11 Best Restaurants in San Diego, California

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.

Ocean Beach is a slightly eccentric beach town, not a place diners would expect to find this warm, romantic bistro that evokes a French farmhouse. The satisfying French-inspired menu of soups, woodstone-oven flatbreads, mussels, and other bistro classics is served in cozy dining rooms and a rustic outdoor patio. Go traditional with boeuf bourguignonne or chicken fricassee or spice it up with a flatbread topped with goat cheese, roasted beets, and curry onion jam.

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.

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.

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.

During peak hours at San Diego’s most popular barbecue, lines can be long for diners craving heaping portions of fall-off-the-bone baby-back ribs, moist pulled pork, or huge, crispy onion rings. The Toro tri-tip sandwich made the 2012 list of America’s best sandwiches compiled by Travel Channel celebrity Adam Richman. The hand-cut fries and other traditional sides at this friendly dining spot are favorites and barbecue fans love the sauce, but don’t bother asking—the recipe is secret. Don’t be discouraged by the line, it moves quickly. Carryout is great for picnics at the nearby Mission Bay beaches and parks. There are Phil’s inside PETCO Park and in Santee and Rancho Bernardo as well.

Meatballs get a trendy spin at S&S, where the decor blends a gold-wrapped bar and geometric stools with old-time touches like a bakery area fashioned after a vintage storefront. This cozy space is the perfect spot to indulge in comfort food with a twist. First select a meatball type (pork, chorizo, beef, chicken, quinoa, or sietan) before choosing the style—sliders, a sandwich, with spaghetti, or in a skillet. The meatballs are filling, but save room for the sides, particularly the fried pizza knots. Other small plates include mac and cheese, broccolini with garlic and Parmesan, and spiced crispy chickpeas. A slice of homemade pie topped with soft serve is a great ending to the meal.

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.

This hip eatery has won national acclaim for its combination of casual comfort and a menu of ever-changing local fare. In nice weather, request a patio table to enjoy the people-watching along with cocktails like the London's Burning with gin, jalapeño, avocado, and lemon or house sangria. The menu shines with dishes like the Spanish octopus, pork Bolognese, seared scallops, and roasted chicken. Desserts include mud pie, but the butterscotch budino with brown butter blondies is a solid staple.