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Best Authentic Restaurants in San Diego

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46 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Puesto Mission Valley restaurant
1. Puesto Mission Valley
4.6
Exceptional(1982)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Mission Valley
Booked 44 times today
Puesto is family-owned and operated by first generation Mexican American brothers Eric, Alan and Alex Adler, alongside their cousins Isidoro and Moy Lombrozo and founding chef and partner Luisteen Gonzalez. With eight locations in California, Puesto provides an innovative and contemporary approach to authentic Mexican cuisine. Sourcing its ingredients locally and regionally, the restaurant has earned national acclaim for its Mexico City-inspired tacos made with non-GMO organic, heirloom Masienda blue corn stone-ground tortillas, crispy melted cheese and scratch salsas.
A photo of Cori Pastificio Trattoria restaurant
2. Cori Pastificio Trattoria
4.8
Exceptional(609)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • North Park
Booked 23 times today
Acclaimed Sicilian Chef Accursio Lota serves up authentic cuisine in a cozy 60's-style Italian trattoria. Voted San Diego's Best Chef five years in a row, and Barilla’s World Pasta Champion, at Cori Trattoria Chef Lota serves up beautifully bold dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas and Beef Bone Marrow, and an unbelievably rich Vegan Parmigiana di Melanzane. The menu melds the flavors of Sicily and Italy with the best of fresh, locally-sourced Southern California ingredients, and is matched by a curated wine list and cocktail program that include indigenous, bio-dynamic varietals from all Italy. The current Spring menu features dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas, fava bean, and beef bone marrow, and Cacio e Pepe with sustainably-sourced Petrovich caviar.Enjoy full-service table seating, grab a place at the marble-topped bar, from which you can watch all the action of your meal being prepared in the open kitchen or just order your meal to enjoy at home with your family.
A photo of The Godfather Restaurant restaurant
3. The Godfather Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1859)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Kearny Mesa
Booked 26 times today
The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian monument in downtown San Diego providing authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy. Established in 1974, The Godfather is a sophisticated and classy establishment that centers around generational recipes from both Northern and Southern Italy. Over the years, the quality of food and standard of service has never declined and thus garnered The Godfather a national recognition as one of the top twenty-five Italian restaurants in the entire nation. The menu is filled with classic favorites based in steak, chicken and pasta. For an intimate evening for two, try the Sicilian kiss prix fixe meal that includes a bottle of champagne.
A photo of Solare Ristorante Lounge restaurant
4. Solare Ristorante Lounge
4.7
Exceptional(2431)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Point Loma
Booked 23 times today
Family-owned and operated, Randy Smerik and his team are dedicated to providing an amazing dining experience for you. Our authentic Italian cuisine features a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. including fresh pasta made each morning and organic produce, wild fish, and hormone free meat.
A photo of Rakiraki Convoy restaurant
5. Rakiraki Convoy
4.7
Exceptional(11)
Price: Moderate
• Sushi • Kearny Mesa
Booked 3 times today
For reservations of 3 or less please book through our sister restaurant The Yasai by RakiRaki Convoy!Experience the original RakiRaki Ramen experience at our first location located in Kearny Mesa—the epicenter of San Diego’s thriving Asian food scene. The lines out the door are worth the wait for Chef/owner, Junya Watanabe’s signature ramen recipes that blend the art of traditional ramen making with the highest quality ingredients available and a modern atmosphere. RakiRaki serves a wide variety of authentic ramen dishes and Japanese cuisine including tsukemen (dipping noodles), charcoal-fired yakitori, curry, ramen burgers, and specialty sushi rolls along with local craft beer and sake selections.
A photo of Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina restaurant
6. Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina
3.9
Excellent(1142)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Old Town
Booked 6 times today
Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant & Cantina serves authentic Mexican cuisine, using old-world recipes. Reviews consistently praise the flavorful food, generous portions, and exceptional service. The restaurant's location in San Diego's historic Old Town adds to its authenticity, with its rooftop dining and Margaritas being particularly popular.
A photo of Baja Betty's restaurant
7. Baja Betty's
4.9
Exceptional(337)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Hillcrest
Booked 5 times today
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!
A photo of Theresa's Italian Steakhouse restaurant
8. Theresa's Italian Steakhouse
4.2
Awesome(92)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Mission Valley
Booked 1 time today
Enjoy authentic Italian Steakhouse cuisine right in the heart of Mission Valley in central San Diego. Theresa’s Italian Steakhouse combines a dynamic atmosphere with traditional dishes. From housemade pasta dishes to prime cut steaks and fresh seafood, you will fall in love with our chef’s recipes, transporting you back to Italy. Take pleasure in every dish with perfectly paired selections from a carefully assembled wine collection.We believe in supporting local farmers and suppliers that produce fresh, sustainable and traceable ingredients. By working together, we can help protect the environment and ensure all animals are treated humanely through modern farming practices. We hope you'll enjoy these local ingredients and have an outstanding dining experience with us.
A photo of Ortega's A Mexican Bistro restaurant
9. Ortega's A Mexican Bistro
4.5
Awesome(1014)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Hillcrest
Booked 6 times today
Ortega's Mexican Bistro is a true gem in San Diego, serving authentic flavors of Puerto Nuevo. Reviewers rave about the Baja style lobster, table side guacamole, and the festive ambiance. They even mentioned the 'beautiful surroundings' and 'great service'. The menu also features flavorful dishes like Banana Crusted Huachinango and Flat Iron Steak Burrito. This place is the real deal!
A photo of Ambrogio15 restaurant
10. Ambrogio15
4.8
Exceptional(830)
Price: Moderate
• Pizzeria • Pacific Beach
Booked 13 times today
Ambrogio15 is an authentic Pizzeria with a unique Milano gourmet pizza recipe. Reviewers are consistently impressed with the high-quality ingredients and the authenticity of the Italian cuisine. The restaurant is described as 'exceptional', 'fabulous' and 'authentic'.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

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