San Diego Visitors Guide - San Diego Official Visitors Guide

For the best
view of the
action at
Rakiraki, take
a seat at the
ramen bar and
watch chefs
at work in the
open kitchen.

Alforon

It’s worth the trek to score an order of chicken tawook, a flatbread “pizza” topped with garlic sauce and tender chicken, at this friendly Lebanese restaurant. It’s best to go with a group and dine family-style, so you can sample a wide variety of dishes.

5965 El Cajon Blvd., Rolando

Mama’s Bakery

Don’t be fooled by the name; this walk-up Lebanese restaurant is a tightly guarded secret among in-the-know locals. Menu highlights include shawarma, falafel and house-made flatbread baked in a traditional saj oven.

4237 Alabama St., University Heights

The Kebab Shop

It’s tough to beat this casual Californian-Turkish eatery with six locations in San Diego, including two downtown outposts (Little Italy and East Village). The Döner Kebab is a great choice for a filling meal of meat, veggies and savory homemade sauces wrapped up in toasted flatbread.

thekebabshop.com
JAPANESE: RAKIRAKI
RAMEN & TSUKEMEN

This trendy eatery has a vast menu, from sushi rolls and rice bowls to Japanese curry and a mind-boggling variety of ramen with chicken, pork and miso broth made with more than 20 herbs and spices imported from Japan.

4646 Convoy St., Kearny Mesa

Tip: Try the tsukemen, or “dipping noodles,”
a plate of extra thick noodles served with a
bowl of rich soup on the side for dipping.
RUSSIAN: KAFE SOBAKA
RESTORAN POMEGRANATE

Familiar favorites like borscht and beef stroganoff can be found here, but venturing into unexplored culinary territory with exciting dishes like khachapuri

(cheese pie topped with a sunny-side-up egg), shashlik (fire-roasted kebabs basted with pomegranate molasses) or chanakhi

(lamb stew) is more rewarding.

2469 Broadway, Golden Hill

Tip: Servers here are experts in helping first-
time diners navigate the menu, so don’t be
afraid to ask for suggestions.

VIETNAMESE: SOVEREIGN

Two-time Michelin Bib Award–winning chef Michael “Bao” Huynh presides over this modern Vietnamese restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter, with an exciting menu stocked with items like fish sauce chicken wings, sizzling cuttlefish and banana spring roll sundaes for dessert.

467 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter

Tip: Food Shop, the restaurant’s grab-and-go
kitchen, serves a tasty selection of pho, banh mi
sandwiches and wok dishes at affordable prices.

CHINESE: DUMPLING INN & SHANGHAI SALOON

This local favorite recently expanded into much larger digs (now with a full bar), but the menu of steamed and pan-fried dumplings, plus traditional Chinese American entrées like orange chicken, chow mein and honey-glazed shrimp, remains the same.

4625 Convoy St., Kearny Mesa

Tip: The Saloon has its own separate menu, but you can order
Dumpling Inn items at the bar from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
(the restaurant is closed on Mondays).

MOROCCAN: KOUS KOUS MOROCCAN BISTRO

Feast family-style on fragrantly spiced Moroccan tapas, kababs and tagines full of tender, braised meat or vegetables. Mood lighting and Moroccan-style décor help to create a cozy, romantic atmosphere.