Foodie's Complete Guide to San Diego
- Ale Hernandez
- Aug 6, 2017
- 4 min read
The list is extensive, so let's start with a question: How are you feeling?
Healthy
Where: North Park
What to order: Tostada Mixta on Jicama
2. Mango Mango
Where: Bonita
What to order: Açai Bowl
3. The Red Door
Where: Hillcrest
What to order: Vegan Nachos
Where: Little Italy
What to order: I Am Humble (Indian Curry) Bowl, I Am Chill (Cannabinoids & Brain Health) Shot
Tip: As parking is particularly difficult in Little Italy, arrive with time if you make a reservation
Where: Hillcrest
What to order: Stay Fit Omelet
Where: Del Mar
What to order: Creative King Salmon
7. Sol Cal Cafe
Where: Gaslamp Quarter
What to order: Vegan Sol Cal Burger, Frushi Sushirrito
8. Cafe Chloe
Where: East Village
What to order: Brunch Bistro Salad
9. Puesto
Where: Seaport Village
What to order: Mezcal Pickled Watermelon
Where: Fashion Valley
What to order: Poke Bowl
Productive
Where: North Park
Where: Downtown
Where: Little Italy
Where: North Park
Where: Downtown
6. Bean Bar
Where: Gaslamp Quarter
Where: North Park
Tip: Perhaps one of the most "instagrammable" cafes in SD
Where: East Village
Where: North Park
Where: Point Loma
Cultured
1. Mexican: El Agave
Where: Old Town
What to order: Cochinita Pibil Tacos
2. Indian: Bombay
Where: Uptown
What to order: Chicken Tikka Masala
3. Thai: Supanee
Where: Shelter Island
What to order: Pad Kee Moaw
4. Peruvian: Pisco Rotisserie & Cevicheria
Where: Point Loma
What to order: Ahi Tuna Causita
5. Spanish: Costa Brava
Where: Pacific Beach
What to order: Croquetas de Bacalao
Tip: Tablao (flamenco) performance on Sundays at 7PM
6. Japanese: Sushi Ota
Where: Mission Bay
What to order: Yellow Tail Belly Nigiri
7. French, Contemporary: Smoking Goat
Where: North Park
What to order: Duck Leg Confit
8. French, Traditional: Parc Bistro- Brasserie
Where: Balboa
What to order: Raw Oysters
9. Italian: Bencotto
Where: Little Italy
What to order: Bencotto Tagliatelle Integrale
10. American: TRUST
Where: University Heights
What to order: Beef Tartare
Vibing
Where: Little Italy
What to order: Foie Gras 'Cubano', Manhattan Exchange Cocktail
Where: Downtown
What to order: Golden Boy Roll, Foreign Policy Cocktail
Where: Otay Ranch
What to order: Ceviche Karina's, Agua de Jamaica
4. Kindred
Where: South Park
What to order: Popped Corn, Vicious Glow Cocktail
5. Parq
Where: Gaslamp Quarter
What to order: Coconut Ceviche,
Where: Gaslamp Quarter
What to order: Firecracker Shrimp
7. Bang Bang
Where: Gaslamp Quarter
What to order: Warm Crab Hand Rolls, Volcano Flaming PunchbowlTip: Along with Parq, converts into a nightclub after 10PM. Take a peak at their famous bathroom stalls.
8. Cannonball
Where: Belmont Park
What to order: Sashimi Wrap Roll, Blood Orange Old Fashioned
9. El Camino
Where: Little Italy
What to order: Sopes, Spicy "Passionfruit" Margarita
10. Starlite
Where: Midtown
What to order: Mac & Cheese, Moscow Mule
Brunchin'
Where: Downtown
What to order: Avocado Toast
Where: Banker's Hill
What to order: Crispy Chicken & Belgium Waffle
3. The Cottage
Where: La Jolla
What to order: Jumbo Lump Crab Tamales
Where: Coronado
What to order: Herb Cured Smoked Salmon Bagel
Where: Little Italy
What to order: Wild Boar Sandwich
`6. The LOT
Where: La Jolla
What to order: Green Chilaquiles
Tip: Doubles as a VIP movie theatre
Where: Ocean Beach
What to order: Banana Split French Toast
Where: Pacific Beach
What to order: Sticky Bunz, Blackberry Mint Mimosa
Where: Downtown Chula Vista
What to order: Red Sauce Chilaquiles
10. Great Maple
Where: Hillcrest
What to order: Fresh Made Maple Bacon Doughnuts
Powerful
Where: Downtown
What to order: Aspen Ridge Flat Iron Steak
Where: Downtown
What to order: Absinthe Braised Mussels & Frites
Where: Downtown
What to order: House Ground Cheeseburger
Where: San Diego Harbor
What to order: Oregon Petrale Sole
Where: La Jolla
What to order: Chef's Tasting Menu
Where: Mission Hills
What to order: Duck and Date
7. Herringbone
Where: La Jolla
What to order: Whole Roasted Branzino
Where: Mission Hills
What to order: Ahi Poke Tacos
Where: La Jolla
What to order: Chilean Sea Bass
Where: Little Italy
What to order: Sol Azul Oysters
Romantic
1. Il Fornaio
Where: Coronado
What to order: Pennoni alla Vodka
Tip: Arguably the most romantic view sea-side view in San Diego
2. Bleu Boheme
Where: Normal Heights
What to order: Pâtéet Terrine du Chef
3. The Hake
Where: La Jolla
What to order: Lobster Masala
Where: Del Mar
What to order: Rib Eye Tartare Toast
5. Barbusa
Where: Little Italy
What to order: Nero e Riccio
Where: Coronado
What to order: Omelet w/Smoked Salmon Substitute
7. Herb & Wood
Where: Little Italy
What to order: Roasted Beets & Iberico Ham Salad, Bubbles & Berries Cocktail
Where: Downtown
What to order: Oysters & Pearls
Where: Liberty Station
What to order: Pizza in a Jar, Luigina Pizza
Where: North Park
What to order: 38 Special Pizza
Sweet
1. iDessert
Where: Little Italy
What to order: Build Your Own Dessert
2. ICMonster
Where: Mira Mesa
What to order: Rolled Ice Cream
Where: Bonita
What to order: Banana Nut Bread
4. Sprinkles
Where: La Jolla
What to order: Red Velvet Cupcake
5. Chocolat
Where: Hillcrest
What to order: Bananas & Nutella Crepe
6. Donut Bar
Where: Downtown
Tip: Arrive early as they usually run out of stock by 10AM daily. Alternatively, order online the day before around 3PM
Where: Point Loma
What to order: Ice Cream Flight
Where: El Cajon
What to order: Cookies 'n Cream Milkshake Cookies
Where: Convoy
What to order: Cookie Monster Macaron Ice Cream
Where: Hillcrest
What to order: Scones
Techy
Apps
Recommendations: Yelp
Reservations: Open Table
Splitting the check: Tab
Payment: Venmo
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