Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego

Best Authentic Restaurants in College Area

Price
Cuisine
Regions
Neighborhoods
Top Rated
Dining Options
Seating Options
Award-winning
Accessibility

122 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of LEILA restaurant
1. LEILA
4.8
Exceptional(1328)
Price: Expensive
• Middle Eastern • North Park
Booked 90 times today
A tribute to the Middle East by CH Projects. Reservations recommended , walk-ins welcome at the bar. Leila welcomes you.858-SAFFRON
A photo of Fortunate Son restaurant
2. Fortunate Son
4.6
Exceptional(243)
Price: Moderate
• Chinese • North Park
Booked 42 times today
“Among my chef friends and the epicurean elites, aka “foodies”, the conversation around great Chinese food was always centered around authenticity, with classic American Chinese takeout dishes not considered authentic. But, having grown up in the Chinese American restaurant my parents have worked at for the past 25 years, I’ve always seen it as a by-product of enormous creativity and ingenuity of Chinese Immigrants. They adapted to what was available to them in the early 20th century and created some of the most iconic dishes in the history of this country,
A photo of Alexander's on 30th restaurant
3. Alexander's on 30th
4.7
Exceptional(3238)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Park
Booked 26 times today
Neighborhood gem located in the heart of the Historic North Park District, adjoining Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Specializing in homestyle Italian with Gourmet Flair. Hand made Pastas, Award Winning Pizza and Voted Best of Restaurants by San Diego Magazine "Most Romantic". Listed as Top 25 Places to Eat in San Diego "Before You Die" by San Diego Union Tribune. Make memorable celebrations on our beautiful patio, the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Remember to try our diners favorites, The Theodore's Fix Pizza and Baked Vodka Bolognese.Look forward to serving you soon!
A photo of Cori Pastificio Trattoria restaurant
4. Cori Pastificio Trattoria
4.8
Exceptional(719)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • North Park
Booked 24 times today
Acclaimed Sicilian Chef Accursio Lota serves up authentic cuisine in a cozy 60's-style Italian trattoria. Voted San Diego's Best Chef five years in a row, and Barilla’s World Pasta Champion, at Cori Trattoria Chef Lota serves up beautifully bold dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas and Beef Bone Marrow, and an unbelievably rich Vegan Parmigiana di Melanzane. The menu melds the flavors of Sicily and Italy with the best of fresh, locally-sourced Southern California ingredients, and is matched by a curated wine list and cocktail program that include indigenous, bio-dynamic varietals from all Italy. The current Spring menu features dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas, fava bean, and beef bone marrow, and Cacio e Pepe with sustainably-sourced Petrovich caviar.Enjoy full-service table seating, grab a place at the marble-topped bar, from which you can watch all the action of your meal being prepared in the open kitchen or just order your meal to enjoy at home with your family.
A photo of Casa Gabriela restaurant
5. Casa Gabriela
4.8
Exceptional(890)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • La Mesa
Booked 44 times today
Casa Gabriela serves authentic Mexican cuisine crafted by Chef Gabriela Lopez, who brings her own grandmother's recipes from Guadalajara and her cosmopolitan upbringing in Tijuana to the table. The menu is praised for its unique twist on traditional flavors and the restaurant is lauded for its authentic food and great ambiance. Reviews often highlight the restaurant's authenticity and the chef's friendly and welcoming demeanor.
A photo of Bosforo restaurant
6. Bosforo
new
4.7
Exceptional(62)
Price: Expensive
• Turkish • Normal Heights
Booked 61 times today
Bosforo is a chef-driven Turkish - Mediterranean restaurant by Chef Seckin Sage Anlasbay, located in the heart of San Diego’s Adams Avenue, Normal Heights.Inspired by the lively meyhane-style restaurants of Istanbul and the coastal flavors of the Mediterranean, Bosforo brings bold meze, fire-grilled kebabs, and wood-fired Italian-style pizza to the table. Signature dishes include our handcrafted Adana kebab, lahmacun, seasonal meze plates, and lamp chop.The space is warm, modern, and communal — with an open kitchen, open pizza bar and a full bar serving rakı-forward signature cocktails. Guests can enjoy late-night DJ sets, acoustic performances, weekend brunch featuring Turkish breakfast feasts.Veteran-co-owned and proudly rooted in San Diego, Bosforo delivers Mediterranean hospitality with California soul.
A photo of Siamo Napoli restaurant
7. Siamo Napoli
4.7
Exceptional(1434)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • North Park
Booked 21 times today
Specializing in Napolitano style pizza and pasta. We focus on clean fresh ingredients that thrive in our home land and make simple foods the star. We have a full bar with hand crafted drinks and a range of wines from Napoli and beyond.
A photo of Trattoria Da Sofia restaurant
8. Trattoria Da Sofia
4.8
Exceptional(303)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Kensington
Booked 25 times today
Trattoria da Sofia is a brand new Italian restaurant located in the charming Kensington neighborhood of San Diego. Trattoria da Sofia features delicious, comforting Italian dishes paired with warm Italian hospitality. By day, the Trattoria is your new favorite coffee shop and cafe.
A photo of Aromi Italian Cuisine restaurant
9. Aromi Italian Cuisine
4.4
Awesome(302)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • La Mesa
Booked 11 times today
Aromi Italian Cuisine is lauded for its authentic Italian food, with reviews praising its fresh ingredients, traditional recipes and homemade taste. The restaurant's ambiance is also often compared to dining in Italy, making it a true Italian experience.
A photo of Louisiana Purchase SD restaurant
10. Louisiana Purchase SD
4.4
Awesome(841)
Price: Expensive
• Creole / Cajun / Southern • North Park
Booked 36 times today
Conveniently set on Louisiana Street in North Park, our design of this intimate cocktail restaurant was inspired by the charm &; character of New Orleans, with creative touches of personal effects giving guests the feeling of warmth, community & fun Architect Jeff Svitak helped create a modern interpretation of a classic French Quarter restaurant, introducing elements of wood, marble &; rich velvet. Our lush patio seating flows seamlessly into our indoor dining space, a nod to the courtyards found across the beautiful southern city.Our rotating food menu will be dedicated to only the best seasonal ingredients, featuring big &; bold flavors from the region. Executive Chef Quinnton Austin recently relocated to San Diego from New Orleans, bringing with him an exciting wealth of knowledge &; experience in the culinary melting pot that defines southern cuisineAlligator Cheesecake, Andouille Fried Red Beans & Rice w/Chipotle Mousse, &
‘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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you

Explore OpenTable

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo