Is there parking nearby?

Yeah, parking in Pacific Beach can be tight, especially on weekends. Street parking is available on Turquoise St and surrounding blocks, though you might need to circle a bit. Your best bet is to arrive early or use the nearby paid lots if you're coming during peak dinner hours.

Do I need a reservation or can I just walk in?

Ambrogio15 takes reservations and honestly, it's smart to book ahead—especially for dinner or weekends. That said, walk-ins do get seated if there's space, but you might wait. Since it's a solid neighborhood spot, calling ahead takes the guesswork out.

What should I order first?

Start with the housemade focaccia bread—it's the real deal. For pizza, go thin crust: the classic Pepperoni or Salamino Piccante are exceptional, with wood-fired blisters that hit different. Don't skip the Scrocchiarella Nutella dessert to finish.

Is this place good for kids?

Absolutely. It's got that casual Pacific Beach vibe and family-friendly atmosphere. Pizza speaks for itself with kids, and the staff is attentive without being stuffy, so you won't feel rushed if you've got little ones in tow.

What's the dress code like?

Super casual. Flip-flops-to-dinner kind of place. This is Pacific Beach—leave the formality at home and just show up comfortable.

Do you have vegetarian options?

Yeah, they've got vegetarian options on the menu, so there's flexibility beyond just the meat pizzas. The housemade focaccia and fresh salads are solid sides if you're looking to build a meal that way.

What makes this different from regular pizza joints?

The Italian staff and authenticity set it apart—the thin crust is wood-fired to perfection, the cheese is imported and fresh, and the whole operation tastes way more like Italy than your standard San Diego pizza place. People say the quality is closer to $75-restaurant level even at moderate prices.

They have outdoor seating in Pacific Beach, which is typically dog-friendly, but it's best to call ahead and confirm their current dog policy for the patio area.

Ambrogio15 Pacific Beach — Pizza in Pacific Beach, San Diego

“Ambrogio15 brings Milan-certified Neapolitan pizza to the boardwalk end of Turquoise, the kind of place where an all-Italian staff and a wood-fired oven feel wonderfully out of place among the surf shops.”

Most PB pizza comes by the slice, post-surf and eaten standing up. Ambrogio15 operates on a completely different frequency — this is thin-crust, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza with actual Italian pedigree, served at tables where people sit down and order wine. The wooden beachy exterior tricks you into thinking it's another casual boardwalk joint, but the moment you step inside, the vibe shifts: fully Italian staff, serious pizza technique, and a menu that reads like it was airlifted from Lombardy.

The **Salamino Piccante** and **classic Margherita** showcase what proper Neapolitan dough does under high heat — blistered, light, almost lacy at the edges, with fresh Italian cheeses that don't drown the crust. The **Scrocchiarella Nutella** is the dessert move: a thin, crispy flatbread with Nutella that somehow doesn't feel like a gimmick. The **housemade focaccia** is worth ordering as a starter, especially if you're waiting on a table.

The staff actually knows the regional differences between pizza styles, which matters when you're trying to explain why the crust is thinner than what most Americans expect. Service is attentive without hovering — they'll walk you through the menu if you're new, then leave you alone to eat.

Pricing runs around $25 per person if you're sharing appetizers and splitting pizzas, which is reasonable for the quality. Parking on Turquoise is easier than Garnet Avenue but still tight on weekends. Reservations are smart if you're coming Friday or Saturday after sunset. This is the spot for when you want actual Italian pizza technique, not another slice joint with a surfboard on the wall.