14 Best Restaurants in San Diego, California

When Callie arrived in San Diego in 2021, it helped begin the transformation of a once-sleepy city known for fish tacos and craft beer into an internationally renowned dining destination. Callie's chef and owner Travis Swikard worked under chef Daniel Boulud for ten years before returning to his hometown, where he now oversees one of the most in-demand restaurants in the region. Mixing contemporary California technique with Mediterranean flavors, the menu soars from impossibly creamy roasted garlic hummus to their famous uni toast, crispy patatas bravas, pappardelle with duck and kurobuta sausage ragù, and mains like mouthwatering Aleppo chicken and Mediterranean octopus. All the plates come in small portions meant for sharing, so order several per person.  Street parking is extremely limited, so save yourself time and stress by using the parking garage on 11th Avenue between J Street and Island Avenue. Validation at the restaurant provides three hours free---plenty of time for dinner, drinks, and dessert.

Don't be put off by the name, or that it is part of a small chain. This fine-dining restaurant has won a devoted following for classic seafood, casual but sophisticated settings, and nightly live jazz. Chilled oysters and other shellfish compete with Maine lobster tacos and tableside steak tartare to start the meal. The polished staff helps with informed descriptions of almost two dozen entrées starring fish flown in fresh daily and prime steaks. Sea bass in a savory soy broth and Parmesan-crusted sole are favorites, and the wedge salad stands up to any steakhouse. Truffled mac and cheese and au gratin cheddar potatoes are not-to-be-missed sides. Nightly happy hours in the V Lounge offer $9 wines, $10 cocktails, and a variety of appetizers.  A second location in La Jolla has wonderful ocean views and the same dinner menu and happy hour specials. It also serves lunch on weekends.

Design lovers will fall for celebrity chef Brian Malarkey's sprawling restaurant, a former art store that has been refashioned into four luxe spaces in one—an entryway lounge, outdoor lounge, fireplace-dotted patio, and the main dining room, which is flanked by beaded chandeliers, lush banquettes, and paintings in rich jewel tones. The menu, spearheaded by chef Aidan Owens, is heavy on wood-roasted dishes, many of which are apt for sharing, like the roasted baby carrots or roasted branzino with Castelvetrano olive tapenade. There are also larger options, like an oxtail gnocchi and pizzas with toppings that range from wild mushrooms to hot honey.

Occupying a prime oceanfront lot just south of Crystal Pier, the views from the raised dining room are impressive. Throw in an excellent raw bar, a wide selection of shared plates, and a buzzy bar scene and you get Waterbar's "social seafood" concept.

La Jolla's ocean-view destination restaurant is like two dining experiences in one with Level2 bar and the rooftop Ocean Terrace. Prepare for spectacular views and an innovative menu featuring maple leaf duck with tangerine marmalade and salmon with braised lentils at the outdoor-only Ocean Terrace, while the Level2 lounge has unique craft cocktails like "Spa Day" with cucumber-mint infused vodka and elderflower. Regulars often come just for the sunset starters like salmon tartare, mussels, or jerk octopus. 

Step inside this restaurant, part of a tropical-style hotel complex and concert venue on Shelter Island, and discover a dining room that’s contemporary in look and outlook with amazing vistas of bobbing sailboats, seabirds, and sunsets. Hotel guests, concertgoers, yachties, and a few locals enjoy the contemporary menu featuring classic American fare like crab cakes, macadamia-crusted halibut, and Angus beef filet. After sharing an in-house dessert, stop by the bar next door to work off the calories dancing to live music.

Reservations are needed during concert nights; check the website for schedule.

This chic, ocean-facing restaurant (pronounced Jordan), in the boutique TOWER23 Hotel, offers a diverse menu, including a sushi and raw bar and inspired California cuisine. Lunch and weekend brunch are very popular, and on Friday and Saturday the bar is jammed with under-thirty types eager to see and be seen.

This 14,000-square-foot farmhouse-style eatery is perched on the waterfront with spectacular views and equally impressive food. With only a handful of locations in California, this health-conscious concept doesn't skimp on flavor or prices, but quality and sustainability don't come cheap (the Malibu burger starts at $22), and for those seeking fresh options like a raw brussel sprout salad or their red-green-yellow tacos, it's well worth the price. Due to the high-volume location at the entrance of Seaport Village, expect to wait for a table, especially during busy brunch.

Step into this swanky New York--style Italian chophouse that takes you back in time with its piano bar, paintings of Sinatra, and dirty martinis to match. The menu is as rich as the atmosphere with the taste of olive oil, garlic, and lemon in every bite. Start with the steamed clams or homemade cannelloni, and move on to the lobster Manhattan over linguine or the charbroiled veal chop Fiorentina. Nearly all the desserts are made from scratch including the New York cheesecake and the rich cannoli. The dim lighting and dark leather booths make this one of the more romantic restaurants in La Jolla.

It’s hard to dine closer to the Pacific than at this venerable La Jolla Shores mainstay whose two-story-tall windows capture beachgoers, kayakers, snorkelers, and swooping gulls; if the tide is high, waves race across the sand and crash against the glass. The Maine lobster bisque comes coated in Meyer lemon cream with a cheddar biscuit, while the bluefin tuna is dressed in a togarashi aioli. Select from sides including pan-seared wild mushrooms, truffle yuca fries, and fire-roasted tudela artichokes.

Handmade pasta, Italian-hearth cooking, and classic cocktails are the winning formula for this La Jolla restaurant inspired by the best of Italian cuisine. Grab an indoor table near the bar, or one in the open-air dining space where heat lamps and fairy lights bring warmth on those rare, chilly nights. Although the entrées are on point, it’s really the starters that steal the show, like the marinated olives, chicken liver mousse, garlic prawns, and roasted bone marrow. The smoky birch-wood beets with goat cheese, pistachio, and raspberry will have you contemplating how to replicate the dish at home. Scallops are served on a bed of cauliflower puree and the in-house pastas are generous on the sauces, including the Bolognese with pasture-raised beef and farmer’s market soffritto. Be wise and make a reservation to avoid the wait, especially on weekends.  

Pork chops, deviled eggs, tuna casserole, alphabet soup—1960s comfort food has taken a turn for the better, thanks to Ponyboy at The Pearl Hotel. It’s the ideal spot for happy hour or small bites, starting with the grilled oysters à la Rockefeller, graduating to beef stroganoff, and concluding with pineapple upside-down cake for that final craving. Despite the familiar classic menu, everything is elevated and made from scratch. Come early to grab a poolside table and sip and soak in the cult classics during Wednesday’s movie nights where your favorite flicks are projected onto the big screen.

This lovely restaurant in the historic House of Hospitality makes contemporary fare, friendly service, and patio dining available to legions of museum- and theatergoers who come to Balboa Park. The bar is a fashionable destination for creative drinks and light nibbles, while the dining room's specialties range from fish tacos and paella to unusual surf-and-turf combos.

Parking in Balboa Park can be daunting; take advantage of the weekend valet parking at the entrance of the restaurant.