The Best Restaurants in San Diego: Little Italy, La Jolla & Beyond
Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
San Diego holds a special place in my heart — though maybe not for the reasons you’d expect.
There are the childhood memories first: visiting my grandparents and my aunt and uncle, the kind of trips that leave an imprint on you when those people and experiences meet their unfortunate expiration date. And then there’s the chapter Max and I wrote there ourselves, which is a bit more complicated.
We moved to Downtown San Diego in the fall of 2019, right after graduating from college — and right before the world turned upside down. I’ll be honest: I hated living there. I am not a city girl when it comes to where I want to put down roots (even temporary ones), and we were planted right in the thick of it, in the East Village, at quite possibly the worst time in recent history to be living in any city. We stayed for close to two years before eventually heading up to the Pacific Northwest for a semi-nomadic stretch, and then landing back in Orange County in 2022.
Looking back, though, those years shaped something. The way I think about food, neighborhood culture, what it means to really get to know a place through its dining scene — a bit of that outlook was formed in San Diego, partly out of necessity and partly because the city made it so easy to eat well, even when everything else felt uncertain.
We’ve been back a handful of times since moving away, and the food scene never disappoints. The best restaurants in San Diego aren’t just good by Southern California standards — they’re genuinely worth traveling for. From the pasta-packed streets of Little Italy to a waterfront lunch in La Jolla, this city (and county as a whole) eats well.
This guide is a mix of longtime favorites from our days living there, spots tied to family visits over the years, newer finds from recent getaways, and a handful of places still on my list — because San Diego’s dining scene keeps growing, and I fully intend to keep eating my way through it whenever I find myself south of OC.
Achilles Coffee Roasters
Best for: Morning coffee, a quiet work session, the best London Fog you’ll ever have
If there’s one place in San Diego I frequented more than anywhere else during our time living there, it’s Achilles Coffee Roasters. I went to the Del Rey location so often — it was right next to my office building — that ordering became muscle memory. Achilles has a few locations around the city, and while I’ve been to both the Park 12 and Del Rey spots, Del Rey was my most frequented.
The coffee here is genuinely excellent, whether you’re a pour-over person or a tea drinker. My personal order, every single time, was a London Fog and a Hillcrest breakfast sandwich — it’s so good that I’m a little embarrassed by how many I consumed in such a short span of time there. A combo worth ordering; I always swap the scrambled eggs for a fried egg.
Start your morning here before you do anything else in downtown San Diego. You’ll thank me.
Barbusa
Barbusa is my pick for Italian with a little more energy — it’s the kind of spot that feels festive even on a Tuesday, with a beautiful space and a menu that warrants repeat visits. Tucked into the heart of Little Italy, this was a personal favorite of ours when we were living in San Diego, and it’s the kind of place where the food is exciting enough that you genuinely debate what to order.
For appetizers, do not skip the Arancini and — if they’re on the menu — the Fiori di Zucca (fried squash blossoms). I still talk about those squash blossoms years later. For pasta, the Gnocchi and the Lobster Fusilli are both standouts. I haven’t personally ventured into their main dishes, but given that halibut is one of my favorite fish on any menu, I have a feeling I know where I’d land.
Best for: A lively Italian dinner in Little Italy, date night with a modern edge
What to Order
- Arancini – the truffle cream sauce is all you need to know about
- Fiori di Zucca – fried squash blossoms, order immediately
- Gnocchi – delicious!
- Lobster Fusilli – lobster and pasta is always a good idea
Bencotto
Of all the Little Italy Italian spots on this list, Bencotto is the one most people come specifically for one dish — and rightfully so. This is the cheese wheel pasta restaurant: tossed tableside in a 60-pound wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano. It’s as theatrical as it sounds, and it tastes amazing.
We brought Max’s parents here when they visited us in San Diego. Beyond the cheese wheel, Bencotto does a choose-your-own pasta-and-sauce format that’s genuinely fun to work through. The Bencotto sauce — a pink pancetta sauce made with cured ground pork belly — is very, very satisfying and the right answer if you’re not sure where to start. For appetizers, the Riso Fritto (fried Parmigiano risotto balls with a bolognese dip) is a must.
Best for: The cheese wheel pasta experience, a celebratory Italian dinner
What to Order
- Riso Fritto – fried Parmigiano risotto balls with bolognese dip
- Cheesewheel Pasta – tossed in a 60LB wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano; non-negotiable
- Bencotto sauce – pink pancetta sauce, a great starting point for the build-your-own pasta
Brigantine at Portside Pier
Brigantine at Portside Pier is exactly where you want to be when you’re craving fresh seafood with a view. Situated right on the waterfront, it’s one of those spots that works for practically any occasion — a relaxed lunch, a pre-show dinner (we’ve eaten here before a concert at Petco Park), or just a long afternoon by the water with a good cocktail.
Brigantine has multiple locations throughout San Diego County, including one in Coronado, so if you’re not heading downtown, you’ve got options. At the Portside Pier location specifically, the Crispy Coconut Macadamia Shrimp and the Brig Clam Chowder (New England style, and very good) are my go-to starters. For the main, the Macadamia Crusted Fresh Mahi Mahi and the Signature Grilled Marinated Swordfish are both excellent — and exactly the kind of dish that earns its place on a waterfront seafood menu.
Best for: Waterfront seafood, a sunny lunch by the water, pre-concert dining
What to Order
- Crispy Coconut Macadamia Shrimp – the coconut adds the perfect touch
- Brig Clam Chowder – New England style
- Macadamia Crusted Fresh Mahi Mahi – my personal favorite, reminds me of Hawaii
- Signature Grilled Marinated Swordfish – I love finding swordfish on a menu, and theirs is delicious!
Cesarina
Cesarina was a COVID-era discovery for us — we found it during that strange season when restaurants had built little outdoor offshoots on the sides of their buildings just to stay open, and we ate outside on a cool evening and were immediately obsessed. Even in the most unusual circumstances, the food was exceptional, the atmosphere was lovely, and I’ve been recommending it to friends and family ever since.
Part of what makes Cesarina so charming, beyond the food, is the attention to detail: the dishware is genuinely beautiful, and if you fall in love with their rooster pitchers (you will), you can actually purchase them to take home. The concept here is a choose-your-own pasta adventure — pick your fresh pasta shape, then choose your sauce — and it’s a delightful way to eat Italian. They also have a menu of house favorites if you’d rather let the kitchen guide you.
The Paccheri Vodka and Scampi are is a Cesarina classic that regulars swear by. Personally, I’m always drawn to the Pomodoro Fresco sauce — super fresh, super light, and exactly what good tomato sauce should taste like.
Best for: Fresh handmade pasta, a charming neighborhood atmosphere, the details
What to Order
- Paccheri Vodka and Scampi – a Cesarina staple
- Pomodoro Fresco – light, fresh, and perfect
- Fresh pasta in whatever shape calls to you
Craft & Commerce
Craft & Commerce is one of those places that just has a good energy. It’s lively and a little offbeat (in a good way, it’s quirky and fun), with creative cocktails without being overwrought and a bar scene that feels genuinely local rather than tourist-facing. If you’re going on the weekend, make a reservation. It will be packed, and you won’t want to miss it just because you didn’t plan.
The cocktails are the real draw here, but the food holds its own — the Brussels sprouts and the burger are both worth ordering. It’s a great spot for a group or a spirited date night when you want something with a little more personality than a straightforward dinner out.
Best for: Weekend drinks, a fun and lively atmosphere, great cocktails
What to Order
- Really anything on the cocktail menu … let yourself be adventurous!
- Brussels sprouts – yum yum yum
- Burger – it’s really tasty
- Schmaltz Fries – pictured above and so tasty!
Great Maple
Great Maple is a brunch spot that takes brunch seriously — and I mean that as a genuine compliment. We’ve been to the Hillcrest location in San Diego specifically, and it’s exactly the kind of place you want on a slow weekend morning when you’re not in a rush and you want your meal to feel like an occasion.
A note for fellow Orange County residents: Great Maple has two locations in OC as well — one at Fashion Island in Newport Beach (which I’ve also been to and love), and one at the Pixar Pier hotel in Anaheim, which is worth knowing if you’re planning a Disneyland trip and want a great brunch option nearby. I cover that world extensively in my Ultimate Disneyland Guide if you need the full picture.
Menu items can vary by location, but some consistent favorites: the Parmesan Truffle Fries (yes, at brunch — no notes), Thick Cut Smoked Bacon, Buttermilk Pancakes (available in traditional, fresh blueberry or strawberry, or chocolate chip), Fried Chicken & Doughnuts with maple bacon doughnuts and maple syrup, and the Steak & Eggs with chimichurri-marinated flat iron steak, two eggs any style, sour cream and onion scalloped potatoes, and a white cheddar biscuit.
Best for: Brunch, indulgent morning-into-afternoon dining, a leisurely weekend meal
What to Order
- Parmesan Truffle Fries – just trust me
- Thick Cut Smoked Bacon
- Buttermilk Pancakes – in any variation
- Fried Chicken & Doughnuts
- Steak & Eggs
Ironside Fish & Oyster
Ironside Fish & Oyster became one of my favorite San Diego spots before we even moved there — I first went on a Fourth of July bar crawl through Little Italy and Broadway Pier in 2019, and I think I worked my way through nearly the entire cocktail menu in one evening. Every single one was exceptional. We went back for lunch after moving to the city and the fresh seafood matched the cocktail reputation completely.
This is a genuinely beautiful space with a serious raw bar, and it earns its reputation as one of the standout seafood restaurants in San Diego. The Oysters Rockefeller are a must, and the Peach & Burrata Salad is one of those dishes that sounds simple and then completely surprises you.
Best for: Cocktails and fresh seafood in Little Italy, a memorable first visit to San Diego
What to Order
- Oysters Rockefeller
- Peach & Burrata Salad
- Any cocktail on the menu — genuinely, any of them
Lucrezia La Jolla
Lucrezia was a recent discovery — we stopped in for lunch at the UTC location on the way down to Coronado for Max’s birthday weekend, after seeing it circulate on Instagram for a while. The covered outdoor patio is stunning, and arriving right when they opened meant a calm, unhurried start to what turned out to be a very good meal.
The restaurant is owned by a Mexico City restaurant group, which brings an interesting lens to what is otherwise a straightforwardly Italian menu. We skipped starters since we were saving room for a bigger dinner later, but I had my eye on the Gamberoni alla Griglia and the classic Calamari Fritti for next time. For mains, we ordered the Linguine Vongole and the San Daniele Pizza — both were genuinely delicious, and exactly what you want from a beautiful afternoon lunch.
Best for: A beautiful alfresco lunch, Italian with a Mexican culinary group’s touch, La Jolla dining
What to Order
- Gamberoni alla Griglia (on the list for next time)
- Calamari Fritti – always, anywhere
- Linguine Vongole – if you love lemon like I do, you’ll love their take on vongole!
- San Daniele Pizza – so crispy, light, and flavorful!
Mimmo’s
Mimmo’s is the kind of restaurant that earns its place on a list not because of any particular flourish, but because everything it does, it does really well. Sicilian cuisine brought to San Diego — classic, unfussy, and deeply satisfying. We brought my parents here when they visited us in the city, and my dad loved it so much that he’s returned on his own multiple times since, on business trips to San Diego. That kind of repeat loyalty from someone who wasn’t even the one who discovered the restaurant says everything.
The Calamari Fritti, Meatballs, and Risotto Arancini are the right way to start. For pasta, the Baked Lasagna and the Campanelle Sausage are both excellent. And do not leave without ordering the cannoli — it would be a mistake.
Best for: Classic Sicilian cooking, a warm and unpretentious dinner, bringing the family
What to Order
- Calamari Fritti
- Meatballs
- Risotto Arancini
- Baked Lasagna
- Campanelle Sausage
- Cannoli — non-negotiable
Monello
Essentially right across the street from Barbusa, Monello is another Little Italy institution worth knowing — and a restaurant we returned to more than once during our time in San Diego. One of those visits included a dinner with Max’s parents, which tells you something about the kind of place it is: warm, welcoming, the sort of restaurant that works for a special occasion without feeling the least bit stuffy.
What makes Monello fun is the flexibility of the menu: you can either order from their Specialty Pastas section (which I’d recommend starting with) or build your own by choosing your pasta shape and then your sauce — a genuinely satisfying way to eat Italian and explore the menu over multiple visits. I’m a pasta person through and through, and my favorites from their Specialty Pastas menu are the Tortelloni Al Tartufo and the Spaghetti Di Zafferano Con Gamberi. For appetizers, the Panzerotti and the Cavolfiori — served with a spicy aioli that’s addictive — are both worth ordering.
(Side note: the Panzerotti, a Puglian fried pastry, now carries a certain amount of personal significance given that I ended up getting married in Puglia a few years later. Funny how that works.)
Best for: Italian pasta in a convivial setting, a dinner where you want to linger
What to Order
- Panzerotti
- Cavolfiori — with the spicy aioli
- Tortelloni Al Tartufo
- Spaghetti Di Zafferano Con Gamberi
Nolita Hall
Just on the edge of Little Italy’s main strip, Nolita Hall is one of those spots that works for almost any occasion — brunch with the girls, cocktails before dinner, a date night that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The space is beautifully designed and has a warmth to it that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
One detail worth knowing: behind the large bar, there’s a rotating letter sign — the top half cycles through quotes, while the bottom half rotates with incoming flight information, since Nolita Hall sits right below the landing path for San Diego International Airport. I was completely captivated by it the entire time we were there. The Avocado Bruschetta (with beets — don’t skip it) and the Lara’s Jam cocktail are personal favorites.
Best for: Drinks and brunch with friends, a lively evening out in Little Italy
What to Order
- Avocado Bruschetta — with beets. It sounds funky but so good.
- Lara’s Jam cocktail
- Whatever looks good on the seasonal cocktail menu
Puesto at the Headquarters
Puesto at the Headquarters is the kind of restaurant that manages to be genuinely good without any pretension about it — which is harder than it sounds. Situated in the Seaport Village area, it’s a great spot for margaritas and appetizers, a full dinner, or a Taco Tuesday situation when you want tacos and a deal on drinks. Happy hour runs Monday and Wednesday through Friday, so plan accordingly.
Puesto has a handful of locations across California, so if you’re an OC resident or elsewhere in the state, check their locations page — there may be one closer to you. That said, the Headquarters location has a certain charm to it that makes it worth seeking out specifically if you’re familiar or just want a margarita in the Seaport Village area. Make a reservation regardless of when or where you’re going; it fills up.
The menu rotates seasonally and can vary a bit by location, but some consistent favorites: Potato Taquitos, the Filet Mignon Taco, the Mango-Limón Agua Fresca, and the Puesto Perfect Guacamole — which has Parmesan in it, and is better for it.
Best for: Tacos and margaritas by the waterfront, happy hour, a lively casual dinner
What to Order
- Potato Taquitos
- Filet Mignon Taco
- Mango-Limón Agua Fresca
- Puesto Perfect Guacamole — Parmesan included, just go with it
Rare Society
Rare Society is where you go when the occasion calls for something truly indulgent — and where you leave thinking it was worth every cent. We had Max’s 29th birthday dinner at the University Heights location, and it was one of those meals that reminded me why a great steakhouse is a completely different experience from a good one.
Rare Society has a San Clemente location as well, which is much closer to home for us — and we’re fully planning to make that a regular. But the San Diego location is where we first experienced it, and it set a high bar.
For a table of two, The Associate Board — a chef-determined selection of cuts for the evening — is the way to go. Ours included Filet Mignon, Snake River Farms Wagyu Tri-Tip, and Snake River Farms Wagyu Denver, and every single one was exceptional. We ordered the Asparagus and Whipped Potatoes as sides, and finished with the Butter Cake for dessert — rich, and completely right for a birthday dinner. The Hamachi Crudo is the starter to order.
Best for: A special occasion dinner, a serious steak night, celebrating something worth celebrating
What to Order
- Hamachi Crudo
- The Associate Board — perfect for two, chef’s choice cuts
- Snake River Farms Wagyu — in any form it appears
- Asparagus
- Whipped Potatoes
- Butter Cake — for dessert, especially if you’re celebrating
Rustic Root
Rustic Root is the rooftop bar answer in the Gaslamp Quarter, and it’s a good one. It works equally well during the day, but I personally love the atmosphere here as the evening settles in — there’s an energy to it that makes it feel festive without being chaotic. I tend to default to sparkling rosé here, but I’ve also had a gin and sparkling wine cocktail called The Elder Empress that I’d compare to a French 75 and happily recommend to anyone who enjoys one.
Come for the views and the cocktails. Stay longer than you planned.
Best for: Rooftop drinks, a fun night out in the Gaslamp Quarter, sunset cocktails
What to Order
- The Elder Empress — gin and sparkling wine, French 75 vibes
- Sparkling rosé — always the right call
A few spots still on my San Diego list — restaurants I’ve been meaning to try and fully intend to get to on future visits:
- Born & Raised — the San Diego steakhouse with a reputation that precedes it
- Herb & Wood — wood-fired California cuisine in Little Italy
- Le Coq — French in Bankers Hill, and very much on my radar
- Leila — Mediterranean in Little Italy
- Marisi — another Little Italy Italian that keeps coming up in conversation
- Neighborhood — a beloved East Village gastropub and craft beer institution
- Seneca Trattoria — Italian in Mission Hills
- The Whaling Bar — the historic La Valencia bar in La Jolla
- VULTURE — newer, creative, and exactly the kind of spot I want to discover in person
San Diego’s dining scene has grown significantly even in the few years since we lived there, and keeping up with it is honestly one of my favorite reasons to make the drive down. If you’re planning a trip, my guide to the best boutique hotels in San Diego and things to do in San Diego are both coming soon — so stay tuned. In the meantime, eat well down there. San Diego makes it very easy to do.
One last thing worth acknowledging: yes, a significant portion of this list is Italian restaurants. In Little Italy, no less. If you know me at all — or have spent any time on this blog — you are not remotely surprised, and I make no apologies. Mangia bene!