Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American 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!

NM Café - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (314)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

THE NM CAFE located in Neiman Marcus SAN DIEGO has been recently remodeled and is now open 7 days a week, 11 am- 4pm.

Laid-back luxe. Experience delightful dishes in a casual, contemporary atmosphere at THE NM CAFE® SAN DIEGO. Muted lighting and understated, modern decor create the perfect environment for a midday retreat. Whether dining with a group or simply ordering upscale take-out, expect delectable food and exceptional service that is synonymous with Neiman Marcus.

Let THE NM CAFE® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect menu and ambience for your event in our chic and inviting atmosphere. Pamper the glowing bride- or mother-to-be in your life with the shower of her dreams or a lavish luncheon.

Top review

Ellen

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

We had a delightful lunch at the Neiman Marcus Cafe. The service, food, fashion show and total experience were wonderful!

The Henry - Coronado

4.8

4.8 (2273)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Coronado

About the restaurant

Welcome to the greatest neighborhood restaurant, a place where you can always count on a warm welcome from baristas, servers and bartenders who know your order by heart. A fusion of industrial and classical influences, our open dining spaces are bursting with charm and energy. Come and go with ease for your morning coffee, enjoy lunch with a colleague, gather the family together for dinner, or treat yourself to a post-work drink at the bar. For craveable eats and downright delicious cocktails, look no further than a place where you'll always be among friends, a place that feels like home: The Henry.

Top review

Maggievip

Dined 7 days ago

Food and service were excellent! Try the Sprouts and Squash with Chicken or the Harvest Bowl with Blackened Salmon... but the best thing on the menu is the Key Lime Tart Brûlée!! Don't pass on it!

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Popular dish

Molten Butter Cake

Popular dish

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast

Popular dish

Korean Prime Skirt Steak

Campfire

4.7

4.7 (5090)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A New American restaurant and cocktail bar with a focus on market driven live-fire cooking, Campfire is a return to the origins of cooking and hospitality, and celebrates the spirit of the name by creating an environment in which we gather around a fire, create honest food, and share it with friends.

Top review

Sean

Dined 5 days ago

A wonderful place with excellent ambiance. We went for our 6th Wedding Anniversary and the staff were outstanding!! The food was delicious, the meal was well paced and the drinks complimented everything beautifully. Always busy because they are so great, book in advance, show up, and enjoy the experience that is Campfire! Will be back again!!

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4.7

4.7 (755)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Coronado

About the restaurant

Open for Lunch and Dinner. Reservations for Lunch are not accepted, however we do accept walk-ins!

Top review

LaurenR

Dined 5 days ago

Had a Navy retirement get together with a bunch of people coming in and out. Everyone at the Tavern was great and kept the drinks and food flowing. Tavern is our favorite restaurant on the island. Thank you

Kettner Exchange

4.7

4.7 (1265)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

Top review

Angelavip

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious food and wonderful drinks! Our hostess, bartender and waitress plus the assistants were terrific!

Bazille - Nordstrom University Town Center

4.7

4.7 (186)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

La Jolla

About the restaurant

This full-service restaurant with a casually sophisticated atmosphere features bistro cuisine and a full bar. Enjoy fresh salads, specialty entrées, signature cocktails, a wine list and housemade desserts.

Nordstrom is located along Genesee Avenue, between La Jolla Village Drive and Nobel Drive. Bazille is located on the 2nd floor, overlooking the main courtyard of the newly expanded UTC. We offer a full bar with wine, beer & hand crafted cocktails, as well as open patio dining.

We are open for dine-in service, covered, heated outdoor patio dining and to-go orders with Curbside Pickup. Call (858) 812-3582 to place your order.

Join us for Brunch on weekends;

July 4th hours: 11am-5pm

Top review

Susanvip

Dined on Aug 2, 2024

Far exceeded my expectations. The salmon nicoise was amazing! I'll be back. My new UTC go to! Yummy, great service, pretty mall view.

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Experience

Wine Wednesdays

Experience

Weekend Brunch 11am-3pm

Experience

Happy Hour at the Bazille!

Sbicca - Del Mar

4.6

4.6 (2495)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Del Mar

About the restaurant

We look forward to having you join us! San Diego's favorite "Neighborhood" restaurant. Located in beautiful, quaint Del Mar and winner of the "Gold Medallion Award" for Best Neighborhood Restaurant awarded by the San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association. Dine up on the Ocean View deck and take in the blue pacific while enjoying our award winning cuisine or sit on our ocean view sidewalk cafe and sip on one of our Wine Spectator award winning wine list wines.

SPECIALS:
1/2 price on Wine Bottles Tuesdays & Thursdays
Happy Hour Daily 3-5pm (excluding holidays)

Please note we cannot guarantee seating requests, we will do our best to accommodate but it is not a guarantee for inside or outside

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined 6 days ago

My first visit to San Diego and my husband and I were in search of a casual lunch spot— our experience at Sbicca was perfect: casual, cute ambiance, friendly staff, delicious food… and an ocean view if you’re at the right table. It’s also conveniently located in a walkable downtown-ish area.

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Popular dish

Lobster Shrimp Biqsue

Beaumont's

4.7

4.7 (902)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Established in the heart of La Jolla’s Bird Rock seaside community in 2005, Beaumont’s Neighborhood Eatery has been a central meeting spot for locals to gather for fabulous food, hand-made cocktails, and top-rated entertainment in a casual, yet contemporary atmosphere earning its title as the “heart and soul of Bird Rock”. Nightly happy hour and a fantastic dinner menu are just the beginning, because a full bar and live local music add to the great vibe. You’ll find Beaumont’s weekends a need to be at event for brunch!

Top review

Amyvip

Dined 4 days ago

We always enjoy Beaumonts, the food and the service is always good

Harlow's Lounge

4.7

4.7 (211)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Bonsall

About the restaurant

Harlow's Cocktail Lounge is a unique restaurant focused on traditional classics with modern reinvention. Through the use of specialized ingredients and techniques, international influence and attention to detail, Harlow's offers adventurous creations rooted in comforting familiarity. Our shareable menu and bar selections are crafted for our guests enjoy on any occasion or outing. Come enjoy the lounge, bar, restaurant and private dining areas with friends and family. Harlow's stage features weekly live music showcasing local talent. Call or visit harlowslounge.com for more details

Top review

Kevin

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

Our first trip into Harlow's was very memorable. The room is amazing, the food was excellent, only made better by our waiter "Gavin" who did a very good job. Overall great experience!

Bouquet Restaurant + Bar at Ponte Vineyard Inn

4.5

4.5 (520)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Temecula

About the restaurant

Enjoy fresh, locally-sourced cuisine fine wines and refreshing cocktails at Bouquet Restaurant, located at our luxurious AAA Four-Diamond Inn. Dine out on the terrace surrounded by manicured Italian gardens with stunning views of the vineyard and our 1-acre pond.

Enjoy live music during brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-3pm!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

The food was wonderful. A little wait to start but then a lovely experience

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