News Summary
San Diego is set to hold its 22nd annual Restaurant Week, showcasing over 130 restaurants across 30 neighborhoods. The event offers affordable dinning options with two-course lunches starting at $20 and three-course dinners at $30. Diners can preview menus online and find options catering to dietary restrictions. This year marks strong participation levels similar to pre-pandemic times, with many notable restaurants participating for the first time. Reservations are recommended due to high demand, and the next event is scheduled for early 2026.
San Diego will play host to its 22nd annual Restaurant Week from September 14 to September 21, 2023, featuring over 130 restaurants across 30 neighborhoods in San Diego County. This popular culinary event offers food lovers an opportunity to experience diverse menus at affordable prices, with two-course lunch options starting at $20 and three-course dinner offerings beginning at $30.
A complete list of participating restaurants, along with their menus and pricing, will be accessible online. Approximately half of the restaurants will share their menu selections, allowing diners to preview choices before making reservations. The event’s website will feature search filters to help guests locate their dining options by name, neighborhood, and type of cuisine. Additionally, an option to accommodate dietary restrictions will be available, ensuring every diner can find something to enjoy.
Some highlighted dining establishments participating this year include:
- La Bonne Table in Hillcrest, offering a menu priced at $50
- Smoking Goat in North Park with a $60 dinner option
- Bleu Boheme in Kensington priced at $65
- Bandar Restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter, known for its $50 charbroiled chicken
- Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge in Little Italy, which serves lunch starting at $25 and dinner at $39
- Cori Pastificio Trattoria in North Park, featuring a $55 dinner option
- Ortega’s Mexican Bistro in Hillcrest showcasing Baja lobster for $39 at lunch or dinner
- Old Town Tequila Factory with dinner priced at $35
This year’s San Diego Restaurant Week is seeing participation levels similar to those recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a resurgence in the local dining landscape. Among the newcomers welcomed to the event are Communion in Mission Hills, Flora in North Park, Shorebird Coastal Kitchen in Seaport Village, AKA in the Gaslamp Quarter, and Witherby Restaurant and Bar in the East Village.
To participate in the event, restaurants must be paid members of the California Restaurant Association (CRA), with an enrollment fee of $899 for one season or $1,299 for both. This financial commitment ensures that eateries are invested in the community and have access to a larger customer base during this promotional week.
The original Restaurant Week concept began in February 1992 in New York City to stimulate diner interest during a typically slower season. San Diego adopted this initiative in 2004 and has attracted significant participation each year since. The event not only promotes local restaurants but also encourages diners to explore a variety of culinary experiences throughout the region.
Historically, San Diego Restaurant Week engages over 125,000 diners annually, providing a substantial economic boost to the local dining industry. Although no tickets are required for Restaurant Week, and walk-in guests are welcome, making reservations in advance is highly advisable due to expected demand.
For those unable to attend this fall’s event, the next San Diego Restaurant Week is scheduled for January 25 to February 1, 2026. The initiative continues to be a cornerstone of San Diego’s vibrant food scene, showcasing innovative dishes and promoting local establishments while engaging diners in a communal culinary experience.
As local journalism outlets face closures, it is essential to support platforms that keep residents informed about community events such as the San Diego Restaurant Week, highlighting the city’s rich culinary offerings and the dining establishments that thrive within it.
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Additional Resources
- Times of San Diego: Local Chefs at San Diego Restaurant Week
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- Fox 5 San Diego: Neighborhood Guide for San Diego Restaurant Week
- Google Search: San Diego Restaurant Week
- San Diego Magazine: Restaurant Week Fall 2025
- Google Scholar: San Diego Restaurant Week
- San Diego.com: San Diego Restaurant Week
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant Week
- Times of San Diego: How to Make the Most of Restaurant Week
- Google News: San Diego Restaurant Week
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.
