One of the reasons I love living in San Diego is how many different activities, cultures, restaurants, etc. there are. However, sometimes it can be a little overwhelming because there are so many options, making it difficult to decide where to go! My family just visited for family weekend and I tried to plan the perfect day. I wanted to give them a taste of the beach, nightlife, coffee shops, and various foods that San Diego has to offer. They inspired me to write this article because I wanted to pass on some recommendations for family friendly restaurants in SD.
Little Italy is always a great call for great food and an inviting environment. I have visited Little Italy a decent amount of times now and have narrowed down two restaurants that are my absolute favorite. One of them is called Barbusa, which has great food and service, as well as a modern take on an Italitan setting. (Might I recommend the Pasta Carbonara?) My other favorite spot in Little Italy is called Bencotto. I rave about this restaurant because there is an option to “create your own pasta,” so you can choose your favorite combo of dishes.
There are also several restaurants near the water that provide a beautiful look out point. In Pacific Beach, there are several rooftop restaurants overlooking the beach, including Firehouse, PB Alehouse, and Tower 23 (JRDN). I have taken my family to each of these restaurants and they have bomb food as well as a scenic view of the ocean. In addition to Pacific Beach, La Jolla is a nice place to walk around and grab a bite to eat. Duke’s and Caroline’s Seaside Cafe are on the water with various American and Mexican food options.
These are just a few of the great restaurants that SD has to offer, and I thought I’d make it a little bit easier for you to decide what part of the city you want to show your families. Most of these places are more in the realm of fine dining as well, so it’s a nice change of pace from the usual top ramen, bagel bites, and other guilty pleasures we are used to!