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Best Open Kitchen Restaurants in Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

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240 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Tom Hams Lighthouse restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(6756)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 45 times today
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse was built in 1971 by a man who was not afraid to put his name on his product. Rooted in warm welcomes & excellent food, Tom Ham made his lifelong dream a reality. Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is the only restaurant in the US to have a USCG operated & maintained Lighthouse attached to it. You can locate us on any modern nautical map as Beacon #9. Featuring a 100% responsibly resourced seafood menu & award winning Sunday Champagne Brunch, we are a must when it comes to the San Diego food scene. The dining room, purposely shaped like the state of California, allows for groups as grand as 50 yet private enough for a couple’s night out. Holiday brunches have been long time family traditions for many San Diegans. Start your family’s tradition this next holiday. With the best views of the Downtown City Skyline, Coronado & San Diego Bay, Tom Ham's is & remains a San Diego tradition in dining excellence since 1971.
A photo of Cesarina restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(5847)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Ocean Beach
Booked 167 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.
A photo of C-Level restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(5220)
Price: Expensive
• Cocktail Bar • Downtown
Booked 138 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 Bencotto Italian Kitchen restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(3383)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 51 times today
ONLINE RESERVATIONS ARE LIMITED. PLEASE CALL THE RESTAURANT IF YOUR DESIRED TIME IS NOT AVAILABLE.We are proud to offer 75 kinds of different pasta recipe, fresh and hand-crafted 12 hours a day."Bencotto" means cooked well: this is what authentic Italian food is about.It tastes as it should and would in Italy.Bencotto offers two different eating environments: guests can either enjoy their meal at our “kitchen-esque” bar downstairs, or they can relax in the intimate low-ceiling dining area upstairs. The décor creates a clean and sophisticated atmosphere, where old-world charm and warmth blend with contemporary appeal.
A photo of Juniper & Ivy restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(8217)
Price: Expensive
• Unspecified • Little Italy
Booked 62 times today
Nationally-acclaimed Juniper and Ivy-consistently ranked "Best of the Best" by San Diego Magazine, and recognized as a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand establishment-is a foodie paradise on the edge of San Diego's Little Italy. The kitchen delivers a constantly rotating, chef-driven menu that uses hand-selected, seasonal ingredients crafted with precision, passion, and creativity. Founded by Owner Michael Rosen, Juniper's kitchen is backed by a supergroup of culinary minds that produce one of the most refined yet imaginative menus in town, paired with an award-winning wine list from the city's top sommeliers.
A photo of Kettner Exchange restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1456)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Little Italy
Booked 53 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.
A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(6669)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 83 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.
A photo of ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar - Liberty Station restaurant
4.2
Awesome(666)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Point Loma
Booked 4 times today
Discover ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar at THE LOT Liberty Station, where California-Asian fusion meets Mexican flair. Indulge in dishes like Grilled Miso Salmon, Adobada Pork Belly Bao Bun, and Ahi Poke Tacos in a stylish, welcoming setting. Enjoy Signature Margaritas, Asian-inspired cocktails, and a selection of fine wines and craft beers. Join us for brunch, a game, or a night out with friends—right in the heart of Liberty Station.
A photo of Bali Hai Restaurant restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(6084)
Price: Expensive
• Polynesian • Shelter Island / San Diego Bay
Booked 42 times today
Exotic Pacific dining on an enchanted tiki island.The Bali Hai Restaurant has been a favorite in San Diego for over 70 years. Our spectacular views of the San Diego bay and the downtown skyline make us the perfect location for any special event. Along with our dining room upstairs, our premise possesses three different and versatile private rooms. The flexibility of multiple private facilities allows us to accommodate any type of party. We host weddings, class reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, concerts, memorials, festivals, fundraisers, business meetings, seminars, and corporate events.Cancellation Policy:The Bali Hai Restaurant requires a credit card to secure all Sunday Brunch and Holiday reservations and large groups. All credit card information will be processed securely. Changes to reservations can be made online through OpenTable up until 24 hours before the reservation. No-shows or cancellations less than 24 hours in advance may be subject to a charge of $25 per person.
A photo of insideOUT restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2550)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Hillcrest
Booked 53 times today
insideOUT is Hillcrest's elevated restaurant and lounge, and San Diego's only urban oasis! We are an 18+ venue.Reservations for our upcoming "Sweetheart Experience" are now open! The Experience will be February 5th - 16th!Our 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 our impeccable hospitality, insideOUT is known for their over-the-top seasonal experiences. We also provide customized private event planning with venue buyout options. More information can be found on our website.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Keiko
    San Diego •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    The location, food and service were excellent. We really enjoyed our lunch. thank you!
    More info
    C-LevelPrice: Expensive• Cocktail Bar• Downtown
    4.7
  • james
    Wisconsin •24 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    In today's world even finding fine dining is not what it used to be. We are 73 years old and have been "bucket listing" the highest rated restaurants we can find . . . . this was one of them. What makes this experience, at this restaurant worth the price? Even before mentioning the cuisine I must mention the world class service. Things are done to enhance the meal that are so good as to go almost unnoticed . . . . and the three or four or five people who helped were not only fantastic servers, but honestly friendly. The food (all five courses before dessert), as well as the Somaliers' choice of wine were simply nothing one can find anywhere else. To address my first thought though, I fully understand the need to have a setting conducive to more patrons and more noise than one is used to expect. This place should be around for quite some time. The atmosphere was well controlled and light. Thank you (by the way; we flew over 2000 miles to dine). J n D.
    More info
    Juniper & IvyPrice: Expensive• Unspecified• Little Italy
    4.7
  • Barbara
    San Diego •20 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Beautiful views, friendly attentive service, delicious food and reasonable prices.
    More info
    Tom Hams LighthousePrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
    4.6
  • LoriVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •13 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    Reservations a must. Fabulous service and one of our best pasta meals.
    More info
    CesarinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Ocean Beach
    4.9
  • MarkVIP
    San Diego •17 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Apr 23, 2025
    Always great freshly made pasta here. 5 ***** experience
    More info
    Bencotto Italian KitchenPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
    4.7
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