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ARTIFACT at Mingei

Name: ARTIFACT at Mingei
Address: 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA, United States, 92101
Telephone: (619) 331-3569
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.9

Visa Dining Collection

$31 to $50

International

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 29, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 24 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Innovative
Great for outdoor dining
Healthy

ARTIFACT is a full-service restaurant featuring craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals located inside the beautiful Mingei Museum at Balboa Park . Offering indoor, outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch Tuesday-Saturday + dinner Friday evenings..

Crafted by Tim Kolanko, Executive Chef, Urban Kitchen Group, and Tony Coito, ARTIFACT’s Chef de Cuisine, will be a nod to Mingei’s changing international exhibitions in an environment filled with functional, innovative art and design by Jennifer Luce, Founder and Principal of LUCE et studio, who led the design and renovation project.

An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs Park Connect with us @Dine.Mingei

Guests dining with ARTIFACT at Mingei for dinner services receive 50% off regular admission to our Exhibitions Level. Show your receipt or reservation confirmation at the admissions desk to receive this offer.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Tim Kolanko + Tony Coito

MICHELIN Plate2023

From the OpenTable editors: ARTIFACT lives in a beloved folk-art museum—a backdrop that inspires its (almost) too-pretty-to-eat dishes, including neatly folded rock shrimp gyoza in yuzu dashi and chai-chocolate mousse crowned with coconut whipped cream. Expect a spread that’s as international as the art on display.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Fri 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

Location
1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Neighborhood
Downtown
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

ARTIFACT AT NIGHT - GUATEMALA
$89.00 per person
Aug 21, 2025 only
Monthly Regional Dinner | GUATEMALA Experience Guatemala crafted by chefs Tim Kolanko, Wesley Johnson, and Tony Coito for our July ARTIFACT at Night. Four-course experience with optional beverage pairings. $89 per person Reminder: For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. Any cancelations within 72 hours of the night of the event will be charged $50/person, any day of cancelations + no shows will be charged the full price of $89/person

What 929 people are saying

ARTIFACT at Mingei reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Innovative
San Diego
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Artifact at Mingei offers an exceptional dining experience with "delicious and creative food," and "attentive, friendly service." Patrons rave about the "beautiful patio" and "upscale casual setting," making it more than just a museum café. Special regional dinner nights add unique culinary exploration, ensuring a memorable visit.

929 Reviews

R
Rosalee
San Diego1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The food was delicious! Our server Emil was kind and attentive!
Is this helpful?
S
Sandi
San Francisco Bay Area4 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I am from San Francisco and have 30 years of hospitality and customer service to speak of and therefore am familiar in the art of fine dining and solid customer service. Artifact consistently rates 5 stars with me
Is this helpful?
E
Edward VIP
Cleveland / Akron / Canton69 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delightful atmosphere, friendly, very professional service, and exquisite food. We cannot imagine a better lunch.
Is this helpful?
A
Anca
San Diego10 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The West Africa dinner was terrific. Lovely atmosphere, superb service.
Is this helpful?
A
Anita
San Diego7 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Just discovered this experience and loved it. The service, location, and food were excellent.
Is this helpful?
L
Leslie VIP
San Diego24 reviews
4.0
Dined on July 18, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Incredibly creative and flavorful food with friendly attentive service.
Is this helpful?
R
Ren
San Diego12 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 12, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful seeing out on the patio, fun and helpful server, delicious lunch
Is this helpful?
R
Raquel VIP
San Diego24 reviews
5.0
Dined on July 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great experience and delicious food. Ordered the Hurache and was excellent After a visit to the Mingei, a well deserved lunch.
Is this helpful?
C
Chelsea
San Diego5 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Every single thing we ate was incredibly tasty, had wonderful textures and colors, and was well thought out. The service was efficient and friendly and warm, all great experiences for us. The only possible drawback was that the beautiful metal sculpture on the patio radiates heat in the morning, but plenty of cool refreshing drinks offset it completely. Exquisite experience
Is this helpful?
D
Doug VIP
San Diego15 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 28, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Food was excellent, staff was very kind and helpful, and the setting was upscale casual with museum decor. Much more than just a museum cafe.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

ARTIFACT at Mingei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 331-3569.

ARTIFACT at Mingei is rated 4.9 stars by 929 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 29, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 24 times today

Experiences are available.

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Fri 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

ARTIFACT at Mingei

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Why they're an Icon

Additional information

Experiences

ARTIFACT AT NIGHT - GUATEMALA

Menu

What 929 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does ARTIFACT at Mingei offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is ARTIFACT at Mingei restaurant rated?

Is ARTIFACT at Mingei currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information