Best American Restaurants in University Heights

Price: Moderate (227)Price: Expensive (129)Price: Very Expensive (29)

139 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Kairoa Brewing Company restaurant

1. Kairoa Brewing Company

4.5

Price: Moderate

• American • University Heights

Kairoa Brewing Company stands out in the brewery cuisine scene with its excellent food and exceptional service. Located in San Diego, the eatery caters to a wide variety of dietary preferences without compromising on taste. Reviewers particularly rave about the delicious chicken salad, lamb dishes, and the avocado sandwich. The house-brewed beers are well-loved, featuring a range from fruity beers to IPAs. The restaurant's atmosphere is also highlighted, with beautiful rooftop dining perfect for sunsets. Despite its popularity, the staff easily accommodated large groups. The acclaim for Kairoa Brewing Company's exceptional brewery cuisine is compelling, making it a must-visit.

A photo of Great Maple San Diego restaurant

2. Great Maple San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(4306)

Price: Moderate

• American • Hillcrest

Booked 102 times today

Great Maple San Diego is a celebrated restaurant known for its fantastic American fare, featuring classics with a twist. The menu boasts a range of dishes, including the highly recommended Salted Caramel Slow Cooked Pork Ribs and the Friday prime rib special. Reviewers rave about the "elevated American fare" and commend the "fresh and balanced" drinks. Particularly notable is the range of desserts, from key lime pie to Maple Bacon Doughnuts - described as "delish." Their team ensures outstanding service, contributing to the overall warm atmosphere. A critic highlighted the "friendly and efficient" service and the "exciting" decor, making Great Maple a must-visit location in San Diego.

3. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6304)

Price: Expensive

• American • Little Italy

Booked 91 times today

Herb & Wood, located in San Diego, California, has been praised for its exceptional dining experience and is considered one of the best restaurants in the state. Reviewers have highlighted its unique and elegant decor, impeccable service, and an intriguing menu. The restaurant's creative take on Californian cuisine, with a myriad of vegan options, has received high praise. Dishes such as venison on polenta, whole stuffed baramundi wrapped in speck and topped with a tapenade, and a delightful pear souffle, have impressed even the choosiest of foodies. One reviewer emphasised the remarkable combination of flavors that rivalled some of the restaurants in the Guadalupe Valley. Herb & Wood comes highly recommended for an unforgettable dining experience in Southern California.

A photo of Gravity Heights Mission Valley restaurant

4. Gravity Heights Mission Valley

4.8

Exceptional(149)

Price: Moderate

• American • Mission Valley

Booked 35 times today

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.

A photo of Ironside Fish & Oyster restaurant

5. Ironside Fish & Oyster

4.5

Awesome(4462)

Price: Moderate

• American • Little Italy

Booked 109 times today

Ironside Fish & Oyster, located in Little Italy, San Diego, is celebrated for its exceptional seafood cuisine. Praised as one of the finest seafood establishments in the city, the restaurant consistently delights diners with its fresh and delicious offerings. From the "fantastic" oysters and "excellent" lobster rolls to their outstanding clam chowder, Ironside Fish & Oyster consistently receives rave reviews. The praise doesn't stop at the food; the ambiance, service, and cocktail offerings also receive high marks from patrons. Many customers are more than eager to return, emphasizing the fresh seafood and variety of dishes. Whether for a casual lunch or a special dinner, Ironside Fish & Oyster is indeed a top-tier destination for seafood lovers.

6. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1266)

Price: Expensive

• American • Little Italy

Booked 62 times today

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.

7. CUCINA urbana

4.7

Exceptional(7028)

Price: Moderate

• American • Banker's Hill

Booked 54 times today

Rooted in the heart of San Diego, CUCINA urbana is an authentic Italian restaurant famed for its brilliant food and excellent service. Highly rated by customers, CUCINA urbana is commended for its unique and unexpected twists on typical recipes. The restaurant offers a variety of delightful dishes such as squash blossoms with lemon ricotta filling, gnocchi, mushroom pizza and more. The outstanding flavors are complemented by a great selection of Italian wines. Patrons also appreciate the restaurant's proximity to the Old Globe Theater. From the fantastic food to the fun ambiance and attentive staff, it's clear CUCINA urbana is a beloved go-to spot for Italian cuisine.

8. STK- San Diego

4.3

Awesome(3243)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 70 times today

STK- San Diego stands out as an exceptional Steakhouse cuisine, thriving on a well-crafted menu that serves up tantalizing steak dishes. Reviewers hail STK for its unique flair, outstanding food, and attentive service, asserting it as what San Diego needs. Praises are lavished on their Bone marrow and 34 Oz Tomahawk Oscar-style with red wine and STK sauce, showing its mastery of steak. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, from Surf & Turf to Wagyu Selection, ensuring all steak lovers are catered to. With its commendable service and high-quality food, STK San Diego has etched its name as a top-notch steakhouse experience.

A photo of Louisiana Purchase SD restaurant

9. Louisiana Purchase SD

4.4

Awesome(601)

Price: Expensive

• American • North Park

Booked 59 times today

Located conveniently on the North Park/Hillcrest border, the Louisiana Purchase SD is well known for its excellent Creole/Cajun/Southern cuisine. Numerous glowing reviews stress the deliciousness of the food, citing sweet and spicy crab fingers, rich gumbo cooked with half a crab shell for flavor, and the much-raved-about mac and cheese. The ambiance is described as cozy and unique, with excellent, friendly service and a trendy yet welcoming design. Many customers express plans to return, with some even adding the restaurant to their favorites list. Louisiana Purchase SD offers large, well-prepared dishes, showcasing Southern favorites like fried catfish, jambalaya, and fried chicken. They've managed to encapsulate the essence of Southern taste and hospitality in San Diego, making it a go-to spot for those craving authentic southern flavors.

A photo of Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego restaurant

10. Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego

4.6

Exceptional(918)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 36 times today

The Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego is a widely praised locale renowned for its exceptional American cuisine. Dedicated to delivering a satisfying dining experience, the restaurant continuously receives commendations for its outstanding service, inviting ambience, and mouthwatering menu options. Visitors highly recommend the brunch offerings, emphasizing the perfection of their omelets and breakfast potatoes. The diverse menu also offers hearty meals including New York steak and rack of lamb, which are commendably cooked to perfection. Many guests consider Provisional one of the best brunch or breakfast spots in the city. A testament to its stellar reputation, one review stated, "After arriving by Amtrak from Fresno, I knew that we needed a hearty meal...The service was outstanding and the atmosphere was memorable." This sentiment is mirrored in many other reviews and reinforces Provisional's status as a must-visit gem in San Diego's vibrant culinary scene.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

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University Heights

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