San Diego’s dining landscape continues to flourish, offering residents and visitors an array of new establishments alongside beloved classics. Here’s a look at some notable additions and enduring favorites in the city’s culinary scene.
New Restaurant Openings
Bacari – North Park
Bacari, a Venetian-inspired wine bar and restaurant, has made its San Diego debut in North Park. Known for its Mediterranean small plates and extensive wine selection, Bacari offers a cozy ambiance perfect for intimate gatherings. The menu features standout dishes like Moroccan Cigars—a fusion of lamb, chicken, roasted nuts, and honey glaze—paired with toum crema. The restaurant also offers a 90-minute open bar option featuring beer, wine, mimosas, and sangria for $32. Plans are underway to expand to Carlsbad Village by summer or fall, with potential future locations in Encinitas or Little Italy.
Chick and Hawk – Encinitas
After nearly five years of anticipation, Chick and Hawk has officially opened in Encinitas. Co-founded by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and chef Andrew Bachelier, the restaurant delivers a “fast-fine” dining concept, offering high-end food in a relaxed atmosphere inspired by 1990s surf and skate culture. The standout item on the menu, “The Birdman”—a spicy fried chicken sandwich priced at $18—is known for its flavor and spice levels, which are uniquely themed after skateboarding tricks. The concise menu also features a fresh fish sandwich, beer, curated cocktails, a Champagne list, and caviar service. Located at 145 Leucadia Blvd, Chick and Hawk is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., extending to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Beloved Local Favorites
Las Cuatro Milpas – Barrio Logan
Las Cuatro Milpas, a cherished family-run Mexican restaurant in San Diego’s Barrio Logan, has reopened in a new location after closing in December. A neighborhood staple for nearly a century, the restaurant now operates from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mercado del Barrio development on National Avenue, close to its original home. Nadia Estudillo, a descendant of the founders, emphasized the importance of continuing her great-grandparents’ legacy. To preserve its rich history, the restaurant is collecting community memories, including photos and stories, to use as decor in its new space. The reopening comes after the business overcame significant challenges, including tax debt and health code violations. Amid a broader trend of restaurant closures in San Diego due to inflation and rising costs, the return of Las Cuatro Milpas stands out as a moment of celebration for the community.
Mike’s Red Tacos – Multiple Locations
Mike’s Red Tacos, originally a San Diego food truck, is experiencing massive national growth fueled by the soaring popularity of birria tacos. The business opened its third San Diego location and has ambitious plans to launch over 200 franchises across the U.S., with expansion reaching from California to New England and Florida. Specializing in beef birria tacos, the chain gained fame after being featured on Yelp’s Top 100 list in 2023 and continues to leverage birria’s popularity as a viral social media food trend. The tacos are made with slow-cooked beef, crispy chile oil-soaked tortillas, melty cheese, cilantro, and onion, served with a side of rich consomé for dipping. Restaurant veterans Vincent Montanelli and Bill Phelps are helping to lead the franchise’s rapid expansion. The latest location in Mira Mesa operates daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with extended hours until midnight on weekends.
Food Truck Highlights
San Diego’s food truck scene continues to thrive, offering diverse culinary options across the city. The Food Truck Association of San Diego represents over 100 local food trucks, carts, and trailers, providing a wide range of cuisines and flavors to choose from. From traditional Mexican street tacos to gourmet sandwiches, Asian, Spanish-Latin, and Greek food, including vegan and gluten-free options, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Food trucks in San Diego are known for their delicious and unique dishes, made with fresh and high-quality ingredients. The San Diego food trucks in Food Smackdown’s exclusive network specialize in a variety of cuisines that represent the diversity of the city, including traditional Mexican, baja fish tacos, paella, BBQ, farm-to-truck options, traditional Italian dishes, Korean, gourmet dessert such as funnel cakes, handmade ice cream and many gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan options and so much more.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or a visitor, San Diego’s dynamic food scene offers an ever-evolving array of dining experiences to explore and enjoy.