$25-50

Carlsbad Beach Grill

Address: 2780 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Carlsbad Beach Grill
$$ Special Offer
Carlsbad Beach Grill is a charming addition to Carlsbad Village with its relaxed atmosphere and family friendly cuisine. Serving a selection of signature soups, salads, sandwiches and hamburgers, simplicity has never been more satisfying or more affordable. Although light on the wallet, there is no skimping on homemade ingredients with hand crafted soups, fresh catch of the day fish tacos, and house-roasted whole fresh turkey. When craving American cuisine with a distinctly Southern Californian twist, make sure to head on over to Carlsbad Beach Grill and experience coastal casual dining.

Yard House

Address: 1023 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Yard House
$$ Recommended Editor's Pick Special Offer
Where else can you get good music, over 250 beers on tap, and excellent food? Though named for its yard-tall beer glasses, the Yard House offers more than just a pub experience. Among the traditional burger fare appear elegant dishes that rival less casual, fine dining establishments. A sizable wine list holds its own alongside the beer and spirits. The Yard House is an equally ideal gathering place for happy hour, a business lunch, or a large dinner party because everyone, from the burger-lover to the gourmet connoisseur, is likely to find something that pleases their palate.

Ocean Room

Address: 630 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Ocean Room
$$ Recommended New Special Offer
Boasting fresh sushi and an oyster bar overlooking an open kitchen, Ocean Room also offers fresh seafood including shellfish cooked to perfection using a kettle steaming technique. This is something that is rarely seen here on the west coast as it is a technique utilized more in the southern region of the United States, particularly Louisiana. Located in the center of Fifth Avenue in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego, Ocean Room’s contemporary décor, friendly staff, and flavorful seafood creations - headed up by Chef Felix Frias - will be a sure bet to indulge in …

Himalayan Cuisine

Address: 7918 El Cajon Blvd. #P La Mesa, CA, San Diego, CA 91941
Himalayan Cuisine
$$
Himalayan Cuisine, nestled in the east county city of La Mesa, offers authentic Indian, Nepalese, and Himalayan cuisine. The warm earth colored walls and traditional Hindu and Buddhist decorations accentuate the overall exotic mood. Specialties include various momos (stuffed dumplings) and vegetarian tarkaris (spicy vegetable curries) prepared in an array of distinct options. Carnivores and seafood lovers alike are sure to delight in the abundance of chicken, lamb, and seafood selections that are available for both lunch and dinner. The atmosphere is both casual and inviting: Guests feel as though they are delighting in the traditional homemade meals found in …

Del Mar Rendezvous

Address: 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
Del Mar Rendezvous
$$
A stone's throw from the Del Mar Racetrack, this irresistible Chinese and Asian Fusion restaurant by Chef Mark Sun has been voted 10 News' A-List Best Chinese Restaurant in San Diego. With the sparkling Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, diners can enjoy a variety of diverse dining options. Outside of the regular menu, Del Mar Rendezvous also offers a vegetarian and vegan menu with 45 vegetarian items and 29 vegan items, and a gluten-free menu featuring 40 items. Putting a modern twist on the traditional, Del Mar Rendezvous prides itself on using the freshest ingredients in a neighborly setting where …

Olivetto Ristorante & Wine Bar

Address: 860 West Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103
Olivetto Ristorante & Wine Bar
$$ Special Offer
Located in the newly renovated Paseo de Mission Hills is Olivetto Ristorante & Wine Bar. Specializing in modern Italian fare and utilizing only the freshest seasonal ingredients, guests can revel in Olivetto’s cozy ambiance of exposed brick, dark wood, and rustic toned décor. Serving both lunch and dinner seven days a week, patrons can experience a complete Italian meal day and night, or just stop in to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day. The inviting atmosphere is the perfect setting to enjoy a meal, whether as a night out on the town with friends, or a romantic …

Street Side Thai Kitchen

Address: 3025 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104
Street Side Thai Kitchen
$$ Recommended Special Offer
North Park’s already noteworthy dining scene got a little tastier since Street Side Thai Kitchen opened its doors. This eatery is a destination for both locals that know their way around the neighborhood’s top stops and for Thai food enthusiasts that know their way around a proper menu. Street Side satisfies midday diners with a lunch menu that caters to the appetite as well as the wallet: lunch selections are served with a salad, soup, egg roll, and steamed rice. Later in the day, dinner guests indulge in a menu that features meat and seafood delicacies, along with authentic curry …

Q Restaurant and Sports Bar

Address: 2725 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92054
Q Restaurant and Sports Bar
$$ Special Offer
Tuned in to what diners really want, Q Restaurant and Sports Bar serves as a true neighborhood hotspot that features not only prime drink specials but also a casual and friendly environment suited for sports fanatics and families alike. This Oceanside eatery is open for lunch, dinner, and late night cravings, and offers quite the spread of classic American fare, along with some international inspired favorites. All of their tasty food selections wash down nicely with any of their fine drink options, which taste even better during Q’s twice-nightly happy hours. And did we mention their grandiose display of HDTV …

Bully's East

Address: 2401 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108
Bully's East
$$ Recommended New
If you ask the locals where to find the best prime rib in San Diego, they’ll tell you to try Bully’s East. Opened in 1971, this favorite San Diego hotspot is known for their famous Horseradish Crusted Prime Rib, but they also make the grade with their impressive collection of sports memorabilia and classic sports bar ambiance. With a large array of options for brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert, Bully’s is even open late—a tradition they’ve maintained since their launch 40 years ago. They also feature a full bar, an extensive happy hour menu, and a sports lounge. Bully’s East …

The Melting Pot - Gaslamp

Address: 901 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
The Melting Pot - Gaslamp
$$ Top 10 Recommended New Editor's Pick Special Offer Private Room Gift Certificates Outdoor Seating
The Melting Pot is a one-of-a-kind restaurant giving guests the opportunity to dip to their hearts’ content – in fondue, that is. Boasting an unbelievably decadent menu of cheese, broth, and chocolate-based fondue options, diners are armed with everything they need to satisfy that certain craving for something sweet or savory. Home in the Gaslamp Quarter’s very first skyscraper, The Melting Pot’s chic décor hearkens back to a golden era of opulence, while maintaining a contemporary air of casual elegance. Join family and friends around the Melting Pot table and partake in the joyous style of dining that is fondue.

Aladdin

Address: 1220 Cleveland Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Aladdin
$$ Recommended Special Offer
Just north of University Avenue, Aladdin restaurant is one of Hillcrest’s most flavorful dining destinations. This 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.

Sally's Seafood on the Water

Address: 1 Market Place, San Diego, CA 92101
Sally's Seafood on the Water
$$ Special Offer
For years, diners have been heading to Seaport Village for a day of fresh air, shopping, and amazing dining. Many have already discovered the delectable cuisine at Sally's Seafood on the Water, while others haven't yet experienced the unique cuisine of Chef Sarah Linkenheil. While Sally's is renowned for its seafood, shellfish, and sushi, it also serves excellent soups, salads, and meat dishes that have mouths watering as soon as the menu is opened. Weekly specials and happy hours make the restaurant an ideal location for a quick bite after work, and there is a large selection at the bar …

Veg N Out

Address: 3442 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104
Veg N Out
$$
Veg N Out offers juicy burgers, loaded hot dogs, and gourmet sandwiches, all created vegetarian. This unique North Park establishment was opened by Rachael Fogg, who yearned to show meat-eaters that vegetarian doesn’t have to mean salads and tasteless garden burgers. Among menu choices are the popular Western Burger, Island Girl pineapple and teriyaki burger, and the I Love Rach’y cucumber, cream cheese, and "bologna" sandwich, which was created by Rachael at age eleven. So if you want to go out for something fresh, give Veg-N-Out a try and experience a truly satisfying vegetarian meal.

Blue Wave Bar and Grill

Address: 2051 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Blue Wave Bar and Grill
$$ Top 10 New Editor's Pick Special Offer Private Room View Outdoor Seating
Blue Wave Bar and Grill, tucked inside the Best Western Island Palms Hotel, boasts of all the delights coastal San Diego has to offer. Providing waterfront dining on picturesque Shelter Island, it serves as a tropically inspired destination with all the fitting accommodations. While selecting from any of the restaurant’s stunning breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, or visiting for its popular happy hour, diners can take in the pleasures of the restaurant’s lovely outdoor patio and views of the hotel’s private marina. Executive Chef Marc Brislin crafts a menu ranging from macadamia-crusted halibut to oven roasted Filet Mignon with shitake …

Crest Cafe

Address: 425 Robinson Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Crest Cafe
$$ Special Offer
Nestled just one block south of University Avenue in Hillcrest is Crest Café, a haven of fresh and organic American cuisine with a southwestern twist. While it may seem like a surfside diner plucked from the past, the food here is far superior to most cafes or diners you’re liable to find. Along with the food, the bright and fun décor and extremely friendly servers have given the restaurant an extremely loyal and diverse group of regulars that just can’t get enough. Crest Café is open until midnight every day and serves an all-day breakfast menu, so diners can enjoy …

Bali Thai Cafe

Address: 407 Camino Del Rio S., San Diego, CA 92108
Bali Thai Cafe
$$ Special Offer
Bali Thai Cafe offers an eclectic mix of regional specialties from Thailand and Indonesia in a casual, intimate setting. The friendly service and relaxed atmosphere portrays a commitment to quality that is the cornerstone of this family-owned restaurant. Centrally located in Mission Valley, Bali Thai Café transports your taste buds to the Pacific for a fusion of exotic flavors with an extensive menu offering an assortment of vegetarian, meat, noodle, and seafood dishes that pack a punch of tasty satisfaction.

The Shout House

Address: 655 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
The Shout House
$$
If you’re looking for a place with live music and great food, don’t bother hitting up your average bar. Instead, try The Shout! House, a large piano bar with live music and a menu full of bar food like burgers, pizza, and appetizers. Located in San Diego’s Gaslamp District, The Shout! House serves as a live venue and a restaurant all in one, and is recommended as a great place to bring your friends to have a good time. This popular San Diego hotspot usually gets busy on the weekends, so make sure you get there early to enjoy a …

D Street Bar and Grill

Address: 485 South Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
D Street Bar and Grill
$$
With a motto like “good times , great food” you can’t go wrong. Located in Encinitas along South Coast Highway 101, and open daily until 1:30am, D Street Bar and Grill is the place to stop by for a drink with friends, Taco Tuesday, or meal with the whole family. D Street sits at the heart of Encinitas and is situated only a short walk from the beach and eccentric local shops. This venue genuinely accentuates San Diego’s relaxed beach culture and is a local favorite.

Gourmet India

Address: 810 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
$$ New Special Offer
Tucked into a building on Fourth Avenue, Gourmet India is a culinary jewel distinguished by a father-son team serving authentic Indian cuisine. Savory aromas, layers of flavor and extraordinary textures take you abroad without leaving the comfort of your cushions and pillows or more traditional table and chair. Life-size murals, maroon walls and draperies, and sconces of stained glass and mosaics provide an exotic ambience, but the real story is the food. Begin your culinary journey with samosas and sangrias or succulent chicken tikki masala, and you'll soon find yourself at the junction of foreign and delicious.

Firefly Restaurant and Bar

Address: 1710 W. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Firefly Restaurant and Bar
$$ Recommended New Special Offer
If you’re in the Mission Bay area, be sure you visit The Firefly Restaurant and Bar located inside The Dana Hotel. Facing the bay, Firefly has fantastic views, creating a dining experience that will impact your senses in a major way. As one of San Diego’s premier dining spots, Firefly offers a contemporary atmosphere imbued with the kind of ambiance that is just right for a romantic dinner for two. If you’re looking for a quick meal, the happy hour menu offers great specials. Chef Eric Manuel is a native to San Diego, and his dishes are created with fresh, …