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Best Authentic Restaurants in South Park

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117 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Buona Forchetta restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(896)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • South Park
Booked 96 times today
Buona Forchetta, meaning 'Good Fork' in Italian, is an authentic Italian restaurant. It was started by Matteo who wanted to bring his native Italy to San Diego. Customers praise its 'excellent and authentic Italian experience' with simple recipes that 'takes me back to all my travels to Italy'. The restaurant is highly recommended for its 'authentic and delicious' food, 'vibrant atmosphere' and 'excellent service'.
A photo of Callie Restaurant restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(377)
Price: Very Expensive
• Mediterranean • Downtown
Booked 67 times today
Callie represents Chef Travis Swikard's debut solo project after spending a decade working alongside the esteemed Chef Daniel Boulud in New York City. The restaurant’s name, "Callie," comes from the Greek word "kallos," meaning "the most beautiful," and embodies its blend of Mediterranean cuisine with local ingredients and terroir, from sea to land from San Diego, Swikard's hometown. In 2022, Callie was acclaimed as one of America's top new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report, and received both a Bib Gourmand and a Plate from the Michelin Guide. Callie is a dedicated supporter of Feeding San Diego, having contributed over 1 million meals to those in need in San Diego since its launch. Swikard is set to open his second restaurant in La Jolla in 2025.
A photo of insideOUT restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2452)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Hillcrest
Booked 65 times today
insideOUT is Hillcrest's elevated restaurant and lounge, and San Diego's only urban oasis! We are an 18+ venue.Reservations for our upcoming "Sweetheart Experience" are now open! The Experience will be February 5th - 16th!Our menu is curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran and is updated seasonally to reflect his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by our local purveyors.Aside from our impeccable hospitality, insideOUT is known for their over-the-top seasonal experiences. We also provide customized private event planning with venue buyout options. More information can be found on our website.
A photo of Cori Pastificio Trattoria restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(665)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • North Park
Booked 33 times today
Acclaimed Sicilian Chef Accursio Lota serves up authentic cuisine in a cozy 60's-style Italian trattoria. Voted San Diego's Best Chef five years in a row, and Barilla’s World Pasta Champion, at Cori Trattoria Chef Lota serves up beautifully bold dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas and Beef Bone Marrow, and an unbelievably rich Vegan Parmigiana di Melanzane. The menu melds the flavors of Sicily and Italy with the best of fresh, locally-sourced Southern California ingredients, and is matched by a curated wine list and cocktail program that include indigenous, bio-dynamic varietals from all Italy. The current Spring menu features dishes like Agnolotti with Spring Peas, fava bean, and beef bone marrow, and Cacio e Pepe with sustainably-sourced Petrovich caviar.Enjoy full-service table seating, grab a place at the marble-topped bar, from which you can watch all the action of your meal being prepared in the open kitchen or just order your meal to enjoy at home with your family.
A photo of Alexander's on 30th restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(3154)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Park
Booked 54 times today
Neighborhood gem located in the heart of the Historic North Park District, adjoining Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Specializing in homestyle Italian with Gourmet Flair. Hand made Pastas, Award Winning Pizza and Voted Best of Restaurants by San Diego Magazine "Most Romantic". Listed as Top 25 Places to Eat in San Diego "Before You Die" by San Diego Union Tribune. Make memorable celebrations on our beautiful patio, the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Remember to try our diners favorites, The Theodore's Fix Pizza and Baked Vodka Bolognese.Look forward to serving you soon!
A photo of Cloak + Petal restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1005)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Little Italy
Booked 41 times today
WELCOME TO CLOAK & PETAL!Where we invite you to journey into a place of both intimacy and companionshipOur concept is drawn from our name. The word “cloak” implies secrecy, inspiring our concept of a social sphere humming beneath the levels of ordinary life. “Petal” alludes to the Japanese tradition of “hanami,” when family and friends gather under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks and fellowship.Enter our space and travel underground to décor reminiscent of an abandoned Tokyo subway, a stratum of society all its own, an artist’s dream. Cross the threshold into a mystically transformed Japanese social dining lounge which appears to be an outdoor seating area, similar to a waiting platform. Sit beneath a trellis of draping vines and teardrop lights in the intimate space we’ve thoughtfully created, and feast on authentic Japanese sushi, appetizers, small plates and drinks with family and friends.Journey down to Cloak + Petal… and come unwind your soul.
A photo of Ciccia Osteria restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(233)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Barrio Logan
Booked 35 times today
Nestled in Barrio Logan, San Diego, Ciccia Osteria is a charming Italian restaurant that invites guests on a culinary journey through Italy. With its warm ambiance, attentive service, and exquisite cuisine, Ciccia Osteria is a beloved destination. Notably, it has won the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024Entering Ciccia Osteria, guests are transported to Italy's bustling trattorias. The cozy interior, with small tables, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting, creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for any occasion.Committed to the finest ingredients and traditional techniques, Ciccia Osteria offers handmade pastas, succulent seafood, and tender meats, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. The curated wine list features Italian and California wines to pair with the menu.Under Chef Mario Cassineri's guidance, Ciccia Osteria is more than a restaurant—it's a destination where guests can savor authentic Italian cuisine and create lasting memories.
A photo of RustiCucina restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1201)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Italian • Hillcrest
Booked 29 times today
Welcome to Rusticucina, where locally sourced ingredients, seasonal dishes and a warm ambiance reign supreme. We are named to reflect the merging of two cultures; American and Sicilian, since our owners are straight out of a small town in Sicily. We invite neighborhood dwellers and visitors to experience our farm-to-neighborhood restaurant unlike any other. Aperitivo, a traditional Italian-style happy hour, leads the way—think sensational small bites, Aperol Spritzes, Negronis and Limoncello. We also offer a full bar and carefully curated craft cocktails, along with an impressive beer and wine list. Our food menu, boasts hearty, rustic cuisine, with pasta made in-house, from scratch, as well palate-pleasing entrees and a slate of pizzas and flat breads. Our tableside service offers a one-of-a-kind, dedicated experience, and their outdoor space is the perfect landing spot for dog lovers and sun worshipers. We even offer a pet menu for furry guests.
A photo of Garage Buona Forchetta restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(947)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Coronado
Booked 59 times today
Authentic Neapolitan Pizzeria & Italian Ristorante in Coronado, San Diego, California.
A photo of Brigantine at Portside Pier restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(4352)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 89 times today
Brigantine at Portside Pier is an authentic seafood restaurant in San Diego. It embodies the beach town lifestyle and a dedication to flavorful food. Reviews rave about the 'beautiful atmosphere', 'phenomenal food' and 'friendly staff'. The restaurant is known for its San Diego-style surf and turf, including award-winning fish tacos and marinated grilled swordfish. Its consistent high ratings for ambience, food, and service attest to its authenticity.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • GregJVIP
    San Diego •4 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Imaginative food well prepared, great wines, excellent service, but some items rather pricey for the size, and very loud.
    More info
    Callie RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• Downtown
    4.8
  • Cathy
    San Diego •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Always a great place for dinner. Love the food, ambience and service. Lovely waitress, Rachel served us last night. Mussels as always are outstanding!! Brought a friend who had not been there and she'll definitely be coming back. Keep it up Alexanders :)
    More info
    Alexander's on 30thPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Park
    4.8
  • KaraVIP
    Las Vegas •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Amazing food! Focaccia and Eva pizza were excellent. Also, their salads are so fresh a nd tasty as a starter or side! Our friends had gnocchi with their Buona Forchetta sauce and would recommend. My kids also love, love, love their fresh fettuccini noodle with butter. Simple but delicious! 😆 Such a warm, cozy experience and great service!
    More info
    Buona ForchettaPrice: Moderate• Italian• South Park
    4.7
  • LisaVIP
    Los Angeles •21 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    We love this place! The staff are warm, welcoming, and very experienced. The food is unique and delicious. Parking is a drag (anywhere in this neighborhood) but we find the evening worth it!
    More info
    Cori Pastificio TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Italian• North Park
    4.8
  • OpenTable Diner
    San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    insideOUT was such a cool and fun experience! I would love to stay in the “oasis” part of the restaurant next time instead of at a standard table, but regardless the ambience was wonderful and the food was even better! So cute and lively for a fun brunch vibe and service was also amazing.
    More info
    insideOUTPrice: Expensive• Californian• Hillcrest
    4.8

Discover best authentic restaurants in South Park

Discover the charm of authentic dining in San Diego's vibrant South Park neighborhood. This eclectic area is renowned for its range of restaurants that capture the essence of culinary authenticity, offering a variety of cuisines that promise an original taste experience. From traditional dishes that have been passed down through generations to contemporary interpretations that maintain the core flavors, each establishment in South Park invites diners to indulge in genuinely authentic fare. The dining scene in South Park is characterized by its commitment to authenticity, where each restaurant strives to offer a unique and true-to-origin culinary experience. This focus ensures that every meal is not just eaten but savored, with attention to quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Whether you're a local foodie or a visitor eager to explore, the authentic restaurants of South Park provide a delightful journey through diverse cultures and flavors. These eateries not only serve excellent food but also contribute to the neighborhood’s lively atmosphere, making dining out a memorable event. Perfect for anyone seeking an authentic dining experience, South Park’s restaurant scene reflects a community that values depth, originality, and the culinary arts.

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