San Diego is the perfect place to dine outdoors with nearly perfect temperatures and 270 days of clear skies throughout the year. One of the nation’s top foodie cities, San Diego offers a myriad of outdoor dining options with charming and spacious open-air settings to satisfy every mood and craving.
Downtown
Stroll along car-free Fifth Avenue in the historic Gaslamp Quarter on most days during Curbside Gaslamp. Along the car-free street, you will find a wide variety of outdoor restaurant settings to enjoy delicious meals. Savor award-winning Spanish tapas and traditional paellas at Café Sevilla. Share small plates of inventive American cuisine paired with local craft beers at UNION Kitchen & Tap. Treat yourself to fresh sustainable seafood at Lionfish in the trendy Pendry San Diego hotel.
Head over to neighboring East Village for steaming bowls of ramen at Tajima. Or enjoy heaping portions of gyros and souvlaki at Meze Greek Fusion.
Embarcadero
Dine al fresco along downtown’s Embarcadero and enjoy spectacular views of San Diego Bay. Head to Pier Café in scenic Seaport Village and choose from a variety of fresh seafood dishes. Find plenty of meal options in the new Portside Pier, from delicious surf and turf entrees at the Brigantine Seafood and Oyster Bar to tasty pub fare at Ketch Grill & Taps. Sit back on the spacious patios of Coasterra for innovative Mexican cuisine, C-Level Lounge for California Modern cuisine and Island Prime for excellent steak and seafood dishes.
Little Italy
Saunter along car-free India Street in colorful Little Italy on Friday and Saturday nights for Al Fresco! and find plenty of great dining options. Dine al fresco on downhome Italian comfort food and baked goods at family owned Nonna and Zucchero and generous portions of Italian family recipes at Buon Appetito. Not up for Italian? Share Japanese specialty rolls and sip creative cocktails at Cloak & Petal. Enjoy high-end steaks and great Little Italy views on the rooftop patio of Born and Raised. On nearby Kettner Street, treat yourself to “Top Chef” Brian Malarkey’s rustic, wood-fired menu at Herb & Wood.
Liberty Station
Start your day with Breakfast Sushi on the garden-like terrace of Fig Tree at Liberty Station. Check out the food hall of Liberty Public Market and enjoy a meal amid the historic buildings and beautiful landscaping. Chow down on gourmet burgers and milkshakes at Slaters 50/50 and popular American cuisine at The Presley. Feast on Neapolitan-style pies and Northern Italian entrees baked in two gilded ovens, the culinary stars at Officine Buona Forchetta.
The Beaches
Gaze over the Pacific while enjoying flavorful dishes at JRDN Restaurant in Pacific Beach (PB) and great burgers and local IPAs at Draft in Mission Beach (MB). Check out Backyard Kitchen & Tap in PB and Duck Dive in MB for casual All-American foods, craft beers and cool beach vibes. Take in the sunset from the top patio at PB Ale House as you nosh on dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
La Jolla
Savor spectacular views of La Jolla Cove and award-winning California Modern cuisine on two open-air terraces at iconic George’s at the Cove. Enjoy incredible Cove views at The Med in historic La Valencia Hotel featuring California Coastal cuisine and historic Brockton Villa Restaurant serving a delectable seasonal menu. Head to Caroline’s Seaside Café in La Jolla Shores which serves up panoramic ocean views and healthy California-style dishes. Experience award-winning farm-to-table cuisine on the outdoor dining patio of the celebrated A.R. Valentien restaurant in the beautiful Craftsman-style Lodge at Torrey Pines.
Mission Valley and Old Town
Start your day with tasty takes of American classics at Republic Breakfast in Mission Valley. Experience ARLO which celebrates San Diego’s Cali-Baja culinary culture with fresh local ingredients and regional flavors from both sides of the border.
Craving Mexican? Relax on colorful outdoor dining patios with tasty margaritas and hearty portions of authentic Mexican food at Café Coyote, Casa Guadalajara, Casa de Reyes and Tahona during Old Town Summer Nights. Feast on Mexico City-style tacos and Mexican Lagers at Puesto in Mission Valley.
Balboa Park
Escape to The Prado’s lush courtyard for an eclectic menu of Modern American classics with Spanish and California influences. Enjoy casual Asian fusion dishes at the Japanese Friendship Garden Tea Pavilion. Or Grab and Go from Panama 66 and enjoy a picnic on the lush grassy areas of the park.
Hillcrest
Indulge on sophisticated cuisine and panoramic city views from the 18th floor patio at iconic Mister A’s, next to Balboa Park. In Hillcrest, dine at RustiCucina, a farm-to-neighborhood eatery serving Sicilian-crafted cuisine, and Great Maple, a modern American eatery serving comfort food with a twist.
North Park and South Park
Enjoy cuisine from around the globe and cozy outdoor dining settings in trendy North Park and South Park. Start the day with delicious Sweet Portuguese Linguica at The Mission in North Park or Quiche Lorraine at Café Madelaine, with locations in both neighborhoods. Savor authentic Ramen dishes at Underbelly and Kiwi favorites at Dunedin New Zealand Eats in North Park. Feast on wood-fired pies and fresh pasta dishes at Buona Forchetta in South Park.
North County Coastal
Drive along historic Highway 101 to Encinitas and enjoy global cuisine at Valentina, a European-inspired bistro.
Continue north to Carlsbad and treat yourself to fabulous nouvelle French cuisine at critically acclaimed Jeune et Jolie. Or gather around a fire and share a “camp-out feast” at Campfire.
Choose from nearly 20 dining options and relax in spacious courtyards at One Paseo in Carmel Valley. Savor Modern Mexican cuisine at Tocaya Organica or woodfired steaks and ribs at celebrity Chef Michael Mino’s International Smoke.