Civico 1845 is a Calabrian Italian restaurant at 1845 India Street in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood, California, United States of America. Opened in 2015 by brothers Pietro and Dario Gallo, it draws travelers for house-made pasta, seafood, Italian wine and cocktails, plus a dedicated plant-based Italian menu that lets mixed-diet groups share the same table without treating vegan dining as an afterthought.
What to Expect at Civico 1845
The restaurant’s core experience is rooted in Calabria, the southern Italian region associated with the Gallo brothers’ cooking. Traditional and plant-based menus run in parallel, with scratch-made pasta as a focal point. The regular menu emphasizes Calabrian specialties and seafood, while the separate vegan menu gives plant-based diners a full Italian meal structure rather than a short list of substitutions. Italian wines and cocktails round out a dinner that can be as relaxed or occasion-focused as you make it.
Inside, the atmosphere is contemporary but warm, with reclaimed-wood details; outdoor patio seating adds a street-side Little Italy option. This is a sit-down restaurant rather than a museum or timed attraction: the signature “collection” is the menu, particularly pasta made in-house and dishes that express Calabrian culinary traditions. Reservations are useful for prime dinner periods, and the restaurant also offers direct takeout ordering for visitors eating at a nearby hotel, rental or waterfront park.
- House-made pasta: Scratch-made pasta is central to the restaurant’s Italian cooking.
- Calabrian focus: The menu reflects the southern Italian cooking of owners Pietro and Dario Gallo.
- Dedicated vegan menu: Plant-based Italian dishes are offered as their own menu, alongside traditional choices.
- Seafood, wine and cocktails: Build a fuller meal around seafood selections, Italian bottles and bar drinks.
- Reclaimed wood and patio seating: Choose the warm contemporary dining room or the outdoor patio.
Civico 1845 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1845 India St, San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Little Italy, near India Street’s restaurant corridor and San Diego Bay waterfront |
| Operating Hours | Mon, Thu 12–9:30 p.m.; Tue–Wed 4–9:30 p.m.; Fri–Sat 12–10 p.m.; Sun 12–9 p.m. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | Free entry; this is a full-service restaurant, with food and drinks priced individually. See the official menu for current offerings. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2 hours for a seated lunch or dinner |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | County Center/Little Italy trolley station is about a 10-minute walk; use nearby paid public garages and metered street parking. |
| Official Website / Phone | civico1845.com · (619) 431-5990 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For the easiest seating, arrive soon after lunch service begins on Monday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday, or book ahead for dinner. Tuesday and Wednesday begin at 4 p.m. Reserve through Civico 1845’s official reservation link, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings, patio requests and celebrations. Allow closer to two hours if ordering multiple courses and wine; a focused pasta dinner can fit into about an hour. Direct takeout through the restaurant is practical for a picnic-style meal elsewhere in Little Italy.
County Center/Little Italy is served by MTS Blue and Green Line trolley service; from the station, walk north through the neighborhood toward India Street. Drivers should budget time for paid garages or curb spaces, as Little Italy parking is limited at dining peaks. Civico 1845 is a ground-floor restaurant with sidewalk-level patio seating, but seating layouts and access needs can vary; call before your visit for wheelchair table placement or other accommodations. Within a 5- to 15-minute walk, pair dinner with Piazza della Famiglia, the Little Italy Food Hall and Waterfront Park. The Embarcadero and San Diego Bay are also an easy walk west.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Civico 1845’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
Hours are noon–9:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 4–9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, noon–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon–9 p.m. Sunday. Early lunch or an early dinner generally offers a more relaxed arrival than peak weekend dinner service.
Does Civico 1845 charge admission, and do I need a reservation?
There is no admission charge or ticket. Guests pay for food and beverages. Reservations are recommended for dinner, weekends and patio preferences; use the restaurant’s official website to reserve a table and review current menus.
How much time should I budget for a meal?
Plan 1 to 2 hours. A quicker lunch or single-course dinner may take about an hour, while a multi-course meal with cocktails, wine or dessert is better enjoyed over 90 minutes to two hours.
Is Civico 1845 suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families can order from both the traditional and dedicated plant-based menus, making it useful for groups with different diets. The restaurant is on the ground floor and has patio seating; contact Civico 1845 before arrival to arrange the most suitable table for a wheelchair, stroller or mobility device.
When planning your San Diego travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and vegan restaurant in San Diego, pair this stop with standout local spots including Mister A's, Underbelly, Top of the Market – San Diego, and Born and Raised (nearby).
