San Diego Fine Dining

It should come as no surprise that San Diego is filled with almost unlimited fine dining options.  Close proximity to coastal waters means you’ll always find the freshest seafood in the country.  Perfect year-round climate has given rise to a farm-to-table dining culture that perfectly complements classic cuisine for all parts of the world.  

Local vineyards produce award-winning wines, and a craft brewery culture has mushroomed to add yet another layer to the food and drink options throughout the region.  

The other thing is that San Diegans have sophisticated palettes and embrace all types of cuisine, so won’t have to go far to get recommendations for a memorable dining experience.

There are dozens of high-end options to choose from.  Here are a few that make many of the top fine dining lists.

Seafood is the best place to start.   For a fresh ocean menu, try Tidal (1404 Vacation Rd.) or Osetra Seafood & Steaks (904 5th Ave.), Eddie V's Prime Seafood (789 W Harbor Dr. Suite 158), or Island Prime (880 Harbor Island Dr.)

If you’re looking for fine dining that combines American cuisine and seafood, there are several restaurants to put on your list.  Head for the Crab Catcher Restaurant, The Marine Room, or Georges at the Cove in La Jolla.  Downtown musts include Greystone Prime Steakhouse & Seafood (658 5th Ave.), and JRDN Restaurant (723 Felspar St.) 

Nobu San Diego (207 Fifth Avenue) sets the standard for seafood with a Japanese flair in San Diego.

For Italian fare, try Baci Ristorante Italiano (1955 Morena Blvd.), or Salvatore's Cucina & Lounge (750 Front St.) for classic pizza and seafood options.  Further north, Manhattan of La Jolla in the Fay Avenue Empress Hotel is another choice that locals and visitors have enjoyed for years. 

You’ll find the finest French cuisine at Addison (5200 Grand Del Mar Way).

San Diego has no shortage of classic American steakhouses either.  The best of these include Lou & Mickey's (224 5th Ave.), Cowboy Star (640 10th Ave.), Ruth's Chris Steak House (1355 N Harbor Dr.), and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (380 K Street at 4th Ave.).  If you’re ready for a South American take on steak, head to Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse (668 6th Ave.).

Other white tablecloth dining experiences featuring American cuisine include AVANT Restaurant (17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr.), Mister A's (2550 5th Ave 12th Floor), NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar (910 Prospect St., La Jolla), Juniper & Ivy (2228 Kettner Blvd.), The Grant Grill (326 Broadway), and A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines (11480 N Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla).