I love keeping up with the latest changes in San Diego restaurants, but there are so many announcements. This is my way of keeping you in the loop. This post will feature new openings, closings, menu updates, and anything else happening around town. I’ll add the newest news at the top. So you’ll always see the latest San Diego Restaurant updates first. Keep checking back. I’ll make sure you don’t miss what’s happening in the San Diego Restaurant scene. Want to stay updated? Just add your name to get my updates.
Maranello is now open in Little Italy
Maranello is now open in Little Italy, named for the hometown of Ferrari. The northern Italian restaurant is built around tableside moments like tortellini tossed in a Parmigiano Reggiano wheel, and lasagna finished with warm cheese fondue. The bar program includes a Pepperoni Negroni and a Truffle Old Fashioned, plus an Italian wine list anchored by Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino.
Pali Wine Co. Moves to University Avenue
Pali Wine Co. is leaving Little Italy after a decade and reopening at 1440 University Avenue in the former Cellar Hand space. The new spot has a full kitchen, outdoor patio, and a refreshed interior. Chef Sable-Tanya Wentwoord is leading the food program with elevated wine bar fare, and the beverage menu stays centered on Pali’s Santa Barbara County wines.
Zuma opens in The Guild Hotel
Zuma opens at The Guild Hotel in downtown San Diego on August 10. The global Japanese brand with locations in London, Dubai, Hong Kong, Miami, and New York is bringing its first California location to West Broadway. The 12,000-square-foot, 270-seat restaurant features an indoor-outdoor space with a dramatic entrance and a contemporary izakaya menu built around sushi and robata. Reservations are now available.
By The Sea is opening in Coronado
By The Sea is opening in Coronado from the husband-and-wife team behind Black Swan Hospitality. Doug and Lara Hamm, both Coronado locals, drew inspiration from the Amalfi Coast, French Riviera, and Greek Isles. It’s one of the exciting new San Diego restaurant openings of the summer. The menu focuses on vibrant coastal cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishermen, plus a wine list built around small, organic, family-run producers.
Park Hyatt Aviara new chefs de cuisine
One of San Diego’s most respected chefs has a new home. Chef William Eick, whose thoughtful approach to Japanese cuisine earned him a loyal following at Matsu, has joined Pacific Point at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa. This gives Eick an opportunity to expand beyond a refined Japanese tasting menu and explore a broader range of Pacific-inspired flavors. Among the standout additions are the Kampachi Tartare with melon ponzu and crispy tapioca chips, Cornbread Tomato Toast with hazelnut miso and tomato compote, and A5 Wagyu with black garlic.
Black Mizu Café opens this Summer
Cloak & Petal in Little Italy is opening Black Mizu Café this summer. Expect Japanese-inspired coffee drinks, breakfast bao, and a Japandi-designed space inside the MICHELIN-recognized San Diego restaurant, opening late August or early September.
Telefèric Barcelona Coming Soon to UTC Westfield
One of the most anticipated upcoming additions to UTC Westfield restaurants is Telefèric Barcelona La Jolla. This family-owned San Diego restaurant will bring authentic Spanish tapas, paellas, sangria, and cocktails inspired by Barcelona. Known for lively atmospheres and traditional recipes, the restaurant is expected to become one of the center’s biggest dining draws.
Serafino Café and Wine Bar Coming to Mission Hills This Fall
Serafino is a new all-day café and wine bar set to open at 301 W. Washington Street in Fall 2026. Co-founders David Cross and Rebeca Cross are behind the 3,100-square-foot restaurant, which will run from coffee in the morning to wine in the evening. David also founded Civitas Living, which supports adults with developmental disabilities across San Diego, and that work shapes how Serafino is being built. The concept is a standard hospitality business, not a nonprofit, but it’s designed to create real employment for people of all abilities alongside experienced staff. General Manager Amanda Sarich, a Mission Hills local, is leading the wine program, with a wine club also in the works.
Pastaria Vivi Bringing Fresh Pasta Concept to Encinitas
Pastaria Vivi is a new San Diego Restaurant opening this April in Encinitas’ Village Shopping Center. The chef-driven concept will feature a fresh pasta counter, Italian market, and wine shop. Expect dozens of housemade pasta and sauce combinations, specialty imports, and take-home meals led by a team with experience in Michelin-recognized kitchens.
Dora Ristorante Earns Gambero Rosso’s Top Honor to San Diego Restaurants
Dora Ristorante, a San Diego Restaurant in La Jolla, just earned Gambero Rosso’s highest honor, Tre Forchette, for 2026. It is the only San Diego Restaurant to receive the Three Forks distinction this year. Chef Accursio Lota’s sister concept, Cori Pastificio Trattoria, was also recognized with Due Bottiglie for its wine program. The global awards highlight excellence in cuisine, service, and wine, placing both restaurants among top Italian destinations worldwide.
À L’ouest Brings French Brasserie to North Park
À L’ouest is a new San Diego Restaurant in North Park from TRUST Restaurant Group and Chef Brad Wise. This modern French brasserie blends Parisian tradition with California style through wood-fire cooking and vibrant flavors. The menu includes reimagined classics like steak au poivre and duck à l’orange. A lively bar program with French and California wines and cocktails rounds out the experience at 3002 University Ave.
Katsuya Ko Opens at Westfield UTC in La Jolla
Katsuya Ko is a new San Diego Restaurant that opened in early February at Westfield UTC in La Jolla, bringing a relaxed, family-friendly take on the iconic Katsuya brand. The menu blends sushi, sashimi, robata grilled items, and shareable Japanese-inspired plates with a seasonal bar program. The 3,000-square-foot space offers indoor and patio seating and is rooted in chef Katsuya Uechi’s modern Japanese style.
Popular So-Cal restaurant Bacari opens in North Park
Bacari is a new San Diego Restaurant opening in North Park. Bacari is a popular Southern California-based restaurant group specializing in Venetian-inspired, Mediterranean-style small plates. The two-story spot at 30th and University will offer shareable dishes, cocktails, weekend brunch, and live music in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
Vulture and Dreamboat CLOSES ON FEB 8
Sadly, Vulture and Dreamboat will be closing their doors on February 8, ending Kory Stetina and CH Projects’ ambitious plant-based chapter in University Heights after just a few short years. Kindred and Mothership will remain open and continue serving guests as usual.
George’s at the Cove Reopens Ocean Terrace in La Jolla
George’s at the Cove in downtown La Jolla will reopen its Ocean Terrace rooftop dining area and bar on Friday, February 6, following a three-month closure for remodeling. Seating on reopening day will be first-come, first-served. Reservations will be available beginning Saturday, February 7. The announcement was made by Partner and Chef Trey Foshee. The Ocean Terrace renovation includes a new foundation and flooring, a four-foot-tall perimeter glass wall without steel pillars, new umbrellas with LED lighting, permanent heaters, wall sconces, new dining tables, and a new host stand.
Chef Travis Swikard's Fleurette opens in La Jolla
Chef Travis Swikard’s new restaurant Fleurette in La Jolla has opened, bringing French-Italian Riviera-inspired cuisine to the San Diego restaurant scene. The menu pairs light, sunlit dishes with local ingredients in a refined dining room near UTC. Reservations are now available for this fresh arrival. Chef Travis Swikard is a San Diego native with more than a decade of experience cooking under legendary chefs in New York City. He earned national praise for Callie, a Michelin-recognized San Diego restaurant
NÓMADA Debuts With Chef Partner Alex Carballo
Grand Restaurant Group just announced a major milestone with acclaimed chef Alex Carballo joining as Chef Partner. Carballo, born in Sinaloa, Mexico, brings years of experience leading top San Diego restaurants and championing local producers and Slow Food initiatives. His first project with the group is NÓMADA, a new Carlsbad restaurant opening January 2026 in the former Alejandra’s space. The concept highlights diverse regional flavors of Mexico with a modern coastal twist. With leadership from COO Gianina Pickens and Beverage Director Sean Ward, NÓMADA signals a bold next chapter for the family-owned group and adds fresh excitement to San Diego restaurants.
Addison Named One of America’s Top Restaurants
Addison in Del Mar reached a major milestone by earning a spot on the list of the nation’s best places to eat. It was ranked #34 on Robb Report’s list of the “100 Greatest Restaurants of the 21st Century“. This is a huge honor and shows how far San Diego restaurants have come. William Bradley has spent years building a style that feels both personal and refined. This award puts a bright light on the work they do every night. It is a reminder that San Diego restaurants can stand with the best in the country. Addison is San Diego’s first Three Michelin-starred restaurant, and Southern California’s only Five Diamond and Five-Star restaurant
Leu Leu Begins Next Chapter With New Chef
Leu Leu in Leucadia just announced Chef Jason Ambacher as its new leader. This is good news for anyone who follows San Diego restaurants. His background at Dīja Mara shows he can handle a kitchen with skill and calm focus. His cooking leans on simple ideas, clean flavors, and seasonal food. He also brings a tie to his Greek roots, which fits the direction of the restaurant. The menu will evolve gradually, but guests can expect fresh ideas, bold ingredients, and expert hands in the kitchen.
Cherryfish Japanese Fusion from chef Marcus Twilegar
A new Japanese fusion restaurant from chef Marcus Twilegar has opened in Pacific Beach. Cherryfish has a modern indoor decor and an extensive patio with fire pits. Chef Marcus is known for his other San Diego restaurants: Dockside Fish pop-up at Tuna Harbor Dockside Market and Palmy’s. The menu includes dishes to share, sushi, charcoal grilled dishes, and plates.
Flecha by Mark Wahlberg Opens San Diego Location
Flecha by Mark Wahlberg has opened its third location at 4S Commons Town Center. Signature dishes include Mole Enchiladas, Braised Short Ribs, Seabass with Grapefruit Chimichurri, and Achiote Tequila Chicken Burrito. The restaurant takes the space formerly held by Miguel’s Cocina. It is their first San Diego restaurant.
Dora to Bring Coastal Italian Cooking to La Jolla
Chef Accursio Lota is the chef behind Cori Trattoria in North Park. He has opened a new San Diego restaurant called Dora. It is located in the Theatre District in La Jolla. The space will have a coastal Italian look created by Bells + Whistles. Chef Accursio has built a strong name over the past six years. He even earned the Tre Forchette award from Gambero Rosso, which only a few spots in the United States receive. For Dora, he is bringing together a skilled team from top restaurants and bars across the city. It will be his second San Diego restaurant.
Cesarina Group plans new point loma restaurant
Cesarina Group is the family-owned team behind Cesarina and Elvira in Point Loma. They just signed a lease for their third spot. The new San Diego restaurant will be called Corallino. It is set to open in Spring 2026 at 1101 Scott Street in the old Pummarò space. The group is staying fully independent. Chef Cesarina Mezzoni, Niccolò Angius, and Giuseppe Capasso will keep ownership, and David Cohn is joining as an investment partner in this San Diego restaurant.
A New 2026 Le Petit Chef & friends Experience
The 3D dining experience returns to the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter through December 31. The world’s smallest chefs from Spain, Italy, and Japan join the Le Petit Chef from France for this series. It includes a four-course dinner, performances, and a full immersive experience. They offer a Classic, Vegetarian, and Junior meal, ranging from $89 to $169. Tickets are available online.
