Best Historic Restaurants in Downtown

27 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Saint James French Diner restaurant

1. Saint James French Diner

4.5

Price: Expensive

• French American • Downtown

Booked 10 times today

This American diner meets elegant French bistro is open Monday–Friday for Breakfast and Lunch, every day for Dinner and Happy Hour, and on the weekends for Brunch. With a full bar and an approachable menu, locals and travelers can indulge in a variety of French-inspired classics, from shared mussels to ratatouille and burgers.

2. Grant Grill

4.8

Exceptional(1612)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 12 times today

A remarkable epicurean experience awaits you at Grant Grill and Lounge. From the iconic, chic setting to our fresh California cuisine and innovative libations, Grant Grill and Lounge carries a tradition of excellence rich in history (since 1951) and history-in-the-making. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus highlight the best ingredients of the season with a fresh approach to classics. From the bar, proprietary beverage creations are offered alongside an impressive menu of wine, beer and cocktails.

A photo of The Melting Pot - Gaslamp Quarter restaurant

3. The Melting Pot - Gaslamp Quarter

4.6

Exceptional(2573)

Price: Very Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown

Booked 20 times today

Welcome to The Melting Pot San Diego Gaslamp. Located on 5th Ave & E St in the historic Gaslamp Plaza Suites, the San Diego - Gaslamp Melting Pot Restaurant brings a truly unique, romantic and interactive four-course fondue dining experience to San Diego's vibrant downtown dining scene!

A photo of Dobson's Bar & Restaurant restaurant

4. Dobson's Bar & Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(1428)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 6 times today

Dobson's Bar and Restaurant is a hidden treasure in the heart of Downtown San Diego/Gaslamp Quarter. For the last 40 years, this has been the hot spot for business lunches and frequented by many local and nationwide celebrities. Paul Dobson, the namesake for Dobson's bar and restaurant, is one of America's few professional Bullfighters. The food is California cuisine with a touch of Italian, French, Spanish and Asian cuisine. One thing that both local San Diegans and Zagat can agree on is that this is one of the top restaurants in San Diego. Due to the limited seating and popularity, reservations are highly recommended. Owner Paul Dobson "works a room better than Sinatra", which explains why this "local tradition" downtown remains, "after all these years", a "high-powered, hobnob spot"; the Cal kitchen "serves up delicious, innovative food, along with old standbys" ("have the mussel bisque and think of heaven").

5. Downtown Sushi

4.7

Exceptional(67)

Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Downtown

Booked 2 times today

Welcome to Downtown Sushi, nestled in downtown San Diego, just steps from the historic Balboa Theatre. Chef Andy creates a symphony of flavors, with our Omakase Premium Sashimi as the star, featuring the finest fresh, sustainably sourced seafood. Don’t miss our happy hour specials with delicious appetizers and drinks. Signature rolls like the Love Roll, Fire Roll, Downtown Roll, and Tower Roll highlight Chef Andy’s creativity, while the Salmon Flame appetizer bursts with irresistible flavor. For a main course, savor our Ribeye Steak, grilled to perfection with a Japanese twist. We welcome walk-ins and reservations alike. For a truly elevated experience, our VIP space is perfect for exclusive events or intimate celebrations, combining exceptional cuisine with unparalleled service. To make your visit even more convenient, we accept various forms of payment, including credit cards, cash, and Apple Pay.

6. Tapas & Beers

4.9

Exceptional(486)

Price: Moderate

• French • Downtown

Booked 1 time today

Located in Downtown San Diego's historic Spreckels building, Tapas & Beers is a French and Spanish Restaurant.We offer a large selection of Tapas plates to share between friends & familybut also normal size dishes if you don't want to share !Our beers on tap selection highlights breweries from San Diego County and our wine selection from all around the world will make any wine lover happy too !Everything you will eat at Tapas & Beers will be made from scratch to order with fresh and mostly organic ingredients ! Discover why our place isso highly rated !Cheers!

7. Lou & Mickey's

4.7

Exceptional(4105)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 47 times today

Located at the gates to the historic Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, Lou & Mickey’s is a timeless American steakhouse serving prime steaks, including in-house, dry-aged steaks, plus choice seafood, classic cocktails and an award-winning wine list, in a relaxing and inviting environment. Private dining capabilities also available.

A photo of Ironside Fish & Oyster restaurant

8. Ironside Fish & Oyster

4.4

Awesome(4532)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Little Italy

Booked 80 times today

Little Italy was built by the fishing industry. Ironside attempts to continue that narrative. It's our contemporary interpretation of the classic fish house and oyster bar. Located in a historic auction house on India St we did a full comprehensive restoration of the building, with three open-air culinary hubs featuring an expansive raw bar, chefs table, and bakery. We tried to be mindful of the past while looking towards the future. A 4% surcharge will be added to all guest checks.Ironside is now taking reservations for patio and dining room seating. We are now offering Happy Hour MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 3:00PM - 5:00PM.

9. Seréa

4.6

Exceptional(2237)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Coronado

Booked 39 times today

Serẽa is proud to bring an exquisite sea-to-table dining experience to San Diego in a comfortable yet sophisticated setting.Located just steps from the beach in the legendary Hotel del Coronado, the restaurant's key focus is the bounty of the sea. The menu focuses on sustainable seafood, with a coastal cuisine menu that spotlights the best of the region's oceans, farms and fields, ranging from the California Coast down to the Baja Peninsula.Creative cuisine with a global flair is prepared by San Diego's own Chef Jojo Ruiz, who creates elegant, fresh dishes with just a hint of Mediterranean flair.*Serea & The Hotel Del Coronado are currently undergoing a once in a century transformation, after 100 years, we felt a facelift was in order!We wish you to be aware there will be evolving changes to the way we are able to serve you during this period as Serea and The Hotel Del Coronado are reimagined for generations to come.*

A photo of The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant

10. The Prado at Balboa Park

4.6

Exceptional(7847)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 66 times today

Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, in the Historic House of Hospitality, The Prado offers historic charm and California cuisine.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

L
Lisa
Los Angeles •177 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
First time having dinner at the Grant Grill. We had rib eye and pork chop. Sarah was willing to assist and provide more information because we just couldn’t decide what to order. The food was tasty and delicious. The service by Sarah was superb and not rushed.
More info
Grant GrillPrice: Expensive• Californian• Downtown
•
4.8
K
Karinnavip
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Crayton and the team are amazing!!!!! Best food!!!
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Saint James French DinerPrice: Expensive• French American• Downtown
•
4.5
F
funda
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined on Nov 16, 2024
Exceptional. Food, service, our waiter Juan was awesome. We were a table of 6, overlooking the restaurant by the railing. Such a beautiful venue and great atrmosohere. Once they changed the music to more jazz, Sinatra etc it really made the place shine. Nice work Dobson’s. Can’t wait to come back.
More info
Dobson's Bar & RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Californian• Downtown
•
4.6
A
Angel
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 12, 2024
Had an awesome for experience at the melting pot for Veterans Day. Our waitress said this was her first shift working but she gave us a very welcoming and descriptive experience. My favorite parts were the strawberry salad and the turtle chocolate fondue from their 4 course meal.
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The Melting Pot - Gaslamp QuarterPrice: Very Expensive• Fondue• Downtown
•
4.6
J
Justyn
California Central Coast •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Oct 15, 2024
It was a beautiful place and the service was amazing would definitely suggest a Lyft or Uber to there but fees and service was perfect
More info
Downtown SushiPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Downtown
•
4.7

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27 restaurants available nearby

1. Saint James French Diner

2. Grant Grill

3. The Melting Pot - Gaslamp Quarter

4. Dobson's Bar & Restaurant

5. Downtown Sushi

6. Tapas & Beers

7. Lou & Mickey's

8. Ironside Fish & Oyster

9. Seréa

10. The Prado at Balboa Park

See what locals rave about

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