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CUCINA urbana, San Diego, CA
Award-winning

CUCINA urbana

4.7
4.7
7101 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 41 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
  • Neighborhood gem
We are a wine shop inside of a restaurant | Dining and design form the perfect union at San Diego's highly acclaimed CUCINA urbana, a California-inspired Italian kitchen and wine shop, located in the heart of Bankers Hill since 2009.

The restaurant boasts comfort and familiarity, welcoming diners to a country farmhouse with the added whimsy of a contemporary art installation.

CUCINA urbana is the originator of the CUCINA retail wine program where each dedicated shop allows guests to hand select wines at a retail price, either to enjoy with their meal for a minimal corkage fee or for purchase to-go. The wine list is comprised of many familiar labels as well as rare and small-batch gems, with an emphasis on Italian varietals.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, American, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 239-2222
  • Website
    http://www.urbankitchengroup.com/cucina-urbana-bankers-hill/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Tim Kolanko
  • Catering
    URBAN KITCHEN CATERING provides four star, stunning events with menus unique to your occasion. For more information check the URBAN KITCHEN CATERING link on our website www.urbankitchengroup.com or call Alison at 619.239.2222 extension 2. Or if interested in restaurant buyout opportunities, please contact Tiffany Tassano at 619.239.2222 extension 4.
  • Private party facilities
    From birthday celebrations and corporate dinners to graduation celebrations and wedding receptions, our space is perfect for your dining event. Our Wine Shop offers an intimate semi-private space for smaller functions, while larger groups are welcome to host their event using our entire restaurant as a private venue. We offer: wine specialists, who will design pairings for your meal, personalized printed menus, table decorations, specialty to-go gifts, and more.
  • Location
    505 Laurel St., San Diego, CA 92101
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Banker's Hill
  • Cross street
    5th avenue
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • Feast of the Seven Fishes

    $75.00 per person

    Dec 18, 2024 - Dec 24, 2024
    A modern spin on an Italian Tradition, enjoy the Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian holiday ritual at CUCINA with a four-course prix fixe menu available from December 18-24th along with our a la carte menu. MENU: salt cod fritters + tonnato sauce + chicory salad lobster tortellini + saffron cream + trout roe + bonito striped bass + borlotti bean + clam + seafood brodo + salmoriglio chocolate budino + coco nib tuile + chocolate crumb + salted caramel + whip
    Feast of the Seven Fishes Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 7,101 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
CUCINA urbana offers a delightful dining experience with "exceptional food" and "perfect service." Guests rave about the "wonderfully boisterous ambience" and diverse wine selection. While some find the noise level high, the "fresh pastas, pizzas, and salads" are consistently praised. It's a favorite for pre-theater meals with convenient shuttle service to the Old Globe.

7,102 Reviews

  1. Eduardo

    Mexico City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was an amazing experience! The food was awesome and the ambience was really good

    Is this helpful?

  2. Wissam

    VIP

    San Francisco

    17 reviews

    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    We requested indoor seating and told the greeter that we are willing to wait for a table indoor, instead she put us outside on a sidewalk. It was very cold and we did not enjoy our dinner, at all. The waiter seemed too distracted and only checked on us once. The food was Ok, nothing out of the extraordinary.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Megha

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    The food was fantastic and servers were friendly and attentive. However, I made the reservation a month in advance and made a special note for an indoor table and called the restaurant to reiterate this request. They still placed us at a metal outdoor table on the street near a trash can and it was so cold and uncomfortable. I asked if we could be moved inside and they said they were fully booked despite there being open tables visible indoors. If you book a table for over 4 people, be cautious that you will get seated outside.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kristi

    VIP

    Washington DC

    20 reviews

    2.0

    20 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Let’s start with this: our waiter was fabulous. But other waitstaff wanted to clear our plates before we were obviously finished. Turn the table over on a Friday night, I guess. It was off putting. Food was fair, but a $9 charge for two pieces of bread was outrageous.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Jim

    San Diego

    35 reviews

    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went for the Feast of the Seven Fishes and it was amazing. Had the best wine too!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Leonard

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, great service. If the noise level could be reduced it would be easier to have conversations with individuals at one’s table.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Kathleen

    VIP

    San Diego

    12 reviews

    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Delicious food and great service. Cucina Urbana is a Banker's Hill neighborhood gem.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Lynn

    VIP

    Pittsburgh

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of my favorite places in San Diego that remains at the top Of its game after many years. The wine marketplace has great selections as does the wine menu. Food is exquisite- from the squash blossom appetizer, beet, persimmon and burrata salad to our entrees- wild mushroom ravioli and whole branzino. Service is impeccable. It can get a bit noisy but love the vibe

    Is this helpful?

  9. Carole

    San Diego

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cucina Urbana is one our family's favorite restaurants! Aside from the excellent menu options, perfectly mixed drinks, and delicious food entrees and appetizers, we always enjoy sitting in server Kevin's area. Kevin is, without a doubt, the greatest server one could ask for. He is freindly, but not intrusive, always seems to be there when needed, has a perfect demeanor and just is overall a really nice man who enjoys his job. We have asked to always be seated in Kevin's area for future visits to the restaurant. It's always our first choice to eat at Cucina Urbana following an Old Globe play production, and we enjoy the walk to the restaurant over the famous Balboa Park bridge.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Leslie

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent menu choices especially the side potatoes and burnt Brussel sprouts. Everyone was happy with the chopped and beet, burrata and persimmon salads and their meal choices. Only issue was the noise level. I hope to get the table in the way back next time.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

CUCINA urbana offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 239-2222.

CUCINA urbana is rated 4.7 stars by 7101 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 41 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for CUCINA urbana

505 Laurel St., San Diego, CA 92101

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
  • Cross street
    5th avenue
  • Neighborhood
    Banker's Hill
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, American, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Tim Kolanko
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.urbankitchengroup.com/cucina-urbana-bankers-hill/
  • Phone number
    (619) 239-2222
  • Catering
    URBAN KITCHEN CATERING provides four star, stunning events with menus unique to your occasion. For more information check the URBAN KITCHEN CATERING link on our website www.urbankitchengroup.com or call Alison at 619.239.2222 extension 2. Or if interested in restaurant buyout opportunities, please contact Tiffany Tassano at 619.239.2222 extension 4.
  • Private party facilities
    From birthday celebrations and corporate dinners to graduation celebrations and wedding receptions, our space is perfect for your dining event. Our Wine Shop offers an intimate semi-private space for smaller functions, while larger groups are welcome to host their event using our entire restaurant as a private venue. We offer: wine specialists, who will design pairings for your meal, personalized printed menus, table decorations, specialty to-go gifts, and more.

Featured in

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