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 dishes: Crispy lamb shank, Tuna tartare, Korean BBQ ribs
Must 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.
Address: 2001 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Underbelly in Little Italy is CH Projects' ramen shop on Fir Street, the punk-rock-leaning Japanese counter where the Belly of the Beast tonkotsu ramen anchors a small-plate izakaya menu.
Signature: Belly of the beast ramen, Pork buns, Mapo tofu
Order: The Belly of the Beast ramen with extra chashu; the pork belly steamed buns to start.
Tip: Counter seating and a beer list of Japanese craft labels; arrive before 7pm to skip the line.
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.
Buona Forchetta in San Diego is Matteo Cattaneo's South Park Naples-style pizzeria since 2011, holder of the Gambero Rosso Pizza Accreditation 2022 and a Saturday-night neighbourhood institution.
Signature: Pizza Sofia, Pizza Margherita, Burrata appetiser
Order: Pizza Sofia with prosciutto and burrata; the margherita is the dough test.
Tip: No reservations on the patio; arrive by 5:30pm or after 8:30pm to skip the worst of the line.
Hob Nob Hill in San Diego is the Bankers Hill American diner at 1st and Juniper since 1944, the 80-year-old institution reopened in 2025 with a throwback breakfast-and-comfort-food menu.
Signature: Monte Cristo, Biscuits and gravy, Prime rib (weekends)
Order: The Monte Cristo at breakfast; the weekend prime rib special.
Tip: Open daily 8am-8pm; the bakery starts at 6am, fresh muffins and cakes come out by opening.
OB Noodle House in San Diego is the Ocean Beach pan-Asian noodle counter on Cable Street, with tonkotsu ramen, Vietnamese banh mi and a wall-deep sake list since 2008.
Signature: Tonkotsu ramen, Banh mi sandwich, Sake selection
Order: The tonkotsu ramen with a bonus pork belly add-on; the brisket banh mi for lunch.
Tip: Wait can be long after 6pm; the Bar 1502 sister location on Niagara has shorter waits.
Underbelly in Little Italy is CH Projects' ramen shop on Fir Street, the punk-rock-leaning Japanese counter where the Belly of the Beast tonkotsu ramen anchors a small-plate izakaya menu.
Signature: Belly of the beast ramen, Pork buns, Mapo tofu
Order: The Belly of the Beast ramen with extra chashu; the pork belly steamed buns to start.
Tip: Counter seating and a beer list of Japanese craft labels; arrive before 7pm to skip the line.
