This blog post is all about the best dishes in San Diego. I’ll confess that when I find a dish I love, I’ll reorder that dish again and again. So, to keep this list up-to-date, I’ll keep adding to it (regularly). My latest recommendation will always be at the top. That way, you’ll see what I’ve recently discovered. Keep scrolling to check out each dish, and hopefully you’ll find a new favorite of your own.
Baja Seabass Agua Chile
- The seabass is in a bright, citrusy agua chile. It’s topped with tangy pickled onions, creamy avocado, cucumber, and micro arugula. It’s fresh, zesty, and belongs on a list of the best dishes in San Diego
- Lana, Solana Beach
- It’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures
- $23
- 437 S Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075
- November 2025
Wagyu Bites
- The Wagyu Bites at Huntress are small but packed with flavor. Chef Chris layers sweet onion jam, crème fraîche, caramelized lemon, and Maldon sea salt over tender wagyu beef. One bite and you’ll taste why it’s on my list of best dishes in San Diego
- Huntress, Gaslamp Quarter
- Each bite feels rich and balanced, with just the right mix of sweet, salty, and creamy.
- $16 makes this a must-order dish
- 376 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
- October 2025
PRIME FLAT IRON
- Chimichurri marinated steak, cheddar chive mashed potatoes, grilled broccolini, and mushroom onion jam. These is one of the best dishes in San Diego right now.
- One Door North
- Great flavor from the steak, mashed potatoes, and the sweetness from the onion jam
- $55 on the San Diego Restaurant Week menu ( includes a starter and dessert)
- 3422 30th St San Diego, CA 92104
- September 2025
ALBACORE
- Albacore with black pepper collards, and garlic chili
- Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub
- It’s on the Specials menu. It’s one of the best dishes in San Diego, so I hope it doesn’t change
- $25
- 1815 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
- September 2025
madeleine
- Madeleine made with buckwheat, and topped with whipped herb fromage, and smoked char roe. Available on the Menu Table de Saison.
- Wormwood
- Chef Omar turned a simple idea into a layered, memorable bite. It ranks among the best dishes in San Diego.
- 4677 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116
- September 2025
CHICKEN FLAUTAS
- Lightly fried rolled flour tortillas filled with tinga chicken, jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, and chipotle ranch. Available on the happy hour menu. Don’t leave without tasting the best dishes in San Diego.
- South of Nick’s
- $10.00
- 3387 Del Mar Heights Rd Bldg. 1, San Diego, CA 92130
- August 2025
Hamachi
- Hamachi with schoug, amba, crispy shallots, and cilantro. Hoping that Chef Aidan keeps this on the menu as it’s one of the best dishes in San Diego
- Herb & Wood
- $25.19
- 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
- August 2025
Bistro Tenderloin
- The meat was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and served with guajillo sauce. Plus potato rosti, charred scallions, mustard frill, and coriander flowers. New on the menu, and already one of the best dishes in San Diego
- Beaumont’s
- $39
- 5662 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
- August 2025
Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
- The combination of Chef Stefano’s tagliatelle and a thick and rich angus beef ragout is superb.
- Piazza 1909
- $26
- 7731 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
- August 2025
Fiori di Zucca
- This dish, one of the best dishes in San Diego, is a collaboration with Chef Travis Swikard from Callie. The zucchini blossoms are filled with cheese, Calabrian chili, agrodolce honey, and fennel pollen. I hope it stays on the menu after their 10-year celebration.
- Civico 1845
- 1845 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
- July 2025
