San Diego - Dining & Drinking

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San Diego is striving to become the culinary capital of California, with its wide assortment of restaurants and bars offering an array of cuisine to suit any taste. Known for fresh Mexican dishes and exceptional seafood, San Diego has some of the best dining in all of Southern California. Boasting an average temperature of 70 degrees, the city offers outdoor patio dining and breathtaking ocean views year round.

Downtown

Featuring over 16 square blocks of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, the historical Gaslamp Quarter is affectionately known as the entertainment hub of San Diego. Catch a glimpse of local street entertainers, watch the crowds or simply hang out with friends in this popular downtown district, which is frequently compared to the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Numerous dining choices exist within the Gaslamp Quarter. For delicious seafood, try Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, an elegantly appointed restaurant. The Lobster Company also offers traditional seafood in a vibrant atmosphere of walls washed in assorted colors and twinkling lights. Meanwhile, delicious southern-style entrees are served at the Juke Joint Cafe, a jazz supper club where soul food, live entertainment and Cajun delicacies await. An intimate, yet interactive dining experience can be had at Vignola. Guests customize any entrée with a selection of herbs and spices imported from France, while sampling one of the area's largest selections of wines.

Romance is in the air at La Provence where delicious French cuisine and fine wines add to the intimate mood. Meanwhile, Irish delicacies are offered at The Field, while desserts such as chocolates, ice cream floats and shakes are found at the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop.

Popular bars also hold a prominent spot in the Gaslamp District. Visit The Bitter End, home of the Black Martini, and enjoy the upscale ambience of this tri-level club. If it is Sangria you crave, Ole Madrid Cafe is the place for you. This Spanish-style restaurant/nightclub is very popular among locals. Of course, Dick's Last Resort is one of the most memorable downtown nighttime venues. Crushed beer bottles and trash cover the floor at this spot so be sure to watch your step, but don't worry about spilling your drink.

For those who desire a dining experience without all the hustle and bustle of the Gaslamp Quarter, visit the outlying sections of downtown. Harbor Drive is home to Anthony's Star of the Sea, a traditional seafood restaurant appealing to a mature clientele.

Old Town

Old Town is where San Diego began. Romance and charm fill the air and dozens of historical buildings, transformed into shops and restaurants, line the streets. Enter the Bazaar del Mundo and dine at Rancho El Nopal, a festive eatery. Stroll down San Diego Avenue and experience the wonder of a real fiesta at the Old Town Mexican Cafe, where servers are dressed in traditional garb and tortillas are made fresh, right before your eyes. Meanwhile, Cafe Coyote Bar and Grill boasts an incredible selection of tequila.

Beach Cities

San Diego's beach towns feature an abundance of bars and restaurants catering to a young crowd. In downtown Pacific Beach, Garnet Avenue hosts the Pacific Beach Bar and Grill, an American restaurant known for scrumptious burgers and sandwiches. Also located in the beach cities, Moondoggie's and Moose McGillycuddy's are both traditional American sport bars, jammed with locals on weekend nights.

Mission and Fashion Valley

Beyond downtown San Diego, popular eateries are also splashed throughout an area of town known to locals as "The Valley." Seau's Restaurant, owned by San Diego Charger Junior Seau, is frequented by celebrities and athletes. Prego's Ristorante is perfect for upscale gatherings with good friends, while Oscar's is a casual restaurant famous for its breadsticks, assorted pizzas and salads.

Coronado Island

Across San Diego Bay and just minutes from downtown is Coronado Island, a conservative community with dozens of fine dining choices. Take the ferry from Harbor Drive and disembark right in front of Peohe's, a tropical paradise famous for its Crunchy Coconut Shrimp platter. Just next door to Peohe's, Bay Beach Cafe is an ideal spot for a traditional dinner. Travel further to the interior of the island and dine in royal elegance at The Crown Room, located in the historic Hotel del Coronado.

La Jolla

Just north of San Diego, the city of La Jolla is affectionately known as "the jewel" of the Pacific shoreline. In this city, tourists find world-class restaurants with memorable ocean views. Magnificent, yet traditional, California style culinary creations are served at George's At The Cove. This renowned seaside restaurant has a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, French restaurants are common in this city of love and fantasy, including The Marine Room and Top of the Cove.

Located in downtown La Jolla, Roppongi is earning a reputation as a favorite among locals. This popular venue combines foods from countries such as Thailand, China and Korea into an innovative fare known as "Asian Fusion."

North County

Just north of La Jolla, the seaside community of Del Mar continually draws locals and tourists with its upscale dining venues. Epazote features Southwestern style food that is deliciously creative, while Il Fornaio (meaning "The Baker") serves delectable Italian feasts. Pacifica Del Mar accents the "foods of the sea" with innovative seasonings and spices.

In the city of Encinitas, locals rave about When In Rome, a stylish family-owned eatery that excels in the creation of traditional Italian cuisine. The city of Carlsbad features Neiman's, a Victorian mansion offering dual restaurants for casual and fine dining.

Regardless of the restaurant you choose there are many palate-pleasing treasures to be found in San Diego. So bring an appetite and explore the culinary creations of this seaside city.







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When In Rome


Do as the locals do
 1108 South Coast Highway 101
San Diego, CA 92024
+1 760 944 1771
http://wheninrome.signonsandiego.com/1.html
When In Rome
Bay Beach Cafe


Coronado views
 1201 First Street
San Diego, CA 92118
+1 619 435 4900
http://www.baybeachcafe.com/
Bay Beach Cafe
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop


Famous sweets
 643 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 234 2449
http://www.ghirardelli.com/
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
Old Town Mexican Cafe


Tortilla treasures
 2489 San Diego Ave
San Diego, CA 92110
+1 619 297 4330
http://www.oldtownmexcafe.com/
Old Town Mexican Cafe
Blue Point Coastal Cuisine


Downtown Dining
 565 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 233 6623
http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/bp.html
Blue Point Coastal Cuisine
Marine Room


Best view in town
 2000 Spindrift Dr
San Diego, CA 92037
+1 858 459 7222
http://www.marineroom.com
Marine Room
Roppongi Restaurant, Bar and Cafe


An eclectic paradise
 875 Prospect St
San Diego, CA 92037
+1 858 551 5252
http://www.roppongiusa.com/main1.html
Roppongi Restaurant, Bar and Cafe
Ole Madrid


Ole!
 751 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 557 0146
http://www.olemadrid.com
Ole Madrid
George's at the Cove


Choose your taste level
 1250 Prospect St
San Diego, CA 92037
+1 858 454 4244
http://www.georgesatthecove.com/
George's at the Cove
Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana


Skyline and bay view
 1333 First St
San Diego, CA 92118
+1 619 437 4911
http://www.ilfornaio.com
Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana
Epazote


Southwestern on the beach
 1555 Camino Del Mar
(Ste 322)
San Diego, CA 92014
+1 858 259 9966
http://www.epazote.signonsandiego.com/
Epazote
Hotel del Coronado


The one and only
 1500 Orange Avenue
San Diego, CA 92118
+1 800 468 3533 / +1 619 435 6611
http://www.hoteldel.com
Hotel del Coronado
Dick's Last Resort


Beware of waiters here
 345 Fourth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 231 9100
http://www.dickslastresort.com/
Dick's Last Resort
Bazaar del Mundo


Shopping the World
 4133 Taylor Street
(at Juan, behind Casa Guadalajara Restaurant)
San Diego, CA 92103
+1 619 296 3161
http://www.bazaardelmundo.com/
Bazaar del Mundo
Peohe's


A tropical paradise
 1201 First Street
San Diego, CA 92118
+1 619 437 4474
http://www.peohes.com/
Peohe's
Moondoggie's


Happy puppies congregate here
 832 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
+1 858 483 6550
http://www.moondoggies.com
Moondoggie's
The Field


Erin go bragh
 544 Fifth Avenue
(Between Market Street and Island Avenue)
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 232 9840
http://www.thefield.com
The Field
Seau's Restaurant


Football player's fare
 1640 Camino del Rio Norte
San Diego, CA 92108
+1 619 291 7328
http://www.seau.com
Seau's Restaurant
Moose McGillycuddy's


Downtown fun
 535 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 702 5595
http://www.moosemcgillycuddys.com
Moose McGillycuddy's
Prego's Ristorante


Mama mia
 1370 Frazee Road
San Diego, CA 92108
+1 619 294 4700
http://www.pregoristoranti.com/page8.htm
Prego's Ristorante
Bitter End


The oldest building in the Gaslamp
 770 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 338 9300
http://www.thebitterend.com
Bitter End
Pacific Beach Bar & Grill


Come for the Garbage Pizza
 860 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
+1 858 272 4745
http://www.pbbarandgrill.com
Pacific Beach Bar & Grill
Pat & Oscar's


A fun, family restaurant
 12045 Carmel Mountain Rd
San Diego, CA 92128
+1 858 592 0222
http://www.patandoscars.com
Pat & Oscar's
Pacifica Del Mar


Seafood and sunsets
 1555 Camino del Mar
San Diego, CA 92014
+1 858 792 0476
http://www.pacificadelmar.com
Pacifica Del Mar
Anthony's Star of the Sea


A stellar restaurant
 1360 N Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
+1 619 232 7408
http://www.starofthesea.com
Anthony's Star of the Sea
Cafe Coyote


Wily Coyotes dine here
 2461 San Diego Avenue
San Diego, CA 92110
+1 619 291 4695
http://www.cafecoyoteoldtown.com/
Cafe Coyote
Crown Room


Old World charm
 1500 Orange Ave
(Hotel Del Coronado)
San Diego, CA 92118
+1 619 522 8490
http://www.hoteldel.com
Crown Room
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