Bencotto Italian Kitchen: Experience Authentic Italian Cuisine in San Diego

We had dinner at Bencotto Italian Kitchen in Little Italy, and I’d definitely recommend making a reservation — it gets busy fast. Even with our 5:30 reservation, the restaurant was already filling up, with only a few outdoor tables left. We started with the burrata appetizer, which came with bread that tasted freshly baked. I would’ve preferred it a little more toasted for some extra crunch, but the pesto was bright and flavorful, and the tomatoes and ricotta were incredibly fresh. A drizzle of balsamic would’ve helped elevate the flavors, but overall, it was a solid starter. For the main course, we each built our own pasta dishes — one with pappardelle in truffle cream and mushroom sauce (I added sausage — worth it), and the other with pappardelle in Bolognese sauce. The pasta is handmade in-house using Somali flour, and you can really taste the difference — tender, delicate, and perfectly textured. The sauces were rich and full of depth, and the ability to mix and match made the meal feel personal and fun. Food: 4/5 – Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully made. Ambiance: 4/5 – Warm and lively, perfect for a date night or casual dinner. Service: 4/5 – Friendly and efficient. Overall, Bencotto is a must-visit if you’re in Little Italy. The handmade pasta and customizable options make for a memorable, elevated dining experience that still feels approachable.

Loved the decor of the restaurant. Staff was friendly and great at suggesting some excellent dishes. We started with two glasses of the Supertuscan wine & squash blossoms. Both hit the spot, and paired well together. A manager Steve recommended two pastas which were as fresh and tasty as it gets. Some of the best pasta we’ve had in San Diego. Also ordered the short rib because we were hungry and it did not disappoint! Left very satisfied. Highly recommend this spot for your pasta fix!

We had the cheese wheel paste and the squid ink paste. Both were really good though not like 1000% impressed. I personally liked the squid ink pasta better because of the slightly spicy sauce. The add on sausage was actually really good with a lot of herbal flavors. The cheese wheel pasta can be too creamy later. But the paste noodles themselves tasted good.

Visited for our Anniversary and loved it! We sat at a table for 2 outside and it was lovely…heaters kept us comfortable. Started with a bottle of wine, husband had Chicken Parm with a side salad of homemade pasta and I had the Squid Ink Pasta. The pasta is amazing and the portions generous. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Service was top notch; Jacob G was wonderful and shared many tips for making the rest of our trip fantastic. The evening was topped off with a wonderful Chocolate Mousse and a special anniversary gelato. Loved it!

Me and my boyfriends first time visiting bencotto. Sooooooo goood. We started with the fried risotto balls which were delicious, I ordered A truffle cream and mushroom sauce and asked if they could use casarecce pasta. We also got the tagliatelle fettuccine with lamb meat ragu, both pastas were definitely coming back

I understand the hype for this restaurant, the food was amazing. We ordered the Squid Ink pasta and Chicken Parmesan, and we were very satisfied. A good indicator of the quality and taste of the pasta - I took the leftover pasta home and ate it all within the hour! My partner ate his leftovers at midnight.

Food is amazing and is authentic Italian. I can say that because I am from Italy. I had amazing home made tagliatelle with lamb meat sauce and I would have that again and again. The Vermentino wine from Sardinia was absolutely delicious. I also was able to choose from an extended list of Italian liquors and had Sambuca. Price-quality fair. The service and atmosphere (I sat outside with view on Little Italy) were impeccable. I will go back for sure!!!

A wonderful stop if you're visiting San Diego. The windows allow in plenty of natural light and the staff's bright demeanor matches perfectly. The food was delicious - it was a pasta with lamb. Noodles were pleasenatly soft and each bite was just enough.