San Diego Restaurant Week Is Here to Help Us Savor the Spring

Think of bruschetta, spumoni, filet mignon shish kabobs, parmesan rosemary fries, Australian lamb chops, and passionfruit coulis. Is your mouth watering yet? Then, you’re primed for San Diego Restaurant Week, April 3 to 10, just in time to savor the longer evenings and watch the sunset. Grab your romantic date or invite friends for a get-together, try a family meal or a girlfriends’ getaway, or go solo with a great book, a glass of vino, and a fabulous view. Be ready for seafood, Asian, Jamaican, French, Peruvian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Italian, American, Argentinian, and more, for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Pre-set menus and prices range from $10 to $25 for two-course lunches or $20 to $60 for three-course dinners, depending on the price points of the location. Also, look to take in stunning dining views from La Jolla Cove, San Diego Bay, or Balboa Park. Dates and times vary by restaurant. 

More than 100 venues in 30 neighborhoods will participate in this twice-yearly event, presented by the San Diego County Chapter of the California Restaurant Association. Reservations are highly recommended but it’s also fine to try making an impromptu visit. 

SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

All of the creative spring seasonal specials chefs will present are impossible to describe here. Rest assured there are options for every diner, from adventurous palates to people seeking comfort food, including choices for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone wanting gluten-free, organic, grass-fed, and hormone-free options and menu items. You name it, San Diego Restaurant Week has it—from longtime favorite Michelin awarded spots such as George’s at the Cove to casual take-out options.

GEORGE’S AT THE COVE

This is the place if you’re looking to experience that La Jolla Cove view paired with decadent dishes and moments of bliss. 

CUSP DINING & DRINKS

Maybe you need to feel the ocean breeze at the end of a hard work week. You can get high on the view alone at Cusp Dining & Drinks on the 11th floor in La Jolla Shores, where sharing charcuterie plates and more with friends is often the way to go.

CITY CRUISES BY HORNBLOWER

Take that special someone out on a Hornblower City Cruise and enjoy a touch of both coasts—a slice of New York-style cheesecake and the California sunset.

SOLARE

Recently added to the Michelin Guide, Solare is a family-owned Italian restaurant in Liberty Station that makes its own pasta daily. They feature organic produce, wild fish, and hormone-free meats, along with an acclaimed wine selection.

FARMERS TABLE

Farmers Table is offering its grass-fed steaks, crab cakes, and stuffed sole in Bay Park, Little Italy, Chula Vista, and La Mesa.

LA BONNE TABLE

Get cozy in Hillcrest at La Bonne Table to savor escargot, Confit de Canard, pork belly cassoulet, or trout with toasted almonds and lemon butter drizzle. Leave room for crême brulée.

PANINI KABOB GRILL

Are you craving baklava, tzatziki, or falafels? One of the best San Diego Restaurant Week deals may be found at Panini Kabob Grill in Mission Valley, Del Mar, and Carlsbad. Check out the $20 three-course menu for lunch and dinner, dine-in, or take-out.

20 Twenty

North County venues include 20 Twenty inside Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, where pan-seared Baja striped sea bass awaits along with roasted butternut squash soup made with coconut milk, ginger, turmeric, spiced chickpea, and cilantro. In daylight, you can view the stunning nearby 50-acre Flower Fields, filled with blooming ranunculus, then enjoy an after-dinner seaside stroll.

CARTE BLANCHE BISTRO & BAR

Anyone for duck confit? Now’s your chance. Carte Blanche in Oceanside offers French-Mexican fusion. You might go for a prime New York steak with rosemary garlic butter and chase it with beignets.

VINTANA

Or, maybe it’s time to check out Vintana, above the Lexus dealership in Escondido. How about lobster bisque for starters, then maybe upgrade to filet mignon, with bacon jam, bordelaise, and a glass of wine, while you watch the sun go down over the city.

HUNSAKERS SUPPER CLUB

Alternatively, the downtown Escondido ambiance includes the French-inspired Hunsakers Supper Club with its renowned top-shelf liquor selection.

This list is limited to only a few of the participating restaurants, but there are many more. To study the maps, filter your search by neighborhood, and get ready for a sumptuous breakfast, delicious lunch, or a wonderful night out, click here.

Note: Menus are subject to change.