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.