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Best Authentic Restaurants in San Diego

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60 restaurants available nearby

A photo of RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla restaurant
1. RED O Taste of Mexico - La Jolla
4.5
Awesome(2728)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Mexican • La Jolla
Booked 28 times today
Dining at RED O is an experience like no other that offers a unique combination of Prime Steak and Seafood with Rick Bayless’ signature Mexican inspired influences. With sustainably sourced and local ingredients, RED O creates flavorful dishes true to the authentic flavors of Mexico. RED O’s team of friendly employees creates a welcoming atmosphere that parallels the luxury resort interior of the restaurant. RED O also features an impressive bar and lounge where you’ll find specialty cocktails, an extensive tequila list and an award winning wine list. The bar also offers Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. daily and Late Night Happy Hour from 9-11pm Friday-Saturday.
A photo of Javier's - La Jolla restaurant
2. Javier's - La Jolla
4.6
Exceptional(3646)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • La Jolla
Booked 160 times today
JAVIER'S presents a rich heritage of elevated Mexican cuisine in a friendly, captivating ambiance. Enjoy hand-shaken margaritas, rare tequilas, craft cocktails and a vast selection of beer and fine wines. Dine with us in the main dining room, al fresco patios, one of our semi private dining rooms, or at the exquisite bar surrounded by one of the West Coast's largest selection of the world's finest tequilas. We at JAVIER'S consider all our wonderful customers a part of our family and thank them for their support and sharing in the success and joy that is JAVIER'S. Come experience the freshness of our original Mexican cuisine in a warm, friendly environment at one of our five locations.Please be advised we don't allow strollers. If you bring your stroller we have a designated area to store your stroller while you dine.
A photo of The Godfather Restaurant restaurant
3. The Godfather Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1919)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Kearny Mesa
Booked 16 times today
The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian monument in downtown San Diego providing authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy. Established in 1974, The Godfather is a sophisticated and classy establishment that centers around generational recipes from both Northern and Southern Italy. Over the years, the quality of food and standard of service has never declined and thus garnered The Godfather a national recognition as one of the top twenty-five Italian restaurants in the entire nation. The menu is filled with classic favorites based in steak, chicken and pasta. For an intimate evening for two, try the Sicilian kiss prix fixe meal that includes a bottle of champagne.
A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Diego, CA | Scripps Ranch restaurant
4. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - San Diego, CA | Scripps Ranch
4.2
Awesome(988)
Price: Expensive
• Japanese • Scripps Ranch
Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other! Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!
A photo of Piatti - La Jolla restaurant
5. Piatti - La Jolla
4.7
Exceptional(5095)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • La Jolla
Booked 66 times today
Established in 1987, Piatti offers finely crafted fresh Italian cuisine. The soul of the menu is our housemade pasta that we roll, cut and cook by hand everyday. Offering a fresh take on the neighborhood Italian trattoria, Piatti combines a warm, inviting atmosphere, seamless service and an immersive market experience so you can enjoy Piatti at home. Whether dining in or taking home, Piatti brings friends and family together.
A photo of Glass Box Asian Coastal Inspired Kitchen + Bar restaurant
6. Glass Box Asian Coastal Inspired Kitchen + Bar
4.6
Exceptional(256)
Price: Moderate
• Sushi • Carmel Valley
Booked 9 times today
A transparent authentic cultural experience of Asian infused cuisine, continuously redefining “fresh”.
A photo of Rakiraki Convoy restaurant
7. Rakiraki Convoy
4.3
Awesome(15)
Price: Moderate
• Sushi • Kearny Mesa
Booked 1 time today
For reservations of 3 or less please book through our sister restaurant The Yasai by RakiRaki Convoy!Experience the original RakiRaki Ramen experience at our first location located in Kearny Mesa—the epicenter of San Diego’s thriving Asian food scene. The lines out the door are worth the wait for Chef/owner, Junya Watanabe’s signature ramen recipes that blend the art of traditional ramen making with the highest quality ingredients available and a modern atmosphere. RakiRaki serves a wide variety of authentic ramen dishes and Japanese cuisine including tsukemen (dipping noodles), charcoal-fired yakitori, curry, ramen burgers, and specialty sushi rolls along with local craft beer and sake selections.
A photo of Ambrogio15 Del Mar restaurant
8. Ambrogio15 Del Mar
4.7
Exceptional(219)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Carmel Valley
Booked 4 times today
Ambrogio15 Del Mar is a more upscale, but still casual version than our Pacific Beach Restaurant. We will have gourmet Pizzas developed by our partnership with Michelin-starred Milanese chef Silvio Salmoiraghi, his partner Choi Cheolhyeok, and gastronome Paolo Tucci. Additionally, we will also offer a five-course gourmet tasting menu for 15-20 diners at a time featuring Italian dishes and global meat and seafood entrees, with a vast menu of natural Italian wines and French Champagnes.
A photo of Buca di Beppo - Mira Mesa restaurant
9. Buca di Beppo - Mira Mesa
4.1
Excellent(865)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Mira Mesa
Booked 5 times today
Just off the Interstate 15 Express, near the Legacy Apartment Homes, in the Mira Mesa Market Center, your Mira Mesa, CA Buca is ready to serve you all your favorite Italian specialties for lunch or dinner all week long. Our chefs create delicious, authentic Italian pastas, entrees, and pizzas and our attentive staff serves them up family style.
A photo of Aqua Mare Cucina Italiana restaurant
10. Aqua Mare Cucina Italiana
4.7
Exceptional(1352)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Del Mar
Booked 10 times today
***AQUA MARE CUCINA ITALIANA ***Aqua Mare Cucina Italiana by Villa Capri in Del Mar offers a menu inspired by responsibly sourced local food. It's a place to enjoy fresh, delicious plates and relax watching our beautiful view of the lagoon and the ocean. In addition to fresh fish and seafood, Aqua Mare Cucina Italiana in Del Mar serves fresh homemade pasta, risotto, chicken, steak and vegetarian options. It is open for dinner Monday through Sunday from 4pm to 9pm, and for lunch Sunday from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Aqua Mare Cucina Italiana in Del Mar also has a large bar area with HD TVs, a Private Room and Private Patios that can be booked for banquets and private events

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