Restaurants in San Diego
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Big Kitchen
The heart and soul of funky South Park, just to the east of Balboa Park at 30th Ave, Big Kitchen welcomes all to its enclave of food, art, music and civic bonhomie (though ardent Bush supporters may get a slightly frosty reception). The omelettes are stupendous, as is the challah French toast, and there's a whole page of breakfast combos named after regulars. It's many locals' vote for best brunch in town.
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Bread & Cie
This clattery, chattery cafeteria-sized bakery-deli makes the best bread around (with flavors like lemon sage ciabatta, anise and fig, and carmelized onion), and carries a limited assortment of gourmet sandwiches. Plus, it's got the best idea I've heard in a while: customized panini. It's an excellent spot to eavesdrop on locals, especially in the mornings. And it's 'cie' pronounced 'sea'.
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Hodad's
OB's legendary burger joint serves great shakes, massive baskets of onion rings and succulent hamburgers wrapped in paper. The walls are covered in license plates, grunge/surf-rock plays (loud!) and your bearded, tattooed server might sidle in to your booth to take your order.
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Cafe 976
PB denizens of all shapes and colors flock to this mellow, yellow converted 1920s beach house for the magnolia-shaded gardens, the wraparound porch studded with colorful chairs, and eclectic comfort food like Indian tuna curry (limited menu at night) and vegetarian chili. There's local art on the walls and often more being produced right at the tables. Kids will be spoiled by options like grilled cheese with the crusts cut off.
You're all set if you need some wi-fi vibes to go with all the groovy ones here.
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Waters Cafe
Here's a rarity: well-prepared, good value food at a museum cafe! Homemade soups and baguette sandwiches are some of the offerings at the elegant Waters Cafe, nestled in a courtyard overlooking the sculpture garden of the San Diego Museum of Art.
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Hash House a Go Go
This buzzing bungalow makes biscuits and gravy straight outta Carolina, towering benedicts, large-as-your-head pancakes and, of course, hash seven different ways. Come hungry.
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Old Town Mexican Café
[ourpick] Old Town Mexican Café Watch the staff turn out fresh tortillas in the window while waiting for a table. Besides breakfast (great chilaquiles - soft tortilla chips covered with mole), there's a big bar (try the Old Town ultimate margarita) and rambling dining room serving famous machacas (shredded pork with onions and peppers).
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George's at the Cove
If you've got the urge to splurge, the Euro-Cal cooking is as dramatic as the oceanfront location thanks to the bottomless imagination of chef Trey Foshee. George's has graced just about every list of top restaurants in California, and indeed the USA. Three venues allow you to enjoy it at different price points: Ocean Terrace, George's Bar and George's California Modern.
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Parallel 33
The cuisines of the 33°N latitude, which include Morocco, Lebanon, India, China, Japan, are masterfully fused and fancifully presented at this convivial neighborhood spot. Round off your meal (and start the after party) with a jolt of Turkish coffee. The elephant-headed sculpture in the altar is the Hindu deity Ganesha.
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Hob Nob Hill
Slinging down-home, mid-scale diner fare since 1944, this San Diego institution is a favorite with locals - elderly couples at breakfast, middle management types and hung-over twentysomethings at lunch - who come as much for the uniformed, been-around-the-block waitresses as for the food. Vegetarians will starve.
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World Famous
Watch the surf while enjoying 'California coastal cuisine, ' an ever-changing menu of inventive dishes from the sea (think banana rum mahi and bacon-and-spinach-wrapped scallops), plus steaks, salads, lunchtime sandwiches and burgers and breakfasts, like the Newport omelet with crab, shrimp and spicy sauce.
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Kung Food
This eatery is a catch-all for the vegan community - you can get a sit-down meal of dishes like tequila lime 'chicken' (around US$14), grab a bite to go from the deli or just sip on a bottle of organic beer while lounging on the umbrella-shaded brick patio. There's even a drive-thru! Free wi-fi, too.
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Oceanaire
[ourpick] Oceanaire The look is art-deco ocean liner and the service is just as refined, with an oyster bar (get them for a buck during happy hour, 5pm to 6pm Monday to Friday) and inventive creations, including Maryland blue crab cakes and horseradish-crusted Alaskan halibut.
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Porkyland
PorkylandAy, caramba! This mini-mall Mexican joint just outside La Jolla village has no atmosphere, but the burritos and fish tacos have a devoted following. The habanero burrito ($4.50) will make your taste buds roar and still leave you beer money.
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Mona Lisa
Aside from delicious, hearty meals, Mona Lisa also makes some of the best sandwiches in town and sells imported Italian specialty foods. Linger in front of the deli counter and you're certain to be offered a tissue-thin sample of sausage. I recommend the spicy sopressata.
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Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar
Empty tables are a rare sight at this sizzling restaurant - a pioneer of the Gaslamp and Ingrid Croce's tribute to her late husband, singer Jim Croce. The contemporary American menu has few false notes, nor have the musicians who perform nightly at the jazz bar.
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Gaslamp Strip Club
Pull a bottle from the wine vault and then char your own favorite cut of steak, chicken or fish on the open grills in this retro-Vegas dining room. Fab, creative martinis, 'pin-up' art by Alberto Vargas and reasonable prices. No one under 21 allowed.
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Roppongi
Tapas-style Asian fusion shines at this gorgeous eatery with clever lighting that makes everyone look good. The Polynesian crab stack, piled high and tossed at table, is a killer choice, and the ahi tuna with watermelon is a surprising flavor bomb.
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Linkery
A daily changing menu of housemade sausages and hand-cured meats from sustainably raised animals is the thing here - on a roll, in tacos, on a board with cheese or in choucroute (French stew). Vegetarians: don't worry; you're covered too.
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Café 222
Downtown's favorite breakfast place for pumpkin waffles; buttermilk, orange-pecan or granola pancakes; and eggs in scrambles or benedicts. There are lunchtime sandwiches and salads, but we can't get enough of breakfast (available until closing).
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Kemo Sabe
Send your tastebuds on a bold journey to where Asia meets the American Southwest, both in the decor and on the plate. Thai jerk smoked duck salad and 10-spice honey chicken are typical of chef Deborah Scott's audacious fusion fare.
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Alchemy
It's a spin-the-globe menu of local ingredients from small plates (including charcuterie or Parmesan frites with garlic aioli), and Jidori chicken with bok choy and shiitake dumplings, in an art-filled blondwood room.
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Girard Gourmet
Fresh, affordable no-nonsense quiches, soups and sandwiches, plus daily hot plate specials like salmon penne pasta. If you bring the kids, don't expect to escape without buying one of the huge clownfish cookies.
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Saigon on Fifth
This Vietnamese place tries hard and succeeds, with dishes such as fresh spring rolls, fish of Hue (with garlic, ginger and lemongrass) and rockin' 'spicy noodles.' Elegant but not overbearing.
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Saska's
Joe Saska opened Saska's in 1955, and it's been family-run and locally loved ever since for its honest, unpretentious take on steak and seafood. Saska Sushi is located just a few doors down.
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