Ready to know more about San Diego?

Subscribe
Food & Drink DECEMBER 17, 2020

Order Holiday Takeout from These 27 San Diego Restaurants

Let these local restaurants do all the cooking for you this holiday season

Order Holiday Takeout from These 27 San Diego Restaurants

Addison

Addison and chef William Bradley are bringing the flavors of San Diego’s only Michelin-starred restaurant into the comfort of your own home. Available for pickup Thursday through Sunday, the four-course menu features seasonal local ingredients. The package is available for $89 per person, with the option to include wine selected by Addison’s wine director, Victoria O’Bryan. Schedule your pickup time through Resy.

5200 Grand Del Mar Way, Del Mar | 858-314-1900

 

Bleu Bohème

Bring the classic flavors of France into your home this holiday season with Bleu Bohème. The complete menu will be available to order, including their signature mussels and the rest of their expansive menu of classic French cuisine made with fresh Southern Californian ingredients. Bleu Bohème also offers a list of wines and signature cocktails to go. Curbside pickup and free delivery within two miles of the restaurant will be available on their website from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

4090 Adams Avenue, Normal Heights | 619-255-4167

 

Busalacchi Restaurants

Barbusa, Nonna, and Zucchero have teamed up to offer a to-go menu that highlights favorites from each restaurant. The menu includes three courses for $20, with the Busalacchis’ famous garlic bread serving as a starter, then your choice of two salads, five pastas, and the option to add extra sides, mains, desserts, and wine. Each meal is designed to feed one person, and the minimum order is two meals. Takeout orders can be placed daily from 4 to 8 p.m. All orders will be available for pickup from Barbusa; you can also get delivery through DoorDash.

1917 India Street, Little Italy | 619-238-1917

 

Café Gratitude San Diego

For those who want to trade in the holiday ham for something plant based, Café Gratitude San Diego has flavorful pies and sides for preorder. They’re offering seasonal, family-style specials like cranberry-roasted butternut squash and garnet yams. For the ones who like sweet treats, try the gluten-free maple pecan spice cake or mocha cheesecake. Order your choice of holiday pies and sides online or in-store by December 20 and plan to pick up on December 23 by 9 p.m.

1980 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy | 619-736-5077

 

Cardellino

You can still enjoy a prime rib dinner this holiday without even changing out of your pajamas. Cardellino’s holiday takeout meal includes a 12-ounce slice of prime rib, mixed greens salad, truffled mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, horseradish cream, and jus. Dinner is $45 per person, but you can add on something sweet and something to sip on for an additional cost. Place your order by December 21 and pick up on December 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cardellino. Preorders can be placed online.

4033 Goldfinch Street, Mission Hills | 619-600-5311

 

El Cruce + 241

This Chula Vista eatery will offer a series of to-go packages to pair with their to-go beer crowlers and bottles of wine from Baja. Order the Birria Tacos Family Pack, which includes 10 hand-pressed tortillas, birria, black beans, and all the fixings for $30. Or choose the Three for $40 special, which includes your choice of three signature dishes. El Cruce will be open on Christmas Eve, and orders can be placed in person and online.

241 Third Avenue, Chula Vista | 619-474-2244

 

DZ Akin’s

If you’re looking for a family-size meal with all of the fixings, then give DZ Akin’s a call to place your order. They’re offering either a ham or turkey feast complete with sides, rolls, and dessert. The turkey feast starts at $199, the ham feast at $225, with each meal serving 10 to 12 people. Order at least 24 hours in advance to secure your holiday dinner and pick up on Christmas Eve before 3 p.m. and New Year’s Eve/Day before 8 p.m.

6930 Alvarado Road, La Mesa | 619-265-0218

 

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Feel like Santa Claus when you walk through the door with this special holiday package filled with delicious to-go items from Greenfinch at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. The restaurant is offering a special 11-course dinner on Christmas Day that serves four to six people. The dinner comes with appetizers, entrées, sides, and something sweet to end the night. The meal is $350, and you can pick up your package between 12 and 5 p.m. on December 25. Call the restaurant to place your order.

9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla | 858-550-1000

 

Holiday Takeout / Fortunate Son

Fortunate Son

James Tran and Olivia Beall

Fortunate Son

Fortunate Son, CH Projects’ newest venue, is honoring the takeout tradition of ordering Chinese on the holidays by offering their full menu to go. The restaurant will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day; orders can be placed by calling the restaurant or via their online order form.

2943 Adams Avenue, University Heights | 619-391-3766

 

Hotel del Coronado

Though the holidays look different this year, especially at the Hotel del Coronado, you can still enjoy a Christmas dinner to eat at home. Parking is validated, so plan a few extra minutes to stop in and take a look at The Del’s lovely interior before you pick up your holiday feast. The menu for four people includes lovely entrée options, decadent sides, and a yummy dessert to finish off the night. Order online by 3 p.m. on December 18 for pickup on December 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado | 619-435-6611

 

Mille Fleurs

Craving some French classics to enjoy in the comfort of your home? Try Mille Fleurs’ new three-course takeout meals. The menu changes weekly and is offered Wednesday–Sunday, 4–8 p.m. The restaurant has also moved their wine cellar online, so you can order a bottle to toast alongside your meal. Cheers!

6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe | 858-756-3085

 

Moniker General

Enjoy an at-home celebration with Moniker Cocktail Co.’s boozy bundles. The baskets change every week, so keep an eye out for your favorites or try something new. If you want to upgrade your kits, you can order additional wine varieties, too. Orders must be submitted each week by Wednesday at 4 p.m. for free Friday delivery throughout Point Loma and Ocean Beach or for pickup at Moniker General.

2860 Sims Road, Liberty Station | 619-255-8772

 

Mongolian Hot Pot

Mongolian Hot Pot is bringing their classic hot pot experience to your home with their takeout kits. Each kit includes different meat options, sauce, veggies, homemade noodles, and their house soup base. Families can also purchase a stove-and-pot set with their food, and the kits can feed anywhere from two to six people. Prices range from $45 to $120, with the option for more add-ons.

4718 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Clairemont | 858-274-2040

 

Parc Bistro

Put a French twist on your occasion and call Parc Bistro to place your order for the holidays. Each package serves two people with a menu of coq au vin, baked salmon, or filet mignon in addition to appetizers, sides and, of course, dessert. The packages range from $100 to $150 and are available for preorder now over the phone. Pickup times are December 24, 25, or 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

2760 Fifth Avenue, Bankers Hill | 619-795-1501

 

Pendry San Diego

Provisional Kitchen at the Pendry San Diego is offering their Pancakes and Pajamas holiday brunch event to go on December 19. This brunch takeout kit will include cooked pancakes, colorful toppings, and a pair of complimentary children’s holiday pajamas from P.J. Salvage for all hotel guests.

550 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter | 619-738-7000

 

Pho Ca Dao Vietnamese Kitchen (Mission Valley)

Enjoy a family meal from Pho Ca Dao this holiday season. Offered for groups of two or four, the meals are packed with their most popular items—including pho, appetizers, and rice dishes—for a delicious, no-brainer dinner. The meals range from $25 to $65. Orders can be placed in person or over the phone daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

2647 Fenton Parkway, Suite D104, Mission Valley | 619-684-5129

 

Puffer Malarkey Collective

Enjoy an herbaceous, locally sourced, family-style Christmas Eve feast with chef Brian Malarkey’s Herb at Home. For Christmas Eve, menu items include American wagyu sirloin, braised local pork belly, pesto white beans, and dessert. The New Year’s Eve spread includes white truffle mashed potatoes, pink peppercorn-crusted filet mignon, and dessert. Guests can preorder their dinner on OpenTable. Pickup will take place at both restaurants the afternoon of each holiday.

2210 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy | 610-955-8495

131 D Street, Encinitas | 760-704-8300

 

Ranch 45

Ranch 45’s à la carte pickup menu allows you to fully customize your holiday feast. With choices like herb-crusted prime rib, smoked turkey leg, smoked Cornish game hens, roasted broccoli with Parmesan and garlic, and olive oil smashed potatoes, it’s hard to say no. Dessert will also be available to purchase. The Solana Beach butcher shop and eatery will be accepting orders up to 48 hours in advance. Place your order online or over the phone.

512 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach | 858-461-0092

 

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Rancho Bernardo Inn has put together some seasonal dishes for takeout so you can still celebrate the season even at home. The menu includes lobster bisque, watercress and grilled endive salad, a 10-ounce grilled prime ribeye, and dark chocolate mousse. Preorder by December 22 at 12 p.m.

17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo | 888-976-4417

 

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Take the hassle out of the holidays and order the Holidays to Go feast from Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. Order before 5 p.m. on Friday, December 18 and pick up your meal on Christmas Eve between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Choose from menu items like prime beef tenderloin, lobster bisque, and truffle mac and cheese, along with a selection of wine pairings.

5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe | 858-756-1123

 

Holiday Takeout / Rusticucina

Rusticucina

Eckis Marketing

Rusticucina

Give your home Christmas meal a Sicilian twist with Rusticucina’s holiday menu, which includes short ribs, cannelloni pasta with roasted chicken, and dessert. Each order comes with a full panettone! Preorders can be made by phone or through the website and are accepted until December 24. The restaurant is also offering gift baskets with savory treats to send to your loved ones.

3797 Park Boulevard, Hillcrest | 619-684-5129

 

Tamales Ancira

Indulge in a holiday tradition with some tamales from Tamales Ancira. You can order a dozen for $25 or order the party pack of 50 tamales to freeze for later. Call in your orders over the phone and check in on their social media for special offers and deals throughout the holiday season.

2260 Main Street. Suite 17, Chula Vista | 619-424-3416

 

Holiday Takeout / Teriyako & Bao

Teriyako & Bao

Hiba Khalid

Teriyaki & Bao

Teriyaki & Bao brings some holiday cheer this year with their holiday bao bun special. December 21–January 4, order their snowman bao buns filled with fresh sliced bananas and nutella. The restaurant is open regular hours even during the holidays, and is currently offering takeout and delivery through their website and third-party apps.

711 Grand Avenue, Carlsbad | 760-637-5737

 

Tribute Pizza

North Park’s Tribute Pizza is continuing their curbside pickup this holiday season with meal specials for the family. Feast on wood-fired porchetta or a vegetarian lasagna with add-ons like Brussels sprouts, potatoes au gratin, and spiked eggnog. Place an order online for pickup on December 23 or 24.

3077 North Park Way, North Park | 760-637-5737

 

Villa Manila

The Filipino holiday meal to go from Villa Manila in National City comes with à la carte items like bibingka, halaya, and buko pandan salad. Orders can be made online or over the phone and must be placed at least three days in advance. Pick up anytime between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

500 East Eighth Street, National City | 619-477-8512

 

Vistal

The waterfront InterContinental San Diego will be offering a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day takeout dinner from their signature restaurant, Vistal. The meal includes an entrée, sides, and gravy for $32 per person. Guests also have the option of adding on a soup or crème fraiche option for $9 per person. Orders, which will be available for pickup from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas, can be placed by calling the restaurant or by emailing [email protected].

901 Bayfront Court, Embarcadero | 619-535-0485

 

The Westgate Hotel

For those who don’t want to cook during the holidays, but still want to bring a little fanfare to the dinner table, The Westgate Hotel is offering a four-course dinner for two. The meal includes a porcini mushroom and chestnut soup, salad, 16-ounce Angus beef tenderloin, and dessert. The price for this upscale dinner at home is $138. Call the hotel or order through this online link before December 22. Pickup is December 24 or December 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

1055 Second Avenue, Downtown | 619-238-1818


Jenna Miller is a freelance writer. Her website is jennaruthmiller.com.

 

Subscribe to our newsletters

Select Options

By subscribing you confirm that you agree with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Partner Content JUNE 5, 2026

Beautiful Balboa Park: Nine Ways to See the City’s Crown Jewel in a New Light

San Diego Magazine's 2026 Guide to Balboa Park.

Beautiful Balboa Park: Nine Ways to See the City’s Crown Jewel in a New Light

Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart.

The iconic 1,200-acre preserve’s history dates back more than 150 years, evolving from a scrub-filled plot atop a mesa overlooking what’s now Downtown to an urban oasis—the largest of its kind in the country—filled with an array of museums, attractions, gardens, trails, restaurants, and more. Balboa Park is an epic playground where San Diegans and visitors alike can experience the great outdoors just as easily as they can enjoy a world-class performance or explore groundbreaking discoveries.

Tucked away in the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture are 18 diverse museums that allow visitors to spend the day learning about, well, anything. A great place to start is the San Diego History Center. Located in the Casa del Balboa building, the museum tells the story of the city’s past, present, and future through photographs and art, clothing and textiles, and interviews with people who witnessed history-making events firsthand. The San Diego Natural History Museum takes visitors even farther back with interactive exhibitions that show what the region was like up to 75 million years ago. 

Blast off on a simulated trip to space at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, then check out artifacts from aviation legends, including the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Buzz Aldrin. Discover new perspectives revolutionizing the science world, learn about an often overlooked but overutilized utility, and exercise your creativity at the Fleet Science Center.  

Calling all theater-lovers, Balboa Park has something for you, too. The San Diego Junior Theatre will present their musical take on beloved children’s book A Bad Case of the Stripes from June 26 through July 12. And laugh, cry, and marvel in awe as the pros of The Old Globe perform Kim’s Convenience, the award-winning comedy that inspired the popular series, from May 15 to June 14. 

There’s nowhere else in Balboa Park quite like WorldBeat Cultural Center. The institution celebrates African diaspora and indigenous cultures around the world using art, music, dance, and education. The building, a renovated water tower covered in colorful murals, houses a performing arts center, museum, gift shop, cafe, and outdoor classroom.

If you’d like a side of nature with your culture, Balboa Park has you covered there, too. Stroll through the gardens of the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum, a monument to the relationship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. Inspired by traditional Japanese design dating back centuries, the 10-acre respite features a living exhibition that showcases plants native to both cities. 

If there seems like a lot going on in Balboa Park, it’s because there is. Let the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership be your guide. The organization is the umbrella for 24 of the park’s institutions and offers an Explorer Pass that allows visitors to access multiple museums for one affordable price. The hardest part is picking where to start.

16 Museums, One Pass

Save on admission to San Diego’s top museums with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Explore 16 museums of art, science, history and culture across Balboa Park — all with one affordable pass. Choose the option that fits your pace: the Limited Pass (one day for up to four museums), the Parkwide Pass (seven consecutive days of access to all 16 museums) or the Annual Pass (365 days of unlimited exploring).

Looking for an experience-driven gift? Let the museum lover in your life enjoy their favorite museums all year with a Balboa Park Explorer Annual Pass gift voucher.

BuyMyExplorer.com | Phone: 619-232-7502, Press 2 for Explorer 

Fleet Science Center

Bigger experiments, brighter ideas, and boundless curiosity await at the newly reimagined Fleet Science Center. This summer, the Fleet debuts Element 8 Cafe, an expanded theater queuing and concessions space, two new gallery spaces, and, for the first time, a free entrance gallery exploring science in and around San Diego. The transformation marks a new chapter for the Fleet, keeping it a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for the region. Visitors are invited to explore the experience this summer and connect with the power of science like never before.

Address: 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: FleetScience.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Phone: 619-238-1233

Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum

An accredited cultural gem, the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum brings traditional Japanese garden design to life with koi ponds, curving walkways and layers of greenery. Guests explore bonsai trees, streams and peaceful nooks while taking part in exhibits, educational programs and festivals that illuminate Japanese culture. Situated in the heart of Balboa Park, the garden doubles as a meditative retreat and a dynamic gathering place, welcoming visitors to slow their pace and connect more deeply.

Address: 2215 Pan American Road E, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: Niwa.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; last admission at 6 p.m.
Phone: 619-232-2721

The Old Globe

A San Diego summer favorite, The Old Globe invites audiences to experience a beloved local tradition in its outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. 

This summer, the 2026 Shakespeare Festival presents two thrilling tales of power, passion and romance. Measure for Measure, running June 14 through July 12, 2026, is a riveting story of justice and hypocrisy that asks who holds power, who is punished and what it truly means to be virtuous. Much Ado About Nothing, playing Aug. 2–30, 2026, is a classic rom-com packed with schemes, sparks and laughter as opposites attract. Audiences can enjoy both shows for $44.

Address: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: TheOldGlobe.org
Hours: Box office open Tuesday–Sunday, 1 p.m. to final curtain
Phone: Box office, 619-234-5623

San Diego Air & Space Museum

Aviation and space exploration come to life at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. See an airworthy replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, a Gee Bee racer and historic aircraft from World War I, World War II and the Korean and Vietnam eras. Get up close to the Apollo 9 command module — one of only 11 of its kind in the world — along with Mercury and Gemini capsules, Mission Control and space shuttle simulators, and a selfie spot beside a lunar lander on the moon. Running through 2026, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brings oddities from around the world to Balboa Park.

Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-234-8291

San Diego History Center

History belongs to everyone. At the San Diego History Center, two experiences bring that history to life this summer: America at 250 and the Center for Women’s History. America at 250 traces San Diego’s place in 250 years of U.S. history, while summer programs invite children to learn and explore. The Center for Women’s History amplifies the voices of women whose leadership and creativity have shaped our region.

By understanding our past, we build a more vibrant and inclusive community together. These vital educational experiences are only possible through generous community support. Discover your roots, spark meaningful dialogue, and help keep San Diego’s stories alive for future generations.

Address: 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SanDiegoHistory.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
Phone: 619-232-6203

San Diego Junior Theatre

Junior Theatre is San Diego’s longest-running youth theatre program, empowering students ages 4 to 18 to explore storytelling, performance, and collaboration in a supportive environment. Through classes, camps, and productions, young artists build confidence, creativity, and lifelong skills onstage and off. Each season features a wide range of opportunities, from introductory experiences to advanced training in acting and musical theatre. 

Looking for a summer adventure? Junior Theatre’s Summer Camps deliver dynamic programs for grades K–12, including musical theater intensives, acting academies and immersive JT Studio experiences. It’s a place where imagination truly takes center stage.

Address: 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: JuniorTheatre.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 619-239-1311

San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)

This summer, The Nat is talking trash—literally. Their newest exhibition, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea, features larger‑than‑life marine sculptures made of ocean debris collected from beaches. It invites visitors to explore the impact of plastic pollution and discover ways to take action.

But the experience doesn’t stop at the gallery doors. Friday nights, the exhibition transforms into an ocean-themed “dive bar” during Nat at Night. Select Sundays bring something brand new: a rooftop brunch with sweeping Balboa Park views. Add two new giant-screen films and five floors of nature to explore, and The Nat is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-visit destinations.

Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Website: SDNat.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays in summer
Phone: 619-232-3821

WorldBeat Cultural Center

The WorldBeat Cultural Center is a nonprofit multidisciplinary cultural organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving Indigenous cultures worldwide through music, art, dance, education, sustainability and community programs. WorldBeat elevates multicultural artists, expands opportunities for cultural enrichment and fosters deeper understanding across traditions. WorldBeat offers a holistic cultural experience that inspires pride, unity, connection and belonging for all ages.

Address: 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Website: WorldBeatCenter.org
Hours: Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6–9 p.m. Exhibits and café: Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Phone: 619-230-1190


Event Calendar

Throughout 2026: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

Step into a world of the weird and wonderful at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. Explore hundreds of bizarre artifacts, interactive displays and unbelievable stories that celebrate the curious and the extraordinary.

San Diego Air & Space Museum | 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101

Throughout 2026: San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods

Presented in partnership with the San Diego Museum of African American Fine Arts, San Diego’s Lost Neighborhoods uses augmented reality, oral histories, and archival materials to explore communities and residents displaced by redlining, freeway construction, and other discriminatory policies.

San Diego History Center | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101

June –Aug: The 2026 Shakespeare Festival

Spend a summer night at The Old Globe. The Lowell Davies Festival Theatre stages Measure for Measure (June 14–July 12) and Much Ado About Nothing (Aug. 2–30), offering two unforgettable Shakespeare productions for just $44.

The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way,
San Diego, CA 92101

June 8–Aug. 7: Theatre Summer Camps

Summer camps at Junior Theatre spark creativity for grades K–12 with hands-on training, musical theatre intensives, acting academies, and JT Studio experiences.

San Diego Junior Theatre | 1650 El Prado, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101  

June 14, July 12, Aug 9: Brunch at The Nat


A museum visit turns into a Sunday Funday with the addition of rooftop brunch, featuring mimosas, bloody Marys, and brunch bites from Wolfish by Wolf in the Woods (June 14, August 9) and Hash House a Go Go (July 12). 

San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

June 21: Harriet Tubman Freedom Bird Walk

Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with guided birding, storytelling, soul food, native planting and an African peace drum circle.

WorldBeat Cultural Center | 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

Aug 7-8: Toro Nagashi Festival

Nagashi at the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum by floating a lantern to honor loved ones who have passed. Stroll merchant booths, enjoy cultural performances in the Inamori Pavilion, and sample food vendors plus a beer and sake garden in the lower garden.

Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum | 1649 El Prado, Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92101


Explore arts, science, history, and culture in the Balboa Park Cultural District with one convenient, affordable Pass. The Balboa Park Explorer Pass is your ticket to up to 16 museums and endless fun! Purchase your pass at BuyMyExplorer.com.

Partner Content
Partner Content JUNE 4, 2026

Tastemakers 2026: Bar Ella

Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.

Tastemakers 2026: Bar Ella

Brendan Nugent, Executive Chef

In the heart of Pacific Beach, bar Ella debuted in 2023 with Executive Chef Brendan Nugent at the helm. Drawing on experience from both coasts, Nugent crafts a sustainable, seasonal menu inspired by his Northeast childhood and master‑gardener grandmother. Expect East Coast classics like lump crab cake, garlic shrimp in Old Bay broth and scratch‑made spaghetti with clams. Nugent’s commitment to using every part of each ingredient keeps waste low and the cooking sustainable.
At bar Ella, first‑time guests become family.

Try This!

Lamb Lollipop: 24-hour buttermilk and za’atar marinated lamb, roasted, seared and finished with housemade chermoula.

bar Ella

1030 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, California 92109
858-808-2286 | barellapb.com | @bar.ella.pb

Partner Content
Partner Content JUNE 4, 2026

Tastemakers 2026: Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.

Tastemakers 2026: Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Giuseppe Annunziata, General Manager; Emiliano Muslija, General Manager; Marcello Avitabile, Executive Pizza Chef; & Joseph Serra, Pizza Manager

At Amalfi Cucina Italiana, dining is a celebration of Italian tradition, hospitality and craftsmanship. General managers Giuseppe Annunziata and Emiliano Muslija have created a welcoming atmosphere where every glass of wine and plate of pasta reflects Italy’s culinary heritage. 

Executive chef Marcello Avitabile, a five-time world pizza champion, and pizza chef Joseph Serra bring craftsmanship and soul to every dish through handmade pastas, artisan pizzas and authentic Italian flavors. all. 

Try This!

Margherita Pizza: With San Marzona tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, extra virgin olive oil, and prosciutto.

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Locations in San Marcos, Carmel Valley, and Oceanside
760-653-3230 | amalficucinaitaliana.com

Partner Content
Partner Content JUNE 4, 2026

Tastemakers 2026: Van Man’s Kitchen

Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.

Tastemakers 2026: Van Man’s Kitchen

Jeremy Ogorek, Owner & Arturo Aguilar, Chef du Cuisine

At VanMan’s Kitchen, guests can enjoy grass-fed smash burgers, tallow fries, and milkshakes, all prepared with the same the commitment to quality San Diegans have come to expect from VanMan’s soaps and skincare products. That means everything is prepared in-house—and we mean everything, from the ketchup to the mayo to the pickles—and made from organic, natural ingredients. In fact, the fries are cooked in the same high-quality suet tallow that’s used for the company’s skincare products. That’s because when VanMan’s says you shouldn’t put anything on your body you wouldn’t eat, and you shouldn’t eat anything you wouldn’t put on your body, it’s not a cute marketing gimmick. It’s a commitment to always providing customers with the best possible ingredients. Another non-negotiable for VanMan’s Kitchen? Keeping all of this accessible. Expect a welcoming, laidback vibe and price tags that make eating organic food affordable to all. 

Try This!

Classic Smash Burger: 100% Grass-fed beef, American cheese, organic lettuce, organic tomato, organic sliced onion, house pickles and burger sauce on a potato bun. Best with a side of tallow fries.

VanMan’s Kitchen

1380 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, California 92109
858-203-3795  |  vanmanskitchen.com

Partner Content
Partner Content JUNE 4, 2026

Tastemakers 2026: Tous Les Jour

Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.

Tastemakers 2026: Tous Les Jour

Kevin Bang, Store Manager, National City & Jay Oh Store Manager, La Jolla

Tous les Jours has grown into a reputable bakery café franchise since its launch in the U.S. in 2004, with over 200 stores nationwide and more than 1,800 locations worldwide. Tous les Jours specializes in freshly baked breads, pastries, cakes, desserts, and premium beverages. Using only the finest ingredients, the products are known for their unique flavors and wholesome quality, with a wide variety of fresh, delicious items prepared daily for every occasion.

Tous les Jours has built its core strength in making the best kinds of bread, freshy baked in store every morning. The bakery uses carefully selected ingredients to offer stylish cakes and desserts in all types and sizes, depending on the occasion. From bold espresso to handcraft smoothies, the beverages are the perfect accompaniment to the artisan baked goods. 

Stop by in June for 50% off a beverage with a purchase of a piece of cake, or a free beverage with purchase of a whole cake.  

Try This!

Cloud Cake: Delight in this light and fluffy treat available in fresh cream, strawberry, triple berry, green tea, chocolate, mango and blueberry yogurt.h sake-soy vegetables and furikake onigiri.

Tous les Jours – La Jolla 

3363 Nobel Drive, La Jolla, California 92037
858-699-3006 |  @touslesjourslajolla

Tous les Jours – National City

1420 East Plaza Boulevard, B5, National City, California 91950
619-773-6033

@touslesjoursusa | tljus.com

Partner Content

Eat Like a Local (Who Knows a Guy).

Restaurant news, culinary storytelling, and Troy Johnson’s sharp takes delivered straight to your inbox twice a month.

Close the CTA

Contact Us

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA