4 Best Restaurants in Old Town, San Diego

Not a typical San Diego taco shop, this Mexican eatery is upstairs in a shopping complex in the middle of a tequila museum with some 2,000 bottles dating from the 1930s. The owners are equally serious about food, calling their cuisine Hispanic-Mexican Gastronomy, which means meat and fish dishes with lots of unusual spicy chilies, herbs, spices, and moles.

One of San Diego’s most popular sushi restaurants is set in a sea of touristy Mexican dining spots in the heart of Old Town. Fans young and old flock to the lively space for refreshing cocktails, sustainable California-style sushi, and modern Asian cuisine. It gets pretty lively at night and on weekends, but the fresh sashimi is worth a wait.

Despite Old Town's (somewhat accurate) reputation as a tourist trap, Old Town Mexican Cafe has been a favorite for locals and tourists since opening in 1977. Expect crowds from open until close, with a line of guests hungry for popular breakfast dishes like chilaquiles, omelettes, and huevos rancheros, as well as lunch and dinner specialties like fish tacos, carne asada, enchiladas, and much more. Wash it all down with one of their famous margaritas or michelada made with lime, clamato, and your choice of beer (any Mexican Lager strongly recommended).

Located next to Campo Santo Cemetery, Tahona—in its architecture and design—might suggest the illusion of a snapshot of historical San Diego, but culinarily it's anything but. Offering a dining experience that centers on mezcal, Oaxacan cuisine, and locally sourced produce and ingredients, Tahona puts a new spin on Southern California Mexican cuisine. Its menu features plenty of familiar staples like tacos, guacamole, and tostadas, mixed in with innovative items like carnitas bao buns and short rib birria ramen.

Make reservations online for its adjoining spooky speakeasy, Oculto 477, which brings an elevated sensory experience to its mezcal offerings.