Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Ocean Beach

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

San Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganBay ParkCoronadoDowntownHillcrest

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

106 restaurants available nearby

1. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6561)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 98 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 Tom Hams Lighthouse restaurant

2. Tom Hams Lighthouse

4.6

Exceptional(6712)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 40 times today

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse was built in 1971 by a man who was not afraid to put his name on his product. Rooted in warm welcomes & excellent food, Tom Ham made his lifelong dream a reality. Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is the only restaurant in the US to have a USCG operated & maintained Lighthouse attached to it. You can locate us on any modern nautical map as Beacon #9. Featuring a 100% responsibly resourced seafood menu & award winning Sunday Champagne Brunch, we are a must when it comes to the San Diego food scene. The dining room, purposely shaped like the state of California, allows for groups as grand as 50 yet private enough for a couple’s night out. Holiday brunches have been long time family traditions for many San Diegans. Start your family’s tradition this next holiday. With the best views of the Downtown City Skyline, Coronado & San Diego Bay, Tom Ham's is & remains a San Diego tradition in dining excellence since 1971.

3. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4358)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 90 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!

A photo of Solare Ristorante Lounge restaurant

4. Solare Ristorante Lounge

4.7

Exceptional(2477)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Point Loma

Booked 7 times today

Family-owned and operated, Randy Smerik and his team are dedicated to providing an amazing dining experience for you. Our authentic Italian cuisine features a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. including fresh pasta made each morning and organic produce, wild fish, and hormone free meat.

5. The Fishery

4.8

Exceptional(3114)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Pacific Beach

Booked 21 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.

6. The Grass Skirt

4.7

Exceptional(738)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Polynesian • Pacific Beach

Booked 29 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.

7. Dockside 1953

4.6

Exceptional(631)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Mission Beach

Booked 10 times today

With its spectacular waterfront setting on Mission Bay, nautical-inspired design, and a menu of mouthwatering dishes, Dockside 1953 is a favorite restaurant for hotel guests and locals alike. Aptly named for its marina-facing locale at the Bahia Resort Hotel and the year the resort opened, Dockside 1953 is a stunning standout in San Diego’s dining scene. Fresh, coastal-inspired, and locally sourced — the eclectic menu of California fare features dishes to satisfy all palates. With a dedication to high-quality ingredients, menu highlights include classic sweet and savory options for breakfast; salads, bowls, and flatbreads for lunch; sharable starters and fresh seafood entrées for dinner; and a thoughtful wine and cocktail menu. The extensive outdoor patio features cozy fire pits, gorgeous Mission Bay views, and a covered trellis to shade guests.

A photo of Ruth's Chris Steak House - San Diego restaurant

8. Ruth's Chris Steak House - San Diego

4.8

Exceptional(5057)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 69 times today

Now Open: We look forward to serving you soon.Ruth's Chris Steak House in San Diego, CA serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.

9. Civico 1845

4.4

Awesome(2451)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 32 times today

A new generation of Italian cuisine - fresh, light and authentic. By using proper cooking techniques, our flavors are natural and pure. Our menu is a homage to our region Calabria and southern Italian roots reflecting what is being served in Italy today. You can also find an extensive vegan menu that incorporates many of the best Italian dishes. We have been the first restaurant in the USA to have a full Italian Vegan menu since 2015! We believe in sustainability, both in our food and in the design of our restaurant. While our menu focuses on locally grown and seasonal ingredients, our bar and dining areas were created using reclaimed, natural materials. Nothing goes to waste at Civico 1845!

10. El Agave

4.8

Exceptional(2496)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Old Town

Booked 27 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

R
Reinalyn
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Amazing service and experience overall. 10/10 recommend for a special occasion.
More info
Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
•
4.7
M
Mike
Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Our waitress was awesome and gave great recommendations.
More info
Tom Hams LighthousePrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
•
4.6
T
Tom
1 review
5.0
Dined today
Great food and great service! It was a great experience!
More info
BarbusaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
•
4.6
C
Chuck
San Diego •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
One of our very favorite places for Italian, Solari, did not disappoint. We ate from the fixed price Valentines Day menu, Choices were adequate, the food excellent. As this was a late reservation, we were seated outside- the patio heaters, kept us comfortable, The only noise of note was every so often, a plane would-be taking off from nearby Lindberg field
More info
Solare Ristorante LoungePrice: Moderate• Italian• Point Loma
•
4.7
D
DianneVIP
Tahoe / Reno Area •28 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Shared a bluefin carpaccio followed by a quinoa salad with grilled fresh sea bass. Delicious. Sat at the bar and although the bartender was very busy, we never felt ignored. They had some nice wines by the glass and the Banjuls he suggest did go perfectly with the lemon tart. Highly recommend
More info
The FisheryPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Pacific Beach
•
4.8

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