Icon

ARTIFACT at Mingei

$31 to $50

International

Make a booking

2 people

22 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 20 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 / Gaslamp
Parking details
None
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Experiences

MOROCCO
US$40.00 per person
Prepaid
16 Jan 2025 only
Experience Morocco crafted by chefs Tim Kolanko, Wesley Johnson, and Tony Coito for our first ARTIFACT at Night 2025 dinner. Four-course experience with optional beverage pairings. $89 per person with a $40 deposit due at the time of booking. Reminder: For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. This $40/person deposit will be applied to your final bill for the evening and is non-refundable.

Popular dishes

What 860 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
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

San Diego
Innovative
San Diego
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Artifact at Mingei offers a "creative culinary experience" within San Diego's Mingei Museum. Diners praise its "unique flavors," diverse menu, and cultural theme dinners. The atmosphere is "lovely," with options for indoor and patio seating. Service is frequently highlighted as "friendly and attentive," making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.

860 Reviews

L
Leslie
VIP
San Diego
15 reviews
4.0
15 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
The food was fantastic, both creative and flavorful. The wine recommended for the meal was perfect.
Is this helpful?
S
Sharlene
San Diego
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
The wait staff was very sad. Possibly understaffed but also clueless on the special Roman Christmas meal they serving. The food itself was outstanding. I felt bad for the chef as they prepared a fabulous meal but would have been horrified by they way it was delivered. Almost tossed at us and ran off. No explanation. When we did catch our waitperson, they didn't know what was what. We got our first course before we got our drinks. Bummer! It was almost thrown at us and they ran off.
Is this helpful?
E
Ericka
Charleston
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was an amazing experience at your establishment. The tofu dish was delicious.
Is this helpful?
J
June and Gary
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 10 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Fabulous food. Sometimes the service was a little off. Drinks forgotten, missing silverware, entrees not all brought out at the same time. However, STILL one of my favorite restaurants to visit. There is no other place in town quite like it. The food is creative, delicious and and always exciting.
Is this helpful?
L
Leslie
San Diego
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 8 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I'm in North County and if I was closer I'd dine at Artifact more often. Having dined here several times now in the last couple of years, I often recommend Artifact a place to visit when someone is asking for suggestions. Today's lunch was perfect and leisurely. We sat down at our table after the Perfume Class at the Mingei, and ordered martinis, shared plates (order the tofu entree!) and dessert (the coffee tasted good but the cream curdled). Service is always friendly throughout our 2.5 hr "therapy" seating!
Is this helpful?
S
Silvia
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 23 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The good selections are very wide ranging with foods inspired by many culinary influences. I had the Rye Pirogi and the eggplant appetizer. Both were very tasty, except the onions on the Pirogi were not cut as thinly as a previous time I ate this dish and it made a difference. Definitely thin is the way to go. Service is impeccable and they also have yummy drinks.
Is this helpful?
h
heidi
San Francisco
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on 23 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Reliably delicious and interesting! This is my favorite restaurant in San Diego
Is this helpful?
M
ML
VIP
San Diego
92 reviews
5.0
92 reviews
Dined on 23 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was fantastic. I had the crispy tofu. Service was friendly and efficient. Artifact is always a great choice
Is this helpful?
R
Rebecca
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 22 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were there during happy hour. Everything we ordered was delicious. The server, Kelly, was fantastic. She really made our visit fun.
Is this helpful?
L
Leigh Ann
San Diego
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 17 November 2024
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?

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 860 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 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 20 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 / Gaslamp
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

MOROCCO

Popular dishes

Greek Salad

Chocolate Mousse + Cocnut Cajeta + Coconut Whip

Caprese Sandwich

Menu

What 860 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