Restaurants near Balboa Park, San Diego

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CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

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BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

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MICHELIN

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Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

254 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant

1. The Prado at Balboa Park

4.6

Exceptional(8004)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 60 times today

Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, in the Historic House of Hospitality, The Prado offers historic charm and California cuisine.

A photo of ARTIFACT at Mingei restaurant

2. ARTIFACT at Mingei

4.8

Exceptional(889)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• International • Downtown

Booked 15 times today

ARTIFACT is a full-service restaurant featuring craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals located inside the beautiful Mingei Museum at Balboa Park . Offering indoor, outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch Tuesday-Saturday.Crafted by Tim Kolanko, Executive Chef, Urban Kitchen Group, and Tony Coito, ARTIFACT’s Chef de Cuisine, will be a nod to Mingei’s changing international exhibitions in an environment filled with functional, innovative art and design by Jennifer Luce, Founder and Principal of LUCE et studio, who led the design and renovation project. ARTIFACT and CRAFT CAFE at Mingei-the latest additions to restaurateur Tracy Borkum and Executive Chef Tim Kolanko’s CUCINA family of restaurants. An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs ParkFollow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei

3. Mister A's

4.8

Exceptional(8813)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 65 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)

4. Seneca

4.7

Exceptional(4390)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 118 times today

Roman trattorias are a timeless expression of simplicity. Immune to the lure of gastronomic experimentation and ego. In Rome, no chef can cook better than the mothers and grandmothers before them. Our goal is to merge the dogmatic approach of Roman cooking with the amazing abundance of ingredients available to us in San Diego. A True Roman Holiday In SD. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.

5. Juniper & Ivy

4.6

Exceptional(8162)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • Little Italy

Booked 79 times today

Nationally-acclaimed Juniper and Ivy-consistently ranked "Best of the Best" by San Diego Magazine, and recognized as a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand establishment-is a foodie paradise on the edge of San Diego's Little Italy. The kitchen delivers a constantly rotating, chef-driven menu that uses hand-selected, seasonal ingredients crafted with precision, passion, and creativity. Founded by Owner Michael Rosen, Juniper's kitchen is backed by a supergroup of culinary minds that produce one of the most refined yet imaginative menus in town, paired with an award-winning wine list from the city's top sommeliers.

6. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6594)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 109 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.

7. insideOUT

4.8

Exceptional(2452)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Hillcrest

Booked 54 times today

insideOUT is Hillcrest's elevated restaurant and lounge, and San Diego's only urban oasis! We are an 18+ venue.Reservations for our upcoming "Sweetheart Experience" are now open! The Experience will be February 5th - 16th!Our menu is curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran and is updated seasonally to reflect his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by our local purveyors.Aside from our impeccable hospitality, insideOUT is known for their over-the-top seasonal experiences. We also provide customized private event planning with venue buyout options. More information can be found on our website.

8. MOTHERSHIP

4.7

Exceptional(408)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • North Park

Booked 45 times today

Tropical space adventure in South Park! Exotic cocktails. Interplanetary fusion small plates. Named Best Bars In America by Esquire Magazine. Reservations offer 90-minute experience like no other, venturing towards the outer limits of the tropical flavor galaxy! WALK INS WELCOME - Walk-in tables are available daily. Early arrival is encouraged and there is a paging system in the event of a waitlist.

9. CUCINA urbana

4.7

Exceptional(7149)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Banker's Hill

Booked 44 times today

We are a wine shop inside of a restaurant | Dining and design form the perfect union at San Diego's highly acclaimed CUCINA urbana, a California-inspired Italian kitchen and wine shop, located in the heart of Bankers Hill since 2009. The restaurant boasts comfort and familiarity, welcoming diners to a country farmhouse with the added whimsy of a contemporary art installation.CUCINA urbana is the originator of the CUCINA retail wine program where each dedicated shop allows guests to hand select wines at a retail price, either to enjoy with their meal for a minimal corkage fee or for purchase to-go. The wine list is comprised of many familiar labels as well as rare and small-batch gems, with an emphasis on Italian varietals.

10. Callie Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(368)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Downtown

Booked 95 times today

Callie represents Chef Travis Swikard's debut solo project after spending a decade working alongside the esteemed Chef Daniel Boulud in New York City. The restaurant’s name, "Callie," comes from the Greek word "kallos," meaning "the most beautiful," and embodies its blend of Mediterranean cuisine with local ingredients and terroir, from sea to land from San Diego, Swikard's hometown. In 2022, Callie was acclaimed as one of America's top new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report, and received both a Bib Gourmand and a Plate from the Michelin Guide. Callie is a dedicated supporter of Feeding San Diego, having contributed over 1 million meals to those in need in San Diego since its launch. Swikard is set to open his second restaurant in La Jolla in 2025.

Dining near Balboa Park, San Diego at a glance

Updated on 12/03/2025

Parc Bistro-Brasserie

4.8

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From verified diners like you

T
TalkinboutdafoodVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •32 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Surprising to find such great food and cocktails in a museum. The lamb burger and kabocha/beet salad were delicious. Just be aware the restaurant is in the lobby of the museum but it’s a small museum so very little noise from the patrons going to and fro. After lunch, get a coffee to go from the cafe on the other side of the lobby and sit outside in the beautiful plaza. Memorable day!
More info
ARTIFACT at MingeiPrice: Expensive• International• Downtown
•
4.8
JP
JPsportsmed
Southwest Florida •18 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food was delicious, service totally professional, ambiance very cool. Excellent overall experience
More info
Juniper & IvyPrice: Expensive• Unspecified• Little Italy
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The staff were friendly and extremely attentive. Of course the views were amazing, but the highlight was our server.
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Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.8
G
Guillian
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Truly a wonderful experience! It was a great way to celebrate my birthday. Great food and service, the ambiance and view was beautiful. We will definitely be back!
More info
SenecaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
•
4.7
J
Jonathan
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Great service and ambiance, will definitely visit again
More info
The Prado at Balboa ParkPrice: Moderate• Californian• Downtown
•
4.6

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