College Area Restaurants
Make a free reservation
Visa Dining Collection
Get exclusive access to primetime reservations at some of the country's hottest restaurants
Book for breakfast today in San Diego
Introducing OpenTable Icons
Book the city's award-winners, hot newcomers, and hard-to-get tables.
Book the city's award-winners, hot newcomers, and hard-to-get tables.
Top restaurants this week
Explore what's popular with other diners with these lists, updated weekly.
Explore what's popular with other diners with these lists, updated weekly.
Top booked
- 1
Javier's - La Jolla
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.6(3,572)La Jolla - 2
Cesarina
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.9(5,572)Ocean Beach - 3
LEILA
Price: Expensive•Middle Eastern•4.7(650)North Park - 4
The Henry - Coronado
Price: Moderate•American•4.8(2,518)Coronado - 5
Benihana - San Diego, CA
Price: Moderate•Japanese•4(7,439)Mission Valley
Top viewed
- 1
STK- San Diego
Price: Expensive•Steakhouse•4.4(3,361)Downtown - 2
The Marine Room
Price: Very Expensive•Seafood•4.6(8,257)La Jolla - 3
insideOUT
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.8(2,369)Hillcrest - 4
Mister A's
Price: Very Expensive•Contemporary French / American•4.9(8,716)Downtown - 5
Animae
Price: Very Expensive•Contemporary Asian•4.7(3,270)Downtown
Top saved
- 1
Coasterra
Price: Moderate•Mexican•4.6(7,618)Harbor Island - 2
CUCINA urbana
Price: Moderate•Italian•4.8(7,121)Banker's Hill - 3
Nolita Hall
Price: Expensive•Contemporary Italian•4.4(782)Little Italy - 4
Cloak + Petal
Price: Expensive•Sushi•4.6(976)Little Italy - 5
Nobu San Diego
Price: Very Expensive•Japanese•4.6(3,755)Downtown
New restaurants to OpenTable in San Diego
Award winning restaurants in San Diego
Outdoor dining in San Diego
See what locals rave about in College Area
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- MMeganSan Diego •1 review5.0Dined 1 day agoFirst time stopping by and it was great! The ambience was amazing and all drinks were superb. I’ll be back for sureMore infoMOTHERSHIPPrice: Moderate• Tapas / Small Plates• North Park•4.8
- CClaudiaVIPSan Diego •36 reviews5.0Dined 3 days agoVery quaint and novel Italian restaurant. Really great service, perfect wine choices and fair prices. The food highlights were the Fried Smelts which were delicious and the bruschetta was different and tasty. The seafood carbonara eas good... wish it had more seafood. The lasagna was not as firm as I have had in Italy. The flavor was good but the texture needed to be more firm for me. Overall a good experience.More infoCori Pastificio TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Park•4.7
- SSteveSan Diego •1 review5.0Dined 4 days agoIf you haven’t been to the Smoking Goat restaurant and you want some unbelievable French food and a great experience with service this is the spot.   I’ve been there multiple times and truly can’t wait to go back. There’s nothing I have tried that I would not order again.More infoThe Smoking Goat RestaurantPrice: Moderate• French American• North Park•4.8
- MMikeVIPSan Diego •57 reviews5.0Dined 6 days agoAs we have come to expect, the servers are great. The food is amazing. We always enjoy our time here. It is becoming our go-to spot.More infoAromi Italian CuisinePrice: Moderate• Italian• La Mesa•4.6
- WAWillnAliVIPSan Diego •10 reviews5.0Dined 7 days agoWe had an 8:15pm reservation. Had to do a few laps around the block before we landed a spot in back. We still checked in 30 minutes early, but they were very accommodating to seat us right away. They gave us a choice of inside or patio, showed us all the choices, and we picked the patio. The lighting was dim, with a fountain in the middle and heat lamps to make every table a very comfortable temperature. The service was outstanding! The food was delicious! And the price was pleasantly surprising! We will definitely be back soon!!More infoAlexander's on 30thPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Park•4.7
Trending dishes in College Area
Explore dishes that diners are raving about
Restaurant experiences trending in San Diego
Discover College Area
True to its name, the culture of the College Area in San Diego is heavily influenced by its proximity to San Diego State University. The dining options reflect the area's eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary. Local Italian eateries offer hearty and authentic dishes, and the Mexican cuisine has a fresh Baja slant. When you're looking for something beyond college student hot spots, there are more than enough upscale, modern American and French bistros to satisfy a mature palate. Start your day with a classic crepe, or pair your truffle fries with a glass of California burgundy for lunch.
Explore OpenTable
- Sunshine Park
- Princess Del Seno Park
- Dailard Park
- Peterson Gym 680
- Lake Murray
- The College Center Shopping Center
- San Diego State University
- Smith Field
- Alvarado Hospital Medical Center
- Del Cerro Shopping Center
- Harvey's Motel
- Aztec Aquaplex
- Computer Museum of America
- Rolando Park
- Clay Park
- Boulevard Mart Shopping Center
- Travel Time Motel
- Aztec Bowl Stadium
- Campus Plaza Shopping Center
- Scripps Park