With the start of San Diego’s lobster season on October 3, now is a great time to take out your cracker and indulge in this culinary delicacy. Many San Diego restaurants are offering outdoor dining and serving succulent dishes to savor the sophisticated crustacean, ranging from the traditional lobster tail and roll to innovative takes with a culinary twist.
Here are 10 San Diego restaurants serving delicious dishes guaranteed to satisfy this lobster season.
Animae
Where: 969 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101
Eclectic West Coast cuisine is layered with Asian influences at this celebrated restaurant located just blocks from downtown’s scenic Embarcadero. Start with Animae’s lobster nuoc cham, a small plate served cold and made with lime, stone fruit, cilantro and tapioca. Continue your meal with the Singapore chili lobster noodles combining chili-spiced lobster, hand-cut egg noodles, cilantro, garlic, and butter for a delicate dish that perfectly showcases the lobster.
barleymash
Where: 600 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Found in the heart of downtown’s historic neighborhood, barleymash’s surf n’ turf burger truly can’t be beat during lobster season. Enjoy a grilled beef patty, topped with añejo tequila n’ butter poached Maine lobster meat, baby arugula, whiskey-caramelized onions, and white truffle aioli. Complement the flavorful, one-of-a-kind burger with a signature cocktail or local craft beer at this fun, high-energy restaurant and bar.
Garibaldi
Where: 901 Bayfront Court, San Diego, CA 92101
The Catalan-style lobster salad at Garibaldi in the InterContinental Hotel along San Diego Bay combines lobster, pickled red onion, cherry tomato, and lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing start to any meal. Enjoy this tasty treat on Garibaldi’s rooftop patio overlooking the bay and featuring some of San Diego’s best sunset views.
Peohe’s
Where: 1201 First St, Coronado, CA 92118
There’s more on the menu of this tropical island-styled restaurant than the dazzling views of downtown’s dynamic skyline. Choose from four different lobster dishes. Options include a creamy traditional lobster bisque and New England-style lobster sandwich served with fries at lunchtime. At dinner, savor the surf and turf roll, a lobster sushi roll wrapped in rice and topped with seared filet mignon, soy glaze and toasted sesame seeds. The twin lobster tails entrée comes with two broiled South African tails and flavorful coconut ginger rice.
The Presley
Where: 2855 Perry Rd, Unit 8, San Diego, CA 92106
Sit back on an expansive outdoor patio with firepits, swing seating and more at The Presley in historic Liberty Station. Make certain to order the lobster sliders. A twist on a classic lobster roll, the sliders are made with Maine lobster meat, chive, grilled sweet corn, shallot, lemon, and mayo on mini butter-toasted Hawaiian rolls. These savory sliders are meant to share. However, family and friends can’t be too upset if you enjoy them all by yourself. Just order a second round for the table.
Café Coyote
Where: 2461 San Diego Ave, Ste #200, San Diego, CA 92110
Experience the culinary spirit of neighboring Mexico with Café Coyote’s Puerto Nuevo-style Maine lobster dish. Prepared just like in Puerto Nuevo, the “Lobster Village” of Baja California, the 1.5 lb. fresh lobster is fried and served with Mexican-style rice, refried beans, handmade tortillas, drawn butter and limes. Of course, you’ll need a frosty Corona or one of Café Coyote’s specialty margaritas to authenticate the experience.
Puesto
Where: Downtown – 789 West Harbor Drive, Ste. 155, San Diego, CA 92101
La Jolla – 1026 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Mission Valley – 5010 Mission Center Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
You can’t pay a visit to Puesto without indulging in their award-winning Mexico City-style street tacos. This includes the Maine lobster taco, made with garlic butter-grilled lobster, black beans, crispy onions, avocado, crema de cilantro, and jalapeño pico. At the newest location, Puesto Cervecería in Mission Valley, you can also get a Maine lobster enchilada,which combines lobster, chipotle enchilada sauce, chorizo crumb, queso Oaxaca, and avocado, along with a Mexican Lager from the onsite brewery.
Rusticucina
Where: 3797 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103
Rusticucina’s Sicilian-crafted cuisine features a variety of house-made pasta options including chef’s favorite lobster lasagna. The classic comfort food includes lobster meat, besciamella, mozzarella and lobster bisque sauce. Enjoy the decadent dish on the farm-to-neighborhood eatery’s al-fresco patio. Pair it with one of Rusticucina’s specialty cocktails or a fine glass of vino.
PB Ale House
Where: 721 Grand Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
Pair your lobster cravings with a frothy house brew at PB Ale House. The rooftop patio is located just feet from the Pacific. Start your meal with lobster bisque combining Maine lobster, sherry cream and tarragon, and served with a grilled baguette. Order a crab and lobster roll packed with Maine Lobster, lump crab, green onions and Old Bay mayo, piled high on a warm brioche and served with fries.
George’s at the Cove
Where: 1250 Prospect, La Jolla, CA 92037
You can enjoy spectacular La Jolla Cove views and meals at award-winning George’s at the Cove during lobster season. Take in the views at lunch with a lobster roll — Maine lobster salad on a toasted brioche served with Old Bay kettle chips. At dinner, pair ½ lobster with the spaghetti and clams entrée featuring Manila clams, pan roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, white wine and parsley. Or pair ½ lobster with steak frites featuring a CAB New York strip steak, garlic butter, red wine demi glaze, herb and crusted boiled tomato, and served with French fries. Make certain to bring your camera for an Instagram-worthy meal and sunset.