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Best Contemporary Asian Restaurants in Pacific Beach

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7 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of Animae restaurant
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1. Animae
4.8
Exceptional(4128)
$$$$
• Contemporary asian • Downtown
Booked 58 times today
Animae, nestled in the heart of Downtown San Diego, is a shining beacon of Californian cuisine, masterfully intertwined with Asian influences. Celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey elevates the dining experience by harnessing the essence of California cooking, using local produce and seasonal ingredients in every dish. The restaurant's coal-fired oven and grill bring a delightful depth to creations like the "melt-in-your-mouth" A5 Wagyu and the "incredibly flavorful" tomahawk tocino, leaving diners in awe. Animae's vibrant atmosphere and artful presentation make it a "must-visit" for those seeking an authentic and innovative taste of California's culinary landscape.
A photo of Nobu San Diego at The Hard Rock Hotel restaurant
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2. Nobu San Diego at The Hard Rock Hotel
4.6
Exceptional(3919)
$$$$
• Contemporary asian • Downtown
Booked 53 times today
Nobu San Diego is a beacon of excellence in Contemporary Asian cuisine, nestled in the vibrant Downtown area. With Chef Nobu Matsuhisa at the helm, the restaurant offers a culinary adventure that has diners raving. Known for legendary dishes like the Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, guests are treated to "world-class dining" that leaves a lasting impression. Executive Chef David Meade brings unique creations to the menu, ensuring every dish is "perfectly prepared." The ambiance is both sophisticated and lively, making it ideal for special occasions. As one satisfied diner put it, "Nobu is an experience definitely worth having."
A photo of Fortunate Son restaurant
3. Fortunate Son
4.6
Exceptional(483)
$$$$
• Contemporary asian • North Park
Booked 28 times today
Fortunate Son in North Park, San Diego, is a true gem for those seeking authentic Asian cuisine with a creative twist. "The food is absolutely delicious," with standout dishes like Broccoli Beef and Szechuan Green Beans that are "so flavorful, so fresh." The intimate ambience and "magical oriental decor" transport diners to another place, offering a unique dining experience. This restaurant embraces the ingenuity of Chinese American culinary traditions, serving dishes that are both nostalgic and innovative. With "amazing decor, food, and service," Fortunate Son is a must-visit spot for anyone looking to enjoy delightful Asian flavors in a welcoming setting.
A photo of James' Place restaurant
4. James' Place
4.6
Exceptional(1177)
$$$$
• Contemporary asian • La Jolla
Booked 17 times today
James' Place in La Jolla offers a delightful journey into Contemporary American cuisine, making it an ideal spot for pre-theater dining at the nearby La Jolla Playhouse. Guests rave about the "outstanding" dining experience, highlighting dishes like the flat iron steak and crispy rice, which showcase the restaurant's commitment to quality and flavor. With a menu that's both diverse and delicious, James' Place ensures every palate is catered to, blending traditional American tastes with modern flair. The ambiance is described as "elegant and tranquil," making it a perfect setting for a memorable meal. Experience exceptional service and savor the delightful offerings at this beloved local gem.
A photo of Choi's San Diego restaurant
5. Choi's San Diego
4.5
Awesome(339)
$$$$
• Contemporary asian • Downtown
Booked 11 times today
An Asian Fusion RestaurantWritten by Jiwoo Choi Founded at just 23, chef Jiwoo Choi built Choi's on raw ambition, curiosity, and a love for Asian flavorsexpressed through San Diego's local ingredients.​The food reflects that spirit - unrestrained, creative, and thoughtfully unconventional- offering a largely gluten-free menu with a strong commitment tosustainability and balanced eating.Choi's is driven by continuous learning and improvement,with one simple promise:every visit will be better than the last.​Two-hour complimentary parking garage validation.Choi's is the perfect spot for a comforting yet exciting evening. Join us at Choi's tonight!
A photo of Glass Box Asian Coastal Inspired Kitchen + Bar restaurant
6. Glass Box Asian Coastal Inspired Kitchen + Bar
4.7
Exceptional(354)
$$$$
• Contemporary asian • Carmel Valley
Booked 20 times today
Glass Box Asian Coastal Inspired Kitchen + Bar, located in Carmel Valley, San Diego, offers an exceptional Asian dining experience, revered for its authentic and fresh cuisine. The restaurant captures the essence of Asian flavors with a modern twist, as noted by customers who describe their meals as "SOOOOO GOOD" and "spectacular." Master Chef Ethan's expertise shines through in every dish, with many diners praising the "super fresh fish" and the incredible omakase offerings. From the delightful poke nachos to the exquisitely prepared sushi, Glass Box provides a "transparent authentic cultural experience" that keeps patrons coming back for more.
A photo of Sake Bar Gaga restaurant
7. Sake Bar Gaga
5.0
Exceptional(1)
$$$$
• Contemporary asian • Downtown
Booked 2 times today
San Diego’s first sake-forward bar, owned and curated by certified sake sommelier Ayaka Ito.Ito has built every experience around three elements in harmony - sake, food, and glassware. Change the glass, and the same sake tastes different. Add the right dish, and something unexpected comes alive. Get all three right, and the result is something you can’t quite explain, but will never forget.The food side of that magic is shaped in collaboration with Marie Chiba, owner of EUREKA!, Tokyo’s legendary sake bar, and one of the few people in the world to hold the title of Sake Samurai, one of the highest honors in sake culture. Her influence on how we think about food and sake runs through every dish on our menu executed by Head Chef Ryan Miller.Sake Bar Gaga has shaped a menu where sake, food, and glassware are chosen with that magic in mind. We can't wait to welcome you for this unique experience!
‘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
From verified diners like you
  • MattGold
    Orange County •24 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    James' Place is a terrific spot for pre-theatre dinner at La Jolla Playhouse. Yummy sushi and other dishes and timely, friendly service. Great choice for a night out!
    More info
    James' Place$$$$• Contemporary Asian• La Jolla
    •
    4.6
  • kelsie
    Kansas City / Kansas •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Always an amazing experience here! Menu is often evolving and truly nothing misses.
    More info
    Animae$$$$• Contemporary Asian• Downtown
    •
    4.8
  • fernanda
    Orange County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Was amazed by the staff! The vibe in there was really great as well and the food was also something I was super surprised about!
    More info
    Fortunate Son$$$$• Chinese• North Park
    •
    4.6
  • Carmen
    San Antonio •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Beautiful subtle sauces on cold bluefin tuna, salmon; hot miso cod and seabass dishes - great tasting experience. Suggest clean sake wine rather than complex cocktails to clean palate. Enjoy!
    More info
    Nobu San Diego at The Hard Rock Hotel$$$$• Japanese• Downtown
    •
    4.6
  • Mike
    Sacramento / Sacramento Valley •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on May 16, 2026
    From start to finish our experience was fantastic. It turned out our reservation was during happy hour. A happy coincidence. We started with a half dozen of the HH $1 oysters and the bulgogi birria vampiro (also on happy hour). The oysters came with three sauces to add to the oysters. Both dishes were top notch. We had the Korean fried chicken next. Do NOT skip this one. I could have eaten about four or five orders. The flavor was on point and just enough heat to make it interesting but not wash out the other flavors. The only thing that could have been improved was the service speed at the bar, but I’m not holding that against the bartender. It was a concert night at Petco Park (that’s why we were there, too) and he was going as fast as he possibly could. He did manage to find the time to pour complimentary shots of their infused soju for the bar patrons. Very cool and very tasty. All in all, a great experience. They even had a personalized birthday card for my sister at our seats when we sat down.
    More info
    Choi's San Diego$$$$• Asian• Downtown
    •
    4.5

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