The best restaurants in San Diego right now

What is it? A modern French steakhouse with tongue-in-cheek references to the “coq” or rooster. Chef Tara Monsod is arguably one of the hottest chefs in San Diego right now, recently named a James Beard Best Chef finalist. 

Why we love it: Steak is the go-to order at this swanky, SoCal-meet-Paris steakhouse, but apps like an onion tart and celery salad are not to be downplayed. Side dishes are served à la carte and may sound familiar on paper—think mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and green beans—but these are decadent versions of your old favorites. Do yourself a favor and order a baguette to share with the table, served with your choice of indulgent toppings like chicken skin butter or housemade jam. 

Time Out tip: On Wednesdays, the restaurant has a Le Coq Flambé three-course meal available, including a flambé roasted whole chicken. Their happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 6pm if you’re in the mood for a tasty burger.

Address: 7837 Herschel Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 5–10pm; Sun 5–9pm

Expect to pay: Steaks are upwards of $50 and sides run about $20 each, so plan for at least $150 per person. 

What is it? A destination hotel with over-the-top design and two fantastic eateries: a Oaxacan-inspired restaurant as well as a 24-hour diner. 

Why we love it: Stepping foot inside the Lafayette Hotel is a visual feast. Their two restaurants offer totally different options and are equally worthy of a visit. Quixote highlights flavors of Oaxaca, including three types of fantastic mole sauce (black, red and green), which are served in several dishes including memelas (similar to sopes), braised lamb belly and pulpo. The seasonal whole grilled fish (deboned, served on a platter) is something to behold and can easily feed two people. Sip on a passionfruit margarita or mezcal cocktail here to soak in the beautiful surroundings.

Beginner’s Diner is their more casual all-day eatery with red booths and counter service. The go-to breakfast order is a banana bread pudding French toast that’s glazed with syrup and good enough to take over your daydreams. For late-night eats, the diner serves a hearty patty melt with Wagyu smash patties, caramelized onions and American cheese—the perfect hangover cure, in our opinion. 

Time Out tip: There’s no need to venture out of the hotel. Plan to stay here all day and enjoy the pool bar, coffee bar, diner and Mexican restaurant. There’s also an on–site bowling alley and live jazz club. 

Address: 2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104

Opening hours:
Quixote: Mon–Fri noon–midnight; Sat, Sun 1pm–midnight
Beginner’s Diner: open 24 hours

Expect to pay: Quixote has mostly small plates ($20) and a few larger entrees ($60-plus) so plan to spend around $100 per person with cocktails. Beginner’s Diner should be a cool $20.

What is it? An all-day cafe, bakery and bar that turns from casual counter service in the daytime to a bustling full-service dinner spot in the evening. Located just north of San Diego in Carlsbad, Wildland is all about fresh pastas, rotisserie chicken and wood-fired pizzas.

Why we love it: The menu seemingly has something for everyone here. Pasta dishes like the mafaldine seem so simple, yet are bursting with flavor. Pizzas are a shareable size with toppings like nduja spicy spreadable salami, cured egg yolk and maitake mushrooms. Meat and seafood dishes are another option, but look no further than the rotisserie chicken that’s served with a spicy chili oil and garlic toum sauce. 

Time Out tip: Mornings look completely different than evenings here, where the day starts out with croissants and lattes, moves toward salads and sandwiches, and ends with a fully packed dining room where drinks are flowing over multi-course dinners. We suggest dropping by to experience Wildland at different mealtimes to get a taste of it all. The team behind Wildland also has two other popular concepts nearby: Campfire and Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie.

Address: 2598 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Opening hours: Daily 8am–9pm

Expect to pay: At dinner, plan to order an item from each section of the menu to try, amounting to around $100 per person, with cocktails another $15 each. 

What is it? Contemporary California cuisine in a tropical, Instagram-worthy dining room.

Why we love it: Named after the birds of paradise, this Bird Rock restaurant is helmed by former pastry chef turned executive chef Mark Welker whose career includes time working in Michelin-starred restaurants in New York. What this means for guests is that dessert absolutely must be ordered here. As for the rest: The halibut tempura appetizer (served as lettuce wraps) and jalapeño caesar salad (served under a pile of parmesan cheese) are crowd favorites, and entrees like the lobster spaghetti and dry-aged rib-eye steak deliver on flavor. End the meal on a high note with the Straus milk and honey sundae that chef Welker has been making for more than a decade. 

Time Out tip: Swing by their doughnut shop next door called Dodo Bird Donuts for a sweet treat and one of their fancy coffees like the pistachio latte. 

Address: 5680 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 4–9pm; Fri, Sat 4–10pm; Sun 4–8pm

Expect to pay: Paradisaea is the type of place where you’ll want to order a bunch of plates to share. Larger entrees are about $40 to $60 unless you spring for the gold label wagyu ($144).

What is it? San Diego’s only Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant, Valle is an upscale eatery located within northern neighbor Oceanside’s swanky Mission Pacific Hotel.

Why we love it: Chef Roberto Alcocer serves a stunning eight-course tasting menu that represents his love for Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe region (where he also runs a restaurant), paired with wine sourced from vineyards in Northern Mexico and unforgettable cocktails. His familial ties to Oaxaca come through in plates with mole sauce and woodfire char cooking techniques, though chef Alcocer has also spent time working in kitchens across France and Spain. Diners can opt for either a surf and turf or vegetarian menu here (these change seasonally), with two previous standout dishes being a corn masa chancla and tamal de quelites. Not only will you finish the meal with a full belly, but you’ll leave knowing you just experienced something really special.

Time Out tip: Ask for a quick tour of the kitchen, where you can say hello to the chef and see firsthand the level of detail put into each dish. 

Address: 222 N Pacific St, Oceanside, CA 92054

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5–9pm

Expect to pay: The chef’s tasting menu is $195. We recommend adding the Mexican wine pairing for $158. There’s also a global wine pairing for $220. A 20% service charge for gratuity is added to all checks.

What is it? This modern, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant lives up to its Greek name, which translates to “the most beautiful.”

Why we love it: Chef Travis Swikard has serious street cred having cooked under French chef Daniel Boulud in New York City for years before returning to his SoCal hometown. At Callie, he sends out beautiful and thoughtfully-plated dishes like spot prawns al ajillo, aleppo chicken and pappardelle with a spicy Kurobuta sausage ragu. Starters like the hummus and avocado labna pair well with any of their innovative cocktails. 

Time Out tip: If you’re dining with a group, opt for the five-course Mediterranean Feast that’s served family style ($80 per person); it’s a great way to try a lot of dishes. Wine pairings are only an additional $45 per person, and they even have a non-alcoholic pairing option available for $35.

Address: 1195 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5–10pm

Expect to pay: Entrees are around $30 but you should also plan for a few veggie side dishes ($20) and appetizer dips ($15). A 20% gratuity is added to all guest checks.

What is it? A lot of restaurants like to throw around the popular “farm-to-table” phrase to indicate their produce came straight from the garden and onto your plate. Nowhere is it more accurate than Haven, which is located within the new Fox Point Farms community that has a sustainable farm, brewery and coffee roastery on-site. 

Why we love it: Diners can expect to see whatever produce is currently in season on the menu at Haven. Carrots are turned into hummus, fava beans are added to farro, and snap peas might just be the star of your dinner plate. Menus change often, but previous standout dishes have included jerk pork belly mole, black cod and Wagyu coulotte. Oenophiles will be delighted by the wine list here, which focuses on organic and biodynamic vino from both local and global wineries—all hand-selected by their in-house sommelier. 

Time Out tip: Opt for the chef’s tasting menu here to try five farm-forward courses with an optional wine pairing add-on. While most are set courses, you can decide between a handful of dishes for your main entree.

Address: 1200 Fox Point Farms Ln, Encinitas, CA 92024

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 5–9pm; Fri 4–9pm; Sat, Sun 10am–1:30pm, 4–9pm

Expect to pay: Entrees run about $40 each, but the chef’s tasting menu is a great value at $89 per person.

What is it? Wood-fired dishes are the cornerstone of this upscale, trendy restaurant established by celebrity chef Brian Malarkey to showcase California and Mediterranean flavors. 

Why we love it: A former rubber band factory, this cavernous space bounced back as a striking open-air dining room with vaulted ceilings, flickering gas lamps and enough potted plants to fill a greenhouse. The vibes are good for date night or drinks on the town. Seasonal Mediterranean-inspired dishes are roasted in a wood-fired oven such as oysters and bone marrow, Baja shrimp, pastas and pizzas, plus fancy side dishes like baby carrots prepared with Morrocan oil, pistachio butter, pickled red onion and jalapeño vinaigrette.

Time Out tip: Nab a coveted seat at the bar during weekday happy hour from 5 to 6pm, when roasted oysters, frites, wine, beer and other select items are on offer.

Address: 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 5–9:30pm

Expect to pay: Entrees range in price from $30 to $80, with pizza and pasta on the lower end, and steak and fish on the higher end. Cocktails are around $20 each. 

What is it? A top pick when in downtown Encinitas, Herb & Sea (the sister restaurant of Herb & Wood) serves modern seafood in a lively atmosphere. 

Why we love it: There’s a good variety on the menu here, including raw bar plates, appetizers like spicy Baja shrimp, and irresistible entrees like whole branzino and wood-fired pork chop. We recommend trying the local rock cod crudo or ceviche off the raw bar and heading to the back patio to enjoy outside. Don’t miss happy hour here, available Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 6pm, when oysters, smash burgers and their so-called “happy meal” (plus drinks) are a steal of a deal. Be sure to arrive early if you want to nab a seat at the bustling bar or reserve a high-top table in the bar area. 

Time Out tip: While it’s all about the seafood here—chef Aidan Owens is known for his knife skills when it comes to breaking down fish—you shouldn’t overlook the veggie dishes. The embered beets (made with pistachio butter and a date vinaigrette) were inspired by a recipe from his mom, so you know he’s not going to disappoint with that one. 

Address: 131 W D St, Encinitas, CA 92024

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5–9pm

Expect to pay: Entrees are in the $30 to $40 range with apps and sides ranging from $15 to $25. 

What is it? Celebrity chef Richard Blais was a founding chef of this contemporary restaurant serving whimsical dishes. Blais has since parted ways, but he’s left the kitchen in capable hands with similar minds. 

Why we love it: This lively, upscale restaurant is a standout among San Diego’s food and drink-obsessed Little Italy neighborhood. The airy dining room continues to be packed out by locals, thanks to Culinary Director Jon Sloan and his continually shifting, inventive menu: We’re talking delicious small plates, creative entrees and culinary-inspired cocktails. Recent standouts include a miso black cod, whole roasted duck and a strawberry sake cocktail. The deviled eggs are a bestselling starter, though menu offerings change daily based on what’s hauled in by farmers and fishermen.

Time Out tip: End your meal with the yodel dessert, a longtime menu staple that involves a cylinder cake log. Flavors and toppings change seasonally. 

Address: 2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 5–10pm

Expect to pay: Larger entrees are upwards of $40, so plan to spend around $100 per person if you’re going to share some small plates and have drinks.

What is it? Authentic Italian restaurant Cesarina is run by three Italian natives who send out incredible pasta dishes.

Why we love it: Based solely on the in-house pastificio (pasta factory) on display in their dining room, Cesarina knows its dough. Create your own pasta dish, or choose from one of their favorites such as pappardelle al brasata di manzo or paccheri vodka and scampi at this charming neighborhood Italian spot. Don’t skip on the antipasti options like beef carpaccio or calamari. Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful at Cesarina, where they have a separate vegan menu to make ordering easy. Save room for sweet treats including tiramisu or cannoli that’s prepared tableside. 

Time Out tip: Reservations are strongly encouraged here since the dining room and patio are on the smaller side. Parking can be tricky in this area so plan to park a few streets away and walk over. 

Address: 4161 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–3pm, 4–9:30pm; Fri noon–9:30pm; Sat, Sun 11am–9:30pm

Expect to pay: Entrees run in the $30-$40 range and antipasti is around $20 per dish. 

What is it? An osteria-style Italian restaurant serving traditional Roman cuisine in a cozy setting with vintage decor. 

Why we love it: This newer concept behind the same folks as Cesarina lives up to the hype. Great for family-style meals and casual weeknight dinners, Elvira serves a good weekend brunch with dishes like ricotta pancakes, avocado toast and frittatas. At dinnertime you can expect Roman-style pizzas (thin, crispy crust), homemade pastas and a handful of meat dishes.

Time Out tip: Elvira has daily specials based on the Roman calendar—think meatballs on Tuesdays, gnocchi on Thursdays and fish on Fridays. But Sundays are our favorite time to dine here, when the focus is on sharing a special family meal. At Elvira it’s an occasion that calls for baked pasta, with hearty dishes like cannelloni and lasagna.

Address: 4996 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4–9:30pm; Sat, Sun 11am–9:30pm

Expect to pay: Pasta and pizza dishes are between $20 and $30, wine is around $15 per glass, and their coffee drinks at brunch are a cool $4. Diners can easily get in and out for under $50 per person.

What is it? Mediterranean, tapas-style plates make for a flavor-packed dinner at Valentina, where sharing is encouraged and Iberico ham is a star.

Why we love it: Step inside this charming Spanish bistro named for the owner’s daughter and grab a table in their intimate dining room awash in natural light. It’s a great date night spot replete with twinkle lights and cozy seating. Meat and seafood dishes reign supreme at Valentina, but the patatas bravas and blistered shishito peppers shouldn’t be overlooked. Settle in for some gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), anchovy toast and steak frites for the table. Their extensive wine list won’t disappoint and neither will dessert like the Basque cake or buñuelos.

Time Out tip: Valentina’s happy hour menu is available daily from 5 to 6pm and includes $5 beer and house wine, plus sangria pitchers, cocktails and small bites. 

Address: 810 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 5–10pm

Expect to pay: We recommend ordering two to three tapas per person here, with dishes in the $20 to $30 range. Factor in a glass or two of wine and you’ll be all-in for around $100. 

What is it? An Italian restaurant with housemade pastas, a small selection of meat and seafood dishes, and a beautiful aesthetic.

Why we love it: Come to Marisi for the pasta and stay to soak in the gorgeous interiors and sexy ambiance. Grab a seat on the sunlit patio or head back to “the Lemon Room” to feel like you’re on the Amalfi Coast. While you could be perfectly content to just enjoy apps like the zucchini blossoms, focaccia, crudo and carpaccio, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not continuing on to the agnolotti made with king crab, pappardelle with duck ragu, or cappelletti with black truffle. If you decide to keep going, you’ll find dry-aged beef, line-caught fish and more. Just don’t skip the Meyer lemon dessert or smooth sippers from Marisi’s classic cocktail or Italian-leaning wine lists. 

Time Out tip: Weekend brunch is a great time to visit Marisi and try egg sandwiches, baked sweets, breakfast cocktails, and yes, pasta, too.  

Address: 1044 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 11am–2:30pm, 5–10pm

Expect to pay: Pasta dishes are around $30 and larger entrees are in the $40 to $50 range, so plan for at least $50 per person for dinner. 

What is it? Vegan food that appeals to omnivores, plus whimsical cocktails and chic death metal decor make for a dining experience unlike any other.

Why we love it: All hail seitan at Kindred! This singular cocktail bar has exceptional vegan dishes, Victorian elegance and ravishingly sinister heavy metal flourishes. Mixing equal parts heaven and hell—pink toile wallpaper is the background for a devilish wolf sculpture—Kindred serves divine vegan dishes such as char-grilled seitan skewers and battered hearts of palm flatbread alongside exquisite cocktails blackened with activated charcoal and served on pentagram coasters. A trip to the bathroom yields a virtual art gallery of malevolent dudes and their cats.

Time Out tip: The barbecued jackfruit at Kindred will make lifelong carnivores question whether it’s actually pulled pork on their sandwich. Order it with one of their spirit-forward or refreshing non-alcoholic cocktails. 

Address: 1503 30th St, San Diego, CA 92102

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–midnight, Fri 5pm–1am, Sat 10am–1am, Sun 10am–midnight

Expect to pay: Both entrees and cocktails run $15 to $20 each, so plan for at least $30 to $40 per person. 

What is it? Get authentic Tijuana-style tacos, burritos, quesadillas and side dishes like street corn and carne asada fries at the Taco Stand, where there’s usually a line out front.

Why we love it: Some of the best tacos this side of the border are at the Taco Stand, a casual counter-service restaurant where you can see the chefs hand-making tortillas and assembling tacos made to order. Popular favorites include the pork al pastor and spicy shrimp tacos, California burritos and fries loaded with carne asada and/or grilled shrimp. Don’t be shy about sampling sauces from the salsa bar. 

Time Out tip: Ordering churros is the only way to end a meal here. They come three to an order with a sweet vanilla dipping sauce that’ll make you want to lick your fingers afterward.

Address: Find locations in Downtown San Diego, North Park, Convoy District, La Jolla, Encinitas and Oceanside.

Opening hours: While operating hours differ between locations, most are open daily from 10am to 10pm. 

Expect to pay: Tacos are around $4 each, while burritos and quesadillas are about $10. Considering the size of each item, it’s a heck of a value and why folks are willing to wait in line to order.

What is it? An Italian restaurant specializing in Milano-style pizza with paper-thin crust, plus biodynamic wines from small Italian wineries. 

Why we love it: Tuesdays are one of the best times to visit Ambrogio15 for their Wine and Pizza Tuesdays, when there are specials on four different wine and pizza pairings like spicy salami pizza with a glass of Syrah. There are plenty of vegetarian options here including an eggplant parm and a zucchini and burrata carpaccio, plus margherita pizza and cannelloni baked pasta stuffed with ricotta and spinach. Even if you’re doughed-out by the end, make room for the scrocchiarella Nutella dessert with homemade mascarpone cream. Pizza lovers should also reserve a spot in one of their pizza cooking classes where a real dough expert teaches the art of pizza-making. 

Time Out tip: Check Ambrogio15’s website for info on upcoming regional wine dinners and monthly guided wine tasting events. Wine dinners take place on the last Wednesday of each month and include a four-course dinner with wine pairings that showcase a specific Italian region.

Address: 926 Turquoise Street, Suite H, San Diego, CA 92109

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–9pm; Fri, Sat noon–10pm

Expect to pay: Pizzas and most other entrees are between $20-$30, with most wines by the glass around $20.

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What is it? A buzzy restaurant with a lively after-dinner bar scene for the 30 and up crowd. The restaurant’s award-winning architecture and design pays tribute to late congressman William Kettner, known as the founding father of modern San Diego.

Why we love it: This scene-y Little Italy restaurant draws a fashionable young crowd with daybeds, cocktails and shareable plates. The handsome bi-level space features a ground-floor dining room and an upstairs lounge linked by a towering indoor tree, but the best seats in the house are the semi-private cabanas on the rooftop terrace. Wherever you get settled, you’ll find an upbeat crowd swaying to tunes from a live DJ and mingling over tables strewn with spicy shrimp, tuna sashimi, and duck meatballs.

Time Out tip: Make a dinner reservation here and when you’re finished eating, head to the rooftop for cocktails with a view of the busy street below. Note: A dress-code is enforced after 9pm. Be sure to check their website for special events like KEX Fest, an all-inclusive food and drink festival with photo booths, silent disco, pop-up bars and other cool activations. 

Address: 2001 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu 5pm–“late;” Fri, Sat 5pm–1am; Sun 11am–midnight

Expect to pay: Most small plates are around $20. Plan for two to three small plates per person.