Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in San Diego

263 restaurants available nearby

1. insideOUT

4.6

Exceptional(2059)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Hillcrest

Booked 73 times today

insideOUT is Hillcrest's elevated restaurant and lounge, and San Diego's only urban oasis! We are an 18+ venue.insideOUT will be CLOSED Monday - Wednesday, September 9th -11th, and reopen on Thursday, September 12th. The menu is curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran and is updated seasonally to reflect his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by our local purveyors.Aside from its impeccable hospitality, insideOUT is known for their grandiose seasonal experiences. We also provide customized private event planning with venue buyout options. More information listed on our website.

2. Books + Records

4.7

Exceptional(318)

Price: Expensive

• American • Banker's Hill

Booked 38 times today

Global inspired American cuisine, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch in an upbeat atmosphere, with live music.Chef Ryan Stickel is serving up San Diego's freshest food takes in an art deco meets mid-century mod warehouse space. With a tenured run on both Eater's Heat Map and list of San Diego's Hottest Cocktail Bars, the food and drinks are both guaranteed to delight your senses.

3. Cesarina

4.8

Exceptional(5280)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Ocean Beach

Booked 147 times today

Cesarina is a grandmother, a mother, a daughter—our personification of a nurturer who feeds and cares for her community. From meticulous attention to detail and fresh ingredients to the warm and inviting atmosphere, this restaurant is a celebration of the power of food and family.

4. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6304)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 89 times today

A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.

5. Mister A's

4.8

Exceptional(8461)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 61 times today

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

6. Juniper & Ivy

4.5

Awesome(7897)

Price: Expensive

• Unspecified • Little Italy

Booked 65 times today

Juniper & Ivy is a neighborhood gem for its innovative, locally sourced dishes and warm ambiance. Reviewers love the menu's creativity and variety, with one stating 'each plate was a masterpiece, meticulously prepared and brimming with vibrant flavors.' The restaurant's commitment to sustainability and its 'unforgettable dining experience' make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

A photo of Great Maple San Diego restaurant

7. Great Maple San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(4306)

Price: Moderate

• American • Hillcrest

Booked 71 times today

We Serve Dinner, Lunch, Brunch and Weekday Breakfast. We are a modern American eatery featuring seasonal fare, fresh house made pies, and local produce cocktails. We have a full bar and a social wine list. Open for Outdoor dining!

A photo of Benihana - San Diego, CA restaurant

8. Benihana - San Diego, CA

4.0

Excellent(7211)

Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Mission Valley

Booked 109 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.

9. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1266)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Little Italy

Booked 54 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.

10. Madison

4.4

Awesome(2951)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • University Heights

Booked 73 times today

With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends. ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ

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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in San Diego

Price

Cuisine (20 of 59)

263 restaurants available nearby

1. insideOUT

2. Books + Records

3. Cesarina

4. Herb & Wood

5. Mister A's

6. Juniper & Ivy

7. Great Maple San Diego

8. Benihana - San Diego, CA

9. Kettner Exchange

10. Madison

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