Top 10 Restaurants in San Diego
San Diego is a fun town to visit with tons to do and see. It has world-famous attractions and because it’s close to the Mexican border it has a rich, cultural heritage all its own. This spills over to its food culture, and as a result, you can get some of the finest Mexican food around. If you’re visiting San Diego for the first time, you’ll want to try the local fish taco, which is a local fast food staple.
The city is also home to excellent French restaurants, steakhouses and seafood venues. Here are the top ten restaurants in San Diego.
Café 21
Looking for a great place to have a leisurely breakfast or a delicious dinner while you explore the historic Gaslamp neighborhood? Then you should definitely check out Café 21 which dishes out hearty portions of local dishes made with organic, straight from the earth ingredients.
Addison at the Grand Del Mar restaurant
If you want a more upscale dining experience then be sure to book a table at Addison at the Grand Del Mar restaurant. It is Southern California’s only five star five diamond restaurant and the recipient of over 16 other awards. It serves up scrumptious contemporary French cuisine in an elegant and enchanting atmosphere. Chef Bradley is a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux and gets inspiration for his dishes from seasonal ingredients and changes up his menu frequently. Customers, in particular, rave about the restaurant’s six-course menu with wine pairings.
Le Fontainebleau at the Westgate Hotel
Craving more incredible French food while in San Diego? Then try out Le Fontainebleau located at the Westgate Hotel. This is the best place to have brunch in town with its incredible selection of caviar, prime rib, lobster, crab cakes and more. The service and staff here are top notch and the atmosphere and décor with a pianist is just divine.
El Zarape Bar
If you want some of the best Mexican fare in San Diego, then bar none you have to try El Zarape. This place sells some of the best 99 cent fish and shrimp tacos in the county, and is also known for its delicious lobster and scallops burritos, enchiladas and salsa bar with its many varieties of salsa.
Las Cuatro Milpas
Can’t get enough of the local grub? Then you should try out Las Cuatro Milpas next. This popular venue located on Logan Avenue serves up delicious Mexican fare. The food here is authentic and of high quality. It’s also cheap, with generous portions. Be sure to use the hot sauce for an extra kick. This is a great place for kids with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly people.
Mariscos El Prieto food truck
If you happen to be on Imperial Beach, make sure you grab a taco at the famous Mariscos El Prieto food truck. People rave about the Taco Especial Isaac, the Taco Gobernador, the Marlin Tacos, the Tostados, and the burritos. This popular taco stand uses only the freshest ingredients and seafood, and also offers generous portions at very cheap prices, what else could you ask for?
South Beach Bar and Grille
For a typical relaxed California meal with a great view, try out the South Beach Bar and Grille for great oysters, tostadas, quesadillas, grilled or fried seafood tacos, and taco platters. This bar has a great happy hour and a lot of specialty drinks in a prime beach setting.
George’s at the Cove
Want a change of scenery and a great meal? Take a short trip to the picturesque La Jolla village and dine at one of the best San Diego restaurants; George’s at the Cove. Here you can choose between three dining venues; the California Modern for a Contemporary American Californian restaurant, or George’s Bar and the Ocean Terrace for a more bistro lunch or dinner experience with an ocean view. While all three venues are excellent, the California Modern is very popular with the locals and has delicious appetizers, entrees and cocktails. The Xolo cocktail and the duck and lamb shank in particular come highly recommended.
Rivera Supper Club & Turquoise Room
If you’re craving some steak while you’re in San Diego, then you should know that there are some excellent steakhouses here. A good one to try is the Rivera Supper Club & Turquoise Room. This restaurant serves up great meat, appetizers and desserts, but the best part is that patrons get to pick their meat, season it and then grill it themselves on the large communal grill. The atmosphere at this steakhouse is very relaxing and resembles a lounge. Make sure to try the famed bacon chocolate cake, it’s out of this world.
El Pescador Fish Market in LaJolla
If you want to get some fresh, delicious and reasonably-priced seafood in San Diego, then try out El Pescador Fish Market in LaJolla. Here you can order Alaskan Halibut sandwiches, Yellowtail on salad and some of the best fish tacos around. There are only four tables in the restaurant, so you may have to get your food to go, but LaJolla is so beautiful you won’t have trouble finding a place to eat.
