San Diego Restaurant Guide

I graduated from Arizona State University in May of 2017 and moved to San Diego a month later. My mom and sister lived in San Diego (they still do), and I was offered a job at a marketing firm downtown so it felt like the perfect place to move right out of college. I lived with my mom in North County and quickly started exploring the best restaurants from Encinitas to downtown! One of my favorite things about San Diego is how health-centric the city is—the weather is gorgeous so you’ll always find people out running and biking, the beaches are beautiful, and the food scene is amazing! Check out my favorite hot spots to dine at in San Diego!

Disclaimer: I don’t always stick to my healthy diet when going out to eat because that’s my time to indulge and enjoy a meal with loved ones, but all of these restaurants do have healthy options!

Parakeet Cafe

If you know me, you know I am OBSESSED with Parakeet Cafe. They have three locations throughout San Diego; La Jolla, One Paseo and Little Italy. Parakeet serves ethically sourced, organic food and they have an extensive menu including wellness lattes, freshly baked pastries, and breakfast served all day. My go-to choices are the almond butter toast on gluten free bread, the flat black latte (made with activated charcoal and lavender honey), and the gluten and dairy free banana nut muffin. You honestly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu! I frequented the One Paseo location because it was walking distance from my place and the perfect spot to spend an afternoon working on my laptop. Aside from the food, the staff at Parakeet is amazing. One thing I love is that the owner was always present in the restaurant—walking around making sure everyone had what they needed, jumping in when it got busy, chatting with customers, and cleaning tables. I think it is so important that higher-ups in a business recognize that no task is too small. (something I’ve learned from my dad)

Pro tip: spend your Saturday morning walking the Little Italy farmer’s market then enjoy breakfast at their Little Italy location!

Lofty Coffee

Lofty is a coffee roaster serving up delicious drinks, baked goods, and breakfast at their multiple locations in Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Little Italy. This is a great place to go after hiking Torrey Pines or walking along the coast in Encinitas! It’s also perfect for meeting up with a friend for coffee or spending a few hours working on your laptop. Lofty’s menu includes coffee drinks, baked goods, and breakfast/brunch items like french toast, sandwiches, and eggs. My go-to order is a latte with homemade almond milk and the granola with fresh fruit on top!

North Italia

North Italia, located in One Paseo, is a fun dinner spot to hit when you’re craving gourmet Italian. They serve salads, pizzas, pastas and delicious cocktails. Their pizzas and pastas can be made gluten free and you can also substitute vegetable noodles in any pasta dish! Their modern ambiance and perfectly plated dishes make for a trendy date-night or fun dinner with friends. I personally love the citrus smash cocktail, arugula & avocado salad w/ salmon, and the spaghetti & meatballs with vegetable noodles!

Born and Raised

Born and Raised, located downtown, is the perfect date night spot. It is an over-the-top steakhouse with the coolest interior I’ve ever seen in a restaurant. The decor is incredible and the food is even better. Ed and I visited Born and Raised right before Christmas and we enjoyed a rib eye steak, broccoli, and mushrooms. We started the evening grabbing a drink at the bar upstairs before moving back downstairs for dinner. Make sure to make a reservation far in advanced because it books up quick! And don’t say no to the homemade ice cream…it’s totally worth it.

Cucina Enoteca

Cucina Enoteca, located in Del Mar, combines authentic Italian flavors with the organic freshness of Southern California. The menu consists of small plates, salads, pasta, pizza, and large plates. The restaurant is also a retail shop offering tons of wines from around the world. You can purchase your own bottle when you walk in and enjoy it with your dinner! Cucina Enoteca’s decor is funky and unique making it a great place to grab a bite to eat at the bar with a girlfriend of for a large crowd. I’ve been to Cucina tons of times and can honestly say you cant’t go wrong with anything on their menu—the cheese board never disappoints, the salads are light and fresh, and the pizzas are amazing!

Union Kitchen & Tap

Union is a community-oriented beach bar serving up classic American food right in Encinitas, California. This is a restaurant your boyfriend will love—there are TVs everywhere making it the perfect place to watch the game and enjoy a few drinks and great food! I highly recommend the skillet cornbread to start and the shrimp & grits or gumbo for dinner. (P.S. this is the 20 of your 80/20 diet) If you’re feeling like going healthy my favorite is the baby kale salad with no quinoa and add salmon.

Cloak & Petal

Cloak & Petal is an Asian-inspired restaurant located on India Street in downtown San Diego near Little Italy. Their sushi rolls and cocktails are incredible, but the decor alone is worth the visit. In the middle of the main bar is a giant cherry blossom tree, which aligns with the restaurant’s concept of “family and friends gathering under blooming cherry blossoms to savor food, drinks, and fellowship.” The restaurant is also filled with cheeky pop art and loud music, making it a lively spot to hit on a Friday night!

Herringbone

Located in La Jolla, Herringbone is an up-scale, California Coastal-inspired restaurant serving delicious oysters and seafood plates. They have a daily happy hour from 4-7pm, half off bottles of wine on Tuesdays & Sundays, and weekend brunch with live music! If you’re visiting San Diego, this spot is a must! Before dining at Herringbone, I suggest walking around La Jolla for some shopping and checking out the seals along the coast!

(photos are from Herringbone’s website)

International Smoke

Located in One Paseo (right by Parakeet), is one of Ayesha Curry and Chef Michael Mina’s restaurants, International Smoke. Infusing flavors from Japan, Jamaica, and Korea, International Smoke serves vacation-like cocktails alongside the most delicious bbq food. The ambiance is up-scale and chic and their staff is beyond generous. The only thing wrong with this place is that it is nearly impossible to decide what to eat! I suggest going with a group of friends and sharing plates so you can experience all the flavors they offer, but the one thing you definitely have to order is the ribs! (and if you go with your boyfriend, he will love the Smoked Signals!)

Death x Tequila

San Diego is known for their Mexican food but believe it or not, it’s actually really hard to find a good margarita here. Enter Death x Tequila, a lively spot located right in Encinitas. If your boyfriend likes large portions, I suggest leaving him at home for a night and hitting this spot with your girlfriends because Death x Tequila’s plates are on the smaller side. Their margaritas are fresh and authentic—my personal favorite is the classic DTX margarita, but I recommend stepping outside the box and ordering one of their signature drinks! The chips and guac are a must to start and their tacos are simple yet flavorful. Pro tip: take an Uber to this place because parking can be tricky and you’ll want more than 1 (or 2) margs!

There you have it, my go-to restaurants in San Diego! If you visit any of these hot spots send me a DM and let me know what you get! :)