10 Best Places to Eat in Old Town San Diego
Updated July 06, 2024
Looking to satisfy your cravings at great restaurants in Old Town San Diego? We’ve got you covered and offer many food tours in San Diego. Here are some of the best restaurants you’ll want to try when you find yourself in Historic Old Town San Diego.
#1 THE CONGRESS CAFE
Worried about where to eat in Old Town San Diego? Specializing in Venezuelan cuisine, The Congress Cafe is located on the corner of Mason Street and Congress Street, and only a 3-minute walk from Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. If you’re a big fan of brunching, you’ll want to stop in for one of their breakfast platters like the Alma Llanera, made up of fried eggs, carnitas, plantains, a side of avocado, crema, and an arepa, of course. Pair that with a Mexican Spiced Mocha and you’ve just started your day off on the right foot. Hurry in though, they’re only open from 8am until 2pm during the week, with extended hours until 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
#2 Flor’s Farm to Table: Old Town
Flor’s Farm to Table is a delightful addition to Old Town, offering a fresh and innovative brunch experience. This charming eatery emphasizes farm-to-table dining, featuring locally sourced ingredients and seasonal dishes that highlight the best of Southern California’s produce. With its inviting atmosphere and creative menu options, Flor’s is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious and wholesome meal in the heart of Old Town. Don’t miss their signature avocado toast and refreshing mimosa flight, perfect for a leisurely weekend brunch.
#3 HARNEY SUSHI
A little further down the street, just a 2-minute walk from the Whaley House Museum is Harney Sushi. Harney Sushi serves up some of the best Japanese-inspired dishes in San Diego with sustainably sourced ingredients and flair. Try their soft-shell crab roll and ask the waiter to walk you through their extensive sake list. It’s quite the experience! Harney Sushi is located on Harney Street, so you won’t miss it. They are only open from 4pm until 10pm and tend to be very busy, so plan accordingly, especially if you’re planning Whaley House Museum, too.
#4 CAFE COYOTE
Courtesy of Cafe Coyote Old Town
Roll up your sleeves and ease into some of the most authentic Mexican cuisine and tequila cocktails that Old Town San Diego has to offer. At Cafe Coyote, it’s easy to lose yourself in the ambiance with the music and the decor, while having tortillas being made fresh street-side. The whole experience is something else. Start off your meal with house chips and salsa or order some fully-loaded nachos while you peruse the margarita menu and check out their taco platters. And don’t forget the Taco Tuesday and Lobster Thursdays specials when you’re planning your next visit! Cafe Coyote is located on the main drag, San Diego Avenue, and is open 10:30am until 8:30pm on Monday through Thursday, 10:30am until 9pm on Friday, 8am until 9:30pm on Saturday and 8am until 8:30pm on Sunday. This Old Town Mexican cafe also tends to be very busy with a wait-list since they are one of the best places to eat in Old Town San Diego, so if you can, reservations are recommended.
#5 CASA DE FREDS
Freds has always been a favorite with their margaritas and Taco specials. Also located on the main drag on San Diego Avenue, Freds has a fantastic Fiesta Hour from 3pm until 6pm daily, with the exception of Taco Tuesdays, where you can get Adobada Street Tacos and a Perfecto Skinny. On Taco Tuesday, it’s all about the Crispy Fish Taco and Texas BBQ Taco, which has BBQ brisket and frizzled onions, that you’ll want to accompany with a Strawberry House Margarita. Casa de Freds is open at 11:30am Monday through Friday and 11am on Saturday and Sunday. They close at 9pm Sunday through Thursday, with the exception of Tuesdays where they close at 9:30pm, while on Friday and Saturday they close at 10pm.
#6 CASA GUADALAJARA
Courtesy of Casa Guadalajara
Every college student in San Diego is familiar that Casa Guadalajara is where to eat Mexican dishes in San Diego because of their Happy Hour small bites buffet. In the bar area from 4pm until 7pm Monday through Friday, get yourself a $5 house margarita and enjoy the complimentary snack buffet, to stretch that dollar. Looking to have a sit down dinner on their outdoor patio with friends and family instead? Try their Chicken Mole Enchiladas or some of their mariscos like the Tequila Lime Shrimp. Also, try one of their specialty drinks like the Puerto Vallarta that combines pina colada and strawberry margarita, yum! Casa Guadalajara is located on Taylor Street and Juan Street just minutes from the Old Town State Historic Park, if you’re ever worried about what to do in Old Town, San Diego, and are open at 11am Monday through Friday, 10am on Saturday and Sunday, while they close at 9pm everyday.
#7 TAHONA
If you’re looking for modern Mexican food with fantastic mezcal, you need to stop into Tahona the next time you’re in San Diego’s Old Town. Try a mezcal-tasting flight to accompany your Quesabirria Tacos, Carnitas Bao Bun or the Tetela Mole Flight. Maybe book a mezcal tasting to sit down with a Mezcal specialist as they walk you through the origins of the four different mezcales you’ll be tasting. Or make it your next Tahona bar Happy Hour for $2 off your mezcal margarita. Happy Hour runs from 4pm until 6:30pm on Wednesday through Friday. Located on San Diego Avenue, Tahona is open 5pm until 10pm Tuesday through Thursday, 5pm until 11pm on Friday, 4pm until 11pm on Saturday, and 4pm until 10pm on Sunday, while they are closed on Monday.
#8 EL AGAVE
Known for its considerable tequila selection and authentic Mexican cuisine, El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria is a high-end Mexican restaurant located on San Diego Ave in Old Town, about a 7-minute walk from the entrance of Old Town San Diego Historic Park. Don’t worry if you’re having trouble choosing just one tequila, that’s why they have tequila flights to test multiples. Consider noshing on some Pork Belly Sliders or Ahi Tostadas before indulging in their garlic-chipotle Sea Bass. Love me some sea bass! El Agave is open 11:30am until 10pm Monday through Thursday and 11am until 10pm Friday through Sunday.
#9 El Sueño
El Sueño, a relative newcomer to Old Town’s dining scene, impresses with its innovative Mexican food and creative tequila-forward cocktails. Their menu showcases traditional dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, from classic tacos and enchiladas to innovative seafood and vegetarian options.
Daily dishes include the savory Mole Poblano, rich with complex flavors, and the succulent Carnitas, slow-cooked to perfection. With its vibrant decor and welcoming atmosphere, El Sueño provides a perfect setting for enjoying a memorable meal that captures the essence of Mexican cuisine. Don’t forget to try their handcrafted margaritas, which perfectly complement the bold and flavorful dishes — one of our favorites is the “Bad Bunny,” a spicy carrot margarita inspired by the flavors of taco shop pickled carrots.
#10 Rockin Baja Lobster
Rockin Baja Lobster | Facebook
Rockin’ Baja Lobster is a lively seafood restaurant renowned for its Baja-style cuisine and festive atmosphere. The menu features a variety of seafood dishes with a Mexican flair, including their famous Baja Buckets filled with lobster, shrimp, and grilled vegetables. Diners can enjoy the casual, beachy vibe while indulging in fresh, flavorful dishes like the Lobster Tacos and the Surf & Turf Platter. With generous portions and a fun, upbeat setting, Rockin’ Baja Lobster is the perfect spot for a vibrant dining experience that brings the flavors of Baja California to the heart of Old Town. Don’t miss their signature margaritas and refreshing cocktails to complete your meal.
With Old Town being a hub of culture and culinary delights, you’re sure to find a San Diegan favorite that tickles your fancy within some of the best restaurants to eat in San Diego, Southern California. So take a stroll, delight in the sights and revel in the mouth-watering eats and libations. So, book a Old Town food tours or other San Diego tours with us. Out of ideas on what to do next? You can try out these things to do in Old Town San Diego.
If you’re looking to explore Downtown, you can check out these Gaslamp Quarter San Diego Restaurants.
Written by:
This blog was written by Aleezah Davenport. Aleezah is a native San Diegan, and a second-generation PLNU alumna. She enjoys exploring the city and taking her girls out for dinner on the cliffs at Sunset Cliffs. Writing about San Diego provides her the opportunity to learn more about the local scene, and share her newfound knowledge about her hometown – two of the things she loves most. She enjoys sharing her passions with readers, and is excited to be writing for a platform that provides fun information to a large audience.
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