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Kettner Exchange, San Diego, CA
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Kettner Exchange

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Visa Dining Collection

$31 to $50
Contemporary American
2001 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 44 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Lively
  • Innovative
Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Brian Redzikowski

  • Award icon
    MICHELIN Bib Gourmand2023
  • Award icon
    MICHELIN Bib Gourmand2022
  • Award icon
    MICHELIN Bib Gourmand2021

From the OpenTable editors: Anchored by a striking 20-foot eucalyptus sculpture, this two-story, indoor-outdoor showstopper has been a Little Italy hotspot since opening in 2014. Snag a seat on the rooftop patio with swinging daybeds, a roaring fireplace, and bookable private cabanas for sweeping harbor views and inventive American dishes with Asian twists like Szechuan frog legs and spicy tuna and crispy rice with eel sauce from James Beard Award-winning chef Brian Redzikowski.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Asian, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Bar Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–12:00 am Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–1:00 am
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
    3. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2021
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy
  • Cross street
    Grape St
  • Parking details
    Valet is available for $10.00 Cash or $12.00 Credit Card.
  • Entertainment
    Live Djs Thursday-Saturday + occasional live bands (call venue for nightly entertainment)
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Small Cabana Reservation

    $100.00 per party

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    THIS IS NOT A STANDARD RESERVATION, please read below: *Mon-Wed evening Small Cabana Reservations have no F&B minimum but tax and 22% service charge will be applied. *Thurs-Sun evening Small Cabana Reservations have a $400 F&B minimum + tax and 22% service charge. *Sun Brunch Cabanas have a $200 F&B minimum + tax and 22% service charge. The Small Cabanas offers a space where groups of up to (6) guests are able to enjoy Kettner Exchange’s elevated cuisine and unique beverage program in a casual lounge style VIP setting. Guests may dine from the Lounge Menu till 10pm while being seated at the core of a lively open-air rooftop. Everything ordered will go onto one bill. Each reservation is for (3) hours maximum.
  • Chef's Table May 21st

    $260.00 per person

    Prepaid

    May 21, 2025 only
    This experience is available for parties of minimum of 1 guest up to 8 guests maximum, at $260 per person tax and gratuity included. ** All purchases are final sale.

What 1,451 people are saying

Kettner Exchange reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Contemporary American

  • San Diego

    Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Kettner Exchange in San Diego offers a "wonderful dining experience" with a vibrant atmosphere and attentive staff. Known for its "delicious" food, standout dishes include the duck meatball and roasted duck. The restaurant's eclectic menu features Asian fusion and tapas-style plates. Despite some noise, the "amazing atmosphere" and "fantastic service" make it a favorite spot for many.
1,451 Reviews
  1. Ira VIP

    Chicago22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great atmosphere, ambience and enjoyed the singer.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Kara

    Baltimore2 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We had last minute reservations, were able to be Accommodated at a high table. Unfortunately we were sat next the DJ who didn’t seem to bump my chair periodically. Ultimately the ambience is lovely but we were not enamored with the food. Worth a visit but probably won’t revisit.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Beth

    Atlanta22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great staff and bartenders. Super attentive. We loved the kale salad and the duck meatball is a must. Delicious.!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Linda Anne

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food. Great service. It was a little too noisy as we sat hear the bar. We’ll begaxk

    Is this helpful?

  5. Sarah VIP

    Chicago20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing service and food! Lovely and lovely atmosphere!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Doug VIP

    San Diego13 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lively fun restaurant. Opted for four appetizers and one entree between the two of us, and while the food was unique, nothing stood out as memorable. I had been here for diner three years earlier, and I recall the menu being excellent. Evidently, the chef and the menu has changed and I don't think for the better. Cocktails were delicious. The staff was attentive and joyful, which combined with the festive atmosphere here makes a Friday night visit worthwhile. However, the kitchen is not up to par, especially for the price.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Annalynn VIP

    San Francisco130 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A wonderful dining experience with April, who made the best food recommendations. If/when I return to San Diego, KEX, is a must.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Lauren

    San Diego4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 27, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We ordered a variety of dishes to share. A few were excellent, several were good, and a couple were underwhelming. We liked the variety offered. Service staff were attentive, but they did take away 2 plates we weren't finished with, without asking. We were offered several seating options, and chose the upstairs patio lounge, which was moderately loud despite not having many people in it at first. Later, the noise level made conversations difficult and then impossible once the live music began. We were not informed about the live music and might have selected a different location had we known. Despite it being a cold evening, the patio temperature was kept comfortably warm by outdoor heaters. Atmosphere and experience overall were very good, and we would go again.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Kathy VIP

    Los Angeles8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible service by Alex. Food was so delicious, flavors on point. Bartenders was awesome, drinks were good. Definitely recommend this place.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Charles

    Los Angeles3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious and the service was the best we've had in a long time at a restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Kettner Exchange offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 255-2001.

Kettner Exchange is rated 4.7 stars by 1451 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. San Diego
  5. Little Italy

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 44 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Kettner Exchange

2001 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
    3. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2021
  • Cross street
    Grape St
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Bar Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–12:00 am Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–1:00 am
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Asian, Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet is available for $10.00 Cash or $12.00 Credit Card.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Live Djs Thursday-Saturday + occasional live bands (call venue for nightly entertainment)
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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