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ARTIFACT at Mingei, San Diego, CA
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ARTIFACT at Mingei

$31 to $50
International

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 23 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Innovative
  • Healthy
  • Vegetarian-friendly
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 Park
Follow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Tim Kolanko + Tony Coito

  • Award icon
    MICHELIN Plate2023

From the OpenTable editors: ARTIFACT lives in a beloved folk-art museum—a backdrop that inspires its (almost) too-pretty-to-eat dishes, including neatly folded rock shrimp gyoza in yuzu dashi and chai-chocolate mousse crowned with coconut whipped cream. Expect a spread that’s as international as the art on display.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    International, Asian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 331-3569
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
  • Private party facilities
    Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
  • Area
    Downtown
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • ARTIFACT at Night - Afghanistan

    USD 89.00 per person

    20 Mar 2025 only
    Experience Afghanistan crafted by chefs Tim Kolanko, Wesley Johnson, and Tony Coito for our March ARTIFACT at Night. Four-course experience with optional beverage pairings. $89 per person Reminder: For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. Any cancelations within 72 hours of the night of the event will be charged $50/person.
    ARTIFACT at Night - Afghanistan photo

What 890 people are saying

ARTIFACT at Mingei reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Innovative

  • San Diego

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Artifact at Mingei offers a "consistently creative and delicious" dining experience in the heart of Balboa Park. Guests rave about the "unique flavors using techniques and spices from various cultures" and the "beautifully designed dining space." With a menu featuring vegan options and stunning views, it's a "favorite of ours" for a memorable meal.

890 Reviews
  1. Mary Jo

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent fresh food, inventiveuse of ingredients,beautiful presentation, and ,most importantly , delicious. Our server Allie was knowledgable, helpful, and engaging. Gorgeous space in the Mingei Museum at Balboa Park. We ate inside due to rain but will try the spacious side patio next time. We enjoyed our lunch immensly and will return for a Friday dinner and perhaps one of their monthly world dinners. Highly recommend Artifact!

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  2. Talkinboutdafood VIP

    San Francisco32 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    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!

    Is this helpful?

  3. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a small birthday celebration over lunch on lovely setting on the patio, with a wonderful waiter and excellent food. The weather was beautiful. Couldn’t ask for more. Very memorable.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Sharon

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everyone’s moral selections were delicious with the exception of my order - it was way too salty and the waitress immediately credited the charge and asked if I wanted a different entree. When I declined, she offered a dessert which was enjoyed by all. Great service and with the one entree exception, delicious food.

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  5. Vickie VIP

    Los Angeles43 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 1 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything about the Mingei Indigo exhibit tied together. Even the amazing artwork over the bar and an indigo inspired mock tail. We arrived early before our reservation and were seated at the bar. I did receive a no show notice. But we were there. We did notice tables were open while we were at the bar. We had a great experience with Kendra. We ordered 2 pre fixe dinners and ordered different items. Kendra gave us small plates so we could exchange food. Although the bar chairs aren’t as comfortable as a table, our experience was great. Kendra explained the indigo woven art. She advised us on the food choices. We loved it. We were so surprised at the quality of the food and the service at a museum cafe. It definitely was on par with a very nice restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Suebless

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 27 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely lunch date after viewing the Mingei art show. Lunch was delicious.

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  7. Jan VIP

    San Diego38 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 27 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This was the first time I had eaten at Artifact. A friend and I shared the Vietnam meatballs, the pierogis, the beet and pear salad and the tapioca pudding. It was all tasty except the meatballs which were overcooked. The waitperson suggested we share dishes but there were only three items on each shared plate. It seemed like there should have been an even number. The dishes were beautifully served and the service was great. The bill was $85 and I was hungry in an hour and a half.

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  8. Cindy

    Milwaukee14 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 22 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely restaurant with a Beautiful patio and interesting food. We were there for lunch on a Saturday and the service was a little slow, but we weren’t in a hurry. The snack tray was a generous serving of 4 delicious items.

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  9. Betty

    San Diego1 review

    4.0

    Dined on 22 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    I’ll never understand the reason restaurants design their dining rooms for maximum. The food was interesting and affordable.

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  10. Jean VIP

    Chicago25 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 21 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Just get the delivery times… drinks. Snacks, mains.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

ARTIFACT at Mingei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 331-3569.

ARTIFACT at Mingei is rated 4.8 stars by 890 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 23 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for ARTIFACT at Mingei

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
  • Area
    Downtown
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    International, Asian, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (619) 331-3569
  • Catering
    Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
  • Private party facilities
    Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals
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