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Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Grant Grill restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1619)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

A remarkable epicurean experience awaits you at Grant Grill and Lounge. From the iconic, chic setting to our fresh California cuisine and innovative libations, Grant Grill and Lounge carries a tradition of excellence rich in history (since 1951) and history-in-the-making. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus highlight the best ingredients of the season with a fresh approach to classics. From the bar, proprietary beverage creations are offered alongside an impressive menu of wine, beer and cocktails.

Top review

L

Linda

Dined 2 days ago

Hotel is beautifully decorated for Christmas. Free valet parking with lunch. My sisters loved the mock turtle soup. I had a very good cobb salad with chicken. All the staff was friendly and helpful.

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A photo of Cobb Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Christmas Eve 4-Course Dinner of a restaurant

Christmas Eve 4-Course Dinner

A photo of Christmas Day 4-Course Dinner of a restaurant

Christmas Day 4-Course Dinner

A photo of Paradisaea restaurant

4.7

4.7 (562)

$50 and over

Californian

La Jolla

About the restaurant

A celebration of food, cocktails, art, and warm hospitality. Housed in the historic Piano Building, in the heart of the vibrant community of Bird Rock, Paradisaea is a destination restaurant and bar, that San Diegans frequent for crave-able, accessible fare, executed at the highest level.

Top review

S

SueVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We always have an amazing experience at Paradisaea! The ambiance is intimate and beautiful. The food is incredible. You must get the Jalapeño Caesar to share. The portions are exactly right and the service is top notch. We love celebrating special occasions here. We will be back soon. Thank you!

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A photo of Steak Frites of a restaurant

A photo of Scallops of a restaurant

A photo of Pan Seared Scallops of a restaurant

Pan Seared Scallops

A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant

4.7

4.7 (6460)

$31 to $50

Californian

Little Italy

About the restaurant

A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.

Top review

E

Ericka

Dined 2 days ago

It was great experience. The portion size and and quality of food was amazing. It’s was definitely worth the experience.

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A photo of Gnocchi of a restaurant

A photo of Pork Belly of a restaurant

A photo of Strawberry Soufflé of a restaurant

Strawberry Soufflé

Barrel & Board Social

4.7

4.7 (324)

$31 to $50

Californian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

A New Woman-Forward Intimate Cocktail & Food Experience is Here!
Welcome to Hillcrest’s chicest spot for craft cocktails, barrel-aged potables, and chef-inspired shareable boards. An upscale LGBTQ+ bar, restaurant & event space brought to you by the Mo’s Universe Group!
Named San Diego's Top 10 Hottest Cocktail spots by EATER, as well as Open Table's Top 10 DINERS CHOICE Winner!

Top review

OT

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Nov 16, 2024

Service was impeccable, friendly and attentive. Food was on point, board was beautiful and so delicious

A photo of ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar restaurant

ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar

4.6

4.6 (674)

$31 to $50

Californian

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Experience ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar at THE LOT La Jolla, where California-Asian fusion meets Mexican flair. Savor signature dishes like Grilled Miso Salmon, Adobada Pork Belly Bao Bun, and Ahi Poke Tacos in a stylish and inviting setting. Pair your meal with Signature Margaritas, Asian-inspired cocktails, or a selection of fine wines and craft beers. Join us for brunch, catch a sporting event, or enjoy a night out with friends—right here in the heart of La Jolla.

Top review

L

LindaVIP

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

The restaurant is too cold to be comfortable to enjoy dinner. You have to sit under the heaters for any comfort at all and they become very hot, would not go there again.

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A photo of Wine Down Mondays & Tuesdays of a restaurant

Wine Down Mondays & Tuesdays

A photo of NINE-TEN restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2931)

$31 to $50

Californian

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Led by award-winning, nationally-recognized chef Jason Knibb, NINE-TEN offers the perfect combination of sophistication and casual elegance and an ideal location along lively Prospect Street in the Village of La Jolla. Recognized with MICHELIN distinction, NINE-TEN’s globally-inspired, locally-sourced cuisine features the best of the harvest from local artisans where products are selected daily for the restaurant’s seasonal menus. Dine indoors or al fresco on our sidewalk patio or back terrace with peek views of the Pacific Ocean. Heaters and blankets are available during the colder weather. Private dining rooms are also available for groups of 8 or more. Breakfast is served Wednesday through Friday, 7 am to 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. and features $6 mimosas and $8 Bloody Marys. Lunch is served Wednesday through Friday, 11:30 am to 2 pm. And dinner service is available Wednesday through Sunday, 5 pm to 9 pm. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

D

Doug

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent restaurant. This a first class restaurant that never disappoints. I have been there numerous times and my experience is always the same. Perfection is the norm.

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A photo of Cacio e Pepe of a restaurant

A photo of Hamachi Sashimi of a restaurant

Hamachi Sashimi

A photo of Maine Sea Scallops of a restaurant

Maine Sea Scallops

A photo of World Famous restaurant

4.6

4.6 (1000)

$30 and under

Californian

Pacific Beach

About the restaurant

Specializing in surfside dining featuring Southern California Coastal cuisine, market fresh pacific seafood, hand carved prime rib, & grilled to order steaks. Menus are written daily and inspired by sustainable California harvests.

Top review

J

JulieVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Our server was exceptional! She thought of everything we might need or want.

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A photo of Lobster Bisque of a restaurant

A photo of World Famous Lobster Salad of a restaurant

World Famous Lobster Salad

A photo of Lobster Taco of a restaurant

A photo of La Gran Terraza - University of San Diego restaurant

La Gran Terraza - University of San Diego

4.7

4.7 (1128)

$30 and under

Californian

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

The Grand Dining Room is open for lunch Monday - Friday from 11:30am-1:30pm.

La Gran Terraza is a California bistro featuring farm-to-table lunch and dinner. The Grand Dining Room and terrace have fantastic views of Tecolote Canyon and Mission Bay. OTooles offers small bites, nightly happy hour, a cozy fireplace, local craft beers and an excellent wine list.
Visit our website for a calendar of special events.

Top review

R

Ruth

Dined 3 days ago

Carolers were singing. They would move to different locations so all could hear them. They added a nice touch to the prime rib dinner buffet experience. We really liked the buffet style as well. Our server, Ana was amazing as always!

A photo of insideOUT restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2314)

$31 to $50

Californian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

insideOUT is Hillcrest's elevated restaurant and lounge, and San Diego's only urban oasis! We are an 18+ venue.

We are excited to announce our highly anticipated Holiday Oasis Experience beginning Thursday, November 7th! Visit our website for additional information under "Happenings."

Our menu is curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran and is updated seasonally to reflect his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by our local purveyors.

Aside from our impeccable hospitality, insideOUT is known for their over-the-top seasonal experiences. We also provide customized private event planning with venue buyout options. More information can be found on our website.

Top review

J

Janet

Dined 3 days ago

I guess this is my 5th times @ InsideOut, during my birthday; Thanksgiving; regular days without occasion & this is our first time for Holidays Oasis Experience with my husband. It was beautiful experience especially the ambiance was so fantastic, our server Jonathan, he’s so great. The food kind salty (oven chicken) but the filet mignon was so good very tasty tender, and juicy it was perfect, my husband love it so much that his favorite. It’s 10 score for me. I love the place and definitely is a must to come back and highly recommend 😘

A photo of Dobson's Bar & Restaurant restaurant

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (1430)

$30 and under

Californian

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Dobson's Bar and Restaurant is a hidden treasure in the heart of Downtown San Diego/Gaslamp Quarter. For the last 40 years, this has been the hot spot for business lunches and frequented by many local and nationwide celebrities. Paul Dobson, the namesake for Dobson's bar and restaurant, is one of America's few professional Bullfighters. The food is California cuisine with a touch of Italian, French, Spanish and Asian cuisine. One thing that both local San Diegans and Zagat can agree on is that this is one of the top restaurants in San Diego. Due to the limited seating and popularity, reservations are highly recommended. Owner Paul Dobson "works a room better than Sinatra", which explains why this "local tradition" downtown remains, "after all these years", a "high-powered, hobnob spot"; the Cal kitchen "serves up delicious, innovative food, along with old standbys" ("have the mussel bisque and think of heaven").

Top review

C

Chuck

Dined 5 days ago

Meal was exceptional. Don't want lots of people going as it it a hidden gem and would like to be able to get a seat when we want.....stay away !

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A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant

A photo of A Must - Filet Mignon Chez Martín of a restaurant

A Must - Filet Mignon Chez Martín

A photo of Filet & Lobster Mondays at Dobson's! of a restaurant

Filet & Lobster Mondays at Dobson's!

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