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Best Restaurants for Foodies in University Heights

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39 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Animae restaurant
1. Animae
4.8
Exceptional(3177)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 67 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.
A photo of Cellar Hand restaurant
2. Cellar Hand
4.8
Exceptional(104)
Price: Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Hillcrest
Booked 15 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(2630)
Price: Moderate
• French American • North Park
Booked 21 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.
A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant
4. Herb & Wood
4.7
Exceptional(6425)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 71 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.
A photo of Coasterra restaurant
5. Coasterra
4.5
Awesome(7527)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Harbor Island
Booked 90 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.
A photo of Cowboy Star restaurant
6. Cowboy Star
4.9
Exceptional(4718)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 50 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.
A photo of Nobu San Diego restaurant
7. Nobu San Diego
4.5
Awesome(3727)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • Downtown / Gaslamp
Booked 59 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.
A photo of Cloak + Petal restaurant
8. Cloak + Petal
4.6
Exceptional(944)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Little Italy
Booked 58 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.
A photo of One Door North restaurant
9. One Door North
4.6
Exceptional(500)
Price: Moderate
• American • North Park
Booked 25 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.
A photo of CUCINA urbana restaurant
10. CUCINA urbana
4.7
Exceptional(7080)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Banker's Hill
Booked 59 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
From verified diners like you
  • Stephanie
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day 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.
    More info
    CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
    •
    4.5
  • Andy
    San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 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.
    More info
    Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
    •
    4.7
  • Veeralvip
    Toronto / Ontario •25 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Awesome food and experience A bit more expensive than comparable restaurants
    More info
    AnimaePrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary Asian• Downtown / Gaslamp
    •
    4.8
  • Ambervip
    Chicago / Illinois •352 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    What an outstanding brunch experience - all the toasts are amazing with housemade bread. You need to get the chocolate babka and the basic breakfast is anything but basic, with pork belly bacon, sesame toast with housemade ham, herby potatoes and eggs your way. I’m surprised it’s not more crowded. Usually space for walk ins and right next to the Hillcrest farmers market.
    More info
    Cellar HandPrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Hillcrest
    •
    4.8
  • ScottO
    San Diego •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    We’ve been to The Smoking Goat numerous times over the years and we’ve never been disappointed. It’s pricey AF but it’s worth it. A great place for a special occasion or just to celebrate life, friends or family. The Escargot is always on point. I had the Duck this visit and it was delicious! The Steak Frites is always a winner if you love Truffle fries and a good steak. The Pork Chop was phenomenal this visit as well. The menu does change seasonally, but we’ve never had anything we didn’t like. The cocktails are equally complimentary. I recommend the French 75… so tasty I had 2. Adam was our server this time and he was flawless and very attentive to our needs.
    More info
    The Smoking Goat RestaurantPrice: Moderate• French American• North Park
    •
    4.8

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