Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 February 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Wildland

4.8

4.8 (34)

$30 and under

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

WALK-IN'S ONLY FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

WALK-IN'S AND RESERVATIONS FOR DINNER.

Wildland is an all-day restaurant, bar and bakery inspired by the natural landscape and vibrant community of North County, celebrating the creative culture of California by bringing bold ideas to timeless traditions.

Night or day, this is a place for the every day.

We open daily at 8am, with counter service up until 4:00pm, inviting you all to come in and join us on a first-come, first-serve basis for breakfast and lunch.

Reservations are available every evening, and walk in guests are always welcome.

Private Dining Room reservations are available for parties of 12-18 guests.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 5 days ago

I went to Wildland with friends for dinner last night and loved it. The food and service were excellent. We ordered Prosciutto Toast, Charred Maitake Mushrooms, A Very Green Salad and Rigatoni. We also had the Venetian cocktail and Sangiovese wine. The cocktail was served with a massive quantity of ice. I would order it up next time. The food was fabulous and fresh. We loved the mushrooms, toast and salad! The only odd thing was the anchovy in the Rigatoni. The pasta and oxtail were delicious. I like anchovy but adding it to an oxtail and pasta dish wasn’t good. It was very fishy and strange paired with the oxtail. There were so many other things on the menu that I want to try that I will definitely be back.

LIPS - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (94)

$31 to $50

American

North Park

About the restaurant

Lips has been San Diego's ULTIMATE in Drag Dining for 25 years! Dinner, Drinks & fabulous Drag Shows, as well as Brunch on Saturdays & Sundays. Enjoy a great meal & cocktails served up by over-the-top Drag Queens.

DIFFERENT SHOWS WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY. Wed: Bithcy Bingo; Thur: Dining with the Divas; Fri: Glitz & Glam Dinner; Sat: 2 Dragalicious Brunches & 2 Glitz & Glam Dinners; Sun: 2 Gospel Brunches & Sunday Nite Showstoppers. ***Prices- Wed/Thur/Sun Dinner: $35.95(shoe & 3-course dinner, drinks additional); Sat/Sun Brunch: $42.95(Show, meal & bottomless Mimosas/Champagne/Bloody Mary; Fri/Sat Nite: $49.95(show & 3-course dinner,drinks additional)

All shows subject to 7.75%sales tax & 20% suggested gratuity; $12 celebration package for Birthdays/Bachelorette/Anniversary/Promotion/Graduation. 16+ to enter; 21+ to Drink. GOVERNMENT ID REQUIRED-ALL IDS CHECKED AT THE DOOR

Top review

Raymond

Dined 2 days ago

Good food, fair price, fantastic entertainment!!! All the ladies were friendly, entertaining and full of charm. Great night out for all.

The Veranda Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1536)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

Ken

Dined 4 days ago

Don't tell anyone, so good I almost don't want to share!

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Prime Rib Sandwich Dip

La Gran Terraza - University of San Diego

4.7

4.7 (1138)

$30 and under

Californian

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

The Grand Dining Room is open for lunch Monday - Friday from 11:30am-1:30pm.

La Gran Terraza is a California bistro featuring farm-to-table lunch and dinner. The Grand Dining Room and terrace have fantastic views of Tecolote Canyon and Mission Bay. OTooles offers small bites, nightly happy hour, a cozy fireplace, local craft beers and an excellent wine list.
Visit our website for a calendar of special events.

Top review

Deb

Dined 2 days ago

We had a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner at La Gran Terraza on the campus of USD. Delicious duck confit for me & husband had the surf & turf with filet mignon & lobster. Fabulous desserts too. Our server, Jack, was great. Terrific personality. Only issue I had was the service was pretty slow. I believe Jack was a little inexperienced, but with time, he'll be a top server! Looking forward to many more delightful meals to experience for special occasions. It was thoughtful of the manager, Rose, to come to our table to see how everything was. My husband mentioned to our server Jack that his filet was cooked more to medium instead of medium rare. An extra glass of wine was comp'd & enjoyed by me! Thank you, Debbie

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Experience

Daou Wine Dinner

Baja Betty's

5.0

5 (344)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

If you are in the mood for creative, Tex-Mex inspired dishes, the fun and atmosphere of Baja Betty's in San Diego, CA is for you. This popular eatery provides diners with a colorful and entertaining setting in which to savor a full array of dishes made from the freshest and most authentic ingredients.

The menu at Baja Betty's features many expected options, such as a comprehensive quesadilla menu and array of satisfying combination platters. However, diners can also enjoy a build your own burrito or bowl, an array of house specialties and tacos and some stunning signature margaritas to wash it all down. The menu at Baja Betty's also offers a long list of tequilas and mezcals, a full range of appetizers, nachos, soups, salads and the best Taco Tuesday in town!

Top review

Julia

Dined on 19 Jan 2025

great food and service v

The WineSellar & Brasserie

4.8

4.8 (1013)

$31 to $50

French

Sorrento Mesa

About the restaurant

Established in 1988, The WineSellar & Brasserie is San Diego's premiere destination for fine wine and exquisitely crafted locally sourced, organic fare.

Consistently ranked among OpenTable's Top 10 local restaurants, The Brasserie has been honored with either Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" and "Best Of Award Of Excellence" every year since our inception.

With your meal, enjoy a bottle from the adjoining WineSellar boutique wine shop or choose a wine from our award-winning list. Either way, you’ll find an outstanding selection of unique small-production wines not found anywhere else. Not in the mood for wine? Choose from our rotating list of craft beers or seasonally available craft cocktails.

Top review

Rachel

Dined 2 days ago

Did not care for the fixed Valentine's dinner menu but that was our fault for not realizing that when we booked the reservation. Our server was lovely but there seemed to be a lag between courses which likely was a kitchen issue? Portions were small. Stopped somewhere afterwards so my partner could have a snack. Lovely ambiance as always. Will go back but not likely when a fixed menu is offered.

Vittorio's Italian Restaurant- San Diego

4.7

4.7 (658)

$30 and under

Italian

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

Italian trattoria and wine bar.
Favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant

Top review

AmyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent dinner, amazing staff, fantastic bar tender, best owner who is onsite

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Experience

Tuesday Date Night

Tapas & Beers

4.9

4.9 (514)

$30 and under

French

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Located in Downtown San Diego's historic Spreckels building, Tapas & Beers is a French and Spanish Restaurant.

We offer a large selection of Tapas plates to share between friends & family
but also normal size dishes if you don't want to share !

Our beers on tap selection highlights breweries from San Diego County and our wine selection from all around the world will make any wine lover happy too !

Everything you will eat at Tapas & Beers will be made from scratch to order with fresh and mostly organic ingredients !

Discover why our place isso highly rated !

Cheers!

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Busy night for them and they worked hard to keep everyone moving. Exceptional service.

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4.9

4.9 (1090)

$50 and over

Speakeasy

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Our team has been busy crafting an exciting new beverage experience, and we can’t wait to share it with you soon! In the meantime, you can still indulge in our signature 90-minute, three-course cocktail experience for $67 plus tax and gratuity.

Starting February 12th, reservations will feature the all-new Youngblood experience: an elevated three-course beverage tasting, with a few delightful surprises, priced at $86 plus tax and gratuity. We’re thrilled to unveil what we’ve been working on!

Come find us.

Top review

DenisseVIP

Dined 6 days ago

This was one of the greatest drink experiences I have ever encountered! The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable. You can also taste different flavors in the drinks from all over the world. I love the bartender spiels after each drink. Can’t wait to bring my girlfriends here!

Black and Blue Steakhouse and Lounge - Valley View Casino

4.9

4.9 (1811)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Valley Center

About the restaurant

Black&Blue is a contemporary American Steakhouse with Las Vegas flair, and a 21 and up dining experience. B&B was recently named San Diego’s “Most Romantic Steakhouse” by the San Diego Union Tribune, and most recently awarded as the Best Steak House Best Seafood by San Diego A-list! At B&B we offer the choicest meats, freshest seafood and most dazzling desserts to delight the mind and body that will transport our guests into a world of indulgence and taste. Unwind with conversation and creative cocktails in our Black&Blue Lounge. Then move into our main room where Chef Nicholas Burgess will impress you with his inventive dishes and innovative takes on classic favorites. The Manager, Chris Scala, will ensure you receive the ultimate in guest service in an atmosphere that’s friendly and fun. To fully enjoy the B&B dining experience, please be prepared to spend an hour and a half with us. Visit us at B&B for a dining experience you’ll never forget.

Top review

Richard

Dined 3 days ago

If you want great food with incredible service this is a great place. We just recently discovered it and have been several times in the last few weeks. The entire staff here is so friendly and knowledgeable. From the very start, the hosts at the front have always made us feel so welcome. Every one of our servers have been the best. The food has always been above our expectations. For me there are just little touches that make this place so special. We will continue to make this our go to place for a great meal with great service.

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