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CUCINA urbana

CUCINA urbana

Italian Restaurant, Bar, and Pizzeria$$$$
Park West, San Diego
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9.2/10
514
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The Italian food at CUCINA urbana is a can't miss
  • Tips
    Helen E.
    "The polenta board is great and the ragu changes daily."(11 Tips)
    Ruben F.
    "Try the polenta and the short rib pappardelle!"(6 Tips)
    Rachael G.
    "Stop here for a glass of wine before walking into Balboa Park."(4 Tips)
    Sukhjit G.
    "Try the Bittersweet Chocolate Budino - #nom"(2 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon164 Tips and reviews
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  • polenta
  • good for dates
  • short ribs
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  • Ainee T.heart icon on user image
    Ainee TinyOctober 16, 2017
    This place at the corner of Laurel st and 5th ave. Is a must! Decor is absolutely stunning, awesome service, food outstanding. Pictured: mushroom and goat cheese pizza and ahi tuna crudo. Both delish
  • sohailheart icon on user image
    sohailFebruary 28, 2017
    Been here 5 times, everything is always so good. I tried the pesto pizza for the first time and it may very well have been the best pesto pizza I've ever had. The Brussel sprouts are also money!!
  • Baharehheart icon on user image
    BaharehAugust 19, 2018
    I absolutely fell in love with this place! I was in shock that I found this gem in San Diego! The perfect ambience, food and wine! Gnocchi is amazing! The squid ink pasta is exceptional!
  • Jon B.heart icon on user image
    Jon B.November 24, 2017
    Fun Italian Restaurant with a great vibe, and solid wine list that will not bust the budget. The salmon was awesome, and the taste of the lamb pasta that I was offered was outstanding.
  • Allen S.
    Allen ShiuAugust 22, 2013
    Everyone comes here for the short rib pappardelle, but it's CU's apps that make it a SD favorite. Get the polenta board, gorgonzola mousse, squash blossom, and the gnudi (order 2, they're that good).
  • Eater
    EaterApril 23, 2013
    Three years after opening, this is still one of the toughest tables to get in town. The shareable, Italian-inspired menu is modern and accessible. [Eater 38 Member]
  • Elisaheart icon on user image
    ElisaAugust 20, 2018
    Pappardelle was decent but I actually prefer the bucatini. Octopus was delicious as others have mentioned. It's a huge restaurant, lots of high table seating if you don't have a reservation.
  • Kelsey S.heart icon on user image
    Kelsey SparrowFebruary 4, 2018
    Incredible wine list that they sell at market price with a $9 corkage. The veal fell off of the bone. Everyone was wonderful, save for the gelato and sorbet sampler, whose flavor a bit overwhelming.
  • Divya M.heart icon on user image
    Divya MulanjurJanuary 31, 2015
    Amazing place! We had made reservations for a group and pre ordered a fixed menu. It was delicious. Go for the pizzas, wild mushroom cavatelli and short rib pappardelle. The tiramisu is to die for!
  • Rima
    RimaMarch 15, 2015
    Sat at the bar since it was super busy and still had a great experience. Bartenders very friendly & attentive. Get the sorbet sampler for dessert -- was AMAZING.
  • Emily H.
    Emily HayesMarch 28, 2018
    I had lunch there last week. Ambience, loved it. Cozy and rustic. Service, great. Food, out of this world. We split the squash blossoms, Brussels and lasagne. I'm still dreaming about them!!!
  • John S.heart icon on user image
    John SchwartzMarch 21, 2018
    You can't really go very wrong with CU. The ambience, the food, the staff, the menu! Sure, it's a tad pricier but also a tad more worth it I have yet to find anything on the menu that is not appealing
  • Megan G.heart icon on user image
    Megan GAugust 9, 2016
    Favorite restaurant in San Diego. Gluten free friendly options too! Burnt brussels sprouts and Short Rib Papardelle are amazing!!
  • Luke W.heart icon on user image
    Luke WhiteNovember 30, 2014
    Get a family sized platter of the bolognese and pick out a nice big Zinfandel from the self-serve wine racks. Everything is delicious but if you're short on bolognese expect fork battles.
  • Kimber B.
    Kimber B.November 5, 2013
    Wow.... Amazing ambiance, hip place, food awesome, service great... Love, love, love the polenta!!! I will definitely be back and plan to make this a regular stop on my future San Diego trips!
  • Parker M.
    Parker MFebruary 28, 2013
    By far one of the best meals I've ever had..the polenta board is phenomenal. Every dish we had was great. Cozy atmosphere, reasonable price, great staff. Look forward to new del mar location!
  • Lisa M.heart icon on user image
    Lisa MartinezMarch 30, 2018
    Ohh what a place to eat . Actually the best restaurant by-far. Bartenders are great and really passionate . Stop reading reviews and just go. It's that amazing. Trust me.
  • aeroRafaheart icon on user image
    aeroRafaJuly 6, 2012
    All tips are right. This place is a unique gem in the Balboa Park area. Lunch or dinner. Great service and friendly atmosphere. Don't be afraid to try something new. Come, sit, enjoy
  • Kate M.heart icon on user image
    Kate McCormleyJuly 18, 2013
    Been here 25+ times
    The new wheat berry kale salad is amazing. I killed it in about 2 minutes, and even ignored my beer so I could keep shoveling bites into my mouth!
  • Ailie C.heart icon on user image
    Ailie ChangMarch 20, 2017
    Best thing here is the Polenta Board! I'm craving it all the way from New York! The Burrata + Prosciutto 'Caprese' is also a great starter.
  • Djordje G.heart icon on user image
    Djordje GrkovicAugust 22, 2014
    The polenta lived up to the hype, and the octopus antipasti was grilled to perfection. Cocktails are quite delicious as well, especially their many takes on a negroni
  • Foursquare Insiders
    Foursquare InsidersOctober 7, 2015
    “The draw here is a comfortable, homey energy and a neighborhood feel. The playful list includes bottles from diverse regions and grapes—and shockingly low prices.” - Laura Williamson, Wine Expert Read more
  • Patrick P.heart icon on user image
    Patrick PinaMay 25, 2013
    Been here 50+ times
    Remember to try everything on the menu. I know you have you favorite, but step out of your comfort zone. You'll discover something else just as fabulous here.
  • Grant A.heart icon on user image
    Grant AcostaMay 3, 2016
    Did it tapas style with the Brussel sprouts app., cauliflower app., polenta board, risotto, cherry tomatoes and burrata...everything was fantastic!
  • Dave A.heart icon on user image
    Dave AlarconJanuary 2, 2016
    This is the kind of place you want to come back to try the whole menu! Everithing is excellent!!
  • Kristy D.
    Kristy DettweilerAugust 15, 2011
    Was in a party of six and all us loved our drinks/apps/meals and dessert. The meatballs are enormous! The veal piccata is delicious. All the veggies tasted as if they were grilled, so good!
  • Jinnie L.
    Jinnie LOctober 7, 2014
    Loved the atmosphere♥ we came here for wine. cheese & salumi board and *truffle parmesan fries* were so good. late night num nums ;P
  • Amy C.heart icon on user image
    Amy CummingsMarch 2, 2019
    I found everything to be a bit pretentious, from the cocktails to the staff to the food.
  • Christanna H.heart icon on user image
    Christanna HonerDecember 12, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Sit at the bar, get some Italian wine, eat squash blossoms and enjoy the man candy that shall take care of you. No, seriously, great service. And lots of amari.
  • The Feast
    The FeastJune 13, 2011
    A festive, high-energy mood prevails amid crafty pizzas, polenta boards served with daily ragouts and familiar Italian foods stamped with modern twists. Bar and communal dining is also available.
  • Benson B.heart icon on user image
    Benson BleierMarch 3, 2016
    At first this place looked like all the other "new American" Italian cuisine but the food far and away exceeded my expectations,EVERY dish I had here was superb.
  • America P.heart icon on user image
    America PayneMarch 14, 2018
    Polenta board is delicious. I got the gluten free tagliatelle yum!
  • Gabby M.heart icon on user image
    Gabby M.May 30, 2017
    The short rib pappardelle is really good and the Nutella zeppole in combination with the fruit sauce is AMAZING!👌🏼
  • Willis Allen Real Estate
    Willis Allen Real EstateNovember 6, 2012
    Hip & happening downtown restaurant, steps outside Balboa Park. Everything is delicious & under $20. Extensive & affordable wine selection & daily happy hr. Order the giant meatball!! -K. Hill
  • Ant R.
    Ant RamSeptember 24, 2012
    Eating ossabocca bone marrow & squash blossoms while listening to Florence & the Machine, I almost felt like a hipster. Find out which daily deal is right for you, free cork Sundays worked for me
  • Paul E.heart icon on user image
    Paul EllisJanuary 17, 2018
    We can't ever eat here without getting the polenta board. It doesn't matter exactly which meat it is for the day. It is always awesome.
  • Carter G.
    Carter GibsonJanuary 17, 2013
    Three years after opening, this is still one of the toughest tables to get in town. The shareable, Italian-inspired menu is modern and accessible.
  • Margot M.
    Margot MazurJune 29, 2016
    Incredible food and amazing wine choices. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend for lunch!
  • Steven Y.
    Steven YSeptember 7, 2013
    Wine bottles at retail plus $8 corkage fee; mushroom and fennel sausage pizza with truffle oil, short rib tagliatelle, strawberry tiramisu are awesome
  • Nicole L.heart icon on user image
    Nicole LingnerJuly 22, 2010
    THIS IS MY FAV PLACE IN THE COUNTRY. It all works, knowledgeable staff, ambiance...food! Must order: Polenta of the day, chicken liver pate, short rib pappardelle, bittersweet chocolate budino, yum! Read more
  • Lorna J.heart icon on user image
    Lorna JacobyApril 6, 2014
    Great wine list and they sell at cost and charge corkage so you can have some really great stuff. We had the Barolo. Several bottles ...
  • San Diego Reader
    San Diego ReaderOctober 11, 2012
    Cucina Urbana executive pastry chef Jack Fisher shares his recipe for savory polenta in this week's Reader ("What the Chef Eats"). Read more
  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsNovember 6, 2013
    The pizza is always a good bet at this Italian restaurant close to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo.
  • PacificSD M.
    PacificSD MagazineJanuary 18, 2012
    Amazing grab and go wine selection to have with your meal or take home... And try the lasagna!
  • Rachael G.
    Rachael GreenMay 19, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    They've changed the gnuddi to an arrabiati sauce, but you can still request it old school style with brown butter sage sauce. Yumminess!
  • Jason H.
    Jason HughesApril 16, 2014
    Get reservations ahead of time. Great wine selection at retail prices, so no added markup. The lasagna was amazing!
  • Lisa S.
    Lisa SuzukiAugust 12, 2013
    Chase ATM across the corner. If you are coming with a big party, hit up the ATM before you come in. Happy hour at 5:00 pm and opens at 5:00 pm
  • lori z.
    lori zitoJanuary 3, 2011
    Busy place any night of the week... but worth the wait. Bottles of wine are retail priced, with a $7 corking fee. The beet salad is divine.My only complaint... the hummus has chicken broth in it!
  • Gianna N.heart icon on user image
    Gianna NebbiaSeptember 22, 2018
    Go with a group and order multiple different bottles of wine. Pasta was yummy- al Dente as it should be
  • Leeanne
    LeeanneSeptember 23, 2011
    Their daily polenta specials are worth asking about. If your Italian grandma kept up with foodie trends and shopped at Anthropologie, she might run the show here. Superb.
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