The La Jolla restaurant by chef Accursio Lota is the only San Diego spot to earn the “Tre Forchette” distinction, just three months after opening.
Three months and three forks: Dora Ristorante opened in La Jolla at the end of November but has already nabbed a prestigious international award: Tre Forchette (Three Forks) in the 2026 Top Italian Restaurants International Guide by Gambero Rosso.
Often regarded as the Italian counterpart to the Michelin Guide, Gambero Rosso awarded Tre Forchette, its highest honor, to Dora at a Feb 24 presentation in Los Angeles.
Dora, owned by chef Accursio Lota, is the only San Diego restaurant to carry the Tre Forchette distinction and one of only 11 in the United States.
Lota’s North Park restaurant Cori Pastificio Trattoria received Gambero Rosso’s Due Bottiglie (Two Bottles) for excellence in its wine program
“This one really means something to our team,” Lota said in a press release. “It’s a reflection of the care and consistency everyone brings to the restaurant every day. We’re proud to represent San Diego – the talent here is incredible and it’s special to see that recognized on a global level.”
Dora’s menu blends Lota’s Sicilian heritage with contemporary technique and seasonal California ingredients.
Hospitality touches include a roaming amaro cart that revives an Italian tableside ritual and a pre-theater menu inspired by the proximal La Jolla Playhouse’s featured production, paired with a creative cocktail program and a curated wine list that features both premier Italian producers and globally-known West Coast estates.
