Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Gutter

4.6

4.6 (26)

$30 and under

American

North Park

About the restaurant

“We Are All In The Gutter But Some Of Us Are Looking At The Stars” – Oscar Wilde.

Top review

KristinVIP

Dined on Dec 16, 2024

We had a great experience visiting the gutter. Beautiful lanes, quick service (drinks only, no food) and we had a great time

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Experience

Single Lane for 60 minutes and up to 6 guests 🎳

NM Café at Neiman Marcus – San Diego

5.0

5 (329)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Mission Valley

About the restaurant

THE NM CAFE located in Neiman Marcus SAN DIEGO has been recently remodeled and is now open 7 days a week, 11 am- 4pm.

Laid-back luxe. Experience delightful dishes in a casual, contemporary atmosphere at THE NM CAFE® SAN DIEGO. Muted lighting and understated, modern decor create the perfect environment for a midday retreat. Whether dining with a group or simply ordering upscale take-out, expect delectable food and exceptional service that is synonymous with Neiman Marcus.

Let THE NM CAFE® host your next Baby or Bridal Shower. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect menu and ambience for your event in our chic and inviting atmosphere. Pamper the glowing bride- or mother-to-be in your life with the shower of her dreams or a lavish luncheon.

Top review

AlfredoVIP

Dined 7 days ago

It is always a pleasure having lunch here. The Service it is always superb!!

LIPS - San Diego

5.0

5 (59)

$31 to $50

American

North Park

About the restaurant

Lips has been San Diego's ULTIMATE in Drag Dining for 25 years! Dinner, Drinks & fabulous Drag Shows, as well as Brunch on Saturdays & Sundays. Enjoy a great meal & cocktails served up by over-the-top Drag Queens.

DIFFERENT SHOWS WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY. Wed: Bithcy Bingo; Thur: Dining with the Divas; Fri: Glitz & Glam Dinner; Sat: 2 Dragalicious Brunches & 2 Glitz & Glam Dinners; Sun: 2 Gospel Brunches & Sunday Nite Showstoppers. ***Prices- Wed/Thur/Sun Dinner: $35.95(shoe & 3-course dinner, drinks additional); Sat/Sun Brunch: $42.95(Show, meal & bottomless Mimosas/Champagne/Bloody Mary; Fri/Sat Nite: $49.95(show & 3-course dinner,drinks additional)

All shows subject to 7.75%sales tax & 20% suggested gratuity; $12 celebration package for Birthdays/Bachelorette/Anniversary/Promotion/Graduation. 16+ to enter; 21+ to Drink. GOVERNMENT ID REQUIRED-ALL IDS CHECKED AT THE DOOR

Top review

Kristina

Dined 5 days ago

Fantastic date night with my husband. Great food, fabulous queens and a whole lot of fun.

Youngblood

5.0

5 (1056)

$50 and over

Speakeasy

Downtown

About the restaurant

A curated 90 minute, three course cocktail experience akin to none. $67 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are accepted as early as a month in advance for groups of 4 or less. Large party reservations can be made through our reservations team at info@neighborhoodsd.com

Come find us.

Top review

Katherine

Dined 5 days ago

This was a wonderful and pretty unique speakeasy. Wonderful mood and light music. The staff was VERY creative and excellent. The beverages were all unique and we loved all of them. We are definitely going back.

Baci Restaurant - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (1905)

$31 to $50

Italian

Old Town

About the restaurant

Baci Ristorante offers diners a hint of old world Italian charm, with plush booths, white tablecloths, and gracious servers clad in tuxedos. While the decor is subtly modern, the menu is classic, celebrating Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. Specialties include classic pasta dishes, veal, and fresh seafood, with especially tempting daily specials offered by Executive Chef Domenico Alioto. In addition to the cuisine, the restaurant's charming and welcoming features--include an extensive wine list, elegant patio setting, and romantic main dining room--have made Baci a consistent favorite among locals for over 30 years.

Top review

JaneVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful dinner as always. BACI never disappoints.

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Popular dish

Parmigiana

The WineSellar & Brasserie

5.0

5 (1003)

$31 to $50

French

Sorrento Mesa

About the restaurant

Established in 1988, The WineSellar & Brasserie is San Diego's premiere destination for fine wine and exquisitely crafted locally sourced, organic fare.

Consistently ranked among OpenTable's Top 10 local restaurants, The Brasserie has been honored with either Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" and "Best Of Award Of Excellence" every year since our inception.

With your meal, enjoy a bottle from the adjoining WineSellar boutique wine shop or choose a wine from our award-winning list. Either way, you’ll find an outstanding selection of unique small-production wines not found anywhere else. Not in the mood for wine? Choose from our rotating list of craft beers or seasonally available craft cocktails.

Top review

LarryVIP

Dined on Dec 19, 2024

This place has been a gem for the better part of 3 decades. Chef's have come and gone but it stays consistently great. Great food, outstanding service and the best wine list to value that you can find in the whole city. We had not been in a while and during dinner we had to ask ourselves why. Try it, you'll love it.

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Experience

Bergstrom Wine and Truffle Dinner!

Jeune et Jolie

4.9

4.9 (4079)

$50 and over

Contemporary French

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A culinary experience celebrating the moment, Jeune et Jolie reimagines French cuisine through the vibrant lens of our Southern California landscape with a 4-course menu offered at $120 per guest.

For those looking for a more casual evening, we feature "Le Menu du Bar”, an à la carte offering available for walk-in guests at our bar and lounge.

Top review

GenaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We sat at the bar and had the bar menu. The bartenders were great, helpful and added to the experience. Thanks to their recommendations our food choices were unique, superbly prepared and delicious.

Lemon Grove Bistro

4.9

4.9 (91)

$30 and under

American

Lemon Grove

About the restaurant

In addition to offering comforting American favorites, our menu provides a selection of flavors inspired by our chef’s culinary experiences, ranging from classic Spanish fare to Italian favorites. Our menu changes seasonally to feature the freshest ingredients and provide an exciting dining experience throughout the year.

The Lemon Grove Bistro is in a historic mission-style building in the heart of Lemon Grove. Since 1912, it’s been a place where locals meet and build connections, whether they were picking up their mail at the Sonka General Store in 1944 or ordering custom cakes at the Grove Pastry Shop in 2012.

Come for the food. Stay to experience the inviting ambiance of the historic building and its new garden. Let’s build community--together.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined on Dec 16, 2024

We come here for all our birthdays and the food quality never disappoints! Ordered the Mushroom Ravioli today, but we’ve had the Paella, Pasta, and Veef plate with mashed potatoes and we want to kiss the chef every time.

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Experience

Weekday Happy Hour

Vinarius

4.9

4.9 (383)

$30 and under

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Vinarius is an Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar in Little Italy San Diego. We offer an extensive wine list with wines coming from different regions of the world; the best meat and cheese board with Italian cured meats and different cheeses to pair with our wines. Our chef Alex makes homemade pasta enriched with our homemade sauces, entrees, pizza, different appetizers to choose from, and desserts that pair well with our port wines and after-dinner drinks. You definitely have to try our daily specials!
Our cozy full bar is also the perfect place to enjoy your drink and food while watching some sports!

Top review

JustineVIP

Dined 3 days ago

A fabulous find. If we lived in the area it would be our regular spot. Everything was wonderful!

La Bonne Table

4.9

4.9 (1421)

$30 and under

French

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

LA BONNE TABLE is a cozy and intimate restaurant in the heart of the bustling neighborhood of Hillcrest. We serve country french food in a bistro fashion. Our menu consists of classic french dishes, a modest but excellent selection that will change with the seasons. We offer a romantic atmosphere and elegant setting, full bar and french beer on tap. Reservations are recommended as seating is very limited in this exclusive restaurant. Bon Appetit!

Top review

SusanVIP

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

We live within walking distance of La Bonne Table, and this was the first time we have eaten here. Be prepared to be blown away by the ambience, the service, the food! Christmas Eve was a prix fixe holiday dinner, and everything was absolutely delicious. The endive salad is a treasure; the trout almondine with asparagus and lemon butter sauce was superb; the steak frites were perfect, and the creme brulee was the best I've ever eaten. Our cocktails were spot on. Victor and Yo are the best - taking care of everyone personally in the lovely small French bistro. Yes, it was all that good. Wow.

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