Best Fine Dining in San Diego
Updated Dec 01, 2023
According to Alfred Hitchcock, “A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theater admission, and the babysitter were worth it.” Depending on your choice of fancy restaurants in San Diego, that may be a tall order for any movie to deliver on! And that’s why we’re here.
We’re about to take you on a San Diego tour and show you some of the best fine dining that will make your film, your babysitter, and your final bill worth every penny. So, with no disrespect to “The Master of Suspense,” let’s look at some San Diego fine dining experiences worth a standing ovation.
ADDISON
Photo Credit: Here Magazine
As one of the few San Diego restaurants to earn a Michelin Star, it’s only fitting that we visit Addison first. The Great Gatsby of restaurant experiences, Addison in Del Mar has a lavish French-inspired menu worthy of the novel’s birthplace.
- The atmosphere? Luxury, grandeur, and other-worldly elegance at first glance—a place “where anything is possible.”
- The menu? Mysterious and ever-changing. A la carte dining being way too provincial for such a wondrous place, you will either be delighted by their 5- or 10-course tasting menu. Don’t worry: their offerings are far better than you could ever have chosen for yourself. No offense.
- The ambiance? Art-deco décor meets millionaire mansion meets well-orchestrated waitstaff and sommeliers providing you a dining experience straight out of the most elegant of movies.
Unlike Jay Gatsby, who found the American dream sadly unobtainable, Addison restaurant ensconces you in the ultimate fine dining dream. Yes, you can have it all—and you will—from the first bite of amuse-bouche to the last bite of crème de café.
GEORGE’S AT THE COVE
Photo Credit: George’s at the Cove
No San Diego fine dining list would be complete without mentioning George’s at the Cove, one of the “World’s Top 10 Restaurants” according to Fodor’s. But like a good movie, we’re going to turn this plot on its head and talk about the fine drinking experience that this La Jolla Village restaurant has to offer.
For a Thin Man cocktail experience, look no further than George’s Level2 bar. Featuring 24 original craft cocktails that pay homage to the local herbs, citrus, and vegetables of San Diego, your next favorite libation will be… the very next one you choose at Level2.
THE DIRECTOR’S CUT
Feeling adventurous? Try these lauded local faves:
- Martinique Sour – San Diego’s twist on a Pisco Sour with nasturtium, white peppercorn, and the requisite egg-white foam (read: elegance in a glass)
- Modern Day Hemmingway – a must-try for all you Monkey Shoulder fans (you know who you are)
- Celery Brunch – Suntory whiskey fans rejoice! And don’t let the clarified butter scare you away.
Staying on Prospect St., before dinner or after, channel your best (and always-drinking) Nick and Nora and head to the second story of George’s. Because at Level2, you don’t need to be a detective to find a drink worthy of shouting “Cut and paste; that’s a wrap!”
MISTER A’S
Photo credit: Mr A’s Facebook account
What reminds one most of the classics? Is it Kubrick? Hitchcock? Spielberg? You probably see where we’re going here… Mister A’s has been the go-to fine dining restaurant in all of San Diego since its opening in 1965.
Never one to disappoint, Mister A’s offers the best of American cuisine and has even served some famous and notable guests, such as Jose Lopez Portillo, the 51st president of Mexico. As it’s often fun to learn about the Greats behind the creations, here are some fun facts about this “Mister A”:
- Mister A’s is named after John Alessio, a California based restaurant founder and entrepreneur.
- The restaurant is located atop the Fifth Avenue Financial Center, a building Mr. Alessio also helped to erect.
- Mister A’s kept its name despite changing ownership from the Alessio family to a longtime fan, Bertrand Hug, in 2000.
Situated in the Bankers Hill neighborhood near Little Italy, come in any time for brunch, lunch, or dinner. They even have happy hour (or, “cocktail hour” as it’s known) Sunday through Thursday from 2:30 to 6 pm.
THE MARINE ROOM
Photo Credit: The Marine Room
In the mood for a luxurious adventure on the high seas (without the tragic iceberg collision)? Breathtaking sunsets and water lapping against the restaurant windows ensure your immersion in the La Jolla shoreline, without dipping one single toe in the water.
With 78 years of history, The Marine Room is one of the most iconic San Diego restaurants when it comes to fine dining. It is a must-do for residents and visitors alike. Want some cliff notes on the experience?
- Their “High Tide” dinner series (running from April through September) pairs crashing waves with a delectable dining experience. Perfect for special occasions and romantic evenings!
- Cooking classes where guests prepare their own 3-course dinner, including a “welcome cocktail” to limber you up. A must-do for the would-be chef in your life.
- Seasonal sea-to-table choices with highlights fresh seafood including Alaskan halibut, ahi tuna dishes, and Thai buttered lobster tail.
- For the land-lovers, The Marine Room offers exquisitely prepared filet mignon and a succulent red walnut rack of lamb.
- Looking for a casual happy-hour vibe? The Marine Room welcomes you to their oceanfront lounge to enjoy over a dozen delectable light bites, ten crafted cocktails, and a full wine and beer menu.
When it comes to fine dining that mirrors the beauty of the ocean scenery, we echo Jack’s Titanic sentiment: “I figure life’s a gift, and I don’t intend on wasting it.”
PAMPLEMOUSSE GRILLE
Photo Credit: San Diego A List
We’re off to see the wizard…! Want a fine dining experience that’ll make you say, “I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”? You’re in luck! You needn’t travel to Oz for a meal that feels both familiar and magical. Thanks to the wizardry of renowned Chef Jeffrey Strauss, you can experience comfort food with an other-worldly twist.
If you still believe there’s no place like home, but don’t want to cook dinner, try some of these elegant, yet straightforward dishes that have made Pamplemousse Grille one Solana Beach’s best treasures:
- Create your own steak entrée with an amazing selection of sauces, vegetables, and starches (including truffle mashed potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts with bacon lardons)
- Lamb stew with green lentils, braised potatoes, and mélange of baby vegetables
- Five-sided vegetarian plate including crispy tofu with ginger soy beurre blanc and warm farro salad
- Classic-yet-decadent dessert choices such as bananas foster, fruit crisps, and sea-salt chocolate mousse
- Specialty cocktails galore! You must try the daily Pamplemousses Martini and the Del Mar Daly (a dark, rich concoction of bourbon, black tea, and fresh lemon)
- Uncork their extensive array of wines (over 1,500 bottles) from a 21-year collection
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MARKET
Photo credit: Market Facebook account
The renowned restaurant and bar in beautiful beach town, Del Mar, Market is the place to be for luxurious eats, drinks, and atmosphere. Market can best be described in terms of the nostalgic movie theater experience. How you wanted to arrive early, purchase your theater treats, and enjoy the preview spectacle.
For a great opening sequence that will have you ready for the entire feature, Market offers a bar and lounge area where decadent drinks and fresh sushi is served until your table is available.
Once your time has arrived, the restaurant area offers you a menu that is modified daily to fit seasonal tastes and the availability of hand-picked ingredients. Head Chefs, Carl Schroeder and John Thompson, ensure the highest quality meals, earning Market a spot in the top 100 restaurants in America (according to Open Table) two years running—a clear mark of pride for connoisseurs of fine dining San Diego California.
MODERN FLARE
Films created more recently can also be considered fine art, just as these restaurants which emerged on the scene over the past few years are considered fine dining.
ANIMAE
Imagine stepping into a world that is the epitome of urban futurism combined with culinary excellence. Located in Downtown San Diego, Animae takes you into the streets of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, offering an Asian-fusion menu that feels like an exploration into a dystopian culinary fantasy.
- Ambiance: A hybrid of industrial design and Asian aesthetic elements.
- Must-Try Dishes: Pork Belly Bao Buns and Lobster Noodles, A5 Wagyu beef steaks
- Unique Factor: The restaurant incorporates plant-based elements not just in the food but also in the décor, blending future and nature.
BORN AND RAISED
Photo via San Diego Union Tribune
This isn’t just any steakhouse; it’s a steakhouse that Don Corleone would approve of. The attention to detail, the level of sophistication, and the quality of the meats make Born and Raised a restaurant that transports you to the classic scenes in The Godfather where business and pleasure intermingle over finely cooked steaks.
- Ambiance: Art Deco atmosphere with leather booths and dark wood.
- Must-Try Dishes: Dry-aged T-bone and the Steak Tartare prepared tableside.
- Unique Factor: The rooftop dining offers not just an elevated meal but an elevated experience, akin to the Corleone family’s reach in New York’s high society.
JEUNE ET JOLIE
If you’ve watched Amélie, you’re familiar with the whimsical beauty of everyday life captured in French culture. Jeune et Jolie offers just that but in the form of modern French cuisine. The restaurant is as much an aesthetic experience as it is a gastronomic one.
- Ambiance: Soft, pastel colors with minimalist, yet intricate design elements.
- Must-Try Dishes: Escargot with herb butter and the Lavender Crème Brûlée.
- Unique Factor: The ever-changing seasonal menu ensures that every visit offers a unique culinary narrative, much like Amélie’s life journey.
PARADISAEA
Step into a tropical and interesting scene as unique as Pandora from James Cameron’s Avatar as you dine at Paradisaea. With its focus on sustainability and use of exotic, responsibly sourced ingredients, this restaurant offers you a fantasy dining experience, grounded in earthly responsibility.
- Ambiance: Biophilic design elements with live plants and water features.
- Must-Try Dishes: Foraged Mushroom Risotto and the sustainably-sourced Bluefin Tuna.
- Unique Factor: An open-kitchen design lets you see the artisans at work, a behind-the-scenes glance at your meal’s creation.
JUNIPER AND IVY
If Neo had to choose between a red pill and a blue pill to decide his culinary fate, Juniper and Ivy would be the glitch in The Matrix that lets him have both. This restaurant deconstructs American classics and puts them back together in a form you didn’t even know you needed.
- Ambiance: Industrial chic meets modern elegance.
- Must-Try Dishes: The “Yodel” dessert and the Buttermilk Biscuit.
- Unique Factor: The menu is as dynamic and ever-changing as the Matrix itself, offering nightly specials that challenge the status quo.
By incorporating these restaurants into your San Diego dining adventure, you’re not just stepping out for a meal; you’re stepping into different worlds, each with its own story to tell.
CLOSING CREDITS
Dinner and a movie—two terms that seem to be inextricably linked and synonymous with an enjoyable evening out. However, in the case of fancy restaurants in San Diego California, these fine-dining picks will fill your evening and your soul. You may even find yourself asking, “Movie? What movie?”. Hopefully, our guide to the best restaurants in Southern California helped you make your choice for a special night out.
But wait! The fun doesn’t have to come to an end once you’ve cleared your plate. Head Downtown and treat yourself to a nightcap at an undercover speakeasy bar. You may need some coffee to get you up the next day, but don’t worry we’ve got you covered on where to grab the best cup of coffee in Hillcrest, San Diego.
Written by: Melissa
Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.
Sources:
- Michelin Guide. About Us. https://guide.michelin.com/en/about-us
- Fodors. George’s at the Cove. https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/california/san-diego/restaurants/reviews/georges-at-the-cove-477742
- Open Table. 100 Best Restaurants in America for 2017. https://www.opentable.com/m/best-restaurants-in-america-for-2017/
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