39 Best Restaurants in San Diego, California

Among the plentiful and popular brunch options in Little Italy, Morning Glory stands out for not just elevating its breakfast options but making breakfast and brunch its only concern. The dazzling, pink-hue brunch palace is a luxurious sight to behold, with plush seating, a vending machine full of champagne, and a giant metal flower-shape lamp at the center of its outdoor dining area. Yet the menu is where visitors will find its most appealing delights, from its many variations on hot cocoa, to its internationally inspired egg dishes and extra indulgent flapjacks, French toast, and soufflé pancakes.

Make sure to show up early—the restaurant doesn't take reservations and the waitlist fills up fast.

Urbanites craving a hip casual setting and gourmet menu pack architectural salvage–styled Prep Kitchen Little Italy, tucked upstairs above a busy corner in this thriving neighborhood. With first-date cocktails, after-work brews, or birthday champagne, diners relish familiar choices like meatball sandwiches, chops, and pork belly with kimchi Brussels. Generously sized dishes like spicy Carlsbad mussels or fusilli Bolognese could serve as dinner for two. Farmers’ market flatbreads, changed daily, are made for sharing, too, while the hefty WNL Burger topped with bacon and egg is a staple lunch, brunch, and dinner. There are also locations in Del Mar and La Jolla.

Inspired by the grass-fed burgers they sampled in New Zealand, the founders of this convivial eatery set out to replicate those same high-quality flavors in their Ocean Beach spot. The interior nods to the outdoor-oriented Kiwi country, with surfboards turned into light fixtures, rugby photos, and bodyboards as wall art. An outdoor "parklet" wrapping the corner lot draws a crowd, clinging to the laid-back atmosphere and chill staff that will know you by name before the meal is over. Food focuses on burgers with organic, grass-fed beef, as well as chicken, lamb, and seafood options dressed in garlic aioli and tomato chutney, along with huge portions of onions rings and fries. The meat pies have a croissant-like crust, and there are also salads for those seeking greens. The weekend brunch menu delivers chilaquiles, steak and tamale Benedict, and cheesy grits. With 24 beers on tap, this OB mainstay was one of the first local businesses to pioneer the craft beer movement.

Next to his successful fine-dining restaurant, Juniper and Ivy, celebrity chef Richard Blais has opened this more casual eatery complete with a walk-up counter, picnic-style tables, a bocce court, and a giant rooster—a nod to the egg- and chicken-theme menu. Ingredients are sourced from high-quality vendors and used for sandwiches, of which the fried chicken varieties shine, as well as salads and sides like fluffy minibiscuits with a miso-maple butter and a Mexican spin on poutine. The all-outdoor space feels like a cool playground for foodies, and there's even a slick bar that doles out craft cocktails.

Old-school wood-fire techniques meet modern architecture in this busy bistro where comic book–style art covers the concrete walls and the bottle-lined bar beckons locals and visitors alike. Locally sourced ingredients and smoky, savory flavors feature in the well-balanced menu; be sure to save room for one of the inspired desserts.

Occupying a prime oceanfront lot just south of Crystal Pier, the views from the raised dining room are impressive. Throw in an excellent raw bar, a wide selection of shared plates, and a buzzy bar scene and you get Waterbar's "social seafood" concept.

For more than 50 years, generations of San Diegans and visitors have enjoyed this Polynesian-theme icon with its stunning bay and city skyline views. The menu is a fusion of Hawaiian and Asian cuisines with standouts like the crispy ahi tuna, wok-fried bass, and pan-seared scallops with macadamia nut butter.

A restaurant and gourmet market converge at this boisterous warehouse-like space that's outfitted in copper light fixtures, intricate tilework, and marble-topped tables. Dining here is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the stomach, with house-made pastas, freshly shaken cocktails, and Italian meats that double as decor thanks to the open-kitchen culinary stations. The menu is broken up into appetizers like smashed avocado bruschetta and can't-miss meatballs before moving on to pizzas, pastas, and more hearty fare like lamb osso buco or sea bass with toasted farro and chive oil. Postdinner, stop by the market for olive oils, sauces, cookbooks, and other treats.

Creeping toward 20 locations, this breakfast chain is spreading like wildfire thanks to the owner, Johan Engman’s obsession with the first meal for the day. Served out of an Airstream kitchen, hot breakfast plates hit your table within 20 minutes and nearly every dish puts a spin on a standard like the tres leches vegan pancakes, the gouda shrimp and grits, and the breakfast burrito with Jurassic pork. No one leaves hungry, or unhappy for that matter, especially with drinks like the lychee mimosa and the house-made bloody Marys. The warehouse-style decor and dog-friendly patio meld perfectly with the Ocean Beach vibe.

One of the few restaurants with a view that's also worth eating at, Brockton Villa is tucked in an historic cottage on a hillside above La Jolla Cove. Food is served all day, but this dining spot excels at brunch and lunch when ocean views are best. Snag a seat by the fireplace and start the day with their famous soufflé-like orange-scented Coast Toast, breakfast tacos, or the popular blue crab–cake eggs Benedict. For lunch enjoy the curry chicken salad wrap, a lobster roll, or chopped Mediterranean salad. During the late-afternoon social hour, a bottle of wine and artisanal cheese board are only $30.

The redesigned Little Italy restaurant-bar oozes slightly surreal cool. Crammed bookshelves line the walls, banquettes and mirrors are scrawled with sayings, and taxidermy appears in odd settings like a lion preying on a hog above the bar. The management’s no-fear mind-set extends to the menu—ketchup and vodka have been outlawed here—but young fans and neighborhood residents who gather here after work find plenty to savor. Dinner features gastropub fare like Korean barbecue wings, thick burgers, and wood-fire dishes that include bone marrow, roasted carrots, and rib eye. Save energy for the potent rum drinks at False Idol, the in-house tiki bar accessible only through the walk-in cooler.

With its innovative, affordable Italian food, polished service, bustling bar scene and olive tree–shaded patio, this Chicago transplant is right at home in Little Italy. Sip the Davanti Spritz (Aperol, prosecco, and soda) while nibbling on their famous cheesy focaccia sweetened with honey or antipasti cheeses, meats, and olives. Dine family-style, sharing slices of thin-crust pizza, plates of classic pastas like cacio e pepe, or a steaming bowl of mascarpone polenta topped with the ragu of the day. Desserts veer classic Italian, like tiramisu, cannolis, and a goat cheese cheesecake. There's a second location in Del Mar.

Big caloric portions and long lines are hallmarks of this Southern-accented comfort food destination where hungry regulars from near and far line up for an indulgent meal in the crowded (and sometimes noisy) dining room. Bring an appetite and a friend; sharing plates is a necessity here.

Step inside this restaurant, part of a tropic-style hotel complex and concert venue on Shelter Island, and discover a dining room that’s contemporary in look and outlook with amazing vistas of bobbing sailboats, seabirds, and sunsets. Hotel guests, concertgoers, yachties, and a few locals enjoy the contemporary menu featuring classic American fare like crab cakes, lobster mac and cheese, and skirt steak (regulars request the macadamia-crusted halibut). Sunday brunch from 10 to 2 draws a crowd. After sharing an in-house dessert, stop by the bar next door to work off the calories dancing to live music.

Reservations are needed during concert nights; check the website for schedule.

Tucked bay-side between Harbor and Shelter islands, Jimmy's (JFAT for short) draws hungry boaters and sea lovers with its marina views and elevated backyard-barbecue faves like the Cowboy burger with crispy onion rings and pecanwood bacon. The interior blends varnished wood with industrial-chic I beams and garage-style doors, plus there's a patio facing the water. Happy Hour 3–6 draws a crowd for $9 cocktails and $12 burgers. Bottles of the company’s zesty chipotle ketchup now can be purchased to take home.

This chic ocean-facing restaurant (pronounced Jordan), in the boutique TOWER23 Hotel, offers a diverse menu including a sushi and raw bar, and inspired California cuisine. Lunch and weekend brunch are very popular, and on Friday and Saturday the bar is jammed with under-thirty types eager to see and be seen.

This outcrop of the Brigantine chain brings a modern vibe to Shelter Island with a beer-friendly menu as impressive as the harbor view. For a true San Diego dining experience, try the California tuna bowls, surf n’ turf fondue, or chili-glazed salmon with kale hash. There are plenty of gluten-free and vegan dishes to boot, including seafood salad, steamed clams, and crispy buffalo cauliflower. Weekend brunch (10–3) and daily Happy Hour (3–6), pack the house. For grab n’ go, swing by the walk-up window offering the same menu.

Pink paisley wallpaper and marble-topped tables stand among skull prints, Gothic art, a heavy metal soundtrack and a giant ram's head in this busy restaurant-bar—emphasis on the bar. The vegan menu is not what you might expect, and the bold flavors and satisfying portions will please both herbivores and carnivores alike.

A bright and bustling A.M.-hours counterpart to its sibling restaurant Madison, Madi is a haven for the Sunday brunch crowd. With colorful decor and no fewer than six different variations of mimosa on the menu, it's youthful and indulgent, but not exclusive to weekends—Madi serves its gooey morning treats like peanut butter and banana pancakes and chilaquiles every day starting at 8.

Accolades continue to roll in for executive chef Jason Knibb—winner of an award of excellence by Wine Spectator every year since 2002—whose seasonal menus are magnets for travelers and San Diegans seeking a memorable meal like pan-roasted Colorado lamb loin or duck breast with white asparagus and mustard greens. Located at La Jolla’s Grande Colonial Hotel, the space encompasses a cozy ground-floor dining room, bar, and ocean-glimpse covered patio. At night deftly executed appetizers may include Jamaican jerk pork belly with plantains and black-eyed peas or porcini mushroom spaghettini with cured egg yolk. A prix-fixe six-course “Mercy of the Chef” menu is available for the whole table.

Seafood lovers have long flocked to Puerto Nuevo, the “lobster village” just south of San Diego in Baja California, Mexico. When a family that operates several Puerto Nuevo restaurants opened Ortega's in Hillcrest, it quickly became a top draw for authentic Baja coastal cuisine, minus the long lines to cross the border.

Adding a dose of hip to Balboa Park, this gastropub, located adjacent to the San Diego Museum of Art's sculpture garden, offers a stylish pit stop pretheater or between museum-hopping. The menu features grab-and-go options as well as dine-in upscale pub fare with several vegan options and a weekend brunch.

Panama 66 does not take reservations.

Two French transplants have brought sleek Parisian style to Downtown San Diego and rows of eclairs, tarts, croissants, colorful macarons, and the aroma of espresso greet patrons as they enter a minimalist space. For something more substantial, look to their menu of crepes, panini, salads, and quiches; caffeinated drinks range from teas and coffee to a sweet lavender honey latte.

Take a seat on the patio for a prime view of late-night Gaslamp revelers.

Fresh homemade pasta served as the diner wants it is the mantra at this cozy Italian restaurant. Opt for indoor seating, which offers a charming, old-world feel, with warm lighting, wood beam ceilings, and exposed brick.

As the sister restaurant of La Jolla’s Georges at the Cove, this laid-back restaurant is the perfect spot to chill with friends after a day in the sand and share oysters from the raw bar or rosemary Parmesan fries dipped in jalapeño ranch. Grab a seat on the dog-friendly patio or head indoors for grilled favorites including octopus, prime rib, and cast-iron focaccia with honey ricotta. A smoky element takes flavors up a notch, with nearly every dish touching the wood-fired grill. Rounding out the menu are house-made pastas and desserts prepared by Aly Lyng, the pastry chef at George’s at the Cove. Sunday brunch and happy hour (4–5:30 pm) are both on point, especially with tempting offers that include a dozen oysters on the house with any purchase of a bottle of Champagne.

Since opened by celebrity chef Brian Malarkey a few years ago, this high-energy flagship restaurant has become the Gaslamp’s best for food and energetic atmosphere. Foodies from near and far savor the upscale down-home fare like small plates of biscuits with spicy honey, duck fat fries, and shrimp and grits. The open kitchen serves a full range of poultry and meat dishes, while specialty cocktails from the bar keep things lively in the sofa-furnished lounge. If you prefer a quiet place to chat and dine, this isn’t for you.