Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in North Park

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

San Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganCoronadoDowntownKearny MesaLa Jolla

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

78 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Siamo Napoli

4.7

Exceptional(1430)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • North Park

Booked 30 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.

2. Starlite

4.7

Exceptional(258)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Mission Hills

Booked 98 times today

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

3. Born & Raised

4.7

Exceptional(6837)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Little Italy

Booked 85 times today

Born & Raised in Little Italy is a neighborhood gem. The American steakhouse is a celebration of tradition, with a special focus on dry-aged beef. Reviewers rave about the beautiful and comfortable ambiance, excellent service, and delectable food. One even referred to it as a 'gem of a spot' and 'a beautiful restaurant in a very nice location'. The restaurant is highly recommended for special occasions, date nights, and even for just enjoying a good meal in a lovely setting.

4. MOTHERSHIP

4.8

Exceptional(487)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • North Park

Booked 41 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.

5. Fortunate Son

4.6

Exceptional(238)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Chinese • North Park

Booked 47 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,

6. Animae

4.8

Exceptional(3544)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary Asian • Downtown

Booked 74 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.

7. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4987)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 55 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.

8. C-Level

4.7

Exceptional(5343)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Cocktail Bar • Downtown

Booked 126 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 The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant

9. The Prado at Balboa Park

4.6

Exceptional(8115)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 103 times today

Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, in the Historic House of Hospitality, The Prado offers historic charm and California cuisine.

10. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1487)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Little Italy

Booked 48 times today

Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

‘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

P
Paul
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
If I could give six stars for service I would; the staff was beyond accommodating and made an anniversary dinner a truly unforgettable evening
More info
StarlitePrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Mission Hills
•
4.7
B
Brandon
Houston •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Absolutely awesome experience! The design is immaculate and drinks are great too.
More info
MOTHERSHIPPrice: Moderate• Tapas / Small Plates• North Park
•
4.8
A
Andrii
Vancouver / British Columbia •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Perfect food, great service, and an amazing atmosphere. Thank you for an unforgettable evening!
More info
Born & RaisedPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Little Italy
•
4.7
T
Tamara
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The food was great and very flavorful. Great service and atmosphere! Will be coming back.
More info
Fortunate SonPrice: Moderate• Chinese• North Park
•
4.6
C
charisma
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Amazing food, amazing experience, everything was prefect from the wine, to the food. Delicious 😋
More info
Siamo NapoliPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Park
•
4.7

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