Mona Lisa Italian Foods

Reviews

• Jenny M.

  star star star star star 7 June 2026

  First time in Little Italy and I'm so glad my boyfriend and I chose to try this place out, out of all the restaurants nearby.
  It has this cute old timing romantic vibes with candles in the center of the table. The food was all house made especially their spaghetti sauce and all the servers there were very polite.
  I would definitely come back again to try other foods off their menu.
  
  I ordered their lasagna meat pasta with a side of meat ball sauce. It comes with a side of your choice and for that specific order it came with bread. It felt like the lasagna meat pasta was 75% cheese and 25% pasta. However, it did say it was layered with cheese. I just never thought it was way more than I had wished for. Still overall satisfied with my experience there.

• Cecilia A.

  star star star star star_border 2 June 2026

  Busy place and I know why. The people are friendly the service is good and the food is delicious.
  Lots of customers but plenty of elbow room. I like that they don't try to herd your in like cattle and expect to have an enjoyable meal. I had camomile tea and my daughter had the Stella Rosa moscato.We had the Mona Lisa special pizza. The crust was nice and crispy around the outer rim but towards the center it was very moist. I found so much deliciousness under the massive amount of cheese.
  They don't skimp on any of their toppings.
  We shared a bowl of minestrone soup. Chock full of veggies (not mushy) and a delectable broth bursting with flavor.
  We ended our meal with a nice slice not scoop but slice of spumoni ice cream. Has to be made in house . I didn't ask I'm assuming. It far surpassed any spumoni I've ever had.

• Edward M.

  star star star star_border star_border 20 May 2026

  Mona Lisa is an old school Italian joint that's good for groups large and small.  The menu lists various common souther Italian dishes.   Impressively, they even offer some gluten-free pasta, if you're into that kinda of thing.  The wine menu includes a variety of relatively inexpensive wines to accompany your meal (which is pretty much obligatory, I think).  The short beer list contains a listing of the familiar - and boring - big-brand brews.
  
  The provided bread is a bit too greasy, but undeniably tasty.  My entree of chicken marsala was well made and a palate pleaser.  The accompanying pasta plate of spaghetti and sauce, however, was a limp and bland disappointment.  The reviews of other dishes ranged from thumbs up on the veal, to thumbs down for gluten-free corn-based pasta and for greasy manicotti.  
  
  Service was accommodating and competent.  Lots of dark wood and pleather and charming pictures from the old country.

• Molly M.

  star star star star star_border 19 May 2026

  We stumbled upon this while visiting San diego during a walk around Little Italy. We spotted a cute grocery store with a long line around lunch time. We decided to stop by a couple days later on our way to the airport and we were not disappointed! I'm not an expert by any means, but the meats and cheeses seemed to be very authentic and the bread was very tasty too! Although there were a ton of people visiting for lunch, they hustle hard and it's not a long wait to get your sandwich compared to the amount of people in the store.

• Rom P.

  star star star star star 17 May 2026

  Remember the song by Nat King Cole... Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you... etc (if you are not a jazz fan no worries).
  
  We love this place, the deli is great and for lunch I normally order the the Capicollo ham sandwich. It is served in a torpedo type bread and it is large enough to share. the Capicollo ham is sliced from the meat selection and is freshly prepared. You get your regular fixing of lettuce tomatoes and dressing or order it the way you like it. You can also get your latte or espresso to complete your meal.
  
  All I remember is that on Sundays in the morning they have these poor boy sandwiches for $1.50 and we buy a few to take home. Best thing money can buy for a buck and a half. Let's not forget that this is an Italian food market so you can pick up your ingredients and what not. My family normally get our chocolates and head to the back where the freezer is at and pick up our spumoni ice cream to take home.
  
  They also sell the pizza dough if you don't want to be bother making your own fresh pizza dough. While you're at it go ahead purchase the pizza sauce and the topping you require and impress someone when you get home as you prepare the pizza... you looking like you did all the hard work.
  
  Eat or buy the Italian ingredients you need, this is the place.