Sushi Ota in San Diego is Yukito Ota's Mission Bay Drive room since 1990, the strip-mall sushi counter that has trained more San Diego sushi chefs than any other kitchen in the city.
Signature dishes: Omakase, Uni nigiri, Kanpachi sashimi
Must order: The omakase, ordered by sitting at the counter and saying so; the uni nigiri is the indicator of the day's catch.
Tip: Book the counter, not the dining room. The strip-mall location is intentional; ignore the parking lot and step inside.
Address: 4529 Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
Cowboy Star in San Diego is the East Village steakhouse and butcher shop on 10th Avenue, with an in-house dry-aging programme, an oyster bar and the city's deepest American Wagyu list.
Signature: Dry-aged ribeye, Wagyu burger, Wagyu tartare
Order: The dry-aged bone-in ribeye for two; the Wagyu burger at lunch.
Tip: The butcher shop sells the same cuts at retail; if the menu is booked, buy and cook at home.
Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens in Escondido is Stone's flagship destination brewery and restaurant since 2006, the one-acre beer garden, 36-tap room and farm-driven kitchen.
Signature: Stone IPA flight, Beer-braised short ribs, Garden-fresh salads
Order: A Stone IPA flight to compare the eras of the West Coast original; the beer-braised short ribs from the kitchen.
Tip: Take the brewery tour at 1pm before lunch; the back garden is the move on warm afternoons.
Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego is the 1955 Shelter Island Tiki institution, with a sprawling Polynesian dining room, a boat dock and the city's most famous Mai Tai pour.
Signature: Mai tai, Bali Hai egg rolls, Polynesian platter
Order: The original Mai Tai (a known-strong recipe since the 1950s); the Polynesian Platter for sharing.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.
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 kimchi-and-burger crowd.
Signature: Mongolian BBQ pork ribs, Crispy Brussels sprouts, Burger with kimchi slaw
Order: The Mongolian BBQ ribs; the kimchi-slaw burger with a Pure Project IPA.
Tip: Tuesday Hapa Half-Off runs half-price wines until close; the patio is heater-equipped year-round.
Tasty Noodle House in San Diego is the Convoy Street northern Chinese noodle counter, with hand-pulled noodles made through the open window and the city's most reliable xiaolongbao.
Signature: Hand-pulled noodles, Xiaolongbao, Dan dan noodles
Order: The Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodle soup; the xiaolongbao steamer for sharing.
Tip: Cash 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 San Diego beach burger.
Signature: Double bacon cheeseburger, Mini burger, Onion rings
Order: The Double Bacon Cheeseburger with the works; the mini version if you want to keep walking after.
Tip: The line moves; queue at the side door for takeout. Park your car blocks away on weekends, Newport Avenue fills up.
