What Is San Diego Restaurant Week?
Twice a year, food lovers across San Diego clear their calendars for one of the city’s most anticipated food events: San Diego Restaurant Week. This year, there are 100+ participating restaurants with prix-fixe menus and unbeatable deals. I look forward to this weeklong celebration as it turns dining into a food adventure.
According to the California Restaurant Association, events like this drive nearly 20% more traffic to local eateries, giving foodies a unique chance to explore the city’s restaurants, and support while support local businesses.
You can enjoy a four-course meal at a fine dining hotspot for the cost of a casual night out. Or discover a hidden gem that’s been quietly serving some of the best food in town. That’s the beauty of San Diego Restaurant Week.
In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know—from how to find the best deals to strategies for securing a coveted reservation. Whether you’re a restaurant week regular or a curious newcomer, you’re in for a food treat.
When Is San Diego Restaurant Week Happening?
San Diego Restaurant Week runs from from Sunday, January 26th through Sunday, February 2nd. During the 8 day even, there are restaurants all across San Diego that are open for lunch, dinner, or both with special multi-course pricing.
How to Make Reservations for San Diego Restaurant Week
Plan Ahead and Book Early
Popular spots fill up fast during San Diego Restaurant Week. Check the official website for participating restaurants and menu previews. Once you’ve narrowed down your picks, book your table immediately—some places start accepting reservations weeks in advance.
Use Reservation Platforms
Tools like OpenTable or Resy make it easy to snag a spot. Many participating restaurants list their availability on these platforms, so you can browse options, read reviews, and book your preferred time in just a few clicks.
Call the Restaurant Directly
If online reservations show limited availability, don’t give up! Call the restaurant directly. Many keep a portion of tables for walk-ins or phone reservations, and the staff can sometimes accommodate special requests.
Affordable Eats vs. Fine Dining Options During San Diego Restaurant Week
One of the best things about San Diego Restaurant Week is the variety—it caters to every budget and craving. If you’re looking for affordable eats, casual restaurants offer prix-fixe menus for as little as $20 per person. On the other hand, fine dining enthusiasts can indulge in multi-course meals at upscale venues for a fraction of the usual cost. Those menus often start around $50.
Whether you’re in the mood for America, Argentinian, or Asian food, there’s something for everyone. This mix of options makes it easy to explore San Diego’s culinary scene without breaking the bank.
Top Restaurants to Try During San Diego Restaurant Week
You can find participating restaurants across 30+ neighborhoods in San Diego. While you will find the full searchable list on their website, I wanted to share some of my favorite restaurants that are participating.
North County Restaurants
SEASONS RESTAURANT
Seasons Restaurant is in Aviara
3-course lunch for $35
3-course dinner for $55 (see below)
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
ROASTED RED BEET SALAD – Radicchio, Pomelo, Hazelnuts, Citrus Dressing
SUNCHOKE SOUP – Lemon, Goats Cheese, Sunflower Seeds, Thyme Honey
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
ARCTIC CHAR – Creamed Leeks, Braised Fingerling Potato, Green Tomato Relish
BEEF BRISKET – Roasted Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Caraway Pan Jus
SAGE CHICKPEA FRITTER – Umbrian Lentils, Hazel Nut Romesco, Orange Okara Puree
THIRD COURSE CHOICE:
MEYER LEMON GOAT CHEESE TART – Honey Thyme Infused Grapefruit Candied Hazelnuts, Mandarin Crisps
DARK CHOCOLATE HONEY MUSTARD TORTE – Honey Chocolate Comb, Lingonberry Cream
West End Bar & Kitchen
West End Bar is in DEL MAR
3-course dinner for $45
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
ARTICHOKES GIUDEA Sauteed artichokes with garlic, parsley, basil and E.V.O.O
DUCK POTSTICKERS Filled with Napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms in a lemon grass soy ginger garlic sauce
CRISPY CALAMARI Panko crusted with soy wasabi sauce
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
SHRIMP CHIPOTLE SAFFRON Homemade saffron fettucine, asparagus tips, cherry tomato, corn sundried tomato, bacon, cilantro in a chipotle cream sauce
SAVORY BEEF MEATLOAF Classic homemade with cheddar cheese, eggs, panko bread crumbs, onions with a demi-glace sauce
CRUSTED PORK LOIN Panko crusted oven roasted pork tenderloin in an apple pear cranberry chutney
THIRD COURSE CHOICE:
CHOCOLATE PUDDING
VANILLA CRÈME BRÛLÉ
Glass Box
Glass Box is in DEL MAR
3-course lunch for $25 and dinner for $50 (below)
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
PROSPERITY SALAD Mixed greens, small thin slices of salmon, cucumber, daikon raddish, carrots, pickled ginger, and wonton crisps with a tangy dressing
WONTON SOUP A comforting broth filled with delicate wontons, pork and shrimp dumplings, and fragrant vegetables.
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
ASSORTED DIM SUM Shrimp Dumplings, Pork Dumplings, and spring rolls
SASHIMI TASTING 8 pieces of Chef’s selection sashimi
SEAFOOD PANCAKE Small shrimp, bean sprouts, egg, soy sauce, with onion and garlic
VEGETARIAN ROLL Gobo Tofu skin, cucumber, avocado, yellow radish
THIRD COURSE CHOICE:
BRAISED PORK BELLY Rich and Flavorful pork belly cooked with bok choy
GREEN TEA WHITE FISH Grilled green tea marinated white fish with a ginger dashi broth, served with Asian veggies
FILET MONGOLIAN STYLE Juicy Filet grilled to perfection topped with a Mongolian style sauce and served with Yangzhou fried rice
LONGEVITY NOODLES WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS Long Noodles stir-fried with vegetables and shiitake mushrooms
DESSERT:
CHEF’S CHOICE
The Amalfi Llama
The Amalfi LLama is in LA JOLLA
3-course lunch and dinner (below) for $60
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
Short Rib Empanada – Chimichurri
Caesar – Romaine, Parmigiano Reggiano, Crouton
Calamari – Fresno, Tartar, Spicy Aioli
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
TRUFFLE TAGLIATELLE – Black Truffle, Parmigiano Reggiano
CENTER CUT FILET – 8 ounces, Grilled Asparagus
SCOTTISH SALMON – Asparagus, Arugula, Roasted Tomatoes
WOOD-GRILLED HALF CHICKEN – Roasted Potatoes, Chimichurri
THIRD COURSE CHOICE:
Chocolate Sin Cake – Vanilla Gelato
Fire-Roasted Cheesecake – Berry Compote
Dockside 1953
Dockside 1953 is in MISSION BAY
3-course dinner (below) for $50
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
CRISPY GOAT CHEESE FRITTERS Local Goat Cheese, Braised Eggplant, Basil Coulis, Pine Nuts
BIGEYE TUNA TOSTADA Seared Ahi Tuna, Smoked Trout Caviar, Avocado, Sriracha Aioli, Cucumber, Shallot, Fresh Seaweed
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
PAN-SEARED PETRALE SOLE Caper Butter Sauce, Whipped Potatoes, Almond Green Beans
APPLE CIDER-BRINED PORK CHOP Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccoli Rabe, Caramelized Shallot, Red Wine Demi-Glace
THIRD COURSE:
BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING
Cork & Craft
Cork & Craft is in RANCHO BERNARDO
3-course lunch for $25 and dinner (below) for $55
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
WHIPPED BUTTERMILK RICOTTA
POACHED PEAR & HICKORY SALAD
CEVICHE
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
MEDITERRANEAN BOWL
ROASTED SEA BASS
PORK BELLY
BRAISED SHORT RIBS
THIRD COURSE:
PEANUT BUTTER TORTE
VANILLA YOGURT PANNA COTTA
CARROT CAKE
GASLAMP QUARTER Restaurants
HUNTRESS
Huntress is in GASLAMP QUARTER
3-course dinner for $65
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
American Wagyu Puff – sweet onion, black lime
Short Rib En Croute – crispy leeks, zhoug aioli
Steak Tartare Taco – sundried tomato tapenade, confit egg yolk
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
Little Gem Caesar – baby gem lettuce, flax seed tuile, parmesan, caesar dressing
Warm Oysters – yuzu kosho, beurre monté, siberian caviar
Lobster Curry Soup – panang style curry, poached maine lobster, tru e caviar
THIRD COURSE CHOICE:
Scallops & Pork Belly – roasted apple and squash purée, mizuna, apple gastrique
Filet Mignon – 6oz, whipped yukon potato purée
Truffle Agnollotti – ricotta, fire roasted sweet corn, parmesan reggiano, thyme butter sauce
Huntress is offering upgrade options on the second course, and third course.
STK STEAKHOUSE
STK Steakhouse is in GASLAMP QUARTER
3-course dinner for $55 (see below)
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
BURRATA – marinated beetroot – pickled red onions – basil oil – crunchy sourdough
TUNA TARTARE TACOS (3) – hass avocado – taro shell – soy-honey emulsion
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
STEAKHOUSE SKIRT 8oz – confit fingerling – parmesan gremolata – chimichurri sauce
MAPLE RUBBED SALMON – pickled cherry tomatoes – piquillo broccolini – olive dressing
WILD MUSHROOM RISOTTO pecorino – braised mushrooms – baby spinach – shaved black truffle
THIRD COURSE CHOICE:
BAKED APPLE CRUMBLE – salted caramel ice cream
STK is offering upgrade options on the first course, steaks, additional sides and dessert.
RUSTIC ROOT
Rustic Root is in GASLAMP QUARTER
3-course dinner for $35 (see below)
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
ARTISIAN LETTUCE – point reyes blue cheese, candied almonds, chive, tarragon, mimosa vinaigrette
PORK BELLY – honey lime glazed, calabrian chimichurri, mini popcorn, cilantro sherry vinaigrette
WAGYU MEATBALLS – whipped ricotta, tomato sugo, torn basil, shaved reggiano, baguette
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
JAMBALAYA – smoked andouille sausage, blackened prawns & chicken thigh, oven roasted tomatoes, “trinity” rice, creole broth, scallions
“RFC” RUSTIC FRIED CHICKEN – buttermilk brined chicken, butter biscuits, creamed corn, house made hot sauce
THIRD COURSE CHOICE:
CAST IRON COOKIE – warm chocolate chip & health bar cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce
BANANA PUDDING – whipped banana, vanilla wafers, whipped cream
Rustic Root is offering upgrade options on the first (Maryland crab cake) and second (filet frites) courses.
LUMI
Lumi is in GASLAMP QUARTER
3-course dinner for $45 (see below)
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
Edamame – choice of sea salt or spicy chili garlic
Spicy Miso Soup – lobster, tofu, negi, wakame
Eggplant Skewer – marinated eggplant, sweet miso
Shishito Peppers – choice of den miso or sea salt
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
Rock Shrimp Tempura – wasabi aioli, salsa verde, sliced serrano, chives
Kanpachi Ceviche – baja kanpachi, rocoto leche de tigre, sweet potato mousse, sweet potato chips, cancha
Cauliflower Tempura – aji panca aioli, salsa verde, sliced serrano, chives
THIRD COURSE CHOICE:
Puff Salmon Roll – spicy salmon, asparagus, avocado, crispy leeks, puffed rice
Seabass Serrano Roll – spicy tuna, cucumber, negi, seabass, avocado, serrano, lemon soy aoili, garlic ponzu, micro cilantro
Supay Roll – spicy tuna, cucumber, salmon, avocado, spicy garlic, sesame oil, jalapeno amazu, tobikko arare, tajin
Miso Pork Belly Kimchee Chaufa – pork belly, kimchee, english pea, fried egg, puff quinoa, jalapeño, huacatay sauce
Lumi is offering upgrade options on the second and third courses.
Morton's Steakhouse
Morton’s is in GASLAMP QUARTER
3-course dinner for $65 (see below)
STARTERS CHOICE:
Cup of French Onion Soup Gratinée
Cup of Lobster Bisque
Wagyu Meatball
Classic Caesar
Steakhouse Wedge Salad
ENTREE CHOICE:
Center-Cut Filet Mignon, 8 oz.
Double-Cut Heritage Pork Chop, 16 oz.
Grilled Salmon Fillet – Grain Mustard Beurre Blanc
Chicken Christopher
ACCOMPANIMENT CHOICE:
Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Truffled Cream Corn
Matchstick French Fries
Creamed Spinach
Thick-Cut Onion Rings – Black Truffle Aioli
DESSERT CHOICE:
Crème Brûlée
Espresso Pot de Crème
Key Lime Pie
Morton’s is offering upgrade options on all of the courses.
SOUTH BAY Restaurants
Balsamico Italian Kitchen
Balsamico Italian Kitchen is in IMPERIAL BEACH
3-course dinner for $45 (see below)
FIRST COURSE CHOICE:
Winter Soup Tuscan Kale Ribolita
Shrimps Cocktail Salad with Olives, Orange, Celery and Avocado Mushroom stuffed with sausage and rice on gorgonzola cheese sauce
SECOND COURSE CHOICE:
Risotto Giuseppe Verdi – Mushroom, Asparagus, Bacon, Balsamic
Norwegian Grilled Lemon Salmon Skewers
Cheese Ravioli in Slow cooked Braised Beef Tomato Sauce
Filetto al Pepe Verde- Pork loin in a green peppercorn sauce with bechamel green beans
THIRD COURSE CHOICE:
Chocolate Salami with Mascarpone Sauce
Fresh Strawberries with Gelato and Raspberry Balsamic
Limoncello
Balsamico Italian Kitchen offers a wine pairing with the dinner.
2 Responses
Love love love food
I hope you get to enjoy some of these San Diego restaurants.