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Animae, San Diego, CA
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Animae

$50 and over
Contemporary Asian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 63 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
  • Great for creative cocktails
ANIMAE’s eclectic West Coast cuisine, layered with Asian influences, comes to life under Celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey. Applying a California cooking style to ANIMAE’S traditional coal-fired oven and grill, Chef Malarkey’s menu is as thoughtful as it is refined, elevating local produce and seasonal ingredients to create a lively and progressive culinary program.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Brian Malarkey

  • Award icon
    MICHELIN Plate2022

From the OpenTable editors: Filipino American chef Tara Monsod takes fusion food to the next level at this groovy Art Deco space. Expect opulent riffs on classics like crispy pig ears and kare kare—Monsod is one of the few chefs in the country putting Filipino food on the fine-dining stage. The approach earned her numerous awards, including a prestigious MICHELIN Plate.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Asian, Californian, Steakhouse
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 432-1225
  • Website
    https://animaesd.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Private party facilities
    The Great Gatsby-meets-Madmen-meets-The Matrix interior is a fantastical futurist’s journey, transporting diners to the Shikoku firefly forest in Japan, an event venue that’s both ethereal and theatrical. ANIMAE is the perfect space to host and celebrate your special events.
  • Location
    969 Pacific HWY, San Diego, CA 92132
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighbourhood
    Downtown / Gaslamp
  • Cross Street
    Pacific Highway and West Broadway
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Easter Brunch @ Animae

    US$75.00 per person

    Apr 20, 2025 only
    Celebrate Easter with a beautiful spread of small plates from Chef Tara in a dim sum style!

  • Mother's Day Brunch @ Animae

    US$100.00 per person

    May 11, 2025 only
    Celebrate Mom with a beautiful spread of small plates from Chef Tara served dim-sum style!

Menu

Hot Dishes

  • Wonton

    wagyu, chili garlic oil, soy vinaigrette

    • Taiwanese Chicken

      schezuan peppercorn, hot honey, thai basil aioli

      • Sweet & Sour Cauliflower

        strawberry, peppers, onion, sesame

        • Hunan Lamb Chops

          cumin, szechuan peppercorn, cilantro cream

          • Crispy Pig Ear

            sweet tamarind glaze, bean sprouts, tofu, peanuts

            • Mantou

              chive steamed bun, soy glaze, sour cream butter

              Cold Dishes

              • Hamachi

                endive, radish, kimchi vinagrette, nori goma

                • Tuna Crispy Rice

                  charred chili ponzu, spicy aioli, turnip

                  • A5 Wagyu Tartare

                    sesame cracker, wagyu aioli

                    • Cucumbers

                      soy, fresno chili, sesame, cilantro

                      • Ume Oysters

                        sour plum vinegar, strawberry, lemon

                        • Beet Salad

                          asian pear, chicory, tofu "ricotta", yuzu kosho vinaigrette

                          • Tuna Kinilaw

                            coconut, calamansi, cilantro oil

                            Sides

                            • Coal Roasted Cabbage

                              brown butter miso, charred lime

                              • Broccolini

                                gai lan, garlic chili oil, peanuts

                                • Wagyu Fried Rice

                                  maitake, trumpet mushrooms, garlic, egg

                                  • Crispy Potatoes

                                    A5 fat, chinese sausage jam, koji sour cream

                                    • Crab Fried Rice

                                      chino farms egg, lemon, old bay masago crisp

                                      • Mushroom Sisig

                                        egg yolk, mustard seed, chili, pickled onion

                                        Japanese A5

                                        • Miyazaki Strip Loin

                                          • Miyazaki Tenderloin

                                            American Steaks

                                            • 8 Oz Prime Filet

                                              • 16 Oz Prime New York

                                                • 38 Oz Dry Aged Ribeye

                                                  Other Plates

                                                  • Grilled Half Chicken

                                                    lemongrass, nam jim jaew sauce, thai pickles

                                                    • Short Rib Kare Kare

                                                      long beans, eggplant, bagoong peanut oil

                                                      • Sambal Balado Clams

                                                        bacon, rice cakes, lime leaf, ginger

                                                        • Dinuguan

                                                          braised beef cheek, coconut rice bread, shishito peppers

                                                          • Pork Tomahawk Tocino

                                                            sweet beet glaze, mango sawsawan

                                                            • Szechuan Spicy Seabass

                                                              cabbage, garlic chive, spicy broth, mala oil

                                                              Delectable Desserts

                                                              animae serves globally-inspired delectable desserts created with popular eastern flavors and ingredients

                                                                Sweets

                                                                • Apple Yuzu Sorbet

                                                                  sorrel cream, coconut crumble, green apple, yuzu meringue

                                                                  • Buko Pandan

                                                                    young coconut mousse, pandan anglaise, pandan gelee

                                                                    • Chocolate Cremeux

                                                                      miso sesame cream, chocolate crumble, korean chili cashew

                                                                      • Sakura Panna Cotta

                                                                        feuilletine, fresh strawberry

                                                                        • Ube Profiteroles

                                                                          ube pastry cream, coconut, cheese tuile

                                                                          Last updated: August 30, 2024

                                                                          What 3,350 people are saying

                                                                          Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                          Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                          4.7
                                                                          4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                                          • 4.7Food
                                                                          • 4.8Service
                                                                          • 4.8Ambience
                                                                          • 4.3Value

                                                                          Noise • Moderate

                                                                          Review summary

                                                                          AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                          Animae stands out with "phenomenal service" and "exquisite, seasonal dishes" that embrace a fusion of Asian and Filipino flavors. The ambiance is "beautiful," and the staff is notably "attentive and friendly." Highlights include the wagyu fried rice, short ribs, and unique cocktails, ensuring an "unforgettable dining experience."

                                                                          3,350 Reviews

                                                                          1. Sally

                                                                            VIP

                                                                            San Diego

                                                                            10 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            10 reviews

                                                                            Dined today

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Great service. Lovely ambiance! If seated in a booth, you can actually talk. Food was superb.

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          2. Jill

                                                                            VIP

                                                                            San Diego

                                                                            12 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            12 reviews

                                                                            Dined today

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            This was our first experience at Animae. The food was spectacular. Our server Riley and his team were the BEST! He guided us through the evening with humor, professionalism and expertise in all things Animae. We will be back!!

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          3. OpenTable Diner

                                                                            Central Coast

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            Dined today

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Incredible food. Wonderful service and amazing ambiance.

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          4. OpenTable Diner

                                                                            Dallas

                                                                            3 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            3 reviews

                                                                            Dined 1 day ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Amazing food! Every dish was well done and flavorful. The ambiance was top notch

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          5. Carleen

                                                                            VIP

                                                                            Orange County

                                                                            6 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            6 reviews

                                                                            Dined 1 day ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Every course was outstanding!! The 4 of us had a total of 11 items and each impressed our palette completely! Can't wait to return.

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          6. OpenTable Diner

                                                                            San Diego

                                                                            2 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            2 reviews

                                                                            Dined 1 day ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Amazing food ! The best take on a fusion ! But it was Filipino food ! It was done so well ! We definitely want to come back !

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          7. Gene

                                                                            San Diego

                                                                            3 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            3 reviews

                                                                            Dined 3 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Lovely setting offering such creative flavorful dishes. Must order the short rib Kara Kara The duck the hamachi the shrimp and pork tacos all outstanding!!

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          8. Orville

                                                                            VIP

                                                                            San Diego

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            Dined 4 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            The ambience is wonderful. Service was great and the food was fantastic! Will definitely go back.

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          9. Kaine

                                                                            VIP

                                                                            Tropical QLD

                                                                            13 reviews

                                                                            4.0

                                                                            13 reviews

                                                                            Dined 5 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 4
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 4
                                                                            4. Ambience 4
                                                                            Funky venue with responsive staff and beautiful food. Our wagyu was replaced when the first serving was overcooked - the second effort was delicious. Fairly priced for the quality.

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          10. Alejandro

                                                                            VIP

                                                                            London

                                                                            3 reviews

                                                                            3.0

                                                                            3 reviews

                                                                            Dined 5 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 3
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 1
                                                                            4. Ambience 4
                                                                            Llegamos sin reservación nos pidieron 30 minutos de espera por lo que reservamos por open table al momento aún así nos dejaron en espera 30 minutos sin respetar la reserva nos sentaron 15 minutos después de la reserva que acabábamos de crear la hostess fue algo grosera ya que nos mandaron a la sala de espera y a pesar que las personas que esperaban les ofrecían bebidas a nosotros nos tuvieron esperando los treinta minutos y nadie se acercó por que parecía que la señorita se molestó bastante por que reservamos en el momento lo que creo que ya estuviéramos muy incomodos toda la cena fuera de esa mala experiencia que no te esperas en cuando vas a cenar rico y a disfrutar en pareja la cena y el lugar excelente lo que nos ayudó un poco a quitarnos el mal sabor de boca Es lo que una sola persona puede dañar a un equipo y a un lugar me imagino que fue mala suerte de ahí todo más excelente muy recomendable

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          FAQs

                                                                          Animae is rated 4.7 stars by 3350 OpenTable diners.

                                                                          Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                          Make a reservation

                                                                          2 people
                                                                          7:00 p.m.
                                                                          Booked 63 times today
                                                                          Experiences are available.
                                                                          Google Map for Animae

                                                                          969 Pacific HWY, San Diego, CA 92132

                                                                          Dining areas

                                                                          Additional information

                                                                          • Award-winning
                                                                            1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
                                                                          • Cross Street
                                                                            Pacific Highway and West Broadway
                                                                          • Neighbourhood
                                                                            Downtown / Gaslamp
                                                                          • Hours of Operation
                                                                            Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
                                                                          • Price
                                                                            $50 and over
                                                                          • Cuisines
                                                                            Contemporary Asian, Californian, Steakhouse
                                                                          • Dining style
                                                                            Fine Dining
                                                                          • Dress code
                                                                            Smart Casual
                                                                          • Parking details
                                                                            Street Parking
                                                                          • Payment Options
                                                                            AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                          • Additional
                                                                            Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                          • Website
                                                                            https://animaesd.com/
                                                                          • Phone number
                                                                            (619) 432-1225
                                                                          • Private party facilities
                                                                            The Great Gatsby-meets-Madmen-meets-The Matrix interior is a fantastical futurist’s journey, transporting diners to the Shikoku firefly forest in Japan, an event venue that’s both ethereal and theatrical. ANIMAE is the perfect space to host and celebrate your special events.
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