The New Wave of San Diego’s Required Dining
San Diego’s dining scene has long been recognized by locals for its merits, but as San Diego continues to emerge as a booming foodie paradise rivaling California’s cities to the north, it has become more important than ever to have a few go-to recommendations up one’s sleeve for any visitors that want the inside scoop. While staples like Mister A’s and Michelin-starred eateries like Jeune et Jolie are certainly solid recommendations, several San Diego classics, as well as a handful of newcomers, have proven that they deserve a spot on any local’s required dining list.
San Diego Classics
Photo Credit: Jose Lopez
Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar
Must Order: Puesto Perfect Guacamole and Filet Mignon Taco
Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar, known locally simply as Puesto, recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary, during which time it has solidified its place in the San Diego community. The family owned restaurant started as a singular location in La Jolla in 2012, and introduced an eccentric, contemporary and colorful flair to traditional Mexico City-style cuisine. Puesto’s signature tacos wrapped in crispy cheese and the restaurant’s commitment to showcasing only the best ingredients, quickly earned them a devoted local fan base, and gave the restaurant a jumping off point to expand within San Diego and throughout California. Now boasting nine locations, including three San Diego outposts located in La Jolla, Mission Valley, and Seaport Village respectively, Puesto has sold more than 18.3M tacos and employs more than 500 people. Firmly establishing themselves as a San Diego staple over the past decade, Puesto is sure to continue to be a go-to for locals and visitors alike.
Photo Credit: Lyudmila Zotova
Must Order: Fiori di Zucca and California Pizza
Barbusa, the Busalacchi Family’s Little Italy hotspot, is known as much for its energy and ambience as it is for its delicious menu and impressive cocktail offerings. Owned and operated by the Busalacchi family, Barbusa is the latest addition to an impressive San Diego restaurant legacy that spans over 35 years and more than a dozen restaurants, and is known for putting San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood on the map. Focused on modern fare from the family’s native Sicily, fan favorites include Lollipop Chops and Fiori di Zucca as well as indulgent pastas, pizza, and mains. Insiders know to ask for a selection of secret menu items, including the Busa Board, a six foot long sharing platter for the table that allows large groups to test out a variety of Barbusa’s starters, and bone marrow luge shots. A must visit for anyone wanting an authentic and energetic Little Italy experience, the restaurant is often booked solid, so be sure to plan ahead by making a reservation via their website.
Photo Credit: Jasmine Fitzwilliam
Must Order: Latte Flight and the Toast Flight or the Fig & Prosciutto Pizette
The tiniest bit of San Diego Instagram research will likely lead to an image of an exterior Coffee + Flowers mural ―that’s Communal. Much more than a popular Instagram spot, Communal is a creative-minded café and shop with not one, but three locations in San Diego, all of which have been fully embraced by their respective neighborhoods. With an emphasis on inspiring and caring for the local community, Communal offers a full craft coffee and drink menu, seasonal food offerings, creatively-designed spaces, fresh flowers and curated goods. Each location is uniquely designed with the surrounding area in mind. The North Park shop is an all day destination with welcoming spaces for meeting and working. The South Park location houses a vintage trailer surrounded by a charming outdoor patio where visitors can sit and enjoy the sunshine. The newest Oceanside location is an all inclusive space that anchors Tremont Collective, a community of like-minded businesses. At this location there is a private patio, designated flower shop, full café experience and a home décor shop next door dubbed “The Annex,” which also encompasses an event space where monthly workshops are held. With locations in the heart of San Diego, as well as the area’s Northern-most community, Communal is a must-visit for any San Diego itinerary, regardless of which part of town one is visiting.
Noteworthy Newcomers
Photo Credit: Courtesy of White Rice
Must Order: Lechon Kawali and Ube Buns
No visit to San Diego is complete without dropping by award-winning chef Philip Esteban's new passion-project, White Rice, where he shares his vision of the everyday meals of his childhood as told through bold Filipino flavors. A rice bowl food stall located in San Diego's historic Liberty Public Market food hall in Point Loma, the White Rice menu features a diverse array of rice bowls based on traditional Filipino dishes. Designed like a Filipino sari-sari, or corner bodega, the menu is based around savory rice bowls or “silog” meaning garlic rice and egg, a popular Filipino everyday go-to meal. Menu items include Lechon Kawali, or crispy pork belly, Pinoy BBQ, Mushroom & Tofu Sisig, and Filipino Spaghetti with hot dog Bolognese, egg noodles, queso de bola and fresh herbs, along with sides including the classic Ube Pandesal and Lumpia Shanghai. Following the 1-for-1 model, the team donates one meal for every meal purchased at White Rice to local San Diego community groups. Guests can place orders online via the TOAST platform, or stop by the eatery seven days a week to get a taste. White Rice will also be opening up a second location this spring in Normal Heights, featuring a bodega that will carry in-house made provisions like whipped ube butter, goods and merchandise, along with Chef Phillip's everyday favorites, Filipino beer, natural wine and more.
Photo Credit: Christian Guerra
Inside Tip: To amp up any pizza, order the crust “dirty” and it will come covered with everything seasoning
Nothing pairs better than pizza and wine, but add oysters to the picture and the result is a combo no one knew they needed, and where you will find in-the-know locals at Corner Pizza. The Biarritz meets Brooklyn neighborhood pizza spot in Leucadia, is known for their paired down menu of excellent pizza pies, oysters and natural wine. Corner Pizza is owned by Leucadia Co. who are also behind some of North County’s favorite restaurants including Valentina and Moto Deli. Menu highlights include the Killer Bee made with red sauce, mozzarella, charred pepperoni, soppressata, gorgonzola, rosemary and a drizzle of chili honey or the Lemon Pesto made with garlic mozzarella, nut free pesto, red onions and thin sliced lemon. Beyond the pizza menu is a raw bar featuring fresh oysters every day paired nicely with their extensive menu of natural wines curated by Sommelier/Director of Operations Ricadro Zarate, Jr. Corner Pizza will also be opening a second location in South Oceanside this summer that will feature unique touches of Oceanside from the menu, atmosphere and curated playlist. Orders can be placed in advance for pick up through their website or dine-in seven days a week from 11:30am to 9pm.
Photo Credit: Diana Rose Photo
Inside Tip: Late night happy hour runs Thursday-Saturday 8pm to close with $7 drinks
Garibaldi, a rooftop restaurant highlighting a bayfront patio bar with unparalleled views of San Diego’s cityscape and bay, is a downtown destination recommended for locals and visiting bons vivants alike. Garibaldi features a Southern Italian-inspired menu brought to life by talented Chef de Cuisine Todd Bencivenni, with menu highlights like the Lamb T-Bone with grilled lamb porterhouse, sumac braised lamb shoulder, and lemon mint, in addition to the completely vegan Celery Root Steak with caramelized celery root, roasted baby beets, and salsa verde giardino. The restaurant also offers a selection of signature cocktails to perfectly pair with immaculate golden hour view, with standouts including the Stintino Sunset with Ramazzotti, Espolon Blanco, honey, fresh grapefruit, lime and prickly pair and the Fifty Shades of Orange with Arancino, Grand Marnier, Aperol, Dash Grappa and Aranciata. More subtle than many of its comparable rooftop counterparts, Garibaldi’s ambiance makes it the perfect sunset spot, date night dinner location or group celebration destination, and an experience worthy of making one’s San Diego requirements.
Photo Credit: James Tran
J & Tony’s Discount Cured Meats and Negroni Warehouse
Must Order: Negroni Bianco
J & Tony’s Discount Cured Meats and Negroni Warehouse, otherwise known as J & Tony’s, is one of San Diego’s most under-the-radar bars and a winner of Esquire’s “Best Bars in America,” making it a perfect recommendation for those in search of San Diego’s hidden cocktail culture. The bar is owned by CH Projects, the restaurant group responsible for some of the city’s most notable concepts, including Born & Raised, Morning Glory, and Raised by Wolves. Tucked away in downtown San Diego’s East Village neighborhood, J & Tony’s celebrates bitter cocktails and specialty cured meats, focusing on a curated selection of Italian flavors, and is designed for day drinking that flows into the evening. In addition to Negronis and Amari cocktails, J & Tony’s menu includes a variety of breakfast offerings, sandwiches, and late night bites. For those that prefer a coffee with their breakfast, connected to the bar is the Invigatorium, a coffee shop as inventive as the name suggests, which serves up a selection of specialty brews in partnership with Modern Times.
