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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)

By Mateo Hoke, Jennifer Ianni, Troy Johnson, Samantha Lacy, David Martin, Nicolle Monico, & Amelia Rodriguez May 30, 2023

San Diego’s Best Restaurants of 2023 — Photo Credit: Eric Wolfinger

NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES Know the Neighborhood Where to eat, where to drink, and what it's like to live there. EXPLORE THE GUIDES

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

Reader’s Picks

Best New Restaurant in San Diego:

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

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:

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

Runner-Up:

(Bad Boyz of Culinary)

Best Restaurant Service in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Nine Ten Hamachi Sashimi — Courtesy of Nine-Ten

Best Hotel Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Catering in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Chef Kelston’s Culinary Experience

Best Restaurant in Baja California

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Cheap Eats in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Healthy Food in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

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:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Farmer’s Market Food Vendor in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Maya’s Cookies

Reader’s Choice:

Island Life Foods

Runner-Up:

Best Breakfast in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Breakfast Republic

Reader’s Choice:

Breakfast Republic

Runner-Up:

Youngblood Interior Bar San Diego — Photo Credit: Arlene Ibarra

Best Bar in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Brunch in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Le Parfait Paris

Wayfarer Bread Pastry San Diego Bakery — Photo Credit: Airyka Rockefeller

Best Bakery in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Seafood Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Mitch’s Seafood

Best Barbecue Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Rare Society, San Diego — Photo Credit: Matt Furman

Best Steakhouse in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Dessert Spot in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Extraordinary Desserts

Runner-Up:

Le Parfait Paris

Best Food Truck in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

The Craft Taco Truck

Best Chain Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

The Plot Express

Reader’s Choice:

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:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Caribbean Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

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:

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:

Runner-Up:

White Rice Bodega

Best French Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Le Parfait Paris

Best Greek Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Indian Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Taste of the Himalayas

Runner-Up:

Punjabi Tandoor

Best Italian Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Runner-Up:

Matsu Turnip Chawanmushi Restaurant San Diego — Photo Credit: Leo Cabal

Best Japanese Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Korean Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Mediterranean Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Valle, San Diego — Photo Credit: Audrey Ma

Best Mexican Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Casa de Bandini

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Shak’s Mediterranean Bistro

Runner-Up:

Best Peruvian Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Coya Peruvian Secret

Best Southern Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Bud’s Louisiana Café

Runner-Up:

Louisiana Purchase

Best Spanish Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Thai Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

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:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Specific Dishes

Best Donuts in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

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:

Shank & Bone — Courtesy of Shank & Bône

Best Pho in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Ramen in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Wings in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

OB Noodle House

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Burrito in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

La Perla de Michoacan

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Colima’s Mexican Food

Best Chips & Salsa in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Miguel’s Cocina

Runner-Up:

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:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

In N Out Burger

Blue Poke Restaurant San Diego — Courtesy of Blue Poke

Best Poke in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Sushi in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

The Sushi Stand

Runner-Up:

Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub

Best Fish Taco in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Mitch’s Seafood

Runner-Up:

Best Taco in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Sandwich in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Pizza in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Buona Forchetta

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

Best Burger in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Rocky’s Crown Pub

Runner-Up:

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

Best Soup Dumplings in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon

Runner-Up:

Best Pasta in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Cori Pastificio

Ambience

Best Restaurant or Bar Design in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Part Time Lover

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Date Spot in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Patio Dining in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Monarch Ocean Pub

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Gravity Heights

Best Dog Friendly Restaurant in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Sally’s Fish House

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Dodo Bird Donuts

Best Diner in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Restaurant for Big Groups in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Restaurant at Petco Park

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Restaurant with a Waterfront View

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Restaurant with a View of the City

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

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:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

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

Drinks

Best Dive Bar in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Bloody Mary in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Margarita in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Cantina Mayahuel

Reader’s Choice:

Cantina Mayahuel

Runner-Up:

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:

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:

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:

Runner-Up:

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:

Best Brewery in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best New Brewery in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Winery in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Wine List in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Best Juice Bar in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Northside Shack

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

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

Critic’s Choice:

Bivouac Ciderworks

Reader’s Choice:

Bivouac Ciderworks

Runner-Up:

Best Kombucha in San Diego

Critic’s Choice:

Nova Easy Kombucha

Reader’s Choice:

Runner-Up:

Nova Easy Kombucha

2023 Features Food & Drink San Diego Best Restaurants

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