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ARTIFACT at Mingei, San Diego, CA
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ARTIFACT at Mingei

$31 to $50
International

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 30 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Innovative
  • Healthy
  • Good for special occasions
ARTIFACT is a full-service restaurant featuring craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals located inside the beautiful Mingei Museum at Balboa Park . Offering indoor, outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch Tuesday-Saturday.

Crafted by Tim Kolanko, Executive Chef, Urban Kitchen Group, and Tony Coito, ARTIFACT’s Chef de Cuisine, will be a nod to Mingei’s changing international exhibitions in an environment filled with functional, innovative art and design by Jennifer Luce, Founder and Principal of LUCE et studio, who led the design and renovation project.
ARTIFACT and CRAFT CAFE at Mingei-the latest additions to restaurateur Tracy Borkum and Executive Chef Tim Kolanko’s CUCINA family of restaurants. An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs Park
Follow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Tim Kolanko + Tony Coito

  • Award icon
    MICHELIN Plate2023

From the OpenTable editors: ARTIFACT lives in a beloved folk-art museum—a backdrop that inspires its (almost) too-pretty-to-eat dishes, including neatly folded rock shrimp gyoza in yuzu dashi and chai-chocolate mousse crowned with coconut whipped cream. Expect a spread that’s as international as the art on display.

Additional information

  • Location
    1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
  • Phone number
    (619) 331-3569
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    International, Asian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa

Experiences

  • ARTIFACT at Night - Afghanistan

    $89.00 per person

    Mar 20, 2025 only
    Experience Afghanistan crafted by chefs Tim Kolanko, Wesley Johnson, and Tony Coito for our March ARTIFACT at Night. Four-course experience with optional beverage pairings. $89 per person Reminder: For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. Any cancelations within 72 hours of the night of the event will be charged $50/person.
    ARTIFACT at Night - Afghanistan Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 886 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Innovative

  • San Diego

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Artifact at Mingei delights with its "creative and delicious" menu, offering unique dishes that cater to diverse tastes, including excellent vegetarian options. Guests rave about its "fantastic service" and the "beautiful" setting, especially on the patio. The themed dinners are a "do not miss" experience, featuring global flavors.

886 Reviews

  1. Vickie

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    43 reviews

    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything about the Mingei Indigo exhibit tied together. Even the amazing artwork over the bar and an indigo inspired mock tail. We arrived early before our reservation and were seated at the bar. I did receive a no show notice. But we were there. We did notice tables were open while we were at the bar. We had a great experience with Kendra. We ordered 2 pre fixe dinners and ordered different items. Kendra gave us small plates so we could exchange food. Although the bar chairs aren’t as comfortable as a table, our experience was great. Kendra explained the indigo woven art. She advised us on the food choices. We loved it. We were so surprised at the quality of the food and the service at a museum cafe. It definitely was on par with a very nice restaurant.

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  2. Suebless

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely lunch date after viewing the Mingei art show. Lunch was delicious.

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  3. Jan

    VIP

    San Diego

    38 reviews

    4.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on February 27, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This was the first time I had eaten at Artifact. A friend and I shared the Vietnam meatballs, the pierogis, the beet and pear salad and the tapioca pudding. It was all tasty except the meatballs which were overcooked. The waitperson suggested we share dishes but there were only three items on each shared plate. It seemed like there should have been an even number. The dishes were beautifully served and the service was great. The bill was $85 and I was hungry in an hour and a half.

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  4. Cindy

    Milwaukee

    14 reviews

    4.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely restaurant with a Beautiful patio and interesting food. We were there for lunch on a Saturday and the service was a little slow, but we weren’t in a hurry. The snack tray was a generous serving of 4 delicious items.

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  5. Betty

    San Diego

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 22, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    I’ll never understand the reason restaurants design their dining rooms for maximum. The food was interesting and affordable.

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  6. Jean

    VIP

    Chicago

    25 reviews

    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Just get the delivery times… drinks. Snacks, mains.

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  7. Mark

    VIP

    San Diego

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on February 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went for “Brazil night“, the once-monthly fixed-menu meal highlighting the cuisine of a specific country or region. It was the best meal we’ve ever had there. Every dish was flawlessly, executed and delicious, service was great, even though it was very crowded. We love this restaurant and we’ll go back. 

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  8. Jessica

    VIP

    San Diego

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Eclectic menu with options for a variety of tastes, plus a solid wine and beverage list.

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  9. Jessica

    VIP

    San Diego

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was honestly mediocre. Not very flavorful or impressive. Cocktails were good. Service was good. Atmosphere was unique.

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  10. Heather

    Tokyo

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We visited the Mingei and made a reservation at Artifact for an early lunch at 11:30 on a Thursday. We were one of the first two tables seated but the restaurant filled to near capacity shortly thereafter! We ordered the Vietnamese meatballs, the Asian pear and beet salad, the samosas and the coconut tapioca to share between the two of us per our server’s recommendation and everything was excellent! She was quite busy but attentive when we were able to catch her. Will absolutely return, I’d like to try everything on the menu. :)

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FAQs

ARTIFACT at Mingei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 331-3569.

ARTIFACT at Mingei is rated 4.8 stars by 886 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 30 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for ARTIFACT at Mingei

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
  • Phone number
    (619) 331-3569
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    International, Asian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
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