Quiet Conversation Restaurants

For a fresh take on authentic Mexican Food, Rancho’s features healthier alternatives with options for meat eaters, vegetarians, vegans, and those with food allergies. Located just a few blocks up from Ocean Beach, Rancho’s is a Mexican Natural Foods restaurant where any diet restriction can be met with ease. With meals priced between $4-$12, Rancho’s has something for everybody—including flavorful, large portioned dishes like Enchiladas Verdes and Seafood Chile Relleno. Any dish can be substituted for a vegan-friendly option, meaning everyone has a chance to indulge. They even serve breakfast all day, and patrons love their Shrimp and Mushroom Omelet …

Gluten-free, egg-free, or dairy-free? No problem! At Stephanie’s Bakery, Ocean Beach’s healthy baking epicenter, hungry guests can find a large assortment of cakes, pastries, cookies, and much more. Whether you have a food allergy, a dietary restriction, or are craving something new, Stephanie’s offers treats made fresh from scratch using only local and organic ingredients. Started as a cake company, Stephanie’s has expanded their menu, and now features new and unique items such as Spinach Herb and Cherry Cream Cheese Strudels, plus vegan sandwiches, salads and pizzas. They even make special wedding cakes! Enjoy a hot sandwich on their outside …

With a seemingly endless abundance of ethnic foods fairly represented throughout the county, Greek cuisine does not seem to draw a huge number of restaurateurs to San Diego. It just takes a little looking, though. Unassuming inside and out, the food at Olympic Café speaks for itself, as shown by the “Best Greek Restaurant in San Diego” award City Beat gave the café in 2004, and the number of repeat customers that regularly dine here. With the laid-back atmosphere reminiscent of an old diner and friendly staff, customers are made to feel right at home. The family-owned café was established …

Located on University Avenue, in North Park, this quaint coffee shop remains a favorite among locals for coffee, pastries, and just a place to curl up with a good book. Claire De Lune opens early and closes late daily. They also serve up some of the most creative and tasty coffee drinks in San Diego. Established in 1997, Claire De Lune caters to the college age crowd and hosts live musical acts quite often. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing night in a comfy chair, a casual coffee date, or your morning cup of joe, Claire De Lune is …

Hunting for a “little piece of Europe by the sea”, then look no further than Del Mar’s cozy restaurant wine bar, Crepes & Corks. Located along Camino Del Mar, this bistro stays open from early morning to night. The ambiance is that of romance and simplicity and be detected throughout their food and customer service. Crepes & Corks offers an extensive list of delightfully full bodied, smooth, and buttery wines. They also have dessert wines and beers and offer wine tastings! Crepes & Corks provides patrons with a little taste of Europe in the heart of this coastal town and …

Comfortably situated right in the middle of Old Town in a converted wooden house, 25 Forty Bistro and Bakehouse offers an intimate, relaxing atmosphere for friends and couples alike. Chef Mark Peliccia of New York opened the restaurant with the intent to use fresh, seasonal produce to create innovative dishes inspired by the various cooking traditions he studied abroad. He is exceptionally passionate about pastries and desserts, which are offered throughout the day, including the Vanilla Custard Crepe and Warm Chocolate Cake. Boasting an indoor dining room and an outdoor patio for warmer evenings, the restaurant has a modern vibe …

Ikiru Japanese Restaurant is tucked into the historic Liberty Station in Point Loma, offering quality sushi and Japanese fare in a casual and quiet setting. Just beyond the sometimes chaotic scene of San Diego’s beach communities, Ikiru is a choice destination for both creative and more traditional sushi rolls, along with authentic seafood and meat dishes. Ikiru’s enticing lunch specials are always reason enough to stop in, and their full bar featuring a palate-warming variety of sake Japanese beers can turn a meal into an experience.

Kitchen 4140 owner Chef Kurt Metzger is a trail blazer in San Diego’s organic dining scene, purchasing products from local farms and using ingredients from his onsite garden. He uses this plentiful bounty to provide diners with a fusion of Italian, Mexican, and French cuisine. Taste these truly fresh ingredients in signature dishes such as Steak Hash with wild mushrooms, red onion, fire roasted peppers, two poached eggs, chive-chervil crème fraiche or the Kitchen Pasta-- linguini with tomatoes from the garden, basil garlic and shrimp. Dine here for a satisfying meal made with good old fashioned TLC-- tender love and …

Directly across the street from Petco Park, The Dragon’s Den is the East Village’s answer to reasonably priced, quality Asian cuisine and sushi. Relax on The Dragon’s Den patio in any of their comfy upholstered chairs as you enjoy the outdoor fire pit and prime views of the ballpark. Inside, a warm color palette of earth tones provides a sophisticated backdrop for original design pieces to shine. The restaurant’s stand-alone raw bar features a number of traditional Japanese sushi favorites, while the full service drink bar showcases original cocktails, craft beers, and fine sakes. Their weekday happy hour specials are …

Trattoria Ponte Vecchio is a culinary escape located in scenic Del Mar where diners can experience the flavors of Northern Italy in a cozy neighborhood setting. Born and raised in Milan, Italy, Chef Daniel Nobili infuses his passion for Italian cuisine in all of his creations including the Linguine Alle Vongole-- fresh Manila clams sautéed in a white wine or red sauce or the Vitello Del Tassista-- veal scaloppini in gorgonzola cheese sauce topped with fresh pears. The menu also includes an assortment of Appetizers, Salads, Pizzas, and Chicken Entrees. Your taste buds deserve a vacation— taste the delicious cuisine …

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.

It’s not hard to find eateries boasting “ocean views” in San Diego, but it is rare to find a noteworthy restaurant that happens to claim such prime oceanfront real-estate as Chart House. Picturesquely positioned along the South Coast Highway 101 (with the San Elijo Lagoon to the east), Chart House’s expansive dining room faces the Pacific Ocean and plates up some of the finest sunsets around. As the waves lap upon the rocky shore before you, settle in and savor Chart House’s array of hot and cold appetizers, signature seafood entrees, prime steaks, and luscious desserts. Pair the evening with …

North Park’s already noteworthy dining scene got a little tastier since Street Side Thai Kitchen opened its doors. This eatery is a destination for both locals that know their way around the neighborhood’s top stops and for Thai food enthusiasts that know their way around a proper menu. Street Side satisfies midday diners with a lunch menu that caters to the appetite as well as the wallet: lunch selections are served with a salad, soup, egg roll, and steamed rice. Later in the day, dinner guests indulge in a menu that features meat and seafood delicacies, along with authentic curry …

Leucadia Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, In beautiful Rancho Santa Fe has earned the reputation for being the place to visit for fresh and flavorful cuisine. This Leucadia Pizzeria has been open for over 20 years and is quietly nestled in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe, happily catering to a loyal local clientele with a menu packed full of family-friendly dishes and casual dining options. Our friendly staff ensures that guests enjoy a consistently satisfying experience, where an impressive selection of pizzas attracts many, and the Build Your Own Pizza combinations are vast and creative. More traditional Italian entrees like …

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.

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 …

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 …