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The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

From happy hours to hotel bistros, it's our annual (reader-selected!) picks for the best eats in town

By San Diego Magazine | Photography by Dhanraj Emanuel

More from the 2014 Best Restaurants
The State of Restaurant Criticism / The Art of Presentation: The Marine Room’s Chef Bernard Guillas / Handle With Care: Juniper & Ivy / Where the Chefs Eat / Reader-voted Best Chef Accursio Lota / Food Blogger Favorites / Find the Winner Nearest You!

San Diegans love food. We pledge allegiance to the fish taco, go nuts for farm-fresh salads, and are big on burgers. In fact, the bigger, the better. Stir-fry, Korean barbeque, sashimi, pho—the list goes on and on. Thousands of readers voted for their favorites, which we collected, compiled, taste-tested, and tallied. The result: an insanely delicious guide, with expert picks from food critic Troy Johnson. Here, the best of the best—and then some.

A NOTE TO OUR READERS: Accuracy is paramount. But we are a service publication, and the lists we print should inform people and help them decide where to spend their time and money. We don’t want this poll to show readers who has the biggest mailing list or marketing staff. We want it to show which restaurants the people like best. If a restaurant wins an obscene amount of awards, and it’s apparent that “ballot stuffing” has occurred, San Diego Magazine reserves the right to give one or all of their awards to other top vote-getting restaurants that make a little more sense in real life.

Overall

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

Cucina Enoteca Bucatini

Hearty Helping Cucina Enoteca’s bucatini combines guanciale, burnt cabbage leaf, tomato, chili, and pecorino. The pièce de résistance? The delicate hen egg to top it off.

Best of the Best: Fancy

Readers’ Pick: George’s at the Cove
Runner-up: Mister A’s
Critic’s Pick: Addison

Best of the Best: Gourmet Casual

Readers’ Pick: Searsucker
Runner-up: Cucina Urbana
Critic’s Pick: Prepkitchen

Best New Restaurant

Readers’ Pick: Juniper & Ivy
Runner-up: Cucina Enoteca
Critic’s Pick: Juniper & Ivy

Best Chef

Readers’ Pick: Accursio Lota Solare Ristorante Italiano
Runner-up: Javier Plascencia Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro
Critic’s Pick: Jason Knibb Nine-Ten

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

Cucina Enoteca

Cucina Enoteca

Best Service

Readers’ Pick: George’s at the Cove
Runner-up: Donovan’s Steak & Chop House
Critic’s Pick: Market Restaurant & Bar

Best Happy Hour

Readers’ Pick: Monello
Runner-up: Baja Betty’s
Critic’s Pick: Mister A’s

Best Late-Night Menu

Readers’ Pick: Brian’s 24
Runner-up: The Third Corner
Critic’s Pick: Starlite

Best Hotel Restaurant

Readers’ Pick: Grant Grill at the US Grant
Runner-up: Atoll Restaurant at Catamaran Resort and Hotel
Critic’s Pick: A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

Breakfast Pizza from Bread & Cie

Breakfast Pizza from Bread & Cie

Best Neighborhood Restaurant

Readers’ Pick: Bistro Sixty
Runner-up: Fish Public
Critic’s Pick: Urban Solace

Best Desserts

Readers’ Pick: Extraordinary Desserts
Runner-up: Bistro Sixty (San Diego Desserts)
Critic’s Pick: Jsix

Best Food Truck

Readers’ Pick: MIHO Gastrotruck
Runner-up: God Save the Cuisine
Critic’s Pick: MIHO Gastrotruck

Best Cheap Eats

Readers’ Pick: Bread & Cie
Runner-up: Tender Greens
Critic’s Pick: Carnitas’ Snack Shack

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

Jsix rainbow beet terrine

Taste the Rainbow Tangerine, goat cheese, hazelnuts, and chicories come together in Jsix’s rainbow beet terrine.

 

Atmosphere

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

The Marine Room

The Marine Room

Best Design

Readers’ Pick: Café Bleu
Runner-up: Harney Sushi
Critic’s Pick: Puesto at the Headquarters

Best View

Readers’ Pick: The Marine Room
Runner-up: Mister A’s
Critic’s Pick: Cusp La Jolla

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Readers’ Pick: Board & Brew
Runner-up: Corvette Diner
Critic’s Pick: Waypoint Public

Best Special Occasion

Readers’ Pick: The Marine Room
Runner-up: The Wellington Steak & Martini Lounge
Critic’s Pick: Addison

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

Waypoint Public

Waypoint Public

Best Patio

Readers’ Pick: The Coyote Bar & Grill
Runner-up: The Patio on Lamont Street
Critic’s Pick: C-Level Lounge

Best Place to Watch the Game

Readers’ Pick: Oggi’s
Runner-up: Slater’s 50/50
Critic’s Pick: Diversions Lounge (Omni La Costa Resort & Spa)

Best Makeover

Readers’ Pick: Searsucker Del Mar
Runner-up: Fish Public
Critic’s Pick: Avant

 

Specific Dishes

Best Burger

Readers’ Pick: Burger Lounge
Runner-up: Nicky Rottens Bar & Burger Joint
Critic’s Pick: Hodad’s

Best Salad

Readers’ Pick: Tender Greens
Runner-up: Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
Critic’s Pick: Tender Greens

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Best Sandwich

Readers’ Pick: Rubicon Deli
Runner-up: Big Front Door
Critic’s Pick: Mona Lisa Italian Foods

Best Sushi

Readers’ Pick: Sushi Ota
Runner-up: Harney Sushi
Critic’s Pick: Azuki

Best Fries

Readers’ Pick: Burger Lounge
Runner-up: Mezè Greek Fusion
Critic’s Pick: The Smoking Goat

Best Pizza

Readers’ Pick: Pizza Port
Runner-up: Berkeley Pizza
Critic’s Pick: Buona Forchetta

Best Small Plates Menu

Readers’ Pick: Café Sevilla
Runner-up: Searsucker
Critic’s Pick: Cucina Enoteca

Best Fish Taco

Readers’ Pick: Rubio’s
Runner-up: The Brigantine
Critic’s Pick: TJ Oyster Bar

Best Chips and Salsa

Readers’ Pick: Miguel’s Cocina
Runner-up: Puesto
Critic’s Pick: Lucha Libre

Best Burrito

Readers’ Pick: El Zarape
Runner-up: Lucha Libre
Critic’s Pick: Las Cuatro Milpas

 

Specific Cuisines

Best Middle Eastern

Readers’ Pick: The Kebab Shop
Runner-up: Bandar
Critic’s Pick: The Kebab Shop

Best Italian

Readers’ Pick: Solare Ristorante Italiano
Runner-up: Bencotto Italian Kitchen
Critic’s Pick: Bencotto Italian Kitchen

Best French

Readers’ Pick:  Bleu Bohème
Runner-up: Tapenade
Critic’s Pick: Bellamy’s

Best Greek

Readers’ Pick: Cafe Athena
Runner-up: Mediterranean Cafe
Critic’s Pick: Cafe Athena

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

Solare Ristorante Italiano

Mangia, Mangia! Solare’s Italian menu includes the creamy black truffle risotto (left) and house-made gnocchi with San Marzano tomato sauce (right).

Best Mexican

Readers’ Pick: Oscar’s Mexican Seafood
Runner-up: El Zarape
Critic’s Pick: Romesco Mexiterranean Bistro

Best Indian

Readers’ Pick: Royal India
Runner-up: Bombay
Critic’s Pick: Surati Farsan

Best Chinese

Readers’ Pick: Del Mar Rendezvous
Runner-up: Mandarin House (La Jolla)
Critic’s Pick: Spicy City

Best Japanese

Readers’ Pick: Sushi Ota
Runner-up: Shimbashi Izakaya
Critic’s Pick: Wa Dining Okan

Best Thai

Readers’ Pick: Amarin Thai
Runner-up: Koon Thai Village
Critic’s Pick: Amarin Thai

Best Asian Fusion

Readers’ Pick: Roppongi
Runner-up: Del Mar Rendezvous
Critic’s Pick: Sipz

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Best Vietnamese

Readers’ Pick: Le Bambou Restaurant
Runner-up: Pho Hoa
Critic’s Pick: Saigon on Fifth

Best Korean

Readers’ Pick: Manna
Runner-up: Tofu House
Critic’s Pick: Do Re Mi

Best Filipino

Readers’ Pick: Tita’s Kitchenette
Runner-up: Zarlito’s
Critic’s Pick: Tita’s Kitchenette

Best Vegetarian Selection

Readers’ Pick: Royal India
Runner-up: Sipz
Critic’s Pick: Punjabi Tandoor

Best Barbeque

Readers’ Pick: Phil’s BBQ
Runner-up: Abbey’s Real Texas Bar-B-Q
Critic’s Pick: Yakitori Yakyudori

Best Steakhouse

Readers’ Pick: Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Runner-up: Donovan’s Steak & Chop House
Critic’s Pick: Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

Donut Bar

Donut Bar

Best Seafood

Readers’ Pick: Pacific Beach Fish Shop
Runner-up: The Brigantine
Critic’s Pick: Mitch’s Seafood

Best Donut

Readers’ Pick: Donut Bar
Runner-up: V.G. Donut & Bakery
Critic’s Pick: Donut Bar

Best Breakfast

Readers’ Pick: Snooze
Runner-up: Fig Tree Cafe
Critic’s Pick: Tractor Room

Best Brunch

Readers’ Pick: Monello
Runner-up: Snooze
Critic’s Pick: Café Chloe

 

Drinks

The Best Restaurants in San Diego 2014

Craft & Commerce

Craft & Commerce

Best Wine List

Readers’ Pick: Village Vino
Runner-up: Cucina Enoteca
Critic’s Pick: Addison

Best Cocktails

Readers’ Pick: Old Town Saloon and Cocktails
Runner-up: West Coast Tavern
Critic’s Pick: Craft & Commerce

Best Coffee

Readers’ Pick: Swell Cafe
Runner-up: Better Buzz
Critic’s Pick: Caffé Calabria

BestBrewpub

Readers’ Pick: Stone World Bistro & Gardens
Runner-up: Karl Strauss
Critic’s Pick: Stone World Bistro & Gardens

Best Wine Bar

Readers’ Pick: Village Vino
Runner-up: Wine Steals
Critic’s Pick: Village Vino

Best Beer Selection

Readers’ Pick: Slater’s 50/50
Runner-up: Hamilton’s Tavern
Critic’s Pick: Hamilton’s Tavern

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