Gaslamp Quarter / Downtown
As in most big cities, head downtown for the best dining and nightlife options. San Diego’s famed Gaslamp Quarter is bustling with fun options for a dinner and drinks on the town.
*indicates places with more than one location in SD. Check out our Ultimate San Diego Restaurant Guide for the best eats in every neighborhood.
Andaz – Head to the rooftop of this hotel for fabulous views of the city. Grab a mojito and sit by one of their oversized fire pits or relax in a daybed poolside.The Andaz is great for holiday weekends when they usually have parties or special events.
Vin de Syrah – Syrah is our favorite bar in San Diego. It is a classy take on an Alice in Wonderland theme complete with a secret entrance. The wine is the quality of a high end pretentious spot, but the DJ and crowd are anything but! Reserve a weekend wine tasting for an amazing experience which includes very generous tastings and delectable food pairings.
Rustic Root – Another great downtown rooftop, Rustic Root has fun cocktails and tasty food right in the heart of Gaslamp.
Shout House – Shout House is such a fun dueling piano bar! It is very interactive with the crowd and always a good time. Tip a little extra to have your favorite song played.
Omnia – A sister to the Vegas club, Omnia is San Diego’s best nightclub. Dress to impress as top DJs spin until the wee hours of the morning.
Ciro’s – Gaslamp’s best late night pizza spot. Grab a slice to-go before ubering home.
Bang Bang – This sushi bar / night club hybrid has more of a boutique feel than Omnia. But what they are most known for is their Ryan Gosling themed ladies room.
Sushi Deli 2* – One of our favorite restaurants in SD. We have eaten here so many times that my picture used to be on the wall, seriously. The rolls are cheap and it is more of a pre-game to a night out than a dining destination. Sushi Deli has delicious food in a fun atmosphere and is a must-do when in town.
Head over to Gaslamp’s neighboring East Village for some more fun spots. We recommend cocktails at Noble Experiment, which is a true speakeasy located inside Neighborhood. For something more casual grab a slice of pizza at Basic after catching a Padre’s game at Petco Park.
For more information on Southern California, grab this Lonely Planet guide book.
Happy eating,
-Ray
