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Diners' Choice: American restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 June 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Nick’s on State restaurant

Nick’s on State

4.8

4.8 (2105)

$30 and under

American

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive, memorable experiences.

Top review

C

CherylVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Food is always consistent and good. Servers are well trained. I think nicks does an excellent job in restaurant management.

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A photo of Starmont of a restaurant

A photo of BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN of a restaurant

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

A photo of SHRIMP TAQUITOS of a restaurant

SHRIMP TAQUITOS

A photo of Nick's Del Mar restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1514)

$30 and under

American

Del Mar

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review

M

Michele

Dined 3 days ago

The restaurant ambience, food and service were wonderful. Highly recommend!

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A photo of Asparagus Fries of a restaurant

Asparagus Fries

A photo of Spinach & Artichoke Dip of a restaurant

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

A photo of Bazille - Nordstrom University Town Center restaurant

Bazille - Nordstrom University Town Center

4.8

4.8 (194)

$30 and under

American

La Jolla

About the restaurant

Enjoy a delightful dining experience at Nordstrom restaurants, where you can savor chef inspired dishes, using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Come and try our signature handcrafted soups, entrees and desserts and pair it with a Nordstrom crafted cocktail, wine or beer. Call (858) 812-3582 to place your order or get delivery via DoorDash or Uber Eats. Thank You.

Top review

W

WhitneyVIP

Dined on 13 May 2025

Just a great all around experience! We didn’t get much, but will definitely be back.

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A photo of Wine Wednesdays of a restaurant

Wine Wednesdays

A photo of Happy Hour at the Bazille! of a restaurant

Happy Hour at the Bazille!

A photo of Campfire restaurant

4.9

4.9 (5499)

$30 and under

American

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Campfire in Carlsbad is more than a restaurant; it's an experience that embodies the joy of gathering around a fire, sharing great food, and connecting with loved ones. Our menu celebrates live-fire cooking, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients transformed by open flames. Enjoy dishes like smoky grilled octopus and tender slow-cooked brisket, each crafted with care and respect for nature's bounty. The ambiance is inviting, set in a mid-century Quonset hut with eclectic outdoor-inspired decor. At the heart of Campfire is a custom-built 12-foot wood-burning hearth, where chefs create dishes infused with a unique smoky aroma. To complement your meal, our innovative cocktail program features classic techniques and premium ingredients, offering the perfect way to unwind and savor the moment. Join us at Campfire for a culinary journey that warms the heart and delights the senses.

Top review

J

judithVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Ordered olives, oysters delicious. Crudo excellent. Risotto was fabulous. Market fis was halibut and was overcooked and dry. Cocktails as always creative and good.

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A photo of Broccoli of a restaurant

A photo of Brisket of a restaurant

A photo of Ribeye of a restaurant

A photo of Great Maple San Diego restaurant

Great Maple San Diego

4.8

4.8 (4550)

$30 and under

American

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

We Serve Dinner, Lunch, Brunch and Weekday Breakfast. We are a modern American eatery featuring seasonal fare, fresh house made pies, and local produce cocktails. We have a full bar and a social wine list. Open for Outdoor dining!

Top review

X

Xiyue

Dined 4 days ago

Very good pancake and French toast logs. Service is good too.

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A photo of Maple Bacon Doughnuts of a restaurant

Maple Bacon Doughnuts

A photo of Great Maple French Toast Logs of a restaurant

Great Maple French Toast Logs

A photo of Key Lime Pie of a restaurant

A photo of Noble Experiment restaurant

Noble Experiment

4.9

4.9 (350)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Noble Experiment is a small, intimate cocktail bar located behind a secret door inside of Neighborhood restaurant at 777 G St. San Diego, CA 92101. Reservations for 4 or less are accepted as early as two weeks in advance. Large party reservations can be made through our reservations team at info@nobleexperimentsd.com. Walk-ins are welcome based upon availability.

Top review

A

Adam

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing experience and ambiance, the bartenders were magnificent and created some delicious drinks.

A photo of Mission Avenue restaurant

4.8

4.8 (63)

$30 and under

American

Oceanside

About the restaurant

We opened our doors in August 2014 with a vision of greatness: great drinks, food, and atmosphere, with a chill, unassuming vibe. A come-as-you-are locale, where everyone — from local to the traveler — is welcomed. Insider or outsider, there’s a seat at the bar just for you.

Located just blocks from the Oceanside Pier, join us in our industrial-chic lounge with two large garage doors which make you feel like you're dining outside, or on our heated and dog-friendly patio, from lunch to late night. Be sure to check our daily happy hours, midweek lunch specials and weekend brunch. Come see us. Pull up a seat and make yourself at home.

Top review

K

KatherineVIP

Dined on 17 May 2025

Fantastic food! I always go by the reviews and did not disappoint! One in our party described the chicken sandwich as “the best he’s ever eaten and I’ve eaten a lot of them!”

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A photo of Industry Sunday Night of a restaurant

Industry Sunday Night

A photo of Mezcal Monday of a restaurant

A photo of The Henry - Coronado restaurant

The Henry - Coronado

4.8

4.8 (2791)

$30 and under

American

Coronado

About the restaurant

Welcome to the greatest neighborhood restaurant, a place where you can always count on a warm welcome from baristas, servers and bartenders who know your order by heart. A fusion of industrial and classical influences, our open dining spaces are bursting with charm and energy. Come and go with ease for your morning coffee, enjoy lunch with a colleague, gather the family together for dinner, or treat yourself to a post-work drink at the bar. For craveable eats and downright delicious cocktails, look no further than a place where you'll always be among friends, a place that feels like home: The Henry.

Top review

R

RobertVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great service, good food, energetic servers, great location.

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A photo of Molten Butter Cake of a restaurant

Molten Butter Cake

A photo of Cinnamon Sugar French Toast of a restaurant

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast

A photo of Korean Prime Skirt Steak of a restaurant

Korean Prime Skirt Steak

A photo of The Pony Room restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1605)

$50 and over

American

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

The Pony Room is a favorite among locals and resort guests alike. In addition to an extensive selection of all expressions of agave spirits, it is also home to one of Southern California's most impressive wine and hand-crafted, seasonally inspired signature cocktail lists. The Pony Room serves exceptional, American inspired comfort classics with daily specials.

Live Music 7 nights a week

Join us every Saturday and Sunday for Brunch on our beautiful hacienda inspired terraces from 11am to 2pm.

Top review

M

MaryVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Luis was our server and he was terrific! Food was wonderful as always. Love the Pony Room!

A photo of Farmer's Bottega Restaurant restaurant

Farmer's Bottega Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1676)

$30 and under

American

Mission Hills

About the restaurant

Farm-to-table restaurant located in the heart of Mission Hills. Farmer's Bottega serves farm fresh breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner along with a unique selection of craft local beer and wine.

Top review

M

Michael

Dined 3 days ago

what a great find! Went back again the next night. Great food and fantastic service.

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A photo of Garden Salad of a restaurant

A photo of Duck Gnocchi of a restaurant

A photo of Stuffed French Toast of a restaurant

Stuffed French Toast

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