Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego is the 1955 Shelter Island Tiki institution, a sprawling Polynesian dining room with a boat dock, mai tai pour and unobstructed downtown skyline view.
Signature dishes: Mai tai, Polynesian platter, Crab cakes
Must order: The original Mai Tai; the Polynesian Platter for sharing.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.
Address: 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
Phil's BBQ in San Diego is the Sports Arena Boulevard BBQ counter, a mesquite-smoked Texas-leaning shop with beef ribs, pulled pork and the onion-ring tower since 1998.
Signature: Beef ribs, Pulled pork (Mr. Pig) sandwich, Onion ring tower
Order: The Mr. Pig sandwich and a half-rack of beef ribs; the onion-ring tower for sharing.
Tip: Take-out from the side window has a shorter line; full table service runs the indoor dining room.
Common Theory in San Diego is the Convoy Street gastropub where Asian flavours run through a craft-beer menu, with a long bar, 40 taps and a kimchi-and-burger crowd.
Signature: Mongolian BBQ ribs, Crispy Brussels, Burger with kimchi slaw
Order: The Mongolian BBQ ribs; the kimchi-slaw burger with a Pure Project IPA.
Tip: Tuesday Hapa Half-Off runs half-price wines until close; the patio is heater-equipped year-round.
Tasty Noodle House in San Diego is the Convoy Street northern Chinese noodle counter, with hand-pulled noodles made through the open window and reliable xiaolongbao.
Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Xiaolongbao, Dan dan noodles
Order: Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodle soup; the xiaolongbao steamer for sharing.
Tip: Cash is fine and faster than card. The dan dan noodles are the room's secret order.
Kettner Exchange in San Diego is the Brian Malarkey-designed rooftop dining room on Kettner Boulevard, a tri-level space with a covered indoor-outdoor terrace and modern-American menu.
Signature: Crispy lamb shank, Tuna tartare, Korean BBQ ribs
Order: The crispy lamb shank; the Korean BBQ ribs to share.
Tip: Brunch on the rooftop runs Saturday and Sunday; book the terrace, not the indoor room.
Trust Restaurant in San Diego is Brad Wise's Hillcrest small-plates wood-fire kitchen since 2016, the room that anchors the Trust Restaurant Group.
Signature: Wood-grilled octopus, Cauliflower steak, Whole roasted fish
Order: Wood-grilled octopus on harissa; the cauliflower steak.
Tip: Book counter seats for the open-fire kitchen view; Fort Oak and Rare Society are the sister rooms.
Cesarina in San Diego is Cesarina Mezzoni's Point Loma trattoria on Voltaire Street, a glass-walled pastificio where hand-rolled eggless pasta is made through the window.
Signature: Handmade tagliatelle, Tortelli di zucca, Eggless pasta
Order: Tortelli di zucca with butter and sage; the tagliatelle al ragu finished tableside.
Tip: The eggless dough is unusual; ask for it explicitly if you want the canonical Cesarina experience.
