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ARTIFACT at Mingei

$31 to $50

International

Make a booking

2 people

22 Nov 2024

21:00

Booked 26 times today

Experiences are available.

Innovative
Healthy
Good for special occasions

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 Park
Follow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Tim Kolanko + Tony Coito

MICHELIN Plate
2023

From the OpenTable editors: ARTIFACT lives in a beloved folk-art museum—a backdrop that inspires its (almost) too-pretty-to-eat dishes, including neatly folded rock shrimp gyoza in yuzu dashi and chai-chocolate mousse crowned with coconut whipped cream. Expect a spread that’s as international as the art on display.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

Location
1493 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Area
Downtown
Parking details
None
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Experiences

Roman Christmas / special menu
US$30.00 per person
Prepaid
20 Dec 2024 only
Enjoy a ROMAN CHRISTMAS crafted by chefs Tim Kolanko, Wesley Johnson, and Tony Coito for a special ARTIFACT at Night holiday dinner. Four-course experience with optional beverage pairings. $75 per person with a $30 deposit due at the time of booking. Reminder: For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. Please note the number of vegetarians in your party so our Chefs prepare a special menu in advance This $30/per person deposit will be applied to your final bill for the evening and is non-refundable.

Popular dishes

What 850 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

San Diego
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Artifact at Mingei is a culinary gem in Balboa Park, offering a "unique menu" with inventive, globally-inspired dishes. Guests rave about its "delicious food and amazing service," and the setting inside the museum provides a "beautiful dining atmosphere." It's perfect for those seeking creative cuisine and a memorable dining experience.

850 Reviews

L
Leigh Ann
San Diego
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Many unique flavors. The carrots and the Huraches pork were delicious. Can’t wait to come back and try something else.
Is this helpful?
N
Naomi
San Diego
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Our group of 7 visited at 1:00 on a Saturday. The restaurant was not busy and we were seated promptly by a friendly host. Our server on the other hand was quite busy and had to be asked to bring our drinks from the bar as well as serving utensils. His attitude was less than gracious. The food was creative and tasty as usual but many of the dishes were over salted.
Is this helpful?
B
Brianna
Cleveland
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Inventive dishes and good service. We tried the prix fixe and it was a good way to try a few things at a good price
Is this helpful?
B
Blanca
Toronto
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 15 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I loved every dish we ordered. The flavors were so balanced. Serving size was good too. Amazing service!
Is this helpful?
L
Laura
San Diego
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 15 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Lovely food and vibe. Best to sit outside on the beautiful patio as indoors can be a bit loud. Love this place.
Is this helpful?
L
Leslie
San Diego
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on 15 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The Artifact menu was creative and the food extraordinary. The only detraction was the noise level which made conversation very difficult.
Is this helpful?
C
Carole
San Diego
25 reviews
vip
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on 15 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The culturally themed dinners at Artifact are excellent. We enjoyed a Polish feast last night that was delicious and included tastes of familiar dishes such as kielbasa, pierogi and potato pie. My favorite course was the upscale take on golabki (cabbage roll) made with a shrimp and smoked trout filling topped with a crème fraiche, horseradish and trout roe sauce. The four course meals are offered monthly and include “sip of the region” drink menu options to pair with the food. We have enjoyed each of the meals we have attended.
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P
Paul
San Diego
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on 15 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent upbeat atmosphere. Staff is excellent. Food is exceptional. The ARTIFACT at Mingei is a wonderful experience eating food from different lands. There couldn't be better friendly staff. Its a wonderful time to attend the ARTIFACT at Mingei.
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C
Connie
San Diego
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 6 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
I had one of the best meals I have ever been served today, the Avacado Bowl. The complexity of flavors and textures was outstanding. Our waitress was excellent, very knowledgeable about the menu and very welcoming. I recommend this restaurant for the decerning diner.
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F
Fletcher
San Diego
49 reviews
vip
4.0
49 reviews
Dined on 2 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Pre-theater dinner with my wife - they got us in and out in less than an hour without rushing. We shared a really excellent eggplant dip, a main course of slow-cooked pork on a tortilla, and a burned Basque cheesecake, both of which were very good. Dishes are a bit unusual, and it's not easy to figure out from the quirky menu what anything might taste like. Wine & mocktail were both enjoyable. Service was very good. Our only complaint is that long sofa seating, which is too low & too deep. Quiet ambience was much appreciated. Inside seating is in a museum lobby, which is nice & bright, but not a place for an intimate tete-a-tete.
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FAQs

ARTIFACT at Mingei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 331-3569.

ARTIFACT at Mingei is rated 4.8 stars by 850 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

22 Nov 2024

21:00

Booked 26 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

1493 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Area
Downtown
Hours of Operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

ARTIFACT at Mingei

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

MICHELIN Plate

Additional information

Experiences

Roman Christmas / special menu

Popular dishes

Greek Salad

Chocolate Mousse + Cocnut Cajeta + Coconut Whip

Caprese Sandwich

Menu

What 850 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does ARTIFACT at Mingei offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is ARTIFACT at Mingei restaurant rated?

Is ARTIFACT at Mingei currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information