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Best Hot Spot Restaurants in College Area

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34 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Alexander's on 30th restaurant
1. Alexander's on 30th
4.8
Exceptional(3131)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • North Park
Booked 109 times today
Neighborhood gem located in the heart of the Historic North Park District, adjoining Balboa Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Specializing in homestyle Italian with Gourmet Flair. Hand made Pastas, Award Winning Pizza and Voted Best of Restaurants by San Diego Magazine "Most Romantic". Listed as Top 25 Places to Eat in San Diego "Before You Die" by San Diego Union Tribune. Make memorable celebrations on our beautiful patio, the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Remember to try our diners favorites, The Theodore's Fix Pizza and Baked Vodka Bolognese.Look forward to serving you soon!
A photo of The Smoking Goat Restaurant restaurant
2. The Smoking Goat Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2679)
Price: Moderate
• French American • North Park
Booked 28 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.
A photo of Madi restaurant
3. Madi
4.7
Exceptional(439)
Price: Moderate
• Breakfast • Kensington
Booked 34 times today
Bringing all-day brunch and grab-and-go coffee to Normal Heights, Madi is the upcoming daytime counterpart to Madison on Park, the well-established mid-century modern restaurant and bar that opened in University Heights in 2015. Offering a quick-service coffee counter fueled by Heartwork Coffee out of Mission Hills that’ll feature the full range of espresso drinks, specialty beverages, and tea as well as fresh pastries, Madi will also be an anytime option for sit-down breakfasts, mimosa-powered brunches, and casual lunches.Its breakfast menu ranges from waffle churro sticks and breakfast burritos to skirt steak eggs Benedict and a variety of pancakes based on a 60-year-old recipe from Madison co-owner Matthew, whose family runs a century-old breakfast spot in the midwest.Lunch will hinge on build-your-own grain and salad bowls along with lettuce wraps, ceviche, a burger, and a classic Tuna Melt!
A photo of Giardino Neighborhood Cucina restaurant
4. Giardino Neighborhood Cucina
4.6
Exceptional(1093)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Lemon Grove
Booked 8 times today
Located in the middle of Lemon Grove’s charming downtown area, Giardino is a welcoming and casual Italian inspired cucina where the neighborhood gathers for fresh and flavorful classic dishes found throughout Italy.Giardino offers an Italian-inspired menu of seasonally-driven dishes that use timeless Italian techniques and fresh ingredients. Guests will find items such as fresh seafood, pastas, pizzas and salads, as well as a variety of elements made in-house.
A photo of Antica Trattoria restaurant
5. Antica Trattoria
4.7
Exceptional(2417)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Italian • La Mesa
Booked 17 times today
Antica Trattoria is a warm restaurant with an old-fashioned sense of hospitality that quickly became a gathering place for dinners in Lake Murray and the rest of San Diego when it opened in 2001. For Executive Chef and Owner Francesco Basile, good cuisine is about honest flavors, fresh ingredients, and simplicity. That's the kind of food he grew up eating by the seaside in Sicily and it's what he learned in culinary school in Italy.Why eat ordinary when you can eat extraordinary?About reservations: We have a 15-minute grace period. Please call us if you will be running later than 15 minutes. If a later time slot is available, you may be able to switch your reservation.We may contact you, so please ensure your email and phone number are up to date. Your table will be reserved for 1 hour 30 minutes for parties of up to 4 guests; 2 hours for parties of 5 to 8 guests; and 2 hours 30 minutes for parties of 9+. We cannot guarantee special request for tables.
A photo of Farmer's Table - La Mesa restaurant
6. Farmer's Table - La Mesa
4.3
Awesome(2036)
Price: Moderate
• Farm-to-table • La Mesa
Booked 23 times today
Excited to announce that we officially have four locations open in San Diego including Bay Park, Little Italy, La Mesa, and Chula Vista. As a family run operation we believe every good neighborhood deserves an eatery where locals and visitors can enjoy “honest food done right”. Here at Farmers Table, we specialize in farm-to-fork cuisine that focuses on bringing locally sourced organic ingredients together to be savored in an inviting family-friendly atmosphere, where adults and children can enjoy many different food options that are just right for them. If you are looking for a magical brunch this week, come stop by for an unforgettable night.
A photo of Cowboy Star restaurant
7. Cowboy Star
4.8
Exceptional(4833)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Downtown
Booked 51 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 Mister A's restaurant
8. Mister A's
4.9
Exceptional(8773)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary French / American • Downtown
Booked 53 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 Herb & Wood restaurant
9. Herb & Wood
4.7
Exceptional(6558)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Little Italy
Booked 75 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 Coasterra restaurant
10. Coasterra
4.6
Exceptional(7662)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Harbor Island
Booked 128 times today
Coasterra is San Diego's premier bay front dining destination! We are an innovative and modern restaurant, lounge and floating event center, featuring Mexican cuisine.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Amy
    Chicago / Illinois •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    The food was marvelous Giordanos is my go to restaurant for all my celebrations! I love the food plus it is close to my home! The only drawback that night was the noise level! It was a bit loud in the restaurant. They might want to invest in some solutions for that! Other than that, the evening was great. Another suggestion would be to have a piano bar for occasions such as Valentines Day or maybe weekends! We had the 14 oz ribeye and the seafood food ravioli!!)
    More info
    Giardino Neighborhood CucinaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Lemon Grove
    •
    4.6
  • Martine
    Seattle / Eastern Washington •12 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Food was great. Service was great. Place is very lively and bright inside. They do have an outside but it was raining so we ate inside. Had Peach and basil Mimosas. Very yummy. Blueberry and lemon pancakes, Chilaquiles Verdes and The G.O.A.T. Excellent all of them. You can't go wrong. Get in here.
    More info
    MadiPrice: Moderate• Breakfast• Kensington
    •
    4.7
  • janeVIP
    San Diego •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    We are so happy to have found this place. The food is amazing....finish every bite amazing. It can be a special dinner, or you can just have a casual drink and appetizer. Friendly and efficient service. One little negative is the chairs. Wood is with an open back, which is hard for some people.
    More info
    Antica TrattoriaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Italian• La Mesa
    •
    4.7
  • Eden
    San Diego •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    It was an absolutely amazing experience. Went with a few of my friends as a girls night out and the service was friendly and efficient! Every staff was engaging with their customers and always making sure we were okay or needed anything. Amazing atmosphere with a great vibe (: will definitely go again and highly recommend this place
    More info
    Alexander's on 30thPrice: Expensive• Italian• North Park
    •
    4.8
  • KarenVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Smoking Goat restaurant does not disappoint. They are extremely accommodating when it comes to special requests and reservation changes. French onion soup and grilled octopus were delicious!
    More info
    The Smoking Goat RestaurantPrice: Moderate• French American• North Park
    •
    4.7

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