Best Fine Dining in National City

"That's right, Juniper + Ivy is owned by the winner of Bravo TV's Top Chef, none other than Richard Blais. If you've seen him on TV you know that Richard is the molecular gastronomical guy - you know, the guy who likes to deconstruct and transform ingredients into new forms. Just saying because if you see things like Corn Dog or Mac N Cheese on the menu you should know upfront that the food they bring out might not exactly match your experience from the past."

"Described as a ‘left coast cookery’ and serving creative New American cuisine, this Little Italy venue has Executive Chef and partner Richard Blais at the helm and features a frequently changing menu. Within a modern and inviting space complete with exposed beams and colourful art guests can feast upon a host of delectable treats from snacks and raw dishes to plates both small and large."

"For a place that’s best known for its buttermilk biscuits, Juniper & Ivy seems improbably swanky at first. Picture curtained-off banquettes, modern light fixtures, and painstakingly turned-out patrons. But the upscale/down-home contrast..."

"in the barSpecials: Half-shell oyster specials, other food, and drink discounts, including on cocktails and wines by the glass at happy hourOcean View: YesWhy Go: High-end steak and seafood with great views that are popular for special occasions and date nights Neighborhood: Village of La JollaAddress: 1270 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037"

"In what is considered the Coronado Ferry Landing area, there are quite a few fabulous restaurants that have views of the bay as well as the downtown San Diego skyline. If coming by car, parking is easy in this area. If you’d prefer to adventure over via the water, take the Coronado Ferry, a foot ferry that transports you from two locations in downtown San Diego (Convention Center and Broadway Pier)."

"Based on the Yelp reviews of Bluewater Grill, we decided to put them to the test!. The building appears to have a very similar architecture as the nearby ..."

"Ordered the crab sandwich which was good, had a lot of veggies in it, but the crab tasted a bit old, something lacking in the..."

"Often referred to as America’s Finest City, this coastal town is saturated with year round sunshine and adventure can be discovered at every turn. With today’s new normal, it’s important to find social distancing approved activities around the breathtaking city, worth exploring. Luckily, San Diego has plenty of fun social distancing approved options available to enjoy."

"Chef/owner Carl Schroeder’s (Michael Mina and Bradley Ogden) North County restaurant has endured and thrived while remaining faithful to a hyper-seasonal cooking style inspired by local farms including the nearby Alice Waters-endorsed Chino Farm."

"Located on the western edge of the scenic Coronado Island, 1500 Ocean is the perfect place to go for a sunset dinner, whether you sit inside or out on the terrace.[Learn more]"

"EncinitasSan Diegans can once again experience the cuisine of Executive Chef Claudette Zepeda, whose former restaurant in Liberty Station, El Jardín, was included on Michelin's Bib Gourmand list in 2019, at VAGA Restaurant and Bar, newly opened at Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas. Boasting expansive ocean views and a dramatic open kitchen, Chef Zepeda fuses diverse cultures with local ingredients from places like Chino Farms and Cyclops Farms in dishes such as heirloom bean soup, brisket buns, and Baja sea bass on a seasonal menu. The beverage program, led by Alexander Gregg, features rotating signature cocktails, local microbrews, and a dynamic wine list incorporating natural wines utilizing grapes from low-intervention/biodynamic vineyards.How to book: Reservations are recommended and can be made online via SevenRooms."

"The buzz:The Puffer/Malarkey Collective’s finally reopens with a dynamic new culinary director.The food: Now under the helm of acclaimed chef Tara Monsod, it has a lighter, more Southeast Asian focused menu. Sip a Chai Paloma (tequila, coconut chai, cinnamon, grapefruit) alongside savory uni shrimp toast or sweet and sour cauliflower. Then explore the sake menu while you indulge in A5 Wagyu, Shanghai crab noodles with snap peas, garlic chili butter, and cilantro, or Kare Kare Short Ribs with green beans, and eggplant.The cost: Hot and cold starters are $7-22, entrees go for $24-69, cocktails are $14-19, beer and wine by the glass are $8-25, and sake flights run $25.How to book: Make reservations for indoor dining via OpenTable."

"Make dinner a truly grand affair at San Diego's "it" restaurant, Animae. The 5.5 million dollar pan-Asian restaurant sprawls across 9,300 square feet and the ambiance is opulent and seductive. If you go on Valentine's Day, they offer a four-course menu for $95/person."

"If you and your sweetie love a gourmet meal in a slightly refined atmosphere, Island Prime is the place to visit when you’re in San Diego. Start your meal with the seafood platter that includes oysters, crab, and shrimp, or try the crab cakes with lemon aioli. You can enjoy entrees like prime rib and mashed potatoes, salmon roulade with a basil potato puree, or fire-roasted cauliflower with Japanese eggplant."

"Located on Harbor Island, just a close drive from the airport, Island Prime is one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego. It sits on a stilt-supported structure that stretc..."

"The food is still very good, and like everywhere else, prices here have risen, but additionally days of operation have been reduced, so it requires more ..."

"Join Flemings Steakhouse La Jolla for a three-course Thanksgiving feast for just $49 per person, including classics like the Mixed Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast, or Sliced Beef Tenderloin. Sides include delicious butter-mashed sweet potatoes or Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. And bring the kids, too!"

"The staff will always be incredibly friendly and the food tastes great too. Your dining experience in La Jolla will definitely be memorable if you try any of the restaurants featured here."

"For an interactive dining experience, snag a seat at j/wata Temaki Bar for made-to-order hand rolls filled with premium fish—best eaten immediately...Read More"

"Our friends recommended this place and we're so glad we checked it out!. This was the first time since the pandemic happened that we dined in for ramen and…”more"

"Often referred to as America’s Finest City, this coastal town is saturated with year round sunshine and adventure can be discovered at every turn. With today’s new normal, it’s important to find social distancing approved activities around the breathtaking city, worth exploring. Luckily, San Diego has plenty of fun social distancing approved options available to enjoy."

"Chef/owner Carl Schroeder’s (Michael Mina and Bradley Ogden) North County restaurant has endured and thrived while remaining faithful to a hyper-seasonal cooking style inspired by local farms including the nearby Alice Waters-endorsed Chino Farm."

"Well-heeled seafood lovers abound at this Little Italy fixture, where chef Jason McLeod spins out everything from crab cakes and mussels to whole Maine lobsters straight from the tank. Whatever you do, don’t miss the raw bar, a daily-changing menu of peel-and-eat shrimp, ceviche and, of course, oysters. Opt for at least one round of the Ironside Select, an oyster exclusive to the restaurant, which McLeod grows out of Puget Sound."

"Ironside specializes in fish and oyster dishes, along with other seafood fares. They’re known for their quirky nautical design accents in a renovated warehouse space with a comfortable ambiance. You can get your fill on fresh seafood and other dishes and also enjoy signature cocktails, but it’s a good idea to make reservations in advance."

"Cosmopolitan Restaurant claims a remarkable heritage, occupying an adobe home built in 1927, now inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. The building served as a restaurant ..."

"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."

"Although the Smoking Goat is credited with pioneering a culinary renaissance in a once-sleepy corner of North Park, nothing else about chef Fred Piehl’s flagship restaurant screams “culinary vanguard”—and that’s..."

"Everything from the scallops, octopus, and steak were so delicious, but the real surprise was how amazing the swordfish was."