Written by Lindsey Chronert

Summer is here. Events are happening. People are traveling. And they’re ready to live it up. Your college roommate, your extended family— they’re ready to soak in the sunshine, explore the neighborhoods and bask in their mask-less glory. But what to do? Where to go?

We put together a list of restaurants we love: places where we take our extended family and summer holiday-ers. Even as a born + raised San Diegan, there are some gems on this list that I need to try. With or without the tourists.

FOR THE LOCAL CATCH

• Fishery (Pacific Beach - $$$) does a wonderful job of showcasing our regional seafood. -Kevin

• Ironside for oysters + fresh seafood (get the platter) and take a cruise through Little Italy. -Lindsey

• PB Fish Spot (Pacific Beach - $$)- great vibes, great fish, love the clam chowder bread bowl. -Rosemary

• Mitch’s Seafood (Point Loma - $) - local fish from local fishermen. Nothing beats a fish taco and a cold beer. -Lindsey

• Mabel’s Gone Fishing (North Park - $$) Gin and seafood? Say less. The menu changes daily and highlights San Diego’s freshest ingredients. -Lindsey

PIZZA, SANDOS + BURGERS

• Tribute Pizza (North Park - $$) solid- always, killer natural wines, and soft serve- yes please. -Sam

• Blind Lady's (Normal Heights - $$) their beer selection is so damn good. And when I can get frites and pizza in the same meal, I am a happy girl. -Sam

• You can never go wrong with Mona Lisa’s sub sandwiches to-go! (Little Italy - $) -Amy

• Friendly (North Park - $) I could live off that dirty flattop burger. -Rosemary

JAPANESE, THAI, + CHINESE

• We have some amazing Japanese food in SD. Soichi (University Heights - $$$) does a great omakase. -Kevin

• Green China Grill (Kearny Mesa - $). I love their hand pull noodles. - Gil

• Hong Kong BBQ (Mira Mesa - $). My parents, native from Hong Kong, go there every week. Authentic taste. Like lots of Chinese places, they cook dishes for you that are not on the menu, if you know the dish. -Gil

• Osaka sushi (Mission Valley - $) will always have special place in my heart! My family has been going there for 20+ years. It never disappoints. -Amy

• Bahn Thai (Hillcrest - $) - hands down, the best Thai. -Juan

• Shan Xi Magic Kitchen - in the heart of Kearny Mesa with delicious hand pulled noodles. Try the eggplant and green beans! -Lindsey

BRUNCH

• Morning Glory (Little Italy - $$$) always gets the 😍! -Sarah

• The Waffle Spot in Kings Inn (Mission Valley - $) is a classic diner that isn't super well known. You can sub your toast for mini waffles (drool). -Spencer

FOR THE BOUGIE

• New Mediterranean with super fresh ingredients in the heart of downtown San Diego, you should make reservations at Callie weeks in advance! -Lindsey

• Nine-Ten in the Grand Colonial (La Jolla - $$$) does one of my favorite tasting menus in San Diego. Make sure to get the wine pairing! -Spencer

• Born & Raised (Little Italy - $$$) Took the girls here last month and it was a great time. -Rosemary

• The tasting menu at Jeune et Jolie (Carlsbad - $$$) is a whole experience! Take your time + enjoy every single bite. - Lindsey

• Paradisaea (Bird Rock - $$$) - New to San Diego, a design-forward space with delicious food and cocktails, plus a walkable neighborhood. Don’t skip the dessert or donuts—they’re divine. -Lindsey

FOR THE VIBES

• Love OB Noodle House (Ocean Beach - $$) for the vibes, (BEST) wings and sake! -Sarah

• Fort Oak (Mission Hills - $$$) their cocktail bar is a total vibe on a Friday night, so dress to impress. But be sure to sit down and enjoy a meal with friends. Lots of easy-to-share small plates with big flavors. -Lindsey

• If it’s a quicker meetup or sticking around downtown my hands-down go to is the Crack Shack (Little Italy - $) for the vibe, price point is solid, and sawces on tap! ... shmaltz fries all day! -Bryan

• LOVE Costa Brava (Pacific Beach - $), awesome tapas and I love that its a little hidden. -Sarah

• Turf Club! (South Park - $$) There is nothing really quite like grabbing a couple beers (or Boulevardiers) while grilling your own steak to rare perfection, all the while kicking it with friends and/or family and creating some solid memories. -Joshua

CAUSE IT’S GOOOOOD

• Trust (North Park - $$)- that ricotta agnolotti with black truffle is chefs freaking kiss -Sam

• Anything owned by Consortium Holdings- they’re iconic in their design and restaurant concepts. A good night starts with a mezcal negroni and olives at J & Tony’s Discount Cured Meats + Negroni Warehouse (Downtown, $) -Lindsey

• Kingfisher (Golden Hill - $$$) a stunning cocktail bar placed right in the center of the room, highlighting an elevated bar program, but the Vietnamese food is fresh and delicious. Try the congee! Cozy booths and seating makes it a great date night spot. -Lindsey

TRY SOMETHING NEW

• Awash Ethiopian Market (North Park - $) a tiny restaurant in the back of the convenient store. I've never had better service. They make a dipping sauce at your table with cayenne pepper powder and red wine and it's stupid amazinggggg. -Sarah

• Pomegranate Russian Restaurant (University Heights - $$) Such amazing food, drinks and top notch service. With the old school decor and mostly Russian staff it is such a great experience! The Adjaruli Pie, Borscht soup, and vodka flight (off menu) are a must! - Jessica

• Kindred. (South Park - $$) Vegan comfort food. Slayer. Cat murals. Epic cocktails. Another iconic spot in San Diego, plus I can walk there with a Fernside slushee. -Lindsey

ITALIAN

• Cesarina (Point Loma - $$) is my current fav pasta/Italian place- funghi fusilli ALL DAY! -Sarah

• Cori Pastificio Trattoria (North Park - $$) is my go to Italian place at the moment! Must try the Frittelle Cacio E Pepe. -Jessica

• Catania (La Jolla - $$$) village for their food and the view overlooking the Pacific, probably the best view while eating wood-fired pizza in the county. Sunsets there with a glass of wine and some tapas, can’t beat it! -Bryan

• The Godfather Restaurant (Clairemont - $$) is one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego they have many varieties of wine and alcoholic beverages to offer and very good food. Can’t refuse a place like this. Make you want to go back over and over! -Jorge

MEXICAN

• TJ's Oyster Bar (Bonita + Chula Vista- $) for fish tacos. Authentic joint that reminds me of the street stalls just south of the border. -Lindsey

• Cantina Mayahuel (University Heights - $$) - Carnitas tacos for life, all the guac and salsa and serranos and the BEST margaritas. A great spot to taste tequila. -Sam

• Tacos Fito (Tijuana - $) for some tacos de birria and consomé, if you have your passport. -Juan

• Tahona (Old Town - $$) - creative Mexican food with a good drink menu. -Kevin

Did we miss an iconic San Diego spot? Let us know in the comments below!

Stay well fed.