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Best Restaurants for Foodies in National City

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26 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Animae restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(3235)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Downtown
Booked 43 times today
ANIMAE’s eclectic West Coast cuisine, layered with Asian influences, comes to life under Celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey. Applying a California cooking style to ANIMAE’S traditional coal-fired oven and grill, Chef Malarkey’s menu is as thoughtful as it is refined, elevating local produce and seasonal ingredients to create a lively and progressive culinary program.
A photo of Cowboy Star restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(4752)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 41 times today
Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.
A photo of Nobu San Diego restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(3740)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • Downtown
Booked 38 times today
Nobu San Diego is a foodie hotspot known for its award-winning 'New Style' Japanese cuisine. As per reviews, the food is consistently and exceptionally delicious, with each dish being a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The ambience is described as sophisticated yet lively, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's not just about the food, the service is equally praised, making it a fantastic dining experience.
A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(6464)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 73 times today
A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.
A photo of Coasterra restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(7565)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Harbor Island
Booked 96 times today
Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.
A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2641)
Price: Moderate
• French American • North Park
Booked 20 times today
The Smoking Goat is an award-winning California-French bistro located in the heart of North Park, San Diego. We have received the Gold Medallion for the best French Bistro in San Diego three years running. Inspired by his European Farm-to-Table up-bringing and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Executive Chef and Owner Fred Piehl, marries classic French cuisine with the bounty of San Diego in a way that is rustic, yet refined, imaginative, yet unpretentious. The dinners served feature in-season local, sustainable and organic ingredients and provide guests with a unique culinary experience, reminiscent of the European countryside. Boasting a carefully selected wine and beer list and chef and bartender attention to select spirits to create craft house cocktails, The Smoking Goat assures there is always the correct pairing available.
A photo of Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(961)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown
Booked 14 times today
Provisional Kitchen, Café & Mercantile, open for daily for brunch and select evenings for dinner. Provisional is a sprawling, sunlit communal dining space featuring a Vittoria Coffee espresso bar, bistro tables, and a retail space set within a greenhouse, where guests can shop a curated collection of homeware, ceramics, apothecary items, pantry staples, and jewelry.Provisional serves some of the best cuisine in the city, featuring favorites such as housemade pasta, woodfire-oven baked pizza and Italian-inspired entrées; our lively brunch features bottomless mimosas and seasonal creations.
A photo of Cellar Hand restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(111)
Price: Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Hillcrest
Booked 7 times today
Nestled in the heart of Hillcrest, San Diego, Cellar Hand embodies a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Through a farm-to-table approach, our menu showcases hyper-local seasonal fare. Our extensive wine list highlights the diverse terroir of California, serving as an extension of founder’s Pali Wine Co. Santa Barbara County winery. By fostering deep connections with local artisans, farmers, fishers, and stewards, Cellar Hand strives to be a destination where guests can savor the essence of California’s bounty in every bite and sip.Enjoy our exposed kitchen, an indoor-outdoor bar, outdoor fire pits, and artwork by Nick Perr. Opened Wednesday - Sunday with daily happy hour specials and Sunday brunch!
A photo of Stake Chophouse & Bar restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1675)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Coronado
Booked 13 times today
Stake Chophouse & Bar is a foodie's paradise with its wide variety of steaks, seafood, and salads. It's a modern take on the classic chophouse with high-quality ingredients and a chef-driven menu. The reviews rave about the food quality and culinary competence, often comparing it to other top restaurants. The staff is consistently praised for their attentive and professional service, and the unique dining experience.
A photo of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse - San Diego restaurant
4.5
Awesome(2335)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 37 times today
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse embodies the rich tradition of the classic American steakhouse, serving USDA Prime Beef, fresh seafood and premium wines from our award-winning wine selection in a breathtaking atmosphere.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Mike
    San Diego •1 review
    4.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Overall, this is a great place in San Diego. Can’t beat the view. Little note on the food. Less is more, the burgers are too big for anyone’s mouth. Sliders would be more appealing. In my opinion anyway. The staff is awesome.
    More info
    CoasterraPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Harbor Island
    4.6
  • Kenneth
    Baltimore / Maryland •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Food and service was outstanding. The must have dishes are the pork belly and venison tare tare appetizers, the oxtail gnocchi and Secreto entrees, and the date cake for dessert. The H&W Negron was also a stand out.
    More info
    Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
    4.7
  • TeriVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •28 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    This was our second visit to Animae. Last night we dined as a couple, and I think we enjoyed the dinner even more than with a group of 7. We were not distracted by the friends and conversations, and we appreciated the amazing creativity and innovation that Chef Tara is bringing to San Diego diners! We began with the Kampachi Crudo with Yuzu sauce as a cold starter, and it was excellent. We also had the Beet Salad from the cold starter section, and the beets were on a ricotta creamy sauce. Also Excellent! My favorite burst of flavor from both visits was the Hunan Lamb Chops which have Szechuan Peppercorns as one of the lively flavors, from the Hot Starters section. We ordered the Wagyu Fried Rice, and enjoyed it very much with the Lamb Chops and with the final meat course: Roast Duck Leg, with an Asian flavors sauce. We had the Chocolate Cremeux dessert, and it was also a show stopper! The table service was gracious, informative, friendly, and not irritating in any way. The scene inside the restaurant was very cheerful, and the room is dramatic and very arty! Animae is definitely our go-to restaurant for out of town guests who might have preconceptions that San Diego dining is not on an international level.
    More info
    AnimaePrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary Asian• Downtown
    4.8
  • Joanne
    Greater Boston •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    C* is our go-to for any special occasion. They make the best steaks of all of San Diego - possibly of all of Southern California! This time around we were celebrating a birthday. C* service is always impeccable - everyone from the host to the waitstaff asked whose birthday it was and wished our birthday guest a happy birthday which was a sweet touch. We got the French Onion Soup to start, the best made anywhere. Also got the 40oz Porterhouse for 2 which was AMAZING - perfect amount for 2 people. Mac & Cheese side, which was a hit and the bacon was a delicious topping. Sticky Toffee Cake for dessert - also very unique and tasty. Can’t go wrong with their cocktail menu either! Our favorites include the C* Old Fashioned, Smoking Gun, and Oaxaca Old Fashioned. We’ll be back soon enough to try out some of the dessert liquors as well!
    More info
    Cowboy StarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Downtown
    4.9
  • Ben
    San Diego •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    We celebrated our anniversary at Nobu San Diego, and it was unforgettable! The Yellowtail Jalapeño was the highlight—delicate, flavorful, and perfectly balanced with ponzu and a hint of jalapeño. The chic ambiance and outstanding service made our evening truly special. Highly recommend for any special occasion!
    More info
    Nobu San DiegoPrice: Very Expensive• Japanese• Downtown
    4.6
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