The Best Restaurants to Try in Sunny Coronado, California
Venture out to Crown City to dig into these local favorites
Updated
There’s a European flair to Crown City. Steeped in stories of Top Gun, Marilyn Monroe, and U.S. presidents, a visit to Coronado feels like a vacation without ever leaving home. Accessing the “island” — regardless of which route you take — guarantees a picturesque adventure: take the Coronado Ferry, cruise along the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, or mosey along the Silver Strand beach route. Locals and travelers become quickly charmed by the town’s upscale seafood, European-style bistros, and the irresistible MooTaco — an ice cream taco that’s prerequisite for breezy summer nights. Find a list of the best restaurants in Coronado, California down below.
Changes this update: La Corriente and the new Baby Grand hotel’s Night Hawk and Fallen Empire enter the map.
Serẽa
Helmed by executive chef JoJo Ruiz, the anchor restaurant of the legendary Hotel Del Coronado showcases Mediterranean fare, spotlighting local sustainable seafood and prime meat chops. Standout specialties at this Michelin-recognized restaurant include seafood platters for sharing, wood-grilled fish, and halibut ceviche with coconut leche de tigre. Head here for a weekend brunch — the cinnamon-sugar cruffins, baklava French toast, and khachapuri are not bad places to start — and take in the scenic views of the coastline.
Robert Reyes
Night Hawk at the Baby Grand
The new hotel Baby Grand in Coronado is a mermaidcore fever dream that may be the region’s most visually arresting hotel opening in years. Find three dining destinations within the hotel: Night Hawk; the main restaurant with an Mediterranean bent; Fallen Empire, a tucked-away oyster and Champagne bar; and a lobby level cafe for coffee and pastries. Night Hawk serves a slate of meze (including a $58 meze do-it-all platter with crudité, kibbeh, babaganoush, tabouleh, hummus, popcorn cauliflower, tzatziki, warm marinated olives, and hearth-fired pita), pastas (including a squid ink linguini with Maine lobster), skewers, whole grilled seafood plates, souvlaki, and crudo. The decadently decorated, semi-hidden Fallen Empire will satisfy before and after with juicy oysters, ceviche, sashimi, and Champagne.
Baby Grand
Chez Loma
The white cottage on Loma Avenue — also known as the historic Carez Hizar House, which was built in 1889 — paints a romantic, intimate setting. Vibrant dishes with French flair make this spot a must-try: Bouillabaisse served with a toasted baguette, steak frites with 14-ounce prime New York steak, and escargot. During special occasions, consider the Beef Wellington, a filet mignon dish layered with mushroom duxelles and spinach crêpes, wrapped in a golden puff pastry with a price tag of $60.
Chez Loma
Little Frenchie
This European-style bistro has become a neighborhood favorite, serving Provençal classics using seasonal ingredients from local purveyors. Menu highlights include escargots, duck a l’orange, and moules frites, paired with wines from California and France. Make a stop here during champagne happy hour (from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday) for $20 off all champagne and sparkling wine bottles, along with discounted bites such as truffle fries and a three-cheese board. Grab a prepared Parisian picnic basket with wine and bistro delights for a sunset feast or concert.
James Tran
La Corriente
La Corriente, which already has a location in La Jolla, has brought its Baja-style seafood classics to Coronado. Find red snapper tostadas; guacamole, salsas, and totopos; and heaping mushroom tacos among its robust slate of Mexican dishes with strong roots in Tijuana. Baja-influenced maki rolls, exclusive to the new Coronado outpost, and starters like soft shell crab tempura will make any table feel fuller.
La Corriente
The Henry
With a refined coastal feel, this restaurant with French-influenced decor is part of the Fox Restaurant Concepts group that also operates Flower Child, Blanco Cocina, Cantina, and Culinary Dropout. You’ll find salads with leafy greens, braised short rib, a hot honey crispy chicken sandwich, and plenty of cocktail options — the smoked pineapple margarita and frozen “Pineaperol” spritz with passionfruit make for great selections. A stylish option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, choose between indoor seating or a table outside underneath the white-and-green-lined sun shades.
MooTime Creamery
Head to this 1950s-inspired parlor on Orange Avenue and cool down with a waffle cone filled with handcrafted ice cream made with 16 percent butterfat to give the dessert added creamy richness. Celebrating more than 25 years in Crown City, the dessert nachos (waffle cone chips with two scoops of ice cream, hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow cream, and powdered sugar) and MooTacos (waffle shells filled with ice cream and cookie dough or chocolate fudge and dipped in chocolate) are popular, along with ice cream flavors like Black Forest made with double dark chocolate, dark cherries, and meringue. Ask about the flavor of the month for mixtures with seasonal ingredients.
Clique Hospitality
Swaddee Thai Restaurant of Coronado
From the handful of Asian restaurants on the island, Swaddee stands out for its drunken noodles, deeply flavored red curry, and stir-fried mixed vegetables. The unassuming outpost features palm plants scattered throughout the interior and a relaxing patio that offers great views for people watching. Fan-favorites include Pae Sa (steamed whole fish with plum sauce) and Hoa Mok (scallops, shrimp, squid, and mussels in a banana leaf bowl). Wash it all down with a cooling Thai iced tea.
Garage Buona Forchetta
Housed in a former mechanic’s garage built in 1904, Garage Buona Forchetta pays homage to the venue’s history with Italian flair. At this Italian market-and-café-in-one, find traditional Neapolitan pizza made to order in a wood-fired oven and fresh, handmade pastas. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are plentiful as well. On the way out, don’t skip out on the market’s top picks: Scope out a bottle of Italian wine that looks inviting and browse the selection of meats and cheeses for a charcuterie night.
Garage Buona Forchetta
Clayton’s Coffee Shop
This retro venue has the only original horseshoe counter in San Diego County — a nostalgic nod to the American diners from yesteryear. Since 1938, the island staple has been serving housemade, comfort food while owner Mary Frese has added Southern favorites from her native Tennessee, like chicken and waffles and biscuits and gravy. Starting at 5 a.m., the sidewalk doughnut window serves doughnuts, acai bowls, and caffeinated drinks from a full espresso bar.
Clayton’s Bakery and Bistro
Quaint and charming, this French-inspired restaurant from the Coronado-based Clayton’s family of restaurants offers savory brunch dishes all day long. Expect the classics: Croque Madame, French onion soup, and flaky almond croissants baked in-house. Sourdough and croissant sandwiches abound — choose protein options like rosemary ham or roasted turkey paired with brie or gorgonzola. For brunch at home or lunch on the go, be sure to place an order online for goods from the bistro, bakery, or both.
Night and Day Cafe
This hidden gem — one of San Diego’s long-running diners — serves Mexican and American dishes starting at 6:30 a.m. and stays open late into the night (up until 2 a.m. on Saturday). From vegetables to carne asada, the long list of omelets, each served with hash browns and toast, doesn’t disappoint. Burritos and tacos are also standouts — request the Coronado burrito with bacon, hash browns, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and avocado; or build your own.
Night & Day Cafe
Nobu at Hotel del Coronado
The latest addition to the Hotel Del Coronado, the second San Diego Nobu location, has landed on the palm tree-dotted beach boardwalk to offer its high-end sashimi plates, lychee martinis, and more. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa brings his iconic black cod to the indoor-outdoor lounge, along with yellowtail jalapeño sashimi, Japanese A5 wagyu, and other longtime Nobu lovers’ favorites. The pagoda and sushi bar are ideal for solo dining. The sushi temple makes a nice complement to the hotel’s other premier dining destination: Veranda restaurant.
Nobu
Il Fornaio Coronado
With one of the best city skyline views in Coronado, this longstanding Italian restaurant has been sitting at the base of the Ferry Terminal for more than 20 years. Grab a seat on the patio in the Tuscan-inspired villa and grab a glass of red to sip alongside plates such as handmade pasta like scallop and shrimp ravioli, thin-crust pizza, or pollo Toscano with rosemary chicken, roasted cauliflower, and potatoes. An Italian feast wouldn’t be complete without something sweet — the tiramisu or espresso panna cotta are top choices, or try a cocktail infused with crème de cacao and a dollop of whipped cream.
Helen I. Hwang
Jolie
Chef Jason Witzl has brought his take on California and Italian cuisine to Crown City after honing his culinary skills in Los Angeles and at the three-Michelin-starred Restaurante Martín Berasategui in Spain. Focusing on seasonal dishes, his menu includes plates like crudo, Peruvian scallops with a coconut vinaigrette, and loup de mer or Mediterranean sea bass. Plan a visit during oyster hour (4 p.m. to 6 p.m. from Wednesday through Sunday) for $1.50 oysters, $3.50 scallops, and other deals on food and beverage.
Tartine
A staple for Coronado islanders since 2001, this beloved European café is a bakery and bistro serving daily specials like sea bass fish sandwiches and beef stroganoff. Regulars float in and out all day long for bestsellers like quiches and cheesecakes that can also be ordered for enjoying at home. Ask about the daily specials for seasonal delights — past options have included a burrata and berry salad, sausage linguine, and smoked salmon bruschetta.
Helen I. Hwang
Saiko Sushi
From dock to table, Saiko’s dishes reflect chef and owner Anthony Pascale’s inventive spin on Japanese cuisine while supporting local — he uses daily catch purchased right from San Diego’s fishermen. His mission is to showcase wild-caught and sustainable seafood, highlighting the freshest selection on the chalkboard menu through dishes that can be enjoyed with a sake flight. Stop by for rolls like the Grand with eel, avocado, mango, and goat cheese, or something more classic like a bento box with grilled teriyaki chicken. Follow the restaurant on Instagram to hear about the next sake pairing dinner.
Peohe’s
Upscale tropical seafood dishes inspired by flavors from the Pacific Rim may be the star at Peohe’s, but the sweeping views of the waterfront and downtown skyline aren’t bad either. Visitors of this Coronado Ferry Landing venue often go for the crunchy coconut shrimp, fish entrees — like the Chilean sea bass and Alaskan halibut — served with coconut ginger rice, and herb-crusted prime rib. Browse through the robust wine list and cocktail book, and find a selection of pours: A tableside mojito flight for two, pomegranate martinis, and zero-proof concoctions.
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