Best Casual Restaurants in Kearny Mesa

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

East CountyNorth San DiegoSan Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganBay ParkCarmel ValleyCollege AreaCoronado

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

217 restaurants available nearby

1. Rakiraki Convoy

4.2

Awesome(16)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Kearny Mesa

Booked 4 times today

For reservations of 3 or less please book through our sister restaurant The Yasai by RakiRaki Convoy!Experience the original RakiRaki Ramen experience at our first location located in Kearny Mesa—the epicenter of San Diego’s thriving Asian food scene. The lines out the door are worth the wait for Chef/owner, Junya Watanabe’s signature ramen recipes that blend the art of traditional ramen making with the highest quality ingredients available and a modern atmosphere. RakiRaki serves a wide variety of authentic ramen dishes and Japanese cuisine including tsukemen (dipping noodles), charcoal-fired yakitori, curry, ramen burgers, and specialty sushi rolls along with local craft beer and sake selections.

2. The Yasai

4.5

Awesome(23)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Vegan • Kearny Mesa

Booked 2 times today

Junya Watanabe, owner and executive chef of line-out-the-door Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen in Kearny Mesa and Little Italy, brings a new plant-based experience to Convoy Street: The Yasai. We are located in the heart of the Convoy District in San Diego.

3. Flama Llama

4.3

Awesome(63)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Latin American • Kearny Mesa

Booked 5 times today

Welcome to Flama Llama, where we strive to celebrate classic Latin dishes while bringing a uniquely Asian twist to them. Using the freshest ingredients and original recipes, every single one of our recipes are a labor of love (and the result of lots and lots of taste-testing). The team behind Flama Llama is proud to now call San Diego home, originally hailing from South America with roots Asia as well. We can't wait for you to join us in this celebration of Latin and Asian cuisines, and we hope you'll enjoy eating them just as much as we've enjoyed creating them. (You may also know us from sister restaurants Steamy Piggy and formoosa)

A photo of Benihana - San Diego, CA restaurant

4. Benihana - San Diego, CA

3.8

Excellent(7580)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Mission Valley

Booked 129 times today

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

5. Lucrezia

4.5

Awesome(633)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • La Jolla

Booked 62 times today

A contemporary twist on Italian cuisine, Lucrezia is a culinary delight. Located in the heart of La Jolla in San Diego, we offer unique culinary experiences that transport our guests to a sunny terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast. Join us for the next voyage.The ingredients and combinations found in our kitchen evoke the very mystique of Italian summers. We are curators of fine ingredients – the way they translate beautifully into our dishes is what makes us unique. Our dishes were carefully crafted to transport our guests to the most beautiful regions of the land. Travel the Italian countryside through our menu, and select your dish for the evening.La Nostra Famiglia: Passionate about food and good service, Grupo Hunan was born in 1993 in Mexico City to create unique experiences that become part of the best moments of your life. As an expert in over five different gastronomies, Grupo Hunan is set to satisfy all senses.Looking forward to welcoming you soon ! :)

6. La Pastaia

4.3

Awesome(338)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Bay Park

Booked 7 times today

Upon stepping into La Pastaia, you’ll be greeted by an inviting ambiance that seamlessly combines modern elegance with rustic charm. The cozy and friendly environment creates an ideal setting for an enchanting culinary experience. From homemade pasta tossed in flavorful sauces to mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas topped with the freshest ingredients, our menu offers a wide range of classic Italian dishes prepared with a contemporary flair. La Pastaia is the brainchild of a dynamic duo whose expertise and love for the culinary

A photo of North Italia - Fashion Valley restaurant

7. North Italia - Fashion Valley

4.7

Exceptional(2711)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Mission Valley

Booked 62 times today

At North, we focus on what we do best: Italian from scratch. Enjoy any of our handmade pastas and pizzas, created with seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors. Or, try a different signature dish, prepared with our fresh flavors from the garden, farm, and sea. We’ve hand crafted seasonal cocktails that pair great with our food, creating a real modern Italia experiences perfect for any occasion.

8. Forbidden Cove

4.5

Awesome(74)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Speakeasy • Kearny Mesa

Booked 11 times today

Enter the Forbidden Cove by unlocking a hidden rum barrel door using your wooden idol key where an island Tiki inspired paradise serving handcrafted cocktails awaits you. Once inside, traverse the Infinity Mirror Bridge and be welcomed by the island's inhabitants to explore the mysteries, culinary pleasures and enchanted elixirs of the Forbidden Cove. Find this tropical escape by entering Kilowatt Brewing located in the Kearny Mesa and Convoy District neighborhoods and kindly asking for a Key to The Cove!Reservations offer a 90-minute experience.WALK-INS WELCOME - Reservations not available? We always set aside space to accommodate walk-ins, first come, first served. And before or after your experience at Forbidden Cove you're welcome to join us at Kilowatt Brewing for our award winning craft beers, hard seltzers, adult slushies, and a bite to eat!

A photo of Puesto Mission Valley restaurant

9. Puesto Mission Valley

4.6

Exceptional(2050)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Mission Valley

Booked 41 times today

Puesto is family-owned and operated by first generation Mexican American brothers Eric, Alan and Alex Adler, alongside their cousins Isidoro and Moy Lombrozo and founding chef and partner Luisteen Gonzalez. With eight locations in California, Puesto provides an innovative and contemporary approach to authentic Mexican cuisine. Sourcing its ingredients locally and regionally, the restaurant has earned national acclaim for its Mexico City-inspired tacos made with non-GMO organic, heirloom Masienda blue corn stone-ground tortillas, crispy melted cheese and scratch salsas.

A photo of Gravity Heights Mission Valley restaurant

10. Gravity Heights Mission Valley

4.8

Exceptional(239)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Mission Valley

Booked 26 times today

We’re not out to take the San Diego beer scene by storm or reinvent the wheel because the truth is, there’s no shortage of good breweries in San Diego. Instead, our aim is to pair that good beer with the same delicious food, exceptional service and genuine hospitality we’re known for so you never have to compromise one for the other again. Situated in Mission Valley, our 9,000 square foot brewpub includes a full service restaurant, an expansive and lush outdoor beer garden, and a pretty stellar team to make sure you always have good food in your mouth and a solid beer in your hand.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MichelleVIP
Orange County •2 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
Overall, it’s a fun place to go with authentic Italian food. A bit pricey. The noise level is high, so it’s hard to have a conversation.
More info
LucreziaPrice: Expensive• Italian• La Jolla
•
4.5
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Houston •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent food and experience. The staff was very professional and the food was delicious.
More info
Benihana - San Diego, CAPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Mission Valley
•
3.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 28, 2025
I made a large reservation for 17 people, which ended up being bumped up to 20 on the actual day. I was worried about making such a large reservation and confirmed it on phone with the restaurant that it was ok. They accommodated us perfectly and the food and service was great! Absolutely no issues. Very grateful to the staff that served us.
More info
Rakiraki ConvoyPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Kearny Mesa
•
4.2
J
Juan
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined on Feb 15, 2025
Favorite ramen and sushi spot in San Diego. We celebrated Valentine’s Day here and it was great.
More info
The YasaiPrice: Moderate• Vegan• Kearny Mesa
•
4.5
M
Matthew
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jan 25, 2025
Food was enjoyable. Service a little slow while we were outside on the patio. Overall great experience. Will be back.
More info
Flama LlamaPrice: Moderate• Latin American• Kearny Mesa
•
4.3

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