Top Best American Restaurants in Little Italy

"The centrally located, award-winning Bertrand at Mister A’s penthouse restaurant offers fine American cuisine and spectacular views of San Diego, including the skyline, bay, Balboa Park, Coronado, Point Loma, and the zoo. Relish in the amazing flavors of the classic lobster bisque, steak tartare, or gourmet beer-battered fish and chips. French restaurateur, Bertrand Hug, bought Mister A’s in 2000 and invited Chef de Cuisine, Stephane Voitzwinkler, to create simplistic, yet delectable dishes with European influences made from seasonally available, locally-sourced ingredients."

"Is it a coincidence that celebrating marriage proposals, wedding anniversaries and Valentine’s Day in this swoon-inducing setting is practically the law in San Diego?. If you have to ask, you’ve never sat at tables 50 or 52, where your view of the city skyline and landing planes makes you feel up in the clouds."

"Or rooftop restaurant I should say because Mister A’s is more a restaurant than a bar. Mister A’s has more of a classy, fine dining atmosphere. It’s perfect for date night and if you are looking for a restaurant with a view this is definitely the place to be."

"Crack Shack is one of San Diego’s most popular family-friendly restaurants for fried chicken on an otherworldly level. Celebrity Chef Richard Blais developed “Crack Spice” which is a proprietary blend of spices that he adds to locally raised, free-living, antibiotic-free chicken. Opt straight for the fried chicken with dipping sauces or one of the decadent sandwiches."

"From Top Chef: All-Stars winner Richard Blais comes this Little Italy favorite, a fast-casual spot specializing in humanely raised chicken and eggs. Here, the fried chicken is crispy and not too greasy, and sandwiches like the Malibu Barbie Q..."

"Juniper and Ivy offers American food with a left-coast edge. The restaurant’s hospitality, excellent cocktails, wines, and vibrant design make it the new place to eat on the west coast. Juniper and Ivy’s lovely interior makes it the perfect place to book for a special event: they offer the second floor overlook or a semi-private space in the dining room."

"Behind the scenes content from the back of the kitchen is wayyyyyyyy underutilized IMHO. Note to restauranteurs: encourage your staff to be active on social media."

"Great Maple is located in the charming neighborhood of University Heights and serves up a deliciously unique twist on modern American comfort food. This San Diego staple has won the “Best New Restaurant Award” from California Restaurant Association’s 30th Annual Gold Medallion Awards as well as two Diners’ Choice Awards in 2017 and 2018. Patrons will want to try their California chorizo scramble, which is mixed with gourmet chorizo, piquillo peppers, fresh cilantro, onions, cheddar cheese, and cilantro sour cream."

"Go with a group of people so you can get an order for the table. Or eat them yourself, its ok, I won't tell. The breakfast menu is extensive including options such as house smoked pork belly and eggs, shrimp and polenta, scrambles, a chocolate bacon pancake (among other types of pancakes), house smoked salmon, and chilaquiles."

"This chic eatery serves a tasty American breakfast, delicious donuts and beignets served on a long slab of wood, and unique cocktails. there’s nothing that you can really go wrong with!. Located in University Heights neighborhood + UTC-area location."

"Location Terminal 2 - Gate 26"

"Proprietor Bertrand Hug's French restaurant is the kind of place, even in the days of more casual dining, that you still want to get dressed up for. A favorite with visiting Hollywood stars and world-renowned chefs, it offers unabashed elegance, irresistible gourmet dishes, intimate rooms with warmly-lit fireplaces, exquisite hand-woven tapestries, and starched white linens. The menu's delicacies change with the seasons and can include short ribs with heirloom carrots, morels and polenta; and scallops with sprouting cauliflower, kohlrabi and Champagne beurre blanc."

"Whether you’re on a casual date night out or celebrating a milestone anniversary, Mille Fleurs offers elegant and casual dining. The daily changing menu offers surprises every time you visit, as do the surroundings. Dining in the main room, the courtyard patio or the fountain room will change the atmosphere to suit the occasion."

"This Rancho Santa Fe favorite features elegant, intimate dining perfect for special occasions and celebrations. The French-Californian cuisine, highly regarded wine list, and piano bar should make whoever you brought with you swoon."

"Located in the southwest corner of San Diego, the Tijuana Estuary is a wetlands area with beach, dune, mudflat, salt marsh, riparian, coastal sage scrub, and upland habitats that are free to explore. Start at the Visitor Center to learn about the trails, flora and fauna (many are rare or endangered), and various things to do during your visit. Kids can earn junior rangers here and they offer a variety of environmental education resources online."

"At the southernmost tip of San Diego is one of the most serene places that few people know about. Where the Tijuana River meets the sea is where you’ll find the Tijuana Slough with over 2,000 acres of wetlands. Over 370 bird species have been observed there with 5 of them being endangered species that are regularly seen."

"Way down in sometimes-forgotten Imperial Beach is found a favorite landscape for many people in San Diego. This Tijuana Estuary is connected to some couple of parks. You are going to find amazing places such as Tijuana River County Open Space Reserve and Border Field State Park."

"Los Peñasquitos (“little cliffs”) is a great beginners’ trail for those who want to enjoy mountain-feel views without having to hire an expedition crew. There are two approaches (east and west), and the trailheads offer a trek of either 6.5, or 5.5 miles, respectively. The terrain is gradual and level, but the trails are surrounded by the sort of views that gave the area its name: scenic rocky outcroppings, and stony formations that ripple with rubble."

"Veterans Museum at Balboa Park honors the memories of the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States as well as the Wartime Merchant Marine. The museum houses permanent, rotating and visiting collections of patriotic, military and war-related artifacts and memorabilia. *Small donation requested."

"Located in the historic Old Navy Chapel, the museum preserves and honors the memory of men and women of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine. The collection contains artifacts, documents, photographs, memorabilia, and artwork from the Civil War to the present."

"The Seeley Stable Museum is a reproduction of the Yuma to San Diego stage stop. It displays a wide collection of 19th-century transportation vehicles and equipment as well as other rare artifacts."

"The San Diego Asian Pacific Historic District, San Diego’s historic Chinatown, is an eight-block district adjacent to and in part overlapping with the Gaslamp Quarter Historic District. The San Diego Chinatown is bounded by Market Street on the north, 2nd Ave. on the west, 6th ave. on the east and J st. on the south. 22 structures are considered historically contributing."

"The Chinese Historical Museum displays Chinese-American art, culture and history. Housed in a restored mission-style building, exhibits include miniature models, historic photographs and rare artifacts related to the heritage of San Diego’s Chinese community. *Small donation requested."

"Cedros Ave, Suite 200, Solana Beach 92075 Culture Brewing aims high with all their beers, focusing on keeping things simple. Classic styles done beautifully is what Culture is all about. Give their Ginger Snap Red Ale, Tart Cherry Wit, and Milk Stout a try."

"Check out local art or gaze at the ocean while sipping craft beers at Culture Brewing Co. This pet-friendly bar welcomes patrons to bring along their furry friends. Culture Brewing Co has two locations."

"When you come to this brewery, you’re not just getting a tasting room — you’re also getting an incredible beer garden that you’ll want to stay in all afternoon. Established in 1989, this beer brewing company exemplifies the Southern California lifestyle with its refreshing brews and laid-back atmosphere. It’s also credited as being one of the first breweries to kick off the craft beer scene in San Diego."

"Karl Strauss Brewing is one of the oldest San Diego breweries on the block!. Starting back in the mid 80’s, Karl Strauss has been leading the craft beer scene before it became popular. Their craft brews have received many gold medals, including the famous Red Trolley Ale (which has been award 11 gold and 5 silver medals)."