Restaurants, Breweries and Nightlife
Union Kitchen and Tap opened its third location in the heart of Pacific Beach in April. Menu highlights include Shrimp & Grits, Union Gumbo, Watermelon Salad, Prime Steaks, and decadent desserts. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays with bottomless mimosas. The beverage program features draft beers, wines, and craft cocktails like Purple Haze and California Soul.
This spring, Postino, the all-day restaurant and wine-café known for its cult-like following, is doubling down in San Diego, debuting two flagship locations, in Little Italy and Del Mar’s One Paseo urban village. The wine-cafés will serve an ever-changing selection of boutique wines and a decked-out menu of bruschetta, paninis, salads and a lineup of crave-worthy charcuterie boards and shareables will be served daily, for lunch and dinner, plus brunch on weekends.
In June, Chef Drew Deckman, owner of Deckman’s en el Mogor in Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe, will debut his family’s very first U.S. restaurant in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood called 31THIRTYONE. At 31THIRTYONE, Deckman's earth-to-table mission will be centered on preserving the watershed of Southern California and northern Baja while creating an inspiring restaurant that redefines the future of sustainable dining. The cause-based concept will fund regenerative farming projects—pledging 1% of monthly revenue to help farmers implement carbon farming projects through various grants—and the restaurant will advocate for sustainability at every level of operation.
Expanding from Moniker Group’s flagship in Liberty Station, Moniker General Outpost in North Park opening early summer, will combine Moniker Coffee Co. and Shop Moniker. It will offer a curated selection of apparel, personal care items, and home goods. Guests can enjoy pour-overs alongside shopping, creating a community-centric experience where coffee complements fashion and cold brews pair with home decor.
Following the success of its first expansion, The Cottage will open its third San Diego location in June at Del Mar Plaza, adding to the center's dining options. Emphasizing coastal charm like its La Jolla and Encinitas counterparts, the Del Mar spot will feature SoCal cuisine and brunch staples for both locals and tourists.
Award-winning chef Phillip Esteban is adding to his growing list of fast-casual restaurant concepts with the opening of the long-awaited Wildflour in Liberty Station in June. Influenced by minimalist bakeries, hustling and bustling deli services from around the world, and integrating a mix of Southern California vibes, Wildflour will offer an all-day menu for a casual sit-down or takeout experience. From its namesake in the Philippines, the restaurant will focus on local ingredients, seafood and provisions.
Spill the Beans will open its fourth location in Ocean Beach at the end of June. Like the other locations, Ocean Beach will offer a handful of hearty breakfast sandwiches, including the popular “San Dieggo” made with two over-medium fried eggs, peppered bacon, American and pepper jack cheese, and cayenne aioli. It will also serve Chia Berry Bowls and loaded oatmeal. Spill the Beans serves coffee classics like the Americano, Cortado, drip coffee, and flavored lattes.
Panthera, a brand-new speakeasy, is opening above El Sueño, the vibrant jungle-themed Mexican restaurant and cocktail lounge in Old Town. The restaurant and cocktail lounge will boast an entirely unique sushi and sashimi-forward food menu that will change daily, in order to source the freshest ingredients possible. The specialty cocktail menu will feature eight cocktail options along with a custom “Three Cocktail Tasting Experience” option which will be tailored to the guest’s preferences of flavors and spirits.
Opening in Summer 2024, Cellar Hand is the latest project from the creators of Pali Wine Co. It's their first full-service restaurant located in Hillcrest. The menu offers farm-to-table dining with a Mediterranean twist, featuring dishes made with fresh ingredients sourced from the nearby Hillcrest Farmers Market. The wine selection includes options from Pali Wine Co. and other producers, emphasizing tradition, terroir, and sustainability. Designed by San Diego-based firm Tecscape Design, the restaurant seats 63 indoors and 64 on the outdoor patio.
Opening in late summer 2024, Roma Norte is a new cocktail bar concept adjacent to Puesto at the Headquarters. Led by Vice President of Bar and Spirits, Beau du Bois, the bar offers a curated selection of 10-12 immersive cocktails inspired by Mexico City's Roma Norte district. Guests can expect unique flavor combinations and herbal fusions paired with small plates and late-night bites by Chef Erik Aronow.
Merenda, a Southern European-inspired wine bar and bottle shop, is set to open in Oceanside in mid-2024. The wine bar will sell and serve a selection of international wines sourced from sustainable, low-intervention wineries. The restaurant will also have a wine club, tasting events and wine education classes. An artisanal charcuterie program with imported salumi and cheeses will complement an array of delectable Southern European-style small plates.
