The benefit of living in a microcosm like Clairemont is that you can quite literally taste the flavors of the world at its many restaurants. These flavors are sure to incite a happy dance in your mouth. And best of all, you only have to travel a few miles to make it happen.
From mom-and-pop taco shops to traditional Asian cuisine to lesser-known fare like Afghan food, Clairemont and its neighbors, Linda Vista and Kearny Mesa, are a pit stop for many San Diego diners looking to delight their tastebuds with something different.
Ready to travel the world’s restaurants right here in Clairemont? Let’s go!
Mexico
Roberto’s
No list would be complete without mention of Roberto’s, the taco shop that inspired a plethora of creatively named rival shops ending in -bertos (what’s the weirdest one you’ve seen?). Roberto’s put California burritos on the map, and is still serving up burritos as big as your head–24 hours a day.
Locations: 3095 Clairemont Dr. Unit. C and 1525 Morena Blvd.
Mike’s Red Tacos
Originating from a food truck, Mike’s Red Tacos established its roots in Clairemont with a brick-and-mortar location in 2021. Chili-oil dipped taco shells take on a vibrant red color and are the perfect complement to their famous birria meat. Served with a side of consommé broth, give those tacos a proper dunk before taking a bite.
Location: 4310 Genesee Ave. #104
Barrio Donas
Mexican cuisine isn’t limited to tacos and burritos. Barrio Donas has put Mexico on the map in Clairemont with its unique donut flavors, which can’t be found anywhere else in the area. Set your tongue on a happy adventure as you bite into an arroz con leche, horchata, or flan donut. Looking for savory instead of sweet? Barrio Donas also serves up meaty breakfast tortas. And they didn’t forget the vegans, with a selection of plant-based donuts to satisfy.
Location: 4714 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
Thailand
Thai Time III
Nestled in the same strip mall as Mike’s Red Taco’s, Thai Time III has been in Clairemont for nearly 25 years and is a local favorite. You’ll find the usual lineup of most Thai restaurants — curries and pad Thai. For vegetarians and vegans, they have mock meat options to add to their dishes. You’ll find sizeable portions and consistency at Thai Time III.
Location: 4310 Genesee Ave. #111
The Pad Thai Stand
At the Pad Thai Stand, you can savor the diverse flavors of Thailand’s various regions in one restaurant. The foundation of pad Thai starts with noodles and tamarind sauce, but from there, it can take on different variations. Chef Ranma is familiar with 30 styles of pad Thai and enjoys introducing people to flavors that deviate from the traditional, although that’s an option as well. To order, select your base ingredients, protein (or vegetables), and then choose the flavor of a specific region.
Location: 3520 Ashford St. Unit 1A
Vietnam
Pho Duyen Mai
Like many restaurants in Kearny Mesa, Pho Duyen Mai is nestled unassumingly in a strip mall. Their simmering hot and aromatic pho is what they’re known for, but they have an extensive menu of other Vietnamese favorites as well, like bun and banh mi, to name a couple. Generous portions and authentic flavors keep locals coming back for more.
Location: 5375 Kearny Villa Rd.
Mien Trung
What this no-frills, cash-only, family-owned Vietnamese restaurant lacks in ambience, it makes up for in flavor. Mien Trung’s cuisine is representative of central Vietnam. Their signature dish is the bun bo hue, a savory and flavorful beef and pork broth with hints of lemon grass and chili oil. Loaded with thick noodles, slices of meat, and leafy greens, this is comfort food at its finest.
Location: 7530 Mesa College Dr. Ste. A
Peru
Flama Llama
Light, bright, and airy inside, with green foliage adding to the tropical Latin American vibe, Flama Llama is Peruvian food with a twist. The menu melds traditional Peruvian ingredients with Cantonese cooking styles. Chifa cuisine emerged when Chinese migrants arrived in Peru and blended their traditions with the local foods of their new homeland. It’s a gastronomical journey of flavor, with Flama Llama serving up unique dishes such as chili tamarind wings and fan favorites like ropa vieja (beef flank with plantains) and lomo saltado (Peruvian beef stir-fry). Add one of their tropical and colorful cocktails, like a sangria slush, to wash it all down.
Location: 4433 Convoy St.
China
Noble Chef
The wirebound menu is chock-full of choices–in the hundreds, to be precise. Noble Chef is a traditional Cantonese restaurant situated in the heart of Clairemont, widely regarded as one of the best of its kind in San Diego. Duck dishes can be a challenge to get right, but Noble Chef is renowned for its succulent and flavorful duck entrees. And if you come with a large group, they have several ten-course meals to leave you sated.
Locations: 6159 Balboa Ave.
Shan’xi Magic Kitchen
Specializing in the flavors of Northwest China, Shan’xi Magic Kitchen’s chefs mesmerize diners as they artistically create food by hand pulling noodles into shape. Their flagship dish is the biang biang spicy hand-ripped noodles. Both chewy and tender, the thick noodles are complemented by a garlicky chili pepper oil that will tickle your nose with aromatics and tantalize your tongue with flavor. There are plenty of other dishes to choose from if you’re spice averse–the noodles are the draw here.
Locations: 5950 Balboa Ave. Unit 110 and 4344 Convoy St.
Japan
Yakitori Taisho
Yakitori is Japanese skewered and charcoal-grilled chicken, and Yakitori Taisho serves up some of the best in San Diego. While chicken is the traditional protein of Yakitori, here you can also savor versions made from pork, beef, and seafood. Pair your meal with a sake personally recommended by Chef Taisho, and you’ll have a dinner to remember. Open for dinner only.
Location: 5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Menya Ultra
Menya Ultra has won more awards for ramen than you can count on one hand. Or even two. Hand-pulled noodles made from a special sweet wheat flour combined with the rich umami of their soup make Menya Ultra a San Diego favorite. From mellow to spicy, you’re sure to find a flavor profile that tantalizes your tastebuds. And the secret is out (they are listed in the Michelin Guide), so prepare to wait for a seat, but you can add yourself to their waitlist on Yelp.
Location: 8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Ste. M
Afghanistan
Mediterranean Kitchen Lounge
Seekh means skewer in English, and it’s the traditional Afghan kebab made with minced meat combined with aromatic spices like coriander and cumin. You can sample lamb, beef, and chicken variations at the Mediterranean Kitchen Lounge. Besides seekh, there are plenty of additional choices, including quabli palow, an Afghan dish of lamb shank and a rice pilaf blended with caramelized raisins and carrots. Eat in or have them cater your next big event.
Location: 5440 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Suite B
Italy
Baci
Baci is a San Diego institution for Italian food. A family-owned restaurant, Baci’s has been serving the community since 1979. Located in Bay Park, across from Mission Bay, you’ll step into a classic fine dining restaurant that consistently serves artfully crafted entrees to delight your taste buds. Dishes include homemade soft, pillowy gnocchi in a four-cheese sauce and dijon-crusted rack of lamb. Pair your dish with an Italian Sangiovese or a refreshing Hugo spritz, and fill your stomach with happiness.
Location: 1955 Morena Blvd.
The Godfather Restaurant
The Godfather is a Clairemont classic, established in 1974. Step inside and you’ll feel like you’re in Chicago or on the set of The Godfather movie. Dimly lit, with waiters in black suits, ties, and crisp, button-down white shirts, the ambiance is not to be missed. Fortunately, the food is on par with the ambiance. You’ll find yourself unable to stop eating the complimentary crispy fried zucchini appetizer. Entrees include delectable Italian dishes like braised short rib ravioli, linguine frutti di mare, and New York strip steak. Round out your meal with a selection from their extensive wine list.
Location: 7878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
Korea
Buga Korean BBQ
If you’re looking for AYCE (all-you-can-eat) Korean BBQ in the Clairemont, Linda Vista, or Kearny Mesa area, you won’t have to look very far, as there are plenty of options available. But Buga KBBQ is one of the most popular choices. The AYCE menu features three tiers to suit all budgets, ranging from $34.99 to $45.99 per person, as well as a happy hour option for $27.99. Cooking your own food at the center of the table makes this an interactive dining experience where you’ll satisfy your meat cravings.
Location: 5580 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
Chon Ju Jip
The quaint, unassuming places are often hidden gems, and Chon Ju Jip is no exception. Choices range from traditional beef bulgogi, bibimbap, and gimchi jigae, a spicy kimchi soup. If you’re looking for a solid mom-and-pop Korean restaurant, Chon Ju Jip might be your new favorite. Pro tip: pay in cash for a 10 percent discount.
Location: 4374 Convoy St.
Greece
ZGARA Greek Grill
ZGARA prides itself on making its gyro, kofta, and bifteki meats from scratch each day. Their gyro meat is available in pork and chicken varieties, while the kofta (kebabs) and bifteki (patties) are made from lamb and beef. Portions are sizeable, and vegetarians will find plenty of options to satisfy with options, from fresh Greek salads to crispy falafel. Pro tip: Time your dining experience to coincide with SeaWorld’s summer fireworks.
Location: 1229 Morena Blvd.
Turkey/Greece/Middle East
Aladdin Cafe
At the Aladdin Cafe, you can tempt your palate with a multitude of flavors from the Middle East and Mediterranean. Be sure to come hungry, as the portions are generous. Your biggest challenge will be deciding on a dish. Meals range from fresh Greek salads to shawarma to wood-fired oven dishes. You’ll even find a selection of Middle Eastern-flavored pizzas. If you manage to save room for dessert, finish your meal with a pistachio baklava, Turkish ice cream, and rich Turkish coffee.
Location: 5420 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
Mystic Grill
Mystic Grill & Bakery serves up savory halal cuisine and is a neighborhood favorite. Halal is food that aligns with Islamic law and avoids pork and alcohol, as well as a specific type of slaughter for meats. You’ll find a menu abundant in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, featuring a variety of options ranging from salads to wraps to kebabs. Mystic Grill offers catering in addition to order-at-the-counter indoor dining.
Location: 6133 Balboa Ave.
South Africa
Perky’s
South African food is not the typical ethnic fare you see in most neighborhoods–unless you’re in Clairemont. Perky’s Foods is a South African grocery and catering company. It’s also a meat lover’s delight, serving up meat pies, biltong (beef jerky), drywors and boerewors (sausages). Pick up pre-made foods to serve up at home, or have Perky’s cater your banquet, wedding, or work luncheon with something a little different than sandwiches or chicken and rice.
Location: 8280 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #117
Cuba
Havana Grill
Stepping into Havana Grill, you instantly feel transported out of Clairemont. You’ll wish you’d worn your Fedora hat and some linen to fully vibe. Locally sourced and natural ingredients lend to the fresh flavors of the menu. You’ll find traditional Cubano sandwiches, with meat pressed between crusted bread, along with empanadas and mango-grilled salmon. Finish your meal with a Cuban coffee and a rich guava pastry. Servings are generous, so if you like leftovers, you’ll like it here.
Location: 5450 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Ste. G
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Caribbean, South/Central America
Tropical Star
This one restaurant will introduce you to the flavors of more Caribbean countries than you can count on one hand. Colombian empanadas, Puerto Rican mofongo, Venezuelan shredded beef (ropa vieja/pabellon Venezolano) with fried plantains are just a few of the many dishes at Tropical Star. Pair your meal with a Peruvian, Guatemalan, Brazilian, or Brazilian beer and you’ll feel like planting your toes in the soft sands of the tropics after your meal.
Location: 6163 Balboa Ave.
France
Arely French Bakery
Longing to stroll down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and stop at a café to sip a Kir Royale and nosh on a pain au chocolat croissant? We can’t give you Champs-Élysées, but Arely French Bakery can serve up the rest. Arely’s is open for breakfast and lunch, offering an extensive menu that includes omelettes, quiches, crepes, croissants, and paninis. Plus, there’s a dessert and pastry case to die for.
Location: 4961 Clairemont Dr. Ste. A
India
Bombay Coast
Chef Zubin brings Bombay to Clairemont Town Square, cooking up flavorful Indian dishes in an authentic tandoor oven. Fragrant Indian spices will have your mouth watering before you take a bite of your food. With a blend of traditional and lesser-known dishes, such as Parsi kheema pav (curried minced lamb sliders), this cuisine packs a ton of flavor. Enjoy dining al fresco on the outdoor patio, or if you prefer not to dine at Bombay Coast, you can have it brought to you. Chef Zubin offers catering and private home chef services.
Location: 4705 Clairemont Dr.
Mongolia
Mongolian Hot Pot
Come hungry and leave stuffed. Mongolian Hot Pot has an affordable all-you-can-eat menu, as well as an à la carte menu. Either way, you’ve got options galore. Choose from seven soup bases and 39 (yes, you read that right) types of meat and seafood to cook in your broth. Add your choice of fresh, leafy greens, noodles, tofu, and so much more to round out your meal. Pro tip: Come on your birthday for a meal on the house.
Location: 4718 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
United States
STP
Feeling like some good ole American fare? Clairemont’s got you covered there, too. STP Bar-N-Grill is about as American as it gets, with a classic rock, muscle car, and biker vibe. Nosh on a grass-fed half-pound burger with a side of tater tots drizzled with chipotle aioli and sprinkled with bacon, and you’ll be feeling red, white, and blue coursing through your veins. Pro tip: Don’t miss out on the moist and savory bread pudding served with ice cream and bourbon glaze.
Location: 5487 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
