Best Casual Restaurants in Kensington

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

East CountySan Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganBay ParkChula Vista / BonitaCollege AreaCoronado

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

217 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Trattoria Da Sofia restaurant

1. Trattoria Da Sofia

4.7

Exceptional(281)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Kensington

Booked 15 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 Ponce's Mexican Restaurant- Kensington restaurant

2. Ponce's Mexican Restaurant- Kensington

5.0

Exceptional(0)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Kensington

Booked 2 times today

At Ponce's Mexican Restaurant, we believe enriching the lives of those who walk through our door is the primary purpose of being in business. This includes: Our Guests; who are able to shed their stresses when they sit down to a comfortable & affordable meal at the end of a long day of work, establishing traditions by gathering for a weekly meal with loved ones, share a post-game lunch after little league, host a holiday party, meet their mate and propose marriage, learn about tequilas, meet neighbors, network at a business lunch, and so on. Amazing food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere help us accomplish our goals. We've strived for this in the tradition of Ponce Meza Sr. since 1969, and look forward to sharing that experience for many years to come.

3. Madi

4.7

Exceptional(473)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Breakfast • Kensington

Booked 44 times today

Bringing all-day brunch and grab-and-go coffee to Normal Heights, Madi is the upcoming daytime counterpart to Madison on Park, the well-established mid-century modern restaurant and bar that opened in University Heights in 2015. Offering a quick-service coffee counter fueled by Heartwork Coffee out of Mission Hills that’ll feature the full range of espresso drinks, specialty beverages, and tea as well as fresh pastries, Madi will also be an anytime option for sit-down breakfasts, mimosa-powered brunches, and casual lunches.Its breakfast menu ranges from waffle churro sticks and breakfast burritos to skirt steak eggs Benedict and a variety of pancakes based on a 60-year-old recipe from Madison co-owner Matthew, whose family runs a century-old breakfast spot in the midwest.Lunch will hinge on build-your-own grain and salad bowls along with lettuce wraps, ceviche, a burger, and a classic Tuna Melt!

4. Fortunate Son

4.6

Exceptional(220)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Chinese • North Park

Booked 28 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,

5. MOTHERSHIP

4.7

Exceptional(455)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • North Park

Booked 69 times today

Tropical space adventure in South Park! Exotic cocktails. Interplanetary fusion small plates. Named Best Bars In America by Esquire Magazine. Reservations offer 90-minute experience like no other, venturing towards the outer limits of the tropical flavor galaxy! WALK INS WELCOME - Walk-in tables are available daily. Early arrival is encouraged and there is a paging system in the event of a waitlist.

6. Botanica

4.7

Exceptional(74)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • North Park

Booked 6 times today

Botanica is a craft cocktail bar offering an exquisite selection of unique cocktails inspired by classic paintings. Our sexy and inviting space is perfect for enjoying artfully crafted drinks paired with delectable small bites. Step into our lounge and experience a fusion of artistic elegance and sophisticated flavors.

7. CUCINA urbana

4.7

Exceptional(7179)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Banker's Hill

Booked 41 times today

We are a wine shop inside of a restaurant | Dining and design form the perfect union at San Diego's highly acclaimed CUCINA urbana, a California-inspired Italian kitchen and wine shop, located in the heart of Bankers Hill since 2009. The restaurant boasts comfort and familiarity, welcoming diners to a country farmhouse with the added whimsy of a contemporary art installation.CUCINA urbana is the originator of the CUCINA retail wine program where each dedicated shop allows guests to hand select wines at a retail price, either to enjoy with their meal for a minimal corkage fee or for purchase to-go. The wine list is comprised of many familiar labels as well as rare and small-batch gems, with an emphasis on Italian varietals.

8. Morning Glory

4.7

Exceptional(24)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Breakfast • Little Italy

Booked 1 time today

Morning Glory is a garden of eggy delights. We primarily only accept walk ins at Morning Glory. Once the restaurant is full, we use a waitlist through OpenTable which notifies you via text message when your table is available. You must be physically present to get on that waitlist. With strong support from soufflé seekers, that wait can be lengthy, especially on the weekends. We have opened up a handful of reservations for our last seating of weekend brunch services to offer an alternative to the waitlist and guarantee a spot for the few who are seeking to join us later in the day.These spots are coveted and can be booked up to 30 days in advance for Saturday and Sundays only from 2:45pm-3:15pm.

9. Nolita Hall

4.5

Awesome(834)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Italian • Little Italy

Booked 50 times today

Nolita was inspired by the famous neighborhood in New York City – coined as such for being “North of Little Italy”. Upon opening in 2018, Nolita Hall was awarded an Orchid Award for the stunning interior design provided by Tecture Design and Fabrication.Nolita Hall provides Little Italy with a much needed communal space to enjoy a first class dining and craft cocktail experience, without missing the big games. Our kitchen boasts a Fiori woodfire oven, contributing to most of our Italian inspired menu. Our beverage program provides approachable cocktails with uncompromising integrity of ingredient procurement.

10. Siamo Napoli

4.7

Exceptional(1410)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Park

Booked 23 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
Becca
Gold Coast •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
This was an amazing restaurant that took me right back to italy, the food was outstanding, great drink selection, and the service was impeccable
More info
Trattoria Da SofiaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Kensington
•
4.7
S
Stacey
California Central Coast •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We could not have asked for a better experience. Great food, service and atmosphere!
More info
MadiPrice: Moderate• Breakfast• Kensington
•
4.7
J
Jeffrey
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Food was excellent and the atmosphere/ambiance is fun for a date night. Tables are sort of close to each other but that is not a problem for me. Music is also a little loud but not horrible
More info
Fortunate SonPrice: Moderate• Chinese• North Park
•
4.6
R
Rafael
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
MOTHERSHIP is an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The immersive, sci-fi-themed atmosphere is unlike anything I’ve seen: creative, vibrant, and full of character. The drinks were inventive and perfectly crafted, and the food complemented the otherworldly vibe seamlessly, both in flavor and presentation. MOTHERSHIP is more than just a restaurant; it’s a unique adventure that fully delivers on its promise. Highly recommend for anyone looking for something fun, flavorful, and totally out of this world. You’ll love it!
More info
MOTHERSHIPPrice: Moderate• Tapas / Small Plates• North Park
•
4.7

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