Best Hot Spot Restaurants in National City

24 restaurants available nearby

1. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4753)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 40 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.

2. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6464)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 70 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.

3. Mister A's

4.9

Exceptional(8668)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 43 times today

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

4. Coasterra

4.6

Exceptional(7567)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Harbor Island

Booked 90 times today

Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.

5. Nobu San Diego

4.6

Exceptional(3740)

Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 41 times today

Nobu San Diego is a hotspot due to its unique and exceptional cuisine. The menu, crafted by renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Executive Chef David Meade, features innovative dishes like Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno. Reviewers consistently praise the food as 'consistently and exceptionally delicious', with many recommending the hot and cold dishes and specials. The restaurant's ambiance is also noted for its 'sleek and modern decor' creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

A photo of Water Grill - San Diego restaurant

6. Water Grill - San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(3600)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 38 times today

Located steps away from Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center in the heart of Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego, Water Grill San Diego is an iconic seafood destination to enjoy the first catch of the season and a deep variety of fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters and shellfish on a robust menu that changes daily. New product arrives from boat-to-table in a matter of hours from our exclusive seafood distribution company and our chef’s preparations allow the high-quality product to shine. Consistently rated as one of San Diego’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill San Diego also offers multiple, customizable private dining options for business meetings and special events.

7. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4307)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 84 times today

Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!

8. Madison

4.5

Awesome(3023)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • University Heights

Booked 20 times today

With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends. ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ

9. Mochomos -Tijuana

4.6

Exceptional(191)

Price: Very Expensive

• Regional Mexican • Tijuana

Booked 8 times today

Mochomos® es el restaurante-bar que ofrece un nuevo concepto gastronómico con base a la creatividad y nuevos gustos de la cocina de asador y parrilla Sonorense. Una cocina honesta que se vale de riqueza y alta calidad en carnes, pescados, mariscos y vinos de la región así como las nuevas etiquetas nacionales reconocidas a nivel mundial. Un lugar distinguido y amigable que ha modernizado el arte culinario de la cocina sonorense y del norte del país fusionando su riqueza gastronómica con una amplia selección de entradas con recetas y procesos originales, los mejores cortes de carne y platillos típicos así como especialidades del día en una experiencia extraordinaria para ocasiones de negocios, amigos y familias.

10. STK- San Diego

4.3

Awesome(3336)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 59 times today

STK Steakhouse is “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” offering a high-energy dining experience that artfully combines the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse with a Vibe Dining atmosphere unlike any other. Delectable cuisine, upscale cocktails and an elevated Happy Hour, along with an in-house DJ and chic décor, all come together to offer a memorable fine dining experience that keeps guests enjoying their evening from drinks to dinner to late night. STK’s menu features reimagined classic American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner with unique local flair infused into each location’s menu. The brand’s beef program focuses on the highest quality, delicious and craveable steaks while emphasizing transparency and traceable sourcing practices.

‘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

M
Mikayla
San Diego •4 reviews
5.0
Dined today
My husband and I dined here to celebrate his birthday and it was a wonderful experience. Amazing food, views and ambiance! Will be back!
More info
CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
•
4.6
M
Mike
San Diego •13 reviews
5.0
Dined today
The food was fantastic. All their steaks are great but try the bone in wagyu rib eye. Best steak ever. And we have eaten at most downtown steak places. Matt’s drinks were perfect. As usual. The service by Luis was great, but a special thanks to Ruby for taking such great care of us.
More info
Cowboy StarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
•
4.9
K
Kenneth
Baltimore / Maryland •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food and service was outstanding. The must have dishes are the pork belly and venison tare tare appetizers, the oxtail gnocchi and Secreto entrees, and the date cake for dessert. The H&W Negron was also a stand out.
More info
Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
A
Agnes
San Diego •14 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Superb!!!! From the host to all the waiters to the foods and ambiance, whole experience was spectacular Brought my Godmom (literally my Mom) for very first time as I wanted her to experience the view having meal top of building. She loved it. Food was wonderful. Our host Matthew was fantastic and very personable, and so were the rest of the staff
More info
Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.9
B
Ben
San Diego •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We celebrated our anniversary at Nobu San Diego, and it was unforgettable! The Yellowtail Jalapeño was the highlight—delicate, flavorful, and perfectly balanced with ponzu and a hint of jalapeño. The chic ambiance and outstanding service made our evening truly special. Highly recommend for any special occasion!
More info
Nobu San DiegoPrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• Downtown
•
4.6

Best Hot Spot Restaurants in National City

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Neighborhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Award-winning

Accessibility

24 restaurants available nearby

1. Cowboy Star

2. Herb & Wood

3. Mister A's

4. Coasterra

5. Nobu San Diego

6. Water Grill - San Diego

7. Barbusa

8. Madison

9. Mochomos -Tijuana

10. STK- San Diego

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