Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for the best value 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!

LIPS - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (37)

$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

Andrea

Dined 6 days ago

Celebrated my 55th birthday and had an excellent time! Definitely recommend for any celebration.

The Veranda Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1503)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

Kathleen

Dined 6 days ago

Always an excellent experience when we have lunch or brunch at the veranda. Service is so friendly and attentive. The concierge is always so friendly and pleasant. The grounds are beautiful and it’s just a very serene and relaxing experience.

Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina

4.9

4.9 (540)

$30 and under

Italian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

San Diego, meet Pinsa.
An ancient recipe comes back to life at Our Hillcrest Restaurant.
Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina is a full-service Italian restaurant and pizzeria bringing a modern touch to family recipes and an ancient style of pizza called, Pinsa.

Tavola Nostra, which means “our table”, is owned and operated by Jeff Oliveri – a first time restaurateur from a family of longtime restaurant owners who hopes to honor his familial heritage and tradition with his Italian dining concept that creates one of the best Hillcrest restaurants.

Top review

Markvip

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent place to eat great food, drink fine wine, and enjoy the beautiful people who share it with you! Thank you!!

Tapas & Beers

4.9

4.9 (486)

$30 and under

French

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located in Downtown San Diego's historic Spreckels building, Tapas & Beers is a French and Spanish Restaurant.

We offer a large selection of Tapas plates to share between friends & family
but also normal size dishes if you don't want to share !

Our beers on tap selection highlights breweries from San Diego County and our wine selection from all around the world will make any wine lover happy too !

Everything you will eat at Tapas & Beers will be made from scratch to order with fresh and mostly organic ingredients !

Discover why our place isso highly rated !

Cheers!

Top review

Michael

Dined on Nov 10, 2024

The French Burger and the Steak Frites were fantastic. The service was delightful and timely. All in all, a great dining experience.

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Jack & Giulio's Italian Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1157)

$30 and under

Italian

Old Town

About the restaurant

Jack and Giulio's Italian restaurant has remained a favorite of San Diegans for many years. This popular restaurant, formerly known as Giulio's of Pacific Beach, has proudly served the "Best Scampi" since 1961. In addition to this popular dish, this family-owned and operated restaurant offers many homemade pastas, veal, poultry, beef, and seafood specialties.

Top review

John

Dined on Nov 13, 2024

For the two times I ate at Jack & Giulio's Italian Restaurant I ordered basic, traditional meals. Spaghetti with meat sauce & lasagna. Both were superb, hot & reasonable portions. J&G is my favorite Italian restaurant in San Diego & I strongly recommend it.

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Popular dish

Scampi alla Giulio

Black and Blue Steakhouse and Lounge - Valley View Casino

4.9

4.9 (1757)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Valley Center

About the restaurant

Black&Blue is a contemporary American Steakhouse with Las Vegas flair, and a 21 and up dining experience. B&B was recently named San Diego’s “Most Romantic Steakhouse” by the San Diego Union Tribune, and most recently awarded as the Best Steak House Best Seafood by San Diego A-list! At B&B we offer the choicest meats, freshest seafood and most dazzling desserts to delight the mind and body that will transport our guests into a world of indulgence and taste. Unwind with conversation and creative cocktails in our Black&Blue Lounge. Then move into our main room where Chef Nicholas Burgess will impress you with his inventive dishes and innovative takes on classic favorites. The Manager, Chris Scala, will ensure you receive the ultimate in guest service in an atmosphere that’s friendly and fun. To fully enjoy the B&B dining experience, please be prepared to spend an hour and a half with us. Visit us at B&B for a dining experience you’ll never forget.

Top review

Holly

Dined today

Always delicious and fabulous service. My favorite restaurant.

Rancho Santa Fe Bistro

4.7

4.7 (333)

$30 and under

American

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Rancho Santa Fe Bistro located in the heart of the beautiful downtown Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Our unique bistro offers an amazing menu and a superior wine selection for any lunch or dinner occasion.

Owner / Chef Mozy Jahanguiri, who has run restaurants in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Dallas, has opened The Rancho Santa Fe Bistro in the space formerly occupied by The Pantry on Paseo Delicias. Mozy has prepared a menu that offers a wide variety of healthy and stylish fresh grill and more offering a balanced approach to food and wine along with bistro favorites including Oysters Rockefeller, traditional escargots, baked brie with grapes and honey and more for starters. Entrees to satisfy any taste of carefully sourced meats, seafood and much more. Be sure to check out Bistro's beautiful wood wine cellar, housing an extensive collection that spans an impressive 100 years (1897-1997) at a variety of price points.

Top review

Robert

Dined on Oct 23, 2024

What a wonderful bistro. Dishes were superb, dish plates “licked@ clean. A true gem

Collette’s

4.8

4.8 (1337)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Escondido

About the restaurant

Hunsakers is moving forward to COLLETTE'S!

COLLETTE is a name that I love. It has been in my family for generations. It means "Victory of the People". The perfect embodiment of my intentions to collaborate with local farmers to do food well for the community that I am thrilled to be a part of.

The owner, chef and location remain the same with a reimagined notion of fine dining:
COLLABORATIVE COLLECTIVE CUISINE
Join us for date nights, special occasions with family and friends, and on evenings when you would rather open a menu instead of the refrigerator.
We would love to cook for you.

We are in this together, this is OUR victory!

Thank you for dining with us soon and often ~ Jeannette & Chef Hunsaker

Join us for the unveiling of COLLETTE'S ~ by invitation only and you are invited!

Wednesday October 9th 6:00 seating
Thursday, October 10th 6:00 seating
Friday, October 11th 5:30 or 8:00 seating
Saturday, October 12th 5:30 or 8:00 seating
Reserve today, make history with us!

Top review

THOMAS

Dined 1 day ago

Great restaurant for a casual upscale dinner. It has a new chef and I am hopeful it does well. It uses farm to table concept and this time of year there isn’t much farming in the area. That concept will function better in the spring and summer, IMHO.

Arrivederci

4.8

4.8 (81)

$31 to $50

Italian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

Arrivederci Ristorante is an authentic Italian restaurant. Arrivederci means hello. The restaurant's name refers to Italian hospitality offered here. It has a decent semi-formal ambiance. The walls are decorated with paintings gathered from different parts of Europe. Antique lamps are hung from the ceilings to add a rustic appeal. Arrivederci specializes in preparing all dishes with authentic Italian recipes and ingredients. Grigliata vegetariana is prepared with a variety of assorted grilled vegetables. Rigatoni amatriciana is prepared with tabular pasta soaked in rich sauce, prepared with tomatoes and romano cheese. Italian bacon topping enhances the flavor. Pollo al funghi is the traditional chicken meal. The boneless breast of chicken is topped with mushrooms. The ingredients are cooked in wine sauce. Arrivederci serves Italian wines and beers.

Top review

Sarah

Dined 7 days ago

Always the best of the best!! Welcoming and cheerful place with the best service in San Diego. Authentic Italian atmosphere and the food outstanding! Generous wine pours and large plates of mouth watering Italian cuisine. We always feel exhilarated in anticipation of our nights at Arrivederci’s!

Baci Restaurant - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (1886)

$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

Joel

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful Dinner and atmosphere. Definitely a place to experience

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Popular dish

Parmigiana

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