Best Fine Dining Restaurants in University Heights

63 restaurants available nearby

1. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4784)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 68 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.

2. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8716)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 97 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

3. ARTIFACT at Mingei

4.8

Exceptional(867)

Price: Expensive

• International • Downtown

Booked 18 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

4. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1376)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Little Italy

Booked 70 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.

5. Wormwood

4.7

Exceptional(814)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 18 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.

6. Nobu San Diego

4.6

Exceptional(3755)

Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 66 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.

7. Island Prime

4.6

Exceptional(8408)

Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 74 times today

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

8. Roman Wolves

4.6

Exceptional(341)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • Little Italy

Booked 43 times today

"Roman Wolves is more than a bar and restaurant; it's a celebration of epicurean tapestry of what Italians call the Eternal City" said Nino Cusimano. "We've created our own take on the enduring essence of Rome's legacy and it's significant historical, cultural, and culinary impacts on the Italian food scene"

9. ARLO San Diego

4.2

Awesome(775)

Price: Moderate

• American • Mission Valley

Booked 5 times today

ARLO is an award-winning restaurant known for its scratch-made dishes, crafted from fresh local ingredients. Serving breakfast, weekend DJ brunch, and dinner, ARLO offers a fun and quirky environment. Highlights include a sweeping outdoor patio, swaying palm trees, and a giant outdoor fireplace. The experience is rounded out by an inventive cocktail program, an extensive wine list, and local craft beers on tap. Recently, ARLO won Best Hotel Restaurant and Best Restaurant for Big Groups in the San Diego Magazine Best of 2024 awards. Free parking is available.

A photo of Water Grill - San Diego restaurant

10. Water Grill - San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(3615)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 56 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

R
Ricci
Portland / Oregon •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
First time here - recommended by guy at the airport. Food was amazing as was the service and ambience. Definitely a must go place in San Diego.
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Kettner ExchangePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Little Italy
•
4.7
N
Nikita
San Diego •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days 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
T
TomVIP
San Diego •18 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Amazing location for special occasions or date night. The views are incredible! Our dinner was decadent, and our party of seven was elated with our bar and dining experience!
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Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.9
A
AllisonVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 8, 2025
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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University Heights

Best Fine Dining Restaurants in University Heights

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63 restaurants available nearby

1. Cowboy Star

2. Mister A's

3. ARTIFACT at Mingei

4. Kettner Exchange

5. Wormwood

6. Nobu San Diego

7. Island Prime

8. Roman Wolves

9. ARLO San Diego

10. Water Grill - San Diego

See what locals rave about

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