About us

The first Mona Lisa Restaurant was established in 1956 in downtown San Diego by Grandfather Stefano Brunetto. Our Little Italy restaurant and deli opened in 1973. In the early years, it also operated as a wholesale import business, supplying Italian provisions to the local tuna fleet and other San Diego restaurants. Since then, Mona Lisa has become an institution for Italian food and culture in the Little Italy area.

We are now in our third generation of family management and look forward to continuing the Mona Lisa legacy. Whether you are walking through our authentic Italian deli or dining in our family Italian restaurant, we welcome you to our family's tradition.