Top Best Japanese Restaurants in El Cajon

"This neighborhood gem is a progressive Japanese restaurant with a great selection of hot and cold items. They have a fabulous daily happy hour from 4:30 – 6:30 pm as well as a daily special board with ever-changing fresh options. If you can snag one, some of their tables on the patio have views of the bay and downtown."

"$20 got me hot sake, a saiko miso (with coconut milk and lemongrass) and a bento box with mixed tempura, Cali..."

"Helmed by a venerable sushi master, this restaurant is unassuming, low-key, and unquestionably authentic. Under the eye of owner Yukito Ota, who has trained many of the city’s top sushi chefs, its omakase experience is one of the best in town."

"It's a strip mall setting with a five-star menu and reservations are a must. It's packed…all the time. Order a cooked entrée if you must—there's plenty of teriyaki marinade in the kitchen—but that's really, really not what you come for."

"Tucked in the corner next to a 711 of a very small shopping center, not even sure if you call it that, is this hidden gem.You know you’ve come to the rig..."

"Himitsu offers highly authentic Japanese cuisine in the form of traditional nigiri sushi and tapas-like plates. Executive chef Mitsu Aihara has been crafting sushi for a long time, including at the award-winning Sushi Ota, and only opened this restaurant after receiving a blessing from his mentor, so he’s serious about the quality of his food. The dishes rotate on a weekly basis depending on what seafood is the best and freshest on the market at the time."

"Omakase is the specialty of Himitsu’s chef, who is a longtime protege of his counterparts at Sushi Ota. A more casual a la carte menu is available for those who sit on the outdoor patio."

"Came here for the first time few weeks ago since I've heard about this place from my Japanese friend. I have my go to place for sushi in SD but thou..."

"You won’t be able to tell if you’re in an art gallery or a gastropub at this Little Italy hotspot. This Japanese restaurant has illuminated Cherry Blossom trees and a modern Japanese-inspired design. The food and drinks are works of art that you’ll want to document."

"Sapporo Japanese Restaurant, a sushi bar in Ocean Beach, is another go-to, with four stars out of 231 Yelp reviews. Head over to 5049 Newport Ave. to see for yourself."

"Yummy Sushi is your source for incredible sushi rolls and authentic Japanese cuisine in beautiful Coronado, CA. We have a fantastic menu filled with both classic and unique dishes, all created with a variety of high quality fish and seafood."

"Lolita's opened their first location over 20 years ago in Chula Vista. Since then, this family-owned and operated business has expanded to 5 locations including this one in East Village near PETCO park and the Convention Center. Locals love the hearty favorites such as carne asada fries, carne asada burrio, Tsunami burrito (shrimp and carne asada mix) as well as the tacos."

"Del Frisco’s meal kits require some effort at home but for the home cook, there’s little to no prep. Choose from a steak or salmon dinner for two, complete with salad, two sides, dessert and add-ons like truffle butter and lobster tail."

"Although Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse is a fine dining steakhouse, they're not shy of seafood and shellfish. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, featuring large windows tha..."

"Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse has 16 locations across the nation, but the San Diego venue stands out among them with its exceptional two-story setting overlooking the water..."

"Even if you’re broke, the Timken Museum of Art is always free, and if you have a Bank of America card, the San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Photogenic Arts are free on certain days. If you love art, check out the Spanish village. These are historic buildings turned art galleries and stores which have a lot of their work for sale. Even just walking through this area is a fun experience."

"The San Diego Museum of Art houses a broad art collection with particular strength in Spanish art. The Museum first opened as The Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego in 1926 and changed its name to its current form in 1978. The museum building was designed in a plateresque style to harmonize with existing structures, in Balboa Park, from the Panama–California Exposition of 1915."

"Italian Renaissance, Dutch, Spanish and baroque pieces are exhibited, as well as contemporary paintings and sculptures. Works by Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Pisarro, van Gogh and Dufy are rotated in display on the ground floor. Shop, sculpture garden and cafe with outdoor seating."

"The Natural History Museum, the Museum of Man and the Museum of Art are three of the other most popular museums. (And, no, I’ve not missed San Diego Zoo – see my thoughts on the zoo and Sea World below)."