In the past decade, San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter has become a big player in the upscale restaurant game. While LA, New York, and Chicago have always had their share of famous eateries, we’re just recently seeing the Gaslamp transform into a bustling hub of restaurants, nightclubs, and high-end hotels.
Choosing the best Gaslamp restaurants can be tough, since new spots are popping up all the time. Rockin’ Baja has been around longer than many other Gaslamp restaurants though, so we’d like to share our time-tested favorites with you!
1. Best Mexican Food: Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina
There are plenty of Mexican restaurants in the Gaslamp, from tiny post-clubbin’ spots like Los Panchos, to higher-end tequila bars like La Puerta. In terms of value, quality, and ambiance, though, we gotta give ourselves the award! Whether you’re craving Puerto Nuevo-style flash fried crab, or just want a giant plate of carnitas nachos, Rockin’ Baja is your best bet. Plus, as summer rolls in you’ll want to enjoy your comida in the sunshine, and we’ve got a giant patio with fantastic people watching!
2. Best Sushi Spot: Taka
Some people swear by the celeb-hot spot Nobu, but if you’re not George Clooney-rich, you can still enjoy some tasty sushi at Taka, a sushi restaurant on 5th avenue, just a couple blocks away from Rockin’ Baja. Delicious sashimi and great service come at a price though, so if you’re craving raw fish and not looking to spend your rent check, stop into Baja for some ahi poke – it’s a can’t miss!
3. Best Burger: Nicky Rotten’s
Lots of places have popped up Downtown over the past few years claiming to have the best burger in the city. Sorry folks, we’ve gotta give the award to longtime Gaslamp resident burger joint Nicky Rotten’s! Juicy burgers and equally tasty fries, accompanied by an ice-cold beer at a bar with huge TVs – what more could you want? If your palate calls for a spicier burger, stop into Rockin Baja for a jalapeño-onion burger – if you can handle it!
4. Best Breakfast: Cafe 21
The Gaslamp Quarter has always had its share of dinner restaurants, but it’s not quite as easy to find a tasty, affordable breakfast spot that doesn’t have a two-hour long wait. Enter Cafe 21, a new-ish Turkish spot located on 5th Ave between G & F street. Everything on the menu is high quality and freshly-made – so don’t expect super-quick delivery… we promise it’ll be worth it!
5. Best Steak Joint: Donovan’s
Located just across the street from Rockin’ Baja, Donovan’s Steak and Chop House is the perfect place to go if you are craving a juicy steak after a few happy hour brewksies with us (assuming you don’t end up falling for our buttery Tequila Lime Shrimp or $3 tacos). This upscale steak spot has a business casual dress code, though, so you’ll have to change out of your flip flops if you want to indulge in bacon-wrapped scallops and filet mignon.
There are so many Gaslamp restaurants to choose from, with just about every cuisine you could imagine – so don’t take our word for it… go try them all! And when you’re done, head back over to Rockin’ Baja for late-night cocktails and fried ice cream… and molten cake… and maybe fajitas…?
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