Coffee
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
Better Buzz began in 2002 and has taken over the San Diego coffee scene with their great beverages and fun environments.
What to Order
The Best Drink Ever® + an OG Acai Bowl
My Favorite Location
There are FOUR locations in Pacific Beach right near the ocean as well as SeaWorld.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
Dark Horse started serving the San Diego community in 2013 and now has locations in Orange County and Kauai.
What to Order
The Champ
My Favorite Location
The Chula Vista location is near the water.
Bakeries
Paris Baguette
Paris Baguette was founded by a South Korean family in 1988 with a mission to serve high quality pastries in a neighborhood environment. While they operate over 3,600 stores in South Korea, the US only has about 100 locations; you can find others on the East Coast, too.
What to Order
Literally anything, it's so good
My Favorite Location
The Mira Mesa Boulevard location is near Lake Miramar.
Fast-Casual Dining
Luna Grill
Luna Grill first opened in 2004 in San Diego with one purpose: to inspire good food choices. You can now find more than fifty of their Mediterranean kitchens throughout California and Texas.
What to Order
Loaded Fries, a Santorini Bowl, + Baklava
My Favorite Location
The Fenton Parkway location is near the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.
Pick Up Stix Fresh Asian Flavors
Pick Up Stix was started by a Chinese immigrant in Rancho Santa Margarita in 1989 and now boasts more than 50 locations throughout California.
What to Order
The House Special Chicken + Cream Cheese Wontons
My Favorite Location
The Carlsbad location is right on the water and near LEGOLAND.
Robeks
Robeks was founded in 1996 in SoCal with a mission to serve customers all their vitamins in one serving through smoothies, and now they've got 83 locations throughout the US.
What to Order
The Tropi-Kale or Hummingbird
My Favorite Location
The Bernardo Center Drive location isn’t far from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
The Taco Stand
The Taco Stand opened its first location in San Diego in 2013 and has had their fame spread to Miami, Las Vegas, and Orange County.
What to Order
Anything with their 100% Angus Beef Carne Asada Taco
My Favorite Location
The Upas Street and B Street locations are right outside Balboa Park, where the San Diego Air & Space Museum and San Diego Zoo are.
Tender Greens
The first Tender Greens location opened in 2006 in Culver City and now operates 28 restaurants, each with their own executive chef.
What to Order
Anything with Steak (medium rare) + The Greens drink
My Favorite Location
The Historic Decatur Road location is right by the San Diego Airport for a quick meal before leaving town.
Table Service Dining
Filippi’s Pizza Grotta
*Information coming soon*
Dessert
Sprinkles Cupcakes
Sprinkles' first cupcake shop opened in Beverly Hills in 2005, and over two dozen locations later, they are known for their iconic Cupcake ATMs and have also expanded into the ice cream scene.
What to Order
A Red Velvet Cupcake or seasonal offering
My Favorite Location
The La Jolla locations are near the beach.
Hungry for more dining suggestions?
More Essential Eateries Guides
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Coffee
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters
Better Buzz began in 2002 and has taken over the San Diego coffee scene with their great beverages and fun environments.
What to Order
The Best Drink Ever® + an OG Acai Bowl
My Favorite Location
There are FOUR locations in Pacific Beach right near the ocean as well as SeaWorld.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
Dark Horse started serving the San Diego community in 2013 and now has locations in Orange County and Kauai.
What to Order
The Champ
My Favorite Location
The Chula Vista location is near the water.
Bakeries
Paris Baguette
Paris Baguette was founded by a South Korean family in 1988 with a mission to serve high quality pastries in a neighborhood environment. While they operate over 3,600 stores in South Korea, the US only has about 100 locations; you can find others on the East Coast, too.
What to Order
Literally anything, it's so good
My Favorite Location
The Mira Mesa Boulevard location is near Lake Miramar.
Fast-Casual Dining
Luna Grill
Luna Grill first opened in 2004 in San Diego with one purpose: to inspire good food choices. You can now find more than fifty of their Mediterranean kitchens throughout California and Texas.
What to Order
Loaded Fries, a Santorini Bowl, + Baklava
My Favorite Location
The Fenton Parkway location is near the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.
Pick Up Stix Fresh Asian Flavors
Pick Up Stix was started by a Chinese immigrant in Rancho Santa Margarita in 1989 and now boasts more than 50 locations throughout California.
What to Order
The House Special Chicken + Cream Cheese Wontons
My Favorite Location
The Carlsbad location is right on the water and near LEGOLAND.
Robeks
Robeks was founded in 1996 in SoCal with a mission to serve customers all their vitamins in one serving through smoothies, and now they've got 83 locations throughout the US.
What to Order
The Tropi-Kale or Hummingbird
My Favorite Location
The Bernardo Center Drive location isn’t far from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
The Taco Stand
The Taco Stand opened its first location in San Diego in 2013 and has had their fame spread to Miami, Las Vegas, and Orange County.
What to Order
Anything with their 100% Angus Beef Carne Asada Taco
My Favorite Location
The Upas Street and B Street locations are right outside Balboa Park, where the San Diego Air & Space Museum and San Diego Zoo are.
Tender Greens
The first Tender Greens location opened in 2006 in Culver City and now operates 28 restaurants, each with their own executive chef.
What to Order
Anything with Steak (medium rare) + The Greens drink
My Favorite Location
The Historic Decatur Road location is right by the San Diego Airport for a quick meal before leaving town.
Table Service Dining
Filippi’s Pizza Grotta
*Information coming soon*
Dessert
Sprinkles Cupcakes
Sprinkles' first cupcake shop opened in Beverly Hills in 2005, and over two dozen locations later, they are known for their iconic Cupcake ATMs and have also expanded into the ice cream scene.
What to Order
A Red Velvet Cupcake or seasonal offering
My Favorite Location
The La Jolla locations are near the beach.
Hungry for more dining suggestions?
More Essential Eateries Guides
Check out my other travel content, too!