Quiet Conversation Restaurants

Directly across the street from Petco Park, The Dragon’s Den is the East Village’s answer to reasonably priced, quality Asian cuisine and sushi. Relax on The Dragon’s Den patio in any of their comfy upholstered chairs as you enjoy the outdoor fire pit and prime views of the ballpark. Inside, a warm color palette of earth tones provides a sophisticated backdrop for original design pieces to shine. The restaurant’s stand-alone raw bar features a number of traditional Japanese sushi favorites, while the full service drink bar showcases original cocktails, craft beers, and fine sakes. Their weekday happy hour specials are …

Kitchen 4140 owner Chef Kurt Metzger is a trail blazer in San Diego’s organic dining scene, purchasing products from local farms and using ingredients from his onsite garden. He uses this plentiful bounty to provide diners with a fusion of Italian, Mexican, and French cuisine. Taste these truly fresh ingredients in signature dishes such as Steak Hash with wild mushrooms, red onion, fire roasted peppers, two poached eggs, chive-chervil crème fraiche or the Kitchen Pasta-- linguini with tomatoes from the garden, basil garlic and shrimp. Dine here for a satisfying meal made with good old fashioned TLC-- tender love and …

Ikiru Japanese Restaurant is tucked into the historic Liberty Station in Point Loma, offering quality sushi and Japanese fare in a casual and quiet setting. Just beyond the sometimes chaotic scene of San Diego’s beach communities, Ikiru is a choice destination for both creative and more traditional sushi rolls, along with authentic seafood and meat dishes. Ikiru’s enticing lunch specials are always reason enough to stop in, and their full bar featuring a palate-warming variety of sake Japanese beers can turn a meal into an experience.

Comfortably situated right in the middle of Old Town in a converted wooden house, 25 Forty Bistro and Bakehouse offers an intimate, relaxing atmosphere for friends and couples alike. Chef Mark Peliccia of New York opened the restaurant with the intent to use fresh, seasonal produce to create innovative dishes inspired by the various cooking traditions he studied abroad. He is exceptionally passionate about pastries and desserts, which are offered throughout the day, including the Vanilla Custard Crepe and Warm Chocolate Cake. Boasting an indoor dining room and an outdoor patio for warmer evenings, the restaurant has a modern vibe …

Hunting for a “little piece of Europe by the sea”, then look no further than Del Mar’s cozy restaurant wine bar, Crepes & Corks. Located along Camino Del Mar, this bistro stays open from early morning to night. The ambiance is that of romance and simplicity and be detected throughout their food and customer service. Crepes & Corks offers an extensive list of delightfully full bodied, smooth, and buttery wines. They also have dessert wines and beers and offer wine tastings! Crepes & Corks provides patrons with a little taste of Europe in the heart of this coastal town and …

Located on University Avenue, in North Park, this quaint coffee shop remains a favorite among locals for coffee, pastries, and just a place to curl up with a good book. Claire De Lune opens early and closes late daily. They also serve up some of the most creative and tasty coffee drinks in San Diego. Established in 1997, Claire De Lune caters to the college age crowd and hosts live musical acts quite often. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing night in a comfy chair, a casual coffee date, or your morning cup of joe, Claire De Lune is …

With a seemingly endless abundance of ethnic foods fairly represented throughout the county, Greek cuisine does not seem to draw a huge number of restaurateurs to San Diego. It just takes a little looking, though. Unassuming inside and out, the food at Olympic Café speaks for itself, as shown by the “Best Greek Restaurant in San Diego” award City Beat gave the café in 2004, and the number of repeat customers that regularly dine here. With the laid-back atmosphere reminiscent of an old diner and friendly staff, customers are made to feel right at home. The family-owned café was established …

Gluten-free, egg-free, or dairy-free? No problem! At Stephanie’s Bakery, Ocean Beach’s healthy baking epicenter, hungry guests can find a large assortment of cakes, pastries, cookies, and much more. Whether you have a food allergy, a dietary restriction, or are craving something new, Stephanie’s offers treats made fresh from scratch using only local and organic ingredients. Started as a cake company, Stephanie’s has expanded their menu, and now features new and unique items such as Spinach Herb and Cherry Cream Cheese Strudels, plus vegan sandwiches, salads and pizzas. They even make special wedding cakes! Enjoy a hot sandwich on their outside …

For a fresh take on authentic Mexican Food, Rancho’s features healthier alternatives with options for meat eaters, vegetarians, vegans, and those with food allergies. Located just a few blocks up from Ocean Beach, Rancho’s is a Mexican Natural Foods restaurant where any diet restriction can be met with ease. With meals priced between $4-$12, Rancho’s has something for everybody—including flavorful, large portioned dishes like Enchiladas Verdes and Seafood Chile Relleno. Any dish can be substituted for a vegan-friendly option, meaning everyone has a chance to indulge. They even serve breakfast all day, and patrons love their Shrimp and Mushroom Omelet …

Always seem to be in a time crunch when it comes to preparing and eating a meal? Let Brio, a Personal Chef Service LLC, help you out! Kyle Marie Wesendorf, the owner and professionally trained chef of Brio, has an exceptional passion for nurturing people through food. Chef Wesendorf is a graduate of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts and specializes in everyday gourmet as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes. Her menu spans a wide variety of culinary traditions and cuisines and her service is founded on professionalism, kindness, freshness, and creativity. Her company even offers gift certificates and …

Nestled just one block south of University Avenue in Hillcrest is Crest Café, a haven of fresh and organic American cuisine with a southwestern twist. While it may seem like a surfside diner plucked from the past, the food here is far superior to most cafes or diners you’re liable to find. Along with the food, the bright and fun décor and extremely friendly servers have given the restaurant an extremely loyal and diverse group of regulars that just can’t get enough. Crest Café is open until midnight every day and serves an all-day breakfast menu, so diners can enjoy …

As the latest incarnation of the Cohn Restaurant Group’s business prowess and eye for culinary excellence, BO-beau Kitchen is a French retreat ready to be discovered by all. This strikingly elegant yet refreshingly casual Ocean Beach neighborhood bistro serves up a lavish array of classic French dishes. 100 Wines' Executive Chef masterfully strikes that oh-so tasty balance between sophisticated and approachable cuisine by marrying decadent ingredients with rustic familiarity; specialties like the Moules au Roquefort (mussels in cream and bleu cheese crumbles) and the Chicken Fricasse take guests on a French holiday for the palate. This is a definite must …

Tucked away in the back corner of one of Convoy’s many Korean restaurant filled plazas, is Nozomi, a quaint Japanese sushi, noodles, and teriyaki eatery. Nozomi’s menu showcases an almost overwhelming variety of fresh sushi, specialty rolls, bento boxes, combo plates, and hot pots. Their specials change daily and they even offer an “all you can eat” deal. Nozomi rolls arrive in style on huge plates in a flower like or animal shaped presentations that come decorated with various sauces and an orchid. Dishes are colorful and fresh and portion sizes are generous and can easily be shared. The décor …

The Incredible Cheesecake Company combines old methods with excellent quality ingredients to bring some of the best cakes that taste heavenly and also look appealing. Aside from the usual classics such as fudge brownie and cookies n’ cream there are other unique creations that aren’t offered anywhere else. These specialty cakes are not difficult for the chefs to create and they usually have the cake done in 3 hours! In the meantime, patrons can enjoy the espresso bar that features many caffeinated sweets to keep the anticipation high until the cheesecake is ready. They’re also extremely popular with weddings due …

Amidst a sea of Italian restaurants, Asti Ristorante in San Diego’s Gaslamp District is one that should not be overlooked. Specializing in Northern Italian cuisine, Asti does not disappoint. Whether you stop in for lunch or for dinner, Asti’s extensive selection of hand-made pastas, fresh seafood or traditional chicken, beef or veal entrees are sure to please even the pickiest diners. The restaurant offers outdoor seating overlooking the Gaslamp’s bustling 5th Avenue, as well as indoor dining in the restaurant’s meticulously decorated dining room. Asti Ristorante is one of the few restaurants in downtown San Diego that can please both …

Honey’s Bistro and Bakery is surely one of San Diego’s hidden treasures. The restaurant, noted only by its burgundy red onning and forest green umbrellas sits nestled between some of Encinitas’ most eclectic boutiques on Highway 101. The café is open from 5:30am until 3:00pm daily and provides an outrageous menu of mouthwatering selections including everything from a mug of their fresh coffee and an in house baked scone, to their signature soups, salads, omelets, and other various breakfast and lunch entrees. Honey’s offers something delectable for all customers and is a delightful place to bring “out of towners”. The …