If you think good Italian food only exists in Little Italy or some tucked-away corner of Rome, think again. Bottega Italia in Temecula, California, is serving up handmade pasta, fresh pastries, and wood-fired pizza like it’s nobody’s business. Spoiler alert: it is their business, and they do it ridiculously well.
Mornings Done Right
Your day can’t truly begin until you’ve had a real Italian breakfast. Not the kind where you rush through a soggy drive-thru croissant. Bottega Italia opens at 7:00 AM (because they care about your caffeine needs), and breakfast is served from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekdays, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on weekends. Expect flaky cornetti, cappuccinos that actually taste like coffee, and breakfast plates that put sad cereal bowls to shame.
If you’re feeling fancy, try a Pistachio Croissant or pair a fresh-baked pastry with an Italian espresso that doesn’t taste like burnt regret.
Lunch, But Make It Italian
Lunchtime rolls around, and your stomach starts dropping hints. At Bottega Italia, the answer is never a sad desk salad. Instead, artisan sandwiches, house-made pasta, and pizza straight from the wood-fired oven take center stage. You could go classic with a Margherita pizza, but why not switch things up with a Diavola pizza (because spicy food keeps life interesting)?
Pasta lovers, you’re in luck. Whether it’s Carbonara, Bolognese, or Truffle Mushroom Ravioli, it’s all made fresh, because that’s how Italian food should be.
Dinner, Drinks, and the Art of Doing Nothing
Dinner at Bottega Italia isn’t just about eating—it’s about enjoying every bite like you don’t have emails waiting. The doors stay open until 9:30 PM on weekdays and 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, so there’s no need to rush.
Start with a burrata appetizer so creamy it should have its own fan club, then dive into a plate of handmade gnocchi that melts in your mouth. If you love seafood, try the Frutti di Mare—because seafood and pasta were meant to be together.
And, of course, there’s wine. Lots of wine. Red, white, sparkling—it’s all here, because Italians don’t eat without it, and neither should you.
Dessert Is Not Optional
Skipping dessert? That’s a rookie mistake. The Tiramisu is the kind of dessert that deserves a moment of silence before you dig in. The Cannoli? Crunchy, creamy, and impossible to eat just one. And the gelato? Let’s just say if you leave without trying it, you’re doing life wrong.
The Vibe: Modern Italian Meets Cozy Café
Forget dimly lit, over-the-top Italian restaurants. Bottega Italia keeps things bright, warm, and effortlessly cool. It’s a place where you can grab a quick coffee, have a long dinner, or convince your friends that you know the best spot in town (because now, you do).
Find Them, Love Them, Repeat
You’ll find Bottega Italia at 32475 Temecula Parkway, Suite G101, Temecula, CA 92592. They’re closed on Mondays (because even great food needs a break), but open from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM Tuesday through Thursday & Sunday, and 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
There are Italian restaurants, and then there’s Bottega Italia—where the food is fresh, the coffee is strong, and every meal feels like a little trip to Italy. No passport required.
Sources: bottegaitaliatemecula.com, Bottega Italia Facebook Page, Bottega Italia Instagram Page
Header Image Source: bottegaitaliatemecula.com
