San Diego's Top Authentic Italian Desserts

Many of San Diego’s restaurants are getting attention for their incredible entrees. These dishes deserve praise, but what about those of us with a taste for something sweet? Many people who love Italian food know of the delicious Italian desserts that exist, but few know where to get them in the San Diego area. Here are three of our top choices that highlight not only the owners, but the desserts that they offer.

Here you go. Three ultimate places that offer the best authentic Italian desserts in San Diego.

3. Parma Cucina Italiana

​3850 Fifth Avenue, San Diego | 619-543-0049 | parmaitaliankitchen.com

Husband and wife team, Franca and Celso have operated restaurants in Italy for thirty years, but as the years progressed they decided to retire to San Diego. But they soon realized that they could not stay away from cooking and opened a restaurant inspired by their love of the town Parma, Italy. With the Northern Italian cuisine in mind, they brought over fresh and simple ingredients to highlight in their dishes, such as Parmigiano, prosciutto, and Barilla pasta.

While Chef Celso makes simple dishes of Lasagna and Penne Salsiccia, he also creates desserts that are delicious and pleasing to the eye. The chocolate gelato is served in a shot of espresso and the lemon sorbet is served in a champagne glass with a lemon-flavored beverage to add elegance to the end of the meal.

Chef Franca also creates classic Italian desserts that complement their authentic coffee, wine and entrees.

Dessert picks:

Profiteroles alla Nutella, which is mascarpone-filled puffs that have a nutella cream sauce poured on top.

​2. Pappalecco

​1602 State Street, San Diego | 619-238-4590 | pappalecco.com

Francesco and Lorenzo Bucci own Pappalecco. These two brothers recently moved to San Diego from Pisa. While in Pisa, Francesco decided he needed to explore his career and his passion for bringing food to new cities, so he chose America for his next adventure. He shared his thoughts with his brother and they agreed to come to San Diego together.

The Bucci brothers' philosophy is to keep "color" in their cuisine, which transfers to their desserts as well. They believe in keeping the food natural and leaving in everything that appeals to the senses. They want customers to see all the colors of nature and be able to taste and smell the freshness within their gelato.

Dessert picks:

The gelato is made on-site several times a day under direct control of the staff. They only use natural ingredients such as whole milk, real fruit and sterilized water. Pappalecco also offers gelato creations such as a croissant stuffed with gelato, or a Affogato, which is espresso over a scoop of gelato. 

1. Cafe Zucchero

​1731 India Street, San Diego | 619-531-1731 | cafezucchero.com

Cafe Zucchero is an Italian cafe where owners Joe and Frank Busalacchi implemented a casual atmosphere appropriate for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Customers can have coffee any time of the day with one of Chef Frank’s desserts. Trained by a Sicilian master, Chef Frank is able make interesting pastries and desserts on the premises, such as the "Cake of Sicily," which has marzipan, sponge cake, ricotta and fruit. It is hard to find this type of creation anywhere outside of Italy, but Chef Frank's expertise allows him to bring such treats to San Diego.

Dessert picks:

The pastries have been given positive reviews on Yelp regarding the authentic nature of the pastries themselves, and paired with their espresso it makes for a perfect afternoon. He makes fruit tarts, cheesecakes, macaroons and cakes with chocolate ganache. At Cafe Zucchero, customers have many different desserts available to choose from. Each one of these places put a lot of emphasis on their chefs to provide simple preparations and authentic ingredients that will highlight your meal from beginning to end.