Best Restaurants 2026: Readers’ Choice

Restaurant of the Year

Winner Fleurette
Runner-Up Valle
Runner-Up Lucien

Best New Restaurant

Winner Lana
Runner-Up Paseo
Runner-Up Mia’s

Best San Diego Tradition

Winner A.R. Valentien
Runner-Up Mister A’s
Runner-Up Pamplemousse Grille

Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests

Winner Poseidon Restaurant Del Mar
Runner-Up The Marine Room
Runner-Up Pacific Coast Grill

Best Date Night Spot

Winner The Pony Room
Runner-Up Lilian’s
Runner-Up Waverly

Best Special Occasion

Winner Steak 48
Runner-Up Addison
Runner-Up Mille Fleurs

Best Ambiance

Winner Valle
Runner-Up Lucien
Runner-Up A.R. Valentien

Best Hotel Restaurant

Winner Nine-Ten Restaurant
Runner-Up A.R. Valentien
Runner-Up Ponto Lago

Best Restaurant Bar

Winner The Pony Room
Runner-Up Valle
Runner-Up The Whaling Bar

Best Culinary Innovation

Winner Animae
Runner-Up A.R. Valentien
Runner-Up Addison

Best Steak

Winner Steak 48
Runner-Up Ember & Rye
Runner-Up Rare Society

Best Seafood

Winner Poseidon Restaurant Del Mar
Runner-Up Bluewater Grill
Runner-Up Marzul Coastal Cuisine

Best American Cuisine

Winner Lana
Runner-Up Market Restaurant + Bar
Runner-Up Chandler’s

Best French Cuisine

Winner Mille Fleurs
Runner-Up Jeune et Jolie
Runner-Up Lucien

Best Italian Cuisine

Winner Amalfi Cucina Italiana
Runner-Up Cesarina
Runner-Up Monello

Best Mediterranean Cuisine

Winner Beeside Balcony
Runner-Up Callie
Runner-Up BoujieMana

Best Chinese Cuisine

Winner 24 Suns
Runner-Up Fortunate Son
Runner-Up Chin’s Szechwan

Best Indian Cuisine

Winner Himalayan Chulo
Runner-Up Royal India

Best Thai Cuisine

Winner Bangkok Bay
Runner-Up Sabai Sabai Thai Kitchen

Best Japanese Cuisine

Winner Roppongi Restaurant & Lounge
Runner-Up Nobu
Runner-Up Shimbashi Izakaya

Best Mexican Cuisine

Winner Casa de Bandini
Runner-Up Fidel’s
Runner-Up Cocina de Barrio

Best BBQ

Winner Grand Ole BBQ
Runner-Up Coop’s West Texas BBQ

Best Sushi

Winner Samurai Restaurant
Runner-Up Sushi Ota
Runner-Up Sushi Tadokoro

Best Tacos

Winner City Tacos
Runner-Up Puesto

Best Pizza

Winner Bianchi Pizza & Pasta
Runner-Up Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
Runner-Up Tribute Pizza

Best Wine List

Winner Pamplemousse Grille
Runner-Up Addison

Best Craft Cocktails

Winner Raised by Wolves
Runner-Up Noble Experiment

Best Margarita

Winner Puesto
Runner-Up Casa de Bandini
Runner-Up Javier’s

Best Brewery/Brewpub

Winner Stone Brewing
Runner-Up Pizza Port

Best Dessert

Winner Extraordinary Desserts
Runner-Up Animae

Best Ice Cream Shop

Winner Handel’s
Runner-Up Bobboi Natural Gelato

Best Baked Goods

Winner Prager Brothers
Runner-Up Wayfarer Bread

Best Coffee Shop

Winner Better Buzz
Runner-Up Lofty Coffee

Best Breakfast

Winner The Cottage
Runner-Up T’s Cafe
Runner-Up Claire’s on Cedros

Best Brunch

Winner Toasted Gastrobrunch
Runner-Up Great Maple
Runner-Up Morning Glory

Best Business Lunch

Winner Milton’s
Runner-Up Seasons 52

Best Happy Hour

Winner Kingfisher
Runner-Up Herb & Wood

Best Sandwich Place

Winner Board & Brew
Runner-Up Rubicon Deli

Best Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten-Free Options

Winner The Plot
Runner-Up Kindred
Runner-Up Trilogy Sanctuary

Best Family-Friendly

Winner Casa de Bandini
Runner-Up Pizza Port
Runner-Up Corvette Diner

Best Specialty Gourmet Shop

Winner Specialty Produce
Runner-Up Valley Farms
Runner-Up Mona Lisa Italian Foods

Best Catering

Winner Pamplemousse Grille
Runner-Up Urban Kitchen Catering

Best Farmers Market

Winner La Jolla Open Aire Market
Runner-Up Little Italy Mercato
Runner-Up Leucadia Farmer’s Market