Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Addison By William Bradley

4.8

4.8 (1884)

$50 and over

Californian

Del Mar

About the restaurant

Addison, Southern California’s first three-star Michelin restaurant, showcases the beauty and allure of California Gastronomy. Chef William Bradley offers his distinct culinary perspective through an experience that celebrates regional ingredients and influences. With its picturesque views of the surrounding hillside, the dining room creates a transportive setting for Bradley’s ten-course tasting menu. To further enhance the experience, Addison’s 10,000 bottle wine program showcases small producers, rare Champagnes, and new discoveries from around the world.

Since 2006, the purity and precision of Addison's approach has led to global recognition for the restaurant and the San Diego culinary scene. Addison is among an exclusive selection of stand-alone Relais & Châteaux restaurants worldwide, and, in addition to its three-star Michelin designation, is honored on La Liste. It has consistently received the highest recognition from Wine Spectator for its wine program.

Top review

LouiseE

Dined on 1 Apr 2023

worth every penny and every calorie - bravo chef bradley and staff!

Grant Grill

4.8

4.8 (1610)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

A remarkable epicurean experience awaits you at Grant Grill and Lounge. From the iconic, chic setting to our fresh California cuisine and innovative libations, Grant Grill and Lounge carries a tradition of excellence rich in history (since 1951) and history-in-the-making. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus highlight the best ingredients of the season with a fresh approach to classics. From the bar, proprietary beverage creations are offered alongside an impressive menu of wine, beer and cocktails.

Top review

Lola

Dined 6 days ago

Top notch dining experience from food to service!!!! You can be near live music or request a quiet table - and get one!!! Cant wait to return!!!

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Popular dish

Cobb Salad

Experience

Christmas Eve 4-Course Dinner

Experience

Christmas Day 4-Course Dinner

The Veranda Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1503)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

Katherine

Dined on 14 Nov 2024

Good food. Very good service. Beautiful surroundings.

Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara

4.9

4.9 (1028)

$50 and over

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Immerse yourself into a refined modern setting featuring Baja-inspired cuisine and specialty cocktails composed of mezcal and tequila. Enjoy a show kitchen allowing you to get an inside look behind the scenes bringing Chef's creations to center stage. Locally sourced cuisine with a coastal flair is the cornerstone of this fine dining Baja-inspired experience.

Top review

Andreavip

Dined 6 days ago

We celebrated our anniversary here and Norma and Angel took great care of us. Food and wine were outstanding. Plan to come back next year!

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4.7

4.7 (762)

$31 to $50

Californian

Temecula

About the restaurant

Miramonte is one of Southern California's most beautiful, dynamic and forward-thinking wineries. Our award-winning wines are elegant, harmonious and trendsetting. Our popular Bistro features delicious, innovative soulful fare prepared fresh every day. And our gorgeous outdoor verandas are a benchmark experience in wine country. We invite you to join us, and see what all the excitement is about!

SEATING:
2 hour maximum

MIRAMONTE RESERVATION POLICY:
For restaurant reservations, we offer a 15-minute grace period.

Top review

PHILIP

Dined 6 days ago

We are members of the winery and enjoy the bistro style food they offer and the fun live music on the weekends.

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4.7

4.7 (1017)

$30 and under

Californian

Cardiff By The Sea

About the restaurant

During these trying times, we are trying to adjust our service so that customers feel safe but still have a great Ki's experience. Daytime service is as it always has been: order at the counter and the food will be brought to you in the seating area we have created outside under the tents. Night-time is full service. Sunday through Thursday is upstairs. The tables are spaced far apart and there is an option of being out on the front deck for parties of two. On Friday and Saturday, we will be offering full service in both seating areas of upstairs and under the tents outside.
Ki's is a perfect fit for its local beach community culture. We provide food options that serve the needs of people who enjoy the outdoors and have a high degree of awareness for their health, fitness and well being. And Ki's is more than just a 'health food' option for many. It is simply great food for anyone-professionals, families looking for a home-cooked meal or friends hanging out enjoying some tasty eats.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

Food is amazing and very healthy and you can’t beat the lovely atmosphere!

Talia Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (34)

$31 to $50

Californian

Murrieta

About the restaurant

Welcome to Talia Kitchen, where culinary artistry meets wellness and community at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort. Executive Chef Matt Steffen and Director of Nutrition Sarah Goudie craft a menu celebrating Southern California’s bounty, from Murrieta’s hills to San Diego’s coast. We source the finest ingredients from local partners, creating dishes that are both nutritious and delicious. At Talia, we’re more than a restaurant; we’re a gathering place where vitality is served alongside community spirit. Join us for a dining experience that nourishes body and soul, caters to diverse dietary needs, and turns neighbors into friends.

Top review

Brooke

Dined 7 days ago

From the time we arrived we were greeted with warm smiles from the hostess to the food runners and i can’t leave out our absolutely wonderful server Alex she took us on a journey of the menu and paired us with a phenomenal wine! 🍷 Alex your laughter and joy and knowledge will have us returning soon! As this is now a favorite local go to! Don’t pass this place up when looking for a great place to enjoy great food great service and amazing ambiance thank you so much for giving us the best experience Alex!

Herb & Wood

4.7

4.7 (6425)

$31 to $50

Californian

Little Italy

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Andy

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.

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4.7

4.7 (704)

$30 and under

Californian

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Dolce is a high quality, inviting atmosphere and the perfect Ranch neighborhood hideaway. Intimate and lively, Dolce offers delicious local, rustic wine-country inspired cuisine, fine wine and occasions for joyful gatherings.

Top review

Teresavip

Dined 6 days ago

It is always very enjoyable to dine at Dulce when we come from Orange County to visit with our daughter, son in law and grandkids! Great food , service and ambiance!

Paradisaea

4.7

4.7 (556)

$50 and over

Californian

La Jolla

About the restaurant

A celebration of food, cocktails, art, and warm hospitality. Housed in the historic Piano Building, in the heart of the vibrant community of Bird Rock, Paradisaea is a destination restaurant and bar, that San Diegans frequent for crave-able, accessible fare, executed at the highest level.

Top review

David

Dined 2 days ago

It was everything we expected and more! The ambiance, the culinary adventure, the fabulous and knowledgeable wait staff, the pianist, and the interior decor were utterly fabulous! DEFINITELY will go back!

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