The San Diego Food Scene - What You Need to Know

Few cities in Southern California offer the vibrant cultural life San Diego is famous for. San Diego’s location endows it with an impeccable climate, idyllic vistas, and pristine beaches. Its eclectic neighborhoods are microcosms of architectural beauty, welcoming craft pubs and green-filled streets under an ever-blue sky. 

San Diego occupies a unique spot under the Californian sun that gives it near-perfect weather. And while its location has earned it the title of "America’s Finest City," it also gave San Diego access to some of the most decadent cuisine in the nation. 

As a result, the last several years have seen a spike in iconic eateries, such as The Crack Shack and Sushi Ota, that have taken the city by storm. From high-end steak houses to authentic taco shops, the world in between is boundless and full of flavor. 

It isn’t always easy to navigate San Diego’s food scene, but our team put together a quick guide for local residents and visitors to take advantage of everything culinary this city offers. 

San Diego Food Scene Guide

• The tacos
• The food trucks
• The fine-dining scene
• The breakfast spots
• The craft beer

The tacos

San Diego's southern border is Mexico. Over the years, this proximity has created one of the most famous taco scenes in Southern California. Los Angeles might be the tourist haven for tacos, but San Diego has long since established itself among the meccas of taquerias. Any trip to San Diego cannot be complete without a visit to its numerous authentic taco stands or restaurants. As such, it is a tall order to decide where to go for Mexican food in San Diego. 

Taco trucks are a mainstay and dot various popular areas like South Park or University Heights. Famous chefs also cut into the action and opened up Mexican-inspired restaurants that make headlines. 

Whichever route you choose, you will not be disappointed. That is because the Mexican food in San Diego avoids cliches and sticks to the traditional roots that inspired this cuisine. Below are our top three picks for must-see taco spots.

Best tacos in San Diego

• Las Cuatro Milpas
• Tacos El Gordo
• Galaxy Taco

Las Cuatro Milpas

Sometimes authentic doesn’t mean showy, and a straightforward joint in Barrio Logan is a perfect example of why this is true. Las Cuatro Milpas opened in 1933 and has become a legendary go-to for foodies and casuals alike who seek authentic Mexican food. 

There isn’t much to expect in terms of service or decor since you’re not here to get pampered by fine-dining standards. This is a place to taste some of the best tacos in San Diego for a bargain price. Lines are usually long here, but the wait is well worth it. 

Tacos El Gordo

Taquerias in San Diego are primarily no-nonsense, and for a good reason. They specialize in fast, delicious food constantly in high demand and with long lines to prove it. Tacos El Gordo has strict rules when ordering, so be prepared to know what you want and willing to wait to get it at their Chula Vista location.

El Gordo is famous for its adobada meat (pork marinated in a unique chili sauce) and holds a separate line for those who want it. You will have to place an order and then pay right away. 

You’ll also need to know what line you belong to based on what you order. If you get through these simple rules, you will have a meal to remember. The portions are small, but the price and flavor are unforgettable and draw crowds from the area.

Galaxy Taco

Galaxy Taco is imbued with the high-end DNA of its neighborhood and brings an upscale touch to classic Mexican fare. It is located a few blocks from La Jolla Shores, one of the best beaches in San Diego, and is front-lined by top chef Trey Foshee.

The menu features all the standard fare, from Tacos to guacamole. Still, each item is imbued with tasteful flairs such as the uni-topped guacamole or the sweet potato Tres Leches cake. A versatile margarita menu boasts hand-shaken cocktails instead of the less classy blender variety, and every dish contains farm-fresh ingredients that adhere to Foshee’s farm-to-table philosophy.

The food trucks

The backbone of San Diego’s culinary scene is the food trucks. The range in cuisine is limitless, and the food trucks of San Diego constantly push the boundaries of what a mobile kitchen can achieve. While the classics include taco trucks and American BBQ, some truck owners are known for their unique specialties. 

Best food trucks in San Diego

• The Pierogi Truck
• Kiko’s Seafood
• Schawarma Guys
• Devilicious

The Pierogi Truck

The Pierogi Truck serves up mouth-watering Polish dumplings with various fillings such as potato, sauerkraut, mushrooms, or cheese. God Save The Cuisine delivers British favorites like fish and chips and a beer-battered fish sandwich with homemade tartar sauce and serves them from an English double-decker-styled truck. The choices are limitless, and any truck you run into will probably give you a wholesome meal. But if you want to experience some of the most famous ones, then check out our picks below.

Kiko’s Place Seafood

San Diego’s coast is a rich source of seafood which is a mainstay on top restaurants’ menus. But some of the most delicious seafood is not always found table-side. Kiko’s Seafood Lunch Truck is another local gem located in Mission Valley and parked nearby a gas station. 

The lack of decor is made up for in the food that’s made Kiko’s famous throughout San Diego. A variety of fish tacos, from shrimp to octopus, are always on offer, and a delicious fish broth is served free of charge. The flavors range from spicy to garlic, and the OG Fish Taco made Baja style with cucumber and cream headlines the menu. 

Shawarma Guys

Although seafood is San Diego’s forte, the variety of authentic cuisines is what makes the city’s food scene come to life. The Shawarma Guys made a name for themselves by using Australian wagyu beef to make their shawarma, a Mediterranean-style meat dish. Their delicious menu helped propel them to Yelp’s no. 1 restaurant spot in 2020. 

The South Park spot marinates the beef overnight in a house blend of spices which is then roasted on a spit the day of service. You can have it in a pita topped with garlic paste and tahini, or opt for the platter, which comes with yellow rice and hummus. 

Devilicious

The distinction of holding San Diego’s "Best Food Truck" for four years in a row belongs to Devilicious. They were featured on The Great Food Truck Race in its second season and haven’t slowed down since. The food truck has locations all over San Diego, but each serves up the menu that made it famous.

Devilicious’ claim to fame comes from their iconic lobster grilled cheese, served on sourdough bread and loaded with poached lobster, melted pepper jack and cheddar cheeses, and topped off with caramelized onions and tomato. From there, the menu diverges into a set of flavor-packed sandwiches such as the Cubano Grill and Pork Belly Melt.

The fine-dining scene

The laid-back lifestyle of San Diego doesn’t adhere much to the poshness of traditional fine dining, even though there is no shortage of upscale flair. Once you’ve had your fill of beloved local spots and are ready to up the ante, the high-end eateries of San Diego can meet any demand. 

While beachfront cafes and laid-back coffee shops are the standards for SoCal living, Downtown San Diego has become the hotspot when it comes to seen-and-be-seen locales.

Little Italy itself, a small section within the Downtown area, is home to two of the most famous restaurants in San Diego. Expect these restaurants to elevate the staples of the city’s food scene, such as seafood and Latin-inspired dishes. 

Below are three must-visit restaurants for anyone wanting to experience the best of San Diego’s fine dining. 

Best fine-dining in San Diego

• Born & Raised
• Herb & Wood
• Addison

Born & Raised

The Gatsby-esque interior of Born & Raised was part of a $6.5 million renovation that made headlines across San Diego. The luxury steakhouse opened in 2017 with nearly 2000 reservations on the books before its opening night and now encompasses a two-story space that spans 10,000 square feet. 

Nestled in the heart of Downtown’s Little Italy, the restaurant has redefined and revitalized the fine dining experience in San Diego. Helmed by Michelin star chef Jason McLeod, the restaurant seeks to embody the classic New York steakhouses of the late 1800s. 

Cocktails are served from the 45-foot-tall custom bar with a 26-tap system. Steaks range from a flat iron to dry-aged New York Strip, while table-side carts allow guests to enjoy appetizers and cocktails prepared right by the table. 

Herb & Wood

Before Born & Raised came on the scene, Herb & Wood was one of the most talked-about restaurants in San Diego. Celebrity chef Brian Malarkey made it his mission to deliver simplicity with an upscale flair. Thus Herb & Wood serves a menu keen on farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple methods like wood-fire roasting. 

The menu is famous for its pizzas and seafood. The traditional options are always available, such as simple garlic with sheep and cow’s milk cheeses, but more eye-opening offerings include the bone-marrow pizza with escargot. 

Aside from the food, however, Herb & Wood made a name for itself with its top-notch cocktail list. House-made cordials and eclectic bitters are used to serve up original cocktails, while the beer list draws from many of San Diego’s craft breweries.

Addison

This is a restaurant for special occasions. The building itself is akin to a palace, with 22-karat gold-trimmed doors and limestone fireplaces. Addison was the first restaurant in San Diego to receive a Michelin star and has since improved on its already impeccable reputation. 

The dining experience is designed to be a memorable one. There are no a-la-carte options, and the menu only offers five or 10-course meals, the latter of which can last up to four hours. Head chef William Bradley draws on modern French cuisine to deliver ultra-upscale dishes, and guests leave with a specially-printed menu to take home as a keepsake.

The breakfast spots

San Diego’s breakfast scene stays true to American classics. You’ll find everything you crave in breakfast, from bacon and eggs to homemade waffles and gourmet coffee. 

Of course, San Diego is filled with craft coffee spots, and you can find a cozy cafe blindfolded. But some places have taken their menus to the next level, and even Michelin noticed some of the top breakfast restaurants in San Diego. 

Best breakfast spots in San Diego

• Morning Glory
• Wayfarer Bread & Pastry
• Harry’s Coffee Shop

Morning Glory

The minds behind Born & Raised didn’t fail at delivering an iconic brunch spot to San Diego. Consortium Holdings designed Morning Glory to be as loud and showy as all their wave-making restaurants. The only thing that speaks louder than the glamorous decor is the deliciousness of the food.

The menus are an eye-candy of psychedelic-themed colors and designs with quirky descriptions and quips throughout. Classic staples such as eggs benedict or flapjacks are brought to life with re-imagined ingredients and presentation. The restaurant’s success even earned it a Bib Gourmand status from Michelin. 

Wayfarer Bread & Pastry

If you want to enjoy a classic Parisian-style breakfast replete with croissants and toasts with jam, Wayfarer is the way to go. Set on an idyllic beachside street in Bird Rock, a small neighborhood within the greater La Jolla, Wayfarer Bread & Pastry is the epitome of a cozy San Diego cafe. 

Flip-flop clad locals come from all over town to enjoy some of the best sourdough loaves in the city, and berry scones and egg sandwiches help round out the menu for those who want something a bit more filling.   

Harry’s Coffee Shop

Harry’s is La Jolla’s oldest diner. It’s the theme that sets it apart from other diners throughout the city and is the main reason why it has had generations of loyal patrons. The now-iconic SoCal spot has its roots in Brooklyn, NY, where the founder, Harry Rudolph Jr., was born. 

The diner opened in 1960 and since then has become the centerpiece of a local-diner feel for San Diegans and La Jollans alike. The restaurant serves up signature breakfast dishes along with a locally-roasted, house blend coffee. Ingredients are sourced from local farms, and the highlight of the menu is the homemade cinnamon rolls.

The craft beer

Last but not least, the imbibing culture of San Diego has established itself as one of the top in the country. This is partly due to the craft beer movement that took hold here and paved the way for modern and old-school breweries to become a serious part of the food scene. Neighborhoods like North Park and South Park have become synonymous with beer culture in San Diego. 

The list of breweries to visit is as extensive as the food trucks and restaurants (just over 150 operational craft beer breweries). But the craft beer capital of the nation has a few must-see spots that any casual and serious beer enthusiast should try. 

Best craft breweries in San Diego

• Coronado Brewing Company
• Mujeres Brew House
• Kairoa Brewing Co.

Coronado Brewing Company

While most breweries have spread towards more congested areas of San Diego, Coronado Brewing Company remains true to the SoCal lifestyle and established itself by the beach in Coronado. The brewers here draw their inspiration from the beach life and strive to create ales and lagers that brim with light and tropical notes. While you’re there, take a walk along the beach to Hotel Del Coronado, one of the oldest Victorian structures in San Diego.

Mujeres Brew House

San Diego is ripe with Latin influence and is now home to its first Latina-owned brewery. Mujeres Brew House originally started as Mujeres Brew Club, a space for women and anyone interested in craft beer to come together and learn about their favorite beverage. The club eventually transformed into the Mujeres Brew House and now delivers some of the top ales in San Diego. Highlights include the Nuestra Señora Spiced Ale and the Cancion de Sirena Farmhouse Ale.

Kairoa Brewing Co.

Nothing beats drinking an ice-cold beer under an open sky, and Kairoa Brewing provides just the spot to get the most out of the San Diego sun. The brewers hail from New Zealand and take advantage of their access to hop varieties unavailable here in the States. These hops are the foundation behind many English-style ales and pale ales coveted by San Diegans. You can also try the brewery’s more exotic ales, such as the Yipao coffee-infused blonde ale.