ARTIFACT at Mingei

ARTIFACT at Mingei reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. K

   Kevin

   San Diego53 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Only open for dinner on Friday nights except for one Thursday night a month but are open for lunch most everyday. The restaurant is very well designed and appointed, the food is inventive and always really good. The service especially if you sit at the bar is outstanding. Everything about Artifact is enjoyable including the outside patio weather permitting (and it usually is).
   

   Is this helpful?

2. R

   Raus

   San Diego10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Meatballs were Amazing! Service was sensitive to our time constraints and Very attentive!
   

   Is this helpful?

3. M

   Mary Jo

   San Diego1 review

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent fresh food, inventiveuse of ingredients,beautiful presentation, and ,most importantly , delicious. Our server Allie was knowledgable, helpful, and engaging. Gorgeous space in the Mingei Museum at Balboa Park. We ate inside due to rain but will try the spacious side patio next time. We enjoyed our lunch immensly and will return for a Friday dinner and perhaps one of their monthly world dinners. Highly recommend Artifact!
   

   Is this helpful?

4. T

   Talkinboutdafood VIP

   San Francisco32 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Surprising to find such great food and cocktails in a museum. The lamb burger and kabocha/beet salad were delicious. Just be aware the restaurant is in the lobby of the museum but it’s a small museum so very little noise from the patrons going to and fro. After lunch, get a coffee to go from the cafe on the other side of the lobby and sit outside in the beautiful plaza. Memorable day!
   

   Is this helpful?

5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Diego1 review

   5.0

   Dined on March 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had a small birthday celebration over lunch on lovely setting on the patio, with a wonderful waiter and excellent food. The weather was beautiful. Couldn’t ask for more. Very memorable.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. S

   Sharon

   San Diego2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Everyone’s moral selections were delicious with the exception of my order - it was way too salty and the waitress immediately credited the charge and asked if I wanted a different entree. When I declined, she offered a dessert which was enjoyed by all. Great service and with the one entree exception, delicious food.
   

   Is this helpful?

7. V

   Vickie VIP

   Los Angeles43 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 1, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Everything about the Mingei Indigo exhibit tied together. Even the amazing artwork over the bar and an indigo inspired mock tail. We arrived early before our reservation and were seated at the bar. I did receive a no show notice. But we were there. We did notice tables were open while we were at the bar. We had a great experience with Kendra. We ordered 2 pre fixe dinners and ordered different items. Kendra gave us small plates so we could exchange food. Although the bar chairs aren’t as comfortable as a table, our experience was great. Kendra explained the indigo woven art. She advised us on the food choices. We loved it. We were so surprised at the quality of the food and the service at a museum cafe. It definitely was on par with a very nice restaurant.
   

   Is this helpful?

8. S

   Suebless

   San Diego4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 27, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lovely lunch date after viewing the Mingei art show. Lunch was delicious.
   

   Is this helpful?

9. J

   Jan VIP

   San Diego38 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 27, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   This was the first time I had eaten at Artifact. A friend and I shared the Vietnam meatballs, the pierogis, the beet and pear salad and the tapioca pudding. It was all tasty except the meatballs which were overcooked. The waitperson suggested we share dishes but there were only three items on each shared plate. It seemed like there should have been an even number. The dishes were beautifully served and the service was great. The bill was $85 and I was hungry in an hour and a half.
   

   Is this helpful?

10. C

    Cindy

    Milwaukee14 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5

    Lovely restaurant with a Beautiful patio and interesting food. We were there for lunch on a Saturday and the service was a little slow, but we weren’t in a hurry. The snack tray was a generous serving of 4 delicious items.
    

    Is this helpful?