Diners' Choice: Mediterranean restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Mediterranean 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!

Callie Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (96)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Downtown

About the restaurant

Callie represents Chef Travis Swikard's debut solo project after spending a decade working alongside the esteemed Chef Daniel Boulud in New York City. The restaurant’s name, "Callie," comes from the Greek word "kallos," meaning "the most beautiful," and embodies its blend of Mediterranean cuisine with local ingredients and terroir, from sea to land from San Diego, Swikard's hometown. In 2022, Callie was acclaimed as one of America's top new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report, and received both a Bib Gourmand and a Plate from the Michelin Guide. Callie is a dedicated supporter of Feeding San Diego, having contributed over 1 million meals to those in need in San Diego since its launch. Swikard is set to open his second restaurant in La Jolla in 2025.

Top review

Candice

Dined 4 days ago

From the time I walked in until the time I walked out, I felt welcomed and well taken care of. The servers, the assistants, the hostesses … everyone made you feel special. Everyone’s recommendations were spot on. I cannot wait to return in my next trip. The food was delicious. I ordered things I wouldn’t usually order and was very pleased.

Bandar Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (927)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Downtown

About the restaurant

For dining:
Monday - Thursday: 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Friday-Satuday: 4:00pm to 9:30pm
Sunday: 2:00pm to 9:00pm

We are open for Takeout everyday

For more information on parties of over 6 people please reach out directly to the restaurant 619-238-0101.

A 4% surcharge is added to all guest checks.

Bandar Restaurant serves Mediterranean food with unique Persian spices flown to San Diego and served in original recipes. Chefs Behrooz and Shokooh create simple preparations to showcase them, alongside an exotic variety of oven-roasted eggplant, charbroiled chicken, seafood and flavorful prime steaks. Look for signature classics such as Nadari, Barg and Soltani. Bandar Restaurant is award-winning since 1996. The restaurant has a unique energy, sitting right in the heart of Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego.

Top review

Pedro

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

I have been coming here when in San Diego for 24 years, and it never disappoints. You know it’s a good restaurant when the owner greets returning customers with a hug as they arrive. We saw this several times as we ate our dinner. A lot of love goes into their food and service.

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4.8

4.8 (89)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Serra Mesa

About the restaurant

Voted one of the top ten best ambiance restaurants and the #1 Mediterranean food spot in San Diego, BoujieMana is a secluded gem just a two-minute drive from all the restaurants on Convoy.

With over 100 parking spots, we make dining easy and convenient. Our executive chef and team use the finest ingredients from the Mediterranean or our onsite garden to create delicious and timeless dishes that change with the seasons.

Whether you're enjoying charcuterie and bubbles with friends or savoring a perfectly aged steak, BoujieMana offers an unforgettable dining experience. Visit us and discover the perfect meal in our charming, hidden location.

Please take a moment to make a reservation especially around the holiday season since we often have full campus events where dine in service is limited.

Top review

Inigovip

Dined 4 days ago

Very good experience . Excellent ambience and very well served exquisite mediterranean food . I will definitely go back

The Kitchen at MCASD

4.7

4.7 (29)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

La Jolla

About the restaurant

The Kitchen @ MCASD
Ocean view dining in the heart of La Jolla.
Menu draws inspiration from the regions of southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East. Including Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Israel, Morocco, and others

located at the newly renovated Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Top review

Barry

Dined 2 days ago

All items were beautifully presented, tasty and upscale. Soup of the day was delicious and Ahi Tuna salad was superb, fresh lettuce, tasty sauce and nice Tuna. Delightful !

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Experience

The Study of Brassicas- October 2024

Echale Encinitas

4.7

4.7 (90)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Encinitas

About the restaurant

Nestled in the serene beach town of Encinitas, our California Bistro and Natural Wine Bar offers a mix of traditional Spanish flavors with a modern Mediterranean twist, complemented by an exquisite selection of natural wines. Menu favorites include the Maitake Mushroom toast and tahini "aioli", our Green Chile Burger with gruyere cheese, and our locally sourced blue fin tuna crudo with citrus vinaigrette. We play a mix of Brazilian funk, late 90's hip-hop, and French pop all through our vintage Marantz receiver and JBl speakers. Our dimly lit cozy restaurant is ideal for date nights and post-surf hangs.

Top review

Rekha

Dined 7 days ago

We come here often. And it’s become my favorite date night spot in Encinitas. Every item is filled with flavor and the wine is amazing. I love the staff too. So kind

Mimoza Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (68)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Downtown

About the restaurant

Mimoza Restaurant brings the taste of Mediterranean lifestyle to Southern California, particularly with its authentic food, warm welcome, and festive ambiance. We welcome you to join us at our home, Mimoza, to experience the Mediterranean-style home cooking that defines us.

Park at Horton Plaza for a $12 flat fee, when you dine at Mimoza

Top review

Stu

Dined on Sep 14, 2024

The service was second to none - the best!! The food was perfectly spiced and perfectly cooked. The owner and staff in total were all so inviting and so warm to chat with. Kudos to all involved who made our first experience such a memorable one. Thanks so much for your kindness

Seréa

4.5

4.5 (2195)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Coronado

About the restaurant

Serẽa is proud to bring an exquisite sea-to-table dining experience to San Diego in a comfortable yet sophisticated setting.
Located just steps from the beach in the legendary Hotel del Coronado, the restaurant's key focus is the bounty of the sea. The menu focuses on sustainable seafood, with a coastal cuisine menu that spotlights the best of the region's oceans, farms and fields, ranging from the California Coast down to the Baja Peninsula.
Creative cuisine with a global flair is prepared by San Diego's own Chef Jojo Ruiz, who creates elegant, fresh dishes with just a hint of Mediterranean flair.

*Serea & The Hotel Del Coronado are currently undergoing a once in a century transformation, after 100 years, we felt a facelift was in order!
We wish you to be aware there will be evolving changes to the way we are able to serve you during this period as Serea and The Hotel Del Coronado are reimagined for generations to come.*

Top review

Gracevip

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service and food quality is incomparable. Hotel Del is undergoing some renovations but the staff perform admirably despite the change to their routine.

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Popular dish

CHARCOAL GRILLED OCTOPUS

Slowly Restaurant & Lounge

4.6

4.6 (21)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Pacific Beach

About the restaurant

At Slowly Restaurant & Lounge, we strive to be a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, fostering connections and creating memories over delicious food and drinks. Whether you’re enjoying a meal with loved ones, unwinding with a refreshing libation, or discovering local flavors, our goal is to ensure every moment spent with us is savored, slowly.

We hope you enjoy your experience at Slowly, where the pace is easy, laughter flows freely, and the flavors are fresh.

Top review

Hildivip

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent new restaurant. More Hispanic than Mediterranean!

Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (2548)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Poway / Rancho Bernardo

About the restaurant

With its breathtaking golf course views and award-winning resort service, Veranda at Rancho Bernardo Inn is the perfect place to meet for a quick bite, dine under the stars, or gather around the fire with a cocktail. The olive trees, gardens, and villas that line the Mediterranean coast inform dishes that are made with locally-sourced ingredients and the freshest proteins and given a Southern California twist.

Top review

Anne

Dined 5 days ago

Very nice for lunch! We enjoyed the swordfish sandwich and the burger was awesome! Great service

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4.4

4.4 (2966)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

University Heights

About the restaurant

With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends.

ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍ
ᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍ
ᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱ
ᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟ
ꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ
ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱ
ꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ

Top review

Gabriella

Dined 4 days ago

Live band played during dinner around 7pm. Got a little loud but the music was great.

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