LOCAL WALLY’S GUIDE TO THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN DOWNTOWN DIEGO & GASLAMP
Good Eats in San Diego Around the Convention Center and Beyond
So many restaurants - which ones are worthy of your vacation or weekend dollars? Here are the restaurants that locals dine at and the ones that should be on every visitor’s list. This guide covers Downtown and the Gaslamp District, restaurants near the airport on Harbor and Shelter Island and nearby Point Loma, basically the main section of San Diego. If you’re here for a convention, going to a ballgame, or just wanting to explore the some of the best restaurants in San Diego, you’ve come to the right place.
Best San Diego Restaurants on the Bay
Sailboats and yachts, sunshine and sunset, San Diego Bay is the backdrop for some of our best dining experiences.
🤑 CHEAP EATS: $20 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S +
Bali Hai
Tiki bar dining vibe
It sounds goofy - a Polynesian themed restaurant and tiki bar on the bay. I mean, they even have a drink called The Goof and the mai-tai's are so strong that they limit you to three, which is insane because they are nearly 100% alcohol. Hawaiian inspired cuisine, sweeping views, it’s like you’re on vacation - wait, you are! OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
C Level Lounge 💵
Sophisticated casual dining - High end Steakhouse Island Prime next door
I was poised to not like C-Level with the vacation buzz-killer name that brought me back to the boardroom, a place I’d like to forget. But then I stepped onto the patio overlooking the bay and started eyeballing the food - Is that lobster in your mac-n-cheese? Gimme gimme. Healthy and fresh with stunning views of downtown. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
The Fish Market 💵
San Diego’s iconic seafood restaurant
Fresh fish simply grilled over mesquite, if you’ve been to San Diego you most likely have eaten here - and loved it. Locals know to search out the patio for small bites and a cocktail and those wanting fancier dining with more refined preparations can bust out the wallet and head upstairs to the Top of the Market. OFFICIAL SITE WITH MENU
Malibu Farm Seaport Village 💵
It’s not a tourist trap!
I used to drive all the way up to Malibu to have lunch at Malibu Farm, it’s that good. Now it’s in Seaport Village, an area known best for tourist traps, but trust me - Malibu Farms is not that. With a keen eye on integrity and sustainability, everything served here is intentional using only the freshest natural ingredients. You’ll feel good eating here. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Mitch’s Seafood 🤑
Tiny restaurant with views of the fishing boats
Nothing fancy here but the freshest seafood, a restaurant started by fishermen. Counter service and a row of outside tables for the best views, inside is busy and bustling with people chowing down on fish tacos, sandwiches and plates. Skip the fried fish platter, the flattop grilled seafood is much better. A local favorite. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Point Loma Seafood 🤑
Casual dining, a San Diego institution
San Diegan’s love Pt. Loma Seafood, a no frills restaurant with views of the harbor. Find your way to the counter in the often chaotic open fish market where you’ll find the fresh catch as well as fish and chips, sushi and an outstanding crab or fried calimari sandwich served on incredible sourdough bread. Views from the roof are great but the best view is on your plate. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Portside Pier 🤑 - 💵
From casual to fancy next to the Star of India
Not going to lie, I miss Anthony’s Fish Grotto. The iconic understated San Diego institution has been replaced by a glitzy monstrosity with counter casual Dockside, Mexican food at Miguel’s, seafood at The Brigantine, and a lounge-y upper deck called Topside. Despite the polarizing architecture the food is quite good and the views incredible. And The Brig serves perhaps the best fried fish taco in town in their bar. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENUS
Best San Diego Restaurants near Gaslamp and Convention Center
The San Diego Gaslamp Quater is a bit like New Orleans’ French Quarter - tons of people, tons of party seekers, and tons of tourist traps. Let’s not do that - here’s where I eat when I’m in this area.
🤑 CHEAP EATS: $20 💵 MODERATE: $30’S - $40’S 💰 EXPENSIVE: $50’S
Animae 💰
Not your everyday steak house
Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey’s Animae takes the high end steakhouse concept and mashes it through an Asian American lens via celebrated chef Tara Monsod. Art deco design, coal-fired, robata-grilled menu with bold Southeast Asian flavors, A5 Japanese Wagyu, you get the idea. Amazing. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Cowboy Star & Butcher Shop 💵
High end steakhouse with a great Bar
Don’t do a chain steakhouse like Ruth’s Chris’ when you’re on vacation. Instead dine at an authentic local steakhouse, Cowboy Star. The usual suspects at usual premium prices, the surprise is the Bar with reasonably priced items like Steak Frittes and a Happy Hour for even less. Inventive cocktails share the spotlight with the steaks. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Craft & Commerce and False Idol 🤑
A quirky bar and secret tiki bar!
It’s as if movie director Wes Anderson designed this bar, an odd mix of taxidermy and old books, industrial and eccentric. You’ll know you’re in a special place as soon as you enter and the food is creatively elevated bar food - fried chicken, bone marrow, burgers. But the real secret is the secret tiki bar, False Idol, hidden behind a stainless steel cooler door. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Freddy’s Chophouse 🤑
Proves you can still have a great vibe, great food, but at affordable prices
With prices on everything blowing up faster than Space X up it’s nice to find a place like Freddy’s Chophouse where you can get good - really good - American standards like steaks, burgers and sandwiches for less than parking. Great vibe, happy hour, it’s a locals favorite and your friend when you’re not on that company credit card. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Huntress Grill 💵
A Bar and Grill, San Diego Style
A live fire grill, cocktail and whiskey bar, sharable craveable plates and indulgent steaks, you’ll find something for everyone here. Casual grazing concept, come for a drink and order food as you go. Extensive Japanese whiskey, lively setting with a club scene vibe. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Karina’s Cantina 🤑
Trendy and lively with Mexican seafood
Ceviche’s, Puerto Nuevo lobster, fried whole fish, this is where you go when you want ultra fresh seafood cooked Mexican style. The restaurant also has plenty of style, evolving through the day from standard restaurant to a vibrant club scene at night. Through it all the food remains the star - classic non-seafood items as well. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Las Cuatro Milpas 🤑
It’s the real deal for Mexican food a short drive outside of downtown
Every local who knows Mexican food knows Las Cuatro Milpas, a lunch only spot that doesn’t cater to tourists or gringos. Tacos, burritos, and tamales, the best handmade tortillas in town, that’s basically the menu. When your friends want to go to Old Town convince them to come here instead. New location, same long lines - totally worth the wait. YELP! REVIEW
Lionfish 💵
Gaslamp’s best seafood is inside the hip Pendry Hotel
A NYC sort of vibe with sushi rolls and lots of sharable plates make for a fun dining experience with excellent quality seafood. Larger entrees available as well and plenty of daily specials and Happy Hour deals. It’s sophisticated dining with a nice energy that’s not overwhelming. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Monzu Fresh Pasta 🤑
Cute and Cozy Cafe near Petco Park
Maybe you don’t want a big production for dinner. You don’t need a DJ. You don’t want a bar scene. You just want pasta, deliciously prepared with house-made pastas and sauces by an Italian husband and wife team. Cute little restaurant, fresh and modern feel, and sidewalk seating to cap off the European vibe. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Puesto at the Headquarters 💵
“Elevated” street tacos at Seaport Village “Headquarters”
I typically shy away from street tacos that are either a), not sold on the street or b), not from humble taco shops. That’s because street tacos in fancy restaurants tend to be overpriced, filled with pretentious ingredients to justify the cost. Puesto falls into this category but does manage to pull off a great taco that justifies the price. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Rustic Root 🤑
Shareable bites and a rooftop lounge
Chic downstairs dining room but the main draw is the rooftop terrace with fire pits, string lights, and draped in wisteria that overlooks the bustling Gaslamp scene below. American comfort foods like fried chicken, steaks and pasta. Vibrant but without the incessant club scene vibe. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
Tacos El Gordo 🤑
Take a trip to Tijuana without leaving San Diego
A real taco shop straight from Tijuana, this isn’t some concept restaurant aimed at the US market - the confusing ordering system where you line up at various counters depending on the meats you want proves that. They only make tacos, no “combo plates”, but plenty of meat options. No beer, no wine, just tacos. OFFICIAL SITE AND MENU
