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Best Restaurants for People Watching in La Mesa

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9 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Kettner Exchange restaurant
1. Kettner Exchange
4.7
Exceptional(1365)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Little Italy
Booked 30 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.
A photo of Barbusa restaurant
2. Barbusa
4.6
Exceptional(4317)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 42 times today
Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!
A photo of Bleu Boheme restaurant
3. Bleu Boheme
4.8
Exceptional(3554)
Price: Expensive
• French • Kensington
Booked 16 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.
A photo of ARTIFACT at Mingei restaurant
4. ARTIFACT at Mingei
4.8
Exceptional(862)
Price: Expensive
• International • Downtown
Booked 16 times today
ARTIFACT is a full-service restaurant featuring craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals located inside the beautiful Mingei Museum at Balboa Park . Offering indoor, outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch Tuesday-Saturday.Crafted by Tim Kolanko, Executive Chef, Urban Kitchen Group, and Tony Coito, ARTIFACT’s Chef de Cuisine, will be a nod to Mingei’s changing international exhibitions in an environment filled with functional, innovative art and design by Jennifer Luce, Founder and Principal of LUCE et studio, who led the design and renovation project. ARTIFACT and CRAFT CAFE at Mingei-the latest additions to restaurateur Tracy Borkum and Executive Chef Tim Kolanko’s CUCINA family of restaurants. An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs ParkFollow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei
A photo of Mimmo's Italian Village restaurant
5. Mimmo's Italian Village
4.5
Awesome(632)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 13 times today
Mimmos Italian Village is one of the 3 original restaurants left in San Diego's historic Little Italy district. Established in 1973 in the heart of Little Italy you will find Mimmos is 3rd generation family owned and operated . Enjoy our amazing food all homemade from scratch daily, using quality ingredients and fresh local produce . Our popular dishes include, campanelle sausage, spicy shrimp linguine, and chicken parmesan. You can enjoy these dishes alongside a nice glass of wine or signature homemade sangria. Mimmo's Italian Village was started by Vincenzo Mimmo Gaglio, originally from Montelepre, Sicily. Before arriving in San Diego, Gaglio sharpened his cooking skills in Tunisia, New York City, Ontario, California, and finally, San Diego.Mimmo's seating areas consist of a charming indoor village, alfresco front and back patio seating.
A photo of Nonna restaurant
6. Nonna
4.7
Exceptional(953)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 9 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 Topsail at Portside Pier restaurant
7. Topsail at Portside Pier
4.9
Exceptional(147)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 12 times today
San Diego's most iconic waterfront property features Topsail, a luxury lounge on the rooftop at Portside Pier! Indulge in fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and small plates while relaxing fireside above the water!
A photo of Basta! restaurant
8. Basta!
4.3
Awesome(54)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 17 times today
Join us at Basta!, Sam the Cooking Guy's newest Italian Inspired restaurant. Check us out on social at @bastaeats or www.bastasd.com
A photo of Blind Burro restaurant
9. Blind Burro
4.6
Exceptional(672)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican / Southwestern • Downtown
Booked 9 times today
The Blind Burro specializes in fresh, coastal Baja Mexican cuisine. Our emphasis is on quality, from the customer service, to the ingredients we use in all of our hand crafted food and drinks. We want our guests to enjoy Baja Mexican fare right here in East Village, San Diego. Come in and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere where you can meet over a carafe of spicy margaritas or on tap house sangria. . Or try us for lunch with clients while enjoying steak tacos and a quinoa mixed green salad. Hope to see you soon in the unique, airy and comfortable environment we have created for you in downtown San Diego. **All checks will have a 4% pandemic recovery surcharge due to the additional costs associated with the impact on our business and operations. This is not a gratuity and will be used to help us offset the additional product, labor, overhead and other costs.**

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Guy
    San Diego •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Place and ambience is great. Being French in a French restaurant I was expecting the duck to be like ‘at home’ but it wasn’t. It was well overcooked and became hard. Bit of a disappointment. My partner had the Boeuf Bourgignon which was delicious. Also apparently there are the old and the new menu going around with different wine prices. I was charged $75 a bottle of wine that was shown at $58 on my menu. Small thing but makes the overall experience a little annoying.
    More info
    Bleu BohemePrice: Expensive• French• Kensington
    •
    4.8
  • Carol
    Orange County •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    We had a great experience and a lovely dinner. Very busy time for Little Italy the Friday night after Christmas but the staff handled the customers with charm! Our dinners were delicious and served at the perfect temperature. Chicken Marsala had a wonder creamy sauce and the spicy Campanelle Sausage dish was perfection! We sat outside under a great heater and enjoyed the passerby's and the excitement of the street.
    More info
    Mimmo's Italian VillagePrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
    •
    4.5
  • JeanVIP
    Fort Lauderdale •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Great food at reasonable prices. Good service, floor was a bit cold initially but we eventually got used to it.
    More info
    BarbusaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Little Italy
    •
    4.6
  • AnaVIP
    Los Angeles •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    I loved what I had! Delicious food & wonderful wines. Bringing my boyfriend tomorrow for the pre fixe dinner!
    More info
    ARTIFACT at MingeiPrice: Expensive• International• Downtown
    •
    4.8
  • jim
    San Diego •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 24, 2024
    The small plates are entirely original, owing more to Asian and other fusion than to Spanish tapas. The cocktails were original and enhanced the meal. Ambience was great
    More info
    Kettner ExchangePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Little Italy
    •
    4.7

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