Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

100 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Tom Hams Lighthouse restaurant

1. Tom Hams Lighthouse

4.6

Exceptional(6666)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 38 times today

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse was built in 1971 by a man who was not afraid to put his name on his product. Rooted in warm welcomes & excellent food, Tom Ham made his lifelong dream a reality. Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is the only restaurant in the US to have a USCG operated & maintained Lighthouse attached to it. You can locate us on any modern nautical map as Beacon #9. Featuring a 100% responsibly resourced seafood menu & award winning Sunday Champagne Brunch, we are a must when it comes to the San Diego food scene. The dining room, purposely shaped like the state of California, allows for groups as grand as 50 yet private enough for a couple’s night out. Holiday brunches have been long time family traditions for many San Diegans. Start your family’s tradition this next holiday. With the best views of the Downtown City Skyline, Coronado & San Diego Bay, Tom Ham's is & remains a San Diego tradition in dining excellence since 1971.

2. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6464)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 71 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.

3. Books + Records

4.7

Exceptional(377)

Price: Expensive

• American • Banker's Hill

Booked 10 times today

Global inspired American cuisine, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch in an upbeat atmosphere, with live music.Chef Ryan Stickel is serving up San Diego's freshest food takes in an art deco meets mid-century mod warehouse space. With a tenured run on both Eater's Heat Map and list of San Diego's Hottest Cocktail Bars, the food and drinks are both guaranteed to delight your senses.

4. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8668)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 43 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)

5. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4307)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 84 times today

Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!

6. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4753)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 40 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.

7. Ciccia Osteria

4.7

Exceptional(177)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Barrio Logan

Booked 30 times today

Nestled in Barrio Logan, San Diego, Ciccia Osteria is a charming Italian restaurant that invites guests on a culinary journey through Italy. With its warm ambiance, attentive service, and exquisite cuisine, Ciccia Osteria is a beloved destination. Notably, it has won the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024Entering Ciccia Osteria, guests are transported to Italy's bustling trattorias. The cozy interior, with small tables, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting, creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for any occasion.Committed to the finest ingredients and traditional techniques, Ciccia Osteria offers handmade pastas, succulent seafood, and tender meats, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. The curated wine list features Italian and California wines to pair with the menu.Under Chef Mario Cassineri's guidance, Ciccia Osteria is more than a restaurant—it's a destination where guests can savor authentic Italian cuisine and create lasting memories.

A photo of Water Grill - San Diego restaurant

8. Water Grill - San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(3600)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 37 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.

A photo of Solare Ristorante Lounge restaurant

9. Solare Ristorante Lounge

4.7

Exceptional(2439)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Point Loma

Booked 23 times today

Family-owned and operated, Randy Smerik and his team are dedicated to providing an amazing dining experience for you. Our authentic Italian cuisine features a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. including fresh pasta made each morning and organic produce, wild fish, and hormone free meat.

A photo of The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant

10. The Prado at Balboa Park

4.6

Exceptional(7903)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 54 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

J
Jose
San Diego •24 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Great food! Service was awesome and didn’t feel rushed.
More info
BarbusaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Little Italy
•
4.6
K
Kenneth
Baltimore / Maryland •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food and service was outstanding. The must have dishes are the pork belly and venison tare tare appetizers, the oxtail gnocchi and Secreto entrees, and the date cake for dessert. The H&W Negron was also a stand out.
More info
Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
I
ileanaVIP
Baja California •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
I came here for a romantic date and it was so amazing! We booked a reservation right away and that’s hard to find on a Saturday night. Parking was super easy and service is very friendly and fast. The food is 10/10 as well as drinks ! The music is great quality and I’ll come back pretty soon to try more of the cocktails.
More info
Books + RecordsPrice: Expensive• American• Banker's Hill
•
4.7
A
Agnes
San Diego •14 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Superb!!!! From the host to all the waiters to the foods and ambiance, whole experience was spectacular Brought my Godmom (literally my Mom) for very first time as I wanted her to experience the view having meal top of building. She loved it. Food was wonderful. Our host Matthew was fantastic and very personable, and so were the rest of the staff
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Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.9
L
LizaVIP
San Diego •21 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Great service and deliscious food A favorite of ours for over 40 years We come back when ever we need to pick up friends from the airport in the evening as well as for special occasions
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Tom Hams LighthousePrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
•
4.6

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

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100 restaurants available nearby

1. Tom Hams Lighthouse

2. Herb & Wood

3. Books + Records

4. Mister A's

5. Barbusa

6. Cowboy Star

7. Ciccia Osteria

8. Water Grill - San Diego

9. Solare Ristorante Lounge

10. The Prado at Balboa Park

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