3 Best Restaurants in San Diego, California

The city's former Naval Training Center is home to more than 30 vendors so even the pickiest of diners will be pleased. Options include tacos and quesadillas at Cecilia's Taqueria; fried rice, pad Thai, and curries at Mama Made Thai; lavender lattes from Westbean Coffee Roasters; fried chicken and fries from Fluster Cluck; sweet and savory crepes from Olala; more than a dozen Argentinean empanadas at Paraná; and croissants, éclairs, and macarons at Le Parfait Paris. There are a few communal tables indoors, but the best seating is the kid- and dog-friendly outdoor patio, outfitted with Adirondack chairs and market lights.  Not all vendors are open for breakfast.

A 2016 renovation has brought on a new chef, menu, and ocean view at this restaurant situated in pedestrian-friendly La Jolla Village. The clean, elevated design features a custom-made copper bar, spacious terrace, and polished woods. The menu draws inspiration from Mexico, Asia, and the Mediterranean with raw dishes like a lobster aguachile with chili-pear granita and meat- and seafood-heavy mains that include lamb loin, seared yellowtail, and mussels in a spicy broth. The cocktail menu features more than two dozen libations divided by categories like agave, cane sugar, and dark grains, while the wine list covers 250 varietals. There’s a retail shop for diners looking to take a bottle home.