The Grape
Neighborhood: Gaslamp

823 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

Brent M. writes: By FAR one of my FAVORITE places in the Gas Lamp!! This place is easy to miss (kind of small) but it is definitely a place NOT to miss.  As we sat there we were saying FINALLY, a place where you can have a conversation without screaming over loud…

Nordstrom Cafe
Neighborhood: Gaslamp

324 Horton Plz
San Diego, CA 92101

Cynthia H. writes: Was just in here this week.  They have recently remodeled this cafe' and have added a long row of booths in the center-- as well as along the windows beside the exterior walls.  I'm not sure if this holds more people, but it definitely feels a bit…

Le Cake Chateau
Neighborhood: Downtown

1152 7th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

Rachel S. writes: This is probably my favorite go-to lunch spot during the week (it doesn't hurt that my office is very nearby).  The service is *almost* always fast and the food is hot and tasty.  The place is clean and welcoming.  It's not gourmet, per se, but it's…

Uptown Market and Deli
Neighborhood: Banker's Hill

2420 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

Edenista M. writes: This spot is both a convenience store and a deli, offering 8''pizzas for lunch and a pretty exhaustive list of sandwiches.  I find it overpriced, however.  $6.95 for a simple ham & cheese sandwich bathed in layers of mustard doesn't make my taste…

It's A Grind
Neighborhood: Downtown, Little Italy

690 1st Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

Abbe A. writes: Great frozen and speciality drinks. Haven't tried the pastries, but they look yummy. I enjoy the neat deco cups and hand painted items that they have for sale.

I wish they were open later..they close way too early! :-(

One World Fine Foods
Neighborhood: Downtown

1631 6th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

Tiffany S. writes: One World Fine Foods is a little natural foods/deli spot on the edge of downtown. It's seems pretty popular with Cal Western Law students, who hone their suing skills down the street. It's a good place to stop by for "natural" or "alternative" foods…

Gelateria Frizzante
Neighborhood: East Village, Gaslamp

435 Island Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

Marcus C. writes: I found it presumptuous of the girl to assume that I was going to pay for my companion's gelato.  Overall, it was okay.

Palomar Market
Neighborhood: Mission Hills

1802 W Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103

Lisa W. writes: The closest market to mi casa.

They have a great variety of beer and wine as well as licker.  They even sell incense and papers and cigars and all of those things to make a night right (condoms too, no not for me!).

Louie is the BEST- "hey baby"...

Falcon Liquor
Neighborhood: Mission Hills

805 W Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103

Lyn P. writes: I actually don't ever buy liquor here because I am usually heading to the Lamplighter for cocktails when I go into this place. They deserve a mention because they have Nat Sherman cigarettes, which are not the easiest brand to find in San Diego.

Korky's
Neighborhood: Old Town

2371 San Diego Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

Joel G. writes: pros...great place to just hang out, used to study here while going to acupuncture school.  also one great place to hang out if you are burning from the mid-day sun while in old town.  the workers here are nice and friendly too.  they have a clean,…

Starbucks Coffee
Neighborhood: Hillcrest

1240 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103

sharleen e. writes: I really like this Starbucks location because random gay men there tell me that I am pretty.  Hey, I'll take a compliment anywhere I can get it.

Donut Star

601 W Washington St
San Diego, CA 92103

Lyn P. writes: I love that this place is open 24 hours. (Because sometimes, after a night of drinking, you want to skip the tacos and just get some sugar.)Bonus love for them serving boba teas. And that they never seems to be out of my favorite - strawberry french…

California Liquor
Neighborhood: South Park, Golden Hill

3013 Juniper St
San Diego, CA 92104

Christy R. writes: I rarely visit California Liquor these days, but there was a time I hit up this store almost daily--for ice cream, snacks, or beer.  I don't know exactly why I don't like this liquor market as much as some others.  It has all the essentials: Booze,…

Awash Market
Neighborhood: North Park

2944 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104

Ethan H. writes: This place gets more than 3 stars. Any place where you can buy injera to go is worth having in the neighborhood. And I guess it depends how you define "pre-made" if you want to call their injera "pre-made". They're usually making it in the back room…

Albertsons-Sav-On
Neighborhood: North Park

2235 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92104

margot b. writes: I have to give this Albertsons a proper nod since it was right across the street from our house and was the go-to pick up a gallon of milk spot for us. Special shout out and a hug for manager Cookie.

With that said, I still drove to Ralphs when I had…

Monroe Market
Neighborhood: Kensington

4127 Monroe Ave Rear
San Diego, CA 92116

David J. writes: Midcity residential neighborhoods like North Park, Normal Heights, etc. have the occasional liquor/market/deli's stashed on a random street.

Monroe Market is in my neighborhood. I run over to get a soda or ice cream on occasion. They have beer &…

Cafe Au Lait
Neighborhood: University Heights

4646 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92116

anh d. writes: OK..this is my new favorite place in university heights. good cheap vietnamese food inside the cutest little building. vietnamese coffee, spring rolls and sandwiches. even spaghetti. YUM!

the owners of this restaurant are so sweet too. i can even walk…

Boney's Bayside Market
Neighborhood: Coronado

155 Orange Ave
Coronado, CA 92118

Tonie T. writes: Boney's has great sandwiches, even though I am sometimes worried about the general neatness behind the deli counter. It just seems a bit sloppy and in a disarray.

Anyway, it's a great stop for some gourmet or healthy goodies when you're in Coronado.…

Villa Nueva Coffee & Pastry
Neighborhood: Coronado

956 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118

Sarah K. writes: They make some sort of cranberry-muffin thing here that is so good, I could seriously cry.  Seriously.

In Good Taste
Neighborhood: Coronado

1146 Orange Ave
Coronado, CA 92118

Edenista M. writes: In Good Taste is another proponent of gourmet foods and gifts: in other words, another purveyor of an indefinable and unspecified hodgepodge.  The gourmet sections was constituted of a very few elements, including chocolates and canned goods findable…

Gelato Bean
Neighborhood: Coronado

1017 C Ave
Coronado, CA 92118

Vanessa D. writes: This is a cute little gelato place.  They come in these colorful, trendy, bowls that you can atually keep.  The gelato is a little, well a LOT on the sweet side.  So I would get the smallest size cup.

Coco's Bakery Restaurant
Neighborhood: Grantville

10430 Friars Rd
San Diego, CA 92120

dustinbing f. writes: Coco's is well, Coco's. You go in knowing its an American diner and take it as such. The food is fair, breakfast and dessert being their "specialties". Parking can be difficult there sometimes and is almost always crowded on the weekends for…

Del Cerro Liquor

6380 Del Cerro Blvd
San Diego, CA 92120

Edenista M. writes: The most incongruous place for a nice and generous sandwich, yet this liquor store braves unfair prejudgments.  The sandwich list is very exhaustive, and all of these monsters are copiously filled with condiments.  One of my personal favorites is the…

Ocha Cafe
Neighborhood: Mira Mesa

6755 Mira Mesa Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92121

me-melt m. writes: Little place with big taste is the word.  

The Chicken Rice Burger is a must try!  They used the Taiwanese style spice to marinate the chicken which made it crunchy but not overly oily and yet still very juicy and tender.  The rice buns were slightly…

Starbucks Coffee

4545 La Jolla Village Dr
San Diego, CA 92122

Caroline B. writes: Nate raises a serious consideration in his review of this Starbucks: the lay out makes it tricky to pick up your drinks. Considering the numbers of tots appearing with their parents at any Starbucks...this is a serious consideration.

You are also…

Henry's Marketplace
Neighborhood: La Jolla

3358 Governor Dr
San Diego, CA 92122

Peter T. writes: Henry's while I love you, you frusterate me sometimes.  You're close enough to me I could bike, if I had a bike.  Your selection is good, but not overwhelming.  You have fresh meats, but no butcher or fish monger.

You're staffed by the normal Henry's…

Einstein Bros
Neighborhood: Serra Mesa

3675 Murphy Canyon Road
San Diego, CA 92123

Jesse M. writes: There's a nice little patio out front where we park it with our kid on weekends. Bagels are good -- as good as west coast bagels can be. Coffee's a little acidic for me; better to grab something from the Starbucks next door.

This place would garner a…

Baskin Robbins

10601 Tierrasanta Blvd
Ste C
San Diego, CA 92124

Jesse M. writes: Had their "Wild Mango Fruit Blast" last night, thinking it'd be a halfway decent poor-man's-smoothie. Started off tasty enough: smooth, cold and sweet. But it finished off mildly soapy and chemically. Nasty.

I usually have an okay experience here…

Leon Produce
Neighborhood: University Heights

3004 Madison Ave
San Diego, CA 92116

Melizza E. writes: They have salsa del pato.  They have rocaletas.  They have queso fresco and good aguacate!!!  I like this place... my lover and I walk there all the time and we always fill up on such goodies... The only thing is that sometimes theres little…

Tent City
Neighborhood: Coronado

1100 Orange Ave
Coronado, CA 92118

Cynthia H. writes: Love this particular spot in Coronado-- it's located on the main "drag" in Coronado-- Orange Ave..   The outdoor patio dining area is shaped in a triangular style-- which allows for a great spot to "people watch" as people and their dogs walk across…

Coronado Brewing Company
Neighborhood: Coronado

170 Orange Ave
Coronado, CA 92118

Julia N. writes: Slip a flask in your sock cause you're only getting served three beers tops as a CBC rule. I did a double take when I saw the sign given I was in a brewery and all - isn't beer their bread and butter? Good thing I had two before arriving.

The joint…

Cheateau Sinnet

Carmel Valley, CA 92130

Gretchen P. writes: Definitely one of my more unique tasting experiences! Joe greeted us in an otherwise empty tasting room, with a plastic bag in his hands. When we asked if they were still open, he sarcastically replied that we just saved him from putting the bag over…

Carmel Liquor Store

12750 Carmel Country Rd
San Diego, CA 92130

Caroline B. writes: This liquor store has a great location. In a small strip mall with ample parking just a few feet from the front door. As they say in real estate: "Location! Location! Location!"

Their shelves are stocked with the usual convenience store items and also…

Starbucks
Neighborhood: Torrey Hills

4645 Carmel Mountain Rd
San Diego, CA 92130

Steve R. writes: Nothing too special about this Starbucks.

For a brand new location it looks to be at least 2-3 years old inside. Depressing dark brown earth colors and low level lighting abound inside.

Just trying to order your coffee here is an adventure as you must…

Boston Bagels

3870 Valley Centre Dr Ste 303
San Diego, CA 92130

Caroline B. writes: I can only think our friend below hit them on an off day. We really like Boston Bagels! We hit it regularly and have eaten at Einstein (frightened, bitter and unhappy staff) and Bruegger's (good luck finding parking and stale tasting, dried out wheat…

Vons

3850 Valley Centre Dr
San Diego, CA 92130

Julie T. writes: The Solana Beach of grocery stores. Ample space, nice range of products, including a huge drug store and greeting card section, a great health food aisle, good produce, and, most importantly, surroundings that seem to venture a good way from the…

Brown Field Cafe

Otay Mesa, CA 92154

Allison H. writes: Nothing kicks off a blimp ride like a doughnut.  That's right, a blimp ride.  I got stuck here for a couple of quality hours waiting for my blimp.  They have more food than I would have expected for what is basically a snack counter.  The people are…