Best Lunch Restaurants in National City

"From biscuits and gravy to fresh Benedicts, this place has everything you could want to start your day off the right way."

"Often called (informally of course), “the best coffee in North County,” Lofty’s three locations in Encinitas and Solana Beach mean you might find one without the lines. Its original location near Moonlight Beach is a local cafe and coffee roasting spot with specialty coffee and artisanal food decorated in industrial chic. A locally owned and operated cafe, Lofty roasts its own coffee beans."

"Lofty Coffee designed this cafe to take full advantage of the temperate San Diego weather with a wide-open and fluid, indoor to outdoor patio vibe. Nestled on a sun-kissed corner of Little Italy, there’s no better way to enjoy the elements with your cup of joe. Tagged with:Coffee, Coffee Shops, San Diego, Top 10"

"Someday we’ll be able to stop referring to time in pre-and post-pandemic terms, but for now, we’re just so incredibly grateful to our restaurant community for their steadfast dedication and for pressing ever forward when things seemed impossible to overcome. Even more incredible are the fearless entrepreneurs who forged ahead with new ventures despite the uncertainties of opening during an active pandemic. And so it’s with well-deserved thanks and high-fives that we proudly present our list of the most exciting new restaurant openings in San Diego:"

"What is it: The average gaslamp restaurant has nothing on Searsucker, where dramatic interiors, New American fare and a flirty bar scene are all on offer. Why go: An airy dining room with tufted leather banquettes and massive pendants sets the stage for proper sit-down dinners of tomahawk ribeyes and whole grilled branzino. A spirited after-work and weekend crowd clusters around plush couches in the expansive lounge for cocktails and noshable bites including duck fat fries and Philly meatballs."

"Under the direction of Chef Brian Malarkey (Bravo's Top Chef finalist), Searsucker has quickly become a comfortable choice for indulging in eclectic menus. Located on a busy block of the Gaslamp Quarter, this eatery is decidedly Californian.[Learn more]"

"Francophiles will love this chic new Parisian style bistro and its culinary ode to Provençe – think escargot, steak frites, fromage, plus French beers and wines. Leading the kitchen is executive chef Matt Sramek who worked under Thomas Keller at Bouchon in Beverly Hills. Now open early on the weekends there’s a morning menu until 11 a.m."

"Little Frenchie was one of my favorite spots on Coronado Island. There are many brunch places around, but this one had to be the cutest in my opinion."

"This cute little place has been around for over 45 years and is a local favorite!. Known for their in-house roasted meats and house-made cookies, it’s a great spot to grab some lunch!. Their sandwiches are all made fresh to order, and they have a good assortment of salads and a homemade soup-of-the-day."

"If you’ve ever driven down Bonita Road on a weekend, you may have seen a massive line outside of Holy Paleta. We visited their second location which serves up all the Miami vibes!. They offer a wide selection of all-natural, handcrafted paletas which make for a perfect afternoon snack on a warm San Diego day."

"They're not technically ice cream, but they're still very worthy of a mention here!. Holy Paleta's handcrafted pops are made with all-natural ingredients and full of delicious toppings. Bold, inventive and exciting flavors range from kid-faves Strawberry Lemonade and Watermelon to Chamango on a Stick!"

"The health benefits of Japanese sushi and sashimi have been well-documented. The raw fish used to prepare these dishes is packed with lean protein and nutrients, and even the seaweed "nori" used to wrap sushi rolls is rich with vitamins and minerals. Sushi on the Rocks is a hip, trendy La Jolla sushi bar right on ritzy Prospect Street."

"Located on the second floor off of Prospect Street with a nice ocean view patio – great place to watch the sunset while enjoying great sushi and drinks. Stop by for happy hour 3-6:30pm everyday; enjoy $2 sake and $3-7 sushi rolls."

"We’re not afraid to say it: Zen 5 is our favorite sushi place in town. An icon in the San Diego community, Zen 5 offers only the freshest fish and delicious Japanese style cuisine. Standout Quality: With nearly 40 different combinations, Zen 5 offers the greatest variety of sushi rolls in San Diego."

"With over 500 excellent reviews on Yelp, Societe Brewing is one of the best local breweries in San Diego. The brewery has an open design, allowing for a large group to comfortably fit on their community bench tables. Many visitors like their Belgian style beers and the Pupil medium-bodied IPA."