San Diego, November 25, 2025
San Diego’s dining landscape is flourishing with new restaurant openings, showcasing a variety of culinary experiences for locals and visitors alike. Upcoming establishments include The Baby Grand Hotel Restaurants, featuring multiple dining concepts, and L55 Tacos & More, a fast-casual spinoff of a beloved taqueria. Recent arrivals such as The Stand, Romanissimo Cucina Italiana, and Bhatti Himalayan Grill further enrich the city’s food scene. With ongoing developments like The Admiral at NTC and the reurbanization of Seaport Village, San Diego’s restaurant landscape continues to evolve, appealing to diverse tastes and preferences.
San Diego’s Culinary Scene Expands with New Restaurant Openings
San Diego’s dining landscape continues to flourish with several new restaurant openings, offering a diverse array of culinary experiences to both locals and visitors.
Upcoming Openings
The Baby Grand Hotel Restaurants is set to debut in winter 2025 in Coronado. This $17 million project by CH Projects will feature 31 rooms and three distinct dining concepts: Fallen Empire, an oyster and caviar bar; an omakase venue; and an al fresco bar and dining area. The design reflects coastal elegance with a touch of maximalist flair.
L55 Tacos & More, a fast-casual spinoff of the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded taqueria LOLA 55, is slated to open later this summer at Westfield UTC. This new venture aims to provide a more accessible version of LOLA 55’s acclaimed offerings, featuring a streamlined customer experience with counter-service and order-ahead takeout.
Recent Openings
The Stand, a California-based fast-casual restaurant known for its elevated American fare, is preparing to open a new location in Mission Valley. This will be the brand’s third San Diego location, expected to open in Summer 2026.
Romanissimo Cucina Italiana and Bhatti Himalayan Grill have recently opened, introducing new international dishes and creative restaurant concepts to San Diego’s dining scene.
Established Openings
Lilo, an upscale dining destination in Carlsbad Village, opened in April 2025. The 22-seat chef’s counter offers an intimate tasting menu, focusing on high-quality ingredients and refined techniques.
CAVA, a Mediterranean-inspired fast-casual restaurant, opened a new location in downtown San Diego in November 2024. The restaurant offers bowls, pitas, dips, and dressings, emphasizing hospitality and community engagement.
Ongoing Developments
The Admiral at NTC is a $15 million development project transforming Liberty Station into a premier culinary and cultural destination. Spearheaded by local restaurateur Ryan Thorsen, the project involves restoring historic Spanish colonial revival-style homes and includes five new dining and entertainment venues, landscaped gardens, and skyline views. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, with the grand opening expected by summer 2026.
Seaport Village is undergoing a reurbanization plan, with construction expected to begin in 2025. The complex, which currently houses over 70 shops and eateries, will remain operational until construction commences.
Conclusion
San Diego’s culinary scene is experiencing significant growth, with a variety of new establishments offering diverse dining experiences. From upscale fine dining to fast-casual concepts, the city’s restaurant landscape continues to evolve, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Encouraging support for these local businesses not only drives community engagement but also fosters economic growth, offering entrepreneurs the chance to thrive in a supportive environment.
FAQ
What is The Baby Grand Hotel Restaurants?
The Baby Grand Hotel Restaurants is a $17 million project by CH Projects, set to debut in winter 2025 in Coronado. It will feature 31 rooms and three distinct dining concepts: Fallen Empire, an oyster and caviar bar; an omakase venue; and an al fresco bar and dining area. The design reflects coastal elegance with a touch of maximalist flair.
When is L55 Tacos & More opening?
L55 Tacos & More, a fast-casual spinoff of the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded taqueria LOLA 55, is slated to open later this summer at Westfield UTC. This new venture aims to provide a more accessible version of LOLA 55’s acclaimed offerings, featuring a streamlined customer experience with counter-service and order-ahead takeout.
What is The Stand?
The Stand is a California-based fast-casual restaurant known for its elevated American fare. It is preparing to open a new location in Mission Valley, expected to open in Summer 2026.
What is Lilo?
Lilo is an upscale dining destination in Carlsbad Village, opened in April 2025. The 22-seat chef’s counter offers an intimate tasting menu, focusing on high-quality ingredients and refined techniques.
What is CAVA?
CAVA is a Mediterranean-inspired fast-casual restaurant that opened a new location in downtown San Diego in November 2024. The restaurant offers bowls, pitas, dips, and dressings, emphasizing hospitality and community engagement.
What is The Admiral at NTC?
The Admiral at NTC is a $15 million development project transforming Liberty Station into a premier culinary and cultural destination. Spearheaded by local restaurateur Ryan Thorsen, the project involves restoring historic Spanish colonial revival-style homes and includes five new dining and entertainment venues, landscaped gardens, and skyline views. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, with the grand opening expected by summer 2026.
What is Seaport Village?
Seaport Village is a complex housing over 70 shops and eateries, currently undergoing a reurbanization plan. Construction is expected to begin in 2025, and the complex will remain operational until construction commences.
Key Features
| Restaurant | Location | Opening Date | Concept |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Baby Grand Hotel Restaurants | Coronado | Winter 2025 | Hotel with three distinct dining concepts: Fallen Empire, an oyster and caviar bar; an omakase venue; and an al fresco bar and dining area. |
| L55 Tacos & More | Westfield UTC | Summer 2025 | Fast-casual spinoff of LOLA 55, offering a streamlined customer experience with counter-service and order-ahead takeout. |
| The Stand | Mission Valley | Summer 2026 | California-based fast-casual restaurant known for its elevated American fare. |
| Lilo | Carlsbad Village | April 2025 | Upscale dining destination with a 22-seat chef’s counter offering an intimate tasting menu. |
| CAVA | Downtown San Diego | November 2024 | Mediterranean-inspired fast-casual restaurant offering bowls, pitas, dips, and dressings. |
| The Admiral at NTC | Liberty Station | Summer 2026 | $15 million development project transforming Liberty Station into a premier culinary and cultural destination. |
| Seaport Village | San Diego | 2025 | Complex housing over 70 shops and eateries, currently undergoing a reurbanization plan. |
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO 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.
