Diners' Choice: American restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall 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!

Bazille - Nordstrom University Town Center

4.9

4.9 (195)

$30 and under

American

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Enjoy a delightful dining experience at Nordstrom restaurants, where you can savor chef inspired dishes, using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Come and try our signature handcrafted soups, entrees and desserts and pair it with a Nordstrom crafted cocktail, wine or beer. Call (858) 812-3582 to place your order or get delivery via DoorDash or Uber Eats. Thank You.

Top review

EmilyVIP

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Bazille is an unpretentious little cafe-style restaurant in Nordstroms. The food and service are excellent, but the parking can be a challenge. Only one disappointment - I asked for my salmon rare, and despite the server saying that would be possible, it was served well-done.

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Experience

Wine Wednesdays

Experience

Happy Hour at the Bazille!

Great Maple San Diego

4.8

4.8 (4559)

$30 and under

American

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

We Serve Dinner, Lunch, Brunch and Weekday Breakfast. We are a modern American eatery featuring seasonal fare, fresh house made pies, and local produce cocktails. We have a full bar and a social wine list. Open for Outdoor dining!

Top review

DebbieVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Making a reservation is the way to go! There's always a line to get in. One of the most delicious Cesar slalds I've EVER had!!

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Popular dish

Maple Bacon Doughnuts

Popular dish

Great Maple French Toast Logs

Popular dish

Key Lime Pie

Noble Experiment

4.9

4.9 (352)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Noble Experiment is a small, intimate cocktail bar located behind a secret door inside of Neighborhood restaurant at 777 G St. San Diego, CA 92101. Reservations for 4 or less are accepted as early as two weeks in advance. Large party reservations can be made through our reservations team at info@nobleexperimentsd.com. Walk-ins are welcome based upon availability.

Top review

Sara

Dined 6 days ago

Our bartender was exceptional. She made us fabulous drinks with a wonderful attitude.

The Henry - Coronado

4.8

4.8 (2816)

$30 and under

American

Coronado

About the restaurant

Welcome to the greatest neighborhood restaurant, a place where you can always count on a warm welcome from baristas, servers and bartenders who know your order by heart. A fusion of industrial and classical influences, our open dining spaces are bursting with charm and energy. Come and go with ease for your morning coffee, enjoy lunch with a colleague, gather the family together for dinner, or treat yourself to a post-work drink at the bar. For craveable eats and downright delicious cocktails, look no further than a place where you'll always be among friends, a place that feels like home: The Henry.

Top review

SaraVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Food and service were fantastic! Celebrating 2 special occasions and we felt very welcomed.

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Popular dish

Molten Butter Cake

Popular dish

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast

Popular dish

Korean Prime Skirt Steak

Farmer's Bottega Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1681)

$30 and under

American

Mission Hills

About the restaurant

Farm-to-table restaurant located in the heart of Mission Hills. Farmer's Bottega serves farm fresh breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner along with a unique selection of craft local beer and wine.

Top review

KayVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Incredible food and great service. We’ll be back.

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4.7

4.7 (21)

$30 and under

American

Ocean Beach

About the restaurant

OB Surf Lodge celebrates the vibrant spirit of 1960s SoCal surf culture, paying tribute to the iconic roots of Ocean Beach and the surf lifestyle that defined the area. Our coastal-inspired brunch, served with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, offers a fresh and exciting experience for every guest. We take pride in preparing our menu from scratch daily and cooking everything to order.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

Enjoyed some family time for brunch and we had a great view.

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Experience

Coastal Hour

Gravity Heights Mission Valley

4.8

4.8 (303)

$30 and under

American

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

We’re not out to take the San Diego beer scene by storm or reinvent the wheel because the truth is, there’s no shortage of good breweries in San Diego. Instead, our aim is to pair that good beer with the same delicious food, exceptional service and genuine hospitality we’re known for so you never have to compromise one for the other again. Situated in Mission Valley, our 9,000 square foot brewpub includes a full service restaurant, an expansive and lush outdoor beer garden, and a pretty stellar team to make sure you always have good food in your mouth and a solid beer in your hand.

Top review

SteveVIP

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

Delicious food and drinks and excellent very friendly service. We had a great time.

Gravity Heights Sorrento Valley

4.8

4.8 (1242)

$30 and under

American

Sorrento Mesa

About the restaurant

We’re not out to take the San Diego beer scene by storm or reinvent the wheel because the truth is, there’s no shortage of good breweries in San Diego. Instead, our aim is to pair that good beer with the same delicious food, exceptional service and genuine hospitality we’re known for so you never have to compromise one for the other again. Tucked away in Sorrento mesa, our 12,000 square foot brewpub includes a full service restaurant, an event space, an expansive and lush outdoor beer garden and a pretty stellar team to make sure you always have good food in your mouth and a solid beer in your hand.

Top review

Sanjiv

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent service and great food👍! The waiter was very courteous and paid attention to details 👍!

Seasons 52 - San Diego - UTC

4.7

4.7 (5146)

$31 to $50

American

University City/Golden Triangle

About the restaurant

Seasons 52 is a Fresh Grill and Wine Bar offering a seasonal menu that is naturally lighter and always flavorful. Our seasonal menus feature ingredients at their peak of freshness, oak-fire grilled or brick oven roasted (without a fryer in sight) to be naturally lighter and more flavorful. We also offer an extensive list of wines by the glass and bottle. Here, you'll always feel free to enjoy every bite, every sip, every moment. Lunch and dinner daily with happy hour Monday-Friday from 3-6PM.

Top review

KathleenVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service and our meals and wine were wonderful.

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Ponyboy at The Pearl Hotel

4.8

4.8 (94)

$31 to $50

American

Point Loma

About the restaurant

Nearly 70 years after its arrival onto the San Diego boutique hotel landscape, Point Loma’s iconic mid-century modern Pearl Hotel has unveiled the latest chapter in its storied history with an ambitiously reimagined restaurant and bar: Ponyboy. The inspiration behind Ponyboy extends beyond its décor and menu. Named after the protagonist of S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, the restaurant conveys the spirit of individuality and rebellion in a time when hope and resilience were pivotal to navigating the challenges of a changing world. Guests will sense the nod to cultural iconography as they step into a space that feels familiar and refreshingly new. The ambiance is designed to harken back to a bygone era when traditional American comfort foods and elaborate dinner parties were both fashionable and fun. We look forward to seeing you soon, drink in hand, soaking in the sun pool-side. Stay gold, San Diego.

Top review

JanetVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Phenomenal food service wine list staff the whole vibe was great loved it can’t wait to go back!!!

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