Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Lilo

5.0

5 (70)

$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

Margaux

Dined 7 days ago

Wow! Everything about this experience was wonderful. Whether it was the service, the food, or even the music, you can tell how every choice was considered and thoughtful. The attention to detail was fabulous and everything was strung together so nicely. The setting is very intimate which allows you to have a relationship with the chefs and staff. I highly recommend Lilo to anyone who wants not just amazing food but an incredible culinary experience!

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Black and Blue Steakhouse and Lounge - Valley View Casino

4.9

4.9 (1904)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Valley Center

About the restaurant

Black&Blue is a contemporary American Steakhouse with Las Vegas flair, and a 21 and up dining experience. B&B was recently named San Diego’s “Most Romantic Steakhouse” by the San Diego Union Tribune, and most recently awarded as the Best Steak House Best Seafood by San Diego A-list! At B&B we offer the choicest meats, freshest seafood and most dazzling desserts to delight the mind and body that will transport our guests into a world of indulgence and taste. Unwind with conversation and creative cocktails in our Black&Blue Lounge. Then move into our main room where Chef Nicholas Burgess will impress you with his inventive dishes and innovative takes on classic favorites. Manager Elizabeth Marquez will ensure you receive the ultimate in guest service in an atmosphere that’s friendly and fun. To fully enjoy the B&B dining experience, please be prepared to spend an hour and a half with us. Visit us at B&B for a dining experience you’ll never forget.

Top review

Jason

Dined 4 days ago

As always, great food and service. The new general manager is attentive to customers and makes sure to check in with everyone. We had Star as our server and is by far the best server we have ever had and continues to be.

Sushi Ota - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (653)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Pacific Beach

About the restaurant

Thank you for choosing Sushi Ota in Mission Bay, San Diego, we look forward to serving you!

**Please call at 858-880-8878 for Sushi Bar reservation**

Top review

linda

Dined 6 days ago

Love this place! Fish very very fresh! Excellent service! One of my favorite sushi

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4.9

4.9 (443)

$30 and under

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Vinarius is an Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar in Little Italy San Diego. We offer an extensive wine list with wines coming from different regions of the world; the best meat and cheese board with Italian cured meats and different cheeses to pair with our wines. Our chef Alex makes homemade pasta enriched with our homemade sauces, entrees, pizza, different appetizers to choose from, and desserts that pair well with our port wines and after-dinner drinks. You definitely have to try our daily specials!
Our cozy full bar is also the perfect place to enjoy your drink and food while watching some sports!

Top review

DonnellVIP

Dined 3 days ago

An absolutely amazing dining experience from start to finish …the food, service, and atmosphere were all exceptional. The setting is warm and intimate, creating the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal. Every dish was hot, fresh, and bursting with flavor. The standouts for me were the crisp, refreshing salad (I can’t recall the name, but it had greens, tomatoes, olives, peppers, and croutons) and the perfectly cooked calamari and shrimp appetizer …simply outstanding. I savored every bite and will definitely be back before I leave San Diego. In fact, I’m about to make another reservation right now for today! Side note: I have beautiful photos but for some reason, I couldn’t add - my technical limitation. :-)

Himitsu

4.9

4.9 (1205)

$31 to $50

Sushi

La Jolla

About the restaurant

A sushi bar and Japanese bistro. Inspired by the sushi bars in Tokyo. Himitsu introduces Japanese culture, design, and hospitality to San Diego.

Our 8 person sushi bar and 20 person patio is located in a discrete corner of La Jolla, a setting well suited to our name, which translate to "Secret" in Japanese.

Chef Mitsu Aihara presents a menu of traditional sushi and nigiri, along with Japanese style tapas using the high quality products and ingredients.

Top review

NahalVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Himitsu is our absolute favorite and go-to sushi spot! The friendly staff—especially Jessica—and the amazing sushi chefs make every visit better than the last. The quality and atmosphere are unbeatable. Highly recommend!

Jeune et Jolie

4.9

4.9 (4308)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A culinary experience celebrating the moment, Jeune et Jolie reimagines French cuisine through the vibrant lens of our Southern California landscape with a 4-course menu offered at $120 per guest.

For those looking for a more casual evening, we feature "Le Menu du Bar”, an à la carte offering available for walk-in guests at our bar and lounge.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The food and service is always outstanding! We'll be back soon.

Mille Fleurs

4.9

4.9 (2368)

$50 and over

French American

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

**Please note: Patio requests must call the restaurant to confirm availability for patio dining, as availability is very limited due to table spacing.*

Nestled in the heart of the historic and charming village of Rancho Santa Fe, just four miles inland from Del Mar, Mille Fleurs offers magnificent California food presentation with extraordinary French flair. The exquisite yet comfortable French country décor with inviting outside patio provides an atmosphere that is gracious, warm and welcoming. Mille Fleurs has received numerous accolades including: "Top 25 in America" from Food & Wine Magazine "Far and away the best restaurant sampled in greater San Diego" quoted in The New York Times as well as "Best French" and "Best of the Best" in San Diego Magazine. Our award winning wine cellar offers over seven hundred choices spanning the globe and varying greatly in price. A mile down the road is the Chino's Family Farm where our chef heads every day to get fresh ingredients.

Top review

Karen

Dined 7 days ago

If you have been in business for 40 years, then apparently you know what to do. The service was impeccable. The food was delicious. The ambience was perfect. The staff was welcoming. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Harmony Cuisine 2B1

4.9

4.9 (283)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kearny Mesa

About the restaurant

OpenTable Diners' Choice 2022, 2023 and 2024!
Come dine in our modern and relaxing atmosphere, where we serve traditional sushi and unique fusion dishes.
Enjoy particularly selected sakes, wines, and unique cocktails that pair exquisitely with our fine dishes.
In addition to traditional sushi, and hot and cold Japanese appetizers, our menu includes pastas, homemade desserts, and other regional fusion dishes to cater to a wide range of guests.
We are also proud to offer premium A5 Wagyu dishes.
Please let us serve you our traditional and creative dishes so that you can enjoy "To Become One (2B1)" with us in Harmony!

Top review

JamieVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Outstanding sushi and I eat a lot of sushi. Great place with unique offerings.

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Popular dish

Sashimi 2B1

Parma Cucina Italiana

4.9

4.9 (146)

$30 and under

Italian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

Known for the Best Lasagna in San Diego, Parma Cucina Italiana is a charming and cozy family run Italian restaurant in the heart of Historic Hillcrest.

Our traditional Italian cuisine is inspired by generations of home cooking, fresh ingredients, and simple presentations. Our specialties originate from Northern Italy. The must try lasagna is decadent layers of Bolognese and béchamel sauce. Or try our tortellini with cream and prosciutto, or our pappardelle pasta tossed with slow braised short rib and porcini mushrooms.

We have an extensive wine collection with wines from the best regions of Italy. And an Italian meal wouldn’t be complete without our homemade desserts. We suggest tiramisu and profiteroles alla nutella.

Top review

Beth

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent food from a family owned business. The seafood pasta and meatballs were amazing. Small place I would recommend reservations.

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Pomodoro Ristorante Italiano

4.9

4.9 (74)

$30 and under

Italian

Point Loma

About the restaurant

Pomodoro features a rustic yet refined atmosphere, exquisite food presentations and a knowledgeable and friendly staff. Blending classic and contemporary Italian cuisine, Italian music and a colorful "Tomato Inspired" décor. Along the wall, a large wine rack houses many bottles and vintages, our wine list is designed to perfectly compliment your meal. Guests will indulge in the flavor of a true Italian experience the minute they step foot in Pomodoro, located in the heart of Point Loma, San Diego.

Top review

Marie

Dined 4 days ago

Delicious food and great service. Our group enjoyed the calamari, mushroom ravioli, linguine di mare, and pork ossobuco. Added bonus, the restaurant celebrated our birthday guest with a complimentary slice of tiramisu. Best we’ve ever had!

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