Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
Favorite San Diego Restaurants
The Mission is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

1. The Mission

8.7
1250 J St (btwn 12th & 13th St), San Diego, CA
Breakfast Spot · East Village · 133 tips and reviews

David L.David LaSpaluto: My kids think one of the best things about visiting San Diego is having pancakes here (or the North Park location). Our favorite brunch place, hands down.

The Mission is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

2. The Mission

8.8
2801 University Ave (btwn 28th & Utah St), San Diego, CA
Breakfast Spot · North Park · 108 tips and reviews
Parkhouse Eatery is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

3. Parkhouse Eatery

8.6
4574 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA
Breakfast Spot · University Heights · 61 tips and reviews

David L.David LaSpaluto: Scrambles are great (w/house potatoes, french white toast, homemade jam), but if you're feeling adventurous: the "Way Wild & Wicked Breakfast" part of the menu. (My personal favorite brunch place.)

Bread & Cie is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

4. Bread & Cie

8.5
350 University Ave (btwn 3rd & Albatross St), San Diego, CA
Bakery · Hillcrest · 49 tips and reviews

David L.David LaSpaluto: Pumpkin walnut muffin. That's all I have to say.

Cafe on Park is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

5. Cafe on Park

8.1
3831 Park Blvd (btwn Essex & University Ave), San Diego, CA
Breakfast Spot · North Park · 33 tips and reviews

Jessica L.Jessica Landers: Get the massive cornmeal pancake. Eat half for brunch, take leftovers home and eat the second half for dinner.

Krakatoa is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

6. Krakatoa

1128 25th St (btwn B & C St), San Diego, CA
Coffee Shop · Golden Hill · 52 tips and reviews

David L.David LaSpaluto: Coffee here is excellent but for a real treat get the Amboy (on breakfast menu): peanut butter, banana, honey, cinnamon sugar on toasted telera bread. I don't say "yum" very often, but, yum.

Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

7. Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe

9.0
2750 Dewey Rd (at Historic Decatur Rd), San Diego, CA
Bakery · Naval Training Center · 57 tips and reviews
Ranchos Cocina is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

8. Ranchos Cocina

8.1
3910 30th St (at University Ave), San Diego, CA
Mexican Restaurant · North Park · 65 tips and reviews

GourmetLiveGourmetLive: Food blogger Stephanie of The Recipe Renovator recommends Rancho Cocina North Park. “Rancho’s features fresh seafood options, plus a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.”

Ranchos is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

9. Ranchos

1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd (at Niagara Ave), San Diego, CA
Mexican Restaurant · Ocean Beach · 39 tips and reviews

CARBONita D.CARBONita Detail: The salsa at this restaurant is unbelievable. You HAVE to try it. Great flavor when you eat it and the authentic burn sets in three minutes later. Save room for a lot of chips and salsa.

Lucha Libre is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

10. Lucha Libre

8.4
1810 W Washington St (at India St), San Diego, CA
Taco Restaurant · Midtown · 257 tips and reviews

David L.David LaSpaluto: Great mole burrito: Holy Moly - Grilled Chicken Breast, Mole, Rice, Queso Panela, & Sour Cream

Point Loma Seafoods is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

11. Point Loma Seafoods

8.6
2805 Emerson St (at Scott St), San Diego, CA
Seafood Restaurant · Roseville - Fleet Ridge · 140 tips and reviews

Jennifer J.Jennifer Juckett: Tip for newbies- don't wait in line, there is no line. Just walk up to counter anywhere the guys are and order.

Phil's BBQ is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

12. Phil's BBQ

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

David L.David LaSpaluto: Best bbq anywhere. One of my must-go-to places in San Diego.

13. Bronx Pizza

9.2
111 Washington St (btwn 1st & 3rd Ave), San Diego, CA
Pizzeria · Hillcrest · 136 tips and reviews

Justin H.Justin Hersh: Arguably the best pizza in SD. Try a slice of pesto & any of the whitestone slices and you will not be disappointed. Bring cash! They don't accept cards.

Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

14. Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria

7.8
3448 30th St (at Myrtle Ave), San Diego, CA
Pizzeria · North Park · 44 tips and reviews

Melisa F.Melisa Farnsworth: Love the Spinach & Mushroom Slices! Leave your plates and plastic wear on the counter... they recycle them <3

Neighborhood is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

15. Neighborhood

8.8
777 G St (at 8th Ave), San Diego, CA
Gastropub · Central San Diego · 200 tips and reviews

San Diego ReaderSan Diego Reader: Review: "No Bud, No Ketchup" Read more.

Station Tavern & Burgers is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

16. Station Tavern & Burgers

8.7
2204 Fern St (at Ivy St), San Diego, CA
Bar · South Park · 112 tips and reviews

Peggy G.Peggy Gartin: Bring the kids...there's a playground in the back!

Phil's BBQ is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

17. Phil's BBQ

579 Grand Ave (at W San Marcos Blvd), San Marcos, CA
BBQ Joint · 100 tips and reviews

Visit San DiegoVisit San Diego: This new restaurant seats 250 people and will serve around 1,500 people per day! That's a lot of handi wipes! Read more.

Vagabond Kitchen is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

18. Vagabond Kitchen

2310 30th St (btwn Kalmia & Juniper), San Diego, CA
Restaurant · North Park · 17 tips and reviews

David L.David LaSpaluto: My wife keeps talking about how great the bread is here. Seriously. Oh, and the dinners are great too.

Taste of Thai is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

19. Taste of Thai

7.5
527 University Ave (btwn 5th & 6th Ave), San Diego, CA
Thai Restaurant · Hillcrest · 20 tips and reviews

Celene C.Celene C: Best thai in town! :)

Jyoti-Bihanga is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

20. Jyoti-Bihanga

8.9
3351 Adams Ave (at Felton St), San Diego, CA
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant · Normal Heights · 30 tips and reviews

Jeff U.Jeff Underwood: For newbies, the neatloaf is a perfect choice. Light and hearty.

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

21. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens

9.1
1999 Citracado Pkwy (at S Adreasen Dr), Escondido, CA
Brewery · Vineyard, Escondido, CA · 282 tips and reviews

Bloomingdale'sBloomingdale's: Here it is, beer-lovers, your moment of Zen: a cobblestone patio filled with bamboo stalks and rock ponds. Sit and quaff one of 32 craft beers on tap or stroll the brook- and fruit tree¬–filled garden

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

22. Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station

8.9
2816 Historic Decatur Rd #116 (at Simms Rd), San Diego, CA
Brewery · Naval Training Center · 201 tips and reviews
Extraordinary Desserts is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

23. Extraordinary Desserts

8.6
2929 5th Ave (btwn Palm & Quince St), San Diego, CA
Dessert Shop · Park West · 132 tips and reviews

Jill K.Jill Krause: The best place for desserts and coffee in San Diego.

Extraordinary Desserts is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

24. Extraordinary Desserts

8.8
1430 Union St (at W Ash St), San Diego, CA
Dessert Shop · Little Italy · 279 tips and reviews

David L.David LaSpaluto: Try the Vegan Gluten-Free Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie - Warm, moist, delicious and #vegan, #gluten-free.

Gelato Vero Caffe is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

25. Gelato Vero Caffe

8.3
3753 India St, San Diego, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · Midtown · 38 tips and reviews
Heaven Sent Desserts is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

26. Heaven Sent Desserts

3001 University Ave (at 30th St), San Diego, CA
Dessert Shop · North Park · 43 tips and reviews
Babycakes is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

27. Babycakes

8.6
3766 5th Ave (btwn Robinson & Pennsylvania Ave), San Diego, CA
Dessert Shop · Hillcrest · 109 tips and reviews

Maria P.Maria Perez: Craving a delicious dessert? These cupcakes are to die for.. try their signature cupcake “Babies”(Marble Cake w/ Chocolate Chips & Cream Cheese..You won't regret it. Read more.

Bali Hai Restaurant is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

28. Bali Hai Restaurant

8.9
2230 Shelter Island Dr (on Shelter Island), San Diego, CA
Seafood Restaurant · La Playa · 94 tips and reviews

David L.David LaSpaluto: One section of the drinks menu says "NO FRUIT JUICE ADDED." They are not messing around.

Craft & Commerce is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

29. Craft & Commerce

8.8
675 W Beech St (at Kettner Blvd), San Diego, CA
Gastropub · Little Italy · 198 tips and reviews

David L.David LaSpaluto: Ask for Dickey's Punch Bowl (off-menu): pineapple juice, cinnamon syrup, peach brandy or apple jack, more bourbon than I could keep track of, champagne, apple slices, hockey puck of ice. Tea cups.

Local Habit is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

30. Local Habit

3827 5th Ave (btwn Robinson & University Ave), San Diego, CA
Bar · Hillcrest · 49 tips and reviews

PainPoint.comPainPoint.com: To Do: Check this place out. You gotta love a place that will ONLY serve California beers! They also do right to support SOCAL farmers and aim to source all products locally.

Noble Experiment is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

31. Noble Experiment

8.7
777 G St (at 8th Ave), San Diego, CA
Speakeasy · Central San Diego · 102 tips and reviews

Daniel A.Daniel Altbaum: This is one of the coolest places in San Diego. It is tough to get in, but worth it. You will have to send a text to ask for reservations. Here is the number: 619.888.4713

Whistle Stop Bar is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

32. Whistle Stop Bar

8.4
2236 Fern St (at Juniper St), San Diego, CA
Bar · South Park · 36 tips and reviews

AndyAndy: cool low key place, but remember, cash only

Shakespeare Pub & Grille is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

33. Shakespeare Pub & Grille

8.5
3701 India St (at Winder St), San Diego, CA
Pub · Midtown · 73 tips and reviews

Scott R.Scott R.: Draft beer, on the deck outside, on a typically gorgeous San Diego sunny day. I think Colonel Pickering just shuffled by...

Red Fox Room is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

34. Red Fox Room

7.9
2223 El Cajon Blvd (at Texas St.), San Diego, CA
Lounge · University Heights · 35 tips and reviews

EsquireEsquire: Congratulations, you've found one of Esquire's Best Bars in America. From the Cabernet-colored Naugahyde to the rollicking sing-a-longs, this place defined lounge culture. Raise a glass to Shirley!

Isabel's Cantina is one of Favorite San Diego Restaurants.

35. Isabel's Cantina

966 Felspar St (at Cass St), San Diego, CA
Asian Restaurant · Pacific Beach · 38 tips and reviews