I’m not trying to date myself, but I’ve been on the hunt for the best hidden gem restaurants in San Diego for well over a decade. I mean, how could I not? Ever since I first visited for a conference more than ten years ago, I’ve been in awe of the city’s food scene.
SD has restaurants for almost every cuisine you can think of, from Russian to fish sandwiches and Mexican street tacos. I’ve gone on many food crawls to fit in as much as possible, and these spots are the ones off the beaten path that I go to again and again. So if you want to find the true hole-in-the-wall restaurants in San Diego, this list is for you.
Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in San Diego
Save this to Pinterest for later because I’ll add more hidden gems in San Diego as I discover them!
Pomegranate
website | neighborhood: Hillcrest (get directions) | cuisine: Russian-Georgian | price point: $$
Pomegranate has been one of my go-to spots in SD since I first stumbled in a few years ago. It’s a quirky spot with handwriting all over the walls and twinkle lights lining the dining room.
Literally everything is good here. Definitely get their salad sampler which comes with huge portions of dips and salads. I also suggest figuring out how to squeeze in cabbage rolls, khinkali dumplings, and borscht. Their borscht is some of the best I’ve had. It’s not bitter at all and is filled with juicy chunks of beef.
Kiko’s Place Seafood
website | neighborhood: Mission Valley (get directions) | cuisine: Mexican seafood | price point: $
This food truck was recommended to me by a California-based colleague who swore they have the best tacos in town. I figured that was a daring bet, but after trying Kiko’s, I agree.
Their baja fish taco is huge and has a thick beer-battered crust. The fried shrimp tacos were even crispier and had a thick breading that almost reminded me of a less-sweet corn dog.
Molly’s
website | neighborhood: Mission Beach (get directions) | cuisine: American | price point: $
Molly’s is one of my favorite hidden gem restaurants in San Diego because no one talks about it. The vibe is modern boho, with wicker chairs and funky wallpaper. The menu features homemade bread and pastries, house-roasted coffee, and a small but curated brunch and dinner menu.
Don’t miss the turkey sandwich with avocado, bacon, lettuce, and pickled onions. It’s served on thick-cut multigrain bread and has an addictive balance of creamy avocado with acidic, crunchy onions.
Avian Water and Banh Mi Sandwiches
neighborhood: Linda Vista (get directions) | cuisine: Vietnamese | price point: $
If you love hole in the walls, you’re going to love Avian Water and Banh Mi Sandwiches. It’s located in a nondescript strip mall and is pretty much a convenience store. You’ll see a lot of locals coming in to buy lottery tickets and chat with the owners.
Insiders know that’s not what all Avian offers. They’re also making some of the best banh mi in San Diego. The filling-to-bread ratio is spot on and they offer a lot of yummy meat options. My favorites are the grilled pork and pate!
Gelati & Peccati
website | neighborhood: North Park (get directions) | cuisine: Italian | price point: $
When I stepped into Gelati & Peccati, it took me back to when I visited Rome and would linger in the streets trying to find an answer to my late-night pizza craving.
When you walk in, the wall is lined with square pies with all sorts of toppings and you can order by the slice just like in Rome. If available, get the cacio e pepe and spicy salami pizza. If you’re craving something sweet, you can wash it down with homemade gelato afterwards.
It’s Raw Poke Shop
website | neighborhood: Ocean Beach (get directions) | cuisine: Hawaiian | price point: $
If there’s one thing I learned after visiting Maui year after year, nothing is more satisfying than a fresh bowl of poke after spending the day in the sun. This spot is easy to miss, but they’re making some of the freshest, purist versions of poke I’ve ever had. It even beats some of the best poke in Seattle.
Hidden Fish
website | neighborhood: Kearny Mesa (get directions) | cuisine: sushi | price point: $$$$
Hidden Fish is aptly named since it’s located in an unassuming strip mall on Convoy Street, an area most tourists never venture. That’s a shame, though, since locals know Convoy Street is where to go to find the best Asian restaurants in San Diego.
Hidden Fish discreetly serves some of the best high-end sushi in SD. They’ve even been voted the best sushi restaurant in San Diego by San Diego Magazine.
The menu features pure, unadulterated sushi served in omakase (chef-selected) style, with an 18-piece meal setting you back about $135 per person. Ordering a la carte is available after the omakase. Don’t forget to ask about the “fish of the day,” trust me, it’s worth every penny. Hidden Fish rivals some of the best sushi in Seattle!
Ichifuji Sushi
website | neighborhood: Kearny Mesa (get directions) | cuisine: sushi | price point: $$$$
Can’t get into Hidden Fish? Try the even more under-the-radar sushi omakase spot, Ichifuji. It’s run by two adorable surfer fans who came to the US from Japan and love to crack jokes and ask questions during the meal.
Unlike Hidden Fish that focuses just on sushi pieces, Ichifuji serves a kaiseki-style tasting menu with a mix of small plates and sushi. You can expect some of the freshest fish prepared at the chef’s counter…I’m talking they rip off the head of a live shrimp so you can still see it writhing on your plate. There will also be seasonal dishes, my favorite of which is the chawanmushi egg custard. Every visit is a surprise, so it’s the perfect spot to revisit every season when they turn over the menu!
Fish Guts
website | neighborhood: Barrio Logan (get directions) | cuisine: Mexican | price point: $$
One of my favorite things to do in San Diego is to go on taco crawls and find the best fish tacos in the city. As a general rule, the more low-brow the place, the better the taco. So I was a bit skeptical of Fish Guts the first time I tried it. This spot is trendy, with an open air space, table-side service, and chef-y takes on this Mexican food classic.
While pricey at about $11 per taco, there’s no denying Fish Guts is making some of the best tacos in the city. I love the coconut shrimp one because it’s a cacophony of textures and the sweetness plays nice against the spicy sauce. I love that they aren’t playing it safe, which makes it a great spot to addd to your rotation of go-to taco joints.
Chuy’s Taco Shop
website | neighborhood: College East/Rolando Village (get directions) | cuisine: Mexican | price point: $
Unless you knew Chuy’s was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, you’d probably drive right past it without thinking. They’re in a strip mall and serve up delicious, authentic Mexican street tacos. My favorite is the adobada pork, which is overstuffed with juicy, succulent pieces of nicely charred meat.
Blue Water Seafood
website | neighborhood: Mission Hill (get directions) & Ocean Beach (get directions) | cuisine: seafood | price point: $$
Blue Water is a seafood restaurant that also operates as a fish market that would rival some of the best places to buy seafood in Seattle. They serve a variety of seafood ranging from fresh oysters to shrimp cocktails, sashimi, soups, and, most notably, fish tacos.
The grilled yellowtail and beer-battered cod tacos are great choices, but I especially love the Track Shrimp Tacos. The shrimp are coated in an irresistible chipotle sauce and piled high on tortillas with slaw. I also enjoy Blue Water’s clam chowder, which is super garlicky and satisfying. I’d add them to my list of the best Seattle clam chowder if I could!
The Market Place
website | neighborhood: Bankers Hill (get directions) | cuisine: deli | price point: $
The Market Place is right outside Balboa Park, home to the famous San Diego Zoo. It’s inside a convenience store. so it’s mostly frequented by locals.
Order the New Yorker and bring it to the park for a picnic. This Rueben sandwich is piled high with hot pastrami and corned beef, which I love because I can never choose between these two meats.
Rosemarie’s Burgers
website | neighborhood: Pacific Beach (get directions) | cuisine: American | price point: $$
I’m always on the hunt for the best burgers in Seattle, so I was delighted when I stumbled across this hidden gem in PB. Rosemarie’s makes slider-sized burgers with a ton of different toppings. Their petite size makes it easier to try a few different styles.
My favorites are the OG one with American cheese and the Captain Jack’s shrimp burger. Try both and decide which you like better!
Wayfarer Bread & Pastry
website | neighborhood: Bird Rock (get directions) | cuisine: bakery | price point: $
Wayfarer has been a highly-coveted bakery ever since they were featured in Food & Wine Magazine. When we went, there was a line 10 minutes before they opened, but it moved quickly so we didn’t wait long.
Their croissants are next level. Flaky, and just the right amount of buttery, but not super greasy. The ham and cheese croissant was my favorite since the salty ham balanced out the layers of delicate buttery dough. Get here early to snag one before they sell out!
Las Cuatro Milpas
website | neighborhood: Barrio Logan (get directions) | cuisine: tacos | price point: $
Las Cuatro Milpas is a cash-only taco spot serving traditional street tacos and burritos. There’s often a line out the door, so be prepared to wait.
I really enjoy the chicken tacos, which are stuffed to the brim, and the crispy rolled tacos, which are well-seasoned and have the perfect crunch. Most tourists never go here, so definitely up your street cred by seeking out this San Diego hidden gem restaurant!
Nomad Donuts
website | neighborhood: North Park (get directions) | cuisine: doughnuts and bagels | price point: $
Nomad is great if you like funky-flavored doughnuts. I got the pomegranate pear doughnut on my last visit and it was surprisingly delicate. It even had the yeasty brioche consistency that reminded me of the east coast doughnuts I grew up eating. Next time I’ll have to try their wood-fired bagels!
The Gärten
website | neighborhood: Morena (get directions) | cuisine: brewery, winery & meadery | price point: $$
The Gärten was one of my favorite discoveries, so it’s a given that I’d add them to this list of the best hidden gem restaurants in San Diego. It’s a beer garden housed in a warehouse district off the beaten path and features four concepts under one roof: Deft Brewing, Lost Cause Meadery, Oddish Wine, and Pizza Cassette.
I unfortunately haven’t had the pizza yet, but the this place is absolutely magical and an awesome spot to watch a band over drinks. Definitely get flights from all the businesses to taste test and find your favorite.
Mr. Frostie
website | neighborhood: Pacific Beach (get directions) | cuisine: ice cream | price point: $
I’ll admit, I had a fan girl moment when I discovered Mr. Frostie. It’s an old-school ice cream shack serving up dip cones, sundaes, and soft serve ice cream that tastes exactly like the soft serve I used to get on the Jersey shore. There’s usually a line, but it moves fast.
The must-get here is the soft serve. Enjoy it with rainbow sprinkles if you’re feeling traditional, or go big with the chocolate dip cone.
The Mission
website | neighborhood: East Village (get directions), North Park (get directions), & Mission Beach (get directions) | cuisine: American | price point: $$
Locals know that one of the best hidden gem restaurants in San Diego for breakfast is The Mission. They have three locations around the city that consistently serve up belly-bomb breakfast staples all day. They’re best known for French toast, so make sure that’s part of your order. The banana one is served high in a mini skillet and is pretty much bread pudding with a gooey center and irresistibly crispy edges.
If you’re more of a savory person like me, don’t miss the tamales. I’ve never had tamales for breakfast, but The Mission’s version comes with the most tangy and addictive tomatillo sauce. And who knew putting a runny egg over masa would make it next level? Order a side of roasted rosemary potatoes so you can sop up all the goodness on the plate.
More San Diego restaurants
There are a few more spots that I absolutely love, but are well known and don’t exactly count as hidden gem restaurants in San Diego. However if you have enough time, I recommend visiting these places as well because they’re actually worth the hype.
Kingfisher
website | neighborhood: Golden Hill (get directions) | cuisine: French-Vietnamese | price point: $$$
I freaking love Kingfisher. The dining room is stunning and the menu, while French-Vietnamese, definitely leans more Vietnamese. The last time I went we had this beef tartare that was perfectly spicy and served with lettuce like laarb. The mushroom congee was thick and rich, like grits, and the mussel escabeche was surprisingly delicate and flavorful.
Cesarina
website | neighborhood: Point Loma (get directions) | cuisine: Italian | price point: $$$
Ask anyone where to find the best Italian food in San Diego and they’ll likely say Cesarina. This adorable spot transports you to Italy with their modern-meets-grandma-chic decor (particularly the chandeliers and wall of jars pickling various food items). They’re making some of the best pasta in the city, which you can mix and match with sauces if you choose.
I personally like their pre-determined classic dishes like the Bolognese Lasagna and Pappardelle al Brasato di Manzo, which is spinach pasta with slow-braised beef cheek and short ribs. Whichever dish you choose, save room for the tiramisu that they prepare table side!
Juniper & Ivy
website | neighborhood: Little Italy (get directions) | cuisine: American | price point: $$$
Juniper & Ivy is one of my favorite fancy spots in SD. I’m a huge Top Chef fan, so I first learned about it because celebrity chef Richard Blais used to work here. He’s since moved on, but the kitchen is helmed by just as capable chefs.
You can expect a rotating selection of seasonal produce, meat, and seafood. Everything is prepared with a nod to upscale gastro food, but not in a pretentious way.
The space is vast, but you’ll still want to make a reservation. If it’s on the menu, definitely get the steak tartare. It’s good enough to beat out some of my favorite steak tartare in Seattle.
Animae
website | neighborhood: Downtown (get directions) | cuisine: Filipino-Japanese | price point: $$$$
Animae is one of San Diego’s more upscale restaurants. It has a unique futuristic art deco vibe, with velvet seats, quirky light fixtures, and this huge anime robot painting by the bar. They specialize in steak, small plates, and a curated cocktail program.
I still dream of the kare kare short ribs, which slide off the bone and have an irresistible massaman-like peanut curry sauce. I also love the lamb cumin noodles and the snap pea with anchovy salad, so get them if they’re available.
Menya Ultra
website | neighborhood: Kearny Mesa (get directions), Mira Mesa (get directions) & La Jolla (get directions) | cuisine: ramen | price point: $$
Menya Ultra is Michelin-recognized ramen spot with one of the most intensely flavorful broths I’ve had. I recommend you join the waitlist online, but remember you’ll need to check in 30 minutes before so you’ll still need to wait.
I always order the tonkatsu ramen, which is good, but the surprise hit on the menu is the negi miso ramen. It has a ton of umami flavor and complexity from garlic and chili oil. I now always get it because its rare to see this style at some of the best ramen shops in Seattle.
Campfire
website | neighborhood: Carlsbad (get directions) | cuisine: wood-fired American | price point: $$$
Technically on the outskirts of San Diego, this spot was recommended to me by multiple sources. It’s the more casual sister restaurant to the one-Michel starred Jeune et Jolie down the street. As the name implies, they cook over open fire to imbue a lot of roasty, smoky goodness into most of their dishes.
But this spot isn’t your boring backyard barbecue spot. They have some really unique dishes. For example, the last time I went we ordered a kampachi crudo lightly smoked and served with kiwi and coconut. I was also shocked by the octopus, a dish many places offer but few master, but Campfire’s was the perfect consistency.
Other places to eat in San Diego
Want more ideas beyond the hidden gem restaurants in San Diego? Check out my full map of things to do in SD!
More to explore around San Diego
After you make your way through this list of hidden gem restaurants in San Diego, check out my other guides for exploring the city and nearby areas.
