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Check out these under-the-radar area restaurants – both in the city of San Diego and the nearby beach towns, as they serve up some fantastic SoCal specialties at a variety of price points.
Serẽa
Serea restaurant — Photo courtesy of Serea Coastal Cuisine
A fairly new addition to the San Diego scene, Serẽa quietly debuted in summer 2019 at the iconic Hotel del Coronado. The menu offers Mediterranean cuisine made with sustainable seafood and seasonal ingredients.
Serẽa also offers a whole fish selection, allowing guests to choose their own seafood, which is then prepared over an open fire and deboned tableside. With indoor seating showcasing beach cottage décor, Serẽa also has an expansive outdoor terrace with waterfront views.
And be sure to try the signature cocktail, the Fugu Del. It’s made with Beluga platinum vodka, marcona almond orgeat, Meyer lemon and champagne, served in a take-home hand-blown blowfish glass – and served with a side of caviar.
The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar
The Winery Restaurant — Photo courtesy of The Winery
You might not expect to find an exceptional restaurant at a local La Jolla mall, but The Winery offers an incredible menu with a sophisticated ambiance at Westfield UTC. True to its name, the Winery features a vast selection of wines, chosen by certified sommeliers.
This indoor-outdoor destination is headed up by chef “YG” Yvon Goetz, a recipient of the AAA Five Diamond award. The menu offers something for everyone, as well as its unique “Walk on the Wild Side” specials of fresh wild game or fowl. This may include organic New Zealand venison, elk, buffalo, Louisiana alligator, rabbit, pheasant, quail or partridge.
Side Bar
Side Bar — Photo courtesy of Side Bar
Although it’s known as a boutique nightclub in San Diego’s bustling Gaslamp Quarter, Side Bar also has a great lounge and interesting cocktail menu that’s ideal for a casual evening. Go for happy hour, as Side Bar serves up delectable small bites, along with a selection of balanced beverages.
A few favorite food items include prosciutto-wrapped jumbo prawns, Drop the Beet salad, Sweet and Heat jumbo chicken lollipops, Hot Damn tempura cauliflower and a selection of tasty flatbreads with a variety of toppings.
Parakeet Café
Parakeet Cafe — Photo courtesy of Parakeet Cafe
Locals in the know realize that this favorite brunch spot offers so much more for lunch and dinner with their healthy and delicious offerings. In addition to their Insta-worthy decor and perfectly-plated breakfast and coffee options, Parakeet Café also has a menu overflowing with organic ingredients, great flavors and brilliant colors.
Most notably, it’s an inclusive and healthful spot, and can accommodate any dietary needs, allergies or restrictions. The menu stands out for its inventive takes on salads, bowls, toasts, sandwiches and more.
Bobboi
Bobboi gelato — Photo courtesy of Bobboi Natural Gelato
Serving up small-batch artisanal flavors, Bobboi Natural Gelato is filled with organic and satisfying ingredients. While the company’s original La Jolla location is a busy spot (due to its location near La Jolla Cove), its stall in the Little Italy Food Hall still flies under the radar.
With smooth, refreshing flavors that change daily, depending on what’s in season, Bobboi serves up a cool selection of surprising and delightful options. A few of their more original creations include pluot sorbet, almond zest or matchatella (a mix of Japanese matcha tea and dark chocolate pieces).
Buona Forchetta
Buona Forchetta — Photo courtesy of Buona Forchetta
Buona Forchetta’s fun Liberty Station location is a great eatery for lunch or dinner with chalkboard specials that change every day. Known for their extensive homemade pizza selection (including fried pizza), other specialties include lamb shank risotto, salmon with leeks, plenty of pasta dishes, large salads and more.
And If you want a truly memorable experience, request the “car table,” which is a table for two inside a vintage Fiat that’s situated in the back of the restaurant. (If you go mid-day, check out their daily $15 two course prix fixe lunch menu).
Puesto
Puesto — Photo courtesy of Puesto
If you’re craving a taco, head to Puesto’s La Jolla location, which has been expanded and refurbished, and offers plenty of indoor-outdoor seating. The menu is overflowing with tasty selections, including salads, ceviche and plenty of great taco options, such as Tamarindo shrimp, Baja fish, mushroom, chicken, lamb barbacoa and Maine Lobster.
This restaurant also features a vast selection of agave spirits, which includes tequila and mezcal, alongside raicilla and sotol.
The Smoking Goat
The Smoking Goat is one of San Diego’s early French bistros that is celebrating its ten-year anniversary in 2020. Executive chef Fred Piehl blends his classic French culinary training with his love for California cooking, and it’s evident in the food.
The menu showcases some classic French dishes as well as modern California cuisine, accompanied by a wine list featuring only French and U.S. vintages. Consider going on Wednesday, when the restaurant offers a three-course experience for $40 per person (it includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert).
Favorites are featured on this special menu, such as the French onion soup, duck liver pate, handmade butternut squash ravioli and pan seared duck breast.
The Spot
Hidden in plain sight in the middle of La Jolla, The Spot is an unassuming, casual, fun eatery that’s open all day. The ultra-comfortable restaurant is family-friendly, and it features a large pub-food-focused menu with “something for everyone” and an expansive bar area.
A few mainstay menu items are fried pickle chips, pretzel bun sliders, a number of salads, beer-battered fish and chips, as well as selection of burgers and pastas. Fans of The Spot keep returning to this relaxing hangout for their daily specials, especially their rotating soups of the day.
Coastline
The Coastline restaurant — Photo courtesy of L’Auberge Del Mar
Although this restaurant is not visible from the street, and can easily be missed, locals in the know adore Coastline’s fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean, especially at sunset. This relaxed eatery within L’Auberge Del Mar is al fresco and is ideal for a meal at any time of day.
Some of the best-selling appetizers here include crispy calamari, charcuterie and cheese board, and Parmesan truffle fries. Main dishes include Baja mahi mahi fish tacos, bucatini with Italian sausage and cioppino stew. Guests can also sip cocktails while gazing at the waves, and enjoy a massive selection of wines and craft beer.
