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Best Restaurants for Foodies in La Mesa

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23 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Animae restaurant
1. Animae
4.8
Exceptional(3182)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Downtown
Booked 71 times today
ANIMAE’s eclectic West Coast cuisine, layered with Asian influences, comes to life under Celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey. Applying a California cooking style to ANIMAE’S traditional coal-fired oven and grill, Chef Malarkey’s menu is as thoughtful as it is refined, elevating local produce and seasonal ingredients to create a lively and progressive culinary program.
A photo of Cowboy Star restaurant
2. Cowboy Star
4.9
Exceptional(4723)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 39 times today
Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.
A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant
3. Herb & Wood
4.7
Exceptional(6427)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 72 times today
A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.
A photo of Nobu San Diego restaurant
4. Nobu San Diego
4.5
Awesome(3729)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • Downtown
Booked 43 times today
Nobu San Diego is a foodie hotspot known for its award-winning 'New Style' Japanese cuisine. As per reviews, the food is consistently and exceptionally delicious, with each dish being a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The ambience is described as sophisticated yet lively, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's not just about the food, the service is equally praised, making it a fantastic dining experience.
A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant
5. The Smoking Goat Restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2634)
Price: Moderate
• French American • North Park
Booked 15 times today
The Smoking Goat is an award-winning California-French bistro located in the heart of North Park, San Diego. We have received the Gold Medallion for the best French Bistro in San Diego three years running. Inspired by his European Farm-to-Table up-bringing and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Executive Chef and Owner Fred Piehl, marries classic French cuisine with the bounty of San Diego in a way that is rustic, yet refined, imaginative, yet unpretentious. The dinners served feature in-season local, sustainable and organic ingredients and provide guests with a unique culinary experience, reminiscent of the European countryside. Boasting a carefully selected wine and beer list and chef and bartender attention to select spirits to create craft house cocktails, The Smoking Goat assures there is always the correct pairing available.
A photo of Cellar Hand restaurant
6. Cellar Hand
4.7
Exceptional(106)
Price: Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Hillcrest
Booked 10 times today
Nestled in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego, Cellar Hand embodies a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Through a farm-to-table approach, our menu showcases hyper-local seasonal fare by Executive Chef Logan Kendall. Our extensive wine list highlights the diverse terroir of California, serving as an extension of founder’s Pali Wine Co. Santa Barbara County winery. By fostering deep connections with local artisans, farmers, fishers, and stewards, Cellar Hand strives to be a destination where guests can savor the essence of California’s bounty in every bite and sip.Enjoy our exposed kitchen, an indoor-outdoor bar, outdoor fire pits, and artwork by Nick Perr. Opened Wednesday - Sunday with daily happy hour specials and Sunday brunch!
A photo of Bleu Boheme restaurant
7. Bleu Boheme
4.8
Exceptional(3530)
Price: Expensive
• French • Kensington
Booked 10 times today
"World travel and its pleasures; items brought back from different places for décors; great stories shared with others; and very importantly, simple, yet delicious recipes from different cultures. Our mission is humble. It is simply for people coming to our restaurant to be transported around the world, and to travel with us for an evening, to a place of well-being and happiness."Bleu Bohème is designed to create a feeling of France's past generations. It mixes the Bohemian and artistic free spirited left bank of Paris with the roots and tradition of the rural areas. Bleu Bohème is a neighborhood restaurant that serves accessible, affordable and comforting French cuisine.
A photo of Cloak + Petal restaurant
8. Cloak + Petal
4.6
Exceptional(947)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Little Italy
Booked 31 times today
WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionshipOur concept is drawn from our name. The word “cloak” implies secrecy, inspiring our concept of a social sphere humming beneath the levels of ordinary life. “Petal” alludes to the Japanese tradition of “hanami,” when family and friends gather under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks and fellowship.Enter our space and travel underground to décor reminiscent of an abandoned Tokyo subway, a stratum of society all its own, an artist’s dream. Cross the threshold into a mystically transformed Japanese social dining lounge which appears to be an outdoor seating area, similar to a waiting platform. Sit beneath a trellis of draping vines and teardrop lights in the intimate space we’ve thoughtfully created, and feast on authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates and drinks with family and friends.Journey down to Cloak + Petal… and come unwind your soul.
A photo of Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego restaurant
9. Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego
4.6
Exceptional(949)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown
Booked 35 times today
Provisional Kitchen, Café & Mercantile, open for daily for brunch and select evenings for dinner. Provisional is a sprawling, sunlit communal dining space featuring a Vittoria Coffee espresso bar, bistro tables, and a retail space set within a greenhouse, where guests can shop a curated collection of homeware, ceramics, apothecary items, pantry staples, and jewelry.Provisional serves some of the best cuisine in the city, featuring favorites such as housemade pasta, woodfire-oven baked pizza and Italian-inspired entrées; our lively brunch features bottomless mimosas and seasonal creations.
A photo of One Door North restaurant
10. One Door North
4.6
Exceptional(501)
Price: Moderate
• American • North Park
Booked 13 times today
At One Door North we host a New American Bar and Eatery that pays homage to the outdoors with the spirit of adventure, serving only fresh farm to table cuisine. Come enjoy the adventure with us, we look forward to serving you.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Barryvip
    San Francisco Bay Area •11 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Great service and seating around the chef counter was a bonus. You can see all the cooking action right in front of you. The wagyu carpaccio was the highlight of the night. It just melts in your mouth. The organic pear salad was also great for sharing. However the aged duck breast and the dry-aged bone in ribeye had some tendons and chewy parts that is unable to swallow.
    More info
    Cowboy StarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
    •
    4.9
  • Anne
    San Diego •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    We went to celebrate my 45th birthday and it was wonderful! The food was excellent, our waitress explained everything and provided wonderful pro tips and at the end they brought out a birthday treat!
    More info
    Nobu San DiegoPrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• Downtown
    •
    4.5
  • Emily
    Las Vegas •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Amazing food and staff. It was so cool to see elevated Filipino food, and it was my girlfriend’s first time trying A5 Wagyu, she said “it was the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth”. Will be back in 6 months for my birthday!
    More info
    AnimaePrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary Asian• Downtown
    •
    4.8
  • Stephanie
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Food and service was amazing as always! Chelsea was amazing at keeping us happy and making sure we were satisfied with the recent menu changes. Never had a meal I didn’t enjoy here.
    More info
    CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
    •
    4.5
  • Andy
    San Francisco Bay Area •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Wow this place was REALLY good. Highly recommend it. And one of the most knowledgeable waitresses I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Wish I could remember her name but she was fabulous.
    More info
    Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
    •
    4.7

Discover best foodies restaurants in La Mesa

Discover the vibrant dining scene in La Mesa, a hidden gem in San Diego's East County, where food enthusiasts can indulge in a diverse array of culinary delights. La Mesa caters to all tastes, from fresh sushi and seafood to authentic Italian cuisine, ensuring there's something for every palate. Each restaurant in this locale prides itself on delivering exceptional food quality and service, creating a memorable dining experience for locals and visitors alike. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy Italian meal or exotic sushi flavors, La Mesa's restaurants are known for their dedication to authenticity and quality ingredients. The area offers a perfect blend of traditional dishes and innovative culinary creations, making it a must-visit for foodies. Embrace the warm atmosphere and modern decor that characterize these eateries, making each meal a unique encounter. If you're a food lover looking for your next culinary adventure, La Mesa's restaurant scene promises to satisfy your cravings with its excellent food and inviting ambiance.

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