Diners' Choice: American restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American 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!

Public House 131

4.8

4.8 (52)

$30 and under

American

Scripps Ranch

About the restaurant

Welcome to Public House 131 our Chef Shahob Pourteymoor has designed a menu full of your pub favorites all made from scratch in house and sourced locally whenever possible or when seasons allow. We are located in beautiful Scripps Ranch and offer a wonderful outdoor dining experience. Our Craft cocktails are our specialty and our tap list includes close to 20 local San Diego beers.

Top review

AlexandraVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Food is amazing and our server Alex was 10/10. Loved this place will definitely come back and recommend

Lemon Grove Bistro

4.8

4.8 (99)

$30 and under

American

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

In addition to offering comforting American favorites, our menu provides a selection of flavors inspired by our chef’s culinary experiences, ranging from classic Spanish fare to Italian favorites. Our menu changes seasonally to feature the freshest ingredients and provide an exciting dining experience throughout the year.

The Lemon Grove Bistro is in a historic mission-style building in the heart of Lemon Grove. Since 1912, it’s been a place where locals meet and build connections, whether they were picking up their mail at the Sonka General Store in 1944 or ordering custom cakes at the Grove Pastry Shop in 2012.

Come for the food. Stay to experience the inviting ambiance of the historic building and its new garden. Let’s build community--together.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

We found Lemon Bistro searching for restaurants on open table. It had a high rating and great reviews so we thought we’d see for ourselves. It’s a cute place with good atmosphere and the food and service were excellent. Carly, our server, was amazing. She had a great personality, good recommendations and just added a lot of fun to our night. All of the people we encountered throughout our dinner were friendly. We started with the crab cakes which were full of crab and not breading and were very tasty. For dinner my husband had the short ribs and I had the meatloaf and both of those were excellent. We finished with the carrot cheesecake which was delicious. Portions were good size and quality of food was very good. We will definitely be returning.

Discover more

Experience

Weekday Happy Hour

Nick’s on State

4.8

4.8 (1968)

$30 and under

American

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive, memorable experiences.

Top review

julieVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great food very good service always very consistent

Great Maple San Diego

4.8

4.8 (4474)

$30 and under

American

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

We Serve Dinner, Lunch, Brunch and Weekday Breakfast. We are a modern American eatery featuring seasonal fare, fresh house made pies, and local produce cocktails. We have a full bar and a social wine list. Open for Outdoor dining!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined today

We were greeted by a polite gentleman and were seated quickly. Our waiter, George, was polite and very informative with the menu. Started with fried calamari. The best I’ve had by far. I had the Friday prime rib special. The meal was spectacular. Meat was cooked to order. Mashed potatoes were buttery smooth. The asparagus was crunchy and seasoned well. My husband had the braised ribs with mashed potatoes. Ribs were tender off the bone. Bbq sauce was slightly sweet and savory. He topped his meal off with a lemon drop cocktail, an old fashion whiskey, and an Irish mule. All were excellent drinks. We ended the night with a delicious slice of key lime pie. This was a dessert pleaser. Smooth and silky filling with whip cream and perfectly baked crust. I was pleasantly surprised by our waiter when he gave me a little berry and granola crumble for my bday celebration. The restaurant was clean and inviting. Our first time there and definitely won’t be our last. This restaurant left a great impression for us.

Discover more

Popular dish

Maple Bacon Doughnuts

Popular dish

Great Maple French Toast Logs

Popular dish

Key Lime Pie

Nick's Del Mar

4.8

4.8 (1452)

$30 and under

American

Del Mar

About the restaurant

Top review

ValerieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had a great lunch. Clam chowder was so flavorful and the rib eye sandwich was well prepared. It is cold inside this restaurant, however. So dress warmly on cool days as the bar area is open to the outside.

Discover more

Popular dish

Asparagus Fries

Popular dish

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

The Pony Room

4.8

4.8 (1554)

$50 and over

American

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

The Pony Room is a favorite among locals and resort guests alike. In addition to an extensive selection of all expressions of agave spirits, it is also home to one of Southern California's most impressive wine and hand-crafted, seasonally inspired signature cocktail lists. The Pony Room serves exceptional, American inspired comfort classics with daily specials.

Live Music 7 nights a week

Join us every Saturday and Sunday for Brunch on our beautiful hacienda inspired terraces from 11am to 2pm.

Top review

MelissaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Attentive and efficient service and outstanding cuisine.

Seasons 52 - San Diego - UTC

4.8

4.8 (5071)

$31 to $50

American

University City/Golden Triangle

About the restaurant

Seasons 52 is a Fresh Grill and Wine Bar offering a seasonal menu that is naturally lighter and always flavorful. Our seasonal menus feature ingredients at their peak of freshness, oak-fire grilled or brick oven roasted (without a fryer in sight) to be naturally lighter and more flavorful. We also offer an extensive list of wines by the glass and bottle. Here, you'll always feel free to enjoy every bite, every sip, every moment. Lunch and dinner daily with happy hour Monday-Thursday from 3-6PM.

Top review

JerryVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Great food and service for a reasonable price - we love it

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (578)

$30 and under

American

Solana Beach

About the restaurant

Newly remodeled, the much airier Tavern is all about art, music, and above all great food. Open for lunch and soon to include evening dining, the Tavern adds a distinctly Mexican/Pacific Coast set of flavors to the local fine dining scene.

We are located in the heart of the Cedros Design District, within walking distance of the Amtrak station. The style is casual with indoor and outdoor dining ( plus bar seating). The patio, which can accommodate 18 guests, looks out onto the shop-lined Cedros Avenue and can be separated from the main dining area for private events.

*Please note* Our restaurant welcomes walk-ins during our Lunch hours from 11:30 am- 3:30 pm.
*Tavern restaurant will be closed for dinner (Lunch will remain open Monday and Tuesday when the belly up is dark)
*Please check our website for the most up-to-date hours*

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

It’s always great. The food is amazing and it’s a fun venue before the Belly up.

Waverly Restaurant & Lounge

4.8

4.8 (172)

$31 to $50

American

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Located in beautiful Cardiff by The Sea, Waverly is a full-service restaurant serving Progressive American cuisine & specialty cocktails with a European influence.

Evening Dining Reservation tables will be reserved for 1 hour and 45 minutes for parties of up to 2 and for 2 hours for parties of up to 6.

Reservations are weather permitting and may be rescheduled if inclement weather is forecast. You will be contacted by one of our Hospitality Leaders should modifications need to be made to your reservation.

*We offer a limited menu happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 3 to 5 PM. No reservations needed – first come, first served

Top review

HeatherVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We love Waverly and we appreciate Max’s knowledge and attention to detail!

The Henry - Coronado

4.8

4.8 (2608)

$30 and under

American

Coronado

About the restaurant

Welcome to the greatest neighborhood restaurant, a place where you can always count on a warm welcome from baristas, servers and bartenders who know your order by heart. A fusion of industrial and classical influences, our open dining spaces are bursting with charm and energy. Come and go with ease for your morning coffee, enjoy lunch with a colleague, gather the family together for dinner, or treat yourself to a post-work drink at the bar. For craveable eats and downright delicious cocktails, look no further than a place where you'll always be among friends, a place that feels like home: The Henry.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Burger was soooo good! We had a great time! Restaurant is super cute, friendly service

Discover more

Popular dish

Molten Butter Cake

Popular dish

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast

Popular dish

Korean Prime Skirt Steak

Explore Diners' Choice best of San Diego