Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American 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!

NM Café at Neiman Marcus – San Diego

5.0

5 (331)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

THE NM CAFE located in Neiman Marcus SAN DIEGO has been recently remodeled and is now open 7 days a week, 11 am- 4pm.

Laid-back luxe. Experience delightful dishes in a casual, contemporary atmosphere at THE NM CAFE® SAN DIEGO. Muted lighting and understated, modern decor create the perfect environment for a midday retreat. Whether dining with a group or simply ordering upscale take-out, expect delectable food and exceptional service that is synonymous with Neiman Marcus.

Let THE NM CAFE® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect menu and ambience for your event in our chic and inviting atmosphere. Pamper the glowing bride- or mother-to-be in your life with the shower of her dreams or a lavish luncheon.

Top review

Timothy

Dined 3 days ago

Food and service were excellent, as always. The environment was quiet and enjoyable.

Campfire

4.8

4.8 (5289)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A New American restaurant and cocktail bar with a focus on market driven live-fire cooking, Campfire is a return to the origins of cooking and hospitality, and celebrates the spirit of the name by creating an environment in which we gather around a fire, create honest food, and share it with friends.

Top review

Kathy

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service and food! Do not miss this unique dining experience.

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4.7

4.7 (1378)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

Top review

CLAUDEVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Always a pleasure to have a wonderful experience!

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Experience

Valentines' Day at Kettner Exchange

Harlow's Lounge

4.8

4.8 (241)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Bonsall

About the restaurant

Harlow's Cocktail Lounge is a unique restaurant focused on traditional classics with modern reinvention. Through the use of specialized ingredients and techniques, international influence and attention to detail, Harlow's offers adventurous creations rooted in comforting familiarity. Our shareable menu and bar selections are crafted for our guests enjoy on any occasion or outing. Come enjoy the lounge, bar, restaurant and private dining areas with friends and family. Harlow's stage features weekly live music showcasing local talent. Call or visit harlowslounge.com for more details

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined 6 days ago

First visit to Harlow's and we loved it! Eclectic to be sure, but love the art deco vibe and the warm and friendly people. And the food was extremely tasty! A very diverse menu - we tried several different "Small Plates" and came away very impressed with the chef's creativity, the quality and the taste of each dish, and Jess our server was friendly and informative and did a great job. Then we wandered over and found the Cigar Lounge, where JJ treated us like VIPs and welcomed us to Harlow's newest "little gem." We will definitely be back soon!

Tavern

4.8

4.8 (769)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Coronado

About the restaurant

Open for Lunch and Dinner. Reservations for Lunch are not accepted, however we do accept walk-ins!

Top review

Michelle

Dined 7 days ago

Our first visit here. Loved the service and the food. A cozy bar to hang out!

Coco Maya

4.4

4.4 (382)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Little Italy and overlooking the Piazza della Famiglia, Coco Maya offers a contemporary twist on classic American dishes. Our diverse menu ranges from light coastal cuisine to robust, flavorful proteins cooked in a traditional Spanish-style coal-fired Josper oven. Additionally, we pay homage to our neighborhood's roots with several Italian-inspired entrees, featuring unique takes on flatbreads and pastas.

As part of the Grind & Prosper Hospitality Group, Coco Maya is an evolution of our original concept, Miss B’s Coconut Club in Mission Beach. Since our inception, we've continued to explore new flavors and culinary techniques while broadening our scope and enriching our cocktail program. Coco Maya boasts a diverse mezcal and tequila selection, alongside the delicious tropical and rum-based cocktails that have become synonymous with Miss B’s.

Open daily for brunch and dinner, with a weekday Happy Hour from 2-5 pm.

Top review

TanaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

This was our first time trying Coco Maya. We decided to go for lunch on a busy Sunday afternoon in Little Italy and had made a reservation. The service was excellent and the food was very good. My disappointment was how loud it was with a DJ. The music was fine but we wanted something a little quieter for a Sunday afternoon.

Beaumont's

4.6

4.6 (921)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Established in the heart of La Jolla’s Bird Rock seaside community in 2005, Beaumont’s Neighborhood Eatery has been a central meeting spot for locals to gather for fabulous food, hand-made cocktails, and top-rated entertainment in a casual, yet contemporary atmosphere earning its title as the “heart and soul of Bird Rock”. Nightly happy hour and a fantastic dinner menu are just the beginning, because a full bar and live local music add to the great vibe. You’ll find Beaumont’s weekends a need to be at event for brunch!

Top review

Stephanie

Dined 6 days ago

We had an incredible time at Beaumont for dinner, drinks, and even a live show from The Voices. Our server was fantastic and extremely attentive despite the fact that Beaumont was packed from the front to the back for the show. Food and drinks were tasty… thank you!

Sbicca - Del Mar

4.6

4.6 (2522)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Del Mar

About the restaurant

We look forward to having you join us! San Diego's favorite "Neighborhood" restaurant. Located in beautiful, quaint Del Mar and winner of the "Gold Medallion Award" for Best Neighborhood Restaurant awarded by the San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association. Dine up on the Ocean View deck and take in the blue pacific while enjoying our award winning cuisine or sit on our ocean view sidewalk cafe and sip on one of our Wine Spectator award winning wine list wines.

SPECIALS:
1/2 price on Wine Bottles Tuesdays & Thursdays
Happy Hour Daily 3-5pm (excluding holidays)

Please note we cannot guarantee seating requests, we will do our best to accommodate but it is not a guarantee for inside or outside

Top review

AnneeVIP

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

Love the relaxed, friendly vibe. The location in the village is perfect, a little quieter than some of the bigger places. The chicken bao tacos are insanely good, could eat them everyday! Michael the bartender was awesome! We will be back!

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Popular dish

Lobster Shrimp Biqsue

Popular dish

Crispy Chicken Buns

Ketch Grill & Taps - Point Loma

4.7

4.7 (57)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Point Loma

About the restaurant

20 Tap Handles featuring our Ketch Brewing beers and several guest taps. Modern Casual Faire overlooking San Diego Bay and the sportfishing fleet of Point Loma

Top review

PamVIP

Dined on Dec 30, 2024

Delicious food, great wine list, love the views. Our party all enjoyed fish dishes this evening, all 4 of us had WONDERFUL meals!

Bouquet Restaurant + Bar at Ponte Vineyard Inn

4.5

4.5 (540)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Temecula

About the restaurant

Enjoy fresh, locally-sourced cuisine fine wines and refreshing cocktails at Bouquet Restaurant, located at our luxurious AAA Four-Diamond Inn. Dine out on the terrace surrounded by manicured Italian gardens with stunning views of the vineyard and our 1-acre pond.

Enjoy live music during brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-3pm!

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great experience, very nice facility. Easy to converse as noise level was perfect.

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