San Diego’s Most Anticipated Restaurant and Bar Openings, Fall 2018

As San Diego heads out of a scorching summer towards a hopefully cooler fall, the new season brings us a fresh wave of food and drink destinations. From second ventures by established local teams to big name out-of-towners, the new crop includes Asian, French, and Southern cuisines, cocktail spots, a doughnut shop, a food hall, and so much more. Here are some of the most exciting openings coming to San Diego this fall.

Menya Ultra Ramen

Where: 8141 Mira Mesa Boulevard

Eater’s 2017 Restaurant of the Year continues to draw crowds in Kearny Mesa, so the arrival of a second location in Mira Mesa should help to ease the crush. Menya’s signature tokotsu ramen and handmade noodles will transfer over, but owner and ramen master Takashi Endo should be introducing new menu items that will be exclusive to Mira Mesa.

Projected opening: October

ChiKo

Where: 101 N Coast Highway

An award-winning eatery from Washington, D.C. will plant its flag on the Encinitas coastline. Serving a casual, counter-service menu that draws equally from Chinese and Korean cuisines, including garlic shrimp dumplings and spice-crusted chicken wings, the San Diego outpost will also employ local seafood and produce.

Projected opening: October

Courtesy rendering

Fort Oak

Where: 1011 Fort Stockton Drive

The Trust team’s follow-up to their Hillcrest restaurant standout is Mission Hills’ gain. Fort Oak will offer a more refined dining experience, with a unique footprint that includes a bar and cocktail lounge, multiple outdoor spaces, a raw bar and an exhibition kitchen.

Projected opening: November/December

Realm of the 52 Remedies

Where: 4813 Convoy Street

Kearny Mesa is getting its first speakeasy thanks to Common Theory, the popular beer-focused eatery that’s opening an adjacent craft cocktail bar. Fronted by a futuristic apothecary, the elaborately-designed space will serve drinks made with Asian spirits and ingredients.

Projected opening: October/November

Sidecar Doughnuts

Where: 12925 El Camino Real

Southern California’s most sought-after doughnut shop makes its first foray into San Diego with an outpost in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center, where it has been holding weekly Friday pop-ups to prime the neighborhood for its small-batch, sweet and savory doughnut varieties.

Projected opening: September

Courtesy Bells + Whistles

Jeune et Jolie

Where: 2659 State Street

The creatives behind Carlsbad’s beloved Campfire will give North County another restaurant to embrace with a modern French bistro opening just up the street. The multi-cultural menu will meld contemporary French cuisine with dishes influenced by the Caribbean, Vietnam, and Africa that employ local and seasonal ingredients.

Projected opening: November

Fernside

Where: 1946 Fern Street

One of San Diego’s most beloved bartenders will anchor the operating team of this new neighborhood eatery and bar. Planning to offer all day dining, late night bites, and brunch to the South Park community, it will undoubtedly have a cocktail program to watch.

Projected opening: September

Courtesy rendering

Louisiana Purchase

Where: 2305 University Avenue

Dropping in between Hillcrest and North Park, this New Orleans-inspired restaurant and bar, comprised of various indoor and outdoor spaces, will be a showcase for a Southern-tinged menu featuring chorizo-stuffed beignets and blue crab mac as well as twists on classic Big Easy cocktails.

Projected opening: October

The Windmill Food Hall

Where: 890 Palomar Airport Road

North County will get a food emporium of its own when Windmill Food Hall launches in an iconic Carlsbad building. The 12,000-square-foot space will include a breakfast eatery, a pizzeria, a cocktail bar, and multiple food vendors, including established eateries such as Cross Street Chicken & Beer, Bing Haus, Lobster West, and Notorious Burgers.

Projected opening: September/October

Hidden Fish

Where: 4764 Convoy Street

This cozy 13-seat sushi bar is focusing on the omakase style of dining, offering a multi-course chef’s menus featuring seafood sourced from Tokyo’s renowned Tsukiji Fish Market. Aiming to offer a premium sushi experience at accessible prices, the premise hinges on 30- and 90-minute time limits for 12 or 18-piece meals.

Projected opening: September

Courtesy rendering

Gravity Heights

Where: 9920 Pacific Heights Boulevard

This fall’s largest beer-related project is from the well-established Whisknladle Hospitality, who’s partnering with a notable local brewer for a 12,000-square-foot brewery restaurant in Sorrento Valley. The restaurant group, which runs Whisknladle and Catania, is also planning a large-scale food hall for the area.

Projected opening: November

Blade 1936

Where: 401 Seagaze Drive

Oceanside continues its culinary boom with this modern Italian restaurant and bar, which will transform a historic neighborhood building. An ocean-view rooftop is slated for the space, which will serve handmade pasta, pizza, and seafood-based plates as well as housemade bread and Italian doughnuts.

Projected opening: September