Visitors usually come to San Diego expecting top-notch Mexican food, the best fish tacos they’ve ever tasted, and craft breweries and coffee shops on every corner. And while those things are all accurate reflections of San Diego’s dining scene, the city offers so much more.
In recent years (especially during the pandemic) a new wave of chefs with James Beard nominations and Michelin Star restaurant experiences made their way to San Diego for a change of pace. Of course, locals are thrilled to have these chefs here and love the elevation of San Diego’s culinary scene, but they remain faithful to the hole-in-the-wall taco stands, no-frills mom-and-pop shops and underrated strip mall eateries they’ve been visiting for years. But it’s not all super casual eats. There are also plenty of fine dining options with ocean views, upscale tasting menus, suggested wine pairings and truly unique experiences. San Diego no longer lives in the shadow of Los Angeles’ dining landscape.
Dinner reservations are typically recommended in more popular areas like Little Italy and La Jolla. You can eat outside here most of the year thanks to the perfect weather, so San Diegans have become to expect patio seating, rooftop dining and indoor-outdoor dining rooms. If you’re headed to this coastal utopia, be sure to bring a big appetite and follow our list of the best restaurants in San Diego.
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May 2025: Incredible new restaurants keep popping up around the county with creative menus, exciting design elements and some surprisingly good deals. So much has changed since our last update, which means we’ve made room for newcomers on the scene like Le Coq, Wildland, Haven and Elvira, in addition to some tried-and-true favorites like the Taco Stand and Ambrogio15. One of the most exciting spots right now is Lafayette Hotel, which has two great restaurants under one roof—each one makes a memorable impression both in food and decor. Time to book those reservations!