You can’t judge a bite by its cover because sometimes, it’s even better than you could have imagined. Bring your appetite but set aside any expectations: we’re taking you on a journey through 10 super unique San Diego dining experiences that surpass any preconceived notions. The city’s dining scene is constantly evolving to wow any food blogger or local in need of a little something different with exciting experiences popping up so often, it’s enough to give anyone whiplash (though a good kind). Fear not, for we know the latest and greatest—dig into a new kind of dish at one of these uniquely imagined hotspots!
Situated in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant Little Italy neighborhood, Coco Maya highlights the flavors of the Caribbean and Latin America with a menu that will have you ditching your girl dinner snack board in a heartbeat.
Let’s take a trip to paradise, shall we? Situated in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant Little Italy neighborhood, Coco Maya highlights a fusion of flavors with its American Coastal Cuisine with a tropical flare and a menu that will have you ditching your girl dinner snack board in a heartbeat. This buzzy rooftop restaurant transports diners to a tropical destination with its vibrant, jungle-esque elements and lush greenery paired with accents like boho fringed umbrellas and rattan furnishings, ensuring both you and your phone will eat well at this rooftop oasis. Turning over a new leaf in light of spring, Coco Maya is turning up the dinner vibes with a fresh set of Josper charcoal oven specialties and imaginative craft cocktails. Coco Maya’s new dinner menu is chock-full of delicious plates like the tomahawk pork chop, halibut risotto with black winter truffle, mouthwatering flatbreads and the classic coconut shrimp, served with a ginger honey sauce. Other standouts include the fried plantains with ground beef and poblano crema, smoked Jerk chicken with jerk sauce, and the loaded potato tostones, which all put a contemporary spin on the fusion-forward concept. Thirsty? Pair dinner with their mezcal-forward Peacock Ponche or a boozy Clarified Piña Colada with pineapple-infused rum and overproof rum. Grab a table on the patio for epic views of Little Italy and soak up the sunshine as you sip and savor—vacation starts now!
Location: Little Italy
All aboard, mateys! Prepare to sail the Seven Seas on a nautical-themed adventure at Pacific Beach swashbuckling speakeasy Captain’s Quarters. The sophisticated maritime interior of this watering hole replicates that of an old pirate ship, with salvaged light fixtures, vintage portraits and decorative shrouds. Docking on shore just blocks from the water’s edge, Captain’s Quarters fits perfectly in the vibrant coastal community of Pacific Beach. The 17th century-themed cocktail lounge delivers an adventurous yet approachable menu of chef-crafted bites and exceptional cocktails for sailors seeking creative maritime fare. Za’atar fried chicken nuggets, caviar service and a Fool’s Gold dessert are all ready to order from the galley. Buccaneers with extra-large appetites will love the Captain’s Double Double—a secret off-menu specialty! Draft gin and tonics are available, along with a selection of seaworthy house cocktails, like the Ecto Cooler. Climb aboard and join the crew for specialty events hosted on deck, including their monthly Nautical Night events. And be sure to mark your calendars for Jan. 28 to toast the ship’s first anniversary!
Location: Pacific Beach
Waterfront dining gets a whole new meaning at The Marine Room in La Jolla Shores. If small bites are your vibe, the newly unveiled Lounge at The Marine Room offers a casual cocktail and small-plates experience. Indulge in signature dishes like the lobster crêpe and Baja California swordfish, perfectly paired with the new Kelp Martini—a blend of locally sourced kelp, Grey Goose Vodka, Lillet Blanc and olive juice. The Lounge showcases whimsical small plates crafted with locally sourced ingredients, such as Moroccan lamb lollipops, dry-aged bluefin tuna carpaccio and more. From June to August, this renowned oceanfront restaurant presents its famous High Tide Dinner Series, where guests get a front-row seat to high tide waves crashing against floor-to-ceiling windows illuminated by a full moon. These High Tide Dinners will take place on select Mondays and Tuesdays in the summer.
Location: La Jolla
This is the sign you’ve been looking for. North Park’s The Seventh House is a whimsical lounge that renders a highly decorated, delicious dining experience, featuring brunch and dinner with a side of divination. Take a seat in your green velvet booth surrounded by super-sized tarot card paintings, lush greenery and glass chandeliers—an environment that pairs perfectly with its famous fountain champagne towers. Don’t leave everything up to fate: The Seventh House’s huge array of dining options will require careful consideration on your part! If you’ve stopped in for their famed brunch, try the savory smoked salmon Benedict or sweet vanilla bean French toast. As if that weren’t enough, give your future self something to look forward to by requesting a tarot card reading right at your table, starting every evening at 6 p.m.
Location: North Park
Step back in time to the early 1900s at Santa Gula, a primitive eatery located in the heart of San Diego’s downtown Gaslamp Quarter. Drawing from classic art deco style, the vintage velvet textiles, fringed barstools and low lighting create a living archive of the Roaring Twenties. Their lounge highlights cuisine from around the globe, and their multicultural fare ranges from Latin and Asian fusion dishes to Italian and modern American. Innovative culinary creations coalesce with soulful tunes on stage with musical entertainment nearly every day of the week! Performances range from jazz, top 40 hits and EDM—take your pick.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego Dining Experiences
San Diego’s first absinthe bar and bistronomic restaurant, Wormwood brings a taste of “La Vie Bohème” to San Diego. This hidden gem sits in the heart of University Heights and features a vintage Paris design with a whimsical courtyard and patio. The star of the show? One of the world’s most misunderstood spirits: absinthe. Sip and savor an array of premium absinthes from around the globe, whether in an herbaceous cocktail or straight up. And when it comes to pairings, the culinary team brings the wow factor with French classics and seasonality at the forefront (try the fruit de mer and Wagyu tartare—trust us).
The newest addition to this magical neighborhood nook is its “Le Jardin Secret’” (The Secret Garden). This al fresco speakeasy sits beyond the restaurant’s patio and serves up cocktails defined as “liquid cuisine” that reflect a complexity guided by the spirit of the Green Fairy. Sip at your leisure and take in the greenery that surrounds you—you’ll be here a while.
Location: University Heights
Enter the mother of all speakeasy dining experiences at the aptly named Mothership. Immerse yourself in an other-worldly experience right in your own backyard at South Park’s intergalactic-themed tiki bar, where you’ll be seated underneath the stars and in-between craters of an ecosystem once untapped—until their top-notch crew came aboard. This space-themed restaurant and bar’s rum-based cocktails are inspired by our earthly tropical vacations and their creamy coconut mixes and floral garnishes. Pair them with a few tapas-style plates to make the most of your experience! Reservations are recommended, and every table is limited to a 90-minute stay on the AASC Mothership—this one isn’t your typical vacation, but it’s the furthest from an earthly one you’ll ever get.
Location: South Park
Make room on your calendars for a little time at the market—but not just any market. Chula Vista’s Market on 8th brings a new-age twist to the traditional market space, bringing flavors from all over the globe. Catch live music every weekday as you sip on a beer from Barkada and peruse your options. Market on 8th houses everything from La Central Mexican Food and Smitty’s BBQ to Serbesa Filipino Kitchen and EWA88: Poke. If you like what you see, you may have found your next big gathering’s meeting point because they hold private events as well! Market on 8th is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m, but make sure to check the website—hours of operation for specific vendors vary.
Location: Chula Vista
Sit down for a spot of tea and biscuits at The Britannia Tearooms, nestled in the heart of Point Loma’s Midway District. With a nod to British literature, such as Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes, this adorable teahouse pays homage to characters from timeless English classics. Looking for the perfect in-store gift? Visit the Mary Poppins gift shop! Popping in for some tea and scones? Take a peek through the looking glass in the Mad Hatter’s Tearoom. Thrifted vintage-style decor—think retro lamps and flower garland—creates a bright and cheery ambiance as you sip on your tea of choice (they have over 60 specialty house teas to choose from!).
Location: Point Loma
Ever sat down at a blank table? You might want to consider it—one leaves room for limitless possibilities. The Blank Table is a secret pop-up dinner series that curates one-of-a-kind experiences based on the element of surprise; tickets are bought without knowing the dinner’s location, food, drink pairings or anything of the sort. Each guest gets a text message the day of the event with the location, and it’s never what you’d expect. The location is always in an unnamed, unassuming spot to keep the surprises rolling from arrival to the reveal of the fixed five-course menu and accompanying cocktails. Expect the unexpected, but come ready for incredible cuisine and a wonderful sense of community.
Location: TBD
Chef’s choice is always the right choice. Named after the Japanese word meaning experience and care, Kinme is an immersive omakase experience inspired by the multi-course Japanese dinner (known as kaiseki). Guests will enjoy a 10-course meal in an intimate setting, receiving carefully arranged dishes sourced straight from Tokyo’s very own Toyosu wholesale fish market. Included in the seasonal menu is a mix of raw and cooked plates, featuring daily-shifting sashimi and nigiri and coveted Miyazaki A5 Wagyu beef, to name a few. The menu is changed monthly, but the sake, wine and whiskey selection remains the same—as well as the traditional matcha service finale. With just 10 seating times per night, reservations are definitely required.
Location: Banker’s Hill
