San Diego for Foodies

Who knew San Diego was such a foodie hot spot?! We enjoyed alllll of the amazing variety of food so much that I couldn’t even tie this all into my other San Diego post. It was seriously turning into a little novella and nobody has time to read all of that. Well, actually, now they do. #quarantineandchill

Since San Diego is super easy to navigate (aka easy for uber drivers it seems, as that’s how we effortlessly got around) so I am simply going to list both our favorite places (listed first) and trust that you will try them, no matter their location. It will be worth it. I will also list other restaurants that are on my list to try during the Quad Squad trip to SD round II! I. Already. Can’t. Wait.

COFFEE SHOPS

• AT Coffee House – great coffee, they offer oat milk (my fav mixer), flaky croissant
• Moniker Coffee Company – Hawaiian latte, toast flight, & a cheddar chive scone. (Tip: they also have a nice happy hour we lucked in to and the most lovely store that you can’t miss out on if you’re in the area
• Bird Rock Coffee Roasters – salted caramel latte & a honey bran muffin to start my day with no egrets
• Bay Park Coffee – Vietnamese coffee, acai bowl, and a freshly baked scone

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BREAKFAST

• Crushed – mimosa flights, avocado flatbread with eggs, stuffed french toast, biscuits and gravy (trust me!!), and chicken chilaquiles
• Breakfast Republic – I want a pancake flight & California breakfast burrito, please
• Werewolf – pork belly benedict & homer cakes, arh-whooooo
• Royal Rooster – Breakfast tacos look heavenly- a-doodle-do
• Farmer’s Bottega Restaurant – I want the french toast sampler & short ribs benedict on the patio. Then, I want to go back for dinner
• Cody’s La Jolla – farmer’s market omelet & french toast, ty.
• The Henry – I’d get a caramel croissant, rancheros, & smashed avocado toast

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LUNCH/DINNER

• Mike’s Taco Club – If you only go to ONE taco place, go here. Try all the tacos (fish and octopus were my fav. Shrimp were great, too!) & drink a Mexican beer. If you can’t find a seat, take it across the street and enjoy on the OB (Ocean Beach)
• Solunto Ristorante & Bakery – stuffed artichoke appetizer, spaghetti & meatballs, wedding cookie from the bakery
• Luce Bar & Kitchen – mushroom pizza omg, gnocchi, & a glass of wine
• Coal Brothers – These tacos, cooked outside on a coal grill, are everything. I had the rib-eye taco and would highly recommend it 
• Bo-beau kitchen + bar – escargot, steak tartar, french onion soup, & duck confit fettuccine
• The Tipsy Crow – lobster roll, a flatbread, & spinach artichoke dip
• La Puerta – queso fundido, carne asada fries, happy hour veggie quesadillas, & rolled tacos
• Salud – ice cream with churros, chili relleno taco, al pastor taco, & veggie taco
• Puesto At The Headquarters – guacamole nogada, elote, mushroom taco, & baja fish taco
• Lobster West – lobster roll. Pinch yourself, it’s not a dream
• Farmer’s Bottega Restaurant – Also listed under “breakfast” but I need dinner here, too, on the patio with a charcuterie board, oxtail ravioli, & artichoke hearts
• Las Cuatro Milpas – rolled tacos & a tamale, por favor

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DESSERTS

• Pappalecco – affogato, any of the gelatos
• Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream – they offer mini ice cream flights, oh my
• The Cravory – lucky charm cookie and….ok, let’s be real. I’d get a sampler box (a full dozen) to try
• Holy Paleta – coffee & condensed milk with chocolate drizzle ice pop & a strawberry cheesecake ice pop because I always seem to lean towards the dairy pops

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BARS

• Trailer Park After Dark – this is a must! Sugar, Spice, & Everything Nice drink, Tramp Stamp drink, Romantic Xplosion drink
• Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – beer flight, soft pretzel
• Sidecar – play pinball or arcade basketball & enjoy a local brew
• The Olive Lounge – Bc it’s on the resort grounds & their happy hour is great, especially when you order the truffle fries and Margherita pizza
• We Olive & Wine Bar – wine & bread with a view
• Park & Rec – La Paz (watermelon tequila, pomegranate, lime, mezcal, firewater bitters) & hummingbird (bourbon, honey, plum, & lemon) & a friendly game of ping pong
• Coronado Brewing – just because I love local breweries & flights

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OTHER

• Liberty Public Market – if this is THE ONLY place you eat, then you will have a fantastic foodie experience. Get lobster mac and cheese, a relleno taco, pork nugs and a pork dog, fresh ravioli, and a strong $5 margarita in the back bar
• Assenti’s Pasta – Cheese, (homemade) pasta, & wine shop. If you are staying in an Airbnb and want to cook, this would be a stop you should make
• Ocean Beach Farmers Market – Wednesdays only from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Locally grown produce, art, & live music
• Little Italy Mercato Farmer’s Market – Wednesdays 9:00 am – 1:30 pm & Saturdays 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Fresh produce, meat, Italian staples, plants, crafts, & bites

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I hope this blog made you hungry to visit San Diego…whenever travel resumes, of course. Be sure to read my “The Best of San Diego” blog post for information other than food……..ha.

Are there any places I missed that are worth mentioning? I’d love to hear your input!