Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best value 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!

The Veranda Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1578)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

DARCIE

Dined 3 days ago

Beautiful place, good food but the service is seriously lacking. My last two visits where both nice but we all remarked at how much better they could do in the service department. After each appearance from our waitress, she would disappear for 15 minutes at time. We probably weren't approached by our waitress for twenty minutes after being seated to even be offered water. I'll go back but I know to plan accordingly.

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Prime Rib Sandwich Dip

Arrivederci

4.9

4.9 (112)

$31 to $50

Italian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

Arrivederci Ristorante is an authentic Italian restaurant. Arrivederci means hello. The restaurant's name refers to Italian hospitality offered here. It has a decent semi-formal ambiance. The walls are decorated with paintings gathered from different parts of Europe. Antique lamps are hung from the ceilings to add a rustic appeal. Arrivederci specializes in preparing all dishes with authentic Italian recipes and ingredients. Grigliata vegetariana is prepared with a variety of assorted grilled vegetables. Rigatoni amatriciana is prepared with tabular pasta soaked in rich sauce, prepared with tomatoes and romano cheese. Italian bacon topping enhances the flavor. Pollo al funghi is the traditional chicken meal. The boneless breast of chicken is topped with mushrooms. The ingredients are cooked in wine sauce. Arrivederci serves Italian wines and beers.

Top review

Kathryn

Dined on Jul 16, 2025

Service is always attentive here, and the food was just as delicious as always! Our favorite is the Salmon alla Vodka. Simply the best.

LIPS - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (165)

$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

Monica

Dined 4 days ago

Always an amazing and fun experience at Lips!!! 🙌🏻🤩💋

Vinarius

4.9

4.9 (461)

$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

EdwardVIP

Dined on Jul 22, 2025

Wonderful dining environment. Gracious and professional service. The food was well presented and delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Black and Blue Steakhouse and Lounge - Valley View Casino

4.9

4.9 (1918)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Valley Center

About the restaurant

Black&Blue is a contemporary American Steakhouse with Las Vegas flair, and a 21 and up dining experience. B&B was recently named San Diego’s “Most Romantic Steakhouse” by the San Diego Union Tribune, and most recently awarded as the Best Steak House Best Seafood by San Diego A-list! At B&B we offer the choicest meats, freshest seafood and most dazzling desserts to delight the mind and body that will transport our guests into a world of indulgence and taste. Unwind with conversation and creative cocktails in our Black&Blue Lounge. Then move into our main room where Chef Nicholas Burgess will impress you with his inventive dishes and innovative takes on classic favorites. Manager Elizabeth Marquez will ensure you receive the ultimate in guest service in an atmosphere that’s friendly and fun. To fully enjoy the B&B dining experience, please be prepared to spend an hour and a half with us. Visit us at B&B for a dining experience you’ll never forget.

Top review

RandyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

As usual, everything at Black and Blue was fantastic.

Parma Cucina Italiana

4.8

4.8 (162)

$30 and under

Italian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

Known for the Best Lasagna in San Diego, Parma Cucina Italiana is a charming and cozy family run Italian restaurant in the heart of Historic Hillcrest.

Our traditional Italian cuisine is inspired by generations of home cooking, fresh ingredients, and simple presentations. Our specialties originate from Northern Italy. The must try lasagna is decadent layers of Bolognese and béchamel sauce. Or try our tortellini with cream and prosciutto, or our pappardelle pasta tossed with slow braised short rib and porcini mushrooms.

We have an extensive wine collection with wines from the best regions of Italy. And an Italian meal wouldn’t be complete without our homemade desserts. We suggest tiramisu and profiteroles alla nutella.

Top review

ScottVIP

Dined 7 days ago

As always a great experience from service to food, Parma always delivers a warm and delicious meal!

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4.9

4.9 (551)

$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

Lisa

Dined 3 days ago

We come here ever year for Comic Con and bring 8-12 people. We make a reservation 1-2 weeks in advance. The owner/server is wonderful! She's attentive, quick, and accommodating. The food is delicious. The ambience is whatever you make it. It can get noisy if you have a big boisterous group! But it can just as easily be a nice romantic setting. Give it a try. You won't regret it!

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Popular dish

French Burger

Pomodoro Ristorante Italiano

4.9

4.9 (75)

$30 and under

Italian

Point Loma

About the restaurant

Pomodoro features a rustic yet refined atmosphere, exquisite food presentations and a knowledgeable and friendly staff. Blending classic and contemporary Italian cuisine, Italian music and a colorful "Tomato Inspired" décor. Along the wall, a large wine rack houses many bottles and vintages, our wine list is designed to perfectly compliment your meal. Guests will indulge in the flavor of a true Italian experience the minute they step foot in Pomodoro, located in the heart of Point Loma, San Diego.

Top review

Marie

Dined on Jun 28, 2025

Delicious food and great service. Our group enjoyed the calamari, mushroom ravioli, linguine di mare, and pork ossobuco. Added bonus, the restaurant celebrated our birthday guest with a complimentary slice of tiramisu. Best we’ve ever had!

Lilo

5.0

5 (96)

$50 and over

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A lively and immersive dining experience that welcomes you to celebrate life’s special moments, Lilo harnesses the untamed spirit of the California coast and the world's shorelines through a curated, multi-course tasting menu rooted in a thoughtful connection to nature, served around a 22-seat chef’s counter.

Top review

FernandoVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing experience. Great decor, service, and amazing food. Highly recommend.

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Jack & Giulio's Italian Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1189)

$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

Alvaro

Dined 3 days ago

The staff is attentive, the food is delicious, and the prices/portions are great deals.

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