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San Diego is an up-and-coming culinary destination, thanks to its stunning Pacific Ocean setting, proximity to Mexico, diverse population, and the area’s extraordinary farming community. Increasingly the city’s veteran top chefs are being joined by a new generation of talented chefs and restaurateurs who are adding stylish resta
San Diego is an up-and-coming culinary destination, thanks to its stunning Pacific Ocean setting, proximity to Mexico, diverse population, and the area’s extraordinary farming community. Increasingly the city’s veteran top chefs are being joined by a new generation of t
San Diego is an up-and-coming culinary destination, thanks to its stunning Pacific Ocean setting, proximity to Mexico, d
San Diego is an up-and-coming culinary destination, thanks to its stunning Pacific Ocean setting, proximity to Mexico, diverse population, and the area’s extraordinary farming community. Increasingly the city’s veteran top chefs are being joined by a new generation of talented chefs and restaurateurs who are adding stylish restaurants with innovative food and drink programs to the dining scene at a record pace. Yes, visitors still are drawn to the San Diego Zoo and miles of beaches, but now they come for memorable dining experiences as well.
The city’s culinary scene got a significant boost when San Diego emerged as one of the world’s top craft beer destinations, with artisan breweries and gastropubs now in almost every neighborhood. San Diego also was on the cutting edge of the farm-to-table, Slow Food movement. Local sourcing is possible for everything from seafood to just-picked produce from a host of nationally recognized producers like Chino Farms and Carlsbad Aquafarm. The city’s ethnically diverse neighborhoods with their modest eateries offering affordable authentic international cuisines add spice to the dining mix.
San Diego’s distinct neighborhoods have their own dining personalities with friendly restaurants and bistros catering to every craving in this sun-blessed city. The trendy Gaslamp Quarter delights visitors looking for a broad range of innovative and international dining and nightlife, while bustling Little Italy offers a mix of affordable Italian fare and posh new eateries. Modern restaurants and cafés thrive in East Village, amid the luxury condos near PETCO Park.
The Uptown neighborhoods centered on Hillcrest—an urbane district with San Francisco flavor—are a mix of bars and independent restaurants, many of which specialize in ethnic cuisine. North Park, in particular, has a happening restaurant and craft beer scene, with just about every kind of cuisine you can think of, and laid-back prices to boot. And scenic La Jolla offers some of the best fine dining in the city with dramatic water views as an added bonus.
Not a typical San Diego taco shop, this Mexican eatery is upstairs in a shopping complex in the middle of a tequila museum with some 2,000 bottles dating from the 1930s. The owners are equally serious about food, calling their cuisine Hispanic-Mexican Gastronomy, which means meat and fish dishes with lots of unusual spicy chilies, herbs, spices, and moles.
2304 San Diego Ave., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
If traveling back in time has left you tired and hungry, Old Town's Fiesta de Reyes has several options for a quick recharge. Old Town Jerky and Root Beer offers a good selection of snacks, fresh lemonade, and, of course, jerky and root beer. If you're with kids, consider Barra Barra Saloon where the tequila flows and kids eat free with a matching adult, and if you're visiting between Friday and Sunday, look for the booth marked Street Tacos for a quick meal.
4016 Wallace St., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
One of San Diego’s most popular sushi restaurants is set in a sea of touristy Mexican dining spots in the heart of Old Town. Fans young and old flock to the lively space for refreshing cocktails, sustainable California-style sushi, and modern Asian cuisine.
3964 Harney St., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
Located next to Campo Santo Cemetery, Tahona—in its architecture and design—might suggest the illusion of a snapshot of historical San Diego, but culinarily it's anything but. Offering a dining experience that centers on mezcal, Oaxacan cuisine, and locally sourced produce and ingredients, Tahona puts a new spin on Southern California Mexican cuisine. Its menu features plenty of familiar staples like tacos, guacamole, and empanadas, mixed in with innovative items like duck confit sopes and grilled octopus. Make reservations online for its adjoining spooky speakeasy, Occulto 477, which brings an elevated sensory experience to its mezcal offerings.
2414 San Diego Ave., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
Located in the open-air Old Town Urban Market, the Michelin-recognized Tuetano Taqueria serves up its savory specialty: birria (meat stew). Grab as many napkins as you need, because these deliciously dripping birria tacos will make a mess. For something with even more wow factor, get the bone marrow birria taco, served still in the bone.
2548 Congress St., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
619-856--7013
Known For
Birria tacos
Bone marrow birria
Spicy and refreshing micheladas rojos (a Bloody Mary-type drink made with beer)
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