51 Best Restaurants in San Diego, California

Innovative restaurateur Tracy Borkum raised the bar of in-park dining with the unveiling of Artifact, located in the Mingei commons and courtyard. Taking culinary inspirations from around the globe, flavors and spices from Morocco to Peru are on display in lunch and dinner menus billed as "craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices, and botanicals." Several vegan and gluten-free options are available. Breakfast and quick-serve options are available daily at the adjacent Craft Café, and there is one special dinner per month on Thursday.

Sushi should be a no-brainer when visiting San Diego, especially for tourists from landlocked states who don’t often get fresh fish. This menu is based on the seasons, and you’ll find innovative sushi, sashimi, and a raw bar, all utilizing the freshest local fish (some is flown in daily from Japan) and produce; there are non-sushi options like grilled teriyaki chicken and beef short ribs.

The family behind Pali Wine Co. opened Cellar Hand in 2024 after completely renovating an Irish pub into a large, breezy, European-style eatery hyper-focused on using all local ingredients and California-made wine. Sourcing everything from around 20 farms and fishermen, the menu changes every week depending on the season and availability, but certain stars always shine on the menu, like ethically raised meat from Thompson Heritage Ranch and fresh wood-fired pita with a full spread of Mediterranean-inspired dips. They're even making their own conservas (tinned fish) for the adventurous eater to munch on with homemade "Ritz" crackers.

A wall of Mason jars with pickled vegetables and brined olives transports you to an Italian market in Rome where the owner’s mother perfected generations of recipes that have made their way into this Point Loma eatery. Since its 2019 opening, customers have lined up for generous portions of homemade Italian staples including pasta, gnocchi, meatballs, sausage, bread, and decadent desserts. Choose your pasta shape, sauce, and topping, or simply lean on the advice of the knowledgeable waitstaff. The bone marrow and tagliata are cooked to perfection, and the spaghetti with mussels and clams will have you reenacting Lady and the Tramp. For the finale, get your camera ready for the table-side tiramisu drenched in espresso and topped with mascarpone fresco. The outdoor patio is inviting year-round, even in winter when heat lamps, wool blankets, and sheepskin rugs keep things cozy. 

Thirtysomethings mingle with boomers in this convivial Bankers Hill dining room and bar, one of the most popular restaurants in town. The open kitchen turns out innovative Italian food with a California sensibility including a selection of small plates and family-style pasta dishes alongside traditional entrées. Popular dishes include the crowd-pleasing short-rib pappardelle, fried stuffed squash blossoms, creamy mascarpone polenta, and thin-crust pizzas. At the in-house wine shop, purchase reasonably priced bottles from California and Italy opened table-side for a $10 corkage fee.

Sidle up to the bar or grab a table (if you're lucky) at this North Park hot spot that pays homage to Iberian cuisine and sports a predilection towards natural wine and gin. Named as a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant for good quality at reasonable prices, Mabel's menu includes snacks and shareables like clam toast and smoked potatoes (be sure to ask for a side of the homemade hot sauce) and dessert like the Basque cheesecake that's moan-out-loud delicious. Top off your meal with a cocktail or two from the gin-heavy options, or try one of their bottles of wine from Spain or Portugal to commit to an immersive experience.

Bold graffiti graphics, chandeliers with tangled telephone wires, and beat-heavy music energize this Downtown eatery that celebrates Mexican street food with a modern twist. Settle into one of the interior rooms or the sunny patio under orange umbrellas to sip margaritas and other specialty cocktails, Baja wines, or fruity aguas frescas made daily. Guacamole, ceviche, chicharrones, and taquitos whet appetites for tasty street tacos, with rotating varieties that include lobster, mushroom, and shrimp that can be mixed and matched for plates of three. Deep-fried carnitas with a jalapeño Caesar salad, short rib enchiladas, shrimp a la plancha, and fish tacos round out the menu. The original (and smaller) Puesto is in downtown La Jolla.

Inspired by the grass-fed burgers they sampled in New Zealand, the founders of this convivial eatery set out to replicate those same high-quality flavors in their Ocean Beach spot. The interior nods to the outdoor-oriented Kiwi country, with surfboards turned into light fixtures, rugby photos, and bodyboards as wall art. An outdoor "parklet" wrapping the corner lot draws a crowd, clinging to the laid-back atmosphere and chill staff that will know you by name before the meal is over. Food focuses on burgers with organic, grass-fed beef, as well as chicken, lamb, and seafood options dressed in garlic aioli and tomato chutney, along with huge portions of onions rings and fries. The meat pies have a croissant-like crust, and there are also salads for those seeking greens. The weekend brunch menu delivers chilaquiles, steak and tamale Benedict, and cheesy grits. With 24 beers on tap, this OB mainstay was one of the first local businesses to pioneer the craft beer movement.

One fan called it “a notch above amazing”—an accolade not expected for a Japanese eatery wedged into a strip mall in Pacific Beach. But it’s a destination for lovers of high-quality, superfresh raw fish from around San Diego and abroad; reservations are strongly encouraged. The front parking lot is very small, but there's additional parking behind the mall.

Old-school wood-fire techniques meet modern architecture in this busy bistro where comic book–style art covers the concrete walls and the bottle-lined bar beckons locals and visitors alike. Locally sourced ingredients and smoky, savory flavors feature in the well-balanced menu; be sure to save room for one of the inspired desserts. Brunch seekers would do well to start with a sticky bun—they're easily big enough to share and are limited per day.

Enthusiasts from around the world laud this combined wineshop, bar, and cozy California bistro. Available from lunch until 10 pm, the American bistro fare starts with baked Brie or chicken-liver mousse, moves on to savory short-ribs and seafood risotto, and ends with flourless chocolate marquise or goat’s milk cheesecake.

For more than 70 years, generations of San Diegans and visitors have enjoyed this Polynesian-themed icon with its stunning bay and city skyline views. The menu is a fusion of Hawaiian and Asian cuisines with standouts like the crispy ahi tuna, wok-fried bass, and pan-seared scallops with garlic polenta and charred scallion miso.

The ultramodern Italian eatery gets cheers for its design and cuisine from hip Little Italy residents and visitors alike. Diners linger over drinks and homemade pasta at the friendly long bar and more intimate upstairs dining room. Small plates designed for sharing include fried risotto balls and meatballs with a spicy tomato dipping sauce, and the 60-pound Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheel is a sight to behold. Pasta Your Way offers your choice between 9 pastas, 7 sauces, plus additions like sausage, shrimp, or mushrooms if desired. Traditional soups, salads, and meat and seafood dishes pair well with one of the many Italian wines available by glass or bottle.  Parking can be challenging but the Little Italy valet service is available after 5 pm.

East Village families, baseball fans heading to or from Petco Park, and happy-hour-bound singles flock to this airy restaurant with Baja-inspired food and drink. Traditional margaritas get a fresh kick from fruit juices or jalapeño peppers; other libations include sangria and Mexican beers, all perfect pairings for homemade guacamole, ceviche, or salsas with chips. House favorites include the well-loved lobster and surf-and-turf tacos, innovative tortas like an Angus short rib topped with pico de gallo, and side dishes including Mexican-style corn dressed in cotija cheese as well as serrano-spiced pinto beans. Save room for warm, cinnamon-sugar churros.

Although the panoramic ocean view is the star attraction at this rooftop restaurant next to Belmont Park, the tasty sushi and share plates are a pleasant surprise for such a touristy locale. Lunch and dinner service bookend a popular afternoon happy hour.

French-meets-Southern Californian cuisine at this charming historic Victorian home in the heart of Coronado. A favorite of locals and guests at the nearby Hotel del Coronado, the romantic bistro offers French favorites like escargot and steak frites as well as California standbys like spicy tuna tostadas.

Ciccia Ostera feels as cozy as nonna's house, but with Michelin-recognized Milanese favorites, like the inexplicable, but wonderfully decadent mushroom flan; the crisply fresh and lightly dressed tricolore salad; an array of homemade pastas; a buttery and crisp veal Milanese; and plenty of Italian reds and whites to wash it all down. Those with Celiac or gluten sensitivities need not despair—there's an entire menu of gluten-free options. Save room for dessert, the panna cotta is divine, and the ricotta cake with an apricot-habanero spread coated with pomegranate seeds provides the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. 

More than simply a sushi restaurant, Cloak and Petal offers up "Japanese tapas," with a menu of small bites that range from fresh sashimi to kalbi short ribs. Even more stunning is the visual appeal, including two giant cherry blossom trees behind the bar.

Chef and owner Accursio Lota showcases his Sicilian heritage with freshly prepared pastas made in-house daily with plenty of wine, conversation, and community to go along with the meal. Gluten-free pastas are also available, and save room for a slice of tiramisu alla nocciola (if you can).  Use the free parking lot behind the restaurant.

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. 

The redesigned Little Italy restaurant-bar oozes slightly surreal cool. Crammed bookshelves line the walls, banquettes and mirrors are scrawled with sayings, and taxidermy appears in odd settings like a lion preying on a hog above the bar. The management’s no-fear mindset extends to the menu—ketchup and vodka have been outlawed here—but young fans and neighborhood residents who gather here after work find plenty to savor. Dinner features gastropub fare like Korean barbecue wings, thick burgers, homemade corn dogs, and wood-fired dishes that include bone marrow, roasted carrots, and oysters. Save energy for the potent rum drinks at False Idol, the in-house tiki bar accessible only through the walk-in cooler.

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.

This bustling café first opened as a full-service fish market in 1974, and has been popular with locals ever since. Step up to the counter and order the chargrilled, locally caught halibut, swordfish, or yellowtail on a toasted torta roll to enjoy in-house or to go for an oceanfront picnic. Other delicious choices include seafood cocktails, ceviche, Dungeness crab and shrimp salad, and fish and shrimp tacos. The fresh, sushi-grade fish arrives daily from local anglers, making it a great spot to grab your catch without getting wet. 

This North Park spot is an authentic and eclectic stop for Texas-style barbecue with patio dining to preserve the feeling of a backyard fete, even if someone else is cooking. Meat is served by the pound (or half- or quarter-pound—there's no minimum order when you're selecting between brisket, hot links, smoked turkey or ribs) or available as a sandwich, for those who prefer some carbs with their protein.  Every Sunday is Asado Domingo, with popular Argentine barbecue specials like morcilla with chimichurri and polenta.

With world-class brewmaster Skip Virgilio behind the award-winning beers and an equally impressive food menu, this sprawling 9,000-square-foot brewpub achieves quality in every detail. Choose from hearty fare like the Gravity Burger and wood-fired pizzas, lighter options like salads and spring rolls, or come to enjoy brunch favorites like the Hawaiian pancake, brisket hash, or their can't-resist cinnamon roll. Mimosas are a great accompaniment for weekend merriment, but you can't go wrong with the craft beer tap list, either. 

An airy room with a sleek red-and-black Japanese aesthetic is the setting for pristine, contemporary sushi by Roger Nakamura, who spent years learning his craft from Yukito Ota of San Diego's beloved Sushi Ota restaurant. Though Hane (pronounced "hah-nay") is trendier than Ota, sushi purists will be happy with special delicacies imported from Japan.

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.

Big caloric portions and long lines are hallmarks of this Southern-accented comfort food destination where hungry regulars from near and far line up for an indulgent meal in the crowded (and sometimes noisy) dining room. Bring an appetite and a friend; sharing plates is a necessity here.

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.