Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit.

Baci Restaurant - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (1905)

$31 to $50

Italian

Old Town

About the restaurant

Baci Ristorante offers diners a hint of old world Italian charm, with plush booths, white tablecloths, and gracious servers clad in tuxedos. While the decor is subtly modern, the menu is classic, celebrating Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. Specialties include classic pasta dishes, veal, and fresh seafood, with especially tempting daily specials offered by Executive Chef Domenico Alioto. In addition to the cuisine, the restaurant's charming and welcoming features--include an extensive wine list, elegant patio setting, and romantic main dining room--have made Baci a consistent favorite among locals for over 30 years.

Top review

Joy

Dined 7 days ago

Food & service is always outstanding. We are repeat customers and the only downside this time is that they seated a table of 7 in the middle of small room with 2-top tables & cozy booths which escalated the noise level in the room, and we couldn’t wait to leave 😣

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Popular dish

Parmigiana

Lemon Grove Bistro

4.9

4.9 (92)

$30 and under

American

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

In addition to offering comforting American favorites, our menu provides a selection of flavors inspired by our chef’s culinary experiences, ranging from classic Spanish fare to Italian favorites. Our menu changes seasonally to feature the freshest ingredients and provide an exciting dining experience throughout the year.

The Lemon Grove Bistro is in a historic mission-style building in the heart of Lemon Grove. Since 1912, it’s been a place where locals meet and build connections, whether they were picking up their mail at the Sonka General Store in 1944 or ordering custom cakes at the Grove Pastry Shop in 2012.

Come for the food. Stay to experience the inviting ambiance of the historic building and its new garden. Let’s build community--together.

Top review

Maria

Dined 1 day ago

Came here after reading reviews from other diners. I can say this restaurants lives up to the 5 star hype. We had a large party of 7 to celebrate a birthday. The staff is very attentive and friendly, and had good recommendations from the menu. I do like they have a pretty robust seafood selection. Our table started off with mussels and clams and the crab cakes appetizers -- both were delicious. I have the Fisherman's Stew, which was excellent and very hearty. The portions are generous and I ended taking the other half home. I think this is a great place for a casual dinner where the food is still excellent without having to get all dressed up. There's also a large patio area and I can see that being lively during the summer. This is a solid place and I definitely recommend!

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Experience

Weekday Happy Hour

The WineSellar & Brasserie

5.0

5 (1003)

$31 to $50

French

Sorrento Mesa

About the restaurant

Established in 1988, The WineSellar & Brasserie is San Diego's premiere destination for fine wine and exquisitely crafted locally sourced, organic fare.

Consistently ranked among OpenTable's Top 10 local restaurants, The Brasserie has been honored with either Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" and "Best Of Award Of Excellence" every year since our inception.

With your meal, enjoy a bottle from the adjoining WineSellar boutique wine shop or choose a wine from our award-winning list. Either way, you’ll find an outstanding selection of unique small-production wines not found anywhere else. Not in the mood for wine? Choose from our rotating list of craft beers or seasonally available craft cocktails.

Top review

BillVIP

Dined on 21 Dec 2024

We’ve never had a bad meal or bad experience over the 24 years that we have been coming here. A delightful place with excellent food and an ambiance where you can actually have a quiet conversation.

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Experience

Bergstrom Wine and Truffle Dinner!

Jeune et Jolie

4.9

4.9 (4086)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A culinary experience celebrating the moment, Jeune et Jolie reimagines French cuisine through the vibrant lens of our Southern California landscape with a 4-course menu offered at $120 per guest.

For those looking for a more casual evening, we feature "Le Menu du Bar”, an à la carte offering available for walk-in guests at our bar and lounge.

Top review

Scott

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent food well worth the price! We had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves.

Black and Blue Steakhouse and Lounge - Valley View Casino

4.9

4.9 (1777)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Valley Center

About the restaurant

Black&Blue is a contemporary American Steakhouse with Las Vegas flair, and a 21 and up dining experience. B&B was recently named San Diego’s “Most Romantic Steakhouse” by the San Diego Union Tribune, and most recently awarded as the Best Steak House Best Seafood by San Diego A-list! At B&B we offer the choicest meats, freshest seafood and most dazzling desserts to delight the mind and body that will transport our guests into a world of indulgence and taste. Unwind with conversation and creative cocktails in our Black&Blue Lounge. Then move into our main room where Chef Nicholas Burgess will impress you with his inventive dishes and innovative takes on classic favorites. The Manager, Chris Scala, will ensure you receive the ultimate in guest service in an atmosphere that’s friendly and fun. To fully enjoy the B&B dining experience, please be prepared to spend an hour and a half with us. Visit us at B&B for a dining experience you’ll never forget.

Top review

Irene

Dined 1 day ago

As always everyone was attentive and nive. Our server Elli was excellent 💚

Vinarius

4.9

4.9 (387)

$30 and under

Italian

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Vinarius is an Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar in Little Italy San Diego. We offer an extensive wine list with wines coming from different regions of the world; the best meat and cheese board with Italian cured meats and different cheeses to pair with our wines. Our chef Alex makes homemade pasta enriched with our homemade sauces, entrees, pizza, different appetizers to choose from, and desserts that pair well with our port wines and after-dinner drinks. You definitely have to try our daily specials!
Our cozy full bar is also the perfect place to enjoy your drink and food while watching some sports!

Top review

AprilVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had a great experience here! The service was excellent and the food was fantastic!

Giardino Neighborhood Cucina

4.7

4.7 (1085)

$30 and under

Italian

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

Located in the middle of Lemon Grove’s charming downtown area, Giardino is a welcoming and casual Italian inspired cucina where the neighborhood gathers for fresh and flavorful classic dishes found throughout Italy.

Giardino offers an Italian-inspired menu of seasonally-driven dishes that use timeless Italian techniques and fresh ingredients. Guests will find items such as fresh seafood, pastas, pizzas and salads, as well as a variety of elements made in-house.

Top review

Delzio

Dined on 26 Dec 2024

Christmas dinner at Giardino’s was nothing short of magical! The cozy atmosphere, twinkling lights, and festive décor made it feel like stepping into a holiday wonderland. The food was absolutely incredible, each dish was bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. The staff was warm, attentive, and made sure every detail was just right. It was the perfect place to celebrate the season with loved ones. Can’t wait to come back next year!

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4.8

4.8 (258)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kearny Mesa

About the restaurant

OpenTable Diners' Choice 2022, 2023 and 2024!
Come dine in our modern and relaxing atmosphere, where we serve traditional sushi and unique fusion dishes.
Enjoy particularly selected sakes, wines, and unique cocktails that pair exquisitely with our fine dishes.
In addition to traditional sushi, and hot and cold Japanese appetizers, our menu includes pastas, homemade desserts, and other regional fusion dishes to cater to a wide range of guests.
We are also proud to offer premium A5 Wagyu dishes.
Please let us serve you our traditional and creative dishes so that you can enjoy "To Become One (2B1)" with us in Harmony!

Top review

marella

Dined 7 days ago

Surprisingly well! We ordered a variety of sashimi, nigiri and specialty rolls. All were consumed as soon as the dishes arrived! Oishi!!!

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Popular dish

Sashimi 2B1

Bistro du Marché by Tapenade

4.9

4.9 (1466)

$31 to $50

French

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Named after La Jolla’s popular Open Aire Farmer’s Market, Bistro du Marché allows chef Diot to work closely with farmers to incorporate the finest local flavors into his dishes. Led by Cheffe Amélie Gadoum, Bistro du Marché incorporates quality ingredients and rigorous French technique. Signature dish includes Wild Mushroom Ravioli in Port wine Sauce. One of the specialties: Un Coq au Vin "Ivre de Bourgogne" Organic Chicken Braised in Red Wine Sauce, Yukon Gold Mashed Potato, Carrot, Mushrooms.

Bistro du Marché is based on the culinary concept of “bistronomie”, that emerged in Paris. Bistronomie, is a play on words on the concepts of “bistro” and “gastronomie”. It is a form of French cuisine that emphasizes the blending of haute gastronomic expertise, seasonality, and the traditional “cuisine de terroir” found in bistros across France. The youthfulness of the bistronomie movement has succeeded in reinvigorating French classic cuisine, and raised the bar of traditional French bistros.

Top review

Tim

Dined on 21 Dec 2024

This place was just right. My wife and I often split a salad and a meal. They did not even blink an eye. The salad and meal were both split in the kitchen and no one would know by looking at the served dishes that the meal was meant for one. We’ll be back.

Azuki Sushi Lounge

4.8

4.8 (298)

$50 and over

Sushi

Banker's Hill

About the restaurant

Azuki Sushi is in Banker’s Hill, centrally-located in the heart of San Diego. We are within walking distance of Balboa Park, The Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and Hillcrest.

We have been providing a modern approach to the rich traditions of Japanese cooking for over 15 years. We pride ourselves in our charming and boutique setting. We offer a warm and inviting atmosphere for those wishing to indulge in our culinary delights.

As in Japan, the menu is based on the seasons, savoring the peak flavor of the ingredients. Our outstanding chefs deliver the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine, respecting the individual ingredients’ natural flavors.

Top review

EdaVIP

Dined on 24 Dec 2024

Azuki Sushi Lounge is one of my favorite sushi restaurants in San Diego. Their R U Kidding is one of the best rolls I’ve tasted. From the moment you enter the dining space, you are transformed to a chic, modern, and stylish Japanese experience as their attention to tasteful Asian art and chill music. I highly recommend you checking out Azuki when you’re in San Diego.

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