The Craving: San Diego Food + Drink News – Week of October 19, 2026

The Craving is ThereSanDiego's weekly guide to what's worth eating and drinking in San Diego right now. Every Tuesday, we surface new restaurant openings, standout happy hours, limited-time menu specials, and upcoming food events across the city - so you know what's happening before everyone else does.
San Diego Zombie Crawl
Upcoming
Haunt Fifth Avenue for Five Nights at the San Diego Zombie Crawl
Get ready for the San Diego Zombie Crawl. Show off your best zombie costume and enjoy five nights of partying in October!
Dana Carvey
Upcoming
Catch Dana Carvey and Four Decades of Characters on Shelter Island
  • Humphreys Concerts by the bay
Secure your spot at the Dana Carvey San Diego concert and relive the laughs of a legendary comedian from Saturday Night Live.
Celebrate Halloween with The Phantom of the Opera Balboa Park concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Upcoming
Experience The Phantom of the Opera Live Under the Stars in Balboa Park
  • Spreckels Organ Pavilion
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is bringing The Phantom of the Opera to life this October, and it’s free! As part of its Halloween Spooktacular, the...
espresso martini San Diego
The Best Espresso Martinis in San Diego Right Now (2026 Guide)
The espresso martini had a moment – and then it kept having one. What started as a 1980s London creation and briefly became the butt...
Mister A rooftop bar with an airplane passing by in the horizon
The Best Rooftop Bars in San Diego Right Now (2026 Guide)
San Diego was built for rooftop bars. The weather is right almost every night of the year, the coastline and skyline give you something to...
best brunch San Diego
The Best Brunch in San Diego Right Now (2026 Guide)
San Diego takes brunch personally. Maybe it’s the weather – when every weekend feels like it was designed for sitting outside with a plate of...
Upcoming
Kick Off the New Year on the Dance Floor at the San Diego Tango Festival
Looking for the best way to kick off the new year? The San Diego Tango Festival is back for its 16th edition at the Wyndham...
Encore Sushi solana beach
The Sushi Bar Where the Menu Reads Like a Setlist – Encore Sushi Opens in Solana Beach
If you’ve spent any time in the Cedros Design District, you know there’s always been a gap between the galleries and Belly Up. Chef James...
Ring in the Holidays With Salute the Season at Liberty Station
The holidays are right around the corner, and Liberty Station is ready to celebrate. Its annual Salute the Season events are back with a lineup...
things to do in North Park San Diego
North Park San Diego: The Complete Neighborhood Guide (2026)
North Park is San Diego’s hottest food and bar scene. More award-winning restaurants and bars per square mile than anywhere else in the city. The...
things to do in san diego this weekend
Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
Check out this week’s Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend and make your plans! Celebrate the Craft serves up seasonal tastings at The...
top concerts in san diego this week
Top Concerts in San Diego This Week
Here are the top concerts in San Diego this week! Turnpike Troubadours bring gritty country storytelling, MUNA turns up the heat with the Gets So...
Upcoming
Wander a Winter Wonderland of Lights at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Big Bear’s wildlife is getting a glow-up this holiday season. Alpine Zoo Wild Lights is turning the Big Bear Alpine Zoo into a winter wonderland...
Get ready for the San Diego Opera Rigoletto at the San Diego Civic Theatre
Upcoming
Kick Off Opera Season With Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Civic Theatre
  • San Diego Civic Theatre
A jester’s joke goes too far, a curse is spoken, and nothing is the same after that. San Diego Opera is kicking off its 2026/2027...
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Upcoming
See Rodrigo y Gabriela Bring OurHome to Humphreys Concerts By the Bay
  • Humphreys Concerts by the bay
Discover the music of Rodrigo Y Gabriela during their OurHome Tour, a blend of genres performed with just two acoustic guitars.
Escondido Street Festival
Upcoming
Enjoy Seven Bands and a Juried Art Show at Gather on Grand
  • Grand Avenue
Experience the joy of Gather on Grand Escondido, where music and art blend in a street festival celebration for all ages.
Live dating show chaos unfolding on stage at Love Isn't Blind San Diego
Upcoming
Catch Love Isn’t Blind Live, Where the Men Can’t Say a Word
Tired of swiping? Check out Love Isn't Blind dating show for a hilarious night of competition and unexpected romance.
things to do in san diego
Things to Do in San Diego: The Local’s Guide (2026)
People underestimate San Diego. They come for the Zoo, hit a beach, eat fish tacos near the waterfront, and leave thinking they’ve seen it. Then...
Best bars san diego
The Best Bars in San Diego Right Now (2026 Guide)
San Diego has always had a reputation as a party town. That reputation undersells it. Yes, the Gaslamp does its thing on a Saturday night....
new restaurants San Diego 2026
New Restaurants Opening in San Diego in 2026
San Diego is having a year. 2026 is tracking toward 100+ restaurant and bar openings across the county – from nationally recognized names planting flags...
The Best Restaurants in San Diego Right Now (2026 Guide)
San Diego has better restaurants than people give it credit for. Ask most food writers to rank the top dining cities in the US and...
The Barn Redefined
Shop Six Weekends of Christmas at the Barn in Ramona
Enjoy the holiday season at Christmas at the Barn. With unique trees and gift ideas, this event is a must-visit in Ramona.
The Bonnie Raitt San Diego concert brings slide guitar and soulful vocals to the bayfront
All done
Catch Bonnie Raitt Live Under the Stars at The Rady Shell
  • The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Slide guitar, soulful vocals, and a bayfront setting: that’s the recipe for a great night out. Bonnie Raitt is bringing her Live 2026 tour to...
Gorillaz
Upcoming
See Gorillaz Bring The Mountain Tour to Pechanga Arena
  • Pechanga Arena San Diego
Do not miss Gorillaz the Mountain tour! Catch them live across the US and Canada with an incredible lineup of performers.
Upcoming Events
The quartet on stage at Art of Tango The Conrad
Dive into the World of Tango at The Conrad
February 27, 2027
7:30 pm
  • The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
CAMARADA, a resident company at The Conrad, is back with The Art of Tango III, an evening that pulls you into tango’s world through music,...
MANIA The ABBA Tribute bringing the magic of ABBA to life at The Magnolia
Sing Along to Every Hit at MANIA: The World’s Number One ABBA Tribute Show
February 10, 2027
7:30 pm
  • The Magnolia
If you’ve ever wanted to relive the magic of ABBA live on stage, MANIA: The ABBA Tribute is as close as it gets. The world’s...
Where Beauty Persists
Hear a World Premiere at Camarada’s Where Beauty Persists
January 23, 2027
7:30 pm
  • The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
Discover the intriguing world premiere of Where Beauty Persists the conrad featuring a dynamic flute and vibraphone collaboration.
Kick Off the New Year on the Dance Floor at the San Diego Tango Festival
December 31, 2026
11:00 am
Looking for the best way to kick off the new year? The San Diego Tango Festival is back for its 16th edition at the Wyndham...
Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz Presented by Camarada, a Resident Company @ The Conrad
Sing Along to Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz at The Conrad
December 19, 2026
7:30 pm
  • The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
Discover a unique take on holiday music with Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz at The Conrad, showcasing jazz and seasonal favorites.