People Watching Restaurants

Literally meaning “New Bridge,” Shimbashi Izakaya brings precision to its meaning by offering an elevated taste of classic Japanese cuisine. Located in Del Mar amongst eye-catching scenic views of the waterfront, Shimbashi Izakaya prides itself on being a casual place where one can easily unwind, similar to the Izakaya-style bars found in Tokyo, Japan. For those who enjoy fresh sushi and sashimi, Shimbashi Izakaya offers a multi-faceted selection that pairs perfectly with their fine array of sake. Shimbashi Izakaya also offers full lunch and dinner entrees that embody Japanese cuisine with a contemporary finesse.

Where Guinness flows, good times follow; and Dublin Square serves up both in abundance. Built in Ireland and transplanted to the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego, this authentic Irish pub satisfies appetites and souls with the warm and welcoming spread of Irish culture and fare. If food and drink is what you’re pining for, look to Dublin Square’s menu any time of day. Come for their daily breakfast and enjoy dishes like the Corned Beef Hash and Eggs or the All Day Irish Breakfast that includes black and white pudding. For lunch, dinner, and everything in between, many crave …

Each one of McCormick & Schmick’s restaurants throughout the United States is designed to create an environment that is unique and welcoming; the one in Downtown San Diego is no different. Located in the Omni Hotel on the corner of L and 7th Street the restaurant is connected via skybridge to Petco Park. The ever-changing menu features the highest quality of steak, like the tender aged Filet Mignon as well as seafood choices from the Pacific Rim, Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Also, the award winning bar food is just as satisfying as the main entrees. Indulge in classic …

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.

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 …

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 contemporary, uber-cool interior and décor mirror a chic California-coastal inspired kitchen in Point Loma at the Restaurant at The Pearl. Chef Todd Bencivenni combines his passion for local ingredients with an diverse culinary background to create flavorful, memorable dishes. Eclectic dishes come from a variety of regions across the U.S including a magnificent Mac & Cheese appetizer made with Spring Hill Cheddar and a Grilled Pork Chop with potatoes, apple chutney and fresh farmers market veggies for a solid main course. Whether you’re dining inside or by the pool, in a cabana or beach chair, weekly movies from The …

Luc’s Bistro offers guests an authentic taste of down-home Southern cuisine. Try dishes like Crispy Crab Cakes with Avocado Cilantro, which take Southern flare and meld it with a California twist. Ongoing specials pop up daily to switch the mood for returning visitors while allowing newcomers to sample unique creations from Luc’s talented chefs. Cozy and casual, the “bistro-esque” dining room invites guests to dine with friends, family, or their significant other. Who says that a bistro has to serve only French cuisine? Luc’s Bistro shows patrons that a restaurant can create its own flare by taking different styles and …

Located in the Gaslamp District, Cremolose is the newest European cafe and specialty dessert restaurant offering exquisite Italian fare and delectable Italian desserts to hungry guests. The 5,000 square-foot establishment fuses the aspects of a European cafe and the historic flavor of the Gaslamp Quarter. Cremolose offers seating for up to 260 guests beneath the tin decal decor in the original 20th century dancehall. The dining room is decorated with furniture which provides a modern aesthetic and showcases a eclectic color palette capable of awaking a tired soul. Cremolose showcases a fully equipped bar and lounge where bartenders offer handcrafted …

BiCE Ristorante skillfully fuses the elegance and trend-setting gusto of modern Europe in the historic San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, while introducing patrons to contemporary Italian cuisine melded with California ingredients. Executive Chef Mario Cassineri has created a menu that entices palates with amazing flavor combinations as his attention to detail and presentation mesmerize guests. Start off the night with the Prosciutto con Burrata, 24-month aged prosciutto paired with creamy burrata cheese that will surely tantalize taste buds with its perfected meat-and-cheese combination. Indulge in the Orzotto all’Aragosta e Burratina: “risotto style” barley with Maine Lobster, fresh tomato and burrata cheese, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Come out and experience something exotic. Enjoy delicious Mediterranean cuisine with a So-Cal twist in an atmosphere full of authentic Moroccan decor at Mediterranean Cafe in Carlsbad. With both lunch and dinner available daily, as well as catering services for special occasions, Mediterranean Cafe can accommodate the needs of any diner, any day. Whether you wish to go out to the restaurant and enjoy delicious Southern-European delicacies in an authentic setting with live belly dancers, or you would rather entertain your friends with an impressive feast at your own private party, Mediterranean Cafe is ready to serve you. With an …

Sammy's of Carlsbad sits minutes from the ocean, just across the way from the Carlsbad By The Sea Resort and Carlsbad Premium Outlets. Whether returning from a day at the beach or searching for lunch during a busy day of shopping, Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill is available to fulfill your needs. Pizza is the obvious specialty here, with unique favorites like the Organic Arugula & Pear topped with prosciutto, gorgonzola cheese, and organic arugula salad tossed in balsamic basil dressing or the savory LaDou’s BBQ Chicken featuring smoked gouda, BBQ sauce, red onion and cilantro with premium chunks of …

Come check out Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill’s original location right by the Pacific Ocean in downtown La Jolla and see where it all began! Since 1989, Sammy’s has offered only the best, having perfected the art of woodfiring their artisan pizzas. Since then, the restaurant’s popularity with the La Jolla locals has led to the opening of seventeen other restaurants. Delight your taste buds with the Organic Arugula & Pear Pizza, LaDou’s Barbecue Chicken Pizza, or the thin-crust Brie & Truffle Oil pizza. Enjoy the cozy fire pit on their outdoor patio during Happy Hour from 3:00 p.m. until …

Located in the Costa Verde Center, minutes away from the breathtaking La Jolla beaches and UTC Shopping Center, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill offers the gourmet lover a chance to savor their “healthy global cuisine.” Since its opening in 1989, Sammy’s has used only the freshest ingredients from local farms in order to provide healthy, organic, and sustainable entrees. Savor their parmesan crusted artichokes, or delight in the exquisite chicken tequila fettuccine pasta. Try something new and take a walk on the sweet side with Sammy’s yummy honey cheese pizza, blending sheep’s milk cheese, oregano, and orange blossom honey on …

Come by and experience the finest of artisan pizzas at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill in Del Mar. They are proud to offer many mouthwateringly delicious toppings, such as truffle oil, pear, prosciutto, goat cheese, and orange blossom honey to give you a one-of-a-kind pizza experience every time. The restaurant strives to provide “healthy global cuisine” by using only the freshest of ingredients, many of which are organically and sustainably grown at local farms. Relax and bask in the sun on the newly remodeled patio while savoring a Salted Caramel Pudding or one of Sammy’s famous Messy Sundaes. The restaurant …

Looking for the perfect restaurant for a casual night out? Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill in La Mesa is the place to be, offering a comfortable dining experience and quality cuisine that everyone can delight in. This family-friendly restaurant is located a block away from Grossmont Center’s shops and movie theater, so feel free to unwind after a day of shopping, enjoy a relaxing dinner and a movie with someone special, or bring the family by for a wholesome get together. Peruse the selections of wine and craft beers and order half-priced tapas during Happy Hour, every day from 3:00 …