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Raised by Wolves

A boutique bottle shop is the front for this award-winning speakeasy. Step through the doors and you’ll find a petite Art Nouveau-inspired hideaway, all velvet chairs and ornate cabinets. Come for detail-oriented drinks and splurgy cocktails made with rare (read: old) spirits like 70-year-old bourbon.

Quixote

If Quixote feels like a house of worship, it’s no accident. The cavernous restaurant was built from a deconstructed Mexican church, as hinted at by its Santa Maria candles and pulpit-turned-bar. Chef José Cepeda serves riffs on his family favourites spotlighting heirloom grains, masa, and his specialty, moles.

Cesarina

Fresh housemade pasta reigns at this charming Point Loma trattoria. Cesarina landed MICHELIN Bib Gourmand status for its knockout mix-and-match pasta options and one exceptional tableside tiramisu. The colorful Italian restaurant is a go-to for weekend brunch, best enjoyed on its bougainvillea-strewn patio.

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• MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

  2023

• MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

  2022

Herb & Wood

Spectacular wood-fired mains and a strong cocktail game are the twin draws at this sceney Cali-Mediterranean restaurant. Owner and Top Chef finalist Brian Malarkey created a place that’s just as charismatic as his on-air persona, complete with candlelit tables, barrel-vaulted ceilings, and modern art on the walls.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

Seneca

Alabaster statues and trickling fountains add a Roman holiday-like ambience to this rooftop trattoria. Enjoy lighter spins on Italian food like wood-fired prawns and pizza made with three-day fermented dough. Seneca lives on the 19th floor of the InterContinental, so your Roman feast comes with equally delicious Marina District views.

Juniper & Ivy

This Little Italy mainstay is responsible for upping the neighborhood’s culinary cred. The kitchen takes local fish and ingredients from area farms, then turns them into stunning plates with international flavors like pappardelle with sunchoke stroganoff or albacore tuna crudo with citrus vinaigrette.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

Born & Raised

The scene is just as sizzling as the steaks at this Little Italy stunner. Born & Raised turns the old-school steakhouse genre on its head, displaying photos of rap legends in the all-gold, super-glam dining room. There are steakhouse faithfuls, plus carts that prep vintage cocktails tableside. The result is an OTT steakhouse fit for the highest of high rollers.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

Animae

Filipino American chef Tara Monsod takes fusion food to the next level at this groovy Art Deco space. Expect opulent riffs on classics like crispy pig ears and kare kare—Monsod is one of the few chefs in the country putting Filipino food on the fine-dining stage. The approach earned her numerous awards, including a prestigious MICHELIN Plate.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

Mister A's

This plush penthouse escape—open since 1965—reached new heights after a dramatic redesign. Thanks to a freshly added lounge, diners have better access to its skyline views. The French-American restaurant highlights local produce in throwback dishes like grilled blue prawns with charred shishitos and pan-roasted Alaskan halibut with corn.

C-Level

Sweeping water views and creative seafood, like everything-crusted ahi and a lobster and fontina BLT, set this bayside charmer apart. Not to mention a shaded patio, complete with heaters and a fireplace, which might be the prettiest outdoor dining space on Harbor Island.

The Marine Room

This La Jolla gem is even better after a refresh by chef Mike Minor. What was French fine-dining is now a standout sustainable seafood spot serving local bluefin tuna with edamame and pickled ginger. The dining room is still the place to go for a killer oceanfront view—especially during high tide, when waves crash against the windows.

Ironside Fish & Oyster

Portholes, anchor hooks, and an enormous octopus sculpture—the nautical energy is strong at this seafood giant. Executive chef Danielle Van Steen puts her stamp on highlights like bone marrow with tuna tartare and sesame-smoked trout. The sprawling restaurant is set in a former auction house, hinting at San Diego’s maritime past.

MOTHERSHIP

MOTHERSHIP recently landed on Esquire’s best bars list for its top-tier vegan plates and inventive riffs on tropical drinks with unlikely combos like amaro and TANG cordial. But it’s the sci-fi design details that are especially impressive, including colour-changing lights, menus that resemble flight manuals, and a shuttlecraft-turned-bar.

Callie Restaurant

Chef and San Diego native Travis Swikard is an alum of iconic restaurants like DANIEL, and that pedigree shines at this sophisticated Mediterranean spot named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America in 2022. Feast on plates like lemon saffron linguine or harissa-grilled lamb chops, or go all-in on a five-course family-style tasting menu. Either way, a meal in the inviting space decked with blue tiles and lush greenery feels like a lively dinner party on every visit.

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• MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

  2024

• MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

  2023

Kettner Exchange

Anchored by a striking 20-foot eucalyptus sculpture, this two-story, indoor-outdoor showstopper has been a Little Italy hotspot since opening in 2014. Snag a seat on the rooftop patio with swinging daybeds, a roaring fireplace, and bookable private cabanas for sweeping harbour views and inventive American dishes with Asian twists like Szechuan frog legs and spicy tuna and crispy rice with eel sauce from James Beard Award-winning chef Brian Redzikowski.

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• MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

  2023

• MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

  2022

• MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

  2021

Marisi

This dainty Italian restaurant is a La Jolla newcomer, but it’s already made an impression thanks to standout farm-to-table fare from executive chef Cameron Ingle (of Bouchon Bistro and Bestia fame). Toast with vermouth before digging into winners like filet mignon with mascarpone and bite-sized agnolotti.

Le Coq

The latest hotspot from powerhouse restaurant group Puffer Malarkey Collective, Le Coq is where you go for modern takes on French classics with SoCal and Asian influences. James Beard Award-nominated chef Tara Monsod dazzles with standout dishes like a duck l’orange with tamarind puree, kumquat, and chicory. Original exposed brick walls in the historic 1930s building, red velvet booths, and lush plants add to the swanky Parisian vibe.

Cowboy Star

The award-winning, ride-’em-cowboy digs—hello, indoor fire pits—are one reason to dine at this long-standing East Village steakhouse. But so is the meaty food. Executive chef Victor H. Jimenez serves world-class New American fare like New York-style Hokkaido wagyu (flown in from Japan) and smoked garlic mac and cheese.

Island Prime

Meet San Diego’s only waterfront steakhouse: Island Prime’s unique location propped up on wooden stilts above San Diego Bay is reason enough to splurge here. And so is the premium surf-and-turf menu by award-winning chef Deborah Scott, featuring signatures like a filet trio with blue cheese, wild mushrooms, and Alaskan king crab.

Buona Forchetta

This easygoing Italian restaurant has five locations all over San Diego that specialize in Neapolitan-style pizzas and northern Italian staples. It’s loved by the area’s families for kid-friendly touches: Pasta dishes can be ordered in smaller portions, and the restaurant’s Liberty Station location has two play areas, plus a vintage red Fiat converted into a dining table.

Paradisaea

Paradisaea comes from culinary industry heavyweights, including an Eleven Madison Park alum. Its mid-century tropical interiors, imaginative tiki cocktails, and fresh-caught fish entrees mean it's a casual spot that’s equal parts neighborhood gem and dream date-night destination.

Addison By William Bradley

San Diego’s only three-star MICHELIN restaurant is all about reimagining French classics, SoCal style. Acclaimed chef William Bradley masterminds a hyper-seasonal menu that stars local produce and pitch-perfect wine pairings. Each too-pretty-to-eat dish is an inventive tribute to the stunning Carmel Valley surroundings.

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• MICHELIN 3 Stars

  2024

• MICHELIN 3 Stars

  2023

• MICHELIN 3 Stars

  2022

Cori Pastificio Trattoria

At this colorful Italian restaurant, even the light fixtures are styled like pasta shapes. That delicious backdrop sets the stage for chef Accursio Lota’s soulful Sicilian dishes; many of his pastas are based on a special mix of flours made with ancient grains from Italy, including spaghettoni with seafood carbonara, plus thoughtful gluten-free and vegan options.

NINE-TEN

Nationally recognized chef Jason Knibb brings a sophisticated touch to local fish and produce at this restaurant inside the longstanding Grande Colonial Hotel. Whether you’re in the ocean-accented dining room or score a sought-after seat on the terrace to watch the seals and surf, you’re in for a quintessential San Diego experience.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

Civico 1845

This sustainably minded Little Italy anchor is an ode to all things Calabrian. Executive chef Pietro Gallo whips up Southern Italian seafood staples plus a rare all-vegan menu that includes lasagna with meat-free ragu—these are nonna’s classics reinterpreted for San Diego’s health-conscious crowd.

The Whaling Bar

La Valencia Hotel’s iconic cocktail lounge is back and better than ever, thanks to a reboot from San Diego's prolific SDCM Restaurant Group. With emerald-green banquettes, arched windows, and brass pendant lighting, the intimate space’s decor is a nod to the bar’s mid-century heyday. Led by executive chef Brian Redzikowski, the menu is equally glamorous – think lobster rolls and braised short rib baos, plus the restaurant’s original signature cocktail, the Whaler, a twist on Irish coffee.

Himitsu

Plan ahead to secure a seat at chef Mitsu Aihara’s intimate sushi counter or grab a spot in the cozy outdoor setup. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with an elegant omakase selection and on-trend dishes like a rib-eye katsu sando and seared scallops with brown butter soy cream.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

Seréa

Nothing comes between executive chef Jojo Ruiz and his James Beard certified-mission to serve sustainable, freshly caught seafood. Ruiz leads the kitchen at this waterfront Hotel del Coronado trailblazer, where the Mediterranean-accented MVPs include fresh seafood platters and whole fish, grilled or fried tableside.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

Little Frenchie

It could be the red leather banquettes, cheese counter, or silver buckets of wine, but everything about Little Frenchie screams Paris. Fuel your idyllic getaway with bistro classics like crepes and moules frites, very drinkable glasses of French and Californian wines, and a breathtaking seven-layer chocolate cake with Chantilly cream.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

ARTIFACT at Mingei

ARTIFACT lives in a beloved folk-art museum—a backdrop that inspires its (almost) too-pretty-to-eat dishes, including neatly folded rock shrimp gyoza in yuzu dashi and chai-chocolate mousse crowned with coconut whipped cream. Expect a spread that’s as international as the art on display.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2023

AR Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines

As the signature restaurant for the Lodge at Torrey Pines, A.R. Valentien channels a country club—but a distinctly Californian one. Settle into the Craftsman-style dining room or snag a seat on the patio overlooking the pool and neighboring golf course for elevated, locally sourced comfort food like California lamb rack with tapenade and mustard greens.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

Matsu

Head to this serene spot for innovative Japanese fare from pop-up darling and Thrillist San Diego best chef award-winner William Eick. Dig into elegant, beautifully plated dishes that could include sakana with banana curry or ebi tempura in an intimate, dimly lit dining room. Toast with a glass of sake or one of the restaurant’s inventive cocktails like a kelp-infused gin sour.

Campfire

This massive open-flame restaurant charmed diners with fire pits, a wall decorated with camping gear, and warm communal vibes when it opened in 2016. It still has powerhouse status thanks to an excellent craft cocktail program and seasonal wood-fired masterpieces, which could include fire-roasted octopus with green harissa or smoked coffee-rubbed brisket.

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• MICHELIN Plate

  2022

Jeune et Jolie

Chef Eric Bost trained with culinary masters including Guy Savoy—and that pedigree shines at his approachable MICHELIN-starred Carlsbad beauty. Bost’s gardenside restaurant is where you go for creative French-inspired tasting menus featuring innovative combos, like rabbit with rhubarb and sea bass with saffron.

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• MICHELIN 1 Star

  2024

• MICHELIN 1 Star

  2023

• MICHELIN 1 Star

  2022

Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub

A pub isn’t an obvious backdrop for sushi, but culinary power couple Jessica and Davin Waite make a passionate case. Their punk-rock Oceanside spot is serious about a zero-waste philosophy—almost every fish part is used in their rolls, including the Green Lantern, an avocado and crab version topped with salmon and arugula chimichurri.