15 editor picks in San Diego.
15 californian places 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 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.
OrderThe full tasting menu; the seasonal caviar course is the room's signature.
TipTasting menu only; book six weeks ahead, jacket preferred. Pair with a Grand Del Mar overnight if the budget allows it.
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.
OrderThe In-N-Haute, Blais's elevated take on the In-N-Out double-double, on the snack menu most nights.
TipAnthony Wells now runs the kitchen day to day; the snack menu at the bar is the most affordable entry.
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.
OrderKing-tide-table seating for the surf-on-the-window experience; the crab cake is the room's signature.
TipCheck the king-tide calendar at marineroom.com for the dramatic high-tide nights; book the window six weeks ahead.
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.
OrderThe smoked tomato soup with grilled cheese; the roasted duck on the Level2 menu.
TipBook Ocean Terrace at sunset for the casual ocean-view version; Level2 is the fine-dining tasting menu room.
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.
OrderFull tasting menu, paired wine flight, optional caviar service.
TipJacket preferred; book six weeks ahead. Pair with an overnight at Grand Del Mar to extend the night.
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.
OrderThe crab cake; book king-tide-table seating for the surf-on-the-window dinner.
TipCheck the king-tide calendar at marineroom.com; book a window six weeks ahead for the most dramatic nights.
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.
OrderThe market-driven prix fixe; the Pacific halibut when in season.
TipThe room is country-French traditional; jacket appropriate. The 11:30am Friday lunch is the value play.
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.
OrderThe In-N-Haute, Blais's elevated take on In-N-Out, on the snack menu; the seasonal market tasting menu.
TipSnack menu at the bar is the cheapest way into the kitchen; book Wednesdays for the tasting-menu option.
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.
OrderVertical-trompo adobada tacos, suadero, cabeza
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop in Mission Hills, San Diego, the wrestling-themed counter on Washington Street where Surfin' California burritos last.
OrderSurfin' California burrito, four-dollar tacos, late-night chips and guac
Lolita's Mexican Food on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, late-evening California burritos and carne asada fries until nine.
OrderCalifornia burrito, carne asada fries, breakfast burritos all night
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.
OrderCocktails, sliders, late-night dance floor
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.
OrderVertical-trompo adobada tacos under $4
Lolita's Mexican Food on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, the California-burrito counter selling the canonical version for under twelve.
OrderCalifornia burrito under $12, breakfast burrito $8-10
Lucha Libre Gourmet Taco Shop in Mission Hills, San Diego, the take-out wrestling-themed counter slinging four-dollar tacos and the Surfin' California.
OrderSurfin' California burrito, $4 tacos, Lucha-style adobada
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Experience the atmosphere of San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter on our 2.5-hour guided walking tour. You’ll have a chance to sample lots of tasty ethnic cuisine, alo...
Guided tour · 2.5 hours
Enjoy a leisurely walking tour through San Diego's Little Italy to some of the tastiest restaurants and shops in the area. Explore piazzas, learn about local history, ...
Guided tour · 4.5 hours
Savor award-winning wines and a full vineyard meal on a guided tour. Explore scenic vineyards, enjoy local flavors, and discover San Diego’s wine heritage.
