San Diego American restaurants you'll love

Top American restaurants in San Diego, California

If you’re searching for “American food near me” in San Diego, you’re about to embark on a tasty journey. San Diego has a wide variety of locations for American cuisine such as casual burger joints, diners, and steakhouses. From home cooking to delicious upscale dining, there is no shortage of options when it comes to this beachside city.

The beautiful weather is great for takeout in San Diego paired with a stroll on the shores or a morning bike ride before grabbing a fresh-pressed juice. No matter the occasion, there is American fare to enjoy. Take the family out for a nice meal together or offer your employees pastries from the local bakery. Downtown San Diego has cheesesteaks, breakfast, hot dogs, and seafood to choose from.

When you’re through enjoying a delicious meal, head over to one of the many local breweries and taste the unique flavors of San Diego craft beer. Perfect for a beer crawl with friends or a relaxing weekend. If beer isn’t your type of beverage there are plenty of other options like whiskey bars, cideries, wineries, and cocktail bars. There is a lot to enjoy about San Diego, so search for your favorites and discover what’s in store.

Must-try American restaurants in San Diego

SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES • CHEESE

Grater Grilled Cheese

5618 Mission Center Rd #1002, San Diego

Avg 4.4 (3478 reviews)

Popular items
Tomato Soup	$2.99
Our made from scratch Tomato Basil Bisque
Pommes Frites Side	$3.50
Truffle Fries with Parmesan & Parsley. Served with our made from scratch Grater Ketchup.
Chicken Pesto Grilled Cheese	$10.99
Basic 5 Grilled Cheese with Grilled Chicken Breast, Tomatoes, Arugula & our Pesto Aioli

Flamingo Deck

4110 Mission Blvd, SAN DIEGO

No reviews yet

Popular items
Truffle Pasta	$21.00
Porcini Mushrooms, Truffle Butter, Soft Herbs, Creme Fraiche
Caesar Salad	$13.00
Anchovies, Little Gem, Sour Dough Croutons, Poached Eggs, Parmesan
Spicy Salami Pizza	$15.00
Calbrian Chili, Fontina, Thyme, Honey

HAMBURGERS

Draft

3105 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego

Avg 4.4 (764 reviews)

Popular items
Lobster Roll	$20.00
spicy lobster, yamagobo, tempura fried, spicy aioli, avocado, jalapeno, eel sauce
E-S&P Green Beans	$6.00
flour tortilla, cabbage, pico de gallo, lime cream
Chicken Tenders	$10.00
served with fries

SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS

The Menu Restaurant

3784 Ingraham St, San Diego

Avg 4.6 (504 reviews)

Popular items
Belgian Waffle	$7.50

1 Biscuit with Gravy	$2.50

Eggs - Additional	$2.30

Vin De Syrah

901 Fifth Avnue, San Diego

No reviews yet

Popular items
DATE NIGHT (Delivery July 31st ONLY)	$150.00
This package is the perfect treat for a night with friends or an intimate date night. This package includes a uniquely curated box that includes a white, rose, or red chosen by our resident sommelier, CLEO California botanicals body oil, artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh & dried fruit, honey & jam, macarons (gf), Raincoast oat crisps( gf), French baguette, and a glittered rose. Serves 2-3. Delivery in San Diego County on Friday July 31st from 4-8pm.*PLEASE NOTE YOUR ADDRESS FOR DELIVERY*
August 26th - Virtual Pinot & Petals 7pm	$105.00
A.H.R. Florals brings you a course in keepin' fresh & pretty. Learn the in's & out's of floral design and create your very own glorious arrangement. Class will include a fresh set of summer blooms and stylish vase you’ll want to refill over and over again. Enjoy the course while drinking a bottle of wine, hand picked by our in-house sommelier (choice of sparkling, white, rose, or red) & a charcuterie board. Free delivery up to 20 miles day of, between 11-2pm. Please note address for delivery or email vip@syrahwineparlor.com to schedule a pick-up.
Mad Hatter Box	$150.00
Specially curated assortment of six wines and charcuterie box. Includes artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh & dried fruit, honey & jam, macarons (gf), Raincoast oat crisps( gf), French baguette, and an assortment of additional accoutrements. Serves 4-6.

PIZZA • SALADS

The Shop

11967 Bernardo Plaza Dr., San Diego

Avg 4.6 (465 reviews)

Popular items
"margherita"
vine ripened tomatoes, fresh garlic, fresh basil, mozzarella
traditional crust
Design your own pizza! Each pizza comes with our house-made red sauce base, and heaps of mozzarella cheese. Add toppings to the whole pizza, or to each half! (our traditional crust is vegan; if you would like a vegan pizza please ADD vegan cheese and we will use that instead of the classic mozzarella).
deep dish "where’s the meat"
pepperoni, house-made beef meatballs, sausage, crispy bacon

HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES

O’Brien’s Pub

4646 Convoy St, San Diego

Avg 4.6 (626 reviews)

Popular items
Club Melt	$11.00

CheeseBurger	$12.00

Wings

SALADS • SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS

Common Stock

3805 Fifth Ave, San Diego

Avg 4.9 (1127 reviews)

Popular items
CRISPY SANDWICH	$14.00
CLASSIC \| crispy chicken breast, bacon, melted muenster cheese, and house made ranch coleslaw NASHVILLE STYLE \| Classic + Nashville Style Hot Sauce COMEBACK STYLE \| Nashville hot chicken breast, sharp white cheddar, pickles, ranch coleslaw, + comeback sauce
BURGER	$14.00

CUBANO	$13.00

TAPAS

Barrel & Board

1027 University Ave, San Diego

Avg 4 (38 reviews)

Popular items
Q.U.E.E.N. - Janelle Monae & Eryka Badu	$14.00
Empress Gin, Giffard Creme De Violette, cold-pressed organic lemon, topped with Prosecco
Grilled Vegan Vegetable Melange Board (1-2 People)	$23.00
Baby fennel, summer squash, butternut squash, purple onion, scallions, sweet peppers, eggplant, king oyster mushrooms, beech mushrooms, asparagus, basil infused olive oil, chopped fresh herbs, “smoked” roasted garlic, warm pita bread.
XMAS EVE Cheese & Charcuterie Board (1-2 People)	$32.00
XMAS EVE PREORDER pickup 12/24 noon- 4pm only Chefs choice of 3 artisan cheeses of the season and these fine domestic and imported charcuterie meats. Spanish Dry Chorizo, Calabrese Salami and Barolo Red Wine Salami. House Pickled Vegetables, Mediterranean Olives with House Made Preserved Lemon, Cornichons, Roasted Peppers. Soft Sliced Baguette and Crackers.

HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES

Maggie's Cafe

3232-D Greyling Dr, San Diego

Avg 4.6 (2772 reviews)

Popular items
Cobb Salad	$13.99
Egg, bacon, avocado, mixed cheese, crumble blue cheese, on a bed of romaine lettuce, with your choice of dresing
French Toast	$11.99
Two slices of bread dipped in egg batter, sprinkled with powdered sugar, served with two eggs and your choice of bacon or sausage links
French Dip	$13.50
Sliced prime rib, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, and swiss cheese on a ciabatta bread, with a side of horseradish spread and au jus

BBQ • SANDWICHES • GRILL • HAMBURGERS

Iron Pig Alehouse

1520 Garnet Ave, San Diego

Avg 4.5 (3459 reviews)

Popular items
SMOKED CHICKEN WINGS	$15.00
served with choice of BBQ-sauce, ranch or blue cheese (8 wings)
PULLED CHICKEN SAMMIE	$16.00
slaw \| toasted brioche bun \| served with hand-cut kennebec fries, smoked tomato aioli & housemade pickle spear
PULLED PORK PLATE	$18.00
dry rubbed \| smoked slow and low \| served with your choice of two sides and texas toast

SANDWICHES • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES

Woody's Breakfast And Burgers

4111 Ocean Blvd, San Diego

Avg 4.2 (2104 reviews)

Popular items
The Usual	$11.95
Scrambled eggs with bacon, red peppers, and onions.
Carne Asada Breakfast Burrito	$12.95
Scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese, rosemary potatoes, black beans, and juicy carne asada wrapped in a giant flour tortilla. Served with a side of salsa verde. Add avocado for only $1.50 more!
Benji Breakfast Burrito	$11.50
Scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese, rosemary potatoes, black beans, and your choice of sausage or bacon wrapped in a giant flour tortilla. Served with a side of salsa verde. Add avocado or do both bacon AND sausage for only $1.50 more!

SEAFOOD • GRILL • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES

Guava Beach Bar & Grill

3714 Mission Blvd., San Diego

Avg 4 (449 reviews)

Popular items
Carne Asada	$16.50
Marinated Tri Tip Steak • Green Leaf Lettuce • Fresh Pico • Queso Fresco
Grilled Mahi Mahi	$7.00
Cajun Seared Mahi Mahi • Napa Cabbage • Fresh Pico • Ensenada Sauce
Carne Asada	$6.75
Marinated Tri Tip Steak • Green Leaf Lettuce • Fresh Pico • Queso Fresco

Smoking Gun & Spill the Beans

555 Market Street, San Diego

No reviews yet

Popular items
Blondie Mocha	$4.20
White chocolate, brown sugar-macadamia syrup, espresso, milk
Mc Lovin'	$10.99
Your choice of bagel or bun, sausage, scrambled egg, american cheese, maple butter
Basic Sitch	$4.20
Caramel, vanilla, espresso, milk

SEAFOOD • SANDWICHES • FRENCH FRIES • STEAKS

Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar

902 W Washington St, San Diego

Avg 4.5 (1573 reviews)

Popular items
Pan Roasted Salmon	$25.00
skin-on pan grilled Atlantic salmon, cauliflower, rainbow carrots, brussels sprouts, lemon vinaigrette
Caesar Salad	$12.00
romaine & baby kale, caesar dressing, anchovy, parmesan, crostini
Harley Gray Burger	$15.00
Gold Canyon Angus, toasted brioche bun, frisee lettuce, tomato, onion, bleu cheese, garlic aioli, pomme frites

SANDWICHES • CHICKEN • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES • FISH AND CHIPS • BBQ • SALADS • CHICKEN WINGS • GRILL

Chicken Charlie's Table

12457 Rancho Bernardo Rd, San Diego

Avg 4.4 (672 reviews)

Popular items
Beet Salad	$14.75
Red and golden beets, avocado, feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, over mixed greens. Add grilled or crispy chicken $5
Chicken Tenders	$16.75
3 hand breaded crispy tenders served with house made ranch.
Maui Chicken	$18.75
Charlie’s signature pineapple bowl featuring pineapple chunks, white rice, and grilled teriyaki chicken.

Hidden Craft

600 WEST BROADWAY SUITE 130, SAN DIEGO

No reviews yet

Popular items
Honey Lemon Glazed Salmon Quinoa Bowl	$19.00
Honey lemon glazed salmon, organic quinoa, Brussels sprouts, carrots, red onions
Cali Craft Tacos Trio	$16.00
Braised Beef, Korean Chicken BBQ & Baja Shrimp
Salmon Nicoise Salad	$19.00
Mixed green, seared salmon, tomato, cucumbers, red onions, French pickles, egg, capers and vinaigrette dressing

Beach House

3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego

No reviews yet

Popular items
Ceviche	$14.00
A tasty mixture of shrimp, clamato, cucumber, & pico de gallo. Served with tortilla chips.
Tenders

Wings

SALADS • HAMBURGERS

Fernside

1946 Fern Street, San Diego

Avg 4.3 (473 reviews)

Popular items
Fried Chicken Sandwich	$15.00
Fried Chicken Breast. B&B Pickles. Grilled Jalapeno. Creamy Slaw. Lemon Aioli. Potato Bun.
Fernside Burger	$15.00
Two Smashed Patties. American Cheese. Fern Sauce. Shredded Lettuce. Fresh Onion. Pickle. Brioche bun.
Party Burgers (3)	$9.00
Meat. American Cheese. Pickle. Fern Sauce. Hawaiian Roll.

Terra American Bistro

7091 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego

No reviews yet

Popular items
Rigatoni Bolognese	$19.49
chicken fennel sausage, San Marzano tomato, garlic, basil, parmesan
Side Brussels Sprouts	$6.99
with balsamic syrup
New Year's Dinner Package	$39.99
Pumpkin Soup or Holiday Salad/ mixed greens, apples, dried cranberries, gorgonzola, maple-balsamic dressing gf choice of: Bouilliabasse with clams, mussels, fish, & rouille or Sirloin Steak & Lobster Risotto with roasted winter vegetables Passion Fruit Mousse with fresh berries

BBQ • CHICKEN • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES

Pioneer BBQ

8622 Lake Murray Blvd, San Diego

Avg 4.4 (1530 reviews)

Popular items
Best Mac & Cheese	$11.95
smoked gouda, white cheddar, swiss, parmesan, cheddar panko crust V Add Meat? +$4
Full Rack Spare Ribs	$33.95
GF* Served with choice of 2 sides, house pickles & Texas toast., Mac & cheese + $1.5
Half Rack Spare Ribs	$22.95
GF* Served with choice of 2 sides, house pickles & Texas toast., Mac & cheese + $1.5

SALADS • HAMBURGERS • FRENCH FRIES

Queenstown Public House

1557 Columbia St, San Diego

Avg 4.6 (403 reviews)

Popular items
PORTOBELLO FRY	$10.50
cornmeal breaded, rosemary dipping sauce
WAGYU SMASH	$20.00
Two Wagyu Smashed Beef Patties, American Cheese, Habanero Onions, Pickles, 1000 Island, Brioche
PORCH CAESAR	$21.00
romaine, croutons, parmesan, fried anchovy dust, capers choice of: flank steak, shrimp, ahi, chicken breast, or salmon

GRILL • FRENCH FRIES

Urban MO's Bar & Grill

308 University Ave, San Diego

Avg 4.3 (3242 reviews)

Popular items
WESTERN BURGER	$14.25
Cheddar, Jack, Bacon, Beer Battered Onion Rings, Lettuce, Tomato, BBQ Sauce. Served on your choice of bun.
CHICKEN STRIPS (5)	$13.75
5 perfectly fried crispy all white meat chicken strips. Served with celery sticks and your choice of dipping sauces.
RANCH WRAP	$14.95
Crispy or Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Cheddar, Jack, Tomato, Romaine, Ranch. Tortilla

Cutwater Spirits Tasting Room & Kitchen

9750 Distribution Ave, San Diego

Avg 4.6 (230 reviews)

Popular items
Whiskey Smash Burger	$15.99
Whiskey glazed onions, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle chips, and burger spread. Served with your choice of fries or a salad.
Chile Verde Loaded Fries	$13.00
Braised pork, chile verde sauce, queso chihuahua, cilantro
Pepperoni Flatbread	$12.00
Pomodoro sauce, mozzarella, and pepperonis

SANDWICHES • HOT DOGS • FRENCH FRIES

Mastiff Kitchen

3038 University Ave, San Diego

Avg 4.3 (222 reviews)

Popular items
Double Smash Burger	$13.95
two smashed patties, American cheese, butter-braised onions, lettuce, tomato, garlic aioli. Served w/ fries or side salad.
Pork Nugs	$11.95
crispy pork belly, gochujang glaze, sesame seeds, toasted peanuts (gf)
Loaded Nachos	$13.95
beer cheese sauce, charred scallion crema, guacamole, pico de gallo, cilantro choice of house al pastor sausage or marinated chicken

The Smoking Goat

3408 30th Street, San Diego

No reviews yet

Popular items
Wild Mushroom Linguine	$25.00
Shiitake, beach & oyster mushrooms, fresh linguine, roasted garlic, shaved truffle cheese
Goat Cheese Cheesecake	$12.00
poached fruit, whip, mint
Scottish Salmon	$30.00
lemon herbed couscous, green bean almondine, dill butter

BBQ • HAMBURGERS

Corbin's Q

6548 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego

Avg 4.2 (1984 reviews)

Popular items
Dozen Chicken Wings	$14.00
One dozen smoked chicken wings
Half Rack Ribs	$18.00
6 Pork Ribs with your choice of sauce
CQ Sampler	$17.00
A sampler platter with tri tip, sausage, pulled pork, chicken wings, & two slices of garlic bread

Sandbar Sports Bar and Grill

718 Ventura Place, San Diego

No reviews yet

Popular items
FISH N' CHIPS	$16.00
HOUSE-CRAFTED TARTAR SAUCE, COCKTAIL SAUCE, SHOESTRING FRIES
TWO TACO PLATE	$15.00
ANY 2 TACOS, CHIPS, HOUSE MADE BEANS, AND GUACAMOLE
MISSION NACHOS	$14.00
MIXED CHEESE, BEANS, SALSA FRESCA, SOYRIZO-QUESO DIP, SOUR CREAM, JALAPENOS, GUACAMOLE

San Diego Sliders Company

909 grand ave suite 1, san diego

No reviews yet

Popular items
Buffalo Fries
Crispy fries, breaded fried chicken pieces covered in buffalo sauce, ranch dressing drizzled atop
Spicy Philly Steak
Thinly sliced ribeye, Provolone cheese, sauteed onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, jalapenos, with mayo.
Sweet Potato Fries

HAMBURGERS

MishMash

1805 Newton Ave, San Diego

Avg 4.6 (866 reviews)

Popular items
Pollo a la Plancha	$10.00
Chicken marinated with harissa paste, lemon & garlic. Covered with mozzarella, topped with spring mix & tomato. Served on Sadie Rose bun with cilantro pesto. *Contains nuts
MishMash Burger	$10.75
All natural beef patty with mozzarella & crunchy onions. Served on a gourmet bun smothered in garlic aioli (try it stuffed with goat cheese $1).
EVERYDAY BURGER SPECIAL	$10.99
EVERYDAY BURGER SPECIAL 1/3lb MishMash burger served with house fries & lemonade for $10.99 *No Substitutions

San Diego American restaurants you'll love

Top American restaurants in San Diego, California

Must-try American restaurants in San Diego

Grater Grilled Cheese

Avg 4.4 (3478 reviews)

Flamingo Deck

No reviews yet

Draft

Avg 4.4 (764 reviews)

The Menu Restaurant

Avg 4.6 (504 reviews)

Vin De Syrah

No reviews yet

The Shop

Avg 4.6 (465 reviews)

O’Brien’s Pub

Avg 4.6 (626 reviews)

Common Stock

Avg 4.9 (1127 reviews)

Barrel & Board

Avg 4 (38 reviews)

Maggie's Cafe

Avg 4.6 (2772 reviews)

Iron Pig Alehouse

Avg 4.5 (3459 reviews)

Woody's Breakfast And Burgers

Avg 4.2 (2104 reviews)

Guava Beach Bar & Grill

Avg 4 (449 reviews)

Smoking Gun & Spill the Beans

No reviews yet

Harley Gray Kitchen & Bar

Avg 4.5 (1573 reviews)

Chicken Charlie's Table

Avg 4.4 (672 reviews)

Hidden Craft

No reviews yet

Beach House

No reviews yet

Fernside

Avg 4.3 (473 reviews)

Terra American Bistro

No reviews yet

Pioneer BBQ

Avg 4.4 (1530 reviews)

Queenstown Public House

Avg 4.6 (403 reviews)

Urban MO's Bar & Grill

Avg 4.3 (3242 reviews)

Cutwater Spirits Tasting Room & Kitchen

Avg 4.6 (230 reviews)

Mastiff Kitchen

Avg 4.3 (222 reviews)

The Smoking Goat

No reviews yet

Corbin's Q

Avg 4.2 (1984 reviews)

Sandbar Sports Bar and Grill

No reviews yet

San Diego Sliders Company

No reviews yet

MishMash

Avg 4.6 (866 reviews)

Explore restaurants that serve these tasty dishes in San Diego

Neighborhoods within San Diego to explore

Banker's Hill

Avg 4.3 (7 restaurants)

Barrio Logan

Avg 4.4 (9 restaurants)

Carmel Valley

Avg 4.6 (7 restaurants)

Clairemont

Avg 4.4 (3 restaurants)

Downtown

Avg 4.5 (7 restaurants)

East Village

Avg 4.6 (15 restaurants)

Gaslamp

Avg 4.1 (16 restaurants)

Golden Hill