Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Downtown

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

East CountySan Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganCoronadoDowntownHillcrestKearny Mesa

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

58 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Greystone Prime Steakhouse & Seafood restaurant

1. Greystone Prime Steakhouse & Seafood

3.7

Very Good(2375)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steak • Downtown

Booked 18 times today

Good food, great drinks, and even better company—Greystone is where the night comes alive! Let’s make some memories, in the heart of Gaslamp Quarter with live music every Friday & Sat nights. Recognized as one of the Best Restaurants in San Diego, Best Steakhouse in California,Greystone is the perfect destination for steak,seafood,pasta,wine, and whiskey lovers alike.Best Steakhouse in San Diego and California by SD Entertainer and Best Things CaliforniaBest Fine Dining Award in the Gaslamp QuarterBest Wine List by Wine SpectatorThese prestigious awards affirm Greystone’s commitment to excellence, cementing its position as the premier dining destination in San Diego.Our menu showcases premium USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, and exclusive Wagyu beef sourced from the Miyazaki Prefecture in Japan. A Wine Lover’s Paradise: Wine Spectator winner, wine list. Curated with care, the selection features over 3,000 bottles Live music every Fri & Sat 7PMThe best happy hour daily 4-6

2. Asti Ristorante

4.6

Exceptional(1781)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 9 times today

Since 1994, Asti has been serving locals and visitors authentic Italian cuisine in a unique and inviting atmosphere. Whether you dine on our lively patio, or choose to sit inside and enjoy the beautiful artwork and brick walls, you're sure to have an unforgettable dining experience.Each dish on our menu, from our selection of antipasti, handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and quality steaks, is inspired by the delicious flavors of Northern Italy. While some restaurants offer small plates, Asti continues to serve up delicious abundance, all freshly and individually prepared to order. With an extensive vintage wine selection and knowledgeable staff, we deliver a true Italian dining experience that will leave your palate asking for more!

3. Osteria Panevino

4.3

Awesome(1763)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 20 times today

Osteria Panevino is the oldest restaurant in all of the Gaslamp Quarter that features the best Italian cuisine that San Diego has to offer.

A photo of Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse restaurant

4. Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse

4.2

Awesome(1001)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steak • Downtown

Booked 11 times today

Butchers cut is a contemporary grill and premiere steakhouse that offers an unmatched selection of beef, fish, and pasta.

5. Tapas & Beers

4.9

Exceptional(521)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French • Downtown

Booked 1 time today

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 & familybut 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!

A photo of Puesto at the Headquarters restaurant

6. Puesto at the Headquarters

4.6

Exceptional(3545)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Downtown

Booked 20 times today

Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, house-brewed beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Refinery 29, MSN, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, and LA Times.

A photo of The Henry - Coronado restaurant

7. The Henry - Coronado

4.8

Exceptional(2608)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Coronado

Booked 132 times today

Welcome to the greatest neighborhood restaurant, a place where you can always count on a warm welcome from baristas, servers and bartenders who know your order by heart. A fusion of industrial and classical influences, our open dining spaces are bursting with charm and energy. Come and go with ease for your morning coffee, enjoy lunch with a colleague, gather the family together for dinner, or treat yourself to a post-work drink at the bar. For craveable eats and downright delicious cocktails, look no further than a place where you'll always be among friends, a place that feels like home: The Henry.

8. Kettner Exchange

4.7

Exceptional(1430)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Little Italy

Booked 57 times today

Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

9. Mister A's

4.8

Exceptional(8814)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 45 times today

Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)

A photo of Sally's Waterfront Dining restaurant

10. Sally's Waterfront Dining

4.5

Awesome(2169)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 17 times today

Sally’s is taking a fresh approach to bayfront dining with an expansive remodel! Currently closed, we will reopen in April 2025 with a reimagined space designed to maximize our stunning bay views and embrace San Diego’s open-air lifestyle. For large-party inquiries please email the Events Department at: mghsd-events@hyatt.com

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
Danny
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Absolutely amazing service, the food was great, and a perfect atmosphere
More info
Asti RistorantePrice: Moderate• Italian• Downtown
•
4.6
A
Adam
Cincinnati / Dayton •6 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
Good strip and drinks. Above expectations on the service.
More info
Butcher’s Cut SteakhousePrice: Expensive• Steak• Downtown
•
4.2
OT
OpenTable Diner
Toledo / Northwest Ohio •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Great food and service highly recommend! Lobster Mac and cheese and mushrooms delicious!
More info
Greystone Prime Steakhouse & SeafoodPrice: Expensive• Steak• Downtown
•
3.7
LD
LynnD
London •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We had a wonderful cozy meal at this charming restaurant. Fantastic service, delicious food, great wine, all at a reasonable price. My husband has to eat gluten-free and he LOVED his gluten-free penne pasta with wild boar Ragu. I had to lasagna and it was very good as well. I would definitely love to come back to the restaurant next time I’m in town.
More info
Osteria PanevinoPrice: Moderate• Italian• Downtown
•
4.3
C
Christina
San Diego •4 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 27, 2025
I have eaten here several times and I am always pleased with both my meal and the service. The waitress is delightful and friendly. If you are going before a theater performance you should make a reservation.
More info
Tapas & BeersPrice: Moderate• French• Downtown
•
4.9

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
Outdoor dining

Downtown

Coronado
College Area
Kearny Mesa
Scripps Ranch
North Park
San Ysidro
Temecula
Murrieta
Poway / Rancho Bernardo
Shelter Island / San Diego Bay
El Cajon / Lakeside
La Mesa
Harbor Island
Banker's Hill
Clairemont
Encinitas
Kensington
Escondido
Ocean Beach
San Diego