Compared to other bustling major cities, downtown San Diego has a small town scale with a cosmopolitan feel. And you'll experience that cosmopolitan edge by walking the busy streets lined by unique shops and restaurants. Here’s a list of restaurants that offers variety of menu fares and distinctive experiences.

Bertrand’s at Mister A
When you want to celebrate the wonderful years of marriage with your spouse, or you're thinking about asking her to marry you, Bertrand’s is a superb place to go. You’ll have the choice of either continental and Mediterranean cuisine while delighting in a first-rate view of the San Diego skyline. From the top floor, you'll enjoy a sweeping view not only of the city but of San Diego bay as well. The food is exquisitely prepared by the chef, and the small but intimate atmosphere envelopes you in elegance and charm. Service is attentive, friendly, and unobtrusive, so you'll appreciate that private time with your special one. So for those special occasions when you want to experience fine dining, Bertrand’s is the place to go.

Rama
For those who crave exotic spices and extraordinary dishes, Rama, a fine Thai Restaurant is worth the trip. From the famed Thai BBQ chicken to curries to their delicious seafood, your palette won’t run out of delectable choices. The restaurant’s décor is also captivating—with long white sheets suspended from the ceiling creating flowing walls, and creating a romantic feel to the place. The service staff is friendly, courteous and eager to please. And with most of the entrees priced below $30, you’re getting award-winning Thai delicacies without the gourmet price.

Bucca di beppo
For a hometown Italian experience, try Bucca di beppo. This is a family restaurant serves food at family-size platters and budget prices. Because food is great, ample, and inexpensive, you may have to wait to get seated during busy dinner hours. But it’s worth the wait. You can start off with mixed green salads followed by traditional southern Italian antipasti like the Buca Trio Platter (of crispy shrimp, friend calamari, and pan-fried fresh mozzarella). For the main entrees, you’ll have lots of choices running from pizza, to pasta, to several chicken cuisines. The desserts are also a must especially for those who love chocolates. They also offer kid’s menu. Don’t be surprised though that even after hours of eating, you may find yourself bringing home a doggie-bag perfect for the next day’s lunch.

Shout House
If you feel the need to release some stress or just want to show-off to your buddies, you’ll find yourself welcome at the Shout House. Every night, you can choose to be entertained by the dueling pianos, or be the entertainer by joining the loud (and sometimes risqué) sing-along. Two singers battle each other with their grand pianos dishing memorable classics to current top tunes. To experience the most riot, come in during the weekends when you can watch the business crowd turn from serious to shameless rock-and-roll wannabees. Don’t expect fine dining here but you’ll be offered a cocktail menu. They're closed on Mondays.

Sevilla
This lovely Spanish restaurant at the heart of downtown SD offers not only a dining experience, but an unforgettable cultural event. You can choose from a variety of hot and cold tapas in a romantic atmosphere, or savor the house specialty of paella. Or, you can savor pork, lamb, chicken, or rabbit prepared in traditional Spanish fashion. Salsa lessons are offered at the club from Tuesdays to Thursdays. But if you have the time, make sure you check out the Flamenco dinner shows on Friday and Sunday nights, and feel how it’s like to be a hot-blooded Spaniard for a night!

Kemo Sabe
For an Asian-Southwest fusion, try this award-winning gem. Dinner fares ranged from $6.50 to $26.00 and worth every single cent. Whatever recipe you choose, you won’t fail to discern the distinct flavors and spices that somehow make the unusual combination of ingredients play in your mouth. Try and see how spice grilled plantain, blackberry chutney, roasted pepitas, or nut crusted tofu can make your entrees truly unique.  And by the way, don’t plan on sharing your potted brownie with caramel topping and Kemo Sabe ice-cream!

Corvette Diner
Just beside Kemo Sabe is a time capsule called Corvette Diner. And you’re not imagining things—that’s a real Corvette parked in the lounge. You’ll also enjoy reminiscing the nostalgic 1950s as the waitresses in poodle skirts and puffed-out hairstyles serve you with juicy specialty burgers and sandwiches. And oh, the malts and shakes are a must too! You’ll have fun slurping on butterscotch malted peppermint smoothie or whopper shake. Kids will love the fun and party atmosphere.

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
Ranked as one of the five most popular San Diego restaurants by the Zagat survey, Sammy’s is a perfect choice for a low-key and casual dining. The inspired pizza creations are always a crowd favorite but the restaurant’s specialties like BBQ baby back ribs and rotisserie chicken will surely compete for your attention. You’ll loved the tomato angel hair pasta and your visit there will not be complete without indulging in the ‘nutty Fudgey Sundae’ – a sinful concoction of vanilla ice cream, brownie, chocolate sauce, chopped nuts, toasted coconut, and whipped cream. It’s a stairwell away from Horton Plaza.

Hash House - you must have breakfast/brunch here.  The portions are huge and the meals are very unique!  It's American with a southwest twist!  Some menu items include Captain Crunch pancakes, crab cake benedict, meatloaf hash. The biscuits and gravy are amazing. This is definitely the place to share food. Most entrees can feed two.  Their hash is not like the corned beef hash so don't be fooled.  You will not believe the size of their plates (think serving platters)!  Expect about an hour wait.

Phil's BBQ - located in Mission Hills, this place has the best BBQ in San Diego.  ON some summer nights, the wait can go two hours! The best way to go is to call a head and ask about the wait. If it is long, order over the phone and pick up. They have a menu on line.   It's a little pricey, but very delicious!

Filipi's- There's nothing like a Filipi's pizza.  in San Diego's Little Italy, this is where locals go for their American-Italian food fix. 

Bronx Pizza-  a Hillcrest food run is not complete without Bronx pizza.  The line goes around the block for lunch sometimes on weekdays because it's popular with the local Mercy hospital staff.  Great thin crust, New York style pizza.  Cheap, and a great atmosphere.

Extraordinary Desserts - This is the best place to go for dessert and coffee/tea. They are open late and it is a perfect after movie/theater place to take a date.   They have phenomenal desserts- to die for!  It's a little pricey- two coffees and one slice of cake can run $20.  But the dessert, the coffee, and the atmosphere is worth it!  There are two locations- one in Hillcrest and one in Little Italy.

Hong Kong

A typical Chinese restaurant in Hillcrest.  Casual, small, reasonably priced for San Diego.  Average food and service quality.