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San Diego’s Best Restaurants of 2023

The votes poured in like hard kombucha. Here's the best of the best of San Diego, according to you (and us)
Photo Credit: Eric Wolfinger

By Mateo Hoke, Jennifer Ianni, Troy Johnson, Samantha Lacy, David Martin, Nicolle Monico, & Amelia Rodriguez

Browse This Year’s List by Category

Overall | Specific Cuisines | Specific Dishes | Ambience  | Drinks


This year’s “Top Five” is a chronicle of obsession. When Callie chef and San Diego native Travis Swikard learns local boats have fresh spot prawns, he drives to Scripps Oceanographic Institute, secures optimal seawater, and keeps the prawns swimming in his kitchen until dinner service.

On the other side of downtown, fellow hometowner Tara Monsod and her three main chefs at the heavy-draped, softly opulent Animae are Filipina a major local culture represented at the height of San Diego restaurant life.In Mission Hills, truckfuls of American red oak are stacked and set aflame at Fort Oak.

Live-fire chef Brad Wise is among the city’s most active and ascendant talents, and his surf-and-turf haven—charred bones with one of the best pokes on the planet in an Atomic Age car dealership—is still the one to beat. The gravity in Little Italy still leans toward Born & Raised, where F. Scott Fitzgerald meets rap culture, a maximalist revolt against old steakhouse tropes and warehouse minimalism.

And, finally, this year has to be Addison’s. They hauled in their third Michelin star, making them one of only 14 restaurants in the country to hold that esteem. No matter your feelings about the tire company, chef William Bradley put San Diego on a mythological culinary map. People who travel the world for food will come here—and, in the process, discover tiny charms like Muzita Abyssinian Bistro or Wolf in the Woods.

This is the 2023 “Best Restaurants” list. Not the ultimate list. Just mine. A notebook scribbled in and adjusted and fine-tuned all year—my fifteenth year of eating the city, obsessing over its details.


Overall

Best Restaurants in San Diego

Critic’s Picks

Callie

Fort Oak

Addison

Born & Raised

Animae

Reader’s Picks

Callie

Mister A’s

Animae

Kingfisher

Herb & Wood

Best New Restaurant in San Diego:

Critic’s Choice:

Marisi

Reader’s Choice:

Paradisaea

Runner-Up:

The Sushi Stand

Brad Wise Rare Society Meat Freezer
Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Best Chef in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

William Bradley

Reader’s Choice:

Brad Wise

(Trust, Fort Oak, Cardellino, Rare Society, Wise Ox)

Runner-Up:

Kelston Moore

(Bad Boyz of Culinary)

Best Restaurant Service in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Solare

Reader’s Choice:

Callie

Runner-Up:

Solare

Nine Ten Hamachi Sashimi
Courtesy of Nine-Ten

Best Hotel Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

AR Valentien

Reader’s Choice:

Nine-Ten

Runner-Up:

Arlo

Best Catering in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Wild Thyme

Reader’s Choice:

Rubicon Deli

Runner-Up:

Chef Kelston’s Culinary Experience

Best Restaurant in Baja California

Critic’s Choice:

Deckman’s

Reader’s Choice:

Fauna

Runner-Up:

Animalon

Best Cheap Eats in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

The Friendly

Reader’s Choice:

The Friendly

Runner-Up:

The Kebab Shop

Best Healthy Food in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Parakeet Cafe

Reader’s Choice:

Parakeet Cafe

Runner-Up:

Shak’s Mediterranean Bistro

Kindred High SteaksRestaurant San Diego
Photo Credit: Arlene Ibarra

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Kindred

Reader’s Choice:

The Plot

Runner-Up:

Kindred

Best Farmer’s Market Food Vendor in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Maya’s Cookies

Reader’s Choice:

Island Life Foods

Runner-Up:

Casa Ocho

Best Breakfast in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Breakfast Republic

Reader’s Choice:

Breakfast Republic

Runner-Up:

Morning Glory

Youngblood Interior Bar San Diego
Photo Credit: Arlene Ibarra

Best Bar in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Youngblood

Reader’s Choice:

Understory

Runner-Up:

Swan Bar

Best Brunch in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Morning Glory

Reader’s Choice:

Trust

Runner-Up:

Le Parfait Paris

Wayfarer Bread Pastry San Diego Bakery
Photo Credit: Airyka Rockefeller

Best Bakery in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Izola

Reader’s Choice:

Izola

Runner-Up:

Wayfarer Bread

 

Best Seafood Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

The Fishery

Reader’s Choice:

The Fishery

Runner-Up:

Mitch’s Seafood

Best Barbecue Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Grand Ole BBQ

Reader’s Choice:

Phil’s BBQ

Runner-Up:

Grand Ole BBQ

Rare Society, San Diego
Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Best Steakhouse in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Rare Society

Reader’s Choice:

Rare Society

Runner-Up:

Cowboy Star

Best Dessert Spot in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Sugar & Scribe

Reader’s Choice:

Extraordinary Desserts

Runner-Up:

Le Parfait Paris

Best Food Truck in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Shawarma Guys

Reader’s Choice:

Shawarma Guys

Runner-Up:

The Craft Taco Truck

Best Chain Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

The Plot Express

Reader’s Choice:

The Kebab Shop

Runner-Up:

Rubio’s Coastal Grill

Animae Chicken Inasal Dish San Diego Restaurant
Photo Credit: James Tran

Specific Cuisines

Best Asian Fusion Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Animae

Reader’s Choice:

Animae

Runner-Up:

Kingfisher

Best Caribbean Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Havana Grill

Reader’s Choice:

Rock Steady Real Jamaican

Runner-Up:

Miss B’s Coconut Club

Best Chinese Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Eastern Dynasty

Reader’s Choice:

Zen Modern Asian Bistro

Runner-Up:

Fortunate Son

Best Ethiopian Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

Reader’s Choice:

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

Runner-Up:

Awash Ethiopian Bistro

White Rice Lechon Kawali San Diego Restaurant
Courtesy of White Rice

Best Filipino Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

White Rice Bodega

Reader’s Choice:

Animae

Runner-Up:

White Rice Bodega

Best French Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Jeune et Jolie

Reader’s Choice:

Et Voilà!

Runner-Up:

Le Parfait Paris

Best Greek Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Mezé

Reader’s Choice:

Olympic Cafe

Runner-Up:

Mezé

Best Indian Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Charminar

Reader’s Choice:

Taste of the Himalayas

Runner-Up:

Punjabi Tandoor

Best Italian Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Catania

Reader’s Choice:

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Runner-Up:

Solare

Matsu Turnip Chawanmushi Restaurant San Diego
Photo Credit: Leo Cabal

Best Japanese Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Matsu

Reader’s Choice:

Sushi Ota

Runner-Up:

Matsu

Best Korean Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Woomiok

Reader’s Choice:

Woomiok

Runner-Up:

Grandma Tofu

Best Mediterranean Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Callie

Reader’s Choice:

Callie

Runner-Up:

Kebab Craft

Valle, San Diego
Photo Credit: Audrey Ma

Best Mexican Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Valle

Reader’s Choice:

Casa de Pico

Runner-Up:

Casa de Bandini

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Tahini

Reader’s Choice:

Shak’s Mediterranean Bistro

Runner-Up:

The Kebab Shop

Best Peruvian Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Q’ero

Reader’s Choice:

Q’ero

Runner-Up:

Coya Peruvian Secret

Best Southern Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Flying Pig

Reader’s Choice:

Bud’s Louisiana Café

Runner-Up:

Louisiana Purchase

Best Spanish Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Cafe Sevilla

Reader’s Choice:

Costa Brava

Runner-Up:

Cafe Sevilla

Best Thai Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Plumeria

Reader’s Choice:

Bahn Thai

Runner-Up:

Supannee House of Thai

Kingfisher Smoked Dry Aged Duck Restaurant San Diego
Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Best Vietnamese Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Kingfisher

Reader’s Choice:

Kingfisher

Runner-Up:

Shank & Bône


Specific Dishes

Best Donuts in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Sidecar

Reader’s Choice:

Barrio Donas

Runner-Up:

Dodo Bird Donuts

Best Ice Cream/Gelato in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Stella Jean’s

Reader’s Choice:

Stella Jean’s

Runner-Up:

Salt & Straw

Shank & Bone
Courtesy of Shank & Bône

Best Pho in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Shank & Bône

Reader’s Choice:

Shank & Bône

Runner-Up:

Pho Hòa

Best Ramen in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Menya Ultra

Reader’s Choice:

Menya Ultra

Runner-Up:

Underbelly

Best Wings in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

OB Noodle House

Reader’s Choice:

Dirty Birds

Runner-Up:

Shank & Bône

Best Burrito in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

La Perla de Michoacan

Reader’s Choice:

The Taco Stand

Runner-Up:

Colima’s Mexican Food

Best Chips & Salsa in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Puesto

Reader’s Choice:

Miguel’s Cocina

Runner-Up:

Barrio Starr

Best Birria in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Tuétano Taquería

Reader’s Choice:

Tuétano Taquería

Runner-Up:

Mike’s Red Tacos

Best Fries in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

The Kebab Shop

Reader’s Choice:

The Kebab Shop

Runner-Up:

In N Out Burger

Blue Poke Restaurant San Diego
Courtesy of Blue Poke

Best Poke in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

It’s Raw

Reader’s Choice:

Blue Poke

Runner-Up:

It’s Raw

Best Sushi in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Sushi Todokoro

Reader’s Choice:

The Sushi Stand

Runner-Up:

Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub

Best Fish Taco in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

TJ Oyster Bar

Reader’s Choice:

Mitch’s Seafood

Runner-Up:

Oscar’s

Best Taco in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Ed Fernandez

Reader’s Choice:

Tacos El Gordo

Runner-Up:

The Taco Stand

Best Sandwich in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Moto Deli

Reader’s Choice:

Rubicon Del

Runner-Up:

Smallgoods

Best Pizza in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Buona Forchetta

Reader’s Choice:

Ambrogio15

Runner-Up:

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Best Burger in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Nine-Ten

Reader’s Choice:

Rocky’s Crown Pub

Runner-Up:

The Friendly

Din Tai Fung Dumplings Steamed Buns Appetizers
Courtesy of Din Tai Fung

Best Soup Dumplings in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Steamy Piggy

Reader’s Choice:

Din Tai Fung

Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon

Runner-Up:

Best Pasta in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Cesarina

Reader’s Choice:

Cesarina

Runner-Up:

Cori Pastificio


Ambience

Best Restaurant or Bar Design in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Part Time Lover

Reader’s Choice:

Paradisaea

Runner-Up:

Animae

Best Date Spot in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Wormwood

Reader’s Choice:

Understory

Runner-Up:

Mister A’s

Best Patio Dining in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Monarch Ocean Pub

Reader’s Choice:

Mister A’s

Runner-Up:

Gravity Heights

Best Dog Friendly Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Sally’s Fish House

Reader’s Choice:

Ambrogio15

Runner-Up:

Dodo Bird Donuts

Best Diner in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Corvette Diner

Reader’s Choice:

Corvette Diner

Runner-Up:

Station Tavern

Best Restaurant for Big Groups in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Stone Brewing

Reader’s Choice:

Herb & Wood

Runner-Up:

Park 101

Best Restaurant at Petco Park

Critic’s Choice:

Grand Ole BBQ

Reader’s Choice:

Grand Ole BBQ

Runner-Up:

Puesto

Best Restaurant with a Waterfront View

Critic’s Choice:

Marine Room

Reader’s Choice:

Coasterra

Runner-Up:

Marine Room

Best Restaurant with a View of the City

Critic’s Choice:

Mister A’s

Reader’s Choice:

Mister A’s

Runner-Up:

Seneca Trattoria

MisterAs New Dining Room Restaurant in San Diego
Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Best Restaurant Reinvention/Rebirth/Remodel in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Mister A’s

Reader’s Choice:

Mister A’s

Runner-Up:

Cardellino


Swan Bar Juarez Weekend Cocktail Bar San Diego
Photo Credit: John Schulz

Drinks

Best Dive Bar in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Nunu’s

Reader’s Choice:

Swan Bar

Runner-Up:

The Loft

Best Bloody Mary in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Cafe 21

Reader’s Choice:

Barleymash

Runner-Up:

Snooze

Best Margarita in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Cantina Mayahuel

Reader’s Choice:

Cantina Mayahuel

Runner-Up:

Barrio Star

Wolf In The Woods Wine Bar San Diego
Photo Credit: James Tran

Best Wine Bar in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Wolf in the Woods

Reader’s Choice:

Gianni Buonomo

Runner-Up:

Ambrogio15 Enoteca

Best Brewpub in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Gravity Heights

Reader’s Choice:

Gravity Heights

Runner-Up:

Blind Lady Ale House

Best Coffee in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Por Vida

Reader’s Choice:

Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

Runner-Up:

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Best Cocktails in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Polite Provisions

Reader’s Choice:

Understory

Runner-Up:

Paradisaea

You & Yours Cocktails Bar San Diego
Photo Credit: Haley James

Best Distillery in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Pacific Coast Spirits & Kitchen

Reader’s Choice:

Pacific Coast Spirits & Kitchen

Runner-Up:

You & Yours

Best Brewery in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Fall

Reader’s Choice:

Hopnonymous

Runner-Up:

Fall

Best New Brewery in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Rincon

Reader’s Choice:

Rincon

Runner-Up:

Seek

Best Winery in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Gianni Buonomo

Reader’s Choice:

Gianni Buonomo

Runner-Up:

Rustic Ridge

Best Wine List in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Addison

Reader’s Choice:

Solare

Runner-Up:

Ambrogio15

Best Juice Bar in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Northside Shack

Reader’s Choice:

Pina Smoothies

Runner-Up:

Rad Habits

Best Alt-Drink, Alcoholic (Cider, Seltzers, Canned Cocktails) in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Bivouac Ciderworks

Reader’s Choice:

Bivouac Ciderworks

Runner-Up:

Juneshine

Best Kombucha in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Nova Easy Kombucha

Reader’s Choice:

Juneshine

Runner-Up:

Nova Easy Kombucha

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