San Diego Attractions and Restaurant Recommendations
Food scene
Best overall: This is a splurge meal, but it is fantastic. Shared dishes - get several for the table. Brunch is good, dinner is phenomenal. 3752 Park Blvd., SD (Hillcrest).
63 locals recommend
Trust
3752 Park BlvdBest overall: This is a splurge meal, but it is fantastic. Shared dishes - get several for the table. Brunch is good, dinner is phenomenal. 3752 Park Blvd., SD (Hillcrest).
Best overall: Small restaurant that works to stay off the radar. Fantastic wine pairings and prix fix menus, but affordable! 3731 India St., SD (Little Italy).
19 locals recommend
Wine Vault & Bistro
3731 India StBest overall: Small restaurant that works to stay off the radar. Fantastic wine pairings and prix fix menus, but affordable! 3731 India St., SD (Little Italy).
Breakfast/Brunch: Arguably the best brunch place in SD. Hearty servings, very flavorful. Recommend ordering The Cure. 1557 Columbia St, SD (Little Italy).
64 locals recommend
Queenstown Public House
1557 Columbia StBreakfast/Brunch: Arguably the best brunch place in SD. Hearty servings, very flavorful. Recommend ordering The Cure. 1557 Columbia St, SD (Little Italy).
Breakfast/Brunch: Great, homey, diner-like place. Order the maple bacon donuts. 1451 Washington St., SD (Mission Hills / University Heights / Hillcrest).
144 locals recommend
Great Maple
1451 Washington StBreakfast/Brunch: Great, homey, diner-like place. Order the maple bacon donuts. 1451 Washington St., SD (Mission Hills / University Heights / Hillcrest).
Breakfast/Brunch: Criminally underrated. Highly recommend the breakfast fried chicken (called the Chicken Biscuit). 3501 30th St., SD (North Park).
44 locals recommend
Dunedin New Zealand Eats
3501 30th StBreakfast/Brunch: Criminally underrated. Highly recommend the breakfast fried chicken (called the Chicken Biscuit). 3501 30th St., SD (North Park).
Asian: Fantastic, authentic Thai food just steps away from the Airbnb. Recommend the Lahb Gai. 4646 Park Blvd., SD (University Heights).
95 locals recommend
Bahn Thai
4646 Park BlvdAsian: Fantastic, authentic Thai food just steps away from the Airbnb. Recommend the Lahb Gai. 4646 Park Blvd., SD (University Heights).
Asian: Excellent xiao long bao dumplings and Taiwanese type-style Chinese food. Super casual. 4647 Convoy St, SD (Kearney Mesa (~15 min. drive).
Facing East Noodle & Bar
4647 Convoy StreetAsian: Excellent xiao long bao dumplings and Taiwanese type-style Chinese food. Super casual. 4647 Convoy St, SD (Kearney Mesa (~15 min. drive).
Asian: The best ramen, hands down. 3803 Fifth Ave., SD (Hillcrest).
7 locals recommend
HiroNori Craft Ramen
3803 Fifth AveAsian: The best ramen, hands down. 3803 Fifth Ave., SD (Hillcrest).
Asian/Hawaiian: Phenomenal, casual Hawaiian food. Casual sit-down or take-out. 4506 30th St., SD (North Park).
24 locals recommend
Chris' Ono Grinds Island Grill - North Park
4506 30th StAsian/Hawaiian: Phenomenal, casual Hawaiian food. Casual sit-down or take-out. 4506 30th St., SD (North Park).
Italian/European: Upscale Italian restaurant with a cool atmosphere and fantastic pastas and appetizers. 750 Fir Street, SD (Little Italy).
50 locals recommend
Monello
750 W Fir StItalian/European: Upscale Italian restaurant with a cool atmosphere and fantastic pastas and appetizers. 750 Fir Street, SD (Little Italy).
Italian/European: From the same owners as Trust (see the “Best Food” category). Really great, casual vibe. You must go to the pop-up window attached to the restaurant for ice cream (it’s called Mr. Trustee’s). 4033 Goldfinch St., SD (Mission Hills).
6 locals recommend
Cardellino
4033 Goldfinch StItalian/European: From the same owners as Trust (see the “Best Food” category). Really great, casual vibe. You must go to the pop-up window attached to the restaurant for ice cream (it’s called Mr. Trustee’s). 4033 Goldfinch St., SD (Mission Hills).
Italian/European: North Italian cuisine. The food is spectacular. More of a splurge meal. Sit outside on the patio and get an ocean view. 7863 Girard Ave #103, La Jolla.
17 locals recommend
Catania
Italian/European: North Italian cuisine. The food is spectacular. More of a splurge meal. Sit outside on the patio and get an ocean view. 7863 Girard Ave #103, La Jolla.
Mexican: More upscale Mexican food, but great bang for your buck. Super flavorful. Highly recommend that you go here for at least one meal. Just named to Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand (i.e., tasty but affordable) list. 1290 F St., SD (East Village).
23 locals recommend
Lola 55
1290 F StMexican: More upscale Mexican food, but great bang for your buck. Super flavorful. Highly recommend that you go here for at least one meal. Just named to Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand (i.e., tasty but affordable) list. 1290 F St., SD (East Village).
Mexican: Our go-to, local taco place. Creative, flavorful tacos and casual atmosphere. The cochinitas pibil tacos (pork, with pickled red onions and spicy habanero sauce) is unbelievably good. 3827 5th Ave., SD (Hillcrest).
22 locals recommend
La Vecindad Neighborhood TACOS
3827 Fifth AveMexican: Our go-to, local taco place. Creative, flavorful tacos and casual atmosphere. The cochinitas pibil tacos (pork, with pickled red onions and spicy habanero sauce) is unbelievably good. 3827 5th Ave., SD (Hillcrest).
Chicken Wings/Friend Chicken: The chicken wings here are hands down the best in SD. Favorites are Spicy OG and Seoul Spicy (spicy gochujang flavor). 4403 Convoy St, SD (Kearny Mesa).
9 locals recommend
Cross Street Chicken and Beer
4403 Convoy StChicken Wings/Friend Chicken: The chicken wings here are hands down the best in SD. Favorites are Spicy OG and Seoul Spicy (spicy gochujang flavor). 4403 Convoy St, SD (Kearny Mesa).
Chicken Wings/Friend Chicken: Outdoor fried chicken joint from Top Chef winner Richard Blais that is quite good. Be warned – it gets crowded. 2266 Kettner Blvd., SD (Little Italy).
145 locals recommend
The Crack Shack - Little Italy
2266 Kettner BlvdChicken Wings/Friend Chicken: Outdoor fried chicken joint from Top Chef winner Richard Blais that is quite good. Be warned – it gets crowded. 2266 Kettner Blvd., SD (Little Italy).
Big Front Door
4075 Park BlvdA healthy(er) options for delicious salads and sandwiches nearby
Coffee Shops and Cafes
Charming neighborhood coffee shop located just a few steps from the Airbnb. 4590 Park Blvd., SD (Univ. Heights).
35 locals recommend
Twiggs
4590 Park BlvdCharming neighborhood coffee shop located just a few steps from the Airbnb. 4590 Park Blvd., SD (Univ. Heights).
Dark horse is a very small, artsy coffee shop with super flavorful coffee. Coffee-aficionado-type place. 3794 30th St., SD (North Park).
236 locals recommend
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
3260 Adams AveDark horse is a very small, artsy coffee shop with super flavorful coffee. Coffee-aficionado-type place. 3794 30th St., SD (North Park).
Several locations around San Diego, including a location in University Heights. The cold brew is particularly good. 4496 Park Blvd., SD (Univ. Heights).
74 locals recommend
Lestat's on Park
4496 Park BlvdSeveral locations around San Diego, including a location in University Heights. The cold brew is particularly good. 4496 Park Blvd., SD (Univ. Heights).
Cute, trendy, instagrammable. 801 University Ave, SD (Hillcrest).
153 locals recommend
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
3745 Mission BlvdCute, trendy, instagrammable. 801 University Ave, SD (Hillcrest).
The closest, fastest coffee besides the Keurig in the unit. Great iced coffee! Located next to (almost inside of) Kairoa Brewing.
Yipao Coffee
4601 Park BlvdThe closest, fastest coffee besides the Keurig in the unit. Great iced coffee! Located next to (almost inside of) Kairoa Brewing.
Breweries and Bars
Great brewery with lovely rooftop seating. It's right around the corner from the Airbnb.
29 locals recommend
Kairoa Brewing Company
4601 Park BlvdGreat brewery with lovely rooftop seating. It's right around the corner from the Airbnb.
This is a go-to brewery. Very airy, bright laid-back atmosphere. Feels nice inside. Beers are excellent. 4045 30th Street, SD (North Park).
10 locals recommend
Second Chance Beer Lounge
4045 30th StThis is a go-to brewery. Very airy, bright laid-back atmosphere. Feels nice inside. Beers are excellent. 4045 30th Street, SD (North Park).
Wonderful neighborhood brewery. Includes an indoor room that resembles a traditional pub and an outdoor area. 3176 Thorn St., SD (North Park).
129 locals recommend
Thorn St. Brewery
3176 Thorn StWonderful neighborhood brewery. Includes an indoor room that resembles a traditional pub and an outdoor area. 3176 Thorn St., SD (North Park).
LGBTQIA+ bar with delicious cocktails and an upscale vibe. A perfect way to start a night in Hillcrest. 1642 University Ave #100, SD (Hillcrest).
30 locals recommend
insideOUT
1642 University AveLGBTQIA+ bar with delicious cocktails and an upscale vibe. A perfect way to start a night in Hillcrest. 1642 University Ave #100, SD (Hillcrest).
A hidden gem with great drinks and tasty gastropub food to match. It also serves as a perfect happy hour before dinner at nearby Wine Vault and Bistro (see below under our “Best Food” category). 3175 India St, SD (Bankers Hill).
83 locals recommend
Starlite
3175 India StA hidden gem with great drinks and tasty gastropub food to match. It also serves as a perfect happy hour before dinner at nearby Wine Vault and Bistro (see below under our “Best Food” category). 3175 India St, SD (Bankers Hill).