Best Restaurants for Foodies in San Diego

41 restaurants available nearby

1. The Fishery

4.7

Exceptional(3046)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Pacific Beach

Booked 48 times today

BEHIND EVERY GREAT SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IS A WAREHOUSE STOCKED WITH FRESH SEAFOOD. The Fishery Restaurant & Market is located just a few blocks from the ocean in North Pacific Beach. The restaurant menu reflects ‘coastal cuisine’ with a simple yet serious focus on the best our coastal fisheries and local farms have to offer. The passion that drives Chef Mike Reidy is evidenced by flavors that can only be achieved using ingredients at their peak of seasonality and freshness. The Fishery was awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence for its Wine List from Wine Spectator in 2018- Present. Our wine list is inspired by the great wines of Europe and their American counterparts and we strive to showcase real, natural, food friendly-wines with a sense of place.The Fishery Market showcases fresh fish, prepared seafood, salads, sauces and marinades.

2. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6426)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 57 times today

A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.

3. Cellar Hand

4.8

Exceptional(104)

Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Hillcrest

Booked 18 times today

Nestled in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego, Cellar Hand embodies a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Through a farm-to-table approach, our menu showcases hyper-local seasonal fare by Executive Chef Logan Kendall. Our extensive wine list highlights the diverse terroir of California, serving as an extension of founder’s Pali Wine Co. Santa Barbara County winery. By fostering deep connections with local artisans, farmers, fishers, and stewards, Cellar Hand strives to be a destination where guests can savor the essence of California’s bounty in every bite and sip.Enjoy our exposed kitchen, an indoor-outdoor bar, outdoor fire pits, and artwork by Nick Perr. Opened Wednesday - Sunday with daily happy hour specials and Sunday brunch!

A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant

4. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(2630)

Price: Moderate

• French American • North Park

Booked 23 times today

The Smoking Goat is an award-winning California-French bistro located in the heart of North Park, San Diego. We have received the Gold Medallion for the best French Bistro in San Diego three years running. Inspired by his European Farm-to-Table up-bringing and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Executive Chef and Owner Fred Piehl, marries classic French cuisine with the bounty of San Diego in a way that is rustic, yet refined, imaginative, yet unpretentious. The dinners served feature in-season local, sustainable and organic ingredients and provide guests with a unique culinary experience, reminiscent of the European countryside. Boasting a carefully selected wine and beer list and chef and bartender attention to select spirits to create craft house cocktails, The Smoking Goat assures there is always the correct pairing available.

A photo of True Food Kitchen - San Diego FV restaurant

5. True Food Kitchen - San Diego FV

4.5

Awesome(1911)

Price: Moderate

• American • Mission Valley

Booked 36 times today

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in san Diego for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. Located at San Diego's Fashion Valley, a Simon Mall. Entrance from Friars Road at Avenida De Las Tiendas, use surface lot near Bloomingdale's. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

6. CUCINA urbana

4.7

Exceptional(7080)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Banker's Hill

Booked 65 times today

CUCINA urbana is a foodie haven, offering a unique blend of contemporary art and a country farmhouse ambiance. The reviews rave about its 'exquisite food and ambiance', 'exceptional and exciting food' and 'delicious food options'. It's also noted for its 'excellent service', 'interesting flavors', and 'creative and delicious food options'. The restaurant's wine program, which allows guests to hand-select wines for a minimal corkage fee, adds to the foodie experience.

7. Bleu Boheme

4.8

Exceptional(3530)

Price: Expensive

• French • Kensington

Booked 22 times today

"World travel and its pleasures; items brought back from different places for décors; great stories shared with others; and very importantly, simple, yet delicious recipes from different cultures. Our mission is humble. It is simply for people coming to our restaurant to be transported around the world, and to travel with us for an evening, to a place of well-being and happiness."Bleu Bohème is designed to create a feeling of France's past generations. It mixes the Bohemian and artistic free spirited left bank of Paris with the roots and tradition of the rural areas. Bleu Bohème is a neighborhood restaurant that serves accessible, affordable and comforting French cuisine.

8. One Door North

4.6

Exceptional(500)

Price: Moderate

• American • North Park

Booked 21 times today

At One Door North we host a New American Bar and Eatery that pays homage to the outdoors with the spirit of adventure, serving only fresh farm to table cuisine. Come enjoy the adventure with us, we look forward to serving you.

9. El Agave

4.7

Exceptional(2461)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Old Town

Booked 24 times today

Experience the true flavor of Mexico at San Diego’s premier Mexican cuisine destination.Established in 1996, El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria offers its patrons a unique dining setting withinthe largest tequila museum in the United States – with over 3,000 tequilas on display – alsorepeatedly voted the #1 tequila bar in the country. Nestled in historic Old Town, San Diego, it is theperfect place to enjoy a business lunch, romantic date, rehearsal dinner or to simply relax andunwind sipping find tequila with friends.

A photo of Solare Ristorante Lounge restaurant

10. Solare Ristorante Lounge

4.7

Exceptional(2427)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Point Loma

Booked 23 times today

Family-owned and operated, Randy Smerik and his team are dedicated to providing an amazing dining experience for you. Our authentic Italian cuisine features a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. including fresh pasta made each morning and organic produce, wild fish, and hormone free meat.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Monica
Portland / Oregon •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Delightful. Lovely ambiance and beautiful and tasty food. Very happy with our dinner.
More info
The Smoking Goat RestaurantPrice: Moderate• French American• North Park
•
4.8
K
KEVINvip
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The Fishery is outstanding. Fresh, delicious and unique. San Diego’s best neighborhood restaurant.
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The FisheryPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Pacific Beach
•
4.7
A
Andy
San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Wow this place was REALLY good. Highly recommend it. And one of the most knowledgeable waitresses I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Wish I could remember her name but she was fabulous.
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Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
J
JoAnnevip
San Diego •88 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Our favorite local restaurant! Our waiter warmly welcomed us knowing us from previous visits. As usual he was spot on in suggesting wines, knowing the contents of each dish, and anticipating our needs. And the other support staff did an excellent job -- smoothly orchestrating the evening. The salad we shared and ate every morsel -- lettuce, escarole, radicchio, tomatoes, cucumber, almonds, chickpeas, and green beans with an oregano vinaigrette that was so, so, so delicious. My husband enjoyed his pepperoni pizza. The branzino was divine! We finished with a limoncello and vegan pistachio ice cream.
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CUCINA urbanaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Banker's Hill
•
4.7
A
Ambervip
Chicago / Illinois •352 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
What an outstanding brunch experience - all the toasts are amazing with housemade bread. You need to get the chocolate babka and the basic breakfast is anything but basic, with pork belly bacon, sesame toast with housemade ham, herby potatoes and eggs your way. I’m surprised it’s not more crowded. Usually space for walk ins and right next to the Hillcrest farmers market.
More info
Cellar HandPrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Hillcrest
•
4.8

Best Restaurants for Foodies in San Diego

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Award-winning

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41 restaurants available nearby

1. The Fishery

2. Herb & Wood

3. Cellar Hand

4. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

5. True Food Kitchen - San Diego FV

6. CUCINA urbana

7. Bleu Boheme

8. One Door North

9. El Agave

10. Solare Ristorante Lounge

See what locals rave about

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