Best Lunch Restaurants in Murrieta

We have been dining here for 10 years. It’s always our go to place when visiting Temecula wine country. Pietro….chef/owner always makes an appearance to say hi. Everyone there is always friendly and food is exceptional!! We have never had a bad meal. Everything is super yummy and you can tell it’s all homemade pastas. Nothing frozen!

Second time at this location. First time just wife and I, This time with whole family. Another consistent, solid experience. From the moment we walked in the hostess to the Bartender to our server. Extremely friendly, professional and apparent that people really care. Excellent value also dollar for dollar. Staffing ratios are excellent especially in this day when most places are short handed or have reduced staff. We will be back.

This was my second visit to Gourmet Italia, and I chose it for my birthday dinner with a family member—what a perfect choice! Both visits have left me absolutely speechless with the exceptional customer service. This restaurant is truly a masterclass in hospitality. On this visit, the owner himself greeted us and personally walked us to our table. Despite the restaurant being extremely busy, and our reservation time was delayed, he made up for it in the most gracious and welcoming way. His vibrant personality set the tone for the entire evening. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and checked on us consistently without being intrusive. Every staff member who passed by our table interacted with us or checked on us, creating a warm, attentive atmosphere where nothing felt like “it’s not my table, so it’s not my concern.” The team worked seamlessly together, and their camaraderie was evident. The staff member who brought out our food was hilarious—he joked about how much Parmesan we wanted and kept stopping by to chat, making the evening even more enjoyable. The drinks here are amazing, and they don’t skimp! I only had one since I was driving, but next time, with a designated driver, I plan to indulge a little more. The Caesar salad and lobster ravioli I ordered were the same dishes I had on my first visit in June, and I have been craving that lobster ravioli ever since—it’s divine! The fresh, rich flavors are unforgettable. I could eat here every week and never tire of it. The menu offers a fresh variety, and their specials are always enticing, so I can’t wait to try other dishes next time. The family who owns this establishment also owns two other restaurants in the area, and I’m excited to check those out as well. To top off the evening, my server surprised me with a birthday cannoli. It was my first time tasting one, and though I’m not usually a dessert person, they were absolutely delicious. Gourmet Italia is the best!

We had such an excellent experience. Our server was helpful and attentive. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious from Crab Cakes, Clam Chowder to our main courses Swordfish and Mahi and finally completing our Anniversary dinner with a perfect Crème Brûlée. Thanks for making our night special!

Fantastic food, great atmosphere! Wonderful way to kick off the Holidays.