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$ | Normal Heights |
There's almost no combination on earth as satisfying as pizza and beer—which just happen to be Blind Lady's specialties. The old-world-style pizzas are topped with organic ingredients, like house-made chorizo and avocado, which offer an excellent complement to their extensive beer selection, which is updated on their chalkboard daily. Just be patient waiting for a seat at the popular neighborhood spot, which is decorated with upcycled materials such as reclaimed wood floors and glass cases of vintage beer cans.
3416 Adams Ave., San Diego, California, 92116, USA
Known For
- Spicy chorizo pizza with avocado
- Crispy Belgian frites
- House-brewed craft beer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.--Wed.
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$ | South Park |
A golden-domed pizza oven, named Sofia after the owner’s daughter, delivers authentic Neapolitan-style pizza to fans who often line up for patio tables at this dog- and kid-friendly Italian restaurant in South Park. Pizzas make a meal or can be shared, but don’t miss the equally delicious appetizers, heaping salads, or fresh pastas, and be sure to save room for some dolci.
3001 Beech St., San Diego, California, 92102, USA
Known For
- House-made sangria
- Bubbly Neapolitan-style pizzas
- Bustling patio
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$ | |
For Paris-perfect cakes and tarts embellished California-style with fresh flowers, head to this sleek, serene branch of Karen Krasne’s pastry shop and café. The space with soaring ceilings hosts breakfasts, lunches, and light dinners, accompanied by a wide selection of teas, coffee, organic wines, and craft beers. For those who don’t want to start with dessert, there are sandwiches, soups, salads, and artisanal cheeses, plus a kids' menu of grilled cheese or free-range turkey served on local bread. When it’s time to satisfy your sweet tooth, try a slice of passion fruit ricotta cake, a mini-banana cream pie, or helping of croissant bread pudding. The original shop near Balboa Park, at 2870 4th Avenue, serves only desserts, coffees, and teas.
1430 Union St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Blueberry coffee cake for breakfast
- Chocolate dulce de leche cake
- House-made dips including onion dip and Parmesan pesto
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$ | Hillcrest |
This café lives up to its name, which explains why there's often a line, despite the ample seating. Paris-trained Karen Krasne turns out award-winning cakes, tortes, and pastries of exceptional beauty, while the Japanese-theme patio invites you to linger over yet another coffee drink.
2870 4th Ave., San Diego, California, 92103, USA
Known For
- Rotating cheese selections
- Flower-topped made-in-house chocolate cakes
- Vegan and gluten-free cookies
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$ | Ocean Beach |
Surfers with big appetites, and fans of Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, chow down on huge, messy burgers, fries, onion rings, and shakes at this funky, hippie beach joint adorned with beat-up surfboards, stickers, and license plates from almost every state. Don’t be put off by lines out the door---they move quickly and the wait is worth it, especially for the Guido Burger; inspired by Guy Fieri, it's topped with pastrami, onions, pickles, and Swiss cheese. Wash it down with one of their own microbrews including a hazy IPA and a Mexican lager. A miniburger is a less-filling option, and there are veggie and chicken patty options for the red-meat averse. Newer outposts—as family-friendly as the original '60s joint—are Downtown and at Petco Park.
5010 Newport Ave., San Diego, California, 92107, USA
Known For
- Legendary bacon cheeseburgers and thick-cut onion rings
- Surf-shack vibe
- A little sass with your burger
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | Liberty Station |
The city's former Naval Training Center is home to more than 30 vendors so even the pickiest of diners will be pleased. Options include tacos and quesadillas at Cecilia's Taqueria; fried rice, pad Thai, and curries at Mama Made Thai; lavender lattes from Westbean Coffee Roasters; fried chicken and fries from Fluster Cluck; sweet and savory crepes from Olala; more than a dozen Argentinean empanadas at Paraná; and croissants, éclairs, and macarons at Le Parfait Paris. There are a few communal tables indoors, but the best seating is the kid- and dog-friendly outdoor patio, outfitted with Adirondack chairs and market lights. Not all vendors are open for breakfast.
2820 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- Cuisines from around the world
- Lively kid- and dog-friendly patio
- The best regional foods under one roof
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$ | Point Loma | Eclectic
This bustling market and food hall is just one of the latest additions to an ever-expanding Liberty Station, the historic mixed-use redevelopment of San Diego's former Naval Training Center. Vendors offer everything from lobster rolls to empanadas, gumbo, or tostadas, making it an excellent place to pop in for a quick but high-quality meal.
2820 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego, California, 92106, USA
Known For
- Popular food stalls
- Fast, good food
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$ | La Jolla |
The desserts are magnificent at this small, charming shop in operation for nearly 50 years, where dessertier Michele Coulon confects wonders, using organic produce and imported chocolate. Snack on cookies, cupcakes, brownies, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and mini-desserts. But this is not just a place for dessert: lunch is served Tuesday through Saturday (the store is open 9 am to 3 pm), and the simple menu includes quiche and salads. Other irresistible treats found here are a chocolate-lovers’ Torte Lion Belge, pear-frangipane tart, and Marjolaine Torte with layers of meringue, chocolate ganache, and buttercream.
7556 Fay Ave., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Instagram-worthy presentation
- The buttercream- and berry-filled Gateau Aileen
- Gluten-free items usually are available
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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$ | |
Among the plentiful and popular brunch options in Little Italy, Morning Glory stands out for not just elevating its breakfast options but making breakfast and brunch its only concern. The dazzling, pink-hue brunch palace is a luxurious sight to behold, with plush seating, a vending machine full of champagne, and a giant metal flower-shape lamp at the center of its outdoor dining area. Yet the menu is where visitors will find its most appealing delights, from its many variations on hot cocoa, to its internationally inspired egg dishes and extra indulgent flapjacks, French toast, and soufflé pancakes.
Make sure to show up early—the restaurant doesn't take reservations and the waitlist fills up fast.
550 W. Date St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Fluffy and light soufflé pancakes
- Fried chicken and waffle
- Hot chocolate flights
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch or dinner, Restaurant doesn\'t take reservations
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$ | North Park |
The doughnuts at Nomad are big, fluffy, colorful, and would make Homer Simpson drool. Its rotating menu of internationally inspired doughnut flavors is made with natural ingredients, like real fruit, and almost all of them have a vegan counterpart as well. Just make sure to show up early—doughnuts this good don't stick around for long.
3102 University Ave., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
Known For
- Cinnamon-sugar cruller
- Pomegranate with Meyer lemon drizzle doughnut
- Panther milk breve, iced with sweetened condensed milk
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$ | |
Bold graffiti graphics, chandeliers with tangled telephone wires, and beat-heavy music energize this Downtown eatery that celebrates Mexican street food with a modern twist. Settle into one of the interior rooms or the sunny patio under orange umbrellas to sip margaritas and other specialty cocktails, Baja wines, or fruity aguas frescas made daily. Guacamole, ceviche, seafood tostadas, and a festive stack of chili-and-salt-spiced mango whet appetites for tasty street tacos—nine varieties including lobster, mushroom, and striped bass that can be mixed and matched for plates of three. Deep-fried carnitas with a cactus leaf salad, grilled filet mignon, and octopus tacos round out the menu. The original (and smaller) Puesto is in downtown La Jolla.
789 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Taco trio plates
- Unique Parmesan guacamole
- Fruit-infused margaritas made in-house
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$ | Ocean Beach |
Inspired by the grass-fed burgers they sampled in New Zealand, the founders of this convivial eatery set out to replicate those same high-quality flavors in their Ocean Beach spot. The interior nods to the outdoor-oriented Kiwi country, with surfboards turned into light fixtures, rugby photos, and bodyboards as wall art. An outdoor "parklet" wrapping the corner lot draws a crowd, clinging to the laid-back atmosphere and chill staff that will know you by name before the meal is over. Food focuses on burgers with organic, grass-fed beef, as well as chicken, lamb, and seafood options dressed in garlic aioli and tomato chutney, along with huge portions of onions rings and fries. The meat pies have a croissant-like crust, and there are also salads for those seeking greens. The weekend brunch menu delivers chilaquiles, steak and tamale Benedict, and cheesy grits. With 24 beers on tap, this OB mainstay was one of the first local businesses to pioneer the craft beer movement.
1851 Bacon St., San Diego, California, 92107, USA
Known For
- Grass-fed beef burgers
- Exceptional handmade cocktails and great daily specials
- Great local craft beer
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$ | |
Next to his successful fine-dining restaurant, Juniper and Ivy, celebrity chef Richard Blais has opened this more casual eatery complete with a walk-up counter, picnic-style tables, a bocce court, and a giant rooster—a nod to the egg- and chicken-theme menu. Ingredients are sourced from high-quality vendors and used for sandwiches, of which the fried chicken varieties shine, as well as salads and sides like fluffy minibiscuits with a miso-maple butter and a Mexican spin on poutine. The all-outdoor space feels like a cool playground for foodies, and there's even a slick bar that doles out craft cocktails.
2266 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Señor Croque fried chicken sandwich with smoked pork belly
- Biscuits with miso-maple butter
- All-outdoor seating with bocce court
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$ | |
The line that inevitably wraps around the building is indicative of the quality of the tacos and the large selection of local craft beers on tap. Indeed, these are some of the best tacos in all of San Diego, ranging from the classic carne asada and Baja fish tacos to fried-shell beef tacos and Califas, which features French fries inside the tortilla.
2196 Logan Ave., San Diego, California, 92113, USA
Known For
- Baja-style street tacos
- Pruno de Piña (beer and fermented pineapple)
- Churros and ice cream
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Ocean Beach |
For a taste of Cuba in San Diego, head to this Ocean Beach bakery where owner Vivian Hernandez Jackson combines her Cuban heritage, Miami childhood, and London culinary training in breakfast and lunch offerings. Morning specialties like raspberry scones with passion fruit icing, a traditional guava-and-cheese puff pastry, and ham-and-Manchego quiche can be savored with café con leche, a sweet Cuban espresso with hot milk. For lunch, try the Cubano slow-roasted pork sandwich with plantain chips, followed by a classic flan or the mango cheesecake. The salsa music and photos of Cuban street life will transport you to the colorful country.
4820 Newport Ave., San Diego, California, 92107, USA
Known For
- Tangy, citrus-centric desserts
- Traditional Cuban pastries
- A quick bite before shopping or hitting the beach
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | |
Until recently, you had to head to the Miramar/Scripps Ranch area for a tasting at Ballast Point, but now there's a spacious (and popular) local taproom in Little Italy. The Sculpin IPA is outstanding, as are the blue cheese duck nachos.
2215 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Known For
- Duck nachos
- Truffalo wings
- More than three-dozen beers on tap
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$ | Mission Beach | Asian
The Asian poke bowls and fluffy steamed bao "tacos" offer a unique alternative to the typical beach boardwalk fare. With limited seating, this street food shop is best for a quick bite or take-out.
3735 Mission Blvd., San Diego, California, 92109, USA
Known For
- Filled bao buns or "Asian tacos"
- Bulgogi street fries
- Limited seating
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$ | La Jolla |
With locations across San Diego County, this happening hot spot is ready to get you buzzed with honey lattes, “Killer Bee” triple espressos, pour overs, and nitro cold brews. The sandwiches, smoothies, pastries, and acai bowls are ideal grab-and-gos for those who would rather munch at the beach.
909 Prospect St., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Americano with creamy vanilla
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Rosewater latte
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$ | La Jolla |
For coffee with a view, the La Jolla branch of Bird Rock is the best spot to kickstart your day with fresh brewed artisan coffees and summer specials like the dirty Horchata iced coffee. Grab a table on the patio with the beach in the distance and take your pick from a comprehensive selection of morning brews and pastries. With locations around San Diego and North County, you're sure to find a spot to grab a cup of this delicious, San Diego--roasted coffee. There's no better place to recharge after a hike at nearby Torrey Pines.
5627 La Jolla Blvd., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
Known For
- Great ambience with friendly staff
- Pull-apart cinnamon rolls
- Ethically sourced coffee
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | University Heights |
Employing the motto "If your grandmother wouldn't bake with it, we won't either," Blackmarket Bakery emphasizes that all its creations are made from scratch, and the proof is in the tasting. Its pastry case is full of buttercream-frosted cakes, drop cookies, and other fresh-baked goodies, in addition to breakfast sandwiches and vegan pastries.
4686 30th St., San Diego, California, 92116, USA
Known For
- Vegan cookies
- Cookie Monster bread pudding
- Handmade marshmallows
