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ARTIFACT at Mingei

Name: ARTIFACT at Mingei
Address: 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA, United States, 92101
Telephone: (619) 331-3569
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

$31 to $50

International

Make a booking

2 people

24 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 8 times today

Experiences are available.

Innovative
Healthy
Good for special occasions

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 883 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 is a standout dining experience in Balboa Park, renowned for its "creative and delicious" cuisine. Guests rave about its "unique and interesting" menu, which offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. The restaurant's vibrant presentation and "excellent service" create an inviting atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination.

883 Reviews

C
Cindy
Milwaukee
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
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 Diego
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
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
Chicago
25 reviews
4.0
25 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
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 Diego
22 reviews
5.0
22 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
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 Diego
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
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 Diego
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
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?
H
Heather
Tokyo
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 13 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
We visited the Mingei and made a reservation at Artifact for an early lunch at 11:30 on a Thursday. We were one of the first two tables seated but the restaurant filled to near capacity shortly thereafter! We ordered the Vietnamese meatballs, the Asian pear and beet salad, the samosas and the coconut tapioca to share between the two of us per our server’s recommendation and everything was excellent! She was quite busy but attentive when we were able to catch her. Will absolutely return, I’d like to try everything on the menu. :)
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J
June and Gary
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 5 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food. Great service. And the fabulous Mingei International Museum.
Is this helpful?
M
Marie
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 1 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful meal! Great vegetarian options and non-alcoholic drink selection
Is this helpful?
R
Raja
VIP
San Diego
34 reviews
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on 1 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Dinner and drinks were creative, delicious and visual art!
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 883 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

24 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 8 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 883 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