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If you love Italian food but feel trapped in a pasta and pizza rut, Devine Pastabilities will serve up your old Italian favorites with a twist. The Point Loma eatery’s unique specialty, dubbed the “Torpasta,” consists of a hollowed-out Italian bread roll stuffed with a pasta dish such as Spaghetti Marinara or Fettuccine Alfredo. Pizza, salads, and classic Torpedo sandwiches are also on the menu. Devine Pastabilities features locally brewed beers on tap and offers happy hour specials from 5pm to 7pm, Monday thru Saturday.

Tucked away in the heart of Adams Avenue- the famous strip in the neighborhood of Normal Heights- you will find Tao. Offering healthy Vietnamese/Japanese cuisine with an extensive vegetarian selection, Chef Hung “Eric” Tao also features his homemade tofu and soy milk, which he makes fresh daily. His specialty is his Mango “Chicken” Rice: soy based mock “chicken” pieces sautéed with sweet, juicy mango, and the Tofu Rice Pot, tofu, and stir fry vegetables atop rice served in an iron rice pot. With such popular selections, this casual hotspot will satisfy vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

Terms like “chic throwback,” “upscale dive bar,” and “retro lounge” have all been used to describe Downtown San Diego’s latest dining dig, Analog Bar. Aligning itself with such local landmarks as Lamp Lighter and Nunu’s, Analog presents guests with a well-rounded dining experience of lively libations, vinyl tunes and karaoke classics, and charmingly comfort-cuisine bites. Two distinct dining spaces showcase different musical persuasions in the early evening hours, then converge each night for one powerhouse of a good time. Who said hamburgers and karaoke couldn’t be hot!

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 …

Redwing Bar and Grill offer some of the cheapest appetizers that include all the fancy additions and plenty of drinks. Every day brings something new for those who are willing to brave the craziness that the sports bar delivers. Monday’s are sports days, karaoke on Saturday, Thursdays are usually very low cost beer days, and Wednesday is sushi night with only the freshest Japanese cuisine. There’s always a special occasion going on at Redwing and everyone usually has a great time. Even if one is not that big of a drinker, it is still worth bringing a group of friends …

In the age of fast food, quality and price have become an oxymoron. So when it comes to pizza, you can pay more for quality service and ingredients or stay on budget and replace freshness with grease. Thankfully there's Surf Rider Pizza Cafe. Finally, a no-fuss pizza eatery where the recipes and toppings of a gourmet restaurant meet the laid back attitude of Ocean Beach. Combined with reasonable prices, Surf Rider Pizza has beach dwellers and visitors buzzing about their popular fresh baked pizzas, such as their house special Surf Rider Pizza with roasted garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, parmesan, …

Chicken lovers rejoice because Chick-A-Delli is here! Located just minutes from the I-15 and 163 Freeways on Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Chick-A-Delli has come up with almost every way to prepare chicken and put it on the menu. With dishes ranging from Chicken Parmesan, to Chicken Tenders, to a whole Roasted Chicken, this little eatery is bound to have something for every chicken lover. Chick-A-Delli uses quality, fresh chicken; never frozen. Not only is the chicken fresh, but so are all the accouterments, including sauces, bread crumbs, French fries, and lettuce. The owner, Joe, is as friendly as the food is …

No shirt, no shoes, no problem! Recognized by CNN as one of the US’s top 5 burger joints, Hodad’s burgers are known by fans as the best in the west. Opened in 1969 in the laid-back Ocean Beach district of San Diego, Hodad’s has now expanded into a burger empire by serving their own signature but simple baskets of burgers, fries, onion rings and milk shakes. Their uncompromising commitment to quality and service has elevated this burger joint into the top spots. Located right off the beach near the infamous Ocean Beach Pier, Hodad’s is a fast food paradise within …

Heaven Sent Desserts in San Diego’s North Park district is legitimately a slice of heaven right here in California. It’s fresh in house made desserts are imaginative and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening for two, a group celebration, or just feel like curling up on one of their plush couches with a book, a slice of chocolate decadence or a fruity tart and some coffee, you are in store for a fabulous time. The staff is friendly and welcoming, as is the ambiance. Heaven Sent also caters and loves enhancing any celebration you may be having …

After the hustle and bustle of a busy week, The Fish Bucket offers reprieve from a stressful day. Tucked away in a Tierrasanta shopping area, The Fish Bucket is a quiet little eatery where locals come into relax and have some great food. With a nautical and vintage décor, customers are taken back to an older era of ocean blue and sailor-white elements reminiscent of sandy days out on the beach. Also a part of the oldies-but-goodies theme, 50’s music can be heard in the background as guests converse with friends and colleagues over some great American seafood. Outdoor seating …

Edamami Japanese fusion sushi offers fresh sushi that is beautifully presented and delightful to eat. The sushi chefs at Eda-Mami make their sushi rolls from an inspired and creative perspective adding unique ingredients and offering innovative specialty rolls. Their Ninja Roll combines spicy tuna, crab, cheese, avocado, and jalapeño whose outside is then deep fried to provide a flavorful surprise with every bite. The buttery texture and clean flavor of the fish adds tastiness to any sushi roll. Love sushi but want to mix it up? Try a range of classic Japanese entrees including a chicken teriyaki bento box or …

A bustling lunch crowd advertises the popularity of Niban Japanese Restaurant in Kearny Mesa and an outdoor patio makes it an enticing opportunity to get outside for a lunch break. It’s not uncommon to see a line out the door , and the friendly and attentive staff consistently delivers food quickly to the table, no matter the size of the crowd. Menu items are reasonably priced and along with weekly changing specialty rolls like the Spicy Scallop Roll, which are available for $5. All food is freshly prepared and curries, noodle dishes, bento boxes, as well as teriyaki bowls, round …

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 …

Discreetly situated in the business sector of Kearny Mesa is Bud’s Louisiana Café, a tried and tested destination for authentic Southern cuisine. This neighborhood eatery is bustling throughout the day with businesspeople and other local loyalists who make a point to savor Bud’s many Creole offerings. The Bud’s façade is almost indistinguishable from adjacent businesses; once inside, diners are welcomed by genuine Louisiana congeniality. The dining room is intimate, but not crowded, and well lit with natural sunlight streaming in from a wall’s length of large windows. Classic Creole specialties include dishes like the Cajun Jambalaya, the Pulled Pork Po …

The Studio Diner is a true local’s paradise; conveniently located in the Kearney Mesa Business District, this deliciously nostalgic eatery serves up heaping helpings of classic American fare with a gourmet twist 24-hours-a-day. Clad in chrome and gleaming with 1940s charm, film-making equipment graces the dining area and celebrates the restaurant’s ongoing relationship with television. The only thing that can steal the spotlight from the Diner’s cool décor is its impressively lengthy and satisfying menu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be savored any time – from omelets to East Coast classics, the Diner aims to please. Menu favorites include the …

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 …

In search of a healthy eatery and marketplace that has it all and caters? Check out To the Point for breakfast, brunch, lunch or happy hour and enjoy. To the Point’s philosophy is rooted in healthy choices, and their food certainly demonstrates this ideal. The café provides taste bud tantalizing fresh sandwiches, specialty salads, homemade breads and pastries, coffee, and more that you can eat in house or have delivered. To the Point makes it a point to provide fresh, healthy, and delicious food to their customers and serves such variety even the pickiest of palates will find something they’re …

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 …

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.

Whimsically whisking guests off to a sweet oasis of tasty times is Babycakes, in Hillcrest. This chic uptown eatery is located in a handsome craftsman-style home characteristic of the neighborhood’s charming architecture, and boasts a large front and back patio. Inside, visitors enjoy a home-away-from-home vibe complemented by antiques, cozy couches, the brick fireplace, and open-beamed ceilings. Sweet dreams meet saccharine-scented fantasies with Babycakes’ luscious dessert cocktails, cupcakes, pastries, and savory delights. Celebrate the weekend with a Babycakes brunch (the Red Velvet Hot Cakes are a hit) or meet up with friends for a proper Monday night nightcap: pair the …