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Kettner Exchange, San Diego, CA
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Kettner Exchange

$31 to $50
Contemporary American
A photo of Kettner Exchange restaurant

Kettner Exchange

4.7
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Little Italy

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 56 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Lively
  • Hot spot
  • Good for special occasions
Kettner Exchange boasts two levels of indoor/outdoor drinking and dining and Little Italy’s only rooftop patio with spanning harbor views. We feature Progressive American cuisine from critically acclaimed Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski. In 2019, Kettner Exchange was named to Michelin Guide's prestigious Bib Gourmand list. Kettner Exchange has proudly maintained this award every year thereafter. Originally introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmand category highlights restaurants that serve high-quality meals which include two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Brian Redzikowski

  • Award icon

    MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

    2023

  • Award icon

    MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

    2022

  • Award icon

    MICHELIN Bib Gourmand

    2021

From the OpenTable editors: Anchored by a striking 20-foot eucalyptus sculpture, this two-story, indoor-outdoor showstopper has been a Little Italy hotspot since opening in 2014. Snag a seat on the rooftop patio with swinging daybeds, a roaring fireplace, and bookable private cabanas for sweeping harbor views and inventive American dishes with Asian twists like Szechuan frog legs and spicy tuna and crispy rice with eel sauce from James Beard Award-winning chef Brian Redzikowski.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Asian, Californian
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Bar Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–12:00 am Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–1:00 am
  • Phone number
    (619) 255-2001
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
    3. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2021
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy
  • Cross street
    Grape St
  • Parking details
    Valet is available for $10.00 Cash or $12.00 Credit Card.
  • Entertainment
    Live Djs Thursday-Saturday + occasional live bands (call venue for nightly entertainment)
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • New Years Eve at Kettner Exchange

    $150.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Say farewell to 2024 in style at Kettner Exchange with a champagne tower, photo booth, live jazz, and DJs! Festivities will also include a 6-course tasting menu at $150 per person. Please note that only the New Year's Eve menu will be offered on this day, a la carte dining will not be available in the main dining room. An optional curated wine pairing will be available at $60 per person. No-shows or cancellations less than 1 day in advance may be subject to a charge of $25 per person. Tax, 20% service charge, and 4% surcharge will be added to all checks.
    New Years Eve at Kettner Exchange Photo
  • Small Cabana Reservation

    $10.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    This is not a Standard Reservation, please read below: *Mon-Wed evening Small Cabana Reservations have no F&B minimum but tax and 22% service charge will be applied. *Thurs-Sun evening Small Cabana Reservations have a $400 F&B minimum + tax and 22% service charge. *Sun Brunch Cabanas have a $200 F&B minimum + tax and 22% service charge. The Small Cabanas offers a space where groups of up to (6) guests are able to enjoy Kettner Exchange’s elevated cuisine and unique beverage program in a casual lounge style VIP setting. Guests may dine from the Lounge Menu till 10pm while being seated at the core of a lively open-air rooftop. Everything ordered will go onto one bill. Each reservation is for (3) hours maximum.

What 1,348 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Contemporary American

  • San Diego

    Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Kettner Exchange offers a "great rooftop ambiance" and "excellent cocktails," making it a perfect spot for a fun night out. Guests rave about its "delicious and inventive food," particularly the duck meatballs and tapas-style dining. The service is often described as "knowledgeable and friendly," enhancing the overall "fantastic dining experience."

1,348 Reviews
  1. Kurt

    San Diego

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    We did not dine here. Upon arriving, we were informed all of the dining area was bought for the evening. We were directed to the lounge area, which is an outdoor bar. After being served water and then ignored for 15 minutes, we left to dine elsewhere, which could not be reserved using the app since it thought we were still dining. I should have been informed of the seating status prior to the reservation. Disappointed in the restaurant, and the app. Won’t be back.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Matt

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food & great service! We come here every time we are in San Diego for a visit.

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  3. LaQuisa

    Dallas

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Beautiful ambience and food was delicious. However noise level very high and it turned into a "night club" after 9pm so very difficult to have intimate conversation over dinner as difficult to hear. So just be aware.

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  4. Olga

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What makes great food even better? Great service and that is what you get here. Plus a wonderful ambience and excellent cocktails.

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  5. Kay

    San Diego

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Overall we enjoyed our experience, it was unique and exceptional. The only thing I like to say about the menu is that it was limited and the salmon I ordered was served cold.

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  6. JAMES

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First visit was so good we decided to drop in again a week later. Asked to be taken care by our last server Mandy but she was out of town, so they hooked us up with her bestie, Nikki. Nikki took amazing care of us, always checking in at the right time. The food was amazing, we tried different entrees and were very happy. Thank you Nikki and all the helpful staff for such a great experience.

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  7. Paul

    San Diego

    36 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible ambiance, lighting perfect music level etc. Food was average. Very small portions for what they charge. Drinks were good but very expensive

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  8. Julieann

    San Diego

    69 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful as always! This is one of our favorite places in lillte italy

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  9. Kristine

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had such a wonderful experience. It was a beautiful restaurant. The staff were all friendly and professional. Our waiter was very knowledgable and gave us great suggestions on the courses. The food was amazing and flavorful. The cocktails were also equally as good. We had a wonderful night at Kettner and hope to come back again. So happy to have this great restaurant in our neighborhood.

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  10. Evan

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Really great overall , beautiful evening with wonderful fare

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Kettner Exchange offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 255-2001.

Kettner Exchange is rated 4.7 stars by 1348 OpenTable diners.

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

A photo of Kettner Exchange restaurant

Kettner Exchange

4.7
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Little Italy

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 56 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Kettner Exchange

2001 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2023
    2. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2022
    3. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand 2021
  • Cross street
    Grape St
  • Neighborhood
    Little Italy
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Bar Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–12:00 am Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–1:00 am
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Asian, Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet is available for $10.00 Cash or $12.00 Credit Card.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Live Djs Thursday-Saturday + occasional live bands (call venue for nightly entertainment)
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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