Best Restaurants for Foodies in University Heights

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

East CountySan Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillCoronadoDowntownHillcrestKearny MesaKensington

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

30 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Benihana - San Diego, CA restaurant

1. Benihana - San Diego, CA

3.8

Excellent(7582)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Mission Valley

Booked 116 times today

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

2. Cellar Hand

4.6

Exceptional(142)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Hillcrest

Booked 25 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 weekend brunch!

3. One Door North

4.4

Awesome(534)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • North Park

Booked 24 times today

At One Door North we host a New American Bar and Eatery that pays homage to the outdoors with the spirit of adventure, serving only fresh farm to table cuisine. Come enjoy the adventure with us, we look forward to serving you.

4. Bleu Boheme

4.7

Exceptional(3609)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Kensington

Booked 13 times today

"World travel and its pleasures; items brought back from different places for décors; great stories shared with others; and very importantly, simple, yet delicious recipes from different cultures. Our mission is humble. It is simply for people coming to our restaurant to be transported around the world, and to travel with us for an evening, to a place of well-being and happiness."Bleu Bohème is designed to create a feeling of France's past generations. It mixes the Bohemian and artistic free spirited left bank of Paris with the roots and tradition of the rural areas. Bleu Bohème is a neighborhood restaurant that serves accessible, affordable and comforting French cuisine.

5. CUCINA urbana

4.7

Exceptional(7151)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Banker's Hill

Booked 37 times today

CUCINA urbana is a foodie haven, offering a unique blend of contemporary art and a country farmhouse ambiance. The reviews rave about its 'exquisite food and ambiance', 'exceptional and exciting food' and 'delicious food options'. It's also noted for its 'excellent service', 'interesting flavors', and 'creative and delicious food options'. The restaurant's wine program, which allows guests to hand-select wines for a minimal corkage fee, adds to the foodie experience.

A photo of Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego restaurant

6. Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(1010)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 28 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 Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina restaurant

7. Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina

4.9

Exceptional(562)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Hillcrest

Booked 15 times today

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.

8. Nonna

4.7

Exceptional(981)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 4 times today

Many restaurants in Little Italy have become destinations, among them the Busalacchi family's Nonna. The rustic décor features a relaxed country-style feel throughout the restaurant, including the delightful patio. The wonderfully welcoming atmosphere celebrates yet another delicious Sicilian food lineup, including pizzas and all that you would expect from an authentic Italian menu. The terrific entrées show the Sicilian influence, and fill the restaurant with great aromas.We would love to hear your feedback on your experience.

A photo of Dobson's Bar & Restaurant restaurant

9. Dobson's Bar & Restaurant

4.5

Awesome(1454)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 8 times today

Dobson's Bar & Restaurant is a foodie hotspot in San Diego. Known for its Californian cuisine with a twist of Italian, French, Spanish, and Asian, it's been a local tradition for 37 years. It's a favorite of both locals and Zagat, praised for its 'delicious, innovative food' and 'excellent ambience'. The 'world famous' Mussel Bisque is a must-try, and the service is described as 'excellent', 'friendly', and 'graceful'.

10. KINDRED

4.7

Exceptional(235)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Vegetarian / Vegan • South Park

Booked 34 times today

Equal parts evil lair and Victorian cocktail salon, KINDRED has transfixed and beguiledall who step into its portal, with whimsical eccentricity, world class vegan dishes, and ambitiously inventive cocktails.Since opening its doors in late 2015 in the enchanting neighborhood of South Park, SanDiego, KINDRED has garnered recognition which transcends its plant-based credo,heralded as one of the city's premier dining institutions. It has been named EATER SanDiego's and San Diego Magazine's Restaurant Of The Year, topped Zagat San Diego'sMost Important Restaurant Openings, and earned an Orchid Award for interiordesign from the San Diego Architectural Foundation. KINDRED was also named within the Food Network's list of the best vegan restaurants in the country, was voted the Best Vegan Bar in the U.S. by VegNews magazine, and received regional honors from the Tales Of The Cocktail Foundation for Best Restaurant Bar in the West.

‘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

J
JanetVIP
San Diego •14 reviews
4.0
Dined today
Have dined here many times. Food is always great. Have had the mussels before, great flavored sauce but the quality of the mussels themselves seemed off. Many shells empty and a good portion of them had a mushy texture. We love it here so we will be back. The dining room was very noisy, so it was difficult to have conversation without missing things said.
More info
Bleu BohemePrice: Expensive• French• Kensington
•
4.7
T
TimVIP
San Diego •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great wine selection coupled with a knowledgable staff about the wines is always a great recipe to start dinner. I continue to vist CUCINA locations for the qualtiy and consistency.
More info
CUCINA urbanaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Banker's Hill
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Amazing! I can’t wait to go back for their brunch.
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Cellar HandPrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Hillcrest
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Houston •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent food and experience. The staff was very professional and the food was delicious.
More info
Benihana - San Diego, CAPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Mission Valley
•
3.8
G
Gabriela
1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
The cauliflower entree and the beets salad are my absolute favorite.! Great selection of cocktails
More info
One Door NorthPrice: Moderate• American• North Park
•
4.4

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