20 Amazing Restaurant Recommendations to Try in Downtown San Diego

Traveling to San Diego for a conference at the convention center? Here are my recommendations on where to eat while you’re here.

But first, a little orientation on where it’s located. The Convention Center sits in southern downtown San Diego. Easily accessible from the San Diego airport, it’s a short 3.5-mile or ~15-minute drive and sits between Gaslamp Quarter and San Diego Bay. Also accessible by public transit, the trolley stops directly out front.

An underground parking garage is located below the building. The Port of San Diego owns the lot, and ACE Parking manages it. So yes, they can and will increase prices whenever they can. You can check the estimated monthly prices on thier website. If I need to drive and park there, I use SpotHero to find more affordable alternatives.

Where to eat near the San Diego Convention Center

The convention center is within a short walk of the Gaslamp Quarter and lots of amazing restaurants.

If you’re looking for a coffee or pastry:

Izola is known for thier croissants and wild sourdough bakery. They bake all day, so pastries are always hot from the oven.
Hinar Dessert Bar & Café is aesthetically eye-catching, with delicious, beautiful desserts, coffee, and matcha.
ASA Bakery offers a Japanese kissaten experience with super tasty pastries and bread. The line can get a little long during rush times, so keep that in mind.
Spill the Beans has a few locations, one at Seaport Village and another in Gaslamp. This is a no-frills, easy grab-and-go coffee shop.
The Invigatorium is far from ordinary; you’ll never find another one with a dinosaur and Ronald McDonald in the same spot. After 3pm on weekends, you can also grab drinks here.

Check one of these before badge pickup or the conference itself.

For lunch or a casual bite:

Basic Bar & Pizza serves a very interesting mashed potato pizza if you’re feeling adventurous.
La Puerta is a great Mexican-style restaurant with an also great happy hour. Good for a group lunch or day drinking.
Tacos El Franc is one I highly recommend. It’s an authentic, family-run taqueria featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles and the Michelin Guide.
GARAGE Kitchen + Bar is a laid-back sports bar. You can find all your typical American food like burgers, ribs, and pizza, with, of course, plenty of TVs to catch whatever game is on.

For dinner

Rustic Root is a fun rooftop with some city views. It serves typical American food and is a great spot for larger groups.
The Nolen is another great rooftop spot. This one can get a little crowded, so go earlier if you’re grabbing food before drinks.
Punch Bowl Social is one of the further options on the list but still worth mentioning. It is a restaurant-and-arcade combo. Come for the games and get some food while you get those competitive juices pumping.

For drinks after:

Noble Experiment transports you into a moody speakeasy hidden within Neighborhood restaurant. You have to find the door. Reservations matter here; it fills up fast.
Young Blood is another speakeasy within Neighborhood. They truly take the experience to a whole new level. There is no menu, for a flat fee, you get 3 “courses”. To order drinks, you chat with the waiter about your taste preferences. It’s an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it, but you’ll need a reservation!

What are the best restaurants near the Convention Center?

Looking for something a little more upscale, maybe for a team dinner, or a little treat, here are some recommendations that are worth booking in advance.

Lumi is another rooftop recommendation. Fantastic sushi and Nikkei flavors, this place has it all: city views, tasty drinks, and cool little fire pits.

Huntress is located in the same building as Lumi. It’s a steakhouse featuring high-end cuts, fresh seafood, and Japanese whiskies according to thier website. I came here for an intimate holiday dinner and left without being disappointed. It was so good I’m still dreaming about it.

Callie is a Michelin-recognized Mediterranean restaurant by Chef Travis Swikard. I recently came here and need to go back without coworkers (if you know what I mean).

Lionfish is a few blocks from Petco Park and the Convention Center. So it’s a super central location if you head there right after your conference. It’s located inside the Pendry Hotel. Come here if you’re looking for an upscale choice for small plates, sushi, and coastal options.

Javier’s is on the list, as they’re opening a new location on the waterfront across the street from Seaport Village. This will be another great option once it’s open.

Animae is a little further out but worth a mention as it’s a premier Asian-fusion fine dining experience. The food is served family style, so it’s a great place to grab a few entrees to share. They have a delicious lychee martini, which I obviously had more than one.