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The large, plush booths and elegant decor at Animae suggest an air of sophistication, while the soundtrack of '90s-era hip-hop adds a flash of casual cool to keep it from ever being too stuffy. Not that such a thing is at risk at this dazzling Embarcadero bistro, which pairs indulgent, tender Wagyu beef steak cuts with a variety of dishes inspired by Japan and Southeast Asia. In fact, with dishes like the Hunan lamb chops, hamachi, and duck kimchi fried rice, it's just as tempting to forgo a single cut of meat in favor of sampling so many of their other culinary creations.
969 Pacific Hwy., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Aged Wagyu beef filet
- Whole branzino
- Wide variety of Japanese whiskeys
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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The name is cheeky if a little morbid; the title refers to the restaurant's speciality—steak. It's a twist on a classic steak house, with a menu full of aged, prime cuts of beef served with a number of sauces, or perhaps try the table-side-prepared steak Diane with flambéed jus. With its large gold doors, intimate booths, and stiff Manhattans, everything about the restaurant feels like old luxury, until you notice the portraits of famous rappers on the walls.
1909 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Table-side Caesar salad
- Aged New York steak
- Cheeky, glamorous decor
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Don't be put off by the name, or that it is part of a small chain. This fine-dining restaurant at the Headquarters at Seaport in Downtown has won a devoted following for classic seafood, casual but sophisticated settings, and nightly live jazz. Chilled oysters and other shellfish compete with Maine lobster tacos and kung pao–style calamari to start the meal. The polished staff helps with informed descriptions of almost two-dozen entrées starring fish flown in fresh daily and prime steaks. Sea bass in a savory soy broth and Parmesan-crusted sole are favorites, while the seafood chopped salad is light and sharable. Truffled mac and cheese and au gratin cheddar potatoes are not-to-be-missed sides. Nightly happy hours in the V Lounge offer $8 wines, cocktails, and appetizers. A second location in La Jolla has wonderful ocean views and the same dinner menu and happy hour specials. It also serves lunch on weekends.
789 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Wallet-friendly happy hour deals
- The shellfish tower, featuring oysters, crab, shrimp and Maine lobster
- Indulgent truffled mac and cheese
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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For Paris-perfect cakes and tarts embellished California-style with fresh flowers, head to this sleek, serene branch of Karen Krasne’s pastry shop and café. The space with soaring ceilings hosts breakfasts, lunches, and light dinners, accompanied by a wide selection of teas, coffee, organic wines, and craft beers. For those who don’t want to start with dessert, there are sandwiches, soups, salads, and artisanal cheeses, plus a kids' menu of grilled cheese or free-range turkey served on local bread. When it’s time to satisfy your sweet tooth, try a slice of passion fruit ricotta cake, a mini-banana cream pie, or helping of croissant bread pudding. The original shop near Balboa Park, at 2870 4th Avenue, serves only desserts, coffees, and teas.
1430 Union St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Blueberry coffee cake for breakfast
- Chocolate dulce de leche cake
- House-made dips including onion dip and Parmesan pesto
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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Design lovers will fall for celebrity chef Brian Malarkey's sprawling restaurant, a former art store that has been refashioned into four luxe spaces in one—an entryway lounge, outdoor lounge, fireplace-dotted patio, and the main dining room, which is flanked by beaded chandeliers, lush banquettes, and paintings in rich jewel tones. The menu is heavy on wood-roasted dishes, many of which are apt for sharing, like the roasted baby carrots or hiramasa with crispy quinoa. There are also larger options like an oxtail gnocchi and pizzas with toppings from mushrooms to bone marrow.
2210 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Roasted baby carrots with cashew sesame dukkah
- Pillow-soft oxtail gnocchi
- The secret menu Parker House rolls topped with Maldon sea salt
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.--Sat.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Among the plentiful and popular brunch options in Little Italy, Morning Glory stands out for not just elevating its breakfast options but making breakfast and brunch its only concern. The dazzling, pink-hue brunch palace is a luxurious sight to behold, with plush seating, a vending machine full of champagne, and a giant metal flower-shape lamp at the center of its outdoor dining area. Yet the menu is where visitors will find its most appealing delights, from its many variations on hot cocoa, to its internationally inspired egg dishes and extra indulgent flapjacks, French toast, and soufflé pancakes.
Make sure to show up early—the restaurant doesn't take reservations and the waitlist fills up fast.
550 W. Date St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Fluffy and light soufflé pancakes
- Fried chicken and waffle
- Hot chocolate flights
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch or dinner, Restaurant doesn\'t take reservations
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$$ | Little Italy | Modern American
Urbanites craving a hip casual setting and gourmet menu pack architectural salvage–styled Prep Kitchen Little Italy, tucked upstairs above a busy corner in this thriving neighborhood. With first-date cocktails, after-work brews, or birthday champagne, diners relish familiar choices like meatball sandwiches, chops, and pork belly with kimchi Brussels. Generously sized dishes like spicy Carlsbad mussels or fusilli Bolognese could serve as dinner for two. Farmers’ market flatbreads, changed daily, are made for sharing, too, while the hefty WNL Burger topped with bacon and egg is a staple lunch, brunch, and dinner. There are also locations in Del Mar and La Jolla.
1660 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Weekend brunch featuring popular chilaquiles dish
- Bacon-wrapped dates
- $6 tapas during the daily happy hour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
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Bold graffiti graphics, chandeliers with tangled telephone wires, and beat-heavy music energize this Downtown eatery that celebrates Mexican street food with a modern twist. Settle into one of the interior rooms or the sunny patio under orange umbrellas to sip margaritas and other specialty cocktails, Baja wines, or fruity aguas frescas made daily. Guacamole, ceviche, seafood tostadas, and a festive stack of chili-and-salt-spiced mango whet appetites for tasty street tacos—nine varieties including lobster, mushroom, and striped bass that can be mixed and matched for plates of three. Deep-fried carnitas with a cactus leaf salad, grilled filet mignon, and octopus tacos round out the menu. The original (and smaller) Puesto is in downtown La Jolla.
789 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Taco trio plates
- Unique Parmesan guacamole
- Fruit-infused margaritas made in-house
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Next to his successful fine-dining restaurant, Juniper and Ivy, celebrity chef Richard Blais has opened this more casual eatery complete with a walk-up counter, picnic-style tables, a bocce court, and a giant rooster—a nod to the egg- and chicken-theme menu. Ingredients are sourced from high-quality vendors and used for sandwiches, of which the fried chicken varieties shine, as well as salads and sides like fluffy minibiscuits with a miso-maple butter and a Mexican spin on poutine. The all-outdoor space feels like a cool playground for foodies, and there's even a slick bar that doles out craft cocktails.
2266 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Señor Croque fried chicken sandwich with smoked pork belly
- Biscuits with miso-maple butter
- All-outdoor seating with bocce court
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The line that inevitably wraps around the building is indicative of the quality of the tacos and the large selection of local craft beers on tap. Indeed, these are some of the best tacos in all of San Diego, ranging from the classic carne asada and Baja fish tacos to fried-shell beef tacos and Califas, which features French fries inside the tortilla.
2196 Logan Ave., San Diego, California, 92113, USA
Known For
- Baja-style street tacos
- Pruno de Piña (beer and fermented pineapple)
- Churros and ice cream
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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Until recently, you had to head to the Miramar/Scripps Ranch area for a tasting at Ballast Point, but now there's a spacious (and popular) local taproom in Little Italy. The Sculpin IPA is outstanding, as are the blue cheese duck nachos.
2215 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Duck nachos
- Truffalo wings
- More than three-dozen beers on tap
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The ultramodern Italian eatery with young Milanese owners gets cheers for its design and cuisine from hip Little Italy residents and visitors alike. Diners linger over drinks and house-made pasta at the friendly long bar and more intimate upstairs dining room. Small plates designed for sharing include fried saffron risotto balls and meatballs with a spicy tomato dipping sauce. Pasta Your Way offers full and half-portion pastas with one of 10 sauces, plus chicken, shrimp, or meatballs if desired. Traditional soups, salads, and meat and seafood dishes pair well with one of the many Italian wines available by glass or bottle. Parking can be challenging but the Little Italy valet service is available after 5 pm.
750 W. Fir St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Mix-and-match pasta entrées
- Gluten-free pasta options
- Traditional Italian tiramisu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.
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$$ | East Village | Italian
A restaurant and gourmet market converge at this boisterous warehouse-like space that's outfitted in copper light fixtures, intricate tilework, and marble-topped tables. Dining here is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the stomach, with house-made pastas, freshly shaken cocktails, and Italian meats that double as decor thanks to the open-kitchen culinary stations. The menu is broken up into appetizers like smashed avocado bruschetta and can't-miss meatballs before moving on to pizzas, pastas, and more hearty fare like lamb osso buco or sea bass with toasted farro and chive oil. Postdinner, stop by the market for olive oils, sauces, cookbooks, and other treats.
1195 Island Ave., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Shareable meatball trio
- Salami and cheese bar
- All-you-can drink mimosas during brunch
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Just because it's the most important meal of the day doesn't mean it can't also be flashy or innovative. Breakfast Republic adds some hipster flair to typical brunch fare with a menu that combines hearty Southern staples (grits, jambalaya), Mexican food (chilaquiles, breakfast burritos), and over-the-top treats such as Oreo pancakes and s'mores French toast. Come hungry, but come early; the restaurant doesn't accept reservations and the wait can be a bit long.
707 G St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Rich, gooey pancakes and French toast
- Kombucha flights
- Kitschy decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Carnitas Snack Shack got a start further inland in North Park, but eventually brought their signature pork tacos westward to provide a side of bay-front views with their modern Mexican cuisine. Indulge in some carnitas tacos, a BLT, or the "Triple Threat" pork sandwich at the Embarcadero outpost of this popular swine-heavy dining spot.
1004 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- The "Triple Threat" pork sandwich
- Amazing tacos
- Crispy golden French fries
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More than simply a sushi restaurant, Cloak and Petal offers up "Japanese tapas," with a menu of small bites that range from fresh sashimi to Wagyu beef lettuce cups. Even more stunning is the visual appeal, including a giant cherry blossom tree behind the bar.
1953 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Tiki drinks with Far East ingredients
- Unconventional sushi rolls
- Decor that's a feast for the eyes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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Special-occasion diners, conventioneers on expense accounts, and meat-loving locals haunt this surprisingly intimate dining room for great beef expertly prepared. The wood-and-brick interior has leather accents, Western landscapes, and vintage Old West photos, and servers wear white shirts and stylish denim aprons, all creating a relaxed urban-cowboy ambience. Here, prime 35-day dry-aged beef is king. Savor choice cuts with sides like roasted bone marrow as well as mac and cheese sprinkled with barbecue bacon dust. Non–steak options include house-made pappardelle with pork shoulder and smoked cheddar as well as the grilled local carrots with black garlic. High-back booths are comfy, as are the chef's counter and the bar, where mixologists shake up strong bourbon cocktails.
640 10th Ave., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- On-site butcher shop selling premium steaks, sausages, and charcuterie
- Western decor, with leather booths and steer skulls
- 35-day dry-aged beef
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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The redesigned Little Italy restaurant-bar oozes slightly surreal cool. Crammed bookshelves line the walls, banquettes and mirrors are scrawled with sayings, and taxidermy appears in odd settings like a lion preying on a hog above the bar. The management’s no-fear mind-set extends to the menu—ketchup and vodka have been outlawed here—but young fans and neighborhood residents who gather here after work find plenty to savor. Dinner features gastropub fare like Korean barbecue wings, thick burgers, and wood-fire dishes that include bone marrow, roasted carrots, and rib eye. Save energy for the potent rum drinks at False Idol, the in-house tiki bar accessible only through the walk-in cooler.
675 W. Beech St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Wood-fired cuisine including grilled oysters and fire-roasted eggplant dip
- Refreshing craft cocktails infused with cucumber, grapefruit, or apple
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$$ | Little Italy | Italian
With its innovative, affordable Italian food, polished service, bustling bar scene and olive tree–shaded patio, this Chicago transplant is right at home in Little Italy. Sip the Davanti Spritz (Aperol, prosecco, and soda) while nibbling on their famous cheesy focaccia sweetened with honey or antipasti cheeses, meats, and olives. Dine family-style, sharing slices of thin-crust pizza, plates of classic pastas like cacio e pepe, or a steaming bowl of mascarpone polenta topped with the ragu of the day. Desserts veer classic Italian, like tiramisu, cannolis, and a goat cheese cheesecake. There's a second location in Del Mar.
1655 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Build you own Bloody Mary bar during weekend brunch
- Cheesy focaccia appetizer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
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A short walk up a flight of stairs transports diners into old Havana as Hemingway once knew it. True to its name, this still-young restaurant specializes in classic Cuban fare, such as empanadas, croquettes, and, of course, the Cubano sandwich.
548 5th Ave., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Cubano sandwich with fresh Cuban bread
- Strong yet refreshing daiquiris and mojitos
- Latin jazz performers and salsa dancing
