Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Venetos Cucina Italiana in Oceanside

4.5 (199) 608 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054, United States

Categories

Bar
Italian restaurant
Pizza restaurant

Location on the map

Oceanside, San Diego County, California, US

Phone: +1 760-722-1228
Site: http://venetoscucinaitaliana...

Opening hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:4–9:30 PM
Wednesday:11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Thursday:11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Friday:11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Saturday:11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Sunday:11:30 AM–9:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.5

199 Reviews for Venetos Cucina Italiana 2024:

Review №1

2024-03-29 21:07:46

If there is a restaurant that deserves a Michelin star, its this one. 👌 The food is amazing. I couldnt eat it fast enough. It was our first time in the restaurant but we did order delivery before. 💯 we are returning. Linguine with red clam sauce was so good.

Review №2

2024-01-14 00:59:02

This place has some the best Italian food in San Diego. My pasta dish was so delicious! It was a pretty big portion of food that I was happy to take home as leftovers. They gave us garlic bread which I noticed that many Italian restaurant dont do anymore. Our server was the nicest and made great recommendations and hes from Italy. Highly recommend this restaurant if you love Italian cuisine.

Review №3

2024-03-27 03:30:58

We spent 4 nights in Oceanside and stayed at the Seabird - such a beautiful place. We ate at a few restaurants closer to the hotel, but we wanted to find a more local spot on our last night. After some searching we found Venetos- it was so good! The service was wonderful and the food delicious- price was a lot less than what we were paying by the resort! I very much recommend them!

Review №4

2024-04-04 01:22:42

The food was actually top tier very flavorful the owner is so engaged with his customers I love that! He is the sweetest! That feeling of being in little Italy 🇮🇹 instantly hits you when you come in here! I asked for my steak to be cooked medium and it was perfect 🤞🏽 the veggies were flavorful with a bite and the fettuccine with mushrooms spoke for itself 🤌🏽 I love this place and the atmosphere

Review №5

2024-05-05 01:50:32

Charming little Italian place with delicious food, wine and service! The Osso Bucco was fantastic, melt in your mouth delicious; the Cannoli was so fresh and made to order; the service was amazing! If Im ever in Oceanside again I will seek this place out for dinner!!! Bellissimo!!!!

Review №6

2024-04-17 20:53:18

So good!. Food was so good. Hot. Fresh. I had the bruschetta and stuffed eggplant Florentine.. with the side of vegetables and penne with vodka sauce. Amazing...all of it. Portion size was great..pics dont do it justice... had to take some home..also Took home a cannoli and bowl of minestrone for later. Didnt disappoint there either. Service was top notch. Of course I forget his name (sorry!)...the server but I feel like he was also maybe owner too? ..idk..But so personable. Felt like family eating there. Will be back to try all the things..without question! Do yourself a favor and go eat there!

Review №7

2024-06-20 23:34:49

This place is so special. The owner and the restaurant are delightful and add to the already wonderful atmosphere. I couldnt stop talking about the food and had to bring my family and inlaws. Ive ordered something different every time, and it has all been 5 stars. Will be back again.**Note: the place was super busy on fathers day and our waiter, older guy, was incredibly rude and disgruntled. I am very glad i had been here before and that He does not represent the wait staff here in the slightest. He should be kept away from customers. Would be putting 2-3 stars down for a review had that been my first experience.The owner was able to breath some enjoyment back into the atmosphere once that guy left.

Review №8

2023-07-15 18:15:47

Venetos is in Oceanside. The building is old, it is a local northern Italian restaurant. It is on the small side, for the size of the restaurant it does have a big bar. The service was good . The food was good also. The owner was there serving and cleaning. He is nice but does have a bit too much of a sarcasm.

Review №9

2024-05-05 20:03:29

The best pasta in the region, we ordered a portion of bruschetta, Fettuccine Steak, Linguini Pescatori.Cozy restaurant and the charisma of the owner made us feel at home.

Review №10

2023-11-12 22:22:12

The gentlemen Pino is amazing, super sweet and very attentive! The food was really fresh and tasted amazing. I do think the margaerita pizza was more of cheese pizza with diced tomatoes, but it tasted sooooo good! They made it fresh and you can tell!

Review №11

2024-06-06 02:26:23

On vacation and found this Italian restaurant online with great reviews. Cortney (our server) was super friendly and answered all of our questions and did a great job. Pino (owner & operator) stopped by our table and was very pleasant and was working just as hard as everyone else to provide a great service. It is impressive when you see the owner have the passion for the food, service, and being a restaurant owner. The food was delicious, service was great, and we had an amazing dinner and will definitely be back on our next time we are in the Oceanside area.

Review №12

2023-05-29 04:55:44

Delizioso! Weve been meaning to come here for a while, and wish we had come sooner. The restaurant is beautifully decorated so it feels like youre in north eastern Italy (Veneto), and plays music that suits the ambiance.The food though. I cannot stop talking about the food. My husbands demeanor changed when he took a bite of the lasagna. It blew him away - he said Its better than anything we had in Italy and I agree. The lasagna was superb! I had the cheese ravioli with meat sauce, and I couldnt get over the SAUCE alone! It had a gentle spice to it which tasted completely different from the lasagna sauce. I wanted to take a container of it home.They have a wonderful selection of wines and desserts- the Tiramisu is fantastic! Tiramisu is my favorite dessert, and I thought Id never have tiramisu as good as what I had in Rome. This one compared and its a lot closer!Possibly most importantly, the food is high quality. Normally if I eat until I need to roll home, I feel terrible shortly thereafter. That didnt happen here. The food is so well-prepared that we were able to eat to our hearts content and walk out with huge smiles.Both of our entrees were around $20. Many have raved about the garlic knots, and they were also great and came with fantastic marinara.Visit this place. Its so good. I cannot wait to go back.

Review №13

2024-07-01 21:38:02

Came in on a Saturday night with my wife and our child. From the moment we walked in we felt judged and ignored for about 5 minutes as we waited for anyone to seat us. When we were seated our waiter seemed annoyed and petty that we had our child with us. Throughout the duration of our service we were patronized and were greeted with sny comments. We felt judged because we didnt want wine. Every second we were in this restaurant we felt like we didnt belong there. Our child was the best wed ever seen him and by the end of our meal we couldnt wait to get out here. If youre visiting oceanside for the first time and you have a family, do not come here. I will never be there again. Food was good though.

Review №14

2023-09-19 14:15:09

The one thing missing from all of the Italian restaurants weve visited so far, is a veal canelloni ... something weve missed since leaving St Louis. But, this place.had been on my husbamds radar for several months, and this was our first visit.We had the lasagna, garlic knots (they are HUGE) and then tiramisu for dessert. Everything really good (the tiramisu was divine!). And, while the sauce could have been a tad more spiced up for me, my hubby proclaimed that this is his new fave Italian restaurant.It wasnt busy so the service was extremely prompt, the plating was beautiful & our waiter was very friendly. The atmosphere was wonderful. There are several more dishes on the menu that we want to try, so well definitely be back.

Review №15

2024-05-26 15:13:50

We thought the food was wonderful ❤️ loved the homey atmosphere. The service was running delayed due to a server quitting unexpectedly and a giant party was there between several tables (and the people kept getting up and swapping around, which im sure made serving them that much more difficult) and the owner was profusely apologetic about it. Wed definitely recommend! Im sure someone whos rude will put up a bad review about it, but I want to try and negate it on the algorithm because it really is a great place and great food and you need to give them a chance and try it!

Review №16

2024-06-25 16:45:18

The vibe and our waiter was awesome!!! The wine was perfect!! The garlic knots were dry and it was quite warm inside.The main meals were delicious.

Review №17

2024-06-22 22:49:42

Sadly this experience was not a good one. The food was mediocre - bread and garlic knots tasted old and stale. Caprese was bland and didn’t taste fresh. And I ended up getting ill from something. The service was slow and particular. While we were greeted in a friendly manner, our server made weird remarks and argued with us about what we asked for. Seems they’re sort of set in their ways? For the price, I would def not recommend this spot.

Review №18

2022-04-16 21:53:25

I had a fairly good lunch experience at the restaurant.The food sampled was certainly Italian, and come out quick and very hot. And the dishes presented were to a sensible standard.The owner was very welcoming and our overall experience was good.Would like to come back and sample more offerings.

Review №19

2024-04-16 18:26:52

We were just visiting Oceanside, California, and we went here for dinner. The food was amazing. The service was on point. And if you wanted fresh ground black pepper, they were very accommodating. Our waitress took very good care of us and saw to our needs. I highly recommend this place if you are looking to spend a little money.

Review №20

2023-02-20 02:54:54

Service was a bit different !!! Packed house ! We waited 15/20minutes to be seated ! Wasn’t even acknowledged when entered or while standing waiting at the checkin area ! Our server did his best to try to keep up with service but unfortunately it just wasn’t there and the food wasn’t really breathtaking like mouthwatering tummy satisfying at all !!! Marinara sauce was watered down noodles to my spaghetti was soft only thing that was good was my meatballs ! I can’t guarantee I’ll be coming back there !! It kinda messed up my little date night !

Review №21

2024-03-25 16:27:35

This place is fantastic!! Smelled incredible before we even walked through the door. The older gentleman (maybe the owner?) was very sweet and friendly. The pizza was amazing! Best pizza I’ve had in the north county area. I’m looking forward to going back and trying more dishes there! 😋

Review №22

2024-06-22 22:43:49

We are locals in Oceanside and for some unexplainable reason only discovered Venetos about 6 months ago. It is without a close second, our very favorite truely Italian ristorante. The menu is wonderfully unique and the perpetrations are delicious. I hate to sound cliche but there is nothing on the menu to avoid. Our waitress Courtney is an Angel and whenever possible we try to introduce closest friends to this wonderful surprise.Grazie Pino

Review №23

2024-03-04 04:59:17

Service was attentive, food was OK but not exceptional as expected for the price. The calamari was good, but could have been better if the sauce had some zing to it. The seafood mixture with spaghetti was just passable, the sauce was too watered down with hardly any flavor to it.

Review №24

2021-07-12 16:00:14

Its been a long time that Ive had a sit-down dinner! We went with family, three adults two kids, not much of a childs menu but that was to be expected, the pasta is wonderful the lobster is amazing and the ambience reminds me of the old days! I had a steak and family had a lobster raviolis with a wonderful tomato cream sauce of sorts, I even custom ordered my steak with off the menu spices and sauces in the accommodated me it was awesome

Review №25

2023-06-25 00:47:59

This restaurant is amazing and it’s authentic Italian food. I’m from Chicago and it’s very hard to find an authentic Italian restaurant in SoCal like we have in Chicago. It reminds me of home. The staff here are incredible and make you feel very welcome. I can’t wait to take my family here when they visit.

Review №26

2024-05-31 05:35:46

I’m glad most people had a positive experience. However we did not. Our food was 100% reheated food. My girlfriend’s raviolis were ice cubes. And my chicken parm was soggy and cold as well

Review №27

2023-09-18 03:52:04

Such amazing food, service was wonderful, our food came out in 10 minutes. Very good quality food, we ordered Pollo Parmigiano, and Alfredo chicken. Super delicious and flavorful a must go if youre nearbyMy first review was for our first time at this place abt a 1.5 years ago. We went there today and my husband and I both got sick over the food. The quality was not good at all, too salty and it literally tasted like leftovers. I told the waitress who was super sweet abt it. Venetos disappointed us today. 😔 and this was our favorite dare night restaurant.

Review №28

2024-05-24 21:51:38

Loved the linguini and clam sauce the most. All the main dishes and appetizers were delicious. The garlic knots were a miss. Even with the delicious marinara they were dry.

Review №29

2019-12-28 18:06:17

Good little spot. The outside looks like a hole but inside looks great. The food is good but not great. I ordered the chicken parmesan myself. It was more breaded than actual chicken. The pasta, sauce, and vegetables were. I enjoyed the bread and garlic bread that comes with the orders. The barbecue chicken pizza was okay. Ive had better. I liked this place, and I would comeback again. I just didnt LOVE the food. Not saying that their food is bad at all.

Review №30

2024-03-25 21:21:18

The food wasnt too bad. A little pricey. And they dont like splitting the checks. Its hard to split a check when you have a party of 20.They also took our daughters plates without asking if they needed a box to go.

Review №31

2019-02-18 05:56:26

Amazing dinner. Everything tasted amazing. Not one single bad thing to say. The staff, the cooks, and the new manager made our dining experience so wonderful. Large servings and affordable prices. We will be back!

Review №32

2024-06-07 00:42:04

I’m originally from Jersey. Plenty of Italian places out there so believe me when I say this is THE best Italian I’ve had. Like a real slice of home here! Good food, wine, and service. What more can ya want?

Review №33

2023-05-01 03:57:01

From the moment we walked in (our 1st time) the restaurant is quaint, murals on the wall, mood lighting, votives and the food was delicious! Had the Cappelli bolognese and caprese salad and finished with the BEST housemade tiramisu ever! A most go, a must try! We will surely return!

Review №34

2024-04-01 02:20:39

What a great, friendly place! The owner is there waiting to serve, the bartenders and servers are awesome. The food is good, too! When I travel, I usually go to new places every day, but Ill be back here.

Review №35

2024-03-09 02:15:24

This is an amazing restaurant with spectacular service. The food and ambiance are amazing. The gentleman picked out an amazing glass of wine for me. I felt like a queen. Highly recommend!

Review №36

2023-06-28 02:29:15

I enjoy this restaurant home made sauce and the Tiramisu is one of the best one I have ever had. So delicious.... yeah I took a bite out of the Tiramisu before I took a picture. Couldnt help myself.

Review №37

2024-01-27 03:22:14

Tonight we ordered 2 Lasagnas & Garlic Bread for 2. WOW! Its the best Lasagna Ive ever had & the Garlic Bread was to die for! Will eat the other half tomorrow! Highly recommend Venetos!1/26/24 Excellent Italian Food & First Class Servers! Spaghetti with meat sauce is loaded with tasty meat sauce! See photo.

Review №38

2024-04-15 22:37:51

Lovely well established family run Italian for a really nice evening out with the family, the parents or the spouse. The two older fellows are wonderful and take great pride in their place. Highly recommend.

Review №39

2024-01-07 22:06:16

We dined inside and shared the Caesar Salad for two and the Pesto dish. Lettuce was so crisp! Pesto sauce was the best weve had. We had enough pasta left to take home. Very generous portions. Full bar including a nice selection of craft beer. You will not regret choosing Venetos Cucina.

Review №40

2024-06-20 02:34:24

I’ve lived in oceanside my entire life and never been to this hidden gem! The food is so delicious!! Very flavorful!! Must try!!

Review №41

2021-08-05 19:53:16

We will definitely be coming back to this place. The food was incredibly authentic & aromatic, so delicious. Husband loved the wine. Highly recommend

Review №42

2024-06-16 04:32:36

Excellent food authentic Italian food.Friendly service.

Review №43

2023-01-07 03:46:06

Nice family style restaurant. Pasta was perfectly cooked. Every sauce was different and excellent. Service was good and friendly. Price was reasonable.

Review №44

2024-01-18 17:04:28

Pinos restaurant is my absolute favorite. He is such a fabulous cook and a very gracious host. Every trip to San Diego must include a dinner at Veneto s. I had eggplant Parmesan with a wonderful full-bodied red wine and it was delicious. The servings are so large that I had to take half of it home and enjoy it as lunch the following day. My companion had a salmon dish and Ravens about it.

Review №45

2020-02-24 18:20:22

This spot has a real home feel. Me my mom my daughter of 9 and my son of 9 went for lunch. My daughter was saying how she is Definitely going to be returning and I was right there with her. From the chef to the waiter to the owner paying a visit to the table. This place hits the mark on every spot that I notice. Food is spectacular in my opinion. I had the chicken marsala. It is delicious I was even able to take some home. Mamma had the chicken piccatta I tasted it and I enjoyed that as much as the marsala. Now the kids had pasta with the meat sauce and a pizza and that I went crazy for both the pasta and the pizza. The breads are off the top great. I am a Big Fan. For Desert we had cannoli, spumoni, and chocolate cake. If I could give this place a ten I would. Thanks for the great time and cozy home feel.

Review №46

2019-09-21 00:19:47

Absolutely wonderful. I had the calamari appetizer and the salmon and shrimp entree. The attention to detail of the meal was outstanding. The service from Courtney and the owner or manager checking up on me was excellent. Thank you Gladys at Best Western Plus for suggesting Venetos.

Review №47

2024-01-09 17:21:54

Venetos, is a local gem for Italian food, consistently impresses with warm service and excellent food. The Chicken Piccata was great, and great portions. The kids particularly loved the pizza. Will visit again when in the area.

Review №48

2021-04-10 02:48:31

Fabulous gem in Oceanside. Cozy dining experience with delicious Italian fare.Eggplant melanzale app was the best Moira ever had.Scampi side was buttery & just cooked.Fettuccine w clams tasted wonderful.My Merlot was recommended their best and it was woody and warm.Definite great hidden stop on a main Street, lol.

Review №49

2021-07-21 03:55:19

The spaghetti was watery and lacked flavor, the five dollar meatballs were pasty and the sauce tasted like they just threw a raw tomato into a crusher and collected the juices, not to even mention there was only two meatballs. The garlic knots were overly chewy and hard to bite through, hardly had any garlic at all, very bland.

Review №50

2022-05-17 17:14:43

A great place for good Italian food. The service is great and the atmosphere is very authentic. Recommend this spot to anyone who appreciate a good evening out.

Review №51

2023-12-30 20:52:54

Food was average. I got chicken and it was flavorless. It seemed like boiled chicken with sauce on top. Service was very strange. Our server seemed super annoyed when we needed more time to look over the menu. He just turned around and said nothing. Even the table next to us made a comment.

Review №52

2024-04-08 05:41:58

Leisurely paste dinner. All in our party of six agreed that the food was eight out of 10. We had pastas, chicken and fish among Us all dishes were well received and well presented.

Review №53

2024-04-08 01:43:26

Waited at the door for almost 15 minutes and was ignored the whole time was finally asked if the bar was ok and said yes. Only 1 other customer was at the bar, after another 15 minutes I got up and left. Was totally ignored by everyone on staff. Been coming to town at least once a month for the last 3 months and always wanted to try this restaurant. Never again, you couldn’t pay me to visit again regardless of how the food is.

Review №54

2021-07-17 02:25:03

Very impressed with the pasta here!!! It’s definitely super fresh and we had a really hard time deciding which dish was the best. We had ravioli, steak with fettuccini, and tortellini with creamy pesto. They were all super yummy & the staff was working hard. Right now they’re a little short handed, but we knew they were doing their best to help us! Would definitely come back

Review №55

2024-04-27 18:45:58

This place is the Italian restaurant you want to go to. Delicious food, awesome owner and great atmosphere. Pino will not disappoint!

Review №56

2024-04-21 16:15:52

We had the veal dish, a small plate of spaghetti with two large meatballs, Caesar salad and bread knots and drinks. Everything was delicious!

Review №57

2024-06-25 23:59:07

Food was not good. Very expensiveI will not go back. Sorry but I have to be honest. The place wasnt very busy....now I know why!!! 😕😔

Review №58

2024-02-18 02:00:35

We randomly selected this restaurant based on reviews and we were amazed with the quality of the food, the authentic italian ambiance and service. We had the best seabass ever! Thank you!

Review №59

2024-02-05 06:00:55

Authentic Italian. The three of us had different entrees, and all were amazing. The lasagna was the best I had ever had! Dont miss it!

Review №60

2023-09-14 17:14:43

From the owner, servers, and chefs.... this restaurant was the best! Everyone was friendly when you stepped in the door. Service was on point! And food was amazing!!! I had the Lasagna. My husband created his own specialized Spaghetti that wasnt on the menu. We will definitely be back when we visit Oceanside.

Review №61

2024-02-20 03:53:18

I went with my parents here and we really enjoyed it and all the bread was also good. We love bread haha. Cant wait till we visit oceanside again! We will be back!

Review №62

2023-09-13 18:23:27

Small dining area so a little close to other tables. Sunday was busy so took some time to get seated and such... overall a single or couple dinning place. Saw a few families there but the looked out of place as mostly older and couples dining. Neat looking inside lots of pictures and decorations from the past, gives it a good atmosphere. My food was hot and fresh, but not my favorite thus far.

Review №63

2024-06-02 00:40:17

Had a delicious antipasto salad followed by a 14 pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms. Topped off with a nice bottle of Poggio Basso chianti.

Review №64

2023-04-28 19:14:48

Such great food and a warm atmosphere with friendly staff. Must try!!

Review №65

2023-12-15 02:56:33

Delicious food and attentive staff, including owner Pino!

Review №66

2023-12-03 17:47:23

The waiter broke a glass of red wine and slipped it all over the floor and into my spouses shirt and pants. Left glass all over the place until we asked to wipe it up, took the food away the glass might’ve gone into and never replaced that. Told us “it happens all the time”. We were shocked when they didn’t even offer to give him a free meal until we told him to, then we had to still pay for his wine! On top of that they brought bread (garlic knots) without telling us they cost $9!! I was disgusted by their lack of consideration. We had glass on our shirts and shoes and wine on the floor that we had to keep our feet out of. The lack of caring made out evening ruined. The atmosphere gets quite loud because the tables are so very close you can barely walk around. The food was just “ok”, the veggies were nicely cooked but the pasta was awful. We won’t be back.

Review №67

2023-07-02 03:15:48

Fantastic pasta and the mango Daiquir Is delicious. Friendly service. My favorite Italian restaurant in oceanside

Review №68

2019-07-15 15:49:51

Venetos recently came under the management of owner, Pino, and is now more like a quaint little Venetian Cafe with a charming restaurant ambiance. For appetizers Pino recommended the Carciofo alla Medetterenea, artichoke hearts sautéed in a olive oil, garlic, sun dried tomatoes, lemon white wine sauce and mushrooms sautéed in an incredibly wonderful marsala sauce. For our entrees we had Baby Clams in red sauce and Lasagna. Both were expertly prepared and served by Chloe, who was very attentive and could really work the massive pepper-grinder. Music starts at 6:30 and features Tony Soraci, who sings and plays guitar in the style of one of the old Italian greats. A most enjoyable evening! Cant wait to go back and try some of the House specials!

Review №69

2024-01-02 01:21:38

Small Italian restaurant with authentic Italian cuisine. Staff is friendly. Food comes out quickly. The owner, Pino, is from Italy. If you want authentic Italian cuisine, I recommend giving this place a try!

Review №70

2024-06-13 01:53:10

Ate here during our stay in Oceanside. Food was awesome and service was perfect. Loved this place!

Review №71

2023-09-29 04:07:32

I ordered the eggplant Parmesan- not the special- just their regular EP. It was horrible- I could not eat it- just a lump of stuff. I had a few bites. I expressed it was bad and really did not have much of a response other than I maybe should have ordered the special ( my partner did and it was good). When he cleared the plates- mine was obviously full of food- he only wanted to know if we wanted dessert. Why would I order and pay for more bad food? When I paid the bill I tipped, but nothing great. I wrote on the tab that this meal is horrible and they need to fix it. It’s a standard Italian dish. I also said he offered us nothing- not a new dish- not dessert/ not an “I’m sorry “Nothing. He read this when he picked up the tab- didn’t say a word. What a coward. Place really just wants the money no matter how bad the food is and he relies on his ‘authentic’ Italian accent to swindle and fake charm everyone over the bad quality of food. He must get enough business here in this beach town that he just doesn’t careStay away- try anything else. There are several more Italian joint to choose from. Any manager/owner worth their salt or had any integrity would have made it right or at least addressed the grievances he read right in front of me before I let

Review №72

2021-02-19 07:41:08

The entire staff was delightful. Dinner, atmosphere and location simply wonderful. Will return. Thanking the universe forVenettos. Good vibes only. Prego

Review №73

2019-08-19 23:18:42

Pino ♥️ Chris (together again) brought a 🍕slice of Florence to North County 🏖🌊. This restaurant is the ONLY Italian restaurant I would ever take my 🇮🇹Italian friends. Hands down the best restaurant experience ever and I am picky bc I was a server at the Ritz 30 years ago. Venetos is a 💎 in the rough with a high quaint cool factor🍝 Unique and intimate with romantic Italian tunes that are not too loud. Live music on the weekends. Free parking is a plus. And the delicious wines are 4 points +++ at a reasonable $. Attention to detail, professional Italian speaking server Chris with a VERY impressive life story and generous owner, Pino, both have a passion for gourmet food and 5 star service. Highly recommend the calamari (enough to share with a large group), Chilean seabass was simple yet delicious bc of the quality and prep care, pizza is exceptional bc of the ingredients are quality. We ended the meal with tiramisu (thank you Pino :) ). It normally is not one of my favorites BUT Pinos is the exception. YUM😊 plus it is large enough to share with your company- it is a must! Thank you Pino! Hope you always have a table in Chriss station for us♥️ See you soon! The Pokorskis

Review №74

2023-12-28 05:31:15

Dont go!!!I say this because I would hate to see the quaint ambiance marginalized by crowds. Selfish, I know. Lets keep this a delicious, romantic secret. Truly one of the last bastions of authenticity. Osides greatest gem....Manhattan has nothing on you! Bellissime!!!

Review №75

2019-08-06 18:42:02

This is a nice cozy place, to enjoy great food, drinks & company. You can dine in or order out. The food is amazing.

Review №76

2018-06-02 02:29:10

Now this place rocked. Had a great time. Super friendly and service was top knotch. Calamari was excellent. Bloodymary was good. The main course. Ohhhh frickin delicious. The ambiance was on point. Would love to come back 👍

Review №77

2023-08-02 04:57:33

You know the hole in the wall places are the best. Not a local, but my family was visiting from Arizona and wanted italian food. We were surprised at how good the food was. My kids had the pizza, and my husband had the eggplant plate. I had the chicken scampi. The calamari was everything with the marinara sauce to dip. Very delicious. The vibe was perfect.

Review №78

2022-05-26 21:44:42

Eccellente!! Previous reviews got me there.. the homemade pasta and fresh taste will keep me coming back! So delicious!!

Review №79

2022-10-12 03:50:09

Some of the best Italian food ever!!!! The service and own are awesome

Review №80

2023-01-28 23:33:47

Excellent food & service! Bolognese was 100% authentic homemade. Stopped here because my daughter wanted pasta, absolute hidden gem of a spot.

Review №81

2023-07-13 23:20:25

Everything about this place was rad. My only regret is forgetting to get a picture!Tortellini (I added chicken) was delicious, in a gorgeous, creamy pesto sauce. Had to box up half so I wouldn’t just inhale it all and roll myself out the door. Chicken scampi has a beautifully light sauce with perfectly cooked veggies. Bruschetta was bomb, crispy and flavorful. Garlic knots were warm and soft.((The small, rotten thief I gave birth to GREATLY enjoyed my leftovers; I may never forgive him but I understand.))Service was top notch; everything was served and whisked away with perfect timing. Water glasses stayed full, we were checked on but not pestered.Plenty of parking in the lot next to the restaurant, fresh roses on the tables. A must-try.

Review №82

2023-07-15 05:33:11

Food was great, they were short staffed but it gave me and my sister time to talk without interruption.

Review №83

2024-01-22 18:17:56

We had a wonderful time at Venetos Cucina. We were there with friends and had a wonderful time! The service was great and the food was delicious.

Review №84

2024-03-28 02:32:15

Such a nice little place to eat in Oceanside. The atmosphere,service and food are all top notch

Review №85

2023-11-26 19:35:48

The best Italian restaurant in Oceanside... 🇮🇹💕

Review №86

2023-07-23 15:10:13

Been meaning to try and glad I finally did! Service was great and the portions were generous! Cant go wrong with their pastas and the calamari was tender and delicious.I usually don’t leave reviews but Venetos is definitely a local eatery Id like to support and return to!

Review №87

2023-11-11 04:14:36

Just had the worst experience here. Staff ignored the line of customers waiting to dine in. I was picking up an order for grub hub and waited patiently behind this line and approached a gentleman as he finally walked by us and said “I’m here to pick up an order” it’s like his lid blew off hearing that and he totally snapped at me and was saying how it’s a full house and he understands that everyone is waiting and for me to just sit down. Then the older gentleman came up to start yelling at me more saying the customer had just called in and all I was trying to ask was how long should I expect to wait. I was completely ignored after that and ended up waiting over a half hour before dropping it.Don’t bite off more than you can chew and fill your restaurant up if you cannot handle the stress. Everyone in the line felt it and as a partner where I was trying to help them out I get barked at. Horrible horrible horrible.

Review №88

2021-07-17 02:30:13

Visiting Oceanside and discovered this little Italy gem! Meat sauce was so fresh and light! Small place so be forgiving to your server. He is doing his best.

Review №89

2024-01-11 19:46:27

Wonderful food, atmosphere, and staff. Incredible place to eat. My favorite Italian in town.

Review №90

2023-10-30 05:15:19

HIGHLY recommend the Rigatoni Con Pollo Affumicato (smoked chicken with rigatoni in a cream sauce). It was incredible and we will be back specifically for that dish!! Huge portions which is great because we will get to reheat and enjoy our pasta again for lunch tomorrow. We had wonderful service and all the food from bread basket to Affogato was delicious.

Review №91

2023-09-24 21:21:20

One of my worst dining experiences in years. We were seeing a show nearby, so I found this place online. I called to make reservations, and the lifeless-sounding lady who answered told me they dont take them. It probably should have been an indication not to go. We popped in around 8 p.m., and the bar was empty, but the hole-in-the-wall seating was packed. They tucked us away in a claustrophobic, stuffy corner, and we waited. And then continued waiting. We were determined to be patient because it was busy, but eventually, we pulled the server over. He said hed be right back. He wasnt and at this point, the other diners were winding down and leaving. Eventually, he deigned to bring us water, trying to whirl around to go again before we could register he was there. We said wed at least like to put in a drink order. Rather than apologize for the wait and inattention, he became brusque, shrugging, telling us that everyone came at the same time. His tone was sour, put off that we had the nerve to be salty. Hmm, perhaps they should take reservations? Food for thought, yes? Well, let me tell you, any food would be better than what they served us. They brought out rolls basted with butter and herbs, which looked great, but Im still trying to determine if they were actually hockey pucks. Dry, overbaked, and stale, we had a bite or two and gave up. When our pasta dishes arrived, he returned with Parmesan cheese and, without asking, just popped his arm over my shoulder (remember, I was in a tiny corner) and unceremoniously flicked a heaping spoonful in the general direction of my food. However, a quarter of it landed on my dress like greasy spoon confetti. Before he could react, he did the same to my friend, showering her with cheap cheese as well. A dairy communion? Are we blessed with mediocrity now? We hoped the food would make up for the dismal service, but we were oh so wrong. I felt like we were living in the before segments of Restaurant Impossible. My friends Penne Ala Vodka with scallops had no scallops! She called him over to ask where they were, and he just said they dont make the dish with them anymore. Um? Perhaps the menu could reflect that? Mayhaps he could have mentioned it when she ordered a scallop dish. No apology. He just left again. My shrimp and asparagus fettuccini was akin to Lean Cuisine, which is doing that brand dirty. It was plentiful but tasteless, with pale asparagus and frozen shrimp. I ate perhaps five bites and had enough. The restaurant had no pride in their food, and our server had been so pugnacious that we knew complaining would be a fools errand. He asked if we wanted boxes, we said no. Still, he dropped off boxes. When he saw that we didnt take the food to go, he came over and started boxing it for us. We said we werent interested, and he was confused. At this point, the place was empty. His demeanor improved when he dropped the check, I suppose hoping a spoonful of sugar would help the lousy food and service go down and would reflect on his tip. Well, heres a tip: if you see this place, keep walking. I will never return. Obviously, I can make boxed fettuccini and imaginary scallops at home.

Review №92

2024-06-05 05:04:06

Love this place! Great food and service by a restauranteur who loves whay he does.

Review №93

2024-01-21 19:14:48

Loved eating here. The ambiance and the staff are amazing. The food is really good.

Review №94

2023-12-09 17:45:36

The Pollo Parmigiana is excellent and the staff is friendly and attentive.

Review №95

2018-07-21 16:50:06

Went here for dinner on 7/19/18, to celebrate a birthday. The owner served us alongside his server whom he said was his daughter. We later learned that she was not, but she said that the owner was like her 2nd father. She seemed to have a very high regard for him. The service was nice, but a tad slow, atmosphere very nice, the food, mostly good. The bread was good, if you like a focaccia bread seasoned with rosemary. I had the lasagna and while the sauce was very good, in my opinion, there wasnt enough of it, the noodles were thick and too al dente for me and there wasnt hardly any cheese or meat. I recomend that they remove a few layers of noodles and ad more sauce, cheese and meat and go ahead and charge $2 more. My daughter had the cheese ravioli, which was good but not fresh made, which is fine with me. I tried my wifes tortalinni with pesto sauce and it was perfect. I didnt try anyone elses food but they were very happy with their choices. The owner sang happy birthday in Italian which was greatly appreciated and enjoyed by our family. They also gave a very nice complimentary desert which was excellent. Pricing was very fair. Our family had a really nice time. Yes, I would go there again. I pray that Venetos has a long and very properous future!

Review №96

2023-10-13 04:34:50

We had high expectations because we loved the owners previous restaurant, Pinos, at the south end of the Encinitas Lumberyard.We brought our dogs, so we sat outside. It was comfortable but a little noisy. Next time, we will leave the dogs at home and sit inside. I split a large pizza with my wife that was half chicken pesto and half vegetable. It was great. The slices we took home for lunch the next day were excellent.1The other couple ordered Chicken Piccata and Chicken Parmigiana. The plates looked good, and our friends confirmed that they enjoyed them and would return soon.I will leave room next time to try their homemade tiramisu.

Review №97

2019-07-04 03:17:05

Amazing food. Dont let the outside fool you! Great owner and staff

Review №98

2022-08-18 02:50:13

Here on vacation and wanted a good meal before we left, this is the place. Great food and the portions were excellent. Now the service was excellent. The servers whom I assumed were the owners worked together really well and kept everything moving no one waited long for their meals to arrive were super quick to react and did not rush you. It was an amazing experience. Definitely worth the slightly higher prices for the quality of food and service received.

Review №99

2024-03-31 02:28:47

Lovely food, atmosphere and wonderful waiters. Good Italian food

Review №100

2023-12-11 16:24:14

Homestyle Italian food & atmosphere; delicious & accommodating. I called ahead to be sure GF pasta was available & the chicken picata w/gf penne was lovely!

Review №101

2024-04-28 03:08:41

In my humble opinion, the only authentic Italian restaurant in Oceanside ❤️

Review №102

2022-11-08 15:06:07

We had an excellent meal and time here. The service was quick, as our appetizers cam out quite quickly. I had the house special of shrimp and salmon. It tasted delicious. I did think it should have more than two shrimp though. All in all I would recommend eating here, and I would eat here again.

Review №103

2022-07-30 02:04:44

For the price of Olive garden you get the quality of way way way better Italian food. Their Pizza is really good, Im highly recommended. I ordered the Penn pasta with sausage and I thought it was delicious. The portions are generous. Neither my wife nor I could finish our meals. During our visit we did manage to keep it between 10 to $20 per person, however, we didnt order drinks. Anyways, highly recommended, if you live in Oceanside or youre having to be driving by and youre hungry you should definitely come and check this place out.

Review №104

2018-02-16 23:32:45

Really nice place. Clean and relaxing during the day light music plays in the back ground. Theres more then a couple tvs in here and I belive on the weekends they have a live music after 6pm. Womens bathroom is clean an cute. This is definitely the best place for all generations. I go alone but I see alot of couples and familys. Not to mention the reasons why I come every week. Theyre customer service, food and wine selection. Kourtney and Milad are smart about theyre trade, they know all about the different wines. And the owner is genuine. I would definitely recommend coming here

Review №105

2024-06-03 15:21:21

Delicious food, nice ambiance, excellent service :)

Review №106

2022-11-05 21:35:43

OMG this place is absolutely incredible!! I am always blown away when I dine here, it’s perfect for any occasion, you can sit at the bar or in a booth. The food is so amazing! Pure, fresh authentic Italian cuisine. You will not get this flavor and authenticity anywhere else. I love the ravioli and lasagna 😋😋😋😋

Review №107

2023-04-30 02:19:35

When we walked into the restaurant, it took a while for someone to acknowledge us and when they did, we were told that there were no tables available(there were many tables empty). We were then told that we can sit in a corner table, but that they would take their time to help us. I really wanted to try this place out due to having great reviews but we truly felt like he had a very rude approach on telling us that they will take their time,, so we decided to leave if they were going to make us was purposely.

Review №108

2022-10-03 03:51:54

The waitress was nice but forgot our entire order and our appetizer was incorrect and not received until after our meal. The chicken was rough and tough to chew. The pasta was undercooked but appetizer had a decent flavor. For the extremely high prices I was very disappointed and recommend looking at a seafood restaurant or something cheaper unless you want to pay $60 for a meal that was proportional to a $15 meal with an indoor temperature of over 80 degrees which is unacceptable. Nobody wants to sweat bullets while trying to relax, unwind, and have a nice meal. You guys can do better. Learn etiquette when setting a table and how to greet women and young ladies. Dont be an obnoxious and rude man. Nobody is going to give you a second opportunity after that, especially me.

Review №109

2023-05-06 17:53:34

Delicious as always. I come out here 3 to 4 times a year and Always eat at Venetos. The eggplant parm was delicious. The lobster ravioli had 2 shrimp and small pieces of lobster in the ravioli. It was tasty but not a large meal. Bread amazing!

Review №110

2021-01-05 02:15:13

Absolutely cant say enough wonderful things about this restaurant and excellent service and food. Please check it out. I really enjoyed the ambiance and the food.

Review №111

2022-09-12 23:49:00

Was excited to try this local spot, but we waited at the entrance for about 10min, and were ignored the entire time. Even tho it wasn’t too busy for a Sunday evening. Seemed like a hostile work environment, I witnessed the owner being very rude to the server (an awkward young lady). He aggressively grabbed a wine bottle out of her hand has she was about to take it to a table … seeing that just made me uncomfortable and left asap. A lot of good reviews, seemed like food was probably good. But definitely not willing to come back ever again.

Review №112

2019-07-20 02:20:25

Amazing food, I ordered the fettuccine Alfredo and was more than satisfied. Taste, value and customer service worth my money.

Review №113

2022-04-10 14:14:51

This place was a gem of a find. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals and the ambiance-kind of traditional European vibe, music not too loud. We had a Bruschetta appetizer. Our waiter was attentive and pleasant. I had lasagna and was quite satisfied. My wife had a salmon and shrimp dish and was very pleased. For dessert we shared a lava chocolate dish, with coffee, that took the whole experience to the next level! We would eagerly eat there again the next time we pass through Oceanside.

Review №114

2022-07-18 01:04:25

The food was amazing! We used takeout service, and the owner personally retrieved and checked the orders.Its so cute inside. The bar looked ample, and there was a piano with a microphone by the kitchen door. We plan to go back and take advantage of the intimate in-house dining.

Review №115

2021-07-27 19:00:05

The food and service was great. I had the lasagna and it was some of the best Ive ever had.

Review №116

2023-08-24 16:50:30

Wow!That was great!We all really enjoyed EVERYTHING!What a friendly staff! Oh my gosh, all the food was delicious!We all said wed love to eat there again.

Review №117

2023-05-26 01:04:55

I would put a zero stars. But thats not an option we are from out of town and but travel here often we were enjoying the beautiful city of ocean side CA. We met with fam who I had not seen in 15 years and were excited to eat at what seemed like a very nice place with good food when we arrive (12 total at 6pm-ish ) we went to the door and were told. That they could not serve us the excuse was our party was to big. The funny thing was. There was a party of about the same size. Leaving when we were arriving and I was able to get a peek inside and was very upset when I saw they had plenty plenty of room the place wasnt even busy yet an older man with a heavy accent shook his head and. Pretty much. Shoed us out. I dont want to make this a color or race thing. But. It really really felt that way lets just say the party leaving was not the same as us. Never the less. We found another excellent place near the light house and were treated like family. $600 later. We left. Happy and with full bellys and forgot all about it Till now. Never again. Venetos.

Review №118

2022-09-29 04:19:24

What my daughter and I thought would be a great dining experience while visiting, turned out to be a disappointment. The waitress was great, and the food homemade right there. However, while dining, my daughter pointed out a visitor that was on the wall directly beside our table. It was a cockroach 🪳 We complained quietly about it, and were moved to another table. Not one penny was removed from our meals, and we were treated terribly until we left. Well never be back, and did not leave a tip.

Review №119

2023-02-12 14:35:48

We absolutely LOVE this place! The food is outstanding, service friendly, and the atmosphere feels like you are back in someones home in Tuscany. Pino and Courtney treat you like old friends. And our favorite Italian red wine is Amarone and they are one of the only restaurants weve found that have it on the wine list!Try the garlic knots! Delicious. And trust me, try the Osso Bucco. You wont be disappointed.

Review №120

2023-06-22 23:23:30

Great authentic Italien food. We tried at least 6 different dishes and the were all very good. The Tiramisu was also good but I like it with (more) amaretto.

Review №121

2022-12-24 15:00:21

This is an amazing little restaurant! It was like being transported to someones private villa in Italy. We were welcomed in like friends and served as such. Great service and authentic Italian food. No kids menu, but they were so kind to my girls. Highly recommend.

Review №122

2021-11-13 03:27:08

Beware of “good reviews”. I’ve been trying the local spots to see if the reviews are trustworthy. Decided to try this place and was there at 5 on a Friday. Not busy but a few tables. We were seated and our server was very awkward. Sangria is clearly not made in house. Bread is awful. Old and reheated so it’s perfectly dry and flavorless as well as the “oh so amazing garlic knots” they are terrible! Dry and flavorless. We ordered soup which was okay. Hardly any broth. And creamy pesto tortellini was okay. Reminded me of Trader Joe’s frozen version. Just terrible service. We were handed a hot plate by the owner instead of placing it in front of us. Just things like this make you regret spending the money you work hard for. Go someplace else.

Review №123

2022-05-31 23:38:12

Authentic Italian food and old school service that demonstrates the owner appreciates his customers. He helped me take my carry out order to the car. Try and find that at some corporate joint. My daughter rates all Italian restaurants by their meatballs. She gives Venetos 4.5 out of 5, very good. Of course, her mothers meatballs and a couple of small restaurants we like in Italy ever score a 5. 😊

Review №124

2023-12-31 20:24:00

The staff were very polite and friendly. We lived it and the food was excellent.

Review №125

2023-03-11 22:23:55

After a really lengthy wait for a table, the service was prompt but not pushy and the food was delicious. Unfortunately they were severely understaffed, with one server and the owner, Pino, clearing tables, taking orders, keeping track of the people waiting, bringing out to go orders etc. There is no comfortable place to wait for a table but everyone was pleasant and in good spirits. I will go back, just not on a Friday or Saturday night.

Review №126

2022-04-22 15:15:13

We got into town early Easter Sunday morning and were so glad to find an open restaurant! But we are a large party (2 big families), so when we first walked up, we were turned away. Too big. The restaurant isnt huge. But we talked to them again and it was a little communication error. We just had to wait a bit.Once we sat down, service was excellent and somehow the food got better than last time! The sausage pasta is such a different (in a good way) flavor. And the tomato basil pasta is 🤌. Lasagne is always a good choice.Kids got spaghetti with the meatballs and ate it all. Great place for sure.

Review №127

2023-03-30 02:51:32

6:15pm on a Wednesday and they were already out of the cannoli!? The garlic knots, all 3 of them, were garlicky but dry without marinara. The carne pizza was only okay. The crust was browned but the cheese was barely melted, let alone bubbly and hot. The middle of the pizza was soggy. The crust was also thick and bready which made it more, dry bread to eat. The fettuccine Alfredo was a large portion, but it was only okay. Maybe the noodles were homemade, since they were so delicate? Service was just okay - attentive once we got their attention. Courtney was cheerful and helpful but seemed overworked.

Review №128

2020-05-04 01:40:50

Excellent menu, service & hospitality. Ask for Pino. He will take care of you & your family. 🍽🍷🤝

Review №129

2021-07-23 16:42:11

Great restaurant! We celebrated my daughters birthday here and everyone enjoyed their meal.🍕 gnocchi and chicken Parm were great! Bread is complementary and they have 2-3 kind. The garlic knots were my favorite. My daughter loved the crispy with the oil and balsamic.Best cappuccino I have had in years!!! Im Italian so I always get disappointed when I order, not here 😍The owner took care of us and he is great! It was nice to know everyone is vaccinated.

Review №130

2023-01-22 00:11:04

Horrible time frames for pick up. Was told 30min. Waited 35 min to leave to pick up then had an additional 30min to wait for my order. They weren’t that busy. I was late for my own dinner party where this order was the main dish. This isn’t the first time it happened. If you order takeout double the wait time, they tell you.

Review №131

2023-04-27 03:17:05

We love eating here. 🤪 we bring friends and family when they visit. The meatballs are my husbands favorite. I like to get a large pizza gor leftovers.

Review №132

2023-03-11 12:16:01

This quaint establishment was a real find. Once we got seated Cortney took our drink order and quickly returned with them. We order stuffed eggplant and lasagna, both were very delicious and filling. I forgot to mention the garlic knots which were outstanding. The lasagna was the best Ive ever had and would highly recommend it. A cheesy experience that had a very intense marinara sauce served over the top. The stuffed eggplant 🍆 was very good too. For dessert we got a canolii to go and found this to be creamy and delightful. Over all, very pleased and would recommend Ventos if youre looking for an authentic Italian restaurant. Molto bene e grazie.

Review №133

2023-04-19 01:54:32

Everyone knows Italian women in the kitchen are like broken Nintendos. They dont play games. Some establishments import ingredients to make their dishes as authentic as they can, and theres nothing wrong with that. Venetos imported a little old Italian lady to actually cook and she absolutely slays! Ok, I made that last part up. I dont know that they actually have an old lady with recipes dating back to the invention of pasta, but it sure seems like it. The food is phenomenal. If you happen upon this review then stop reading and haul your cookies to this delightful establishment. Be sure to wear your stretchy pants.

Review №134

2022-08-13 14:33:34

Best service ever. Pino is amazing. The house wine is so good. The chicken parmesan and spaghetti Bolognese, bread.... Everything. It was a little warm in there because the air wasnt on for whatever reason. But the service and the food more than made up for it. The service here is a lost art. We felt so welcome. We will definitely visit again. We took a lot of food home the portions were very generous. We got many people telling us to go there and now we see why. Do not skip eating at this place if you like Italian. They had a lot of people but it was not cramped or loud. Very tastefully authentic.

Review №135

2022-10-09 02:14:07

Service was fantastic and felt very authentic. Waiter told us to just pick a grape and hed pick the wine for us. Food was good too. Great little place for a date night or family meal.

Review №136

2019-07-15 02:42:08

This little excellent secret is hiding in Oceanside CA. Best dinner I had all week. Top waitstaff. I felt we were served and treated very kindly. The price was very reasonable, in fact lower than any other restaurants we ate at and the service and food were Top Shelf. I would recommend this place to anyone. Outside is very deceptive. Clean place, great entertainment with our meal. Not overwhelming where we could not talk. I had the Gnocchi and Shrimp. Two types of bread served. Had an appetizer and two full meals for under $50.00. Military Discount too. Love ❤️ this place.

Review №137

2021-05-18 04:13:03

Wow, just wow! Great food and service. We had the specials lobster ravioli and sea bass. Both were outstanding. The Chianti recommended by the server was very good and the tiramisu--best ever. Have had their pizza also and it is also outstanding. Try it, youll love it.

Review №138

2022-01-01 06:07:57

Amazing experience! Everyone there was friendly and genuine. My seafood dish was fresh and delicious. 10 of 10 would recommend to anyone looking for an authentic Italian restaurant with charm and a family feel. The live music was a wonderful surprise.

Review №139

2021-09-23 19:24:32

I had the immense pleasure of hosting an event at this quaint, charming restaurant. I worked directly with Amy and Marco, the owners, and they could not have done a better job. The custom menu was amazing, the food was authentic and beyond delicious, the wine selection, impeccable, and the staff and service was flawless. They even helped me select flower arrangements for the tables. This place is a MUST visit, best Italian food Ive ever had. I cant wait to go back!

Review №140

2021-05-02 01:31:37

So when we were first greeted it was a little rough- felt kind of put off by the host and like he was annoyed we were there. But it got a little better after we were seated. We had a large party of family with us and they were great to accommodate us. I had the tortellini in the pesto cream sauce and it was absolutely wonderful. Prices are great especially for the portion size. The gnocchi and tiramisu are very good as well as the Moscato we had, but I cant remember the name, and everything came out in a timely manner. Also has outdoor dining. Ill definitely be back when Im in town again. I preferred this place over another higher end Italian place we went to in town, even with the service being a little uncomfortable at first.

Review №141

2020-01-13 21:11:56

It is what a great neighborhood Italian restaurant should be. Warm, comfortable, slow pace, great service, excellent food.

Review №142

2022-05-30 03:09:26

Okay heres my thoughts on the pizza...the pizza was better than Walmarts and Little Caesars or any other chain pizza...My girls LOVED it. It was just meh for me and the hubs. For a $24 large, I didnt think it was worth it, but it was fun and exciting trying something new.Positives: it was very light for a large pizza, the pepperoni had a great flavor, it didnt feel like it weighed you down. Not a ton of sauce and not greasy at all!Negatives: although it was light and airy, it was super doughy and chewy, if that makes sense (Im more of a thin crust person or thin and crispy),The mozzarella was very boring...shouldve ordered extra cheese, not a fan of the sauce herbs (I got a large chunk of herbs in a bite).But the girls really love it, they arent really cheese pizza girls, and they said this was the best cheese pizza they ever had.I would order it again because they loved it.

Review №143

2019-07-08 03:51:43

Great atmosphere for romantic dinner or a good time out with close friends. Food was incredible! And such a great deal for the price. Wonderful live music when we were there. The singer engaged the crowd just enough. Just a pleasant experience. We plan to make it a monthly thing with out friends

Review №144

2021-11-07 03:09:41

This place is a hidden gem! Our only regret is not giving it a chance sooner. Our family loved it. The owner and the staff is awesome. We haven’t tried a single dish that wasn’t amazing. This is our new go to spot for authentic Italian food and pizza. Don’t pass it by.

Review №145

2022-10-27 03:57:40

Really enjoyed our first visit here with friends. Great caeser salad to start. I had osso bucco, fallling off the bone tender cooked to perfection. My wife had the white pizza with genetous amounts of ricotta and garlic. Generous portions. We will be back

Review №146

2022-11-13 18:52:58

The staff is very friendly and very good service. The food came out very fast and was one of the best Italian dinners I’ve had in a very long time. I definitely recommend going here for a good Italian dinner and will definitely being going back!

Review №147

2019-03-13 05:03:58

Great Italian atmosphere with good food portions for the price.The restaurant is on the smaller side but they easily accommodated our party of 4 adults, 2 children. We visited on a slow evening and the staff was incredible! Everyone was so friendly. The appetizers and our entrees came out hot and delicious.Were visiting from out of state and well definitely come back again when were in the area.Highly recommended!

Review №148

2023-03-28 04:08:24

This place is amazing. Such sweet staff, great food and amazing service. I cannot say enough about the staff, they are the absolute best. I recommend the pizza and chicken parm.

Review №149

2022-08-27 14:33:23

Great food and brilliant service, I really loved this place.

Review №150

2021-07-25 00:53:19

Holy freaking goodness. I don’t want to curse, but this was the best restaurant experience and meal I’ve had in my entire life. This place is legit. We had several appetizers, entrees, and desserts. EVERYTHING was incredible. I’m re-reading my review and thinking it’s not good enough to represent how much I love this place and would drive hours to eat here. Bless.

Review №151

2018-02-22 18:57:39

The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is amazing, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable. Come here and you’ll feel like family. The garlic knots are a great start to the meal and there are plenty of options on the menu for folks with diverse tastes. Nice restaurant for couples, but the owner makes sure kids have a great time too - family friendly in a chill way; the owner has toys and delicious menu items for even the pickiest kids (I know - I have the world’s pickiest kid), and cheerfully accepts special requests. We love this restaurant for romantic dates, family nights, and large groups alike.

Review №152

2021-04-14 21:03:22

Their food is absolutely the best. I’ve been here two times and the food has never disappointed me. Best raviolis I’ve ever had at any Italian restaurant. I have noticed that when you come and are of a younger teenage or early twenties age you do get a little less attention, but that’s something I’ve noticed at almost every restaurant in this area. They servers have always been very kind and helpful though. I will be coming again very soon.

Review №153

2020-08-01 02:42:06

After reading the reviews, my wife and I were looking forward to eating here. Id say the reviews were accurate in all things except the food. The staff was great, the outside deceiving, but inside was welcoming. Unfortunately, we werent staying - we ordered take-out. We got the food back to our condo and were severely underwhelmed. We got fettuccine alfredo and pesto tortellini. Neither of which had much flavor - bland would probably be the best description. We ended up giving everything a good dose of salt just to be able to eat our $50 pasta. So disappointed after such a promising first presentation.

Review №154

2022-05-09 03:19:27

I was so excited to bring my family to dinner at Venetos Cucina restaurant. I traveled over 2 hours to just be turned away because they could not accommodate a large party. I called days before to make reservations and was told it was first come first served, and was never told no large parties are welcomed. The management was rude and I felt discriminated. I was told I needed to go to another restaurant. WELL IM GLAD I DID because we went to DOMINICS ITALIAN RESTAURANT the best service Ive ever experienced and the food was amazing!!

Review №155

2023-02-06 05:47:10

I recommend this place without a doubt, I am completely happy to have tasted the best lasagna al forno of my life. It is a very nice place, quite simple and the attention is wonderful. Thanks to the people who work there they make it an amazing environment.

Review №156

2017-09-15 06:21:06

The staff was so nice and professional. They greeted us promptly and even put our napkins on our laps. It was very upscale. The fettuccine was THE BEST I have even had in my life. The bread was amazing and the red sauce was also very good. I was blow away by this place and plan to come back very soon.

Review №157

2022-06-24 16:32:24

Food was okay. The bruschetta was very underwhelming with no Mozzarella and overly seasoned with garlic. The garlic knots were very good, though. Reasoning for 3 stars was the food quality while very stuffy and hot inside. The prices were decent for what it was.

Review №158

2022-05-31 20:47:47

Oh man is this place amazing or what! The food was all perfectly cooked and presented. The service was top notch. And the value cant be beat! I have eaten at another famous place in Carlsbad and this place I think wins! Great place, thank you for such a wonderful time!

Review №159

2019-08-31 18:57:19

The owner is very nice and incredibly hardworking, and everything was pleasant about the meal. And the food was absolutely fantastic. If I recall, I got some sort of mixed seafood pasta cooked in wine sauce and it was SO good! It wasnt too heavy. Id recommend it.

Review №160

2019-12-22 02:00:33

We were looking for a small, romantic Italian restaurant one evening. We did a web search of the area. Based on the pictures from the web, we decided to try it. Venetos nailed it! It is a small and fairly quiet place, nice frescoes and pictures on the walls. Who knew, being so close to the coast? The wine selection was good, and the food and hospitality were great. Our waiter was swamped with customers but he maintained the proper attention each guest needed. We shall return!

Review №161

2022-03-04 19:43:43

First impressions as a new resident...Food & wine was delicious - old school, authentic, lovely ambience. Service was efficient and friendly. Cannoli tasted like my dads! We will be making this place a regular stop!

Review №162

2022-05-23 15:07:09

Came here for my birthday as we are visiting, the only thing Im sad about is I dont live here to eat at this restaurant all the time! The food was amazing and the service was awesome, cute little authentic feeling place, bonus was our server (who may have been the owner?) Sang to me in Italian for my birthday which was so memorable, will always come here in the future!

Review №163

2022-03-28 00:35:23

I have worked in an Italian restaurant, and have frequented many from coast to coast. New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and all so many many more. The owner of the one I worked for was from Sicily and has been in business for 60 years. There is one thing I have to say about Venetos. Hands down the best. Our food was fabulous. It was point on. As for the garlic knots. They are great!!! Perfectly seasoned not too much garlic great taste. The pasta sause was fresh and made from local produce. No doubt can tell it was fresh. After talking to the bartender there are no heat lamps. That is my ideal restaurant. That means our hot food came straigth from the kitchen to our table. 100 percent impressed. The only complaint I have is that I have to go home and not be able to visit again soon.

Review №164

2024-03-24 04:23:18

Loved the food and our waitress Courtney!

Review №165

2021-02-10 05:41:31

Authentic Italian food, great service with a smile .

Review №166

2023-03-17 04:38:19

Very tasty placeWe love Italian food and this is a gem!!!!Truly delicious food, good attention from the staff, fast service, clean and organize little restaurant!Highly recommended!

Review №167

2019-05-07 17:55:24

This is a nice, quiet Italian Restaurant with a great atmosphere and wonderful food. We went here for one evening on our vacation. There was live music from a single guitar player, and he was killing it with soft melodies fitting the surroundings and mood. Would definitely go back given the chance if we were in the area again.

Review №168

2018-11-03 15:50:41

My husband and I have been going here for about a year and we love it. The service is always good, the manager always makes sure you are taken care of, and the food is delicious. It is a little bit pricey, however, you get what you pay for. Good Italian food does not come cheap. Highly recommend.

Review №169

2022-12-18 22:19:09

A true Italian restaurant! The staff was great! The food is very authentic and delicious. They have a fine wine list as well.

Review №170

2021-07-25 00:55:52

This place is absolutely phenomenal! I took bites of 8 different entrees/appetizers (large party) and every one blew my mind. Not to mention the service was incredible! Id literally drive the 2+ hours in traffic from home just to eat dinner here again. If youre looking for the best Italian food youll ever have, stop here!!

Review №171

2022-01-08 02:22:57

Authentic, fresh caught fish, fresh ingredients, Italian cuisine. Excellent service. Amazing wine selection. Vintage interior, old world hospitality. Affordable menu items, generous portions for sharing and taste testing among plates.

Review №172

2018-11-05 04:46:53

We were heading back from San Diego on a Sunday at 6pm and stopped in Oceanside. Decided to try this place based on the other reviews. The food was top notch and the staff was very hospitable. The only complaints that I have are the Garlic Knote that we had were very dry and tough, you needed the marinara they came with. The music is also seemingly random, we walked in and it was alternative, when we left it was opera music. Overall this experience was great and if we were locals, we would be regulars.

Review №173

2021-09-06 01:14:15

With all the great reviews, maybe I just went on an off day. The place was empty for labor day weekend lunch. Only 1 worker in the restaurant that was disgruntled. It was hot outside to begin with and inside was not much cooler. I ordered seared ahi pasta which I already didnt have high expectations for but it was not good. It was not fresh, had no flavor and tasted bad. The pasta was not fresh either but more edible than the ahi. The veggies were bland. The bread was better than the meal.

Review №174

2023-08-22 20:03:25

Cool little spot in Oceanside. Management was very active and checked on us repeatedly. Traditional Cannolis were great.

Review №175

2020-01-02 05:07:28

Food was excellent...I had the pollo parmigiana and my boyfriend had the bolognese! Both were excellent. The garlic knots were delicious and he had the Italian Wedding soup too and loved it. Well definitely go again next time were in town!

Review №176

2022-06-09 03:14:09

Amazing food, amazing atmosphere and most importantly amazing staff and owner. This was the most authentic Italian food Ive ever had and they were so sweet to my children. Best dinner Ive had on my vacation by far.

Review №177

2019-11-29 03:22:27

Classy Italian restaurant. The sausage lasagna was tasty but the portion could have been larger. The side garlic bread was cold and tough to chew. The staff was very polite and accomidating, but service was a bit slow even though the restaurant was quite empty when I was there.

Review №178

2020-09-01 17:07:34

Not at all what I expected. Thought it would be real Italian food sauce tasted canned not even quality canned. Steak was rare when asked for medium well. Never was asked if we wanted anything other than water. Service was decent but no distancing there customers we were sat right next to another table.

Review №179

2022-09-09 23:57:07

Visiting from Houston and we’re very happy with everything we ordered. Definitely recommend!We ordered calamari, carne and pepperoni pizzas. If we ever come back we will be coming here.

Review №180

2019-03-09 13:57:39

Great little Italian place with the perfect portion sizes and succulent Italian food. Highly recommend.

Review №181

2021-03-22 14:19:31

Venetos has fabulous tasting authentic Italian cuisine. The atmosphere is relaxing and the restaurant is nicely decorated. The staff is very friendly and attentive. This is a great place for a date, families, and/or a favorite place to eat on a regular basis. I highly recommend Venetos!

Review №182

2021-09-04 23:46:21

Venetos is quite honest the first real Italian experience Ive had in SoCal in the many years Ive lived and frequented.Didnt have crazy expectations as we were visiting Oceanside on a whim. Not exactly a NY, Chicago, or Cleveland Little Italy type.Small little restaurant with a super friendly staff. Very intimate setting. What Id imagine to be the owners were very nice and engaging at just the right level.Food came out and was very good. A great Italian meal, and not just for. And not just for SoCal.Pricing is very reasonable.Will be regulars to this establishment during our frequent trips to SoCal.

Review №183

2022-08-28 21:37:52

Still our favorite Italian spot! Authentic, delicious and always fresh! Everything here tastes amazing! We travel 45 minutes away for this place. Definitely give it a try.

Review №184

2020-02-09 15:18:36

This is a wonderful family Italian place! A cozy place with great food. They had tasty vegetarian options (We got the Eggplant and cheese tortellini). Friday nights they have live music! Service was great too! Would definitely visit again when we come back to Oceanside

Review №185

2022-03-27 16:38:33

I grew up 20 min from the Italian border, surrounded by amazing Italian eateries. I was never able to find AUTHENTIC Italian food in my 27 years all across the US and had frankly given up. Last night‘s dinner was like coming home. Thank you for an amazing meal and great service. When we are back in San Diego, we will make a stop here every time. Molto bene - Grazie!

Review №186

2023-09-19 16:24:05

Good food, service leaves a bit to be desired. Prices are within what you would expect.Location was close to hotel, so that was a plus

Review №187

2021-09-03 02:50:58

One of the best places Ive gone for Italian food. Im assuming it was the owner who was serving us but very courteous and funny. Food was phenomenal, the sauce was perfect and for any lasagna lovers, would highly recommend trying theirs.

Review №188

2017-03-18 04:02:10

Cute atmosphere. Friendly staff. Food took a little longer than it should have but everything tasted fine. There was only one server working so Im giving her the benefit of the doubt. There was live music and at one point the musician asked how the food was which was confusing but added to the local flavor this neighborhood restaurant exudes.

Review №189

2021-04-13 02:21:58

This little restaurant is a hidden gem on the main road. Atmosphere was relaxing, the employees were very attentive and friendly. They got a nice little wine list that goes with everything they serve. Will definitely be back next time Im in town.

Review №190

2023-01-09 23:28:37

Husband rdered Sea bass got some sort of beef with a bone and I got a slightly warm lasagna. It was reheated but waited at least 25 to 30 minutes for the bass. Waiter did say it was this fault and apologized.

Review №191

2019-04-17 04:12:12

The food was delicious and had nice sized portions. The lasagna is fantastic and their wine selection is huge. The staff are very pleasant and have great knowledge of wines and what pairs with what best.

Review №192

2021-11-24 13:42:55

Wonderful place with very helpful waitstaff and wonderful food! I would greatly recommend this place to people. I had the tortellini here and it was wonderful. The portions are great here as well and if you’re stinking about stopping here you should! I’m sure I’ll be back here when I’m back in Oceanside.

Review №193

2019-07-20 05:28:24

My husband and I stopped here after a very long day and were most pleasantly surprised! The atmosphere is amazing, the staff were incredibly nice and if you’re looking for authentic- and I mean AUTHENTIC- Italian cuisine, this is just the place. This is the only restaurant to ever come close to my husband’s grandmother’s cooking! Chef Mario is a true master at his craft. And the owner, Pino, shows true pride in what he does. We will definitely add this to our “must haves” on future trips to the area! Thank you for such an amazing experience!

Review №194

2021-01-14 15:21:21

This place is a real gem, with owner and staff dedicated to excellence. Ive eaten here five times, with and without kids and each time was wonderful.They are take out and delivery only right now, but we placed our order online (with a real current menu and well-constructed order function) and it was delivered to our car by Pino himself.Now, the food is terrific, but let me tell you about the Calamari Fritti: squid is VERY temperamental; there is a narrow window when it is most tender, yet cooked. Ive had this dish here twice, and it was absolutely perfect each time.In short, this should be where you stop for lunch or dinner when traveling Coast Highway.

Review №195

2023-10-03 14:49:54

Service was great, food was so good. The pizzas my kids ordered were huge hits!

Review №196

2018-10-22 17:31:10

Absolutely incredible! My friends told me about Venetos as I have been looking for a good Italian restaurant to take my boyfriend to. This is the highest quality Italian restaurant I have been to in San Diego. The meticulous and artful craft of the owner is well displayed through the food and the atmosphere here. I would most certainly recommend any one who is looking for an authentic and delicious experience here in San Diego!!

Review №197

2021-05-24 01:26:10

My husband and I have been coming here for years! The food and service is exquisite! It has such a cozy atmosphere and everything on the menu is fabulous! We highly recommend this cute little Italian spot!

Review №198

2021-04-24 01:36:06

Great Italian food. Had the chicken Picatta...great pasta and veggies. Had a taste of my wifes chicken parm and it was super good. Garlic bites were only soso. Our waitress was the best, but I will say that the owner seemed to be a bit off tonight...not very personalble.

Review №199

2020-01-02 17:48:46

Convenient location and very nice ambiance! The food was fantastic, Margherita pizza was delicious and so were the chicken parm and Cesar salad. The place wasnt so busy and the owner shared some history with us and we really enjoyed ourselves. I highly recommend this if you are looking for traditional Italian dishes. We will come from San Diego to eat there again!