Best Fine Dining in Little Italy

"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."

"Coastline views set the scene for a night of luxurious La Jolla fine dining. Savor fresh seafood and steaks—hand cut and aged for more than 28 days—while you relax and bask in the calm atmosphere. Check the live jazz calendar to see who takes the stage in the V Lounge each night."

"In San Diego, you can’t go far without spotting a place specializing in seafood like this spot a walk away from Hotel del Coronado. This waterfront restaurant serves regional seafood delicacies like Maryland-style crab cakes, seafood ceviche, and ahi tuna poke for lunch and dinner. Insider tip: Diners in your group who don’t eat seafood will appreciate their selection of meat and poultry dishes."

"Fine dining and elegance don’t have to feel stuffy, and Top of the Market is the perfect example of that. Whether you’re seated inside or out on the expansive deck you’ll be able to enjoy magical harbour views and high-end seafood straight from the fish market downstairs. Locals head here for date night often, but it’s easily one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego for anniversaries and other celebrations too."

"Ordering takeout from Market is as close as you’ll get to eating at the restaurant where each dish incorporates seasonal ingredients. Takeout is a three-course chef’s tasting menu and includes a choice of starter, entree and dessert. Plan accordingly— ordering three days in advance is required."

"Top of the Market serves contemporary American Seafood Cuisine in an upscale atmosphere. Located on North Harbor Drive in the Downtown Embarcadero neighborhood, it features breatht"

"Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey of TLC's Mega Bites and Bravo's Top Chef, opened Searsucker in the heart of San Diego's trendy Gaslamp Quarter. His New American cuisine puts new twists on classic favorites. Specialties include buttermilk fried chicken, bone-in tomahawk ribeye, and locally sourced seafood specialties like Maine scallops."

"Under the direction of Chef Brian Malarkey (Bravo's Top Chef finalist), Searsucker has quickly become a comfortable choice for indulging in eclectic menus. Located on a busy block of the Gaslamp Quarter, this eatery is decidedly Californian.[Learn more]"

"Start your evening at one of the Gaslamp’s rooftop bars (Altitudes is a favorite), followed by dinner at Searsucker. San Diego Itinerary Day three: Balboa Park and Point Loma"

"For a celebratory upscale meal in San Diego’s Gaslamp District, you won’t be disappointed at The Oceanaire Seafood Room. Great for a date night, the dining room feels like you’re stepping aboard a luxury ocean liner from years past. Start with the Grand Shellfish Tower — an array of fresh crab legs, jumbo shrimp, and other ocean goodies served atop crushed ice in an impressive display."

"The Oceanaire Seafood Room is one of the premier dining locations in San Diego, located in the Gas Lamp District. The establishment is a part of a high-end restaurant chain that offers a sophisticated yet lively environment that draws crowds of diners. The art-decor is reminiscent of an ocean liner with upscale accents and the service is great."

"Enter the sleek and sophisticated seafood room at The Oceanaire and behold a space reminiscent of a luxury cruise liner. Guests are immersed in the fresh menu offerings, topped of by oysters from the nearby Carlsbad Shellfish Farm.[Learn more]"

"Coasterra is the place to sit back and sip a margarita or two while admiring our spectacular cityscape. The rest of the cocktail program ranges from fruity and floral to smoky and spicy and pairs perfectly with the modern Mexican menu that features a raw bar, several ceviches and aguachiles, seafood-centric entrees and a killer banana butter cake with Skrewball peanut butter caramel. Join them for happy hour when select appetizers and drinks are just $7."

"When The Hake temporarily shuttered after a successful two-year run and move across Prospect St, the new ocean view was the main focus. It should’ve been on the new chef though, Aarti Sanghavi, whose food shows the synergy and parallels between the Indian cuisine of her heritage and the Latin stylings of The Hake’s menu. Take her superlative opah chorizo."

"Many of us have canine friends we want to get an evening walk and soak up some sun, especially if we’ve been working all day. Turns out you can have your wine and walk your dog, too!. This venue’s patio is dog friendly, so you can bring Rover and let him enjoy exploring the outside world while you explore a new Riesling."

"Located in Balboa Park, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a relaxing spot to spend an afternoon in San Diego. The garden was built to represent the friendship between San Diego and its sister city in Japan, Yokohama, and provides a unique and chilled out experience for visitors. Besides its zen atmosphere and impressive garden and architecture designs, the Japanese Friendship Garden hosts regular events throughout the year, such as yoga classes, meditation sessions, and the San Diego Sake Day."

"There is an extra fee to enter the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. There’s an upper and lower strolling path where you can see koi pond, landscaped gardens and a Zen garden viewing deck. It’s a very tranquil space."

"The elegant Japanese Friendship Garden is also worth a visit. Grab lunch at The Prado, located within Balboa Park., and try to get a table on the outdoor terrace."

"The House of Pacific Relations International Cottages showcases the traditions of 34 national groups, some of which have their own cottages (build originally for the 1935 Exposition). The goal is to promote multicultural understanding through exhibits and programming. (Location: Balboa Park)"

"Located just off Orange Avenue on a quiet neighborhood street, this French gem won’t disappoint. Situated in a beautiful historic home, they delight in simple traditional cooking methods using the freshest local ingredients. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped inside a private home with 5-star service."

"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."

"This farm-to-table restaurant located in the village serves breakfast 7 days a week from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm. It features open-air windows, a small outdoor patio, and the servers are friendly and attentive. The menu is ever-changing to reflect what the executive chef can get from local farms and purveyors, and everything is made from scratch."

"This farm-to-table restaurant features happy hour specials daily from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. Come from work, the beach or one of many San Diego adventures and unwind with specially priced happy hour menu that includes appetizers, salads, wines, beers, and cocktails. The restaurant features open-air windows and a small outdoor patio."

"This hip eatery has won national acclaim for its combination of casual comfort and a menu of ever-changing local fare. In nice weather, request...Read More"

"Featuring eight galleries that hold more than 100 interactive science exhibits, the Fleet Science Center is the best place to go for hands-on learning. It’s also home to the world’s first IMAX Dome Theater, which shows the biggest films on the planet. Since its opening in 1973, the Fleet has been one of San Diego’s most-visited museums, thanks to the theater and interactive exhibits like Kid City (an exhibition just for kids age five and under)."

"Founded in 1973, it was the first museum to build a planetarium and IMAX dome on site, offering its guests a wide range of entertainment options even as it educated them on scientific subjects. Other museums quickly went “hey, that’s a good idea” and copied the design, and now, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a museum dome. The good news is that the Fleet Science Center is still just as fun as it was in the ’70s."

"And maybe you and the husband would like to try out a couple of things yourself. There are weight galleries that have about 100 hands-on exhibits for children and grown ups to navigate. You can explore the concept of gravity and how it works."

"If you want something simple, straightforward, and kid-friendly, this small Solana Beach spot sports a nice grassy area, and also has a playground for kids who get bored of swimming. Fletcher Cove also has picnic tables, bathroom facilities, and a beach wash station. This beach is best for walking, playing (there’s a basketball court, too) and boogie or body boarding, but if you’re looking to lounge on the sand all day, try somewhere else because the sand is limited here and sometimes completely swallowed by high tides."

"The main beach in Solana Beach is Fletcher Cove, aka “Pillbox” (because a WWII gunnery installation is there), located where Lomas Santa Fe Boulevard meets the coast and just across Highway 101 from the Solana Beach train station. There are public restrooms and showers, as well as picnic tables and a basketball court on the bluffs above the beach. Lifeguards are on duty from 8 a.m."