Best Fine Dining Restaurants in College Area

43 restaurants available nearby

1. Wormwood

4.7

Exceptional(814)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 22 times today

Wormwood invites you to explore a bygone era when poets, writers, and painters found inspiration in the Green Fairy. Discover fine Absinthes as we share stories of its golden age and guide your palate on a unique journey.Our restaurant blends French elegance with bohemian charm, creating a cozy haven for food lovers. Each dish, from wagyu tartare to fresh oysters, celebrates local flavors and craftsmanship. Experience curated tastes of our coastal region with passion and finesse.We offer French wines and unique cocktails with a twist on classics. Every meal and drink promises adventure and cherished memories. Discover the fusion of past and present where dining is an unparalleled experience.Enjoy our three dining areas: a cozy indoor space with an open kitchen, an enchanting patio for serene outdoor dining, and the Secret Garden, a speakeasy bar with a unique cocktail menu and Green Hour. We also host private events, from dinners to weddings, ensuring every occasion is memorable.

A photo of Cori Pastificio Trattoria restaurant

2. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

4.7

Exceptional(630)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Park

Booked 32 times today

Acclaimed Sicilian Chef Accursio Lota serves up authentic cuisine in a cozy 60's-style Italian trattoria. Voted San Diego's Best Chef five years in a row, and Barilla’s World Pasta Champion, at Cori Trattoria Chef Lota serves up beautifully bold dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas and Beef Bone Marrow, and an unbelievably rich Vegan Parmigiana di Melanzane. The menu melds the flavors of Sicily and Italy with the best of fresh, locally-sourced Southern California ingredients, and is matched by a curated wine list and cocktail program that include indigenous, bio-dynamic varietals from all Italy. The current Spring menu features dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas, fava bean, and beef bone marrow, and Cacio e Pepe with sustainably-sourced Petrovich caviar.Enjoy full-service table seating, grab a place at the marble-topped bar, from which you can watch all the action of your meal being prepared in the open kitchen or just order your meal to enjoy at home with your family.

A photo of Bully's East Prime Bistro Sports Bar restaurant

3. Bully's East Prime Bistro Sports Bar

4.4

Awesome(1437)

Price: Moderate

• Prime Rib • Mission Valley

Booked 12 times today

Bully's East is conveniently located in the heart of Mission Valley. As you enter, you feel the warmth of the rich mahogany bar. Locals have been gathering here for four decades to enjoy their favorite beverages and great bar food. It's also the perfect place to view a sporting event. Since its establishment, Bully's East has served more prime rib than any other San Diego restaurant, preparing only USDA Choice, Midwestern, corn-fed, aged beef. It also offers many healthy dining options. Chef Adam Johnson and his culinary staff continually create new dishes, taking advantage of the freshest local produce and seafood to bring diners the best possible culinary experience. Enjoy fine dining in this relaxed environment with over 45 years of experience and tradition. Make sure you save room for Bully's sinful desserts.

4. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4784)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 65 times today

Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.

5. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8716)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 100 times today

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

A photo of ARTIFACT at Mingei restaurant

6. ARTIFACT at Mingei

4.8

Exceptional(867)

Price: Expensive

• International • Downtown

Booked 17 times today

ARTIFACT is a full-service restaurant featuring craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals located inside the beautiful Mingei Museum at Balboa Park . Offering indoor, outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch Tuesday-Saturday.Crafted by Tim Kolanko, Executive Chef, Urban Kitchen Group, and Tony Coito, ARTIFACT’s Chef de Cuisine, will be a nod to Mingei’s changing international exhibitions in an environment filled with functional, innovative art and design by Jennifer Luce, Founder and Principal of LUCE et studio, who led the design and renovation project. ARTIFACT and CRAFT CAFE at Mingei-the latest additions to restaurateur Tracy Borkum and Executive Chef Tim Kolanko’s CUCINA family of restaurants. An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs ParkFollow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei

7. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1376)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Little Italy

Booked 74 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.

8. Nobu San Diego

4.6

Exceptional(3755)

Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 67 times today

World renowned for its award winning "New Style" Japanese cuisine, Nobu continues to offer savvy diners across the globe a culinary adventure. Our San Diego location is yet another canvas for Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to display his legendary dishes, such as the Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno. The restaurant which is nestled in the perennially hip and centrally located Hard Rock Hotel also features unique creations by Executive Chef David Meade who has honed his skill at Nobu locations in Miami and New York. Nobu San Diego delivers equally on food, impeccable service and ambiance that is sophisticated yet lively.

A photo of Water Grill - San Diego restaurant

9. Water Grill - San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(3615)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 44 times today

Located steps away from Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center in the heart of Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego, Water Grill San Diego is an iconic seafood destination to enjoy the first catch of the season and a deep variety of fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters and shellfish on a robust menu that changes daily. New product arrives from boat-to-table in a matter of hours from our exclusive seafood distribution company and our chef’s preparations allow the high-quality product to shine. Consistently rated as one of San Diego’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill San Diego also offers multiple, customizable private dining options for business meetings and special events.

10. Island Prime

4.6

Exceptional(8408)

Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 75 times today

Resting on stilts atop San Diego Bay, Island Prime overlooks the city skyline and Coronado.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

N
Nikita
San Diego •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The service I received from Lyis & the staff was INCREDIBLE! I was able to meet the chefc& the manager stopped by to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. The food was TOP TIER! Steak was tender, the scallops melted in your mouth, the soup was PACKED with flavor. I will be returning.
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Cowboy StarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
•
4.9
A
Anthony
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Came here for Sunday brunch, the food was delicious and the service was great. Good beers on tap and nice selection of wines. Great steakhouse/sports bar. the prime rib bites were amazing.
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Bully's East Prime Bistro Sports BarPrice: Moderate• Prime Rib• Mission Valley
•
4.4
C
ClaudiaVIP
San Diego •36 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Very quaint and novel Italian restaurant. Really great service, perfect wine choices and fair prices. The food highlights were the Fried Smelts which were delicious and the bruschetta was different and tasty. The seafood carbonara eas good... wish it had more seafood. The lasagna was not as firm as I have had in Italy. The flavor was good but the texture needed to be more firm for me. Overall a good experience.
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Cori Pastificio TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Park
•
4.7
A
AllisonVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
Four picky gals had many questions. All were handled well and cheerfully. Then came delicious non alcoholic drinks, well worth 9 bucks, and interesting and tasty food.
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ARTIFACT at MingeiPrice: Expensive• International• Downtown
•
4.8
J
Julia
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jan 4, 2025
my parents are in town visiting, and we brought them here. Not only was everyone lovely, the food was delicious. Everything on the menu seems like it was a conscious choice, and each piece of the meal tasted delicious. We usually don’t order dessert when we go out, but we did this time and didn’t regret it.
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WormwoodPrice: Very Expensive• French• North Park
•
4.7

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Best Fine Dining Restaurants in College Area

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43 restaurants available nearby

1. Wormwood

2. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

3. Bully's East Prime Bistro Sports Bar

4. Cowboy Star

5. Mister A's

6. ARTIFACT at Mingei

7. Kettner Exchange

8. Nobu San Diego

9. Water Grill - San Diego

10. Island Prime

See what locals rave about

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