Salud Tacos in San Diego is Ernie Becerra's Barrio Logan Chicano-style taqueria on Logan Avenue near Chicano Park, with murals on the walls and a counter built around the carne asada plancha.
Signature dishes: Carne asada tacos, Quesabirria, Carne asada fries
Must order: The classic carne asada tacos with all the fixings; the quesabirria on a Sunday.
Tip: Cash-and-card both fine; pair with a stroll through Chicano Park's mural gardens half a block south.
Address: 2196 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
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 since 2022.
Signature: Tasting menu, Caviar service
Order: The full tasting menu; the seasonal caviar course is the room's signature.
Tip: Tasting menu only; book six weeks ahead, jacket preferred. Pair with a Grand Del Mar overnight if the budget allows it.
Born and Raised in San Diego is Consortium Holdings' Art Deco steakhouse on India Street in Little Italy, with tableside Caesars, a martini cart and a rooftop terrace.
Signature: Tableside Caesar, Dry-aged ribeye, Tableside martini cart
Order: The 35-day dry-aged ribeye for two, plus the tableside Caesar built at the table.
Tip: Book the rooftop for Pacific sunsets; the martini cart only runs the main dining room downstairs.
Herb and Wood in San Diego is Brian Malarkey's Kettner Boulevard room in Little Italy, a rustic wood-fired Mediterranean kitchen with a courtyard patio and a large indoor hearth.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Roast chicken, Charred octopus
Order: The wood-fired roast chicken for two; the charred octopus to start.
Tip: The covered patio is the move on warmer evenings; the bar runs full menu for walk-ins.
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 that opened in 2014.
Signature: In-N-Haute (riff on In-N-Out), Crispy Brussels sprouts, Yellowtail crudo
Order: The In-N-Haute, Blais's elevated take on the In-N-Out double-double, on the snack menu most nights.
Tip: Anthony Wells now runs the kitchen day to day; the snack menu at the bar is the most affordable entry.
Kettner Exchange in San Diego is the Brian Malarkey-designed rooftop dining room on Kettner Boulevard in Little Italy, a tri-level space with a covered indoor-outdoor terrace.
Signature: Crispy lamb shank, Tuna tartare, Korean BBQ ribs
Order: The crispy lamb shank, on the menu since opening; the Korean BBQ ribs to share.
Tip: Brunch on the rooftop runs Saturday and Sunday; book the terrace, not the indoor dining room.
Ironside Fish and Oyster in San Diego is Consortium Holdings' India Street raw bar in Little Italy, with a piranha-skull-clad back wall and an extensive Pacific and East Coast oyster list.
Signature: Oyster tower, Lobster roll, Whole grilled branzino
Order: The Connecticut-style lobster roll, hot with butter; the oyster tower to share.
Tip: Happy hour at the bar runs $2 oysters Mon-Fri 3pm-5pm; the back patio gets sun until 7pm.
