Derek’s Guidebook
Food scene
Cool spot for dine in pizza. Really great bread and crust. Solid cocktails too. If you’re into meaty pizzas, highly recommend the Lady Diavola. Roasted Veggies with the melted manchego are also fab.
58 abantu bendawo batusa
Tribute Pizza
3077 North Park WayCool spot for dine in pizza. Really great bread and crust. Solid cocktails too. If you’re into meaty pizzas, highly recommend the Lady Diavola. Roasted Veggies with the melted manchego are also fab.
Underbelly North Park
3000 Upas StMabel's Gone Fishing
Fantastic seafood and gin bar in North Park.
Reservation recommended.
Best happy hour in town. 7 days a week from 3-5. Half off apps, quesadillas, and drinks! (Only go for happy hour)
La Puerta
Best happy hour in town. 7 days a week from 3-5. Half off apps, quesadillas, and drinks! (Only go for happy hour)
Grand Ole BBQ Y Asado
3302 32nd StAzuki Sushi
2321 Fifth AveTHE hot spot for brunch right now. Pro tip: avoid a two hour wait by going before 8:15! The Breakfast Fried Rice is my favorite and they make an incredible Irish coffee.
72 abantu bendawo batusa
Morning Glory
550 W Date StTHE hot spot for brunch right now. Pro tip: avoid a two hour wait by going before 8:15! The Breakfast Fried Rice is my favorite and they make an incredible Irish coffee.
CURRYOSITY
3023 Juniper StFort Oak
1011 Fort Stockton DrA go-to for a fancy meal. Great food and cocktails.
Buona Forchetta - South Park
3001 Beech StRecently renovated hotspot with several bars, restaurants, and a great pool.
38 abantu bendawo batusa
The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows
2223 El Cajon BlvdRecently renovated hotspot with several bars, restaurants, and a great pool.
Piacere Mio
1947 Fern StMadi
Brunch/lunch spot that is a crowd favorite
Perfectly kitschy Chinese food spot with an incredible interior. Super tasty food that’s great for takeout too. Pro tip: stop by Polite Provisions for a cocktail before or after, or order your food and eat it at Polite Provisions if there’s a long wait. (They’re owned by the same company.)
Limited seating, reservation recommended.
20 abantu bendawo batusa
Fortunate Son
2943 Adams AvePerfectly kitschy Chinese food spot with an incredible interior. Super tasty food that’s great for takeout too. Pro tip: stop by Polite Provisions for a cocktail before or after, or order your food and eat it at Polite Provisions if there’s a long wait. (They’re owned by the same company.)
Limited seating, reservation recommended.
Dunedin New Zealand Eats
3501 30th St15 minute walk. Tasty pizza and pasta with a cute patio and a romantic atmosphere.
Great Monday night pizza and Tuesday night pasta specials if you asked them about it. (No reservations allowed for specials pricing.)
101 abantu bendawo batusa
Alexander's
3391 30th St15 minute walk. Tasty pizza and pasta with a cute patio and a romantic atmosphere.
Great Monday night pizza and Tuesday night pasta specials if you asked them about it. (No reservations allowed for specials pricing.)
Probably the best pasta I’ve had in recent memory. A bit off the beaten path in a cute tiny restaurant, but travels well and makes for great delivery too!
49 abantu bendawo batusa
Cesarina
4161 Voltaire StProbably the best pasta I’ve had in recent memory. A bit off the beaten path in a cute tiny restaurant, but travels well and makes for great delivery too!
Breakfast Republic
2730 University AveGreat spot for brunch.
Jimmy Carter's Mexican Cafe
3172 Fifth AveSolid sit down local Mexican spot
Elevated spot for dinner with a delicious (and reasonable) weekend brunch.
63 abantu bendawo batusa
Trust
3752 Park BlvdElevated spot for dinner with a delicious (and reasonable) weekend brunch.
Delicious vegan spot. Fun atmosphere and reasonable prices for what you get. The drinks are great too.
140 abantu bendawo batusa
KINDRED
1503 30th StDelicious vegan spot. Fun atmosphere and reasonable prices for what you get. The drinks are great too.
Madison
4622 Park BlvdNice dinner spot with a good weekend brunch.
Encontro North Park
3001 University AveThe Smoking Goat Restaurant
3408 30th StTasty sandwiches and cocktails with a view of the harbor.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Ketch Grill and Taps
2614 Shelter Island DrTasty sandwiches and cocktails with a view of the harbor.
Common Stock
3805 Fifth AveNo frills, local Chinese favorite in a strip-mall
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon
4625 Convoy StNo frills, local Chinese favorite in a strip-mall
Herb & Wood
2210 Kettner BlvdKettner Exchange
2001 Kettner BlvdThe Crack Shack - Little Italy
2266 Kettner BlvdMitch's Seafood
1403 Scott StCasual waterfront dining
Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson StCasual seafood spot
Takeout and Delivery/Quick Service eateries
Closest convenience store with a great beer selection. 8 min walk.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Chris' Market
3402 Myrtle AveClosest convenience store with a great beer selection. 8 min walk.
Convenient and good Thai food. Note that it can be spicy so order mild if you’re sensitive.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Thai Time North Park
4102 30th StConvenient and good Thai food. Note that it can be spicy so order mild if you’re sensitive.
Pizza by the slice or pie. Great C.B.G.B. cheesy beef on garlic bread sandwich. Decent pasta selection.
95 abantu bendawo batusa
Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria
3448 30th StPizza by the slice or pie. Great C.B.G.B. cheesy beef on garlic bread sandwich. Decent pasta selection.
Colima's Mexican Food
2302 University AvenueINCREDIBLE tacos. The carne asada fries (a San Diego staple) are to die for. Casual counter service join. 15 minute walk away.
132 abantu bendawo batusa
The Taco Stand
621 Pearl StINCREDIBLE tacos. The carne asada fries (a San Diego staple) are to die for. Casual counter service join. 15 minute walk away.
Olympic Cafe
2310 University AveFun lobster rolls and a surprisingly tasty chicken parm sandwich.
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Pete’s Seafood and Sandwich
3382 30th StFun lobster rolls and a surprisingly tasty chicken parm sandwich.
Bahn Thai
4646 Park BlvdFantastic take out. Unfortunately, no delivery.
My favorite is the volcano bowl. Best Hawaiian I’ve had in SoCal.
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Chris' Ono Grinds Island Grill - North Park
4506 30th StMy favorite is the volcano bowl. Best Hawaiian I’ve had in SoCal.
Sisters Pizza
The Asian Bistro
414 University AveThe spiciest drunken noodles ever, if that’s your thing. 🔥
City Tacos
3028 University AvePHÓ Fifth Avenue
3807 Fifth AveBest pho in town. Not in the best hood and zero frills but worth checking out!
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Pho Hoa
4717 El Cajon BlvdBest pho in town. Not in the best hood and zero frills but worth checking out!
North Park Creamery
3041 University AvenueTasty soft serve waffle cones!
Gelati & Peccati
3066 B University AveCity Dragon
2885 El Cajon BoulevardSolid Chinese takeout
Patisserie Melanie
3750 30th StreetLocal French pastry shop with an assortment of sweet and savory treats + coffee.
Coffee
Lovesong Coffee + Market
Cute and tasty lattes
A charming outdoor coffee shop in the heart of South Park. My personal favorite is the iced mocha with oat milk. A great 30 minute walk from the Airbnb through the historic neighborhood of Burlingame which is full of historic Spanish homes.
146 abantu bendawo batusa
Communal Coffee
2335 University AveA charming outdoor coffee shop in the heart of South Park. My personal favorite is the iced mocha with oat milk. A great 30 minute walk from the Airbnb through the historic neighborhood of Burlingame which is full of historic Spanish homes.
James Coffee Co.
2355 India StOliver Coffea
1644 University AveBrewery/Bars
Seven Grand San Diego
3054 University AvePart Time Lover
3829 30th StreetThe new North Park hot spot. Japanese whiskey bar with swanky interior.
Thorn St. Brewery
3176 Thorn StCoin-Op Game Room
3926 30th StRedwing Bar & Grill
4012 30th StLocal community bar with regular karaoke.
Polite Provisions
4696 30th StSycamore Den
3391 Adams AveinsideOUT
1642 University AveYou & Yours Distilling Co
1495 G StRaised by Wolves
4301 La Jolla Village DrSightseeing
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange AveI-Balboa Park
I-Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadIphaki yezendlela zezulu ze-Sunset
Ladera StreetBakeries/Treats
Blackmarket Bakery North Park
4686 30th StBread and Cie Bakery/Cafe
350 University AveWayfarer Bread & Pastry
5525 La Jolla BlvdThis place has great soft serve and fun flavors. Right next to the North Park neighborhood Target.
North Park Creamery
3041 University AvenueThis place has great soft serve and fun flavors. Right next to the North Park neighborhood Target.