40 editor picks in San Diego.
40 mid-range places in San Diego, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good restaurants in San Diego, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All San Diego food.
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.
OrderChef's omakase, the kanpachi nigiri
TipBook a fortnight ahead for the omakase; the a la carte counter takes walk-ins around 17:30 most weeknights.
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
False Idol tiki speakeasy in Little Italy, San Diego, classic Don the Beachcomber rum cocktails until 2am Fri-Sat behind a hidden door at Craft and Commerce.
OrderDon's Special Daiquiri, classic tiki, Polynesian snacks
Buona Forchetta in San Diego is Matteo Cattaneo's South Park pizzeria on 30th and Beech since 2011, the Naples-style wood-fire room that holds the Gambero.
OrderThe pizza Sofia with prosciutto and burrata; the margherita is the test of the dough.
TipNo reservations on the patio; arrive by 5:30pm or after 8:30pm to skip the worst of the line.
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters in La Jolla, San Diego, the 2008 roastery that scoops cup-of-excellence lots from Ethiopia, Colombia and Burundi across eleven.
Noble Experiment in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, the keg-wall speakeasy where pre-Prohibition cocktails run until 2am behind the Neighborhood beer wall.
OrderBartender's Choice cocktails, snacks from Neighborhood
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.
OrderPistachio gelato, the Miso Orange Maple seasonal
TipAsk for a half-and-half scoop pairing; the seasonal Miso Orange Maple flavour rotates in autumn.
Cesarina is three italian natives running a bib gourmand pasta room on voltaire street between point loma and ob, with an in-house pastificio on display.
OrderTableside tiramisu, the pappardelle al brasato di manzo
TipBook a weekend brunch on the bougainvillea patio; the donuts come hot from the kitchen.
Cesarina's weekend brunch on Voltaire Street in Point Loma, San Diego, the Bib Gourmand Italian room with hot donuts and handmade pasta on the bougainvillea.
OrderCustard-filled donuts, lemon ricotta pancakes, tableside tiramisu
Fonda del Barrio in San Diego is Gerry Torres's ancestral Mexican kitchen on Logan Avenue in Barrio Logan, cooking Oaxacan moles and Mayan achiote rubs.
OrderThe 27-ingredient pollo en mole de guayaba; one mezcal flight to start.
TipClosed Mondays; weekend brunch is the quieter window to land a patio table.
Buona Forchetta in San Diego is Matteo Cattaneo's South Park Naples-style pizzeria since 2011, holder of the Gambero Rosso Pizza Accreditation 2022.
OrderPizza Sofia with prosciutto and burrata; the margherita is the dough test.
TipNo reservations on the patio; arrive by 5:30pm or after 8:30pm to skip the worst of the line.
AleSmith Brewing in Miramar San Diego, the 25,000 sq ft Speedway Stout brewhouse with the Tony Gwynn .394 Pale Ale and one of the county's largest tasting.
Polite Provisions on 30th Street in San Diego's Normal Heights, the apothecary cocktail room with classic cocktails on tap and Soda Bar burgers until last.
OrderHouse-made sodas, classic cocktails on tap, soda bar burgers
Lola 55 is modern bib gourmand taqueria tucked into a quiet f street block behind petco park, more reservation-friendly than the bigger names.
OrderPork belly al pastor, smoked fish taco, mezcal cocktail
TipSit at the bar for the taco omakase; the brunch menu is the easiest way in without a reservation.
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.
OrderLocal yellowfin tuna loin, opah, spot prawns
TipArrive by 09:00 for the best sashimi-grade tuna; the cutting station portions whole fish on the spot.
Mariscos taco truck on Federal Blvd in Encanto, fish tacos, ceviche tostadas, clams and oysters; open daily 9am to 7pm, free ceviche sample at the window.
OrderShrimp Gobernador taco, fish ceviche tostada, aguachile
TipBring cash and patience; the line moves fast and the spicy aguachile clears your sinuses on the spot.
Morning Glory on Date Street in San Diego's Little Italy, the soft-pink brunch-only room running souffle pancakes and tableside Bloody Mary carts.
OrderSouffle pancakes, French toast, tableside Bloody Mary cart
Tasty Noodle House in San Diego is the Convoy Street northern Chinese noodle counter, with hand-pulled noodles made through the open window and one.
OrderThe Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodle soup; the xiaolongbao steamer for sharing.
TipCash is fine and faster than card. The dan dan noodles are the room's secret order.
Hodad's in Ocean Beach is the 1969 Newport Avenue burger shack with surfboards on the walls, the Guy Fieri Diners Drive-Ins and Dives stop and the canonical.
OrderThe Double Bacon Cheeseburger with the works.
TipThe line moves; queue at the side door for takeout. Park your car blocks away on weekends, Newport Avenue fills up.
Phil's BBQ in San Diego is the Sports Arena Boulevard barbecue counter, a Texas-leaning shop with mesquite-smoked beef ribs, pulled pork and the famous onion.
OrderThe Mr. Pig sandwich and a half-rack of beef ribs; the onion ring tower for the table.
TipTake-out from the side window has a shorter line; full table service runs the indoor dining room.
Carnitas' Snack Shack Embarcadero in San Diego is Hanis Cavin's harbour-front Mexican-American pork counter on North Harbor Drive, the larger waterside.
OrderThe Triple Threat sandwich, layering pulled pork, bacon and pork schnitzel; the carnitas tacos.
TipIndoor and outdoor seating with a harbour view; arrive before 7pm to get a patio table.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters on 30th Street in North Park, San Diego, a small-batch roaster pouring espresso and pour-over with ten outposts across the city.
Goldchild Coffee Roasters on Broadway in downtown San Diego, Jeff Rambo's small-batch single-origin roastery with a Brew Lab and Swedish cardamom buns.
Stone Brewing's Liberty Station bistro and gardens in San Diego, a 23,500 sq ft Point Loma flagship with bocce, outdoor cinema and the Stone lineup in full.
Societe Brewing on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in Kearny Mesa, San Diego, a quietly serious West Coast IPA and Belgian-saison house with a wood barrel program.
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.
OrderDeluxe Sub, the Spicy Sandwich Special
TipOrder at the deli counter, not the sit-down side; the Deluxe Sub on house bread travels well.
Trust Restaurant on Park Boulevard in Hillcrest, San Diego, Brad Wise's wood-fired brunch room with short rib hash, ricotta pancakes and a weekend-only menu.
OrderWood-fired short rib, ricotta pancakes, brunch cocktail
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 daily.
OrderThe Mongolian BBQ ribs; the kimchi-slaw burger with a Pure Project IPA.
TipTuesday Hapa Half-Off runs half-price wines until close; the patio is heater-equipped year-round.
The Crack Shack in San Diego is Richard Blais and Michael Rosen's Little Italy fried-chicken yard since 2015, attached to Juniper and Ivy. Priced at $$.
OrderThe Firebird spicy chicken sandwich; the schmaltz fries with sherry-vinegar mayo.
TipAll outdoors; bring a sweater for marine-layer mornings. The Coop Deville feeds a table of four.
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.
OrderThe tonkotsu ramen with a bonus pork belly add-on; the brisket banh mi for lunch.
TipWait 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.
OrderThe Belly of the Beast ramen with extra chashu; the pork belly steamed buns to start.
TipCounter seating and a beer list of Japanese craft labels; arrive before 7pm to skip the line.
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.
OrderThe Mr. Pig sandwich and a half-rack of beef ribs; the onion-ring tower for sharing.
TipTake-out from the side window has a shorter line; full table service runs the indoor dining room.
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.
OrderLanzhou hand-pulled beef noodle soup; the xiaolongbao steamer for sharing.
TipCash is fine and faster than card. The dan dan noodles are the room's secret order.
James Coffee on 30th Street in North Park, San Diego, the local roaster's longtime production roastery with a sit-down cafe while Little Italy rebuilds.
Lofty Coffee on Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas, north San Diego County, a specialty coffee roaster running two neighbouring cafes plus brunch service.
Modern Times Flavordome in North Park, San Diego, with 20 rotating taps, in-house coffee bar and a record-shopping corner on Upas Street at 30th.
Pure Project's Vista brewery and taproom in north San Diego County, a 14,000 sq ft headquarters running 20 taps of organic and sustainably-sourced ales.
South Beach Bar and Grille on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, San Diego, the Pier-side fish-taco room serving Mahi and lobster tacos until midnight.
OrderMahi fish taco, lobster taco, late-night happy hour
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
Snooze on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest, San Diego, the upside-down breakfast room with the pancake flight, breakfast pot pie and a waitlist app to bypass.
OrderPancake flight, breakfast pot pie, Bloody Mary
Guided tour · 2h 30m
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, ...
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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.