Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Noble Experiment

4.9

4.9 (349)

$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

AlexVIP

Dined on May 16, 2025

Loved our bartender, she asked a few questions and was able to create some of the best custom cocktails we’ve ever had. Highly recommend!

Vinarius

4.9

4.9 (437)

$30 and under

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Vinarius is an Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar in Little Italy San Diego. We offer an extensive wine list with wines coming from different regions of the world; the best meat and cheese board with Italian cured meats and different cheeses to pair with our wines. Our chef Alex makes homemade pasta enriched with our homemade sauces, entrees, pizza, different appetizers to choose from, and desserts that pair well with our port wines and after-dinner drinks. You definitely have to try our daily specials!
Our cozy full bar is also the perfect place to enjoy your drink and food while watching some sports!

Top review

Emily

Dined 3 days ago

We absolutely loved Vinarius! We are only in Sand Diego a few days and have eaten there twice! Beautiful restaurant, warm and inviting atmosphere and the staff and owner really care about you during dinner time. They take the time to check in. An overall atmosphere of warmth, sincerity, and incredible food!

Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina

4.9

4.9 (574)

$30 and under

Italian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

San Diego, meet Pinsa Romana.
An ancient recipe comes back to life at Our Hillcrest Restaurant.
Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina is a full-service Italian restaurant and pizzeria bringing a modern touch to family recipes and an ancient style of pizza called, Pinsa.

Tavola Nostra, which means “our table”, is owned and operated by Jeff Oliveri – a first time restaurateur from a family of longtime restaurant owners who hopes to honor his familial heritage and tradition with his Italian dining concept that creates one of the best Hillcrest restaurants.

Top review

Mary

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent pizza. Good weight staff. Quite expensive for a neighborhood place. $15 and up for dessert?

LIPS - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (151)

$31 to $50

American

North Park

About the restaurant

Lips has been San Diego's ULTIMATE in Drag Dining for 25 years! Dinner, Drinks & fabulous Drag Shows, as well as Brunch on Saturdays & Sundays. Enjoy a great meal & cocktails served up by over-the-top Drag Queens.

DIFFERENT SHOWS WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY. Wed: Bithcy Bingo; Thur: Dining with the Divas; Fri: Glitz & Glam Dinner; Sat: 2 Dragalicious Brunches & 2 Glitz & Glam Dinners; Sun: 2 Gospel Brunches & Sunday Nite Showstoppers. ***Prices- Wed/Thur/Sun Dinner: $35.95(shoe & 3-course dinner, drinks additional); Sat/Sun Brunch: $42.95(Show, meal & bottomless Mimosas/Champagne/Bloody Mary; Fri/Sat Nite: $49.95(show & 3-course dinner,drinks additional)

All shows subject to 7.75%sales tax & 20% suggested gratuity; $12 celebration package for Birthdays/Bachelorette/Anniversary/Promotion/Graduation. 16+ to enter; 21+ to Drink. GOVERNMENT ID REQUIRED-ALL IDS CHECKED AT THE DOOR

Top review

cynthia

Dined 3 days ago

I absolutely love everything about lips the talent, drinks, and the hospitality! Thank you lips

La Bonne Table

4.9

4.9 (1468)

$30 and under

French

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

LA BONNE TABLE is a cozy and intimate restaurant in the heart of the bustling neighborhood of Hillcrest. We serve country french food in a bistro fashion. Our menu consists of classic french dishes, a modest but excellent selection that will change with the seasons. We offer a romantic atmosphere and elegant setting, full bar and french beer on tap. Reservations are recommended as seating is very limited in this exclusive restaurant. Bon Appetit!

Top review

Darrell

Dined on May 22, 2025

Great food and service! Always consistent. Love the intimate atmosphere.

Baci Restaurant - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (1952)

$31 to $50

Italian

Old Town

About the restaurant

Baci Ristorante offers diners a hint of old world Italian charm, with plush booths, white tablecloths, and gracious servers clad in tuxedos. While the decor is subtly modern, the menu is classic, celebrating Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. Specialties include classic pasta dishes, veal, and fresh seafood, with especially tempting daily specials offered by Executive Chef Domenico Alioto. In addition to the cuisine, the restaurant's charming and welcoming features--include an extensive wine list, elegant patio setting, and romantic main dining room--have made Baci a consistent favorite among locals for over 30 years.

Top review

JimVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Baci is one of the best fine dining experiences in San Diego. Warm, friendly owners, an attentive waitstaff, terrific food, and an elegant ambiance. Baci should be in high rotation as one of your go to places for a special night out!

Bistro du Marché by Tapenade

4.9

4.9 (1536)

$31 to $50

French

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Named after La Jolla’s popular Open Aire Farmer’s Market, Bistro du Marché allows chef Diot to work closely with farmers to incorporate the finest local flavors into his dishes. Led by Cheffe Amélie Gadoum, Bistro du Marché incorporates quality ingredients and rigorous French technique. Signature dish includes Wild Mushroom Ravioli in Port wine Sauce. One of the specialties: Un Coq au Vin "Ivre de Bourgogne" Organic Chicken Braised in Red Wine Sauce, Yukon Gold Mashed Potato, Carrot, Mushrooms.

Bistro du Marché is based on the culinary concept of “bistronomie”, that emerged in Paris. Bistronomie, is a play on words on the concepts of “bistro” and “gastronomie”. It is a form of French cuisine that emphasizes the blending of haute gastronomic expertise, seasonality, and the traditional “cuisine de terroir” found in bistros across France. The youthfulness of the bistronomie movement has succeeded in reinvigorating French classic cuisine, and raised the bar of traditional French bistros.

Top review

Elvi

Dined 4 days ago

Fantastic service and food. We celebrated our daughter’s 18th birthday and she enjoyed every minute. One complaint - please start using duck fat to fry your potatoes - peanut oil is not up to par with your restaurants reputation.

NM Café at Neiman Marcus – San Diego

4.9

4.9 (352)

$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

Donna

Dined 2 days ago

Great place to have lunch with friends. The restaurant is quiet so you can carry on a conversation without competing with the background noise. The food is exceptional and the wait staff is friendly, helpful, and accomodating. Feels like a special occasion every time I’ve dined there.

Himitsu

4.9

4.9 (1196)

$31 to $50

Sushi

La Jolla

About the restaurant

A sushi bar and Japanese bistro. Inspired by the sushi bars in Tokyo. Himitsu introduces Japanese culture, design, and hospitality to San Diego.

Our 8 person sushi bar and 20 person patio is located in a discrete corner of La Jolla, a setting well suited to our name, which translate to "Secret" in Japanese.

Chef Mitsu Aihara presents a menu of traditional sushi and nigiri, along with Japanese style tapas using the high quality products and ingredients.

Top review

Nicolas

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent quality fish prepared by an expert chef! 🙏

Discover more

Experience

No Soy Sauce Sunday at Himitsu by Mitsu

Jack & Giulio's Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1178)

$30 and under

Italian

Old Town

About the restaurant

Jack and Giulio's Italian restaurant has remained a favorite of San Diegans for many years. This popular restaurant, formerly known as Giulio's of Pacific Beach, has proudly served the "Best Scampi" since 1961. In addition to this popular dish, this family-owned and operated restaurant offers many homemade pastas, veal, poultry, beef, and seafood specialties.

Top review

Michael

Dined 6 days ago

Love this restaurant. The food is great (especially The Scampi Giulio). We had a party of mine and set on the beautiful patio. Our server Sergio was the best. Sergio has been our waiter on numerous previous occasions. He has always been wonderfully attentive, informative, and friendly. This night was no different. Thank you Sergio and Jack for making this a wonderful evening.

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