Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in University Heights

108 restaurants available nearby

1. Madison

4.5

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • University Heights

Booked 83 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

2. Books + Records

4.7

Exceptional(385)

Price: Expensive

• American • Banker's Hill

Booked 41 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.

3. Mister A's

4.8

Exceptional(8702)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Downtown

Booked 85 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)

4. Herb & Wood

4.7

Exceptional(6491)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Little Italy

Booked 90 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 Great Maple San Diego restaurant

5. Great Maple San Diego

4.8

Exceptional(4401)

Price: Moderate

• American • Hillcrest

Booked 116 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!

6. Wormwood

4.7

Exceptional(812)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • North Park

Booked 34 times today

Wormwood invites you to explore a bygone era when poets, writers, and painters found inspiration in the Green Fairy. Discover fine Absinthes as we share stories of its golden age and guide your palate on a unique journey.Our restaurant blends French elegance with bohemian charm, creating a cozy haven for food lovers. Each dish, from wagyu tartare to fresh oysters, celebrates local flavors and craftsmanship. Experience curated tastes of our coastal region with passion and finesse.We offer French wines and unique cocktails with a twist on classics. Every meal and drink promises adventure and cherished memories. Discover the fusion of past and present where dining is an unparalleled experience.Enjoy our three dining areas: a cozy indoor space with an open kitchen, an enchanting patio for serene outdoor dining, and the Secret Garden, a speakeasy bar with a unique cocktail menu and Green Hour. We also host private events, from dinners to weddings, ensuring every occasion is memorable.

7. Cowboy Star

4.9

Exceptional(4765)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 74 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.

8. Barbusa

4.6

Exceptional(4322)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Little Italy

Booked 83 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 The Prado at Balboa Park restaurant

9. The Prado at Balboa Park

4.6

Exceptional(7921)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 69 times today

Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, in the Historic House of Hospitality, The Prado offers historic charm and California cuisine.

A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant

10. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

4.8

Exceptional(2644)

Price: Moderate

• French American • North Park

Booked 33 times today

The Smoking Goat is an award-winning California-French bistro located in the heart of North Park, San Diego. We have received the Gold Medallion for the best French Bistro in San Diego three years running. Inspired by his European Farm-to-Table up-bringing and culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Executive Chef and Owner Fred Piehl, marries classic French cuisine with the bounty of San Diego in a way that is rustic, yet refined, imaginative, yet unpretentious. The dinners served feature in-season local, sustainable and organic ingredients and provide guests with a unique culinary experience, reminiscent of the European countryside. Boasting a carefully selected wine and beer list and chef and bartender attention to select spirits to create craft house cocktails, The Smoking Goat assures there is always the correct pairing available.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Excellent food, great service, and the views were incredible. Our family will definitely be returning to the special spot.
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Mister A'sPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Downtown
•
4.8
H
Heather
San Diego •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
The wait staff and food are exceptional!! Come hungry or share, as the portions are large. Perfect way to kick off the New Year!
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Great Maple San DiegoPrice: Moderate• American• Hillcrest
•
4.8
L
Lisa
San Diego •27 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
The host was very friendly. The decor was pleasant and the restaurant embraced theme around the bar and in the menu. We were seated in a cozy booth. Waitress was warm and welcomed us within a few minutes of getting seated. We ordered salmon potato latkes. It was a generous portion and very delicious. We also ordered apple pancakes and avocado toast which were also good. We will be back again.
More info
Books + RecordsPrice: Expensive• American• Banker's Hill
•
4.7
R
Renee
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Great food and drink choices, and wonderful staff!
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MadisonPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• University Heights
•
4.5
K
Kathleen
Phoenix / Arizona •5 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 25, 2024
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

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University Heights

Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in University Heights

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108 restaurants available nearby

1. Madison

2. Books + Records

3. Mister A's

4. Herb & Wood

5. Great Maple San Diego

6. Wormwood

7. Cowboy Star

8. Barbusa

9. The Prado at Balboa Park

10. The Smoking Goat Restaurant

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable