carlsbad Village, this trattoria is an offshoot of the popular beach-front Cardiff location. Both restaurants have the same menu, including outstanding Appetizer choices like Bruschetta Mamma Mia with salmon and gorgonzola cheese.
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I like Cicciotti's Carlsbad happy hour because it reminds me of where I grew up in New York. This is not swanky Italian; it feels like authentic home cooking, and you can’t beat their happy hour food prices. For example, Cicciotti's square pizzas are not just a small personal cheese pizza.
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Adults can indulge in a selection of authentic Italian dishes that focus on pasta and seafood, creating a true taste of Italy. Children will feel welcomed in this casual environment, and while a specific kids‘ menu isn’t highlighted, the family-friendly nature accommodates young diners.
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Let me start by saying that the food at Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana & Seafood is nothing short of delicious. From the moment I took my first bite, I knew I was in for a treat. The flavors were bold and tantalizing, leaving me wanting more with every mouthful.
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There was a graduation party going on and live music inside. The music was good, but a little loud inside for how small the restaurant was. It took forever for us to be greeted or asked for drinks at the bar.
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You’ll also find a number of bars and night spots, which can get rather rowdy on the weekends, especially in the summer months when the crowds are substantial.
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