Parma Cucina Italiana

Wife and I ate here last night for our anniversary dinner. We had a 6pm reservation but arrived at 5:45pm and were seated right away. They have indoor/outdoor seating and we chose to sit inside due to the weather but they also have the tower heaters outside so I think it would have been fine outside as well as it was plenty warm enough.

The host and service people were extremely inviting from beginning to end. Food service was amazing, I don't think we waited even 3 minutes from ordering to the food being delivered to our table. It was almost as if the dishes were pre-made but it certainly didn't taste like it.

For food, my wife and I ordered entrees and dessert because we figured an appetizer would have been too much and we were right. She ordered the Tortellini Panna e Prosciutto which was delicious and I had the Polpette meatballs along with the Linguine alle Vongole in a red sauce. The interesting thing is that the meatballs were served in a pink sauce whereas the pasta came in a red sauce, each with its own flavor. I loved that they were on the same dish though so I could mix the two or have them separately as well.

For dessert my wife had the tiramisu which was awesome and I had the Tartufo which is a sort of ice cream.

Overall, this was probably the best restaurant experience I've ever had. We've only been here the one time but this place is definitely on our list of places we have to try again. So many of the other menu items look amazing as well (we saw another party order the lasagne last night and it was huge!).

Pricing is expensive but definitely fair for the experience and the staff definitely deserves a high tip as well. They got busy but we literally did not wait for anything all night, drinks were quick, food was swift and overall service top notch.

If you're looking for excellent Italian food in Hillcrest, check out Parma Cucina!

The restaurant is fairly small, but makes for an intimate setting. There were a couple of tables open when I went on a Friday evening, but I highly suggest making a reservation through Yelp. It does get busy!

Service is top notch - the staff is very attentive and friendly. They have an extensive wine list and the prices are reasonable.

We started with the Polenta con Salsiccia, which is Corn-meal polenta served with sausage ragu. The sauce was excellent and it was a great way to start the meal.

For the main course, we went with the Lasagna and Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. Both were fantastic, but I highly suggest getting the lasagna. It's unlike any that I've had in the past.

Can't wait to go back!

I had to come on here to say that this is by far the best Italian restaurant in San Diego! EVERYTHING on their menu is authentic and absolutely delicious. Whenever I have relatives come into town, this is the number one place that comes in mind.

You will not be disappointed by any of the seafood dishes. If you're having a difficult time deciding, try the Frutti Mare. If I am not mistaken, I believe they have two options, linguini frutti mare and rice frutti mare. My husband has tried both, and he's said they are both great.

My personal favorites are the ravioli rosa and fagottini al tartufo. I am simple girl, and you can't go wrong with any of their pastas. The sauces are unlike anything you've tasted. I've been to italian restaurants where food is overly salty or the pastas are "watered down," but their pasta's are thick and full of flavor.

I visited a month ago, and they finally added a kids menu. My kids love the polpette al sugo and linguini.

And last, but not least, if you are in the mood for dessert, you MUST try the profiteroles alla Nutella. After trying this pastry here, I went to Costco and tried to recreate this delicacy and failed miserably. Don't think twice, just try it.

I will have to say the only caveat here, and I am probably in the minority, my family and I are not big fans of their lasagna. The pasta sauce is not as flavorful as the other items on the menu, and it is a tad bit salty for my liking. But I am just one in a hundred reviewers. Also, I wish they'd rent a bigger space elsewhere. During dinner time, it tends to get busy, and a little warm inside the restaurant. They have outdoor seating, but it is best to make a reservation ahead of time if you have a preference for indoor/outdoor seating or if you are dining with kids.

Overall, the service, and food are top notch, and a must go to if you are in the area of Hillcrest. My husband and kids are picky eaters, and this is on the one place in San Diego we can all mutually agree to visit.

Everything I tasted was amazing. I knew we were in the right spot as soon as the bread came out with balsamic and oil. Especially when I asked for more and she said of course!!
Everything was delicious.
The waitress was amazing. She is always so sweet. I especially loved that she took the time to answer many of our questions.
Very cute locale!

What a cute little gem in the middle of Hilcrest. The waitress was precious, wish I got her name, but she was so fun and helpful with the menu. Both our pastas were delicious. The braised beef on mine was so tender. The only thing that lacked in flavor was the tiramisu - it was a tad watery. Other than that, I love this place. It's pretty small inside so maybe not great for a huge party but very cute and intimate for date night.

My friend and I were craving Italian food and actually tried to go to Esca blu, which is temporarily closed. We found this place on the same street and it was truly a blessing in disguise. This was some of the most delicious Italian food I've tried here in San Diego (no exaggeration)!! Making a reservation is super quick via yelp. We were seated right away. The restaurant itself is small making the overall ambiance intimate and cozy. There is also a small outdoor seating area. The servers were all so sweet and warm. We came on a Wednesday and it's 30% off a bottle of wine so we definitely had to indulge! I definitely recommend this place and I will be back in the future.

Food review:

The complimentary bread was so soft and delicious. We ordered 2 baskets. Haha

Primitiva wine: (5/5) This was recommended by our server and we were not disappointed. This was so delicious. We finished the entire bottle so fast.

Burrata fiore di Parma: (5/5) The perfect blend of flavors. The cheese melted in your mouth and the prosciutto was delicious. I topped the cheese, prosciutto, and arugula on a slice of the complimentary bread. Yum!

Lasagna: (5/5) They make their own lasagna in house. The sauce is amazing. This is some damn good food. It's interesting there were little carrots inside (I believe) which I've never had before but I didn't mind it. My plate was clean at the end of dinner.

Tiramisu (5/5): (no pic because we devoured it) This is a well balanced dessert. It didn't have a strong coffee flavor like some others I've tried. It was light and super flavorful. We asked for some chocolate drizzle on top and it was delightful!

Found another neighborhood gem in Hillcrest. A great little Italian restaurant with great food. The lasagna was rich and a plentiful portion. I recommended this restaurant wholeheartedly.

Parma Cucina Italian is a cutely decorated Italian spot. Simple yet cozy. With inviting indoor and outdoor seating options, the ambiance is versatile and accommodating. The staff exude a warm "family restaurant vibe," creating an atmosphere that instantly makes patrons feel at home. Despite it being my first visit, the attentive and friendly service made me feel like a regular patron who has been part of the family for years.

One standout item on the menu is the Burrata Fiore de Parma appetizer, a delightful combination of generous portions of burrata and prosciutto. The sheer size of this appetizer makes it an ideal choice for sharing, catering to groups of two or more. Moving on to the main courses, both the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese and the Tagliatelle Scampi alla Diavola are culinary triumphs. The kitchen's generosity is evident in the ample servings of rich meat ragu and succulent shrimp. The positive vibe is all the way around, love it!

This was my first time visiting and I was pleasantly surprised. There are so many restaurants to choose from in Hillcrest it's hard to make a decision, but I'm glad we decided to stop here. We had dinner on a Saturday night around 5 pm and we were sat right away. The staff are so kind and you can tell they are dedicated to great service and hospitality. They went over the specials and helped with wine recommendations.

Food: I ordered the pesto linguini with shrimp. The pesto was made with walnuts and it was very rich and delicious. I liked that they didn't skimp on the sauce as I love a lot of sauce of my pasta. The pasta itself was perfectly cooked and tasted great. My brother ordered the seafood special with risotto. It had great flavor and texture was good. Bread is served to the table with olive oil and vinegar. Overall the meal was very good and I hope to be back to try something else!

I was craving Italian food and my brother happen to suggest us trying a new place . We googled and found Parma Cucina Italiana to have very good reviews. All I can say is wooowwwww ! First impressions are always everything especially when you're a new customer . Right as we walked in the door we got greeted and staff was beyond friendly . As for the food , we ended up ordering Bolognese pasta and lentil soup . We were amazed of how flavorful the food was and how it was made to perfection . The flavors were on point , that we ended up eating all our food .

This is definitely a restaurant I will be visiting again when in the area . Also a location I recommend to all Italian food lovers . You will not be disappointed! This location is very clean and small and perfect for lunch or dinner dates .
They also sell desserts to end the night right with a cup on wine . Thank you staff for making a great first impression and having awesome customer service. Keep up the great work !