24 Best Restaurants in San Diego, California

There's almost no combination on Earth as satisfying as pizza and beer—which just happen to be Blind Lady's specialties. The old world-style pizzas are topped with organic ingredients, like homemade chorizo and avocado, which offer an excellent complement to their extensive beer selection, which is updated on their chalkboard daily. Just be patient waiting for a seat at the popular neighborhood spot, which is decorated with upcycled materials such as reclaimed wood floors and glass cases of vintage beer cans.

Don't let the name fool you, there is more on offer than dessert at this popular Bankers Hill all-day dining gem. Delicious soups, salads, and panini are accompanied by a variety of shareable boards and dips, however, your sweet tooth will not be disappointed as acclaimed pastry chef Karen Krasne's desserts are the true star of the show. The dazzling selection of pastries, tarts, puddings, and layered cakes by the slice just might make you giddy; we must admit, the desserts truly are extraordinary.

This café lives up to its name, which explains why there's often a line, despite the ample seating. Paris-trained Karen Krasne turns out award-winning cakes, tortes, and pastries of exceptional beauty, while the open-air patio invites you to linger over yet another coffee drink. There's another location in Little Italy. 

For Paris-perfect cakes and tarts embellished Hawaiian-style with fresh flowers, head to this sleek, serene branch of Karen Krasne’s pastry shop and café. The contemporary space with soaring ceilings hosts breakfasts, lunches, and light dinners, accompanied by a wide selection of teas, coffee, organic wines, craft beers, and vegan/vegetarian options. For those who don’t want to start with dessert, there are paninis, sandwiches, soups, salads, and artisan cheeses, plus a kids' menu of grilled cheese or free-range turkey served on local bread. When it’s time to satisfy your sweet tooth, try a chocolate hot fudge brownie sundae, a slice of passion fruit ricotta cake, or helping of croissant bread pudding. 

The city's former Naval Training Center is home to more than 30 vendors so even the pickiest of diners will be pleased. Options include tacos and quesadillas at Cecilia's Taqueria; fried rice, pad thai, and curries at Mama Made Thai; lavender lattes from Talitha Coffee; fried chicken and fries from Fluster Cluck; sweet and savory crepes from Olala; more than a dozen Argentinean empanadas at Paraná; and croissants, éclairs, and macarons at Le Parfait Paris. There are a few communal tables indoors, but the best seating is the kid- and dog-friendly outdoor patio, outfitted with Adirondack chairs and market lights.  Not all vendors are open for breakfast.

The desserts are magnificent at this small, charming shop in operation for nearly 50 years, where dessertier Michele Coulon confects wonders, using organic produce and imported chocolate. Snack on cookies, cupcakes, brownies, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and mini-desserts, but this is not just a place for dessert: lunch is served 11:30–2 Tuesday through Saturday (the store is open 9 am to 3 pm), and the simple menu includes quiche and salads. Other irresistible treats found here are a chocolate lover's Torte Lion Belge, pear-frangipane tart, and Marjolaine Torte with layers of meringue, chocolate ganache, and buttercream.

This build-your-own ice-cream-sandwich shop a block from Pacific Beach is a local favorite thanks to its homemade cookies and diverse array of ice-cream flavors, from mint chip to the bright blue "Bear Batter" made with brownies and sprinkles. Don't miss out on their hot pressed ice-cream sandwiches!

Just because it's the most important meal of the day doesn't mean it can't also be flashy or innovative. Breakfast Republic adds some hipster flair to typical brunch fare with a menu that combines hearty Southern staples (grits, jambalaya), Mexican food (chilaquiles, breakfast burritos), and over-the-top treats such as Oreo pancakes and s'mores French toast. Come hungry, but come early; the restaurant doesn't accept reservations and the wait can be a bit long.

A classic diner with bar seating in a circle, Clayton's is a great lunch or breakfast spot with a menu that ranges from classic American fare to Mexican dishes like the popular breakfast burrito. Just don't forget dessert!

The exterior of Communal Coffee reads "Coffee + Flowers," and though that's not the name of the café, it's also not inaccurate—you actually can pick up a bouquet while you're there. But while there's plenty to keep patrons occupied—including a curated selection of housewares, books, and chocolates—the main attraction is still the fresh-brewed coffee and flaky, buttery pastries.

A cozy beach cottage sets the stage for American comfort food with a California twist at this La Jolla staple, with sister locations in Encinitas and Del Mar. The restaurant serves lunch, but it’s the well-loved daily breakfast that has locals and visitors happily queuing—sometimes up to two hours on weekends. Egg dishes have unique fillings like soy chorizo and pork belly braised beef, and the sizable, shareable stuffed French toast is a can’t-miss. Post-surf or -hike, keep it healthy with the avocado smash and smoked salmon on rosemary bread. Lunch spans tuna melts and fish tacos, while the drink menu, with Bloody Marys and hard kombucha, will have you justifying, "it's five o'clock somewhere." It’s worth waiting for a patio seat that overlooks a charming stretch of downtown La Jolla. 

San Diego's best cookies come in crowd-pleasing flavors, such as birthday cake, red velvet, and lemon bar. There are also craft sodas, Cravory flavored milks, edible cookie dough, ice cream, and cold brew to round out your snack. You'll find the cookies at various farmers' markets throughout the city.

Housed inside a converted Ford dealership that dates back to the '40s, Fort Oak is a haven for sophisticated carnivores and pescatarians alike. Chef Brad Wise's menu leans heavily on wood-fired fish, like the whole branzino, as well as aged steaks, heritage pork, and an impressive raw bar selection. Fort Oak leans into the building's unique history, with remnants of the former car dealer and garage touched up on the outside wall, but inside is a chic and modern bistro with a sleek, u-shaped bar at the center where patrons can sample their menu of cocktails named for vintage cars.

A youthful crowd gathers here for authentic Italian ice cream, espresso, and a second-floor view of the Downtown skyline. The line moves quickly, and the best seats are outside to watch planes fly overhead into the nearby San Diego International Airport.

A short walk up a flight of stairs transports diners into old Havana as Hemingway once knew it. True to its name, this laid-back restaurant specializes in classic Cuban fare, such as empanadas, croquettes, and, of course, the Cubano sandwich.

A more recent addition to the landscape of Orange Avenue, The Henry brings a more modern and spacious dining option to the small-town feel of Coronado Island. Though part of a small chain, the restaurant's cuisine is eclectic and inspired, with a menu full of both contemporary American staples and more innovative fusion offerings, including Korean prime skirt steak and a seared tuna chopped salad with sesame ginger vinaigrette. Whatever you order, make sure to pair it with one of their signature cocktails.

Although it carries an extensive selection of craft beers, wine, and spirits, High Tide Bottle Shop is a lot more than a liquor store. The extensive menu of signature pizzas, wraps, sandwiches, wings, and more are worth savoring at one of its outdoor tables or carrying out for a picnic on the beach.

For a deliciously sweet pick-me-up, check out the rich ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet made fresh daily on the premises. Dessert nachos made from waffle-cone chips are an unusual addition to an extensive sundae menu. Just look for the statue of Elvis on the sidewalk in front.

This trendy La Jolla restaurant “plays” tribute to the past with its location inside William Kesling’s historic piano showroom where live music still plays during cocktail hour. The casual yet refined menu features steelhead trout, pan-roasted chicken, and unconventional Caesar salads topped with jalapeño rings and Parmesan shavings; be sure to request a side of the creamy coconut rice pilaf. Its corner location offers patio seating as well as a mid-century-meets-tropical-style lounge with a magnificent mural by artist, Eva Struble, and a travertine bar where mixologists pour Oaxacan negronis and cocktails named after birds. Arrive by 5:30 to hear an hour set of live piano on Wednesday and Sunday and live saxophone on Thursday.

Two French transplants have brought sleek Parisian style to Downtown San Diego, and rows of eclairs, tarts, croissants, colorful macarons, and the aroma of espresso greet patrons as they enter a minimalist space. For something more substantial, look to their menu of crepes, sandwiches, salads, and quiches; caffeinated drinks range from teas and coffee to a sweet lavender honey latte.

Dual concepts sit side-by-side with a shared patio always buzzing with activity. Start your day with a matcha latte and freshly baked pastry from Secret Sister; in the evening, it's time for oysters and natty wine at The Rose Wine Bar.

Dine any time of day at this French-inspired café a block from San Diego Bay, as breakfast commences at 7 am with homemade granola, quiche, and just-baked coffee cakes and croissants. Sandwiches, salads, and soups round out the daytime menu, while dinner highlights include the catch of the day. Just be sure to save room for the Paris-pretty desserts.