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ARTIFACT at Mingei, San Diego, CA
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ARTIFACT at Mingei

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Visa Dining Collection

$31 to $50
International
1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

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2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 21 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Innovative
  • Healthy
  • Good for special occasions
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

  • Award icon
    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
  • 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
  • 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

  • Culinary Experience NICE

    $89.00 per person

    May 15, 2025 only
    Experience NICE crafted by chefs Tim Kolanko and Tony Coito for our May ARTIFACT at Night. Four-course experience with optional beverage pairings. $89 per person Reminder: For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. Any cancelations within 72 hours of the night of the event will be charged $50/person.
    Culinary Experience NICE Photo

What 902 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
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Innovative

  • San Diego

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Artifact at Mingei is a culinary gem in Balboa Park, offering an eclectic menu with exceptional "unique, artfully crafted food" and "great service." Standout dishes like the beet salad and short rib with noodles make it a top choice for locals and visitors alike. The inviting atmosphere, both inside and on the "beautiful patio," enhances every dining experience.
902 Reviews
  1. JUDITH A. VIP

    Orange County37 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    such an interesting menu; try this for something Completely Different!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Pat

    San Diego35 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious unique food. This is one of our favorite restaurants in San Diego

    Is this helpful?

  3. Eileen VIP

    Philadelphia20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our experience was very enjoyable. Shrimp potstickers and pirogies perfect. The beet salad also. Beautiful food and great service. Looking forward to going back.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Susan VIP

    San Diego27 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really interesting food--beet salad is outstanding!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Lynn

    San Diego34 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    A truly stunning restaurant with unique and delicious food. Service was very good, too.

    Is this helpful?

  6. HME421

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food here is outstanding. Easily worth driving 30+ minutes and dealing with Balboa Park crowds. Lunch, dinner. Done.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Ale

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Marvelous food. It's art. Beautiful to look at and delicious. Lucky to have a place like this.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Tania

    San Diego6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had the pleasure of enjoying a 4-course Afghan dinner experience last night inside a restaurant tucked within a museum—and it was absolutely fantastic. Each dish was beautifully balanced, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. The spices were warm and fragrant without being overwhelming, and everything from start to finish felt like a culinary journey through the region. The atmosphere was cozy and culturally rich, which made the experience even more special. I left feeling full, happy, and inspired. Highly recommend it to anyone looking to try something new and delicious!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Missnol VIP

    San Diego15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All love for Artifacts unique artfully crafted food and great service.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Dante VIP

    Hawaii22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best meal in years. Incredible. Short rib with noodles the best. Can’t really describe the flavors. Pear and beet salad also unlike Anything we have had.

    Is this helpful?

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 902 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. San Diego
  5. Downtown

Make a reservation


Booked 21 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for ARTIFACT at Mingei

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
  • Phone number
  • 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
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