We just got home from visiting one of my FAVORITE places to visit – San Diego, California! If you know me, you know I am a TOTAL beach bum and would totally move there in a heartbeat! There’s just something sooo peaceful about sand in my toes, sun on my face and the sound of waves is like music to my ears! ha!
As we started our journey through the city, I asked our Bestie Squad on Instagram where YOUR favorite places to eat in SD are! The recommendations came pouring in and my family and I set up a FOODIE PLAN – to try and hit as many as we could!
I am SO excited to share with all of you the TOP 20 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN SAN DIEGO… from our squad yourselves! YOU ladies are the ones that recommended these yummy restaurants and I had the opportunity to try most of them! NONE of which were bad. They were all 10 out of 10 and absolutely the YUMMIEST places ever! We can’t wait to go back and continue checking these hot spots off our San Diego Restaurant Bucket List!
Without further ado… I present to you the Best Places To Eat according to BESTIES! Click the name of the restaurant to be taken to their website!
1. FAT SALS DELI: These sandwiches are UNBELIEVABLE!! I personally tried the Fat Texas and I am drooling over it just thinking of it! A sandwich with bbq pastrami brisket, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, crisp bacon, grilled onions, melted cheddar & mozzarella fries, mayo and honey bbq all on a garlic hero! I MEAN…. is this REAL LIFE?!
2. MIGUEL’S COCINA: I literally will drive to SD just so I can have their chips and WHITE SAUCE!!!
3. THE CRACK SHACK: A fun atmosphere downtown with delicious sauces and sandwiches! My girl who is “deviled eggs obsessed” could have eaten 10 orders of those bad boys! AND their milkshakes are bomb!
4. HODADS: The service, food and beach vibe was SO FUN! Most Besties highly suggest the Ocean Beach location for the atmosphere beach vibes! We loved that our waiter printed off Crayola coloring pages for the little kids in our party to keep them busy! And I ordered a MINI burger and it was HUGE! Absolutely DELISH! Oh and their onion rings/fries are SO GOOD. Make sure you order something with BACON!
5. THE DONUT BAR: The World’s Most Award-Winning Donuts! We stood in a line for almost an hour but IT WAS WORTH IT! They were DELICIOUS and the shop is the perfect photo opp! Our little fam highly suggest the Unicorn, Butter Beer and Chocolate Donuts! I also found out we have a Donut Bar in Las Vegas! We loved having the opportunity of meeting Chef Santiago while visiting too, who has been interviewed on Ryan Seacrest, Steve Harvey, and Ellen Degeneres shows!
6. AFTERS ICE CREAM: Home of the MILKY BUN and is a San Diego MUST! We stopped by the Pacific Beach location and can’t wait to go back! A stuffed donut with ice cream inside and any toppings your heart desires! You KNOW I got Oreo! 😉 My suggested recipe: Milky Bun with Blue Cookie Monster Ice Cream and Oreos as the topping!
7. LUCHA LIBRA TACO SHOP: Bestie Alli says, “You can’t leave SD without trying The Surf And Turf Burrito!” And we can’t wait to try it!!
8. CINAHOLIC: A cinnamon role place where you start with a normal cinnamon roll and then pick your frosting flavor and toppings! You can’t go wrong!
9. FILIPPI’S PIZZA GROTTO: On India St. in Little Italy! Bestie Jen says, “We come EVERY time we visit and my husband’s grandparents use to go before THEY had kids, it’s been around that long!
10. CORVETTE DINER: A super cute 50’s diner for the whole family! “They even put straws in your hair and it is SO fun” – says Bestie Lindsey!
11. OSCARS: Bestie Rebecca says, “It’s a taco place that serves mostly seafood tacos. AMAZING!! We go there every time we are in San Diego which is a couple times a year. The octopus taco is so so good if you are feeling adventurous!”
12. RUBICON DELI: Bestie Emily says, “If you want an amazing sandwich place you HAVE to go here! It’s so so good! The Crandie is just oh my gosh…SO GOOD!”
13. POKIRRITO: Take one click on their website and you’ll be sold! Bestie Ashley says, “The Kona Volcano! It’s a MUST!”
14. TENDER GREENS: “If you are looking for something a little more healthy! I have never had a bad plate there!” – says Bestie Natasha
15. LIL PIGGY’S BBQ: Located in Coronado Bay, we had a blast shopping, eating, playing in the sand and renting 4 person bike buggy all in the area! The jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon were so good if you like things spicy!
16. BAREFOOT BAR AND GRILL: “It’s right on the water and one of our favorite places to go for date night!” – says Bestie Patty
17. PANDA HOUSE: Located more towards Anaheim, but still a must in Southern California for delicious Asian food!
18. THE PIZZA PRESS: Delicious pizza for the whole family! This one is also more towards Anaheim, but looks and sounds so good and was recommended by several Besties!
19. DRAFT: Bestie Alexa says, “Their nachos are HUGE and are super yummy for a beach side lunch!”
20. EXTRAORDINARY DESSERTS: Bestie Liz says, “I LIVE for these desserts and you HAVE to go! You will want to try one of everything!”
We would love to hear about YOUR favorite places to eat in Southern California and what dishes and restaurants you would add! Email us or leave a comment below!
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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