Dining Alone Restaurants

Just minutes from Moonlight Beach (off of S. Coast Highway) is Leucadia Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, a North County local destination for classic Italian food in a relaxed setting. Bottomless baskets of freshly baked garlic bread are served complimentary to further satisfy your Italian cravings of gourmet pizzas, pastas, and submarine sandwiches. As the original location for this pizzeria establishment in Encinitas, Leucadia has been serving delectable Italian entrees for 25 years. Chef A.J. Mortazavi’s culinary talent is showcased weekly as he offers test menu items which are sold throughout the week. Don’t forget dessert—especially when Pastry Chef Nikki Schaeffer …

Having won the hearts of two other North County neighborhoods, Leucadia Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant is spreading its roots south to La Jolla. Conveniently located in the UTC district of La Jolla, Leucadia Pizzeria’s expansive outdoor patio attracts those interested in pairing their pizza, pasta, and sub with a healthy sprinkling of parmesan and sunshine. The menu caters to parties of all sizes (feed up to seven with the 16” Sub Tray) and specializes in personalizing your meal to fit your taste. The Build Your Own Pizza combinations are seemingly limitless, and the entrée options satisfy that nostalgic Italian cuisine …

SD Tap Room sits on Garnet Avenue amongst an array of restaurants, bars and shops in the heart of Pacific Beach. SD Tap Room is well known for its wide selection of beers from local breweries including Stone, Lost Abbey, Green Flash and Karl Strauss. Offering the perfect solution to cleanse the palate between beers, munch on Beer Soakers-- fresh pizza dough topped with parmesan, oregano, fresh mozzarella and garlic served with marinara or ranch. With so much beer to choose from, any beer enthusiast will be content to sample Tap Room's satisfying brews.

Seafood enthusiasts flock to Onami-TORA’s all-you-can-eat Japanese seafood buffet stocked with fresh salads, a vast spread of sushi, gourmet hot food, fresh baked goods, and more. With so many tasty offerings to choose from, diners revisit their buffet favorites again and again. And lucky for everyone, Onami-TORA’s reasonable prices make the prospect of coming back a definite reality. Fresh produce and seafood is delivered daily for Onami-TORA’s staff of professional chefs to work their magic on—new dishes are always finding their way to the forefront for guests to enjoy. Known for having a light, relaxed, and clean atmosphere, Onami-TORA is …

George’s Ocean Terrace reminds us all that there’s a big difference between eating outside and dining seaside. Occupying prime rooftop real estate upstairs from George’s California Modern, Ocean Terrace invites guests to settle in for a casual yet inspired experience of breathtaking views, invigorating libations, off-the-docks fresh seafood, and from the farm tantalizing entrees. Executive Chef and partner Trey Foshee handles his menu with care and discretion, emphasizing fresh and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring that each ingredient complements the overall flavor profile of the dish. Given that La Jolla boasts practically picture-perfect weather all year long, it makes sense that …

Osteria Romantica provides a chic, casual, and relaxing atmosphere for enjoying wonderful company, cuisine, and drink. This restaurant was designed to reflect the osterias of Italy, where locals commune around fresh food and good wine; indeed, La Jolla Shores locals and visitors alike raise their glasses—and forks—to the common goal of enjoying authentic cuisine and company. As the likes of Pavarotti and other legends woo you with their crooning, Romantica’s sophisticated décor invites you into an intimate setting punctuated by nostalgic accent pieces and mementos. Similarly, the refined yet hearty menu of Italian specialties is both familiar and intriguing. The …

Taking inspiration from a primary ingredient, Pomodoro Ristorante boasts a décor that features more than one nod to that master fruit, the tomato. With curtains hanging over the dining room’s large windows and accent pieces that could have come from Grandmother’s home, Pomodoro is both casual and comfortable. Fresh, house-made pastas and sauces drive in that home-away-from-home feeling, while the full menu of sumptuous Italian specialties confirms you’re in a special place. The heated patio makes dining al fresco a possibility any time, especially with the Point Loma breezes beckoning us out to play.

A fine-tailored décor of rustic design elements and nautical themed details sets the Lighthouse Bar and Grill apart, creating a smart and artistic dining space. The thoughtful and subtly whimsical ambiance complements the menu, which reflects an equal degree of inspiration and care. The nightly dinner menu is international in scope and speaks a language we can all understand. Pizzas and burgers mingle with tantalizing salads and seafood dishes, ensuring guests can humor their culinary fancy. And for those more adventurous guests, the restaurant’s knowledgeable staff is ready and willing to take the helm and steer your meal toward complete …

Solana Beach CRUSH is equally urban and inviting, marrying a chic and contemporary aesthetic with a welcoming menu of Italian-inspired specialties. The outdoor patio features a table-top fire pit that encourages guests to cozy up with a glass from CRUSH’s collection of more than 160 bottles of international wines, and their plush lounge provides an ideal backdrop for dining while mingling. Your night on the town will pair brilliantly with the restaurant’s Late Night Happy Hour and weekly live entertainment events. In addition to a simple and hearty selection of warm sandwiches and pastas, the CRUSH Lunch Menu also presents …

Whether you want a wide assortment of small plates to share, farm-fresh salads, exotic entrées or unique pasta dishes, Romesco’s Bistro in Bonita has it covered, with a Baja-Mediterranean blanket that leaves you with a familiar, foodie feeling. Chef Javier Plasencias rolls out hot and cold tapas from octopus to Jamon Serrano (dry-cured Spanish Ham). He creates distinct dishes such as Beef Cheek Tacos and Crab Mac and Cheese, along with an assortment of fondues to extinguish any craving one might have. Plasencias’ Mediterranean techniques and recipes mix superbly with local Mexican flavors to complement the warm ambiance of this …

Visit the heart of Kensington for a taste of France with Owner and Chef Ken Irvine’s Bleu Boheme. Designed to reflect the traditional French eatery of a bygone era, the Bleu Boheme dining room is rustic and inviting. Exposed beam ceilings and pale stone walls are complemented by simple furnishings and understated accent pieces. The ever-evolving daily menu serves as an art installation of sorts, as it is scribed on a wall-sized chalk board. Guests cozy up in the intimate dining room and peruse the classic menu that includes such specialties as Coq au Vin, Escargot a la Portugaise, and …

A melding of Latin and Mediterranean flavors along with the use of local ingredients inspires San Diego native Chef Matt Richman within the walls of Table 926. The place setting puts you in north Pacific Beach while walking inside the clean, soft neon-lit dining room. Some of the unique dishes that quickly go from table to tongue are the Oxtail Ragu with a Bucatini sauce with a lemon-mint ricotta or the Glazed Pork Cheeks with a guajillo-tamarind glaze, braised greens and polenta, while the Bistro Burger and the 14 oz. Grilled Ribeye might be more familiar flavors to a less …

Settled on the penthouse level of the luxurious shopping district, The Centre at Lexus Escondido, is Cohn Restaurant Group’s newest venture, Vintana Wine + Dine. The restaurant showcases a modern rendition of California cuisine melded with a breathtaking panoramic view of local mountains and the city of Escondido in a semi-casual setting. Executive Chef Deborah Scott has conceived a sensational menu that offers a wide variety of notable dishes that guests can relish. Overwhelm your senses with Vintana’s fresh sustainable seafood options including Clear Spring Rainbow Trout and Mano De Leon Sea Scallops. Or satisfy your palate with one of …

With tropical décor and stunning views of Mission Bay, The Oceana Coastal Kitchen at the Catamaran Resort Hotel is a vacation for the senses. This esteemed restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch with California coastal cuisine from renowned Executive Chef Steven Riemer. Entrees feature an array of vegetarian entrees, poultry, steaks, and chops, like the Herb Crusted Baja Halibut, Roast Duck Breast, Filet Mignon with Red Wine and Gorgonzola Butter, and much more. Take a seat on the enchanting outdoor patio with uninterrupted views of the passing boats. For prime cuisine with first-rate service in the …

From the rustic stone exterior to the expansive and colorful interior, Little Italy’s hidden treasure, La Villa Restaurant & Bar, blends urban and rural life together seamlessly. Seated at wooden tables, reminiscent of the farmers’ tables in years past, diners enjoy fresh, sustainable Italian delights. La Villa’s seasonal menu emphasizes the “farm to table” concept by incorporating neighborhood farmers’ products and locally caught seafood in every dish. From the handmade mozzarella found on the Naples inspired pizzas, to the oysters, so fresh that the remnant flavors of the ocean are still present, La Villa pleases the palate time after time. …

Tucked in a strip mall on Convoy Street between a kickboxing studio and a bakery sits a vacation to a foreign land. This escape is in the form of Phuong Trang, offering a selection of Pho, as well as traditional delights. Inspired by the Vietnamese home cooking style of Com Thang, meaning “month of meals” catering to family and friends, this establishment serves appetizing Vietnamese cuisine to Kearny Mesa locals. Besides appetizers, and Pho, diners can choose between Rice Paper Wraps, Stir Fried Noodles, Salads, Broken Rice Dishes, Seafood Specials, and Vegetarian dishes. The setting is tranquil, with tan wallpaper …

Sushi Ota, located on the outskirts of Pacific Beach on Mission Bay Drive and Bunker Hill Street, has been serving handcrafted sushi and seafood preparations for years. As word spread about the freshness of their fish and the quality of the food, Sushi Ota became one of the best places to satisfy a seafood craving. This neighborhood Japanese restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, offering a great selection of sushi and seafood for both meals. Ordering a Sushi Combo gives guests a good sampling of the fresh fish expertly prepared by the sushi chefs. For patrons craving cooked …

Located in the newly renovated Paseo de Mission Hills is Olivetto Ristorante & Wine Bar. Specializing in modern Italian fare and utilizing only the freshest seasonal ingredients, guests can revel in Olivetto’s cozy ambiance of exposed brick, dark wood, and rustic toned décor. Serving both lunch and dinner seven days a week, patrons can experience a complete Italian meal day and night, or just stop in to enjoy a glass of wine after a long day. The inviting atmosphere is the perfect setting to enjoy a meal, whether as a night out on the town with friends, or a romantic …

Located in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, just a stone’s throw from Petco Park, Mezè Mediterranean Grill offers a wide breadth of Mediterranean cuisine for diners in search of southern European flavors. From Greek Hummus and Falafel to the Grilled Asparagus salad inspired by southern Italian fare, dinner service runs until 11 p.m. throughout the week, and on Friday and Saturday until 12:00pm, Weekend brunch features bottomless mimosas and bloody marys with the purchase of an entree. All throughout the week, the full bar keeps things lively with signature cocktails such as the refreshing Tuscan Gimlet, the savory Dirty …

In a contemporary, cozy, and calming atmosphere, Robata Ya Oton offers patrons traditional Japanese fare that some Japanese restaurants have strayed away from. Located in Kearny Mesa, Robata Ya Oton specializes in the art of “Robatayaki”: the original Japanese barbecue, cooked in front of customers and served direct, similar to the style of sushi. The chef sits in plain view of the customers and surrounds himself with selected ingredients he has on display for all. This offers a lively setting and one-on-one interaction with the chef to help him create the quintessential dish for each guest. Delve into traditional Yakimono …