50 Best American Restaurants in San Diego

“Very fun and lively atmosphere! The design is very well done. The food was great, I personally loved the oysters as they were served differently than I have experienced. The jalapeño Caesar salad was also amazing! Had a kick! Main dishes I enjoyed were the burger, and the chicken, very good and flavorful. Very fun and different cocktails to choose from along with fun zero proof options which is great if you do not drink alcohol. Service was spectacular, very kind, professional and knowledgeable about the menu. We will be coming back!“

“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.“

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

“Fabulous oysters! Definitely worth the wait!“

“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!!!“

“We had a business dinner here and I'm still thinking about the whole experience a week later. The food is a culinary explosion in your mouth. Highly recommend getting several things and sharing with the table. The risotto and seafood pasta were incredible. I cannot even describe the flavors. The cocktails were also indescribably brilliant. Our server was perfect. She was friendly but professional. She had the perfect balance of being on top of everything, but not being on top of us. All around perfect experience.“

“Happy Hour at Artifact is the highlight of my week! I always look forward to those afternoons when I can wrap up an early day at work and walk over to unwind.

Kendra and Kelly are the best—they always greet me warmly and, knowing sparkling rosé is my go-to, pour a glass right after saying hello. The ambience is light and relaxing, and the conversation is consistently pleasant and entertaining—it’s the perfect way to transition from work mode to relaxation.

All of the food here is absolutely delicious, but the ahi crudo and beet salad are my favorites. They’re fresh, flavorful, and never disappoint.

Artifact has mastered the art of creating a welcoming, delicious, and enjoyable happy hour experience. Highly recommend!“

“Great food, service, atmosphere, and view.“

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

“Shaun stands out as the most extraordinary restaurant manager I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. His service wasn't just outstanding—it was genuinely awe-inspiring. As a solo diner, Shaun made an extra effort to ensure I felt incredibly welcomed. His dedication to going above and beyond was evident in his eagerness to share fascinating insights about the kitchen, catering perfectly to my enthusiasm as a food aficionado. While the cuisine at Addison was nothing short of superb, it was Shaun's unparalleled service that elevated the entire experience to divine heights. His warm, understanding, and inviting personality made every interaction memorable. The thoughtful gesture of a sweet little treat upon departure was the cherry on top of a flawlessly coordinated dining experience. Having visited other Michelin-starred establishments, I can confidently place Addison in my top three worldwide dining experiences, largely thanks to Shaun's exceptional touch. Truly, a delightful experience in every sense.“

“We had a cider from here at the San Diego Zoo and had to check it out and glad that we did! What a wonderful place!!!

The bartender was very knowledgeable and we had amazing service the entire time. The decor and everything just fit and suited the vibe. One of the best thing is about this place is that it's DOG FRIENDLY! Met the cutest furry friends here that just added to the experience.

Definitely do the cider tasting and the polenta tots was different and interesting. Seems like a great place for a meal, catch a sports game or catch up with friends or a nice place to chill while you are in between meet ups or appointments.“

“Amazing food! Fantastic atmosphere. Best Cobb Salad in San Diego.“

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

“Great place! Excellent service! Delicious food!“

“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!“

“I was expecting more. The calamari tasted bland. The muscles were good but my toast was burnt and bland. The desert with the coconut and lime was tasty. Our service was average.“

“Very nice place, friendly servers!! Delicious food. MelanI from Argentina was great!! THANK YOU MELANI !!“

“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.“

“Went for our anniversary late dinner, our server Meghan was EXCEPCIONAL! The food was AMAZING. The drinks were unforgettable. It was our first time and will not be our last. We had the ribeye, with mushrooms, and potatoes. Their Mac and cheese was so good! Everything was just so great! Thank you guys so much!“

“I over the drinks, ambiance and location/space. I’ll return again soon.“

“Absolutely amazing food and drinks at great prices. Never disappointed.“

“Good food and coffee, perfect set up for business professionals, meetings, laptop work etc. good vibes overall, staff is super friendly as well. I randomly found this place on Google and a year later it is still my favorite place to work from. “

“We like this place so much we keep going back instead of trying different places nearby. The cocktail variety is excellent. People are friendly. Servers are hit or miss but bartenders are great. Food has always been tasty and plentiful. Go!“

“We had lunch here and really enjoyed our experience. The service was excellent and made us feel welcome. The food was great too, we ordered the Crispy Baja Shrimp, a burger, and the seafood pasta. Everything was fresh, and I especially loved the crispy chips that came with the burger and the variety of seafood in the pasta. I’d definitely come back if I have the chance!“

“We tried a few dishes at Watercolors during our stay at the Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton. The hummus was solid—pretty much what you'd expect from a dip-and-bread starter. The braised beef ragu pappardelle, though, was a bit underwhelming and could’ve used a bit more flavor. The steak sandwich was tasty and filling, though it had a bit too much blue cheese for our liking. Overall, a convenient spot to grab a meal, but some dishes hit the mark better than others.

Vegetarian options: There are vegetarian dishes available to order.

Dietary restrictions: This venue is able to accommodate for dietary restrictions.

Kid-friendliness: This venue is kid friendly with plenty of comfy places to sit.

Wheelchair accessibility: This venue is wheelchair accessible.“

“Very popular spot good food minus the onions“

“Great burgers, quick service. Good value for money.“

“Delicious food and great beer 🍻 - looking forward to returning to try more of the menu and those yummy looking desserts.“

“I enjoyed this bar which is steps away from a beautiful path along the beach. You can't see the beach from the car but it's just steps away. I actually am a rubber duck collector which is why I wanted to stop by to get a drink with a rubber duck on it! (Note, they technically come with certain cocktail slushies but my server hooked me up with a ducky in my mocktail since I can't have alcohol right now).
We wanted to visit mostly for the duck fun but were pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. Everything was so tasty! My favorite was the ahi poke tacos but we also enjoyed the Aloha burger with upgrade to duck fat fries and the fish tacos. Every item was great. Would come back again!

Currently it's decked out for the holidays. Love the decor and atmosphere. Some places just put up a tree or wreath here or there but this place is extremely festive and I appreciate it. You can tell they really put a lot of love and care into making it as festive as possible. There's even tinsel on the legs of the tables and lots of Santa hats, ornaments, and presents everywhere. It was already so festive but I saw staff putting hats on some seats too. Even the bathroom mirror was decorated. Looks like they host trivia and other events too.

We came for a late lunch with our 7-month-old baby and it was very chill and our server was great. No high chairs but there's a changing table in the bathroom (yay). The place is clean and friendly. Looking forward to coming back and I recommend to anyone visiting Pacific Beach.“

“Juan Jasper’s Wine Bistro - A Golden Hill Treasure

Don’t let the simple “wine bar and restaurant” description fool you - Juan Jasper’s is the kind of place that turns first-time visitors into regulars before they’ve finished their first glass of wine. Tucked away in Golden Hill, this cozy spot has mastered what so many other places try to manufacture: genuine community.

Let’s talk about the food, because it deserves the spotlight. They serve what might just be the best fries in San Diego - no small claim in a city full of great food. Their burger? It’s a standout served with bordelais. The menu changes regularly, offering a thoughtful selection of global classics that pair perfectly with their wine selection.

Speaking of wine, Juan Jasper’s maintains an impressive and ever-rotating selection of wines from around the world. Whether you’re staying to enjoy a glass (or bottle) with your meal or picking something up to take home, their knowledgeable staff will help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

But what truly sets this place apart is the atmosphere. Walk in and you’ll likely be greeted with a hug rather than a formal hello. Regulars welcome newcomers like old friends, making introductions all around. It’s the kind of place where solo diners end up joining other tables, where conversations flow freely between strangers, and where everyone seems to be having a wonderful time together—even former strangers.

This isn’t a pretentious wine bar or an exclusive club - it’s a neighborhood gem where great food, excellent wine, and genuine hospitality come together to create something magical. If you’re looking for a new favorite spot in San Diego, Juan Jasper’s should be at the top of your list.“

“Food is delicious. Hope to go back next month.“

“Our boy is raving about u guys!“

“What a fantastic place! Food was excellent and great proportions, likely the best flatbread I’ve ever had. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend and will return if in the area again.“

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“Overall excellent steak dinner“

“Great food, wonderful service!“

“Absolutely the most creative menu in the City! Great Atmosphere, great choices. We always leave amazed at our experience and eager to return“

“Food was good, mac n cheese was more salty then flavourful. The pastrami sandwhich was excellent! And the rest was pretty good. Atmosphere is amazing at this place because of the beautiful koi pond. Just need the servers to step up their game and would be one of the best brew pubs in San diego!“

“I travel to San Diego at least twice a month for work I always stay on shelter island and 50 percent of the reason is because of fathom. I love the food. Staff. Beer selection and the view. I often walk across the street from my hotel with my laptop. Sit in the sun. Have some food. Beer and work. I’ve never had a bad experience and doubt I ever will. My wife and I LOVE this place.“

“My wife and I went to this cozy place for dinner based on a recommendation. GOOD CALL! Our server was pleasant and checked in on us to make sure we were happy. The food was delivered fast and hot. We shared the 16 oz. T-bone steak. It came out pre cut, ready to share. We also ordered a wonderfully great big salad and a wonderful empanada with beef. The empanada was pleasantly spicy, but not overly. The steak came with lovely potatoes. We also ordered a side of broccolini. I’m not a big veg guy, but I have to say the broccolini was delicious. All said the meal wasn’t the cheapest, but was worth every bite.“

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

“Excellent service!! Extremely comfortable rooms. 24/7 service.“

“I picked up some ribs and a sandwich for dinner last night and the food was awesome as always. Portions were big enough that I had leftovers. Corbin O'Reilly and Vince always make me feel special!“

“Cheddar shrimp and grits were so good!“

“Friendly staff and great food. A good place to watch sports.“

“Cocktails were good. Service was great! Ordered Brisket tots-chos and it's advertised as $19 on their online menu but we got charged $20, not a big deal but it makes me dislike how we're just asked to sign an amount when you don't know how much you're really paying.“

“Everything about Fernside is great!“

“Gorgeous view and atmosphere“

“We ate several meals at Vistal while staying at the Intercontinental Hotel. All were delicious and well prepared using fresh, local ingredients. The Cinnamon Roll Pancakes at breakfast were the best pancakes I’ve ever had! Our server, Reyna, was very attentive, personable and added to the enjoyment of our dining experience. Sitting on the balcony overlooking the bay added even more enjoyment!“