San Diego’s culinary scene easily rivals any major metropolitan area. Locally sourced sustenance is sourced from farm to table, and chefs have a genuine concern for the environment. Whatever you want to try, you’ll find it in San Diego with our top picks.
When you come to San Diego, you’ll be amazed at the incredible amount of fresh, local ingredients available year-round. Chefs constantly outdo themselves by creating original dishes using local fruits, vegetables, and seafood. The ambiance of each restaurant is distinctive.
For example, the traditional artisan-style architecture gives the A.R. Restaurant. Valentien has a cozy Southern California vibe, while Herringbone’s eclectic and unpretentious flavor will revive a sense of rustic tranquility.
In Old Town, you’ll find Mexican restaurants serving fine regional cuisine, while the coastal beachfront complexes offer their own culinary style. Food can be savored while watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.
Since the unprepared tourist’s eyes will run wild with choices, we have prepared for you the top best restaurants in San Diego in our article.
Nine-Ten
Nine-Ten offers a menu based on fresh produce. Enjoy drinks from the wine list for half price on Wednesdays. The restaurant also has a children’s menu. The restaurant is located inside the Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla, so guests will be lucky enough to enjoy Nine-Ten all day long.
Truluck’s Seafood Steak And Crab
Come here hungry because you’ll want to try absolutely everything from crab and lobster to perfectly cooked pieces of steak with a variety of sauces like chimichurri.
The restaurant is a champion of the organic movement and doesn’t serve seafood out of season, and the natural meats come from family farms. The wine list is updated weekly and there is a 50% discount on Wednesdays.
CUCINA Urbana
CUCINA Urbana, located in Banker’s Hill, is an Italian inspired establishment. This restaurant is a favorite of locals because it offers food at a reasonable price and is grounded for families.
Enjoy pizza, stuffed pumpkin, and veal while dining in a traditional setting. The chefs use locally sourced ingredients, with most menu items under $20. The decor combines both modern touches and flecks of rustic solutions.
The Marine Room
The restaurant is known for its beachfront location, so close to the water that on particularly high tides, waves crash against the sturdy windows.
Start your meal with the signature lobster accented with enoki mushrooms, pancetta and signature cream. The main “cooking course” includes elk, ostrich and venison steaks, and baramundi filet with mushrooms. Impeccable service, attention to detail and an award-winning wine list complete the experience.
Whisknladle
With a farm-to-table approach, the menu changes with the seasons and is devoid of over-complicated recipes. Diners’ favorites include fried scallops, mussels and homemade sorbets.
Happy hour is held daily from 3pm to 7pm with discounts on tapas, sangria, wine and cocktails. The restaurant also features a private dining room that seats up to 16 people – it can be used for celebrations.
Mister A’s
Mr. A’s is easily one of the best places to enjoy panoramic views of downtown San Diego. Imagine the sunset alone during dinner! That’s why the restaurant is constantly called one of the most romantic places in the city.
The menu features American cuisine and the dishes change with the seasons. Chef Stephan Voitzwinkler balances the flavors of schnitzel and homemade sausage with healthier California cuisine. Mixologist Sean Barker will whip up a special cocktail to complement the menu with new flavors.
A.R. Valentien
A.R. Valentien is a tribute to San Diego’s Southern California heritage. Chef Jeff Jackson offers dishes with minimal processing and simple combinations to highlight the texture and flavor of the ingredients within. The innovative cuisine changes regularly depending on the season and the availability of produce in the markets.
Dishes include ribeye steak, halibut, roasted beets with pistachio butter, and carrot soup flavored with lobster, oranges and coriander. Pair the viands with an elegant wine from the extensive menu while admiring the coastline.
Herringbone
Herringbone, the fifth establishment in Brian Malarkey’s San Diego empire, has become a popular spot for late night dining and fun. The concept menu is divided into sections: hot and cold entrees, greens, pizzas and sides. Expect a discount on alcohol during happy hour. A spacious patio with high ceilings and a positive atmosphere make Herringbone a truly enjoyable place.
George’s At The Cove
George’s at the Cove is located on the grounds of the hotel of the same name off Prospect Street in La Jolla. The restaurant combines exceptional food and service with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from every corner of the restaurant.
The menu reflects the use of fresh local ingredients and unique flavor combinations. We also recommend trying the creative desserts. And you also have the option of trusting Chef Trey Foshee’s selections to put together a 12-14 course “course”.
Addison
Exquisite seasonal specialties await you at Addison, Southern California’s only five-star restaurant. Be prepared for artistically prepared contemporary French cuisine paired with a bottle from the extensive wine collection.
The decor is European, with dark wood furniture. Arched windows overlook the golf course. Addison is open for dinner only and the menu changes daily.
