Published

June 5, 2026

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2026

We asked, you voted, and food critic Troy Johnson chose his favorites—these are the top food and drink people and places in the city

By Troy Johnson

Some keep lists of favorite books, of quotes, of enemies whose time shall come. At SDM we keep vast, nuanced, hotly debated lists of the best food and drink in the city. Menus are our smut novels. From Michelin stars to mom and pops, our list constantly evolves over hundreds of new bites tried every year. Here’s the 2026 list from food critic Troy Johnson and 129,000-plus votes from our readers, who really, really know their food.

Scroll down for the full list of Best Restaurant winners

Overall

Top Five Restaurants

Critic's Pick

Wolf in the Woods

Critic's Pick

Animae

Critic's Pick

Lilo

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Callie

Critic's Pick

Kingfisher

Readers' Pick

Ambrogio15

Readers' Pick

Et Voilà! French Bistro

Readers' Pick

Mister A's Restaurant

Readers' Pick

Solare Ristorante

Best New Restaurant

Critic's Pick

À L'ouest

Readers' Pick

Fleurette

Runner-up

Bosforo

Best Chef

Critic's Pick

Eric Bost (Lilo)

Readers' Pick

Tara Monsod (Animae)

Runner-up

Travis Swikard (Callie)

Best Service

Critic's Pick

Addison

Readers' Pick

Ambrogio15

Runner-up

Mister A's Restaurant

Best Hotel Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Nine-Ten Restaurant

Readers' Pick

Addison

Runner-up

Valle

Best in City: Carlsbad

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Jeune et Jolie

Readers' Pick

Campfire

Best in City: Chula Vista

Critic's Pick

Aqui Es Texcoco

Readers' Pick

Tacos El Gordo

Runner-up

TJ Oyster Bar

Best in City: Coronado

Critic's Pick

Stake Chophouse & Bar

Readers' Pick

The Henry

Runner-up

Little Frenchie

Best in City: Del Mar

Critic's Pick

Market Restaurant + Bar

Readers' Pick

Monarch Ocean Pub

Runner-up

Jake's Del Mar

Best in City: El Cajon

Critic's Pick

Mal al Sham

Readers' Pick

Grand Ole BBQ y Asado

Runner-up

Hacienda Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Best in City: Encinitas

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Herb & Sea

Runner-up

Buona Forchetta

Best in City: Escondido

Critic's Pick

Mesa Agrícola

Readers' Pick

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Escondido

Runner-up

TJ Tacos

Best in City: Imperial Beach

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Balsamico Italian Kitchen

Runner-up

Chula Tacos

Best in City: La Mesa

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Sobremesa

Readers' Pick

Anthony's Fish Grotto

Best in City: Lemon Grove

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Coop's West Texas BBQ

Runner-up

Lido's Italian Foods

Best in City: National City

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Royal Mandarin

Runner-up

Market on 8th

Best in City: Oceanside

Critic's Pick

Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub

Readers' Pick

Tanner's Prime Burgers

Runner-up

allmine

Best in City: Poway

Critic's Pick

O'Brien's Boulangerie

Readers' Pick

Smokin J's BBQ & Taphouse

Runner-up

Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar

Best in City: San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Callie

Runner-up

Animae

Best in City: San Marcos

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Readers' Pick

Copper Kings Burgers

Best in City: Santee

Critic's Pick

Phở Vân Restaurant

Readers' Pick

Filippi's Pizza Grotto

Runner-up

Thai Thai Restaurant

Best in City: Solana Beach

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Rare Society

Runner-up

The Fish Market

Best in City: Vista

Critic's Pick

Phở Trúc Xanh

Readers' Pick

Urbn Pizza

Runner-up

Mikko Sushi

Best Restaurant in Baja

Critic's Pick

Animalón

Readers' Pick

Deckman's En El Mogor

Runner-up

Fauna

Best Cheap Eats

Critic's Pick

Super Cocina

Readers' Pick

The Friendly

Runner-up

Mona Lisa Italian Foods

Best Healthy Eats

Critic's Pick

Our Green Affair

Readers' Pick

Parakeet Cafe

Runner-up

Plumeria Vegetarian Restaurant

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Kindred

Runner-up

The Plot

Best Gluten-Free Menu

Critic's Pick

Solare Ristorante

Readers' Pick

Ambrogio15

Runner-up

Buona Forchetta

Best Breakfast

Critic's Pick

Little Lion

Readers' Pick

Madi

Runner-up

Great Maple

Best Brunch

Critic's Pick

A.R. Valentien

Readers' Pick

Madi

Runner-up

Great Maple

Best Bar Food

Critic's Pick

The Lion's Share

Readers' Pick

Fernside

Runner-up

Le Coq

Best Seafood

Critic's Pick

The Fishery

Readers' Pick

Mabel's Gone Fishing

Runner-up

The Fish Market

Best Barbecue

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Grand Ole BBQ y Asado

Runner-up

Phil's BBQ

Best Steakhouse

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop

Runner-up

Born and Raised

Best Raw Bar

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Ironside Fish & Oyster

Runner-up

Nobu

Best Desserts

Critic's Pick

Parfait Paris

Readers' Pick

Extraordinary Desserts

Runner-up

Juniper and Ivy

Best Casino Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Bull and Bourbon Steakhouse

Readers' Pick

Hell's Kitchen

Runner-up

Black & Blue Steakhouse

Best Chain Restaurant

Critic's Pick

The Kebab Shop

Readers' Pick

Buona Forchetta

Runner-up

Board & Brew

Specific Cuisines

Best Asian Fusion Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Animae

Runner-up

Kingfisher

Best Caribbean Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Havana Grill

Runner-up

Miss B's Coconut Club

Best Chinese Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Shan Xi Magic Kitchen

Readers' Pick

Chin's Szechwan

Runner-up

Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon

Best Ethiopian Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Awash Ethiopian Restaurant

Readers' Pick

Flavors of East Africa

Runner-up

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

Best Filipino Restaurant

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

White Rice

Readers' Pick

Tita's Kitchenette

Best French Restaurant

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Jeune et Jolie

Readers' Pick

Et Voilà! French Bistro

Best Greek Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Mezé Greek Fusion

Readers' Pick

Olympic Cafe

Runner-up

Cafe Athena

Best Indian Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Himalayan Yak & Yeti

Readers' Pick

Taste of the Himalayas

Runner-up

Curryosity

Best Italian restaurant

Critic's Pick

Catania

Readers' Pick

Roman Wolves

Runner-up

Ambrogio15

Best Japanese Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Wa Dining Okan

Readers' Pick

Sushi Ota

Runner-up

Azuki Sushi Lounge

Best Korean restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Choi's

Runner-up

Tofu House

Best Mediterranean Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Callie

Runner-up

Leila

Best Mexican Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Valle

Readers' Pick

Puesto

Runner-up

Ponce's Mexican Restaurant

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Mal al Sham

Readers' Pick

Leila

Runner-up

Bosforo

Best Peruvian Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Pepino Eatery & Bakeshop

Runner-up

Coya Peruvian Secret

Best Southern Restaurant

Critic's Pick

The Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen

Readers' Pick

Louisiana Purchase

Runner-up

Bud's Louisiana Café

Best Spanish Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Cafe Sevilla

Runner-up

Costa Brava

Best Thai Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Sovereign Thai Cuisine

Readers' Pick

Bahn Thai

Runner-up

Plumeria Vegetarian Restaurant

Best Vietnamese Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Kingfisher

Runner-up

Phở Cow Cali Express

Specific Dishes

Best Donuts in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Broad Street Dough Co.

Readers' Pick

Nomad Donuts

Runner-up

VG Donut & Bakery

Best Ice Cream/Gelato in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Stella Jean's

Runner-up

An's Gelato

Best Pho in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Phonomenal

Readers' Pick

Phở Ca Dao

Runner-up

OB Noodle House

Best Ramen in San Diego

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Menya Ultra

Readers' Pick

Tajima Ramen

Best Wings in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

OB Noodle House

Runner-up

Dirty Birds

Best Burritos in San Diego

Critic's Pick

La Perla Cocina Mexicana

Readers' Pick

The Taco Stand

Runner-up

Colima's

Best Chips & Salsa in San Diego

Critic's Pick

El Nopalito

Readers' Pick

La Puerta

Runner-up

Puesto

Best Birria in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Birria El Rey

Runner-up

Ferchaladas Birria & Mariscos

Best Fries in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

The Crack Shack

Runner-up

Happy Medium

Best Poke in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Hawaiian Fresh Seafood

Runner-up

It's Raw Poke Shop

Best Sushi in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Kinme Omakase

Readers' Pick

Sushi Ota

Runner-up

Azuki Sushi Lounge

Best Fish Tacos in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Fish Guts

Readers' Pick

Oscar's Mexican Seafood

Runner-up

Mitch's Seafood

Best Tacos in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birriera

Readers' Pick

Tacos El Gordo

Runner-up

The Taco Stand

Best Sandwiches in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Wise Ox

Readers' Pick

Big Jim's Roast Beef

Runner-up

Mona Lisa Italian Foods

Best Bakery in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Wayfarer Bread & Pastry

Readers' Pick

Valerio's Bakeshop

Runner-up

IZOLA

Best Cheese Shop in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Venissimo Cheese

Runner-up

Le Charcuterie Bar

Best Bar in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Starlite

Readers' Pick

Happy Medium

Runner-up

Aero Club Bar

Best Wine Bar in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Finca

Runner-up

The Rose Wine Bar

Best Coffee Beans/Roaster in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Mostra Coffee

Readers' Pick

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Runner-up

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

Best Smoothies in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Liv Juice

Readers' Pick

Señor Mangos

Runner-up

Parakeet Cafe

Best Bagels in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Marigold

Readers' Pick

Big City Bagels

Runner-up

PopUp Bagels

Best Pizza in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Tribute Pizza

Runner-up

Sonny's Pizza

Best Burgers in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Rosemarie's Burgers

Readers' Pick

The Friendly

Runner-up

Tanner's Prime Burgers

Best Pasta in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Cori Pastificio

Readers' Pick

Pazza Market & Cucina

Runner-up

Cesarina

Ambiance

Best Design

Critic's Pick

Marisi

Readers' Pick

Starlite

Runner-up

insideOUT

Best Date Spot in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Dora Ristorante

Readers' Pick

Wolf in the Woods

Runner-up

Cesarina

Best Patio Dining in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Ciccia Osteria

Readers' Pick

Cesarina

Runner-up

Buona Forchetta

Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

OB Noodle House

Readers' Pick

The Crack Shack

Runner-up

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Critic's Pick

The Crack Shack

Readers' Pick

Corvette Diner

Runner-up

Pizza Port

Best Restaurant for Big Groups

Critic's Pick

Puesto

Readers' Pick

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Liberty Station

Runner-up

The Crack Shack

Best Waterfront Dining

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

The Marine Room

Runner-up

C Level Lounge

Best Outdoor Dining

Critic's Pick

Atelier Manna

Readers' Pick

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, Liberty Station

Runner-up

insideOUT

Best Restaurant View: Water

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

The Marine Room

Runner-up

George's at the Cove

Best Restaurant View: Urban

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Mister A's Restaurant

Runner-up

Coasterra

Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying

Critic's Pick

Fleurette

Readers' Pick

Addison

Runner-up

The Marine Room

Best Restaurant with Live Music

Critic's Pick

Books & Records

Readers' Pick

Panama 66

Runner-up

Cafe Sevilla

Drinks

Best Brewpub in San Diego

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Gravity Heights

Readers' Pick

Blind Lady Ale House

Readers' Pick

Harland Brewing Co.

Best Wine List in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Juniper and Ivy

Readers' Pick

Finca

Runner-up

Solare Ristorante

Best Cocktails in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Youngblood

Readers' Pick

Raised by Wolves

Runner-up

Realm of the 52 Remedies

VIEW AS MAP

Map preview of top San Diego restaurants

Share this post

Latest articles

Features

Publisher's Note: Restaurants Are People, June 2026

Read article

Food News

You’ve Had a California Burrito, Now Try the CA Banh Mi

Read article

Things to Do

15 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: June 3-7

Read article

Things to Do

The Best Things to Do in San Diego: June 2026

Read article

Food & Drink

It’s Soft Shell Crab Season, But Not For Long

Read article

Food & Drink

An Immersive Speakeasy Opens In Encinitas

Read article

Food & Drink

The City’s Cult-Hit Burger (And More) Comes to North Park

Read article

Food & Drink

Infusion Lab Brings Coffee, Culture, and Design to PB

Read article

Charitable SD

The Princess Project Dresses Local Prom-Goers for Success

Read article

Features

The Eight Architects Who Defined Modernism In San Diego

Read article

Things to Do

18 Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend: May 26-31

Read article

Charitable SD

Fighting Food Insecurity with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego...

Read article