The HOTTEST San Diego Restaurants - June 2024

Author

Nenad Sapungin
June 25, 2024

Summer 2024 is officially here… Now, LET’S EAT!!

HomeState - Oceanside, CA

HomeState -  This LA-based sensation specializes in classic Texas-style breakfast tacos based on homemade flour tortillas and pastured eggs. Besides its bestselling tacos, HomeState is also getting high marks for its creamy queso dip and refreshing house cocktails like frozen spicy Palomas and tequila highballs.

510 Vista Way Suite 100, Oceanside, CA 92054

Ramen Nagi - UTC, La Jolla

Ramen Nagi - Does San Diego need another ramen shop? Apparently yes, judging from the ever-present line outside this ramen-ya at Westfield UTC. Though Ramen Nagi is famous in Tokyo for its niboshi (dried fish) ramen, its stateside restaurants specialize in pork-based tonkotsu, with other broth options ranging from spicy miso to squid ink or pesto. Customers are also able to select the thickness and firmness of their noodles, as well as a preferred level of garlic or oil for their bowls Don’t miss the lacy-edged gyoza, too.

The Whaling Bar - La Jolla, CA

The Whaling Bar - Though the return of the Whaling Bar to the La Valencia Hotel is a departure from its charmingly retro origins, the new version — operated by SDCM Restaurant Group (Waverly, the Grass Skirt) — is an appealing glamourous boost to La Jolla’s nightlife scene. The menu from Brian Redzikowski includes favorites like Kettner Exchange’s duck meatballs and the chef’s signature bao along with playful dishes such as a Caesar salad with parmesan-filled “Twinkie” croutons and a picture-perfect “hamburger” made from cake and ice cream. Cocktails from beverage director Eric Johnson are fittingly luxe for the setting, including the Parm to Glass which features parmesan fat-washed vodka, fino sherry, housemade dry vermouth, and olive brine.

1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

Quixote - San Diego, CA

Quixote - In a dark and moody church-like space within the newly-resurrected Lafayette Hotel, Quixote applies a modern outlook to Oaxacan cuisine with a compelling menu that includes tetela —triangle-shaped masa pockets filled with duck confit — grilled octopus with mole pipian, crab corn doughnuts with burnt chile emulsion, and Oaxacan cheese fondue. Overseeing the open-hearth kitchen is chef José Cepeda, who cooked at contemporary Mexican spots like Mirame in Beverly Hills.

2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104

Elvira - San Diego, CA

Elvira - The newest venture for the team behind Italian charmer Cesarina, this chic and casual Ocean Beach restaurant revolves around the food culture of Rome, with tables sharing carafes of wine and special dishes of the day, including the standout, only-available-on-Saturdays trippa alla romana. The menu extends to some of the city’s best-known classics, from cacio e pepe and pasta carbonara to a version of Roman-style pizza.

4996 W Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92017