From hip neighborhood bistros in Little Italy, Hillcrest, and North Park to relaxed waterfront restaurants along the Embarcadero and beaches, San Diego offers a plethora of outdoor dining options for food lovers.
DOWNTOWN
In the historic Gaslamp Quarter and trendy East Village, a wide variety of outdoor restaurant settings await. Savor Spanish tapas and traditional paellas on the patio of Café Sevilla. Enjoy inventive American cuisine paired with local craft beers at UNION Kitchen & Tap. In the posh Pendry San Diego hotel, indulge in modern coastal cuisine with fresh sustainable seafood at Lionfish. In East Village, relish steaming bowls of ramen at Tajima or heaping portions of gyros and souvlaki at Meze Greek Fusion.
EMBARCADERO
Al fresco dining along downtown’s Embarcadero offers spectacular views of San Diego Bay. At Edgewater Grill in Seaport Village, choose from a variety of fresh seafood dishes while admiring the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and scenic Coronado. Portside Pier boasts delicious surf and turf at the Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar and tasty pub fare at Ketch Grill & Taps. Enjoy incredible panoramas at Coasterra, C-Level Lounge, and Island Prime, known for their excellent steak, seafood, and modern California cuisine.
LITTLE ITALY
In colorful Little Italy, find heaping platefuls of al fresco dining options along India Street. Experience down-home Italian comfort food and baked goods at family-owned Nonna and Zucchero. Relish generous portions of Italian family recipes at Buon Appetito. For Japanese specialty rolls and creative cocktails, visit Cloak & Petal. On the rooftop patio of Born and Raised, enjoy high-end steaks with great views. Herb & Wood on Kettner Boulevard offers a rustic, wood-fired menu that stands out.
LIBERTY STATION
Start your day at Fig Tree in historic Liberty Station with an order of Breakfast Sushi on the garden-like terrace. Liberty Public Market’s food hall provides numerous meal options enjoyed on spacious patios and grassy lawns. Gourmet burgers and milkshakes at Slaters 50/50 and Pepperoni Flatbread at The Presley are highly recommended. Neapolitan-style pies and Northern Italian entrees shine at Officine Buona Forchetta, which boasts two cozy patios.
THE BEACHES
Dine outdoors with an ocean backdrop at JRDN Restaurant in the Tower 23 Hotel in Pacific Beach (PB), or enjoy great burgers and local IPAs at Draft in Mission Beach (MB). PB Ale House features a beautiful sunset view and dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. After a day of fun, head to Backyard Kitchen & Tap in PB and Duck Dive in MB for casual All-American foods, craft beers, and cool beach vibes.
LA JOLLA
Elegant La Jolla offers al fresco dining with great views and delicious food. Enjoy award-winning California Modern cuisine on two open-air terraces at George’s at the Cove. Savor La Jolla Cove views and California Coastal cuisine at The Med in the historic La Valencia Hotel or a delectable seasonal menu at Brockton Villa Restaurant. Caroline’s Seaside Café along La Jolla Shores provides panoramic ocean views and healthy California-style dishes. Experience farm-to-table cuisine with scenic Torrey Pines golf course views on the patio of A.R. Valentien in The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
MISSION VALLEY AND OLD TOWN
Begin your day with American classics like Breakfast Bacon Mac ‘n Cheese on the patio at Breakfast Republic in Mission Valley. ARLO in the Town and Country Resort celebrates Cali-Baja culinary culture with local ingredients. Enjoy Mexico City-style tacos and Mexican Lagers outdoors at Puesto in Mission Valley. In Old Town San Diego, visit Café Coyote, Casa Guadalajara, and Casa de Reyes for authentic Mexican food, tasty margaritas, and colorful outdoor patios.
BALBOA PARK AND HILLCREST
In Balboa Park, enjoy Modern American classics with Spanish and California influences on the courtyard of The Prado. The Japanese Friendship Garden Tea Pavilion serves casual Asian fusion dishes. A short walk away, Mister A’s offers sophisticated cuisine and panoramic city views from its 18th-floor patio. In Hillcrest, outdoor dining hotspots include Gossip Grill for American comfort food and Great Maple for modern American fare with a twist.
NORTH PARK AND SOUTH PARK
In trendy North Park and South Park, enjoy global cuisine in cozy outdoor settings. Start with Sweet Portuguese Linguica at The Mission in North Park or Quiche Lorraine at Café Madeleine in both neighborhoods. Relax on spacious patios while savoring authentic ramen at Underbelly and Kiwi favorites at Dunedin New Zealand Eats in North Park. Wood-fired pies and fresh pasta are highlights at Buona Forchetta in South Park.
CORONADO
Peohe’s offers spectacular patio views of downtown San Diego and San Diego Bay along with tropical seafood dishes. Nearby, Il Fornaio – Coronado serves authentic Italian cuisine. In Coronado’s historic village, Tavern’s menu includes comfort food like classic British fish and chips and roasted chicken pot pie. At the iconic Hotel del Coronado, Serea features a sustainable, sea-to-table dining experience with coastal cuisine and ocean views.
NORTH COUNTY COASTAL
Travel along historic Highway 101 to Valentina in Encinitas, a European-inspired bistro with global cuisine and outdoor seating. In Carlsbad, savor nouvelle French cuisine at Jeune et Jolie or enjoy a “camp-out feast” around a fire at Campfire. One Paseo in Carmel Valley offers nearly 20 eateries with spacious courtyards, including modern Mexican cuisine at Tocaya Organica. The nearby Sky Deck features multiple restaurants and an elevated Brewers Deck for outdoor dining.
