Food & Drink

San Diego is a bright and vibrant city known for its miles of coastline, massive zoo, and its hospitality industry. Foodies from across the country travel to the diamond in Southern California to explore its unique neighborhoods and its delicious restaurants. 

The best way to sample the food and drinks in America’s Finest City is by breaking your adventures down by neighborhood. 

 

Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter is often described as the heart and soul of San Diego. The 16-block community has nearly 100 historic buildings, which makes it an interesting place to visit during the day for lunch and sightseeing. The area is also located near the San Diego Convention Center, which hosts Comic-Con International every year and countless professional events. Attendees staying in the area can simply walk over to one of the dozens of restaurants in the Quarter, like Garage Kitchen + Bar.

At night, Gaslamp has a whole different vibe. Nightclubs and bars, like Onyx Room or Prohibition Lounge, open up. Visitors can walk from their hotels and dance the night away while enjoying delicious cocktails or eating at one of the restaurants that are open late. 

Little Italy

The city’s Little Italy neighborhood isn’t far from the Gaslamp Quarter, but it’s an entirely different experience. It’s like being transported to another country. Everywhere you look are restaurants like Bencotto Italian Kitchen that serve delicious wine and mouthwatering pasta.

The chic neighborhood is also home to the Mercato Farmers’ Market, the city’s largest outdoor market. It spans six city blocks and is open every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., all year round. After visiting some of the stalls, you can take a walk at Waterfront Park and enjoy the views of San Diego Bay. 

 

 

Asian-Pacific Historic District

San Diego has a massive Asian-Pacific population. They’ve brought their beautiful cultures to the city in a big way. The Asian-Pacific Historic District is an eight-block area that overlaps Gaslamp. The area includes Chinatown but also boasts large Japanese and Filipino populations. Visitors to the area can eat dumplings and have some tea at the Steamy Piggy and then head over to the Gaslamp Lumpia Factory

Barrio Logan

The Barrio Logan neighborhood is in the south-central area of the city, bordered by Logan Heights and the East Village. The area is known for its art community and delicious Latin American food. Some craft breweries in the area serve refreshing IPAs or canned micheladas, like those served at Thorn Brewing. If you're craving tacos, many places serve up authentic tacos de asada, lengua, and barbacoa, among many others.