Thai$$north-parkMon-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 16:00-22:00
Bahn Thai is a thai room in North Park. Order the khao soi and the larb gai when they are on the specials board; both run under thirteen dollars.
Order: Khao soi, larb gai, crispy spring rolls
Why locals love it: A long-running University Heights Thai room on Park Boulevard with neighbourhood-level prices and a deep menu of Northern Thai dishes locals know to order off-script.
Tip: Order the khao soi and the larb gai when they are on the specials board; both run under thirteen dollars.
Japanese sushi$$north-park
Soichi Sushi is a michelin-starred omakase counter in a converted university heights bungalow with no signage and a twelve-seat bar, easy to walk past.
Order: Chef's omakase, the kanpachi nigiri
Why locals love it: A Michelin-starred omakase counter in a converted University Heights bungalow with no signage and a twelve-seat bar, easy to walk past.
Tip: Book a fortnight ahead for the omakase; the a la carte counter takes walk-ins around 17:30 most weeknights.
Brunch$$east-villageMon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 11:00-21:00
Lola 55 is modern bib gourmand taqueria tucked into a quiet f street block behind petco park, more reservation-friendly than the bigger names.
Order: Pork belly al pastor, smoked fish taco, mezcal cocktail
Why locals love it: Modern Bib Gourmand taqueria tucked into a quiet F Street block behind Petco Park, more reservation-friendly than the bigger names.
Tip: Sit at the bar for the taco omakase; the brunch menu is the easiest way in without a reservation.
Italian$$little-italy
Mona Lisa Italian Foods is a italian room in Little Italy. Order at the deli counter, not the sit-down side; the Deluxe Sub on house bread travels well.
Order: Deluxe Sub, the Spicy Sandwich Special
Why locals love it: A 1973 Italian-American deli on India Street next to the Little Italy sign, makes the city's best made-to-order Italian sub for under fifteen dollars.
Tip: Order at the deli counter, not the sit-down side; the Deluxe Sub on house bread travels well.
Italian$$little-italy
Bobboi Natural Gelato Kettner (Italian) in San Diego: Ask for a half-and-half scoop pairing; the seasonal Miso Orange Maple flavour rotates in autumn.
Order: Pistachio gelato, the Miso Orange Maple seasonal
Why locals love it: Italian-trained gelato chef Monica Maccioni works out of a small Kettner Boulevard shop with 18 daily flavors, collaborations with city chefs and vegan options.
Tip: Ask for a half-and-half scoop pairing; the seasonal Miso Orange Maple flavour rotates in autumn.
Seafood$$embarcaderoSat 08:00-15:00
Open-air fishermen-run seafood market on Harbor Lane at Tuna Harbor, Saturdays 8am to 1pm; tuna, halibut, prawns, sea urchin from local hook-and-line boats.
Order: Local yellowfin tuna loin, opah, spot prawns
Why locals love it: A Saturday-only fisherman-to-public dock market behind Seaport Village, rotating 70-plus local species sold direct from the boats.
Tip: Arrive by 09:00 for the best sashimi-grade tuna; the cutting station portions whole fish on the spot.
