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Best Casual Restaurants in Downtown

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194 restaurants available nearby

A photo of AKA San Diego restaurant
1. AKA San Diego
new
3.3
Good(34)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Downtown
Booked 17 times today
Located in the bustling heart of Gaslamp, San Diego, AKA is more than just a restaurant. It’s a destination where exceptional food, craft cocktails, and an energetic nightlife converge. With a menu curated by renowned Chef Takuya Kudo, AKA offers a captivating fusion of Chinese, Japanese, and Thai culinary traditions, all crafted with fresh ingredients and innovative techniques. The venue features a vibrant atmosphere complemented by artisanal craft cocktails from mixologist Gerardo Bedolla and striking design by Cassandra Builer. AKA welcomes guests to indulge in its exquisite dishes while enjoying electrifying entertainment. Committed to transforming the dining and nightlife scene in San Diego, AKA offers a unique and unforgettable experience for everyone looking to savor gourmet cuisine, sip on craft cocktails, and dance the night away.
A photo of Saint James French Diner restaurant
2. Saint James French Diner
4.6
Exceptional(223)
Price: Expensive
• French American • Downtown
Booked 6 times today
This American diner meets elegant French bistro is open Monday–Friday for Breakfast and Lunch, every day for Dinner and Happy Hour, and on the weekends for Brunch. With a full bar and an approachable menu, locals and travelers can indulge in a variety of French-inspired classics, from shared mussels to ratatouille and burgers.
A photo of Fogo de Chao - San Diego restaurant
3. Fogo de Chao - San Diego
4.0
Excellent(3808)
Price: Moderate
• Brazilian • Downtown
Booked 79 times today
Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.
A photo of Zama Restaurant & Bar restaurant
4. Zama Restaurant & Bar
4.1
Excellent(283)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Downtown
Booked 21 times today
Located in San Diego’s vibrant downtown, Zama brings Latin American cuisine with an Asian infusion in a captivating space inspired by the Amazonian jungle. Zama will focus on Latin American cuisine with the addition of Peruvian and Mexican dishes like Carpaccio, Agua Chile and Tartar and a Japanese-inspired sushi bar created by Chef Tayuka Kudo (formerly of Nobu and Lumi) against the extravagant backdrop of the lush jungle-inspired space.
A photo of Bang on 5th restaurant
5. Bang on 5th
3.7
Very Good(13)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Downtown
Formerly known as Bang Bang, Bang on 5th is located in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. With an Asian-fusion, sushi-centric food menu featuring fresh-catch cuisine such as flaming sushi boats, sashimi & nigiri, as well as modern touches on traditional asian cuisine. Matched with a tasty drink menu featuring craft cocktails, sake, and Japanese Whiskys. Enjoy our immersive atmosphere as you walk into downtown Tokyo, listening to live music from a DJ while eating under the largest disco ball on the west coast.Whether you’re enjoying a date night, business meeting, or a large group’s celebration; Bang on 5th is an experience like no other.Opentable Diner’s Choice award winner 3 years in a row 2021-2023.
A photo of Full Moon Sushi Kitchen Bar and Lounge restaurant
6. Full Moon Sushi Kitchen Bar and Lounge
4.5
Awesome(394)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Downtown
Booked 4 times today
Refined under the tutelage of master sushi luminaries, Chef Sung’s Full Moon will be uniquely on display in the Gaslamp District, where it will debut as the first Kaizen sushi restaurant in San Diego. With him is a brigade of talented cooks and a staff with an unwavering dedication to quality and service.
A photo of Vin de Syrah restaurant
7. Vin de Syrah
4.0
Excellent(6)
Price: Moderate
• Wine Bar • Downtown
Booked 1 time today
Inspired by the eclectic lounges of New York’s “meatpacking district” and the warm brasseries of turn of the century Paris, Vin de Syrah is complemented by amazing cheeses, desserts, and a friendly wine list. This subterranean yet organic space pays respect to the old but embraces the new world with a contemporary style all its own.
A photo of Mimoza Mediterranean Restaurant restaurant
8. Mimoza Mediterranean Restaurant
4.4
Awesome(75)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • Downtown
Booked 8 times today
Mimoza Restaurant brings the taste of Mediterranean lifestyle to Southern California, particularly with its authentic food, warm welcome, and festive ambiance. We welcome you to join us at our home, Mimoza, to experience the Mediterranean-style home cooking that defines us.Park at Horton Plaza for a $12 flat fee, when you dine at Mimoza
A photo of Mr. Tempo Gaslamp restaurant
9. Mr. Tempo Gaslamp
4.0
Excellent(193)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Downtown
Booked 2 times today
Mr. Tempo a unique experience brought by the successful restaurateur Jorge Cueva also known as MR. TEMPO! Enjoy a variety of unique and delicious dishes from seafood, sushi, steak, tacos and more. Our specialty is margaritas and cocktails. #maschingon
A photo of Karina’s Cantina restaurant
10. Karina’s Cantina
4.4
Awesome(40)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Downtown
Booked 1 time today
Simply entering a Karina’s establishment can be a sensory overload. Images, color, music, exquisite aromas and warm hospitality are surrounded by traditional Mexican figures, art and culture. Specially commissioned portraits of Frida Khalo and many of the superstars of classic Mexican cinema grace the walls of Karina’s. The sounds of Mexico with our engaging Mariachi, especially when singing of lost love, are a portrait of Mexico that our Mexican and American clientele alike delight in. Karina’s was founded on the idea of offering traditional Mexican style family cuisine made with the passion of the founding family to make everyone feel like familia.For three generations, each member of the Contreras Curiel Family has passionately and diligently worked year round for over three decades to offer a personalized services that make each guest feel at home.Wherever a Karina’s establishment is found, there will always be a piece of Mexico

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