Best Restaurants for Foodies in Mission Bay

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

San Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillCoronadoDowntownHillcrestKearny MesaKensington

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

30 restaurants available nearby

1. Paradisaea

4.7

Exceptional(610)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 39 times today

A celebration of food, cocktails, art, and warm hospitality. Housed in the historic Piano Building, in the heart of the vibrant community of Bird Rock, Paradisaea is a destination restaurant and bar, that San Diegans frequent for crave-able, accessible fare, executed at the highest level.

2. The Grass Skirt

4.7

Exceptional(743)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Polynesian • Pacific Beach

Booked 47 times today

From beverage director Eric Johnson love of tiki cocktails, to corporate executive chef Brian Redzikowski’s mastery of southeast asian cuisine, the grass skirt combines the fun, lighthearted, escapist nature of tiki culture, with the creativity and unsurpassed food and beverage quality guests have come to expect from SDCM restaurants.

3. The Fishery

4.8

Exceptional(3139)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Pacific Beach

Booked 63 times today

BEHIND EVERY GREAT SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IS A WAREHOUSE STOCKED WITH FRESH SEAFOOD. The Fishery Restaurant & Market is located just a few blocks from the ocean in North Pacific Beach. The restaurant menu reflects ‘coastal cuisine’ with a simple yet serious focus on the best our coastal fisheries and local farms have to offer. The passion that drives Chef Mike Reidy is evidenced by flavors that can only be achieved using ingredients at their peak of seasonality and freshness. The Fishery was awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence for its Wine List from Wine Spectator in 2018- Present. Our wine list is inspired by the great wines of Europe and their American counterparts and we strive to showcase real, natural, food friendly-wines with a sense of place.The Fishery Market showcases fresh fish, prepared seafood, salads, sauces and marinades.

A photo of Benihana - San Diego, CA restaurant

4. Benihana - San Diego, CA

3.8

Excellent(7582)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Mission Valley

Booked 130 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. Ambrogio15

4.8

Exceptional(855)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Pacific Beach

Booked 12 times today

Ambrogio15 is a foodie paradise, known for its authentic gourmet pizza with a special dough recipe and high-quality Italian ingredients. Reviews rave about its 'great food', 'excellent wine list', and 'fabulous service'. The food is described as 'always wonderful', 'delicious', and 'amazing', with a focus on sustainable agriculture and farming. It's a place where 'only the freshest ingredients are used' and the 'quality of the food is always great'.

6. El Agave

4.8

Exceptional(2509)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Old Town

Booked 38 times today

Experience the true flavor of Mexico at San Diego’s premier Mexican cuisine destination.Established in 1996, El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria offers its patrons a unique dining setting withinthe largest tequila museum in the United States – with over 3,000 tequilas on display – alsorepeatedly voted the #1 tequila bar in the country. Nestled in historic Old Town, San Diego, it is theperfect place to enjoy a business lunch, romantic date, rehearsal dinner or to simply relax andunwind sipping find tequila with friends.

A photo of CUCINA CAPRESE PIZZERIA & TRATTORIA restaurant

7. CUCINA CAPRESE PIZZERIA & TRATTORIA

4.6

Exceptional(117)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Old Town

Booked 4 times today

CUCINA CAPRESE PIZZERIA & TRATTORIA is a foodie haven, offering authentic Italian cuisine crafted by Chef Giuseppe Monaco. As one reviewer says, it's 'somewhat tucked away but it adds to the experience.' With dishes made from 'fresh, local, and organic ingredients', the food is consistently excellent. The restaurant also serves 'refreshing drinks' and 'seasonal Prosecco spritz'. The service is described as 'attentive', 'knowledgeable', and 'hospitable'. If you want a taste of Italy in San Diego, this is the place to go!

A photo of Mediterranean Room - La Valencia Hotel restaurant

8. Mediterranean Room - La Valencia Hotel

4.3

Awesome(1750)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • La Jolla

Booked 21 times today

La Valencia Hotel's premier ocean view dining destination, the Mediterranean Room, is a nod to the property's transportive Mediterranean-inspired look and feel. Formerly The Med, the reimagined space celebrates an all new menu inspired by the California coast and seasonally-driven, locally-sourced ingredients. Dine in the reimagined ocean view dining room, the transformed patio under the palms or the ocean view terrace. Enjoy your favorites daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and enjoy brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Reservations highly encouraged. Ocean View Terrace seating IS NOT GUARANTEED and will be given to GUESTS PRESENT for their reservation based on what is AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. Bring your four-legged friend to enjoy our dog menu available on our dog-friendly patio.

9. Sea & Sky

4.5

Awesome(247)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • La Jolla

Booked 13 times today

Welcome to Sea & Sky, Hotel La Jolla’s new penthouse dining experience with breathtaking ocean views. Indulge in a meticulously crafted menu that highlights the bounty of coastal California. Feast on the freshest seafood and locally sourced ingredients as Sea & Sky takes you on a culinary journey, where the flavors of the ocean meet the infinite horizon.Sea & Sky will also offer an innovative drink menu with regional California and Valle de Guadalupe wines, as well as handcrafted cocktails with ingredients from around the world. Please join us for Jazz brunch every Sunday. Happy hour offered daily in the bar and lounge from 3PM - 5PM (reservations not accepted). Complimentary self parking. Please note on Mondays we offer a limited menu in our lounge and bar.

10. Cellar Hand

4.6

Exceptional(142)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Hillcrest

Booked 32 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. 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 weekend brunch!

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
craigVIP
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great evening...Nice ambiance, good food and excellent service.
More info
The FisheryPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Pacific Beach
•
4.8
R
RockVIP
Los Angeles •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The most beautiful dinning experience!! We can't wait to go again.
More info
ParadisaeaPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• La Jolla
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Houston •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 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
Greater Boston •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We didn’t eat food The drinks were good and the place is very cool
More info
The Grass SkirtPrice: Expensive• Polynesian• Pacific Beach
•
4.7
E
Ellen
San Diego •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 27, 2025
We were very excited to participate in a second wine tasting paired with a four-course dinner at Ambrogio 15. The island of Sicily is the theme for the dinner. The first course of Caponata was spectacular (my wife's favorite). This was followed by a seafood couscous dish, then a swordfish involtini for a delicious third course. Finally, the cannoli served as dessert had the best shell of any I have ever tasted. Very thin and crispy, a great ending to the meal. The different wines paired with each course were very carefully selected and did nothing but enhance each course. If they have more of these dinners, we will make sure we attend.
More info
Ambrogio15Price: Moderate• Pizzeria• Pacific Beach
•
4.8

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