Mentioned by Spoon University
31 Things To Eat In San Diego Before You Die
"This favorite among neighborhood locals (and not-so-locals) churns out top-notch thin-crust, Neapolitan-style pies. The 35 different pizzas on offer -- mostly with proper, Italian names -- range from margherita (the gold standard upon which any pizzeria can be measured), to pies topped with shrimp, salmon, speck, and even fried eggplant. The small dining area can get crowded, but pizzas cook in minutes, so it’s rare to have to wait very long once you’re seated."
"With outposts in Liberty Station, Encinitas, and Petco Park, the flagship location of this friendly, family-owned Italian eatery remains the most beloved. Regulars rave about the pizzas that emerge from its signature gold-tiled ovens as well as the pastas, both are also available gluten-free."
"This cozy Tuscanesque cafe is as popular a hangout for surfers as it is with the more senior members of La Jolla society. Terra-cotta tiled floors, bottles of chianti, and a Roman fountain all contribute to the setting for an authentic Italian menu. Highlights include gourmet wood oven-fired pizzas, Saffron Pappardelle and House-Made Ricotta-Spinach Basil Ravioli."
"When the craving for comfort food strikes, there’s almost nothing better than a trip to Whisknladel. This decade-old stalwart elevates classics like buttermilk fried chicken with gourmet mac and cheese and a side of pancetta braised green beans, and a menu that sources almost entirely from local farms. Charred bone marrow gets cozy with lemon and capers, while local market fish takes a swim in lemon butter sauce and the pork chop basks in a peach vinaigrette."
"At Whisknladle, you know you’re getting three things: Decadent comfort eats, local ingredients, and a plate of food your body will thank you for. Chef Ryan Johnston believes in a simple culinary philosophy: Food does not need to be overpowered, overmixed, or over-presented. Food, in its optimal form, is a culmination of the ingredients inside."
"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."
"The cult South Park pizza and pasta restaurant takes over the historic El Cordova Garage to bring its Neapolitan and Roman pies to the island. Owner Matteo Cattaneo, now a Coronado resident, says he’ll lovingly restore the building and plans to be open by the end of 2019. After the new year, he’ll unveil an Italian market in the space Italian market, selling homemade pastas, sauces, baked goods and more."
"The only Italian restaurant I regularly single out as my favorite, chef/owner Francesco Basile serves freshly made fare with a Sicilian’s flair. This perennially packed trattoria, located in a nondescript strip mall, is the kind of neighborhood gem we all want in our neighborhood. In the 12 years I’ve been going there, I’ve never had a disappointing dish."
"In-season vegetables and high quality products are the star at La Mesa’s Antica Trattoria, which has a menu consisting of appetizers, main dishes and pasta dishes."
"Azerbaijan, Café 21 is an eclectic restaurant with two locations in the Gaslamp Quarter and University Heights. In a warm and rustic interior, this café, serves up cuisine infused with international flavours. The menu presents diners with many sweet and savoury dishes, which are all made with fresh organic ingredients when possible, and handcrafted libations."
"With two San Diego locations and a tasty breakfast and brunch menu — with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options — Cafe 21 offers everything from overnight oats to a chicken crepe cake with pickled onions and greens."
"The Gaslamp Quarter’s beloved barleymash is back-in-action, beginning Thursday at Noon!. Now you can chow down on the city’s best loaded fries, flatbreads, and burgers from the newly created parklets, soon-to-be equipped with TVs. barleymash will be open from Noon – 10PM and can’t wait to serve you some of San Diego’s tastiest food and drink, created by Chef Kevin Templeton."
"Acai bowls are a huge thing out west, but a lot of the world hasn’t even heard of them before. It’s basically a smoothie bowl comprised of acai or pitaya, or both if you’re lucky. Fruit is piled high on top along with nuts, coconut shavings, peanut butter, almond butter, granola, and the list goes on and on."
"Next up is Roseville-Fleet Ridge's Northside Shack, located at 1255 Rosecrans St., with Yelpers giving the breakfast and brunch spot, which offers juice, smoothies and açai bowls, five stars out of 557 reviews."
"It’s their mission at Golden Donuts to make the best, most uniform donuts as they possibly can with every batch. Image courtesy of Golden Donuts Instagram. While you can expect pretty much any donut you pick up to be sweet, not everyone is a fan of the sickly sweet flavors that accompany a lot of the more well-known donut establishments around San Diego - let alone the whole country."
"Tried them out for the first time today and will definitely be back!. We got a variety of half a dozen donuts and Vietnamese coffee and love everything."
"Love bringing the office donuts from yum yum! Always such a wide variety in the mornings and no line to wait in!"