BonVivant
San Diego

Best Restaurants

Explore San Diego's best restaurants — from the classics everyone knows to the neighborhood spots that deserve more attention.

28venues · Sorted by BonVivant Score

Born & Raised
$$$$

Born & Raised

Little Italy

San Diego's most theatrical steakhouse

$$$$ · Restaurants · 9.1

Las Cuatro Milpas
$

Las Cuatro Milpas

Barrio Logan

Open since 1933 and still making handmade tortillas, rolled tacos, and beans that could end wars

$ · Restaurants · 8.8

Buona Forchetta
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Buona Forchetta

South Park

The Neapolitan pizza that South Park was waiting for

$$ · Restaurants · 8.6

Mister A's
$$$$

Mister A's

Bankers Hill

Twelfth-floor views of the bay, the airport, and Point Loma from San Diego's most storied fine dining room

$$$$ · Restaurants · 8.4

George's at the Cove
$$$$

George's at the Cove

La Jolla

Three levels, three concepts, one spectacular ocean view

$$$$ · Restaurants · 8.2

Juniper & Ivy
$$$

Juniper & Ivy

Gaslamp Quarter

Richard Blais's San Diego flagship

$$$ · Restaurants · 8.0

The Marine Room
$$$$

The Marine Room

La Jolla

Waves literally crash against the windows at high tide

$$$$ · Restaurants · 7.8

Trust Restaurant
$$$

Trust Restaurant

Hillcrest

Rustic-refined American cooking from Brad Wise

$$$ · Restaurants · 7.6

Ironside Fish & Oyster
$$$

Ironside Fish & Oyster

Little Italy

A seafood restaurant that actually respects its fish

$$$ · Restaurants · 7.4

Tribute Pizza
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Tribute Pizza

North Park

Wood-fired Neapolitan pies with a San Diego craft beer list that actually matches the ambition of the food

$$ · Restaurants · 7.2

Lola 55
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Lola 55

East Village

Elevated Baja-style tacos with a conscience — sustainable sourcing, house-made tortillas, and combinations that actually surprise

$$ · Restaurants · 7.1

Kettner Exchange
$$$

Kettner Exchange

Little Italy

The rooftop is the main event — sunset views over the bay with craft cocktails

$$$ · Restaurants · 6.8

Liberty Public Market
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Liberty Public Market

Point Loma

San Diego's best food hall in a converted Navy training center at Liberty Station

$$ · Restaurants · 6.5

Tajima Ramen Convoy
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Tajima Ramen Convoy

Linda Vista

The tonkotsu broth is what put San Diego ramen on the map

$$ · Restaurants · 6.4

Fish 101
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Fish 101

Encinitas

Sustainable seafood done right on the 101.

$$ · Restaurants · 5.9

The Patio on Goldfinch
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The Patio on Goldfinch

Mission Hills

The name says it all — the patio is the draw, and it's one of the better ones in the city.

$$ · Restaurants · 5.6

OB Noodle House & Sake Bar
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OB Noodle House & Sake Bar

Ocean Beach

Not your average noodle house — the Thai-Japanese mashup works better than it should, and the sake list is deeper than expected.

$$ · Restaurants · 5.5

Hillcrest Brewing Company
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Hillcrest Brewing Company

Hillcrest

Bills itself as the first LGBT-owned brewery in the world.

$$ · Breweries · 4.8

The Blind Burro
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The Blind Burro

Gaslamp Quarter

Baja-inspired Mexican in the East Village fringe of the Gaslamp.

$$ · Restaurants · 4.5

Leroy's Kitchen + Lounge
$$$

Leroy's Kitchen + Lounge

Coronado

Coronado's most neighborhood-friendly restaurant.

$$$ · Restaurants · 4.4

The Waves Taco Club
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The Waves Taco Club

Gaslamp Quarter

$$ · Restaurants · 2.6

Tacos El Gordo
$

Tacos El Gordo

Gaslamp Quarter

No-frills Mexican counter-serve joint featuring Tijuana tacos, mulas, loaded fries & more.

$ · Restaurants · 2.5

Señor Taquero
$

Señor Taquero

Gaslamp Quarter

Unfussy, pint-sized counter-serve Mexican eatery popular for burritos, tacos & housemade churros.

$ · Restaurants · 2.5

Las Hadas Bar and Grill
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Las Hadas Bar and Grill

Gaslamp Quarter

Cheerful Mexican option featuring a seafood-centric menu, handmade margaritas & happy-hour deals.

$$ · Restaurants · 2.5

The Blind Burro
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The Blind Burro

Gaslamp Quarter

Stylish Mexican eatery & bar decorated in bare wood serving Baja-style coastal cuisine & cocktails.

$$ · Restaurants · 2.4

Tacos El Franc – Gaslamp Quarter
$

Tacos El Franc – Gaslamp Quarter

Gaslamp Quarter

$ · Restaurants · 2.4

Karina's Cantina Gaslamp
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Karina's Cantina Gaslamp

Gaslamp Quarter

Stylish, woodsy operation serving seafood dishes & ceviche, plus tacos & other Mexican staples.

$$ · Restaurants · 2.3

El Chingon
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El Chingon

Gaslamp Quarter

Lively, two-story destination for Mexican eats and cocktails with tequila and mezcal.

$$ · Restaurants · 2.2