Yes, we know it's Oceanside, but we also recognize that many visitors to America's Finest City come via the North, so this breakfast and lunch spot is worth your road trip consideration. Breakfast is the meal of choice and the place is more "hole in the wall" than fancy café.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
With an emphasis on healthy cooking techniques this Asian-fusion restaurant's menu offers plenty of options. The decor is Asian inspired and casual. The next door Lizard Lounge features a full sushi bar with many exciting, new combinations that sushi-lovers should definitely try out.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Blue Water scores a trifecta with seafood lovers. It's a seafood market, casual restaurant and great place to for take-out! Everything is super fresh and ordering it "your way" is a breeze.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Coronado visitors and residents rejoiced when this upscale market owned by a local family opened. Now organic produce, gourmet prepared foods and other Whole Foods' like items can be had without leaving the "island." There's a full service deli offering gourmet sandwiches, coffee and smoothies.
Price: Least Expensive- Grocery/Prepared Food
Offering sushi, sashimi and fine Pacific Rim cuisine, Japengo is trendy, modern and stylish. The main dining area has booths, tables and a large sushi bar. The adjoining bar/lounge is also a viable spot to dine.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Along with this pizza place, there are a number of other eateries located in La Jolla Village Square such as Jamba Juice, a sushi spot and more. CPK is a reliable for lunch or dinner and offers entrées, salads, pasta, pizza, tacos and more.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
Located right off of Prospect St. (the main shopping drag in La Jolla), this charming cafe offers outdoor seating, a well rounded menu and a hearty breakfast that attracts a weekend crowd. The vibe is cozy, laid back and friendly. And of course, there is the view!
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
This funky, retro diner attracts an eclectic crowd with its La Jolla Village location. Business people, shoppers, and surfers flock here for fabulous breakfast and lunch fare. And if there is a wait, consider the numerous other nearby eating spots.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
Come on in for breakfast or lunch to this casual healthy gourmet cafe where you order at the counter and wait at one of the indoor or outdoor tables for your meal. Dinner switches to full wait-staff service. The menu is Euro-bistro inspired and includes a variety of options for all types of eaters.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
Located at the Ferry Landing Marketplace, this farmers' market offers fruits, veggies, flowers, baked goods and other ready to eat foods.
Along with the baked goods and other Farmers' Market eats, the Ferry Landing locale means there are several restaurants and cafes there too.
- Farmers' Market
It's open 24 hours. And breakfast is on the menu all of those hours. As avid travelers, we know that sometimes hunger calls at odd times, so knowing there is a place open and waiting is a big plus. Will it be the best food ever? No. But will it be good enough? Yes.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the heart of La Jolla Village and serving American regional cuisine, George's offers beautiful views and freshly prepared seafood.
Price: Expensive- Restaurant
If you find yourself near Torrey Pines, do yourself a healthy favor and head to this Cafe for breakfast or lunch. Dinner is an order ahead of time take-out affair. The location is a bit odd. It is situated in the heart of the Life Science Campus in Torrey Pines.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Urban, hip, loud and lively, this Gaslamp sushi spot is club-like in atmosphere with lots of red throughout. Along with the sushi and sashimi, Ra offers up Asian fusion dishes. The Monday-Saturday happy hour from 3 pm to 7 pm means deals on various food items and drinks.
Sushi, sashimi and Asian Fusion cuisine for lunch and dinner. Soups, salads, and appetizers such as crab cakes, shrimp tempura, and kamakura tofu are offered along with tempura, teriyaki, noodle and rice dishes. The dinner menu expands the entrée listings with grilled seafood, poultry and meat.
Vegetarian friendly
Price: Expensive- Restaurant
For those looking for vegetarian and vegan options and a little more uppity menu than our recommended Beach Break Café, Hill Street is a good choice. The historic landmark setting in a Victorian house is unique and the vibe is coffeehouse cozy with local art decorating the walls.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Upscale Farmers' Market offering fresh produce, flowers, jewelry, hand bags, art, specialty foods, gourmet desserts, baked goods, crepes, coffee, live music and a whole lot more.
Price: Least Expensive- Farmers' Market
This Ocean Beach eatery is a local favorite and will appeal to all eaters who enjoy Mexican inspired cuisine. The space is unadorned and casual with some Mexican flourishes and a very popular outdoor patio. Did we mention that there is an organic salad bar! Yes, at a Mexican place. Hooray.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
If you are craving Italian and a beautiful room with a view, this is the place. The contemporary Italian menu offers a number of lighter dishes, but come for the ambiance and you will not be disappointed.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
This healthy and flavorful eatery (formerly called Cantina Panaderia) has an Eastern Zen feel that is hip and relaxed with teak tables, an Indonesian pagoda framing the bar and a large Buddha statue taking up one corner.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Ki's location right across from the beach in Cardiff means a spectacular ocean view. The casual and beachy eatery offers a diverse menu and emphasizes healthy cooking with wholesome and organic ingredients.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Upscale farmers' market offering certified organic produce, flowers, crafts, jewelry, clothes, art, and ready to eat foods.Baked goods, fresh juices, coffee, authentic tamales, kettle corn, and plenty of free samples. Located at the corner of Girard Ave. and Genter St.
Price: Least Expensive- Farmers' Market
Who doesn't love a good salad and hot food bar? Add to that pizza and a tuna poke (salmon and more) bar and you've got the food bases covered. This SoCal supermarket is Whole Foods'ish, but often more expensive. We think it's worth it.
- Grocery/Prepared Food
Californians like it fresh, organic and healthy and this casual cafe's high quality, mostly organic fast food delivers on all three. The owner invested time and money to source top notch suppliers of organic and seasonal meats, veggies and fruit along with "green" supplies.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
Little Italy's open air market features fresh food, flowers, and crafts from over 90 vendors. While the market is smaller than the one in Hillcrest, visitors may appreciate the added plus of easy access to the surrounding boutiques, eateries, and galleries.
Price: Least Expensive- Farmers' Market
What is not to love about a place that is all about high quality, organic ingredients. Even the chocolate chip cookies have that something extra. Customizers will appreciate the ability to create a salad work of art. Everyone else will enjoy the flavorful and clean food at this order at the counter eatery. You will find it right across from the train station at the corner of Cedros and Lomas Santa Fe streets.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
There are two Lotus Thai restaurants in the area and this one is more upscale in atmosphere and menu. Come here for fresh salad rolls, soups, and other Thai specialties.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
There are two Lotus Thai restaurants in the area and this one is located in the heart of Hillcrest/Uptown. Come here for fresh salad rolls, soups, and other Thai specialties.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
This Coronado Irish alehouse boasts a large outdoor patio that attracts locals and tourists alike. Its local flavor (the owner is an ex-Navy SEAL), reliable food, moderate prices, nightly live music and six TVs, make it a popular spot for many.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
This funky, casual eatery attracts an eclectic crowd with its stellar breakfast and lunch menu. Even with three locations in the San Diego area, weekends often mean waits.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
This funky, casual eatery attracts an eclectic crowd with its stellar breakfast and lunch menu. Even with three locations in the San Diego area, weekends often mean waits.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
This funky, casual eatery attracts an eclectic crowd with its stellar breakfast and lunch menu. Even with three locations in the San Diego area, weekends often mean waits.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
With first rate service, food, atmosphere and vast menu, Oceanaire offers fine seafood dining. The yacht like interior with dark woods, leather booths, white linens and classic décor is upscale without pretension.
Price: Expensive- Restaurant
Chinese can be healthy, creative and fun. This upscale eatery offers a diverse menu of contemporary Chinese cuisine. This location is next to Fashion Valley Mall and is typically jam packed. Make a reservation!
- Restaurant
Chinese can be healthy, creative and fun. This upscale eatery offers a diverse menu of contemporary Chinese cuisine. This location is near the UTC Shopping Mall in La Jolla
Healthy options are available such as the seared ahi, steamed dumplings, entr
- Restaurant
While there are a number of cute cafes along Orange Avenue, you may welcome this bright and cheerful sandwich chain if you're looking for something quick, not too expensive and quite good.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
If you like bbq, don't miss Phil's. With the success of its original location in Mission Hills/Hillcrest, this newer, and significantly larger, space near the ipayOne Center attracts a big crowd with its tasty, tangy, Southern-style bbq treats. If you don't want to wait, consider calling your order in and getting it to go. This will still take a good 30 minutes to an hour! It's casual inside with a main dining area and a sports type bar that is usually full with waiting customers.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
With a tagline of “the art of eating healthy”, you know this casual Lebanese restaurant strives to please Athletic-Minded Travelers. And don’t let the name fool you. There is a whole lot more here than pita sandwiches.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Don't judge this eatery by its slightly out of the way location and graffiti/art covering the building, because this local favorite emphasizes healthy cooking and offers up traditional Mexican and over 30 vegetarian options. But, don't expect anything too unique.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
This full service supermarket also offers a full service deli and salad bar. Take it out or feast at one of the outdoor tables.
Price: Least Expensive- Grocery/Prepared Food
Located on busy Washington Street in Mission Hills, Red Door offers a respite from the traffic and noise. Walk into the house and you will be welcomed like a visiting friend. The decor is classic and comfortable. There are two rooms and one has a fireplace.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Hugely popular in Chicago, this pancake house now welcomes San Diegans. While this place is hardly a light eater refuge, we know that many athletic-minded travelers like to reward themselves with a big breakfast and this place delivers. There are a handful of more sensible menu items, but few are low calorie. Order wisely to avoid a calorie explosion. The space is casual, light and airy and there is outdoor seating.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
Located in La Jolla and next to one of our other recommended spots (Come On In Cafe), this locally owned eatery is casual and friendly. Seating inside is limited to the counter and 3 tables, so come on a sunny day and sit at one of the outdoor tables.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
This small restaurant specializes in, you guessed it, salads! (They have pizza too!) Catering to the downtown worker crowd, the cheerful eatery is only open on weekdays. Many get their food to go, but there are tables and chairs for dining in. It's very casual.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
It's all about seafood here and we like that. Views of the marina, a large outdoor terrace, and an expansive menu draw in tourists and locals alike.
Price: Expensive- Restaurant
While street tacos are certainly on the menu, this eatery offers quite a bit more. The vibe is casual. The large dining area has high ceilings, TVs over the bar, wood floors, black tables and unique chairs.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Snooze takes pride in the morning meal and seeks to energize your first hours. The decor is unique, modern, and creative--designed to wake you up and get you moving for the day.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
This is not your grandparents' buffet joint. All-you-can-eat salad, soup, pasta, muffins, pizza and more. Think healthy and cheerful buffet with appealing presentations and constant food refresh.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
Located on Girard Ave. in La Jolla on the third floor of a building on the main shopping strip, this Sushi and Asian Fusion eatery offers a fun and casual spot to enjoy a meal. If you sit outdoors, you can enjoy the view and people watching.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Located in Pacific Beach in a non-descript (read ugly) building, Ota is considered by most San Diegans to be the best sushi in the United States! The small dining room is rather short on atmosphere with traditional and sparse Japanese decor.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
The focus here is on high quality, farm fresh ingredients and meats. The casual décor is welcoming and cheerful with modern furnishings, soaring ceilings, big windows, wood tables and wood floors. A huge overhead white board details the menu. Patrons order up front and pick up food "down the line." It's cafeteria style...but gourmet cafeteria! There are plenty of tables in addition to an outside patio.
Price: Least Expensive- Restaurant
Located in the Museum of History and Art, this European style cafe is casual and friendly with a big outdoor patio that looks onto busy Orange Ave. Solo diners will feel welcome eating at the light wood bar or at one of the tables.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
The best value is lunch at this North Pacific Beach neighborhood fish market and cafe. The setting is relaxed, warm and welcoming with a high ceiling, light wood tables and floors. It's classy and local and the food is terrific. This place is a team favorite.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
Next to Ralph's Supermarket, and a few other convenient stops, TJ's offers prepared foods, produce, trail mix, energy bars and more.
Price: Least Expensive- Grocery/Prepared Food
Next to Ralph's Supermarket, SBUX, and other convenient stops, TJ's offers prepared foods, produce, trail mix, energy bars and more. Ready to go salads and sandwiches along with other goodies makes TJs a great spot for a quick meal hit.
Open daily 8am to 10pm
Price: Least Expensive- Grocery/Prepared Food
Just one mile north of our Mission Bay hotels, True Food Kitchen is a charming organic eatery. The restaurant is refreshing with its wide open space, mini gardens filled with fresh herbs and veggies, chairs made from recycled plastic bottles, and an enjoyable outdoor patio.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
There are a number of casual eateries and cafes along Orange Ave in Coronado and Villa Nueva is a local breakfast and lunch favorite. The sidewalk patio is a great spot to watch the people go by and enjoy your morning java. Come more for the people watching and relaxed setting.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
This Whole Foods is in the middle of the urban fun of Hillcrest. Like at all Whole Foods locations, you can count on finding all the grocery staples along with a bevy of prepared eats including pizza, Asian cuisine, sushi and more. Lots of gourmet goodies for all.
Price: Least Expensive- Grocery/Prepared Food
Much bigger than the Hillcrest location, this Whole Foods has a fabulous salad bar, coffee bar, fresh pressed juices and a number of hot food stations. Come for the healthy prepared foods and fresh salad bar. Lots of gourmet goodies for all.
- Grocery/Prepared Food
It's Coronado and it's convenient to the hotels, so the pricing is a little high, but our Athletic-Minded VIP is a big fan of this place, especially the lunch specials. The décor is pleasant with a contemporary Japanese flourish that is somewhat rustic too!
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant
With reggae music pulsing in the background, Zen 5's trendy space with hanging lights and outdoor Asian decor attracts those in search of a casual meal and lively bar (with TV). The menu offers a variety of Asian inspired cuisine from small plates to three course entrées.
Price: Moderately Expensive- Restaurant