Mentioned by Time Out San Diego
The 18 best restaurants in San Diego
"With more than 3000 reviews on Google with a 4.6 average, you can tell this is one of the places you must eat when in San Diego. The restaurant is inspired by the taco stands in Tijuana and adventures you experience along the Baja Peninsula. The Taco Stand is a small restaurant located on the south side of La Jolla and what it lacks in size or grandeur it makes up for with a menu and taste palette that will be etched in your memory for years to come."
"The Taco Stand is a popular counter-order taco stand with limited indoor seating. Everything is made-to-order. We like the spicy shrimp tacos and al pastor tacos."
"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by The Taco Stand (@letstaco_)"
"Established in 2009, Evolution is San Diego’s original vegan fast food outlet and the vegetarian’s answer to the universal fast food burger joint, including the drive-thru window. Following the successful formula of meat-centric burger joints, the restaurant has a menu of burgers, tacos, and wraps, including the gluten-free Evo Burger with either a black bean or house-made tempeh patty stacked with fresh lettuce, pickles, grilled onions, cheddar cheese, tomato, and a creamy Thousand Island dressing. Pair burgers with a side of chili cheese fries and organic shakes or smoothies."
"Evolution, located in Bankers Hill, serves vegan burgers, sandwiches and wraps, small bites, cakes, and more. And when they say fast, they mean fast—they even have a drive thru. Grab a sandwich and enjoy it at Balboa Park, which is just across the street!"
"What we found: When I was researching San Diego vegan restaurants, someone in a local Facebook group suggested visiting Plant Power vegan fast food, saying that it was so good they were thinking of taking a trip to San Diego specifically to stop by this place. Plant Power is located in a nice building on a busy intersection, and has its own parking lot and a couple drive-in terminals. It appeared to be very popular with the local vegan and veg-curious crowd."
"A good example of this is the amount of vegan ‘fast food’ places that are popping up in California. You might not think the words “healthy” and “fast food” could be in the same sentence, but vegan fast food eateries have changed the game, offering healthy meals on the go. I used to only be able to find sit-down vegan restaurants that would take ages to prepare the food (sorry Cafe Gratitude, I’m looking at you)."
"Like its name says, “Alma Verde”, this restaurant is designed for those who love their healthy options. Here you can find a menu for vegans, vegetarians, gluten and lactose intolerants. All of their food is made with local and seasonal products."
"Don Carlos, like so many of San Diego's ubiquitous Mexican restaurants, offers a wide variety of traditional Mexican dishes. The twist here is variety of healthy menu options, including tofu burritos made with tofu, eggs, lettuce, fresh salsa and curry; mushroom burritos, made with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, lettuce and cheese; and soyrizo tacos, in which the spicy Mexican chorizo sausage is replaced with a less-fattening soy variety. Don Carlos 737 Pearl St. San Diego, CA 92037 858-456-0462 eataburrito.com"
"The creative French-American bistro serving goat meatballs and braised short ribs draws a dedicated following to this casually elegant neighbourhood spot in North Park. The reasonable prices, including select bottles of wine offered at half-price on Wednesdays, and warm service helps to make it worth the trek from further afield. The Smoking Goat has an upscale farmhouse vibe with exposed-brick walls and a seasonal menu."
"Smoking Goat is a true neighborhood restaurant that's attracting quite a crowd for its upscale mash-up of California and French cuisine with a local organic and sustainable sensibility. With an elegantly rustic interior featuring exposed brick in a farmhouse setting, the Smoking Goat feels authentic and welcoming. One bite of the duck fat truffle fries and you know you've come to the right place."
"Everything from the scallops, octopus, and steak were so delicious, but the real surprise was how amazing the swordfish was."
"This charming, modest-sized, all-day bistro is big on authentic Parisian touches and flavors. Diners are immediately greeted at the entryway with France’s two major food groups: a French/California cheese “altar” and an over-sized ice bucket filled with chilled Champagne. The bright, beach-meets-Left-Bank dining room is lined with white marble tables, a red leather banquette and traditional wicker-style bistro chairs."
"Francophiles will love this chic new Parisian style bistro and its culinary ode to Provençe – think escargot, steak frites, fromage, plus French beers and wines. Leading the kitchen is executive chef Matt Sramek who worked under Thomas Keller at Bouchon in Beverly Hills. Now open early on the weekends there’s a morning menu until 11 a.m."
"This European style café is located near the Coronado Ferry landing and offers light breakfast items in a relaxed environment. They have an extensive selection of pastries baked fresh each morning as well as house made granola, oatmeal, seasonal fruit, assorted quiche and a Breakfast Panino. Their cafe features a full espresso bar, a large variety of hot teas, green and black iced tea, juices, sodas, beer, wine and mimosas."
"A charming restaurant with views of the San Diego Bay from its outdoor patio. It offers pastries and breakfast plates in the morning, superb coffees throughout the day and evening, great salads and entrees at lunch, and fabulous dinner specials in the evening. The café serves wine, and pooches are welcome on the patio."
"Chez Loma’s chef and partner Alejandro Martinez treats his ingredients with love and respect, a perfect recipe for one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego. The French-inspired cooking in a charming refurbished house add to the intimate chram."