San Diegans love food. We pledge allegiance to the fish taco, go nuts for farm-fresh salads, and are big on burgers. In fact, the bigger, the better. Stir-fry, Korean barbeque, sashimi, pho—the list goes on and on. Thousands of readers voted for their favorites, which we collected, compiled, taste-tested, and tallied. The result: an insanely delicious guide, with expert picks from food critic Troy Johnson. Here, the best of the best—and then some.
A NOTE TO OUR READERS: Accuracy is paramount. But we are a service publication, and the lists we print should inform people and help them decide where to spend their time and money. We don’t want this poll to show readers who has the biggest mailing list or marketing staff. We want it to show which restaurants the people like best. If a restaurant wins an obscene amount of awards, and it’s apparent that “ballot stuffing” has occurred, San Diego Magazine reserves the right to give one or all of their awards to other top vote-getting restaurants that make a little more sense in real life.
Overall
Cucina Enoteca Bucatini
Hearty Helping Cucina Enoteca’s bucatini combines guanciale, burnt cabbage leaf, tomato, chili, and pecorino. The pièce de résistance? The delicate hen egg to top it off.
Best of the Best: Fancy
Readers’ Pick: George’s at the Cove
Runner-up: Mister A’s
Critic’s Pick: Addison
Best of the Best: Gourmet Casual
Readers’ Pick: Searsucker
Runner-up: Cucina Urbana
Critic’s Pick: Prepkitchen
Best New Restaurant
Readers’ Pick: Juniper & Ivy
Runner-up: Cucina Enoteca
Critic’s Pick: Juniper & Ivy
Best Chef
Readers’ Pick: Accursio Lota Solare Ristorante Italiano
Runner-up: Javier Plascencia Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro
Critic’s Pick: Jason Knibb Nine-Ten
Cucina Enoteca
Cucina Enoteca
Best Service
Readers’ Pick: George’s at the Cove
Runner-up: Donovan’s Steak & Chop House
Critic’s Pick: Market Restaurant & Bar
Best Happy Hour
Readers’ Pick: Monello
Runner-up: Baja Betty’s
Critic’s Pick: Mister A’s
Best Late-Night Menu
Readers’ Pick: Brian’s 24
Runner-up: The Third Corner
Critic’s Pick: Starlite
Best Hotel Restaurant
Readers’ Pick: Grant Grill at the US Grant
Runner-up: Atoll Restaurant at Catamaran Resort and Hotel
Critic’s Pick: A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Breakfast Pizza from Bread & Cie
Breakfast Pizza from Bread & Cie
Best Neighborhood Restaurant
Readers’ Pick: Bistro Sixty
Runner-up: Fish Public
Critic’s Pick: Urban Solace
Best Desserts
Readers’ Pick: Extraordinary Desserts
Runner-up: Bistro Sixty (San Diego Desserts)
Critic’s Pick: Jsix
Best Food Truck
Readers’ Pick: MIHO Gastrotruck
Runner-up: God Save the Cuisine
Critic’s Pick: MIHO Gastrotruck
Best Cheap Eats
Readers’ Pick: Bread & Cie
Runner-up: Tender Greens
Critic’s Pick: Carnitas’ Snack Shack
Jsix rainbow beet terrine
Taste the Rainbow Tangerine, goat cheese, hazelnuts, and chicories come together in Jsix’s rainbow beet terrine.
Atmosphere
The Marine Room
The Marine Room
Best Design
Readers’ Pick: Café Bleu
Runner-up: Harney Sushi
Critic’s Pick: Puesto at the Headquarters
Best View
Readers’ Pick: The Marine Room
Runner-up: Mister A’s
Critic’s Pick: Cusp La Jolla
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Readers’ Pick: Board & Brew
Runner-up: Corvette Diner
Critic’s Pick: Waypoint Public
Best Special Occasion
Readers’ Pick: The Marine Room
Runner-up: The Wellington Steak & Martini Lounge
Critic’s Pick: Addison
Waypoint Public
Waypoint Public
Best Patio
Readers’ Pick: The Coyote Bar & Grill
Runner-up: The Patio on Lamont Street
Critic’s Pick: C-Level Lounge
Best Place to Watch the Game
Readers’ Pick: Oggi’s
Runner-up: Slater’s 50/50
Critic’s Pick: Diversions Lounge (Omni La Costa Resort & Spa)
Best Makeover
Readers’ Pick: Searsucker Del Mar
Runner-up: Fish Public
Critic’s Pick: Avant
Specific Dishes
Best Burger
Readers’ Pick: Burger Lounge
Runner-up: Nicky Rottens Bar & Burger Joint
Critic’s Pick: Hodad’s
Best Salad
Readers’ Pick: Tender Greens
Runner-up: Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
Critic’s Pick: Tender Greens
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Best Sandwich
Readers’ Pick: Rubicon Deli
Runner-up: Big Front Door
Critic’s Pick: Mona Lisa Italian Foods
Best Sushi
Readers’ Pick: Sushi Ota
Runner-up: Harney Sushi
Critic’s Pick: Azuki
Best Fries
Readers’ Pick: Burger Lounge
Runner-up: Mezè Greek Fusion
Critic’s Pick: The Smoking Goat
Best Pizza
Readers’ Pick: Pizza Port
Runner-up: Berkeley Pizza
Critic’s Pick: Buona Forchetta
Best Small Plates Menu
Readers’ Pick: Café Sevilla
Runner-up: Searsucker
Critic’s Pick: Cucina Enoteca
Best Fish Taco
Readers’ Pick: Rubio’s
Runner-up: The Brigantine
Critic’s Pick: TJ Oyster Bar
Best Chips and Salsa
Readers’ Pick: Miguel’s Cocina
Runner-up: Puesto
Critic’s Pick: Lucha Libre
Best Burrito
Readers’ Pick: El Zarape
Runner-up: Lucha Libre
Critic’s Pick: Las Cuatro Milpas
Specific Cuisines
Best Middle Eastern
Readers’ Pick: The Kebab Shop
Runner-up: Bandar
Critic’s Pick: The Kebab Shop
Best Italian
Readers’ Pick: Solare Ristorante Italiano
Runner-up: Bencotto Italian Kitchen
Critic’s Pick: Bencotto Italian Kitchen
Best French
Readers’ Pick: Bleu Bohème
Runner-up: Tapenade
Critic’s Pick: Bellamy’s
Best Greek
Readers’ Pick: Cafe Athena
Runner-up: Mediterranean Cafe
Critic’s Pick: Cafe Athena
Solare Ristorante Italiano
Mangia, Mangia! Solare’s Italian menu includes the creamy black truffle risotto (left) and house-made gnocchi with San Marzano tomato sauce (right).
Best Mexican
Readers’ Pick: Oscar’s Mexican Seafood
Runner-up: El Zarape
Critic’s Pick: Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro
Best Indian
Readers’ Pick: Royal India
Runner-up: Bombay
Critic’s Pick: Surati Farsan
Best Chinese
Readers’ Pick: Del Mar Rendezvous
Runner-up: Mandarin House (La Jolla)
Critic’s Pick: Spicy City
Best Japanese
Readers’ Pick: Sushi Ota
Runner-up: Shimbashi Izakaya
Critic’s Pick: Wa Dining Okan
Best Thai
Readers’ Pick: Amarin Thai
Runner-up: Koon Thai Village
Critic’s Pick: Amarin Thai
Best Asian Fusion
Readers’ Pick: Roppongi
Runner-up: Del Mar Rendezvous
Critic’s Pick: Sipz
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food pic by someone
Best Vietnamese
Readers’ Pick: Le Bambou Restaurant
Runner-up: Pho Hoa
Critic’s Pick: Saigon on Fifth
Best Korean
Readers’ Pick: Manna
Runner-up: Tofu House
Critic’s Pick: Do Re Mi
Best Filipino
Readers’ Pick: Tita’s Kitchenette
Runner-up: Zarlito’s
Critic’s Pick: Tita’s Kitchenette
Best Vegetarian Selection
Readers’ Pick: Royal India
Runner-up: Sipz
Critic’s Pick: Punjabi Tandoor
Best Barbeque
Readers’ Pick: Phil’s BBQ
Runner-up: Abbey’s Real Texas Bar-B-Q
Critic’s Pick: Yakitori Yakyudori
Best Steakhouse
Readers’ Pick: Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Runner-up: Donovan’s Steak & Chop House
Critic’s Pick: Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop
Donut Bar
Donut Bar
Best Seafood
Readers’ Pick: Pacific Beach Fish Shop
Runner-up: The Brigantine
Critic’s Pick: Mitch’s Seafood
Best Donut
Readers’ Pick: Donut Bar
Runner-up: V.G. Donut & Bakery
Critic’s Pick: Donut Bar
Best Breakfast
Readers’ Pick: Snooze
Runner-up: Fig Tree Cafe
Critic’s Pick: Tractor Room
Best Brunch
Readers’ Pick: Monello
Runner-up: Snooze
Critic’s Pick: Café Chloe
Drinks
Craft & Commerce
Craft & Commerce
Best Wine List
Readers’ Pick: Village Vino
Runner-up: Cucina Enoteca
Critic’s Pick: Addison
Best Cocktails
Readers’ Pick: Old Town Saloon and Cocktails
Runner-up: West Coast Tavern
Critic’s Pick: Craft & Commerce
Best Coffee
Readers’ Pick: Swell Cafe
Runner-up: Better Buzz
Critic’s Pick: Caffé Calabria
BestBrewpub
Readers’ Pick: Stone World Bistro & Gardens
Runner-up: Karl Strauss
Critic’s Pick: Stone World Bistro & Gardens
Best Wine Bar
Readers’ Pick: Village Vino
Runner-up: Wine Steals
Critic’s Pick: Village Vino
Best Beer Selection
Readers’ Pick: Slater’s 50/50
Runner-up: Hamilton’s Tavern
Critic’s Pick: Hamilton’s Tavern
