Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Reminder:The City Guide app will be sunsetting on December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List
Addison is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

1. Addison

8.9
5200 Grand del Mar Way (at Del Mar Meadows Road), San Diego, CA
American Restaurant · Carmel Valley · 16 tips and reviews

EaterEater: One of the few splurge-worthy spots in town. Chef William Bradley's menu combines his French training with local ingredients and contemporary plating.

Big Front Door is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

2. Big Front Door

8.8
4075 Park Blvd Apt 101 (at Polk Ave), San Diego, CA
Deli · University Heights · 40 tips and reviews
Cafe Chloe is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

3. Cafe Chloe

721 9th Ave (at G St), San Diego, CA
Café · East Village · 128 tips and reviews

EaterEater: A small, cozy spot in the East Village with a menu of updated bistro classics and a beloved brunch that manages to be untrendy yet totally stylish. [Eater 38 Member]

Carnitas' Snack Shack is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

4. Carnitas' Snack Shack

2632 University Ave (at Oregon St), San Diego, CA
American Restaurant · North Park · 186 tips and reviews

EaterEater: 2012's biggest success story, this pork-centric spot from Chef Hanis Cavin is bound to multiply this year, and inspire other chefs to venture out on their own. [Eater 38 Member]

Cowboy Star is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

5. Cowboy Star

8.9
640 10th Ave, San Diego, CA
Steakhouse · East Village · 116 tips and reviews
CUCINA urbana is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

6. CUCINA urbana

9.2
505 Laurel St (at 5th Ave), San Diego, CA
Italian Restaurant · Park West · 173 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Three years after opening, this is still one of the toughest tables to get in town. The shareable, Italian-inspired menu is modern and accessible. [Eater 38 Member]

Donut Bar is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

7. Donut Bar

8.4
631 B St (at 7th Ave), San Diego, CA
Donut Shop · Central San Diego · 112 tips and reviews
Great Maple is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

8. Great Maple

8.9
1451 Washington St (btwn Lincoln & Cleveland Ave), San Diego, CA
American Restaurant · University Heights · 129 tips and reviews

EaterEater: A longstanding diner gets a swanky mid-century modern makeover from Johnny Rivera (Hash House, The Tractor Room). The desserts and homemade pies are standouts.

Hodad's is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

9. Hodad's

9.1
5010 Newport Ave (at Bacon St), San Diego, CA
Burger Joint · Ocean Beach · 230 tips and reviews
Ironside Fish & Oyster is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

10. Ironside Fish & Oyster

9.3
1654 India St (at W Date St), San Diego, CA
Seafood Restaurant · 202 tips and reviews
Juniper & Ivy is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

11. Juniper & Ivy

8.8
2228 Kettner Blvd (btwn Juniper & Ivy St), San Diego, CA
New American Restaurant · Harborview · 98 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Most diners responding positively to Richard Blais' seasonally-driven "left coast cookery". Excitement's building towards the launch of the chef's tasting menu and the full unleashing. Read more.

Kaito Sushi is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

12. Kaito Sushi

7.9
130 N El Camino Real (Encinitas Blve), Encinitas, CA
Sushi Restaurant · 19 tips and reviews
Mariscos German is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

13. Mariscos German

8.3
2121 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA
Food Truck · Logan Heights · 8 tips and reviews
Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

14. Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar

8.0
910 Prospect St (at Jenner St), La Jolla, CA
American Restaurant · 35 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Chef Jason Knibb's cuisine is innovative yet accessible; he combines modern cooking techniques with a good understanding of ingredients. In other words, he doesn't mess around. [Eater 38 Member]

Phil's BBQ is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

15. Phil's BBQ

9.1
3740 Sports Arena Blvd (at Hancock St.), San Diego, CA
BBQ Joint · Midway District · 510 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: Get the Dinosaur Sized Ribs -- mesquite-grilled to a smoky perfection and slathered in their secret BBQ sauce. - Adam Richman, Man v Food Nation

Soda & Swine is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

16. Soda & Swine

2943 Adams Ave (at 30th St), San Diego, CA
New American Restaurant · North Park · 77 tips and reviews

EaterEater: A choose your own adventure meal, starring meatballs. The sides shine, including crispy polenta with burrata. Hop next door for a cocktail at Polite Provisions (bring your food or have it delivered).

Sushi Ota is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

17. Sushi Ota

9.0
4529 Mission Bay Dr (at Bunker Hill St), San Diego, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Pacific Beach · 139 tips and reviews
Urban Solace is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

18. Urban Solace

3823 30th St (at University Ave), San Diego, CA
American Restaurant · North Park · 139 tips and reviews
Wa Dining OKAN is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

19. Wa Dining OKAN

8.0
3860 Convoy St Ste 110, San Diego, CA
Japanese Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 38 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Homestyle Japanese cuisine sourced with seasonal ingredients from adjacent Nijiya Market. Their set menu at lunch (served 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday) is a must. [Eater 38 Member]

Yakyudori Yakitori & Ramen is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

20. Yakyudori Yakitori & Ramen

7.8
4898 Convoy St, San Diego, CA
Ramen Restaurant · Kearny Mesa · 77 tips and reviews
Brodard Chateau is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

21. Brodard Chateau

8.4
9100 Trask Ave (at Magnolia Ave), Garden Grove, CA
Vietnamese Restaurant · 25 tips and reviews
Ikko Sushi is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

22. Ikko Sushi

8.0
735 Baker St (Bristol), Costa Mesa, CA
Sushi Restaurant · 18 tips and reviews
Marche Moderne is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

23. Marche Moderne

3333 Bristol St Ste 3301 (at Sunflower Ave), Newport Beach, CA
French Restaurant · South Coast Metro · 35 tips and reviews

Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times: This is the taste of France, the memory of so many bistros and bouchons and picnics beside the road. The rillettes taste as authentic as the terrine, fatty and delicious. Read more.

Sushi Murasaki is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

24. Sushi Murasaki

7.9
2901 W MacArthur Blvd (at S Fairview St), Santa Ana, CA
Sushi Restaurant · 14 tips and reviews
Ngự Bình Restaurant is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

25. Ngự Bình Restaurant

7.2
14072 Magnolia St (at Westminster Blvd), Westminster, CA
Vietnamese Restaurant · Little Saigon · 25 tips and reviews

Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times: Almost every dish involves some substance made from rice flour, and the textures of these various rice products are subtly and radiantly distinct. Read more.

Phở Thăng Long is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

26. Phở Thăng Long

9550 Bolsa Ave (at Bushard St), Westminster, CA
Vietnamese Restaurant · 31 tips and reviews
Pho Thanh Lich is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

27. Pho Thanh Lich

6.0
14500 Brookhurst St, Westminster, CA
Vietnamese Restaurant · Little Saigon · 10 tips and reviews

OC WeeklyOC Weekly: Voted Best Pho in OC Weekly's Best Of 2011 Issue! Get a hot bowl of pho with all the mix-ins for only $6.50. Click the link to download the Best Of app and view more winners! Read more.

Playground DTSA is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

28. Playground DTSA

220 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA
American Restaurant · Downtown Santa Ana · 64 tips and reviews
Quán Hỷ Restaurant is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

29. Quán Hỷ Restaurant

8.2
9727 Bolsa Ave (Bushard St), Westminster, CA
Vietnamese Restaurant · Little Saigon · 38 tips and reviews
Sushi Shibucho is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

30. Sushi Shibucho

7.0
590 W 19th St (Anaheim Ave), Costa Mesa, CA
Sushi Restaurant · 10 tips and reviews

OC WeeklyOC Weekly: Order the Omakase ("chef's choice" sushi)! Shibutani-san is a real people person, proud of his craft and damn good at it! Read more.

Ramos House Cafe is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

31. Ramos House Cafe

8.5
31752 Los Rios St (at Verdugo), San Juan Capistrano, CA
Breakfast Spot · 49 tips and reviews
ARC Restaurant is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

32. ARC Restaurant

8.5
3321 Hyland Ave (Sunflower), Costa Mesa, CA
American Restaurant · 36 tips and reviews
The Kroft is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

33. The Kroft

7.3
440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA
Comfort Food Restaurant · The Colony · 27 tips and reviews
Wheat & Sons is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

34. Wheat & Sons

440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA
Deli · The Colony · 2 tips and reviews
Twenty Eight Restaurant and Lounge is one of Chris' OC/SD To-Dine List.

35. Twenty Eight Restaurant and Lounge

7.2
19530 Jamboree Rd, Irvine, CA
Steakhouse · 2 tips and reviews

36. Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai

8.7
891 Baker St (Bear St), Costa Mesa, CA
Noodle Restaurant · 26 tips and reviews