16 Best Michelin Restaurants in San Diego [2024]
The Michelin Restaurants California has listed many popular Restaurants in San Diego. The city has made a prominent place on the map of top culinary experiences throughout the world. These Michelin Restaurants in San Diego have enhanced the city’s popularity more than ever.
There are many high-class 5-star restaurants in San Diego, USA, on this list. Gwendal Poullennec, international director of The Michelin Guide, said they celebrated the new emergence of skills and the use of local produce.
About Michelin Star
Michelin Star is the supreme award in the culinary world. The Michelin Guide determines which restaurant to be awarded based on the culinary skills, use of quality products, value for money, expertise of the chef, and food consistency. A maximum of 3 Michelin Stars can be given to a Restaurant.
- “One Michelin Star stands for High-quality cooking, worth a stop.
- Two Michelin Stars stands for Excellent cooking, worth a detour.
- Three Michelin Stars stands for exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.
- Bib Gourmand: For good value cooking with 2 courses with a glass of wine or dessert at a reasonable price. “
Read What To Wear To A Michelin Star Restaurant?
16 Best Michelin Restaurants in San Diego
1. Addison Michelin Restaurant – San Diego
Addison is the most applauded fine dining restaurant in San Diego, California. Owner and Chef William Bradly has showcased his culinary skills through Addison since 2006.
The 10-course tasting menu perfectly blends locally harvested ingredients and Southern Californian cuisine with a global touch. The perfect example is the Koshihikari Rice with applewood-smoked sabayon and Regiis Ova Reserve Caviar crown.
You can enjoy all these with wine pairing. The wine cellar of Addison showcases the rich heritage of California as one of the best wine manufacturers in the world.
Addison has three Michelin stars for excellent cooking, which is worth a detour. It’s the only Forbes Five-star Restaurant in Southern California.
- Must-try Items: Luxury Tasting Menu with Wine pairing. Kobe Beef Short Rib, Foie Gras Terrine, Kumamoto Oysters.
- Cuisine: Contemporary French and American Cuisine.
- Price Range: From 175 up to 275 USD
- Contact: +1 858-314-1900
- How to Book: Addison requires prior online booking. Contact 24 hours in advance to cancel.
- Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 05:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Last seating time 08:30 p.m.), Sunday, Monday: closed.
- Address: 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA 92130.
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2. Sushi Tadokoro Michelin Star Restaurant – San Diego Ave
Sushi Tadokoro is a traditional Japanese Sushi bar. Here, Sushi is prepared in the traditional Edo-mae style with homemade sauces. Hours of preparation, skills earned over many years, accuracy, and authentic recipes are the backbone of this restaurant. All the ingredients are fresh and harvested locally.
Chef and Owner Takeaki Tadokoro and young Chef Tatsuro Tsuchiya manage Sushi Tadokoro. They offer the finest items for their guests. Like the creamy and solid oysters of British Columbia, succulent scallops of Hokkaido, sea urchins from California, and Hokkaido topped with ikura. Seats are limited in this small sushi bar. So book your table fast for the best sushi experience.
Sushi Tadokoro is honored with one Michelin star and has maintained its position in the last 2 Michelin Guide California lists.
- Must-try Items: Gunkan Maki, Saba Salmon Toro, Hirame, Monkfish Liver, Golden Eye Snapper, Crunchy Roll, Mirugai.
- Cuisine: Japanese Cuisine and Sushi.
- Price Range: From 37 up to 120 USD
- Contact: +1 619-297-0298
- How to Book: Online booking. Reservations are made for a maximum of 4 customers in a group, and $25 is taken as a deposit per person.
- Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: (Lunch) 11:30 a.m. – 02:00 p.m. (Last order time: 01:40 p.m. Thursday: Lunch Closed); (Dinner) 05:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sunday, Monday: closed.
- Address: 2244 San Diego Ave., San Diego, 92110, USA.
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3. Soichi Sushi – Adams Ave, SD
Soichi Sushi is an intimate Japanese Omakase restaurant presented by Chef Soichi Kadoya. Besides 2 omakase courses, there are many a la carte choices for dinners. Enjoying dinner while chatting with the chief is quite a notable experience for customers here.
The chef uses his exceptional skills to perfect all the dishes, like balancing Hokkaido pike mackerel with ginger and serving kampachi for the best flavor.
Soichi Sushi has One Michelin Star, which means high-quality cooking worth a stop. This eatery offers a perfect ambiance and menu to celebrate your milestones like marriage, proposal, birthday, and official parties.
- Must-try Items: Soichi’s Chirashi Bowl, Omakase menu, Chilean Sea Bass Special, Hokkaido Uni, Toro, Tamago, Kinmedai, Matcha Ice Cream.
- Cuisine: Sushi, Seafood, and Japanese cuisine.
- Price Range: From 65 up to 125 USD
- How to Book: Book online from the official website.
- Contact: +1 619-677-2220
- Hours: Wednesday- Sunday: 04:30 p.m. -09:30 p.m. Monday- Tuesday: closed.
- Address: 2121 Adams Ave., San Diego, 92116, USA.
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4. Cucina Urbana – Laurel Street, San Diego
Cucina Urbana is a contemporary Italian restaurant in San Diego. It blends Italian cuisine perfectly with the flavors of California. Executive Chef Tim Kolanko creates seasonal menus besides aspiring complimentary items like Charcuterie, sausage, cheese, pasta, and artisanal bread.
The Restaurant received Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, which means good quality, good value cooking. The famous and notable dishes are Chicken Liver Pate with Black Garlic Hummus and Crusty Bread.
Cucina Urbana offers many wines, including more than 200 Italian and California-based levels. It has a Happy Hour facility from Tuesday to Friday. Groups of 3 to 4 are advised to order family-sized dishes. The place attracts all types of visitors daily. The eatery is full during happy hours, whether it’s the festive season, casual visits, or regular diners.
- Must-try Items: Gnocchi, meatball Mondays, Grilled Octopus, Chicken Liver Pate, Pepperoni Sausage Pizza.
- Cuisine: Italian cuisine, Pizza, Wine.
- Price range: 50 USD and under.
- How to Book: Online Reservation.
- Contact: +1 619-239-2222
- Hours: Sunday -Thursday: 04:00 p.m. -09:00 p.m. Monday: closed, Friday- Saturday: 04:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Address: 505 Laurel Street., San Diego, 92101, USA.
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5. Morning Glory Restaurant – San Diego
Morning Glory is a well-known restaurant in Little Italy specializing in breakfast and brunch. There is always a long queue before the counter, so plan accordingly. Diverse ideas are used to decorate this bright place, like pink and green marble flooring, plush booths, and champagne vending machines beside dark figurines like small skulls.
The place received Bib Gourmand from Michelin, which means excellent quality and good-value cuisine. Avocado toasts with shakshuka are the most common items on the menu with huge popularity here.
- Must-try Items: Soufflé pancakes, Pork belly Fried rice, Birria, French Toast, Egg Benedict, Khachapuri.
- Cuisine: American restaurant.
- Price range: 50 USD and under.
- Contact: +1 619-629-0302
- How to Book: Morning Glory doesn’t accept reservations. It’s a walk-in restaurant.
- Hours: Monday- Friday: 08:00 a.m. – 03:00 p.m. Saturday- Sunday: 08:00 a.m. – 04:00 p.m.
- Address: 550 W. Date St., San Diego, 92101, USA.
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6. LOLA 55 Tacos & Cocktails – F Street, San Diego
Lola 55 is a famous Mexican taco place in San Diego. This East Village eatery has created a new breed of Mexican cuisine in California. Head Executive Chef Andrew Bent has recreated that with local ingredients. Like baby carrots, Squash blossoms, Relleno, and Adobado. Posole Verde and Fried Masa Disks.
This place received Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide– excellent quality and value cuisine. The open interior of this place is filled with bright sunlight and air. There is a full bar lounge inside. Lola 55 offers catering and event management services for different occasions.
- Must-try Items: Smoked Carnitas Taco, Squash Blossom, Ceviche Taco, and cocktails.
- Cuisine: Mexican cuisine.
- Price range: 25 USD and under.
- Contact: +1 619-542-9155
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 09:00 p.m. Friday -Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday: closed. (Happy Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday: 02:00 p.m. – 06:00 p.m. Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. -09:00 p.m.)
- How to Book: Walk-In.
- Address: 1290 F Street, San Diego, 92101, USA.
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7. Callie – Island Avenue, San Diego
Callie is a sophisticated restaurant and bar in San Diego. Before joining Here, Chef Travis Swikard trained himself under the legendary icon Daniel Boulud in New York City. This place combines Mediterranean cuisine with the fresh produce of southern California in a mouth-watering way.
Chef Travis magically combines the vegetables and seafood with Middle Eastern spices to create a perfect dish. Like the kampachi crudo with spicy Israeli hot sauce and black lime, warm chocolate chip tahini cookie.
This restaurant received Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, which means great quality and excellent cuisine. The bar is open till 11 pm.
- Must-try Items: Babaganoush, Octopus, Pavlova, Uni Toast, Avocado Labneh, Pappardelle, Beef Tartare, Japanese Kanpachi.
- Cuisine: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Cuisine.
- Price range: From 65 up to 77 USD
- Contact: +1 619-255-9696
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 05:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday: closed.
- How to Book: Online reservation. They can accommodate a maximum of 8 people in one group. For more than five people, Callie takes a $5 reservation charge per person.
- Address: 1195 Island Avenue, San Diego, 92101, USA.
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8. Ciccia Osteria – Logan Ave, San Diego
Owned by famous chefs Mario Casineri and Francesca Penoncelli, Ciccia Osteria is a great place to eat with family and friends. The eatery follows authentic Italian recipes right from the kitchens of regular households. Osteria means simple dishes cooked with regularly available ingredients and served with wine.
As the name suggests, dinners are served simple dishes with excellent wine pairing. Chefs pour their love for Italian cuisine into their hand-crafted pasta and perfect desserts.
Dinners can sit at any table after paying at the counter. Despite its limited seating arrangement, it is famous for dozens of handmade pasta and olive-flecked tuna tartare. This place received Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, which means good quality, fine value cuisine.
- Must-try Items: Ravioli, Vegan panna cotta, Beef skewers, Crab Gnocchi, Mushroom Flan, Cannoli, Panna Cotta.
- Cuisine: Italian, Milanese cuisine, Vegan.
- Price Range: 42 USD and under.
- Contact: +1 619-674-4069
- Hours: Monday- Friday: 04:30 p.m. – 09:15 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday: closed. Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 02:00 p.m. ( Lunch Time), 04:30 p.m. – 09:15 p.m. ( Dinner Time)
- How to Book: Walk-in.
- Address: 2233 Logan Ave., San Diego, 92113, USA.
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9. Solare Ristorante – Roosevelt Road, San Diego
Solare is an authentic Italian restaurant. Owner Randy Smerik and his team will welcome you in their masterful kitchen. Dinners are served some of the most mouth-watering antipasti, salads, pasta, and pizzas on the tasting menu.
All the ingredients are locally sourced and organic. The pasta is handmade every day in the morning. Some notable dishes are Venison Carpaccio with Balsamic Vinegar and Grana Padano Foam and Pappardello with crumbled pork sausages.
The restaurant received Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide. Solare offers one of the best wine lists in San Diego. There is a full bar, 2 patios, a Wine Room, a Chef’s Table, and a Private Room. It offers event hosting and catering services, too.
- Must-try Items: Solare’s Pappardelle, Pork sausage sugo, Venison carpaccio, Caeser Salad, Chef Accursio, Osso Bucco, Truffle Risotto, Scallop Risotto.
- Price Range: 50 USD and under.
- Cuisine: Italian and Tuscan cuisine.
- Contact: +1 619-270-9670
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 04:30 p.m. – 08:00 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 02:45 p.m. ( Lunch Time) 04:30 p.m. – 09:00 p.m. ( Dinner Times), Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 02:45 p.m. ( Lunch Time) 04:30 p.m. – 08:00 p.m. (Dinner Time)
- How to Book: Make an online reservation from the official website.
- Address: 2820 Roosevelt Road., San Diego, 92106, USA.
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10. Mabel’s Gone Fishing Restaurants
Mabel’s Gone Fishing was recently added to the 143 Bib Gourmand Restaurants of California list. It is a joint venture of Chelsea Coleman and Rae Gurne. This restaurant offers local seafood cuisine with a perfect blend of Californian and Iberian Cultures. The perfect view of the sunny sunset from the eatery is beautiful.
The menu courses through the Raw Bar with oysters and different snacks. Mabel’s Gone Fishing Restaurant has a sports-friendly staff and a relaxing interior filled with love and laughter. One of the most delicious main course dishes here is Swordfish Schnitzel. Natural wines and gin-based cocktails are a must-try here. Dan Luong is the head chef here. Colman acts as co-chief.
- Must-try Items: Seafood Delicacies like Basque, SwordFish Schnitzel, Mussels Escabeche, White Sea Bass, and Ahi Tuna.
- Cuisine: Seafood, Tapas or Small Plate, Alcoholic Beverages
- Price range: 40 USD for 2 courses and a glass of wine or dessert.
- Contact: +1 619-228-9851
- Hours: Tuesday -.Saturday: 04:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Sunday-Monday: Closed.
- How to Book: Online Booking. Table reservation for a maximum number of 8 member groups is entertained. For a group with more than 6 people, a deposit of $20 is required.
- Address: 3770 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104, United States
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11. Cesarina Restaurant – Voltaire St, San Diego
Cesarina is an authentic Italian restaurant in San Diego. This dream project of Niccolò Angius, Cesarina Mezzoni, and Giuseppe Capasso opened its gates in 2019. The warm and homely atmosphere inside the eatery is matched perfectly with hand-painted pottery and soulful Italian music.
The glass-cased Pastificio, where you can watch the process of creating different plates of pasta from scratch, is remarkable. The table-side Tiramisu brings the action right to the dinners. There are many vegan options on the menu, too.
People can blend their pasta with different sauces from the menu. Friendly staff helps them to choose a good one every time. The place has a good wine list for everyone. It has received Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, which means the right quality and best cuisine.
- Must-try Items: Tiramisu, Pesto, Truffled Gnocchi, Ricotta Stuffed French Toast, Handmade Pasta.
- Cuisine: Cesarina is an Italian Restaurant.
- Price Range: 60 USD and under.
- Contact: +1 619-226-6222
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 12:00 p.m. – 03:00 p.m. ( Lunch Time), 04:00 p.m. – 09:30 p.m. (Dinner Time), Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 09:30 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 09:30 p.m.
- How to Book: Online Reservation
- Address: 4161 Voltaire St., San Diego, 92107, USA.
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12. Kettner Exchange – Kettner Blvd, San Diego
Besides being one of the most popular contemporary American restaurants in San Diego, Kettner Exchange is an architectural marvel. William Kettner, the founding father of the city, inspired the design.
The indoor-outdoor space here is decorated with a reflective blue-glass ceiling, a 2-way fireplace, a rooftop cabana with a wet bar, televisions, and a self-serving bar tap. Dinners have to reserve their seats here.
This place received Bib Gourmand from Michelin Guide. Kettner Exchange Restaurant’s dress code is enforced after 9 pm. The rotating menu of Chef Brian Redzikowski is filled with innovative dishes besides contemporary global flavors.
- Must-try Items: Mushroom Tantan, Lamb noodles, Duck meatballs, wine menu, and a signature cocktail.
- Cuisine: Contemporary Restaurant.
- Price Range: 50 USD and under. (Small Cabanas – Up to 6 guests can be seated. The minimum order required is $400. Large Cabanas – Up to 10 guests can be seated. The minimum order required is $800.To experience VIP treatment, book Chef’s Table, offered by Chef Brian Redzikowski.)
- Contact: +1 619-255-2001
- Hours: Monday- Thursday: 05:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Friday – Saturday: 05:00 p.m. – 01:00 a.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
- How to Book: Online reservation. The maximum number of people to be seated in one group is 8.
- Address: 2001 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, 92101, USA.
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13. Born & Raised – India St, San Diego
Born & Raised is a Michelin-selected famous Steakhouse in San Diego. The owners have spared a lot to look at classic mid-century artistic decoration. Monochromatic photos of easter year rap legends such as Eazy-E are used to furnish the place. A glass-walled meat-cutting room and an open-air rooftop bar with a great city view exist. The waiters are dressed in tuxedos of the glorious era.
With a great ambiance, they offer a variety of combinations of food, from Caesar Salad to Rib Eye. The steaks prepared by chef Jason Mcleod are flawless. The tartare is prepared on the table and served with spicy aioli. Good music and great staff make this place more welcoming and warm.
- Must-try Items: Beef Wellington, Wagyu Steak.
- Cuisine: Steakhouse.
- Price Range: 150 USD and under.
- Contact: +1 619-202-4577
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 03:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Friday: 03:00 p.m. – 01:00 a.m. Saturday: 04:00 p.m. – 01:00 a.m. Sunday: 04:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
- How to Book: Official website booking.
- Address: 1909 India St., San Diego, 92101, USA.
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14. Cloak & Petal – India St, San Diego
Cloak & Petal is decorated like the vibrant streets of Tokyo, with old-school rap music and graffiti art on the walls. This Michelin-selected underground Japanese lounge offers fusion dishes, drinks, and appetizers. This place replicates the experience of eating with your family under cherry blossoms.
The menu includes shareable plates, for example, blistered Shishito and Peppers. Entree dishes include duck breast with golden tomato confit and grilled Wagyu. The sashimi and contemporary maki are notable on the menu.
- Must-try Items: Garlic Edamame, Chicken Karaage, Duck breast, miso-glazed cod, their sake lists.
- Cuisine: Japanese Restaurant.
- Price range: 75 USD and under.
- Contact: +1 619-501-5505
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 04:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Friday: 04:00 p.m. – 01:00 a.m. Saturday: 02:00 p.m. – 01:00 a.m. Sunday: 02:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (Happy Hours: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (Monday to Friday) )
- How to Book: Online reservation.
- Address: 1953 India St., San Diego, 92101, USA.
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15. Herb & Wood – Kettner Blvd, San Diego
Chef Brian Malarkey’s Herb & Wood is the most recently Michelin-selected Mediterranean restaurant in San Diego. He has added his signature wood-fired dishes besides regular ones to the menu here. Desserts with chocolate-whiskey cake and rich milk chocolate gelato are simply irresistible here.
Co-founder Chris Puffer transformed a warehouse into a warm, welcoming restaurant with a beautiful ceiling and funny artwork. Herb & Wood is undoubtedly a contender for Michelin Star. Sunday Bar opens from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
- Must-try Items: Herb & Wood’s Oxtail Gnocchi and Branzino, Soufflé and Chocolate-whiskey cake.
- Cuisine: Traditional Mediterranean and Californian cuisine.
- Price Range: 75 USD and under.
- Contact: +1 619-955-8495
- Hours: Monday – Sunday: 05:00 p.m. – 09:30 p.m. Sunday Brunch: 10:00 a.m. – 02:00 p.m.
- How to Book: Online reservation.
- Address: 2210 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, 92101, USA.
Does San Diego have Michelin Star restaurants?
Yes, San Diego has 3 Michelin Star restaurants: Addison, Sushi Tadokoro, and Soichi Sushi.
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16. Menya Ultra – Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego
Menya Ultra is a popular Japanese Ramen restaurant located at Clairemont Strip Mall. The Michelin Guide highly recommends the place. Mr. Endo started his journey as a Ramen master from the northern side of Japan in 1994.
Besides Clairmont, there are 2 more outlets in Mira Mesa and Hillcrest serving fresh wheat noodles top quality ingredients. It has multiple outlets in Japan and Taiwan, too.
Mr. Endo takes extra care in preparing fresh wheat noodles daily without any preservatives. Authentic Japanese dishes are prepared without MSG or any other artificial things. He believes good food is the key to health.
- Must-try Items: Miso Ramen, Tonkotsu Ramen, Tantan Men, Okonomi French Fries, Nagoya style chicken, Gyoza.
- Cuisine: Ramen, Japanese, Dessert
- Price Range: $20 – $30 per person
- How to Book: Visitors need to sign in to the tablets outside Menya Ultra 30 minutes before the opening. They will text you back as soon as the table is available.
- Contact: +1 858-571-2010
- Hours: Monday – Saturday : ( Lunch)11:00 a.m. – 02:00 p.m. (Dinner) 05:00 p.m. – 09:00 p.m. Sunday: closed.
- Address: 8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd M, San Diego, CA 92111
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Conclusion
The Michelin Guide California bestowed the culinary world’s highest honor on San Diego Restaurants. These restaurants are the most suitable places to experience excellent culinary skills. You will come across quite a few famous Chefs and their signature dishes. Some restaurants already have one or two Michelin Stars, and others are great contenders for the Michelin award.
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