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Best Pre-Theater Restaurants in Downtown

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12 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Grant Grill restaurant
1. Grant Grill
4.7
Exceptional(1629)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 15 times today
A remarkable epicurean experience awaits you at Grant Grill and Lounge. From the iconic, chic setting to our fresh California cuisine and innovative libations, Grant Grill and Lounge carries a tradition of excellence rich in history (since 1951) and history-in-the-making. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus highlight the best ingredients of the season with a fresh approach to classics. From the bar, proprietary beverage creations are offered alongside an impressive menu of wine, beer and cocktails.
A photo of Bronze Bird restaurant
2. Bronze Bird
4.5
Awesome(150)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 11 times today
Bronze Bird Food Wine & Spirits is a casual San Diego imbibery for the craft connoisseur, located in The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. Enjoy tasty takes on So Cal comfort fare with an impressive variety of shareable creations offered alongside entrée-driven dishes.
A photo of Asti Ristorante restaurant
3. Asti Ristorante
4.5
Awesome(1760)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 7 times today
Since 1994, Asti has been serving locals and visitors authentic Italian cuisine in a unique and inviting atmosphere. Whether you dine on our lively patio, or choose to sit inside and enjoy the beautiful artwork and brick walls, you're sure to have an unforgettable dining experience.Each dish on our menu, from our selection of antipasti, handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and quality steaks, is inspired by the delicious flavors of Northern Italy. While some restaurants offer small plates, Asti continues to serve up delicious abundance, all freshly and individually prepared to order. With an extensive vintage wine selection and knowledgeable staff, we deliver a true Italian dining experience that will leave your palate asking for more!
A photo of Mimoza Mediterranean Restaurant restaurant
4. Mimoza Mediterranean Restaurant
4.3
Awesome(81)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 9 times today
Mimoza Restaurant brings the taste of Mediterranean lifestyle to Southern California, particularly with its authentic food, warm welcome, and festive ambiance. We welcome you to join us at our home, Mimoza, to experience the Mediterranean-style home cooking that defines us.Park at Horton Plaza for a $12 flat fee, when you dine at Mimoza
A photo of Operacaffe restaurant
5. Operacaffe
4.7
Exceptional(1361)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 10 times today
At Operacaffe we are passionate about our culinary business and our customers. The reputation for excellent cuisine, top-notch service, the quality and freshness of ingredients are the reasons we are so proud of our brand new restaurant!
A photo of Dobson's Bar & Restaurant restaurant
6. Dobson's Bar & Restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1430)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 10 times today
Dobson's Bar and Restaurant is a hidden treasure in the heart of Downtown San Diego/Gaslamp Quarter. For the last 40 years, this has been the hot spot for business lunches and frequented by many local and nationwide celebrities. Paul Dobson, the namesake for Dobson's bar and restaurant, is one of America's few professional Bullfighters. The food is California cuisine with a touch of Italian, French, Spanish and Asian cuisine. One thing that both local San Diegans and Zagat can agree on is that this is one of the top restaurants in San Diego. Due to the limited seating and popularity, reservations are highly recommended. Owner Paul Dobson "works a room better than Sinatra", which explains why this "local tradition" downtown remains, "after all these years", a "high-powered, hobnob spot"; the Cal kitchen "serves up delicious, innovative food, along with old standbys" ("have the mussel bisque and think of heaven").
A photo of Tapas & Beers restaurant
7. Tapas & Beers
4.9
Exceptional(496)
Price: Moderate
• French • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 2 times today
Located in Downtown San Diego's historic Spreckels building, Tapas & Beers is a French and Spanish Restaurant.We offer a large selection of Tapas plates to share between friends & familybut also normal size dishes if you don't want to share !Our beers on tap selection highlights breweries from San Diego County and our wine selection from all around the world will make any wine lover happy too !Everything you will eat at Tapas & Beers will be made from scratch to order with fresh and mostly organic ingredients ! Discover why our place isso highly rated !Cheers!
A photo of The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant
8. The Prado at Balboa Park
4.6
Exceptional(7921)
Price: Moderate
• Californian • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 71 times today
Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, in the Historic House of Hospitality, The Prado offers historic charm and California cuisine.
A photo of ARTIFACT at Mingei restaurant
9. ARTIFACT at Mingei
4.8
Exceptional(863)
Price: Expensive
• International • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 33 times today
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 ParkFollow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei
A photo of Cosmopolitan Restaurant restaurant
10. Cosmopolitan Restaurant
4.0
Excellent(341)
Price: Moderate
• American • Old Town
Don't miss this an opportunity to join us at The Cosmopolitan Restaurant & Hotel. Currently, we are open for Special Events & Holidays, only. The Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant is a Victorian style boutique hotel in the heart of Old Town, San Diego. The Hotel boasts a beautiful outdoor garden restaurant setting and is equipped with 1800's Victorian style indoor Sala's. We look forward to hosting you on your next event and hope you will join us for one of our beautiful Holiday dining experiences.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • DeedeeVIP
    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •53 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    We absolutely loved this restaurant! The service was excellent! Our beautiful server she was amazing. Owners daughter. But the food yum! We have been to Italy several times and this was like being in Italy. My husband had the Chicken parmigiana and I had the vodka sauce with Shrimp and crab. Out of this world delicious. We will be back!!!!
    More info
    Asti RistorantePrice: Moderate• Italian• Downtown / Gaslamp
    •
    4.5
  • Meg
    San Diego •24 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    Great place to catch a bite to eat with drinks before seeing a show at the Civic Center. Really appreciate the additional discount and it's a close walk. It can be quite loud in there though, and lots of hotel guests have kids which just screamed non-stop... Not the issue of the hotel though.
    More info
    Bronze BirdPrice: Moderate• Californian• Downtown / Gaslamp
    •
    4.5
  • Sam
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on 25 Dec 2024
    I have been eating at Opera Caffe for over 15 years. The great food and ambiance and staff have always bowled me over and have made this wonderful venue one of my favorite downtown San Diego restaurants. Of course tonight was a full house at 7:30 pm and i was very glad to see this!
    More info
    OperacaffePrice: Moderate• Italian• Downtown / Gaslamp
    •
    4.7
  • BrookeVIP
    Seattle / Eastern Washington •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 25 Dec 2024
    We had the pleasure of dining here on Christmas Eve. It was a beautiful 4-course menu including an amuse Bouche, a choice between two salads, four entrees and two desserts. The service was absolutely on point! Great attention to detail and the server assistants were fabulous too. The food runner was lovely and explained each course. The food was absolutely delicious. By far our best meal in San Diego. Thank you all!
    More info
    Grant GrillPrice: Expensive• Californian• Downtown / Gaslamp
    •
    4.7
  • Taylor
    Indiana •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on 24 Dec 2024
    We were just in San Diego for the night and so glad we found this place! Perfect location and the food was excellent!
    More info
    Mimoza Mediterranean RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Downtown / Gaslamp
    •
    4.3

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