More of San Diego's Standout Tables

Bright, buzzy Italian joint in a strip mall offers subs, salads & thin-crust or deep-dish pies.

Lively Mexican restaurant creates a party vibe with drag shows & an extensive menu of margaritas.

Outpost of upmarket steakhouse chain known for sizzling, butter-topped beef in an elegant setting.

Small, casual tavern known for cocktails, burgers & fries, offered amid vintage decor.

Quaint Italian eatery serving red-sauce classics, specialty dishes & wine in a comfortable setting.

Local chain pizzeria offering pies, calzones & pasta plus American classics like chicken wings.

Unassuming restaurant specializing in soup with homemade noodles, plus classic rice & poke bowls.

No-frills corner store with a deli counter serving a wide range of sandwiches, plus pizza & salads.

Grill-your-own-steak spot for the 21+ crowd with a retro cocktail lounge & kitschy cowboy decor.

Sprawling, upscale locale serving rustic, wood-fired dishes & old-school cocktails.

Identifies as women-owned. Service options: Outdoor seating, Delivery, Takeout, Dine-in. Highlights: Fast service, Great beer selection, Great cocktails.

Sitting quaintly on the marina this seafood-inspired eatery features mostly locally caught fish.

Service options: Curbside pickup, No-contact delivery, Delivery, Takeout, Dine-in. Popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining. Accessibility.

Casual Italian place offering specialty pizzas, sandwiches, hearty pastas & classic entrees.

Small, stylish venue where inventive pizzas & salads are backed by craft beers & wine.

Casual local chain serving sandwiches & craft beers in a colorful, surf-themed space.

Adventurous options & deli classics are dispensed in a counter-serve setting with a patio.

A cheery spot serving many standard Mexican dishes & authentic hand-pressed tortillas.

Service options: Outdoor seating, Curbside pickup, Delivery, Onsite services, Takeout, Dine-in. Highlights: Great coffee. Popular for: Breakfast, Lunch.

Beach-themed chain known for Baja-style fish tacos & Mexican-inspired seafood entrees.

Open-air, modern beer garden featuring comfort food, craft beers & outdoor dining.

Texas-style BBQ, sides & burgers, plus craft beers & cocktails, in a roomy, industrial restaurant.

Beach-themed chain known for Baja-style fish tacos & Mexican-inspired seafood entrees.

Casual spot famous for its hefty portions of pancakes, baked omelets & crêpes in a basic setting.

Kitschy spot where 1950s-styled waitresses sport beehives & sing while serving burgers & shakes.