Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 May 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Lilo

5.0

5 (31)

$50 and over

Californian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

A lively and immersive dining experience that welcomes you to celebrate life’s special moments, Lilo harnesses the untamed spirit of the California coast and the world's shorelines through a curated, multi-course tasting menu rooted in a thoughtful connection to nature, served around a 22-seat chef’s counter.

Top review

Richard

Dined today

Amazing dining experience! We've done many tasting dinners at different fine restaurants and found this to be exemplary. We look forward to many more culinary adventures here!

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The Veranda Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1556)

$30 and under

Californian

Fallbrook

About the restaurant

While dining at the most atmospheric restaurant in Fallbrook, you can gaze at our sparkling lake and gorgeous grounds while enjoying a delicious meal prepared with seasonal produce from our on-site vegetable and fruit gardens. We offer patio heaters during the winter months and fans during the warmer months. Reservations are recommended. Enjoy a stroll through our many gardens before or after you dine at The Veranda.

Top review

Laura

Dined 7 days ago

Love the veranda. Great food! Great location and view.

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Prime Rib Sandwich Dip

Little Victory Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (12)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Little Victory Wine Bar is a natural wine bar in Carlsbad, California. With indoor seating accommodating 24-28 guests and an outdoor patio offering 18 additional seats, Little Victory Wine Bar is intentionally scaled to foster intimate and meaningful interactions, cementing its role as a significant addition to Carlsbad Village’s growing culinary community.

Little Victory Wine Market is located at 505 Oak Avenue, Suite B, Carlsbad, California, 92008, and will operate Wednesday through Sunday from 4 - 10 p.m. Visit the website or follow along on Instagram at @littlevictorywinebar for future updates.

Top review

AnneVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great space. Feels like a real neighborhood bistro. Just what the area needs! Will keep coming back to make it through wine list

Black and Blue Steakhouse and Lounge - Valley View Casino

4.9

4.9 (1869)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Valley Center

About the restaurant

Black&Blue is a contemporary American Steakhouse with Las Vegas flair, and a 21 and up dining experience. B&B was recently named San Diego’s “Most Romantic Steakhouse” by the San Diego Union Tribune, and most recently awarded as the Best Steak House Best Seafood by San Diego A-list! At B&B we offer the choicest meats, freshest seafood and most dazzling desserts to delight the mind and body that will transport our guests into a world of indulgence and taste. Unwind with conversation and creative cocktails in our Black&Blue Lounge. Then move into our main room where Chef Nicholas Burgess will impress you with his inventive dishes and innovative takes on classic favorites. The Manager, Chris Scala, will ensure you receive the ultimate in guest service in an atmosphere that’s friendly and fun. To fully enjoy the B&B dining experience, please be prepared to spend an hour and a half with us. Visit us at B&B for a dining experience you’ll never forget.

Top review

AnnVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Our server Mel was fantastic! Food was delicious tonight, especially the French Onion Soup, one of the best I've ever had. Entrees were beautiful and tasted amazing..Desserts are always gorgeous and decadent. We love Black & Blue, always a treat for a night out

Baja Betty's

4.9

4.9 (363)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

If you are in the mood for creative, Tex-Mex inspired dishes, the fun and atmosphere of Baja Betty's in San Diego, CA is for you. This popular eatery provides diners with a colorful and entertaining setting in which to savor a full array of dishes made from the freshest and most authentic ingredients.

The menu at Baja Betty's features many expected options, such as a comprehensive quesadilla menu and array of satisfying combination platters. However, diners can also enjoy a build your own burrito or bowl, an array of house specialties and tacos and some stunning signature margaritas to wash it all down. The menu at Baja Betty's also offers a long list of tequilas and mezcals, a full range of appetizers, nachos, soups, salads and the best Taco Tuesday in town!

Top review

Nancy D.

Dined on 30 Apr 2025

Taco Tuesday is a busy time to go, but hopping! The wait staff are excellent, the food delicious, and the experience “one-of-a-kind”. Enjoy!!!

LIPS - San Diego

4.9

4.9 (143)

$31 to $50

American

North Park

About the restaurant

Lips has been San Diego's ULTIMATE in Drag Dining for 25 years! Dinner, Drinks & fabulous Drag Shows, as well as Brunch on Saturdays & Sundays. Enjoy a great meal & cocktails served up by over-the-top Drag Queens.

DIFFERENT SHOWS WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY. Wed: Bithcy Bingo; Thur: Dining with the Divas; Fri: Glitz & Glam Dinner; Sat: 2 Dragalicious Brunches & 2 Glitz & Glam Dinners; Sun: 2 Gospel Brunches & Sunday Nite Showstoppers. ***Prices- Wed/Thur/Sun Dinner: $35.95(shoe & 3-course dinner, drinks additional); Sat/Sun Brunch: $42.95(Show, meal & bottomless Mimosas/Champagne/Bloody Mary; Fri/Sat Nite: $49.95(show & 3-course dinner,drinks additional)

All shows subject to 7.75%sales tax & 20% suggested gratuity; $12 celebration package for Birthdays/Bachelorette/Anniversary/Promotion/Graduation. 16+ to enter; 21+ to Drink. GOVERNMENT ID REQUIRED-ALL IDS CHECKED AT THE DOOR

Top review

Brendan

Dined 4 days ago

AMAZING PLACE VERY FUN!!! You will definitely have a great time

Vinarius

5.0

5 (430)

$30 and under

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Vinarius is an Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar in Little Italy San Diego. We offer an extensive wine list with wines coming from different regions of the world; the best meat and cheese board with Italian cured meats and different cheeses to pair with our wines. Our chef Alex makes homemade pasta enriched with our homemade sauces, entrees, pizza, different appetizers to choose from, and desserts that pair well with our port wines and after-dinner drinks. You definitely have to try our daily specials!
Our cozy full bar is also the perfect place to enjoy your drink and food while watching some sports!

Top review

Rachel

Dined 6 days ago

We had a wonderful meal and perfectly paired wine at Vinarius to celebrate our daughter's graduation. The staff was extremely helpful and engaging, and the recommendations on both the food and the wine were spot on! We can't wait to come back, as it was one of the best meals we've had in San Diego!

Parma Cucina Italiana

4.9

4.9 (134)

$30 and under

Italian

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

Known for the Best Lasagna in San Diego, Parma Cucina Italiana is a charming and cozy family run Italian restaurant in the heart of Historic Hillcrest.

Our traditional Italian cuisine is inspired by generations of home cooking, fresh ingredients, and simple presentations. Our specialties originate from Northern Italy. The must try lasagna is decadent layers of Bolognese and béchamel sauce. Or try our tortellini with cream and prosciutto, or our pappardelle pasta tossed with slow braised short rib and porcini mushrooms.

We have an extensive wine collection with wines from the best regions of Italy. And an Italian meal wouldn’t be complete without our homemade desserts. We suggest tiramisu and profiteroles alla nutella.

Top review

DonaldVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Food is always great and staff is very welcoming.

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Culinary Dropout - Del Mar

4.7

4.7 (42)

$30 and under

American

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

At Culinary Dropout, it’s all about raising a glass to good friends and even better vibes. A spot where flavor and music fuel the soul, kick off happy hour with ice-cold beer and our famous soft pretzels and provolone fondue. Staying for dinner? Dig into our handcrafted cocktails and 36-hour slow-braised pork ribs. Did we mention you won’t want to leave when the band starts? Come hang out and stay a while. We’re always serving damn good food for damn good people.

Top review

Kandace

Dined 1 day ago

Food was very good! Better than I expected. Olivia our server was really top notch service. We had to come back to tip MORE. Can not say enough how amazing she was. I have overheard from friends who have gone to this restaurant and noticed that the managers were a little rude to their staff so I hope they are good to all their servers and in particular Olivia! Definitely will be coming back for the yummy food and drinks and bringing friends next time! We will also be asking for the same server if possible! Great time!

Tapas & Beers

4.9

4.9 (533)

$30 and under

French

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located in Downtown San Diego's historic Spreckels building, Tapas & Beers is a French and Spanish Restaurant.

We offer a large selection of Tapas plates to share between friends & family
but also normal size dishes if you don't want to share !

Our beers on tap selection highlights breweries from San Diego County and our wine selection from all around the world will make any wine lover happy too !

Everything you will eat at Tapas & Beers will be made from scratch to order with fresh and mostly organic ingredients !

Discover why our place isso highly rated !

Cheers!

Top review

Cindy

Dined today

Loved this place! The food, the owners and staff, all excellent and made our visit very enjoyable and memorable. We are definitely coming back to try other dishes.

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