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A recently opened, chic update on the food court, Food Hall brings together a half dozen different innovative food counters to offer quick bites vastly more interesting than mall fare. Among its offerings are the fried chicken sandwiches at Coo-Coos Nest and pizza at Ambrogio15, and an update on a local delicacy, Not Not Tacos. There's also a bar at the center, so every bite can be paired with a cold beer or cocktail.
550 W. Date St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Fusion tacos
- Bustling crowds of Mercato shoppers
- Beer/wine cart dispensing refreshments in the outdoor seating area
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For a deliciously sweet pick-me-up, check out the rich ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet made fresh daily on the premises. Dessert nachos made from waffle-cone chips are an unusual addition to an extensive sundae menu. Just look for the statue of Elvis on the sidewalk in front.
1025 Orange Ave., San Diego, California, 92118, USA
Known For
- Daily house-made ice cream, yogurt, and sorbet
- Dessert nachos
- "moopies" sandwiches, with ice cream between two cereal bars
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Easy to spot from its red neon sign perched above the front door, Night & Day Cafe offers simple, hearty Mexican food with counter service and ample portions. The café closes at 2 pm most days, but the hearty breakfast burritos, bacon cheeseburgers, and fish tacos provide more than enough sustenance for two meals.
847 Orange Ave., San Diego, California, 92118, USA
Known For
- Coronado breakfast burrito (with hash browns inside)
- The iconic red sign
- Friendly service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Hillcrest |
Seafood lovers have long flocked to Puerto Nuevo, the “lobster village” just south of San Diego in Baja California, Mexico. When a family that operates several Puerto Nuevo restaurants opened Ortega's in Hillcrest, it quickly became a top draw for authentic Baja coastal cuisine, minus the long lines to cross the border.
141 University Ave., San Diego, California, 92103, USA
Known For
- Puerto Nuevo--style lobster
- Tableside guacamole
- Daily happy hour including the delicious pomegranate margarita
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$ | Pacific Beach |
Also known as the Fish Shop, this is a favorite among locals. Peruse the customizable menu that lets diners select a type of fish, marinade, and preparation style (grilled or fried, and taco, sandwich, salad, or plate) that suits their tastes. You can dine-in on the heated patio, order your food to go, or buy the daily catch to cook at home.
1775 Garnet Ave., San Diego, California, 92109, USA
Known For
- Serves local beer
- Daily fresh fish
- Fish tacos like the TKO Taco
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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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Situated in the heart of Little Italy, it's a convenient spot to drop in for coffee between boutique shopping or to tuck in for an indulgent affogato (gelato with espresso) afterward. Kids and adults alike will swoon over the addictive gelato, while those seeking something savory can choose from a selection of panini and other snacks.
1602 State St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Handcrafted gelato
- Rich, foamy cappuccinos
- Croissant gelato
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$$ | La Jolla |
Blocks from the beach in La Jolla Shores, this comfortably modern dining room and shaded patio hits all the right notes—affordable, polished, and family-friendly. From lunch through close, it bustles with regulars from the neighborhood and visitors from around the world who are guided through the extensive Italian menu by the professional staff, some of whom have worked here for over three decades. Warm bread and spicy dipping sauce are hard to resist, but save room for favorites like grilled romaine hearts wrapped in crisp prosciutto, saffron shrimp pappardelle, and veal scaloppine with mushroom risotto cakes. Kids love their special menu, while parents relish the value-packed wine list with excellent selections by the glass.
2182 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Stone-hearth oven pizza
- Gluten-free and vegan options
- Weekend brunch
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$$ | Point Loma |
When fishing boats unload their catch on-site, a seafood restaurant and market earns the right to boast that they offer “the freshest thing in town.” In the late 1950s, mostly sportfishermen came here, but word got out about the just-caught fried fish on San Francisco–style sourdough bread, and now locals and visitors come to enjoy bay views, sunshine, and a greatly expanded menu of seafood dishes. A friendly, efficient crew takes orders for food and drinks at the counter, keeping the wait down even on the busiest days. In addition to sandwiches, favorites include fish tacos, seafood cocktails, sushi, salads, and fried platters of fish, shrimp, and scallops. This is San Diego's top seafood market for those who like to grab fresh fish to prepare at home.
2805 Emerson St., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- San Francisco–style seafood on sourdough
- Dockside bay views
- Hickory-wood smoked fish
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$ | University Heights |
The atmosphere at Pop Pie Co. is fast-casual, but its menu is nothing less than rich, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food. With a menu full of internationally inspired meat and dessert pies and open-air seating at communal tables, the eatery offers either a quick dessert or the satisfaction of a hearty meal without the dining room dress code.
4404 Park Blvd., San Diego, California, 92116, USA
Known For
- Classic chicken potpie
- Salted caramel-apple crumble
- Espresso with house-made sweeteners
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A necessary stop for a pick-me-up between boutique shopping, visits to nearby art galleries, and a walk through Chicano Park, Por Vida adds some uniquely Mexican flavor to traditional coffeehouse offerings. Sweeter staples like the horchata latte and dulce de leche latte perk up the taste buds, while in warmer months, a spicy lemonade hits the spot.
2146 Logan Ave., San Diego, California, 92113, USA
Known For
- Horchata latte
- Spicy mango lemonade with tajin rim
- Pan dulces
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$ | La Jolla |
Homemade crepes and fresh-brewed coffee come second to the artisanal ice cream made with just a handful of ingredients. Even vegans can get their scoop on, with flavors like strawberry shortcake, mint, cookie dough, and chocolate made with cashew milk, cocoa butter, organic carob beans, and other natural goodness.
2179 Av. de la Playa, San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Vegan ice cream and sorbet
- Sweet crepes
- Flavors like honeycomb and brown sugar cookie dough chunk
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$ | Liberty Station |
Bacon is king at this lively burger, beer, and sports bar in Liberty Station. Founder Scott Slater’s signature “designer” patty, half beef and half ground bacon, is topped with a fried egg and cheese, and sauced with chipotle adobo mayonnaise. Or design your own burger from a menu with over 50 toppings like Guinness bacon chili or bacon jalapeño jam. Even fries get a lift from bacon ketchup. While little ones munch sliders from the kids' menu, parents quaff one of the 100 craft and local beers on tap and join military from nearby bases and other sports fans following games on the room’s many flat-screen TVs. There's even a dog menu featuring the signature 50/50 patty or bacon strips for furry friends.
2750 Dewey Rd., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- Weekend brunch
- Extensive craft beer selection
- Pet-friendly patio with dog menu
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$$ | Liberty Station |
This 50,000-square-foot monument to beer and good food is a crowd-pleaser, especially for fans of San Diego’s nationally known craft beer scene. The global menu features dishes like the Bavarian pretzel and Brewmaster's Beef Dip that pair perfectly with on-tap and bottled beers from around the world and Stone’s famous IPAs. Dine indoors in high-ceiling rooms guarded by etched-metal gargoyles and lit by beer-bottle chandeliers. Or, relax outdoors where parents often unwind as their kids enjoy the patio. Before leaving, browse the company store for hip logo wear like hats, hoodies, and bomber jackets.
2816 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- Massive outdoor patio
- Brew-friendly eats
- Artisanal burgers
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Dine any time of day at this French-inspired café a block from San Diego Bay, as breakfast commences at 6 am with house-made granola, quiche, and just-baked coffee cakes and croissants. Sandwiches, salads, and soups round out the daytime menu, while dinner highlights include the catch of the day; just be sure be sure to save room for the Paris-pretty desserts.
1106 1st St., San Diego, California, 92118, USA
Known For
- Coronado’s best bet for casual but satisfying fare
- In-house pastries and desserts
- Quiche any time of the day
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$ | Pacific Beach |
This build-your-own ice-cream-sandwich shop a block from Pacific Beach is a local favorite thanks to its homemade cookies and diverse array of ice-cream flavors, from birthday cake to peanut butter fudge. Don't miss out on their hot pressed ice-cream sandwiches!
4516 Mission Blvd., San Diego, California, 92109, USA
Known For
- Bear Bowls made of cookies
- Doughnut ice-cream sandwiches
- Long lines on summer evenings
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East Village families, baseball fans heading to or from Petco Park, and happy-hour-bound singles flock to this airy restaurant with Baja-inspired food and drink. Traditional margaritas get a fresh kick from fruit juices or jalapeño peppers; other libations include sangria and Mexican beers, all perfect pairings for house-made guacamole, ceviche, or salsas with chips. The menu doesn't include enchiladas or burritos, but the well-loved lobster and surf-and-turf tacos and extensive and innovative tortas like an Angus short rib topped with pico de gallo, and side dishes including Mexican-style corn dressed in cotija cheese as well as serrano-spiced pinto beans, more than make up for it. Save room for warm, cinnamon-sugar churros.
639 J St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- House margarita with fruit infusions
- Surf-and-turf Baja-style tacos
- Gluten-free menu
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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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$ | 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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$$ | Point Loma |
Two sons carry on the tradition of Italian home cooking begun by their father more than 55 years ago at this neighborhood favorite. House specialties like shrimp puttanesca, and bow-tie pasta tossed with prosciutto, peas, and mushrooms in a rose-tinted cream sauce reflect the family’s origins in Southern Italy. The well-priced selection of veal, chicken, and seafood dishes is excellent, but many regulars settle for the lavishly garnished antipasto salad and one of the tender-crusted signature pizzas.
3663 Voltaire St., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- Huge portions
- Some of the best pizza in Point Loma
- Quaint and cozy setting
