clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

San Diego's Essential Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants

The Hottest Restaurants in San Diego, June 2023

13 San Diego Happy Hours to Try Right Now

More in San Diego See more maps

Where To Eat Right NOW; Updating The Eater Heatmap

by Candice Woo
View as Map
by Candice Woo

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. Let's see who made the list in the latest Heatmap update.

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


7/3/14: Added: The Patio on Goldfinch, Don Chido, Rare Form, Florent, Bijou, Tacos Perla

6/5/14: Added: COOKBOOK Tavola Calda, Common Theory Public House

5/1/14: Added: Ironside Fish & Oyster, Tidal

04/03/14: Added: Eddie V's, The Flight Path, Stone Tap Room

03/06/14: Added: Juniper & Ivy, Jsix, Juke

02/06/14: Added: Croce's Park West, Blue Ocean, Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room, Cafe La Rue, Lucky Liu's, ACME Southern Kitchen

01/02/14: Added: Brabant Bar & Cafe, SEA180° Coastal Tavern

12/05/13: Added: Pizzeria Mozza at The Headquarters, Puesto at The Headquarters, MARKET Del Mar

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.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Sea & Smoke

Copy Link

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.

2690 Via De La Valle Suite D210, Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 925-8212
(858) 925-8212

CUCINA enoteca

Copy Link

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.

2730 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 704-4500
(858) 704-4500

Also featured in:

BO-beau Kitchen + Garden

Copy Link

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

8384 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 337-3445
(619) 337-3445

Also featured in:

Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen

Copy Link

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.

2215 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-7213
(619) 255-7213

Also featured in:

Waypoint Public

Copy Link

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.

3794 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 255-8778
(619) 255-8778

Also featured in:

Pizzeria Mozza at The Headquarters

Copy Link

Reservations are essential at this bustling eatery with a celeb chef pedigree. The kitchen is getting increasingly deft in their handling of the pizza oven and desserts, from their famous butterscotch budino to the housemade gelato, are a must.

789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Also featured in:

Puesto at The Headquarters

Copy Link

Puesto provides a seriously stunning setting for a menu that showcases its signature tacos as well as Mexican small plates and inspired craft cocktails.

789 W Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-8880
(619) 233-8880

Also featured in:

Blue Ocean

Copy Link

North County gets a great-looking space that might just be your new favorite cocktail bar or your latest sushi find. The menu's rounded out by yakitori and other Asian-inspired plates.

2958 Madison Ave, Carlsbad, CA

Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room

Copy Link

A sparkling new spot that's serious about food; keep it light and luxurious with champagne and caviar or dig deeper into a menu of shared plates and more substantial mains.

531 F St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-5152
(619) 255-5152

Common Theory Public House

Copy Link

This spacious and friendly new beer mecca has 30 rotating taps, plenty of elbow room and an expansive menu that ranges from Korean fried chicken to Carlsbad mussels.

4805 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

Also featured in:

Juniper & Ivy

Copy Link

Early word on Richard Blais' San Diego debut has been encouraging, with most diners responding positively to his seasonally-driven "left coast cookery". Excitement's building towards the launch of the chef's tasting menu and the full unleashing of his bag of tricks.

2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 481-3666
(858) 481-3666

Also featured in:

Jsix Restaurant

Copy Link

Jsix's new recipe for success includes a bright new dining room, a competitive cocktail program and a playful, craveable menu from chef Christian Graves. It's a welcome downtown dining destination.

616 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 531-8744
(619) 531-8744

Also featured in:

Ironside Fish & Oyster

Copy Link

CH Project's latest creation in Little Italy is a stunner, equal parts slick design and irreverent whimsy. The concise, seafood-centric menu is well-delivered and the cocktails, as per usual for these pros, are compulsively drinkable.

1654 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-3033
(619) 269-3033

Also featured in:

Tidal

Copy Link

Bayfront Baleen's recent transformation into Tidal puts chef Amy DiBiase's new menu center-stage in a freshly made-over dining room.

1404 Vacation Road, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 490-6363
(858) 490-6363

Also featured in:

Don Chido

Copy Link

The Gaslamp's new modern Mexican hotspot has exec chef Antonio Friscia holding it down in the kitchen, cooking up a menu that centers around his custom-made grill. The chipotle-dusted whole fish is a must.

527 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-8226
(619) 232-8226

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Rare Form

Copy Link

CH Projects' Ironside Fish & Oyster is still generating a ton of heat but their newest, an East Village deli-meets-bar, is building buzz around a menu of sandwiches, both classic and new wave. Waffle sandwiches, anyone?

793 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-6507
(619) 255-6507

Also featured in:

The Patio on Goldfinch

Copy Link

The second location of this popular eatery had a powerhouse opening two weeks ago and the crowds are still pouring in to enjoy The Patio's stunning indoor/outdoor design. Bonus points for their very own cheese cave.

4020 Goldfinch St, San Diego, CA

Florent Restaurant & Lounge

Copy Link

This thorough update of a landmark downtown lounge keeps its nightlife identity but ups its food factor with a new menu from chef/partner Rich Sweeney.

672 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 595-0123
(619) 595-0123

Also featured in:

Bijou

Copy Link

The former Amaya La Jolla now has a decidedly French accent, with a faithful new bistro menu from Addison's chef in charge, William Bradley, and Bijou's own chef de cuisine, Shaun Gethin.

1205 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 750-3695
(858) 750-3695

Also featured in:

Tacos Perla

Copy Link

The playful new North Park taqueria from the owners of The Pearl has been turning out tons of tacos since its late June opening. The handmade tortillas are filled with everything from carne asada to octopus, with optional crickets for added crunch. Don't miss their mango-infused twist on a michelada.

3000 Upas St., San Diego, CA 92104

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Sea & Smoke

2690 Via De La Valle Suite D210, Del Mar, CA 92014

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.

2690 Via De La Valle Suite D210, Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 925-8212
(858) 925-8212

CUCINA enoteca

2730 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014

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.

2730 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 704-4500
(858) 704-4500

BO-beau Kitchen + Garden

8384 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

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

8384 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 337-3445
(619) 337-3445

Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen

2215 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

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.

2215 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-7213
(619) 255-7213

Waypoint Public

3794 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

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.

3794 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 255-8778
(619) 255-8778

Pizzeria Mozza at The Headquarters

789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Reservations are essential at this bustling eatery with a celeb chef pedigree. The kitchen is getting increasingly deft in their handling of the pizza oven and desserts, from their famous butterscotch budino to the housemade gelato, are a must.

789 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Puesto at The Headquarters

789 W Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101

Puesto provides a seriously stunning setting for a menu that showcases its signature tacos as well as Mexican small plates and inspired craft cocktails.

789 W Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-8880
(619) 233-8880

Blue Ocean

2958 Madison Ave, Carlsbad, CA

North County gets a great-looking space that might just be your new favorite cocktail bar or your latest sushi find. The menu's rounded out by yakitori and other Asian-inspired plates.

2958 Madison Ave, Carlsbad, CA

Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room

531 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

A sparkling new spot that's serious about food; keep it light and luxurious with champagne and caviar or dig deeper into a menu of shared plates and more substantial mains.

531 F St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-5152
(619) 255-5152

Common Theory Public House

4805 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

This spacious and friendly new beer mecca has 30 rotating taps, plenty of elbow room and an expansive menu that ranges from Korean fried chicken to Carlsbad mussels.

4805 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111

Juniper & Ivy

2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Early word on Richard Blais' San Diego debut has been encouraging, with most diners responding positively to his seasonally-driven "left coast cookery". Excitement's building towards the launch of the chef's tasting menu and the full unleashing of his bag of tricks.

2228 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 481-3666
(858) 481-3666

Jsix Restaurant

616 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

Jsix's new recipe for success includes a bright new dining room, a competitive cocktail program and a playful, craveable menu from chef Christian Graves. It's a welcome downtown dining destination.

616 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 531-8744
(619) 531-8744

Ironside Fish & Oyster

1654 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

CH Project's latest creation in Little Italy is a stunner, equal parts slick design and irreverent whimsy. The concise, seafood-centric menu is well-delivered and the cocktails, as per usual for these pros, are compulsively drinkable.

1654 India St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-3033
(619) 269-3033

Tidal

1404 Vacation Road, San Diego, CA 92109

Bayfront Baleen's recent transformation into Tidal puts chef Amy DiBiase's new menu center-stage in a freshly made-over dining room.

1404 Vacation Road, San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 490-6363
(858) 490-6363

Don Chido

527 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

The Gaslamp's new modern Mexican hotspot has exec chef Antonio Friscia holding it down in the kitchen, cooking up a menu that centers around his custom-made grill. The chipotle-dusted whole fish is a must.

527 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-8226
(619) 232-8226

Related Maps

Rare Form

793 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

CH Projects' Ironside Fish & Oyster is still generating a ton of heat but their newest, an East Village deli-meets-bar, is building buzz around a menu of sandwiches, both classic and new wave. Waffle sandwiches, anyone?

793 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 255-6507
(619) 255-6507

The Patio on Goldfinch

4020 Goldfinch St, San Diego, CA

The second location of this popular eatery had a powerhouse opening two weeks ago and the crowds are still pouring in to enjoy The Patio's stunning indoor/outdoor design. Bonus points for their very own cheese cave.

4020 Goldfinch St, San Diego, CA