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$$$ | |
La Jolla's ocean-view destination restaurant is like two dining experiences in one with Level2 bar and the rooftop Ocean Terrace. Prepare for spectacular views and an innovative menu featuring maple leaf duck with tangerine marmalade and salmon with braised lentils at the outdoor-only Ocean Terrace, while the Level2 lounge has unique craft cocktails like "Spa Day" with cucumber-mint infused vodka and elderflower. Regulars often come just for the sunset starters like salmon tartare, mussels, or jerk octopus.
1250 Prospect St., La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Outstanding California coastal cuisine
- Excellent ocean views
- Attention to detail for special-occasion dinners
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Hillcrest |
Big caloric portions and long lines are hallmarks of this Southern-accented comfort food destination where hungry regulars from near and far line up for an indulgent meal in the crowded (and sometimes noisy) dining room. Bring an appetite and a friend; sharing plates is a necessity here.
3628 5th Ave., San Diego, California, 92103, USA
Known For
- Decadent sage-fried-chicken eggs Benedict
- Huge portions perfect for sharing
- Inventive and generously garnished cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$ | Point Loma |
Tucked bay-side between Harbor and Shelter islands, Jimmy's (JFAT for short) draws hungry boaters and sea lovers with its marina views and elevated backyard-barbecue faves like the Cowboy burger with crispy onion rings and pecanwood bacon. The interior blends varnished wood with industrial-chic I beams and garage-style doors, plus there's a patio facing the water. Happy Hour 3–6 draws a crowd for $9 cocktails and $12 burgers. Bottles of the company’s zesty chipotle ketchup now can be purchased to take home.
4990 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- Bloody Marys during weekend brunch
- Seven types of burgers
- Happy hour specials ($9 cocktails and $12 burgers)
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$$$ | Gaslamp Quarter | American
Distressed brick walls, rustic wood tables, and vintage waterfront photos suits the restaurant’s commitment to modern all-natural coastal cuisine with a Filipino twist. Locals, as well as guests at the adjacent boutique Hotel Solamar, savor menu items like shareable starters (lemon-tinged hummus or warm beet salad) and entrées that include Filpino standards like pancit noodles with vegetables; there are options like seared sea scallops or the J6 burger made with a top-secret grind as well.
616 J St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Modern spin on Filipino food
- Open-air rooftop with skyline views
- Refreshing cocktails featuring ingredients like chamomile-infused gin and apricot liqueur
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$ | |
San Diego's first microbrewery now has multiple locations, but the original one remains a staple. This locale draws an after-work crowd for German-inspired pub food and pints of Red Trolley Ale and later fills with beer connoisseurs from all walks of life to try Karl's latest concoctions.
1157 Columbia St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Beer pretzels with ale cheese dip
- Beeramisu dessert, made with Imperial Stout
- More than a dozen rotating and seasonal beers on tap
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Shelter Island |
This outcrop of the Brigantine chain brings a modern vibe to Shelter Island with a beer-friendly menu as impressive as the harbor view. For a true San Diego dining experience, try the California tuna bowls, surf n’ turf fondue, or chili-glazed salmon with kale hash. There are plenty of gluten-free and vegan dishes to boot, including seafood salad, steamed clams, and crispy buffalo cauliflower. Weekend brunch (10–3) and daily Happy Hour (3–6), pack the house. For grab n’ go, swing by the walk-up window offering the same menu.
2614 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- Outdoor patio overlooking the harbor
- Fried calamari
- Heaping surf n' turf
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$ | Pacific Beach | American
Take in the boardwalk vibe as you wait in line for your breakfast burrito at this legendary spot at the base of Crystal Pier.
704 Garnet Ave., San Diego, California, 92109, USA
Known For
- Big breakfasts
- Cash only
- Surfer vibe
- People-watching along the boardwalk
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
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$ | Pacific Beach |
Surfers, bicyclists, and sun worshippers visiting or living in Pacific Beach line up at the counter of this casual seaside café for hearty breakfasts and lunches. Some chow down inside surrounded by surfing decor, while others watch waves crash from the outdoor patio. Walk off your meal along the bustling boardwalk, which also offers prime people-watching.
704 Garnet Ave., San Diego, California, 92109, USA
Known For
- Huge breakfast portions
- Local favorite for breakfast burritos
- Great people-watching along the boardwalk
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Normal Heights |
A bright and bustling A.M.-hours counterpart to its sibling restaurant Madison, Madi is a haven for the Sunday brunch crowd. With colorful decor and no fewer than six different variations of mimosa on the menu, it's youthful and indulgent, but not exclusive to weekends—Madi serves its gooey morning treats like peanut butter and banana pancakes and chilaquiles every day starting at 8.
3737 Adams Ave., San Diego, California, 92116, USA
Known For
- Waffle churro sticks with jalapeno-blackberry sauce and maple cream cheese
- Six varieites of mimosa
- Cool Cat Cakes (peanut butter, banana and bacon)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$$ | La Jolla |
Accolades continue to roll in for executive chef Jason Knibb—winner of an award of excellence by Wine Spectator every year since 2002—whose seasonal menus are magnets for travelers and San Diegans seeking a memorable meal like pan-roasted Colorado lamb loin or duck breast with white asparagus and mustard greens. Located at La Jolla’s Grande Colonial Hotel, the space encompasses a cozy ground-floor dining room, bar, and ocean-glimpse covered patio. At night deftly executed appetizers may include Jamaican jerk pork belly with plantains and black-eyed peas or porcini mushroom spaghettini with cured egg yolk. A prix-fixe six-course “Mercy of the Chef” menu is available for the whole table.
910 Prospect St., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Juicy Jamaican jerk pork belly
- Half-off wine on Wednesday
- Half-baked chocolate cake with ice cream of the season
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Bar service only Mon. and Tues.
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$ | Balboa Park |
Adding a dose of hip to Balboa Park, this gastropub, located adjacent to the San Diego Museum of Art's sculpture garden, offers a stylish pit stop pretheater or between museum-hopping. The menu features grab-and-go options as well as dine-in upscale pub fare with several vegan options and a weekend brunch. Panama 66 does not take reservations.
1450 El Prado, San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Varied menu including selection of shareable boards and plates
- Live music most nights
- Local San Diego brews
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon. and Tues. Labor Day–Memorial Day
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$$$ | Gaslamp Quarter | American
Comfort food gets a modern twist at this two-story restaurant, which serves a meat- and seafood-centric lineup downstairs and a slightly different menu on the rooftop that includes ahi poke tacos and fried chicken sliders. The rooftop is the real draw, thanks to whimsical details like rose gold mid-century chairs and animal topiaries. Libations focus on classics like the 1888, a twist on a Ramos gin fizz, as well as craft cocktail shots for pint-size enjoyment. Expect a vibrant crowd during their weekend brunch, which includes live music in the downstairs space.
535 5th Ave., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Popular weekend brunch with am cocktails
- Bustling happy hour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No weekday lunch
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$$$ | Gaslamp Quarter | American
Since opened by celebrity chef Brian Malarkey a few years ago, this high-energy flagship restaurant has become the Gaslamp’s best for food and energetic atmosphere. Foodies from near and far savor the upscale down-home fare like small plates of biscuits with spicy honey, duck fat fries, and shrimp and grits. The open kitchen serves a full range of poultry and meat dishes, while specialty cocktails from the bar keep things lively in the sofa-furnished lounge. If you prefer a quiet place to chat and dine, this isn’t for you.
611 5th Ave., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Detailed, home-inspired decor
- Crispy duck fat fries
- Late-night menu on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 pm–1 am
- Late-night menu on Friday and Saturday 11 pm–1 am
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$ | La Jolla |
This casual indoor-outdoor eatery in La Jolla Shores has a sprawling outdoor patio perfect for leisurely lunches with friends and family. Surfers and well-heeled locals populate the 50-seat patio while enjoying made-to-order organic smoothies and fresh salads, as well as scrumptious breakfast and creative lunch entrées that include flatbreads, soups, sandwiches, and the popular cheeseburger and prime steak frites. The black-cherry almond smoothie is addictive, while the tarragon chicken salad with lemon aioli, green apple, avocado, pistachios, and dried cranberries over mixed greens with a citrus vinaigrette is a tantalizing mix of flavors.
2236 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Mango pancakes
- Vanilla bean French toast
- California K-9 breakfast off the doggie menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Hillcrest |
Bright “Brady Bunch” decor, plus plenty of sunshine and fresh air pouring through windows and skylights, are cheery wake-ups for diners at this hip neighborhood haunt for pancakes and lattes. Expect long waits for a table, especially on weekends; free coffee helps the time pass while you wait to indulge in made-from-scratch breakfast bliss.
3940 5th Ave., San Diego, California, 92103, USA
Known For
- Pineapple upside-down pancakes
- Half-order Benedicts
- Boozy brunch drinks
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted, No dinner
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$ | Mission Hills |
This trendy 21-and-over establishment attracts a diverse and discerning crowd to a somewhat quiet stretch of India Street with its solid seasonal fare and understated mid-century vibe. The menu covers the gamut of comfort food from mozzarella and squash fritters to macaroni and cheese, juicy roasted chicken, and a fish of the day paired with a Thai noodle salad. Night owls will relish the abbreviated late-night menu served from 10 pm to midnight. Cocktails are equally seasonal, and in hot weather the Starlite Mule is the perfect way to cool off.
3175 India St., San Diego, California, 92103, USA
Known For
- Creamy and carb-filled mac and cheese
- Signature Moscow Mules in copper mugs
- Late-night dining
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$ | La Jolla |
A cozy beach cottage sets the stage for American comfort food with a California twist at this La Jolla staple. The restaurant serves lunch, but it’s the well-loved daily breakfast that has locals and visitors happily queuing—sometimes up to two hours on weekends. Egg dishes have unique fillings like soy chorizo and pork belly braised beef, and the sizable, shareable stuffed French toast is a can’t-miss. Postsurf or hike, keep it healthy with the avocado smash and smoked salmon on rosemary bread. Lunch spans tuna melts and fish tacos, while the drink menu, with Bloody Marys and hard kombucha, will have you justifying, "it's five o'clock somewhere." It’s worth waiting for a patio seat that overlooks a charming stretch of downtown La Jolla.
7702 Fay Ave., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Daily breakfast that people line up for
- Substantial portions to keep you satisfied
- Great patio seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | |
Healthy, creative dishes and a friendly staff make this art-filled East Village café a local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Hungry San Diegans wait 30 minutes or more to enjoy fluffy scrambled eggs with chicken apple sausage or strawberry banana pancakes with a side of eggs and bacon. Also popular are Mexican-inspired dishes like chilaquiles, breakfast burritos, and quesadillas. Outstanding rosemary, cinnamon, brown, and gluten-free breads are handmade and the Mission Mocha coffee and Mexican hot chocolate are like liquid desserts. Lunch favorites include border-inspired chicken pesto quesadillas, tamales verdes, and grilled chicken tacos. Locations are also found in Mission Beach and North Park.
1250 J St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Mexican-influenced breakfast dishes like chilaquiles
- French toast made with house-baked cinnamon bread
- Busy breakfast scene especially on weekends
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | La Jolla |
This 500-square-foot restaurant serves up heaping portions of tacos, burgers, bowls, and “sammiches” inspired by the owner’s international travels. American classics have an Asian twist, like the smoked pork belly street tacos with kimchi aioli and ginger slaw or the Cajun spice-dusted lamb lollipops with coconut-jalapeño rice. Don’t be surprised if the chef steps out of the glass-walled kitchen to ask how you liked the “Fork'n Burger” or the “Notorious P.I.G.” with a mountain of pork and smoked gouda. Between the postcard murals and Southeast Asia-meets-Hawaiian vibe, you might forget you’re in La Jolla.
6984 La Jolla Blvd., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Unpretentious local hangout
- Weekdays 3–6 pm $2 off beer and wine
- Lamb lollipops and Kailua pork quesadillas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$$ | | Modern American
This hip eatery has won national acclaim for its combination of casual comfort and a menu of ever-changing local fare. In nice weather, request a patio table to enjoy the people-watching along with cocktails like the London's Burning with gin, jalapeño, avocado, and lemon or house sangria. The menu shines with dishes like the Spanish octopus, pork Bolognese, seared scallops, and roasted chicken. Desserts include mud pie, but the butterscotch budino with brown butter blondies is a solid staple.
1044 Wall St., La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Brunch served Friday through Sunday
- Craft cocktails including their seasonal mimosas
- Brunch served daily
- Craft cocktails including seasonal mimosas
- Farm-fresh, from-scratch menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
