Top 20 in San Diego, CA by local votes

The best independent restaurants, bars, cafes and shops in San Diego, California, ranked by local votes. No chains or franchises.

1. Kansas City Barbeque — Harbor-district barbecue restaurant and bar on West Harbor Drive, known as a filming location for the 1986 film Top Gun.
2. The Waterfront Bar & Grill — Little Italy bar on Kettner Boulevard, San Diego's oldest, open daily since 1933.
3. Mona Lisa Italian Foods — Family-owned Italian restaurant and deli on India Street in Little Italy with Italian-American dishes and deli…
4. Ironside Fish & Oyster — Oyster bar on India Street in Little Italy.
5. Mister A's — Bankers Hill fine-dining restaurant on the 12th floor on 5th Avenue, open since 1965, with floor-to-ceiling skyline…
6. Sushi Ota — Sushi restaurant on Mission Bay Drive in Pacific Beach.
7. Kono's Cafe — Breakfast and lunch spot on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach.
8. World Famous — Oceanfront Pacific Beach restaurant on Pacific Beach Drive serving seafood and steaks since 1970.
9. George's at the Cove — Chef-driven restaurant on Prospect Street in La Jolla.
10. Point Loma Seafoods — Seafood market and counter on Emerson Street in Point Loma.
11. South Beach Bar & Grille — Ocean Beach bar and grill on Newport Avenue serving mahi fish tacos since 1992, with 22 tequilas and over 40 local…
12. Wonderland Ocean Pub — Oceanfront bar and restaurant on Santa Monica Avenue in Ocean Beach with coastal food, craft cocktails and sunset views.
13. Azucar — Cuban-style patisserie on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, combining classical French pastry with Cuban flavors.
14. Polite Provisions — Cocktail bar on 30th Street in Normal Heights.
15. Live Wire Bar — Neighborhood dive bar on El Cajon Boulevard in North Park.
16. False Idol — Tiki bar on West Beech Street in Little Italy.
17. Bread & Cie — Hillcrest bakery and café on University Avenue with European breads, French pastries and a patio.
18. Gossip Grill — LGBTQ+ bar and restaurant on University Avenue in Hillcrest.
19. Shakespeare Pub & Grille — British pub on India Street in Mission Hills, established in 1990 and known for fish and chips.
20. El Indio — Mexican restaurant on India Street in Mission Hills, founded as a tortilla factory in 1940.

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