San Diego Restaurants
Bernard'O Restaurant
12457 Rancho Bernardo Road, San Diego, CA 92128 Tel: (858) 487-7171
Unassuming elegance is paired by striking attention to detail at Bernard’O Restaurant, in Rancho Bernardo. The main dining room provides a cosmopolitan space lit with the glow of an Italian-tile fireplace. The patio that affords views of glistening stars most nights also has a fireplace to keep diners comfortable. The menu is a toast to fine French fare, and Chef Patrick Ponsaty plates dishes complex in flavor and refreshingly direct in vision. The Californian Bouillabaisse is an ode to the sea with seabass, scallops, shrimp, mussels, clams, and potatoes, in a Rouille lobster sauce.
Bernard'O Restaurant
Chianti
644 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.235.8144
Executive Chef Gennaro De Liso recently joined Chianti, bringing with him the traditions and techniques of authentic Northern Italian cuisine. Using quality fresh ingredients, De-Liso has crafted an extensive menu of traditional and modern Italian fare, offering everything from fresh made lobster risotto to steak served intagliata style. Chianti’s dining room offers a casually sophisticated atmosphere, allowing diners a relaxing escape from downtown San Diego’s lively Gaslamp area. The extensive wine list of course features a wide array of Chianti wines, as well as an excellent Italian and American selection. With its varied menu, generous portions, and inviting atmosphere, Chianti is ideally suited for large groups and small parties alike.
Chianti
Cafe Japengo
8960 University Center Lane, San Diego, CA 92122 Tel: (858) 450-3355
While hidden from the road in the La Jolla UTC area, Cafe Japengo should not be missed. The upscale restaurant offers what is consistently dubbed the best sushi in San Diego as well as inventive Pacific Rim Cuisine. Executive Chef Jay Payne excels in crafting fresh, often exotic ingredients in innovative ways, with tantalizing dishes that almost threaten to overshadow the sushi. However, with Sushi Chef Jerry Warner’s 17-year tenure, and unrivaled creativity, the fresh, inspired sushi offerings more than hold their own. Guests looking for an especially unique experience should sit at the sushi bar, where Chef Warner crafts custom-made offerings not on the menu.
Cafe Japengo
Pacifica Del Mar
1555 Camino Del Mar, San Diego, CA 92014 Tel: 858.792.0476
Pacifica Del Mar reflects the soothing calm of its ocean location. Perched high atop the Del Mar Plaza, the sophisticated restaurant offers a stunning visual Pacific feast to accompany Chef Christopher Idso’s delightful gastronomic feats. The menu features elegant California-inspired creations that manage to be both light and clean, while still imparting a deep satisfaction. Mouthwatering options like the Pacifica’s Barbecued Sugar-Spiced Salmon with Chinese beans and mustard sauce, Moroccan Spiced Prawns, and Filet Mignon with potato-white cheddar gratin, make for delightful dining dilemmas. Sample from Pacifica Del Mar’s Wine Spectator-distinguished wine list to help make the decision-making process that much more enjoyable.
Pacifica Del Mar
Whisknladle
1044 Wall Street, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: (858) 551-7575
The new project of Arturo Kassel and Ryan Johnston, Whisknladle, is one of the most honest, down-to-earth, and genuine restaurants around. The transformed space, which was once home to Fresh[er], now houses a contemporary neighborhood bistro with a back-to-basics approach. Johnston’s menu celebrates local sources, house-made provisions, and traditional preparations, while Kassel’s wine list, as before, is focused on quality and diversity. Guests will find small plates, seasonal creations, and a truly welcoming space that now boasts an after-hours lounge as a casual nightlife destination.
Whisknladle
Indigo Grill
1536 India Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.234.6802
Rather than imparting a sense of place, as many restaurants aim to do, the Indigo Grill takes diners on a journey. Starting in Alaska and ending in Oaxaca, Mexico, the Indigo Grill follows the West coast of North America. The route is interpreted through Chef Deborah Scott’s fittingly adventurous menu, which intertwines Mexican and Native American flavors, matches Northern comfort food with Southern heat, and presents ingredients from both land and sea. Daring combinations of indigenous ingredients, culinary techniques, and traditions result in a truly special, somewhat mythical culinary experience that delights the senses and satisfies the adventurous spirit.
Indigo Grill
Tapenade
7612 Fay Avenue, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: (858) 551-7500
Since opening in 1998, Tapenade has established itself as a La Jolla institution. Diners frequent the sophisticated establishment for acclaimed chef Jean-Michel Diot’s Provençal-style French cooking. Diot, who comes to San Diego after a successful career in Paris and New York, offers a consistently award-winning menu, while Tapenade’s welcoming atmosphere and excellent service compliment the cuisine. For an exceptional experience, Diot offers a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings, offered daily.
Tapenade
Monsoon
729 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.234.5555
Entering the restaurant from San Diego’s bustling Gaslamp Quarter, Monsoon diners are warmly greeted by an intoxicating aroma of spices wafting up from Chef Ashley Popat’s delectable Indian-inspired dishes. Deftly negotiating tradition and fusion, her menu presents purist renditions of less familiar fare, like the Dizzy Nu Shak banana curry, alongside playfully flavorful cultural pastiches like the Masala Hummus. The restaurant itself is also tastefully eclectic: walls festooned with Indian musical instruments and murals are lighted by antique-looking chandeliers, while a Bollywood-esque trip hop soundtrack mingles with the dulcet sounds of a prominent water feature. Monsoon goes beyond gastronomic indulgence: it is a feast for all the senses.
Monsoon
Hexagone
495 Laurel Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.236.0467
Named after the six-sided shape of France, unpretentious Hexagone offers one of the largest French menus in San Diego with twenty appetizers and twenty entrees. Soft jazz croons its way lazily across a dimly lit L-shaped dining room adorned with crisp white linens, floor-to-ceiling windows, and rambunctious Art Nouveau prints. The Beef Bourguignon alone is reason enough to visit, as the rich wine-infused dish braises for a total of three days. This new addition to Banker’s Hill has been competing—and holding its own— against the likes of neighboring Laurel and Bertrand at Mister A’s, a sure indication of the quality of their California-inspired traditional French fare.
Hexagone
Firenze Trattoria
162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Diego, CA 92024 Tel: 760.944.9000
Sit at a table at Firenze Trattoria and let yourself be transported to Italy. The quaint Italian restaurant, tucked in the hills of Encinitas, seems worlds away from the hustle of San Diego. Whether you choose to surround yourself with the soothing outdoor patio or calm, elegant interior dining room, you’ll feel at ease. The cuisine is as transporting as the space, with an extensive menu of savory Italian fare including alluring pastas and risottos, fresh, flavorful fish, and tempting house specialties such as Veal Scaloppini, Chicken Piccata, and Eggplant Parmesan. An extensive, Italian-centric wine list and gracious, hospitable service compliment an already outstanding dining experience.
Firenze Trattoria
George's California Modern
1250 Prospect Street, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: 858-454-4244
A new concept in upscale contemporary dining, George's California Modern is the result of a complete transformation of the beloved George’s at the Cove fine dining restaurant in La Jolla. Featuring a sophisticated yet relaxed space with a modern aesthetic and executive chef Trey Foshee's fearlessly diverse menu that continues to celebrate fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients while incorporating worldly influences, along with an international wine list and seasonal cocktails by mixologist Frankie Thaheld, the California Modern dining experience has been called the best in San Diego. If you haven't been to George's recently, you haven't been to George's at all.
George's California Modern
Solare
2820 Roosevelt Road, San Diego, CA 92106 Tel: (619) 270-9670
Solare Ristorante and Lounge is down-to-earth and elegant, inspired by an Asian aesthetic and Mediterranean spirit. A meal here can be dramatic or intimate, either amid the spacious and airy indoor and outdoor lounges, outdoor patio, or main dining room, or at one of the unique private tables: the two-person chef’s table overlooking the kitchen, the elegant, 24-seat private room, or the charming glass wine room that houses a single romantic table. Solare’s inventive, contemporary Italian cuisine is thoughtful and engaging, spun from premium ingredients like organic produce, domestic, hormone-free meat, and fresh seafood. Favorites include house-made Butternut Squash Ravioli, Black Truffle Risotto, Domestic Rack of Lamb, and Oven-Roasted Sea Bream. Regulars flock for daily happy hours, live music, weekly specials, and free parking.
Solare
Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar
875 Prospect Street, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: 858.551.5252
Seated among the swank décor, cool lighting and plush booths at Roppongi’s, there’s no shortage of delicious delights. A typical evening might begin with a Sake-tini and a bite from Sushi Chef’s Shinji Okano’s sushi bar like the Albacore Jalapeño Roll. Next, the Asian tapas menu offers a seemingly endless selection of small dishes as varied as traditional chicken satay and shrimp and scallop potstickers with tobiko caviar sauce. The dinner menu is equally tantalizing, filled with Chef Stephen Window’s unique “new Asian cuisine” creations. Sommelier Megan Burgess presents an extensive award-winning wine list that is as varied as Chef Window’s cuisine, and desserts like Tahitian Bananas offer a decadent conclusion.
Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar
The Fleetwood
639 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 702-7700
The Fleetwood sets itself apart from its Downtown neighbors. The modern, versatile space is part restaurant, part nightclub, and part sports lounge, with a menu to suit all occasions. Chef Mark Bolton marries classic comfort food with premium ingredients, offering a menu that runs the gamut from down-home comfort to gourmet elegance— you’ll find fried chicken with mashed potatoes and creamed corn next to grilled filet mignon with chanterelle mushrooms. The large, luxe corner space offers an array of seating options, including communal tables, traditional banquettes, and lounge-style seating for happy hour or late night noshing. With an extensive bar that includes bottle service and a separate sports room that morphs into a posh, late-night lounge, be careful—you may come for dinner and end up staying all night.
The Fleetwood
Mille Fleurs
6009 Paseo Delicias, San Diego, CA 92067 Tel: 858.756.3085
Picture a romantic retreat in the French countryside where days conclude with glowing fireplaces and elegant meals, and you have the essence of Mille Fleurs. The restaurant, which is located on a small estate off a windy road in Rancho Santa Fe, offers a warm and charming atmosphere that plays host to stunning haute cuisine. Chef Martin Wosele’s menu, which changes daily, delicately melds European culinary traditions with local California ingredients. The result is sensational and exquisite fine dining which, as evidenced by numerous awards and national recognition, makes Mille Fleurs one of the most significant dining establishments in San Diego.
Mille Fleurs
Humphreys
2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, CA 92106 Tel: 619.224.3577
Step into the main dining room of Humphreys Restaurant and understand how understated opulence is mastered. The large multileveled room is bathed in soft light and flowing panels of pale gray and ice blue upholstery. Juxtaposed against the whimsical softness of the colors are massive exposed beams that lend an anchor to a bay-side view that threatens to draw you in completely. The menu is thoughtful and inventive in the way it continues this balance between the ethereal and masculine – the Mirin Sesame Shrimp appetizer positions two large shrimp atop a bed of mango-mint relish that is refreshingly cool against a wasabi dressing. The menu and decor offer a cohesive gesture of sophistication that may just leave you swooning.
Humphreys
Del Mar Rendezvous
1555 Camino Del Mar Suite #102, San Diego, CA 92014 Tel: (858) 755-2669
A stone's throw from the Del Mar Racetrack, this irresistible Chinese and Asian Fusion restaurant by Chef Mark Sun has been voted 10 News' A-List Best Chinese Restaurant in San Diego for 2009. With the sparkling Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, diners can enjoy a variety of diverse dining options. Outside of the regular menu, Rendezvous also offers a vegetarian and vegan menu with 45 vegetarian items and 29 vegan items, and a 40 item gluten-free menu. Putting a modern twist on the traditional, Del Mar Rendezvous prides itself on using the freshest ingredients in a neighborly setting where great food, great friends, and great service all come together as one.
Del Mar Rendezvous
The Palm - San Diego
615 J St, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 702-6500
While just a few blocks shy of the Gaslamp District in San Diego, The Palm seems worlds apart from other restaurants. For one thing, it is steeped in tradition, as part of the oldest family-owned “white tablecloth” restaurant groups in the country. For another, the service is extraordinary and welcoming, making guests feel as if they are dining in the home of a good friend. Then there’s the menu, with a famous array of USDA Prime Steaks as well as fresh fish and seafood, classic Italian specialties, and oversized family-style sides meant for sharing. Dine here just once and you’re bound to return.
The Palm - San Diego
Gourmet India
810 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619-702-7967
Tucked into a building on Fourth Avenue, Gourmet India is a culinary jewel distinguished by a father-son team serving authentic Indian cuisine. Savory aromas, layers of flavor and extraordinary textures take you abroad without leaving the comfort of your cushions and pillows or more traditional table and chair. Life-size murals, maroon walls and draperies, and sconces of stained glass and mosaics provide an exotic ambience, but the real story is the food. Begin your culinary journey with samosas and sangrias or succulent chicken tikki masala, and you'll soon find yourself at the junction of foreign and delicious.
Gourmet India
Operacaffe
835 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619-234-6538
It is the very presence of charismatic Master Chef Roberto Bernardoni and his lovely wife, Chef Patrizia Branchi that sets Operacaffe apart from the countless “authentic” Italian eateries downtown. The first ingredient in all of Chef Bernadoni’s dishes is his "cuore", his heart and passion for his trade. This is splendidly reflected in the careful presentations, wistful aromas, and creative tastes of their traditional dishes. Allow your taste buds to be transported to Italy by thin crust pizzas, salads, featuring fresh Italian cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, and herby and flavorful pasta and second course dishes. Chef Bernardoni will be delighted if you select any one of his handsome desserts.
Operacaffe
Terra
1270 Cleveland Avenue # K, San Diego, CA 92104 Tel: (619) 293-7088
Located in the heart of Hillcrest, Terra is a casually elegant neighborhood spot offering delightfully innovative American cuisine. Chef and Owner Jeff Rossman’s seasonal menus and unpretentious, café-style atmosphere celebrate fresh, local ingredients. Versatile dishes enable guests to eat traditional multi-course meals or sample unabashedly tapas-style. An extensive wine list offers excellent libatious accompaniments, with wines by the glass, half bottle, bottle, and flight that range from reasonable to extraordinary. With a welcoming atmosphere bolstered by a friendly and approachable staff, Terra creates a close-knit community that elevates homey comfort to the heights of fine dining.
Terra
Sante Ristorante
7811 Herschel Avenue, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: 858.454.1315
The Buonsante name has been synonymous with traditional Italian cuisine in La Jolla since 1988. Located on Herschel in picturesque downtown La Jolla, Sante serves classic Italian fare in a setting that is warm and welcoming. Amidst terracotta-colored walls, functional fireplaces, and starched tablecloths, you will notice that Sante Ristorante is a step above the rest. Try the Ossobucco, which melts like butter, or the creative and savory Lemon Fettuccini. When it comes to cuisine, the Buonsantes believe that tradition has been around for a long time for one reason-because it works.
Sante Ristorante
Osetra Watergrill
904 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 239-1800
For seafood and wine lovers, Osetra is like heaven, complete with “Wine Angels” who fly to retrieve your fine wine selection from their extraordinary three-story collection. The restaurant’s eclectic split-story design features an impressive Oyster Bar with a large and rotating choice of briny delights and an Ice Bar with an extensive collection of vodkas, providing both gustatory and visual enjoyment in the lounge-like first floor and the fine dining area above. Osetra offers fresh seafood, steak, pasta, and exceptional service for all occasions, from intimate happy hour pairings to banquets.
Osetra Watergrill
Sally's Seafood on the Water
1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 358-6740
Sally's Seafood on the Water transforms every dining experience into an ode to the beauty and bounties of the ocean. Residing at the meeting point of the Gaslamp Quarter and Seaport Village, Sally's blends a hip cosmopolitan vibe with the naturalism and tranquility of its seaside location. The seafood-dominant menu is an eclectic mix of influences, blending the best of Pacific Rim, Contemporary American, and International culinary traditions to transform the familiar into the unexpected and inspired. Comfort food is given a luxurious twist in dishes like the Lobster Pot Pie with Canadian lobster tails, vegetables and Boursin cheese and the King Crab and Saffron Bisque with cilantro foam. With an extensive wine and sake list, an inventive sushi bar, and a swanky bar with cheeky cocktails, Sally's offers a multitude of dining options to suit a variety of tastes and personalities.
Sally's Seafood on the Water
Royal India
329 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 269-9999
Royal India is where to go when you want to dine like kings and queens. The Gaslamp area restaurant serves authentic Northern Indian cuisine in a refreshing, elegant setting. An outdoor patio offers prime views of downtown foot traffic, while inside, the tall ceilings and open space give the feel of a modern palace, complete with regal décor imported from India. Ornate chandeliers cast an elegant glow, while a cascading waterfall offers a backdrop of serenity. The menu is as rich as its surroundings, with flavorful curries, tandoori kababs, and a tempting array of fresh tandoor-baked breads. If you’re unable to make your mind up about the menu, visit during lunch or on Monday evenings, when over 20 dishes are offered buffet-style.
Royal India
Croce's
802 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.233.4355
In 1985, Chef/Owner Ingrid Croce opened Croce's Restaurant and Bar as a tribute to her late husband singer/songwriter Jim Croce. Today this 'must visit' San Diego landmark not only recreates the warmth and energy from their days of performing together, but it continues to infuse great food and live music in a uniquely warm and inviting atmosphere. Executive Chef James Clark's menu features flavorful American and Continental cuisine, with dishes such as Sage Rubbed Grilled Duck Breast, Bordeaux Braised Short Ribs, and the signature, Croce's Prime Contemporary Meatloaf.
Croce's
Aladdin
1220 Cleveland Avenue (at Vermont St.), San Diego, CA 92103 Tel: (619) 574-1111
Just north of University Avenue, Aladdin restaurant is one of Hillcrest’s most flavorful dining destinations. The Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurant serves an array of fresh, vibrant dishes such as Lamb Schwerma, Vegetarian Bryani, and the chef’s favorite, Halibut Arrabiata. Lighter fare includes an array of traditional Meza such as hommos, tabouleh, and dolmas, as well as salads, sandwiches, and wood-fired middle-eastern pizzas. The casual setting and elegant décor is welcoming and comfortable; combined with the food it just may convince you that you’re not in Hillcrest anymore.
Aladdin
Gaslamp Strip Club
340 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 231-3140
The Gaslamp Strip Club is named after the restaurant's signature "strip steak." The 21-and over steakhouse offers an old-school supper club setting, complete with curved leather booths, dim lighting, and a central grill around which guests crowd to cook their own steaks. Grill options include a range of premium steaks and kabobs, as well as poultry, seafood, and vegetarian options. An extensive cocktail selection, late night hours, and a casual vibe amid artwork by the famous "pin up" artist Alberto Vargas makes the Gaslamp Strip Club an ideal destination not only for a meal but for an entire evening.
Gaslamp Strip Club
Thee Bungalow
4996 W. Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107 Tel: (619) 224-2884
With a quaint and romantic atmosphere, elegant French cuisine, and one of the city’s most extensive wine lists, Thee Bungalow is one of San Diego’s hidden jewels. Tucked inside an old country house in Ocean Beach, the restaurant has four intimate dining rooms that each seat 15-30 guests. The menu offers contemporary French country cuisine with specialties including roast duck, rack of lamb, and escargot Bourgogne. The wine list alone may be reason to visit Thee Bungalow, with an award-winning selection of over 800 wines ranging from everyday classics to rare and sometimes old gems.
Thee Bungalow
De Medici
815 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 702-7228
Step into de’Medici in downtown San Diego and you will immediately sense a welcoming ambience reminiscent of old world Italy. Renaissance décor adorns the walls above plush, inviting seating, while gentle music fills the air. The impressive menu allows you to imagine yourself worlds away, as de’Medici boasts one of the most extensive selections of authentic Northern and Southern Italian cuisine in San Diego. Whether selecting one of Chef Ricardo Macias’s seafood specialties, rich pasta dishes, or aged prime steaks, a deliciously authentic meal and delightfully memorable experience awaits.
De Medici
Cafe Sevilla
555 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 233-5979
Stepping into Café Sevilla transports you far away from downtown San Diego. Inside the Fourth Avenue restaurant, a Spanish-courtyard-like dining room and lively tapas bar offer two settings in which to experience Spain’s cuisine and culture. A menu of authentic and inventive tapas, paella, and entrees showcases the flavors of the Iberian Peninsula, with a seemingly endless array of options. Flamenco and Rumba guitarists play nightly in the tapas bar, filling the space with the sounds of Spanish gypsy music. Once you finish your meal, prolong your journey by venturing to the underground nightclub, where flamenco shows, salsa lessons, and dancing can take you through to the wee hours of the morning.
Cafe Sevilla
Firefly Restaurant and Bar
1710 W. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: 619.222.6440
Located in the Dana Hotel on San Diego’s beautiful Mission Bay is a restaurant that will likely attract you with its spectacular view, but keep you coming back with its dynamic cuisine. Serving California cuisine on the unbelievable California coast is all too natural for Executive Chef Craig Jimenez. This San Diego native takes pride in his restaurant’s use of seasonal, local ingredients and that pride is evident in every dish he serves. Dishes such as Bulgogi Glazed Ribeye and Pink Peppercorn Scallops can be enjoyed poolside, outdoors or indoors where the view is just as nice.
Firefly Restaurant and Bar
Osteria Panevino
722 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.595.7959
An osteria is a tavern-style Italian restaurant that features wine and complementary foods. Osteria Panevino, whose name combines the Italian words for bread and wine, shines with their award-winning list of domestic and Italian wines and fresh brick-oven baked pizzas. Whether you choose pizza or one of the authentic Tuscan pastas or seafood dishes, you’ll feel welcomed by the invitingly casual, but elegant, feel of a rustic farmhouse. Popular for both lunch and dinner, Osteria Panevino fills up quickly as a Gaslamp Quarter favorite.
Osteria Panevino
Crab Catcher
1298 Prospect Street, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: (858) 454-9587
Perched atop an oceanside bluff in La Jolla, the Crab Catcher offers a spectacular view. The elevated dining room overlooks waves crashing onto La Jolla Cove set before an elegant backdrop of the coastline. Chef Jon Burwell’s impressively extensive menu celebrates the ocean’s bounty with dishes such as king crab-stuffed Hawaiian Ono served with chili-garlic puree and dill-infused buerre blanc; he also showcases his range of talent in select non-seafood dishes such as charbroiled herb-marinated rack of Australian lamb with California peaches, montrachet goat cheese, and roasted shallot pinot noir reduction. The atmosphere, if anyone can take their eyes off the view or the dishes, is comfortable and quaint, almost intentionally unpretentious so as to let the view and cuisine shine.
Crab Catcher
333 Pacific
333 N. Pacific Street, San Diego, CA 92054 Tel: (760) 433-3333
Cohn Restaurant fans take note: the San Diego restaurateur powerhouse has brought their fine dining expertise to Oceanside for their newest restaurant, 333 Pacific. It is an ode to Southern California, with breath-taking views of its seaside setting, innovative California cuisine, and a faultlessly stylish design aesthetic. Located on the first floor of the Wyndham Oceanfront Pier Resort, diners can feast on clever creations like Bleu Cheese Crusted Kobe Beef Meatloaf and Maine Diver Scallops seared in apple cider, while enjoying a stunning, panoramic view of the Oceanside Pier and beach. 333 Pacific promises a welcome invigoration of the North County dining scene.
333 Pacific
Bully's East
2401 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: (619)291-2665
Ask anyone in town where to find great prime rib and they’ll send you to Bully’s East. Since its opening in 1971, the Mission Valley restaurant has been serving prime rib cooked to perfection, along with an array of equally succulent steaks, seafood, and barbeque. The welcoming, old-world setting is as rare as it is comforting, with rich leather booths and dim lighting. Sit in the formal dining room for privacy or opt for the lively bar and lounge, where happy hour, sports broadcasts, and a relaxed setting always draw a crowd. From early bird to late night, Bully’s East is a San Diego institution worth frequenting.
Bully's East
Greystone the Steakhouse
658 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.232.0225
Located in downtown’s old Bijou Theatre, Greystone the Steakhouse shows the American infatuation with beef at its finest, with USDA prime-aged meats in the leading role. Many stars play alongside the gourmet steak specialties, with rival roles filled by fresh seafood dishes and pastas that hearken to American, European, and Pacific Rim influences, but with a twist. An award-winning wine list and deliciously naughty desserts complete the final acts and will leave you wanting an encore. The curtain rises nightly for dinner, and Greystone’s elegant dining room can be reserved for banquets as well as smaller groups.
Greystone the Steakhouse
Masala
314 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.232.5050
It’s rare to find the kind of brilliant fusion of old world and new world that Masala delivers. Chef Ashley Popat has created a restaurant where earthy colors drape modern designs, time-honored spices meet exotic presentation, and India and America collaborate to throw a celebration of the five senses. Chef Popat’s specialty is her secret blend of spices, called Gharam Masala, which consists of 30 different whole spices she grinds herself. Enjoy Tandoori, Chutnies, and an array of Chef’s Specials. Expect Chef Popat and her excellent staff to make you feel welcomed, and prepare to enjoy a tour through the spices of India.
Masala
Asti Ristorante
728 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.232.8844
Amidst a sea of Italian restaurants, Asti Ristorante in San Diego’s Gaslamp District is one that should not be overlooked. Specializing in Northern Italian cuisine, Asti does not disappoint. Whether you stop in for lunch or for dinner, Asti’s extensive selection of hand-made pastas, fresh seafood or traditional chicken, beef or veal entrees are sure to please even the pickiest diners. The restaurant offers outdoor seating overlooking the Gaslamp’s bustling 5th Avenue, as well as indoor dining in the restaurant’s meticulously decorated dining room. Asti Ristorante is one of the few restaurants in downtown San Diego that can please both the fussy tourist and the persnickety local while making it all look so natural.
Asti Ristorante
Delicias
6106 Paseo Delicias, San Diego, CA 92067 Tel: 858.756.8000
Delicias is a charming hidden gem in Rancho Santa Fe that offers incredible California Fresh cuisine at its finest. Just a mile and a half away from the Delicias kitchen is Chino Farms, supplying the extremely fresh produce that Executive Chef Michael Knowles finds daily to inspire his creative and delicious daily specials and classic favorites. The dining room serves as a warm, dimly lit home away from home with beautiful black chandeliers, a brick fireplace, and various seating options both inside and outside. Accompanying the menu full of fresh innovative options is an extensive wine list, as well as a bar menu that offers bottled beers and locally brewed beers on tap.
Delicias
Yard House
1023 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.233.9273
Where else can you get good music, over 250 beers on tap, and excellent food? Though named for its yard-tall beer glasses, the Yard House offers more than just a pub experience. Among the traditional burger fare appear elegant dishes that rival less casual, fine dining establishments. A sizable wine list holds its own alongside the beer and spirits. The Yard House is an equally ideal gathering place for happy hour, a business lunch, or a large dinner party because everyone, from the burger-lover to the gourmet connoisseur, is likely to find something that pleases their palate.
Yard House
Blue Point
565 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 233-6623
Blue Point was the first seafood and oyster bar to open in the Gaslamp over a decade ago, and it remains one of the very best. Executive Chef Jonathan Hale pays special attention to interpreting seafood classics in fresh ways that delight all the senses. Specialties extend to a selection of steak and chops, so that both the menu and interior call to mind an old fashioned supper club with nautical flair. A striking and impressively well-stocked antique bar completes the relaxed elegance that keeps Blue Point on the Gaslamp’s favored list.
Blue Point
Caffe Bella Italia
1525 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: (858) 273-1224
At this family-run Italian restaurant, Chef-owner Stefano Ceresoli has transported the essence of his Milan birthplace to the beautiful setting of Pacific Beach. As a native who knows the niceties of Mediterranean dining, Chef Stefano prides himself in the bona fide Italian ambiance of his restaurant, accenting the space with mood lighting and decorative gold metalwork. His Northern Italian cuisine includes a variety of homemade pastas, complemented by rich sauces such as Saffron and Creamy Tomato. With scrumptious signature entrees, over thirty selections of wood-fired pizza, and a superb wine list with over 70 bottles, Caffe Bella Italia is a charming place to bring the family or a date.
Caffe Bella Italia
Red Pearl Kitchen
440 J Street, Suite 108, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619-231-1100
Red Pearl Kitchen brings an enticing vibrancy to the heart of the historic Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego. Traditional Pan-Asian cuisine and an extensive beverage menu are served in a ravishing Asian-inspired interior, complete with red and gold walls and an elegant black pebbled floor. The menu offers various Dim Sum, Noodle and Curry dishes, Hot Pots and Vegetarian options which are excellent as individual meals or shared, family style. Guests looking for a unique, up-close and personal dining experience are encouraged to book the special Chef’s table where they can sit in the kitchen and watch all the action unfold.
Red Pearl Kitchen
Tao Vietnamese Japanese Cuisine
3332 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116 Tel: 619.281.6888
Tucked away in the heart of Adams Avenue- the famous strip in the neighborhood of Normal Heights- you will find Tao. Offering healthy Vietnamese/Japanese cuisine with an extensive vegetarian selection, Chef Hung “Eric” Tao also features his homemade tofu and soy milk, which he makes fresh daily. His specialty is his Mango “Chicken” Rice: soy based mock “chicken” pieces sautéed with sweet, juicy mango, and the Tofu Rice Pot, tofu, and stir fry vegetables atop rice served in an iron rice pot. With such popular selections, this casual hotspot will satisfy vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
Tao Vietnamese Japanese Cuisine
Primavera Ristorante
932 Orange Avenue, San Diego, CA 92118 Tel: 619.435.0454
Located on Orange Avenue in the heart of Coronado, Primavera Ristorante offers authentic Italian dining in a pleasantly intimate atmosphere. The extensive and constantly-changing menu offers everything from rich pastas and risottos to pollo, vitello, carne, and pesce main courses. A generously varied wine list accompanies the menu, offering a wide selection of wines by the glass as well as bottle. The tuxedoed wait staff offers a hint of elegance, while generously cushioned booths provide ultimate comfort. For small parties, Primavera offers elegant and secluded private dining options, including one of the most luxurious private dining rooms in San Diego.
Primavera Ristorante
Donovan's of La Jolla
4340 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92122 Tel: (858) 450-6666
Donovan’s Steak and Chop house offers a refined setting filled with upscale class and elegance. The menu showcases a variety of cuts of succulent USDA Prime steak, while offering a variety of other options from Australian rack of lamb to North Atlantic Salmon. Appetizers and salads offer to tantalize the palate before the main course, while potatoes and vegetables—always complimentary—accompany each entrée. An award-winning wine list offers an astounding selection of both well-known and boutique wines across an equally varied price range, and gracious service, complimentary valet parking, and VIP treatment are the icing on the cake.
Donovan's of La Jolla
Urban Bar and Grill
827 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619)235-8700
Steak lovers, Asian fare enthusiasts, and fans of the noodle may finally join together around the same table to savor a meal at Urban Bar and Grill. Executive Chef Damien Stanley has worked hard to build a menu that caters to a wide variety of taste without compromising an ounce of quality. Vietnamese classics and Italian favorites can be found mingling among other selections like the Half Pound Cheeseburger – and all are served in a dining space that boasts a charming degree of playfulness. The air of sophistication this restaurant exudes is achieved by renouncing conventionalism for something much more impressive: the eagerness to please.
Urban Bar and Grill
Georges on Fifth
835 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 702-0444
Georges on Fifth offers two things not common in the San Diego dining scene: dining in the company of San Diego’s elite and a twelve-ounce Prime Filet Mignon of Certified Angus Beef ®. The former takes the form of a vibrant mural of accomplished San Diegans adorning the restaurant’s two-story walls; the latter is one of the most exceptional cuts of meat in the city. Georges’ menu, with culinary highlights that include USDA Prime steak, day boat scallops, and the highest grade sushi, prioritizes quality ingredients highlighted by beautiful presentation. Factor in its unique location in a former gambling hall and saloon in the Gaslamp, elegant historic private dining rooms and Grammy-nominated pianist Tom Barabas performing on weekends, and you have one exceptional dining experience.
Georges on Fifth
Kemo Sabe
3958 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 Tel: (619) 220-6802
Executive Chef and Partner Deborah Scott’s faithful friend is Kemo Sabe Restaurant, in Hillcrest. The Pacific Rim-inspired décor and cuisine reflects an appreciation for unique cultural perspectives, and melds textures, colors, and flavors into artful culinary masterpieces. Diners may not only feast on the exquisite tastes of each dish, but their imaginations will be fueled by the visual intricacies Chef Scott arranges on the plate. The flash-fried Whole Tilapia is simply statuesque, and the desserts are scandalously seductive. Each element on the menu strives to be a faithful friend to the taste buds, and keep you coming back for more.
Kemo Sabe
Donovan's of Downtown
570 K Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 237-9700
Following the success of its flagship La Jolla location, Donovan’s has opened a new outpost downtown. Now the renowned service, quality, and setting that put Donovan’s of La Jolla on the map can be found just steps away from the convention center, the ballpark, and the Gaslamp Quarter. As with its La Jolla counterpart, the menu showcases a variety of cuts of succulent USDA Prime steak, while offering a variety of other options such as Australian rack of lamb and North Atlantic Salmon. Appetizers and salads offer to tantalize the palate before the main course, while potatoes and vegetables—always complimentary—accompany each entrée.
Donovan's of Downtown
Coronado Boathouse
1701 Strand Way, San Diego, CA 92118 Tel: (619) 435-0155
The Coronado Boathouse was built in 1887, a year before and by the same architects as the neighboring Hotel Del Coronado. Mirroring the hotel in elegance and style, the red and white Victorian landmark juts out onto a pier in Glorietta Bay Marina. The two-story restaurant inside is seeped in tradition, offering a wide selection of prime steak and seafood. Generous windows and porch seating offer guests views of the Marina while they dine on decadent Macadamia Crusted Halibut or Hand-carved Prime Rib of Beef. Whether staying in Coronado or taking a water taxi from Downtown, the Coronado Boathouse offers excellent cuisine in a historical landmark.
Coronado Boathouse
Corvette Diner
2965 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106 Tel: (619) 542-1476
Corvette Diner celebrates the joyous 1950’s, with a menu of hearty comfort food that satisfies the soul as well as the stomach. The burgers, sandwiches, entrees, and daily specials range from time-honored to wildly inventive, like the unusually delicious “Rory” Burger, a hamburger topped with peanut butter and bacon that actually boasts a money-back guarantee. Its new Liberty Station location enhances the fun-loving atmosphere with a full bar, three distinctive dining rooms, and the massive Gamer's Garage arcade, making it easy for diners young and old to embrace their inner-child.
Corvette Diner
Aladdin Mediterranean Restaurant
5420 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92117 Tel: (858) 573-0000
Aladdin Mediterranean Restaurant in Kearny Mesa has been pleasing San Diegans with its healthful, authentic Mediterranean cuisine for 15 years. Handcrafted delicacies like Hummus, Tabouleh, and Pita, baked fresh in the restaurant’s clay ovens, transport palates to the Middle East with exotic flavors and succulent spices. While vegetarians will be thrilled by the copious selection of satisfying salads and meatless dishes, diners with more carnivorous predilections will be satiated by Aladdin’s mouthwatering kabobs, shawermas, and various other traditional meat options. A popular destination for office lunches, intimate dinners, and boisterous groups, Aladdin Mediterranean Restaurant satisfies a gamut of cravings.
Aladdin Mediterranean Restaurant
Blue Wave Bar and Grill
2051 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106 Tel: (619) 223-2572
To enjoy San Diego is to eat at the Blue Wave Bar and Grill at the Best Western Island Palms Hotel and Marina. Savor life in the slow lane with breakfast on the patio before the sight of sails and masts; dine in the newly decorated South Pacific-inspired dining room or meet your friends for drinks and a quick bite from the Americana menu at the bar. No matter where one sits in this charming restaurant, the food creations are the real prize. Fresh seafood in tropical preparations, juicy steaks with imaginative sauces, and farm fresh ingredients will conquer your palate while the sparkling blue bay feeds your soul.
Blue Wave Bar and Grill
La Fiesta
628 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 232-4242
La Fiesta combines elegant dining and authentic Mexican food, a cuisine hard to come by in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. La Fiesta offers traditional and family friendly favorites, as well as a variety of fresh seafood and more contemporary dishes influenced by Spanish and South American flavors. Well-known for their margaritas, La Fiesta boasts a full bar with over 65 different types of fine tequila. La Fiesta accommodates groups or individuals with a moderately priced menu and is open everyday for lunch and dinner; they also offer valet parking and a special Sunday Brunch.
La Fiesta
Acqua Al 2
322 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 230-0382
While it may be physically impossible to bring a Florentine trattoria to San Diego, Chef and Owner Martin Gonzalez has come remarkably close. Acqua Al 2 is the sister restaurant of the original Acqua Al 2, located on the Via della Vigna Vecchia in Florence. Using the same menu, recipes, and cooking techniques, Acqua Al 2 offers authentic Tuscan-style dining right in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp district. The charming ambiance hints of old world Italy, while the aromatic and flavorful dishes exude authenticity. Anyone considering an escape to Italy should first pay a visit to this local favorite.
Acqua Al 2
Island Prime
880 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 298-6802
Located on the edge of Harbor Island, just out of earshot of the airport, Island Prime’s stilt-supported structure extends out over the bay, giving diners the sense that they are floating along on a dinner cruise. Chef Deborah Scott's retro, yet sophisticated menu features metro steaks, seafood, and other diversely decadent dishes that will make your jaw drop and then pick back up so you can continue to savor the delicious flavors in your mouth. Between the nostalgic cuisine and the breath-taking view, Island Prime will keep you coming back for more.
Island Prime
Ocean Room
630 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 501-6550
The Ocean Room is a seafood lover's refuge away from the bustle of the Gaslamp's usual fare. The main attraction is the Oyster Bar featuring an open kitchen - seafood purists will delight in their kettle steamed crustacean specialties and traditional favorites, as well as an array of appetizers, pasta, and fish entrees with Asian and New Orleans culinary influences. The menu includes all tastes with beef, chicken, and vegetarian options, making a trip to this room ideal for private parties, a relaxing, elegant dinner, or a social happy hour spent at their full bar and mini lounge.
Ocean Room
Bombay
3960 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 Tel: 619-297-7777
A fanciful curtain of monsoon rain, visible through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, is a friendly greeting as guests enter the spacious and elegant dining room at Bombay restaurant. Aromas of exotic spices promise a feast of flavors. The kitchen serves to satisfy expectations and the attentive wait staff ensures a delectable dining experience that you’ll want to repeat over and over again. Flavorful, mysterious fruit drinks and cocktails along with a variety of wines complement the spices of magical India.
Bombay
Prado
1549 El Prado, Suite 12, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.557.9441
The minute you step into The Prado you know you’ve entered into a world like no other. Located in the historic House of Hospitality in Balboa Park, the restaurant offers four main dining areas. Each has its own distinctive décor and ambiance: the Terrace features outdoor seating, the Courtyard room overlooks the courtyard and fountain, the Solarium overlooks the Terrace and features skylights, and the Lounge serves up two happy hours with several signature drinks. The California cuisine is expertly prepared, and includes Pan Roasted Sea Bass with cauliflower and truffle puree and Braised Beef Boneless Shortrib with Point Reyes blue cheese foam.
Prado
Sbicca
215 15th Street, San Diego, CA 92014 Tel: 858-481-1001
The seaside city of Del Mar holds an array of charms, but until you’ve experienced a meal at Sbicca, you’ll not know how charming it can be. Owned and run by husband-and-wife team Dan and Susan Sbicca, the seaside restaurant is a quintessential neighborhood bistro. The restaurant proper offers an open, airy setting and comfortable vibe, while a separate bistro bar is a gathering place for locals, with an outstanding wine selection and a renowned happy hour. While Dan manages the front of the house, Susan runs the kitchen, putting together an array of refreshing, modern American cuisine that melds regional flavors, incorporates global ingredients, and doesn’t hesitate to play up comfort food favorites.
Sbicca
Bertrand at Mister A's
2550 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 Tel: (619)239-1377
Impeccable service, excellent cuisine, and an extensive wine list are to be expected at any Bertrand Hug establishment, and Bertrand at Mr. A’s lives up to the highest of expectations. Pearched atop a skyscraper on the brink of downtown, the restaurant offers one of the most outstanding dining experiences in San Diego. Modern American cuisine elegantly compliments the cosmopolitan backdrop, with a menu that offers awe-inspiring “glimpses” of both land and sea. The seasonal menu incorporates the utmost quality meats, fish, and accompianiments, resulting in a fresh and tantalizing selection of dishes. The main dining room offers a premier dining experience, while a more casual, although no less sumptuous, selection of dishes is available in the patio and bar.
Bertrand at Mister A's
Truluck's
8990 University Center Lane, San Diego, CA 92122 Tel: 858-453-2583
Truluck’s, a newly situated establishment nestled in University City, is fresh on the dining scene with an edge not many can counter. Renowned for their seafood, they operate a crabbing fleet of no less than sixteen boats off the coast of Naples, Florida. Armed with this advantage, your crab is delivered fresh to the table within twenty-four hours of being caught. Those searching for an alternative to seafood can choose from a selection of seven steaks and chops roasted or grilled to a level of precision unmatched by most steakhouses. For recreational wine drinkers or connoisseurs alike, Truluck’s offers a hundred wines by the sampling, the glass, and the bottle.
Truluck's
Red Tracton's
550 Via de la Valle, San Diego, CA 92075 Tel: (858) 755-6600
Red Tracton’s is a delightful return to the vintage class and swanky sophistication of an iconic American steakhouse. The restaurant draws on the romance and nostalgia of the neighboring Del Mar Racetrack, with maroon walls, horse prints, and dark, moody lighting recalling Gatsby-era frivolity and luxury. Portions are similarly hedonistic, with thick cut steaks, such as the Del Mar Cut—a 25 oz. Prime Rib that is sure to be tomorrow’s lunch. Offering colossal baked potatoes dripping with sour cream and butter, and giant lobster tails, and jumbo shrimp on ice, the menu makes diners feel like Liliputians! An evening at Red Tracton’s is an invitation for indulgence, with all of the exhilarating satisfaction of a big win at the races.
Red Tracton's
Baci Ristorante
1955 Morena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110 Tel: 619.275.2094
Italian rusticity meets modern sophistication at Baci Ristorante, where an Old World appreciation for quality and service marries seamlessly with contemporary style and warmth. The rich, mahogany bar sets an elegant yet unassuming tone, while the classic Italian cuisine menu showcases the brilliance of fresh seafood, succulent meat, and rich accompaniments. Dine in the subtly modern dining room surrounded by art deco accents and crisp white linens, or dine al fresco on the romantic patio. No matter where you sit, a decadent and satisfying meal is sure to be had.
Baci Ristorante
All American Grill
7510 Hazard Center Drive Suite 215, San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: 619-296-9600
True to its name, All American Grill strives to promote and showcase American cuisine by not only presenting guests with classic American fare, but by sourcing the menu with home-grown and supported components. Chef Timothy Au celebrates the essence of our country’s food with high-quality ingredients and sophisticated flavors, while omitting any pinch of pretention from the recipe to success. Also present on the menu is a healthy dose of humor and taste: the “Death Valley’s Kiln’ section hosts a savory selection of wood oven hearth-roasted pizzas, while favorites like the ‘Homestead’ meatloaf keep guests smiling.
All American Grill
La Jolla Strip Club
4282 Esplanade Court, San Diego, CA 92122 Tel: 858-450-1400
One of Downtown San Diego’s most popular restaurants has come to La Jolla: The La Jolla Strip Club joins the superior quality of prime-cut steaks with the casual appeal of a grill-it-yourself lounge for the ultimate carnivorous experience. The Strip Club’s extensive lunch menu offers a mouth-watering array of salads, sandwiches, and pastas; the dinner menu presents a tantalizing selection of 21-day-aged, Midwestern, corn-fed Angus beef cuts that range in size from 10-20 oz. The impressive dessert list is also worth checking out – with Naughty Treats like the Rated “R” Root Beer Float with root beer flavored vodka, amaretto, and vanilla ice cream, who can resist?
La Jolla Strip Club
Redfield's Sports Bar
One Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619-232-1234 EXT 4508
Steps away from the convention center; a stone’s throw from Seaport Village; and a San Diego minute from the Gaslamp Quarter is Redfield’s Sports Bar, in the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel. Redfield’s combines dining elegance and premium seasonal ingredients with delicious, classic sports bar dishes. With seventeen high definition televisions showing every sporting event imaginable, a gigantic pool table, and a fully loaded bar, Redfield’s is the ideal destination for game night or after work. Redfield’s also boasts a daily eight hour happy hour, with drink and food specials that will have people wondering why they’re not regulars. Enjoy a selection from Redfield’s cigar list on the patio or bring the family, Redfield’s has something for everyone.
Redfield's Sports Bar
Lael's Steakhouse
1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.232.1234 ext. 6735
Lael’s Steakhouse is a sublime fix for anyone suffering from a sumptuous steak craving! The elegant dining room, extensive wine list, hand-shaken cocktails, tasty desserts and exquisite soups, salads and sides add to the grandeur of a dining experience at Lael’s. Steaks are cooked over a 1600 degree flame, prepared to order and accompanied by your choice of sauce. For those looking to dine on something other than steak, Lael’s offers seafood, pastas and sandwiches. As if the fantastic dinner menu, delicious drinks and beautiful atmosphere aren’t alluring enough, Lael’s also serves their famous Surf n’ Turf buffet every Friday night and their breakfast buffet every morning.
Lael's Steakhouse
The Butcher Shop - Chula Vista
556 Broadway, San Diego, CA 91910 Tel: 619-420-9440
A visit to the Butcher Shop transports diners to the glory days of the Rat Pack. The dim glow of candelabras and twinkling lights cloaks the dining room in the nostalgic magic of a bygone era, while the expansive red leather booths and banquet tables treat diners to the kind of pampering distinction associated with vintage clubs. Food is simple, satisfying, and never ending, adhering to the tradition of classic steakhouses. The result is a continuous onslaught of massive portions that challenge even the heartiest appetites. An evening at the Butcher Shop is a return to a time characterized by a warm, sophisticated crowd and a welcoming culture of excess.
The Butcher Shop - Chula Vista
Candelas on the Bay
1201 1st Street, #115, San Diego, CA 92118 Tel: (619) 435-4900
Not only does Candelas on the Bay have a prime location with a beautiful view of Downtown San Diego, it has inventive Mexican cuisine that promises guests an interesting and special dining experience. One of the best parts of Candelas on the Bay is the exciting scene of Coronado beachgoers and the San Diego Bay that can be seen from every seat in the house. This restaurant is the sister restaurant of Candelas Downtown and carries over the same creative “Mexico City” style dishes created by Executive Chef Eduardo Baeza. This restaurant is brilliantly suited for those eager to test their palates and try new flavor combinations, and for those looking to enjoy the San Diego skyline.
Candelas on the Bay
Candelas
416 3rd Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.702.4455
Candelas Restaurant, located in the Gaslamp District, serves up savory Mexican food and elegant service with an Old World feel. Enjoy their diverse “chilango” menu of steak and seafood while sipping on one of Candelas’ many international wines. Candelas is great for parties, with three private and semi-private rooms to customize your event. With romantic candle light and a cozy atmosphere throughout, Candelas is also the ideal destination for a night out with a small group of friends or a romantic evening with someone special.
Candelas
Antica Trattoria
5654 Lake Murray Blvd., San Diego, CA 91942 Tel: (619) 463-9919
When Executive Chef and Owner Francesco Basile designed Antica Trattoria in 2001, he recreated his Sicilian juvenescence by bringing the authentic flavors of contemporary Tuscan cuisine to the heart of La Mesa. Antica Trattoria allows guests to take pleasure in its serene setting where scenes from Italy emboss cream walls and antiquated decor grants diners a traditional Italian dining experience. Chef Basile uses his unique culinary creativity to blend his Sicilian heritage with fresh ideas, producing inventive new entrees busting with flavor and zest. With a complementing wine list and superb service, this restaurant provides a classically fantastic Italian excursion.
Antica Trattoria
Nobu Gourmet
315 S. Coast Hwy 101, San Diego, CA 92075 Tel: 858.755.7787Do you want oysters on the half shell by the fire, a Kirin with sashimi while watching the game on a big screen, or hand rolls served to you in an intimate room, surrounded by Shoji screens? Nobu Gourmet in Encinitas is your place for all of these culinary cravings. At Nobu Gourmet – a sushi bar with several personalities and extensive menu of noodles, grilled fish and meats, not to mention the sakes available – there are almost too many good things to choose from, and enticing fare for everyone.
Nobu Gourmet
Todai
2828 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: 619.299.8996Todai is an upscale all-you-can-eat Japanese seafood buffet restaurant. Toodai restaurant is designed to create a unique family atmosphere that seats up to 500 patrons. In addition, Todai restaurant features a 160-foot seafood buffet counter with 40 different kinds of sushi, over 15 salads and hot entrees, and a dessert bar with over 20 different cakes and fruits.
Todai
Ki Ku Ya
3949 Governor Dr., San Diego, CA 92122 Tel: 858.558.9555Sushi Ki Ku Ya offers a complete sushi bar operated by Master Sushi Chef Yutaka Nakanote (formely at Shogun in La Jolla) with his terrific talents, along with a regular menu of traditional Japanese and Korean entrees. Kikuya offers casual dining and a friendly atmosphere. The menu remains the same for both lunch and dinner.
Ki Ku Ya
Pamplemousse Grille
514 Via de la Valle, San Diego, CA 92075 Tel: 858.792.9090The Pamplemousse Grille offers the delectable creations of Chef Jeffrey Strauss in a casually elegant setting. Aiming to offer a thoroughly sensual dining experience, Strauss melds continental and Asian influences with fresh ingredients, resulting in diverse dishes such as Stilton-crusted Rack of Lamb with Truffled Mashed Potatoes and Nori-crusted Ahi with Green Tea Noodles in Coconut Red Curry Sauce. Diners will be delighted with the extensive menu as well as the equally stunning wine list that together offer a truly worldly dining experience.
Pamplemousse Grille
Tio Leo's
5302 Napa Street, San Diego, CA 92110 Tel: 619.542.1462Tio Leo’s has provided San Diego with quality Mexican food since 1979. The family owned and run restaurant started with one location and expanded to four, by consistently sticking with their motto of “Great Food, Great Service, and Generous Portions.” Tio Leo’s menu offers a wide range of traditional Mexican dishes, as well as some unique specialties. The health-conscious will love Tio Leo’s “Healthy Choice” selections, such as Grilled Eggplant Tacos and Pollo Asado Rice Bowl; the ravenous will appreciate Tio Leo’s Ole’, a platter with a taco, chile relleno, tostada, enchilada, carne asada, beans, rice, sour cream and guacamole. Live Zydeco, Tango, and Jazz music provide entertainment on select evenings, while a weekday happy hour offers food and drink specials.
Tio Leo's
Sky Room - La Valencia
1132 Prospect Street, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: 858.454.0771The Sky Room offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience, bringing back an era of formal service and distinctive French cuisine. With only 12 booths and tables, guests are able to see the striking 180° view of the Pacific Ocean from any vantage point in the restaurant. An excellent wine list of California and French wines is available.
Sky Room - La Valencia
BJ's
5500 Grossmont Center Drive, San Diego, CA 91941 Tel: 619.589.7222BJ's Restaurant & Brew House serves a menu of American Classics alongside fresh, handcrafted beers in a casual, lively atmosphere. One of many BJ's locations nation-wide, the restaurant follows in the traditions of the first BJ's, which opened in 1978 as a Chicago Pizzaria in Santa Ana California. Reliable food, craft beers, and warm, family-friendly service makes BJ's a great casual dining experience.
BJ's
Tomiko
87 Encinitas Blvd., San Diego, CA 92024 Tel: 760.633.3587With some of the best views in San Diego, Tomiko offers Asian-infused contemporary cuisine and a traditional Japanese menu with a Sushi bar in a casually-elegant setting. Live music is provided every Wednesday evening in the dinner area.
Tomiko
Isabel's Cantina
966 Felspar Street, San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: (858) 272-8400At Isabel's Cantina, Chef Isabel Cruz fuses Latin and Asian cuisine into sensual and creative concoctions that are both remarkably addictive and surprisingly healthy. By incorporating ingredients from spicy pork carnitas to tofu, Chef Cruz creates a vegetarian’s haven as well as a meat-lover’s paradise. The exotic dining space is at once dramatic and hip, with accents such as an enormous 15-foot Buddha statue staring down at the dining room. Casual booths, stark lines, and warm colors create an atmosphere not found elsewhere in Pacific Beach, attracting crowds for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Isabel's Cantina
Kaiserhof
2253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110 Tel: 619.224.0606If you are looking for a taste of Germany in San Diego, Kaiserhof Restaurant should be your destination. At this Ocean Beach restaurant, everything from the atmosphere to the beers on tap boasts German authenticity. The cuisine is hearty and comforting, from homemade Bratwurst to Beef Stroganoff, complete with side orders of sauerkraut and spatzle. The rotating selection of 14 beers on tap offer a range of weiss beers and pilsners, and may be one of the best selections of German beers in the city. And of course, as you are savoring your meal, don’t forget to leave room for the Apple Strudel!
Kaiserhof
McP's Pub and Grill
1107 Orange Avenue, San Diego, CA 92118 Tel: 619.435.5280San Diego's most Authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant. As soon as you walk through the door you will be enveloped by the warm relaxing atmosphere of an old Irish country pub. Open seven days a week from 11:00 am Lunch or Dinner is served all day until the kitchen closes. Live music nightly.
McP's Pub and Grill
Brigantine - Coronado
1333 Orange Avenue, San Diego, CA 92118 Tel: 619.435.4166Serving fresh seafood since 1973, the Brigantine Coronado is nestled in the heart of Coronado, across from the Hotel Del. While it is one of six Brigantine Seafood restaurants in the San Diego, it offers a unique ambiance, with historical photographs of Coronado adorning the walls of the three dining rooms. In addition to the signature Grilled Marinated Swordfish, which made the Brigantine famous, the restaurant serves inspired seafood creations such as Pepita-Crusted Mahi Mahi, and treats from the land, such as Blue Cheese-stuffed Top Sirloin with toasted hazelnuts. Also of note are the oyster bar and custom-made house wine.
Brigantine - Coronado
Miguel's Cocina
1351 Orange Avenue, San Diego, CA 92118 Tel: 619.437.4237This is the original Miguel's, opened in Coronado in June 1982. Located in the courtyard of the historic El Cordova Hotel, directly across the street from the world-famous Hotel Del Coronado, this restaurant features authentic Mexican cuisine in a lovely heated patio setting and is one of our most popular restaurants.
Miguel's Cocina
Dave and Buster's
2931 Camino Del Rio N., San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: 619.280.7115Wide variety of menu choices from seafood, steaks, pastas to traditional favorites like ribs, and burgers. Separate from gaming area, this casual, yet elegant, setting is a great place to meet for a date or get together with friends. Place where adults can enjoy great food, terrific drinks and the latest interactive games - all in one place.
Dave and Buster's
Seau's
1640 Camino del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: 619.291.SEAUSeau's The Restaurant has quickly become San Diego's premier sports-themed restaurant since opening in July, 1996. Seau's offers pizza, pasta, sandwiches and sushi at moderate prices in an event-like atmosphere. Watch your game on many large TVs and if you lucky, you can meet some great athletes from San Diego.
Seau's
O-Nami
1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: 619.295.9774You will fall in love with the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet stocked with fresh salad, 40 kinds of sushi, gourmet hot food, fresh baked goods and more. Eat whatever you like as many times as you like. Unusual for sushi restaurants is the sensible price. It is O-Nami's mission to offer high quality upscale Japanese cuisine at an affordable price.
O-Nami
On the Border
1770 Camino De La Reina, San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: 619.209.3700A border is a special place where the best of two worlds blend together to create something even better. Visit On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina and step into a world where colors are brighter and flavors are more intense, yet the atmosphere is casual and upbeat. Flavors depart from the familiar and arrive at the extraordinary.
On the Border
P.F.Chang's - San Diego
7077 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: 619.260.8484P. F. Chang's China Bistro offers a unique combination of traditional Chinese cuisine and American hospitality in a contemporary bistro setting. Intensely flavored, highly memorable culinary creations, prepared from the freshest ingredients, including premium herbs and spices imported directly from China.
P.F.Chang's - San Diego
King's Fish House
825 Camino De La Reina, San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: 619.574.1230Think harbor fish market meets fifties diner: this lively restaurant offers excellent quality seafood in a casual and energetic atmosphere. The menu offers a variety of seafood sensations, including soups, salads, sushi, and pastas. In addition, there is steak, chicken, and burgers for the non-seafood eaters. The "Regional Specials" change daily, while fresh oysters, crab, and lobster add to the extensive choice of specialties. The wine list includes a generous selection of wines by the glass. The adjoining King Crab Lounge is a vibrant bar where one could start with a King’s Martini or micro-brewed beer.
King's Fish House
Joe's Crab Shack
7210 Hazard Cntr. Dr., #703, San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: 619.574.8617Joe's specialty is crab variety, including Alaskan King Crab, Dungeness Crab, Alaskan Snow Crab, and Blue Crab. Even if you're not a big crab fan, Joe's can fix you up with some fresh shrimp, hearty gumbo or clam chowder, sizzling steak, grilled chicken or a tantalizing salad. On the patio you can chill out sipping some cool refreshments.
Joe's Crab Shack
Hooters
410 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 235-4668A casual, beach-theme restaurant known for the Hooters Girls - the surfer girl next door. Hooters serves seafood, burgers, sandwiches and 'nearly world famous' chicken wings. Atmosphere: Hooters Girls; open kitchen with boisterous cooks; '50s and '60s rock and roll playing from the jukebox; and sports on television.
Hooters
Roy's
8670 Genesee Avenue, San Diego, CA 92122 Tel: 858.455.1616First Roy's Restaurant was open in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1988, using the 'new directions' - blending freely the European techniques with ingredients of Asia and the Pacific. Using the freshest ingredients of any locale, wrought with the same sense of fun and freedom found in our original restaurants in Hawaii.
Roy's
Veg N Out
3442 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104 Tel: 858-571-7096Veg N Out offers juicy burgers, loaded hot dogs, and gourmet sandwiches, all created vegetarian. This unique North Park establishment was opened by Rachael Fogg, who yearned to show meat-eaters that vegetarian doesn’t have to mean salads and tasteless garden burgers. Among menu choices are the popular Western Burger, Island Girl pineapple and teriyaki burger, and the I Love Rach’y cucumber, cream cheese, and "bologna" sandwich, which was created by Rachael at age eleven. So if you want to go out for something fresh, give Veg-N-Out a try and experience a truly satisfying vegetarian meal.
Veg N Out
Trattoria Acqua
1298 Prospect Street, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: 858.454.0709Trattoria Acqua promises to whisk diners off to the Mediterranean, mirroring Italian seaside restaurants in cuisine, ambiance, and proximity to the water. The restaurant’s practically unrivalled location overlooks the crashing waves of the Pacific at La Jolla Cove; the dining room’s rustic charm and the courtyard’s lush greenery both offer a tranquil atmosphere with a hint of old world charm. Chef Damaso Lee’s menu of Italian coastal cuisine emphasizes fresh seafood, although also offers decadent pastas, meats, and game dishes. The award-winning cuisine is inventive, the ingredients fresh, and the selections decadent. An outstanding wine list adds perfection just when it seems there could be nothing more to add.
Trattoria Acqua
Cafe Chloe
721 Ninth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 232-3242Café Chloe, located in the East Village of Downtown San Diego, offers a chic-elegant yet informal atmosphere. The menu is inspired by classic French cuisine with a modern touch, with dishes made of the finest local farm ingredients and fine meats. The restaurant offers a delicious brunch of French cuisine and original mimosas, happy hour half-priced drinks, and urban tea service featuring home-made champagne gravlax. The dinner menu includes a continental assortment of dinner plates like the signature Steak & Frites. Inspiration doesn’t stop at the menu but spills into the carefully selected domestic and international wines and imported champagnes and beers. Prepare to be charmed.
Cafe Chloe
Azul La Jolla
1250 Prospect Street, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: 858.454.9616With its prime location, Azul La Jolla offers innovative California coastal cuisine with a magnificent view of the Pacific. Chef Orion Balliet offers fittingly elegant dishes, with a menu that changes daily, emphasizes fresh seafood and local ingredients, and incorporates culinary styles from Cajun to Japanese. Enchanting creations such as Lavender Mustard-Crusted Lamb Loin Medallions with cinnamon-honey carrot mash and hazelnut foam; and Oak-Roasted White Sea Bass with sambal polenta skillet cake, lime-cilantro jicama salad and roasted pepper marmalade demonstrate the range of culinary styles, traditions, and ingredients that Balliet employs. Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, Azul also offers a unique California tapas menu in a casual courtyard setting.
Azul La Jolla
Royal Thai Cuisine
737 Pearl Street, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: 858.551.8424A dining experience at Royal Thai Cuisine is casual yet refined, in the Thai tradition of gracious hospitality. Popular favorites like Pad Thai noodles and Kang Ped (red curry) are expertly prepared and artfully presented in generous portions. Accompaning the menu are a wine list well-suited to Asian cuisine and a large specialty drink menu including alcohol-free fruit smoothies! Décor is tasteful and tranquil, with fresh sprays of orchid blossoms adorning each table, a monumental water sculpture in the center of the dining room, and a wall of tropical fish. A treat for the senses at a reasonable price!
Royal Thai Cuisine
Il Fornaio - Del Mar
1555 Camino Del Mar #301, San Diego, CA 92014 Tel: 858.755.8876Step inside Il Fornaio and take a culinary journey through Italy. Early mornings bring rustic, crisp crusted bread hot from the oven accompanied by the scent of fresh brewed espresso. During lunch and dinner hours, pastas and flavorful sauces simmer while meats and vegetables roast over hot coals.
Il Fornaio - Del Mar
Vivace
7100 Four Seasons Point, San Diego, CA 92009 Tel: 760.603.3773The contemporary setting of this Four Season’s restaurant is both sophisticated and relaxing, a fitting environment for diners enjoying Chef Bruce Logue’s creative cuisine. While Logue’s dishes, including Smoked Tomato Soup, Hand Cut Pappardelle Bolognese, and California Sturgeon in Proscutto, pay homage to the classics, each is an inspired interpretation that departs from the traditional. As diners feast on Chef Logue’s dishes, their eyes will feast on stunning views of the nearby Pacific through the floor-to-ceiling windows of this Carlsbad resort.
Vivace
Cafe Athena
1846 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: 858.274.1140Cafe Athena specializes in Greek and vegetarian cuisine and has been serving exceptional food at reasonable prices for over 10 years. This family restaurant has three rooms each decorated tastefully and differently to create a wonderful Grecian islands motif. The atmosphere is casual and pleasant. Beer and wine are served. Banquets, outside catering and take-outs are available.
Cafe Athena
Vigilucci's - Encinitas
505 South Coast Highway 101, San Diego, CA 92024 Tel: 760.942.7332Owner Roberto Vigilucci grew up in Milan, Italy. So it should come as no surprise that dining in one of his three restaurants is like taking a mini vacation to Italy. The combination of authentic Italian cuisine, Italian wait staff, and award winning wine selections provide a truly unique and memorable experience.
Vigilucci's - Encinitas
Beach House
2530 S. Highway 101, San Diego, CA 92007 Tel: (760) 753-1321Is this a movie set or restaurant? While dining at The Beach House in Cardiff, the shore is just inches from you. Dine on abundant seafood, steak or chops. The wine list is extensive, cocktails priced reasonably, and happy hour is every day. Diners of all ages fill this restaurant because the menu offers new twists on classics, contemporary flavors and fresh ingredients. But don’t forget the view: bring your camera and prepare for memorable beach-side dining. The attentive staff ensures this.
Beach House
Kona Kai Dining Room
1551 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, CA 92106 Tel: 619.819.8154Set on San Diego's beautiful Shelter Island, Kona Kai features a robust American menu served in a unique contemporay setting. Diners flock for the spectacular marina view, although the casual, informal atmosphere, great food and great prices are equally attractive. The Menu offers a wide range of entreés and the atmosphere is comfortable, inviting and fun.
Kona Kai Dining Room
Greek Island Cafe
879 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.239.5216Greek Islands Cafe - Jerry G. and Liz Bishop Invite you to experience the waters-edge wonders of Americas most charming, authentic Greek Cafe, just steps from San Diego's landmark Convention Center. Serving traditional Greek specialties made from scratch, own Spinach Pie,
Grape Leaves, Greek Lasagna, Baklava and all pastries.
Greek Island Cafe
JP's Pub
10436 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92124 Tel: 858.576.2509JP's is a 'classic' American pub - think pool tables and a jukebox that plays your favorite songs all night. Offers a good selection of draft beers and cocktails, and weekday happy hours.
JP's Pub
Princess Pub
1665 India Street., San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: 619.702.3021A place to meet in an authentic British Pub atmosphere. Great pub fayre and San Diego's largest selection of fine European Beers. The Princess Pub is located in one of the fastest growing community - Little Italy of San Diego. Serving traditional Europeans meals. Right place to watch soccer games on many large TVs.
Princess Pub
Boat House
2040 Harbor Island Dr., San Diego, CA 92107 Tel: 619.291.8011The Boathouse offers a waterfront setting on Harbor Island, overlooking the San Diego bay and marina. The menu offers quality steaks, seafood, and pasta dishes, with entrees such as Stuffed Salmon, Filet Mignon and Lobster duo, and Southwestern Chicken Pasta. Specialty cocktails, a weekday happy hour, and weekly specials are all reasons to keep returning to the Boathouse, as is the friendly service, comfortable atmosphere, and magnificent view.
Boat House
Fiddler's Green
2760 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, CA 92106 Tel: 619.222.2216Fiddler's Green in Point Loma is a great place for steaks, fresh seafood, pasta and perhaps a touch of merriment, are offered nightly in one of the world's most renowned sailing ports. All Dinner specialties are served with fresh vegetables, choice of Baked Idaho or Garlic mashed potatoes, or Rice Pilaf, in addition to Soup or Salad.
Fiddler's Green
Claim Jumper
5500 Grossmont Cntr. Dr., San Diego, CA 91942 Tel: 619.469.3927Menu features over 150 items including Choice steaks, prime rib, fresh fish, appetizers, wood-fired pizzas, pasta, dinner-size sandwiches, rotisserie barbecue chicken, baby back pork ribs and a variety of baked goods and desserts. The saloon menu is equally impressive with over 400 selections including; Premium and ultra premium spirits.
Claim Jumper
Romano's
2718 B Street, San Diego, CA 92036 Tel: 760.765.1003All selections are made on the premises and feature traditional italian dishes as well as innovative specialties. Whether your mood is for spicy apple cider sausage pork loin in cinnamon, garlic and whiskey sauce halibut in florentine sauce or the more traditional Italian fare of pastas and pizza, For finale, share a tiramisu or cappuccino.
Romano's
Benihana
477 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108 Tel: 619.298.4666The first Benihana opened in 1964, introducing traditional Japanese cuisine to the United States. Now with locations world wide, the hibachi steakhouse serves 'teppanyaki' cooking, with performing chefs preparing and serving chicken, steak, and seafood dishes right in front of guests. In addition, Benihana offers a variety of fresh sushi and other Japanese favorites.
Benihana
Outback Steakhouse - El Cajon
722 Jamacha Road, San Diego, CA 92019 Tel: 619.588.4332'Outback Steakhouse' is an Australian steakhouse concept open for dinner only and although beef and steak items make up a good portion of the menu, the concept offers a variety of chicken, ribs, seafood, and pasta dishes at moderate prices and a casual atmosphere suggestive of the Australian Outback.
Outback Steakhouse - El Cajon
Stuart Anderson's - El Cajon
1000 Graves Avenue, San Diego, CA 92021 Tel: 619.440.5055Stuart Anderson's Restaurants specializes in fresh-cut steak,seasoned, and slow-roasted prime rib, and a variety of seafood entrees. Great desserts such as the Wild Wild West Onion, the Wagon Wheel Sampler Platter, the Big Mountain Chocolate Fudge Cake and the Sky High Mud Pie. casual and comfortable atmosphere at an affordable price.
Stuart Anderson's - El Cajon
Callahan's
8280 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92126 Tel: 858.578.7892Taste from 25+ beers and ciders on tap, including own hand-crafted microbrews; or even order your favorite drink - full bar. And to satisfy your mood, Callahan's offer three areas for dining, including bar area, dining room, and patio. In addition to the great dining and drinking, you can find plenty of fun at Callahan's.
Callahan's
Las Olas
2655 Highway 101, San Diego, CA 92007 Tel: 760.942.1860Las Olas, located beach side in the heart of Cardiff, has been serving up fresh, traditional Baja style Mexican food since 1981. While famous for creating “the original” fish taco, Las Olas has much more to offer, including healthy selections of seafood, traditional Mexican favorites, and new tantalizing dishes created by Executive Chef Ricardo Enriquez. With walls adorned with tropical plants and a dining room filled with vivid colors, your experience will mentally transport you to exciting Baja, Mexico. Whether it’s for a casual family gathering or a seaside dinner by sunset on the beachfront patio, Las Olas has something to offer everyone.
Las Olas
PB Bar and Grill
860 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: 858.272.4745This place is well know for great food, beer selection and specially for great fun. PB Bar and Grill was also voted as the number one Singles Bar, so if you looking for a new girlfriend or boyfriend, this is the right place to start. Daily Happy Hours
PB Bar and Grill
Marine Room
2000 Spindrift Dr., San Diego, CA 92037 Tel: 858.459.7222This restaurant offers a selection of seafood, meat, and game dishes, often at premium prices. The atmosphere is formal and the wine list varied. Located in La Jolla, the restaurant is housed in the former Spindrift Inn, and is now owned by the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
Marine Room
El Bizcocho
17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr., San Diego, CA 92128 Tel: 858.675.8550Tucked inside the historic Rancho Bernardo Inn, El Bizcocho offers a dining experience that is exquisite, luxurious and refined. The décor is warm and inviting, while remaining stunningly elegant. The wine list is exceptional, with over 1,600 selections to choose from. And the cuisine is classically French, with a seasonal and artful menu put together by talented and ambitious Chef de Cuisine Gavin Kaysen. Dishes such as sous-vide Lamb Loin and Braised Kobe Short Ribs burst with succulence; for the adventurous, a daily, five-course Menu Degustation offers a true explosion of flavors.
El Bizcocho
Devine Pastabilities
3545 Midway Drive Suite E, San Diego, CA 92110 Tel: 619-523-5441If you love Italian food but feel trapped in a pasta and pizza rut, Devine Pastabilities will serve up your old Italian favorites with a twist. The Point Loma eatery’s unique specialty, dubbed the “Torpasta,” consists of a hollowed-out Italian bread roll stuffed with a pasta dish such as Spaghetti Marinara or Fettuccine Alfredo. Pizza, salads, and classic Torpedo sandwiches are also on the menu. Devine Pastabilities features locally brewed beers on tap and offers happy hour specials from 5pm to 7pm, Monday thru Saturday.
Devine Pastabilities
Crown Bistro
520 Orange Avenue, San Diego, CA 92118 Tel: 619.435.3678The Crown Bistro is an intimate local restaurant known for excellent cuisine featuring Gourmet French/American Entrees . The Bistro is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. A fine selection of California and imported wines are served. The Crown Bistro is centrally located with in the beach resort community of Coronado Island.
Crown Bistro
Fleming's - La Jolla
8970 University Cntr. Ln., San Diego, CA 92122 Tel: 858.535.0078Flemings, a contemporary steak house and wine bar in La Jolla, is dedicated to the art of eating well. One of many locations across the country, Fleming’s has perfected the steak house menu, offering a wide selection of corn-fed USDA Prime beef, market-fresh seafood, and select lamb, pork, and poultry dishes. The restaurant’s regular wine list includes an extensive selection of wine flights, which, served alongside tasting notes, offer excellent opportunities to explore and compare both well-known and unique wines. For diners wishing to go a step further, Fleming’s offers multi-course “Discovery Dinners” for parties of six or more, which expertly pair wines with each course.
Fleming's - La Jolla
Taste of Thai
527 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 Tel: 619.291.7525Taste of Thai in Hillcrest offers an extensive selection of authentic Thai cuisine that is light, fresh, and traditional. The menu includes Thai curries, noodle and rice dishes, and house specialties, often offered with a choice of chicken, pork, seafood, tofu, or vegetables. The seafood section of the menu is especially tempting, with dishes like Whole Fish in Curry sauce and Grilled Thai Prawns. While the menu is extensive, every dish is prepared well, proving that the kitchen is skilled in crafting intricate and harmonious presentations of taste and flavor. The simple décor imparts a subtle elegance, which serves as an ideal backdrop for enjoying Taste of Thai’s sophisticated and authentic cuisine.
Taste of Thai
Gringos Cantina
4474 Mission Blvd., San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: 858.490.2877At Gringo’s, diners will find enticing traditional Mexican dishes with a modern flair. The unique setting is one of the most dramatic in Pacific Beach, a blend of modern architecture and artisan décor. Chef Victor Jimenez’s menu blends the cuisines of Mexico, Spain, and the United States, with highlights such as Oaxcan Mole Sampler, Yucatan Salmon, and Carnitas. The drink menu offers an enticing array of creative concoctions, such as pomegranate margaritas or premium tequila flights, allowing diners to sample from the list of premium tequilas. The upscale setting, elegant dishes, and fun libations combine to make Gringo’s a truly unique dining experience in the heart of Pacific Beach.
Gringos Cantina
Sushi Itto - Hillcrest
441 Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103 Tel: 619.291.6060While Sushi Itto of Hillcrest offers an extensive selection of traditional Japanese fare, it is not your typical Japanese restaurant. The menu is filled with inventive twists on the traditional, often incorporating ingredients from Western cuisines. The highlight of the extensive sushi and sashimi menu is the Specialties section, which includes exceptionally unique sushi rolls such as the Mexican-inspired “CuauhtemItto,” with breaded crab surimi, chives and avocado with manchego cheese, sautéed chili and chipotle sauce. In addition to sushi, the restaurant offers a modest selection of appetizers, as well as noodle, rice, and curry dishes. Elaborate presentation and innovative parings predominate, making Sushi Itto a worthwhile destination for any sushi-lover.
Sushi Itto - Hillcrest
Via Lago Trattoria
866 Eastlake Parkway, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 91914 Tel: (619) 216-8660While far from the urban bustle of downtown San Diego, Via Lago exudes cosmopolitan charm. Located at the Village Walk at Eastlake, the restaurant is well worth the short drive from central San Diego, thanks to a modern, elegant atmosphere, spot-on professional service, and a menu of Sicilian favorites that will redefine your notion of Italian cuisine. Overseen by Joe Busalacchi, the kitchen turns out dish after mouthwatering dish using fresh ingredients and inventive combinations, such as Ramigna Alla Contadina, pasta with artichokes, chicken, zucchini, eggplant, tomato, garlic, basil, and ricotta salata, or Pasta Palermitana, rigatoni with spicy Italian sausage, capers, garlic, olives, and hot red peppers in a tangy marinara sauce.
Via Lago Trattoria
Haru
9340-B Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123 Tel: 858-569-9595True to its name, Haru, meaning “spring” in Japanese, is a refreshing and invigorating dining experience. Its verdant walls and floral-theme décor evoke the spirit of new growth, while the elegant artistry of its Japanese culinary presentations and fresh ingredients translate the feeling of spring to the taste buds. The menu is blend of the familiar and the unexpected, with staples like Chicken Teriyaki and Veggie Tempura sharing space with Jalapeno rolls and Chilean Seabass. An exceptional collection of sakes complete the crisp, clean flavor experience. Tucked inside a quaint and quiet shopping center in Kearny Mesa, the new Haru Japanese Restaurant is a hidden gem worth investigating.
Haru
Nick's
809 Thomas Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: 858.270.1730This two-story restaurant offers the best of both worlds. Downstairs you'll find a light and airy, casual, California-style restaurant. Upstairs at Nick's is where the party begins. Great tasting steaks, chicken dishes, savory apple brandy pork chops, pasta dishes, crowd-pleasing sandwiches and salads. You'll enjoy the great ocean view from outdoor deck where smoking is allowed.
Nick's
George's at the Cove
1250 Prospect Street, San Diego, CA 92037 Tel:George’s at the Cove, one of San Diego’s most beloved restaurants, offers three levels of ocean view dining in the village of La Jolla. George's California Modern, on the lower level, features innovative, contemporary food at its peak of freshness from one of San Diego's most admired chefs, Trey Foshee. The Ocean Terrace & Bar and George's Bar offer more casual bistro fare, with open air seating.
George's at the Cove
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Corvette Diner
2965 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106Corvette Diner celebrates the joyous 1950’s, with a menu of hearty comfort food that satisfies the soul as well as the stomach. The burgers, sandwiches, entrees, and daily specials range from time-honored to wildly inventive, like the unusually delicious “Rory” Burger, a hamburger topped with peanut butter and bacon that actually boasts a money-back guarantee. Its new Liberty Station location enhances the fun-loving atmosphere with a full bar, three distinctive dining rooms, and the massive Gamer's Garage arcade, making it easy for diners young and old to embrace their inner-child.
Corvette Diner
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