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Best Restaurants for Foodies in University Heights

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79 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Vulture restaurant
1. Vulture
new
4.8
Exceptional(14)
Price: Expensive
• Continental • University Heights
Booked 28 times today
Inspired by American mid-century continental-style fine dining, VULTURE is a resurrected institution of yesteryear, revisited through the eclectic possibility of today. Elegant, inventive plant-based dishes honor the sophistication of the past and reveal the daring potential of the present. Classic and forgotten cocktails are reclaimed and re-oriented, dignity intact but with charm and character amplified. VULTURE is a fertile oasis, a secluded nest amidst arid convention. You will be roused by its audacious originality and comforted by its strange familiarity. It is the home of the best dinner party of your life, and the most fussed over Martini in the city.To arrive at VULTURE, walk inside our storefront micro-diner named DREAMBOAT, where our Maître d' will be waiting for you in the back of the diner.
A photo of Born & Raised restaurant
2. Born & Raised
4.7
Exceptional(6817)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Little Italy
Booked 107 times today
The American steakhouse is an iconic restaurant institution. We’d wanted to tell that story for years, but waited until we had the skill, talent and ability to execute it properly, and the right space to be our canvas, an important corner in Little Italy, a neighborhood where we have deep roots. We brought an almost academic appreciation for steakhouse history and tradition to Born & Raised, while trying to stay relevant and authentic to ourselves and our city. Our dry-aged beef pays tribute to earlier, earthier, pre-government grading practices and is the centerpiece of a meal best savored at a slow pace. A timeless celebration of everything that makes restaurants so special. - Consortium Holdings. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.
A photo of Quixote restaurant
3. Quixote
4.7
Exceptional(1222)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • North Park
Booked 68 times today
La Única Manera De Hacer Cara Cruz Es A Través DeLa Intuición
A photo of Benihana - San Diego, CA restaurant
4. Benihana - San Diego, CA
3.7
Very Good(7775)
Price: Moderate
• Japanese • Mission Valley
Booked 94 times today
Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.
A photo of Cowboy Star restaurant
5. Cowboy Star
4.9
Exceptional(4976)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 49 times today
Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.
A photo of Juniper & Ivy restaurant
6. Juniper & Ivy
4.7
Exceptional(8291)
Price: Expensive
• Unspecified • Little Italy
Booked 73 times today
Juniper & Ivy is a hotspot for foodies. It's all about the creative, innovative menu that changes daily, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Reviews rave about the 'unique and delicious treats', 'inventive food', and 'interesting decor'. It's not just about the food though; the service and ambience consistently get high marks, making it a complete dining experience.
A photo of MOTHERSHIP restaurant
7. MOTHERSHIP
4.8
Exceptional(477)
Price: Moderate
• Tapas / Small Plates • North Park
Booked 55 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.
A photo of Animae restaurant
8. Animae
4.8
Exceptional(3530)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Downtown
Booked 56 times today
Located just steps from the waterfront, ANIMAE is where West Coast flair meets Asian soul. Under the direction of Executive Chef Tara Monsod, a James Beard Award finalist, the menu delivers bold, genre-defying dishes like her signature Pork Tomahawk Tocino—a smoky, sweet, deeply umami showstopper grilled over a traditional coal-fired oven.Inside, ANIMAE stuns with a maximalist-meets-modern aesthetic: think art deco glam, velvet banquettes, mirrored ceilings, and an energy that’s both sultry and celebratory. Whether you're dining in the main room or sipping cocktails in the tucked-away lounge, every corner invites you to stay awhile.
A photo of C-Level restaurant
9. C-Level
4.7
Exceptional(5315)
Price: Expensive
• Cocktail Bar • Downtown
Booked 148 times today
Resting on stilts atop San Diego By C Level Lounge, is an upscale-casual lounge on the waterfront overlooking the city skyline and Coronado.
A photo of Wormwood restaurant
10. Wormwood
4.7
Exceptional(899)
Price: Very Expensive
• French • North Park
Booked 24 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.
‘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
  • Kalia
    San Diego •1 review
    4.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Everything went well except for the wait time. Waiting over 45 min to get seated. Another 30 for the chef. We were informed they were short staffed after the fact, however it was an amazing experience. Our chef Chris M. was a delight!
    More info
    Benihana - San Diego, CAPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Mission Valley
    •
    3.7
  • Robert
    Upstate New York •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Great experience. Had an anniversary there and everyone was nice and gave us a little card for thanking us for choosing them to host it. We also had great service the waiter helped us understand the menu. It was my second time going and my girlfriends first time so it helped her get an idea what she wanted to get and what she wanted to try. Everything was amazing to the drinks and to the food. Definitely one my favorite places to go on a date night
    More info
    Born & RaisedPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Little Italy
    •
    4.7
  • Emily
    Key West / Florida Keys •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Everything was AMAZING! Cowboy star sets the bar high from appetizers to drinks to dessert. Our waiter was so nice and funny. The manager was so nice checking on us. If you’re in San Diego this restaurant is a must!!
    More info
    Cowboy StarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
    •
    4.9
  • Michael
    San Diego •1 review
    4.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    The main course menu is very limited. There were 4 items the evening we dined there. The tapas menu had more to offer and we chose a couple each of them. The Ambiance was great, it’s a small venue and gets packed even mid week. We enjoyed dining there but CH group has better offerings around the city.
    More info
    QuixotePrice: Moderate• Mexican• North Park
    •
    4.7
  • Jennifer
    San Diego •1 review
    4.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Great vibe overall, and excellent service, amazing food, and cocktails.
    More info
    VulturePrice: Expensive• Continental• University Heights
    •
    4.8

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