College Area
The Daily Grind
6695 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92115
619-697-0750
The Daily Grind is the perfect hangover cure, with huge portions and delicious breakfast and lunch specialties, you’ll be sure to forget that pounding headache.
D.Z. Akin’s
6930 Alvarado Road
San Diego, California 92120
619-265-0218
www.dzakinsdeli.com
D.Z. Akin’s has a variety of tasty dishes and a huge, Jewish-influenced menu including potato latkes, smoked salmon, stuffed cabbage roll and matzo ball soup.
Sala Thai
6161 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92115
619-229-9050
www.salathaisd.com
The authentic Thai cuisine features home-style favorites such a stir fry, Pad Thai noodles, spicy fried rice and curry.
Downtown
Babycakes
3766 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
619-296-4173
www.babycakessandiego.com
To cure any sweet tooth, Babycakes specializes in a variety of oversized cupcakes for birthdays, weddings or just for one person.
Bandar
825 Fourth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-238-0101
www.bandarrestaurant.com
This tiny Persian restaurant has authentic dishes with loads of spices and culture to complete the unique, vivacious experience of the restaurant.
Basic Urban Kitchen + Bar
410 10th Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-531-8869
www.barbasic.com
Basic features a laid-back ambiance with great food. One can customize their own pizzas, grab a beer and dance the night away at this East Village restaurant.
BEACH
421 West B. St.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-398-3100
www.thewsandiegohotel.com/Beach
The BEACH bar combines the classy culture of downtown and relaxing atmosphere of a sandy beach. This is the place to relax and view the panoramic views of downtown on the rooftop of the W Hotel.
The Boathouse
2040 Harbor Island Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-291-8011
www.boathouserestaurant.com
The Boathouse has fresh seafood such as stuffed salmon, teriyaki prawn stirfry, as well as filet mignon and pasta. Although it’s a bit pricey, the phenomenal service, gorgeous location and great food will make the price of the bill more than worthwhile.
Dick’s Last Resort
345 Fourth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-231-9100
www.sandiego.dickslastresort.com
Not for sensitive-type people, Dick’s dishes up hearty, finger-lickin’ food such as catfish, ribs and wings with a serving of attitude from the sarcastic and not-so-friendly staff. Don’t worry though, it’s all an act and those lucky people will walk away with an embarrassing nickname written on a paper hat, courtesy of their waiter.
Hash House A Go Go
3628 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
619-298-4646
www.hashhouseagogo.com
Hash House is one of the best breakfast places in San Diego and the food is a delicious twist on old-time favorites.
J. Wok
744 Market St.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-231-1088
This quaint Pan-Asian, fusion restaurant serves modern mixes or traditional Asian food for those on a reasonable budget in the downtown area.
La Fiesta
628 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-232-4242
www.lafiestasd.com
More than a typical Mexican food chain, La Fiesta has authentic, flavorful Mexican dishes that stay true to its country’s roots.
Nature's Express
2949 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
619-550-1818
www.natures-express.com
Nature’s Express provides nutritious and vegetarian fast-food feasting. With ready-made dishes to-go and a speedy drive-through window, in mere minutes veggie lovers can devour delicious meatless burgers, yummy sweet potato fries, salads, pastas and so much more. Affordable, healthy and best of all — fast, Nature's Express is the refreshing alternative to fast-food dining.
RA Sushi
474 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
619-321-0021
www.rasushi.com
A sophisticated and modern sushi joint aptly located in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter with a fantastic happy hour and a plethora of rolls to choose from.
Royal India Restaurant
329 Market St.
San Diego 92101
619-269-9999
www.royalindia.com
This restaurant has Indian food that tastes as though it came straight from the heart of India.
Shakespeare Pub & Grille
3701 India St.
San Diego, CA 92103
619-299-0230
www.shakespearepub.com
A small, European-style pub is sure to cure the hunger for travel lust. Just like any British pub in London, Shakespeare Pub & Grille has all of the battered fish and chips and pints of beer to take its pub-visitors “overseas.”
Vin De Syrah
901 Fifth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-234-4166
www.syrahwineparlor.com
Behind a hidden door lies the electric lounge in an upscale neighborhood catering to the posh wine lovers.
Voyeur
755 Fifth Ave.
San Diego CA 92101
619-756.7678
www.voyuersd.com
Voyeur is a dark getaway, with haunting décor and hypnotic music that speaks to the club-goer’s zeal for the exotic. With a dining menu and full bar, Voyeur provides the ultimate club experience.
Zanzibar Café
707 G St.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-230-0125
www.zanzibarcafe.com
Two locations means twice the opportunity to experience this incredible café, complete with homemade focaccia pizzas, scrumptious sandwiches full of fresh meats and vegetables. Plus, the downtown location boasts a full wine bar.
Encinitas
The Potato Shack
120 W. I St.
Encinitas, California, 92024
760-436-1282
www.potatoshackcafe.com
Serving massive pancakes that fill the plate and any stomach, The Potato Shack has meals to satisfy a huge appetite with plenty of leftovers.
La Jolla
Girard Gourmet
7837 Girard Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-454-3321
www.girardgourmet.com
Girard Point Café has mouth-watering sandwiches, soups, salads and custom-order cookies at college-affordable prices.
Goldfish Point Cafe
1255 Coast Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-459-7407
www.goldfishpoint-cafe.com
Goldfish Point Cafe is a fabulous European-style café with specialty sandwiches, appetizing breakfasts and a full list of hot and cold coffee drinks.
Mission Valley
Windmill Farms
6386 Del Cerro Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92120
619-287-1400
www.windmillfarms.net
Windmill Farms has scrumptious sandwiches made to order and healthy alternatives including a produce section that brings a whole new meaning to fresh food.
Pacific Beach
Lahaina Beach House
710 Oliver Ave.
San Diego, CA 92109
858-270-3888
A laid-back beach bar right on the sand with the usual bar side grub, Lahaina Beach House has reasonably priced drinks for an afternoon pregame.
Miller's Field
4465 Mission Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109
858-483-4143
www.millersfield.com
This sports bar brews up competition with Monday night turtle races. Other fun features make this Pacific Beach locale a regular for people seeking an upbeat atmosphere and jars of beer.
RT’s Longboard Grill
1466 Garnet Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92109
858-270-4030
www.longboardgrillsd.com
Longboard’s provides affordable comfort food, from 11 to 2 a.m. and runs dinner specials everyday with a happy hour from 3 to 8 p.m. in the evenings and all day on Wednesdays. Six days a week, the grill showcases live music, open mic nights and house parties, making it the ideal spot for a mellow, relaxing and casual night out on the town.
The French Gourmet
960 Turquoise St.
San Diego, CA 92109
858-488-1725
www.thefrenchgourmet.com
Succulent European cuisine, pastries and wine The French Gourmet is good for romantic dates and best for family brunch.
Zanzibar Café
976 Garnet Ave.
San Diego, CA 92109
858-272-4762
www.zanzibarcafe.com
Two locations means twice the opportunity to experience this incredible café, complete with homemade focaccia pizzas, scrumptious sandwiches full of fresh meats and vegetables. Plus, the downtown location boasts a full wine bar.
North Park
The Mission
2801 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-220-8992
www.themission1.signonsandiego.com
This homey café in North Park has simple and fresh ingredients for the perfect large portion brunch.
The Office
3936 30th St.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-450-6632
www.officebarinc.com
This cozy booth-style dive bar has cheap drinks and food for any kick back night.
Spread
2879 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-543-0406
www.spreadtherestaurant.com
The small, intimate restaurant serves fresh organic produce delivered daily from local farms and farmers markets. Everything about this intimate restaurant is fresh, healthy and cutting edge.
True North Tavern
3815 30th St.
San Diego, CA 92104
619-291-3815
www.truenorthtavern.com
In the heart of North Park, True North Tavern offers modern digs with great food and drinks. Check out the daily specials and disc jockey lineups for a great time with friends any night of the week.
Ocean Beach
Stephanie’s Bakery
4879 Voltaire St.
San Diego, CA 92107
619-221-0285
www.stephaniesbakery.com
The all-vegan and organic bakery handcrafts sweet baked goods. Stephanie’s Bakery makes savory and sweet strudels, pizzas, cakes, cupcakes, frostings, sauces and more for the component-conscious consumers and animal-friendly eaters.
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