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$$ | Shelter Island |
For more than 50 years, generations of San Diegans and visitors have enjoyed this Polynesian-theme icon with its stunning bay and city skyline views. The menu is a fusion of Hawaiian and Asian cuisines with standouts like the crispy ahi tuna, wok-fried bass, and pan-seared scallops with macadamia nut butter.
2230 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- Potent Bali Hai mai tais
- Sunday brunch buffet with a DIY sundae bar
- Happy hours Monday–Thursday 3–5
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.
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$ | |
Until recently, you had to head to the Miramar/Scripps Ranch area for a tasting at Ballast Point, but now there's a spacious (and popular) local taproom in Little Italy. The Sculpin IPA is outstanding, as are the blue cheese duck nachos.
2215 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Duck nachos
- Truffalo wings
- More than three-dozen beers on tap
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$$ | |
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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$ | Ocean Beach |
Portions and prices are on point at this OB seafood hole-in-the-wall where dining is a three-step process—choose your fish, pick your marinade, and decide how you want it prepared (sandwich, plate, salad, taco, or à la carte). There’s an on-site market serving wild, organic, and local seafood ranging from snapper and calamari to shrimp and scallops, and all the soups are from scratch including the New England clam chowder served in a bread bowl. The chilled seafood cocktail is refreshing on a hot summer day, especially when paired with local craft beer. For greasy comfort food, try their tuna melt, fish-and-chips, or beer-battered tacos.
5083 Santa Monica Ave., San Diego, California, USA
Known For
- Fish served five ways
- Locally sourced seafood
- Beer-battered fish tacos
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$ | Mission Hills |
Blame a television segment by Guy Fieri on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” for the long lines of fans from around the globe. But it’s the fresh seafood cooked to order that keeps them coming back to this no-frills fish market and restaurant.
3667 India St., San Diego, California, 92103, USA
Known For
- Beer-battered cod tacos
- Classic cioppino plate with mussels and clams, scallops, shrimp, and red snapper
- Fresh catch cooked to order
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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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$ | Hillcrest |
San Diego’s love affair with artisanal bread began when Charles Kaufman, a former New Yorker and a filmmaker, opened this artsy urban bakery and café two decades ago. Ovens imported from France produce irresistible aromas as you choose among classic baguettes and focaccia, delicious assorted pastries and Vienoisserie, and a wide selection of breakfast and lunch specialties. Be prepared for lines and limited parking at peak hours.
350 University Ave., San Diego, California, 92103, USA
Known For
- Crusty black olive bread
- Traditional afternoon tea
- Creamy tomato soup
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Ocean Beach |
Creeping toward 20 locations, this breakfast chain is spreading like wildfire thanks to the owner, Johan Engman’s obsession with the first meal for the day. Served out of an Airstream kitchen, hot breakfast plates hit your table within 20 minutes and nearly every dish puts a spin on a standard like the tres leches vegan pancakes, the gouda shrimp and grits, and the breakfast burrito with Jurassic pork. No one leaves hungry, or unhappy for that matter, especially with drinks like the lychee mimosa and the house-made bloody Marys. The warehouse-style decor and dog-friendly patio meld perfectly with the Ocean Beach vibe.
4839 Newport Ave., San Diego, California, 92107, USA
Known For
- Fluffy pancakes
- Unique coffee creations and morning cocktails
- Both classic and innovative breakfast dishes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$ | | American
One of the few restaurants with a view that's also worth eating at, Brockton Villa is tucked in an historic cottage on a hillside above La Jolla Cove. Food is served all day, but this dining spot excels at brunch and lunch when ocean views are best. Snag a seat by the fireplace and start the day with their famous soufflé-like orange-scented Coast Toast, breakfast tacos, or the popular blue crab–cake eggs Benedict. For lunch enjoy the curry chicken salad wrap, a lobster roll, or chopped Mediterranean salad. During the late-afternoon social hour, a bottle of wine and artisanal cheese board are only $30.
1235 Coast Blvd., La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Prime ocean views
- Orange-scented Coast French Toast
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$ | North Park |
This long-standing North Park coffee roaster and café expands its evening offerings to include local beer, wine, and Italian-style cocktails.
3933 30th St., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
Known For
- Neapolitan pizzas
- House-roasted espresso
- Campari cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. evening
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$$ | Mission Beach |
While the panoramic ocean view is the star attraction at this rooftop restaurant next to Belmont Park, the tasty sushi and share plates are a pleasant surprise for such a touristy locale. Lunch and dinner service bookend a popular afternoon happy hour.
3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, California, 92109, USA
Known For
- Incredible ocean views
- Large specialty sushi rolls
- Summer crowds
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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$ | North Park |
This small space in North Park elevates the traditional taco shop experience with superior ingredients and unique toppings. Several vegan and paleo tacos are offered alongside their seafood and meat selections.
3028 University Ave., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
Known For
- Unique toppings on traditional tacos
- Specialty aioli and salsa bar
- Vegan and paleo tacos
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$ | |
A classic diner with bar seating in a circle, Clayton's is a great lunch or breakfast spot with a menu that ranges from classic American fare to Mexican-inspired dishes like the popular breakfast burrito. Just don't forget dessert!
979 Orange Ave., San Diego, California, 92118, USA
Known For
- Bottomless coffee
- Breakfast burrito
- Gooey cinnamon roll sundae
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$$$ | Harbor Island |
Swathed in murals, intricate light fixtures, breezy outdoor seating, and a cushy interior, this massive waterfront destination has one of the best skyline views in the city, making it a top spot for Mexican craft cocktails and bayfront dining. The menu veers toward modern Mexican with starters like tableside guacamole, tuna tostadas, and crispy calamari; be sure to try their organic margaritas or various agave-based libations. For something more substantial, go for Chef Deborah Scott's fish-and-chips or chicken enchiladas. The menu is somewhat pricey but worth every penny to dine on top of the water with an unobstructed view of downtown.
880 Harbor Island Dr., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Extraordinary skyline views
- Happy hour appetizers
- Crispy ahi tuna tostadas
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$ | |
Perfect for beer lovers with kids, this popular, laid-back Coronado brewpub offers a menu that features large portions of basic bar food like burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and salads. Enjoy a brew at a pair of sidewalk terraces or belly up to the bar and a new batch being made such as the Islander Pale Ale (IPA) or Mermaid's Red Ale.
170 Orange Ave., San Diego, California, 92118, USA
Known For
- A good selection of house-crafted beers
- Kids' menu
- More strollers than bar stools
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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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$ | Balboa Park |
Enjoy views of the Bea Evenson Fountain from the patio of this quick lunch option outside the Fleet Science Center. The menu offers everything from flatbreads, sandwiches, and soups to smoothies, specialty coffees, and soft-serve ice cream.
1875 El Prado, San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Fountain views
- Smoothies and specialty coffees
- Color-changing ice-cream spoons
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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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$ | Mission Beach |
Patrons can have expansive seaside views and choose from over 68 craft beer selections, too, at this spacious Belmont Park bar and restaurant. The relaxed, boardwalk atmosphere—and giant wall-size television screen—makes it a perfect spot for lounging after riding some waves at Mission Beach, or to cool down after soaking in some sun.
3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, California, 92109, USA
Known For
- All-day dining with Sunday brunch
- Huge draft beer selection
- People-watching on the boardwalk
