Chowhound: For example, see threads on Mexican and "authentic" Italian food. (More on Mexican...also check out this Latin food post and best damn thing post, ethnic restaurants post)
San Diego Magazine Readers' Poll - this at least tells you what's popular; see results for 2010's poll. (Also see their article on the best fish tacos....which has similar recommendations to Serious Eats)
Urbanspoon - their San Diego page aggregates blog posts and critic reviews
Slow Food San Diego - has a short list of restaurant members
The Eaten Path - good foodie blog that contains "Zach's San Diego Countdown" with 13 weeks of information about San Diego restaurants
Articles of Interest
Best Fish Tacos: Serious Eats and Great Escapes
Eater Magazine's 38 Essential San Diego Restaurants
Other Notes
--> this part needs to be cleaned up!!!
THAI
Rama (SD Magazine, 327-4th between J & K, E Village, good drunken noodles, a bit upscale...)
####Lotus Thai (SD Magazine, 906 Market between 10&9, E Village, 619-595-0115, panang, drunken noodles, tom kha soup...) http://www.lotusthaisd.com/downtown/downtown.html
Sunday 5-7 Happy hour
http://kingofhappyhour.com/sandiego/bars/Lotus_Thai
## Thai Island (relatively good ratings on yelp, cheap, but DON'T get sushi, Downtown 1134-7th Ave between B & C St., closed Sunday)
Taste of Thai (SD Magazine, Hillcrest)
Highly rated on yelp:
- Pinto Thai (Normal Heights, NE of zoo)
- Swaddee Thai (coronado)
- Amarin Thai (Hillcrest)
- Thai Pepper (Serra Mesa, cheap)
- Thai Taste (La Mesa on the way to El Cajon...cheap and very highly rated)
INDIAN
Miramesa: Rocky Farsan ~7 pm
Royal India (SD Magazine, downtown Gaslamp/E Village)...also Express in Horton Plaza
Bombay (SD Magazine, Hillcrest, not great reviews on yelp...)
Monsoon (SD Magazine, Gaslamp, not great reviews on yelp)...also Express in Mission Valley Shopping Center
Highest rated on yelp: Punjap (Midway, between Loma Heights & Mission Hils) [also Hare Krishna on UCSD campus]
OTHER ASIAN
Roppongi (SD Magazine)
Roy's (SD Magazine)
Red Pearl Kitchen (SD Magazine)
Places in PB:
- Thai Village http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-village-san-diego
- Pata Negra (Spanish/Basque) http://www.yelp.com/biz/pata-negra-market-san-diego
- Zanzibar's Cafe http://www.yelp.com/biz/zanzibar-cafe-san-diego
- Marino's Italian (old school) http://www.yelp.com/biz/marinos-italian-restaurant-san-diego
- other italian: Enoteca Adriano http://www.yelp.com/biz/enoteca-adriano-san-diego
Pasta Espresso: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pasta-espresso-san-diego
Cafe Bella Italia: http://www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-bella-italia-san-diego
- The Pita Pit http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pita-pit-san-diego-3
- Bare Back Grill http://www.yelp.com/biz/bare-back-grill-san-diego
- Sandwich place just south of PB (Mission Beach): http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-rubicon-deli-san-diego
...and also nearby: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-mono-san-diego
...as well as: http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-playa-taco-shop-san-diego
- (In-N-Out)
JAPANESE/SUSHI
- Harney Sushi http://www.harneysushi.com/ (Old Town)
-- Sushi Ota http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-ota-san-diego --> Mission Bay Drive near PB
4529 Mission Bay @ Bunker Hill (just N of Grand)
858-270-5670
-- Mister Sushi: http://www.yelp.com/biz/mister-sushi-san-diego --> actually in PB...almost walking distance from Uncle Bill's?
- also in PB: Teppan Haiku http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-teppan-haiku-japanese-restaurant-san-diego
- not quite as good reviews, also in PB: http://www.yelp.com/biz/pb-sushi-san-diego
- Santouka Ramen: http://www.yelp.com/biz/santouka-ramen-san-diego
- hole in wall "flavorful" cheap sushi in Clairemont: http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-diner-san-diego
- also good ratings: Hane Sushi http://www.yelp.com/biz/hane-sushi-san-diego
- [Hogetsu Bakery in Chula Vista: mochi, etc.]
- also rec'd sushi: Taka (Gaslamp) and Itto (Hillcrest)
[Umenoya, authentic place in Miramar, is closed!]
- Places in Kearny Mesa: Wa Dining OKAN, Tsuruhashi Japanese BBQ, Robata-ya Oton, Mitsuwa Marketplace (grocery store)...also Tajima (good ramen, katsu)
- Yakitori Yakydori: Hillcrest yakitori place, good beef tongue, chicken heart, etc. "street food" but very little space/parking
http://blog.discoversd.com/san-diego-restaurant-blog/top-ten-san-diego-sushi-restaurants.html
...says Yu Me Ya Sake House is "authentic"
BRUNCH
Hotel Del Crown Room Brunch: $75!!
-->Urban Solace North Park, San Diego Magazine poll [won several categories], moderate, sweet potato fries and cheese biscuits, 3823-30th St. between North Park & University, 619-295- 6464...reservations in dining room only, sweet potato fries and cheese biscuits are good, rec'd by chowhounds, Eater magazine, "Bluegrass brunch"
Humphrey's (San Diego Magazine poll - Shelter Island, more expensive (###), 2241 Shelter Island, 619-224-3577, great view, all you can eat, Sun 10-2, $40/person ($16 children 4-11))
Starlite - 3175 India St (Mission Hills) - rec'd by several chowhounds, also nice "New American" dinner; mac & cheese, ginger beer, eater magazine rec's for late-night dining or craft cocktails
- The Mission (1250 J Street between 12&13, in East Village), 619-232-7662
- To the Point Cafe (4161 Voltaire, between San Clemente & Catalina), Ocean Beach/Point Loma near Nimitz Blvd, 619-226-6222, cheap, good sandwiches, waffles with berries, chicken salad sandwich
- Tom Ham's Lighthouse --> end of harbor island (2150 Harbor Island Dr, 619-291-9110), moderate, good crab legs/lobster bisque
- Perry's Cafe (4610 Pacific Hwy, between Taylor & Rosecrans, Loma Portal) 619-291-7121, cheap, good hash browns)
- Katy's Cafe (Imperial Beach)
- Island Style Cafe (Hawaiian, NE)
- Lucky's Breakfast (North Park)
- Mad Dogs Cafe (PB)
- Olive Cafe (PB)
- Bread & Cie (Hillcrest)
best place to buy fish: Catalina Offshore Products
- The Fish Market
http://www.thefishmarket.com/locations.aspx?id=6
- Burger Lounge: Kensignton, Coronado, and Little Italy
Mexican:
- Cafe Coyote
- Casa de Pico
- Fidel's
Fish Tacos:
- Blue Water Grill (very fresh, counter, 3667 India St, near airport)
- El Zarape (99 cents! near the park)
- Mariscos German (Ocean View Blvd, not far from downtown, exotic alternatives to mahi-mahi)
- Bay Park Fish Co, - off Mission Bay
- Mariscos Mazatlan in Chula Vista--most authentic, 1287-3rd Ave @ Palomar http://www.mariscosmazatlan.com/
- Fidel's on Solana Beach (north of Del Mar)
- "The Brig" (Brigantine) in Del Mar (also Coronado, La Mesa, Point Loma...)
http://www.brigantine.com/locations_brigantine.html "Best swordfish in the world"
[ Longboarder Grill or Taco Surf in PB?]
[Point Loma Seafood]
[Tin Fish in Imperial Beach]
Rubios:
- Chula Vista (555 Broadway in Chula Vista Center)
- PB (910 Grand Ave)
- North Island NEX
- Point Loma (3555 Rosecrans)
- Mission Bay (4504 E Mission Bay-->the original)
- Mission Valley (2075 Camino De La Reina)
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_loc=san+diego#cflt=restaurants
ITALIAN
- Bencotto (N Italian in Little Italy, 750 W Fir St at Kettner, 619-450-4786, 11:30-4 and 5-10:30, closed Mon), won San Diego Magazine's Best Italian poll, "pasta your way" with mix & match shapes/sauces, rec'd by Eater magazine
...one reviewer says Cucina Urbana is more interesting (also won best new restaurant & best of the best moderate price)
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2010/jun/09/restaurant-gimmick/
- Cucina Urbana - 505 Laurel, Banker's Hill, 619-239-2222, S-Mon 5-9, T-Th 5-10, F-Sat 5-10:30 plus pizza until midnight, lunch T-F 11:30-2, Happy Hour 5-7, in a wine shop, some plates are "tapas-style" small ones, Eater magazine rec's and says it's "still one of the toughest tables to get in town"
Nearby: Banker's Hill Bar & Restaurant, rec'd by Eater magazine
- Solare - Liberty Station 2820 Roosevelt Rd, old Naval Training Center (W of airport), focuses on southern italy/Sicily, fiori di zucca
Nearby: Tender Greens - soups/salads/sandwiches, rec'd by Eater Magazine
- Trattoria Via Italia (encinitas, rec'd for italian-style pizza by chowhound)
- Pizzeria Arrivederci (Hillcrest, 3789-4th Ave...also a restaurant down the street, betwe Penn & Robinson, 619-542-0293, margherita & marinara are somewhat authentic, rated #1 Italian by 2009 & 2010 San Diego Magazine Reader's Poll)
- Opera Caffe (Gaslamp, San Diego Best Restaurants 2009 Critic's Picks Best cheap eats), 835-4th Ave (& F St. near Horton Plaza), M-Th 11-10, F-Sat 11-11, Sun 3-10, 619-234-6538
- Caffe Calabria ?
- Bronx Pizzeria ?
- Da Nino's on Morena Blvd ? (owner is from Naples)
- Luigi's?
- Buongiorno in Solana Beach ?
- Filippi's Pizza Grotto (where we used to go, old school)
- Sapori (good restaurant in Coronado)
- Charisma Cucina Italiana - Hillcrest, has a guy named Gennaro? (Marco & Gennaro Miranda are from Naples!, 142 W University Ave betw. 1st & 3rd, 619-209-3636, www.charismacucinaitaliana.com)
- Pomodoro Ristorante Italiano (NOT the same as Pasta Pomodoro, in Point Loma)
- Buon Appetito (in Little Italy, 1609 India St betw. Cedar & Date, wine bar/market next door, 619-238-9880, also rated high by 2009 reader's poll...same owners as Arrivederci??), farfalle con pollo affumicato, ravioli...
Piatti (2009 & 2010 reader's poll)
Baci - east of Mission Bay
- Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano (4207 Park Blvd, North Park neighborhood, 619-260-1311), www.pizzeriabrunosd.com, closed Mon! T-Th 5-10, F-Sat 1210, Sun 12-9
Near Naval Base:
- Napoleone Pizza House ("time warp", "old school") http://www.yelp.com/biz/napoleone-pizza-house-national-city
- L&L Hawaiian Barbeque http://www.yelp.com/biz/l-and-l-hawaiian-barbecue-san-diego-7
- Good cheap tacos & carne asada: Tacos El Paisa: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-el-paisa-san-diego-2 also rec'd by Eater magazine for homemade tortillas
- not as close (Logan Heights) but better reivews is La Fachada: http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-fachada-san-diego
http://www.where2eat.com/San_Diego_farmers_market.htm
http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/awm/farmers_markets.html
http://www.signonsandiego.com/feature/farmers-markets/
http://sdfarmbureau.org/BuyLocal/Farmers-Markets.php
http://www.signonsandiego.com/feature/farmers-markets/harvest_calendar.html
http://www.sandiegoroots.org/farmers_markets.html
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/710842
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/apr/21/its-a-breath-of-fresh-air/
sweet corn, valencia oranges, grapefruit, peaches, apricots, avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, carrots, raspberries, squash, berries, figs
Mon: Escondido (Welk Village)
Tues: Coronado, ##Escondido (Panaderia Ortiz is nearby...)
Wed: Carlsbad, ##Ocean Beach (also antiques, "funky block party"), Temecula
Thurs: Chula Vista, Horton Plaza, North Park, Oceanside
Fri: Chula Vista, La mesa, Mission Hills, Mission Valley
Sat: Carlsbad, City Heights, Clairemont, Del Mar (chowhound calls it "lame"), Old Town, ##Pacific Beach, Poway, Scripps Ranch (like a festival, with music), Temecula, UC, Vista, ##Little Italy
Sun: ##Hillcrest, La Jolla, Leucadia/Enciinitas, Point Loma, Solana Beach
http://www.hillquest.com/hba/farmersmarket.htm --> Hillcrest consistently voted on eof hte best, 9-2 on Sunday, DMV parking lot at Lincoln & Cleveland/Normal
##Pacific Beach
Saturday 8 to noon
##Little Italy on Saturday--> raves (park in school East of Mercato, across form OL of Rosary)
9 to 1:30
Chino Farms: 6123 Calzada del Bosque, Rancho Santa Fe
People's Co-Op in Ocean Beach --> good produce
obpeoplesfood.coop
4765 Voltaire (between Ebers & Sunset Cliffs, 8-9 every day
I-8 W towards "Beaches" --> L on Sunset Cliffs, L on Voltaire
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/368447
Henry's --> produce in PB, across from TJ's
WERE recommended, not sure now:
Seafood: Fish Market - 750 N Harbor Dr (near Midway Memorial), 619-232-3474, many recommend the upstairs portion
Argentinian (Little Italy): Puerto La Boca - 2060 India St. (@ Hawthorn) 619-234-4900, empanadas, chimichurri sauce, happy hour
Afghan: Chopahn - 750 6th Ave (@ F), 619-236-9236, good reviews, tastes a bit like Indian
American: Dobson's Bar & Restaurant - 956 Broadway Circle, just N of Horton Plaza, 619-231-6771, a bit pricey, renowned for the mussel bisque
Locavore American (Gaslamp): JSix at Hotel Solomar - 616 J St (@ 6th), 619-531-8744, seafood-centric, everything freshly made with local ingredients, "whole animal cookery" --> rec'd by several chowhounds, Eater magazine
Steak (East Village): Cowboy Star - 640 10th Ave (@ Market), 619-450-5880, expensive but good steaks, in-house butcher, rec'd by many chowhounds --> rec'd by several chowhounds, Eater magazine (says "try for a seat at Victor Jimenez's chef table"
French: Cafe Chloe - 721-9th Ave (@ G), 619-232-3242, nice french place with highly rec'd steak & frites, mussels, and pistachio bread pudding. --> rec'd by several chowhounds, Eater magazine
Urban Comfort (East Village): Neighborhood - 777 G St (@ 8th) 619-446-0002, Eater magazine rec's the burgers and steak tartare
Gelato (Little Italy): Pappalecco - State & Cedar, highly rec'd gelato, also salads/panini
Searsucker - rec'd by Eater magazine
- [Hodad's coming to 10th and Broadway?]
Rama Thai (a bit expensive? 327-4th Ave, 619-501-8424)
Cafe Sevilla (tapas, 555-4th Ave, 619-233-5979)
Red Pearl Kitchen (pan-asian, 440 J St, 619-231-1100)
Oceanaire (seafood)
Ice Cream/Chocolate: Chocolat Cremerie - 509 5th Ave, Sun-Th 9-mid, F/Sat 9-1 AM
Chopahn (Afghan, similar to Indian)
Alambres ?
(Bay Park Fish?)
Fish Market "top of the market" (pricey but good seafood)
Dobson's (mussel bisque near Horton Plaza)
Currant @ Sofia Hotel
Anthony's Fish Grotto
Trattoria Fantastica (smoked chicken gnocchi, etc.)
Pappalecco for Gelato (State & Cedar...also good salads & panini)
Puerto La Boca - Argentenian Steakhouse - 2060 India St. (@ Hwthorn) 619-234-4900, empanadas, chimichurri sauce, happy hour
Sogno di Vino or Enoteca Style (enotecas)
Buon Appetito
Burger Lounge
Mona Lisa Delli
Pete's Quality Meats: meatballs, sausages, open 10-5 (basically for lunch)
##Bencotto - rec'd by some chowhounds, Thrillist Emilia Romagna chef
***Sushi Ota - 4529 Mission Bay Dr (PB), very difficult to get a reservation, unheard of 29 out of 30 rating on Zagat! Also rec'd by chowhounds and Eater magazine...went here in 2010, was very nice
***The Grass Skirt and Good TIme Poke - by day this is Good Time Poke, an *excellent* poke bar with sashimi-grade fish and really tasty stuff; by night it turns into The Grass Skirt, a bar/restaurant with a cool pan-Asian menu and tropical cocktails; the best part is probably how you get in (through a "freezer"), although we also liked the pork belly "taco", see San Diego Eater for more
South Beach Bar & Grill - 5059 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach, overlooking the ocean, this place is known for having some of the best fish tacos in San Diego (crispy fried mahi mahi with lots of sauce on a flour taco, so perhaps less "Baja authentic" but still good)
Isabel's Cantina - on Eater San Diego's list of best breakfast places
Breakfast: Mission Cafe - 3795 Mission Blvd, 858-488-9060, 7-3 every day, one of three locations (others are in SoMa/East Village and South Park), yelpers rave about French toast, rosemary potatoes, and blackberry-bannana pancakes.
Rocky's Crown Pub - rec'd by Eater magazine, says that it's in a "bar burger battle against Hodad's in Ocean Beach" but has fewer tourists
The Fishery - rec'd by Eater magazine, especially for Tuesday tasting menu ($28 for 4 courses)
Mamá Testa Taqueria - 1417 University Ave, beat Bobby Flay in a fish taco matchup; they do Guerrero (as opposed to Baja) style, where the taco itself is fried, M-Th 11:30-9, F-Sat 11:30-11, Sun 12-8.
Yakyudori Yakitori & Ramen - rec'd by Eater magazine
***The Great Maple - awesome for breakfast/brunch, with lots of carby deliciousness smothered in caramel, but also other stuff. We especially liked the brisket and goat cheese popovers. On one Thrillist editor's list as the best restaurant in town.
Carnitas' Snack Shack - 2632 University Ave (@ Oregon), focuses on pork, Eater magazine called it "2012's biggest success story" and in 2016 it still had a lot of fans
??Pop Pie - raved about chicken pot pie place, see Thrillest article
Super Cocina - 3627 University Ave (@ 36th St in Normal Heights, just off 15/805), 619-584-6244, M-Sat 8-8:30, home-style mexican food, meaty stews laid out on steam tables, carnitas... http://theeatenpath.com/2010/02/11/super-cocina-san-diego-ca/
Mariscos German - 3504 University Ave @ 35th, this taco truck supposedly some of the best and most authentic fish tacos in San Diego - see an this extensive blog review
Blind Lady Ale House - Eater magazine rec's local farm driven-menu of tasty pizzas and salads
French: Farm House Cafe - small kitchen but great food says Eater magazine, who especially praises their Sunday brunch
The Linkery - Eater magazine rec's for homemade sausages and cured meat ("craft food")
Urban Solace (see brunch, below)
Pomegranate Russian-Georgian
The Smoking Goat
Ranchos Cocina (good carne asada, cheap)
Los Amigos Mexican Cocina (good carne asada, cheap)
Pizzeria Bruno Napoletano - supposedly authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, rec'd by Eater magazine
Vietnamese: Que Huong - Eater magazine says to go beyond pho to try snails, boar, and chicken wings
Jayne's Gastropub - rec'd by Eater magazine
(Note that locals pronounce it "CHOO-luh VIH-stah," not the Spanish pronunciation)
Aqui Es Texcoco, 1043 Broadway (between Moss and Naples, off I-5 exit 7 for L St), Chula Vista, 619- 427-4045, 8-9 every day, www.aquiestexcoco.com [nopales/serranos cactus salad, ##pancita tripe, ##barbacoa de borrego marinated lamb, salsa negra...] --> get Flautas (rolled tacos) de Barbacoa, Tacos (rib, cabeza, etc?, Orden, Cabeza, or Mixiotes? ...also has huitlacoche (corn smut/fungus) Also see:blog review, Yelp page, rec'd by Eater magazine
***Mariscos El Pescador - 1008A Industrial Blvd (between L and Moss), chowhounds laud this taco truck, often found in the Toys-R-Us parking lot, as one of the best/most authentic places for fish tacos in San Diego. See this blog post for more (rec's the Campechana seafood cocktail) and this review (re'cs the Gobernador shrimp taco). Worth the drive down there--awesome tacos!
Romesco Baja Med Bistro (in Bonita, E of Chula Vista) - 4346 Bonita Rd, rec'd by Eater magazine for "Baja Med cuisine"
Blue Water Grill - super fresh fish, also good fish tacos
Wine Vault and Bistro - rec'd by Eater magazine for seasonal menus and Friday ($20, 3-course) and Saturday ($30, 5-course) "prix fixes dinners that feel like a steal"
Thai: The Original Sab-E-Lee - rec'd by Eater magazine for curries, noodles, and especially catfish/duck larb and raw beef salad
Japanese: Wa Dining Okan - homestyle Japanese, Eater magazine especially rec's M-Sat 11:30-2 set menu at lunch