Tapenade

Address: 7612 Fay Avenue, La Jolla CA , 92037 | Make Reservation
Since opening in 1998, Tapenade has established itself as a La Jolla institution. Diners frequent the sophisticated establishment for acclaimed chef Jean-Michel Diot’s Provençal-style French cooking. Diot, who comes to San Diego after a successful career in Paris and New York, offers a consistently award-winning menu, while Tapenade’s welcoming atmosphere and excellent service compliment the cuisine. For an exceptional experience, Diot offers a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings, offered daily. Full Review

Caffe Bella Italia

Address: 1525 Garnet Avenue, San Diego CA , 92109 | Make Reservation
At this family-run Italian restaurant, Chef-owner Stefano Ceresoli has transported the essence of his Milan birthplace to the beautiful setting of Pacific Beach. As a native who knows the niceties of Mediterranean dining, Chef Stefano prides himself in the bona fide Italian ambiance of his restaurant, accenting the space with mood lighting and decorative gold metalwork. His Northern Italian cuisine includes a variety of homemade pastas, complemented by rich sauces such as Saffron and Creamy Tomato. With scrumptious signature entrees, over thirty selections of wood-fired pizza, and a superb wine list with over 70 bottles, Caffe Bella Italia is a charming place to bring the family or a date. Full Review

The Palm - San Diego

Address: 615 J St, San Diego CA , 92101 | Make Reservation
While just a few blocks shy of the Gaslamp District in San Diego, The Palm seems worlds apart from other restaurants. For one thing, it is steeped in tradition, as part of the oldest family-owned “white tablecloth” restaurant groups in the country. For another, the service is extraordinary and welcoming, making guests feel as if they are dining in the home of a good friend. Then there’s the menu, with a famous array of USDA Prime Steaks as well as fresh fish and seafood, classic Italian specialties, and oversized family-style sides meant for sharing. Dine here just once and you’re bound to return. Full Review

Mille Fleurs

Address: 6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe CA , 92067 | Make Reservation
Picture a romantic retreat in the French countryside where days conclude with glowing fireplaces and elegant meals, and you have the essence of Mille Fleurs. The restaurant, which is located on a small estate off a windy road in Rancho Santa Fe, offers a warm and charming atmosphere that plays host to stunning haute cuisine. Chef Martin Wosele’s menu, which changes daily, delicately melds European culinary traditions with local California ingredients. The result is sensational and exquisite fine dining which, as evidenced by numerous awards and national recognition, makes Mille Fleurs one of the most significant dining establishments in San Diego. Full Review

Terra

Address: 1270 Cleveland Ave # K (at Vermont St.), San Diego CA , 92104 | Make Reservation
Located in the heart of Hillcrest, Terra is a casually elegant neighborhood spot offering delightfully innovative American cuisine. Chef and Owner Jeff Rossman’s seasonal menus and unpretentious, café-style atmosphere celebrate fresh, local ingredients. Versatile dishes enable guests to eat traditional multi-course meals or sample unabashedly tapas-style. An extensive wine list offers excellent libatious accompaniments, with wines by the glass, half bottle, bottle, and flight that range from reasonable to extraordinary. With a welcoming atmosphere bolstered by a friendly and approachable staff, Terra creates a close-knit community that elevates homey comfort to the heights of fine dining. Full Review

Chianti

Address: 644 5th Avenue, San Diego CA , 92101 | Make Reservation
Executive Chef Gennaro De Liso recently joined Chianti, bringing with him the traditions and techniques of authentic Northern Italian cuisine. Using quality fresh ingredients, De-Liso has crafted an extensive menu of traditional and modern Italian fare, offering everything from fresh made lobster risotto to steak served intagliata style. Chianti’s dining room offers a casually sophisticated atmosphere, allowing diners a relaxing escape from downtown San Diego’s lively Gaslamp area. The extensive wine list of course features a wide array of Chianti wines, as well as an excellent Italian and American selection. With its varied menu, generous portions, and inviting atmosphere, Chianti is ideally suited for large groups and small parties alike. Full Review

Solare

Address: 2820 Roosevelt Road, San Diego CA , 92106 | Make Reservation
Solare Ristorante and Lounge is down-to-earth and elegant, inspired by an Asian aesthetic and Mediterranean spirit. A meal here can be dramatic or intimate, either amid the spacious and airy indoor and outdoor lounges, outdoor patio, or main dining room, or at one of the unique private tables: the two-person chef’s table overlooking the kitchen, the elegant, 24-seat private room, or the charming glass wine room that houses a single romantic table. Solare’s inventive, contemporary Italian cuisine is thoughtful and engaging, spun from premium ingredients like organic produce, domestic, hormone-free meat, and fresh seafood. Favorites include house-made Butternut Squash Ravioli, Black Truffle Risotto, Domestic Rack of Lamb, and Oven-Roasted Sea Bream. Regulars flock for daily happy hours, live music, weekly specials, and free parking. Full Review

Aladdin

Address: 1220 Cleveland Avenue (at Vermont St.), San Diego CA , 92103 | Make Reservation
Just north of University Avenue, Aladdin restaurant is one of Hillcrest’s most flavorful dining destinations. The Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurant serves an array of fresh, vibrant dishes such as Lamb Schwerma, Vegetarian Bryani, and the chef’s favorite, Halibut Arrabiata. Lighter fare includes an array of traditional Meza such as hommos, tabouleh, and dolmas, as well as salads, sandwiches, and wood-fired middle-eastern pizzas. The casual setting and elegant décor is welcoming and comfortable; combined with the food it just may convince you that you’re not in Hillcrest anymore. Full Review

Whisknladle

Address: 1044 Wall Street, San Diego CA , 92037 | Make Reservation
The new project of Arturo Kassel and Ryan Johnston, Whisknladle, is one of most honest, down-to-earth, and genuine restaurants around. The transformed space, which was once home to Fresh[er], now houses a contemporary neighborhood bistro with a back-to-basics approach. Johnston’s menu celebrates local sources, house-made provisions, and traditional preparations, while Kassel’s wine list, as before, is focused on quality and diversity. Guests will find small plates, seasonal creations, and a truly welcoming space that now boasts an after-hours lounge as a casual nightlife destination. Full Review

Sbicca

Address: 215 15th Street, Del Mar CA , 92014 | Make Reservation
The seaside city of Del Mar holds an array of charms, but until you’ve experienced a meal at Sbicca, you’ll not know how charming it can be. Owned and run by husband-and-wife team Dan and Susan Sbicca, the seaside restaurant is a quintessential neighborhood bistro. The restaurant proper offers an open, airy setting and comfortable vibe, while a separate bistro bar is a gathering place for locals, with an outstanding wine selection and a renowned happy hour. While Dan manages the front of the house, Susan runs the kitchen, putting together an array of refreshing, modern American cuisine that melds regional flavors, incorporates global ingredients, and doesn’t hesitate to play up comfort food favorites. Full Review

Currant

Address: 140 West Broadway, San Diego CA , 92101 | Make Reservation
Currant American Brasserie is a whimsical blend of rococo opulence and edgy modernity. The restaurant is a clever re-imagining of the traditional French brasserie with a distinctly American and cheeky twist. Checkerboard floors, Louis XIV furniture, and antique chandeliers create an atmosphere that is both nostalgic homage and Alice-in-Wonderland fantasy. Chef Geoffrey Yahn's menu reflects the restaurant’s aesthetic, with playful renditions of bistro classics elevated to the heights of decadence using inventive, seasonal ingredients. For the daring imbiber, Currant’s “Absinthe-Minded” cocktails transport the drinker to Lautrec’s Paris and help complete the ambiance of bohemian chic. Full Review

Red Tracton's

Address: 550 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach CA , 92075 | Make Reservation
Red Tracton’s is a delightful return to the vintage class and swanky sophistication of an iconic American steakhouse. The restaurant draws on the romance and nostalgia of the neighboring Del Mar Racetrack, with maroon walls, horse prints, and dark, moody lighting recalling Gatsby-era frivolity and luxury. Portions are similarly hedonistic, with thick cut steaks, such as the Del Mar Cut—a 25 oz. Prime Rib that is sure to be tomorrow’s lunch. Offering colossal baked potatoes dripping with sour cream and butter, and giant lobster tails, and jumbo shrimp on ice, the menu makes diners feel like Liliputians! An evening at Red Tracton’s is an invitation for indulgence, with all of the exhilarating satisfaction of a big win at the races. Full Review

Laurel

Address: 505 Laurel Street, San Diego CA , 92101 | Make Reservation
Laurel provides a dining experience unlike any other in San Diego. The setting is trendy, with contemporary décor inspired by stylish London and Paris and a color scheme of black, white, lime green, and lipstick red. The menu presents a modern take on French and Mediterranean classics as well as inventive dishes created by Executive Chef Joe Magnanelli, who incorporates seasonal ingredients and occasionally adds Asian-inspired flavors to the mix. On Tuesdays, Laurel has “Tapas Tuesday” where live music plays and tapas are served by the chef at the bar. Laurel offers a $35 three course pre-theater menu from 5- 6:30 p.m. as well as a five-course chef’s tasting menu available nightly. Full Review

The Fleetwood

Address: 639 J Street, San Diego CA , 92101 | Make Reservation
The Fleetwood sets itself apart from its Downtown neighbors. The modern, versatile space is part restaurant, part nightclub, and part sports lounge, with a menu to suit all occasions. Chef Mark Bolton marries classic comfort food with premium ingredients, offering a menu that runs the gamut from down-home comfort to gourmet elegance— you’ll find fried chicken with mashed potatoes and creamed corn next to grilled filet mignon with chanterelle mushrooms. The large, luxe corner space offers an array of seating options, including communal tables, traditional banquettes, and lounge-style seating for happy hour or late night noshing. With an extensive bar that includes bottle service and a separate sports room that morphs into a posh, late-night lounge, be careful—you may come for dinner and end up staying all night. Full Review

Bertrand at Mister A's

Address: 2550 5th Avenue, San Diego CA , 92103 | Make Reservation
Impeccable service, excellent cuisine, and an extensive wine list are to be expected at any Bertrand Hug establishment, and Bertrand at Mr. A’s lives up to the highest of expectations. Pearched atop a skyscraper on the brink of downtown, the restaurant offers one of the most outstanding dining experiences in San Diego. Modern American cuisine elegantly compliments the cosmopolitan backdrop, with a menu that offers awe-inspiring “glimpses” of both land and sea. The seasonal menu incorporates the utmost quality meats, fish, and accompianiments, resulting in a fresh and tantalizing selection of dishes. The main dining room offers a premier dining experience, while a more casual, although no less sumptuous, selection of dishes is available in the patio and bar. Full Review

Candelas

Address: 416 3rd Avenue, San Diego CA , 92101 | Make Reservation
Candelas offers a delightfully inspired menu, with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, innovative cooking techniques, and flavorful combinations. The sophisticated dishes have roots in Central Mexican cuisine, yet Chef Eduardo Baeza strays from the traditional in innovative ways. He skilfully pairs authentic Mexican ingredients with surprising counterparts, resulting in a creative menu that is sure to delight tastebuds in surprising new ways. The atmosphere mirrors the menu, placing patrons in a warm and creative space both rooted in authenticity and inspired to depart from it. Full Review

Thee Bungalow

Address: 4996 W. Point Loma Blvd., San Diego CA , 92107 | Make Reservation
With a quaint and romantic atmosphere, elegant French cuisine, and one of the city’s most extensive wine lists, Thee Bungalow is one of San Diego’s hidden jewels. Tucked inside an old country house in Ocean Beach, the restaurant has four intimate dining rooms that each seat 15-30 guests. The menu offers contemporary French country cuisine with specialties including roast duck, rack of lamb, and escargot Bourgogne. The wine list alone may be reason to visit Thee Bungalow, with an award-winning selection of over 800 wines ranging from everyday classics to rare and sometimes old gems. Full Review

Sante Ristorante

Address: 7811 Herschel Avenue, La Jolla CA , 92037 | Make Reservation
Sante excels at bringing the traditions and elegance of fine Italian dining to the La Jolla Area. Chef Emelio Bertoli’s delectable Northern Italian cuisine ranges from delightful treats, such as homemade paperdelle with a wild boar ragu, to reliable favorites, such as risotto di frutti di mare, a rich risotto with clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari. An outstanding and extensive wine list complements every dish on the menu. The classic setting is full of old world charm, as is the gracious host and owner, Tony Buonosante. With a combination of fantastic service, great food, and warm atmosphere, it’s no surprise Sante continues to be a local favorite. Full Review

Firenze Trattoria

Address: 162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas CA , 92024 | Make Reservation
Sit at a table at Firenze Trattoria and let yourself be transported to Italy. The quaint Italian restaurant, tucked in the hills of Encinitas, seems worlds away from the hustle of San Diego. Whether you choose to surround yourself with the soothing outdoor patio or calm, elegant interior dining room, you’ll feel at ease. The cuisine is as transporting as the space, with an extensive menu of savory Italian fare including alluring pastas and risottos, fresh, flavorful fish, and tempting house specialties such as Veal Scaloppini, Chicken Piccata, and Eggplant Parmesan. An extensive, Italian-centric wine list and gracious, hospitable service compliment an already outstanding dining experience. Full Review