Icon

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: 4.8

Visa Dining Collection

$31 to $50

International

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 4, 2025

10:00 PM

Booked 11 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Innovative
Healthy
Vegetarian-friendly

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

Explore West Africa - ARTIFACT at Night July
$89.00 per person
Jul 17, 2025 only
Monthly Regional Dinner | WEST AFRICA Experience West Africa 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 922 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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Innovative
San Diego
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Artifact at Mingei offers a vibrant dining experience with "unique, artfully crafted food" in a sophisticated atmosphere. Guests praise the "excellent food and service," highlighting creative dishes like short ribs and tofu with Asian greens. The restaurant's setting in the Mingei Museum adds a cultural touch to its diverse menu and welcoming service.

922 Reviews

R
Raquel VIP
San Diego23 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
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 Diego4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
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 7 days ago
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?
B
Brenda VIP
San Diego23 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The band in the organ pavillion was loud for outside dining. Something new.
Is this helpful?
L
Laura VIP
San Diego40 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 19, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Just luscious!! Lovely lunch on the patio with a friend. I tried one of the non alcoholic drinks with coconut, pineapple and ube(a purple yam) It was very delicious and refreshing especially since it was my favorite color lavend!! We stuck with vegetarian options this time I had the plate with tofu and vegetables while my friend had the beet salad Everything was delicious! We saved room for the creamiest cheese cake I've ever had for dessert All in all I was a very relaxing time with good service and plenty of shade on a hot day!!
Is this helpful?
p
peter
San Diego35 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very pleasant We sat outside. It was a warm day, so quite nice. A little bit hot. I suggest you make the umbrellas more reflective of the sun. Food excellent-- interesting and diverse. We ate lunch, shared different dishes and enjoed them waiting staff very good. Seemed busy but it was Father's day, so not surprising !!!!
Is this helpful?
C
Casie VIP
San Diego105 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 10, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
I've had lunch here several times and think it's "fine." A little expensive as somehow my tab was about $40 for one dish ($23?, ice tea and a 40% tip). Wish I had gotten a receipt but I didn't as it was curious that it added up to so much. but so is the Kitchen at MCASD. It's time for a menu refresh though - please.
Is this helpful?
J
Jane
San Diego1 review
5.0
Dined on June 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Seven of us had lunch after a tour at Timken. The food was creative and delicious. Service excellent. The only slightly challenging thing was the noise level. But we would all go again!
Is this helpful?
l
linda
Los Angeles9 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Try the short ribs! So good! The staff are friendly and efficient.
Is this helpful?
E
Erik
Wisconsin11 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
On a recommendation from a local up in La Jolla, we booked a late, outdoor lunch at Artifact and were not disappointed. Very attentive, friendly service. Delicious, fresh, and creative dishes (although we only had a variety of appetizers, the entire menu looked wonderful!) and cocktails. Would happily return on our next visit to San Diego!
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 4.8 stars by 922 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 4, 2025

10:00 PM

Booked 11 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

Explore West Africa - ARTIFACT at Night July

Menu

What 922 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