Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Kensington

93 restaurants available nearby

1. Bleu Boheme

4.8

Exceptional(3530)

Price: Expensive

• French • Kensington

Booked 26 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 Trattoria Da Sofia restaurant

2. Trattoria Da Sofia

4.6

Exceptional(165)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Kensington

Booked 30 times today

Trattoria da Sofia is a brand new Italian restaurant located in the charming Kensington neighborhood of San Diego. Trattoria da Sofia features delicious, comforting Italian dishes paired with warm Italian hospitality. By day, the Trattoria is your new favorite coffee shop and cafe.

3. Books + Records

4.7

Exceptional(362)

Price: Expensive

• American • Banker's Hill

Booked 38 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. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6425)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 68 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.

5. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8615)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 55 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)

6. Madi

4.6

Exceptional(402)

Price: Moderate

• Breakfast • Kensington

Booked 30 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. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4718)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 43 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.

8. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4273)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 62 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!

9. Madison

4.5

Awesome(2996)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • University Heights

Booked 75 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 The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant

10. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(2630)

Price: Moderate

• French American • North Park

Booked 22 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Andy
San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Wow this place was REALLY good. Highly recommend it. And one of the most knowledgeable waitresses I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Wish I could remember her name but she was fabulous.
More info
Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
K
Kylie
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
10/10 the happy hour was amazing and the decor was so cute
More info
Books + RecordsPrice: Expensive• American• Banker's Hill
•
4.7
J
John
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Mr. A's treats you like you are the only one they are there to serve. Food and drink are exceptional, not to mention the sunset view and continuous airshow. Excellent for a special occasion. Israel our server is tops.
More info
Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.9
M
Matt
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The staff are friendly and attentive, the food is of exceptional quality, and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Having tried the Ossobuco, Ravioli di Pesce, Pasta Pistacchiosa, and Arancini, I recommend them all.
More info
Trattoria Da SofiaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Kensington
•
4.6
C
Chrisvip
San Diego •20 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
We were seated right away. The atmosphere is so very French! Very quaint - tall lighted candles on each table. Waitress was very nice. Food was excellent! French onion soup is best ever with slices of beef short rib - wow! Gnocchi was mixed with veggies in a delightful Gruyère sauce. Escargot was tasty and the Salad Chèvre Chaud outstanding! The bartender makes a very nice old fashioned too!
More info
Bleu BohemePrice: Expensive• French• Kensington
•
4.8

Explore OpenTable

Kensington

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Kensington

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Neighborhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Award-winning

Accessibility

93 restaurants available nearby

1. Bleu Boheme

2. Trattoria Da Sofia

3. Books + Records

4. Herb & Wood

5. Mister A's

6. Madi

7. Cowboy Star

8. Barbusa

9. Madison

10. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable