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Embarcadero & the Waterfront

Anthony’s Fish Grotto & Fishette (Map; 619-232-5105; 1360 N Harbor Dr; ) Fishette (mains $5-9; 8am-8:30pm) Grotto (mains lunch $7-14, dinner $10-33; 11am-10pm) Next to the Maritime Museum, this pair of restaurants serves seafood and chowders with views of the tall ships on the harbor. The sit-down Grotto has an old-style nautical theme (ahoy, mateys!), while the counter at the Fishette serves a more limited menu (think fish and chips or sandwiches) that you eat out on the deck.

Fish Market (Map; 619-232-3474; 750 N Harbor Dr; most mains lunch $10-24, dinner $13-30) For a daily changing menu of sushi to smoked fish, chowder to the raw bar, steamers to cioppino and grilled fish, all with a harbor view in a snappy dining room, walk to Tuna Harbor, opposite the port side of the USS Midway. Snag a window table if you can.

Balboa Park

The kids will probably be happy with the park’s street vendors or casual cafés. For something more sophisticated:

Waters Café (Map; 619-237-0675; 1450 El Prado; mains $7-12; 11am-3pm Tue-Fri, 9am-3pm Sat & Sun) Savory homemade soups, grilled veggie salads, and baguette sandwiches and mango quesadilla are typical fare at the colonnaded, canopied café in the San Diego Museum of Art’s courtyard. Save room for rich chocolate brownies and mouth-puckering lemon squares.

Prado (Map; 619-557-9441; 1549 El Prado; mains lunch $14-18, dinner $17-24; lunch daily, dinner Tue-Sun) In one of San Diego’s most beautiful dining rooms, feast on Cal-Latin cooking by one of San Diego’s most renowned chefs: bakery sandwiches, chicken and orecchiette pasta, and pork prime rib. Go for a civilized lunch on the verandah or for afternoon cocktails and appetizers in the bar. Make reservations.

Old Town

Eateries all along San Diego Ave are known for good Mexican cooking. Choose your setting: touristy, raucous, local or sublime.

Old Town Mexican Cafe (Map; 619-297-4330; 2489 San Diego Ave; dishes $3-14; 7am-midnight; ) There’s nothing like the flavor of freshly made tortillas, and this hometown favorite makes some of the best – watch the staff turn them out in the window while you wait to be seated. There’s a big bar (try the Old Town ultimate margarita) and dining room serving famous machacas (shredded pork with onions and peppers). For breakfast: chilaquiles (fried or dried tortilla chips in green or red salsa or mole, broiled or grilled with a cheese topping).

Fred’s (Map; 619-858-8226; 2470 San Diego Ave; mains $8-11; ) Every night party people on a budget crowd into raucous Fred’s, especially on ‘Taco-licious Tuesday’, when tacos sell for under $3. The straight-down-the-middle enchiladas, burritos and tacos won’t set standards, but it’s hard not to love the colorful interior and rangy patio.

Zócalo (Map; 619-298-9840; 2444 San Diego Ave; mains lunch $9-17, dinner $12-24) Nuevo Latino cuisine in an upscale setting: think macadamia-crusted mahimahi, churrasco skirt steak and guava-glazed barbecue ribs. There’s a great happy hour (4pm to 6:30pm Monday to Saturday, 3pm to 6:30pm Sunday) with deals on fish tacos, artichoke fritters and more.

El Agave (Map; 619-220-0692; 2304 San Diego Ave; mains lunch $10-18, dinner $18-27; 11am-10pm) Candlelight flickers on the bottles adorning the walls of this romantic 2nd-floor, white-tablecloth, high-end Mexican place that serves real Mexican to the cognoscenti. The mole – a spicy sauce made with chilies and chocolate – is superb, and there are a whopping 1500 different tequilas to choose from. Reserve.

Hillcrest

Hillcrest offers a great diversity of cuisines, mostly at good prices (inquire about nightly specials). See also Gay & Lesbian San Diego for bar-restaurants.

BUDGET & MIDRANGE

Bread & Cie (Map; 619-683-9322; 350 University Ave; pastries $2-4, sandwiches $5-8; 7am-7pm Mon-Fri, 7am-6pm Sat, 8am-6pm Sun; ) Aside from crafting some of San Diego’s best bread (including anise and fig, kalamata and black olive, and three-raisin), this wide-open