Best Authentic Restaurants in Imperial Beach

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

San DiegoTijuana

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganChula Vista / BonitaCoronadoDowntownLittle Italy

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

53 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Acqua E Farina Trattoria Romana restaurant

1. Acqua E Farina Trattoria Romana

4.3

Awesome(44)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Chula Vista / Bonita

Booked 2 times today

Start your day with a delightful brunch at Farmers Table Chula Vista and then indulge in a delicious Trattoria Romana experience at Acqua e Farina by night! 🍽️❤️✨At Acqua E Farina, we bring you a modern take on authentic Italian cuisine. Our menu features homemade pastas crafted with love, along with Grandma's cherished meatball recipe that will transport you to Italy with every bite. Indulge in traditional dishes, including classics like Parmigiana, Brazatto, homemade pizzas and stuffed pizzas as well, our famous Parmesan wheel pastas, each prepared with the finest ingredients and attention to detail. To complement your visit at Acqua E Farina, we offer a full bar featuring a delightful selections of cocktails designed to bring friends together. Enjoy refreshing Aperol spritzers, an array of flavorful sangrias, and dont miss our signature Espresso Martini. We also proudly showcase a selection of exquisite Italian wines to enhance your dining experience.

A photo of Kalaveras - Chula Vista restaurant

2. Kalaveras - Chula Vista

4.3

Awesome(117)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Chula Vista / Bonita

Booked 7 times today

We're creating a new concept of modern rustic dining with a fusion of traditional and vanguard Mexican ingredients. Our food is chef-driven, using classic cooking techniques with fresher and healthier options. We're elevating bold, authentic flavors and presenting a new way of eating. In the bar you'll find over 90 different tequilas and Mezcal spirits.

A photo of Garage Buona Forchetta restaurant

3. Garage Buona Forchetta

4.6

Exceptional(947)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Coronado

Booked 63 times today

Authentic Neapolitan Pizzeria & Italian Ristorante in Coronado, San Diego, California.

4. Buona Forchetta

4.7

Exceptional(896)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • South Park

Booked 96 times today

Buona Forchetta, meaning 'Good Fork' in Italian, is an authentic Italian restaurant. It was started by Matteo who wanted to bring his native Italy to San Diego. Customers praise its 'excellent and authentic Italian experience' with simple recipes that 'takes me back to all my travels to Italy'. The restaurant is highly recommended for its 'authentic and delicious' food, 'vibrant atmosphere' and 'excellent service'.

5. Callie Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(377)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Downtown

Booked 67 times today

Callie represents Chef Travis Swikard's debut solo project after spending a decade working alongside the esteemed Chef Daniel Boulud in New York City. The restaurant’s name, "Callie," comes from the Greek word "kallos," meaning "the most beautiful," and embodies its blend of Mediterranean cuisine with local ingredients and terroir, from sea to land from San Diego, Swikard's hometown. In 2022, Callie was acclaimed as one of America's top new restaurants by Esquire and Robb Report, and received both a Bib Gourmand and a Plate from the Michelin Guide. Callie is a dedicated supporter of Feeding San Diego, having contributed over 1 million meals to those in need in San Diego since its launch. Swikard is set to open his second restaurant in La Jolla in 2025.

6. Ciccia Osteria

4.7

Exceptional(233)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Barrio Logan

Booked 33 times today

Nestled in Barrio Logan, San Diego, Ciccia Osteria is a charming Italian restaurant that invites guests on a culinary journey through Italy. With its warm ambiance, attentive service, and exquisite cuisine, Ciccia Osteria is a beloved destination. Notably, it has won the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024Entering Ciccia Osteria, guests are transported to Italy's bustling trattorias. The cozy interior, with small tables, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting, creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for any occasion.Committed to the finest ingredients and traditional techniques, Ciccia Osteria offers handmade pastas, succulent seafood, and tender meats, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. The curated wine list features Italian and California wines to pair with the menu.Under Chef Mario Cassineri's guidance, Ciccia Osteria is more than a restaurant—it's a destination where guests can savor authentic Italian cuisine and create lasting memories.

A photo of Brigantine at Portside Pier restaurant

7. Brigantine at Portside Pier

4.7

Exceptional(4352)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 89 times today

Brigantine at Portside Pier is an authentic seafood restaurant in San Diego. It embodies the beach town lifestyle and a dedication to flavorful food. Reviews rave about the 'beautiful atmosphere', 'phenomenal food' and 'friendly staff'. The restaurant is known for its San Diego-style surf and turf, including award-winning fish tacos and marinated grilled swordfish. Its consistent high ratings for ambience, food, and service attest to its authenticity.

8. Little Frenchie

4.7

Exceptional(1501)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French • Coronado

Booked 53 times today

Little Frenchie is a chef-driven approachable bistro modeled after Parisian neighborhood cafes. Enjoy our rotating menu of Provencal classics, our immense selection of unique cheeses imported from France and our extensive wine collection from both France and California. We take pride in the imported and local ingredients we use; our produce is sourced from regional farmers, and our seafood from local area fisherman.

A photo of Puesto at the Headquarters restaurant

9. Puesto at the Headquarters

4.6

Exceptional(3545)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Downtown

Booked 20 times today

Owned and operated by a Mexican American family whose best memories all include tacos, Puesto is an award-winning Mexican Artisan Kitchen & Bar providing an innovative approach to authentic Mexican flavors. Puesto has garnered national acclaim for its Mexico City-style crispy melted cheese tacos, served on handmade non-GMO, organic, maíz azul stone-ground tortillas. In addition to tacos, offerings include a selection of fresh catch ceviches, guacamoles, starters and ensaladas, courtesy of Chef/Partner Luisteen Gonzales. The bar program showcases the best of Mexico City through the use of fresh ingredients in our hand crafted cocktails and housemade Micheladas, tequilas, mezcals, house-brewed beers, and Valle de Guadalupe wines you can’t find elsewhere We’re honored to have been featured by media outlets nationally and internationally, some of which include National Geographic, Huffington Post, Refinery 29, MSN, Insider, Zagat, Eater, Food and Wine, and LA Times.

10. Civico 1845

4.3

Awesome(2466)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 21 times today

Civico 1845 is an authentic Italian restaurant located in Little Italy, San Diego. The menu is a homage to the Calabria region of Italy and incorporates sustainable practices. Reviews rave about the fresh, light, and delectable dishes, with one reviewer claiming it's 'untouched by American ignorance'. The restaurant is also praised for its friendly staff, good atmosphere, and amazing vegan menu.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

GJ
GregJVIP
San Diego •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
Imaginative food well prepared, great wines, excellent service, but some items rather pricey for the size, and very loud.
More info
Callie RestaurantPrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• Downtown
•
4.8
K
KaraVIP
Las Vegas •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Amazing food! Focaccia and Eva pizza were excellent. Also, their salads are so fresh a nd tasty as a starter or side! Our friends had gnocchi with their Buona Forchetta sauce and would recommend. My kids also love, love, love their fresh fettuccini noodle with butter. Simple but delicious! 😆 Such a warm, cozy experience and great service!
More info
Buona ForchettaPrice: Moderate• Italian• South Park
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable Diner
Phoenix / Arizona •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The service and the staff were excellent! We were constantly being greeted and checked on, and the staff was very friendly. The ambiance was beautiful and the food was exceptional and not heavy in our stomachs. Loved it!
More info
Garage Buona ForchettaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Coronado
•
4.6
J
JeanVIP
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Delicious food and excellent service. Recommend the steak bistecca, calamari fritti and carbonara
More info
Acqua E Farina Trattoria RomanaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Chula Vista / Bonita
•
4.3
D
Demontray
Baltimore / Maryland •2 reviews
4.0
Dined on Feb 21, 2025
Took a while to be greeted at the door but once seated, service was great. It was well suited for our large party. The food was great, drinks were good, food came out fast and it was an overall good time.
More info
Kalaveras - Chula VistaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Chula Vista / Bonita
•
4.3

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