Chef William Eick’s fine dining take on modern Japanese cuisine, which started as a pop-up before opening in its own intimate space in Oceanside’s Tremont District, spotlights progressive dishes that combine Japanese technique with Southern California ingredients.

The Urban Kitchen Group’s interpretation of a modern Jewish delicatessen is a breezy Torrey Pines area restaurant where its chefs are taking on all of the essentials, from stocking the deli counter with staples like chicken liver pate, egg salad, and pastrami to baking up fresh knishes, rugelach, and honey cake. Its daytime menu includes mazto ball soup, noodle kugel, and brisket, along with retooled classics like the popular giant latke topped with a fried egg, mushroom, broccoli rabe, horseradish, and labneh.

As China’s largest high-end hot pot chain, Haidilao is known for its attentive service and thoughtful extras, including wireless phone charging at tables and protective aprons and bags for keeping diners’ clothes and smartphones tidy. Its tomato and spicy Sichuan hot pot are the most popular, but you can try up to four broths per tabletop.

The relaxed, upscale restaurant brings fresh oysters to La Jolla Shores along with a flexible menu that includes wood-grilled meats like California squab, prime rib, and double-cut pork chops and accompanying sides.

San Diegans are the first to try this global chain with hundreds of outposts in Asia that recently debuted stateside. Specializing in gamjatang, a traditional pork bone-based stew, Jomaru Korean Hot Pot serves the hearty and warming dish in individual and shareable portions with optional additions like noodles and rice cakes. Finish your meal with fried rice cooked with the remaining bits of meat and vegetables. Other dishes to try include crispy-edged chive and seafood pancakes and bo ssam, cabbage wraps with pork belly and oysters.

Occupying a prime corner in Pacific Beach where it’s open early in the morning for post-surf breakfast burritos and late into the night for after-party munchies, this six-restaurant food hall offers everything from bacon-wrapped hot dogs to churro waffles, build-your-old salads, and tacos filled with a wide variety of spit-fired meat.

The first solo restaurant from chef Nate Horton (Swagyu, Animae) highlights his background in wagyu beef and Asian cuisine, mixing high-end steaks with modern izakaya dishes and influences and ingredients that reflect his Hispanic heritage. Bringing a rare tasting menu opportunity to East County, the bar also offers creative cocktails that showcase Japanese whisky and agave spirits.

Chef Phillip Esteban’s first stand-alone restaurant for his Filipino rice bowl chain pairs the fast-casual menu with beer and natural wine. Its silog bowls come topped with everything from crispy pork belly to grilled chicken and a vegan mushroom and tofu sisig. Filipino flavors extend to desserts and drinks, including taho (sweetened tofu and fruit) and ube milk tea.

With an impeccably curated wine list, this bar and bistro from the team behind Vino Carta and Bottlecraft is the hottest new hangout in North Park. Pair a glass of something natty with smoked meat from Papalito, chef Drew Bent’s in-house Sonoran barbecue outfit, or a sandwich stuffed with fried chicken or smoked local fish.

A gift to North Park from the ladies behind the Rose, this Spanish-meets-SoCal spot serves up wine-friendly dishes that showcase local seafood. With an adjacent bottle shop specializing in natural wine, the restaurant also makes a strong showing in cocktails of the gin-based variety.

After three years away, Grand Ole BBQ’s original spot in North Park is back and more grand than ever; the soaring space now features a larger patio along with an indoor dining area and bar. In addition to its accomplished Texas-style barbecue (and Argentine specialties on Sundays), the restaurant has expanded its menu to include more vegan options, sides, and desserts.

This sparkling addition to the Little Italy dining scene is thrilling diners with Baja-style plates of fresh seafood, from platters of chocolate clams to standout dishes like shrimp aguachile en salsa verde, tuna and scallop tostadas dressed with guajillo chile mayo and ponzu, and tiradito mixto in XO sauce from executive chef Miguel Angel Gomez. Seafood-friendly drinks include sake, champagne, and a selection of labels from wine regions throughout Mexico.

Acclaimed LA chef Jason Neroni of Venice Beach icon, the Rose, has been spending significant time in San Diego where he created this sleek new restaurant for downtown’s revamped and renamed Kimpton Alma. Supported by chef de cuisine Aldo Negrete and pastry chef Erin Steidley, Neroni’s seasonal menu for the dinner-only space includes everything-spiced Parker House rolls served with black sesame and smoked eggplant dip and local black cod prepared in the style of Japanese unagi. The chef, who is in the process of opening a highly-anticipated pizzeria in LA, will reportedly be bringing his pizza prowess to a new poolside bar opening at the hotel later this year.