Farmers Bottega in Mission Hills has built a reputation around seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking — and their artisan flatbreads are a prime example. Made with housemade dough, fresh mozzarella, and locally sourced toppings, these flatbreads go well beyond the standard bar-menu version you’ll find at most San Diego restaurants.
Whether you’re stopping in for brunch or an early dinner, the flatbread menu at Farmers Bottega offers something for every preference — from fennel sausage to heirloom tomato to New York steak. The kitchen rotates seasonal specials, but the core menu stays consistent enough that regulars know exactly what to order.
What Makes These Flatbreads Different
Most flatbread in San Diego falls into one of two categories: glorified pizza or an afterthought appetizer. Farmers Bottega takes a different approach. Each flatbread starts with a thin, crisp base and gets built with intentional ingredient pairings that balance flavor and texture.
The kitchen sources produce locally and uses fresh mozzarella as a base across most of their flatbreads, which keeps the quality consistent and the flavors clean. There’s no heavy sauce hiding low-quality toppings here. The dough itself is made in-house, and the difference is noticeable — it has a light char on the edges with enough structure to hold toppings without going soggy in the center.
What also sets Farmers Bottega apart is the restraint. Each flatbread has four or five core ingredients, not twelve. That focus lets every component come through clearly instead of getting buried under layers of cheese and sauce. It’s a menu built by people who actually understand how ingredients work together.
Farmers Bottega Flatbread Menu Breakdown
Fennel Sausage Flatbread
This one leads with roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, farm basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil — all anchored by house-seasoned fennel sausage. The mild spice from the sausage plays off the sweetness of the roasted tomatoes without overpowering the dish. It’s one of the more popular options on the menu and a solid starting point if you haven’t been before.
The fennel sausage itself has a subtle anise flavor that distinguishes it from standard Italian sausage. Paired with the fresh basil and a quality olive oil finish, it hits a sweet spot between rich and fresh that works especially well during a weekend brunch.
Prosciutto Flatbread
Topped with wild arugula, fresh mozzarella, grana padano, and E.V.O.O., this flatbread leans into contrast. The saltiness of the prosciutto pairs with the peppery bite of the arugula, and the grana padano adds a sharp, aged finish. If you like your food with a little edge, this is the one.
The prosciutto is sliced thin enough to crisp slightly at the edges while staying tender in the center. It’s a flatbread that rewards you for eating it fresh — the arugula wilts fast, so don’t let it sit. This option tends to appeal to diners who lean toward charcuterie-style flavors and want something lighter than a meat-heavy plate.
Heirloom Tomato Flatbread
A strong pick for anyone skipping meat. Housemade basil pesto and fresh mozzarella form the base, with heirloom tomatoes bringing sweetness and acidity. It’s simple on paper but delivers a clean, balanced flavor that doesn’t feel like a compromise. This is one of the better vegetarian flatbread options you’ll find in San Diego.
The heirloom tomatoes are the real draw here. Unlike standard hothouse varieties, heirlooms carry more complexity — some slices lean sweet, others more tart — and that variation gives each bite a slightly different character. The pesto ties it all together without dominating, which is exactly what a good basil pesto should do.
Why Flatbread Works as a Healthier Dining Option
Compared to traditional pizza, flatbread tends to be lighter — thinner crust, less cheese, and more room for quality toppings to take center stage. At Farmers Bottega, the focus on fresh, local ingredients means you’re getting real nutritional value from what’s on top. Heirloom tomatoes bring antioxidants, arugula adds iron and vitamins, and the use of extra virgin olive oil keeps things cleaner than butter-heavy alternatives.
That doesn’t make it health food, but it does make it a smarter choice when you want something satisfying without the heaviness. The portion sizes are also reasonable — enough to fill you up without that post-meal regret that comes with heavier Italian dishes. For anyone trying to eat well without giving up flavor, artisan flatbread is a practical middle ground, and Farmers Bottega executes it better than most spots in San Diego.
How Farmers Bottega Fits Into the San Diego Food Scene
San Diego’s restaurant landscape has shifted over the past several years. Diners are paying more attention to where their food comes from, how it’s prepared, and whether the menu reflects any real point of view. Farmers Bottega fits squarely into that shift. The restaurant has always leaned into a farm-to-table approach without turning it into a marketing gimmick — the ingredients speak for themselves.
The flatbread menu is a good example of that philosophy in action. Rather than offering fifteen options with overlapping ingredients, Farmers Bottega keeps the list tight and purposeful. Every flatbread on the menu has a clear identity, and none of them feel like filler. That kind of focus is harder to find than it should be, especially in a city with as many dining options as San Diego.
Visit Farmers Bottega in Mission Hills
Farmers Bottega is located in Mission Hills, San Diego — a quick drive from Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, and downtown. Street parking is available along the main strip, and the restaurant’s atmosphere works for everything from a casual lunch to a date night.
If you’re looking for artisan flatbread in San Diego made with real ingredients and actual technique, this is the spot. Check their current menu and hours before heading over.