Did you pack your sunscreen and hat? Ready to check out San Diego’s famed surf and sand? You’ve come to the right place. The convention center resembles a huge sailboat docked beside the deep blue San Diego Bay, where luxurious yachts fill the marina. Restaurants both fancy and casual tout prime water views around the center’s downtown neighborhood and all along San Diego County’s 70-mile coastline. You needn’t stick to the shore, however. There are plenty of stellar neighborhood spots that don’t need beach views to shine, as I found when researching Frommer’s San Diego Day by Day guide.
Seafood takes top billing at many spots, along with the region’s exceptional produce. Chefs put a SoCal twist on everything from sushi to Wagyu steaks, with inspired global flourishes everywhere. Mexican dishes and influences pop up in all sorts of menus, thanks to our proximity to the busiest land border crossing in the US.
San Diego’s famous fish tacos (copied from those in Baja California, Mexico) are ubiquitous and far from limited to the traditional grilled or tempura fish topped with shredded cabbage and salsas. Look for lobster, shrimp, and octopus in freshly made tortillas at finer spots. Local craft beers are on tap most places, and cocktails reflect the climate with an emphasis on tropical fruits and chilies.
San Diego is spread out, but all our recommended restaurants can be easily accessed on foot or by car, so feel free to explore. ¡Provecho!
Downtown near the Convention Center
Animae
969 Pacific Hwy.
619-432-1225
You might find yourself whispering upon entering this hushed, ultra-posh extravaganza in the Marina District. Asian fusion creations from Executive Chef Tara Monsod, a 2024 James Beard finalist, exude as much sophistication as the serene dining room. Diners seated in velvet booths share delicacies such as caviar shrimp toast and tuna kinilaw (a Filipino ceviche) before concentrating on their sublime Wagyu steaks and Sichuan sea bass. Consult the sake sommelier for guidance, and don’t skip dessert. D daily $$$
Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar
1360 N. Harbor Dr.
619-719-4960
You can’t miss Portside Pier, a modernist complex anchored by a glass dome on the downtown waterfront. All four of its restaurants serve reliably tasty meals in airy spaces that seem to hang over the water. The Brig is a favorite for its low-key ambiance, stellar service, and wide-ranging menu. The Wagyu burger and crispy coconut macadamia shrimp are longtime favorites, as is the fish and chips. There’s flavor-ful grilled Spanish octopus and jumbo scallops with pork belly at dinner. Several items are less expensive during happy hour, which runs 2–5 p.m. daily, except Saturdays. Brunch (Sun), L (M–Sat), D daily $$
Callie
1195 Island Ave.
619-255-9696
Chef Travis Swikard honed his skills with famed chef-restaurateur Daniel Boulud in New York City before opening this award-winning dining room in San Diego’s East Village. His take on Mediterranean cuisine highlights local seafood and produce. Start your meal tapas-style, with pungent taramasalata or avocado labneh with vegetable crudités, then continue the San Diego theme with line-caught market fish or, if available, Pacific spiny lobster on squid ink rigatoni. Finish with a rich, warm chocolate-chip tahini cookie with gelato. Book early; reservations are in high demand. D (Tue–Sun) $$
Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop
640 10th Ave.
619-450-5880
There’s nothing kitschy about the dandified Old West décor in this East Village stalwart’s dining room or about Chef Nestor Iturbude’s dishes. Carnivores find it hard to order sensibly when faced with bison short ribs, pheasant roulade, and wood-fired elk chop. The essential steaks are all on offer, accompanied by sides such as roasted bone marrow and crispy Brussels sprouts. Butternut squash tortellini and tasty vegetable sides please noncarnivores. Weekday happy hour runs 3–6 p.m., and is popular with locals for its sliders and house-made sausage. D daily $$
Extraordinary Desserts
1430 Union St.
619-294-7001
Many San Diegans would be bereft if Karen Krasne grew tired of creating perfect cakes, pastries, and pies for everyday indulgences and special occasions. Like its Bankers Hill sibling, this Little Italy location—which is much closer to the convention center than the other Little Italy options listed—is a gallery devoted to culinary artistry, its glass cases full of elegant multi-tiered cakes topped with fresh flowers. The light-meal menu includes four different grilled cheese sandwiches, gravlax on toast, and tomato-basil soup, among other choices, as preludes to the sweets. Leave room for a lemon-meringue tartlet or tropical fruit pavlova, and just try to exit without a few treats for later. L, D daily $
Bankers Hill
Cucina Urbana
505 Laurel St.
619-239-2222
The Urban Kitchen Group’s restaurants are neighborhood favorites, as you’ll quickly see at this Bankers Hill Italian ristorante and enoteca that adds a sense of California freshness to Italian favorites. The meatballs with mascarpone polenta are just as tasty as they sound, and the ribeye carpaccio melts on the tongue. Imaginative takes on pastas and pizzas hit high notes, and the whole branzino is a meal that appeals to all senses. More than 200 inter-national wines are on display in the shop. D daily $$
Mister A’s
2550 Fifth Ave.
619-239-1377
For sky-high views of downtown with jets gliding by, you can’t beat this iconic spot on the 12th floor of an office building in Bankers Hill. It has been a linen-and-crystal celebratory spot since opening in 1965. The latest update retains the white-glove aura of the past while offering casual lounge seating on the terrace, a bar menu, and a Saturday jazz brunch. Splurge on Maine lobster strudel or prime ribeye at dinner. A burger with a Gorgonzola crust shines at lunch. Make reservations for seats with the best views. Note: Business casual attire is required. Brunch (Sat, Sun), L (W–F), D daily $$$
Golden Hill
Kingfisher
2469 Broadway
619-432-1014
This was San Diego’s hottest restaurant when it opened in 2022, and it hasn’t rested on its laurels. Thoroughly modern décor and a menu of French-influenced Vietnamese dishes with a California twist draw full houses. Forget pho. Think of fresh, herbal flavors, as in diver scallops with tamarind, Thai basil, and rice paddy herbs, or prawns with Vietnamese coriander and pineapple purée. The extravagantly flavored (and priced) smoked, dry-aged duck sells out nightly. D (W–M) $$
Balboa Park and North Park
Artifact at Mingei
1439 El Prado
619-331-3569
Global cuisine takes center stage at Balboa Park’s Mingei International Museum, a treasure trove of folk art and design from around the world. The sleek restaurant shares the museum’s lobby with an artful installation of antique carousel horses; the courtyard features a large, colorful enamel mural. The chef relies on ancient methods, spices, and botanicals to create dishes enlivened by global influences. Crispy tofu is paired with oyster mushrooms, fish sauce, and chili crisp, while dumplings include a clever rye pierogi with farmer’s cheese, dill, caraway, and onion. L (Tue–Sun), D (Th–F) $$
Mabel’s Gone Fishing
3770 30th St.
619-228-9851
North Park may well be San Diego’s hottest, hippest neighborhood, with Mabel’s standing out as one of its most enjoyable haunts. As the name suggests, the menu focuses on seafood, and dishes change with the day’s catch. Shared plates may include mussels escabeche with smoked paprika and hiramasa with melon gazpacho, while entrées might include a bluefin tuna steak with salted plum sauce. The gin and tonics are as celebrated as the food, with a monthly concoction featuring surprising yet satisfying flavors. Parking is tight in this area; consider using a cab or a ride-sharing service. D (M–Sat) $$
The Prado
1549 El Prado, Ste. 12
619-557-9441
Step into history at this handsome restaurant in Balboa Park’s Moorish House of Hospitality, constructed in 1915 for the two-year Panama–California Exposition. The setting is exquisite, with a warm, wood-beamed dining room and a sunlit, multilevel terrace overlooking the park’s gardens. The dinner menu draws on European influences (think sangria, paella, and mushroom risotto) while lunch includes tacos and sandwiches. Don’t miss the courtyard’s tiled fountain with a lovely statue of a woman pouring water from a rounded jar. L, D (Tue–Sun) $$
Little Italy
Born and Raised
1909 India St.
619-202-4577
If art deco is your vibe, you’ll be thrilled with this 1930s-style steakhouse. Fashion-able diners ensconced in camel-colored leather booths sip chilled martinis while tuxedoed waiters -prepare classic Caesar salads and steak tartare tableside. Dry-aged steaks are the main attraction, but don’t skip starters like the Burgundy snails with bone marrow or the splendid tartare. Then there’s the dessert cart with liquid and edible treats. Retreat to the rooftop for a digestif and views of the sparkly downtown lights. D daily $$$
Cloak and Petal
1953 India St.
619-501-5505
Visions of Tokyo and au courant Japanese design flash by as you enter this fun space, with its cloud of cherry blossoms hovering over the bar and graphic graffiti on the walls. Sample the clever -izakaya menu, pairing matcha-infused vodka with small plates of blistered shishitos or ribs coated in hoisin and sticky gochujang paste. Add inventive sashimi and sushi, or order the miso-glazed black cod for a full repast. A back room of the restaurant houses Shibuya Nights, a trendy bar and lounge. D daily $$
Kettner Exchange
2001 Kettner Blvd.
619-255-2001
Everything at this architectural stunner—from the capacious dining room to the outdoor terrace and rooftop cabanas—has a cool vibe. Cushy tufted booths are the perfect perch for views of the full-grown tree soaring through the ceiling and the chic crowd sipping cocktails while sharing crisp-fried frog legs and duck meatballs. There’s a comfort-food -element to the hot and spicy garlic noodles with shrimp and Thai roasted pork shoulder lettuce wrap. Sunday brunch offerings include biscuits and gravy with buffalo sauce and Turkish poached eggs with yogurt, dill, and mint. The restaurant stays open late, with a smart casual dress code enforced after 9 p.m. Brunch (Sun), D daily $$
Coronado
Little Frenchie
1166 Orange Ave.
619-675-0041
Sip a pomegranate bellini at a sidewalk table outside this Coronado charmer, and you’ll soon feel transported to the south of France. Black-and-white Parisian scenes add to the French bistro ambience inside the small dining room. All your faves are here, from escargots to crêpes to french onion soup. There’s an impressive wine list and a monthly featured champagne. Brunch, D daily $$
Serẽa
1500 Orange Ave.
619-435-6611
You can’t beat the sunset views from the terrace and window tables at this gem in the venerable Hotel del Coronado. (Read about the hotel’s literary connections in By the Numbers.) Chef JoJo Ruiz celebrates the scenery with locally sourced seafood presentations, including a dazzling tower of baja shrimp and oysters. Go for the fragrant wood-grilled whole fish for a full-on feast. The airy restaurant also serves breakfast, a far less extravagant splurge. Note that construction around the restaurant is expected to conclude by summer. Reserve a table early for prime seats. B (M–F), Brunch (Sat, Sun), D daily $$$
Harbor and Shelter Islands, Point Loma, Ocean Beach
Bali Hai
2230 Shelter Island Dr.
619-222-1181
Pretend you’ve flown west 2,500 miles and plopped down in Hawaii as you sip a powerfully delicious mai tai at this mid-century tiki icon on the tip of Shelter Island. Sure, it’s a bit touristy, but there’s a reason locals and visitors return frequently. The mai tais are a big draw (selling nearly 3 million to date), especially when paired with coconut shrimp, flash-fried shishito peppers, poke, and other pupu. The Pan-Asian menu offers Korean fried chicken, wok-fried bass, and crispy ahi tuna. Windows face a stunning downtown skyline over San Diego Bay. Brunch (Sun), L (M–Sat), D daily $$–$$$
C Level
880 Harbor Island Drive
619-298-6802
There’s an endless naval parade on San Diego Bay within sight of this popular lunch and happy hour spot on Harbor Island, with aircraft carriers, cruise ships, catamarans, and kayaks sailing out to sea. The menu is a people pleaser, with lobster mac and cheese, fish and chips, and a thick filet burger. Lunchgoers line up early to claim one of the patio tables with picture-perfect views across the bay. L, D daily $$
Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson St.
619-223-1109
Fish doesn’t get any fresher than what you’ll find at this iconic market and casual café, where glass cases are filled with a dizzying array of local and imported seafood. Once you’ve ordered your Alaskan cod tacos, house-smoked tuna sandwich, or other casual meal, find a table on the patio or upstairs on the deck and listen for your number. A sushi chef oversees another counter with trays of lobster and eel, while fishmongers cut gorgeous tuna, salmon, and swordfish steaks for home cooking. If you’re lucky, you may spot a fishing boat arriving with 200-pound yellowfin tuna ready to hang from the scales. L, D daily $–$$
Wonderland
5083 Santa Monica Ave. #2B
619-255-3358
Sun lovers claim benches by the windows for a panorama of sand and sea, while those seeking shade and conversation settle at high-top and standard tables around this Ocean Beach neighborhood favorite. A rotation of local craft beers is on tap at the center bar, and cocktails such as the Watermelon Cooler and Beach Cruiser suit the sandy vibe. If sharing snacks, try the spicy fried calamari or salty pretzel bites. It’s hard to give up even one bite of the tangy aguachile and ahi poke, however. There’s a bountiful surf and turf burger, a teriyaki plate with tofu, shrimp, or meat, and a robust chili made with six kinds of meat. Brunch (Sat, Sun), L, D daily $
La Jolla
George’s at the Cove
1250 Prospect St.
858-454-4244
La Jolla is the epicenter of fine dining in San Diego, with George’s smack in the bull’s-eye. Three dining options allow some wiggle room price-wise, with George’s California Modern topping the fine-dining charts. The ground-level dining room’s minimalist décor focuses the eye on the stunning coastal views, while the cuisine -demonstrates chef Trey Foshee’s award-winning skills. On the -rooftop, George’s Ocean -Terrace is a lively, sun-drenched bistro with open-air views of La Jolla Cove, while the middle-floor Level2 space offers the same menu in a cool, shady dining room. The menu satisfies a variety of appetites, with dishes such as salmon tartare with yuzu aioli and duck leg confit with cocoa nib purée as well as burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. L, D daily $$–$$$
The Marine Room
2000 Spindrift Dr.
858-459-7222
This venerable dining room has been drawing crowds since opening in 1941, thanks to its location at La Jolla Shores’ tideline. The water rises to window height during high tide, and waves sometimes crash against well-fortified glass, thrilling diners. Impeccable service in an unfussy yet elegant setting enhances the stellar SoCal cuisine. Imaginative preparations include king salmon with wagyu-fat sous-vide carrots and huitlacoche, while stalwart favorites include the filet mignon with bone-marrow butter and Gorgonzola potato. A smart California casual dress code is enforced. D (W–Sun) $$$
Nine-Ten
910 Prospect St.
858-964-5400
At lunchtime, Jamaican-born chef Jason Knibb’s creations include poached mussels with Calabrian chilies and the fan-favorite jerk pork belly with plantains and black-eyed peas. Dinner includes jerk chicken, smoked duck breast, lamb loin, and a juicy half-pound Angus burger. Tables are clad with white linens, and well-spaced booths enable quiet conversation, a rarity these days. Brunch (Sat, Sun), B, L (W–F), D (W–Sun) $$–$$$
Mexican, Por Favor
Mexican restaurants abound in San Diego. Locals feed their late-night taco cravings at neighborhood takeouts, but there are plenty of places for -sit-down feasts as well. Here are a few noteworthy spots.
Casa Guadalajara 4105 Taylor St., 619-295-5111. This cavernous restaurant is the place to go if you want to hear excellent mariachis (on weekends) amid a whirlwind of hanging paper cutouts, sombreros, piñatas, and waitresses in ruffled, embroidered dresses. Huge portions of Mexican standards come on painted pottery plates and the margaritas have a distinctive, pleasing flavor. The courtyard is lovely at lunchtime, with bright orange and yellow umbrellas shading tables. L, D daily $–$$
Cocina de Barrio 3924 W. Point Loma Blvd. and 3707 Fifth Ave., 619-222-6600 and 619-677-2770. Authentic Oaxacan-inspired cuisine makes this colorful strip-mall spot a standout. At dinnertime, tastebuds delight in the mango-habanero aguachile and the huitlacoche quesadillas. Other flavorful choices include mole negro short ribs and chamorro de borrego, a tender lamb shank said to be an instant hangover cure, which you might need after consuming the spicy mezcal cocktails. Vegans and vegetarians have much to choose from. Brunch daily, D (M–Sat) $$
Las Cuatro Milpas 1857 Logan Ave., 619-234-4460. Lines have stretched down the street outside this bare-bones cafe ever since it opened in 1933. The short menu is posted above the counter and consists of chicken or pork tacos and burritos, rice and beans, homemade tamales, and stretchy, tender tortillas. Order at the counter and stake out a table in one of several small rooms. There’s menudo, a proven cure for la cruda (hangover), on Saturdays. Cash only. B, L (M–Sat) $
Puesto 789 W. Harbor Dr., 619-233-8880. Slick design enhances Tijuana street eats at this fun hangout near the convention center. (It’s one of eight locations in the state.) Glass doors open to two stories of dining space plus an umbrella-shaded patio with fire pits and cozy couches. Authentic regional Mexican tacos take top billing. Order three for a good-sized meal, perhaps choosing a short rib quesabirria, a pozole, and a veggie version with garlicky mushrooms. L, D daily $–$$
Quixote 2223 El Cajon Blvd., 619-975-3889. Dazzling all senses, this North Park hot spot is part of the dining and entertainment mix at the reimagined Lafayette Hotel, which originally opened in 1946. Diners sample small plates in a reconstructed and decommissioned Mexican Catholic church that could be plopped right into the Sierra Madre. The imaginative menu includes a tlayuda (like a flatbread) with sauerkraut, of all things. The tamal is stuffed with mussels, and the carnitas features duck rather than the traditional pork. L, D daily $–$$
