Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

P.F. Chang's - Chula Vista

4.7

4.7 (232)

$30 and under

Chinese

Chula Vista / Bonita

About the restaurant

We are an Asian & Chinese restaurant offering dine-in, takeout, to-go, delivery, and catering. Make a reservation online to dine in. Order Asian and Chinese food delivery, takeout, and catering online or through the P.F. Chang's mobile app. Let us cater the perfect feast for you - corporate office catering menus are also available. P.F. Chang's offers a variety of signature Asian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Mongolian, and Chinese food dishes including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Chicken Pad Thai, Signature Lo Mein, Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Chang's Spicy Chicken, and Pork and Shrimp Dumplings. Order online for sushi delivery and takeout. Many gluten-free and vegetarian menu items are available. Try our seasonal cocktails and seasonal menu items.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined on Apr 6, 2025

Service was good and the food was ok. Teriyaki chicken was a bunch of tiny bits of deep fried chicken. Only 2 real chunks of chicken. Almost like we got the left overs at the bottom of the bag. It was like popcorn chicken and all batter.

Harney Sushi Poway

4.6

4.6 (63)

$30 and under

Sushi

Poway / Rancho Bernardo

About the restaurant

Experience the taste of high quality sushi with a trendy Neo-Asian inspired décor. Harney stands as the top sushi bar and dining destination in San Diego. It's as fresh and innovative as you desire. Here, the spirit of experimentation mingles with joyful revelry, where top-notch dining expertise meets vibrant charm and flair. Our establishment features a private VIP area and an array of over 30 specialty rolls crafted and named by devoted fans. It's a symphony for your taste buds, nourishment for your soul. Since 2001, we take pride in presenting our award-winning, sustainable sushi cuisine rooted in Southern California.

Top review

CindyVIP

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

Always wonderful! Food and service never disappoint. Last night I tried their crispy rice appetizer for the first time and it is now a favorite item! Great atmosphere if you want a fun night out without the drive downtown. I love that this gem is less than 15 minutes from home.

il Sogno Italiano

4.5

4.5 (462)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

An unforgettable dining and musical soiree awaits you as we transport you to a Nostalgic yet modern Americana meets old world ambiance, perfect for any occasion. Our music program features world class entertainers and touring artists 7 nights a week, paired with an array of specialty craft cocktails and wines from across Italy and the California Coast. Our kitchen uses fresh sustainable ingredients and specializes in California Coastal Italian Cuisine with handmade pizzas, pastas, steaks and seafood. Our Mezzanine accommodates up to 100 guests and we offer a private bar, TV's upon request for private events and meeting spaces.

We look forward to hosting you at Il Sogno Italiano and Welcome you to San Diegos hottest place for fine dining and music.

Mondays: Martinis & Jazz w/Grammy Nominated Sacha Boutros and friends/Martini specials all night long
Wednesdays: Passport to Italy
Pop, Jazz, RnB, Motown and beyond every night of the week.

Top review

CathyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Exceptional food, service and wonderful atmosphere. In addition to very kind people who work there, the nightly live music is both fun and classy. This is a reliable and consistent restaurant if you are wondering to try it out for the first time or first time with friends. Doesn't disappoint. Thank you for your guest first attitude and service levels.

Coya Peruvian Secret

4.4

4.4 (663)

$30 and under

Peruvian

Del Mar

About the restaurant

Located next to Del Mar beach on 11th street, Coya Peruvian Secret Restaurant offers award winning gourmet Peruvian- Cali fusion Peruvian cuisine in charming cottage house under a tree. All seats are outside tucked in greenery so its in all casual seating. Voted best Seafood by locals and best Latin American in SD we are primally seafood place but we also proudly serve great meat choices, like our surf and turf with Rib Eye, traditional Lomo with Filet mignon, lamb stew with New Zealand lamb, excellent short rib with sweet potatoes and Peruvian half roasted chicken. If you seeking cozy color full vibe full of magic for a date or family reunion we are perfect choice. You will astonish your party with unforgettable flavors. Take them of a gourmet trip to Peru and back tonight.

Top review

KimVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Cute, small, ourdoor patio restaurant. great food. For an early dinner hour, had already run out of a variety of items (drinks & foods), but we were able to find other options

Farmer's Table - Chula Vista

4.4

4.4 (381)

$30 and under

American

Chula Vista / Bonita

About the restaurant

Excited to announce that we officially have four locations open in San Diego including Bay Park, Little Italy, La Mesa, and Chula Vista. As a family run operation we believe every good neighborhood deserves an eatery where locals and visitors can enjoy “honest food done right”. Here at Farmers Table, we specialize in farm-to-fork cuisine that focuses on bringing locally sourced organic ingredients together to be savored in an inviting family-friendly atmosphere, where adults and children can enjoy many different food options that are just right for them. If you are looking for a magical brunch this week, come stop by for an unforgettable night.

Top review

Edynn

Dined on Mar 20, 2025

Fantastic breakfast! The service is always lacking here but the fresh food is great.

Karina’s Cantina

4.4

4.4 (46)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Simply entering a Karina’s establishment can be a sensory overload. Images, color, music, exquisite aromas and warm hospitality are surrounded by traditional Mexican figures, art and culture. Specially commissioned portraits of Frida Khalo and many of the superstars of classic Mexican cinema grace the walls of Karina’s. The sounds of Mexico with our engaging Mariachi, especially when singing of lost love, are a portrait of Mexico that our Mexican and American clientele alike delight in. Karina’s was founded on the idea of offering traditional Mexican style family cuisine made with the passion of the founding family to make everyone feel like familia.

For three generations, each member of the Contreras Curiel Family has passionately and diligently worked year round for over three decades to offer a personalized services that make each guest feel at home.

Wherever a Karina’s establishment is found, there will always be a piece of Mexico

Top review

gary

Dined on Apr 5, 2025

We enjoyed each dish. Fresh, tasty, original. A beautiful restaurant.

Dave & Buster's - Carlsbad

4.4

4.4 (105)

$30 and under

American

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Each Dave & Buster’s has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we’ve got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we’re stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound.

Top review

DebVIP

Dined on Mar 14, 2025

Service was so slow at 5 pm but improved as the night went on!!

Discover more

Experience

College Night Thursdays

Experience

Monday SIP Night

The Landings

4.4

4.4 (315)

$30 and under

American

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

The Landings is not your typical airport restaurant or bar. As the recipient of the acclaimed Yelp Diner's Choice Award, we pride ourselves on our focus on quality, service, creativity and atmosphere. Everything from our unique cocktails to our pub-inspired menu and carefully curated craft beer list are locally-sourced and of the highest quality. Both our dining room and large patio have a panoramic view of the Palomar Airport runway. Bring the family, enjoy a cocktail and watch the planes come and go.

We accept reservations for groups up to 8 people. Please call for larger parties.

Please note: For Friday and Saturday concert nights, we enforce a $30/person minimum to cover the cost of the bands.

Top review

Cheryl

Dined 5 days ago

Our server Casey was great and very attentive. Food was good and music was a bonus! It was a beautiful sunny day

Cococabana

4.3

4.3 (222)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Oceanside

About the restaurant

We operate on a first come, first serve seating policy. For parties of 6 or more, please visit us on OpenTable or visit our Events Page to inquire about special events & parties.

Housed on the Brick’s 2,100-square-foot rooftop is the Cococabana Bar, a Caribbean-style cocktail bar with its own menu of small bites.

Top review

Sachi

Dined 4 days ago

very delicious. the staff was so accommodating and kind. they even said that if I call 4 hours ahead, they could make a gluten-free version of the dishes that weren’t to accommodate me. Very cool! There was plenty of gluten-free options though which I definitely appreciated. I liked all their take on Hawaiian food and coconut rice was a nice touch, yummy!

Kalaveras - Chula Vista

4.2

4.2 (120)

$30 and under

Mexican

Chula Vista / Bonita

About the restaurant

We're creating a new concept of modern rustic dining with a fusion of traditional and vanguard Mexican ingredients. Our food is chef-driven, using classic cooking techniques with fresher and healthier options. We're elevating bold, authentic flavors and presenting a new way of eating. In the bar you'll find over 90 different tequilas and Mezcal spirits.

Top review

JEREMIAH

Dined 5 days ago

Nice, friendly service, food was awesome and was served quickly. Definitely a fun party-time atmosphere with loud music. We went on a Saturday.

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