San Diego Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in San Diego - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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We’ve compiled the best of the best in San Diego - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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.
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.
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.
One of several options inside the Pendry Hotel, Lionfish is a showcase for chef Jojo Ruiz's seafood-centric cuisine inside of a spacious, two-story room. The atmosphere is hip, yet aesthetically pleasing, though the menu itself is what's worth returning for, from the butter-poached king-crab leg to the wild mushroom and potato gnocchi.
Two French transplants have brought sleek Parisian style to Downtown San Diego and rows of eclairs, tarts, croissants, colorful macarons, and the aroma of espresso greet patrons as they enter a minimalist space. For something more substantial, look to their menu of crepes, panini, salads, and quiches; caffeinated drinks range from teas and coffee to a sweet lavender honey latte. Take a seat on the patio for a prime view of late-night Gaslamp revelers.
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.
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.
Pristine fish imported from around the world and presented creatively attracts crowds nightly to this intimate Gaslamp restaurant. Table service is available inside and outside where an omakase (tasting menu) or eight-piece rolls can be shared and savored; take a seat at the bar to watch one of the sushi chefs preparing appetizers. The restaurant is a favorite with Japanese visitors and conventioneers.
Normandy-born chef Fabrice Hardel oversees the preparation of three meals a day at the Westgate Hotel, writing seasonal menus that mix French and Asian flavors. At dinner you're likely to find specials like grilled salmon with spring onions and shiitake mushrooms, as well as classics like Dover sole meunière and steak frites. Chandeliers, white linen tablecloths, and fresh flowers create a classic fine dining atmosphere.
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