Is it verboten to admit that even the most devoted food writers among us subsist, like most, primarily off office-supplied Costco snacks and leftovers pilfered from our kids’ plates? Yet every cold french fry is a reminder that seeking out food that moves you—a soothing soup, a perfect pie, a brunch spot to delight your inner child—is worth the journey, so off into the city we go to bring you mood-shifting joys to trade your desk lunch for.
SAGO Encinitas
Lobster Bao Buns
SAGO Encinitas has gone through a few iterations since its arrival along the 101 in early 2024. After working through three previous chefs, the modern Southeast Asian restaurant and lounge has finally found its stride with head chef Nate Horton, whose fare is just as sexy as its moody, jungle-inspired surrounds. Get the lobster bao buns with tempura lobster, makrut lime tartar, and macadamia nuts. Then, go ahead and order another round—trust me, it’ll disappear. –NM
Our Green Affair
Red Velvet Smoothie
While I’m generally skeptical at best of healthy twists on treats (Wrigley’s “dessert-flavored” sugar-free gum from Y2K still haunts me), this rose-hued smoothie’s base ingredient list—beet powder, strawberries, chocolate whey protein, almonds, cacao nibs—appealed. But, listen, it tastes exactly like red velvet cake. Drop the sad low-cal ice cream in favor of popping by Our Green Affair in Solana Beach. –AR
Beshock Ramen & Sake Bar
Chicken Paitan Ramen
Soup heals. When things feel heavy in life, seek broth. The kitchen is dialed in and the food comes quick at this East Village lounge (also in Carlsbad), which stays busy even during the week. The light, crispy karaage I ordered atop the paitan bowl with black garlic oil in shio broth lifted my spirits like an oasis in a drought, turning a dark day into a luminous night. –MH
Juniper and Ivy
Wagyu Butter Biscuit
If those three words in succession are not enough, you may be dead inside. A piping hot cast-iron biscuit made with 25 percent Wagyu fat and 75 percent butter, mixed by hand. It’s smoked to order with hickory, cherry, and apple wood. Little Italy’s star restaurant has a pretty stark new-ish talent in pastry chef Amanda Santiago. –TJ
Lionfish Modern Coastal Cuisine
Yuzu Pie
I’ve spent a lifetime on team savory, but now there’s a strong possibility of me defecting to team sweet. Yuzu’s delicate citrus flavor is the ideal vessel for a subtle after-dinner treat at Lionfish inside downtown’s Pendry hotel, and this pops with a sprinkle of bee pollen and chamomile cream. It’s light, it’s fruity, it’s perfect. –BD
Ultreya Coffee & Tea
Hash N Cheese
Made with grilled sourdough, hash browns, melted cheddar, avocado, greens, and housemade avocado-jalapeno-cilantro sauce (that’s not at all spicy), this sandwich is what would happen if Mickey D’s hashbrowns got a full-on She’s All That makeover (hat tip to all you ’90s millennials out there). –BD
The Lion’s Share
Chicken & Caviar
Admittedly, it would be tough to fumble a plate of fried chicken with a heap of caviar and a side of ranch. This is a Steph-Curry-at-the-free-throw-line meal: a guarantee. The Lion Share‘s crème fraîche ranch with chive oil tastes vivid as new fallen snow, and the crisp on the beer-battered chicken would plaster a smile on anyone age 3 to 103. The kaluga caviar is honestly just a bonus. Yes, it’s fancy toddler food, and I am here for it. Tonight, you can keep the tweezers. –MH
The Trading Post Café & Bar
Basil Olive Oil Spritz
Is it too early to declare the drink of the summer? This herby sip at the Estancia La Jolla’s horse-themed lobby bar smashes together several buzzy drink trends (savory cocktails; olive oil bevs) to give the Aperol spritz a run for its money. Saline solution, cardamom, and a dry vermouth that’s been fat-washed with lemon olive oil bring complexity, while housemade basil cordial adds enough sweetness to keep things out of liquid salad territory. –AR
Divo Diva
Caprese Di Capri
Americans go feral for a European vacation partly because old places offer the illusion of being outside time. Owned by local opera singers, this “European café” in Hillcrest provides the same delightful sensation: My cappuccino arrived in a Christmas mug long after New Year’s, the décor of three different holidays adorned the interior, and the menu still proudly presents a caprese sandwich, which has gone the way of the dodo at most social-media-friendly cafés. Five stars. –AR
La Familia Restaurant & Bar
Birria Nachos
Owned by Vincent Becerra and Angelina Luna, whose father ran ¡Salud! Tacos, the new space in Mission Gorge feels homey on the restaurant side and hip at the bar. The menu mixes tradition with fusion—think mole, but also Mexican pasta—and the nachos piled high with savory, sensational birria are the best of both. Plus, guacamole does NOT cost extra. –BD
Flora Kitchen + Bar
Shakshuka Eggs
Breakfast is utilitarian, dinner is serious, but brunch is fun—and this colorful, new North Park outpost for avo toast and matcha waffles knows it. The staff wears overalls, the walls’ animal murals would be equally at home in a (chic) kid’s bedroom, and the butter arrives in flower-shaped pats melting dreamily into sourdough toast, a fitting vehicle for scooping shakshuka (rich and tart with feta and olives) into your gullet. Here comes the airplane! –AR
Public Square Coffee House
Scone & Butter Flight
Did I intend to share the box of scones? Yes. Did I? No. The pillowy fluff and hearty crust had me housing the lot of them, and I regret nothing. Choosing which butter to get at this new downtown outdoor cafe (it has another, OG location in La Mesa) isn’t worth the anxiety, so go for the flight. They’re all good, but the fig and honey butter shines. For bonus serotonin, pair with a latte crafted with housemade pandan syrup. –MH
Izola
Bibimbap Croissant
I generally consider croissants to be more snack than meal, but not in this case. This bibimbap croissant at downtown baked good giant Izola is stuffed with bulgogi beef, daikon radish, pickled cucumbers, and gochujang (plus a few other goodies) and still comes with accouterments on the side. One giant leap for breakfast, indeed. –BD
Red House Pizza
Washington Pizza
I am on a constant hunt for the best gluten-free crust in San Diego and love that Red House Pizza in University Heights has great options for those with dietary restrictions (plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and GF options). The Washington pie is made with walnut pesto sauce, roasted chicken and tomato, artichoke hearts, mozzarella, and fresh basil. But it’s the crust that pulls this one together for me—it’s perfectly crisp and chewy. –NM
