Stop for a slice at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto (established in 1950) then head five minutes north to the famed Ballast Point Brewery, which has more than 25 beers on tap.

There are often lines out the door for Filippi’s old-school Italian cooking (pizza, spaghetti and ravioli) served on red-and-white-checked tablecloths in…

Last but certainly not least is a restaurant that is known for being a family affair. Fillipi’s Pizza Grotto serves large pizza pies perfect to fit a family (especially one with hungry, growing teenagers!).. Founded over 60 years ago by the DePhilippis family, Filippi’s Pizza Grotto started off with this flagship location in Little Italy San Diego and has later become a very successful line of family–owned restaurants that are owned and operated by original family members of the founders.

Vincent DePhilippis and Madeleine Manfredi from Nimes France met in New York NY, married in 1925, then settled in Westchester Pennsylvania. They moved to San Diego in 1947 where they opened an Italian market named Cash & Carry Italian foods on India Street in San Diego. 1950 was the beginning of what has become a very successful line of family restaurants that are today known as Filippi’s Pizza Grottos which are owned and operated by original family members of the founders.

Filippi’s Pizza Grotto has been serving up authentic Italian sandwiches, pizza and pasta since the Little Italy restaurant opened in 1950. Feast in the restaurant’s original dining room, a cozy space with Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling, and pick up groceries from the small attached market before you leave. Unwind in the elegant setting of Bankers Hill’s Cucina Urbana where the gourmet Italian cuisine includes artisanal breads, cheeses and sausages.

Hidden behind an authentic Italian deli and grocery, entering Filippi’s is like walking through a Harry Potter-esque portal. Kids and adults alike will love walking through and up and around the winding restaurant, hidden in plain sight from San Diegans and visitors not in-the-know. Filippi’s is a gem not to be missed with kids because their genuine Italian specialties like pizzas and pastas are always a culinary hit.

Head down to this lively Little Italy neighborhood, where everyone can enjoy a meal at this beloved family-owned restaurant. The moment you step in the door, it feels like you are transported straight to Italy, with red and white-checkered tablecloths and a warm, dining atmosphere. The pizza pies are the stars here, but pasta-loving frogs will be content with the spaghetti, ravioli, and lasagna offerings.

Filippi’s Pizza Grotto ($): This family-owned restaurant has been an institution in the Little Italy section of downtown since the 1950s. Walk through the picturesque Italian deli to reach the traditional dining room, adorned with red-and-white checked tablecloths and dim lighting. The amazing aromas of garlic and fresh sauce coming from the kitchen are nearly impossible to bear on an empty stomach.

Filippi’s has one thing that the others do not and that’s a freaking parking lot!. That should bring a huge smile to your face knowing you can just pull in and park versus circling the blocks like a vulture hoping someone might leave. Second, they check every box for what you think an old school Italian restaurant should be.

No list of the best family restaurants in San Diego would be complete without Filippi’s Pizza Grotto. When the kids crave Italian food, you can’t go wrong with a meal at this casual restaurant run by an Italian family from New York. This is a great spot for simple pasta dishes or Italian sandwiches like meatball or capicola.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,951 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian, Pizza- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 1747 India St, San Diego, CA 92101- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like:Highest-ranked pizza restaurants in San Diego by diners

When we were walking around Little Italy, we couldn’t help but notice the huge line at Filippi’s Pizza. The line was longer than any of the other restaurants in the area and the line never dwindled. They are known for their traditional Northern Italian cuisine and have been in business for 68 years.

Let me start by saying that Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy is a spacious restaurant. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by the charming atmosphere and the delightful aroma of Italian cuisine. One thing that immediately caught my attention was the large portions served at this establishment.

Little Italy offers an abundance of Italian restaurants, which is no surprise. It’s tough to narrow down recommendations with so many scrumptious menus. But if I could send you for one dinner in this delightful area of San Diego, adjacent to downtown, I would direct you to Filippi’s Pizza Grotto.

Family-owned and operated since 1950, Filippi's Pizza Grotto is a go-to spot for Italian food in Little Italy. This casual restaurant is famous for mouth-watering pizzas (locals rave about the cheese) and monumental meatball subs. There can be a wait, but it's one locals are willing to endure.

Filippi’s Pizza Grotto is the place to go when you’re craving Italian food. The atmosphere can be lively and loud, but it’s still a family-friendly joint that’s welcoming to all ages. The owners are from New York, and they brought their delectable East Coast-style Italian cuisine to San Diego.

Situated on the main India Street in Little Italy, Filipi’s comes with a great history and is as authentic as it comes with the food. They do a variety of Italian favourites in generous portions. Take a seat outside on the patio or inside which has a traditional trattoria feel.

This shop has been a staple of India Street since it arrived in Little Italy in 1950, and has opened over a dozen shops in San Diego County. You’ll find a variety of pizza options, but they all have one thing in common: the old-fashioned, doughy crust.

For a classic real cheese pizza, Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Little Italy is the BEST. A family favorite, my kids love Filippi’s and its ultra-casual dining environment. This indoor dining location has been serving Little Italy guests for over 70 years.

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,935 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)– Type of cuisine: Italian, Pizza– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 1747 India St, San Diego, CA 92101– Read more on Tripadvisor

This one is not just a pizza shop but a full-fledged Italian restaurant, one focusing on dishes that are popular in America. However, it’s the pizza that makes this place special. For one thing, it’s heavy on the cheese.

Filippi’s Pizza Grotto – They’re a traditional authentic Italian food restaurant in Little Italy. Sometimes, there’s a line out the door, so call ahead. Portions, true to Italian-style cooking, are large.