15 californian rooms in San Diego we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in San Diego | Californian across every city.
Modern Californian cooking, built on local seafood and produce, is where San Diego reaches its highest fine-dining register. Addison in Carmel Valley is the city's flagship at that level, while Juniper and Ivy works a more contemporary room in Little Italy. The Marine Room and George's at the Cove both trade on their La Jolla coastal settings.
Addison ★ 4.9
carmel-valley · 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA 92130
Addison in San Diego is William Bradley's three-Michelin-star tasting room at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, the only three-star kitchen in Southern California.
Juniper and Ivy ★ 4.6
little-italy · 2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Juniper and Ivy in San Diego is Top Chef alumnus Richard Blais's Kettner Boulevard room in a 1920s sawtooth warehouse, the modernist Californian kitchen.
The Marine Room ★ 4.6
la-jolla · 2000 Spindrift Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
The Marine Room in La Jolla is Bernard Guillas's coastal fine-dining room at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club since 1994, with waves breaking on the glass.
George's at the Cove ★ 4.6
la-jolla · 1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
George's at the Cove in La Jolla is George Hauer's three-level Prospect Street institution since 1984: George's Level2 fine dining upstairs.
Addison ★ 4.8
5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA 92130
Addison in San Diego is William Bradley's three-Michelin-star tasting room at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, the only three-star kitchen in Southern California.
The Marine Room ★ 4.4
2000 Spindrift Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
The Marine Room in La Jolla is Bernard Guillas's coastal fine-dining room at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club since 1994, with waves breaking.
Mille Fleurs ★ 4.1
6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Mille Fleurs in Rancho Santa Fe is Bertrand Hug's French-Californian dining room since 1985, with chef Martin Woesle running a market-driven menu.
Juniper and Ivy ★ 4.2
2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
Juniper and Ivy in San Diego is Top Chef alumnus Richard Blais's Little Italy modernist Californian room since 2014, a 1920s sawtooth warehouse with Anthony.
Tacos El Gordo Chula Vista ★ 4.7
chula-vista · 556 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista, San Diego, the open-until-4am Tijuana-style trompo where the late-night queue runs out the door for adobada and suadero.
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop ★ 4.2
mission-hills · 1810 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop in Mission Hills, San Diego, the wrestling-themed counter on Washington Street where Surfin' California burritos last.
Lolita's Mexican Food Clairemont ★ 4.3
convoy · 7305 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111
Lolita's Mexican Food on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, late-evening California burritos and carne asada fries until nine.
The Tipsy Crow ★ 3.8
gaslamp-quarter · 770 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
The Tipsy Crow on Fifth Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, three levels of cocktails, sliders and a downstairs dance floor open until 2am every night.
Tacos El Gordo ★ 4.7
chula-vista · 556 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista, San Diego, the open-until-4am Tijuana-style trompo carving adobada tacos for around three dollars and California burritos.
Lolita's Mexican Food ★ 4.4
clairemont · 7305 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, Ste A, San Diego, CA 92111
Lolita's Mexican Food on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, the California-burrito counter selling the canonical version for under twelve.
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop ★ 4.2
mission-hills · 1810 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop in Mission Hills, San Diego, the take-out wrestling-themed counter slinging four-dollar tacos and the Surfin' California.