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ARTIFACT at Mingei

Visa Dining Collection

$31 to $50

International

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Booked 4 times today

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Innovative
Healthy
Vegetarian-friendly

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 + dinner Friday evenings..

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.

An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs Park Connect with us @Dine.Mingei

Guests dining with ARTIFACT at Mingei for dinner services receive 50% off regular admission to our Exhibitions Level. Show your receipt or reservation confirmation at the admissions desk to receive this offer.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Tim Kolanko + Tony Coito

MICHELIN Plate2023

From the OpenTable editors: ARTIFACT lives in a beloved folk-art museum—a backdrop that inspires its (almost) too-pretty-to-eat dishes, including neatly folded rock shrimp gyoza in yuzu dashi and chai-chocolate mousse crowned with coconut whipped cream. Expect a spread that’s as international as the art on display.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Fri 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

Location
1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Neighborhood
Downtown
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Polynesian Triangle Dinner- ARTIFACT at Night June
$89.00 per person
Jun 19, 2025 only
For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. Any cancellations within 72 hours of the night of the event will be charged $50/person.

Popular dishes

What 913 people are saying

ARTIFACT at Mingei reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Diego
Innovative
San Diego
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Artifact at Mingei offers an "eclectic menu" with creative dishes and a vibrant atmosphere. Diners praise the "excellent food and service" and enjoy unique offerings like tofu dishes and beet salads. The restaurant's sophisticated ambiance and "beautiful presentation" make it a standout spot for a memorable dining experience in Balboa Park.

913 Reviews

E
Erik
Wisconsin10 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
On a recommendation from a local up in La Jolla, we booked a late, outdoor lunch at Artifact and were not disappointed. Very attentive, friendly service. Delicious, fresh, and creative dishes (although we only had a variety of appetizers, the entire menu looked wonderful!) and cocktails. Would happily return on our next visit to San Diego!
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B
Barbara VIP
San Diego19 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Food was good, creative and priced reasonably for this type of restaurant.
Is this helpful?
D
Denise VIP
San Diego7 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very flavorful food with unique and delicious spices. We did the prefix 3 course meal and enjoyed the beet and garden salads, the meat & seabass main courses & finished with the pudding & Basque cheesecake . Loved all the dishes as they were beautifully presented and very delicious. This was our first time, but certainly won’t be our last.
Is this helpful?
S
Sara
San Diego1 review
5.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Everything was perfect for our big table of 8. The server was so patient explaining the dishes, and food and service were excellent.
Is this helpful?
P
Peter
San Diego9 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
ARTIFACT is only open for dinner Friday evenings and once a month on a Thursday for special regional menu fixed-price dinners. Our dinner was Nice, France. The food and wine pairings were excellent and well-curated. The atmosphere was sophisticated-hip, with ambient music appropriate for the theme. We sat out on the patio which was elegantly set up so that each table felt private. Very well done.
Is this helpful?
D
Dhyana
San Diego16 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food is so unique and fresh! Service is superb! Great Mother’s Day pick!
Is this helpful?
M
Maureen
San Diego8 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 10, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food and service. Our waiter was amazing - attentive, knowledgeable and personable. Our party shared the tofu dish, kabocha squash salad, and pea and potato samosa. All were very good. My favorite was tofu dish. Tofu was airy and was with black bean sauce and Asian greens. I had Moroccan Syrah was was complex and worked well with the food. I will return.
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C
Cynthia
San Diego40 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
This is a great option when you are in Balboa Park visiting the museums. Very different fare but done exceptionally well. Can’t wait to come back and try something else!
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s
susan
San Diego2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Oliva was a wonderful server. Very polite and helpful and quick. She should have a raise for all she does. Also, the hostess made sure everything was going as quickly as possible. I love the Hiabiscus drink. always refreshing.
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P
Pranab
San Diego5 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
excellent restaurant. food is really flavorful and the drinks are excellent. all the staff is welcoming and warm, it’s a really really great dining experience.
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FAQs

ARTIFACT at Mingei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 331-3569.

ARTIFACT at Mingei is rated 4.8 stars by 913 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Experiences are available.

1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Fri 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
International, Asian, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.artifactatmingei.com/
Phone number
(619) 331-3569
Catering
Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
Private party facilities
Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals

ARTIFACT at Mingei

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Why they're an Icon

Additional information

Experiences

Polynesian Triangle Dinner- ARTIFACT at Night June

Popular dishes

Greek Salad

Chocolate Mousse + Cocnut Cajeta + Coconut Whip

Caprese Sandwich

Menu

What 913 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does ARTIFACT at Mingei offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is ARTIFACT at Mingei restaurant rated?

Is ARTIFACT at Mingei currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information