Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
With some notable exceptions, historic Old Town celebrates Mexican dining. Nearby, Uptown’s diverse communities offers many bars, bistros, and gastropubs, along with ethnic restaurants ranging from Afghan and Indian to Russian and Vietnamese.
Japanese-based Baikohken's first location on the mainland U.S. brought Michelin-quality ramen to San Diego in 2024. Known for their signature "double soup" broth, Baikohken marinates their pork overnight for an especially rich, luscious bowl of authentic Japanese cuisine available in the heart of Hillcrest. It's closed daily between 2:30 and 5 pm.
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. It gets pretty lively at night and on weekends, but the fresh sashimi is worth a wait.
