ding room with marina view
07 Aug 2025

10 San Diego Must-Try Restaurants on the Water

By Humphreys Half Moon Inn

There’s nothing like dinner and drinks on the Southern California coast with a water view and delicious local cuisine. If this sounds like paradise, you will definitely enjoy the amazing waterfront restaurants and unique dining experiences available in San Diego. Here are some of the best waterfront restaurants in San Diego, and the list starts right here at Humphreys Half Moon Inn, with Humphreys SoCAL Dining and Music!

10 Best Waterfront Restaurants in San Diego

Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music (Onsite at Hotel)

Have an amazing night with dinner and live music, San Diego style, at our popular waterfront restaurant and music venue onsite here at Humphreys! Plan to have dinner at Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music and enjoy marina views, local coastal dishes, creative cocktails, and craft beers. From the best Filet Mignon to Lobster Risotto, prepare for a delicious meal before a show at either one of our two music venues. Check out the summer concert and event schedule and make plans for a great night under the stars with an exciting show at Humphreys Concerts by the bay at our outdoor venue, or head over to our intimate lounge next door, Humphreys Backstage LIVE!

woman drinking wine, overlooking the marina

Blue Wave Bar & Grill (0.3 Miles from Hotel) 

Indulge in California coastal cuisine next door at our sister hotel, Best Western PLUS Island Palms Hotel & Marina. Enjoy dining at the Blue Wave Bar & Grill, where casual fine dining meets beautiful marina views. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu offers a selection of main dishes and small plates, perfectly complemented by the scenic beauty of the Point Loma hillside. Savor the tropically inspired flavors crafted by Executive Chef Andrew Mroz and unwind with a truly memorable dining experience. Open daily from 7am – 11pm.

outdoor food and drink by the waterfront at blue wave

Bali Hai (0.3 Miles from Hotel)

Take a leisurely stroll from your room or suite at Humphreys Half Moon Inn for dinner with a view at Bali Hai, a fun and unique Polynesian-style restaurant that offers plenty of excitement! One of the best places for summer dining in San Diego, Bali Hai offers cool tropical drinks and outdoor dining options. They are best known for their dangerously delicious (and strong) Mai Tais (over three million sold to date!) Grab your favorite flavor and a delicious dinner of seafood or steaks for a great evening out at one of the best waterfront restaurants in San Diego with a view of the city skyline.

Food and drink sitting on table overlooking water
Photo: @balihairestaurant

Ketch Bar & Grill (0.4 Miles from Hotel) 

A staple in the San Diego dining scene, Ketch Bar and Grill on Shelter Island offers fresh seafood, craft beers, and amazing harbor views, making it one of the best waterfront restaurants in San Diego. Enjoy flavors of the California coast with high-quality, locally sourced seafood with some of the best views San Diego has to offer. Choose from breakfast, lunch, or dinner with everything from fresh-shucked oysters and chicken and waffles to fish and chips and blackened salmon at this popular San Diego waterfront restaurant.

Two girls standing by table, with water in the background
Photo: @ketchgrillandtaps

Mitch’s Seafood (1.0 Mile from Hotel)

If you’re looking for casual waterfront dining in San Diego, Mitch’s Seafood is the place to be. This popular Point Loma restaurant serves fresh seafood from local waters with unbeatable views! Eat inside or outside on the deck for lunch or dinner and enjoy fried, grilled, and steamed seafood specialties. Located in the heart of the Point Loma Sportfishing Dock, Mitch’s is dedicated to serving local fish from local fishermen.

oysters

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood (3.1 Miles from Hotel)

Serving the best seafood and prime steaks, Eddie V’s in La Jolla is one of the most popular, upscale waterfront restaurants in San Diego to visit. Splurge and enjoy the fresh Seafood Tower with shrimp, oysters, and lobster for an amazing feast everyone is sure to love, along with some of the best water views around! Be sure to make a reservation at this spot to make sure you do not miss out during your San Diego vacation.

seafood pasta

C Level Lounge (3.5 Miles from Hotel)

With amazing views of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline, C Level Lounge is one of the most popular waterfront restaurants in San Diego. Enjoy dining on the patio for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with amazing water views and an incredible menu! Try the Fisherman’s Breakfast or one of their delicious baskets with a variety of fresh local seafood to choose from at C Level Lounge in San Diego.

Taco

Portside Pier (5.2 Miles From Hotel)

Home to some of the best waterfront restaurants in San Diego, Portside Pier offers guests a variety of delicious options for dining with a view. From Brigantine to Miguel’s Topsail Terrace, Portside offers outside patio and lounge dining, plus a second-floor viewing deck with panoramic waterfront views!

oysters

Cannonball (5.8 Miles from Hotel)

Enjoy dinner with a view at this amazing rooftop restaurant and bar in San Diego. Cannonball at Belmont Park is a fun place to watch the sunset and sip on craft cocktails at San Diego’s largest oceanfront rooftop bar. Enjoy a leisurely dinner of sushi, steak tataki, or bao buns on the amazing rooftop terrace with ocean views! Impressive water views from the rooftop terrace at Cannonball in San Diego offer an unforgettable experience at this popular waterfront restaurant in San Diego.

cheersing drinks
Photo: @cannonballsd

The Marine Room (11.8 Miles from Hotel) 

Known as one of San Diego’s most iconic dining experiences, The Marine Room serves seafood and seasonal dishes with an amazing up-close waterfront view! The Marine Room's unique beachfront setting makes it a popular destination, and their High Tide Dinners are a true culinary icon in San Diego. Experience ocean waves crashing right beside your window as you dine at one of the most incredible spots in town. Dinner at The Marin Room is definitely a dining experience you won’t soon forget!

Enjoy Waterfront Dining in San Diego During Your Stay at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn

Make plans today for your stay at Humphreys Half Moon Inn for a delicious experience during your San Diego vacation. Enjoy the best waterfront restaurants in San Diego, first-class resort-style amenities, live concerts onsite, and so much more. Make a reservation here to book the most amazing Southern California vacation today!

01 Apr 2023

The Meat Of the Matter: Best San Diego Steakhouses

By Humphreys Half Moon Inn

San Diego’s restaurant scene is — hands down — one of the best in the world. And since sometimes, nothing but a big, juicy cut of USDA Prime will do, “America’s Finest City” offers enough steakhouses to satisfy even the most discerning of carnivores. So whether you’re in the mood for a satisfying ribeye, tender filet mignon, or even a titanic tomahawk cut, here’s your guide to finding your personal preference for the best steakhouse in San Diego. And don’t worry — we’d never “steer” you wrong.  

Island Prime/C-Level (3.5 miles)

(Photo: @islandprimeclevel)

Island Prime (and its on-site bar C-Level Lounge) takes bayfront dining to an entirely new level. This eatery lets you go beyond the beach — offering exceptional views of the San Diego Bay and downtown skyline. Island Prime is the perfect spot for business luncheons, celebrations or to impress a loved one for a romantic dining experience. Their menu also offers an elevated experience, with steaks just as tasty as the scenery. Don’t miss the Filet Trio (a triptych of tender filets mignon topped with king crab, wild mushrooms & bleu cheese). Alternatively, the New York strip served with the peppercorn-infused au poivre sauce.

880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Born and Raised (4.5 miles)

(Photo: @bornandraisedstk)

Beef is the big star at this magnificent meatery, with a selection of prime, dry-aged cuts making up the majority of the menu. Born and Raised San Diego is famous for their attentive (but never intrusive) tableside service, striking old-school “Gatsby” vibe and décor, views overlooking Little Italy and San Diego Bay, and some of the most incredible, melt-in-your-mouth cuts of meat available anywhere. The cocktail program is also one of the best in the city, with a beverage to tantalize every palate. You can’t go wrong here.

1909 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Cowboy Star Restaurant & Butcher Shop (7.2 miles)

(Photo: @cowboystarsd)

East Village’s Cowboy Star is one of the most popular steak stops in the city, and for a laundry list of excellent reasons. Among them: exceptional dry-aged steaks, fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere that blends classic and contemporary design. The menu achieves the same balance, with a delicious blend of classic cuts, and savory seasonal dishes. When you go, make sure you save room for the famous Banana Pudding dessert.

640 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

STK San Diego (7.3 miles)

(Photo: @eatstk)

Upscale STK is just as famous for their skyline-view rooftop lounge as they are for their exceptional menu. Been tempted to sample a serving of legendary A5-grade Japanese Wagyu? STK has a selection. Celebrating with a prestige cut like a porterhouse or tomahawk? You’ll find the best in the city here. And since each steak comes with the diner’s choice of a gourmet, house-made sauce, you’ll never have the same steak twice.  

600 F St, San Diego, CA 92101

The Fishery (8.4 miles)

(Photo: @sdthefishery)

Located in Pacific Beach, The Fishery is primarily known for their seafood offerings — but sleeping on the beef would be a big “missed steak.” Excellent ribeye, filet mignon, and New York strip are all fantastic choices here, and the full-service bar offers a deep selection of spirits, wines, and local craft beers to accompany every delicious dish. Insider tip: looking for a fun night out? Check out the lively nightlife scene in this area for after-dinner drinks. You’ll find a number of bars, clubs and speakeasies in this youthful beachfront community! 

5040 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109

Rare Society (9.1 miles)

You’d be forgiven for assuming you’ve taken a step back in time when you pass through the doors of this University Heights staple. Given the focus on mid-century décor and exceptional service, you may find yourself wondering why the relaxed pace of yesteryear is the exception rather than the rule lately. Pick your cut from a deep menu featuring Australian Wagyu, bullseye ribeye, and even a 20-oz. / 40-day dry-aged bone-in New York strip, choose a specialty sauce, and allow yourself to be transported.

4130 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103 

The Butcher Shop (12.5 miles)

(Photo: @thebutchershop_sd)

San Diego may have a distinct (and awesome) identity all its own — but when it comes to steakhouses? There are plenty of diners who swear by the Chicago way. The Butcher Shop borrows its methodology and interior design from that timeless vibe, while allowing the menu to also be informed by the savory selections available to Chicago’s most celebrated stockyards. The result is an experience you simply won’t find anywhere else outside the WIndy City.

Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music (JUST STEPS AWAY!)

Guests at Humphreys are never far away from raising the steaks on a delicious dining experience. Our very own on-site eatery is always among favorite stops for hungry locals looking for a classic cut. Whether you opt for our grilled tenderloin (with garlic mash, baby kale and a Cabernet reduction), skirt steak with pomme frites and a bright chimichurri, or even our sage-brined double-cut pork chop, you’ll always head out happy.

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