ADDISON

5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego
(858) 314-1900

Recent Reviews

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Landy Lin

TL;DR: It’s the most expensive, but also the best food I’ve ever had in my life so far. There isn’t a single bad dish, and I feel lucky to live so close to this place.

I came to Addison to celebrate my birthday, and it was an unforgettable experience from the moment I walked in. As soon as I stepped into the dining room, I noticed this gorgeous champagne glass with a vibrant stem—the kind of glass you immediately fixate on. I spent a good part of the meal contemplating whether I should order champagne just so I could drink out of it… and eventually I did. Zero regrets. It made the moment feel even more special.

The food was outstanding from beginning to end. Every course was intentional, beautifully plated, and genuinely delicious. My favorite was their signature rice bowl—the kind of dish so good you stop talking mid sentence. Once you try it, you’ll want to swim in it.

The service was exceptional as well. When the dishes are placed on the table, everything is done in perfect synchronization, which adds this elegant, almost theatrical touch to the experience.

Addison isn’t an everyday restaurant—it’s a true event. But if you want one of the best meals of your life, this is absolutely the place. I’m genuinely grateful to have something this extraordinary right here in San Diego.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

David Li (DXLi)

The best meal of our lives, and we’ve been to multiple Michelin 3-star restaurants. Absolutely incredible in every detail.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Eleanor Li

Hi!
We visited Addison last night to celebrate our anniversary, and I had been looking forward to this experience for quite some time. Addison is the second Michelin 3-star restaurant I’ve visited—and having dined at many Michelin-starred establishments, my expectations were understandably very high.

Our reservation was for 7:45 p.m., and we arrived early and the front desk told us that our table would need 20 minutes to be ready so we enjoyed a drink at the bar, which was a pleasant start to the evening. However, when 7:45 p.m. arrived, we were informed that our table would require an additional 10 minutes. In the end, we weren’t seated until 8:05 p.m., which was a bit disappointing, especially for a restaurant of this caliber. Additionally, it seemed the staff were unaware that we were celebrating our anniversary, even though I had noted it in the reservation.

That said, the service itself was warm and professional, and the food was beautifully presented and creatively executed. I especially loved the quail and the macaron nigiri—they were both memorable highlights. Overall, while the cuisine and hospitality were impressive, the experience didn’t quite reach the same level of polish and magic I felt at Eleven Madison Park in New York.

Thank you for the evening.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Imee C

Still impressed with overall experience compared to last we were here. Food was still incredibly rich & delicious. Service is still like a well rehearsed choreography from setting the food on the table to picking up the empty plates. It was very entertaining to watch. The entire dinner was expensive but was so worth it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Omni Lynn

We went back to Addison in San Diego, and it was even better than last time. You simply come in and enjoy what the kitchen creates, and every dish was incredible. The food felt familiar yet completely new with different ingredients and beautiful presentation. The wine pairing was out of this world, with some of the rarest bottles you can find in California. The service was perfect and the whole experience reminded us why this is a true three-star restaurant.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Riley Disney

My family recently just visited the restaurant. There is no review that could accurately describe our experience here. It was life changing. We owe a lot of gratitude to the restaurant they did an amazing job. We hope to be back one day. I would highly recommend adding this to your list of restaurants to visit

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Angie Hall

My husband and I went here in August for our 27th anniversary and it took me several days to process my experience. Ultimately it’s a tight race between being absolutely appalled and utterly disappointed.

This is my review in short: Do yourself a favor and go to Michael Cimarusti’s Providence restaurant in Los Angeles. Now THAT is a 3 star Michelin restaurant. Absolutely exceptional in every detail.

In San Diego, go to LILO, it has one star but is a VASTLY better experience than Addison and the food is excellent.

As for Addison….

Food: aside from the sage hill ranch garden greens, the Quail “egg drop soup” and the ginger tart, the rest of the offerings were uninspiring. Skip the champagne they offer at the beginning. It’s a cash cow for them and they don’t build in any time for you to actually enjoy it. Gigantic waste of money. I should have known then what the rest of my night was going to entail.

Atmosphere: extremely dated with absolutely no character. One step up from a conference dining room. Am I at a prom? No ambiance whatsoever.

Service: ***absolutely appalling***
I did enjoy the sourdough bread and made the comment “I’d like to take the rest with me” I was told by an assistant server due to proprietary reasons, nothing can leave. Clearly the chef is completely full of himself - or totally insecure - but ok, fine.
Later, after I dropped a bit of food on the table, our main server pointed at it and asked me if I wanted to take that home too.
Excuse me?!
Clearly, my take home request was the subject of convo back at the service station.
When I asked how many offerings were in the “Sweet Treat” course I was told by yet another assistant server “1, or maybe 99” and he walked off.
The entire experience you never know what’s coming and then they give you a sheet containing all the courses when you leave. Why this order, exactly?
The asst sommelier kept looking at himself in the mirror on the wall above our table when he talked “to” us. The most minor of the offenses but still…?
At the end of our meal our main server/sommelier HANDED US HIS SIDE HUSTLE REALTOR CARD. I’m sorry, WHAT?!

How this is a Michelin 3 star restaurant is apparently not for me to know. It had all the elegance and dignity of an unserious frat house.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Yeji Soh

My husband and I visited here for our wedding anniversary. All the foods and drinks were amazing. They have exceptional choices for champagne- for the ones tough to get in market. Other than food/drinks, I liked their enough spacing in between tables which the staff mentioned it was designed like that on purpose to give customers enough privacy.
Chawanmushi was definitely the highlight for me! :D

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Susan Moore

I recently dined at Addison, the acclaimed 3-Michelin star restaurant located at the Grand Del Mar. Given its prestigious status and reputation, I had high expectations for both the food and the overall experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of our visit fell short.

To begin with, there was no valet service upon arrival — something I found surprising for a restaurant of this caliber, especially given that many guests are dressed formally and may not want to walk long distances in heels or evening attire. Upon entering the lobby, there was no one available to greet or direct us, which added to the initial confusion. After wandering for a bit, we eventually found the hostess, who had us wait about five minutes before being seated.

The dining room, while elegant in its own right, felt quite stark and bare. Our party of two was seated at a large four-top table covered with a white tablecloth, but there were no table accents — no candlelight, no flowers, nothing to soften the ambiance. It felt surprisingly sterile for such a highly rated establishment.

When the sommelier arrived to discuss wines, he presented two options by the glass that he thought we might enjoy. It wasn’t until I asked to see the wine list myself that we discovered the least expensive of his two suggestions was $180 per glass. While we expected the dining experience to come with a premium price tag, the lack of transparency felt misleading — almost as if we were being upsold without being informed.

We were also told about two special additions for the evening: a caviar service and a wagyu course. Again, pricing was not disclosed upfront. We chose to add the caviar, and while it was well-executed, it ended up being far more expensive than anticipated. Clear communication about supplemental pricing would have been appreciated.

As for the food, while each course was beautifully plated and technically sound, it didn’t leave a lasting impression. The menu felt quite one-note, with a heavy emphasis on seafood — course after course featured fish, with the only deviation being a quail dish. While we can appreciate a cohesive culinary vision, the lack of variety in proteins made the meal feel somewhat repetitive. At this level of fine dining, I expected to be wowed, but the flavors and presentation, while refined, didn’t quite rise to that standard. In addition, our parting gift was a jar of granola…

Overall, while Addison certainly offers an elevated dining experience, I left feeling underwhelmed. At a 3-star Michelin restaurant, every detail — from the greeting to the wine service to the ambiance — should feel intentional and seamless. Unfortunately, too many of those details missed the mark during our visit.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 3

Jeremy B

We recently had the pleasure of celebrating our anniversary at Addison, and the evening proved to be an unforgettable dining experience. From the first sip of the tepache—a playful and refreshing expression of fermented flavors of Mexico—the menu unfolded like a story told with precision and artistry.

The Prelude set the tone beautifully. The sake cured kanpachi nigiri was pristine in its clarity of flavor, while the Spanish anchovies with potato, wild arugula, and Meyer lemon jam delivered a striking balance of richness and brightness. The chicken liver churro with bitter chocolate and white truffle was daring yet harmonious, marrying decadence with an unexpected elegance.

Among the seasonal selections, the caviar enhancements stood out magnificently. The Regiis Ova Reserve caviar with koshihikari rice, smoked sabayon, and sesame was a masterclass in layered textures and flavors—each bite luxurious yet precise. The fish and chips with burnt onion dip and dill relish offered a whimsical interlude, a playful nod to tradition elevated with refinement. The olive wagyu with squid ink cracker, tartare, and black garlic was another highlight, its depth and umami resonance carried to perfection by the pairing.

The wine pairings were remarkable throughout the evening, each glass chosen with an intuitive sense of balance. The selections did not merely complement the dishes but deepened the experience, enhancing delicate notes and emphasizing contrasts with grace.

Desserts were as thoughtful as the savory courses. The yuzu custard with candied ginger and ceremonial matcha offered brightness and finesse, while the tres leches with white truffle was a surprising and memorable finale, a luxurious close to an already exceptional evening.

Addison delivered more than a meal—it crafted a memory. Every detail, from the careful progression of dishes to the seamless wine pairings, spoke of sophistication and intention. It was the perfect way to mark a special anniversary.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

DebChile

Fabulous once in a lifetime experience. 12 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Got to see the kitchen and meet chef William Bradley because it was my husbands birthday.

RaeAna Eiley

I came here with my husband and in laws. We’ve been to a few 3 star Michelin rated restaurants so naturally we compared our experiences. Let me start by saying this experience was a work of art and the food was phenomenal. I think the only things that didn’t bring this to a 5 star experience for us were that:
- some of the servers felt very cold and unfriendly. Some answered our questions with smart remarks.
- the entire experience took 4 hours!! This was the longest meal any of us have ever eaten. It was way too long in our opinion and we left feeling way too full, tired and with back aches from sitting so long
- way too much food. I think we could have done without so much bread on the table and one less dessert course
- decor seemed a little outdated and minimal. But that is minor and maybe some don’t mind this.
- other than that it was a memorable experience and like I said the food was amazing!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Ingrid Simpson

Fine dining Michelin-starred — every dish is art.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Kawai

From the presentation to the flavors and the service, the whole night felt like a top-notch performance. Every course was creative and full of detail—if you’re a foodie, this place should be on your bucket list. I’d 100% go back again.

The experience is slow-paced (ours took almost 4 hours), so plan to come early and just enjoy the ride.

The tasting menu is $375 per person (before tax). Addison is tucked inside the Fairmont Hotel in San Diego and it’s the only Michelin three-star restaurant in Southern California. Reservations are a must—book 1–2 months ahead!

Highlight of the night: the Shellfish Chawanmushi with Hokkaido uni and chopped bok choy. Silky, savory, and slightly sweet—it felt like being swept out to sea in the best way.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ceci

My mom and I came to Addison for my birthday dinner! We’ve been to some three star michelin restaurants in NY, so we were wondering how Addison would compare, and it definitely didn’t disappoint!

Just a note for those going, the location and parking for the restaurant is different from the actual hotel/resort, so don’t get them mixed up!

Addison is located in a gorgeous resort, and their waiting area is one of the prettiest I’ve seen. We had reservations for 5:30PM, which gave us enough time to see and enjoy the restaurant in natural lighting before it turned dark out. I would definitely recommend getting an earlier slot!

The tasting menu was delicious! It was a unique twist, with the chef combining Japanese, French, and Mexican flavors seamlessly throughout. What stood out to me the most however, was the menu’s emphasis on texture. It wasn’t something I always paid attention to, but this meal stood out because of it. Their signature dish, eggs and rice, was a great example: the crunchy rice, with the creamy sauce, topped with the caviar, was such a treat!

The only thing I’d say is that the supplements weren’t really worth it. My mom got the wagyu, which was good and tender, but $100 was a bit much in my opinion. I got the caviar supplement, which does get added to 3 separate dishes, but it wasn’t anything mindblowing. It wasn’t worth the almost $200 either…

Service was also excellent. Everyone described the dishes well, and the sommelier was super attentive and nice as well. The wine pairing was on the steeper side price wise, costing the same as the tasting menu itself, but it was a good pairing that really complimented the dishes.

If you’re looking for a special meal, Addison has to be on your list! It’s such a charming restaurant, and is no wonder why they’ve maintained their three star status for so long.

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