Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

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!

LIPS - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (19)

$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

Sergio

Dined today

Love this place! Always a grand ol’ party! Great place for celebration and good entertainment!

Baci Restaurant - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (1869)

$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

Richardvip

Dined 1 day ago

Baci is always good and we go often, at least every couple months for many many years. But I wanted to write this review because the service and waiter we had at Baci this time, and several meals before, was just amazing. We have not been there for a couple months and he remembered everything about us, drinks we like, the fact we are Uni lovers and was just absolutely perfect in every way. So when you have great food in a city with a lot of Italian restaurants what really matters is that type of personal service and consistency in staff. Baci has that and the owners really much manage things well to maintain such great people. So I wanted to write a review even though I have been there many times in the past as this consistent great service is a real positive for myself and my wife.

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Popular dish

Parmigiana

Jeune et Jolie

4.9

4.9 (3957)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A culinary experience celebrating the moment, Jeune et Jolie reimagines French cuisine through the vibrant lens of our Southern California landscape with a 4-course menu offered at $120 per guest.

For those looking for a more casual evening, we feature "Le Menu du Bar”, an à la carte offering available for walk-in guests at our bar and lounge.

Top review

christy

Dined today

Really loved every moment of this dining experience. Every staff member was attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. Our waiter Nate took great care of us and was quite lovely to speak with. We will done here again!

NM Café - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (316)

$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

Donnavip

Dined on Sep 17, 2024

This is a great place to have lunch. Food is good and the ambience quiet enough that it is easy to engage in conversation.

Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina

4.9

4.9 (530)

$30 and under

Italian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

San Diego, meet Pinsa.
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

Rickvip

Dined on Sep 29, 2024

Tavola Nostra has the best authentic Italian food and Pinsa. Everyone is always very friendly and the customer service is over the top! We love this place and travel 80 miles from Orange County for the best PINSA and Italian food!

Vinarius

4.9

4.9 (351)

$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

Gerardvip

Dined 5 days ago

First time at this restaurant, food, service and ambience exceeded our expectations. Excellent experience

Wilma's Carousel Bar

4.8

4.8 (32)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Little Italy

About the restaurant

As one of only two carousel bars in the United States, Wilma’s Carousel Bar offers a truly unique experience.
We invite you to immerse yourself in this nostalgic retreat with Executive Corporate Chef Brian Redzikowski’s French-Creole inspired dishes and Beverage Director Eric Johnson’s a selection of cocktails including both innovative spins on traditional favorites and imaginative new concoctions.

Top review

Andrea

Dined 1 day ago

Lovely happy hour experience with the very talented bartenders, the rotating bar, the delicious food and drinks. Wish we would have been able to stay later if not for our train!

Pali Wine Co. Little Italy Tasting Room

4.9

4.9 (137)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Pali Wine Co. is located in famous Little Italy, San Diego, steps from the main strip. The family-owned winery highlights the diversity and nuanced qualities of the California Central Coast wine-growing area. From our Pali Pinot Noirs & Chardonnays, to our Tower 15 bold, nuanced wines, and Neighborhood zippy, natural cuvées, our three wine labels are sure to please any pallet.

Stop in for a tasting flight where you can sample wines from our portfolio, step up to the bar for a customized guided tasting or grab a bottle to-go. Our menu features small and sharable plates with locally sourced ingredients ideal for sharing and sipping, including our best-selling burger, charcuterie boards, and seasonal specials.

Join our wine club to enjoy complimentary tastings, receive 20% off all wine, & more exciting benefits!

Weekly events include Comedy Night on Wednesdays, Trivia on Thursdays, as well as live music Friday and Saturday nights. Plus, happy hour deals weekdays 4-6pm!

Top review

Jessicavip

Dined 7 days ago

Great service, good, wine, and location! Thank you for a relaxing Saturday on the patio watching the planes.

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Fall Wine Club Pick Up Party

Tapas & Beers

4.9

4.9 (481)

$30 and under

French

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located in Downtown San Diego's historic Spreckels building, Tapas & Beers is a French and Spanish Restaurant.

We offer a large selection of Tapas plates to share between friends & family
but also normal size dishes if you don't want to share !

Our beers on tap selection highlights breweries from San Diego County and our wine selection from all around the world will make any wine lover happy too !

Everything you will eat at Tapas & Beers will be made from scratch to order with fresh and mostly organic ingredients !

Discover why our place isso highly rated !

Cheers!

Top review

Dianevip

Dined 3 days ago

Great place to eat before going to a show! Good menu.

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The WineSellar & Brasserie

4.9

4.9 (986)

$31 to $50

French

Sorrento Mesa

About the restaurant

Established in 1988, The WineSellar & Brasserie is San Diego's premiere destination for fine wine and exquisitely crafted locally sourced, organic fare.

Consistently ranked among OpenTable's Top 10 local restaurants, The Brasserie has been honored with either Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" and "Best Of Award Of Excellence" every year since our inception.

With your meal, enjoy a bottle from the adjoining WineSellar boutique wine shop or choose a wine from our award-winning list. Either way, you’ll find an outstanding selection of unique small-production wines not found anywhere else. Not in the mood for wine? Choose from our rotating list of craft beers or seasonally available craft cocktails.

Top review

Wendyvip

Dined on Sep 27, 2024

Always a pleasure eating here. Everything was wonderful and service is outstanding.

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