Before we get started, I absolutely adore The Goat and Vine for pizza (and meatballs). Who doesn’t? But I think of them as California Cuisine rather than Italian, and you can read more about this incredible neighborhood gem over here.
Trattoria Toscana
Trattoria Toscana is a charming spot tucked away in a strip mall off Margarita Road. The restaurant’s interior exudes an authentic Italian vibe, inspired by Chef Pietro’s Sardinian and Tuscan roots, with handcrafted woodworking, a stone-laid wine bar, and Tuscan hillside artwork. A spacious outdoor patio with brick pizza oven is opening at the end of September 2025.
Chef Pietro is known for his inventive takes on classic Italian cuisine, like homemade ravioli with artichoke in a sage butter sauce and decadent lasagna layered with prosciutto and ground beef. Other standouts on the menu include house-made Ravioli Filet stuffed with filet mignon in a creamy Gorgonzola sauce, Linguine alle Vongole, and of course, his tender, homemade meatballs. All pasta, gnocchi, ravioli, and breads are freshly made in-house, as is their deliciously creamy Tiramisu.
They have a full bar and cocktail menu, plus a wine list with both Italian and local wines, and are open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays.
Bottega Italia
Situated right on Front Street in Old Town Temecula, Bottega Italia boasts a spacious, lively outdoor patio perfect for people-watching and soaking in the local vibe. Inside, the café impresses with decorative white tile floors, black chandeliers, elegant green and brass chairs, and marble-topped bistro tables that elevate the casual bistro feel.
The wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas—like the Capricciosa with buffalo mozzarella, porcini mushrooms, spicy salami, Parmigiano Reggiano, and arugula—and the seafood linguini or arancini are among the must-orders. With gelato and pastries on display, a full bar serving Italian wines from the owner’s Poggio Leano vineyard, and a cocktail menu featuring classics like the Negroni, this restaurant delivers an authentic Italian café experience.
See our full writeup on Bottega Italia
The Bar Next Door
The Bar Next Door is, quite literally, the bar next door to Spuntino, a family pizza joint located in the Meadows Village shopping center, from the same owners as Bottega Italia. It has a long, attractive bar, with warm lighting and tables for two. With skilled bartenders offering friendly service and industry workers stopping in after their wine country shifts, it has a neighborhood “Cheers”-like feel. Think of it as Spuntino’s for grown-ups.
The fresh, oven-baked pizzas are the stars here. (Order one of those over the pasta.) You might pair yours with the crispy calamari, the Alla Toto salad (tomato, red onion, oregano, cucumber, and basil), or their popular bruschetta. With generous happy hour specials like half-off appetizers from 2 to 6 pm, and a wide selection of craft cocktails, local wines, beer, and standout martinis, it’s a great place to grab delicious bites and drinks in a relaxed setting.
Francesca’s Italian Kitchen
Francesca’s Italian Kitchen along Temecula Parkway has soft lighting and a cozy atmosphere that’s reminiscent of an Italian trattoria. The drink menu includes signature cocktails like the Fran’s Old Fashioned, Limoncello Drop Martini, Aperol Spritz, Italian Margarita, and an indulgent Espresso Martini, alongside a robust selection of Italian red and white wines by the glass and bottle, including one or two local options.
If you’re craving pizza, the best are the classic Margherita, the savory Pizza al Tartufo e Filetto (with truffle oil, filet mignon, arugula, and Gorgonzola), and the hearty Pizza Polpetta featuring house-made meatballs. For pasta, the menu offers comforting choices like the creamy Fettuccine Boscaiola with sausage and mushrooms, delicate Linguini alle Vongole in white wine sauce, and rich Lobster Ravioli in garlic-lemon cream. The arancini on the starter menu are delicious and easily shareable for a table of four. Like most places in Temecula, the service here is inconsistent, but the food has improved under the new ownership.
www.francescasitaliankitchentemecula.com
Wine Country Italian Restaurants
Temecula’s wine country also offers some terrific Italian dining. For casual, daytime dining that’s great for groups, make a reservation at Mamma Rosa’s Trattoria at Robert Renzoni Winery. Or, for upscale romantic dining, try Domenico’s Italian Chophouse at Truffle Pig Winery.
