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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in College Area

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73 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Giardino Neighborhood Cucina restaurant
1. Giardino Neighborhood Cucina
4.5
Awesome(1098)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Lemon Grove
Booked 10 times today
Located in the middle of Lemon Grove’s charming downtown area, Giardino is a welcoming and casual Italian inspired cucina where the neighborhood gathers for fresh and flavorful classic dishes found throughout Italy.Giardino offers an Italian-inspired menu of seasonally-driven dishes that use timeless Italian techniques and fresh ingredients. Guests will find items such as fresh seafood, pastas, pizzas and salads, as well as a variety of elements made in-house.
A photo of Alexander's on 30th restaurant
2. Alexander's on 30th
4.7
Exceptional(3154)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Park
Booked 56 times today
Neighborhood gem located in the heart of the Historic North Park District, adjoining Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Specializing in homestyle Italian with Gourmet Flair. Hand made Pastas, Award Winning Pizza and Voted Best of Restaurants by San Diego Magazine "Most Romantic". Listed as Top 25 Places to Eat in San Diego "Before You Die" by San Diego Union Tribune. Make memorable celebrations on our beautiful patio, the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Remember to try our diners favorites, The Theodore's Fix Pizza and Baked Vodka Bolognese.Look forward to serving you soon!
A photo of Wormwood restaurant
3. Wormwood
4.6
Exceptional(845)
Price: Very Expensive
• French • North Park
Booked 13 times today
Wormwood invites you to step into a bygone era, where poets, artists, and dreamers found inspiration in the Green Fairy. By night, we offer an elegant French dining experience, where each dish is crafted with passion, paired with curated wines and signature cocktails, and brought to life by our exceptional service. Whether in our cozy dining room, enchanting patio, or the hidden charm of our Secret Garden speakeasy, every evening is an unparalleled journey of flavor and hospitality.Now, we invite you to experience Wormwood’s weekend brunch, every Saturday and Sunday. Indulge in a refined menu, sip on handcrafted cocktails and artisanal coffees, and let the soulful sounds of live jazz transport you to Belle Époque Paris. A celebration of indulgence, romance, and hospitality, brunch at Wormwood is a morning affair you won’t want to miss.
A photo of Bleu Boheme restaurant
4. Bleu Boheme
4.7
Exceptional(3609)
Price: Expensive
• French • Kensington
Booked 16 times today
"World travel and its pleasures; items brought back from different places for décors; great stories shared with others; and very importantly, simple, yet delicious recipes from different cultures. Our mission is humble. It is simply for people coming to our restaurant to be transported around the world, and to travel with us for an evening, to a place of well-being and happiness."Bleu Bohème is designed to create a feeling of France's past generations. It mixes the Bohemian and artistic free spirited left bank of Paris with the roots and tradition of the rural areas. Bleu Bohème is a neighborhood restaurant that serves accessible, affordable and comforting French cuisine.
A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant
5. The Smoking Goat Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2691)
Price: Moderate
• French American • North Park
Booked 14 times today
The Smoking Goat is an award-winning California-French bistro located in the heart of North Park, San Diego. We have received the Gold Medallion for the best French Bistro in San Diego three years running. Inspired by his European Farm-to-Table up-bringing and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Executive Chef and Owner Fred Piehl, marries classic French cuisine with the bounty of San Diego in a way that is rustic, yet refined, imaginative, yet unpretentious. The dinners served feature in-season local, sustainable and organic ingredients and provide guests with a unique culinary experience, reminiscent of the European countryside. Boasting a carefully selected wine and beer list and chef and bartender attention to select spirits to create craft house cocktails, The Smoking Goat assures there is always the correct pairing available.
A photo of Brigantine La Mesa restaurant
6. Brigantine La Mesa
4.8
Exceptional(4248)
Price: Moderate
• Seafood • La Mesa
Booked 34 times today
A San Diego tradition since 1969, the Brigantine has received many accolades in our 40+ year history: "BEST SEAFOOD", "BEST CASUAL SEAFOOD", "BEST HAPPY HOUR", and even "BEST SWORDFISH IN THE WORLD", according to USA Today - just to name a few.Well-known for our signature Clam Chowder, Grilled Swordfish, and Crème Brûlée, the Brigantine is a favorite among locals for consistently fresh seafood, succulent steaks and grilled meats. With an updated nautical decor, the busy Oyster bar is hands-down the local favorite. Lush flowering foliage outdoors creates an elegant dining experience on one of two charming patios.The La Mesa Brigantine serves dinner 7 nights a week, lunch Monday-Saturday, and brunch every Sunday.Join us for our signature Happy Hour.
A photo of Antica Trattoria restaurant
7. Antica Trattoria
4.7
Exceptional(2426)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Italian • La Mesa
Booked 22 times today
Antica Trattoria is a warm restaurant with an old-fashioned sense of hospitality that quickly became a gathering place for dinners in Lake Murray and the rest of San Diego when it opened in 2001. For Executive Chef and Owner Francesco Basile, good cuisine is about honest flavors, fresh ingredients, and simplicity. That's the kind of food he grew up eating by the seaside in Sicily and it's what he learned in culinary school in Italy.Why eat ordinary when you can eat extraordinary?About reservations: We have a 15-minute grace period. Please call us if you will be running later than 15 minutes. If a later time slot is available, you may be able to switch your reservation.We may contact you, so please ensure your email and phone number are up to date. Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 30 minutes for parties of up to 4 guests; 2 hours for parties of 5 to 8 guests; and 2 hours 30 minutes for parties of 9+. We cannot guarantee special request for tables.
A photo of Siamo Napoli restaurant
8. Siamo Napoli
4.8
Exceptional(1366)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • North Park
Booked 52 times today
Specializing in Napolitano style pizza and pasta. We focus on clean fresh ingredients that thrive in our home land and make simple foods the star. We have a full bar with hand crafted drinks and a range of wines from Napoli and beyond.
A photo of Madi restaurant
9. Madi
4.7
Exceptional(450)
Price: Moderate
• Breakfast • Kensington
Booked 47 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!
A photo of Aromi Italian Cuisine restaurant
10. Aromi Italian Cuisine
4.6
Exceptional(267)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • La Mesa
Booked 6 times today
Aromi Italian Cuisine is a gem of a spot in La Mesa. The restaurant is praised for its delicious Italian food that's both fresh and authentic. Reviews consistently highlight the friendly staff, great ambiance, and value for money. One reviewer called it a 'welcome and delicious addition to the neighborhood', while another said it's 'an unexpected gem'. It's a must-visit for those craving authentic Italian cuisine in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
‘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
  • JanetVIP
    San Diego •14 reviews
    4.0
    Dined today
    Have dined here many times. Food is always great. Have had the mussels before, great flavored sauce but the quality of the mussels themselves seemed off. Many shells empty and a good portion of them had a mushy texture. We love it here so we will be back. The dining room was very noisy, so it was difficult to have conversation without missing things said.
    More info
    Bleu BohemePrice: Expensive• French• Kensington
    •
    4.7
  • WillnAliVIP
    San Diego •15 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    This restaurant was a last minute choice, and was definitely the right choice. We ended up getting one of the last reservations of the night. Food was delicious and presentation was beautiful! Service was on point. Cost was worth what you pay for. Parking is hard to find, save extra time to find a spot or there is an Ace parking lot only about a block from the restaurant, that only cost us $13. Overall, great experience!!
    More info
    The Smoking Goat RestaurantPrice: Moderate• French American• North Park
    •
    4.7
  • Cathy
    San Diego •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Always a great place for dinner. Love the food, ambience and service. Lovely waitress, Rachel served us last night. Mussels as always are outstanding!! Brought a friend who had not been there and she'll definitely be coming back. Keep it up Alexanders :)
    More info
    Alexander's on 30thPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Park
    •
    4.7
  • Randee
    San Diego •237 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Mar 4, 2025
    we came for the Baja Dinner Series and each course was excellent. the Pacific Catch was my favorite. The wine pairings were excellent as well. we enjoyed the evening.
    More info
    WormwoodPrice: Very Expensive• French• North Park
    •
    4.6
  • Cielo
    San Diego •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Mar 3, 2025
    Wonderful service. They accommodate our party if 15. Food was amazing.
    More info
    Giardino Neighborhood CucinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Lemon Grove
    •
    4.5

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