The Most Fun Restaurants in San Diego

The OpenTable Team

Ask a local and you’re bound to get the most accurate read on the pulse of the food scene in San Diego. So, we looked at our data to find where the most in-the-know locals are going for the most fun restaurants in this city loved for its beaches and sunny weather. These tastemakers go and curate, while you benefit. See where they are dining now, and find out the best places to eat in San Diego.

Restaurants:Jeune et Jolie, The Henry - Coronado, Addison Restaurant
Price Range:$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:Contemporary French, American, Californian
Neighborhoods:Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar

Jeune et Jolie

$$$$·Contemporary French·
Carlsbad
973 reviews
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Good for a Date
  • Creative Cuisine
This colorful and welcoming French restaurant in Carlsbad takes its place as one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. Full of playful decor and plenty of style, Jeune et JolieRead more
94% recommended
Best Overall in San Diego
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The Henry - Coronado

$$$$·American·
Coronado
271 reviews
  • Outdoor Eating
  • Lunch
  • Neighbourhood Gem
A welcoming place off of Orange Avenue in Coronado, The Henry is a laid-back spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This cheerful restaurant maintains a relaxed, fun vibe for dinersRead more
93% recommended
American in San Diego

Addison Restaurant

$$$$·Californian·
Del Mar
1,392 reviews
  • Special Occasions
  • Good for Anniversaries
  • Creative Cuisine
This upscale and fun San Diego restaurant is one of the most acclaimed eateries in the city. Right in the heart of Carmel Valley off of Grand Del Mar Way, Addison is one of the morRead more
91% recommended
Best Overall in San Diego
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Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub

$$$$·Sushi·
Oceanside
656 reviews
  • Creative Cuisine
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Neighbourhood Gem
With an excellent pun in the name, the Wrench and Roden “Seabasstropub” is one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. This creative and lively San Diego spot features a diverse Read more
95% recommended
Best Overall in North San Diego
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The Lion's Share

$$$$·Wild Game·
Downtown / Gaslamp
778 reviews
  • Creative Cuisine
  • Good for a Date
  • Handcrafted Cocktails
This classic and stylish bar in the City Walk section is one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. Stop into this lush and relaxing bar and pub for some local brews or a cocktaRead more
95% recommended
Late Night Find in San Diego

Sugar Factory American Brasserie - Theatre Box

$$$$·American·
Downtown / Gaslamp
1,027 reviews
  • Good for Birthdays
  • Fun
  • Special Occasions
One of the most colorful places in San Diego, the Sugar Factory is also one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. This is a place for those diners with a sweet tooth. Try the rRead more

Bellamy's Restaurant and Wine Bar

$$$$·Californian·
Escondido
1,097 reviews
  • Special Occasions
  • Good for a Date
  • Romance
Trek to Escondido for the fine Californian-French fare at Bellamy's Restaurant and Wine Bar. Elegant and modern, Bellamy's is one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. Grab a sRead more
94% recommended
Special Occasions in San Diego
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Valentina

$$$$·Contemporary European·
Encinitas
201 reviews
  • Neighbourhood Gem
  • Good for a Date
  • Fit for Foodies
This welcoming and cozy restaurant in San Diego is a place for upscale, internationally-styled dishes and fine wines. For “openers,” go for the Valentina beef tartare aioli with caRead more
96% recommended

The Melting Pot - Gaslamp Quarter

$$$$·Fondue·
Downtown / Gaslamp
1,956 reviews
  • Special Occasions
  • Good for a Date
  • Good for Anniversaries
What's more fun than fondue? In the heart of San Diego's elegant Gaslamp quarter, The Melting Pot is one of the city's most fun restaurants. Not only does the restaurant feature prRead more
94% recommended
Romance in San Diego

Wild Note Cafe

$$$$·Californian·
Solana Beach
281 reviews
  • Casual
  • Neighbourhood Gem
  • Pre/post Theatre
Only a few steps from the water in Solana Beach, Wild Note Cafe is a neighborhood bistro with a friendly vibe. It's one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. “Unrestrainable CuRead more
100% recommended
Hot Spot in North San Diego
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Campfire

$$$$·Contemporary American·
Carlsbad
2,184 reviews
  • Creative Cuisine
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Handcrafted Cocktails
Campfire is a throwback-style spot and one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. With a cozy and rustic feel, Campfire features a live-fire cooking style for its classic but upRead more
94% recommended
Contemporary American in San Diego
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The WineSellar & Brasserie

$$$$·French·
Sorrento Mesa
690 reviews
  • Special Occasions
  • Good for Anniversaries
  • Notable Wine List
For fine wine and classic bites, The WineSellar & Brasserie is the place to go in San Diego. Peruse The WineSellar's shelves for a gem of a bottle or two and try a few sips from a Read more
98% recommended
Best Food in San Diego
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Juniper & Ivy

$$$$·Contemporary American·
Little Italy
5,032 reviews
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Special Occasions
  • Good for a Date
A fun and welcoming spot in the heart of San Diego, Juniper & Ivy is the ideal spot for dinner after visiting the nearby Ballast Point Brewery. Stop into this lively restaurant andRead more
91% recommended
Contemporary American in San Diego

The Grass Skirt

$$$$·Polynesian·
Pacific Beach
608 reviews
  • Fun
  • Handcrafted Cocktails
  • Vibrant Bar Scene
Take a trip to Polynesia with this lovely and engaging restaurant on Grand Avenue in Avalon Plaza. The Grass Skirt is one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. The tiki cocktaiRead more
89% recommended
Late Night Find in San Diego

Q'ero

$$$$·Peruvian·
Encinitas
980 reviews
  • Authentic
  • Neighbourhood Gem
  • Good for a Date
This colorful spot in Encinitas brings the soul of South America to one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. Specializing in Peruvian dishes, Q'ero is an intimate and unique dRead more
100% recommended
Fit for Foodies in San Diego
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Suckerfree Southern Plate & Bar

$$$$·Southern·
Downtown / Gaslamp
117 reviews
  • Comfort Food
  • Casual
  • Fun
The middle of San Diego's Gaslamp district delivers some of the best Southern soul food in California. Suckerfree is a fun and engaging restaurant with plenty of televisions for gaRead more
84% recommended
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Texas de Brazil - Carlsbad

$$$$·Steakhouse·
Carlsbad
443 reviews
  • Special Occasions
  • Good for Birthdays
  • Good for a Date
Head out to the Shops at Carlsbad Mall for one of the most fun restaurants in San Diego. In Texas de Brazil, the restaurant's exquisite Brazilian-style meals come carved tableside Read more
87% recommended
Steakhouse in North San Diego

Cesarina

$$$$·Italian·
Ocean Beach
946 reviews
  • Neighbourhood Gem
  • Good for a Date
  • Authentic
Voltaire Street in San Diego is the home to Cesarina, one of the city's top Italian places. A warm and welcoming spot, Cesarina is an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinnRead more
97% recommended
Best Overall in San Diego

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens

$$$$·Organic·
Escondido
3,978 reviews
  • Outdoor Eating
  • Great Beer
  • Good for a Date
A short trip away from the San Diego Airport, Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens is an excellent spot for food and brews. Grab one of Stone's famous IPAs or stouts to go along Read more
93% recommended
Outdoor Eating in San Diego
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