Since May, The San Diego Union-Tribune has been featuring local leaders and interesting people in various communities and asking their favorite places to visit around where they work or live.
The weekly series, Handpicked By Locals, is a platform where readers can discover new places to explore. Here are the 37 dining options —and the reasons they were chosen — that were featured in this series from the people highlighted in 2025.
Front of 55 Thai Kitchen 2601 Broadway in Golden Hill on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
55 Thai Kitchen, Golden Hill
They are located in the back of the San Diego Beer and Wine Market, but don’t let that fool you. Their food is delicious, and they have the absolute best tom kha noodle soup.
Barbusa, Little Italy
I love going to Barbusa because they have great hospitality. I am a martini guy, through and through, so that’s my go-to cocktail. And for food, any pasta dish is good.
Burger Bench, Escondido
Burger Bench for its great burgers and outdoor patio. My favorite is the California burger, which has bacon and avocado. Upper East is a great meeting spot with a friendly owner and great ambience.
People dine at Caffe Calabria on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Caffè Calabria, North Park
The best coffee in all of San Diego is at Caffè Calabria. Whether sipping a cappuccino or picking up beans to brew at home, it is the closest to true Italian coffee that I have found, and it’s just a few blocks from (my) home. There is every form of coffee to be had and a variety of great pastries, paninis and more. They also have a dinner menu, but I’m definitely a morning customer.
Caribbean Taste, Encanto
It’s one of those down-home locals’ favorites where the food just hits. Even as a vegetarian, I’ve got plenty to love: their veggie plates, rice and peas (and) plantains all seasoned like somebody’s grandma is in the back cooking. And when I’m there, people are hanging out, chatting; It’s more than a restaurant, it’s a whole cultural vibe. It feels like a little slice of the islands right here in Encanto. You go once, and you’re already planning your next visit before you leave.
Craft Taco, Sorrento Valley
I am an addict for the shrimp bowl. It is absolutely delicious. You can choose from Mexican rice, which is a little spicy for me, so I generally have the white rice with the cilantro. It also has black beans, corn, pickled vegetables, cilantro, guacamole and their homemade salsa. There are two or three people who work there on a regular basis whom I love. They give generous portions and are open later into the evening, which is more rare in Sorrento Valley, with great prices. They have a gallery space showcasing emerging artists as well.
Dashi, Hillcrest
Recently, I’ve been really into Dashi, a newly opened sushi place right near the iconic Hillcrest sign. The ambience is minimalist yet cozy, the service is phenomenal, and everything I’ve tried on the menu is super fresh and tasty. In addition to a wide variety of interesting seafood options, they offer plenty of tasty vegetarian and vegan options, too.
El Golosito, Bario Logan
El Golosito is more than just a cevichería; it’s a living memory. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and in a city that’s changed beyond recognition, it remains stubborn, soulful and gloriously untouched. There’s no pretense here, just aguachile (my favorite), BYOB and a no frills patio. It reminds me of Mexico, not the polished postcard version, but the nostalgic one of my childhood.
Elmisa Cafe, Rancho Bernardo
I love going to Elmisa Cafe! There are great gluten-free options and delicious coffee. I also love the music and ambiance. It’s a perfect place to hang out for a coffee meeting or a quick work break.
Customers dine at Giardino restaurant in Lemon Grove on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker for The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Giardino Neighborhood Cucina, Lemon Grove
I love going there, especially for celebrations. We had our son’s high school graduation (party) there. It’s an Italian restaurant. It’s very cozy. It feels like a whole little Italian experience there. I love their steak. I’m a steak person, so I love that. I like the ravioli. It’s delicious, and they have some delicious pizzas as well. When you go in, people are super friendly. You see the locals: parents, kids, council people (and) pretty much anybody who is in the community will go to that restaurant. It’s kind of like going to your own kitchen, except you don’t have to clean up for yourself afterwards.
Harbor Fish & Chips, Oceanside
It’s local, beach location, tasty and long-established. I grew up eating there. For first-timers, I would recommend getting the fish baskets. It comes with one, two or three large pieces of fish and fries.
Hugo’s Cocina, Ocean Beach
My favorite restaurant in Ocean Beach is Hugo’s Cocina (formerly Ranchos). It’s fantastic, healthy Mexican food. One of the only places you will find vegan carne asada and shiitake burritos. I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 40 years, so I am a bit biased, but the food is excellent.
Italianissimo Trattoria, Chula Vista
Delicious Italian food that never disappoints. I love the fact that Italianissimo is a locally-owned business. The proprietors, Italian natives Aniello and Emanuele, take great pride in making sure each dish is consistently good. I enjoy many of the dishes, but if I have to choose, it would be the ravioli funghetto. It’s a mushroom ravioli in a mushroom cream sauce, which I like to pair with a glass of Meiomi pinot noir.
Junction 52, Santee
It’s a fun neighborhood sports bar and grill. It has lots of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, salads and entrees. They also do specialty nights. I like to go on their Taco Tuesday night. Their tacos are always loaded with meat, and I like to get their fish taco because it’s not a little sliver of fish. It’s big chunks of fish. Like you know, you are eating a fish taco.
Jilberto’s Mexican Food, Otay Mesa West
My favorite place for dining is Jilberto’s Mexican Food. The food is consistently good, but what makes it truly meaningful to me are the memories it holds. Growing up, it was the place we stopped at after crossing the border, whether to grab a breakfast burrito before school or to meet up with friends after class. I attended Montgomery High School, which is just up the street, so Jilberto’s became a regular part of my routine. Today, I continue to be part of the community, and it remains a frequent stop for my wife, kids and me after Little League weekends. It is more than just a restaurant; it is a place that connects my past and present.
Little Lion Café, Sunset Cliffs
It’s just down the street from our home, and it truly feels like family. The food is beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious. The space is charming, and the entire team radiates warmth and kindness. Chef and co-owner Anne-Marie is one of the best in the city, and she’s created something really special. We feel so lucky to have this little gem in our neighborhood. Everything is good, whether you go for brunch or dinner, but I would say you have to try the Belgian lion potatoes because there’s nothing quite like it. They’re just so beautiful and double-fried, which sounds horrible, but they are not.
Loving Hut, Mira Mesa
The 100% vegan restaurant is a hidden gem. Everything on the menu is crafted with the highest quality, and the portions are huge. The menu includes specialties from Asia, Mexico and American favorites such as burgers. The dessert menu is also extensive, including cakes and shakes. This has been my go-to spot for years, and the owners are amazing people.
Meze Greek Fusion, downtown San Diego
They are always open, and the food is incredible. Everyone is super friendly, and they have really unique drinks there. What I love about their food is that it’s like a cultural fusion. It’s Greek, but it’s kind of Greek on a different level. I like getting the hummus platter, and I usually get like the saganaki, which is like a fried cheese, which they light it on fire at your table. It’s probably the worst thing you could eat, but it’s so delicious.
Olive Baking Company, Mission Beach
One of our morning stops is Olive Baking Company in Mission Beach. We love the staff. I’m usually grabbing a coffee, and they have these things called kolach that are like a breakfast sandwich and stuffed like a pasty. They also have a cafe across the street with really good breakfast and lunch menus. It’s become a staple in our routine living in Mission Beach to frequent.
Paradisaea, Bird Rock
For a more upscale dinner and drinks, Paradisaea is the best spot. Everything on the menu is made with the highest quality ingredients and highest intentionality, along with a great coastal vibe, with the restaurant being just blocks up from the water.
Pho Duyen Mai, Convoy District
Pho Duyen Mai is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. The broth hits every time — rich, clean, and full of depth — but what really sets it apart is the variety. It’s a one-stop shop for everything from solid pho to broken rice, spring rolls and even crab noodle soup. Whether I’m craving something simple or want to mix it up, they’ve got it. The place feels familiar, consistent and always welcoming. It’s a staple in the community.
Phở Hòa, Linda Vista
It’s cash-only, small and cozy place smelling of steaming, fresh pho broth that reminds me of Pho Hoa on El Cajon Boulevard, which I used to frequent as a kid in City Heights. I love that this one is up the road from campus and easily accessible for dinner after work!
A barista makes coffee at Public Square Cafe on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Michael Ho / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Public Square, La Mesa
Public Square is great. It’s in the heart of downtown La Mesa. It is kind of like an old-school kind of coffee shop and has everything that my teenage daughter might be interested in, like a matcha drink. They have fantastically brewed coffee and the Gibraltar, an espresso beverage that my wife loves to get. And scones that — I would cut off family members before I cut them out of my life.
Red Tracton’s Steakhouse, Del Mar
One of my favorites is Red Tracton’s Steakhouse, mainly because it’s right across the street from the Del Mar racetrack. It’s just good, classic American food with steaks and other great dishes. It has high-quality food and a great atmosphere.
Solare Ristorante, Liberty Station
Solare Ristorante has a great San Diego vibe. You can have a really wonderful, authentic Italian meal and Italian wine. It’s a casual environment, but still very elegant. I’m a big Manhattan (cocktail) fan, and they do an excellent rye Manhattan. The other thing I like about (Solare Ristorante) is that they have a beautiful wine store. So if I need a quick gift for somebody, I can run in there and get a nice bottle of wine. I am (also) a big fan of whatever their catch of the day is because they do a really great job with fish, and they prepare it very simply. It’s always very fresh because they use local purveyors for pretty much everything they do.
Super Cocina, City Heights
Great, fresh food with a neighborhood clientele and a big screen TV with cool banda and regional Mexican music playing inside. I usually get their enchilada plate with mole and flan. They also have great soups.
Various tacos and quesadillas on display at the opening of Tacos el Franc at Westfield Plaza Bonita in National City. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Tacos El Franc, National City
A: Tacos El Franc is such a welcoming environment; you feel like you belong there. The ladies are super nice to you, and of course, the tacos are good. They have a very good culture of tacos, coming from Tijuana. Even the taqueros are saying hi to you. The shop has an open space, so you can see what they’re actually cooking.
The Butcher Shop, Kearny Mesa
For a nice dinner, I like The Butcher Shop. The food is great, and it has a nice romantic atmosphere. Everyone there is very nice, and it has a good vibe. The prime rib is kind of what they’re known for. It’s really good. That’s pretty much what I go for.
The Grove Steakhouse, Alpine
They have the best steaks in town. I just think it’s a higher scale of a place to go around here. We don’t have a whole lot of choices because the sanctuary (Lions Tigers & Bears) is actually east of Alpine, so even just driving to get food is a ways (away).
The Living Room Coffeehouse, College Area
There are a ton of places near the (San Diego State University) campus and along El Cajon Boulevard, but this café is just the right mix of everything where everyone fits in, whether they just rolled out of bed or are dressed for a business meeting. Everyone goes there: students go to study, faculty drop in to work and friends and neighbors meet up. It’s a great place for breakfast and desserts, and I love that it’s just a walk or short drive away for so many people.
The Prado, Balboa Park
If I’m meeting someone for lunch, a special dinner or grabbing drinks and appetizers before a show at The Old Globe, The Prado is my go-to. The chicken Caesar salad is just perfect, fresh and full of flavor, and I love to start off with the spicy calamari fries. Make sure to dine outside for that great terrace view and a peek at the Japanese Friendship Garden.
The Rose, South Park
It’s a beautiful place with lots of wine on the shelves. It’s a super popular spot. We go there more for dinner. They have some really cool flatbreads. There’s one that has a salad on top of the flatbread that’s delicious. It’s a great place to meet friends and enjoy a lively atmosphere.
Vinarius Wine Bar & Restaurant, Little Italy
For food, I like to go to Vinarius Wine Bar & Restaurant because it’s really great and because of Giuseppe, the owner of the restaurant. He’s just so inviting, like every time I’m walking down India Street, even if I’m not hopping in, he’ll pop his head out and say hi.
Various options, Mission Hills
One of the great things about living in Mission Hills is the wide range of restaurants that are all in walking distance of our house: from Friday night pizza at Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria to delicious and cheekily named coffee at Meshuggah Shack. We really like What De Health Thai, which, in addition to having a fun name, has affordable and always delicious food. Komatsuya is another little gem, with some of the best sushi I’ve had anywhere in San Diego.