9 Best Restaurants in Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

Distressed brick walls, rustic wood tables, and vintage waterfront photos suits the restaurant’s commitment to modern all-natural coastal cuisine with a Filipino twist. Locals, as well as guests at the adjacent boutique Hotel Solamar, savor menu items like shareable starters (lemon-tinged hummus or warm beet salad) and entrées that include Filpino standards like pancit noodles with vegetables; there are options like seared sea scallops or the J6 burger made with a top-secret grind as well.

One of several options inside the Pendry Hotel, Lionfish is a showcase for chef Jojo Ruiz's seafood-centric cuisine inside of a spacious, two-story room. The atmosphere is hip, yet aesthetically pleasing, though the menu itself is what's worth returning for, from the butter-poached king-crab leg to the wild mushroom and potato gnocchi.

Two French transplants have brought sleek Parisian style to Downtown San Diego and rows of eclairs, tarts, croissants, colorful macarons, and the aroma of espresso greet patrons as they enter a minimalist space. For something more substantial, look to their menu of crepes, panini, salads, and quiches; caffeinated drinks range from teas and coffee to a sweet lavender honey latte.

Take a seat on the patio for a prime view of late-night Gaslamp revelers.

Since opened by celebrity chef Brian Malarkey a few years ago, this high-energy flagship restaurant has become the Gaslamp’s best for food and energetic atmosphere. Foodies from near and far savor the upscale down-home fare like small plates of biscuits with spicy honey, duck fat fries, and shrimp and grits. The open kitchen serves a full range of poultry and meat dishes, while specialty cocktails from the bar keep things lively in the sofa-furnished lounge. If you prefer a quiet place to chat and dine, this isn’t for you.

Pristine fish imported from around the world and presented creatively attracts crowds nightly to this intimate Gaslamp restaurant. Table service is available inside and outside where an omakase (tasting menu) or eight-piece rolls can be shared and savored; take a seat at the bar to watch one of the sushi chefs preparing appetizers. The restaurant is a favorite with Japanese visitors and conventioneers.

Normandy-born chef Fabrice Hardel oversees the preparation of three meals a day at the Westgate Hotel, writing seasonal menus that mix French and Asian flavors. At dinner you're likely to find specials like grilled salmon with spring onions and shiitake mushrooms, as well as classics like Dover sole meunière and steak frites. Chandeliers, white linen tablecloths, and fresh flowers create a classic fine dining atmosphere.