Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Shelter Island / San Diego Bay

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

San Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganBay ParkChula Vista / BonitaCoronadoDowntown

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

89 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Tom Hams Lighthouse restaurant

1. Tom Hams Lighthouse

4.6

Exceptional(6716)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 56 times today

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse was built in 1971 by a man who was not afraid to put his name on his product. Rooted in warm welcomes & excellent food, Tom Ham made his lifelong dream a reality. Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is the only restaurant in the US to have a USCG operated & maintained Lighthouse attached to it. You can locate us on any modern nautical map as Beacon #9. Featuring a 100% responsibly resourced seafood menu & award winning Sunday Champagne Brunch, we are a must when it comes to the San Diego food scene. The dining room, purposely shaped like the state of California, allows for groups as grand as 50 yet private enough for a couple’s night out. Holiday brunches have been long time family traditions for many San Diegans. Start your family’s tradition this next holiday. With the best views of the Downtown City Skyline, Coronado & San Diego Bay, Tom Ham's is & remains a San Diego tradition in dining excellence since 1971.

2. Mister A's

4.8

Exceptional(8814)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 46 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)

3. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4383)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 75 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 Solare Ristorante Lounge restaurant

4. Solare Ristorante Lounge

4.7

Exceptional(2486)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Point Loma

Booked 28 times today

Family-owned and operated, Randy Smerik and his team are dedicated to providing an amazing dining experience for you. Our authentic Italian cuisine features a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients ... including fresh pasta made each morning and organic produce, wild fish, and hormone free meat.

5. Ciccia Osteria

4.7

Exceptional(233)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Barrio Logan

Booked 39 times today

Nestled in Barrio Logan, San Diego, Ciccia Osteria is a charming Italian restaurant that invites guests on a culinary journey through Italy. With its warm ambiance, attentive service, and exquisite cuisine, Ciccia Osteria is a beloved destination. Notably, it has won the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024Entering Ciccia Osteria, guests are transported to Italy's bustling trattorias. The cozy interior, with small tables, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting, creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for any occasion.Committed to the finest ingredients and traditional techniques, Ciccia Osteria offers handmade pastas, succulent seafood, and tender meats, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. The curated wine list features Italian and California wines to pair with the menu.Under Chef Mario Cassineri's guidance, Ciccia Osteria is more than a restaurant—it's a destination where guests can savor authentic Italian cuisine and create lasting memories.

A photo of Water Grill - San Diego restaurant

6. Water Grill - San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(3669)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 91 times today

Located steps away from Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center in the heart of Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego, Water Grill San Diego is an iconic seafood destination to enjoy the first catch of the season and a deep variety of fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters and shellfish on a robust menu that changes daily. New product arrives from boat-to-table in a matter of hours from our exclusive seafood distribution company and our chef’s preparations allow the high-quality product to shine. Consistently rated as one of San Diego’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill San Diego also offers multiple, customizable private dining options for business meetings and special events.

7. Madison

4.5

Awesome(3097)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • University Heights

Booked 61 times today

With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends. ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ

A photo of Alexander's on 30th restaurant

8. Alexander's on 30th

4.8

Exceptional(3154)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • North Park

Booked 57 times today

Neighborhood gem located in the heart of the Historic North Park District, adjoining Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Specializing in homestyle Italian with Gourmet Flair. Hand made Pastas, Award Winning Pizza and Voted Best of Restaurants by San Diego Magazine "Most Romantic". Listed as Top 25 Places to Eat in San Diego "Before You Die" by San Diego Union Tribune. Make memorable celebrations on our beautiful patio, the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Remember to try our diners favorites, The Theodore's Fix Pizza and Baked Vodka Bolognese.Look forward to serving you soon!

A photo of Roy's San Diego Waterfront restaurant

9. Roy's San Diego Waterfront

4.2

Awesome(3725)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 48 times today

Blending classic techniques with adventurous Pacific Rim flavors, culinary pioneer Roy Yamaguchi created an entirely new approach to fine dining. The first Roy's opened in Honolulu in 1988 and we've spread our warm hospitality and passion for innovative and creative cuisine around the world ever since. Indulge in one of our spectacular cocktails or choose a glass from our award-winning wine list while you discover the fresh ingredients and outstanding seafood, expertly prepared by our local chefs that made us famous. We invite you to join us at Roy's Downtown San Diego located on the water at the Marriott Hotel and Marina, featuring a dining room overlooking the marina, or patio dining just steps from the water.

A photo of Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego restaurant

10. Provisional Restaurant at Pendry San Diego

4.7

Exceptional(1010)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 27 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

H
HebaVIP
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Love the place and food. Music is bit loud though
More info
BarbusaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Italy
•
4.6
T
Tammy
San Diego •13 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
The owner and staff are very personable and attentive. The food was exceptional with the portions. Everything is made from scratch, yum. I will recommend and go back.
More info
Ciccia OsteriaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Barrio Logan
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The staff were friendly and extremely attentive. Of course the views were amazing, but the highlight was our server.
More info
Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.8
NJ
NancyJ
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Beautiful historic venue with views of San Diego Bay from almost every table. The views- continually changing from catamarans to Aircraft carriers. History- the dining room is in the shape of the State of California. The beacon of light has been shining on the bay for almost 100 years. It is maintained by the Coast Guard. Food- delicious and beautifully presented. We had mussels, fried oysters, grilled peppers, beet salad, and the Yellow tail fish. We were pleased with all of our selections. You can also order seafood individually. Server Alicia was quite informative and attentive. Thank you for a pleasingly memorable afternoon/evening.
More info
Tom Hams LighthousePrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
•
4.6
A
Alicia
Chicago / Illinois •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
The staff is truly lovely and professional. And food is absolutely delicious.
More info
Solare Ristorante LoungePrice: Moderate• Italian• Point Loma
•
4.7

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