Best Cozy Restaurants in Kensington

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

East CountySan Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganBay ParkChula Vista / BonitaCoronadoDowntown

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

143 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Trattoria Da Sofia restaurant

1. Trattoria Da Sofia

4.7

Exceptional(293)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Kensington

Booked 18 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.

2. Bleu Boheme

4.6

Exceptional(3643)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Kensington

Booked 13 times today

"World travel and its pleasures; items brought back from different places for décors; great stories shared with others; and very importantly, simple, yet delicious recipes from different cultures. Our mission is humble. It is simply for people coming to our restaurant to be transported around the world, and to travel with us for an evening, to a place of well-being and happiness."Bleu Bohème is designed to create a feeling of France's past generations. It mixes the Bohemian and artistic free spirited left bank of Paris with the roots and tradition of the rural areas. Bleu Bohème is a neighborhood restaurant that serves accessible, affordable and comforting French cuisine.

3. LEILA

4.8

Exceptional(1262)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Middle Eastern • North Park

Booked 87 times today

A tribute to the Middle East by CH Projects. Reservations recommended , walk-ins welcome at the bar. Leila welcomes you.858-SAFFRON

4. Starlite

4.7

Exceptional(248)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Mission Hills

Booked 96 times today

Starlite: A timeless San Diego icon with a fresh future, helmed by Chef Ted Smith.Please note: Our establishment is 21+

5. Wormwood

4.7

Exceptional(900)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 19 times today

Wormwood invites you to step into a bygone era, where poets, artists, and dreamers found inspiration in the Green Fairy. Tucked between North Park and University Heights, our whimsical corner of San Diego offers a French dining experience like no other—where each dish is crafted with passion, paired with curated wines and signature cocktails, and brought to life by exceptional service. Whether in our cozy dining room, enchanting patio, or hidden Secret Garden speakeasy, every evening is a journey of flavor and hospitality.Now, we welcome you to experience Wormwood’s weekend brunch, every Saturday and Sunday. Indulge in a refined menu, sip handcrafted cocktails and artisanal coffee, and embrace a slower, more romantic pace to start your day. On Sundays, live jazz fills the air—transporting you to Belle Époque Paris with every note.Brunch at Wormwood is a celebration of indulgence, connection, and the art of hospitality. A morning affair you won’t want to miss.

6. Born & Raised

4.7

Exceptional(6825)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Little Italy

Booked 75 times today

Born & Raised in Little Italy, San Diego, is often described as 'cozy' and 'beautiful' in reviews. Customers love the restaurant's warm ambiance, and the 'great decor' that creates a unique and comfortable atmosphere. The 'cool vibe' and 'romantic setting' are frequently mentioned as reasons for the restaurant's cozy appeal.

7. Fortunate Son

4.6

Exceptional(233)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Chinese • North Park

Booked 32 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

8. Alexander's on 30th

4.7

Exceptional(3226)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • North Park

Booked 35 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!

9. Madi

4.7

Exceptional(480)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Breakfast • Kensington

Booked 33 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!

A photo of Cori Pastificio Trattoria restaurant

10. Cori Pastificio Trattoria

4.8

Exceptional(714)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Park

Booked 29 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.

‘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

C
Colleen
San Diego •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Jennifer was an amazing server. Food was delicious as always!
More info
Bleu BohemePrice: Expensive• French• Kensington
•
4.6
C
Carolyn
San Diego •11 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
This review is for happy hour only. Oysters sere well priced and cleanly shucked but not my favorite (too meaty/milky). Cocktails were decent and salad and poussin cru were excellent. The happy hour appetizers were tried were pretty underwhelming flavor wise: pate smoked salmon. Staff were very sweet but a bit disorganized. Inside is too loud. Internal garden is very nice - much better than street side tables. Would come back to garden for cocktails and salad.
More info
WormwoodPrice: Very Expensive• French• North Park
•
4.7
C
Clinton
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Beautiful restaurant, great service and amazing food with something for everyone
More info
LEILAPrice: Expensive• Middle Eastern• North Park
•
4.8
M
Mila
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Amazing thank you so much! Service is top , o my birthday was there ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ I really liked that place 😍😍😍😍😍
More info
StarlitePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Mission Hills
•
4.7
J
joseVIP
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The food is incredible! Felt authentic and the portions were generous. Great service too
More info
Trattoria Da SofiaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Kensington
•
4.7

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