Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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 favourite 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 (85)

$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

SuzanneVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing service and wonderful experience. Lovely food and desserts.

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (27)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Welcome to Roma Norte, San Diego's premier cocktail bar inspired by Mexico City's iconic neighborhood. Created by the team behind Puesto and Marisi, Roma Norte offers technique-driven, slow and low cocktails crafted by expert bartenders Beau du Bois and Derek Cram. Experience a unique blend of craft, culture, and hospitality with timeless classics and innovative drinks.

Top review

RossVIP

Dined on Jul 10, 2025

great service! great drinks! perfect evening experience!

Discover more

Experience

Roma Norte Sessions: RYY

Experience

Roma Norte Sessions: Blue Jade

Experience

Roma Norte Sessions: Absintheminded

Jive Lounge

5.0

5 (69)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Jamul

About the restaurant

Our electric live entertainment venue just steps away from the casino floor features some of Southern California’s hottest DJs and best local bands along with great food, craft beers, and signature handcrafted cocktails.
Make your reservation today! A deposit of $20 per person will be required at the time of check in for your table. This deposit of cash or a credit
Card hold for the amount will be lifted when your party has surpassed this amount of purchased food or

Top review

Harry

Dined 7 days ago

Hassan and Sharon were great and their service is amazing.

Arrivederci

4.9

4.9 (112)

$31 to $50

Italian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

Arrivederci Ristorante is an authentic Italian restaurant. Arrivederci means hello. The restaurant's name refers to Italian hospitality offered here. It has a decent semi-formal ambiance. The walls are decorated with paintings gathered from different parts of Europe. Antique lamps are hung from the ceilings to add a rustic appeal. Arrivederci specializes in preparing all dishes with authentic Italian recipes and ingredients. Grigliata vegetariana is prepared with a variety of assorted grilled vegetables. Rigatoni amatriciana is prepared with tabular pasta soaked in rich sauce, prepared with tomatoes and romano cheese. Italian bacon topping enhances the flavor. Pollo al funghi is the traditional chicken meal. The boneless breast of chicken is topped with mushrooms. The ingredients are cooked in wine sauce. Arrivederci serves Italian wines and beers.

Top review

Kathryn

Dined 4 days ago

Service is always attentive here, and the food was just as delicious as always! Our favorite is the Salmon alla Vodka. Simply the best.

Black and Blue Steakhouse and Lounge - Valley View Casino

4.9

4.9 (1919)

$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

Rafael

Dined 2 days ago

World class cuisine and best service. The entire experience was great

Vinarius

4.9

4.9 (455)

$30 and under

Italian

Downtown / Gaslamp

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

CarrieVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We had a great time in this cozy restaurant. I had the Eggplant parm which was delicious, highly recommend. It’s on appetizer menu but perfect size for a main course. And there was a pistachio cake for my friends bday they gave us that was great too.

Craft Bar Kamon

4.9

4.9 (252)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

"Taisho Roman craft cocktail bar in the heart of East Village San Diego that reflects the period in Japan when traditionalism and modernism first converged. We are committed to offer the unique and best craft cocktails!
**To make a reservation for a party of 6 or more, please contact us through email at info@barkamon.com
Please refrain from booking multiple tables as we most likely won't be able to accommodate to seat together.

**Please be aware that table or bar seating selection is just a request and it is not a confirmation. We will try our best to accommodate but due to limited seating availability, you may be seated to a different section from what you have requested at the reservation.

Top review

Stephen

Dined 2 days ago

Very chill and relaxing. Excellent service from knowledgeable staff. Food was delicious and portions were great.

Noble Experiment

4.9

4.9 (353)

$30 and under

American

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Noble Experiment is a small, intimate cocktail bar located behind a secret door inside of Neighborhood restaurant at 777 G St. San Diego, CA 92101. Reservations for 4 or less are accepted as early as two weeks in advance. Large party reservations can be made through our reservations team at info@nobleexperimentsd.com. Walk-ins are welcome based upon availability.

Top review

JaimeVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great romantic ambiance. Cocktails curated by what seems to be mixologist. Definitely recommend for a great vibe and phenomenal drinks.

Tapas & Beers

4.9

4.9 (550)

$30 and under

French

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Located in Downtown San Diego's historic Spreckels building, Tapas & Beers is a French and Spanish Restaurant.

We offer a large selection of Tapas plates to share between friends & family
but also normal size dishes if you don't want to share !

Our beers on tap selection highlights breweries from San Diego County and our wine selection from all around the world will make any wine lover happy too !

Everything you will eat at Tapas & Beers will be made from scratch to order with fresh and mostly organic ingredients !

Discover why our place isso highly rated !

Cheers!

Top review

TanyaVIP

Dined on Jul 3, 2025

Great place to grab a meal before a show at the Civic Theater. Great food, great beers and great friendly service!

Discover more

Popular dish

French Burger

Mille Fleurs

4.9

4.9 (2380)

$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

NancyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great service as usual and beautiful patio setting along with delicious food.

Explore Diners' Choice best of San Diego

Explore more Diners' Choice lists