Ciao! We are Cesarina, an award-winning Italian restaurant in Point Loma, and we are looking for an experienced Host to join our team.
If you are passionate about hospitality, love creating memorable guest experiences, and have previous restaurant host experience, we would love to meet you.
Job Summary
Cesarina is hiring a Host to serve as the first and last impression for our guests. This position is ideal for someone with previous host experience in a restaurant who thrives in a fast-paced, hospitality-focused environment and enjoys creating a warm, organized, and polished guest experience.
The Host will greet guests, manage reservations and waitlists, coordinate seating flow, answer phones, and support front-of-house operations. The ideal candidate is friendly, organized, calm under pressure, and committed to excellent customer service.
Key Responsibilities
- Greet and welcome guests in a warm, professional, and engaging manner
- Provide accurate wait times and manage the guest waiting list
- Manage reservations and seating assignments efficiently
- Escort guests to dining room or bar seating areas
- Provide menus and support a smooth, polished arrival experience
- Greet guests upon departure and thank them for visiting
- Coordinate with servers and front-of-house staff on table availability and seating flow
- Maintain a clean, organized, and guest-ready host stand and reception area
- Answer incoming calls and respond to guest questions professionally
- Support guests who may require additional attention, including children, elderly guests, or special accommodations
- Assist wait staff and front-of-house team as needed during service
- Help maintain a positive, team-oriented dining room environment
Required Qualifications
- Previous experience as a Host in a restaurant is required
- At least 1 Year of experience as a Host/Hostess or Waiter/Waitress
- Experience with using OPENTABLE
- Experience managing reservations, guest flow, and waitlists
- Strong customer service and guest-facing communication skills
- Excellent verbal communication skills in person and by phone
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to monitor the dining room and bar seating areas effectively
- Understanding of restaurant etiquette and hospitality standards
- Familiarity with health and safety regulations
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods during a shift
- Availability to work flexible shifts, including weekends, evenings, holidays, and special event days
Preferred Qualifications
- High school diploma
- Hospitality certification
- Fine dining or upscale restaurant experience
- Experience using reservation or seating management systems
Availability Requirements
Candidates must meet the following availability requirements to be considered.
Part-Time Availability
- Minimum 3 days of availability
- At least 1 full weekend day availability, Saturday or Sunday
- At least 2 full weekdays availability, Monday through Friday
Full-Time Availability
- Minimum 5 days of availability
- Full weekend availability, Saturday or Sunday
- At least 3 full weekdays availability, Monday through Friday
Additional Scheduling Requirements
- Availability for holidays and special high-volume days is mandatory
Pre-Existing Commitments
- No more than 3 pre-existing commitments
- No commitments longer than 10 consecutive days
- No commitments during major holidays or high-volume restaurant days, including:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- New Year’s Eve
- Valentine’s Day
- Easter
- Mother’s Day
- Father’s Day
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone who brings genuine hospitality, professionalism, and personality to the front door of our restaurant. The ideal candidate is:
- Friendly, outgoing, and guest-focused
- Organized and detail-oriented
- Calm and professional in a fast-paced setting
- Positive, enthusiastic, and team-oriented
- Open-minded and eager to grow personally and professionally
- A strong communicator with emotional awareness and problem-solving skills
- Passionate about hospitality, food culture, and creating memorable guest experiences
At Cesarina, we believe hospitality is just as important as the food. We want someone who understands that outstanding service starts the moment a guest walks through the door.
About Cesarina
Cesarina is a celebrated Italian restaurant in Point Loma inspired by the warmth, generosity, and tradition of the Italian family table. We strive to create an experience where guests feel welcomed, cared for, and connected through food and hospitality.
Our restaurant features an open-air Pastificio where we craft our pasta and bread in-house from scratch using high-quality ingredients. We are proud to pair authentic Italian food with heartfelt, personalized service.
Cesarina has been recognized as San Diego Magazine’s Best Italian Restaurant and has earned the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. We were also named one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S. in 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Why Join Cesarina
We are a team of passionate people who care deeply about food, service, community, and each other. At Cesarina, we treat our team like family and believe the best guest experiences are created by people who feel supported, valued, and inspired.
If you are looking for a host role in a restaurant where hospitality matters, growth is encouraged, and personality is welcomed, we would love to hear from you.
How to Apply
To apply, please respond by email with your resume attached. Applications submitted without a resume will not be considered.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $17.75 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
Experience:
- OpenTable: 1 year (Required)
- Hosting: 1 year (Required)
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
- Night Shift (Required)
Work Location: In person
