A longtime fixture of San Diego's Point Loma dining scene has been ordered to temporarily close by county health officials. Old Venice Restaurant, the family-owned Italian restaurant and bar that has operated at 2910 Canon Street for more than 45 years, was ordered closed on August 17 after a reinspection by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality identified a major vermin violation.
The shutdown is particularly notable because it is the second time Old Venice has been ordered closed for a major vermin violation in just over a month, according to the restaurant's county inspection history. County records show Old Venice underwent a routine inspection on June 30 and received a score of 90 and an "A" grade, despite inspectors documenting a major violation involving food being maintained in good, safe and unadulterated condition, as well as a minor vermin violation. Inspectors also cited issues involving food-contact surfaces, equipment and utensil storage, floors, walls and ceilings, and impoundment.
A subsequent reinspection on July 14 resulted in the restaurant being ordered closed after the vermin issue was elevated to a major violation. The closure proved brief. Old Venice was approved to reopen the following day, July 15, with the reinspection reporting no violations. A separate routine inspection that same day produced a score of 98 and an "A" grade, with only a minor holding-temperature violation documented.
But the vermin issue resurfaced. On August 3, inspectors returned for another reinspection and again documented vermin, this time classified as a minor violation, along with an out-of-compliance finding involving equipment and utensil storage and use. Two weeks later, on August 17, inspectors returned once again and found a major vermin violation, prompting the latest closure order.
The publicly available inspection summary does not specify the type of vermin observed, so it would be premature to characterize the violation as involving rodents, cockroaches, flies or another particular pest without the underlying inspection report or confirmation from the county. Under San Diego County's food-safety program, a restaurant is ordered closed when inspectors determine an "imminent health hazard" exists. Vermin infestation is among the conditions the county identifies as grounds for closure, and a closed facility must remain shut until the hazard has been corrected and an inspector approves reopening.
The closure interrupts the run of one of Point Loma's genuine old-school restaurant institutions. Old Venice describes itself as family owned and operated for more than 45 years, with its candlelit dining room, bar and two garden patios making it a longtime destination for neighborhood dinners, dates, weddings and other celebrations. The restaurant opened in 1980 under founder Karl Walter and has remained in the family, surviving enormous changes to both Point Loma and San Diego's restaurant industry. Its longevity has made Old Venice increasingly unusual in a city where independent restaurants frequently disappear after only a few years.
The Canon Street property is particularly known for its romantic atmosphere, including its sprawling garden patio filled with mature landscaping, white iron furniture and lights, along with a candlelit interior, fireplace seating and longtime Italian-American menu staples. Old Venice's own website promotes the restaurant as a destination for romance and special events, noting that it can accommodate private gatherings of up to 100 people and has hosted weddings and major life events for decades.
The restaurant's recent inspection history, however, suggests the current vermin problem has been recurring rather than isolated. In addition to the findings this summer, county records show a minor vermin violation during Old Venice's June 2025 routine inspection and another minor vermin violation during an April 2023 inspection. The 2023 inspection also documented a major sewage-disposal violation. The restaurant nevertheless received "A" grades on those routine inspections.
The latest closure does not necessarily indicate how long Old Venice will remain shut. Temporary health closures can sometimes be resolved rapidly once a restaurant eliminates the underlying hazard, completes required cleaning or repairs and passes a county reinspection. Indeed, Old Venice's July closure lasted only until the following day.
Old Venice has since responded to SanDiegoVille, with Elwin Gill saying the restaurant believes the two recent closures stemmed from separate circumstances rather than a single unresolved infestation. According to Gill, the issue behind the initial closure originated in an exterior void space between Old Venice's building and a neighboring property. He said the restaurant's pest-control provider, Terminix, identified the external source, after which Old Venice cleared and secured the exterior area, sealed potential entry points and intensified preventative treatments.
Gill attributed the latest failed inspection to a different circumstance. He said Terminix had performed a scheduled treatment before the county's follow-up inspection and that the treatment brought previously dormant insects into view. According to Gill, the inspector then required the restaurant to temporarily cease operations so the affected area could be cleared and sanitized before approval to reopen.
“While the two recent failed inspections occurred close together, they were unrelated and each addressed immediately,” Gill told SanDiegoVille.
Gill emphasized Old Venice's nearly half-century history in Point Loma and said the restaurant used the temporary downtime to conduct a broader review of its facility and procedures.
“In our 46 years serving the Point Loma community, maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment has always been our highest priority,” Gill said. “We used this temporary downtime to thoroughly audit our facilities, reinforce our sanitation routines, and update preventative measures suited to our historic building and indoor-outdoor layout.”
Old Venice was approved to reopen on August 18.
Old Venice Restaurant is located at 2910 Canon Street in San Diego's Point Loma neighborhood. For more information, visit oldvenicerestaurant.com.
Originally published August 18, 2026. Updated on August 19 following an email response from Old Venice Restaurant representative.
Originally published August 18, 2026. Updated on August 19 following an email response from Old Venice Restaurant representative.
