Icon

ARTIFACT at Mingei

$31 to $50

International

Make a booking

2 people

10 Mar 2025

22:00

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

Innovative
Healthy
Charming

ARTIFACT is a full-service restaurant featuring craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals located inside the beautiful Mingei Museum at Balboa Park . Offering indoor, outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch Tuesday-Saturday.

Crafted by Tim Kolanko, Executive Chef, Urban Kitchen Group, and Tony Coito, ARTIFACT’s Chef de Cuisine, will be a nod to Mingei’s changing international exhibitions in an environment filled with functional, innovative art and design by Jennifer Luce, Founder and Principal of LUCE et studio, who led the design and renovation project.
ARTIFACT and CRAFT CAFE at Mingei-the latest additions to restaurateur Tracy Borkum and Executive Chef Tim Kolanko’s CUCINA family of restaurants. An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs Park
Follow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Tim Kolanko + Tony Coito

MICHELIN Plate2023

From the OpenTable editors: 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.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30–14:30
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

Location
1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Area
Downtown / Gaslamp
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

ARTIFACT at Night - Afghanistan
US$89.00 per person
20 Mar 2025 only
Experience Afghanistan crafted by chefs Tim Kolanko, Wesley Johnson, and Tony Coito for our March ARTIFACT at Night. Four-course experience with optional beverage pairings. $89 per person Reminder: For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. Any cancelations within 72 hours of the night of the event will be charged $50/person.

Popular dishes

What 887 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Innovative
San Diego
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Artifact at Mingei offers a "consistently creative and delicious" dining experience in the heart of Balboa Park. Guests rave about the "unique flavors using techniques and spices from various cultures" and the "beautifully designed dining space." With a menu featuring vegan options and stunning views, it's a "favorite of ours" for a memorable meal.

887 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a small birthday celebration over lunch on lovely setting on the patio, with a wonderful waiter and excellent food. The weather was beautiful. Couldn’t ask for more. Very memorable.
Is this helpful?
V
Vickie VIP
Los Angeles43 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything about the Mingei Indigo exhibit tied together. Even the amazing artwork over the bar and an indigo inspired mock tail. We arrived early before our reservation and were seated at the bar. I did receive a no show notice. But we were there. We did notice tables were open while we were at the bar. We had a great experience with Kendra. We ordered 2 pre fixe dinners and ordered different items. Kendra gave us small plates so we could exchange food. Although the bar chairs aren’t as comfortable as a table, our experience was great. Kendra explained the indigo woven art. She advised us on the food choices. We loved it. We were so surprised at the quality of the food and the service at a museum cafe. It definitely was on par with a very nice restaurant.
Is this helpful?
S
Suebless
San Diego4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 27 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely lunch date after viewing the Mingei art show. Lunch was delicious.
Is this helpful?
J
Jan VIP
San Diego38 reviews
4.0
Dined on 27 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
This was the first time I had eaten at Artifact. A friend and I shared the Vietnam meatballs, the pierogis, the beet and pear salad and the tapioca pudding. It was all tasty except the meatballs which were overcooked. The waitperson suggested we share dishes but there were only three items on each shared plate. It seemed like there should have been an even number. The dishes were beautifully served and the service was great. The bill was $85 and I was hungry in an hour and a half.
Is this helpful?
C
Cindy
Milwaukee14 reviews
4.0
Dined on 22 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Lovely restaurant with a Beautiful patio and interesting food. We were there for lunch on a Saturday and the service was a little slow, but we weren’t in a hurry. The snack tray was a generous serving of 4 delicious items.
Is this helpful?
B
Betty
San Diego1 review
4.0
Dined on 22 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
I’ll never understand the reason restaurants design their dining rooms for maximum. The food was interesting and affordable.
Is this helpful?
J
Jean VIP
Chicago25 reviews
4.0
Dined on 21 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Just get the delivery times… drinks. Snacks, mains.
Is this helpful?
M
Mark VIP
San Diego22 reviews
5.0
Dined on 21 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We went for “Brazil night“, the once-monthly fixed-menu meal highlighting the cuisine of a specific country or region. It was the best meal we’ve ever had there. Every dish was flawlessly, executed and delicious, service was great, even though it was very crowded. We love this restaurant and we’ll go back.
Is this helpful?
J
Jessica VIP
San Diego14 reviews
5.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Eclectic menu with options for a variety of tastes, plus a solid wine and beverage list.
Is this helpful?
J
Jessica VIP
San Diego5 reviews
3.0
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was honestly mediocre. Not very flavorful or impressive. Cocktails were good. Service was good. Atmosphere was unique.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

ARTIFACT at Mingei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 331-3569.

ARTIFACT at Mingei is rated 4.8 stars by 887 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

10 Mar 2025

22:00

Booked 13 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Area
Downtown / Gaslamp
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30–14:30
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

ARTIFACT at Mingei

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

Additional information

Experiences

ARTIFACT at Night - Afghanistan

Popular dishes

Greek Salad

Chocolate Mousse + Cocnut Cajeta + Coconut Whip

Caprese Sandwich

Menu

What 887 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does ARTIFACT at Mingei offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is ARTIFACT at Mingei restaurant rated?

Is ARTIFACT at Mingei currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information