Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

ARTIFACT at Mingei

4.8

4.8 (858)

$31 to $50

International

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

ARTIFACT is a full-service restaurant featuring craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals located inside the beautiful Mingei Museum at Balboa Park . Offering indoor, outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch Tuesday-Saturday.

Crafted by Tim Kolanko, Executive Chef, Urban Kitchen Group, and Tony Coito, ARTIFACT’s Chef de Cuisine, will be a nod to Mingei’s changing international exhibitions in an environment filled with functional, innovative art and design by Jennifer Luce, Founder and Principal of LUCE et studio, who led the design and renovation project.
ARTIFACT and CRAFT CAFE at Mingei-the latest additions to restaurateur Tracy Borkum and Executive Chef Tim Kolanko’s CUCINA family of restaurants. An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs Park
Follow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei

Top review

Ericka

Dined 2 days ago

It was an amazing experience at your establishment. The tofu dish was delicious.

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Experience

MOROCCO

Experience

Roman Christmas / special menu

MOTHERSHIP

4.8

4.8 (324)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

North Park

About the restaurant

Tropical space adventure in South Park! Exotic cocktails. Interplanetary fusion small plates. Named Best Bars In America by Esquire Magazine.

Reservations offer 90-minute experience like no other, venturing towards the outer limits of the tropical flavor galaxy!

WALK INS WELCOME - Walk-in tables are available daily. Early arrival is encouraged and there is a paging system in the event of a waitlist.

Top review

Chris

Dined 3 days ago

It was our first time here. I took my girlfriend, she had no idea where we were going. When we walked in she was so surprised and happy as she has seen many tik toks and pictures on social media of this place. The drinks we had were all delicious, especially the winter special drinks

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Experience

EVENT 12.31.24

Fortunate Son

4.7

4.7 (171)

$30 and under

Chinese

North Park

About the restaurant

“Among my chef friends and the epicurean elites, aka “foodies”, the conversation around great Chinese food was always centered around authenticity, with classic American Chinese takeout dishes not considered authentic. But, having grown up in the Chinese American restaurant my parents have worked at for the past 25 years, I’ve always seen it as a by-product of enormous creativity and ingenuity of Chinese Immigrants. They adapted to what was available to them in the early 20th century and created some of the most iconic dishes in the history of this country,

Top review

Angel

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

The staff in this restaurant is very polite and helpful. Btw, the food is delicious and affordable!

Cellar Hand

4.7

4.7 (111)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego, Cellar Hand embodies a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Through a farm-to-table approach, our menu showcases hyper-local seasonal fare. Our extensive wine list highlights the diverse terroir of California, serving as an extension of founder’s Pali Wine Co. Santa Barbara County winery. By fostering deep connections with local artisans, farmers, fishers, and stewards, Cellar Hand strives to be a destination where guests can savor the essence of California’s bounty in every bite and sip.

Enjoy our exposed kitchen, an indoor-outdoor bar, outdoor fire pits, and artwork by Nick Perr. Opened Wednesday - Sunday with daily happy hour specials and Sunday brunch!

Top review

scottVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The food was amazingly fresh. Overall a great experience.

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Experience

Brunch at Cellar Hand

Experience

New Year's Eve at Cellar Hand

Experience

Happy Hour, 4-5pm

Firehouse American Eatery and Lounge

4.6

4.6 (193)

$30 and under

American

Pacific Beach

About the restaurant

FIREHOUSE restaurant, at the forefront of upscale-beach dining, sits in the heart of Pacific Beach. Wedged between local Fire Station 21 and Ocean Walk, FIREHOUSE offers an eclectic compilation of classic American dishes and beach side, craft cocktails. FIREHOUSE maintains its iconic patio with the signature fire pit and 4 private seating cabanas. A retractable awning provides shade on hot days and warmth in the winter for all our ocean-view dining tables.

Top review

Rob

Dined on Sep 9, 2024

The food was amazing, and the service was great. Visited Firehouse 21 next door to get a few T-shirts as well. Great location. We will be back during our next trip to San Diego

True Food Kitchen - San Diego UTC

4.5

4.5 (1068)

$31 to $50

American

La Jolla

About the restaurant

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in San Diego for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. Located in San Diego at Westfield UTC center in The Pointe, next to Soul Cycle in the Nordstrom wing. Entrance closest to La Jolla Village Drive and Genesee Avenue. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

Top review

Onur

Dined 7 days ago

Delicious and healthy food for reasonable price. Great service and ambience.

Rumorosa

4.4

4.4 (30)

$31 to $50

Regional Mexican (Baja Med)

Harbor Island

About the restaurant

Located inside the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, Rumorosa is a brand-new concept by Executive Sous Chef Cesar Oceguera. Fusing the vibrant and bold flavors of Baja, Mexico, with a relaxed, yet playful San Diego vibe, the restaurant has floor to ceiling waterfront views.

Born and raised on both sides of the border, Chef Oceguera infuses his aptitude for bold, Baja-inspired flavors into Rumorosa’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus featuring reimagined all-day classics served alongside inventive and authentic Cali-Baja dishes.

Join us for a Baja-inspired Happy Hour at Rumorosa from 4 - 7 PM Monday - Friday, where vibrant flavors and our coastal atmosphere blend seamlessly. Indulge in unique Cali-Baja fusion dishes, paired perfectly with refreshing cocktails and Mexican wines.

Also enjoy live music Thursday - Sunday, our signature Baja Breakfast Buffet during the week, and incredible Sunday Brunch.

Top review

Noël Keli

Dined on Nov 28, 2024

This restaurant had amazing ambience, tasty gourmet food, and great service. We came for the thanksgiving buffet my husband, me and our 14 month old daughter. Our daughter has a severe egg allergy so we are very cautious about dining out. I was in touch with the managers via email leading up to the day and they reviewed with me safe dishes for her to eat. They were very helpful and took her allergy very seriously. Open arrival the server had a menu written out of safe dishes from the buffet my daughter could enjoy luckily it was most of them. And the manager I was emailing personally came to our table to make sure everything was okay. I really appreciated that as a mom that the staff was so helpful and took my daughters allergy serious. The view of the bay from our table was beautiful. The live music really set the vibe . The ambiance was great. And the foood. Oh my goodness. The adobo turkey was to die for, the seafood fresh, everything was great! And the value was unbeatable for the price as this was one of the most affordable in town! 5 stars! I think my family will personally be back as we were very happy with our experience!

Roma Norte

4.4

4.4 (13)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Roma Norte is the newest venture from the expert beverage team behind Puesto and Marisi, set to redefine the cocktail scene in downtown San Diego. Inspired by the vibrant cocktail culture of Mexico City's Roma Norte neighborhood, Roma Norte promises a technique-driven cocktail experience paired with light, refreshing Mexico City-style bites.

Please note that we have limited availability on Opentable. We recommend you check for reservations on our website, https://www.romanorte.bar!

Top review

Marlene

Dined on Oct 25, 2024

Amazing place. Every drink I ever tried is delicious, and their bites too. Great service as well

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Experience

New Years Eve at Roma Norte!

Fisher's

4.2

4.2 (136)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Little Italy

About the restaurant

With only four tables back in 1989 "Don Simon" and his family; Jazmin his wife, and their three children; Charles, Simon and Gabriel opened the first Fisher's in Mexico City. With only 12 items on its menu, Fisher's became a destination in the northern area of Mexico City.

Since its founding in 1989, Grupo Fisher's has developed seven brands in more than 30 locations, one of them in Madrid Spain. Al of them family style restaurants with the freshest and most innovative way to prepare sea food products. Grupo Fisher's has become the most successful sea food restaurant chain in Mexico with more than 2500 associates and capable of hosting more than 200,000 guests per month.

We are pleased to welcome you to the second international location of Grupo Fisher's right here in San Diego's Little Italy.

Top review

ElizabethVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Very nice fish broth as a complementary appetizer. Then we shared the table side Caesar salad and the molcahete hot appetizer with chicken, shrimp, beef, asparagus etc. Plenty for a light dinner for two. Excellent lime margaritas, too.

Mikami Bar & Revolving Sushi

3.8

3.8 (400)

$30 and under

Asian

Kearny Mesa

About the restaurant

Mikami Sushi is one of the only two revolving sushi concepts in San Diego. The great service, All-You-Can-Eat special, happy hours, and high quality delicious food, make for a exciting and affordable dinning experience. Mikami's is perfect for a date night, dinner, a mid-day lunch with friends or co-workers. It is family friendly and just perfect if you are experiencing a sushi craving.

Top review

Alberto

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

Sushi was so good i couldn’t stop eating. I couldn’t stop

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