Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

NM Café at Neiman Marcus – San Diego

5.0

5 (328)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

THE NM CAFE located in Neiman Marcus SAN DIEGO has been recently remodeled and is now open 7 days a week, 11 am- 4pm.

Laid-back luxe. Experience delightful dishes in a casual, contemporary atmosphere at THE NM CAFE® SAN DIEGO. Muted lighting and understated, modern decor create the perfect environment for a midday retreat. Whether dining with a group or simply ordering upscale take-out, expect delectable food and exceptional service that is synonymous with Neiman Marcus.

Let THE NM CAFE® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect menu and ambience for your event in our chic and inviting atmosphere. Pamper the glowing bride- or mother-to-be in your life with the shower of her dreams or a lavish luncheon.

Top review

SueVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

What a lovely lunch we had at NM Cafe. The food was delicious, the salmon tacos to die for . Our server Gabriel took great care of us. This place is a hidden gem.

Kettner Exchange

4.7

4.7 (1353)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Little Italy

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 1 day ago

Had such a lovely evening at Kettner. We had the spicy tuna cripsy rice, house made bread and peanut dipping sauch, the pork chop and sonoma lamb and szechuan noodles. Everything was fantastic. My personal favorite were the noodles. They had great flavor. It was spicy but not too much.

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Experience

New Years Eve at Kettner Exchange

Beaumont's

4.6

4.6 (917)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Established in the heart of La Jolla’s Bird Rock seaside community in 2005, Beaumont’s Neighborhood Eatery has been a central meeting spot for locals to gather for fabulous food, hand-made cocktails, and top-rated entertainment in a casual, yet contemporary atmosphere earning its title as the “heart and soul of Bird Rock”. Nightly happy hour and a fantastic dinner menu are just the beginning, because a full bar and live local music add to the great vibe. You’ll find Beaumont’s weekends a need to be at event for brunch!

Top review

Lee

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent service on food and drinks. Anthony Cullins band performed superbly. Food value a bit overpriced

Coco Maya

4.6

4.6 (378)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Little Italy and overlooking the Piazza della Famiglia, Coco Maya offers a contemporary twist on classic American dishes. Our diverse menu ranges from light coastal cuisine to robust, flavorful proteins cooked in a traditional Spanish-style coal-fired Josper oven. Additionally, we pay homage to our neighborhood's roots with several Italian-inspired entrees, featuring unique takes on flatbreads and pastas.

As part of the Grind & Prosper Hospitality Group, Coco Maya is an evolution of our original concept, Miss B’s Coconut Club in Mission Beach. Since our inception, we've continued to explore new flavors and culinary techniques while broadening our scope and enriching our cocktail program. Coco Maya boasts a diverse mezcal and tequila selection, alongside the delicious tropical and rum-based cocktails that have become synonymous with Miss B’s.

Open daily for brunch and dinner, with a weekday Happy Hour from 2-5 pm.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great customer service. Great food. Beautiful location, with great views of the sky. Great music with JB Saxx and his magic saxophone… 😎

Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar

4.7

4.7 (1301)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Mission Hills

About the restaurant

Harley Gray kitchen & bar is located on the corner of Goldfinch St. and Washington St. with outside patio seating on both sides, includes heaters and has an open sliding glass door wall. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as an amazing weekend Brunch Menu with items including a Lobster Benedict, Organic Acai Bowl and Spicy Chiliquiles and you can take advantage of the $10 free flowing mimosas!

We are known for many of our fantastic weekly specials at Harley Gray: Wednesday Night neighborhood night which offers Happy Hour all night, Thursday night Live Maine Lobster and Friday night Slow Roast Prime Rib to mention some more popular ones. We strive to offer you an amazing dining experience that includes incredible food, unique and fun cocktails and of course friendly professional service from our entire staff.

Top review

MarissaVIP

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Lobster night is such a great deal and we always enjoy it!

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Popular dish

Lobster Benedict

Experience

Half Priced Bottles of Wine All Night!

Experience

Weekend Brunch with Bottomless Mimosas

Tavern

4.6

4.6 (759)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Coronado

About the restaurant

Open for Lunch and Dinner. Reservations for Lunch are not accepted, however we do accept walk-ins!

Top review

Annette

Dined 5 days ago

Delicious food! Great service! The ambience of the restaurant is great. It’s loud but it works out great if you have kids! Definitely going back again!

Ketch Grill & Taps - Point Loma

4.7

4.7 (54)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Point Loma

About the restaurant

20 Tap Handles featuring our Ketch Brewing beers and several guest taps. Modern Casual Faire overlooking San Diego Bay and the sportfishing fleet of Point Loma

Top review

MeyliaVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Wonderful location and great service! Very nice HH too.

Quarterdeck Restaurant- Bay Club Hotel And Marina

4.5

4.5 (106)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

About the restaurant

PEASE NOTE: The Quarterdeck Restaurant & Bar will be temporality closed for renovations starting Monday, December 23, 2024. The estimated reopen date is March 8, 2025.

Enjoy delicious food, craft beers and sweeping views of San Diego Bay and the Point Loma hillside without ever leaving our Shelter Island hotel at the Quarterdeck Restaurant & Bar. From our award-winning chili to our famous coconut jumbo fried shrimp, we have something for every palate. We also offer a tempting selection of flavorful wines and cocktails. In addition to our fabulous food and drinks, the Quarterdeck Bar on Shelter Island has several HD TVs so you can watch all of your favorite sporting events’ and enjoy special bar offerings throughout the year.

Top review

Kathy

Dined on Nov 29, 2024

We drove to San Diego for Thanksgiving because of the special meal offered. We had reservations, as recommended in the email I received. We were seated quickly, we had a choice of half booth ot table so we chose half booth. We had cocktails before our 1st course, salad or creamy pumpkin soup. We were able to sit comfortably, we were not rushed to eat our appetizer. Our main course was served. Beautiful plate of food was served on square plates. Loved it. The food all over was fantastic: easy to slice ham, moist turkey and stuffing, perfectly cooked green bean casserole, yummy mashed potatoes, crushed cranberries and rolls. By the time we were ready for dessert we were definitely full. What a great meal, and very tasty, you can taste the alcohol cocktails. 5 stars all around.

Topside Terrace

4.4

4.4 (387)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

A quintessential San Diego open-air terrace, Topside Terrace takes advantage of the San Diego climate while marrying the sites and sounds of downtown. Inspired by coastal living, we specialize in evening fare and weekend brunch serving Baja California and Classic American Fare paired with contemporary cocktails and draft beer.

Happy hour every Sunday-Thursday from 4pm to 6pm!

Live Music every Wednesday night 6pm-8pm & Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm!

Top review

TerriM

Dined 7 days ago

Had a large group and was interesting how they wanted to do the billing.

Covewood - Mission Bay Resort

4.2

4.2 (540)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Mission Bay

About the restaurant

California Coastal Cuisine
Pacific breezes and fire features create an intimate indoor/outdoor atmosphere for indulging in the local bounty at Covewood. Fresh seafood and wood-grilled vegetables are paired with local wines and food-friendly cocktails while tactile elements of leather and linen convey an understated luxury, translating our barefoot-chic ethos into an exceptional dining experience.

Top review

Brian

Dined on Nov 29, 2024

Amazing food and service. The Prime Rib was amazing. Our server Anna was just perfect and on top of everything. We will definitely be back soon.

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