Foodies: 7 Good San Diego Restaurants You Must Try

Many of San Diego’s best restaurants offer an authentic and regional cuisine that you might discover while traveling around the world. Now you can forget the expensive plane ticket and enjoy some worldly cuisine just minutes away. Whether it’s a high-end restaurant boasting a legendary cuisine or an easygoing neighborhood kitchen focused on traditional fare, you’ll discover some intriguing epicurean creations from certain San Diego chefs focused on sweet and savory dishes while others emphasize a high level of spice. Venture out and aim high; you might discover you’re a true gourmand at heart.

Here is a list of good restaurants in San Diego offering world cuisines. 

Latin restaurant

Isabel’s Cantina

966 Felspar St, San Diego 

(858) 272-8400 | 

Although most of Proprietor and Chef Isabel Cruz’s restaurants are similar to each other, they still encompass their own individuality. Isabel’s Cantina has a nice neighborhood feel, is big enough to get a table, but small enough to receive good personal service. Chef Cruz tries to create a healthy cuisine, focusing on authentic home-style Latin food filled with both bold and subtle flavors. Never formally trained in the kitchen, she says she had the good fortune of having some amazing people in her life who introduced her to new food and flavor combinations. "I truly feel that all my many wonderful culinary influences and experiences show up on each plate we serve," she says. "There’s absolutely nothing else I’d rather be doing with my life than continually exploring food." Offering diverse menus, Chef Cruz believes that one of the most important things she does is seek out as many local and sustainable ingredients as possible. She has a sustainable farm in Sandy, Oregon, where she sources some of her produce, especially for her Portland restaurant.  

European restaurant

Finch’s Wine Bar & Bistro

7644 Girard Ave, La Jolla 

(858) 456-4056 |

Opened by the Ravden family in 2010, this intimate wine bar and elegant European-style bistro showcases an eclectic international gourmet menu by Executive Chef Mario Medina, who was born and raised in Mexico City. With an adventurous and ever-changing menu that features a mix of family recipes and unique dishes with an international flair that the Ravden’s discovered on their travels, the overall guiding spirit of Finch’s is that it’s a true gourmet dining experience at casual dining prices. "Working with talented chefs in different cuisines and techniques has opened my eyes to a wide range of both products and cooking styles," says Chef Medina. "I have taken the various techniques I have learned under great chefs and have made them my own; they fit my personality and style. I always keep in mind what our guests will enjoy and like the most—not just the cooking but the presentation as well."

Italian Restaurant

Crush Italian Cuisine and Lounge

437 Hwy 101 #112, Solana Beach, CA 

In 2011, Executive Chef Jason Colabove, John Luciano, Doug Guillion and Carson Wellman expanded the Crush family to Solana Beach. The restaurant is an extension of a sister restaurant of the same name that has been delighting diners in Chico, California, for four years. A partner in the Chico operation, John Luciano is a longtime San Diego resident and president of Luciano Development Inc., who wanted to share the incomparable Crush dining and drinking experience with his own local community. This Solana Beach gem has quickly become a coastal dining standout. Chef Colabove developed the menu and combines traditional Southern Italian flavors and cooking techniques with fresh, local and organic ingredients to create bright and flavorful dishes that are wholly satisfying. In addition, Crush features craft cocktails, local breweries and an extensive list of wines from all over the world. In December 2012, Crush expanded yet again and opened Crush Ukiah in Mendocino County, just north of Napa Valley. 

Sushi Restaurant Downtown San Diego

Nobu

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, 207 5th Ave 

(619) 814-4124 | Visit website

Launched in November 2007, Nobu San Diego is located inside the Hard Rock Hotel conveniently located across from the Convention Center. Tokyo-trained Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, along with Executive Chef David Meade, offer sushi bar fare and nouveau Japanese cuisine including soups, salads and specialty tempura and tobanyaki dishes in a sophisticated yet lively atmosphere that’s attracted the food elite from New York to London and Melbourne to Milan. Indulge in sushi and sashimi specialties from the onyx sushi bar such as Live Octopus, Tasmanian Trout or Freshwater Eel as well as legendary dishes such as Black Cod with Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño. Nobu San Diego is open for dinner nightly at the sushi bar or dining room and for drinks at the bar lounge. A private dining room is available to accommodate private parties for a sit-down dinner or cocktail reception.

Ethopian Restaurant

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

4651 Park Blvd, 

Throw away the fork and use your hands—the traditional way! Whether you’re in the mood for casual dining or a special occasion, this popular eatery is an unforgettable neighborhood hideaway serving authentic Eritrean/Ethiopian cuisine. From the African music and East African decor to the aroma of spices and homemade cooking, you have the choice of dining inside or on the cozy outdoor patio. The atmosphere is lively and authentic, complete with a knowledgeable wait staff that will guide you through the menu. Abel Woldemichael and his wife own the restaurant and the recipes are from his mother. "We all cook together here as a family, with some great assistance from the kitchen crew," he says. Don’t miss specialties including Sambusas—homemade stuffed crispy pastries—or the Beggie Kilwa—sautéed New Zealand Leg of Lamb. My personal favorite is the hamli, which is a nice blend of braised spinach and collard greens. Diners can also opt to share large platters of food, served family style. Impressive beverage selections include a traditional fermented honey wine that is sweet, but goes well with the spiciness of the foods, or choose an ice-cold Ethiopian beer.

Mexican Restaurant 

Casa Guadalajara

4105 Taylor St, San Diego 

(619) 295-5111 | Visit website

Festive and colorful, the atmosphere at Casa Guadalajara features the trademark style of owner Diane Powers, incorporating the warmth and charm of Mexican decor with stunning dining rooms and patios reminiscent of Mexican haciendas. Vintage wooden gates, splashing fountains and exquisite color-drenched patio dining are made all the more authentic by strolling mariachis. What sets this beautiful restaurant apart from other restaurants in Old Town can be summed up in one word: authenticity. Apparent among Executive Chef Jose Duran’s many strengths in the kitchen is his impressive continuity. Having been with Casa Guadalajara since its inception, Chef Duran has kept his trademark cooking style consistent throughout the years, preserving dishes that have been longtime favorites as well as developing new ones, all the while maintaining the same high standards and delicious flavors for which he has become well known. Guest favorites include the Grilled Fish Tacos, Carnitas Mole Enchiladas and the Ultimate Green Burrito.

Del Mar Rendezvous

Del Mar Plaza, 1555 Camino Del Mar #102, Del Mar, CA 92014

(858) 755-2669 www.delmarrendezvous.com

Relaxing and informal, the interior design at Del Mar Rendezvous is upscale and appropriate for business meetings and dates, but it’s also casual enough for guests to come as they are and enjoy a lunch or dinner with friends and family without feeling stuffy. Located in the heart of Del Mar, Rendezvous is a convenient stroll to many of the shops and galleries as well as the beach, which is only one block to the west. "Our restaurant provides the community with a place that they can go to for a great meal and friendly service," says Managing Partner Daniel Schreiber. Executive Chef and Managing Partner Tony Chu Jung Su creates special dishes from his memories of growing up in Taiwan, as well as modernizing Old World Chinese and Asian recipes with his creativity, attention to presentation and use of the freshest and highest-quality ingredients available. A menu that includes more than 40 gluten-free and 40 vegetarian and vegan items enhances the dining experience for guests with dietary restrictions or preferences. In addition, guests can choose from local, sustainable and organic teas, coffees, beers and wines.