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Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Diego

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OpenTable
Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Lilo restaurant
Lilo
5.0
5 (54)
$50 and over
Californian
Carlsbad
About the restaurant
A lively and immersive dining experience that welcomes you to celebrate life’s special moments, Lilo harnesses the untamed spirit of the California coast and the world's shorelines through a curated, multi-course tasting menu rooted in a thoughtful connection to nature, served around a 22-seat chef’s counter.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 3 days ago
Incredible experience - truly no notes. Everything that was brought out from start to finish was magic. I don’t want to share too much and spoil the experience! Just trust that it is well worth every penny.
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A photo of Chef's Table of a restaurant
Experience
Chef's Table
A photo of Chef's Counter of a restaurant
Experience
Chef's Counter
A photo of Addison by William Bradley restaurant
Addison by William Bradley
4.8
4.8 (1874)
$50 and over
Californian
Del Mar
About the restaurant
Addison, Southern California’s first three-star Michelin restaurant, showcases the beauty and allure of California Gastronomy. Chef William Bradley offers his distinct culinary perspective through an experience that celebrates regional ingredients and influences. With its picturesque views of the surrounding hillside, the dining room creates a transportive setting for Bradley’s ten-course tasting menu. To further enhance the experience, Addison’s 10,000 bottle wine program showcases small producers, rare Champagnes, and new discoveries from around the world.

Since 2006, the purity and precision of Addison's approach has led to global recognition for the restaurant and the San Diego culinary scene. Addison is among an exclusive selection of stand-alone Relais & Châteaux restaurants worldwide, and, in addition to its three-star Michelin designation, is honored on La Liste. It has consistently received the highest recognition from Wine Spectator for its wine program.
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A photo of Addison by William Bradley x Core by Clare Smyth of a restaurant
Experience
Addison by William Bradley x Core by Clare Smyth
A photo of The Veranda Restaurant restaurant
The Veranda Restaurant
4.9
4.9 (1567)
$30 and under
Californian
Fallbrook
About the restaurant
While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.
Top review
Kathy
Dined on Jun 6, 2025
A very relaxing and beautiful venue with lush gardens to stroll. I highly recommend dining with ladies or anyone because the menu items are delicious and presented with care along with attentive service while enjoying the veranda and view..
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A photo of French Toast of a restaurant
Popular dish
French Toast
A photo of Wellington Benedict of a restaurant
Popular dish
Wellington Benedict
A photo of Prime Rib Sandwich Dip of a restaurant
Popular dish
Prime Rib Sandwich Dip
A photo of NINE-TEN restaurant
NINE-TEN
4.8
4.8 (3018)
$31 to $50
Californian
La Jolla
About the restaurant
Led by award-winning, nationally-recognized chef Jason Knibb, NINE-TEN offers the perfect combination of sophistication and casual elegance and an ideal location along lively Prospect Street in the Village of La Jolla. Recognized with MICHELIN distinction, NINE-TEN’s globally-inspired, locally-sourced cuisine features the best of the harvest from local artisans where products are selected daily for the restaurant’s seasonal menus. Dine indoors or al fresco on our sidewalk patio or back terrace with peek views of the Pacific Ocean. Heaters are available during cooler weather. Private dining rooms are also available for groups of 8 or more. Breakfast is served Monday through Friday, 7 am to 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. and features $6 mimosas and $8 Bloody Marys. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, 11:30 am to 2 pm. And dinner service is available nightly, 5 pm to 9 pm. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Top review
ErinVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Exquisite food and presentation. The wait staff were very friendly and accommodating Just a delicious and delightful experience
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A photo of Cacio e Pepe of a restaurant
Popular dish
Cacio e Pepe
A photo of Hamachi Sashimi of a restaurant
Popular dish
Hamachi Sashimi
A photo of Agnolotti of a restaurant
Popular dish
Agnolotti
A photo of Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara restaurant
Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara
4.8
4.8 (1065)
$50 and over
Californian
Carlsbad
About the restaurant
Immerse yourself into a refined modern setting featuring Baja-inspired cuisine and specialty cocktails composed of mezcal and tequila. Enjoy a show kitchen allowing you to get an inside look behind the scenes bringing Chef's creations to center stage. Locally sourced cuisine with a coastal flair is the cornerstone of this fine dining Baja-inspired experience.


Top review
Daisy
Dined 6 days ago
Excellent service and delicious food!!! Would definitely return to try more dishes! Celebrated our anniversary and so sweet of the restaurant to provide a champagne toast and custom dessert!
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A photo of Ceviche Tour of a restaurant
Popular dish
Ceviche Tour
A photo of Seafood Paella of a restaurant
Popular dish
Seafood Paella
A photo of Ponto Lago: A Night of Fireworks & Flavor of a restaurant
Experience
Ponto Lago: A Night of Fireworks & Flavor
A photo of Paradisaea restaurant
Paradisaea
4.8
4.8 (647)
$50 and over
Californian
La Jolla
About the restaurant
A celebration of food, cocktails, art, and warm hospitality. Housed in the historic Piano Building, in the heart of the vibrant community of Bird Rock, Paradisaea is a destination restaurant and bar, that San Diegans frequent for crave-able, accessible fare, executed at the highest level.


Top review
NicoleVIP
Dined today
EVERYTHING from the drinks (mocktails too! ) appis, entres, to the desserts was FABULOUS!!! Everyone loved it. Parking was good, people all really nice and hostess even helped when it did get busy. The only cons: Noise level was huge! Server wanted to take whole order to stage it rather than allowing us to do our timing (they didn’t seem terribly busy for most of the night). They charge 6% on the bill which the server explained was ‘to compensate for the Medicare taken out of his bill!’ What? I own a business and have trouble understanding why they don’t build that into their price. I tip 20% to servers but wow 25% on a bill was crazy. Having said all that, would certainly go again !
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A photo of Hamachi crudo of a restaurant
Popular dish
Hamachi crudo
A photo of Pan Seared Scallops of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pan Seared Scallops
A photo of Scallops of a restaurant
Popular dish
Scallops
A photo of Talia Kitchen restaurant
Talia Kitchen
4.7
4.7 (165)
$31 to $50
Californian
Murrieta
About the restaurant
Welcome to Talia Kitchen, where culinary artistry meets wellness and community at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort. Executive Chef Matt Steffen and Director of Nutrition Sarah Goudie craft a menu celebrating Southern California’s bounty, from Murrieta’s hills to San Diego’s coast. We source the finest ingredients from local partners, creating dishes that are both nutritious and delicious. At Talia, we’re more than a restaurant; we’re a gathering place where vitality is served alongside community spirit. Join us for a dining experience that nourishes body and soul, caters to diverse dietary needs, and turns neighbors into friends.
Top review
Sunil
Dined 2 days ago
I’ve been to many restaurants around the world. I never given five stars to any of them, but this one deserves it. Food, service, ambience all excellent. Staff are fantastic. Food flour was just first class.
A photo of The Restaurant at Ponte restaurant
The Restaurant at Ponte
4.8
4.8 (3831)
$31 to $50
Californian
Temecula
About the restaurant
Recognized by OpenTable as one of the top 50 restaurants in the US for outdoor dining, The Restaurant prepares wine country cuisine in a casual outdoor atmosphere. We are leading the way toward a community of wineries and restaurants dedicated to promoting local, sustainable farmers and ranchers. Our dishes feature top quality seasonal and regional ingredients prepared in our kitchen and enhanced when paired with our wines. The Restaurant is open for lunch Wednesday - Sunday 11am to 4pm and dinner from 4pm to 7pm. The maximum party we book a reservation for is up to 8 guests. Walk ins are welcome and will be placed on a wait list based on availability. The Restaurant is open in inclement weather and when it rains. Heaters are available in the winter, and misters and fans are on in the summer. We allow trained service animals only, sorry no pets.
Top review
James
Dined on Jun 6, 2025
Always wonderful here. Pricey but very good food and service.
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A photo of Scallops of a restaurant
Popular dish
Scallops
A photo of Filet of a restaurant
Popular dish
Filet
A photo of Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Salad
A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant
Herb & Wood
4.7
4.7 (6726)
$31 to $50
Californian
Little Italy
About the restaurant
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.

Top review
Helena
Dined 3 days ago
Herb & Wood in San Diego is an absolute gem—stylish, vibrant, and effortlessly cool. The décor is a perfect blend of modern elegance and artistic flair, setting the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. We enjoyed a fabulous happy hour that felt like a steal for such an upscale spot. Every bite was outstanding—from fresh oysters and melt-in-your-mouth hamachi to rich, flavorful oxtail pasta and a unique rabbit pasta that was perfectly done. The grand finale was a showstopping strawberry soufflé—light, luscious, and unforgettable.
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A photo of Gnocchi of a restaurant
Popular dish
Gnocchi
A photo of Pork Belly of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pork Belly
A photo of Strawberry Soufflé of a restaurant
Popular dish
Strawberry Soufflé
A photo of Wildland restaurant
Wildland
4.6
4.6 (152)
$30 and under
Californian
Carlsbad
About the restaurant
WALK-IN'S ONLY FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.

WALK-IN'S AND RESERVATIONS FOR DINNER.

Wildland is an all-day restaurant, bar and bakery inspired by the natural landscape and vibrant community of North County, celebrating the creative culture of California by bringing bold ideas to timeless traditions.

Night or day, this is a place for the every day.

We open daily at 8am, with counter service up until 4:00pm, inviting you all to come in and join us on a first-come, first-serve basis for breakfast and lunch.

Reservations are available every evening, and walk in guests are always welcome.

Private Dining Room reservations are available for parties of 12-18 guests.
Top review
BrianVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Really cute place for a nice dinner. Food was pretty simple (in a good way) with quality ingredients. Service was very prompt and friendly.
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