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ARTIFACT at Mingei, San Diego, CA
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ARTIFACT at Mingei

$31 to $50
International

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 21 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Innovative
  • Healthy
  • Good for special occasions
ARTIFACT is a full-service restaurant featuring craft cooking inspired by ancient methods, spices and botanicals located inside the beautiful Mingei Museum at Balboa Park . Offering indoor, outdoor courtyard, and bar seating for lunch Tuesday-Saturday.

Crafted by Tim Kolanko, Executive Chef, Urban Kitchen Group, and Tony Coito, ARTIFACT’s Chef de Cuisine, will be a nod to Mingei’s changing international exhibitions in an environment filled with functional, innovative art and design by Jennifer Luce, Founder and Principal of LUCE et studio, who led the design and renovation project.
ARTIFACT and CRAFT CAFE at Mingei-the latest additions to restaurateur Tracy Borkum and Executive Chef Tim Kolanko’s CUCINA family of restaurants. An Urban Kitchen Group Concept. CUCINA urbana, enoteca, sorella, UKG Catering, Urban Kitchen at The Ready Shell at Jacobs Park
Follow the journey on social media @Dine.Mingei

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Tim Kolanko + Tony Coito

  • Award icon

    MICHELIN Plate

    2023

From the OpenTable editors: ARTIFACT lives in a beloved folk-art museum—a backdrop that inspires its (almost) too-pretty-to-eat dishes, including neatly folded rock shrimp gyoza in yuzu dashi and chai-chocolate mousse crowned with coconut whipped cream. Expect a spread that’s as international as the art on display.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    International, Asian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (619) 331-3569
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
  • Private party facilities
    Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • MOROCCO

    $40.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jan 16, 2025 only
    Experience Morocco crafted by chefs Tim Kolanko, Wesley Johnson, and Tony Coito for our first ARTIFACT at Night 2025 dinner. Four-course experience with optional beverage pairings. $89 per person with a $40 deposit due at the time of booking. Reminder: For the format of ARTIFACT at Night we are unable to accommodate menu modifications. This $40/person deposit will be applied to your final bill for the evening and is non-refundable.
    MOROCCO Photo

What 860 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Innovative

  • San Diego

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Artifact at Mingei offers a "creative culinary experience" within San Diego's Mingei Museum. Diners praise its "unique flavors," diverse menu, and cultural theme dinners. The atmosphere is "lovely," with options for indoor and patio seating. Service is frequently highlighted as "friendly and attentive," making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.

860 Reviews
  1. Leslie

    VIP

    San Diego

    16 reviews

    4.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was fantastic, both creative and flavorful. The wine recommended for the meal was perfect.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Sharlene

    San Diego

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    The wait staff was very sad. Possibly understaffed but also clueless on the special Roman Christmas meal they serving. The food itself was outstanding. I felt bad for the chef as they prepared a fabulous meal but would have been horrified by they way it was delivered. Almost tossed at us and ran off. No explanation. When we did catch our waitperson, they didn't know what was what. We got our first course before we got our drinks. Bummer! It was almost thrown at us and they ran off.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Ericka

    Charleston

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was an amazing experience at your establishment. The tofu dish was delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  4. June and Gary

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous food. Sometimes the service was a little off. Drinks forgotten, missing silverware, entrees not all brought out at the same time. However, STILL one of my favorite restaurants to visit. There is no other place in town quite like it. The food is creative, delicious and and always exciting.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Leslie

    San Diego

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I'm in North County and if I was closer I'd dine at Artifact more often. Having dined here several times now in the last couple of years, I often recommend Artifact a place to visit when someone is asking for suggestions. Today's lunch was perfect and leisurely. We sat down at our table after the Perfume Class at the Mingei, and ordered martinis, shared plates (order the tofu entree!) and dessert (the coffee tasted good but the cream curdled). Service is always friendly throughout our 2.5 hr "therapy" seating!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Silvia

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The good selections are very wide ranging with foods inspired by many culinary influences. I had the Rye Pirogi and the eggplant appetizer. Both were very tasty, except the onions on the Pirogi were not cut as thinly as a previous time I ate this dish and it made a difference. Definitely thin is the way to go. Service is impeccable and they also have yummy drinks.

    Is this helpful?

  7. heidi

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Reliably delicious and interesting! This is my favorite restaurant in San Diego

    Is this helpful?

  8. ML

    VIP

    San Diego

    92 reviews

    5.0

    92 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was fantastic. I had the crispy tofu. Service was friendly and efficient. Artifact is always a great choice

    Is this helpful?

  9. Rebecca

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were there during happy hour. Everything we ordered was delicious. The server, Kelly, was fantastic. She really made our visit fun.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Leigh Ann

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Many unique flavors. The carrots and the Huraches pork were delicious. Can’t wait to come back and try something else.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

ARTIFACT at Mingei offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 331-3569.

ARTIFACT at Mingei is rated 4.8 stars by 860 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 21 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for ARTIFACT at Mingei

1493 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2023
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    International, Asian, Mediterranean
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (619) 331-3569
  • Catering
    Whether an intimate dinner party, wedding, company meeting, birthday bash or holiday celebration, Urban Kitchen Catering offers complete full service catering – from menus to tabletop design, all tailored to meet your every need. https://www.urbankitchengroup.com/catering/<br />
  • Private party facilities
    Located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft and design. Its newly transformed building, designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, provides both outdoor and indoor spaces, adaptable for large or small-scale events.mingei.org/visit/event-rentals
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