The average American household spends over $3,100 yearly on dining out, meaning that the quality of restaurants is a big factor in the overall standard of living in a given city. That’s why you should know what the best restaurants in San Diego are before you decide to make this place your new home.
SD has plenty of eateries to offer
Here you can find any type of cuisine, whether you are craving some juicy burgers, or you are trying to pursue a healthy lifestyle. America’s Finest City also has affordable dining options that won’t leave you broke even if you’re just a student going to one of the San Diego schools.
Did you know that over 10 billion donuts are consumed in the USA yearly? If you have a sweet tooth, don’t worry – some bakeries in this place can offer you pastry, cakes, and cupcakes tailored to anyone’s taste.
You know how the saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. No matter where you live or how hectic your day is going to get, you should never skip breakfast. Luckily, if you don’t have the time to make it yourself, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy the first meal of the day. America’s Finest City gives you the opportunity to enjoy nutritional food that helps you keep focus and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
If breakfast is a must-have meal, brunch is something you should indulge yourself with. Choose a good spot and enjoy some tasty dishes with champagne or a cocktail. After that, the rest of the day should go smoothly.
A cafe and chef’s market are attached to the Herb & Eatery that spans over a 3,500-square-foot space on Kettner Boulevard. Breakfast includes smoothies, croissant egg sandwiches, and many mushrooms and veggie dishes. If you want to have custom made salad bowls, here employees prepare them on the counter, and you can have an array of greens with many toppings.
Breakfast Republic serves tasty takes on American classics such as Oreo Pancakes, Shrimp and Grits, and S’mores French Toast. This is an innovative breakfast and brunch destination that locals adore. With craft beers and organic kombucha or draft, this is a perfect spot to fulfill whatever craving you have.
Sandi is a town that produces the most avocados in the USA. That’s why you should look for Son of a Toast, a restaurant where you can get some of the finest avocado toast in the town. This is a location that is dedicated to the eclectic concept of chef-crafted toast and innovative cold brew. Whether you are in the mood for sweet or savory, Son of a Toast has it all.
Did you know that the average person eats breakfast at 7.31 am during the week?
Are you in the mood for freshly baked treats? Grabbing a bite of pastry as you go by your busy schedule can be a perfect solution if you don’t have the time to actually sit down and eat. Luckily, this is a town where you can get some of the tastiest treats there are. The next time you get a craving for something straight out of the oven, stop by one of those great bakeries in America’s Finest City and enjoy yourself.
This is a family-owned business that has been serving locals for over three decades. In Edelweiss, you can enjoy some unique, homemade European cakes and pastries. This is a full-service bakery, meaning it offers everything from custom-made wedding cakes to cookies and more.
Did you know that the first drive-in restaurant in the USA was opened here? Keeping up with tradition, Panchita’s offers you a drive-in option. In this restaurant, you can get your daily fix of fresh-baked items, but you can get coffee drinks and Mexican hot chocolate as well.
Pastry is an excellent choice when you want to grab a bite
Relocation can be stressful even when a top-notch moving company handles it; many don’t know how to cope with stress when moving even when they have strong reasons to move. There is still pressure that comes from anxiety about moving out and starting from scratch in a new location that can even cause relocation depression. Let your moving service providers take care of your belongings, and help you avoid common moving mistakes, you just get ready to live your life to the fullest.
When you are all unpacked and settled down with the help of your photo inventory, get ready to power up with great nutritious eats and drinks. Luckily, Sandi is a town that can fully support a fit and healthy lifestyle. Maybe you’ll decide to put your treadmill or runner shoes in a storage unit, but you need to find a way to stay healthy. Proper nutrition can help with that.
If you have decided that you need a detox, or you want to start a diet, it doesn’t mean that dining out is off-limits. You just have to find a spot that can provide you with some top-notch meals. When house-hunting in the best neighborhoods in San Diego and checking the safety of your future neighborhood, think about vegetarian, vegan, raw foods, and juice bars that you would love to have close by.
Grains, proteins, salads, stuffed sandwiches, and paleo-friendly pizzas are something you should expect to see on the menu when you stop by True Food Kitchen. Also, there are foods that include a seasonal spaghetti squash casserole, health-forward juices, plus a selection of cocktails, such as the skinny citrus margarita.
GMO and gluten-free with organic ingredients, Veggilish gives you a chance to enjoy some healthy meals. Here you get to eat zucchini soup and make your own salad with some fresh and diverse ingredients.
Sandi has the largest number of farms in the USA, approximately 7,000. That is why Garden Kitchen emphasizes fresh ingredients sourced from local farms. Every day brings a different menu, but veggies such as eggplants and bell peppers are always used in one way or another.
Healthy meals are an excellent choice
Did you know that National BBQ day is on July 13th? But you don’t have to wait all year round to enjoy some fine grilled meals. There are plenty of restaurants you can stop by all year round and grab a bite, so anytime is the best time of the year to move here. That’s why it doesn’t really matter if you are moving during the holidays or in summer. Don’t forget to tell the crew that provides packing services to box up your grill, but if you are not up for preparing a meal or you’re moving into a smaller home, know that there are plenty of spots that serve tasty BBQ.
Relocating to California doesn’t mean you can’t have a taste of Texas nearby. Grand Ole BBQ y Asado gives you wood-smoked handcrafted artisan BBQ that is smoked on a real BBQ pit. If you would want to have some of the moistest, juiciest, tenderest, smokiest BBQ in town, you should check this place out.
Locals have been enjoying Phil’s BBQ since 1998. Here you can have grilled baby back and beef ribs, chicken, or sandwiches. Whatever you want, the restaurant has you covered.
Fast food can be a tasty dish
The most popular days in the year to eat beef are Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day, but living in Sandi will tempt you to have steak almost every day. Here you can find a steakhouse no matter what kind of meat you prefer. Whether you are looking for more of a party atmosphere or just want to stick to the classics, you will see that this town has it all.
Cowboy Star is dedicated to contemporary American cuisine with the addition of a western flare. If you appreciate the exquisite space design, you should know that Cowboy Star won the Orchid Award for Interior Design. The ambiance gives out a laid-back vibe while having an open view of the kitchen display.
The 10,000-square-foot space of Born & Raised is a nod to the mid-century and art deco eras. The menu sticks to the classics such as foie gras-topped Tournedos Rossini, Steak Diane, and beef rib with Yorkshire pudding. Stop by and see for yourself why is this one of the top places among locals.
You can't go wrong with a juicy steak
America’s Finest City was once the tuna capital of the world, and you should remember that when looking for a seafood place to eat in. This is obviously a community with a long history of fishing, so it should not come as a surprise that many locations have specialized seafood menus. When you are in the mood for shrimps, clams, or oysters, there are many locations you can visit and enjoy top-notch cuisine.
When the slogan of the restaurant is “If our seafood was any fresher, it would still be swimming,” you know that you are in the right place. Owners of BlueWater Seafood are familiar with the commercial seafood industry, and it shows in their service and food offer. Here you can taste a variety of boiled and fried specials, as well as many drinks. Stop by and see for yourself why this place is always among critics’ top choices.
When you relocate to San Diego, you should think about transporting your car across the country. Learning how car shipping works and getting auto transport services will enable you to drive to top-rated dining places, especially if you’re relocating to the suburbs. Truluck’s is committed to serving fresh seafood while providing you with daily entertainment. Here you can have crab cocktails, lobster bisquettes, and many other dishes. With that kind of offer, it is no wonder that this place is one of the customers’ top picks.
Ironside Fish & Oyster Bar is exactly that, a bar where you can eat fresh fish and oysters. If you love to try new things, you will be happy to know that here, the daily menu changes based on accessible ingredients.
One billion pounds of shrimp are eaten every year in the USA
When you were deciding where to move, you chose the right spot especially if you have a sweet tooth. That means that knowing where to find the tastiest desserts in the city is a must. Cakes, cookies, souffle, and cupcakes – one of the top things to do in San Diego is eating sweets. Tell your friends some interesting stories over a piece of cake, or be one of those readers that sit and relax while enjoying a book and a cookie at the same time. No matter when you get the craving for them, whether early in the morning or late in the evening, there are places where you can buy whatever sweet treat you desire.
Le Parfait Paris brings the taste of France to you. Locals know them for award-winning desserts, macarons, and pastries, but they also offer a variety of savory and sweet fares all made from scratch.
Chef Karen Krasne created Extraordinary Desserts with cakes and desserts in mind. Here you can find desserts like cakes with signature flavors such as black velvet, passion fruit ricotta, Shangri-la, and dulce de Leche cake.
Cakes make people happy
Almost 17% of people living here are Asian, so you can expect that eastern cultures will influence some of the establishments that serve food.
Stop by Sushi Ota, a place owned by chef Yukito Ota that has been serving locals for almost thirty years. Here you can get some of the tastiest sushi and sashimi.
Located in Old Town, Sushi Tadokoro has a reputation as one of the greatest practitioners of traditional Edo-mae style sushi.
Make sure that you visit Dumpling Inn if you are a fan of noodles and dumplings. A special treat is Xiao long bao steamed pork dumplings.
Dragon Express has been serving authentic Chinese cuisine for nearly two decades. Its spices and added meats give an edge to all the signature dishes such as fried rice and lo mein. When you visit, don’t forget to try their garlic chicken.
Asian cuisine is not a rare sight here
America’s Finest City is very diverse. Many cultures clash and mix here, so of course, there will be many locations where that is evident. Demographic statistics show that 30% of locals are or Hispanic or Latino descent, and the Mexican border is just 50 miles away. So, it’s no wonder why Hispanic and Latino cuisine has such a huge impact.
Aqui es Texcoco uses traditional Mexican cooking techniques that involve slow-roasting meat. That is why you should try lamb barbacoa when you stop by. You won’t regret it.
If you are in the mood for tacos, Las Cuatro Milpas serves some of the best. Employees make crisp homemade tortillas for the rolled and crunchy tacos. Here you can eat tamales and chorizo beans with rice as well.
Bar Bodega can be a sunny spot for wine and cheese but also a place where you can eat tapas and ahi tuna tostada. At night, the place transforms into a busy establishment that paints the perfect picture of the Spanish lifestyle.
Puerto La Boca is a place where you can see large groups of people but also couples in a cozy romantic setting. Live piano and jazz music make Fridays and Saturdays here perfect. Add grilled meats and other tasty dishes, and you got yourself a new favorite restaurant. Are you and your partner moving in together, because this could be a perfect place to celebrate that milestone.
Who doesn't love Mexican specialties?
We have Prohibition to thank for the invention of happy hour, but even now, some states like Indiana and Vermont have it banned. Luckily, you are moving to San Diego, so keep in mind that there are so many places that take happy hour seriously.
With a name like Death by Tequila, how can you expect anything less than a fun happy hour? Here, the menu during those specific hours ranges from tacos and wings to margaritas, tequila, and drafts.
Do you want some cocktails during the workweek? You got it, just stop by George’s Level2 and enjoy everything from Aperol Spritz to Pisco Punch. Also, there are some famous fish tacos that you can snack on.
Happy hour can be all day long, right? Yes, it can, especially if you stop by The Grass Skirt on a Monday. Order your drinks and some Korean wings or spicy tuna hand rolls and let yourself relax after a stressful day at work or after a successful moving day.
Luce Bar & Kitchen offers you house wines, draft beer, and you can always snack on fish or have some pizza and lamb.
Cheer for a Happy hour
Let’s face it, you will be thinking about the cost of living in San Diego when you relocate. Sometimes, even if you find a job before moving to another state, saving up is the only thing you can do to reduce costs when moving, especially if you’re moving to another state alone and don’t know a lot of packing tips and tricks. After planning your moving budget, creating a household inventory list, and choosing the cheapest way to move out of state or relocating during the cheapest time of the year, there will be more ways to be economical such as finding free packing materials for moving or donating unwanted items. This town has many tasty joints with lower prices that you can visit. Enjoy good food while being thrifty.
Hinotez is a place that you should check out, especially if you like Japanese food. Here you can have yakitori, rice bowls, and ramen at affordable prices. Starting at $3, you could get rice, miso soup, chilled tofu, pickled vegetables, and as many tea refills as you can drink.
Homestyle Hawaiian Restaurant is just that, a place where you can get plate lunches that start at $7 and include steamed rice and macaroni salad.
Do you like gyros, chili cheese fries, or cheese steaks? If you do, Canada Steak Burger could be the restaurant for you. The gyro-burger combo is a well-loved favorite, and with fries and a drink, it will cost you just $9.49.
Finding affordable spots to eat is a must in a place with a high cost of living
Moving to San Diego can be a significant change for you. If you are moving for a relationship and planning a late date night, or if the new environment is making it hard to sleep, take a walk around town, and grab a bite of something to eat – there are plenty of late-night menus you can check out.
The best places to live in San Diego might be within walking distance of some of the best diners and pubs you can spend your evenings in.
Are you relocating because of your education? There are plenty of great San Diego schools. But if you ask UCSD students what place they would recommend for late-night dining, Regents Pizzeria would probably come up more than once. Here you can have not only pizza but beer and pies as well.
When you are in the mood for some Chinese barbecue, stop by Sam Woo BBQ. The place is not only open until midnight, but it is affordable as well. With its casual vibe, it attracts many night owls in search of tasty food.
Located in North Park, Toronado is one of the most popular beer bars. Not only that, it serves a full menu until midnight, but it also closes around 2 am. If you stop by, you can have a variety of burgers, starters, and salads.
