Looking for the best dishes to order in San Diego? I asked some of our talented chefs to share the one dish on their menu they consider an absolute must-order right now. This article is full of the chefs’ recommendations, and the best dishes to order in San Diego based on what chefs themselves are excited about. Start with a few spots near you, look for dishes that fit what you are craving. Menus change often, so take note of what they recommend, and go sooner rather than later. This list focuses only on the best dishes to order in San Diego right now, straight from the chefs creating them.
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Best Dishes to Order in San Diego
If you are searching for the best dishes to order in San Diego, this list gives you a direct answer from the chefs creating them. Some are signature items, others are newer additions, but all are worth ordering if you see them on the menu.
These are the best dishes to order in San Diego based on what chefs are proud to serve today.
Dora Ristorante
Chef: Accursio Lota
Location: La Jolla
Best Dishes To Order in San Diego: Carpaccio di Tonno, Local Big Eye Tuna Carpaccio, Tangerine EVOO, Arugula. Capers, Calabrese (featured photo)
Description:
We are very proud to feature local tuna sourced from the San Diego Fisherman’s Fleet. This dish is a true expression of Spring by the sea—something you might discover at a coastal beachside restaurant inspired by the flavors of Southern Italy, particularly Sicily. The tuna is thinly sliced and delicately dressed with extra virgin olive oil infused with tangerine. It’s complemented by capers, black olives, fresh lemon zest, and a touch of arugula, then finished with thin slices of Calabrian chili for a gentle heat. For me, this dish captures the essence of the Mediterranean—simple, vibrant, and rooted in the highest quality ingredients available. It reflects the soul of southern Italian cuisine, where freshness and balance take center stage. We serve this as part of our antipasti selection, and it is absolutely a must-try for both new guests and returning customers.
Valle
Chef: Roberto Alcocer
Location: Oceanside
Best Dishes To Order in San Diego: Valle Burger; Cebolla
Description:
Valle Burger (Bar Menu)
Chef Roberto’s favorite comfort food, elevated. A perfectly balanced burger with rich flavor, thoughtful technique, and just the right indulgence—simple, refined, and incredibly satisfying.
Cebolla (Tasting Menu)
A signature dish that remains on our tasting menu year-round. It transforms the humble onion into the star—layered, expressive, and a true reflection of our philosophy.
Kettner Exchange
Chef: Brian Redzikowski
Location: Little Italy
Dish You Must Order: Morel Mushroom Dumplings, Spinach, Black Vinegar
Description:
This dish represents the beginning of spring. Pork belly and shrimp farce stuffed morel mushrooms, steamed and quickly seared. Sits on top of spinach and a black vinegar chili crisp sauce
Fleurette
Chef: Travis Swikard
Location: La Jolla
Best Dishes To Order in San Diego: “Oeufs & Eggs” – soft scrambled eggs, San Diego uni, black truffle, px sherry sabayon, griddled sourdough
Description:
Explosion of uni flavor enhanced by soft scrambled eggs and perigord black truffles, topped with a vin jaune and aged px sherry vinegar sabayon, and served with griddled sourdough bread. Nostalgic, luxurious, delicious.
Matsu
Chef: William Eick
Location: La Jolla
Dish You Must Order: ‘Tsukune’ burger
Description:
I’d love to say order the tasting menu, but that’s an obvious one. For me, it’s the ‘Tsukune’ burger from the à la carte or bar menu. I promise there isn’t a better one out there, and it’s heavily under the radar. House-made milkbread, dry-aged chuck mixed with A5 wagyu fat, dijonnaise, and grilled onions. With American cheese, of course.
Civico 1845
Chef: Pietro Gallo
Location: Little Italy
Best Dishes To Order in San Diego: Pappardelle Brasato
Description:
Our best-selling dish featuring short ribs marinated overnight with mirepoix in Barolo wine and beef broth, then slow-cooked for nine hours. The result is incredibly tender meat, with a rich tomato sauce that captures deep, layered flavors well worth the time and a must-try for guests.
Wormwood
Chef: Omar Armas
Location: University Heights
Dish You Must Order: Taleggio Agnolotti & Yakitori Baja Shrimp in Ajada
Description:
House-made agnolotti filled with a creamy and silky Taleggio, finished with an earthy pea beurre blanc, aged white balsamic, fennel flower pollen, and lemon basil microgreens (from micro seas greens by Alex Cummings). Served with Baja shrimp brined in ajada and Sauvignon Blanc, then slowly grilled over yakitori. This dish reflects my travels during my training years in Europe, when I fell in love with Italian pasta and cheese. It explores how a bold, funky cheese like Taleggio can find balance with spring vegetables and French technique, such as a bright citrusy beurre blanc, complemented by the elegance of aged white balsamic. The Baja shrimp adds a layer of sea and umami, brined overnight in white wine and ajada, creating a well-rounded dish that brings together land, sea, and tradition.
The Marine Room
Chef: Ananda Bareño
Location: La Jolla Shores
Best Dishes To Order in San Diego: Japanese A5 Wagyu
Description:
Delicately seared and exceptionally marbled, this dish delivers unmatched richness and depth—an elevated, unforgettable experience that perfectly represents The Marine Room’s refined, oceanfront dining.
Cherryfish
Chef: Marcus Twilegar
Location: Pacific Beach
Dish You Must Order: Uni
Description:
Our San Diego uni is sourced from our diver Luke Halmay from Tuna Harbor Dockside Market. The uni is served in its shell with Okinawa potato dumplings, uni cream, and smoked togarashi.
L’Auberge Del Mar
Chef: Sergio Jimenez
Location: Del Mar
Best Dishes To Order in San Diego: Creekstone Farms beef Wellington
Description:
A refined take on the classic, our Creekstone Farms beef Wellington is grilled and infused with a deep black garlic marinade, then wrapped in Swiss chard and prosciutto. It is delicately wrapped in feuille de brick and encased in golden puff pastry, creating a contrast of textures. Finished with a rich, house-made demi-glace, this dish delivers depth, elegance, and bold, savory character in every bite.
Serea
Chef: JoJo Ruiz
Location: Coronado
Best Dishes To Order in San Diego: Kampachi crudo; Whole fish Tiradito
Description:
The crudo is unique because it uses Schug as the sauce and includes nuts and dried cherries. The whole Tiradito dish is beautiful, using a whole Red snapper from La Paz, filleting it, and serving it with a Baja mess-style Ladolomono sauce containing lemon, mustard, chilis, cilantro, and Greek freak seasoning.
Siamo Napoli
Chef: Flavio Piromallo
Location: North Park
Dish You Must Order: Cavatelli al Peperoncino
Description:
Artisan pasta shells, fennel sausage, rapini, Calabrian chili peppers, shallots, in a house-made vodka sauce. The pasta is a marriage of ingredients and flavor typical of cuisine from Napoli. The fennel sausage, rapini, and Calabrian chili peppers are commonly used in a variety of dishes from Napoli. They are a taste of Napoli. Buon Appetito!
Glass Box
Chef: Ethan Yang
Location: Del Mar
Best Dishes To Order in San Diego: Tuna with Truffle and Yuzu
Description:
Tuna with truffle and yuzu is a standout dish that layers buttery tuna, vibrant citrus, and earthy truffle into one refined bite that guests have to try. This “secret menu item” means you will have to ask for it as you may not see it on the menu.
Callie
Chef: Travis Swikard
Location: East Village
Dish You Must Order: Aleppo Chicken – sumac pickles, yogurt, coriander honey
Description:
Obviously, the Aleppo chicken. Crispy, tangy, spicy, moist. An explosion of flavor.
Suzette
Chef: Omar Armas
Location: Chula Vista
Best Dishes To Order in San Diego: In-House Smoked Baja Trout Crêpe.
Description:
A delicate crêpe filled with in-house smoked Baja trout, citrus-caper crème fraîche, local organic arugula, heirloom tomatoes, and Mimolette cheese, finished with a house-made French honey mustard dressing. The idea behind this dish is to start with the simplicity of a traditional crêpe and elevate it through careful technique and the use of local, seasonal products.
More Best Dishes to Order in San Diego Coming Soon
I will continue updating this list as chefs share more of the best dishes to order in San Diego.
