Best Hot Spot Restaurants in San Diego

41 restaurants available nearby

1. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6444)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 85 times today

A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.

2. Mister A's

4.8

Exceptional(8634)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 69 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)

3. Madison

4.5

Awesome(3003)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • University Heights

Booked 57 times today

With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends. ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ

A photo of Benihana - San Diego, CA restaurant

4. Benihana - San Diego, CA

4.1

Excellent(7329)

Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Mission Valley

Booked 103 times today

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

5. CUCINA urbana

4.8

Exceptional(7086)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Banker's Hill

Booked 66 times today

CUCINA urbana is a hot spot in San Diego due to its unique blend of a country farmhouse atmosphere with a contemporary art installation. The restaurant has consistently high ratings for its locally sourced, expertly prepared Italian dishes and a great selection of fine wines. Reviewers also rave about the excellent service, ambiance, and fun atmosphere.

6. Madi

4.6

Exceptional(409)

Price: Moderate

• Breakfast • Kensington

Booked 21 times today

Bringing all-day brunch and grab-and-go coffee to Normal Heights, Madi is the upcoming daytime counterpart to Madison on Park, the well-established mid-century modern restaurant and bar that opened in University Heights in 2015. Offering a quick-service coffee counter fueled by Heartwork Coffee out of Mission Hills that’ll feature the full range of espresso drinks, specialty beverages, and tea as well as fresh pastries, Madi will also be an anytime option for sit-down breakfasts, mimosa-powered brunches, and casual lunches.Its breakfast menu ranges from waffle churro sticks and breakfast burritos to skirt steak eggs Benedict and a variety of pancakes based on a 60-year-old recipe from Madison co-owner Matthew, whose family runs a century-old breakfast spot in the midwest.Lunch will hinge on build-your-own grain and salad bowls along with lettuce wraps, ceviche, a burger, and a classic Tuna Melt!

7. World Famous

4.6

Exceptional(998)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Pacific Beach

Booked 13 times today

World Famous is a hotspot due to its unique location on the beach, offering spectacular views. The restaurant's Southern Californian Coastal cuisine, including market fresh Pacific seafood and grilled steaks, has won rave reviews for its flavor and quality. The excellent service, friendly staff, and inviting ambiance make it a go-to spot for both locals and tourists. As one reviewer put it, 'Great food, excellent service and wonderful ambiance!'

A photo of Bay Park Fish Company restaurant

8. Bay Park Fish Company

4.9

Exceptional(314)

Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Bay Park

Booked 3 times today

WE ARE OPEN!Founded by two fishing buddies in 2005, Bay Park Fish Company has become a local hot spot for the freshest seafood in San Diego. Our menu features the freshest of locally sourced seafood. We are proud to be located in this quaint little neighborhood in San Diego & proud to support local fishermen.For limited capacity dine-in, and take-out! We are excited to invite you back in! The health and safety of our staff and customers is our top priority. Please be assured that we are implementing all necessary health & safety measures as outlined in the published COVID-19 Restaurant Operating Protocol. Face covering is required to enter the restaurant at this time. You are permitted to remove your face covering once you are seated, and for the duration of time you are at the table.Please be patient and understanding with our staff, we are all putting forth our best efforts to provide the best experience under this new normal!

9. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4735)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 53 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.

10. Coasterra

4.5

Awesome(7540)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Harbor Island

Booked 77 times today

Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.

‘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

T
Tara
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Great experience with impeccable service! Lovely views.
More info
Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.8
R
Raylene
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Our chef, Jessie and waiter Nathan were both excellent. I have never had a bad experience at Benihana but tonight's service was the best we have ever had.
More info
Benihana - San Diego, CAPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Mission Valley
•
4.1
V
Viviana
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great service! Great food and drinks! Perfect for a date night or friends dinner.
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MadisonPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• University Heights
•
4.5
M
Mary Ann
Washington, D.C. Area •21 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We loved this place! Visiting San Diego from out of town and saw the reviews for this place and had to come. It did not disappoint! Started with figgy stardust drinks (so yummy) and had the pork belly for the appetizer. Loved all the flavors in the pork belly. My partner had the fig and gorgonzola pizza and I had the rigatoni bolognese. Both were incredible and very tasty. The portion sizes were perfect and the staff was very friendly. Noise level was decent. Wine selections was good. Definitely would come back!! Thanks
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CUCINA urbanaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Banker's Hill
•
4.8
J
JoAnnvip
San Diego •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 26, 2024
Unmatched hospitality! The server was knowledgeable about the food and able to describe them well. We didn’t have great luck with the clams, they were very chewy & overcooked but the broth was delicious. They took it back and a sweet manager, (I’m forgetting names) sent a hamachi that was to die for! Everything else that hit the table was delicious and we were very impressed. The bubbly and celebration desert was super appreciated as well. Honestly made my birthday dinner feel extra special, some places really don’t go the extra mile but they sure know how to impress.
More info
Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7

Best Hot Spot Restaurants in San Diego

Price

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Award-winning

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41 restaurants available nearby

1. Herb & Wood

2. Mister A's

3. Madison

4. Benihana - San Diego, CA

5. CUCINA urbana

6. Madi

7. World Famous

8. Bay Park Fish Company

9. Cowboy Star

10. Coasterra

See what locals rave about

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