Best Cozy Restaurants in College Area

102 restaurants available nearby

1. Wormwood

4.7

Exceptional(812)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 32 times today

Wormwood invites you to explore a bygone era when poets, writers, and painters found inspiration in the Green Fairy. Discover fine Absinthes as we share stories of its golden age and guide your palate on a unique journey.Our restaurant blends French elegance with bohemian charm, creating a cozy haven for food lovers. Each dish, from wagyu tartare to fresh oysters, celebrates local flavors and craftsmanship. Experience curated tastes of our coastal region with passion and finesse.We offer French wines and unique cocktails with a twist on classics. Every meal and drink promises adventure and cherished memories. Discover the fusion of past and present where dining is an unparalleled experience.Enjoy our three dining areas: a cozy indoor space with an open kitchen, an enchanting patio for serene outdoor dining, and the Secret Garden, a speakeasy bar with a unique cocktail menu and Green Hour. We also host private events, from dinners to weddings, ensuring every occasion is memorable.

A photo of Cori Pastificio Trattoria restaurant

2. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

4.7

Exceptional(623)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Park

Booked 23 times today

Acclaimed Sicilian Chef Accursio Lota serves up authentic cuisine in a cozy 60's-style Italian trattoria. Voted San Diego's Best Chef five years in a row, and Barilla’s World Pasta Champion, at Cori Trattoria Chef Lota serves up beautifully bold dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas and Beef Bone Marrow, and an unbelievably rich Vegan Parmigiana di Melanzane. The menu melds the flavors of Sicily and Italy with the best of fresh, locally-sourced Southern California ingredients, and is matched by a curated wine list and cocktail program that include indigenous, bio-dynamic varietals from all Italy. The current Spring menu features dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas, fava bean, and beef bone marrow, and Cacio e Pepe with sustainably-sourced Petrovich caviar.Enjoy full-service table seating, grab a place at the marble-topped bar, from which you can watch all the action of your meal being prepared in the open kitchen or just order your meal to enjoy at home with your family.

3. Bleu Boheme

4.8

Exceptional(3555)

Price: Expensive

• French • Kensington

Booked 35 times today

"World travel and its pleasures; items brought back from different places for décors; great stories shared with others; and very importantly, simple, yet delicious recipes from different cultures. Our mission is humble. It is simply for people coming to our restaurant to be transported around the world, and to travel with us for an evening, to a place of well-being and happiness."Bleu Bohème is designed to create a feeling of France's past generations. It mixes the Bohemian and artistic free spirited left bank of Paris with the roots and tradition of the rural areas. Bleu Bohème is a neighborhood restaurant that serves accessible, affordable and comforting French cuisine.

4. Casa Gabriela

4.6

Exceptional(760)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • La Mesa

Booked 37 times today

Chef Gabriela Lopez brings her elevated Mexican cuisine to Downtown La Mesa. Using her grandmother's recipes from Guadalajara crossed with her cosmopolitan upbringing in Tijuana, Chef Gabriela's menu features authentic hand-crafted dishes and imaginative takes on classic dishes. All of Baja California is represented along with influences from other regions in Mexico.The spacious outdoor garden, cozy loft, and private dining areas are the perfect places to enjoy tequila and mezcal based cocktails, family celebrations, or brunch with friends.

A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant

5. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(2644)

Price: Moderate

• French / American • North Park

Booked 31 times today

The Smoking Goat is an award-winning California-French bistro located in the heart of North Park, San Diego. We have received the Gold Medallion for the best French Bistro in San Diego three years running. Inspired by his European Farm-to-Table up-bringing and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Executive Chef and Owner Fred Piehl, marries classic French cuisine with the bounty of San Diego in a way that is rustic, yet refined, imaginative, yet unpretentious. The dinners served feature in-season local, sustainable and organic ingredients and provide guests with a unique culinary experience, reminiscent of the European countryside. Boasting a carefully selected wine and beer list and chef and bartender attention to select spirits to create craft house cocktails, The Smoking Goat assures there is always the correct pairing available.

A photo of Alexander's on 30th restaurant

6. Alexander's on 30th

4.8

Exceptional(3096)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • North Park

Booked 53 times today

Neighborhood gem located in the heart of the Historic North Park District, adjoining Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Specializing in homestyle Italian with Gourmet Flair. Hand made Pastas, Award Winning Pizza and Voted Best of Restaurants by San Diego Magazine "Most Romantic". Listed as Top 25 Places to Eat in San Diego "Before You Die" by San Diego Union Tribune. Make memorable celebrations on our beautiful patio, the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Remember to try our diners favorites, The Theodore's Fix Pizza and Baked Vodka Bolognese.Look forward to serving you soon!

A photo of Louisiana Purchase SD restaurant

7. Louisiana Purchase SD

4.6

Exceptional(691)

Price: Expensive

• Creole / Cajun / Southern • North Park

Booked 57 times today

Conveniently set on Louisiana Street in North Park, our design of this intimate cocktail restaurant was inspired by the charm &; character of New Orleans, with creative touches of personal effects giving guests the feeling of warmth, community & fun Architect Jeff Svitak helped create a modern interpretation of a classic French Quarter restaurant, introducing elements of wood, marble &; rich velvet. Our lush patio seating flows seamlessly into our indoor dining space, a nod to the courtyards found across the beautiful southern city.Our rotating food menu will be dedicated to only the best seasonal ingredients, featuring big &; bold flavors from the region. Executive Chef Quinnton Austin recently relocated to San Diego from New Orleans, bringing with him an exciting wealth of knowledge &; experience in the culinary melting pot that defines southern cuisineAlligator Cheesecake, Andouille Fried Red Beans & Rice w/Chipotle Mousse, &

8. Madi

4.7

Exceptional(425)

Price: Moderate

• Breakfast • Kensington

Booked 58 times today

Bringing all-day brunch and grab-and-go coffee to Normal Heights, Madi is the upcoming daytime counterpart to Madison on Park, the well-established mid-century modern restaurant and bar that opened in University Heights in 2015. Offering a quick-service coffee counter fueled by Heartwork Coffee out of Mission Hills that’ll feature the full range of espresso drinks, specialty beverages, and tea as well as fresh pastries, Madi will also be an anytime option for sit-down breakfasts, mimosa-powered brunches, and casual lunches.Its breakfast menu ranges from waffle churro sticks and breakfast burritos to skirt steak eggs Benedict and a variety of pancakes based on a 60-year-old recipe from Madison co-owner Matthew, whose family runs a century-old breakfast spot in the midwest.Lunch will hinge on build-your-own grain and salad bowls along with lettuce wraps, ceviche, a burger, and a classic Tuna Melt!

A photo of Et Voilà! French Bistro - San Diego restaurant

9. Et Voilà! French Bistro - San Diego

4.8

Exceptional(2553)

Price: Moderate

• French • North Park

Booked 5 times today

Et Voilà! is a vibrant neighborhood bistro, located along the North Park corridor. Et Voilà! French Bistro showcases Chef Vincent Viale’s talents, mixing French classics with a modern accent. Find local and seasonal products building upon French recipes from various regions, such as Steak Frites, Coquilles St. Jacques, and soufflés. Explore the diverse regions of France through a curated wine list, and taste a variety of distinct local ingredients with our crafted cocktails. Et Voila! French Bistro is the destination for those looking for a vibrant dining experience, or even for those looking for a simple glass of wine and informal bite at the bar. No reservations accepted for happy hour Please be on time to your reservation. Note that your allocated time slot starts at the time of your reservation and NOT when your party is complete. (1.30 hours for 2, 1.45pm for 3/4 people) We likely will not be able to extend your time if you are running late . Thank you for

A photo of Aromi Italian Cuisine restaurant

10. Aromi Italian Cuisine

4.6

Exceptional(246)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • La Mesa

Booked 8 times today

Aromi Italian Cuisine is a cozy restaurant with a warm and inviting atmosphere. As one reviewer said, it's a 'little neighborhood gem' with a 'modern and reminiscent' decor that gives off a 'trendy restaurant' vibe. The 'relaxing atmosphere' and 'enjoyable ambiance' are consistently praised in reviews, making it a go-to spot for those seeking a comfortable Italian dining experience.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
StaciVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •22 reviews
5.0
Dined today
This was our first time dining here and it won’t be our last! The food was absolutely delicious and so fresh. Perhaps the best pasta I’ve ever had. The appetizers and salad we had were amazing. And the dessert! The lemon dessert is my new favorite. Exceptional service as well.
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Cori Pastificio TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Park
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4.7
G
Guy
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Place and ambience is great. Being French in a French restaurant I was expecting the duck to be like ‘at home’ but it wasn’t. It was well overcooked and became hard. Bit of a disappointment. My partner had the Boeuf Bourgignon which was delicious. Also apparently there are the old and the new menu going around with different wine prices. I was charged $75 a bottle of wine that was shown at $58 on my menu. Small thing but makes the overall experience a little annoying.
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Bleu BohemePrice: Expensive• French• Kensington
•
4.8
S
Sheila
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Food was outstanding. Our second time visiting. I highly recommend!
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Casa GabrielaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• La Mesa
•
4.6
B
Brooke
Seattle / Eastern Washington •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 21, 2024
A perfect experience. From the ambiance on the back patio, the great service from Joe, Eduardo, the sommelier and the busser to the amazing food! Everything was amazing. Truly a treat to dine here. Thank you to the whole staff
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WormwoodPrice: Very Expensive• French• North Park
•
4.7
C
Chad
San Diego •9 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 21, 2024
From the moment we were greeted by the hostess til time she was telling us to have a good night on our way out, our entire experience was truly on point! The food was spot on, we had roasted mushrooms and cauliflower for an appetizer, the duck and prime rib for our entree… all of it was as good as we’ve ever had it. The service was attentive, fast, friendly, and it seemed like we didn’t have to ask for much, he was just prepared and had enough foresight to ensure we were taken care of. Overall, an excellent experience! I cannot offer a criticism which is rare. We will definitely return.
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The Smoking Goat RestaurantPrice: Moderate• French / American• North Park
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4.8

Best Cozy Restaurants in College Area

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102 restaurants available nearby

1. Wormwood

2. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

3. Bleu Boheme

4. Casa Gabriela

5. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

6. Alexander's on 30th

7. Louisiana Purchase SD

8. Madi

9. Et Voilà! French Bistro - San Diego

10. Aromi Italian Cuisine

See what locals rave about

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