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10 New San Diego Restaurants to Try Before Everyone Else

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at UCSD chapter.

If you have lived in San Diego for at least a year, you probably have had more than one experience of sitting in a car and not knowing where to go eat. I, myself, certainly have had many of these moments because as human beings, we crave novelty. 

Our most favorite restaurants can quickly become ordinary. Luckily for us, however, the San Diego food scene has been exploding with so many new, extraordinary places that are less than a year old. So to all my friends, and to my fellow San Diegans, let’s get feasting at these 10 new foodie destinations.

1. Bing Haus 

A photo posted by BING HAUS (@binghaus.convoy) on

This up-and-coming dessert destination in Convoy just had their soft opening on August 29 and it was foodie heaven. Get ready to make your day infinitely better with some of the prettiest frozen treats that include rolled ice creams and milk shaved snow inside a melon.

2. Crack Shack

A photo posted by Food Porn (@cookeatlift) on

Despite opening its doors in late 2015, Crack Shack has quickly become an institution in San Diego’s food arena. Just one bite of their mouthwatering, crispy fried chicken will leave you instantly craving more. 

3. Stuffed!

A photo posted by Adriana B. (@dre___21) on

Nestled away in San Diego’s food hall, Liberty Public Market, this former food truck is serving up some American classics with a super-sized twist. So if you’ve got a hankering for indulgent burgers or mac and cheese, Stuffed! is the place to be.

4. Square Bar Cafe

Square Bar Cafe is like a mashup between the many ice cream shops and boba shops that are scattered around Orange County. Luckily for us, we don’t have to tolerate the I-5 traffic to get our fix on these Insta-worthy ice cream treats and bubble milk teas.

5. H2O Sushi & Izakaya

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I’ll be forthright when I say that I am a bit of a sushi snob and finicky with my fish so when I discovered H2O Sushi & Izakaya, I was beyond elated. Their high caliber menu has a myriad of options at reasonable prices and their ambience has a very sophisticated and trendy allure. 10/10, highly recommend.

6. Communal Coffee

A photo posted by iChews (@ichews__) on

This hipster hangout is undeniably one of the coolest, and the cutest, new spots in San Diego. If their latte flight can’t get you through the door, come for the Instagram picture or for the flower bouquets that they arrange on site.

7. SuperNatural Sandwiches

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You can forget the mundane cold cuts and the supermarket sliced bread because these next-level sandwiches are made with fresh, sustainable seafood and locally-baked bread. While some ingenious creations include a spicy lobster grilled cheese, their menu also features some land animal options.

8. Cinnaholic

A photo posted by Cinnaholic (@cinnaholic) on

Cinnaholic is redefining the world of cinnamon buns with their gourmet treats that are made with absolutely no eggs or dairy. These customizable, decadent desserts may be 100% vegan but are still 100% delicious.

9. Poki One n Half

A photo posted by Julie 🌸 (@pnjulienguyen) on

Poke joints have been popping up all over San Diego lately but what really differentiates Poki One N Half from the rest of the crowd is their unbeatable price and their generous portions. While other places would charge you for the more “premium” additions, the imitation crabmeat and the avocado here are free.

10. Barbusa

A photo posted by Joe Busalacchi (@chefjoebusa) on

This Little Italy eatery, devoted to modern Sicilian cuisine, is committed to delivering top-notch quality by hand-making almost all of their pastas in house. If that’s not enough to woo you, go check out the serious yolk porn on their carbonara

Melissa is a fan of novel experiences so you can always expect her traveling somewhere interesting and eating something unique.