Wolf In The Woods - San Diego (CA)

5 /5 John Labsan: Our most beloved restaurant in our Mission Hills neighborhood! It doesn’t matter what you order—the food is always delicious. The service is exceptional, and you must order a bottle of wine—the sommelier/owner is amazing, offering not just California wines but incredible European selections. Don’t be alarmed by dining outdoors—it’s quaint, lovely, and heated. Or you can dine inside; either way, you can’t go wrong. Truly one of the best-kept secrets in San Diego!

5 /5 Tu Ngo: After hearing lots of good reviews about this place, I came in with a low expectation because I was thinking it was one of those overhyped restaurants. However, I was pleasantly impressed that food was pretty good, and service was great. The only thing I was disappointed about was the bread. It didn’t taste like it was freshly baked. The citrus octopus and sweet corn soup are to die for!! Both dishes have been consistently good every time I come here. Carne adovada was very tasty, the meat was super soft and the onion added some nice crunch. The richness in the creamy polenta paired very well with the roasted mushrooms which made the whole dish quite delicious and flavorful. Highly recommend!

5 /5 Nadia Adan: Tried this place for the first time after hearing a lot about it and I wasn’t disappointed! The food was delicious my favourite was the carne adovaba while my husband loved the octopus and tartar, and the fresh focaccia is a must!! The patty for the mini burger was delicious and very well sized! While the croquetas are delicious, they are a little expensive as is the aguachile… there wasn’t much fish and the sauce was a little bland for my taste. I ordered the NA gin and tonic to drink, unfortunately it tasted very flat, it was changed but the second one wasn’t much better, wouldn’t order again. We took our baby with us and were thoughtfully sat at the end of the patio so we’d have enough space for the stroller. If you have Amex platinum book through resy for $100 credit a quarter! Will definitely be back!

4 /5 Luna Bello Reis: Wolf in the Woods is undeniably cute and cozy — a small, charming spot that really makes you feel like you’ve escaped into the woods. The window looking out over the canyon adds to the atmosphere and makes the space feel intimate and almost magical. That said, the space is tight — if you’re claustrophobic or need elbow room, this probably isn’t the place for you. But for a small group (no more than four), it’s a lovely setting for a relaxed evening. Service was great — attentive without being intrusive. The staff kept things moving smoothly, especially given the 90-minute dining limit (a necessity due to the size of the place). As for the food and drink: I started with the Lupo e Luna cocktail, which was refreshing and delicious — a great way to kick things off. We shared several dishes, tapas-style, starting with the crudo, which was fresh but lacked that pop of flavor I was hoping for. The meatballs were just okay for me, but the octopus was solid. It’s worth noting that most dishes had a noticeable level of spice — possibly because they were running a New Mexico-themed menu that night. I would have appreciated a bit more variety in flavor profiles. Now, the star of the evening: the corn soup. OMG. Creamy, flavorful, perfectly balanced — this is the dish you start planning your return visit for before you’re even halfway through it. I would honestly go back just for that soup. Get it with the amazing focaccia. We also had the slider, which was juicy and tasty, and wrapped up with a carrot cake for dessert. It was decent, though also carried a bit of spice (continuing the theme of the night). Still, nothing came close to the corn soup — the clear winner. This spot specializes in tapas and wine, with a few main dishes offered. We were too full to try the entrées, but it’s good to know they’re available. I’d be curious to go back and try different plates — especially if the menu changes seasonally. Just keep that soup on the menu, please. In short: I wouldn’t rush back immediately, but I definitely plan to return. It’s not ideal for big groups, but for a date night or a small dinner with friends, it’s a cozy little gem — as long as you don’t mind being up close and personal with your fellow diners.