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Best Authentic Restaurants in Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

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116 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Seneca restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(4126)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Downtown
Booked 105 times today
Roman trattorias are a timeless expression of simplicity. Immune to the lure of gastronomic experimentation and ego. In Rome, no chef can cook better than the mothers and grandmothers before them. Our goal is to merge the dogmatic approach of Roman cooking with the amazing abundance of ingredients available to us in San Diego. A True Roman Holiday In SD. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.
A photo of Juniper & Ivy restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(8009)
Price: Expensive
• Unspecified • Little Italy
Booked 41 times today
Nationally-acclaimed Juniper and Ivy-consistently ranked "Best of the Best" by San Diego Magazine, and recognized as a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand establishment-is a foodie paradise on the edge of San Diego's Little Italy. The kitchen delivers a constantly rotating, chef-driven menu that uses hand-selected, seasonal ingredients crafted with precision, passion, and creativity. Founded by Owner Michael Rosen, Juniper's kitchen is backed by a supergroup of culinary minds that produce one of the most refined yet imaginative menus in town, paired with an award-winning wine list from the city's top sommeliers.
A photo of Cesarina restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(5456)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Ocean Beach
Booked 156 times today
Cesarina is a grandmother, a mother, a daughter—our personification of a nurturer who feeds and cares for her community. From meticulous attention to detail and fresh ingredients to the warm and inviting atmosphere, this restaurant is a celebration of the power of food and family.
A photo of Kettner Exchange restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1334)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Little Italy
Booked 44 times today
Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.
A photo of Solare Ristorante Lounge restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2431)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Point Loma
Booked 22 times today
Family-owned and operated, Randy Smerik and his team are dedicated to providing an amazing dining experience for you. Our authentic Italian cuisine features a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. including fresh pasta made each morning and organic produce, wild fish, and hormone free meat.
A photo of AKA San Diego restaurant
3.4
Very Good(38)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Downtown
Booked 14 times today
Located in the bustling heart of Gaslamp, San Diego, AKA is more than just a restaurant. It’s a destination where exceptional food, craft cocktails, and an energetic nightlife converge. With a menu curated by renowned Chef Takuya Kudo, AKA offers a captivating fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Thai culinary traditions, all crafted with fresh ingredients and innovative techniques. The venue features a vibrant atmosphere complemented by artisanal craft cocktails from mixologist Gerardo Bedolla and striking design by Cassandra Builer. AKA welcomes guests to indulge in its exquisite dishes while enjoying electrifying entertainment. Committed to transforming the dining and nightlife scene in San Diego, AKA offers a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone looking to savor gourmet cuisine, sip on craft cocktails, and dance the night away.
A photo of Brigantine at Portside Pier restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(4186)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 90 times today
Brigantine at Portside Pier is an authentic seafood restaurant in San Diego. It embodies the beach town lifestyle and a dedication to flavorful food. Reviews rave about the 'beautiful atmosphere', 'phenomenal food' and 'friendly staff'. The restaurant is known for its San Diego-style surf and turf, including award-winning fish tacos and marinated grilled swordfish. Its consistent high ratings for ambience, food, and service attest to its authenticity.
A photo of Cloak + Petal restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(947)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Little Italy
Booked 48 times today
WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionshipOur concept is drawn from our name. The word “cloak” implies secrecy, inspiring our concept of a social sphere humming beneath the levels of ordinary life. “Petal” alludes to the Japanese tradition of “hanami,” when family and friends gather under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks and fellowship.Enter our space and travel underground to décor reminiscent of an abandoned Tokyo subway, a stratum of society all its own, an artist’s dream. Cross the threshold into a mystically transformed Japanese social dining lounge which appears to be an outdoor seating area, similar to a waiting platform. Sit beneath a trellis of draping vines and teardrop lights in the intimate space we’ve thoughtfully created, and feast on authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates and drinks with family and friends.Journey down to Cloak + Petal… and come unwind your soul.
A photo of Civico 1845 restaurant
4.4
Awesome(2394)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 26 times today
Civico 1845 is an authentic Italian restaurant located in Little Italy, San Diego. The menu is a homage to the Calabria region of Italy and incorporates sustainable practices. Reviews rave about the fresh, light, and delectable dishes, with one reviewer claiming it's 'untouched by American ignorance'. The restaurant is also praised for its friendly staff, good atmosphere, and amazing vegan menu.
A photo of Garage Buona Forchetta restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(870)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Coronado
Booked 60 times today
Authentic Neapolitan Pizzeria & Italian Ristorante in Coronado, San Diego, California.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jocelyn
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    My friends and I love Seneca, we keep going back to this place every time we hang out. The pizzas and pastas are so yummy!! We’ve tried a few things from the menu and there hasn’t been one we didn’t like. They have a good variety of pizzas, pastas and appetizers. They have good mocktails too, the cucumber is my favorite! And I don’t drink alcohol so I haven’t had any cocktails but from what I’ve heard those are good too! The staff has always been super friendly and welcoming and the view is breathtaking! I highly recommend giving this place a try! 🙂
    More info
    SenecaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
    4.7
  • Yelenavip
    Sacramento / Sacramento Valley •11 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Cesarina absolutely blew me away this time! it was such an upgrade from my last visit! From the moment we walked in, everything felt elevated, from the ambiance to the exceptional service. Travis, our server, went above and beyond to make the evening special. His friendly demeanor, expert recommendations, and genuine attentiveness added so much to the experience. The pasta was out of this world, fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. And don’t even get me started on the tiramisu! Every bite was pure bliss and a testament to the care and passion this restaurant puts into its craft. This visit truly changed the game for me. Cesarina isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience, and with service like Travis provided, it’s one I’ll definitely be back for! Highly recommend for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine with a modern, welcoming touch.
    More info
    CesarinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Ocean Beach
    4.9
  • Vincentvip
    Washington, D.C. Area •71 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Incredible! We started with the sushi-grade Hot Oil Seated Salmon and the Whipped Buttermilk Ricotta with charred bread for dipping. We also had the Roasted Chinese Eggplant sitting on lemon yogurt and pine nuts that had the appearance of sushi and the taste of beautifully seasoned eggplant. We also had the juicy cheeseburger special which had perfect fries.
    More info
    Kettner ExchangePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Little Italy
    4.7
  • William
    New York City •31 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Overall our dining experience was terrific. We started with a beet salad that was as beautiful as it was delicious. One of our best ever dishes. We also had the pork belly that was also good but not even close to the salad. We also had wagyu butter biscuits. They were served in a smoked filled glass. A new dining experience for us. Very cool. When our waitress came back for our entree order, my wife selected the Rock fish special. I then ordered the flat iron steak. My wife told me after dinner she meant to pick the black cod but got confused. It's not a big deal but the Rock fish dish was $70 vs $36. The Rock fish was grilled perfectly. The only issue I have is our waitress should have told us the fish was big enough for two. I felt like she was padding my bill because it was a Tuesday night. I gave her ample opportunity to apologize for not telling us but she didn't seem to care. I mentioned how big a piece of fish it was. How it's big enough for two. Nothing!! I didn't eat my steak dinner at all, so I took it home. Overall it was still a great place to dine. I would go back , but be mindful of what you order. Our bill was $300. I would expect more honesty from the wait staff. Kudos to the chef.
    More info
    Juniper & IvyPrice: Expensive• undefined• Little Italy
    4.6
  • Colleen
    Los Angeles •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Wonderful authentic Italian food! We had a lovely time dining here.
    More info
    Solare Ristorante LoungePrice: Moderate• Italian• Point Loma
    4.7
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