Highest-rated restaurants in San Diego by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans say they rarely or never try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, according to a from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—67% of Gen Zers and 40% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on social media or online restaurant reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google. The TouchBistro survey found that 52% of Gen Zers have opted to try a new restaurant due to positive feedback on social media, and 67% of millennials have gone to a new dining spot solely because of favorable reviews online.
New restaurants in particular tend to garner a lot of online attention. About 50,000 new restaurants open each year in the U.S., and that number continues to rise. An analysis by Yelp published in June 2024 found that from May 2023 to April 2024. But some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established eateries that customers have been visiting for decades.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in San Diego, according to reviews from diners as of January 2025. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews and a 3.0 rating were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
#30. Chefs Cafe & Catering
- Rating: 4.9/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 10901 North Torrey Pines Road Bldg 5 San Diego, California
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches, Burgers
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#29. Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant
- Rating: 4.9/5 (127 reviews)
- Address: 4155 University Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Ethiopian, African, Vegetarian
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#28. Java Garden
- Rating: 4.9/5 (93 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2699 Mission Village Drive San Diego, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
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#27. Majorette
- Rating: 4.9/5 (28 reviews)
- Address: 6344 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Sports Bars, Wine Bars, Gastropubs
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#26. MAKE Cafe
- Rating: 4.9/5 (114 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2920 University Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch, Tapas/Small Plates
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#25. The Jazz Lounge
- Rating: 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: 6818 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Music Venues, Dinner Theater, Jazz & Blues
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#24. Makai Sushi
- Rating: 4.9/5 (226 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3968 5th Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Seafood, Poke
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#23. Chani's Donuts
- Rating: 4.9/5 (91 reviews)
- Address: 5250 Murphy Canyon Road Ste 118 San Diego, California
- Categories: Donuts, Vegan, Gluten-Free
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#22. Torque Coffee
- Rating: 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
- Address: 3459 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Coffee Roasteries, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
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#21. Fortuna Ristorante Italiano
- Rating: 4.9/5 (62 reviews)
- Address: 4207 Park Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars
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#20. Thanh Tinh Chay
- Rating: 4.9/5 (1189 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4591 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Vietnamese, Vegan
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#19. LONGPLAY HiFi
- Rating: 4.9/5 (43 reviews)
- Address: 2547 Imperial Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Themed Cafes, Social Clubs, Wine Bars
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#18. The Shed
- Rating: 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 1312 Morena Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Tacos, Burgers, American
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#17. Stella's Pizza Pie
- Rating: 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
- Address: San Diego, California
- Categories: Pizza, Caterers, Food Trucks
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#16. Taste Of Denmark
- Rating: 4.9/5 (192 reviews)
- Address: 142 University Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Scandinavian, Comfort Food, Sandwiches
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#15. Mission Baja Tacos
- Rating: 4.9/5 (48 reviews)
- Address: 3819 Mission Blvd. San Diego, California
- Categories: Tacos
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#14. Fruteria La Costeñita
- Rating: 4.9/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 2312 Morley St. San Diego, California
- Categories: Juice Bars & Smoothies, Mexican, Shaved Ice
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#13. Sushi MARU
- Rating: 4.9/5 (43 reviews)
- Address: 1345 Third Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars
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#12. Hamitbach
- Rating: 4.9/5 (32 reviews)
- Address: 275 Island Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Wraps, Fish & Chips, Kosher
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#11. Cali Craft Tacos
- Rating: 4.9/5 (97 reviews)
- Address: 2707 Boston Ave. San Diego, California
- Categories: Caterers, Food Delivery Services, Tacos
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#10. Pazzos Italian Ocean Beach
- Rating: 5.0/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 2163 Abbott St. San Diego, California
- Categories: Italian
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#9. Carnitas La Bendición
- Rating: 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 1956 54th St. San Diego, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
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#8. Rise And Grind Coffee
- Rating: 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: San Diego, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
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#7. Petite Paleo Bakery
- Rating: 5.0/5 (58 reviews)
- Address: San Diego, California
- Categories: Custom Cakes, Gluten-Free, Cupcakes
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#6. Wet Tacos
- Rating: 5.0/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 2995 Commercial St. San Diego, California
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks, Halal
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#5. Mama Green's
- Rating: 5.0/5 (37 reviews)
- Address: San Diego, California
- Categories: Southern, Comfort Food, Pop-Up Restaurants
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#4. Kove Brewing
- Rating: 5.0/5 (115 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 9030 Kenamar Drive Ste 309 San Diego, California
- Categories: Breweries, Beer Bar, Gluten-Free
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#3. Vegan Mirai
- Rating: 5.0/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 3960 Normal St. San Diego, California
- Categories: Vegan, Food Stands, Gluten-Free
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#2. Rafikiz Foodz
- Rating: 5.0/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: San Diego, California
- Categories: Street Vendors, African
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#1. Big Willie's Pizza
- Rating: 5.0/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: San Diego, California
- Categories: Pizza, Food Stands, Caterers
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 318 metros.
