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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Old Town

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104 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Jack & Giulio's Italian Restaurant restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1163)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Old Town
Booked 5 times today
Jack and Giulio's Italian restaurant has remained a favorite of San Diegans for many years. This popular restaurant, formerly known as Giulio's of Pacific Beach, has proudly served the "Best Scampi" since 1961. In addition to this popular dish, this family-owned and operated restaurant offers many homemade pastas, veal, poultry, beef, and seafood specialties.
A photo of Herb & Wood restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(6479)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 92 times today
A timeless, sought-after dining escape, celebrated Chef Brian Malarkey opened Herb & Wood to instant acclaim over four years ago. In that time, the restaurant has become an icon, a dining destination that has helped to propel San Diego's culinary reputation to new heights. By focusing on rustic, wood-fired dishes, Chef Malarkey's menu elevates humble ingredients such as carrots, beets, and chicken, incorporating Mediterranean flavors and a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability.
A photo of Books + Records restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(379)
Price: Expensive
• American • Banker's Hill
Booked 58 times today
Global inspired American cuisine, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch in an upbeat atmosphere, with live music.Chef Ryan Stickel is serving up San Diego's freshest food takes in an art deco meets mid-century mod warehouse space. With a tenured run on both Eater's Heat Map and list of San Diego's Hottest Cocktail Bars, the food and drinks are both guaranteed to delight your senses.
A photo of Mister A's restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(8684)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary French / American • Downtown
Booked 52 times today
Mister A's is the penthouse, fine-dining destination of San Diego, and has been for over 50 years. Located just a few minutes from downtown, you will take the elevator to the top floor and look back out over jetliners sweeping past at eye level, the San Diego skyline, bay and Pacific, while enjoying Modern American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, and one of Wine Spectator's top-rated wine lists in the country. The culinary staff hand-selects local farm produce and the highest quality ingredients in every category to offer you selections that are made from scratch in house for brunch, lunch, dinner.. or simply the finest rooftop drinks and appetizers in town.Please visit our website for specific dress code guidelines: https://www.asrestaurant.com/contact/(Guests not in dress code will be turned away)
A photo of El Agave restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2478)
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.
A photo of Barbusa restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(4312)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Little Italy
Booked 118 times today
Barbusa Local Modern Sicilian Restaurant.Lively atmosphere with our craft cocktails, handmade pastas, freshest seafood, delicate pizza, and our famous Sicilian Ribeye.Pizza Served from our stone fired oven.Gluten free and Vegan Items AvailableWHILE WE VALUE THE TIME OF ALL OUR LOYAL GUEST AND SMILING FACES, WE KINDLY REQUEST YOU LIMIT THE TIME SPENT AT YOUR TABLE TO 1 HOUR AND 30 MIN DUE TO MANDATED REDUCTION IN CAPACITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT, WE COULDNT BE MORE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU DINE WITH US!
A photo of Cowboy Star restaurant
4.9
Exceptional(4757)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 53 times today
Located in the heart of the East Village neighborhood of San Diego, Cowboy Star is dedicated to providing an unmatched attention to detail and a level of service that immediately sets us apart. Cowboy Star guests are the number one priority and guest satisfaction is the base upon which our entire concept is built. Our level of service is only matched by our celebration of regional American heirloom recipes offered with genuine neighborly hospitality. We are committed to supporting local and regional farmers, fishers and producers by cooking food that recaptures the simple and pure tastes found in locally grown, natural and organic ingredients. We strive to raise awareness of a more sustainable food future, while helping to restore a sense of community that brings us back to a more homegrown time.The Cowboy Star Menu features the finest in select natural products including Niman Ranch all natural beef from the nation's leading Certified Humane Angus herd.
A photo of Tom Hams Lighthouse restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(6668)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Downtown
Booked 54 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.
A photo of Great Maple San Diego restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(4389)
Price: Moderate
• American • Hillcrest
Booked 129 times today
We Serve Dinner, Lunch, Brunch and Weekday Breakfast. We are a modern American eatery featuring seasonal fare, fresh house made pies, and local produce cocktails. We have a full bar and a social wine list. Open for Outdoor dining!
A photo of Madison restaurant
4.5
Awesome(3024)
Price: Expensive
• Mediterranean • University Heights
Booked 100 times today
With their stunning design, classic cocktails & highly acclaimed fare, Madison finds itself among San Diego's can't miss restaurants! Serving many of Michelin recognized Chef Mario Cassineri classic dishes, perfect for Date Night of celebrating with friends. ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʜᴏᴜʀ - ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴅᴀʏ 4-6ᴘᴍᴛᴜᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 7-9ᴘᴍᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴏɢꜱᴛʜᴜʀꜱᴅᴀʏ - ᴅᴊ ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏʟᴅ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴠɪɴʏʟꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ & ꜱᴀᴛᴜʀᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴢʏ ʙʀᴜɴᴄʜ - ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴅᴊꜱꜱᴜɴᴅᴀʏ ɴɪɢʜᴛ - ʟᴀᴛɪɴ ᴊᴀᴢᴢ 6-8ᴘᴍ

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Matt
    Phoenix / Arizona •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Great food and service. The drinks are always good. Love this place.
    More info
    Jack & Giulio's Italian RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Italian• Old Town
    4.7
  • JeanVIP
    Fort Lauderdale •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Great food at reasonable prices. Good service, floor was a bit cold initially but we eventually got used to it.
    More info
    BarbusaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Little Italy
    4.6
  • Dena
    Washington, D.C. Area •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    What a wonderful place to be on Christmas day( Fantastic fixed menu, fantastic drinks and what a very attentive staff from front desk to service. I want to thank Bill, my server for the evening and all the wonderful team members who worked on Christmas day to make someone else s day special. The view from any point of view is breathtaking. The chef and team should take a bow for the menu and the bartender for a wonderful mango Durango cocktail. What a gem of a restaurant, so classy, so chic so special. Keep up the great 5 Star service. I also appreciate the many times the manager and staff checked on a single woman. I felt so special.
    More info
    Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
    4.8
  • Kathleen
    Phoenix / Arizona •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Simply put, one of the best meals I have had the privilege of enjoying! Delightful server, Calvin, was very in tune with the timing of our meal and our needs. The fixed menu was perfect for Christmas Eve, as it kept the meal flowing and decision-making to a minimum. Every course was delectable from the scallop crudo, the creamed mushrooms, and the sea bass, to the date cake with walnut ice cream! Mezcal hibiscus cocktail was creative and tasty, as well! I will definitely be back!
    More info
    Herb & WoodPrice: Expensive• Californian• Little Italy
    4.7
  • ileanaVIP
    Baja California •8 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    I came here for a romantic date and it was so amazing! We booked a reservation right away and that’s hard to find on a Saturday night. Parking was super easy and service is very friendly and fast. The food is 10/10 as well as drinks ! The music is great quality and I’ll come back pretty soon to try more of the cocktails.
    More info
    Books + RecordsPrice: Expensive• American• Banker's Hill
    4.7

Discover best neighborhood gem restaurants in Old Town

Discover the charm of Old Town San Diego through its neighborhood gems, where culinary delights meet rich history and vibrant culture. Old Town is renowned for its exceptional dining scene, showcasing an array of restaurants that blend traditional flavors with contemporary twists. Each restaurant offers a unique ambiance, from cozy outdoor patios to trendy rooftop views, making them perfect for any occasion. Whether you're craving authentic Mexican cuisine, traditional Italian fare, or innovative Oaxacan bites, Old Town's dining spots provide an unparalleled experience. These establishments are celebrated not only for their delicious food but also for their swift service and inviting atmospheres. Locals and visitors alike praise these spots as must-visit destinations for anyone looking to enjoy a memorable meal in a historic setting. Step into any of these neighborhood gems in Old Town for an exceptional dining experience that promises to delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

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