Highly Recommended 14 Dinner Restaurants Near San Diego, California

BSM Great little traditional Italian spot nestled in Little Italy, San Diego. It was my first time in the city and while exploring the area for dinner, I came across this place through Google reviews — so glad I did. The restaurant is very cute and classic, with a pizza parlour downstairs serving authentic Italian pizza. I had the seafood pasta, which was excellent. The complimentary bread was fresh, and I also ordered the bruschetta, served on a perfectly toasted crouton — delicious. The rosé paired really well with the meal. My server was fantastic — very attentive and helpful, especially when recommending seafood options. Overall, I had a very good experience. Not too busy, very authentic, and quality food. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Little Italy.

Rodney Regala Almost like a spot across the border without going into Mexico. Freshly made tortillas made and you can watch them make. Margaritas were kinda too good so beware! Food is always great and staff were nice. Great spot to take visitors!

Shelby Riley BEST BURRITO OF MY LIFE. genuinely all the food was so good, lots of flavor perfectly cooked and portion sizes. I got the california burrito and my mom got the chimichanga and we both loved our meals. big portions enough to share. Very nice service, worth the wait but it was definitely busy for a reason!

gc ortiz Visited Filippis Pizza today for our dinner. Upon entering the establishment, you would think it was a grocery store. You would be mistaken. I must say they have a large assortment of Olive Virgin Oil. As you progress into the place, you will run into the Hostess who will show you your table. Our waiter was Derrick, he did an excellent job in providing quality service. This place filled up fast after we arrived. The food was on point. We had the chicken parmesan with spaghetti, salad, and bread. Salad lettuce was super fresh and crispy. Bread had just the right amount of butter and some basil. The chicken and spaghetti was very flavorable. We also had their Tiramasu for dessert. It was ok, but we have had better. Missing a shot of espresso coffee. I intend to come back.

Julie Acomb This place has such fun ambiance. We ate on the patio and it was all decorated for Dia de Muertos. We went for my mom’s birthday and this is one of her favorite places. The food was good but not over the top delicious. This place is definitely all about the ambiance. We had the fajitas, enchiladas, and a chicken salad. My sister had a peach margarita and ended up ordering two, it was so good.

Identity Tron Enjoyable location, friendly staff, good food. The fish tacos have a little bit of diced jalapeño on them so be aware of that if you dont want some slight heat. The chowder was a bit peppery but I enjoyed that.

Miriam Andrade The buffet was amazing. Everything but the cauliflower, was my favorite. The rice and tamales was tender. I loved the salmon and pork lion. I visited for Thanksgiving and was not sure what to expect for a Mexican cuisine. There was enough parking and such a large amount of space and seating indoor or out. The price was reasonable not over $90. The valet changed to self parking during 12pm times. I cant wait to try this restaurant again and I have already told everyone to visit. I did not have too much contact with the service since it was buffet style. The Hostess could have given a warmer welcome. But, we have great memories there. The view, flavor, atmosphere and joyful presence was outstanding for the holidays.

Tim Lee I loved everything about our evening at Ironside Fish & Oyster. Its San Diego, what else can you say? Regardless, the ambiance strikes a perfect balance between lively and relaxed (harmonious murmurs as white noise, warm lighting from half-exposed sun rays, and an easygoing coastal vibes) and once the sun started to set, they opened the doors so the cool bay breeze could flow through. Sitting there with that breeze on your face felt like an added bonus to the meal. We shared the "Bigger" platter and it was outstandingly fresh: every aspect of the platter was aesthetic and delicious. They bring you the names of the oysters that are at the bottom, the shrimp are cut in a way that is easy to peel (peeling shrimp for other means you love them!), and dishes on the top layer really takes your tastebuds on a ride. They also provide tortilla chips and colorful puffs as complements to the top layer of the platter (rockfish ceviche, tuna tartare, shrimp aguachile). We also added on the Swordfish Birria tacos just in case, but they really stood out. It was meaty, well-seasoned, and unexpectedly addictive. Each bite played a beautiful note, and the whole dish made for a fun experience. Service was excellent from start to finish: attentive without hovering, knowledgeable about the menu, and great to recommend pairings. They timed everything really well, knowing when to bring out the dishes at their respective time periods, which made the culinary experience even better. A few tips: parking can be a bit of a task in the area, especially at peak times. If you arrive early, youll have a much easier time finding a spot, and its worth leaving a little extra time to walk and explore the neighborhood afterward, especially the bay, with ice cream in hand.

AnnaMarie Horning Went as two couples for a weekend lunch. We started with the mimosa option and their Award winning World Famous lobster bisque with sherry. Do not skip this. It’s absolutely amazing! Everyone ordered a different menu item and they were all prepared to perfection! Very reasonably priced too! We chose a window seat in the outdoor covered patio area to enjoy people watching, in addition to our fabulous meal.

Jean Tu I arrived for a pretty late lunch since I was in the area for a conference and have been meaning to try out Hodads. I came around 3 PM on a Monday and there was no one else in the shop but me which meant I got super quick service. I opted for the single cheeseburger with onion rings and a Dr. Pepper. The burger was pretty good and the onion rings were amazing. It was definitely worth the 20 minute walk that it took to get there. Id go back in the future just for the onion rings alone! The best part is that they give you 2 stickers at the end of your meal! Im pretty sure youre supposed to stick the stickers on the walls of the establishment somewhere but I wanted to take mine.

ZØɆɆ ZØɆɆ Great Maple was such an awesome spot. The vibe is lively but comfortable, and the food really stood out. Everything we ordered came out looking amazing and tasted even better. The portions are generous and the flavors were on point. From the hearty breakfast plates to the insanely good French toast stacked high with blueberries and bacon, everything was cooked perfectly. Even the cocktails were spot on—fresh, balanced, and a great complement to the food. It’s one of those places where every dish feels like it’s made with care, and you leave full and happy. Definitely a must-try if you’re in the area and want a fun spot with great food and great energy.

James Gockelen First came here in 2018, and really wanted to come back with my wife. Such a great beach vibe, the atmosphere is chilled but with a buzz, just what you’d expect. Great drinks, we had the classic margarita and a couple of beers. We got a mix of tacos, with the birria beef being the stand out! You seated yourself, and service was efficient, but can’t say anything stood out from our server. The views from the terrace were great - really able to soak in the OB atmosphere, well worth a visit!

X Joseph (Joe) We had an amazing lunch today filled with delicious Polynesian and Hawaiian-inspired flavors—but the true highlight wasn’t the food or even the stunning view. It was our incredible server, Ava. From the moment we sat down, Ava guided us through the menu with such enthusiasm and knowledge that we assumed she was a seasoned pro. To our surprise, it was only her second day serving! She recommended standout dishes that ended up being our absolute favorites, and her understanding of the drink and food menu was unmatched. Ava made our experience not just enjoyable but genuinely memorable. We will absolutely be back—and when we are, we’ll be requesting her by name. She’s a gem and a true asset to this establishment!

Tiera DPhoto Great happy hour specials. Drinks were so tasty and made with fresh ingredients. The steak fajitas were the best Ive ever had. The steak and veggies were seasoned and grilled to perfection. Dip and guacamole was also delicious.