best restaurants in San Diego

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Best of the Best Fancy

Critic’s Pick: Herb & Wood
Readers’ Pick: Juniper and Ivy
Runner-up: Lionfish

 

Best of the Best Casual

Critic’s Pick: Trust
Readers’ Pick: Whisknladle
Runner-up: Puesto

 

Best New Restaurant

Critic’s Pick: Born & Raised
Readers’ Pick: Born & Raised
Runner-up: Royale

 

Best Chef

Critic’s Pick: William Bradley (Addison)
Readers’ Pick: Accursio Lota (Solare)
Runner-up: Brian Malarkey (Herb & Wood, Farmer & the Seahorse)

 

Best Service

Critic’s Pick: Red O
Readers’ Pick: Solare
Runner-up: Barbusa

 

Best Happy Hour

Critic’s Pick: Donovan’s Steak & Chop House
Readers’ Pick: Lionfish
Runner-up: Madison

 

Best Bar Menu

Critic’s Pick: Barleymash
Readers’ Pick: El Chingon
Runner-up: Starlite

 

Best Cheap Eats

Critic’s Pick: The Friendly
Readers’ Pick: The Kebab Shop
Runner-up: The Crack Shack

 

Best Food Truck

Critic’s Pick: Mariscos Mi Gusto Es
Readers’ Pick: Mangia Mangia
Runner-up: Super Q

 

Best Hotel Restaurant

Critic’s Pick: Nine-Ten (at Grande Colonial)
Readers’ Pick: Lionfish (at Pendry)
Runner-up: Nine-Ten

 

Best Caterer

Critic’s Pick: Miho
Readers’ Pick: Kitchens for Good
Runner-up: The French Gourmet

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Best Healthy Eats

Critic’s Pick: Tender Greens
Readers’ Pick: Tender Greens
Runner-up: Parakeet Café

 

Best Indulgent Eats

Critic’s Pick: The Crack Shack
Readers’ Pick: The Crack Shack
Runner-up: Extraordinary Desserts

 

Best Gluten-Free Menu

Critic’s Pick: True Food Kitchen
Readers’ Pick: Puesto
Runner-up: Bivouac Ciderworks

 

Best Breakfast/ Brunch

Critic’s Pick: Urban Solace
Readers’ Pick: Breakfast Republic
Runner-up: Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

 

Best Buffet

Critic’s Pick: Urban Plates
Readers’ Pick: Barona Resort & Casino
Runner-up: Viejas Casino & Resort

 

Best Bakery

Critic’s Pick: Prager Brothers Artisan Breads
Readers’ Pick: The French Gourmet
Runner-up: Donut Bar

 

Best Taco Shop

Critic’s Pick: Las Cuatro Milpas
Readers’ Pick: Puesto
Runner-up: The Taco Stand

 

Best Cheese Program

Critic’s Pick: Venissimo Cheese
Readers’ Pick: Venissimo Cheese
Runner-up: The Patio on Goldfinch

 

Best Desserts

Critic’s Pick: Michele Coulon Dessertier
Readers’ Pick: Extraordinary Desserts
Runner-up: Snoice

 

Best Late-Night Menu

Critic’s Pick: Starlite
Readers’ Pick: Starlite
Runner-up: Brian’s 24

 

Best Baja Restaurant

Critic’s Pick: Verde y Crema
Readers’ Pick: Deckman’s en el Mogor
Runner-up: Misión 19

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Specific Cuisines

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​Best French (Critic's Pick): Bistro du Marché | Photo: Justin McChesney-Wachs

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Best Middle Eastern

Critic’s Pick: The Kebab Shop
Readers’ Pick: The Kebab Shop
Runner-up: Mezé Greek Fusion

 

Best Italian

Critic’s Pick: Bencotto Italian Kitchen
Readers’ Pick: Solare
Runner-up: Rovino Rotisserie + Wine

 

Best French

Critic’s Pick: Bistro du Marché
Readers’ Pick: The French Gourmet
Runner-up: Et Voilà!

 

Best Greek

Critic’s Pick: Olympic Cafe
Readers’ Pick: Olympic Cafe
Runner-up: Cafe Athena

 

Best Spanish

Critic’s Pick: Bar Bodega
Readers’ Pick: Costa Brava
Runner-up: Cafe Sevilla

 

Best Mexican

Critic’s Pick: Super Cocina Bar
Readers’ Pick: Puesto
Runner-up: Las Cuatro Milpas

 

Best Vietnamese

Critic’s Pick: Phuong Nga Banh Cuon
Readers’ Pick: Phuong Trang
Runner-up: Pho Ca Dao

 

Best Korean

Critic’s Pick: Buga
Readers’ Pick: Taegukgi Korean BBQ House
Runner-up: Manna Korean BBQ

 

Best Filipino

Critic’s Pick: Tita’s Kitchenette
Readers’ Pick: Tita’s Kitchenette
Runner-up: Zarlitos Family Restaurant

 

Best Russian

Critic’s Pick: Pomegranate
Readers’ Pick: Pomegranate
Runner-up: Pushkin

 

Best Ethiopian

Critic’s Pick: Awash
Readers’ Pick: Muzita Abyssinian Bistro
Runner-up: Awash

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Best Japanese

Critic’s Pick: Wa Dining Okan
Readers’ Pick: Izakaya Masa
Runner-up: Sushi Ota

 

Best Chinese

Critic’s Pick: Village North
Readers’ Pick: Chin’s Szechwan
Runner-up: Dumpling Inn

 

Best Indian

Critic’s Pick: Masala Street
Readers’ Pick: Masala Street
Runner-up: Bombay Exotic Cuisine of India

 

Best Thai

Critic’s Pick: The Original Sab-e-Lee
Readers’ Pick: Supannee House of Thai
Runner-up: Bahn Thai

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Best Japanese

Critic’s Pick: Wa Dining Okan
Readers’ Pick: Izakaya Masa
Runner-up: Sushi Ota

 

Best Peruvian

Critic’s Pick: Pisco Rotisserie & Cevicheria
Readers’ Pick: Pisco Rotisserie & Cevicheria
Runner-up: Café Secret

 

Best South American Steakhouse

Critic’s Pick: Puerto la Boca
Readers’ Pick: Rei do Gado
Runner-up: Puerto la Boca

 

Best Barbecue

Critic’s Pick: Grand Ole BBQ y Asado
Readers’ Pick: Phil’s BBQ
Runner-up: Grand Ole BBQ y Asado

 

Best Steakhouse

Critic’s Pick: Cowboy Star
Readers’ Pick: Cowboy Star
Runner-up: Born & Raised

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Best Seafood

Critic’s Pick: George’s at the Cove
Readers’ Pick: Lionfish
Runner-up: Ironside Fish & Oyster and Water Grill (tie)

 

Best Southern Food

Critic’s Pick: Bud’s Louisiana Cafe
Readers’ Pick: Bud’s Louisiana Cafe
Runner-up: Urban Solace

 

Best Vegetarian/ Vegan Selection

Critic’s Pick: Kindred
Readers’ Pick: Plumeria
Runner-up: Kindred