LOCAL WALLY’S GUIDE TO THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN OLD TOWN, LITTLE ITALY, NORTH & SOUTH PARK
Mexican, Italian, and Neighborhood Dining in San Diego
Come on a culinary journey to San Diego’s diverse dining scene in Old Town, Little Italy, Balboa Park and neighborhoods nearby, including North Park and South Park.
Unlike other guides who list every restaurant and often give high marks to the ones that comp’d them a meal, all of my recommendations are true and honest and based on where I like to eat when I’m out exploring. I’m not a paid influencer - I’m just a local guy who wants to show you the best places to eat in San Diego.
Best Mexican Restaurants in San Diego's Old Town
While Old town is actually a California State Park featuring historic buildings most people go there for the food and festivities. You could go to Tijuana and risk running into the non-tourist-friendly drug cartel, or you could go to Old Town and drink margaritas while listening to mariachi music.
🤑 REASONABLY CHEAP: $20 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
Cafe Coyote 🤑
Ultra popular, even with locals
It’s hard to walk by their festive patio with the splashing fountain, women cooking tortillas and the scent of Mexican food without wishing you were there. This is where I take my out of town guests for breakfast or lunch the moment they land to welcome them to San Diego. Fiesta level set at 10, the best tables are on the front patio and worth waiting for. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Casa de Reyes 🤑
The big one right in the heart of Old Town
Casa de Reyes in the middle of the festive plaza looks fun - and it is with the roving mariachis, colorfully dressed waitresses and margaritas the size of a fish bowl. And surprise, the food matches the setting - it’s good! Great bar and appetizers if you want to check out the vibe. “Secret” free tortillas at the right of the restaurant for the asking. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Old Town Mexican Cafe 🤑
Locals love their Carnitas here
What is everyone lining up for? It’s San Diego’s favorite carnitas, slow cooled pork and hand made, thick corn tortillas at Old Town Mexican Cafe . Not a tourist trap, not a theme restaurant, it’s the OG of Old Town dining. Probably the best Mexican food in Old Town, make sure at least one of you orders the carnitas or you’re missing out. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Rockin’ Baja Lobster 💵
Baja style lobster and seafood
Not too long ago it was common for locals to take the short drive to Puerto Nuevo’s fishing village for cheap lobster and margaritas. No longer, thanks to the active drug cartel who also like lobster. No, get your Baja fix for lobster and seafood tacos here. Even if it’s not nearly as good as the real deal, it’s a lot safer. Food is hit or miss, but when it hits it’s pretty good. Happy hour and Taco Tuesday specials. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Best Places to Eat in San Diego's Little Italy
Once a humble Italian neighborhood where a stickball game would be played in the street, today Little Italy has evolved to being one of San Diego’s most beloved foodie destinations.
🤑 REASONABLY CHEAP: $20 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
Bencoto Italian Kitchen 💵
Fresh and Modern Italian
A mash up of a traditional Italian kitchen mixed with a modern urban setting. Think of this as next-gen Italian, a hip approach to the classics that remain true to their roots but kick it up a notch for today's palate. Share plates and make sure you order the house made pasta where you get to pick from a long list of sauces to top. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Boun Appetito 🤑
Local and family owned
Rustic Italian dishes in a lively bistro-like setting. Simple and authentic with recipes handed down through generations. The family that owns Boun Appetito and their sister restaurants have been serving San Diego since 2000. Their longevity and local support tells you a lot about their quality and deliciousness of their food. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Civico 1845 🤑
Authentic Southern Italian cuisine and full Vegan options
This is the place to go when someone in your party is a vegan and every place they want to eat at sounds terrible. Civico 1845 not only has authentic Southern Italian food but a full Vegan and GF menu as well, delivering Calabrian cuisine that’s rustic, bold, and spicier than other Italian cuisine. Meat or no meat, you decide. See, we can all get along. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Davanti Enoteca 🤑
Casual, sharable, rustic setting
Davanti Enoteca is part of a small chain of restaurants based out of Chicago but that doesn't stop it from being one of the best places to eat in Little Italy. The enclosed patio in the back is the place to be, complete with a full sized olive tree and twinkling lights. Order family style and share, don’t miss the fresh forcaccia bread filled with creamy cheese and topped with honey. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Filippi’s Pizza Grotto 🤑
Classic old school Italian American - and their own parking lot!
The restaurant that started it all, Fillipi’s is an old school pizza joint tucked away in the back of an authentic Italian market. While everyone else has gone gourmet, Fillipi’s hasn’t changed since 1950, serving up pizza with lots of gooey cheese along with huge portions of lasagna or spaghetti with baseball sized meatballs along with pitchers of beer. Tons of atmosphere and a free parking lot in an area where parking is near impossible. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Ironside Seafood & Oyster Bar 💵
My favorite seafood restaurant in San Diego
An old converted warehouse with a funky, eclectic nautical themed decor and San Diego’s freshest seafood. Lively, vibrant, and upscale, the newly refreshed interior is quintessential San Diego with casual elegance. Incredible lobster roll, towering seafood platters, fire grilled fish, top notch quality seafood in a fun setting. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Isola Pizza Little Italy 🤑
Neapolitan pizzas in a wood fired oven
With flour from Italy for both their pizza dough and fresh made pasta, Isola pays respect to their Nonna, using family recipes to recreate the dishes his grandmother used to make. Nothing trendy here and that’s what makes it so good. It’s probably as close as you’re going to get to Italy without a plane ticket - they even serve their own family wine. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Roman Wolves 💵
A trip to Rome’s cuisine
What’s great about Little Italy is the diversity of their Italian foods. Roman Wolves is all about Rome with sauces like Caccio E Pepe, Carbonara, and Amatriciana, items such as Pinsa (a lighter version of pizza) and Suppli, deep fried rice balls filled with stringy, melted cheese. Lively bar, contemporary setting, luxury vibe. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Best Places to Eat in San Diego’s Balboa Park and Nearby Neighborhoods
Surprisingly good restaurants inside of Balboa Park. Right outside are local neighborhoods with plenty of options worth going out of your way for!
🤑 REASONABLY CHEAP: $20 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
INSIDE THE PARK
Artifact at Mingei 💵
Fancy dining inside Balboa Park
Recognized by the Michelin guide, Artifact inside the Mingei Museum is globally-inspired cuisine utilizing ancient spices and botanicals and flavors from all over the world. Eclectic, you’ll find Asian dumplings next to Middle Eastern foods, African next to Mediterranean, and it all blends into an exciting dining experience that mirrors the museums global art exhibits. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Panama 66
Casual dining inside Balboa Park 🤑
Local beers on tap, California wines and creative cocktails compliment this counter service casual restaurant. Despite the “fast casual” feel the food is very good, from salads to burgers and sandwiches and fish tacos. Live Music, open later Wed-Sat. Local Tip: Skip the long lines to check in if you want to grab a seat at the bar. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
The Prado at Balboa Park 💵
Beautiful patio dining in Balboa Park
Whether you’re inside or out, dining at The Prado is a beautiful restaurant. American food with Spanish and Mexican influence, paella is their signature dish, even if it does lack the crispy bottom associated with authentic paella. A pitcher of Sangria will make you forget all about that and the overall experience will not disappoint. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
NORTH PARK
🤑 REASONABLY CHEAP: $20 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
Et Voilá French Bistro 💵
Classic French Cuisine
Consistently called out as San Diego’s best French restaurant, Et Voilà is a modern take of French classics. Interior is Paris refined with comfy booths and dim lighting, perfect for date night, its fancier than a casual “bistro” with a sophisticated vibe. Don’t worry, it’s not snooty or stuffy, this is a still a neighborhood restaurant that caters to locals. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Leila 💵
Middle Eastern cuisine in a spectacular setting
What is this place? Like walking into a Marrakesh market, this highly stylized immersive restaurant will transport you to an exotic evening in Morocco, complete with a starlit sky. But it’s not a cheesy theme restaurant, the food remains the star, prepared in their open kitchen over live fire using authentic Persian flavors. Currently one of the hottest restaurants in San Diego - reservations open a month in advance. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Mabel’s Gone Fishing 💰
Trendy and lively seafood
It’s fun, it’s happening, it’s packed. Mabel’s Gone Fishing is recognized by the Michelin guide and serves small, sharable plates and serious gin and tonics. Elevated food prep and local vibe. Small dishes can add up fast so go with the four course Chef’s Menu for $85, the best bang for your buck. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
The Smoking Goat 💵
A French Bistro, San Diego style
Rustic and chic with French Californian cuisine that’s elevated yet unpretentious. Refined industrial dining room sets the stage for a dining experience that’s more reminiscent of the French Countryside than Sunny San Diego. Despite the whimsical name, the Le Cordon Bleu Paris trained chef takes his food seriously. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
SOUTH PARK
Bouna Forchetta 🤑
Popular neighborhood eatery with authentic pizza
A local favorite, this simple family run eatery serves some of the best wood-fired Neopolitan pizzas in town, along with pastas and traditional Italian entrees. Nothing fancy here but the authentic recipes handed down through generations and charming setting has allowed them to grow from this original location to five in San Diego alone. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Kindred 🤑
Heavy Metal Vegan Food???
It’s loud, it’s gaudy, it’s got a four eyed demon wolf head on the wall, and it’s also the place for award winning cocktails and no-compromise vegan food. Everything served is as bold as the music with flavors so rich and complex that you’ll forget you’re eating plant based. Even their non-alcoholic beverages are better than they have any right to be. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Secret Sister Sourdough Bakery 🤑
Artisanal bakery with 150 year old sourdough starter
You know a bakery is serious about their breads and pastries when they post the times they come out of the oven. Sticky buns at 8am, baguette sandwiches at 11am, everything sourdough and when it’s sold out it’s gone for the day. Worth the early morning rise for breakfast sandwiches, closes at 2pm. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
The Rose Wine Bar 🤑
Natural wines, snacks, and entrees
Wines by the glass or bottle plus a tiny restaurant serving handmade and thoughtfully crafted local foods. Perfect place to chill on the patio with snacks or shoot bigger for brunch, lunch or dinner where flatbreads, burgers, steaks and more fill out the menu. This is real local dining, no pretense or posturing, just a great hang. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
MISSION HILLS AND NEARBY
El Indio Taco Shop 🤑
The inventor of the rolled taco
I have my doubts but El Indio claims they created the first taquito which is hotly contested. But there’s no denying that these are some of the best rolled tacos in town and there’s something so San Diego about eating tacos at their patio with busy traffic on all sides. They also have their own free parking lot which is a huge bonus in this area. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Blue Water Seafood 🤑
The constant line is a testament to the quality
Two brothers who grew up fishing in San Diego opened Blue Water Seafood in 2006 with the idea of serving seafood that fishermen would like. Everything is fresh, either caught by them themselves or sourced from local fishermen or trusted sources. Fish tacos, sandwiches, plates, it’s all fresh and delicious and worth the wait. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Karina’s Ceviches & More 🤑
Casual Mexican Seafood
Karina’s might be more known for their trendy Gaslamp location but they actually started as a humble taco shop serving fresh seafood items like ceviche tostado and fish tacos. This location is not fancy, it’s a casual counter service, but a worthy stop if you love seafood. Plenty of meat tacos as well and equally delicious. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Wolf in the Woods 💰
Tucked away in lovely Mission Hills
Wind your way up the hillside away from the airport and you’re in Mission Hills, a fancy neighborhood that hides a tiny gourmet restaurant with limited tables featuring small, luxurious plates of to share. This is date night territory so get the kids a pizza and leave them to fend for themselves. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU