When you’re longing to get away from the daily routine and could use a healthy dose of sunshine to feel refreshed, there’s no place better to find yourself than San Diego, California. This captivating coastal city is loved for its beautiful beaches, amazing wildlife, world-class fishing, year-round sensational weather, and historical stops that allow history buffs to dive into the past. Whether you’re one for museums and art galleries or you can’t wait to spend your getaway shopping your way to fun, San Diego has something wonderful for everyone to enjoy. It’s also a city that’s renowned for its incredible and robust culinary scene. Foodies with preferences of all kinds can find exactly what they’re looking for here whether it’s a night out with a focus on fine dining or a casual meal with family and friends. From local fare to dishes inspired by countries from around the globe, you’ll have no shortage of restaurants in San Diego. When cravings come calling, consider this your ultimate dining guide to San Diego when you want to make the most of every delicious moment.
The Ultimate Dining Guide to San Diego
If it’s a sophisticated and fashionable meal you’re after, Rare Society is an amazing choice in San Diego. Located at 4130 Park Boulevard, Rare Society opens its doors to the dining public Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. This is an inviting and elegant space to enjoy an array of flavorful options ranging from steak to seafood. From dry-aged cuts and wagyu to platters topped with bearnaise when you just can’t settle on a single item, you’ll make the most of a palate-pleasing experience starting the moment you arrive. Rare Society has a great happy hour and the handcrafted cocktail list here is designed to impress. This eatery isn’t far from Balboa Park so if you’ve spent the day exploring there, it’s the perfect place to top off your adventures. While indoor dining here is always a delight, if you have a chance to enjoy a dish out on the open-air deck, don’t let the opportunity pass you by.
Enjoy a Meal at Jeune et Jolie
When nothing would hit the spot quite like some fantastic French fare, Jeune et Jolie has you covered. Make your way over to 2659 State Street Suite 102 in Carlsbad to enjoy this elegant French eatery boasting a menu of innovative and classic French dishes. Guests here can pick and choose between fixed price menus or a la carte options depending on preference. There are indoor and outdoor dining spaces to enjoy in this San Diego restaurant for those times when you want to settle inside or make the most of the sunshine. The raw bar on-site is a treat with options like Alaskan king crab legs and mussels making their way to the top of fan-favorite lists. For guests who are looking to enjoy small plates, selections like frog legs and smoked salmon are readily available while larger entrees on the menu include rabbit sausage or coddled eggs and puff pastry. For a truly filling meal, opt for selections like the Wagyu beef and veggies or the scallops and black cod. Wine pairings can be infused into the experience as well upon request. Jeune et Jolie serves up savory dinner options Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm.
Make Time for a Tasty Meal at Lola 55 Tacos & Cocktails
When big flavor at an affordable price is just what you’re searching for, Lola 55 Tacos & Cocktails is an amazing option. Located at 1290 F Street in San Diego, Lola 55 Tacos & Cocktails provides guests with counter-service featuring authentic Mexican fare with gourmet flair. Just as the name indicates, this stop is a popular place to pair those dishes with delicious cocktails as well and Happy Hour is always a treat. The atmosphere here is uniquely industrial-chic and the atmosphere is welcoming and vibrant. Lola 55 Tacos & Cocktails is consistently shouted out for its fast and friendly service no matter what time patrons drop by. This eatery is open from 11:30 am until 9:00 pm Tuesday through Thursday as well as Sundays with adjusted hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 10:00 pm. While you’re sure to love the steak tacos, Baja style fish, or smoked carnitas, you can’t go wrong with the Lolas Caesar salad. Side options range from bean and rice to quesadillas Oaxaca and pozole verde to name a few of many. There’s a full kid’s menu available at Lola 55 Tacos & Cocktails making it a great stop if you’re traveling to San Diego with the little ones in tow.
Savor a Dish at Campfire During Your San Diego Stay
Even if you have no intention of immersing yourself in nature during your San Diego retreat, you can embrace the idea of it at Campfire. This unique eatery is located at 2725 State Street in Carlsbad and is open from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays with adjusted hours until 11:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, visitors can enjoy gathering at Campfire for a delicious meal between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm. At Campfire, you can count on enjoying wood-fired fare paired with an impressive beverage selection in a space designed with camping décor as the main highlight. The natural wood finishes throughout paired with brick and exposed beams will have you feeling like you’re in a cozy cabin in no time. Indoor and outdoor seating is available at Campfire, which fittingly has a fireplace for guests to enjoy. Some of the fan-favorite options on the menu here include oysters, porridge bread, quail, and olives as well as burrata, market fish, brisket, and ricotta cavatelli. The ribeye is also a delight while the full vegan menu will have you coming back time and again. Of course, no trip to Campfire is quite complete without ordering up one of their homemade s’mores before you go. Dessert options also include soft serve and Vasco cheesecake upon request. Between the woodsy motif at Campfire and the teepee for little ones to explore, this is a restaurant that you’ll be thinking about long after your trip to San Diego comes to an end.
Enjoy a Delicious Dish and Live Music at Juniper & Ivy
San Diego-bound travelers looking for a dining experience that’s equal parts savory and entertaining will want to be sure to add a stop at Juniper & Ivy to their must-try list the next time they’re here. Juniper & Ivy is located at 2228 Kettner Boulevard and is open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm, Fridays from 5:00 pm until 10:30 pm, Saturdays from 4:30 pm until 10:30 pm and Sundays from 5:00 pm until 9:30 pm. This modern and spacious eatery has a reputation for being a place where chefs infuse eclectic details into classic American dishes. At Juniper & Ivy, the menu features fantastic selections like swordfish and wagyu short ribs as well as gourmet burgers and buttermilk biscuits topped with foie gras butter. While the main dish options like the 22 oz New York Strip and Kurobuta pork chops are mouthwatering selections to enjoy, those who are looking for tasty small plates will find the menu hosts tantalizing choices like tuna carpaccio, lions mane bigoli, sweet potatoes, rabbit trottole, and Colorado lamb as well. When you’re hoping to end your dining experience on a sweet note, desserts like sticky toffee cake, bunuelo, and ice cream or sorbet are sure to satisfy. If you happen to be in town for an event or gathering, Juniper & Ivy has a private dining room as well as semi-private cubes that can be booked in addition to their covered patio and tented outdoor space.
Capture Great Ocean Views at George’s at the Cove
San Diego is known and loved for its incredible coastal vistas. If you’re looking to enjoy a meal where the focus is on the flavor and the fantastic oceanfront scenery, you’ll find it at George’s at the Cove. This restaurant is found at 1250 Prospect Street in La Jolla and offers guests access to three levels of dining that each hosts amazing views to enjoy over the water. George’s at the Cove has been a staple in San Diego for over 40 years and whether you drop by for lunch or dinner, it’s easy to see why. The breezy rooftop Ocean Terrace is a terrific place to soak up the sunshine while sipping a handcrafted cocktail or two in good company. If you have an appetite to attend to, the menu here showcases spectacular coastal cuisine including Wild Isles salmon, seared scallops, and spice crusted rare yellowtail. Guests can also enjoy the mushroom Bolognese, duck leg confit, Jidori airline chicken, or roasted cauliflower and linguini upon request. Even if you just stick with starters and drinks, you’re in for a treat. Appetizer selections like roasted beets, faux foie mousse, and mussels are always a palate-pleasing experience. Don’t forget to ask about their impressive global wine list which features red, white, rose, and sparkling selections from across the map. George’s at the Cove is open every day of the week from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm and Happy Hour is on daily from 2:30 pm until 4:30 pm.
Fuel Up for the Day Ahead at Claire’s on Cedros
A trip to San Diego is sure to come with an itinerary packed with options for fun in the form of activities, attractions, and new experiences to enjoy. However, fueling up for that fun ahead is just as important which is where a stop at Claire’s on Cedros comes in. This San Diego eatery is a popular breakfast, brunch, and lunch destination located at 246 N. Cedros Avenue in Solano Beach. For years, Claire’s on Cedro’s has been a go-to spot for those who are looking to start the day right with a hot cup of coffee and tasty selections like a veggie scramble, seared salmon eggs Benedict, or lemon ricotta pancakes. The ambiance at Claire’s on Cedros is undeniably homey thanks to cozy seating, plenty of natural light and open-timbered design elements throughout. They’re open from 7:00 am until 2:30 pm Monday through Thursday with extended hours until 3:00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. While you can always find the traditional breakfast favorites here, the menu also showcases some specialty items that are sure to make your mouth water. When you’re looking for something more decadent, consider the salted caramel waffles, the brioche breakfast grilled cheese sandwich, or the caramelized Tahitian vanilla bean French Toast.
Count on One-of-a-Kind Flavor at Wayfarer Bread & Pastry
Far from your average beach café, Wayfarer Bread & Pastry is a top-rated eatery in the Bird Rock neighborhood of La Jolla. Located at 5525 La Jolla Boulevard, Wayfarer Bread & Pastry is open from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm Tuesday through Sunday and opens up again for dinner service between 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays when family-friendly pizza night is in full swing. Here, all kinds of artisan craft bread and pastries are at your fingertips and the atmosphere is laid back and welcoming. If you drop by for a sandwich starting at 11:00 am daily, you can enjoy meat options topped with Calabrese salami, shaved onions, basil pesto, and fresh mozzarella on sliced sourdough. The veggie varieties showcase locally sourced avocado with roasted garlic hummus, cucumbers, radish, Castelvetrano olives, dry jack cheese, and greens on a baguette. For those who are more in the mood for something sweet, Wayfarer Bread & Pastry is the perfect place to order up almond and chocolate croissants as well as cinnamon buns, blueberry scones, and salted chocolate chip cookies to name a few of many.
Book Your San Diego Adventure Today
Whether you’re in San Diego for the sun, fun, flavor, or the very best of it all, booking your accommodations through Vacation Rentals by Kimberly is a great way to infuse luxury and comfort into your stay. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting property options available and to start turning your travel plans into a reality. We can’t wait to see you in California soon!
