Local Wally's Guide to San Diego
The original locals guide to San Diego...since 1996
Best Restaurants in San Diego, Dine like it's 2007 Again!
Remember the days before the recession? Ahhh, please pass the butter for my lobster, yes I'd like the giant bone-in ribeye, and waiter, one more bottle of wine, its soo good! If life's been a little rough these days, if you've been telling people that SPAM really isn't bad if you BBQ it, then you need to get out the rut and splurge a little on your vacation.
But don't get ripped off. It's easy to blow a lot of money on dinner but if you're going to spend the dough that you should be saving for the car payment, it better be worth it. There are plenty of high priced restaurants in San Diego that pander to the tourists, but not the ones I recommend. These are the places that locals eat at when it's time for a special meal.
So when it's time to pick that fancy restaurant for that last meal on the last day of vacation, don't worry. Everything here is guarantee'd best meal ever!
1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037 / 858 454-4244
It's possibly the best meal in town, a gourmet extravaganza that's as close as San Diego gets to a Thomas Keller (Bouchon, The French Laundry) experience. Views of La Jolla Cove might distract you but once the sun sets it's dark and all about the food. Start with one of their fresh cocktails - by fresh I mean no artificial flavors or syrups, just natural ingredients. Impressive! Move on to the entrees, from steaks to seafood, all expertly prepared with a modern touch and impressive presentation. George's California Modern isn't inexpensive by any means, but it's actually quite reasonable when you realize you're dining in arguably the best restaurant in San Diego. Loved by locals, praised by food critics, expect to be blown away by the incredible flavors and inventiveness of the chef as he prepares a gourmet meal with a classic San Diego view as its backdrop.
THE LOWDOWN: California cuisine, steaks, seafood, chops served in an upscale and trendy environment with views to match the food.
LOCATION: La Jolla, ocean view.
LOCAL TIP: Arrive early if you want to see the sunset. Once dark the ocean view all but disappears due to the window glare.
WALLY SAYS: Winner of just about every restaurant and food award, gourmet dining with a view. Don't confuse this with the more casual upstairs restaurant called George's Ocean Terrace - the California Modern is the main restaurant with the gourmet menu.
2000 Spindrift Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037 / 858 459-7222
A San Diego fine dining institution since 1941, The Marine Room is so close to the water that the waves sometimes crash against the windows during Winter storms - and yes, sometimes the waves have been so powerful that they've broken the glass and flooded the restaurant. But considering this has only happened twice in the past 60 years it's a fair bet your dining experience will be a dry one. So go ahead and take off that life preserver and dive into some of the best and most creatively presented food in San Diego. No tourist trap, this place has been a long time local favorite for romantic upscale dining. Dressy but not snooty, this is upscale dining, San Diego style.
THE LOWDOWN: Modern Cali-French cuisine, beautiful presentations to match the view.
LOCATION: La Jolla, ocean view, right on the beach.
LOCAL TIP: Plan your visit around the tide table. Locals know to pop into the bar around sunset for a spectacular view!
WALLY SAYS: Makes those Food TV guys look like amateurs. Bobby Flay? No way!
8670 Genesee Ave,
San Diego, CA 92122 / 858 455-1616
333 West Harbor Drive,
San Diego, CA 92101 / 619 239-7697
If you've been to Hawaii you know all about Roy's. Creative Asian inspired Hawaiian cuisine, prime cuts of meat with savory sauces, over the top sushi and fresh seafood all presented in a contemporary setting. Everything here will set your taste buds into overdrive, the flavors and textures certain to delight anyone who appreciates good food. A $35 prixe fixe menu offers up 3 courses including an outstanding Kobe Beef Capriccio appetizer paired with favorites like the succulent tender braised short ribs or the seductive shrimp and butternut squash risotto.
No matter what I get I always start my meal with a plate of smoky Szechwan Spiced Baby Back Ribs - I love ribs and these baby's rock the house with the Asian flavors and smoky, spicy tenderness. For dessert it's always the Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle, which is sort of like a warm dense cupcake that oozes warm chocolate fudge when you cut into it. I want one now!
The Genesee location (aka "La Jolla") is so typical Roy's - a strip mall location, a busy parking lot and no view - once inside it's loud and festive, white tablecloths and contemporary island decor, more of a fun-filled atmosphere than a romantic dinner. For views and outdoor dining head to the new West Harbor Drive location in the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina property near the Convention Center.
THE LOWDOWN: Contemporary Asian and Hawaiian fusion, expect top notch quality, freshest fish, prime cuts of meat.
LOCATION: Locals go to the La Jolla location but be ready for the noisy restaurant. Tourists like the downtown location for the view and outdoor dining option, though you'll have to pay for parking.
LOCAL TIP: If you love the ribs you can order a plate of them "off menu", served with veggies and rice for around $28.
WALLY SAYS: Fantastic food in a lively setting, Roy's Hawaiian Fusion consistently knocks my socks off with the inventiveness and freshness of their ingredients. Steaks better than Ruth's Chris, seafood as good as it was in Hawaii, this place will not let you down.
1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 / 858 551-3744
THE LOWDOWN: Only eleven tables offering sophisticated dining featuring seafood and ultra fresh local ingredients, possibly the best view in town with food to match. Romantic, sophisticated, intimate, and expensive.
LOCATION: La Jolla, top floor of La Valencia Hotel offers stunning 180 degree view of the Pacific Ocean and La Jolla Cove.
LOCAL TIP: Leave the kids back at the hotel with a pizza, this is about as fancy as you get in San Diego.
WALLY SAYS: Incredible dining experience, the wine list alone has over 1,000 options! If you love food with a view, plan ahead and slurge on a meal you will not soon forget.
2550 5th Ave # 406, San Diego, CA 92103 / 619 239-1377
THE LOWDOWN: Beautiful restaurant with beautiful views of downtown, Mr. A's has been the local's choice for fine dining since 1965. Recently updated it's now a sparkling example of contemporary dining and modern food.
LOCATION: Close to Balboa Park near downtown.
LOCAL TIP: Sit on the patio and order off the bar menu for a less expensive experience but the same incredible view.
WALLY SAYS: Try the truffle fries with Parmigiano Rigiono - it's a flavor explosion in your mouth!
6009 Paseo Delicias, Ranco Santa Fe, CA 92067 / 858 756-3085
THE LOWDOWN: Considered by food experts to be one of the top restaurants in the country, this elegant restaurant in the ultra rich part of town serves up French food with San Diego style. Romantic, cozy, the real deal.
LOCATION: Rancho Santa Fe, arrive early to drive around the beautiful neighborhoods.
LOCAL TIP: $40 prixe fixe menu gets you top bang for your buck.
WALLY SAYS: Yeah, it sort of caters to the older crowd so if you're looking to par-tay while sucking down martini's with the peeps, this probably isn't your place. But for elegant dining, this is it.
3702 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, CA 92104 / 858 523-0007
THE LOWDOWN: A foodie fine, modern California cuisine in a hip and upscale setting. It's new, it's hip, and it's quickly become a locals favorite.
LOCATION: Inland Del Mar, no ocean view but you won't care.
LOCAL TIP: You must valet park so sorry you rented a PT Cruiser.
WALLY SAYS: This is serious food that should delight serious foodies. Caters to the sophisticated crowd who appreciate foie gras and are willing to pay for precisionly prepared food.
514 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, CA 92104 / 858 792-9090
THE LOWDOWN: French continental cuisine, elegant yet casual, ultra expensive yet has remained a favorite from well heeled locals.
LOCATION: Del Mar, no ocean view
LOCAL TIP: Two words, Truffle Fries. Two more words, Happy Hour.
WALLY SAYS: Foodies flock to this place like ducks to water, but make sure you bring your Sugar Daddy (or at least his credit card) as this place is expensive! Gladly, it's not all hype, the food lives up to its reputation.
Want more reviews? Keep going to the BEST Moderately Price Dining!
As much as I love fancy dinners, you don't have to spend a fortune on every meal, not when there's so many fantastic moderately priced restaurants in San Diego!
TOP OF THE LINE || MODERATELY PRICED || FAMILY DINING
LOCAL'S FAVORITES || CHEAP EATS
BEST MEXICAN || BEST ASIAN || BEST STEAKS
DINING CHEAT SHEET || BACK TO HOME
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