San Diego's eclectic neighbourhoods for food lovers

With its yellow sand, deep blue coastline and wild cliffs popular with surfers, San Diego offers year-round sunshine and a fusion of Californian and Mexican culture. Skip the centre and instead head towards the city's diverse neighbourhoods, from brewery-packed North Park to harbourside Point Loma and vibrant Barrio Logan, bustling with independent Mexican taquerías and restaurants. Off the mainland lies the glamorous resort island of Coronado, it's mansion-fringed avenues and wide golden sand beach a longstanding attraction to Hollywood stars.

Where to eat and drink in San Diego

Barrio Logan – for Mexican culture

Mujeres Brewhouse

At vibrant, Latina-owned brewery, Carmen Velasco-Favela and her all-female team brew light, juicy beers covering styles from Mexican lager to West Coast IPA. The micheladas are fabulous – spiced clamato mix and lager topped with the likes of tajín-coated mango gummies and tamarind sticks. The space also acts as a cultural hub, throwing events showcasing Latin food, art and music. Make sure you note the food residency on your visit, as in true incubator style, many have gone on to open stand-alone businesses – two of them (Alchemy and Fish Guts) featuring in this guide. mbhsd.com

Alchemy

In a quirky courtyard setup just behind the colourful murals of Barrio Chicano Park, chef Eddie (Eduardo Cortes) serves unique takes on Mexican cuisine. Dishes are complex, each nodding to a different region, from Chihuahua to Oaxaca. His squid ink oxtail tetelas were awarded in San Diego’s best tacos competition, while Zarandeado pairs adobo-marinated Mexican jumbo shrimp with bittersweet charred pineapple salsa, blistered peppers and crispy chilli salsa potatoes, topped with chipotle and charred onion crema. Creative cocktails match tequila with aguachile syrup, rum with matcha horchata and mezcal negroni with charred guava. Once a month there's an interactive Elixir experience, where guests mix their own drinks with their spirit of choice to pair with a tasting menu calling on the elements. choosethypoison.com

Fish Guts

Previously a pop up at Mujeres Brewhouse, this contemporary taco venture is nestled in the heart of Barrio Logan. Fillings include coconut shrimp, blackened swordfish with crunchy slaw and beer-battered 'fish and chips' with Mexican tartare sauce, best paired with mango margaritas or hibiscus agua fresca. There’s an indoor-outdoor feel so you can sit up at the window table and so ak up the vibes of Logan Avenue. fishgutscalifornia.com

Por Vida

A tiled homage to Frida Kahlo drinking cacao welcomes you into this minimalist coffee shop on Logan Avenue. Mexican-inspired hot drinks, made using beans roasted by Escondido-based James Coffee Co, include cafe de olla latte, horchata and Mexican hot chocolate. Regular events provide good vibes with DJs playing and street food served on the pavement outside. instagram.com/porvidacafe/

Point Loma – for relaxed marina vibes

The Pearl

A true icon of laid-back Point Loma, this original 1959 motel has been carefully revamped into a small boutique hotel. An abundance of mid-century charm and features have been retained, from a quartz-studded rock wall in the reception to the oyster-shaped saltwater pool at the epicentre. The former is decked out with forest green banquettes and dusty pink chairs, while the latter is now fringed with striped loungers and parasols, plus tables and chairs from restaurant Ponyboy (below) spilling out for characterful poolside dining. Each of the 23 rooms is uniquely decked out with contemporary arts, ceramic lamps and handwoven rugs from local artisans. Some boast bamboo-lined patios, home to rocking chairs and low tables to enjoy a quiet moment over morning coffee. A compact cactus garden out front adds a layer of California cool, with purple flowers blossoming come night time to welcome you back in from an evening in the vibrant city. theponyboy.com

Ponyboy

Fashioned on 60s-style revellery, this poolside restaurant is a lively hangout for cocktails, dinner and themed events. Dishes from 1959 are reinvented for contemporary diners, from pickle dip with fried potato chips to fried tuna casserole and grasshopper pie. The pretty fisherman’s catch ceviche is pepped up clamato jelly, avocado aioli and fennel tortilla chips, while the unctuous double patty butter burger is served in a squishy bun with fries. Pop in for pre-dinner cocktails – tiki-style numbers include Singapore slings, hibiscus sangria and San Diego vodka collins with roasted white peach syrup. Black and white movies are projected on a screen above the parasol-lined teardrop pool and they throw lighthearted quiz nights on Thursdays. There’s a focus on local ingredients throughout, to the extent where Point Loma wines are amongst the Californian-first wine list. theponyboy.com

Mitch's Seafood

Perched on the water of Point Loma’s marina, this laid-back seafood restaurant boasts a wraparound veranda with seats designed to look over the yachts and boats. Run by three fishing families from the area, you can trust in the fresh seafood available. Take your pick from the likes of yellowtail swordfish, shrimp, wahoo and tuna in tacos, sandwiches and salads, or try the popular crab cakes or creamy clam chowder with a pint of Mexican lager or West Coast IPA. mitchsseafood.com

Meet Dumpling

This unassuming dumpling house has a stamp of approval from local musicians with big claims to fame. The extensive handmade dumplings menu includes Napa cabbage with pork, scallop and shrimp and beef with celery, while umami-rich beef noodle soup and Beijing zha Jiang mian (noodles with minced soybean sauce) make heartier lunch options. With calm music, cups of jasmine tea and friendly hospitality, it’s an ideal spot for a quick lunchtime reset. meetdumplingfood.com

North Park – for trendy cafés, bistros and breweries

Tribute Pizza

This popular corner spot in North Park often has queues down the block for its wood-fired pizza in a warehouse-style former post office space. Pick from crisp, thin charred neo-neopolitan, thick-crusted grandma-style sheet pan pies or large New York-style designed for sharing. Toppings are tributes to global pizza joints the owners admire, from Roberta’s Brookyln slice shop in the Dirty Dancin’ (jalapeño, fresh pineapple and house-made harissa ranch), to Kenyan chef Caputo in the Lady Diavola (calabrese salami, pepperoni, smoked provolone and chillies). The deep-pan ‘detroit-ish’ options baked with a crispy cheese crown are an ode to Apollonia’s in LA. Woodfired focaccia is topped with the likes of ‘nduja-style salami spread, while its worth sharing sides of loaded fresh salads and seasonal wood-roasted market veggies. The San Diego negroni combines Seven Caves tropical gin with cherry vermouth and pineapple amaro for a vibrant take on the classic to match the sunny climes. tributepizza.com

Deckman's North at 3131

This buzzy North Park restaurant is run by local legend Drew Deckman, spotlighting Baja Californian fare. The chef’s four-course tasting menu kicks off with the likes of lamb rillettes with pea purée, beef tongue with aguachile clams and hand folded guanciale pasta parcels on celeriac purée. Mains might be a trio of San Diego swordfish loin, aubergine purée and roasted fennel followed by hanger steak with mindful mushrooms, red kuri squash and spinach. The Watershed Negroni is a clarified combination of Mala Santa mezcal, Monterey Bay seaweed vermouth and bitter Bianco, while long, refreshing Sun Dips Low pairs tequila with sparkling hibiscus. You can also taste your way through beers from acclaimed brewery next door, Original 40 (which we also recommend for West Coast-style beer flights). the3131.com

Part Time Lover

The cocktail menu is matched to the tunes at this sultry listening bar. Pick a section based on your mood – Easy Listening is a selection of sparkling highball-style numbers, while Global Grooves spotlights the likes of Oaxacan rum, shochu and mezcal and B-Sides are fresh compilations of classic hits such as P.T.L. Old Fashioned, rich in umami sweetness from maple and koji. Sip at the teal tiled bar while swapping music recommendations with the staff or find a spot in the low-lit lounge adorned with statement diamond lighting columns, chequered tile floors and vintage carpets. Peruse the vinyl in the kiosk at the back for a souvenir to take you back to a groovy evening in urban San Diego. parttimeloverhifi.com

La Jolla – for coastal elegance

Wayfarer Bread & Pastry

A colourful spot on a side street in Bird Rock, south of La Jolla, this bakery draws crowds from all over the city. Whether its jalapeño and cheese croissants, ginger molasses cookies or guava lime cream buns, the rotating pastries and viennoiserie offer something new every time. The varieties of fresh bread are showcased in daily sandwiches, with one meat (perhaps prosciutto cotto, shaved fennel and lemon herb aioli on sourdough) and one veggie (maybe roast butternut squash, lemon ricotta and basil pesto baguette) option, while Fridays and Saturdays are the ones to bookmark for convivial pizza nights. wayfarerbread.com

Harry's Coffee Shop

A buzzing local haunt since 1960, this nostalgic neighbourhood diner was opened by Brooklyn-born Harry. Old-school classics include fresh strawberry pancakes, grilled tuna melt and milkshakes, or go for the chilaquiles and horchata in a nod to neighbouring Mexico. harryscoffeeshop.com

La Valencia

In a sprawling estate of lush, plant-filled terraces, this five-star retreat offers old-world hotel glamour, from its pastel pink facade to Spanish tiles and tunes from the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra trickling out of the grand piano. Secure a spot on the bar's tile-adorned terrace for sunset cocktails – hibiscus sour is lifted with rhubarb bitters, floral rose gin and elderflower, while a mezcal paloma is laced with prickly pear syrup – paired with snacks such as ahi poke nachos, shrimp cocktail and truffle fries. Hummingbirds flit between flowers, pelicans glide over palm-fringed shoreline and seals play in the waves in the distance, offering a truly sensory backdrop. lavalencia.com

Coronado – for old world glamour

Clayton’s Coffee Shop

Originally opened as Gerry’s Coffee Shop in 1938, this corner diner and coffee shop is a true slice of 1940’s, complete with jukebox, horseshoe counter and ruby red leather seats. Personal takes on hearty brunch classics include Mary’s Toad in the Road, Betty’s Biscuit Bowl and chef Luis’s spicy chilaquiles, plus a whole section dedicated to pancake and waffles – topped with homemade fried chicken and honey, buttermilk stacks or doused in cinnamon cream cheese frosting. There’s a doughnut window for takeaway coffee, smoothies and treats to take for a stroll down Coronado’s tree-lined avenues. https://www.claytonscoffeeshop.com/

Stake Chophouse & Bar

This sleek restaurant is a contemporary take on the chophouse, specialising in wagyu and dry-aged beef. Kick off with a happy hour martini and wood-fired oysters Rockefeller at the bar or on the fire-fringed terrace. Appetisers include mini lobster rolls with tarragon aioli, a Thai twist on beef tartare and wagyu katsu sandwiches before your cut of choice with a pairing from the award-winning wine list (Sonoma Coast chardonnay perhaps, followed by Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon). stakechophousesd.com

Moo Time Creamery

This nostalgic ice cream parlour offers a classic American experience. The sweet aroma of freshly baked waffle cones entices punters to peruse the extensive options. Flavours include butter pecan, chipped pomegranate and toasted coconut, while toppings cover everything from cherries to peppermint patty and waffle cone pieces. Level up with a sundae such as the Low Tide Mudslide, a concoction of caramel, vanilla and chocolate ice cream layered with hot fudge, silky caramel and marshmallow cream. mootimecreamerysd.com

The Bower

Just across the way from iconic Hotel del Coronado, this contemporary boutique is the first in years to open on San Diego's glamorous resort island. More luxury apartment in set up, guests are greeted from a large bar with a drink to sip in the chic lounge area. There's a layer of SoCal barefoot elegance throughout – pared-back decor and muted tones are flecked with fringed tapestries and contemporary art from Californian artists. High-end amenities include Dyson hairdryers, Le Labo toiletries and Frette robes to indulge in after long days on the beach. As well as a Fellow kettle and pour-over kit in the rooms, fresh filter coffee is laid out in a station on each floor every morning, alongside elevated tea pyramids from Tea Forte, with the likes of delicate white peach as well as the classic breakfast options. Soak up San Diego's sunshine on the parasol-lined rooftop that offers sweeping views of Coronado and beyond (all the way to Mexico on a clear day). You're just over the water from Barrio Logan and the Gaslamp District, and the hotel can arrange a vintage speedboat to zip you across. Check availability at booking.com.

Golden Hill – for laid-back residential feels

Kingfisher

This isn’t traditional Vietnamese food, it’s a creative SoCal/French spin that doesn’t hold back on flavour and texture – think crispy pig ear tossed through shredded green papaya, banana blossom and crispy shallots, sesame rice crackers to scoop up spicy beef tartare topped with toasted quinoa and caramelised aubergine adorned with puffed rice and pickled ramps. Don’t miss the springy handmade egg noodles in a sweet, fragrant lemongrass and peanut sauce laced with Chinese sausage and fresh truffle. The crowdpleaser is dry-aged duck – both sliced breast and confit leg to stuff into lettuce wraps with duck xo sauce, vermicelli noodles and fresh herbs, as well as whole fried rockfish lifted with gingery sweet and sour sauce. Surrounds match the food – textured wallpaper, tiled floors and a strikingly lit brass and marble central bar where cocktails are created. Try herbaceous Mekong Martini infused with coriander and chillis or the refreshing, mezcal-forward tamarind, Oaxacan pasilla chilli and tropical pineapple Cielo Alto. kingfishersd.com

Photography credits: Brett Shoaf,