Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

LIPS - San Diego

5.0

5 (59)

$31 to $50

American

North Park

About the restaurant

Lips has been San Diego's ULTIMATE in Drag Dining for 25 years! Dinner, Drinks & fabulous Drag Shows, as well as Brunch on Saturdays & Sundays. Enjoy a great meal & cocktails served up by over-the-top Drag Queens.

DIFFERENT SHOWS WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY. Wed: Bithcy Bingo; Thur: Dining with the Divas; Fri: Glitz & Glam Dinner; Sat: 2 Dragalicious Brunches & 2 Glitz & Glam Dinners; Sun: 2 Gospel Brunches & Sunday Nite Showstoppers. ***Prices- Wed/Thur/Sun Dinner: $35.95(shoe & 3-course dinner, drinks additional); Sat/Sun Brunch: $42.95(Show, meal & bottomless Mimosas/Champagne/Bloody Mary; Fri/Sat Nite: $49.95(show & 3-course dinner,drinks additional)

All shows subject to 7.75%sales tax & 20% suggested gratuity; $12 celebration package for Birthdays/Bachelorette/Anniversary/Promotion/Graduation. 16+ to enter; 21+ to Drink. GOVERNMENT ID REQUIRED-ALL IDS CHECKED AT THE DOOR

Top review

Alma

Dined 5 days ago

Great service, great experience , we had so much fun

Topsail at Portside Pier

4.9

4.9 (147)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

San Diego's most iconic waterfront property features Topsail, a luxury lounge on the rooftop at Portside Pier! Indulge in fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and small plates while relaxing fireside above the water!

Top review

JillVIP

Dined on 27 Nov 2024

Popped in for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We sat outside with a great view and had the charcuterie board which did not disappoint.

Firehouse American Eatery and Lounge

4.6

4.6 (193)

$30 and under

American

Pacific Beach

About the restaurant

FIREHOUSE restaurant, at the forefront of upscale-beach dining, sits in the heart of Pacific Beach. Wedged between local Fire Station 21 and Ocean Walk, FIREHOUSE offers an eclectic compilation of classic American dishes and beach side, craft cocktails. FIREHOUSE maintains its iconic patio with the signature fire pit and 4 private seating cabanas. A retractable awning provides shade on hot days and warmth in the winter for all our ocean-view dining tables.

Top review

Rob

Dined on 9 Sept 2024

The food was amazing, and the service was great. Visited Firehouse 21 next door to get a few T-shirts as well. Great location. We will be back during our next trip to San Diego

Cloak + Petal

4.6

4.6 (969)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Little Italy

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!
Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionship
Our 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.

Top review

Manasi

Dined 3 days ago

Food, drinks, ambience was all great! Loved it and highly recommend

Kalaveras - Chula Vista

4.6

4.6 (107)

$30 and under

Mexican

Chula Vista / Bonita

About the restaurant

We're creating a new concept of modern rustic dining with a fusion of traditional and vanguard Mexican ingredients. Our food is chef-driven, using classic cooking techniques with fresher and healthier options. We're elevating bold, authentic flavors and presenting a new way of eating. In the bar you'll find over 90 different tequilas and Mezcal spirits.

Top review

Yasmin

Dined on 15 Dec 2024

Food was good many different option at the buffet, only thing the music was very loud, having a conversation was very hard

Craft & Commerce

4.5

4.5 (1087)

$31 to $50

American

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Providing shelter from the storm since 2009.

Top review

Lena

Dined 3 days ago

Fun experience at Craft and Commerce last night. Food was excellent as well as my cocktail. Service was a bit lagging, but they were busy, so understandable

Roma Norte

4.5

4.5 (14)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Roma Norte is the newest venture from the expert beverage team behind Puesto and Marisi, set to redefine the cocktail scene in downtown San Diego. Inspired by the vibrant cocktail culture of Mexico City's Roma Norte neighborhood, Roma Norte promises a technique-driven cocktail experience paired with light, refreshing Mexico City-style bites.

Please note that we have limited availability on Opentable. We recommend you check for reservations on our website, https://www.romanorte.bar!

Top review

VanessaVIP

Dined on 22 Dec 2024

Came here for drinks and the sultry ambiance and it was just that. For a busy Saturday night service was fairly fast, we did not have a bite but I presume if we did it would of been just as delicious as the drinks we had. Unfortunately I can’t remember the same but the cocktail with the cantaloupe (sigh) gorgeous presentation and refreshing, if your into melon.

il Sogno Italiano

4.4

4.4 (446)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

An unforgettable dining and musical soiree awaits you as we transport you to a Nostalgic yet modern Americana meets old world ambiance, perfect for any occasion. Our music program features world class entertainers and touring artists 7 nights a week, paired with an array of specialty craft cocktails and wines from across Italy and the California Coast. Our kitchen uses fresh sustainable ingredients and specializes in California Coastal Italian Cuisine with handmade pizzas, pastas, steaks and seafood. Our Mezzanine accommodates up to 100 guests and we offer a private bar, TV's upon request for private events and meeting spaces.

We look forward to hosting you at Il Sogno Italiano and Welcome you to San Diegos hottest place for fine dining and music.

Mondays: Martinis & Jazz w/Grammy Nominated Sacha Boutros and friends/Martini specials all night long
Wednesdays: Passport to Italy
Pop, Jazz, RnB, Motown and beyond every night of the week.

Top review

Patty

Dined on 11 Dec 2024

The ambiance is very nice and lovely, there was live piano music. We had meatballs, lobster arancini, and garlic knots for appetizers. We had pizza and braised short ribs for dinner. The food was delicious and the service was great! We will definitely come back here again!!

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Popular dish

Rigatoni Bolognese

Mr. Tempo Gaslamp

4.2

4.2 (195)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Mr. Tempo a unique experience brought by the successful restaurateur Jorge Cueva also known as MR. TEMPO! Enjoy a variety of unique and delicious dishes from seafood, sushi, steak, tacos and more. Our specialty is margaritas and cocktails. #maschingon

Top review

Leticia

Dined on 6 Oct 2024

The severs were amazing! And the ambience was fun and energetic. The Banda was 10/10, loved it.

Dave & Buster's - San Diego

3.8

3.8 (87)

$30 and under

American

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

Each Dave & Buster’s has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we’ve got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we’re stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound.

Top review

Nic

Dined on 5 Dec 2024

Using the points for food vouchers is great, getting charged $4 for club soda and lime is not, especially after spending $112 on games - It does look like they've hired some new waiters and waitresses though, which is nice as they seemed to have been short handed for the last great while. I get that I'm not the most profitable customer for them, spending about $50-60/ visit on game and $20 bucks on tipping the food service staff, but that doesn't mean one shouldn't put an extra $20 on top for serving water as I'm also the customer that comes in on a weekly basis and brings friends. In summary, thank you for hiring more, new, friendlier staff - please stop charging $4 for carbonated water and keep that staff happy by getting a larger tip. Thanks!

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Experience

Monday SIP Night

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