Published

May 30, 2025

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2025

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

Surviving life in hardscrabble San Diego with any joy in your heart requires a list. On it lives your favorite taco/sushi/burger/fries/stiff-but-drinkable drink in town. This is ours—from the readers (who offered a record 138,300-plus votes) and longtime food critic Troy Johnson. We chose the must-try dishes at some of San Diego’s best restaurants and unpacked the people and trends changing our city’s dining scene for the better. Hope you’re hungry, because it’s time to dig in.

Scroll down for the full list of Best Restaurants winners

Overall

Top Five Restaurants

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Callie

Critic's Pick

Leila

Critic's Pick

Jeune et Jolie

Critic's Pick

Addison

Critic's Pick

Herb & Wood

Readers' Pick

Animae

Readers' Pick

Buona Forchetta

Readers' Pick

Trattoria Cori Pastificio

Readers' Pick

Juniper and Ivy

Best New Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Communion

Readers' Pick

Leila

Runner-up

Tanner's Prime Burgers

Best Chef

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Tara Monsod - Animae

Runner-up

Travis Swikard - Callie

Best Service

Critic's Pick

Solare Ristorante

Readers' Pick

Addison

Runner-up

Callie

Best Hotel Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Nine-Ten Restaurant

Readers' Pick

A.R. Valentien

Readers' Pick

ARLO

Runner-up

Quixote

Best Caterer

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

The Wild Thyme Company

Readers' Pick

Lia's Lumpia

Best in City: Carlsbad

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Jeune et Jolie

Readers' Pick

Campfire

Best in City: Chula Vista

Critic's Pick

Italianissimo Trattoria

Readers' Pick

TJ Oyster Bar

Runner-up

Novo Brazil Brewing

Best in City: Coronado

Critic's Pick

Serea Coastal Cuisine

Readers' Pick

The Henry

Runner-up

Buona Forchetta

Best in City: Del Mar

Critic's Pick

Market Restaurant + Bar

Readers' Pick

Jake's Del Mar

Runner-up

Monarch Ocean Pub

Best in City: El Cajon

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs

Runner-up

Thai Time

Best in City: Encinitas

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Herb & Sea

Runner-up

Valentina

Best in City: Escondido

Critic's Pick

Phatties Vegan Mexican Restaurant

Readers' Pick

Vintana Wine + Dine

Runner-up

Mi Guadalajara Restaurant

Best in City: Imperial Beach

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Novo Brazil Brewing

Runner-up

Balsamico Italian Kitchen

Best in City: La Mesa

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Casa Gabriela

Readers' Pick

Farmer's Table

Best in City: Lemon Grove

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Giardino

Readers' Pick

Coops West Texas BBQ

Best in City: National City

Critic's Pick

Poke Etc.

Readers' Pick

Royal Mandarin

Runner-up

The Waterfront Grill

Best in City: Oceanside

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub

Readers' Pick

Tanner's Prime Burgers

Best in City: Poway

Critic's Pick

Ju Feng Yuan Dumpling Cafe

Readers' Pick

The Original Pancake House

Runner-up

Smokin J's BBQ

Best in City: San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Callie

Runner-up

Mister A's Restaurant

Best in City: San Marcos

Critic's Pick

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Readers' Pick

Copper Kings Burgers

Runner-up

Buona Forchetta

Best in City: Santee

Critic's Pick

Janet's Cafe and Deli

Readers' Pick

Phở Ca Dao & Grill

Runner-up

Broken Yolk Cafe

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 Xahn

Readers' Pick

Belching Beaver Brewery

Runner-up

Ciao Ristorante Italiano

Best Restaurant in Baja

Critic's Pick

Animalón

Readers' Pick

Ceasar's

Runner-up

Fauna

Best Cheap Eats

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

The Kebab Shop

Runner-up

The Friendly

Best Healthy Eats

Critic's Pick

Our Green Affair

Readers' Pick

Parakeet Cafe

Runner-up

Urban Plates

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Kindred

Readers' Pick

Plumeria Vegetarian Restaurant

Best Gluten-Free Menu

Critic's Pick

El Tianguis

Readers' Pick

Nectarine Grove

Runner-up

Mezé Greek Fusion

Best Breakfast

Critic's Pick

Little Lion Cafe

Readers' Pick

Breakfast Republic

Readers' Pick

Morning Glory

Runner-up

Cocina 35

Best Brunch

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Trust

Readers' Pick

Cocina 35

Best Bakery

Critic's Pick

Wayfarer Bread

Readers' Pick

Relic Bageri

Runner-up

Izola

Best Cheese Shop

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Smallgoods Cheese Shop & Cafe

Readers' Pick

Venissimo Cheese

Best Bar

Critic's Pick

Roma Norte

Readers' Pick

Lobby Bar at The LaFayette Hotel

Runner-up

Blind Lady Ale House

Best Bar Food

Critic's Pick

Ponyboy

Readers' Pick

The Lion's Share

Runner-up

Neighborhood

Best Seafood

Critic's Pick

The Fishery

Readers' Pick

Mabel's Gone Fishing

Runner-up

Mitch's Seafood

Best Barbecue

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Grand Ole BBQ

Runner-up

Phil's BBQ

Best Steakhouse

Critic's Pick

Rare Society

Readers' Pick

Cowboy Star Restaurant & Butcher Shop

Runner-up

Born & Raised

Best Raw Bar

Critic's Pick

Ironside Fish & Oyster Bar

Readers' Pick

Ironside Fish & Oyster

Runner-up

The Fish Market

Best Desserts

Critic's Pick

Parfait Paris

Readers' Pick

Extraordinary Desserts

Runner-up

Pop Pie Co

Best Chain Restaurant

Critic's Pick

The Crack Shack

Readers' Pick

Roy's Restaurant

Runner-up

Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar

Specific Cuisines

Best Asian Fusion Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Animae

Readers' Pick

Kingfisher

Runner-up

OB Noodle House

Best Caribbean Restaurant

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Havana 1920

Readers' Pick

Havana Grill

Best Chinese Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Shan Xi Magic Kitchen

Runner-up

Royal Mandarin

Best Ethiopian Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Awash Ethiopian Restaurant

Readers' Pick

Flavors of East Africa

Runner-up

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

Best Filipino Restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Lia's Lumpia

Runner-up

Tita's Kitchenette

Best French Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Bistro du Marché

Readers' Pick

Jeune et Jolie

Runner-up

Et Voilà! French Bistro

Best Greek Restaurant

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Mezé Greek Fusion

Readers' Pick

Olympic Cafe

Best Indian Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Curry & More Indian Bistro

Readers' Pick

Himalayan Cuisine

Runner-up

India Palace

Best Italian restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Marisi

Runner-up

Trattoria Cori Pastificio

Best Japanese Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Matsu

Readers' Pick

Izakaya Masa

Runner-up

Cloak & Petal

Best korean restaurant

Critic's Pick

DJK Korean BBQ

Readers' Pick

Manna Heaven BBQ

Runner-up

Kogi BBQ

Best mediterranean restaurant

Critic's Pick

Alforon

Readers' Pick

Juniper and Ivy

Runner-up

Aladdin Mediterranean Restaurant

Best mexican restaurant

Critic's Pick

Valle

Readers' Pick

Puesto

Runner-up

Javier's

Best middle eastern restaurant

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Leila

Runner-up

Shawarma Guys

Best peruvian restaurant

Critic's Pick

Casera Latin Kitchen and Bakery

Readers' Pick

Eli's Peruvian Kitchen

Runner-up

Lucrezia

Best southern restaurant

Critic's Pick

Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen

Readers' Pick

Louisiana Purchase

Runner-up

Bud's Louisiana Cafe

Best spanish restaurant

Critic's Pick

Mabel's Gone Fishing

Readers' Pick

Cafe Sevilla

Runner-up

Costa Brava

Best thai restaurant

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Plumeria Vegetarian Restaurant

Readers' Pick

Bahn Thai

Best vietnamese restaurant

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Kingfisher

Readers' Pick

OB Noodle House

Specific Dishes

Best donuts in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Barrio Donas

Readers' Pick

VG Donut & Bakery

Runner-up

Rose Donuts

Best ice cream/gelato in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Stella Jean's

Runner-up

An's Dry Cleaning

Best pho in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

OB Noodle House

Runner-up

Phở Ca Dao & Grill

Best ramen in San Diego

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Menya Ultra

Readers' Pick

Tajima Ramen

Best wings in San Diego

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Royal Mandarin

Readers' Pick

Dirty Birds Bar & Grill

Best burritos in San Diego

Critic's Pick

La Perla Cocina Mexicana

Readers' Pick

The Taco Stand

Runner-up

Lolita's Mexican Food

Best chips & salsa in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Puesto

Runner-up

Javier's

Best birria in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Birrieria Y Menuderia Guadalajara

Readers' Pick

Mikes Red Tacos

Runner-up

City Tacos

Best fries in San Diego

Critic's Pick

The Taco Stand

Readers' Pick

The Crack Shack

Runner-up

The Wise Ox

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

Sushi Maru

Readers' Pick

Sushi Ota

Runner-up

Azuki Sushi

Best fish tacos in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Fish Guts

Readers' Pick

Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar

Runner-up

Oscar's Mexican Seafood

Best tacos in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Tacos El Panson

Readers' Pick

Tacos El Gordo

Runner-up

The Taco Stand

Best sandwiches in San Diego

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Bica

Readers' Pick

Mona Lisa Italian Foods

Best Bagels in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Marigold Bagels

Readers' Pick

Nomad Donuts

Runner-up

Spill The Beans

Best pizza in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Tribute Pizza

Runner-up

Buona Forchetta

Best burgers in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Tanner's Prime Burgers

Readers' Pick

The Friendly

Runner-up

Copper Kings Burgers

Best xiao long bao in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Steamy Piggy

Readers' Pick

Din Tai Fung

Runner-up

Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon

Best pasta in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Cesarina

Runner-up

Trattoria Cori Pastificio

Best soup in San Diego

Runner-up & Critic's Pick

Lourdes Mexican Food

Readers' Pick

Wolf in the Woods

Ambiance

Best design

Critic's Pick

Leila

Readers' Pick

Quixote

Runner-up

Born & Raised

Best date spot in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Wolf in the Woods

Runner-up

The Marine Room

Best patio dining in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Wormwood

Readers' Pick

Georges at the Cove

Runner-up

C Level

Best dog-friendly restaurant

Critic's Pick

Bonjour Patisserie

Readers' Pick

Gravity Heights

Runner-up

The Henry

Best kid-friendly restaurant

Critic's Pick

Crab Hut

Readers' Pick

Pizza Port

Runner-up

The Crack Shack

Best Family Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Corvette Diner

Readers' Pick

Phil's BBQ

Runner-up

The Fish Market

Best restaurant for big groups

Readers' Pick

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station

Runner-up

Herb & Wood

Best restaurant at Petco Park

Critic's Pick

Deckman's at the Draft

Readers' Pick

Hodad's

Runner-up

Seaside Market

Best Waterfront Dining

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

The Marine Room

Runner-up

C Level

Best Outdoor Dining

Critic's Pick

A.R. Valentien

Readers' Pick

Fort Oak

Runner-up

Mister A's Restaurant

Best restaurant View: Water

Critic's Pick

Top of the Hyatt

Readers' Pick

The Marine Room

Runner-up

Coasterra

Best restaurant View: Urban

Critic's Pick

Mister A's Restaurant

Readers' Pick

Seneca

Runner-up

Communion

Best Restaurant Reinvention/Rebirth/Remodel

Critic's Pick

Starlite

Readers' Pick

The Whaling Bar

Runner-up

Lou Lou's Jungle Room

Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Addison

Runner-up

Mister A's Restaurant

Best Restaurant with live music

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Lou Lou's Jungle Room

Runner-up

Cafe Sevilla

Best Romantic Restaurant

Critic's Pick

Ciccia Osteria

Readers' Pick

Mister A's Restaurant

Runner-up

Wolf in the Woods

Drinks

Best wine bar in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Postino

Readers' Pick

The Rose Wine Bar

Runner-up

Gianni Buonomo Vintners

Best brewpub in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Gravity Heights

Readers' Pick

Blind Lady Ale House

Runner-up

Coronado Brewing Company

Best Beer Selection in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Blind Lady Ale House

Runner-up

Stone Brewing

Best wine list in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Juniper and Ivy

Runner-up

The Rose Wine Bar

Best cocktails in San Diego

Readers' Pick & Critic's Pick

Polite Provisions

Runner-up

Bali Hai Restaurant

Best smoothies in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Northside Shack

Readers' Pick

Señor Mangos

Runner-up

Nekter Juice Bar

Best Coffee Beans/Roaster in San Diego

Critic's Pick

Cafe Moto

Readers' Pick

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Runner-up

James Coffee Co.

VIEW AS MAP

Map preview of top San Diego restaurants

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