Craving some foreign cuisine, but don’t have the funds for a big trip? These San Diego eateries bring the foreign fare to you without the travel fees! Enjoy an exciting tour of flavors from around the world, all without ever stepping foot on a plane. Book a tantalizing trip for the taste buds with authentic cultural creations from these San Diego destinations.
Sicily
Searching for that idyllic Italian getaway? Look no further than Farmer’s Bottega in Mission Hills. Boasting a menu of fresh and sustainable local ingredients, Farmer’s Bottega is making a stir in the farm-to-table scene. Chef Alberto Morreale has crafted a menu to embrace his Sicilian background, with innovative items that mix traditional Italian and American-organic cuisine. Enjoy the intimately rustic ambiance of a farmhouse while tasting Sicilian-inspired dishes such as the Fennel Sausage Cavatelli, complete with creamy tomato chutney, garlic, fresh herb goat cheese, and wild arugula for a farm-to-fork Italian flavor.
Tokyo
Transport your taste buds to Japan for the evening at BeShock Ramen & Sake Bar, a trendy addition to San Diego’s diverse restaurant scene. Nestled in East Village’s culinary enclave, BeShock offers a light yet flavorful twist to classic ramen dishes, with a focus on local vegetables and savory Japanese seasonings. Satisfy any kind of craving with the perfect amount of food from BeShock’s extensive menu, including fried chicken, sushi rolls, and ramen options, such as the Tonkotsu Black Ramen, made with pork broth with a soy sauce base, black garlic oil, Pork Chashu, seasoned egg, wakame, bamboo shoots, leek, and mizuna leaves for a true Japanese taste.
Havana
Delight in the tiki flair of the Caribbean at Miss B’s Coconut Club, located in lively north Mission Beach. Miss B’s is as close as it gets to the Caribbean without leaving the mainland. Here you’ll find classic, Caribbean-inspired food, complete with the savory spices that make Caribbean cuisine so unique. Dine on the spacious outdoor patio that sits just steps from the sand while enjoying rum cocktails and one-of-a-kind plates, including the Jerk Chicken, perfectly seasoned and served with tangy mango chutney, stewed greens, sofrito rice, and plantain chips that will leave you dreaming of white sand beaches and Caribbean nights.
Paris
Finding an authentic French dining experience is a rarity in San Diego, but thankfully, Et Voilà exceeds all expectations. Nestled along Adams Avenue in the heart of University Heights, this cozy eatery features an interior reminiscent of a traditional French bistro with a stylish twist. With an extensive, master-crafted menu that blends French classics with a contemporary innovative flair, Et Voilà promises all the magic of a Parisian escape with dishes such as the Magret de Canard, Sauce Aux Olives, made with Hudson Valley duck breast, confit potatoes, asparagus, carrot mousseline, niçoise olives, and a balsamic duck sauce.
Maui
Take a trip to the islands with an evening at The Grass Skirt. Delicious handcrafted tiki cocktails include the Chi Chi, made with vodka, lime, pineapple, coconut, demerara and cinnamon; and the Carmen Miranda, a blend of white rum, overproof Jamaican rum, añejo rum, lime, pineapple, coconut, banana and cinnamon.
Mexico City
Offering guests an elevated Mexican dining experience from service to presentation, Red O La Jolla is the perfect destination for a trip to Mexico with no line at San Ysidro. With a variety of speciality margaritas curated with authentic intention, guests can pair a variety of libations with a wide selection of traditional cuisine. Guests can indulge in Red O’s authentic Signature Red O Margarita, mixed with Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila, JDK & Sons O3 Orange Liqueur and house-made limonada served over ice with a salt rim.
Milan
Opened July 2016 in North Pacific Beach, Ambrogio15 is the passion project of three Milan natives intent on bringing authentic Italian culture and cuisine to San Diego through “The Milano Pizza Experience.” With a focus on Milanese gourmet pizza made with dough recipes developed in Italy, Ambrogio15 emphasizes high-quality ingredients, a holistic approach to food and beverage, sustainable agriculture and a deep love for Milan – evident in its imported Italian flours, cold cuts and cheeses, massive rotating turbo gas-firing oven and a visual concept created by leading Italian designers.
Skip the annoying airport lines, baggage, and travel fees, and plan a tasty getaway with this selection of foreign fare! Experience cultural cuisine from around the world without ever having to leave the comfort of San Diego with these authentically diverse eateries.
