Mentioned by SmarterTravel
The Best Cheap Eats in San Diego
"For a casual dinner, check-out this local Memphis style BBQ joint where everything is made fresh daily. With spectacular park and bay views, they have over 100 varieties of beer to choose from to help you wash down the delicious food!. Don’t forget to check-out So Diego Tours for a chance to experience the best this island has to offer as part of a group!"
"Bartender pouring a Death Before Dying beer at North Park in San Diego. Credit: Courtesy of North Park Beer. The first thing you should know about this company is that its tasting room is big, beautiful, and definitely a place where you’d want to spend an afternoon."
"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)."
"The downtown, Sorrento Mesa, Carlsbad, and 4S Ranch locations of Karl Strauss brewpubs are open and offerer their full menus along with barre, wine,and hard seltzer for pickup (order online) or delivery through Door Dash,GrubHub,and Uber Eats."
"Their red trolley ale is my favorite and a great pick for first time visitors. Many convenient locations across San Diego (even inside airport terminal!) makes it a great option to try."
"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (@bjsrestaurants)"
"I’m from Arizona and decided to go here and you guys make the best burgers compared to the one here in Arizona."
"The family-owned Coronado Brewing Company first opened its doors to beer-loving San Diegans in 1996 and has been offering a full range of specialty brews (as well as a full food menu) ever since. Whether you drop by the flagship location on Coronado Island or the Tasting Room just a few miles from us on Mission Bay, you’re guaranteed a good time."
"The hardest part about getting dessert is deciding what to order. Thankfully, Square Bar lets you get two in one dessert-like drinks, that makes your decision just a little bit easier. This up and coming cafe specializes in coffee and tea, and you can put boba in any of them."
"A small chain in California with 10 outlets where they make all their natural ice cream in small batches. What sets them apart from everybody else is their incredible unique and exciting flavours, as well as their gorgeous waffle cones. They also rotate and create new flavours every quarter to ensure you never get bored."
"To do so, Cauldron Ice Cream uses liquid nitrogen to freeze their sweet treats. LAB Desserts and Coffee – 4817 Convoy Street"
"Pacific Beach, Carmel MountainMix or match two freshly baked cookies or brownies on the outside and a huge scoop of decadent ice cream inside for the perfect hand-held treat at The Baked Bear. Whatever combo you choose, have it hot-pressed, drizzled with sauce, rolled in sprinkles, mini M&Ms, or Fruity Pebbles, topped with whipped cream, or all three.How to order:Limited seating is available on a first-come basis."
"Pacific Beach/Carlsbad/Petco ParkWhat you're getting: Custom ice cream sandwich ($3.25-$4.25)Whether you build your own ice cream sandwich with cookies, brownies, or a donut, it’ll still ring in well under $5. Our pick is the cookie and brownie combo ($3.70), a delicious treat big enough to satisfy the sweet tooth of a bear under the influence of appetite-increasing herbs."
"You can choose from any of their homemade cookies, brownies, or even donuts to hold together this decadent sandwich. They have a wide range of original cookie and ice cream flavors to pick from, and you can even get your sandwich rolled in a topping ranging from brownie bites to Fruity Pebbles. #SpoonTip: This treat tastes better at the beach."
"Like the Science Center, it wasn’t huge but was a nice place to go to explore and learn about the area during one of the rainy days we had when we were in San Diego. It didn’t have quite as many hands on activities for the kids but there was definitely enough to keep them occupied for a few hours. Tip: Same as the tip under the Fleet Science Center: If you don’t have the reciprocal membership recommended above then check out the Go San Diego Cardwhich has the Fleet Science Center and the Natural History Museum mentioned below on it."
"The oldest scientific institution in southern California, this 134-year-young museum is as relevant as ever with stimulating state-of-the-art exhibits. The museum focuses on the natural worlds of the Southern California and Baja peninsula regions while maintaining a global scientific perspective. Travel to the Polar Regions at the End of The Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins exhibit, or see a striking film come to life in the museum's 3-D theater."
"The San Diego Natural History Museum (theNAT) showcases the diversity and evolution of the Southern California landscape to inspire respect for all of nature. The exhibits draw on findings from their collection of over 8 million specimens that showcase how plants and animals adapt to changes in our environment. It’s one of our personal favorites and on my list of best San Diego museums for children."
"– If you are looking to splurge, Sheerwater is the Hotel Del’s formal dining restaurant. It features local seafood, smoked meats, and fresh salads along with a Sunday brunch bar on the weekends."
"This classic San Diego seafood spot is one of the best places in town for cheap eats. Head out to the Poway location for some of the o.classic seafood sandwiches. Try the soft shel..."