50 Best American Restaurants in San Diego

“Excellent food and very good service. Everything was delicious and the portions were huge. It was expensive for breakfast, but great for a special occasion.“

“Fabulous oysters! Definitely worth the wait!“

“Delicious malts and delicious food! Homemade French fries and home made ranch dressing“

“Really enjoyed our first visit to Parkhouse. Definitely coming back. Food and drinks were delicious. The service was exceptional“

“The only downside is the hired help, Ryan Bradford telling people they deserve to be killed (lynched, was his exact words) when he's posting on social media.“

“This place is just great. Come here every once in a while for lunch on the weekdays, but today, they had Chilaquiles with Carnitas. Totopos were really good, salsa was AMAZING & the Carnitas... Anyway, I really hope they have them more often!!!“

“Service and ambiance, exceptional service and night life… live dj, good musical and still able to have conversation“

“Im gonna start with great service, delicious drinks and the food was on point. I enjoyed the lamb it was amazing. Oh please if you are over 21 please order the cold brew martini!!! The best dessert for me!“

“Everything about that place! Just AMAZING!“

“Very friendly and professional staff . Five star ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️“

“Amazing food and amazing staff! My husband and I went for breakfast and ordered the meatloaf Benedict and the chicken and waffles tower. They were huge portions but so so delicious! The staff was super friendly and were very happy to be at work. Highly recommend!“

“Just spent five nights at the Wyndham Baysidd and had breakfast every morning at Hazelwoods. Great food, fabulous staff. Highly recommend them. Ann & Steve from NJ“

“Gorgeous view and atmosphere“

“We love coming to the Melt. You can’t go wrong with the burgers, and the Mac N Cheese is a family favorite. My son would be happy to eat here every day (literally). Service is wonderful, and Annie always has a smile to share. See y’all next week too!“

“We stopped in for a drink before getting on the train. I wish we had more time, because this place is great! I love the easy access to trying new drinks, and the menu looks excellent. Everyone in the staff was very kind and helpful. Will definitely come back next time I'm in town.“

“Love eating here! Great customer service, delicious food, and a perfect ambiance. Immediately a new favorite and looking forward to our next visit!“

“Great place, great food, service is excellent, everybody is having a good time and it shows, this place is a must in SD, whether you go as a couple or with friends, definitely recommended!!!“

“Food was great, especially the fried goat cheese and the short rib flat bread! Service was friendly and expedient. Right across the street from Ocean Beach, so we took a stroll near the water afterward. 2 adults, 2 children, 1 drink, and 3 mocktails along with the 3 entrees and 1 appetizer ended up about $160 after tip for an idea of pricing. We have spent more for elsewhere for food not nearly as good.

I only gave 4 stars for atmosphere because it was fairly loud, definitely not enough to deter a visit, but loud enough that we had to speak up to hear our own conversation - which is somewhat challenging for the soft-spoken 12-year-old - LOL Just something to keep in mind if you are looking for a quiet spot.

We were so full from dinner that we didn’t try dessert, and they had a churro biscuit that was calling our name, but we will need to try that on another visit. We will definitely be back!“

“From the moment you walk in, Flora greets you with a smile. My server Lizzy, was great and kind. The cooks deserve praise for a fast, tasty food experience. And last, but not least, Tony, the floor manager made it all come together. Thanks, folks.“

“Such a great dining experience in the heart of Balboa Park.

Emiliano was our waiter and absolutely made the experience. We let him help guide us through the menu, and he did not disappoint.

We started with the pear and beet salad and masa-fried squash blossoms, then worked our way through the Vietnamese pork meatballs and lamb seekh, and finished with the Wagyu burger. Every dish brought something completely different to the table, which made sharing everything even more fun.

The food was beautifully presented, full of flavor, and just adventurous enough without trying too hard. Add the atmosphere of being right in the heart of Balboa Park, and it made for such a memorable meal.

Definitely ask for Emiliano and let him help you choose you won't be disappointed.“

“Bivouac Adventure Lodge is such a gorgeous space! Every little detail is extremely intentional and you can tell so much thought and love has gone into curating the space. Lara was gracious enough to let me host my journal club in her space and everyone loved it! The food and drinks were delicious and it was the perfect ambiance for a Camp themed event! Cannot speak enough about how much I loved hosting here!“

“If you want a spot to watch a Philly game, this is very clearly the place to be in San Diego. I've watched Birds, Flyers, and Phillies games here. It's absolutely packed for Eagles games, with the crowd spread between two indoor spaces and a large outdoor area. IMO, the IPA choices here have been comparatively weak when San Diego has so many great IPAs to offer, especially at both nearby North Park and Pure Project, but there is a decent selection of other styles. However, the pretzel is the real selling point. Whether on its own or as the bread of a sandwich (the Spicy Turkey was recommended to me and it is quite delicious!), the soft pretzels are the real deal. I saw lots of people coming in just to eat, and I can't blame them.“

“I attended Juniper & Ivy for a small post-wedding reception. The space was nice and sectioned off from the rest of the restaurant, although it was loud at times because it’s separated by a curtain. It did still feel private, which was great. Although I was the photographer at this wedding, the staff was still super nice and was able to get me a vegetarian meal. They also let the couple bring in their own cakes, which was great! I’d recommend this spot for a smaller reception for sure.“

“We are from “the beef capital” of Australia and discovered The Lion’s Share during SDCC 2023. My husband has very high standards when it comes to meat (his family owned a cattle property) and he could not fault a single dish. We tried camel sausage for the first time and were amazed at the flavor. Every dish was delicious, and make sure you try the brussel sprouts. A restaurant that specializes under exotic meats that can make brussel sprouts that delicious is doing something right! It is our must visit restaurant when we visit San Diego“

“! I wouldn’t go anywhere else“

“Dynamic atmosphere. Luv the fact that show classic movies at the pool.“

“Excellent steaks, great service and wonderful atmosphere!!!“

“Absolutely loved the spicy mission burger it was worth the price Motr greeted us with a warm smile and was very helpful explaining what comes on the burgers 12/10 experience we will definitely be coming back and hopefully see Motr and everyone else’s cheerful attitudes❤“

“We had a lovely time. The food is soso good!“

“Great place! Excellent service! Delicious food!“

“Finally decided to write a review for one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego! I’ve been coming here at least twice a month ever since I moved to SD, and honestly, it’s one of those places I can always count on for a great experience.
The food is amazing every single time, and the taste is always consistent. The drinks are REALLY GOOD too! The service is another reason I keep coming back, professional, friendly, and attentive. The servers and managers frequently check in to make sure everything is going well and that everything is to your liking.
The restaurant is located inside a cute boutique hotel in Point Loma, which gives it such a cozy and charming atmosphere. It’s perfect for date night, dinner with friends, or just a nice night out. And the fact that parking is easy to find is definitely a bonus in San Diego! Definitely one of my favorite spots in the area.“

“Soft toasted Bagel with Cream cheese, Orange juice. Hot Coffee with honey sugar tow . Honey Sparkling Water. Daniel Smith.“

“We are from out of town and decided to stop by since it’s close to our rental. I cannot recommend this place enough. The food is so good and the service is amazing. I ordered “To The Bitter End” that was created by our bartender, Janeli. That drink is fantastic and she (Janeli) took great care of us. My husband had been traveling all day and was so hungry. We are so glad we stopped in. Thank you so much!“

“Service was top notch! First-timer with a party of 9 for a birthday dinner. I always get nervous when going to a new place for a special group meal, but Topsail exceeded our expectations! Our server was amazing as were all the others who assisted. Beautiful views of the bay. They offer couch seating and high tops. We were seated at a high-top for 9 people which worked out great. Food was good but nothing stood out, probably because we were focused on celebrating the birthday gal. Overall, everyone enjoyed their experience and atmosphere. Would definitely come back to try other dishes and encourage others to go as well! Thank you, Topsail!“

“YUMmmmmmmm & thank you!!! Burnt out single mama here, that has prepared way too many meals for myself and my son 😅 & needed something wholesome! The avocado burger & fries wow, & the quinoa avocado bowl with beets, pickled onions, cabbage & some kind of yummy sauce de-fu€king- licious! 🙌💛🙌“

“where do I even begin my experience was STUPENDOUS?! Thank you to the honorable mc and host who is a pillar in the representation of the LGBTQ+ community recognized by the city of San Diego for their philanthropy and activism I only found out after the show when I searched for a proper way to tag @ParisSukomiMax and that would be. . . #ParisIsMyHomegirl . she really is! she handled 👏 every guest with hilarity and grace!!! the outfits were 😍🤩 the numbers were PHENOMENAL ORIGINAL and beyond the entertainment I deserve at 1030am over brunch 😍. . I wish this fabulous team of entertainers the very best of clientele guests and fellow performers. . Thank you for having us 🙏 ❤️ ABSOLUTELY returning! . . We stay good in every hood and you should too regulators mount up support the arts and advocate for allyship 🏳️‍🌈 always, lest we forget. 🖤“

“Service 💯 Food 💯 Drinks 💯“

“Stopped here for breakfast before a whale watching tour and was very impressed with their breakfast sandwich. This is a perfect spot for a quick breakfast/lunch and some people watching, as their dining patio is right along the walking path in the marina. Would absolutely come here again“

“Excellent meal! Definitely recommend visiting. The fried pickles were great. The caprese sando was a favorite between the two of us. The club sandwich was also great, it's big so be prepared. A surprising favorite side was the sweet potato fries that come with an excellent pumpkin spice dip that paired perfectly with the fries. Overall, great experience with very friendly staff. Highly recommend and we will return when in the area.“

“Friendly and courteous staff, high quality and delicious food! Love their drinks and desserts as well. The menu is not overwhelming for me to choose! Lovely atmosphere!“

“Really pleasant staff and a great menu selection. I didn't take any photos because I dove right into the meal but it was delightful. Prices about average for San Diego area breakfasts.“

“Had a great time at BJs. Our server Lauren was exceptional. Very friendly service and great advice on selections. We will be back.“

“We attended the 20th annual Celebrate the Craft. It was fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed the event. The waitstaff at the bar was friendly and provided excellent service.“

“You guys are the real MVPs Not having a special menu goes the extra mile to show that you’re willing to show gratitude to veterans. Now I’m a regular after eating here. Shout out for the flank steak last night. Our server Belle was great as well.“

“Great restaurant! 100 percent recommend!“

“Duffs is a great go to place for great quality hot dogs and more. smiling, friendly people work there.“

“Great food and drinks! The service is superb!“

“Super Vibey spot! Felt like we escaped to Costa Rica for brunch! Tobias was our server and he was outstanding! It was raining and he was super accommodating!“

“My first time I California and this was the best place! I tried a couple places and this pace had the best food and drinks! And the crew was amazing!“

“decent seafood views are qorth the prices“