Best Restaurants for Foodies in University Heights

38 restaurants available nearby

1. Animae

4.8

Exceptional(3182)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary Asian • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 71 times today

ANIMAE’s eclectic West Coast cuisine, layered with Asian influences, comes to life under Celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey. Applying a California cooking style to ANIMAE’S traditional coal-fired oven and grill, Chef Malarkey’s menu is as thoughtful as it is refined, elevating local produce and seasonal ingredients to create a lively and progressive culinary program.

2. Cellar Hand

4.7

Exceptional(106)

Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Hillcrest

Booked 10 times today

Nestled in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego, Cellar Hand embodies a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Through a farm-to-table approach, our menu showcases hyper-local seasonal fare by Executive Chef Logan Kendall. Our extensive wine list highlights the diverse terroir of California, serving as an extension of founder’s Pali Wine Co. Santa Barbara County winery. By fostering deep connections with local artisans, farmers, fishers, and stewards, Cellar Hand strives to be a destination where guests can savor the essence of California’s bounty in every bite and sip.Enjoy our exposed kitchen, an indoor-outdoor bar, outdoor fire pits, and artwork by Nick Perr. Opened Wednesday - Sunday with daily happy hour specials and Sunday brunch!

A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant

3. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(2634)

Price: Moderate

• French American • North Park

Booked 15 times today

The Smoking Goat is an award-winning California-French bistro located in the heart of North Park, San Diego. We have received the Gold Medallion for the best French Bistro in San Diego three years running. Inspired by his European Farm-to-Table up-bringing and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Executive Chef and Owner Fred Piehl, marries classic French cuisine with the bounty of San Diego in a way that is rustic, yet refined, imaginative, yet unpretentious. The dinners served feature in-season local, sustainable and organic ingredients and provide guests with a unique culinary experience, reminiscent of the European countryside. Boasting a carefully selected wine and beer list and chef and bartender attention to select spirits to create craft house cocktails, The Smoking Goat assures there is always the correct pairing available.

4. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6427)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 72 times today

A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.

5. Coasterra

4.5

Awesome(7530)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Harbor Island

Booked 60 times today

Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.

6. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4723)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 39 times today

Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.

7. Nobu San Diego

4.5

Awesome(3729)

Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown / Gaslamp

Booked 43 times today

Nobu San Diego is a foodie hotspot known for its award-winning 'New Style' Japanese cuisine. As per reviews, the food is consistently and exceptionally delicious, with each dish being a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The ambience is described as sophisticated yet lively, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's not just about the food, the service is equally praised, making it a fantastic dining experience.

8. Cloak + Petal

4.6

Exceptional(947)

Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Little Italy

Booked 31 times today

WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionshipOur concept is drawn from our name. The word “cloak” implies secrecy, inspiring our concept of a social sphere humming beneath the levels of ordinary life. “Petal” alludes to the Japanese tradition of “hanami,” when family and friends gather under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks and fellowship.Enter our space and travel underground to décor reminiscent of an abandoned Tokyo subway, a stratum of society all its own, an artist’s dream. Cross the threshold into a mystically transformed Japanese social dining lounge which appears to be an outdoor seating area, similar to a waiting platform. Sit beneath a trellis of draping vines and teardrop lights in the intimate space we’ve thoughtfully created, and feast on authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates and drinks with family and friends.Journey down to Cloak + Petal… and come unwind your soul.

9. One Door North

4.6

Exceptional(501)

Price: Moderate

• American • North Park

Booked 13 times today

At One Door North we host a New American Bar and Eatery that pays homage to the outdoors with the spirit of adventure, serving only fresh farm to table cuisine. Come enjoy the adventure with us, we look forward to serving you.

10. CUCINA urbana

4.7

Exceptional(7084)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Banker's Hill

Booked 44 times today

CUCINA urbana is a foodie haven, offering a unique blend of contemporary art and a country farmhouse ambiance. The reviews rave about its 'exquisite food and ambiance', 'exceptional and exciting food' and 'delicious food options'. It's also noted for its 'excellent service', 'interesting flavors', and 'creative and delicious food options'. The restaurant's wine program, which allows guests to hand-select wines for a minimal corkage fee, adds to the foodie experience.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

F
Fiona
San Diego •7 reviews
5.0
Dined today
We ordered the cauliflower appetizer to share and it was delicious I wasn’t a fan of the cheese (mixed on)I believe it was a feta but not sure. Everyone else liked it. I had the duck entree and requested it cooked medium well and it was perfect! The bananas foster is killer good as is the crème brûlée!!!
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The Smoking Goat RestaurantPrice: Moderate• French American• North Park
•
4.8
L
Lisavip
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Chef Logan and the team here are top tier. We came for brunch and I had the best breakfast potatoes I’ve had anywhere—perfectly crispy and seasoned. The Bluefin schnitzel is the best schnitzel my bf says he’s had stateside (he travels to Germany a lot for work). The dark chocolate babka is soft, chocolatey and balanced. The music is hella fun while you eat and the service is warm and attentive. We’ll be back for sure!
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Cellar HandPrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Hillcrest
•
4.7
E
Emily
Las Vegas •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Amazing food and staff. It was so cool to see elevated Filipino food, and it was my girlfriend’s first time trying A5 Wagyu, she said “it was the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth”. Will be back in 6 months for my birthday!
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AnimaePrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary Asian• Downtown / Gaslamp
•
4.8
S
Stephanie
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Food and service was amazing as always! Chelsea was amazing at keeping us happy and making sure we were satisfied with the recent menu changes. Never had a meal I didn’t enjoy here.
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CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
•
4.5
A
Andy
San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Wow this place was REALLY good. Highly recommend it. And one of the most knowledgeable waitresses I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Wish I could remember her name but she was fabulous.
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Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7

Best Restaurants for Foodies in University Heights

Price

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Areas

Top Rated

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Award-winning

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38 restaurants available nearby

1. Animae

2. Cellar Hand

3. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

4. Herb & Wood

5. Coasterra

6. Cowboy Star

7. Nobu San Diego

8. Cloak + Petal

9. One Door North

10. CUCINA urbana

See what locals rave about

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