The best restaurants in San Diego right now

What is it? A modern French steakhouse with tongue-in-cheek references to the "coq" or rooster. Chef Tara Monsod is arguably one of the hottest chef's in San Diego, recently named a James Beard Best Chef finalist. 

Why we love it: Steak is the go-to order at this swanky, SoCal-meet-Paris steakhouse but apps like an onion tart and celery salad are nothing to scoff at. Side dishes are served a la carte and may sound familiar - think mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and green beans - but these are decadent versions of your old favorites. Do yourself a favor and order a baguette to share with the table, served with your choice of indulgent toppings like chicken skin butter or housemade jam. 

Time Out tip: On Wednesdays, the restaurant has a Le Coq flambe 3-course meal available, including a flambe roasted whole chicken. Their happy hour runs Tues-Fri from 5-6pm if you're in the mood for a tasty burger.

Address: 7837 Herschel Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs and Sun 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm

Expect to pay: Steaks are upwards of $50 and sides run about $20 each, so plan for at least $150 per person. 

What is it? A destination hotel with over-the-top design and two fantastic restaurants: a Oaxacan-inspired restaurant + a 24-hour diner. 

Why we love it: Stepping foot inside the Lafayette Hotel is a visual feast. Their two restaurants offer totally different options and are equally worthy of a visit. Quixote highlights flavors of Oaxaca, including 3 types of fantastic mole sauce - black, red, and green, which are served in serveral dishes including memelas (similar to sopes), braised lamb belly, and pulpo. The seasonal whole grilled fish (deboned, served on a platter) is something to behold and can easily feed 2 people. Sip on a passionfruit margarita or mezcal cocktail here to soak in the beautiful surroundings.

Beginner's Diner is their more casual all-day eatery with red booths and counter service. The go-to breakfast order is a banana bread pudding French toast that's glazed with syrup and good enough to take over your daydreams. For late night eats, the diner serves up a hearty patty melt with wagyu smash patties, camelized onions, and American cheese - it happens to be the perfect hangover cure. 

Time Out tip: There's no need to venture out of the hotel. Plan to stay here all day and enjoy the pool bar, coffee bar, diner, and Mexican restaurant. There's also an onsite bowling alley and live jazz club. 

Address: 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104

Opening hours: Quixote: Mon-Fri 12pm-12am, Sat-Sun 1pm-12am; Beginner's Diner open 24 hours.

Expect to pay: Quixote has mostly small plates ($20) and a few larger entrees ($60+) so plan to spend around $100 per person with cocktails. Beginner's Diner will be a cool $20.

What is it? An all-day cafe, bakery, and bar that turns from casual counter service in the daytime to a bustling full-service dinner spot in the evening. Wildland is all about fresh pastas, rotisserie chicken, and wood-fired pizzas.

Why we love it: The menu seemingly has something for everyone here. Pasta dishes like the mafaldine seem so simple, yet are bursting with flavor. Pizzas are a shareable size with toppings like 'Nduja spicy spreadable salami, cured egg yolk, and maitake mushrooms. There are also meat and seafood options, but the clear standout is their rotisserie chicken that's served with a spicy chili oil and garlic toum sauce. 

Time Out tip: Mornings look completely different than evenings here, where the day starts out with croissants and lattes, moves toward salads and sandwiches, and ends with a fully packed dining room where drinks are flowing over multi-course dinners. We suggest dropping by to experience Wildland at different mealtimes to get a taste of it all. The team behind Wildland also has two other popular concepts nearby: Campfire and Michelin starred Jeune et Jolie.

Address: 2598 State St., Carlsbad, CA 92008

Opening hours: 8am-9pm daily.

Expect to pay: At dinner, plan to order an item from each section of the menu to try, amounting to around $100 per person, with cocktails another $15 each. 

What is it? Contemporary California cuisine in a tropical, Instagram-worthy dining room.

Why we love it: Named after the birds of paradise, this Bird Rock restaurant is helmed by former pastry chef turned executive chef Mark Welker whose career includes time working in Michelin-starred restaurants in New York. What this means for guests is that dessert absolutely must be ordered here. The halibut tempura appetizer (served as lettuce wraps) and jalapeño caesar salad (served under a pile of parmesan cheese) are crowd favorites, and entrees like the lobster spaghetti and dry-aged rib eye steak deliver on flavor. End the meal on a high note with the Straus milk and honey sundae that Chef Welker has been making for more than a decade. 

Time Out tip: Swing by their donut shop next door called Dodo Bird Donuts for a sweet treat and one of their fancy coffees like the pistachio latte. 

Address: 5680 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, CA 92037.

Opening hours: Wed-Thurs 4-9pm, Fri-Sat 4-10pm, Sun 4-8pm

Expect to pay: Paradisaea is the type of place where you'll want to order a bunch of plates to share. Larger entrees are about $40-$60 unless you spring for the gold label wagyu ($144).

What is it? San Diego’s only Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant, Valle is an upscale eatery located within Oceanside’s swanky Mission Pacific Hotel.

Why we love it: Chef Roberto Alcocer serves a stunning eight-course tasting menu that represents his love for Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe region (where he also runs a restaurant), paired with wine sourced from vineyards of Northern Mexico and unforgettable cocktails. His familial ties to Oaxaca come through in plates with mole sauce and woodfire char cooking techniques, though Chef Alcocer has also spent time working in kitchens across France and Spain. Diners can opt for either a surf & turf or vegetarian menu here (these change seasonally), with two current standout dishes being a corn masa chancla and tamal de quelites. Not only will you finish the meal with a full belly, but you’ll leave knowing you just experienced something really special.

Time Out tip: Ask for a quick tour of the kitchen, where you can say hello to the chef and see firsthand the level of detail put into each dish. 

Address: 222 N. Pacific St., Oceanside, CA 92054

Opening hours: Tues-Sat 5-9pm.

Expect to pay: The chef's tasting menu is $195. We recommend adding the Mexican wine pairing for $158. There's also a global wine pairing for $220. A 20% service charge for gratuity is added to all checks.

What is it? This modern, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant lives up to its Greek name, which translates to 'the most beautiful.'

Why we love it: Chef Travis Swikard has serious street cred having cooked under French chef Daniel Boulud in New York City for years before returning to his SoCal hometown. At Callie, he sends out beautiful and thoughtfully-plated dishes like spot prawns al ajillo, aleppo chicken, and pappardelle with a spicy Korobuta sausage ragu. Starters like the hummus and avocado labneh pair well with any of their innovative cocktails. 

Time Out tip: If you're dining with a group, opt for the five-course Mediterranean Feast that's served family style ($80 per person); it's a great way to try a lot of dishes. Wine pairings are only an additional $45 per person, and they even have a non-alcholic pairing option available for $35.

Address: 1195 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92101

Opening hours: Tues-Sun 5-10pm.

Expect to pay: Entrees are around $30 but you should also plan for a few veggie side dishes ($20) and appetizer dips ($15). A 20% gratuity is added to all guest checks.

What is it? Wood-fired dishes are the cornerstone of this upscale, trendy restaurant established by celebrity chef Brian Malarkey to showcase California and Mediterranean flavors. 

Why we love it: A former rubber band factory, this cavernous space bounced back as a striking open-air dining room with vaulted ceilings, flickering gas lamps, and enough potted plants to fill a greenhouse. The vibes are good for date night or drinks on the town. Seasonal Mediterranean-inspired dishes are roasted in a wood-fired oven such as oysters and bone marrow, Baja shrimp, pastas and pizzas, plus fancy side dishes like baby carrots prepared with morrocan oil, pistachio butter, pickled red onion, and jalapeño vinaigrette.

Time Out tip: Nab a coveted seat at the bar during weekday happy hour from 5-6pm, when roasted oysters, frites, wine, beer, and other select items are on offer.

Address: 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-9:30pm.

Expect to pay: Entrees range in price from $30-$80, with pizza and pasta on the lower end, and steak and fish on the higher end. Cocktails are around $20 each. 

What is it? A top pick when in downtown Encinitas, Herb & Sea (the sister restaurant of Herb & Wood) serves modern seafood in a lively atmosphere. 

Why we love it: There's a good variety on the menu here, including raw bar plates, appetizers like spicy Baja shrimp, and irresistible entrees like whole branzino and wood-fired pork chop. We recommend trying the local rock cod crudo or ceviche off the raw bar and heading to the back patio to enjoy outside. Don't miss happy hour here, available Tuesday through Friday from 5-6pm, when oysters, smash burgers, and their so-called "happy meal" (plus drinks) are a steal of a deal. Be sure to arrive early if you want to nab a seat at the bustling bar or reserve a high-top table in the bar area. 

Time Out tip: While it's all about the seafood here—Chef Aidan Owens is known for his knife skills when it comes to breaking down fish—you shouldn't overlook the veggie dishes. The embered beets (made with pistachio butter and a date vinaigrette) were inspired by a recipe from his mom, so you know he's not going to disappoint with that one. 

Address: 131 W. D St., Encinitas, CA 92024

Opening hours: Tues-Sun 5-9pm.

Expect to pay: Entrees are in the $30-$40 range with apps and sides ranging from $15-$25. 

What is it? Celebrity chef Richard Blais was a founding chef of this contemporary restaurant serving whimsical dishes. Blais has since parted ways, leaving the kitchen in capable hands with similar minds. 

Why we love it: This lively, upscale restaurant is a standout among San Diego’s food and drink-obsessed Little Italy neighborhood. The airy dining room continues to be packed out by locals, thanks to Executive Chef Jonathan Kinsella and his continually shifting, inventive menu. We're talking delicious small plates, creative entrees, and culinary-inspired cocktails. Recent standouts include a miso black cod, whole roasted duck, and a strawberry sake cocktail. The deviled eggs are a best-selling starter, though menus offerings change daily based on what's hauled in by farmers and fishermen each day.

Time Out tip: End your meal with the yodel dessert, a longtime menu staple that involves a cylinder cake log. Flavors and toppings change seasonally. 

Address: 2228 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm.

Expect to pay: Larger entrees are upwards of $40 so plan to spend around $100 per person if you plan to share some small plates and drinks.

What is it? Authentic Italian restaurant Cesarina is run by three Italian natives who send out incredible pasta dishes.

Why we love it: Based solely on the in-house pastificio (pasta factory) on display in their dining room, Cesarina knows its dough. Create your own pasta dish, or choose from one of their favorites such as pappardelle al brasata di manzo or paccheri vodka and scampi at this charming neighborhood Italian spot. Don't skip on the antipasti options like beef carpaccio or calamari. Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful at Cesarina, where they have a separate vegan menu section to make ordering easy. Save room for sweet treats including tiramisu or cannoli that's prepared tableside. 

Time Out tip: Reservations are strongly encouraged here since the dining room and patio are on the smaller side. Parking can be tricky in this area so plan to park a few streets away and walk over. 

Address: 4161 Voltaire St., San Diego, CA 92107

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12-3pm and 4-9:30pm, Fri 12-9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am - 9:30pm.

Expect to pay: Entrees run in the $30-$40 range and antipasti is around $20 per dish. 

What is it? An osteria-style Italian restaurant serving traditional Roman cuisine in a cozy setting with vintage decor. 

Why we love it: This newer concept behind the same folks as Cesarina lives up to the hype. Great for family-style meals and casual weeknight dinners, Elvira serves up a good weekend brunch with dishes like ricotta pancakes, avocado toast, and frittatas. At dinnertime you can expect Roman-style pizzas (thin, crispy crust), homemade pastas, and a handful of meat dishes.

Time Out tip: Elvira has daily specials based on the Roman calendar - think meatballs on Tuesdays, gnocchi on Thursdays, and fish on Fridays, etc. But Sundays are our favorite time to dine here, when the focus is on sharing a special family meal. At Elvira it's an occasion that calls for baked pasta - think hearty dishes like cannelloni and lasagna.

Address: 4996 W. Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4-9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am-9:30pm.

Expect to pay: Pasta and pizza dishes are between $20-$30, wine is around $15 per glass, and their coffee drinks at brunch are a cool $4. Diners can easily get in and out for under $50 per person.

What is it? Mediterranean, tapas-style plates make for a flavor-packed dinner at Valentina, where sharing is encouraged and Iberico ham is a star.

Why we love it: Step inside this charming Spanish bistro named for the owner’s daughter and grab a table in their intimate dining room awash in natural light. It’s a great date night spot replete with twinkle lights and cozy seating. Meat and seafood dishes reign supreme at Valentina, but the patatas bravas and blistered shishito peppers shouldn't be overlooked. Settle in for some gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), anchovy toast, and steak frites for the table. Their extensive wine list won’t disappoint and neither will dessert like the Basque cake or buñuelos.

Time Out tip: Valentina's new happy hour menu is available daily from 5-6pm and includes $5 beer and house wine, plus sangria pitchers, cocktails, and small bites. 

Address: 810 N. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm.

Expect to pay: We recommend ordering two to three tapas per person here, with dishes in the $20-$30 range. Factor in a glass or two of wine and you'll be all in for around $100. 

What is it? An Italian restaurant with housemade pastas, a small selection of meat and seafood dishes, and a beautiful aesthetic.

Why we love it: Come to Marisi for the pasta, and stay to soak in the gorgeous interiors and sexy ambiance. Grab a seat on the sunlit patio or head back to "The Lemon Room" to feel like you're on the Amalfi coast. While you could be perfectly content to just enjoy apps like the zucchini blossoms, focaccia, crudo, and carpaccio, you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not continuing on to the agnolotti made with king crab, pappardelle with duck ragu, or cappelletti with black truffle. If you decide to keep going, you'll find dry-aged beef, line-caught fish, and more. Just don't skip the Meyer lemon dessert or smooth sippers from Marisi's classic cocktail or Italian-leaning wine lists. 

Time Out tip: Weekend brunch is a great time to visit Marisi and try egg sandwiches, baked sweets, breakfast cocktails and yes, pasta, too.  

Address: 1044 Wall St., La Jolla, CA 92037

Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-2:30pm for brunch

Expect to pay: Pasta dishes are around $30 and larger entrees are in the $40-$50 range, so plan for at least $50 per person for dinner. 

What is it? Vegan food that appeals to omnivores, plus whimsical cocktails and chic death-metal decor make for a dining experience unlike any other.

Why we love it: All hail seitan at Kindred! This singular cocktail bar has exceptional vegan dishes, Victorian elegance, and ravishingly sinister heavy metal flourishes. Mixing equal parts heaven and hell—pink toile wallpaper is the background for a devilish wolf sculpture—Kindred serves divine vegan dishes such as char-grilled seitan skewers and battered hearts of palm flatbread alongside exquisite cocktails blackened with activated charcoal and served on pentagram coasters. A trip to the bathroom yields a virtual art gallery of malevolent dudes and their cats.

Time Out tip: The barbecued jackfruit at Kindred will make lifelong carnivores question whether it's actually pulled pork on their sandwich. Order it with one of their spirit-forward or refreshing non-alcholic cocktails. 

Address: 1503 30th St., San Diego, CA 92102

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 5pm-12am, Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-12am.

Expect to pay: Both entrees and cocktails run $15-$20 each, so plan for at least $30-$40 per person. 

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What is it? A buzzy restaurant with a lively after-dinner bar scene for the 30 and up crowd. The restaurant's award-winning architecture and design pays tribute to late congressman William Kettner, known as the founding father of San Diego.

Why we love it: This scene-y Little Italy restaurant draws a fashionable young crowd with daybeds, cocktails, and shareable plates. The handsome bi-level space features a ground-floor dining room and an upstairs lounge linked by a towering indoor tree, but the best seats in the house are the semi-private cabanas on the rooftop terrace. Wherever you get settled, you’ll find an upbeat crowd swaying to tunes from a live DJ and mingling over tables strewn with spicy shrimp, tuna sashimi, and duck meatballs.

Time Out tip: Make a dinner reservation here and when you're finished eating, head to the rooftop for cocktails with a view of the busy street below. Note: a dress-code is enforced after 9pm. Be sure to check their website for special events like KEX Fest - an all-inclusive food and drink festival with photo booths, silent disco, pop-up bars, and other cool activations. 

Address: 2001 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 5pm-12am, Thurs 5pm-"late," Fri-Sat 5pm-1am, Sun 11am-12am

Expect to pay: Most small plates are around $20. Plan for 2-3 small plates per person.