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Animae, San Diego, CA
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Animae

$50 and over
Contemporary Asian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 84 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
  • Great for creative cocktails
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.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Brian Malarkey

  • Award icon

    MICHELIN Plate

    2022

From the OpenTable editors: Filipino American chef Tara Monsod takes fusion food to the next level at this groovy Art Deco space. Expect opulent riffs on classics like crispy pig ears and kare kare—Monsod is one of the few chefs in the country putting Filipino food on the fine-dining stage. The approach earned her numerous awards, including a prestigious MICHELIN Plate.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Asian, Californian, Steakhouse
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 432-1225
  • Website
    https://animaesd.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Private party facilities
    The Great Gatsby-meets-Madmen-meets-The Matrix interior is a fantastical futurist’s journey, transporting diners to the Shikoku firefly forest in Japan, an event venue that’s both ethereal and theatrical. ANIMAE is the perfect space to host and celebrate your special events.
  • Location
    969 Pacific HWY, San Diego, CA 92132
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    Pacific Highway and West Broadway
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Valentine's Day at ANIMAE

    $173.69 per person

    Feb 14, 2025 only
    Enjoy a glamorous Valentine's Day dinner at Animae! Chef Tara Monsod's 4 course prix fixe menu to be released soon. You have reserved the table for 1 hour and 45 minutes from the time of your booking for parties of 2-5 people. We kindly ask that your experience does not exceed this time in order to seat later bookings. We look forward to celebrating with you! Treat yourself at the bar as well! Love yourself for Valentine's day! You can book a seat for yourself with our amazing bar team and enjoy the four course meal as well.
    Valentine's Day at ANIMAE Photo

Menu

Hot Dishes

  • Wonton

    wagyu, chili garlic oil, soy vinaigrette

    • Taiwanese Chicken

      schezuan peppercorn, hot honey, thai basil aioli

      • Sweet & Sour Cauliflower

        strawberry, peppers, onion, sesame

        • Hunan Lamb Chops

          cumin, szechuan peppercorn, cilantro cream

          • Crispy Pig Ear

            sweet tamarind glaze, bean sprouts, tofu, peanuts

            • Mantou

              chive steamed bun, soy glaze, sour cream butter

              Cold Dishes

              • Hamachi

                endive, radish, kimchi vinagrette, nori goma

                • Tuna Crispy Rice

                  charred chili ponzu, spicy aioli, turnip

                  • A5 Wagyu Tartare

                    sesame cracker, wagyu aioli

                    • Cucumbers

                      soy, fresno chili, sesame, cilantro

                      • Ume Oysters

                        sour plum vinegar, strawberry, lemon

                        • Beet Salad

                          asian pear, chicory, tofu "ricotta", yuzu kosho vinaigrette

                          • Tuna Kinilaw

                            coconut, calamansi, cilantro oil

                            Sides

                            • Coal Roasted Cabbage

                              brown butter miso, charred lime

                              • Broccolini

                                gai lan, garlic chili oil, peanuts

                                • Wagyu Fried Rice

                                  maitake, trumpet mushrooms, garlic, egg

                                  • Crispy Potatoes

                                    A5 fat, chinese sausage jam, koji sour cream

                                    • Crab Fried Rice

                                      chino farms egg, lemon, old bay masago crisp

                                      • Mushroom Sisig

                                        egg yolk, mustard seed, chili, pickled onion

                                        Japanese A5

                                        • Miyazaki Strip Loin

                                          • Miyazaki Tenderloin

                                            American Steaks

                                            • 8 Oz Prime Filet

                                              • 16 Oz Prime New York

                                                • 38 Oz Dry Aged Ribeye

                                                  Other Plates

                                                  • Grilled Half Chicken

                                                    lemongrass, nam jim jaew sauce, thai pickles

                                                    • Short Rib Kare Kare

                                                      long beans, eggplant, bagoong peanut oil

                                                      • Sambal Balado Clams

                                                        bacon, rice cakes, lime leaf, ginger

                                                        • Dinuguan

                                                          braised beef cheek, coconut rice bread, shishito peppers

                                                          • Pork Tomahawk Tocino

                                                            sweet beet glaze, mango sawsawan

                                                            • Szechuan Spicy Seabass

                                                              cabbage, garlic chive, spicy broth, mala oil

                                                              Delectable Desserts

                                                              animae serves globally-inspired delectable desserts created with popular eastern flavors and ingredients

                                                                Sweets

                                                                • Apple Yuzu Sorbet

                                                                  sorrel cream, coconut crumble, green apple, yuzu meringue

                                                                  • Buko Pandan

                                                                    young coconut mousse, pandan anglaise, pandan gelee

                                                                    • Chocolate Cremeux

                                                                      miso sesame cream, chocolate crumble, korean chili cashew

                                                                      • Sakura Panna Cotta

                                                                        feuilletine, fresh strawberry

                                                                        • Ube Profiteroles

                                                                          ube pastry cream, coconut, cheese tuile

                                                                          Last updated: August 30, 2024

                                                                          What 3,282 people are saying

                                                                          Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                          Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                          4.7
                                                                          4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                                          • 4.7Food
                                                                          • 4.8Service
                                                                          • 4.8Ambience
                                                                          • 4.3Value

                                                                          Noise • Moderate

                                                                          Review summary

                                                                          AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                          Animae offers a "consistently amazing experience" with a fusion of Asian flavors, "outstanding service," and a "warm and inviting atmosphere." Standout dishes include the "pork tomahawk tocino" and "short rib kare kare." Ideal for special occasions, Animae is praised for its "incredible ambiance" and highly recommended for lovers of inventive cuisine.

                                                                          3,282 Reviews

                                                                          1. Jose

                                                                            San Diego

                                                                            5 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            5 reviews

                                                                            Dined today

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Great food and atmosphere! Had the ribeye and potato’s.

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          2. Brian

                                                                            VIP

                                                                            San Diego

                                                                            6 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            6 reviews

                                                                            Dined 1 day ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Shared 8-9 dishes with our party of 4 and every single dish we ordered was phenomenal. Pig ears, the steamed buns, the crab fried rice, the pork tomahawk tocino. Literally every dish was excellent. Highly recommend!

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          3. Melissa

                                                                            San Diego

                                                                            2 reviews

                                                                            4.0

                                                                            2 reviews

                                                                            Dined 1 day ago

                                                                            1. Overall 4
                                                                            2. Food 4
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Tuna crispy rice is a must ! Service was amazing and the vibe was great. Ordered hot tea, wish it was hotter by the time I poured it to my cup it was cold.

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          4. Ryan

                                                                            VIP

                                                                            Toronto

                                                                            20 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            20 reviews

                                                                            Dined 2 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Our first visit to Animae was nothing short of exceptional, and it’s now a must-visit destination for us whenever we’re in San Diego. We ordered a variety of dishes to sample as much as possible, and every single one was outstanding—right down to the dessert. The entire experience was unforgettable, and we can’t wait to return!

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          5. Anne

                                                                            San Francisco

                                                                            14 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            14 reviews

                                                                            Dined 2 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            This was our first time dining at Animae. We were there with another couple eating prior to seeing a show at the Civic theater. We were seated promptly at a beautiful table in the large room with a fantastic ambience. Service was phenomenal, and the food was out of this world! The servers are incredibly knowledgeable so I highly recommend going with what they suggest! We will definitely be back soon. 

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          6. Jesse

                                                                            Seattle

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            1.0

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            Dined 3 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 1
                                                                            2. Food 2
                                                                            3. Service 3
                                                                            4. Ambience 2
                                                                            The owner, red glasses and beanie, straight up had a loud and obnoxious conversation with people at a table standing not even a foot away from our table, for over ten minutes, right when our main was delivered. Completely out of touch and selfish, really tarnished our experience.

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          7. Khaled

                                                                            San Diego

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            2.0

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            Dined 3 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 2
                                                                            2. Food 2
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Food is okay. Nothing impressive. Nothing I feel I want to come back for. Service was great. The place is very busy and noisy. More for a social gathering than an intimate date.

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                                                                          8. Steve

                                                                            VIP

                                                                            London

                                                                            18 reviews

                                                                            3.0

                                                                            18 reviews

                                                                            Dined 3 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 3
                                                                            2. Food 3
                                                                            3. Service 4
                                                                            4. Ambience 4
                                                                            Our appetizer really had no flavor some type of bun. Wagu fried rice bland . steak good mushrooms excellent chicken ok

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                                                                          9. Jenn

                                                                            Las Vegas

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            1 review

                                                                            Dined 4 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            Second time dinning here. Had an amazing experience. Food, ambiance, service always exceptional .

                                                                            Is this helpful?

                                                                          10. Haley

                                                                            Chicago

                                                                            2 reviews

                                                                            5.0

                                                                            2 reviews

                                                                            Dined 5 days ago

                                                                            1. Overall 5
                                                                            2. Food 5
                                                                            3. Service 5
                                                                            4. Ambience 5
                                                                            One of the best meals we’ve ever had! Exceptional service (thanks Jeffrey), unique setting, and fabulous food and cocktails. We felt so special celebrating a birthday here!

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                                                                          FAQs

                                                                          Animae is rated 4.7 stars by 3282 OpenTable diners.

                                                                          Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                          Make a reservation

                                                                          2 people
                                                                          7:00 PM
                                                                          Booked 84 times today
                                                                          Experiences are available.
                                                                          Google Map for Animae

                                                                          969 Pacific HWY, San Diego, CA 92132

                                                                          Dining areas

                                                                          Additional information

                                                                          • Award-winning
                                                                            1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
                                                                          • Cross street
                                                                            Pacific Highway and West Broadway
                                                                          • Neighborhood
                                                                            Downtown
                                                                          • Hours of operation
                                                                            Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
                                                                          • Price
                                                                            $50 and over
                                                                          • Cuisines
                                                                            Contemporary Asian, Californian, Steakhouse
                                                                          • Dining style
                                                                            Fine Dining
                                                                          • Dress code
                                                                            Smart Casual
                                                                          • Parking details
                                                                            Street Parking
                                                                          • Payment options
                                                                            AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                          • Additional
                                                                            Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                          • Website
                                                                            https://animaesd.com/
                                                                          • Phone number
                                                                            (619) 432-1225
                                                                          • Private party facilities
                                                                            The Great Gatsby-meets-Madmen-meets-The Matrix interior is a fantastical futurist’s journey, transporting diners to the Shikoku firefly forest in Japan, an event venue that’s both ethereal and theatrical. ANIMAE is the perfect space to host and celebrate your special events.
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