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Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated July 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

5.0

5 (96)

$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

F

FernandoVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing experience. Great decor, service, and amazing food. Highly recommend.

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A photo of Chef's Table of a restaurant

A photo of Chef's Counter of a restaurant

A photo of The Veranda Restaurant restaurant

The Veranda Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1578)

$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

D

DARCIE

Dined 3 days ago

Beautiful place, good food but the service is seriously lacking. My last two visits where both nice but we all remarked at how much better they could do in the service department. After each appearance from our waitress, she would disappear for 15 minutes at time. We probably weren't approached by our waitress for twenty minutes after being seated to even be offered water. I'll go back but I know to plan accordingly.

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A photo of French Toast of a restaurant

A photo of Wellington Benedict of a restaurant

Wellington Benedict

A photo of Prime Rib Sandwich Dip of a restaurant

Prime Rib Sandwich Dip

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

Addison by William Bradley x Core by Clare Smyth

A photo of NINE-TEN restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3041)

$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

L

LesleyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Nine-Ten is fabulous!! Delicious food, friendly attentive staff and gorgeous ambiance. It is our favorite La Jolla restaurant.

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A photo of Hamachi Sashimi of a restaurant

Hamachi Sashimi

A photo of Agnolotti of a restaurant

A photo of Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara restaurant

Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara

4.8

4.8 (1077)

$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

J

Jim

Dined on Jul 22, 2025

The service here was top notch along with food and presentation of the food. Polite and attentive service. This is an amazing restaurant. Kudos to chefs and all staff.

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A photo of Seafood Paella of a restaurant

A photo of Parents' Night Out of a restaurant

Parents' Night Out

A photo of Paradisaea restaurant

4.8

4.8 (669)

$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. Michelin guide recommended under the helm on Chef Anders Rubini

Top review

T

tonyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The super-talented chef put together a tasting menu that was perfection. Very high level of service with personable, yet efficient waitstaff. A truly memorable evening in an environment that’s comfortable, energetic and visually delightful. Will definitely return.

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A photo of Scallops of a restaurant

A photo of Pan Seared Scallops of a restaurant

Pan Seared Scallops

A photo of Grant Grill restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1710)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

A remarkable epicurean experience awaits you at Grant Grill and Lounge. From the iconic, chic setting to our fresh California cuisine and innovative libations, Grant Grill and Lounge carries a tradition of excellence rich in history (since 1951) and history-in-the-making. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus highlight the best ingredients of the season with a fresh approach to classics. From the bar, proprietary beverage creations are offered alongside an impressive menu of wine, beer and cocktails.

Top review

M

MarkVIP

Dined on Jul 19, 2025

Friendly greeting by hostess & manager. Immediately acknowledged and seated. Wonderful services and knowledgeable staff. Food was delicious… Decor was comfortable and inviting.

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A photo of The Restaurant at Ponte restaurant

The Restaurant at Ponte

4.8

4.8 (3867)

$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

R

RichardVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Good food and service Ruben was our server always fresh Thanks

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A photo of Filet of a restaurant

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A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant

4.7

4.7 (6789)

$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

B

BruceVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. The food, service and atmosphere always make it a wonderful occasion.

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A photo of Pork Belly of a restaurant

A photo of Strawberry Soufflé of a restaurant

Strawberry Soufflé

A photo of La Gran Terraza - University of San Diego restaurant

La Gran Terraza - University of San Diego

4.7

4.7 (1154)

$30 and under

Californian

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

The Grand Dining Room is open for lunch Monday - Friday from 11:30am-1:30pm.

La Gran Terraza is a California bistro featuring farm-to-table lunch and dinner. The Grand Dining Room and terrace have fantastic views of Tecolote Canyon and Mission Bay. OTooles offers small bites, nightly happy hour, a cozy fireplace, local craft beers and an excellent wine list.
Visit our website for a calendar of special events.

Top review

J

Jay

Dined 6 days ago

I can’t say enough good things. The service was wonderful and the food was flavorful!

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