San Diego: A Fine Dining and Food Festival Destination- From Michelin to James Beard recognitions, San Diego's culinary talent draws visitors from around the globe

While San Diego’s tacos and burritos are legendary, they’re only one facet of the city’s diverse culinary scene. In recent years, San Diego has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting fine dining destinations, thanks to several innovative chefs and restaurateurs who have received both international and national acclaim — and the city itself was named one of the top food cities in the U.S. in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards. Here, you can find Michelin-starred experiences and fine-dining tasting menus, often delivered with friendly, welcoming service that fits the city’s laid-back lifestyle. The region offers a wealth of dining experiences that celebrate the diverse cultures and bounty of local produce and seafood — book a table at one of these acclaimed restaurants to see why San Diego’s culinary scene is in the spotlight.

THE STARS ALIGN FOR SAN DIEGO’S DINING

San Diego’s rising restaurant scene is reaching for the stars these days — and it has brought home a fistful of them. More specifically, Michelin stars, which are coveted honors bestowed ultra-selectively on top restaurants worldwide. San Diego previously had only one Michelin-star establishment — Addison by William Bradley at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in Carmel Valley. Now it has five. On top of that, Addison was bumped up from two stars to three in 2022, making it one of eight restaurants with three Michelin Stars in California.

Addison by William Bradley is Chef William Bradley’s epicurean juggernaut at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, which reached heights hardly dreamed of in 2022 with its promotion to three Michelin stars. In describing Bradley’s approach to “California gastronomy,” Michelin notes that “no dish captures this better than sesame-seasoned Koshihikari rice finished with applewood-smoked sabayon and crowned with Regiis Ova reserve caviar,” adding that “dishes are playful yet polished.”

Jeune et Jolie (French for “young and beautiful”) has made a big splash since its 2018 founding. Michelin credits owner John Resnick (who also owns the nearby Campfire) and Executive Chef Eric Bost for delivering what it calls top-notch food with a playful twist and “solid ingredients, unique combinations and beautiful presentations that are ‘almost’ too pretty to eat.”

Lilo is John Resnick’s and Chef Eric Bost’s second fine-dining endeavor in Carlsbad, and the restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2025 shortly after its highly anticipated opening. Guests are treated to what Michelin calls a “moveable feast” of amuse-bouche and a welcome drink in the restaurant’s scenic patio before settling into a 22-seat dining room that offers a look into the inner workings of the kitchen. Michelin praised the tasting menu, noting Chef Bost and team “take clear pride in providing an extra level of care in their dishes,” and says the course of orgeat ice cream with dried and cured celery root and topped with ossetra caviar is a standout.

At Soichi, the namesake chef behind this intimate Japanese restaurant in University Heights, Soichi Kadoya, serves sushi that Michelin says “leans straightforward, but it flaunts a great deal of skill.” Soichi is centered on a chef-driven experience characterized by the Japanese term omakase, which translates as “I leave it up to you,” that’s enhanced by Chef Soichi’s personable service. The full omakase dinner is the best way to savour the breadth of the fresh seafood selections, which could include sea bass, Hokkaido mackerel and bluefin tuna.

Chef Roberto Alcocer's much-buzzed restaurant Valle, near the Oceanside Pier, pays tribute to Baja California's vineyard-studded Valle de Guadalupe, “the source of a plethora of interesting options on the wine list” and serves as inspiration for Chef Alcocer’s modern expression of Mexican cuisine, Michelin inspectors said. They praised the eight-course prix fixe meal: “Dishes strike a winning balance between tradition and creativity, as in a tetela made with heirloom corn masa and hoja santa, filled with juicy chanterelle mushrooms and creamy goat cheese, and paired with a complex salsa of morita chiles — at once earthy and bright.” The recognition is a major coup for Alcocer, who moved to San Diego County from Baja in 2021 with the express purpose of earning a Michelin star. Today, Valle remains the only Mexican restaurant in San Diego County to achieve the accolade.

Michelin honored nine San Diego restaurants with its Bib Gourmand designation, accorded to restaurants that are more affordable but still offer exceptional dining. They are: Atelier Manna, Morning Glory, Lola 55, Callie, Cucina Urbana, Ciccia Osteria, Dija Mara, Mabel’s Gone Fishing and Cesarina. In addition to its starred and Bib Gourmand selections, Michelin adds new restaurants every year to its California Guide, which recently included Tanner’s Prime Burgers and 24 Suns in San Diego County.

Other San Diego restaurants included in the Michelin Guide California are Kingfisher, a modern Vietnamese restaurant led by Chef David Sim; Juniper & Ivy, which has been a fine dining stalwart in Little Italy for over 10 years; Menya Ultra Ramen, known for its rich tonkotsu paitan broth; and Paradisaea, a tropical-themed restaurant in La Jolla (named after a bird of paradise).

Another shining example of the city’s elevated dining scene is Animae, where Chef Tara Monsod incorporates the flavors and cooking traditions from her Filipino heritage into the menu. She was honored twice by the James Beard Foundation as a finalist for the Best Chef: California award in recognition of her innovative fusion dishes, such as tuna kinilaw with coconut and calamansi (a citrus fruit found in the Philippines). Another highlight is the short rib kare-kare — tender beef in a savory peanut sauce with a dash of bagoong (shrimp paste) oil. Monsod also leads the kitchen at Le Coq, a refined yet playful French-inspired steakhouse in La Jolla (try the baguette with chicken skin bu'tter).

Lucien has been making a buzz since it opened in La Jolla, as it solely offers a ten-course tasting menu by Chef Elijah Arizmendi, whose culinary pedigree includes Michelin-starred establishments Per Se and l’abeille. The intimate dining room houses just 30 seats, and the meal starts in the courtyard with canapes and sips before the main seating. Arizmendi’s menu is hyper-seasonal and emphasizes California seafood, produce and wine, and could feature a rich egg custard presented in the shell and topped with oscietra caviar, a medley of shellfish served with oyster ice cream and Masami Ranch wagyu ribeye.

Recently opened is Fleurette, the second act for Chef Travis Swikward, whose Mediterranean restaurant Callie has been praised since it debuted in 2021. Swikard brought a taste of the South of France to an office park near Westfield UTC, turning the area into a new dining destination.

For a fine-dining experience that is tried and true, look no further than Mister A’s. Crowning the 12th floor of a high-rise in Bankers Hill, Mister A’s has been a landmark for 60 years and is a go-to for special occasions — the view of the skyline and airplanes landing at San Diego International Airport is breaktaking. The seasonal menu from Chef Stephane Voitzwinkler features a blend of California and French influences, and the bar debuted a new happy hour experience. The Marine Room is another gold standard for fine dining in San Diego, as the seaside restaurant has one of the best views around. Perched right on La Jolla Shores, diners can admire sweeping beach scenes from their table and waves may crash against the restaurant’s panoramic glass windows during high tide. The King Tide Brunch and High Tide Dinner, which happens seasonally on select dates, is a celebrated tradition. The standard dinner menu features a raw bar, traditional caviar service and cuts of premium beef from Creekstone Farms.

TOP-TIER FOOD FESTIVALS

San Diego’s perfect weather and culinary clout makes it an ideal location for foodie festivals. The annual San Diego Food + Wine Festival takes over the Embarcadero every November for an entire weekend, and features endless wine tastings from vineyards around the world and bites prepared by the region’s top chefs. The Del Mar Wine and Food Festival at the end of September is a fun-filled series of events complete with celebrity sightings. While the main tasting takes place at the Surf Sports Park, the festival also includes the Drew Brees Celebrity Pickleball Tournament, hosted by the former NFL star to raise funds for charity, alongside appearances from headlining chefs like Jet Tila and Michael Voltaggio.

"Visit Bangkok" Launches As The Definitive Digital Gateway To One Of The World’s Favorite Cities

As one of the world’s premier travel destination, Bangkok continues to captivate hearts by masterfully blending its golden heritage with a pulse of modern innovation. To bring this vibrant soul closer to travelers worldwide, The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Tourism Division has officially launched "Visit Bangkok", the city’s premier tourism gateway, offering an authentic and local perspective on the Thai capital.

Moving beyond traditional travel guides, "Visit Bangkok" is designed to be a reliable digital companion for the modern explorer. By utilizing five distinct digital platforms, this initiative provides a curated look into the city’s lifestyle, ensuring that every visitor—whether a first-timer or a seasoned traveler—can find a story that resonates with their personal journey.

Experience Bangkok Through Four Unique Lenses:

The Global Culinary Capital: From the aromatic sizzle of legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred dining experiences overlooking the skyline, discover why Bangkok remains the ultimate "Foodie Paradise."

The Harmony of Traditions: Experience the timeless elegance of shimmering temples standing in perfect contrast with futuristic shopping hubs and avant-garde creative spaces. Asia’s Beating Heart for Events: Bangkok serves as a front-row seat to world-class entertainment, from the adrenaline of Muay Thai to global music festivals and the charm of national celebrations like Songkran and Loy Krathong.

An Ever-Evolving Discovery: This city never sleeps. Journey beyond the typical tourist spots to find hidden neighborhoods, secret cafes, and pop-up events that keep the city’s energy fresh and exciting every single day.

Whether planning a detailed itinerary or seeking spontaneous adventure, travelers can now stay connected with the pulse of the city through these five official creative channels:

Website: https://visit.bangkok.go.th

Facebook: VisitBangkok

TikTok: VisitBangkok

Instagram: visitbangkok_official

YouTube: visitbangkok_official

Bangkok is calling, and there is always a new story waiting to be found. Join the journey and discover why this metropolis remains the world’s favorite destination.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art Sets Opening Date For Highly Anticipated David Geffen Galleries

LACMA’s David Geffen Galleries, the pinnacle of a two-decade campus transformation, will officially open April 19.

That Sunday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off two weeks of priority member access to the galleries, with general admission beginning May 4, the museum said Thursday. Online ticket reservations open Thursday to members.

The announcement comes nearly a decade after news broke of business magnate David Geffen’s record-high $150-million donation toward the construction of a new museum building to be designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor. Since the beginning, the Brutalist design has been polarizing — Angelenos have cheered or jeered the concrete vision.

The $720-million Geffen Galleries, which museum members got a first look at over the summer, will serve as the new home for LACMA’s permanent collection. It will display 2,500 to 3,000 objects at a time from its collection of approximately 170,000 objects. Stretching across Wilshire Boulevard, the structure houses 110,000 square feet in 90 exhibition galleries that will be organized thematically rather than by medium or chronology.

“The idea is for you to make your own path — not to speak at you, but to let you wander like you would through a park or a place,” LACMA Director and Chief Executive Michael Govan said in an interview with The Times. “That change in attitude, and how the building is built, is really exciting.”

Of the $720 million, Govan said, the majority came from private donors, with $125 million funded by L.A. County. Aside from paying off interest and principal, additional funds from a $875-million fundraising campaign will go toward public art, collection moving costs, office renovations and general landscaping.

The inaugural installation will use global bodies of water as an “organizing framework, emphasizing the cultural exchange, migration and commerce prevalent throughout the history of art,” LACMA said in a statement. Standout entries include Georges de La Tour’s “The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame” (c.1640), Vincent van Gogh’s “Tarascon Stagecoach” (1888) and Henri Matisse’s “La Gerbe” (1953). Art installation is currently in progress.

The four buildings that the Geffen Galleries replaced were “all broken up into little, tiny pieces, and they were not well traveled,” Govan said. The new structure is meant to make LACMA’s eclectic permanent collection more accessible on one extra-long floor.

“It’s kind of a worldview,” the executive said. “It’s big enough that it can hold the world.”

Guests tour the Geffen Galleries for an early preview on June 26, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

While the new building does not boast more gallery space than its predecessors — a point of public contention — Govan said that was never the plan due to county size regulations. Instead, the complementary additions of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum in 2008 and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion in 2010 added 100,000 square feet of gallery space. In all, the campus transformation brought LACMA’s total exhibition space from 130,000 square feet in 2007 to 220,000 square feet at present. (The Pavilion for Japanese Art, which has been undergoing a retrofit and renovation, is 10,000 square feet. It remains closed and will reopen at some point after the David Geffen Galleries.)

Along with complaints about the building’s size, the Geffen Galleries’ heavy use of concrete had been criticized as an impractical choice for hanging art. According to LACMA’s preparators, that’s not a problem given the right tools.

Among the building project’s donors were Tony Ressler, co-chair of the museum board of trustees, after whom the Geffen Galleries’ south wing will be named, the museum also announced Thursday. Willow Bay, a longtime board member, will join Ressler as board co-chair.

“LACMA is a global cultural force that brings millions of people together through the power of art, connecting communities across Los Angeles and around the world,” Bay said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful for Tony’s leadership and generosity, and honored to join him as co-chair at this transformative moment in LACMA’s history as we advance our mission of enhancing access to art and education.”

Bay and her husband, outgoing Disney CEO Bob Iger, in 2018 made a “historic capital contribution” to support the preservation of Chris Burden’s “Urban Light,” which has become an iconic L.A. landmark. (Disney earlier this week named parks chief Josh D’Amaro as Iger’s successor.)

LACMA previously announced that the north wing of the Geffen Galleries would be named in honor of the late former board co-chair Elaine Wynn, who contributed $50 million toward the construction project.

As LACMA looks to the future, Govan said the museum isn’t ruling out future expansion. But any additions would be off the Wilshire campus, in areas such as South L.A and the Valley.

A guest tours one of the 90 galleries within the new space during a preview opening on June 26, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The idea is, Govan continued, “Let’s change the model. Let’s just put the wings, you know, the rest of the museum, in other places and strategically located.”

Expansion, he said, is important for an encyclopedic museum, responsible for chronicling art history across many genres, geographies and media.

If you’re the Frick and you only collect things of a certain period, you don’t have to expand,” Govan said. “But if your job is to keep up with the practice of artists and the world being bigger and bigger in terms of what people recognize as art, then you have to keep expanding.”

For now, though, he’s content to create a “big, beautiful gathering place” for Los Angeles.

“I always refer to our plaza as the living room for Los Angeles,” Govan said. “So this idea of the public space was so important from the beginning, and you see how the campus integrates with this.”

Zumthor’s building design, which includes overhanging canopies, intentionally creates shade with outdoor events in mind, the executive explained. It’s all about diversity of experience.

“You can take your selfie at ‘Urban Light.’ You can go to the jazz concerts, go see dozens of masterpieces outdoors... you can go inside somewhere and really focus quietly on a single work of art,” Govan said. “I wanted the range of all those experiences in a package where you wanted to hang out for the day.”

https://www.latimes.com/people/malia-mendez

Travelore News: Lufthansa’s Allegris Business Class Seats In The Boeing 787-9 Are Now Available For Booking On Flights Departing From March 29

As the partial certification of the new Allegris Business Class in the Dreamliner has made further significant progress in recent days, the seats – with the exception of three seats in the second row – are now expected to be approved even earlier. For travel from March 29 – and thus in time for the start of the summer flight schedule – bookings are now possible for 25 of a total of 28 seats.

On February 16, the Lufthansa Group announced that the seats would be available for booking from April 15. Now, Business Class on the Boeing 787-9 can be booked, with virtually no restrictions, for flights from the end of March. At least ten Dreamliners are expected to be in service from Frankfurt at this time. With 25 Allegris seats available for booking starting today, over 200 additional business class seats in the state-of-the-art and successful Allegris class will be available for purchase every day.

From Frankfurt, Allegris will fly to Austin, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Cape Town, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Hong Kong at the start of the summer flight schedule. From June, the destinations will be New York JFK and Los Angeles, followed by Delhi in July. The Dreamliner will also fly to Toronto, Montréal, Lagos, and Malabo, initially with some flights featuring Allegris and others without.

The Boeing 787-9 has been flying with Allegris from Frankfurt since October 9, 2025. Nine brand-new aircraft have already arrived in Frankfurt, and 20 more Dreamliners have been ordered. Lufthansa Airlines plans to have a total of 29 Boeing 787-9s by the end of 2027.

Travelore News: United Just Drastically Changed How Miles Are Earned

The move makes it easier for credit card holders to earn miles and signals a broader shift in airline loyalty, with rewards increasingly tied to an airline’s financial ecosystem.

Some United loyalists will be happy and some will not. Photo by Evan Wise/Unsplash

United Airlines is revamping how travelers earn and redeem miles, with changes that hinge on just one factor: whether you hold a co-branded credit card.

The Chicago-based carrier announced that members of its MileagePlus loyalty program who carry a United credit card will earn miles faster and gain access to more favorable award pricing. Those without a card, however, will see reduced earning rates, effectively widening the gap between occasional fliers and card-carrying members.

United’s move reflects a broader shift in airline loyalty, with rewards increasingly tied not just to how often you fly but also to how deeply you engage with an airline’s financial ecosystem. For travelers who book with United only a few times a year, that means earning miles more slowly and needing more of them to book an award ticket. That is, unless you’re willing to add a credit card to your wallet.

Here’s a closer look at the changes.

How earning United miles will change

It’s been a decade since United shifted from distance-based earning to revenue-based rewards, tying mileage accrual to how much a passenger spends rather than how far they fly. Now, starting with tickets purchased on April 2, that’s going to be segmented even further.

Overall, the new changes are a mixed bag. First, passengers without a United credit card will see their earning rates drop by as much as 40 percent. For instance, a non-status MileagePlus member previously earned five miles per dollar spent; beginning April 2, that rate falls to three miles per dollar. By contrast, that same non-status member with a United credit card will earn six miles per dollar.

The result is a wider earnings gap between cardholders and non-cardholders, with the latter accumulating miles more slowly for the same ticket purchase.

Breakdown of changes based on elite status and credit card

MileagePlus member (non-elite)

Previous earning: 5 miles per dollar

New earning: 3 miles per dollar

New earning with co-brand credit card: 6 miles per dollar

Premier Silver elite

Previous earning: 7 miles per dollar

New earning: 5 miles per dollar

New earning with co-brand credit card: 8 miles per dollar

Premier Gold elite

Previous earning: 8 miles per dollar

New earning: 6 miles per dollar

New earning (with co-brand credit card): 9 miles per dollar

Premier Platinum elite

Previous earning: 9 miles per dollar

New earning: 7 miles per dollar

New earning (with co-brand credit card): 10 miles per dollar

Premier 1K elite

Previous earning: 11 miles per dollar

New earning: 9 miles per dollar

New earning (with co-brand credit card): 12 miles per dollar

In addition, starting on April 2, customers who book United’s basic economy fares will no longer earn miles, unless they have elite status or hold one of the airline’s co-branded credit cards. The move brings United in line with competitors such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which have also restricted basic economy passengers from earning miles—although United’s policy is somewhat more flexible, given the elite and credit card exceptions.

For United frequent fliers who already carry a co-branded card, the updates could unlock faster earning and more accessible award space. For occasional travelers, however, extracting value from MileagePlus may now require a deeper financial commitment than simply booking a ticket.

https://www.afar.com/authors/chris-dong How redeeming United miles will change Under the new structure, United co-branded credit card members will get at least 10 percent off every United award flight they book. Members who hold both Premier elite status and a co-branded credit card will save at least 15 percent. Cardholders will see those savings clearly labeled on United’s app and website when making a booking. The airline also says it will make additional award seats available in United Polaris business class exclusively for credit card members.

Travelore Tips: Why International Travelers Should Enroll In The STEP Program

Whether you’re a seasoned digital nomad or a first-time international tourist, safety is often the last thing you want to think about while packing. However, as global conditions can change in an instant, having a direct line to the U.S. government is one of the smartest moves you can make.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service from the U.S. Department of State that keeps you connected and informed while you're abroad. Here’s why it should be at the top of your travel checklist.

1. Real-Time Safety Updates

When you enroll in STEP, you receive the latest Travel Advisories and Alerts for your specific destination. These aren’t just generic news clips; they include critical information on:

Security alerts (civil unrest, protests, or crime spikes)

Natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, or volcanic activity)

Health alerts (disease outbreaks or local medical crises)

Routine messages regarding U.S. embassy services, such as voting or tax information.

2. Emergency Assistance & Evacuation

In the event of a major crisis—like the geopolitical tensions currently affecting the Middle East—the U.S. Embassy uses STEP data to account for citizens in the area.

Repatriation: During large-scale emergencies, enrolled travelers often receive priority for information regarding special evacuation flights.

Direct Contact: If you are caught in a disaster zone, the embassy can contact you directly with instructions on where to find safety or how to reach the consulate.

3. Help for Your Family at Home

If a family emergency happens back in the States while you are off-grid or in a remote area, the State Department can use your STEP information to help your family reach you. It serves as a vital bridge when standard communication channels fail.

4. Lost Passport? No Problem.

Losing a passport is a traveler's nightmare. Because the STEP system stores your travel and contact information, it can significantly speed up the process of verifying your identity and issuing a replacement at the nearest embassy or consulate.

How to Enroll (It Takes 5 Minutes)

The State Department launched an updated version of STEP in late 2024. If you haven't traveled recently, you may need to re-enroll in the new system.

Visit the official portal: Go to step.state.gov.

Create an account: You can use a Login.gov account for easy access or sign up as a guest.

Enter your itinerary: Add your destination(s), travel dates, and a local phone number.

Stay Updated: If your plans change, simply log in and update your locations.

Pro Tip: Don't forget to pair your STEP enrollment with comprehensive travel insurance. While STEP provides the information to stay safe, insurance covers the costs of medical emergencies or trip interruptions.

Travelore Cruise Tips: 10 “Hidden” Fees Cruise Lines Are Adding in 2026

Cruise fares may appear clearer thanks to new pricing transparency rules, but 2026 brings a different challenge. Several major cruise lines are introducing new onboard charges, service limits, and booking restrictions that reshape what a base fare actually covers.

Credit: Getty Images

These confirmed changes affect dining, room service, island visits, and reservation terms, which add costs that travelers may not expect when booking next year’s sailings.

Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing a $5 fee for any entrée ordered beyond the first two in the main dining room on 2026 sailings. The company frames the policy as a measure to reduce food waste. Passengers accustomed to unlimited ordering now face direct per‑plate charges in standard dining venues.

Norwegian is also reshaping in-cabin dining. Breakfast orders include one hot and one cold item per guest. The all-day menu allows two items per order. Delivery fees stay the same. Additional food means placing another order and paying another delivery charge.

Specialty dining reservations on Norwegian cruises now come with a new consequence. A $10 per-person fee applies if guests skip a reservation without canceling in advance. Specialty restaurants already carry cover charges. This adds a reservation accountability fee on top. It mirrors airline no-show penalties and signals a more structured dining system at sea.

Cunard is adjusting a long-standing tradition. Complimentary room service will only run through breakfast hours until 10 a.m. starting in 2026. Orders later in the day will include service fees. Cunard built part of its brand on old-world luxury touches. This marks a shift toward modern cost control even in premium cruising.

Beginning March 1, 2026, Norwegian beverage packages will no longer be valid on Great Stirrup Cay. Guests with prepaid drink plans must purchase beverages separately once ashore.

Silver Cove villas on Great Stirrup Cay will cost $950 per person per day in 2026. A group of four pays $3,800 for one day of private access. The rate covers the space and exclusivity. Food, drinks, and other island services remain extra.

Princess Cruises now makes non-refundable deposits the standard choice for 2026 sailings. Guests get a lower upfront fare. They lose deposit protection if plans change. Refundable bookings still exist but cost more.

WiFi, gratuities, spa access, and specialty dining are increasingly being excluded from base fares on major lines. Advertised cruise prices may remain stable, but travelers must budget separately for services that were once included in the core fare.

Norwegian’s delivery fees stay at $4.95 for breakfast and $9.95 for the all-day menu in 2026. The new item limits mean those fees now cover fewer dishes. Guests pay the same delivery price for smaller orders and pay again for second deliveries.

Major cruise brands are expected to follow Princess by tightening refund rules for 2026 bookings. Flexible cancellation is now available only for higher-priced fare tiers. Travelers who want peace of mind must pay more up front. Budget fares come with stricter commitment.

https://farandwide.com/s/author/jordan-omalley/