A meal at Barbusa in Little Italy. (Photo courtesy of Dee Sandoval)
Barbusa is one of the many restaurants that are part of the rhythm of Little Italy.
Lately, even Padres players have been giving it a shoutout. As more San Diegans look for dining that offers more than just good food, Barbusa has become one of the neighborhood’s most energetic spots to meet up, celebrate, and linger, according to a news release.
A concept from the Busalacchi family, it reflects the spirit of Sicilian-style dining: loud, lively, and social. Inside, the space is filled with music, conversation, the sound of clinking glasses, and a packed dining room that feels more like a gathering than a formal night out.
Modern Sicilian fare includes fresh pasta, seafood, and Italian wines, but it’s the experience that keeps people coming back. There are massive appetizer boards, piled high with cured meats, cheeses, olives, and house specialties, made for sharing and designed to bring the whole table together.
One night, you might spot Chef Nino hopping out of the kitchen to greet regulars, the next you could find yourself in the middle of an impromptu birthday toast, a table-wide cheers, or the filming of a social media blind dating series. It’s where no two nights are ever quite the same.