Upscale in San Diego

False Idol ★ 4.7

False Idol tiki speakeasy in Little Italy, San Diego, the CH Projects hideaway behind Craft and Commerce running classic Don the Beachcomber recipes with rum.

Herb and Wood ★ 4.6

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.

OrderThe wood-fired roast chicken for two; the charred octopus to start.

TipThe covered patio is the move on warmer evenings; the bar runs full menu for walk-ins.

Juniper and Ivy ★ 4.6

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.

Cesarina ★ 4.6

Cesarina in San Diego is Cesarina Mezzoni's Point Loma trattoria on Voltaire Street, a glass-walled pastificio where you can watch hand-rolled eggless pasta.

OrderThe tortelli di zucca with butter and sage; the tagliatelle al ragu finished tableside.

TipThe eggless dough is unusual; ask for it explicitly if you want the canonical Cesarina experience.

Sushi Tadokoro ★ 4.6

Sushi Tadokoro in San Diego is Mitsui Tadokoro's Old Town omakase counter, the long-running Michelin Guide-listed Japanese kitchen with traditional.

OrderThe omakase nigiri course; the toro sashimi with grated wasabi made tableside.

TipReservations strongly recommended; the counter seats twelve and books out a week ahead.

Noble Experiment ★ 4.6

Noble Experiment speakeasy in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, hidden behind a wall of beer kegs at Neighborhood, with a pre-Prohibition cocktail program from CH.

Raised by Wolves ★ 4.6

Raised by Wolves cocktail bar at Westfield UTC in San Diego, CH Projects' Art Nouveau library hidden behind a spinning fireplace, featuring a 442 World's Top.

Ironside Fish and Oyster ★ 4.5

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.

OrderThe Connecticut-style lobster roll, hot with butter; the oyster tower to share.

TipHappy hour at the bar runs $2 oysters Mon-Fri 3pm-5pm; the back patio gets sun until 7pm.

Trust Restaurant ★ 4.5

Trust Restaurant in San Diego is Brad Wise's Hillcrest neighborhood room since 2016, the small-plates wood-fire kitchen that anchors Wise's Trust Restaurant.

OrderThe wood-grilled octopus on a smear of harissa; the cauliflower steak as the vegetarian centrepiece.

TipBook counter seats for the open-fire kitchen view; the Group also runs Fort Oak and Rare Society if Trust is full.

Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens Escondido ★ 4.5

Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens in Escondido is Stone's flagship destination brewery and restaurant since 2006, the one-acre beer garden.

OrderA Stone IPA flight to compare the eras of the West Coast original.

TipTake the brewery tour at 1pm before lunch; the back garden is the move on warm afternoons.

Polite Provisions ★ 4.5

Polite Provisions on 30th Street in San Diego's Normal Heights, the apothecary-style cocktail bar with house-made sodas, shrubs and a 30-tap classic cocktail.

Realm of the 52 Remedies ★ 4.5

Realm of the 52 Remedies speakeasy in San Diego's Convoy Asian Cultural District, a 1920s Shanghai parlor hidden inside Common Theory pouring.

Born and Raised Rooftop ★ 4.5

Born and Raised's rooftop cocktail bar on India Street in Little Italy, San Diego, with a 45-foot bar and vintage tableside cocktail carts in a glam art deco.

The Rose ★ 4.5

The Rose wine bar on 30th Street in South Park, San Diego, the neighbourhood natural-wine and bottle-shop hybrid from owners Chelsea Coleman and Rae Gurne.

Vino Carta ★ 4.5

Vino Carta on India Street in Little Italy, San Diego. At 2161 India St. Wine list: natural wines, small family producers, weekly thematic flights.

Kettner Exchange ★ 4.4

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.

OrderThe crispy lamb shank, on the menu since opening; the Korean BBQ ribs to share.

TipBrunch on the rooftop runs Saturday and Sunday; book the terrace, not the indoor dining room.

Davanti Enoteca ★ 4.4

Davanti Enoteca in San Diego is the Scott Harris Hospitality Italian trattoria on India Street, a Northern Italian wine-bar room with house-made pasta.

OrderThe focaccia di Recco with stracchino cheese; the cacio e pepe is the canonical secondi.

TipWalk-ins are taken at the bar; book the patio for warmer nights and the Saturday Mercato crowd-watching.

Ironside Fish and Oyster ★ 4.4

Ironside Fish and Oyster in San Diego is the Little Italy raw bar from Consortium Holdings, an India Street room with a piranha-skull installation and a wide.

OrderConnecticut-style lobster roll, hot with butter; the oyster tower to share.

TipHappy hour at the bar runs $2 oysters Mon-Fri 3-5pm; the back patio gets sun until 7pm.

Trust Restaurant ★ 4.4

Trust Restaurant in San Diego is Brad Wise's Hillcrest small-plates wood-fire kitchen since 2016, the room that anchors the Trust Restaurant Group.

OrderWood-grilled octopus on harissa; the cauliflower steak.

TipBook counter seats for the open-fire kitchen view; Fort Oak and Rare Society are the sister rooms.

Cesarina ★ 4.4

Cesarina in San Diego is Cesarina Mezzoni's Point Loma trattoria on Voltaire Street, a glass-walled pastificio where hand-rolled eggless pasta is made.

OrderTortelli di zucca with butter and sage; the tagliatelle al ragu finished tableside.

TipThe eggless dough is unusual; ask for it explicitly if you want the canonical Cesarina experience.

Little Victory Wine Bar ★ 4.4

Little Victory Wine Bar in Carlsbad Village, north San Diego County, the natural-wine bungalow from Bestia and Jeune et Jolie alumni opened April 2025.

Davanti Enoteca ★ 4.3

Davanti Enoteca in San Diego is Scott Harris Hospitality's Northern Italian wine bar on India Street, with house-made pasta and the rare Genoese focaccia di.

OrderThe focaccia di Recco with stracchino cheese; the cacio e pepe as the secondi.

TipWalk-ins are taken at the bar; book the patio for warmer nights and Saturday Mercato crowd-watching.

Kettner Exchange ★ 4.3

Kettner Exchange in San Diego is the Brian Malarkey-designed rooftop dining room on Kettner Boulevard, a tri-level space with a covered indoor-outdoor.

OrderThe crispy lamb shank; the Korean BBQ ribs to share.

TipBrunch on the rooftop runs Saturday and Sunday; book the terrace, not the indoor room.

Aero Club Bar ★ 4.3

Aero Club Bar on India Street near Middletown, San Diego, the 1947 pilot's dive turned whiskey shrine with 1,200 bottles. Located in Mission Hills.

Pali Wine Co. Little Italy ★ 4.3

Pali Wine Co. Little Italy on India Street in San Diego, the Lompoc winery's tasting room with Central Coast bottlings and a rooftop deck for the Wild Series.

Bali Hai Restaurant ★ 4.2

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.

OrderThe original Mai Tai (a known-strong recipe since the 1950s); the Polynesian Platter for sharing.

TipSunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.

Cutwater Spirits Tasting Room and Kitchen ★ 4.2

Cutwater Spirits in Miramar San Diego, the 50,000 sq ft distillery, kitchen and cocktail tasting room running classes, tours and chef-driven plates.

CUCINA urbana Bar ★ 4.2

CUCINA urbana's bar on Laurel Street in Bankers Hill, San Diego, the 2009 Cal-Italian room with daily happy hour and a retail wine program at minimal corkage.

Madison on Park ★ 4.2

Madison on Park on Park Boulevard in University Heights, San Diego, a Mediterranean kitchen and cocktail room in an signature mid-century space with seasonal.

Wine Vault and Bistro ★ 4.2

Wine Vault and Bistro on India Street in Mission Hills, San Diego, the 2005-vintage wine shop and prix-fixe room running pairing menus tied to monthly.

Sycamore Den ★ 4.1

Sycamore Den on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights, San Diego, the 1970s rec-room cocktail lounge with leather banquettes, a deep amaro list and den-room snacks.

Carruth Cellars Solana Beach ★ 4.1

Carruth Cellars Solana Beach in the Cedros Design District, San Diego County's largest urban winery since 2006 with estate-pour California and Oregon wines.

The 3rd Corner ★ 4.1

The 3rd Corner on Bacon Street in Ocean Beach, San Diego, a French bistro and 1,000-bottle wine shop where you drink any retail bottle for a $5 corkage.

Bottlecraft Little Italy ★ 4.1

Bottlecraft Little Italy on India Street, San Diego's original 2011 craft bottle shop with 24 taps and a side wine list of natural. At 2252 India St.

Bali Hai Restaurant ★ 4.0

Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego is the 1955 Shelter Island Tiki institution, a sprawling Polynesian dining room with a boat dock, mai tai pour.

OrderThe original Mai Tai; the Polynesian Platter for sharing.

TipSunday brunch is the value play; book a window for sunset over the marina and Point Loma.

Coin-Op Game Room ★ 4.0

Coin-Op Game Room on 30th Street in North Park, San Diego, the 2013 arcade-bar with retro pinball, classic console cabinets and game-themed craft cocktails.

Whistle Stop Bar ★ 4.0

Whistle Stop Bar on Fern Street in South Park, San Diego, a popular dive with twelve drafts, a jukebox that runs vinyl, live bands and a steady daily happy.

We Olive and Wine Bar La Jolla ★ 4.0

We Olive and Wine Bar on Prospect Street in La Jolla, San Diego, an artisan California-only wine list with complimentary olive oil tastings and Cove views.

The Tipsy Crow ★ 3.8

The Tipsy Crow on Fifth Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, the 1874 Spencer Ogden building running three levels of cocktails from the main bar.

Princess Pub and Grille ★ 3.8

Princess Pub and Grille on India Street in San Diego's Little Italy, the long-running British-owned pub serving fish and chips with rugby on satellite.