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Where To Eat Right NOW; Updating The Eater Heatmap

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More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have just one question: Where should I eat right now? Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot and what to try. And while the Eater 38 is a great resource that covers old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it's not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment.

Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change continually to highlight the latest openings that are generating serious buzz. See who made the list in this month's Heatmap update.

Know of a new restaurant with a good amount of heat that should be added to the list? Send us a tip!


11/07/13: Added: BO-beau Kitchen + Garden; Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen; Waypoint Public

10/03/13: Added: Fogo de Chao; CUCINA enoteca; American Voodoo

08/01/13: Added: Sea & Smoke; Searsucker Del Mar; Bang Bang

07/11/13: Added: Southpaw Social Club, Tender Greens Downtown, Blue Ribbon Artisan Kitchen, The Hake

06/06/13: Added: Salt & Cleaver, Magnolia Tap & Kitchen, Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station

05/02/13: Added: Queenstown Public House, Hubcap.

04/04/13: Added: The Haven Pizzeria, Amaya La Jolla.

03/07/13: Added: Soda & Swine, Great Maple, Heights Tavern, Project Pie.

02/07/13: Added: Eclipse Chocolat, Buona Forchetta and Fathom Bistro.

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Buona Forchetta

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This corner joint boasts a real deal Neapolitan pizza oven. The small size of the restaurant combined with lots of initial buzz makes for frequent long waits for a table.

Fathom Bistro, Bait & Tackle

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A craft beer vet transforms a Shelter Island bait and tackle store into a beer bar and eatery with a great tap list, kimchi-topped hot dogs and burgers, and a killer bay view.

Soda & Swine

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A choose your own adventure meal, starring meatballs. The sides shine, including crispy polenta with burrata. Hop next door for a cocktail at Polite Provisions (bring your food or have it delivered).

Great Maple

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A longstanding diner gets a swanky mid-century modern makeover from Johnny Rivera (Hash House, The Tractor Room). The desserts and homemade pies are standouts.

Queenstown Public House

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Queenstown is a New Zealand-inspired spot with thoroughly San Diegan priorities: patios, burgers and Sunday brunch. The striking design of this repurposed house ensures that every seat's got great-looking view.

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station

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Our largest craft brewery finally debuts their second brewery restaurant in Liberty Station - 23,500 square feet of dining rooms, outdoor space and lots and lots of beer.

Southpaw Social Club

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Chef Rich Sweeney and Good Time Design are hoping for a home run with this ballpark-adjacent restaurant and bar whose comfort food cuisine gets a dose of Southern hospitality.

Tender Greens Downtown

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Tender Greens' third San Diego location has been an out-of-the-box hit with downtown denizens and office workers. Lines are inevitable, but the speedy kitchen crew keeps things moving at a clip.

Blue Ribbon Rustic Kitchen

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The buzz is that Hillcrest's worthy food options have gotten a big boost since the opening of this artisan pasta restaurant from North County chef Wade Hageman.

The Hake

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The raw and gently cured seafood preparations are the way to go at this stylish new La Jolla restaurant with Mexico City roots. Linger over a craft cocktail or delve into their collection of smoke mezcal.

Sea & Smoke

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Matt Gordon's third restaurant, a stylish and sprawling showpiece in Del Mar, is getting good marks for its wood fired oven-powered all-day menu. Don't miss the shell-baked Diver scallops with black olive crust.

Searsucker

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The decision to swap out Burlap for a new North County version of Searsucker seems to have been a good one; Eater readers are liking the new menu and the efforts to make the space more inviting.

CUCINA enoteca

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This latest addition to the Urban Kitchen Group is a beauty, and the accessible Italian-inflected menu offered here is already a proven hit at their CUCINA urbana.

American Voodoo

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The eclectic artwork at this neighborhood-y new eatery is a conversation-starter, and the upscale comfort food menu makes you want to stay awhile.

BO-beau Kitchen + Garden

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The Cohn Restaurant Group brings their eclectic bistro concept to the restaurant landscape of La Mesa. Find three renditions of mussels and fries, flatbreads and a new craft cocktail program

Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen

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Ballast Point's first brewery restaurant is a certified hit, thanks to its Little Italy location, 50 taps of beer and a beyond the traditional brewpub menu by chef Colin MacLaggan.

Waypoint Public

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The craft beer list, in bottles and on tap, is well-curated to pair with chef Amanda Baumgarten's menu that include house made charcuterie, burgers, fried oyster tacos and more.

Buona Forchetta

This corner joint boasts a real deal Neapolitan pizza oven. The small size of the restaurant combined with lots of initial buzz makes for frequent long waits for a table.

Fathom Bistro, Bait & Tackle

A craft beer vet transforms a Shelter Island bait and tackle store into a beer bar and eatery with a great tap list, kimchi-topped hot dogs and burgers, and a killer bay view.

Soda & Swine

A choose your own adventure meal, starring meatballs. The sides shine, including crispy polenta with burrata. Hop next door for a cocktail at Polite Provisions (bring your food or have it delivered).

Great Maple

A longstanding diner gets a swanky mid-century modern makeover from Johnny Rivera (Hash House, The Tractor Room). The desserts and homemade pies are standouts.

Queenstown Public House

Queenstown is a New Zealand-inspired spot with thoroughly San Diegan priorities: patios, burgers and Sunday brunch. The striking design of this repurposed house ensures that every seat's got great-looking view.

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station

Our largest craft brewery finally debuts their second brewery restaurant in Liberty Station - 23,500 square feet of dining rooms, outdoor space and lots and lots of beer.

Southpaw Social Club

Chef Rich Sweeney and Good Time Design are hoping for a home run with this ballpark-adjacent restaurant and bar whose comfort food cuisine gets a dose of Southern hospitality.

Tender Greens Downtown

Tender Greens' third San Diego location has been an out-of-the-box hit with downtown denizens and office workers. Lines are inevitable, but the speedy kitchen crew keeps things moving at a clip.

Blue Ribbon Rustic Kitchen

The buzz is that Hillcrest's worthy food options have gotten a big boost since the opening of this artisan pasta restaurant from North County chef Wade Hageman.

The Hake

The raw and gently cured seafood preparations are the way to go at this stylish new La Jolla restaurant with Mexico City roots. Linger over a craft cocktail or delve into their collection of smoke mezcal.

Sea & Smoke

Matt Gordon's third restaurant, a stylish and sprawling showpiece in Del Mar, is getting good marks for its wood fired oven-powered all-day menu. Don't miss the shell-baked Diver scallops with black olive crust.

Searsucker

The decision to swap out Burlap for a new North County version of Searsucker seems to have been a good one; Eater readers are liking the new menu and the efforts to make the space more inviting.

CUCINA enoteca

This latest addition to the Urban Kitchen Group is a beauty, and the accessible Italian-inflected menu offered here is already a proven hit at their CUCINA urbana.

American Voodoo

The eclectic artwork at this neighborhood-y new eatery is a conversation-starter, and the upscale comfort food menu makes you want to stay awhile.

BO-beau Kitchen + Garden

The Cohn Restaurant Group brings their eclectic bistro concept to the restaurant landscape of La Mesa. Find three renditions of mussels and fries, flatbreads and a new craft cocktail program

Related Maps

Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen

Ballast Point's first brewery restaurant is a certified hit, thanks to its Little Italy location, 50 taps of beer and a beyond the traditional brewpub menu by chef Colin MacLaggan.

Waypoint Public

The craft beer list, in bottles and on tap, is well-curated to pair with chef Amanda Baumgarten's menu that include house made charcuterie, burgers, fried oyster tacos and more.

Related Maps