Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Mission Bay

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

San Diego

Neighborhoods

Banker's HillBarrio LoganBay ParkCoronadoDowntownHillcrest

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

90 restaurants available nearby

1. Dockside 1953

4.6

Exceptional(639)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Mission Beach

Booked 10 times today

With its spectacular waterfront setting on Mission Bay, nautical-inspired design, and a menu of mouthwatering dishes, Dockside 1953 is a favorite restaurant for hotel guests and locals alike. Aptly named for its marina-facing locale at the Bahia Resort Hotel and the year the resort opened, Dockside 1953 is a stunning standout in San Diego’s dining scene. Fresh, coastal-inspired, and locally sourced — the eclectic menu of California fare features dishes to satisfy all palates. With a dedication to high-quality ingredients, menu highlights include classic sweet and savory options for breakfast; salads, bowls, and flatbreads for lunch; sharable starters and fresh seafood entrées for dinner; and a thoughtful wine and cocktail menu. The extensive outdoor patio features cozy fire pits, gorgeous Mission Bay views, and a covered trellis to shade guests.

2. The Fishery

4.8

Exceptional(3139)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Pacific Beach

Booked 61 times today

BEHIND EVERY GREAT SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IS A WAREHOUSE STOCKED WITH FRESH SEAFOOD. The Fishery Restaurant & Market is located just a few blocks from the ocean in North Pacific Beach. The restaurant menu reflects ‘coastal cuisine’ with a simple yet serious focus on the best our coastal fisheries and local farms have to offer. The passion that drives Chef Mike Reidy is evidenced by flavors that can only be achieved using ingredients at their peak of seasonality and freshness. The Fishery was awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence for its Wine List from Wine Spectator in 2018- Present. Our wine list is inspired by the great wines of Europe and their American counterparts and we strive to showcase real, natural, food friendly-wines with a sense of place.The Fishery Market showcases fresh fish, prepared seafood, salads, sauces and marinades.

A photo of Tom Hams Lighthouse restaurant

3. Tom Hams Lighthouse

4.6

Exceptional(6716)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Downtown

Booked 58 times today

Tom Ham’s Lighthouse was built in 1971 by a man who was not afraid to put his name on his product. Rooted in warm welcomes & excellent food, Tom Ham made his lifelong dream a reality. Tom Ham’s Lighthouse is the only restaurant in the US to have a USCG operated & maintained Lighthouse attached to it. You can locate us on any modern nautical map as Beacon #9. Featuring a 100% responsibly resourced seafood menu & award winning Sunday Champagne Brunch, we are a must when it comes to the San Diego food scene. The dining room, purposely shaped like the state of California, allows for groups as grand as 50 yet private enough for a couple’s night out. Holiday brunches have been long time family traditions for many San Diegans. Start your family’s tradition this next holiday. With the best views of the Downtown City Skyline, Coronado & San Diego Bay, Tom Ham's is & remains a San Diego tradition in dining excellence since 1971.

4. The Grass Skirt

4.7

Exceptional(743)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Polynesian • Pacific Beach

Booked 47 times today

From beverage director Eric Johnson love of tiki cocktails, to corporate executive chef Brian Redzikowski’s mastery of southeast asian cuisine, the grass skirt combines the fun, lighthearted, escapist nature of tiki culture, with the creativity and unsurpassed food and beverage quality guests have come to expect from SDCM restaurants.

A photo of Benihana - San Diego, CA restaurant

5. Benihana - San Diego, CA

3.8

Excellent(7582)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Mission Valley

Booked 130 times today

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

A photo of Solare Ristorante Lounge restaurant

6. Solare Ristorante Lounge

4.7

Exceptional(2486)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Point Loma

Booked 29 times today

Family-owned and operated, Randy Smerik and his team are dedicated to providing an amazing dining experience for you. Our authentic Italian cuisine features a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients ... including fresh pasta made each morning and organic produce, wild fish, and hormone free meat.

A photo of Oceana Coastal Kitchen restaurant

7. Oceana Coastal Kitchen

4.6

Exceptional(1316)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Pacific Beach

Booked 15 times today

Oceana Coastal Kitchen features chef-driven, California cuisine along with modern, ocean-inspired design. The restaurant offers a memorable bayfront dining experience at an iconic Pacific Beach hideaway.The airy waterfront restaurant includes several distinct dining areas such as a quartz-topped cold bar embedded with mother of pearl and sea glass. The focal point in Oceana Coastal Kitchen's main dining room is an impressive 800-gallon aquarium, while a sliding window fully opens to showcase unobstructed views of Mission Bay.Oceana Coastal Kitchen offers an al fresco experience for guests, complete with sleek booths and tables with sweeping panoramic waterfront views. Led by Executive Chef Paul Arias, favorite menu items include the Oceana House Roll, the Harris Ranch Ribeye, and the Striped Seabass.We are excited to announce that we have been recognized by TripAdvisor as a 2023 Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best award winner, ranking 10th in the country for “Everyday Eats.”

8. Enoteca Adriano

4.8

Exceptional(75)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Pacific Beach

Booked 33 times today

Welcome to Enoteca Adriano where Roman born chef, Giuseppe Ciuffa, brings the essence of Italy to the shores of North Pacific Beach. Immerse yourself in a culinary journey that blends modern creativity with traditional Italian flavors. Our eclectic menu showcases the best of Italian, "Roman forward" cuisine, using locally sourced produce and ingredients to create dishes that are both comforting and innovative. Dine while enjoying vintage movies shown on our outdoor big screen. At Enoteca Adriano, we celebrate the rich heritage of Italy, offering a diverse selection of wines to complement your dining experience in our main dining room or outdoor heated patio. Our passion for food and hospitality shines through in every dish we serve, as we strive to share the love of Italian cuisine with our guests. Join us at Enoteca Adriano and experience the true taste of Italy, where every meal is prepared with authenticity, passion, and a touch of Italian hospitality. Viva e Forza Italia!

9. El Agave

4.8

Exceptional(2509)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Old Town

Booked 38 times today

Experience the true flavor of Mexico at San Diego’s premier Mexican cuisine destination.Established in 1996, El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria offers its patrons a unique dining setting withinthe largest tequila museum in the United States – with over 3,000 tequilas on display – alsorepeatedly voted the #1 tequila bar in the country. Nestled in historic Old Town, San Diego, it is theperfect place to enjoy a business lunch, romantic date, rehearsal dinner or to simply relax andunwind sipping find tequila with friends.

10. World Famous

4.6

Exceptional(1042)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Pacific Beach

Booked 24 times today

World Famous is a neighborhood gem in Pacific Beach, San Diego, serving fresh Californian cuisine. It's renowned for its spectacular oceanfront views and inviting ambiance. Reviewers consistently praise the excellent service, delicious food, and the relaxing atmosphere. One reviewer even said, 'Always a pleasure to eat there. Always great service!!' Another noted, 'The food is always prepared perfectly & is delicious.' It's clear that this place is a local favorite and a must-visit destination for anyone in the area.

‘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

C
craigVIP
San Diego •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great evening...Nice ambiance, good food and excellent service.
More info
The FisheryPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Pacific Beach
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The foods were great. It was my best salmon steak in my life. And view of mission bay was awesome.
More info
Dockside 1953Price: Moderate• Californian• Mission Beach
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Houston •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent food and experience. The staff was very professional and the food was delicious.
More info
Benihana - San Diego, CAPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Mission Valley
•
3.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We didn’t eat food The drinks were good and the place is very cool
More info
The Grass SkirtPrice: Expensive• Polynesian• Pacific Beach
•
4.7
NJ
NancyJ
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Beautiful historic venue with views of San Diego Bay from almost every table. The views- continually changing from catamarans to Aircraft carriers. History- the dining room is in the shape of the State of California. The beacon of light has been shining on the bay for almost 100 years. It is maintained by the Coast Guard. Food- delicious and beautifully presented. We had mussels, fried oysters, grilled peppers, beet salad, and the Yellow tail fish. We were pleased with all of our selections. You can also order seafood individually. Server Alicia was quite informative and attentive. Thank you for a pleasingly memorable afternoon/evening.
More info
Tom Hams LighthousePrice: Expensive• Seafood• Downtown
•
4.6

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
Neighborhood gem

Mission Bay

Banker's Hill
Encinitas
Scripps Ranch
Kensington
Mira Mesa
San Ysidro
Sorrento Valley
Fallbrook
Del Mar
College Area
Little Italy
Downtown
Rancho Santa Fe
Mission Beach
Jamul
La Mesa
University City/Golden Triangle
Rancho San Diego
Poway / Rancho Bernardo
Rincon