Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Pizza
Italian
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Italian-run restaurant in San Diego's Little Italy since 2015. Menu has a vegan section offering items like spinach ravioli, lasagna, fettucine, fried mushrooms, and cheese substitute. Vegan gelato and tiramisu for dessert. Makes pasta in-house. Open Mon 12:00pm-9:30pm, Tue-Thu 4:00pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 12:00pm-10:30pm, Sun 12:00pm-9:30pm.


Venue map for Civico 1845
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121 Reviews

First Review by vsvihla

AuntAlisa

Points +128

Vegan
26 Sep 2024

Delicious vegan options

Started with great bread. Delicious vegan mushroom lasagna. Nice service. Comfortable setting.

annies755

Points +662

Vegan
03 Aug 2024

Loved the vegan options

Happy to find a restaurant in Little Italy that had clearly marked vegan options on their menu. Food was delicious, service was great and restaurant was nicely decorated.

ShelbyHallman

Points +116

Vegan
10 Jul 2024

Amazing focaccia

The focaccia was one of the best things I have ever eaten and why I gave 4 stars instead of 3.

The vegan lasagna was also great. My only complaint is that the lasagna noodles were not completely cooked. The middle was raw dough but regardless, it still tasted delicious.

I unfortunately was not a fan of the vegan cannoli; mine was pretty bland. Maybe just a bad day?

Would love to go back to try more of the vegan options.

Updated from previous review on 2024-07-10

samato8888

Points +16

Vegan
28 Jun 2024

Vegan cannoli!!

Title says it all. Great vegan entrees also. And eggplant!

AshKenyail

Points +2458

Vegetarian
17 Jun 2024

Delicious vegan Italian

I dined here in 2022, and I was pleasantly surprised how accommodating and helpful the restaurant staff were with helping me understand the vegan options available. The pasta I ordered was delicious! It's definitely a nice gem in Little Italy in San Diego.

Ichi123456

Points +28

Vegan
11 Jun 2024

Etwas teurer, das Geld aber total wert

Als Vorspeise gibt es gratis Foccacia mit Basilikumpesto. Das Brot war noch warm und schmeckte unglaublich gut.
Als Hauptgang hatte ich die vegane Lasagne die mich total umgehauen hat. Absolute Empfehlung
Der Service war super: schnell und extrem freundlich

Pros: Essen, Lage, Service

Cons: Parksituation

.Jlo

Points +36

Vegan
25 May 2024

Amazing find in Little Italy

The most amazing Italian food for vegans, actually one of the best meals I’ve had in long time. The service staff was wonderful and attentive. Not to be missed was the desert, will definitely go back when I’m in San Diego.

Updated from previous review on 2024-05-25

Pros: Pasta with eggplant and vegan sausage , Dessert , Ambience

phatheadphil

Points +60

Vegan
15 Apr 2024

Worthy

If it wasn't for serving animal products and the occasional waft of fish smell, this place would be 5 stars. The Fiore Ripieno, Fusilli, Lasagna, and Cannoli all rocked. The server, Gio, was super attentive and pleasant. Vibe fit in with the modish scene of Little Italy.

Pros: Food tasted immaculate , Center of activities , Staff was friendly and dedicated

Cons: Fish smell, Not their fault but parking sucked

NickShackleton

Points +700

Vegan
12 Apr 2024

Amazing 🤩

This place deserves a 5 ⭐️ review. The good is amazing. Vegan takes on Italian classics. 5 starters, 5 mains and 3 desserts.

VickiNewMath

Points +794

Vegan
04 Feb 2024

The best Italian vegan options!

Amazing service and you will not wait long for your food! The flavor is decadent and you will savir every single bite!

ScarletCastro

Points +26

Vegan
06 Jan 2024

Great vegan menu

I had the vegan lasagna and cannoli. They tasted great!

CamAndri

Points +40

Vegan
02 Jan 2024

Vegan Italian Food 😍

Based on other reviews I decided to try Civico . It was a 15 minute walk from my hotel and worth the journey. Loved the bread and pesto appetizer. I’m glad it was vegan friendly as that is a rarity among most Italian restaurants that I’ve experienced. Ordered the Ragu Di Funghi and Cannoli pastry. Both were delicious! #Veganuary

Pros: Vegan Options, Food portion, Cocktail Selections

amyfoxinabox

Points +114

Vegan
01 Jan 2024

Would dine again

They have a fully vegan section of the menu with options for apps and mains. I had the bruschetta and the rigatoni. Both were delicious. The bread and pesto they serve are also vegan friendly according to our server.

Pros: Clearly marked vegan section of menu

HappyFoodLove1

Points +170

Vegan
26 Nov 2023

Civico 1845 boasts the first Italian Vegan Menu in the USA.

They bring a bag of focaccia and vegan pesto when you sit down. It is delicious! Everything I ate was so tasty! I appreciate having vegan options instead of one dish (in none fully vegan restaurants)

Pros: Delicious, Complimentary vegan pesto and focaccia

Cons: None

ssluchansky

Points +537

Vegan
23 Nov 2023

Limited choices but very good

Civico boasts of having the first Italian-Vegan menu in the US. Their vegan menu, though, has fewer than 10 options, half as starters, the other half as main dishes. (I can't help think of "John's of 12th Street" in NYC's East Village, where the vegan menu is almost as large as the regular menu and where the restaurant tries to veganize almost every non-vegan offering, including desserts. And, the food is great.) Civico's Lasagna and Ragu di Funghi dishes were excellent, a little pricey but substantial portions. Once the order has been placed, they serve a vegan focaccia with olive oil and basil, which is thoughtful and delicious. And, having a vegan tiramisu was a wonderful opportunity. Still, the vegan effort would feel more complete if they offered a vegan salad (caesar?) and/or soup. When I asked about veganizing a salad, I was told that they could serve the (non-vegan) caesar dressing on the side. I did really like what I had, and would return, but I keep thinking about John's of 12th Street.

Pros: Several very nice options, Friendly and efficient service

Cons: More options for salad, soup, dessert

TarynD

Points +40

Vegan
03 Nov 2023

Authentic Italian

Little Italy is so alive with music, dancing, and tons of Italian restaurants. It was very close to the airport and we went straight here when I arrived. We sat outside and enjoyed amazing wine and food. My friend, not a vegan, ended up ordering from the vegan menu because it looked so good!

The food was AMAZING! The pasta dishes were so flavorful! Fungi Fettuccine, Putenesca, and the stuffed zucchini blossom were all delicious. I'm still thinking about the yummy food this morning! This place will not disappoint!

Pros: Fungi Fettuccine , Putenesca , Stuffed zucchini blossoms

Cons: Nothing, Nothing, Nothing

minthin

Points +843

Vegan
28 Oct 2023

Like what you get at home

Ok I actually really like this place. They take a lot of pride in their vegan menu, which makes me feel welcome as a vegan and attracted to come here.

I often avoid Italian because I love to cook, and Italian food is so easy to make at home. That goes for my experience here. The gnocchi I had was good, but not much different than I had at home. Maybe somebody with a more refined palate would be able to discern the careful details that I know the chefs put into this, but to a plebeian like me I was left unamazed. I am really glad that they were artful with using good vegan cheeses and other plant based foods. The lasagna was very good; not mind blowing but definitely enjoyed it. And the bread they bring out before the meal is wonderful, light and fluffy with some good dips.

The portions here are big; neither time did I finish my meal. So it’s great for sharing.

Given the prices and that the food is a lot like what I’d make at home, this is not a place I would rush back to. They do have a mushroom linguini on the vegan menu that looked fun. I hope they continue to channel that creativity.

Pros: Big portions, Lovely outdoor seating

Cons: Food is ordinary, Higher prices

MarkoHlibchuk

Points +33

Vegan
04 Oct 2023

Great vegan options

Had the vegan gnocchi dish and it was outstanding. They also label their vegan wines which I rarely ever see at restaurants. Finished our meal with the vegan tiramisu.

AlwaysForAnimals

Points +270

Vegan
31 Aug 2023

Omg so good

A dedicated vegan menu with amazing dishes! Caprese, gnocchi, lasagna, rigatoni!!! It was sooooo good and so nice to go to a fancy Italian dinner and get to order something delicious.

ahimsa4ever

Points +262

Vegan
12 Aug 2023

Great vegan menu

Great service and ambiance; delicious food (extensive vegan menu and wine list that shows which wines are vegan). This is rare to see in non vegan restaurants so I was very happy with the overall experience. Everyone was really nice and our service was impeccable though the place was super busy. Appetizers and main dish were delicious and dessert and espresso are a must.

Updated from previous review on 2023-08-12

Pros: Menu choices for vegans, Wines for vegans, Service

chrisaultman

Points +59

Vegan
09 Aug 2023

DON'T GO HERE EVER! CROOKS!

The food was OK, but the service could not have been any worse. Worst I've ever had. I was taught in this situation to tip a penny because no tip could be interpreted as forgetting. Thankfully, I have a photographic memory because when I checked my bank app, the total was wrong. I asked the manager to see the receipt and the awful server WROTE HIMSELF A TEN DOLLAR TIP AND SCRIBBLED MY NAME! The manager shrugged, gave me $10, said, "Whata you gonna a doa?", and said the server wouldn't be punished. I said, "He committed theft and forgery, A FELONY, and that's it?! No punishment, no restitution?!" Go to any other restaurant but these scumbags.

Cons: THIEVES, Terrible service

Marcel13

Points +59

Vegan
07 Aug 2023

Vegan menu is fantastic

The vegan menu has a great selection of starters and main dishes.

Pros: Selection, Vegan varieties

Cons: A bit too pricy

veganveg1

Points +355

Vegan
22 Jul 2023

Extensive vegan menu

They have a variety of vegan appetizers, drinks, entrees, and desserts. The almond ricotta & fig bruschetta was amazing, as well as the tiramisu. Vegan wine bottles are also labelled. Everything is super flavorful. The complimentary bread is also vegan. Highly recommend!

Pros: Vegan drinks/wine menu , Amazing food , Great service

Sphynxdani

Points +487

Vegan
13 Jul 2023

As many vegan options.

Really refreshing to see a menu where there is more than two vegan options. Even in desserts. The cocktails were good too but service was rushed. Good option if you want to explore little Italy SD

Pros: Bread! , Cocktails and Wines , Food and staff

Cons: Limited time seating even if you’ve reserved

JJones315

Points +2169

Herbivore
06 Jun 2023

Excellent choice in urban San Diego!

A long-established restaurant in San Diego’s “Little Italy” with a specially designated vegan menu, including desserts. There are also vegan (or could be made vegan) options on the regular menu. The quality was very good.

They also have Mocktails!

Pros: Great location, Good quality food, beverage and service, Lots of veg/vegan options

dea_larissa

Points +771

Vegan
17 Apr 2023

Amazing vegan Italian classics

Went for my birthday dinner with some friends and were thrilled that they had a separate vegan menu with plenty of appetizers, entrees, and dessert options! We had:
- foccacia with vegan pesto
- roasted vegetable stuffed zucchini blossoms
- gnocchi with eggplant and plant sausage
- vegan tiramisu
- affogato with vegan pistachio gelato
- vegan cannoli
All were amazing and portions are generous!

mchg

Points +111

Vegan
15 Apr 2023

Incredible

Best restaurant we ate at in San Diego. Out of this worlddddd gnocchi (GET IT) and lasagna. I would fly back down to just to eat this again soon. Oh, and the service is awesome. Seriously do not miss.

Pros: Gnocchi, Service , Gnocchi

Cons: Nada




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