Top Best American Restaurants in San Diego Bay

"Bertrand at Mr. A's just might be one of the best places to enjoy a skyline view of Downtown San Diego, Coronado, Balboa Park and Point Loma, with the occasional plane landing or taking off from the airport. Imagine the sunset at dinner time: This is why this restaurant is perpetually voted one of the most romantic places to eat in the city. However, its casual elegance is also welcoming to families (there is no kids menu, however) and you may leave your jacket and tie at home."

"A's just might be one of the best places to enjoy a skyline view of downtown San Diego, Coronado, Balboa Park and Point Loma, with the occasional plane landing or taking off from the airport. The sunsets are spectacular and part of the reason why this restaurant is perpetually voted one of the most romantic places to eat in the city. Modern American cuisine is on the menu though dishes change based on seasonality of locally-sourced ingredients."

"Located on the 12th floor in a penthouse setting, the iconic, award-winning Bertrand at Mr. A’s is a special occasion dining venue. For over 50 years, the historic dining establishment has been serving American cuisine at its finest. Despite its sweeping skyline with bay and Pacific views, there’s an absolute thrill of excitement when huge descending jetliners roar past diners, practically at eye level."

"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."

"They pride themselves on having a five-star chef in control, meaning that everything on the menu has free-range organic chicken that is juicy and perfectly marinated. Other side servings include Schmaltz fries, mini biscuits, and deviled eggs. When you are able, you can spend some time playing a game of bocce ball or perch at the bar for craft beer."

"Not only does The Crack Shack serve incredible chicken but both of the locations also provides a fun setting for the whole family to enjoy. Try a game of bocce ball on the lawn or pose for a silly photo with the giant chicken that stands guard over the patio. Trust us, it’s a great, unique photo op!"

"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."

"Why go: The nation's first non-profit taco joint donates 100% of their profits to local charities. Libertad takes liberty with range of ingredients—pork belly, tempura avocado, octopus—that are char-grilled over embers and stuffed into homemade tortillas. Push through the stainless steel freezer door and discover a hidden cocktail lounge decked with chandeliers and olive trees."

"Just across the bay in quaint Coronado, you will find Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge. It isn’t hard to make their food look good, so even the most novice ‘grammer will capture some excellent shots while enjoying delicious craft cocktails and a seasonal menu dedicated to locally-sourced, sustainable food. The prima verbena cocktail is pretty in pink and the mac ‘n’ cheese is served in its own cast-iron skillet (and what’s more Instagrammable than a cast-iron skillet?)"

"With a farm-to-table approach to dining everything on their menu is fresh and delicious!. They serve brunch each Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and we recommend grabbing a table on their outdoor patio and ordering a couple of share plates while you sip on one of their creative brunch cocktails. Favorite share plates are the Monkey Bread, Brussels Sprouts and Deviled Eggs."

"Where: 1220 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Over the years, Gossip Grill has blossomed into a full patio bar and restaurant with a dance floor. The restaurant serves American comfort food, and the lively place is decked out with feminine inspired art, fabulous chandeliers, and a foliage facade outdoor patio bar with fire pits. As the sun sets, Gossip transforms into a dance nightclub for the ladies, but don't worry, the dance floor is open to men and everything in between."

"Time: Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.Specials: $2 off of appetizers and other food and drink specialsOcean View: Panoramic ocean viewWhy Go: Counter-serve café serving mostly Italian cuisine adjacent to UCSD with views in addition to indoor and outdoor seatingNeighborhood: Torrey Pines/UCSDAddress: 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, California 92037"

"It's always good, but the drinks are pretty inconsistent in quality. It seems like they always have new employees making the drinks different ways."

"A post shared by skybound coffee☕️ (@skyboundcoffee) on Jun 6, 2014 at 7:37am PDT. Skybound is your go-to coffee or lunch break lounge. They offer healthy sandwiches, with vegan options, and renders a consistently pleasing customer service."

"Ponce's Mexican Restaurant in the Kensington neighborhood is owned and operated by the Meza family for over 40 years. It's loved for fantastic Mexican food but also for overall community spirit as the restaurant supports local organizations and prides itself on being a good to employees. It's tough to isolate just a few items because the entire menu is good, but try the chicken enchiladas, carnitas, green salsa, and flan."

"One of the newest eateries on the Coronado restaurant scene, The Henry blends timeless Gatsby-era elegance with a relaxed atmosphere, making dining here a very eclectic experience. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant offers both patio and inside dining. Their iconic green and white umbrellas are a beacon to hungry diners."

"Take a walk along busy Orange Avenue and you are sure to find something that will delight your palate. There’s a little something for everyone including the casual café, farm to table approach, local brewery, Mexican, sushi and more. Here are a few of our favorites we think you’d be disappointed to miss!"

"Location: 1031 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118Phone: (619) 762-1022Website. The newest kid on the block in the heart of Coronado, The Henry impressed us so much, we included it in our favorite outdoor restaurants. There’s plenty of outdoor dining ideal for people-watching."

"Café Chloe is the first European-inspired restaurant in San Diego. Located in the East Village, this cosy café features classic French food in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere where diners can linger over a tasty brunch seven days a week. Add on a coffee, tea, or cocktail for a full brunch experience at this delightful spot."

"Time: Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.Specials: $2 off of appetizers and other food and drink specialsOcean View: Panoramic ocean viewWhy Go: Counter-serve café serving mostly Italian cuisine adjacent to UCSD with views in addition to indoor and outdoor seatingNeighborhood: Torrey Pines/UCSDAddress: 2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, California 92037"

"It's always good, but the drinks are pretty inconsistent in quality. It seems like they always have new employees making the drinks different ways."

"They have cafes throughout Southern California, however, their space in Little Italy is so wonderfully unique in conception it is a MUST-DO for anybody interested in one-of-a-kind coffee experiences. “The Space,” as it’s called, houses James Coffee Co. along with a great collection of well-curated boutique shops all under one roof. The classic barbershop, hand-poured candle store, and premium craft eyewear seller, among others, add to the lively atmosphere of this bustling mini-market."

"A photo posted by James Coffee Co. (@jamescoffeeco) on Oct 22, 2016 at 7:38am PDT. James Coffee Co. is a sweet place on India Street with tons of room. The James “Space” is the building that houses the James Coffee Co. coffee shop and roaster but is also home to a few boutique shops all under one roof."

"The next one of the best coffee shops in San Diego is James Coffee Co. What's great about this place is that they have handcrafted artisan-roasted coffee. They create coffee with beans that come from a single source, which is great!"