San Diego for the Foodie
Understated Elegance
For those wanting an classic fine dining experience in an understated but elegant environment.
A favorite among local food snobs (not the trendy blogger types but the true picky eaters) this understated Italian restaurant never disappoints. From casual fare like pizza to veal sweetbreads and lots of noodles and stuffed pasta variations, you’ll have a true Italian meal from start to finish!
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Piatti
2182 Avenida De La PlayaA favorite among local food snobs (not the trendy blogger types but the true picky eaters) this understated Italian restaurant never disappoints. From casual fare like pizza to veal sweetbreads and lots of noodles and stuffed pasta variations, you’ll have a true Italian meal from start to finish!
Famous for their seasonal high-tide brunches and dinners, this restaurant lets you dine with the ocean waves lapping against your window. Unforgettable meal in a chic but quaint environment that is a timeless fave for formal fine dining among locals and tourists alike. Check their website or call ahead for seatings as well as reservations because you will definitely need to plan ahead for this one. Locals consider this a bit of a tourist trap as although definitely high quality, the price is a bit steep for the otherwise quaint locale... its all about that tide water lapping up against the windows, so if you go, make sure to get a good table and at the right time of day to make the visit worthwhile. Otherwise, you might want to pick one of the other amazing San Diego establishments for a more complete experience!
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The Marine Room
2000 Spindrift DrFamous for their seasonal high-tide brunches and dinners, this restaurant lets you dine with the ocean waves lapping against your window. Unforgettable meal in a chic but quaint environment that is a timeless fave for formal fine dining among locals and tourists alike. Check their website or call ahead for seatings as well as reservations because you will definitely need to plan ahead for this one. Locals consider this a bit of a tourist trap as although definitely high quality, the price is a bit steep for the otherwise quaint locale... its all about that tide water lapping up against the windows, so if you go, make sure to get a good table and at the right time of day to make the visit worthwhile. Otherwise, you might want to pick one of the other amazing San Diego establishments for a more complete experience!
Timeless Steakhouses
This is probably the hands down favorite in the city with a ridiculously opulent build-out with grandiose booth seating, great music and a lively atmosphere that will make you feel like you just stepped into the Great Gatsby. Reservations are wise but I personally like dining at the downstairs bar making it also a great spot to dine alone. The menu and wine list are superb and they always have both black and white truffles when in season.
After dinner, make your way upstairs to the very posh rooftop bar. Little Italy closes down early, but you can finish your night at nearby False Idol, a tiki speakeasy hidden inside Craft & Commerce. Ask someone inside to show you the entrance concealed just to the left of the bar when you enter. It's one of the rare places in the area open until closing time.
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Born and Raised
1909 India StThis is probably the hands down favorite in the city with a ridiculously opulent build-out with grandiose booth seating, great music and a lively atmosphere that will make you feel like you just stepped into the Great Gatsby. Reservations are wise but I personally like dining at the downstairs bar making it also a great spot to dine alone. The menu and wine list are superb and they always have both black and white truffles when in season.
After dinner, make your way upstairs to the very posh rooftop bar. Little Italy closes down early, but you can finish your night at nearby False Idol, a tiki speakeasy hidden inside Craft & Commerce. Ask someone inside to show you the entrance concealed just to the left of the bar when you enter. It's one of the rare places in the area open until closing time.
Where do I begin? Wonderful views from a classic steakhouse with a formal but cozy atmosphere. This is a quiet and romantic spot. Have a drink or open that wine bottle to start it breathing at the warm wood bar before you make your way to dinner along the glass. You'll definitely need a reservation here. Make sure you clarify that you want the Donovans location on Prospect on the water and get a table on the window for sure!
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Donovan's Steak & Chop House
1250 Prospect StreetWhere do I begin? Wonderful views from a classic steakhouse with a formal but cozy atmosphere. This is a quiet and romantic spot. Have a drink or open that wine bottle to start it breathing at the warm wood bar before you make your way to dinner along the glass. You'll definitely need a reservation here. Make sure you clarify that you want the Donovans location on Prospect on the water and get a table on the window for sure!
Expect the Unexpected
Juniper & Ivy
2228 Kettner BlvdRestaurants that are doing something unique to surprise your palate!
Three places in one for the perfect one-stop progressive dining experience or just get the best of both worlds and enjoy unforgettable world class food in an unconventional rooftop environment! Make a dinner reservation in advance for just after sunset at the Michelin-starred "California Modern" formal restaurant on the first floor. Get there before well sunset to snag a spot on the third floor "Ocean Terrace" to enjoy a cocktail as you watch a beautiful sky over the La Jolla cove. I like their tropical spin on a G&T served properly with peppercorns! If you'd like to stay put on the rooftop which often happens to me, they are famed for their fish tacos, I love the curried mussels, and their lobster roll is an explosion of decadence. If you want to have the full lavish dining experience, enjoy a fantastic dinner down below in their opulent formal restaurant as you watch the sky turn dark. After dinner, complete the circle with a cocktail at "Level2" the craft cocktail lounge. If the night is still young, go next door for live music and more great views at Eddie V's terrace.
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George's at the Cove
1250 Prospect StThree places in one for the perfect one-stop progressive dining experience or just get the best of both worlds and enjoy unforgettable world class food in an unconventional rooftop environment! Make a dinner reservation in advance for just after sunset at the Michelin-starred "California Modern" formal restaurant on the first floor. Get there before well sunset to snag a spot on the third floor "Ocean Terrace" to enjoy a cocktail as you watch a beautiful sky over the La Jolla cove. I like their tropical spin on a G&T served properly with peppercorns! If you'd like to stay put on the rooftop which often happens to me, they are famed for their fish tacos, I love the curried mussels, and their lobster roll is an explosion of decadence. If you want to have the full lavish dining experience, enjoy a fantastic dinner down below in their opulent formal restaurant as you watch the sky turn dark. After dinner, complete the circle with a cocktail at "Level2" the craft cocktail lounge. If the night is still young, go next door for live music and more great views at Eddie V's terrace.
Once upon a time, I was ordering food delivery and couldn't pick between Thai massaman curry and Indian Tikka Masala which led me to stumble upon this place where I could get both! Casual and price conscious, its a great way to satisfy that curry cravings.
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World Curry
1433 Garnet AveOnce upon a time, I was ordering food delivery and couldn't pick between Thai massaman curry and Indian Tikka Masala which led me to stumble upon this place where I could get both! Casual and price conscious, its a great way to satisfy that curry cravings.
Chic & Chill
These places are consistently enjoyable with a chic dining experience in a chill atmosphere with unexpected twists on California dining. These are places where you really can't go wrong especially with a group where there will be something for everyone. Think equal parts creative twists for the foodie and tried-and-true for the eater who likes to play it safe.
Known among locals for their creative drinks especially bold twists on old favorites, Herringbone brings the outdoors indoors with an atmosphere just as noteworthy as the food. I would describe the menu as Mediterranean favorites combined with seafood classics including even a whole-fish branzino. Highly recommend sitting in the dining area in front of the bar where trees are coming through the floor! Come just for drinks, some great sharing plates or enjoy some of the best seafood in La Jolla. Live Music Thursdays & Fridays 5-7pm and $1 Oyster Hour Tue-Sun 4-6pm and Mondays 4pm-close.
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Herringbone La Jolla
7837 Herschel AvenueKnown among locals for their creative drinks especially bold twists on old favorites, Herringbone brings the outdoors indoors with an atmosphere just as noteworthy as the food. I would describe the menu as Mediterranean favorites combined with seafood classics including even a whole-fish branzino. Highly recommend sitting in the dining area in front of the bar where trees are coming through the floor! Come just for drinks, some great sharing plates or enjoy some of the best seafood in La Jolla. Live Music Thursdays & Fridays 5-7pm and $1 Oyster Hour Tue-Sun 4-6pm and Mondays 4pm-close.
Although seemingly commercial in appearance, this cavernous oceanfront spot shouldn't be overlooked. The menu is nice and safe to accommodate foodies and play-it-safe diners alike. Some days it may seem like an upscale sports bar, other days a party brunch, but often just a healthy mix of everyone enjoying upscale food with an expansive menu and perfect view. Watch the surfers and occasionally the dolphins just beyond the wave breaks. Great spot all day long from weekend breakfast to a serious party spot that will have an entry line around the block by about 10pm. Love their avocado tacos, sweet and spicy chicken from their afternoon menu and anything that that I can put their house hot sauce with!
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Waterbar
4325 Ocean BlvdAlthough seemingly commercial in appearance, this cavernous oceanfront spot shouldn't be overlooked. The menu is nice and safe to accommodate foodies and play-it-safe diners alike. Some days it may seem like an upscale sports bar, other days a party brunch, but often just a healthy mix of everyone enjoying upscale food with an expansive menu and perfect view. Watch the surfers and occasionally the dolphins just beyond the wave breaks. Great spot all day long from weekend breakfast to a serious party spot that will have an entry line around the block by about 10pm. Love their avocado tacos, sweet and spicy chicken from their afternoon menu and anything that that I can put their house hot sauce with!
Although largely relatively unoccupied, this very small but very chic lounge-style "café" is cozy but hardly quaint and has wonderful Indian food as well as a lovely proprietor who is usually there on site serving your food for you! They also have fun specials... you'll see what I mean!
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Spice Lounge - Indian Restaurant & Catering
859 Hornblend StAlthough largely relatively unoccupied, this very small but very chic lounge-style "café" is cozy but hardly quaint and has wonderful Indian food as well as a lovely proprietor who is usually there on site serving your food for you! They also have fun specials... you'll see what I mean!
Hidden Gems
Food done right... plain and simple.
For a diner style breakfast with all your favorites cooked to perfection and ridiculously large portions, this one is always a sure thing! Order a few things for the table to share... Again... very. large. portions.
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Harry's Coffee Shop
7545 Girard AveFor a diner style breakfast with all your favorites cooked to perfection and ridiculously large portions, this one is always a sure thing! Order a few things for the table to share... Again... very. large. portions.
A quick drive away, Mike's is famous for the California Burrito... its not for the faint of heart so split one or plan on having leftovers. Their Sangria is also quite tasty. Quick counter service with limited seating though I've never not been able to get a seat immediately. Enjoy the ocean outside with a small patio seating area with a view of the pier and good people watching or take it to go and eat on the beach! My brother-in-law always has to go by Mike's on his way to the airport to grab a California Burrito to-go for his flight... it's becoming a family tradition!
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Mike's Taco Club
5060 Newport AveA quick drive away, Mike's is famous for the California Burrito... its not for the faint of heart so split one or plan on having leftovers. Their Sangria is also quite tasty. Quick counter service with limited seating though I've never not been able to get a seat immediately. Enjoy the ocean outside with a small patio seating area with a view of the pier and good people watching or take it to go and eat on the beach! My brother-in-law always has to go by Mike's on his way to the airport to grab a California Burrito to-go for his flight... it's becoming a family tradition!