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Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Addison Restaurant restaurant

Addison Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1886)

$50 and over

Californian

Del Mar

About the restaurant

Addison, Southern California’s first three-star Michelin restaurant, showcases the beauty and allure of California Gastronomy. Chef William Bradley offers his distinct culinary perspective through an experience that celebrates regional ingredients and influences. With its picturesque views of the surrounding hillside, the dining room creates a transportive setting for Bradley’s ten-course tasting menu. To further enhance the experience, Addison’s 10,000 bottle wine program showcases small producers, rare Champagnes, and new discoveries from around the world.

Since 2006, the purity and precision of Addison's approach has led to global recognition for the restaurant and the San Diego culinary scene. Addison is among an exclusive selection of stand-alone Relais & Châteaux restaurants worldwide, and, in addition to its three-star Michelin designation, is honored on La Liste. It has consistently received the highest recognition from Wine Spectator for its wine program.

Top review

LE

LouiseE

Dined on Apr 1, 2023

worth every penny and every calorie - bravo chef bradley and staff!

A photo of The Veranda Restaurant restaurant

The Veranda Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1485)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

P

Patty

Dined 5 days ago

Wonderful food and service in a unique and gorgeous setting. Prices are very reasonable, too.

A photo of Grant Grill restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1599)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

A remarkable epicurean experience awaits you at Grant Grill and Lounge. From the iconic, chic setting to our fresh California cuisine and innovative libations, Grant Grill and Lounge carries a tradition of excellence rich in history (since 1951) and history-in-the-making. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus highlight the best ingredients of the season with a fresh approach to classics. From the bar, proprietary beverage creations are offered alongside an impressive menu of wine, beer and cocktails.

Top review

K

kimberlyvip

Dined 7 days ago

Lunch was quiet. The tuna melt is first rate. Not cheap.

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A photo of Cobb Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice ... of a restaurant

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice ...

A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant

4.7

4.7 (6351)

$31 to $50

Californian

Little Italy

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

M

Mandyvip

Dined 5 days ago

One of the best dining experiences I’ve enjoyed in years. We started with the Buttermilk salad and Hamachi—the hamachi was absolutely unreal. The depth of flavor and lingering taste made this one of the stars of the show. Fantastic. Then we shared the Branzino, Dutch Potatoes, Carrots and Cauliflower. It all played together so well and so seasonally. Every dish was balanced a delicious. Wait staff and overall service was wonderful. Can’t wait to come back!

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A photo of Gnocchi of a restaurant

A photo of Pork Belly of a restaurant

A photo of Strawberry Soufflé of a restaurant

Strawberry Soufflé

A photo of Paradisaea restaurant

4.7

4.7 (542)

$50 and over

Californian

La Jolla

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

J

Juliavip

Dined on Oct 6, 2024

Attention to details- outstanding! Another fabulous meal here. Love the color palette - design and presentation - superb.

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A photo of Scallops of a restaurant

A photo of Hokkaido Scallops of a restaurant

Hokkaido Scallops

A photo of Pan Seared Scallops of a restaurant

Pan Seared Scallops

A photo of The Restaurant at Ponte restaurant

The Restaurant at Ponte

4.7

4.7 (3673)

$31 to $50

Californian

Temecula

About the restaurant

Recognized by OpenTable as one of the top 50 restaurants in the US for outdoor dining, The Restaurant prepares wine country cuisine in a casual outdoor atmosphere. We are leading the way toward a community of wineries and restaurants dedicated to promoting local, sustainable farmers and ranchers. Our dishes feature top quality seasonal and regional ingredients prepared in our kitchen and enhanced when paired with our wines. The Restaurant is open for lunch Wednesday - Sunday 11am to 4pm and dinner from 4pm to 7pm. The maximum party we book a reservation for is up to 8 guests. Walk ins are welcome and will be placed on a wait list based on availability. The Restaurant is open in inclement weather and when it rains. Heaters are available in the winter, and misters and fans are on in the summer. We allow trained service animals only, sorry no pets.

Top review

S

Susan

Dined 5 days ago

Ponte is a very beautiful winery and the outdoor dining is refreshing. The staff is super, 2 of my friends are Gluten Intolerant and they were able to accommodate them.

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A photo of Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara restaurant

Ponto Lago - Park Hyatt Aviara

4.8

4.8 (1019)

$50 and over

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Immerse yourself into a refined modern setting featuring Baja-inspired cuisine and specialty cocktails composed of mezcal and tequila. Enjoy a show kitchen allowing you to get an inside look behind the scenes bringing Chef's creations to center stage. Locally sourced cuisine with a coastal flair is the cornerstone of this fine dining Baja-inspired experience.

Top review

S

Salvador

Dined today

Amazing food, drinks, and staff. Would recommend to anyone, even if you are not staying at the Hyatt.

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A photo of Seafood Paella of a restaurant

A photo of Chef's Corner of a restaurant

A photo of Ki's Restaurant restaurant

Ki's Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1005)

$30 and under

Californian

Cardiff By The Sea

About the restaurant

During these trying times, we are trying to adjust our service so that customers feel safe but still have a great Ki's experience. Daytime service is as it always has been: order at the counter and the food will be brought to you in the seating area we have created outside under the tents. Night-time is full service. Sunday through Thursday is upstairs. The tables are spaced far apart and there is an option of being out on the front deck for parties of two. On Friday and Saturday, we will be offering full service in both seating areas of upstairs and under the tents outside.
Ki's is a perfect fit for its local beach community culture. We provide food options that serve the needs of people who enjoy the outdoors and have a high degree of awareness for their health, fitness and well being. And Ki's is more than just a 'health food' option for many. It is simply great food for anyone-professionals, families looking for a home-cooked meal or friends hanging out enjoying some tasty eats.

Top review

AM

AnnetteMvip

Dined 5 days ago

California casual and healthy, delicious comfort food. Last night we enjoyed an assortment of happy hour appetizers and an amazing scratch soup/chili, poblano chicken white chili. The fog was nowhere in sight so we enjoyed a gorgeous ocean sunset too.

A photo of Miramonte Winery restaurant

Miramonte Winery

4.7

4.7 (751)

$31 to $50

Californian

Temecula

About the restaurant

Miramonte is one of Southern California's most beautiful, dynamic and forward-thinking wineries. Our award-winning wines are elegant, harmonious and trendsetting. Our popular Bistro features delicious, innovative soulful fare prepared fresh every day. And our gorgeous outdoor verandas are a benchmark experience in wine country. We invite you to join us, and see what all the excitement is about!

SEATING:
2 hour maximum

MIRAMONTE RESERVATION POLICY:
For restaurant reservations, we offer a 15-minute grace period.

Top review

E

Eneida

Dined on Oct 5, 2024

This is my favorite place just spend time with good friends and family

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Stuffed Mushrooms

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A photo of Charcuterie Board of a restaurant

Charcuterie Board

A photo of NINE-TEN restaurant

4.6

4.6 (2903)

$31 to $50

Californian

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Led by award-winning, nationally-recognized chef Jason Knibb, NINE-TEN offers the perfect combination of sophistication and casual elegance and an ideal location along lively Prospect Street in the Village of La Jolla. Recognized with MICHELIN distinction, NINE-TEN’s globally-inspired, locally-sourced cuisine features the best of the harvest from local artisans where products are selected daily for the restaurant’s seasonal menus. Dine indoors or al fresco on our sidewalk patio or back terrace with peek views of the Pacific Ocean. Heaters and blankets are available during the colder weather. Private dining rooms are also available for groups of 8 or more. Breakfast is served Wednesday through Friday, 7 am to 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. and features $6 mimosas and $8 Bloody Marys. Lunch is served Wednesday through Friday, 11:30 am to 2 pm. And dinner service is available Wednesday through Sunday, 5 pm to 9 pm. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Top review

R

Rebeccavip

Dined 4 days ago

Delicious meal - especially loved the desserts. Cudos to the pastry chef.

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A photo of Hamachi Sashimi of a restaurant

Hamachi Sashimi

A photo of Maine Sea Scallops of a restaurant

Maine Sea Scallops

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