Coronado Island is considered the crown gem of San Diego’s shoreline. Just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, crossing the spectacular arching Coronado Bridge with its dramatic curves and 360-degree vistas, you’ll feel a world apart from the rush and bustle of city life.
Coronado is just lovely. With a lovely small-town America character, this seaside hamlet is readily accessible and has its own sophisticated yet relaxed attitude. This postcard-perfect hamlet, however, is much more than its beautiful sandy beaches, palm palms, and sunsets.
There are plenty of places to dine on this little neighborly island. And, happily, they range from thatch-roofed beach bars with your feet in the sand to elegant, chef-driven local-inspired gastronomic marvels.
Coronado has it everything, whether you like burgers, tacos, or fresh-off-the-boat local seafood. Whatever your taste or style, there is a Coronado restaurant for you.
These are seven must-visit Coronado eateries on the island, all of which are popular.
Not in the mood to dine out tonight? Click here to have Grubhub deliver right to your door from the greatest restaurants in town.
When in Coronado, don’t miss out on the following activities that will let you immerse yourself in the city (get them while they’re hot!):
- San Diego: Harbor Cruise
- Skip-the-Line: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket
- San Diego: Dinner Cruise
- Coronado: GPS-Guided Scooter Tour & Round-Trip Ferry
- Coronado Segway® Tour from San Diego
Contents
- 1 9 Coronado Restaurants You Should Try
- 1.1 Coastal Cuisine Sera
- 1.2 Coronado Costa Azul
- 1.3 Peohes
- 1.4 The Fornaio
- 1.5 Seafood & Oyster Bar Brigantine
- 1.6 Henry the VIII
- 1.7 Coronado Brewing Co.
- 1.8 Frenchie, the little Frenchie
- 1.9 Miguel’s Restaurant
- 1.10 Which of these Coronado restaurants do you wish to try the most? Please share your thoughts in the comments box below!
9 Coronado Restaurants You Should Try
Coastal Cuisine Sera
619-435-66111500 Orange Avenue
Locals and tourists alike were excited and delighted when famous San Diego chef JoJo Ruiz introduced his new seaside concept Sera. The seaside restaurant of the historic Hotel del Coronado focuses on local, sustainable seasonal seafood and farm-grown cuisine with a contemporary Mediterranean flair.
This is sea to table eating at its best, serving dinner nightly and weekend brunch. And the breathtaking oceanfront views are unrivaled. Sixty percent of the restaurant’s patrons dine on a tiered terrace. Even open-air indoor dining have spectacular vistas.
The service is flawless and leisurely, with well-trained waiters thoroughly knowledgeable with every part of the menu, from wine and drinks to meals. A variety of appetizers, oysters, sashimi, wood-grilled and flash-fried fish, and more land and sea treats are available.
A sampling plate of Chef Ruiz’s wonderful and unusual appetizers is highly recommended. Tuna Tartare with lemon, cucumber, avocado, pine nut, mint, cilantro, and pita chips are among our favorites. The ahi is excellent, and the whole blend of novel ingredients works extremely well together. The Charcoal Grilled Octopus with marble potato, red onion, sumac, olive, and red chimichurri is a perfect example.
The Patatas Bravas is without a doubt our most popular side dish here. The chile garlic aioli and chive garnishes elevate this fantastic potato dish to a higher level. Those who purchase it for sharing will be sorry. That’s how fantastic it is.
Sera is one of the best Coronado restaurants for exquisite seafood.
Coronado Costa Azul
+161943535251201 First St, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
Visit Costa Azul for one of the most memorable dining experiences in Coronado. Because of the earth tones and dim lighting, you’ll feel as though you’re seated beneath a palapa on a deserted island.
While soaking in the fresh coastal breezes and salty ocean air, dine at one of Coronado’s best restaurants.
It is simple to drive, bike, or walk to all destinations at the Coronado ferry terminal. It also has a terrace and a beautiful position on the lake.
They serve fantastic white bean chili and calamari strips that are worth trying!
Yet, since chili relleno is my favorite Mexican meal and a good restaurant standard, I always order it when I go to a Mexican restaurant.
Chile Rellenos that aren’t battered or deep fried can only be found here. I used to believe that was how they were intended to be, however when served this way, you get both the great taste of the chiles and a fantastic sauce.
There are two, both enormous and filling, and the rice and beans go well with them. They are now my go-to Chile Rellenos, and they’ve made me distrust other Mexican eateries. Indeed, there is a breathtaking view of San Diego’s waterfront.
Peohes
First Street, +1 (619) 437-44741201
Peohes (pronounced p-o-ees) is an upscale fine dining restaurant with a casual island ambiance. It is part of the Chart House restaurant group. Its aloha vibe and breathtaking views of Coronado Bay make it one of the most popular Coronado restaurants. Reservations are strongly advised.
Peohes, located near the Coronado Ferry Terminal, specializes on fresh tropical seafood meals with Hawaiian Pacific Rim influences. I have to add that this is one of our favorite Coronado happy hour spots, and others who have joined us completely agree.
The views from the expansive outside terrace are breathtaking. And the happy hour menu includes some of the restaurant’s popular drinks at a reduced price, as well as several appetizers at half price.
Spicy Tuna and Lobster California Rolls, Coconut Crunchy Shrimp, Kim Chee Calamari with crunchy veggies, Thai Chicken Spring Rolls, Ahi Poke Nachos, and Pulled Pork Sliders are our favorites. Bottom line, a list of Coronado restaurants would be incomplete without this location.
The Fornaio
1st St, Coronado, CA 92118, USA +161943749111333
The restaurant was somewhat crowded, yet I felt at ease with the table arrangement. The staff was attentive, professional, and sincere in their hospitality. I can’t wait to come back simply for the staff!
The wonderful Italian cuisine is complemented with a breathtaking view of the waterfront and San Diego’s Mediterranean-style architecture.
Il Fornaio looks to be highly popular throughout the city’s few lovely Pacific coast nights, with eager customers enjoying the excellent environment. Please prioritize your thoughts on your visit!
The mixed grill Griggliata di Piesce Misto was delicious, especially with the added scallops in place of the calamari.
My Ferrarese lasagna was well prepared, delicious, and light. For dessert, we chose apple strudel, but the gelato that came with it was significantly better. That is an absolute must-try!
Seafood & Oyster Bar Brigantine
Orange Avenue, +1 (619) 435-41661333
This seafood restaurant chain, founded in 1969, has several sites around the San Diego area, but what makes it one of our favorites is the stability of its meal variety, exceptional food quality, pricing range, and superb service.
We appreciate the Coronado location, which is located across the street from the Hotel del Coronado. The stylish, laid-back cafe recently received a refurbishment and remains a favorite meeting spot for both residents and visitors.
The menu is wide and available for lunch and supper. From soups and salads to small plates, seasonal specialties, and famous big plate classics, landlubbers and sea lubbers can easily find something to excite the palate here.
We’ve never had anything except excellent food here, but if we had to choose a favorite, it would have to be the Crab Stuffed Jumbo Prawns, wrapped in bacon, grilled and served with a jalapeo white sauce, mashed potatoes, and chefs’ choice veggies.
Fresh steamed Black Mussels in a white wine saffron broth, garlic butter, and tomato are another favourite. This is an appetizer, but it is substantial enough to serve as the main course. A baguette is ideal for soaking up the juices, and staff will happily bring you more.
Brigantine is the place to go for the best Coronado seafood.
Henry the VIII
Orange Avenue, +1 (619) 762-10221031
The Henry, one of the newest restaurants on the Coronado culinary scene, combines classic Gatsby-era grandeur with a casual ambience, creating a highly diverse dining experience.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and supper and has both outside and indoor seating. Its signature green and white umbrellas serve as a signal for hungry customers. Our lunch menu was filled with tantalizing appetizers, salads, sandwiches, major meals, sides, and desserts.
My husband enjoyed his spicy marinated Baja Rotisserie Chicken, elote, roasted jalapeño, onion a la plancha, black beans, and guacamole. The combination of these savory ingredients nestled inside flour tortillas is incredibly enticing, and the appearance is equally outstanding.
My Charred Avocado Salad was delicious. Salad doesn’t get much better than this with grilled asparagus, heirloom carrot, snap peas, and bok choy with toasted sesame and ginger miso vinaigrette.
We were too full for dessert, but the Warm Croissant Bread Pudding with toasted pecan, caramel ice cream, and whiskey raisins was talked about by a couple at the table next to us. They came in just for this mutual pleasure. We’ll get right on it with our next visit here.
Coronado Brewing Co.
Orange Avenue, +1 (619) 437-4452170
Every community, even Coronado, needs a brewery. The Coronado Brewing Company is our favorite among the Coronado eateries with this flair.
The family has been brewing award-winning beer in the San Diego region for 21 years, but in 1996 they combined their love of the craft with traditional coastal food and launched a brewpub café. Friends may come here to relax, enjoy a superb handmade brew, and delicious cuisine in an attractive but relaxed ambiance.
Menu items include beloved pub appetizers, beachy greens (salads), tacos, burgers, sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and main events, and are available for lunch, dinner, and happy hour (larger entre specials). Since the portions are pub-sized, sharing is quite common. Otherwise, a to-go box is required.
I must say that we have never been dissatisfied with anything we have bought from here. My husband’s favorite dish is the Fish & Chips, which is made with beer-battered Alaskan fish and paired with garlic fries.
The burgers are delicious here, but you’ll need extra napkins. I like the Imperial Beach Burger, which comes with an islander sauce and all of the standard toppings, including a choice of cheese. Burgers are served with fries, coleslaw, or a side salad.
This Coronado brewpub is a must-try for casual yet exceptional meals.
Frenchie, the little Frenchie
Orange Avenue, +1 (619) 675-00411166
Little Frenchie is a delightful Parisian-style bistro and sidewalk café that residents and tourists have fallen in love with since its inauguration in May 2019. It is a homage to the French neighborhood cafs that serve as the heart of social and gastronomic life. The vegetables is supplied locally, while the seafood is purchased from local fisherman. Everything about this place is entertaining, elegant, and new.
Lunch and supper hors d’oeuvres include delectable Burgundy Escargot, Onion Soup Gratine, and an elaborate French cheese program served on sideboards.
You’ll also want to complement your meal with a French wine, and the staff here are well-versed in the options. Weekend brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays.
Cassoulet, duck confit, with sausage, white beans, and parsley, and Quiche, with bacon, French comt cheese, caramelized onion, and a delicious side of mixed greens, are two of our favorite main courses.
Make space for dessert since these French confectionary delights are just as spectacular as the dinners. These include Vanilla Bean Crème Brle, Chocolate Torte, Raspberry Charlotte Cake, Profiteroles, and a sorbet trio with woodland berry, lemon, and mango for a lighter option. Everything is delectably decadent.
It may be known as Little Frenchie, but when it comes to great French cuisine in Coronado restaurants, this establishment is massive.
Miguel’s Restaurant
Orange Avenue, +1 (619) 437-42371351
Miguels in Coronado, located in the courtyard of the historic El Cordova Hotel, is the ideal location to take a few steps off the main road and enjoy a margarita and some scrumptious Mexican food served San Diego style. The verdant and gorgeous patio is Spanish-inspired, and the restaurant decor is colorful and cheerful.
While they have several sites in San Diego, we prefer the Coronado location since it is the original restaurant, which debuted in 1982. It’s a great restaurant for lunch or supper, with a cuisine that will please everyone and pricing that are affordable.
Starters, soups, salads, and typical enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, tacos, and house plate specials are among the entrees. Each dish is typical of Mexico’s finest, and although it’s difficult to select a favorite, we’d have to go with the Shrimp Burrito with sauteed shrimp, salsa Fresca, and jalapeo white sauce.
Tres Amigos offers three distinct but equally delicious tacos: pork belly, chicken mole, and Ensenada, Baja-style shrimp. Simply simply, you can’t go wrong with this place!
Coronado restaurants provide Miguels Cocina, which serves delicious Mexican cuisine.