Eat your way around the world—and San Diego—one meal at a time. From Abyssinian to Vietnamese, there is no shortage of international cuisine in the region. Here are just 13 to get you started. Follow your taste buds to get an idea of the incredible variety and deliciousness of San Diego’s diverse food landscape, no airfare required.
Pomegranate
Where: 2312 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
Neighborhood: North Park
It’s not all borscht and meat dumplings at this Russian-Georgian gem (although, yes, they have delicious examples of both). A panoply of salads—not based on greens but made from shredded vegetables like cabbage or carrots—adds to the menu of meat turnovers, fried Cornish hen, smoked rainbow trout, pizza-like flatbread, and baked apples filled with fruits and nuts for dessert.
Tostadas – Closed
Where: 3139 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
Neighborhood: North Park
Mexican food is San Diego’s culinary backbone. And no matter how long you’re here you won’t be able to try every delicious item (even an entire lifetime wouldn’t be enough). But lovers of ceviche should quit messing around and head right for this North Park establishment with a roomy outdoor seating area. Their range of octopus, shrimp, scallop, and smoked yellowtail ceviches in a vaguely Baja-esque style gets right to the point with healthy amounts heaped on tostadas.
Costa Brava
Where: 1653 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
There’s no trace of Pacific Beach’s typically rowdy bar and restaurant scene in what many consider San Diego’s original Spanish food destination. Ensconced behind a wall of green hedges, authentic Spanish dishes like paella mixta and a slate of tapas are served with housemade sangria and—on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays—a dash of live flamenco music.
Masala Street
Where: 915 Pearl St, Ste B, La Jolla, CA 92037
Neighborhood: La Jolla
The proprietors of this La Jolla restaurant will be the first to tell you: Do not come here looking for a standard Indian buffet of uninspired mainstays. Chef Hemant Oberoi’s creation is an elevated expression of Indian classics made with high quality spices and fusions like the “tacosa,” a samosa-taco hybrid served with spiced potato, mung beans, and yogurt.
Muzita Abyssinian Bistro
Where: 4651 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116
Neighborhood: University Heights
Don’t worry if you’re not acquainted with injera (a crepe-like bread) or tesmi (seasoned, clarified butter). The menu serving Eritrean and Ethiopian food made with local produce has a few explainers. So the uninitiated will feel right at home.
Sushi Ota
Where: 4529 Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
From the outside, one of San Diego’s best sushi places—tucked into a strip mall adjacent to a 7-Eleven on Mission Bay Drive—doesn’t look like much. When you lay eyes on the sleek interior, and of course taste the exquisite Japanese cuisine, you’ll understand why it doesn’t have to.
K Sandwiches
Where: 7604 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego, CA 92111
Neighborhood: Mission Valley/Linda Vista
Spring rolls, pastries, and drinks accompany the bahn mi varieties that have propelled the reputation of this Linda Vista establishment near the 805 and 163 freeway interchange. Beef, pork, sardines, and cold cuts are served with housemade mayonnaise, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and other fixings on fresh baguettes.
Buona Forchetta
Where: 3001 Beech St, San Diego, CA 92102
Neighborhood: South Park
You could thank founder and Bergamo-native Matteo Cattaneo for the fettucine, pappardelle, rigatoni, and other pasta dishes that have placed this South Park eatery on every San Diegan’s list. But for the perfectly crispy and fluffy Neapolitan pizzas you’d have to compliment Sofia, the restaurant’s wood-fired oven handmade in Naples.
Currywurst Frankfurt
Neighborhood: North Coastal/UTC University Town Center
Formerly a food truck, das purveyor of German street food recently opened a forever home at the Westfield UTC mall where it will continue serving its namesake sausage (steamed and grilled wurst doused in curry ketchup), plus bratwurst, frankfurters, and—you guessed it—sauerkraut and red cabbage.
Fredcel Lumpias & Catering
Where: 3876 38th St, San Diego, CA 92105
Neighborhood: City Heights
Order for the whole family reunion or dine inside on lumpia, dinuguan, pork menudo, sinigang, and other Filipino staples. This restaurant in Cherokee Point is cash-only and sells leather purses and some convenience store items because—well, who needs a reason when the food’s this good?
Panca Peruvian Rotisserie
Where: 1902 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
Neighborhood: Oceanside
Find your way to a strip mall in Oceanside for the finest Peruvian cuisine this side of Lima. You’ll find the expected meaty entrees like rotisserie chicken and stewed meats alongside Peruvian sandwiches, a few kid-friendly dishes, and made-from-scratch desserts like shortbread cookies, passionfruit mousse, and vanilla custard.
Sabor de Vida Brazilian Grill
Where: 215 S El Camino Real, Ste G, Encinitas, CA 92024
Neighborhood: Encinitas
Authentic southern Brazilian barbecue is slow-cooked over open flames while diners toast Caipirinhas. You can get all of that! Plus fried yucca, cheese bread, guava beef sliders, salads, and chocolate bonbons at this Encinitas eatery.
Havana 1920
Where: 548 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Neighborhood: Gaslamp Quarter
Experience this unique venue with your closest loved ones, your fellow comrades, or your best friends – let the flavors, décor, ambiance, and pictures take you to the island of Cuba. Havana 1920 brings Hemingway’s Cuba to life with authentic Cuban dishes, drinks and entertainment.