Where to Eat in Pacific Beach

Check out the coastal town’s top restaurants

by Candice Woo and Grace Cassidy Updated Aug 10, 2023, 9:36am PDT

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Pad thai.

| Soi PB Thai Street Food

by Candice Woo and Grace Cassidy Updated Aug 10, 2023, 9:36am PDT

Situated comfortably between La Jolla and Mission Beach, the oceanfront neighborhood of Pacific Beach was once primarily known for its nightlife scene but it's become home to an increasingly compelling array of restaurants. Find date-night steakhouses and seafood showcases as well as cozy cafes and casual spots serving a variety of cuisines.

Know of a restaurant in Pacific Beach that should be added to the list? Send us a tip!

Ambrogio15

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The original location for this ambitious restaurant group first introduced San Diego to its Milan-style pizza, which features a super-thin crust and gourmet combinations like njduja with buffalo mozzarella, porchetta, red onions, and arugula. The kitchen also offers a thicker pizza with a whole wheat crust as well as two types of specialty foccacia. Its thoughtful and progressive wine list is another attraction.

926 Turquoise St h, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 291-8650

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Birrieria & Taqueria La Huasteca

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San Diego’s birria boom includes this popular Turquoise Street shop that specializes in beef birria as well as lamb birria on top of a broader menu that features street tacos and burritos. Besides birria plates, the stewed meat features in trendy dishes like birria pizza, birria ramen, and quesabirria.

865 Turquoise St, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 203-3902

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The Fishery

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Fueled by Pacific Shellfish, its own seafood distributor, this Pacific Beach mainstay revolves around fresh local catch along with area-sourced produce. Recently-installed executive chef Jon Bautista (Kingfisher, George’s at the Cove) oversees a seasonal menu that includes seafood crudo and carpaccio along with impressive whole fish dishes and more casual options like opah smashburgers and fish and chips.

5040 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 272-9985

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Sushi Ota

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One of San Diego’s foundational sushi restaurants, whose sushi counter has spawned some of area’s best sushi chefs, is no longer under the ownership of its original sushi master although it remains a top spot for pristine nigiri and sashimi.

4529 Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 270-5670

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La Clochette Du Coin

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A favorite neighborhood destination for breakfast or brunch, with its sidewalk seating particularly popular with dog owners, this French-style cafe serves up a menu of omelets, tartines, and other dishes featuring fresh-baked pastries from its bakery arm, Hommage Bakehouse.

4680 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 412-5558

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Coffee and pastries on a table. — Assorted brunch dishes.

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Costa Brava

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Hidden behind a wall of ivy is this longtime Pacific Beach fixture, a Spanish restaurant that isn’t short on atmosphere, with a menu of hot and cold tapas along with paella and other steak and seafood dishes. Want to host an at-home tapas party? Check out Pata Negra Market, the restaurant’s nearby gourmet food store.

1653 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 273-1218

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Soi PB Thai Street Food

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The latest outpost for this Thai restaurant with locations in North Park and Ocean Beach is decorated in a similar pop art style, which functions as a colorful backdrop for a vibrant menu that includes noodle soups, curries, and signature rice dishes like its roasted pork, crispy pork belly, and Thai sausage served with jasmine rice.

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4658 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 263-4309

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Swagyu Pacific Beach

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Part of chef Steve Brown’s growing empire, this restaurant offers lunch, brunch, and dinner featuring his famous wagyu burgers along with other shareable plates. It’s also home to a 20-seat private dining room where Brown presides over “Study Hall”, his educational tasting menu experience that’s all about wagyu beef.

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966 Felspar St, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 352-6634

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A variety of steakhouse dishes. — Assorted dishes.

JRDN Restaurant

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JRDN Restaurant is located at the Tower 23 hotel, offering oceanview dining and a versatile menu. The location and brunch cocktails are reason enough to want to head down to this spot for Saturday morning meal.

723 Felspar St, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 270-2323

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Mission + Garnet Food Hall

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Open from the early morning until late at night, this massive food hall offers a variety of options for fast-casual dining, from breakfast burritos and tacos to sandwiches, hot dogs, and salads.

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4505 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

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Two boxes of salad. — Salads from Head Lettuce.

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Where to Find Late-Night Eats in San Diego

Kono's Cafe

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Open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (and to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday), this popular cafe has been operating from the same location near Crystal Pier since its doors opened in 1991. Breakfast is served all day, but there’s a lunch menu, too.

704 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 483-1669

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Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge

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For classic and delicious American cuisine, Firehouse is a go-to. And bonus: It’s right near the ocean, so grabbing a meal for takeout and eating on the beach makes a great pandemic-friendly date.