Best Hot Spot Restaurants in National City

28 restaurants available nearby

1. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4725)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 40 times today

Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.

2. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6429)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 75 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. Coasterra

4.5

Awesome(7531)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Harbor Island

Booked 56 times today

Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.

4. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8622)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 54 times today

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

5. STK- San Diego

4.3

Awesome(3313)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 29 times today

STK Steakhouse is “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” offering a high-energy dining experience that artfully combines the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse with a Vibe Dining atmosphere unlike any other. Delectable cuisine, upscale cocktails and an elevated Happy Hour, along with an in-house DJ and chic décor, all come together to offer a memorable fine dining experience that keeps guests enjoying their evening from drinks to dinner to late night. STK’s menu features reimagined classic American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner with unique local flair infused into each location’s menu. The brand’s beef program focuses on the highest quality, delicious and craveable steaks while emphasizing transparency and traceable sourcing practices.

6. Nobu San Diego

4.5

Awesome(3729)

Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 32 times today

Nobu San Diego is a hotspot due to its unique and exceptional cuisine. The menu, crafted by renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Executive Chef David Meade, features innovative dishes like Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno. Reviewers consistently praise the food as 'consistently and exceptionally delicious', with many recommending the hot and cold dishes and specials. The restaurant's ambiance is also noted for its 'sleek and modern decor' creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

7. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4278)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 82 times today

Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!

A photo of Water Grill - San Diego restaurant

8. Water Grill - San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(3578)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 39 times today

Located steps away from Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center in the heart of Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego, Water Grill San Diego is an iconic seafood destination to enjoy the first catch of the season and a deep variety of fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters and shellfish on a robust menu that changes daily. New product arrives from boat-to-table in a matter of hours from our exclusive seafood distribution company and our chef’s preparations allow the high-quality product to shine. Consistently rated as one of San Diego’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill San Diego also offers multiple, customizable private dining options for business meetings and special events.

9. Buona Forchetta

4.6

Exceptional(843)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • South Park

Booked 51 times today

Buona Forchetta started in 2011 as a craving of Matteo’s to bring some of his native Italy to our adopted home of South Park. We found the perfect corner and built the perfect oven. Since then, we’ve strived to deliver an exceptional and authentic Italian experience to our customers keeping our focus on the simple recipes that Matteo grew up on. We owe a huge “grazie” to our neighbors who have joined us on this awesome journey, and we hope that you will continue to be part of our story.

10. Cloak + Petal

4.6

Exceptional(947)

Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Little Italy

Booked 29 times today

WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionshipOur concept is drawn from our name. The word “cloak” implies secrecy, inspiring our concept of a social sphere humming beneath the levels of ordinary life. “Petal” alludes to the Japanese tradition of “hanami,” when family and friends gather under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks and fellowship.Enter our space and travel underground to décor reminiscent of an abandoned Tokyo subway, a stratum of society all its own, an artist’s dream. Cross the threshold into a mystically transformed Japanese social dining lounge which appears to be an outdoor seating area, similar to a waiting platform. Sit beneath a trellis of draping vines and teardrop lights in the intimate space we’ve thoughtfully created, and feast on authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates and drinks with family and friends.Journey down to Cloak + Petal… and come unwind your soul.

‘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

J
Johnvip
San Diego •25 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
This was our first time at Mister A's since they renovated their space, which improved the setting, The food and service were excellent.
More info
Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.9
J
JoAnnvip
San Diego •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Unmatched hospitality! The server was knowledgeable about the food and able to describe them well. We didn’t have great luck with the clams, they were very chewy & overcooked but the broth was delicious. They took it back and a sweet manager, (I’m forgetting names) sent a hamachi that was to die for! Everything else that hit the table was delicious and we were very impressed. The bubbly and celebration desert was super appreciated as well. Honestly made my birthday dinner feel extra special, some places really don’t go the extra mile but they sure know how to impress.
More info
Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
B
Barryvip
San Francisco Bay Area •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great service and seating around the chef counter was a bonus. You can see all the cooking action right in front of you. The wagyu carpaccio was the highlight of the night. It just melts in your mouth. The organic pear salad was also great for sharing. However the aged duck breast and the dry-aged bone in ribeye had some tendons and chewy parts that is unable to swallow.
More info
Cowboy StarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
•
4.9
J
Jim
Portland / Oregon •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Impeccable service and amazing food made for a special evening. The atmosphere was festive and fun. The decor was modern and delightful to the eye. Highly recommend!
More info
STK- San DiegoPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
•
4.3
S
Stephanie
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Food and service was amazing as always! Chelsea was amazing at keeping us happy and making sure we were satisfied with the recent menu changes. Never had a meal I didn’t enjoy here.
More info
CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
•
4.5

Best Hot Spot Restaurants in National City

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Award-winning

Accessibility

28 restaurants available nearby

1. Cowboy Star

2. Herb & Wood

3. Coasterra

4. Mister A's

5. STK- San Diego

6. Nobu San Diego

7. Barbusa

8. Water Grill - San Diego

9. Buona Forchetta

10. Cloak + Petal

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable