News Summary
San Diego is poised for a culinary transformation this fall with the opening of several new restaurants and exciting dining events. Notable openings include Chef Travis Swikard’s Fleurette and Madi’s second location in Pacific Beach. Additionally, Tacos El Franc and Shorelight have joined the vibrant food scene. Upcoming events like the O’wineside Mexican wine festival and Diner en Blanc further showcase the rich culinary diversity in the city. With these new dining options and experiences, San Diego continues to be a hub for food enthusiasts.
San Diego is set to welcome several new restaurants and culinary events this fall, providing exciting dining experiences for locals and visitors alike. Chef Travis Swikard is opening his second restaurant, Fleurette, in the UTC area, which has already garnered attention by being named in The Robb Report’s list of “The 13 Most Exciting Restaurant Openings in America This Fall.” Although the exact opening date has not yet been announced, it is expected to debut before the year concludes.
Fleurette reflects the culinary influences of Côte d’Azur cuisine and is a collaborative project with David Cohn from the Cohn Restaurant Group. The restaurant will feature 120 seats and is located in a newly constructed building near La Jolla Village Drive within a business park managed by Ernest Rady’s American Assets Trust. The Robb Report has highlighted Swikard’s commitment to local ingredients and his culinary expertise, which he showcased in his first restaurant, Callie.
Additionally, another culinary spot making waves is Madi, which has extended its reach by opening a second location in Pacific Beach on October 1. This establishment, originating from Normal Heights, is known for its classic breakfast and lunch offerings, including a Mediterranean breakfast plate and the popular G.O.A.T. breakfast sandwich.
Tacos El Franc, a distinguished taqueria from Tijuana, opened its second U.S. location in the Gaslamp Quarter on October 8. Established initially as a street cart in 1974, Tacos El Franc is well-regarded for its adobada and carne asada tacos. Another exciting addition is Shorelight, an all-day waterfront restaurant that recently opened at the Sheraton San Diego Resort on Harbor Island, delivering a varied menu that includes breakfast omelettes, lunch salads, and dinner dishes such as spicy tuna crudo bruschetta.
Also, Nick the Greek has expanded its presence in San Diego with a second location in Mira Mesa, specializing in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. The diverse dining scene is further enriched with the upcoming O’wineside Mexican wine festival, hosted by the Michelin-starred restaurant Valle on October 21. This event will feature tastings from over 27 wineries alongside gourmet dishes prepared by chef Roberto Alcocer.
New dining concepts continue to emerge across the city, including The Plot, a vegan restaurant in South Oceanside, which just launched a five-course tasting menu inspired by Japanese plant-based dishes. On December 2, the globally recognized outdoor dinner event, Diner en Blanc, is set to return to San Diego, requiring attendees to bring their own picnic meals and supplies.
Other culinary highlights include a special Mid-Autumn Festival dinner at Kingfisher Cocktail Bar and Eatery, featuring dishes crafted by James Beard Award semifinalist Helen Nguyen. Additionally, the iconic Battle of the Burgers event will take place on October 18 at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, inviting both local chefs and high school students to compete for the best burger.
For those looking ahead, Another Broken Egg, a popular Southern-style breakfast chain, plans to open two new locations in San Diego next year. The city’s vibrant food landscape continues to grow with new restaurants, including Yard House in Chula Vista, Mission Bagel in Pacific Beach, and an additional outlet for The Halal Guys in Hillcrest.
Overall, the culinary scene in San Diego is bursting with new flavors and innovative dining options as both established and new players contribute to the variety of tastes available to diners this fall.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Magazine: Best Meals
- San Diego Union Tribune: The Dish
- Fox 5 San Diego: Restaurant Supports Football Program
- Oregon Live: Chef Justin Woodward Dies
- Eater San Diego: New Restaurant Openings
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- Google Search: San Diego restaurants
- Google Scholar: San Diego cuisine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego
- Google News: San Diego food news
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
