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Where To Eat Right NOW; Updating The Eater Heatmap

by Candice Woo
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by Candice Woo
1 comment / new

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. January was a huge month for new restaurant debuts, see who made the list in the latest Heatmap update.

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


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.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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.

3001 Beech Street, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 381-4844
(619) 381-4844

Also featured in:

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).

2943 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 269-7632
(619) 269-7632

Also featured in:

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.

2816 Historic Decatur Rd #116, San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 269-2100
(619) 269-2100

Also featured in:

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.

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

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.

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

Also featured in:

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

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

Also featured in:

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.

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

Also featured in:

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.

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

Also featured in:

Pizzeria Mozza at The Headquarters

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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

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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:

Market Restaurant & Bar

Copy Link

A just-redesigned dining room and a newly-installed pizza oven mean it's about time to revisit this chef-driven restaurant, which has reopened after a quick redo in November.

3702 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 523-0007
(858) 523-0007

Also featured in:

Brabant Bar & Cafe

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South Park's newest beer destination has Belgian flavor that extends to the draft and bottled beer selections, the food menu and cocktail list.

2310 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 516-5100
(619) 516-5100

Also featured in:

SEA180º Coastal Tavern

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Imperial Beach gets a new beachfront restaurant, courtesy of the Cohn Restaurant Group. The eclectic menu takes influence from the Baja, Pacific Rim, French, Italian and Mediterranean cuisines.

800 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
(619) 631-4949
(619) 631-4949

Also featured in:

Croce's Park West

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The legendary local haunt starts a new chapter in Bankers Hill with a menu that mixes longtime favorites and new creations. Live music provides a soundtrack for your meal.

2760 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 233-4355
(619) 233-4355

Blue Ocean

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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
(760) 434-4959
(760) 434-4959

More in Maps

Encore Champagne Bar & Dining Room

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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

Cafe la Rue

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La Valencia Hotel replaced the Whaling Bar with a European-inflected bistro doing casual food with chef-driven intent. Housemade chorizo flavors the paella, the burger's features a custom grind of three cuts of beef and the hand cut fries come with duck fat mayo.

1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-0771
(858) 454-0771

Lucky Liu's

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Downtown finally gets a dose of Chinese food from this "elevated Asian diner" where you can order dim sum all day long and drink a craft beer with your kung pao.

332 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-1320
(619) 269-1320

Acme Southern Kitchen

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The latest charmer from Terryl Gavre (Bankers Hill, Cafe 22) conveys Southern hospitality through a down home menu that features fluffy house-baked biscuits and a quirky, country-fied decor.

901 E St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 515-2225
(619) 515-2225

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Buona Forchetta

3001 Beech Street, San Diego, CA 92102

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.

3001 Beech Street, San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 381-4844
(619) 381-4844

Soda & Swine

2943 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116

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).

2943 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 269-7632
(619) 269-7632

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station

2816 Historic Decatur Rd #116, San Diego, CA 92106

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.

2816 Historic Decatur Rd #116, San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 269-2100
(619) 269-2100

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

Market Restaurant & Bar

3702 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014

A just-redesigned dining room and a newly-installed pizza oven mean it's about time to revisit this chef-driven restaurant, which has reopened after a quick redo in November.

3702 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 523-0007
(858) 523-0007

Brabant Bar & Cafe

2310 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104

South Park's newest beer destination has Belgian flavor that extends to the draft and bottled beer selections, the food menu and cocktail list.

2310 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 516-5100
(619) 516-5100

SEA180º Coastal Tavern

800 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

Imperial Beach gets a new beachfront restaurant, courtesy of the Cohn Restaurant Group. The eclectic menu takes influence from the Baja, Pacific Rim, French, Italian and Mediterranean cuisines.

800 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
(619) 631-4949
(619) 631-4949

Croce's Park West

2760 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

The legendary local haunt starts a new chapter in Bankers Hill with a menu that mixes longtime favorites and new creations. Live music provides a soundtrack for your meal.

2760 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 233-4355
(619) 233-4355

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
(760) 434-4959
(760) 434-4959

Related Maps

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

Cafe la Rue

1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

La Valencia Hotel replaced the Whaling Bar with a European-inflected bistro doing casual food with chef-driven intent. Housemade chorizo flavors the paella, the burger's features a custom grind of three cuts of beef and the hand cut fries come with duck fat mayo.

1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 454-0771
(858) 454-0771

Lucky Liu's

332 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

Downtown finally gets a dose of Chinese food from this "elevated Asian diner" where you can order dim sum all day long and drink a craft beer with your kung pao.

332 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-1320
(619) 269-1320

Acme Southern Kitchen

901 E St, San Diego, CA 92101

The latest charmer from Terryl Gavre (Bankers Hill, Cafe 22) conveys Southern hospitality through a down home menu that features fluffy house-baked biscuits and a quirky, country-fied decor.

901 E St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 515-2225
(619) 515-2225

Related Maps