Derek’s Guidebook

Derek
Derek’s Guidebook

Food scene

Cool spot for dine in pizza. Really great bread and crust. Solid cocktails too. If you’re into meaty pizzas, highly recommend the Lady Diavola. Roasted Veggies with the melted manchego are also fab.
58 locals recommend
Tribute Pizza
3077 North Park Way
58 locals recommend
Cool spot for dine in pizza. Really great bread and crust. Solid cocktails too. If you’re into meaty pizzas, highly recommend the Lady Diavola. Roasted Veggies with the melted manchego are also fab.
164 locals recommend
Underbelly North Park
3000 Upas St
164 locals recommend
Best happy hour in town. 7 days a week from 3-5. Half off apps, quesadillas, and drinks! (Only go for happy hour)
La Puerta
Best happy hour in town. 7 days a week from 3-5. Half off apps, quesadillas, and drinks! (Only go for happy hour)
60 locals recommend
Grand Ole BBQ Y Asado
3302 32nd St
60 locals recommend
55 locals recommend
Azuki Sushi
2321 Fifth Ave
55 locals recommend
THE hot spot for brunch right now. Pro tip: avoid a two hour wait by going before 8:15! The Breakfast Fried Rice is my favorite and they make an incredible Irish coffee.
72 locals recommend
Morning Glory
550 W Date St
72 locals recommend
THE hot spot for brunch right now. Pro tip: avoid a two hour wait by going before 8:15! The Breakfast Fried Rice is my favorite and they make an incredible Irish coffee.
24 locals recommend
CURRYOSITY
3023 Juniper St
24 locals recommend
A go-to for a fancy meal. Great food and cocktails.
33 locals recommend
Fort Oak
1011 Fort Stockton Dr
33 locals recommend
A go-to for a fancy meal. Great food and cocktails.
317 locals recommend
Buona Forchetta - South Park
3001 Beech St
317 locals recommend
Recently renovated hotspot with several bars, restaurants, and a great pool.
38 locals recommend
The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows
2223 El Cajon Blvd
38 locals recommend
Recently renovated hotspot with several bars, restaurants, and a great pool.
125 locals recommend
Piacere Mio
1947 Fern St
125 locals recommend
Brunch/lunch spot that is a crowd favorite
Madi
Brunch/lunch spot that is a crowd favorite
Perfectly kitschy Chinese food spot with an incredible interior. Super tasty food that’s great for takeout too. Pro tip: stop by Polite Provisions for a cocktail before or after, or order your food and eat it at Polite Provisions if there’s a long wait. (They’re owned by the same company.) Limited seating, reservation recommended.
20 locals recommend
Fortunate Son
2943 Adams Ave
20 locals recommend
Perfectly kitschy Chinese food spot with an incredible interior. Super tasty food that’s great for takeout too. Pro tip: stop by Polite Provisions for a cocktail before or after, or order your food and eat it at Polite Provisions if there’s a long wait. (They’re owned by the same company.) Limited seating, reservation recommended.
44 locals recommend
Dunedin New Zealand Eats
3501 30th St
44 locals recommend
15 minute walk. Tasty pizza and pasta with a cute patio and a romantic atmosphere. Great Monday night pizza and Tuesday night pasta specials if you asked them about it. (No reservations allowed for specials pricing.)
101 locals recommend
Alexander's
3391 30th St
101 locals recommend
15 minute walk. Tasty pizza and pasta with a cute patio and a romantic atmosphere. Great Monday night pizza and Tuesday night pasta specials if you asked them about it. (No reservations allowed for specials pricing.)
Probably the best pasta I’ve had in recent memory. A bit off the beaten path in a cute tiny restaurant, but travels well and makes for great delivery too!
49 locals recommend
Cesarina
4161 Voltaire St
49 locals recommend
Probably the best pasta I’ve had in recent memory. A bit off the beaten path in a cute tiny restaurant, but travels well and makes for great delivery too!
Great spot for brunch.
280 locals recommend
Breakfast Republic
2730 University Ave
280 locals recommend
Great spot for brunch.
Solid sit down local Mexican spot
26 locals recommend
Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe
3172 Fifth Ave
26 locals recommend
Solid sit down local Mexican spot
Elevated spot for dinner with a delicious (and reasonable) weekend brunch.
63 locals recommend
Trust
3752 Park Blvd
63 locals recommend
Elevated spot for dinner with a delicious (and reasonable) weekend brunch.
Delicious vegan spot. Fun atmosphere and reasonable prices for what you get. The drinks are great too.
140 locals recommend
KINDRED
1503 30th St
140 locals recommend
Delicious vegan spot. Fun atmosphere and reasonable prices for what you get. The drinks are great too.
Nice dinner spot with a good weekend brunch.
58 locals recommend
Madison
4622 Park Blvd
58 locals recommend
Nice dinner spot with a good weekend brunch.
44 locals recommend
Encontro North Park
3001 University Ave
44 locals recommend
114 locals recommend
The Smoking Goat Restaurant
3408 30th St
114 locals recommend
Tasty sandwiches and cocktails with a view of the harbor.
25 locals recommend
Ketch Grill and Taps
2614 Shelter Island Dr
25 locals recommend
Tasty sandwiches and cocktails with a view of the harbor.
6 locals recommend
Common Stock
3805 Fifth Ave
6 locals recommend
No frills, local Chinese favorite in a strip-mall
28 locals recommend
Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon
4625 Convoy St
28 locals recommend
No frills, local Chinese favorite in a strip-mall
62 locals recommend
Herb & Wood
2210 Kettner Blvd
62 locals recommend
168 locals recommend
Kettner Exchange
2001 Kettner Blvd
168 locals recommend
145 locals recommend
The Crack Shack - Little Italy
2266 Kettner Blvd
145 locals recommend
Casual waterfront dining
77 locals recommend
Mitch's Seafood
1403 Scott St
77 locals recommend
Casual waterfront dining
Casual seafood spot
120 locals recommend
Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson St
120 locals recommend
Casual seafood spot

Takeout and Delivery/Quick Service eateries

Closest convenience store with a great beer selection. 8 min walk.
9 locals recommend
Chris' Market
3402 Myrtle Ave
9 locals recommend
Closest convenience store with a great beer selection. 8 min walk.
Convenient and good Thai food. Note that it can be spicy so order mild if you’re sensitive.
19 locals recommend
Thai Time North Park
4102 30th St
19 locals recommend
Convenient and good Thai food. Note that it can be spicy so order mild if you’re sensitive.
Pizza by the slice or pie. Great C.B.G.B. cheesy beef on garlic bread sandwich. Decent pasta selection.
95 locals recommend
Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria
3448 30th St
95 locals recommend
Pizza by the slice or pie. Great C.B.G.B. cheesy beef on garlic bread sandwich. Decent pasta selection.
24 locals recommend
Colima's Mexican Food
2302 University Avenue
24 locals recommend
INCREDIBLE tacos. The carne asada fries (a San Diego staple) are to die for. Casual counter service join. 15 minute walk away.
132 locals recommend
The Taco Stand
621 Pearl St
132 locals recommend
INCREDIBLE tacos. The carne asada fries (a San Diego staple) are to die for. Casual counter service join. 15 minute walk away.
23 locals recommend
Olympic Cafe
2310 University Ave
23 locals recommend
Fun lobster rolls and a surprisingly tasty chicken parm sandwich.
23 locals recommend
Pete’s Seafood and Sandwich
3382 30th St
23 locals recommend
Fun lobster rolls and a surprisingly tasty chicken parm sandwich.
Fantastic take out. Unfortunately, no delivery.
95 locals recommend
Bahn Thai
4646 Park Blvd
95 locals recommend
Fantastic take out. Unfortunately, no delivery.
My favorite is the volcano bowl. Best Hawaiian I’ve had in SoCal.
24 locals recommend
Chris' Ono Grinds Island Grill - North Park
4506 30th St
24 locals recommend
My favorite is the volcano bowl. Best Hawaiian I’ve had in SoCal.
Favorite pizza delivery. Their almost lasagna pizza is phenomenal. We like it on their “thin” crust, well-done, and double cut. If you order their normal, it’s VERY thick.
27 locals recommend
Sicilian Thing Pizza
4046 30th St
27 locals recommend
Favorite pizza delivery. Their almost lasagna pizza is phenomenal. We like it on their “thin” crust, well-done, and double cut. If you order their normal, it’s VERY thick.
Sisters Pizza
The spiciest drunken noodles ever, if that’s your thing. 🔥
13 locals recommend
The Asian Bistro
414 University Ave
13 locals recommend
The spiciest drunken noodles ever, if that’s your thing. 🔥
150 locals recommend
City Tacos
3028 University Ave
150 locals recommend
22 locals recommend
PHÓ Fifth Avenue
3807 Fifth Ave
22 locals recommend
Best pho in town. Not in the best hood and zero frills but worth checking out!
14 locals recommend
Pho Hoa
4717 El Cajon Blvd
14 locals recommend
Best pho in town. Not in the best hood and zero frills but worth checking out!
Tasty soft serve waffle cones!
North Park Creamery
3041 University Avenue
Tasty soft serve waffle cones!
8 locals recommend
Gelati & Peccati
3066 B University Ave
8 locals recommend
Solid Chinese takeout
City Dragon
2885 El Cajon Boulevard
Solid Chinese takeout
Local French pastry shop with an assortment of sweet and savory treats + coffee.
Patisserie Melanie
3750 30th Street
Local French pastry shop with an assortment of sweet and savory treats + coffee.

Coffee

57 locals recommend
Holsem Coffee
2911 University Ave
57 locals recommend
A charming outdoor coffee shop in the heart of South Park. My personal favorite is the iced mocha with oat milk. A great 30 minute walk from the Airbnb through the historic neighborhood of Burlingame which is full of historic Spanish homes.
146 locals recommend
Communal Coffee
2335 University Ave
146 locals recommend
A charming outdoor coffee shop in the heart of South Park. My personal favorite is the iced mocha with oat milk. A great 30 minute walk from the Airbnb through the historic neighborhood of Burlingame which is full of historic Spanish homes.
Oliver Coffea
1644 University Ave
69 locals recommend
James Coffee Co.
2355 India St
69 locals recommend

Brewery/Bars

133 locals recommend
Seven Grand San Diego
3054 University Ave
133 locals recommend
The new North Park hot spot. Japanese whiskey bar with swanky interior.
Part Time Lover
3829 30th Street
The new North Park hot spot. Japanese whiskey bar with swanky interior.
129 locals recommend
Thorn St. Brewery
3176 Thorn St
129 locals recommend
121 locals recommend
Coin-Op Game Room
3926 30th St
121 locals recommend
Local community bar with regular karaoke.
36 locals recommend
Redwing Bar & Grill
4012 30th St
36 locals recommend
Local community bar with regular karaoke.
245 locals recommend
Polite Provisions
4696 30th St
245 locals recommend
60 locals recommend
Sycamore Den
3391 Adams Ave
60 locals recommend
30 locals recommend
insideOUT
1642 University Ave
30 locals recommend
8 locals recommend
You & Yours Distilling Co
1495 G St
8 locals recommend
39 locals recommend
Raised by Wolves
4301 La Jolla Village Dr
39 locals recommend

Sightseeing

519 locals recommend
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave
519 locals recommend
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
3290 locals recommend
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines Road
1108 locals recommend
268 locals recommend
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Ladera Street
268 locals recommend

Bakeries/Treats

24 locals recommend
Blackmarket Bakery North Park
4686 30th St
24 locals recommend
103 locals recommend
Bread and Cie Bakery/Cafe
350 University Ave
103 locals recommend
35 locals recommend
Wayfarer Bread & Pastry
5525 La Jolla Blvd
35 locals recommend
This place has great soft serve and fun flavors. Right next to the North Park neighborhood Target.
North Park Creamery
3041 University Avenue
This place has great soft serve and fun flavors. Right next to the North Park neighborhood Target.