I’ve always enjoyed visiting San Diego. It’s an easy drive from Los Angeles, more laid back, and traffic provides much less resistance. Crosstown drives aren’t as daunting, so even if I’m staying north of the 56 freeway, lunch or dinner in Kearny Mesa or Chula Vista isn’t out of the question. My approach has changed over the years. When I was single and in my early 20s, I’d just crash in a Pacific Beach motel and eat nearby or in neighborhoods like North Park and Point Loma. After I got married and had kids, we needed a less brotastic place to stay with more space. That could be La Jolla, Encinitas or Torrey Highlands. My family typically travels to San Diego twice a year. We always grab Asian food at least once in Kearny Mesa and overload on Wayfarer pastries. Other than that, anything goes. Find some of my favorite San Diego food since 2021.

UPDATES SINCE APRIL 9, 2025
Additions: Asa Bakery & Cafe, Elvira, Jolie
Subtractions: Comedor Nishi (CLOSED), Gala Chicken (CLOSED)

Alhamdani Sweets Baklava – Spring Valley ↓
Must Order: Assorted Baklava

An’s Dry Cleaning – San Diego / An’s Hatmakers – Del Mar / An’s Electronics Repair – Ocean Beach ↓
Must Order Ice Cream at An’s Dry Cleaning: Santa’s Hat, Ugly Christmas Sweater
Must Order Ice Cream at An’s Hatmakers: Hard Hat, Visor

Animae – San Diego ↓
Must Order Dishes: Fried Rice, Mantou, Lobster Palabok

Asa Bakery & Cafe – East Village ↓
Must Order Dishes: Banana Custard Crunch, Curry Pan, Honey Toast, Strawberry Cream Ribbon Croissant

Cesarina – Ocean Beach ↓
Must Order Dishes: Frittura Di Paranza (When Available), Paccheri Vodka Scampi, Orata Al Limone

Dodo Bird Donuts – Bird Rock ↓
Must Order Donuts: Glazed, Lemon, Strawberry

EE NAMI Tonkatsu Izakaya – Clairemont ↓
Must Order Dishes: Dashi Fried Rice, Deluxe Katsu, Niku Miso Eggplant

Elvira – Ocean Beach ↓
Must Order Dishes: Bistecca Ai Ferri, Orata Alla Mugnaia, Polpette Di Nonna, Rigatoni Al Sugo E Ricotta, Seafood Pasta (Friday Special)

El Carrito – Barrio Logan ↓
Must Order Dishes: Chilaquiles Los Divorciados, Enchiladas Las 3 Tumbadas

Hidden Fish – Kearny Mesa ↓
Must Order: Omakase

IZOLA Bakery – East Village ↓
Must Order: Chocolate Berry Croissants, Moroccan Black Olive Chocolate Croissant, Tahitian Vanilla Knot

Jeune Et Jolie – Carlsbad ↓
Must Order: Four Courses, Plateau de Fruits de Mar

John’s Market – Solana Beach ↓
Must Order: Birria Tacos, Chicharrones En Salsa Verde Mini Burrito

JoJo’s Creamery – Encinitas ↓
Must Order Ice Cream: Cayenne Sea Salt Caramel, Nibby Chocolate

Jolie – Coronado ↓
Must Order Dishes: Bread & Butter, Crab Toast, Peruvian Scallops, Shrimp & Melon, Stone Fruit Salad, Steak Frites

Manna – Leucadia ↓
Must Order: Çılbır (Turkish Eggs), Manna Bowl, Manna Porridge, Torrija (Spanish Style French Toast), Hanger Steak

Mien Trung – San Diego ↓
Must Order Dishes: Bún Bò Huế, Hến Xúc Bánh Tráng (pancake mixed with baby clams)

Pad Thai Stand – Clairemont + Pacific Beach ↓
Must Order Pad Thai: Northern Style w/Chicken, Southern Style w/Shrimp

Relic Bageri – San Diego ↓
Must Order Pastries: Double Chocolate Pain au Chocolat, Kouign Amann (Seasonal) + Seasonal Pastries

Secret Sister – South Park ↓
Must Order: Breakfast Sandwich w/Ham, Meyer Lemon & Oro Blanco Pie, Quiche

Thien Huong – Mira Mesa ↓
Must Order: Bánh Cuốn (Steam Rice Roll) w/Ground Pork (Nhân Thịt), w/Ground Shrimp (Nhân Tôm Xay), w/Eggs and Ground Pork (Nhân Trứng, Thịt))

VG Donut & Bakery – Cardiff ↓
Must Order: Apple Fritter, Glazed Chocolate Donut, Pinecone Glazed Cinnamon Roll

Wayfarer Bread & Pastry – Bird Rock ↓
Must Order: Cream Bun (in seasonal flavors like Cherry Fig Leaf), English Muffins, Ham & Cheese Croissant, Jalapeño Fontina Croissant, Kouign Amann, Strawberry Pistachio Croissant

Wildland – Carlsbad ↓
Must Order Dishes: Pizza Sandwich, Shakshuka, Smoked Fish Plate, Bucatini, A Very Green Salad, Grouper (Pictured), Lamb Meatballs, Ibérico Pork Secreto
Must Order Pastries + Bread: Pain au Chocolat, Pineapple Rosemary Danish, Sourdough Country Bread

Wise Ox – Carlsbad (La Costa) + San Diego (North Park) ↓
Must Order Sandwich: Smoked Bologna

Xin Chao Vietnamese Eatery – Del Mar ↓
Must Order: Com Tam Plate w/Grilled Pork, Grilled Shrimp + Egg Rolls

WHAT TO DO BETWEEN MEALS (shoutout to A.J. Liebling)

Birch Aquarium – La Jolla ↓

Legoland – Carlsbad ↓

Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater (Steve Taylor) – San Diego ↓

New Chiildren’s Museum – San Diego ↓

San Diego Zoo – San Diego ↓