Restaurants & Cafes

Written By kathy tang

Where I eat, sip, and caffeinate around San Diego

One of my favorite things to do is try new restaurants and cafes around the city. There’s just something about finding a new spot with good food, warm lighting, and a view of the ocean that makes me so happy. This page is a mix of my go-to favorites and hidden gems - the kind of places I’d actually take a friend visiting from out of town.

La Jolla & Bird Rock

Coastal views, cozy cafes, and some of the best food by the ocean.

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Wayfarer

  • DODO BIRD Donuts

  • The Cottage La Jolla

  • Sugar and Scribe

  • Parakeet Cafe - La Jolla

  • Beeside Balcony La Jolla

Lunch & Casual Bites

  • Taco Stand - my favorite California burrito spot!

  • Lobster West La Jolla

  • Wheat & Water

  • Beaumont's

  • Puesto La Jolla

Dinner & Drinks

  • Eddie V’s

  • Dukes La Jolla

  • Georges at the Cove

  • Marisi

  • The Marine Room

  • Paradisaea

  • Queenstown Village

  • Le Coq

Pacific Beach & Mission Bay

Laid-back brunch and beach bars

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Fig Tree Cafe

  • Kono's Cafe

  • Breakfast Republic

Lunch & Casual Bites

  • Board & Brew

  • Oscars Mexican Seafood

  • The Local Pacific Beach

  • Pueblo

  • The Fishery

  • Second Nature

Dinner & Drinks & Going Out

  • JRDN Restaurant

  • Cannonball

  • Waterbar

  • Mavericks Beach Club

  • Pacific Beach AleHouse

  • Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge

  • Moonshine Beach

  • PB Shore Club

Little Italy & Downtown

Elevated dining + rooftops

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Morning Glory

  • Malibu Farm

  • Sugar and Scribe

Lunch & Casual Bites

  • Underbelly

  • Portside Pier

  • Topside Terrace Kitchen & Bar

Dinner & Drinks

  • Coasterra

  • Altitude

  • Moonshine Deck

  • Rustic Root

  • Kettner Exchange

  • Little Italy (cute street and tons of great Italian spots)

    • Barbusa

    • Davanti Enoteca

    • Monello

    • Nolita Hall

    • CocoMaya

    • Isola Pizza Bar

Encinitas & North County

Surf town breakfast spots

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Achilles Coffee Solana Beach

Lunch & Casual Bites

  • Taco Stand

  • Viewhouse

Dinner & Drinks

  • Pacific Coast Grill

  • Herb & Sea

  • Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar

  • Buona Forchetta

  • Solterra Winery

  • Valentina

  • The Roxy

North Park & South Park

Trendy and artsy food scene

Breakfast & Brunch

  • Flora North Park

Lunch & Casual Bites

  • One Door North

  • URBN North Park

Dinner & Drinks

  • The Smoking Goat

  • insideOUT

  • Alexanders on 30th

  • Fortunate Son Chinese

kathy tang
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