Restaurants near Desert Garden

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AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

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CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

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MICHELIN

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Wheelchair access

644 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant

1. The Prado at Balboa Park

4.6

Exceptional(8051)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 94 times today

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

2. Seneca

4.7

Exceptional(4533)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 123 times today

Roman trattorias are a timeless expression of simplicity. Immune to the lure of gastronomic experimentation and ego. In Rome, no chef can cook better than the mothers and grandmothers before them. Our goal is to merge the dogmatic approach of Roman cooking with the amazing abundance of ingredients available to us in San Diego. A True Roman Holiday In SD. A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.

3. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8899)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 64 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)

4. Juniper & Ivy

4.7

Exceptional(8231)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 58 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.

5. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6681)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 107 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 Brigantine at Portside Pier restaurant

6. Brigantine at Portside Pier

4.7

Exceptional(4469)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 110 times today

The Brigantine is more than just home to some of San Diego’s finest seafood. It’s a place where locals and visitors alike come to share a lively atmosphere and authentic sense of community. The Morton family opened the first Brigantine on Shelter Island in 1969, with a vision that embraced the beach town lifestyle, a dedication to flavorful food, and a passion for friendly service. Today, we’re known far and wide for our San Diego-style surf and turf. From our award-winning fish tacos and freshly shucked oysters, to classic filet mignon or our perpetually best-selling marinated grilled swordfish. Always prepared to exceed expectations, and served with a smile. You can stop in at any neighborhood Brigantine and get a taste of the local flavor, from regionally inspired specials, to custom cocktails and home town craft beers. At the Brigantine we make first timers feel like regulars, and consider regulars part of the family. So come by often, and share our taste for life.

7. insideOUT

4.7

Exceptional(2568)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Hillcrest

Booked 72 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.

8. MOTHERSHIP

4.7

Exceptional(450)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • North Park

Booked 51 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.

9. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4428)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 87 times today

Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!

10. Animae

4.8

Exceptional(3467)

$$$$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.

Dining near Desert Garden at a glance

Updated on 5/10/2025

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From verified diners like you

C
CharlieVIP
Las Vegas •2 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Great food in a fantastic setting for a night in San Diego
More info
Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
A
AmyVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •54 reviews
4.0
Dined today
Fun and out of the ordinary menu and drinks. Wonderful service and delicious dinner.
More info
Juniper & IvyPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
H
Hollie
Berkshire •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
We came here to celebrate our engagement. We really enjoyed all the food and the views were amazing. They gave us a congratulations dessert at the end too which made it extra special. Gabriel also took our photo in the best spot on the terrace. Thank you
More info
Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.9
V
Vicki
Orange County •20 reviews
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
Lovely food and service and to the theater on time!
More info
The Prado at Balboa ParkPrice: Moderate• Californian• Downtown
•
4.6
M
Marz
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The service was amazing and food was delicious! The drinks were a bonus 🥳
More info
SenecaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
•
4.7

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